July 2022 - California Leaf

THE ENLIGHTENED VOICE

# 2 7 | J U LY 2 02 2

CAL I F O R N I A

THE CONCENTRATES ISSUE F RE E / L E A F M AGA Z I N E S . COM

INDEPENDENT CANNABIS JOURNALISM SINCE 2010

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DABBING TOOLS OF THE TRADE THE PUFFCO HOT KNIFE

COMPANY PROFILE

JULY 2022

32 CHERRY BLOSSOM BELLE

CHATTING WITH THE FRENCHY CANNOLI PROTÉGÉ

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CANNTHROPOLOGY HASH LEGEND MILA JANSEN

DANIEL BERMAN

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COURTESY

20 TERPHOGZ

MIKE ROSATI

DABBING 101 COURTESY

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BOBBY BLACK

THE CONCENTRATES ISSUE

JULY 2022

issue

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CAL I F O R N I A

EDITOR’S NOTE NATIONAL NEWS LOCAL NEWS LOCAL EVENTS SHOP REVIEW DELTA BOYZ STONER OWNER DORIAN SCHRANER TERPHOGZ COMPANY PROFILE STRAIN OF THE MONTH CONCENTRATES 101 GREG MARTINEZ DAB PENDANTS DABBING TOOLS OF THE TRADE THE GOSPEL OF HASHISH THE CONNOISSEUR CONSUMER HYDROCARBON REVIEWS SOLVENTLESS REVIEWS CARTRIDGE REVIEWS WHOLE PLANT REVIEWS EDIBLE OF THE MONTH COOKING WITH CANNABIS CANNTHROPOLOGY STONEY BALONEY

THE CONCENTRATES ISSUE

FEATURE

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No you’re not too stoned, these aren’t dabs!

They’re wearable, beautiful jewelry.

JULY 2022

30 62

FEATURE

greg “g” martinez’s impressive dab pendants

STORY by MIKE RICKER @RICKERDJ | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

E S TA B L I S H E D 2 0 1 0

T H E E N L I G H T E N E D VO I C E

N O RT H W E S T L E A F / O R EG O N L E A F / AL AS KA L E A F / M A RY L AN D L E A F / CAL I F O R N I A L E A F /

A B O U T T H E C OV E R One of the things we love most about Cannabis concentrates is the array of colors, flavors, consistencies and potencies one can experience. For this year’s Concentrates Issue cover, Leaf Chief Operating Officer Tom Bowers selected an ancient-style solventless Sunset Sherbet Temple Ball from Sunset Connect, a modern take on solventless with the Banana Punch Rosin from Jetty Extracts, and topped it all off with a shard of classic Crypto Cake Shatter from Get Globs. The result only begins to showcase the abundance available in the world of hash. Keep reading to find more reviews and profiles of some of the brightest spots on the spectrum of California Concentrates.

PHOTO by TOM BOWERS @CANNABOMBTOM WES ABNEY C E O & F O U N D E R wes@leafmagazines.com MIKE RICKER O P E R AT I N G PA R T N E R ricker@leafmagazines.com

TOM BOWERS C H I E F O P E R AT I N G O F F I C E R tom@leafmagazines.com

DANIEL BERMAN C R E AT I V E D I R E C T O R daniel@leafmagazines.com BOBBY BLACK STAT E C O N T E N T D I R E C T O R bobbyblack@leafmagazines.com NATE WILLIAMS STAT E S A L E S D I R E C T O R nate@leafmagazines.com (415) 717-6985 O’HARA SHIPE O N L I N E E D I T O R ohara@leafmagazines.com MEGHAN RIDLEY C O PY E D I T O R meghan@leafmagazines.com

CONTRIBUTORS BOBBY BLACK, DESIGN + FEATURES JOSHUA BOULET, ILLUSTRATION JACKIE BRYANT, FEATURES TOM BOWERS, FEATURES MARY CARREON, FEATURES JIMI DEVINE, FEATURES STEVE ELLIOTT, NATIONAL NEWS DANIELLE GUERCIO, REVIEWS MATT JACKSON, FEATURES ALEXA JESSE, FEATURES JESSE RAMIREZ, DESIGN MIKE RICKER, FEATURES MEGHAN RIDLEY, EDITING MIKE ROSATI, PHOTOS ZACK RUSKIN, FEATURES JAMIE VICTOR, DESIGN NATE WILLIAMS, FEATURES BRUCE & LAURIE WOLF, RECIPES

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ABNEY

Editor’s Note Thanks for picking up this terpy issue of the Leaf!

I’ve watched the world of dabs evolve from sketchy backyard open-blasting and glowing-hot titanium globs into a huge segment of the industry, powering a diverse array of ways to get supremely baked.

When I started the Leaf in 2010, the medical community really only had flower – and hash was more legendary than reality. As the years went on, I witnessed science and innovation meeting stoner ingenuity and creating a constant wave of new products, delivering specific cannabinoid and terpene effects that were the subject of dreams and “what ifs” a decade ago.

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With that said, it’s an honor and a treat to taste all of the different terps and concentrate styles represented in this issue. From RSO/FECO to live resin and my personal favorite – the solventless rosin hash I THINK WE SHOULD ALL and carts – there are a million ways to get baked in 2022, and APPRECIATE I’m endlessly grateful for that. As someone who has been caught THE EFFORT AND smoking weed so many times (from the law to my parents and INNOVATION professors), the idea of hitting a ‘pen’ that produces fruity clouds THAT HAS of weed-soaked wonder minus the aroma, is nothing short of LED TO THE magical.

CONCENTRATES ON THE SHELF AT OUR LOCAL I think we should all appreciate the effort and innovation that has DISPENSARY. led to the concentrates on the shelf at our local dispensary. So as you puff on your pen or Puffco, or take a red hot glowie to the dome – remember how lucky we are to live in a time with legal weed. As the world continues to trend toward chaos and disconnection, we share a plant that brings humans together, connecting us with love and terps in a way no other substance can.

I truly believe we wouldn’t have the war in Ukraine (or anywhere) if our world leaders would slow down, get high and connect with their counterparts and constituents – instead of leading from on high (while sober or using alcohol or pharmaceuticals). If Putin chose powerful pot instead of power, where might the world be?

Sadly, even weed can only do so much. But I did review 34 cartridges over Father’s Day weekend … and got so high that for the first time in 15 years, my dad asked me if I had taken any funny drugs for the weekend. I just laughed and said, “Nope, just a lot of dabs.”

-Wes Abney

Have a strain, product, or news tip that the California Leaf staff needs to know about? Email bobbyblack@LeafMagazines.com!

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We are creators of targeted, independent Cannabis journalism. Please email us to discuss advertising in the next issue of California Leaf Magazine. We do not sell stories or coverage. We can offer design services and guidance on promoting your company’s medicinal, recreational, commercial or industrial Cannabis business, product or event within our magazine and on our website, leafmagazines.com. Email nate@leafmagazines.com to start advertising with California Leaf!

WES

N O RT H E AS T L E A F

national news

NORMALIZATION

GLOBAL

CANADIAN MMJ PATIENTS SUBSTITUTING CANNABIS FOR OPIOIDS

GERMANY SET TO LEGALIZE CANNABIS FOR ADULT USE

G

ermany is about to legalize the sale of adult-use Cannabis. The historic move is likely to increase pressure on other European governments to follow suit.

German authorities plan to have legislation ready later this year allowing licensed shops to sell Cannabis to adults. They’re not wasting any time, either, as the health ministry began expert hearings on the issue June 14. More than 200 representatives from medical, legal and other fields took part in the hearings.

A

new survey showed nearly half of 2,697 Canadian patients with medical Cannabis access said they substitute marijuana for their prescription drugs. According to the “Journal of Cannabis Research,” half of those who acknowledged this said that the drugs they do so for are opioids. Meanwhile, a substantial number of patients are using Cannabis to minimize their alcohol intake as well. Interestingly, the survey also showed nearly one in three patients didn’t tell their primary physician that they substitute marijuana for prescriptions.

THEY’RE NOT WASTING ANY TIME, EITHER. A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF PATIENTS ARE USING CANNABIS TO MINIMIZE THEIR ALCOHOL INTAKE.

SPORTS

NBA’S MONTREZL HARRELL FACING FELONY POT CHARGES 8

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harlotte Hornets forward Montrezl Harrell is facing felony marijuana charges in Kentucky. Cops claim they found three pounds of marijuana in a car the NBA star was driving in mid-June, reports the Charlotte Observer. A Kentucky State Trooper pulled over Harrell, 28, at 9:58 a.m. on May 12. Traveling southbound on I-75, the trooper said he stopped him for following a vehicle too closely. Trooper Jesse Owens claims he “upon stop observed [the] odor of marijuana” from Harrell’s 2020 Honda Pilot, according to the citation. Harrell ”admitted to being in possession of marijuana and produced a small amount from his sweatpants,” according to Owens. The trooper then searched the vehicle, which Harrell said was a rental. The officer found “three pounds of marijuana in vacuum-sealed bags” in a backpack in the backseat. He charged Harrell with trafficking less than five pounds of marijuana.

ENTERTAINMENT

WEIRD

SNOOP DOGG GIVES HIS BLUNT ROLLER A RAISE

FOX NEWS CLAIMS MARIJUANA CAUSES MASS SHOOTINGS

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S

noop Dogg’s blunt-roller wasn’t exactly underpaid. The legendary rapper, famously fond of weed, had previously been paying his blunt man $40,000 to $50,000 a year, but he tweeted in June that he has upped the salary to an undisclosed amount. Snoop, 50, said the blunt-roller job comes with the added perk of free Cannabis. Actor Seth Rogen, a smoking buddy of Snoop’s, said the employee can tell when someone “seems like they want a blunt.”

THE JOB COMES WITH ...

FREE CANNABIS.

25 %

drop in Colorado Cannabis sales was seen between April 2021 and April 2022.

JULY 2022

64 %

of Maine survey respondents said they obtain Cannabis products from licensed retailers.

$

2.5k

is the application fee to grow medical Cannabis in Oklahoma.

W

e’d say “You can’t make this stuff up, folks” … but Fox News sure can. Fox host Laura Ingraham knows exactly where the blame lies for the Uvalde elementary school massacre and other shootings: It’s marijuana. Nope, it ain’t the fact that military-style assault weapons are easily available for purchase all over the country.

It’s not the lax gun laws, sponsored by the NRA and its campaign contributions, allowing shooters to buy weapons legally. It’s reefer madness, Ingraham claims, as reported by Talking Points Memo. That’s right, folks.

It’s none other than the old “marijuana psychosis.” Ingraham complained in June that not enough people were talking about what she claims is “the pot psychosis-violent behavior connection.” The reason for that, she claims, is because of Big Pot perpetuating a “pro-marijuana bias” in the media.

It’s “so powerful because billions are on the line with it nationwide.”

IT’S REEFER MADNESS, INGRAHAM CLAIMS.

250k

pounds of marijuana were seized at the Mexican border in 2020, down from 2 million pounds in 2014.

$

1m

live Cannabis plants were given away by the Thai government in June.

$

123m

was the spectacular total amount of Cannabis sales in Montana as of June.

STORIES by STEVE ELLIOTT, AUTHOR OF THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK OF MARIJUANA

FIND YOUR TRUE NORTH TRUENORTHFAMILYFARMS.COM

In a move that feels long overdue, the California Department of Cannabis Control (CDCC) has announced a new data tool that includes a map to assist consumers with finding their nearest licensed pot retailers.

“ONLY 44% OF Though already available CITIES AND in modified forms on a COUNTIES ALLOW variety of popular sites THE LICENSING OF AT LEAST and platforms today, the ONE CANNABIS assurances that come with BUSINESS TYPE.” relying on an unbiased, authoritative source for locating a region’s dispensaries is a welcome addition to what’s thus far been a slow digital roll-out from the state’s end. Per the North Bay Business Journal, the process of building the data tool also led the CDCC to discover that “only 44% of cities and counties allow the licensing of at least one Cannabis business type […] and 56% prohibits the licensing of all types.” With numbers that low, making it as easy as possible for consumers located anywhere in California to find a licensed dispensary – and not turn instead to an illicit alternative – should remain a priority of the highest order.

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ADOBE STOCK

State Mapping Tool to Help Consumers Find Licensed Retailers

ADOBE STOCK

local news

CALIFORNIA Stu d y Pr ove s C a l ifo rn ia D i sp e n sar i e s V ig il a n t o n I D C h e c k C om pl ia n c e Are underage patrons being given access to California’s licensed Can“HARSH PENALTIES CAN INCLUDE nabis dispensaries? According to one new study, the answer is a definitive UP TO SIX MONTHS “no.” To take the pulse on how seriously retail pot shops across the state take IN JAIL AND the matter of checking IDs, researchers sent people who seemingly looked THE LOSS OF A LICENSE FOR A underage to 50, to randomly selected dispensaries throughout California.

FIRST OFFENSE.” In findings published in the Journal of Safety Research, the study’s authors revealed that every dispensary they visited required proof of ID before permitting entry. This welcome result is unquestionably correlated with the harsh penalties – which can include up to six months in jail and the loss of a license for a first offense – that face any pot shop caught selling Cannabis to minors. Notably, the study’s authors stressed that their findings do not address the possibility of underage patrons using fake IDs. Overall, the issue is best summarized by last year’s federally-funded Monitoring the Future survey, which concluded that national underage Cannabis use “decreased significantly” in 2021.

ADOBE STOCK

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Newsom’s Latest State Budget Proposal W o u l d N i x C a n n a b i s C u l t i v a t i o n Ta x Could tax relief for California’s licensed Cannabis cultivators finally be on the way? That’s what Gov. Gavin Newsom is teasing as part of his proposed budget for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Specifically, Newsom’s budget would nix the state’s cultivation tax. Usually assessed prior to a crop’s sale, California’s current cultivation tax costs growers $10.08 for every ounce of dried “CANNABIS CONSUMPTION Cannabis flower they produce. At present, the cultivation tax LOUNGES ARE is compounded by state and local excise taxes paid first by STILL LIMITED TO SMALL POCKETS licensed distributors, then again by customers at the point of OF THE STATE.” sale. Contrasted with unregulated retailers (who pay no taxes whatsoever), the windfall brought in by Cannabis tax revenue equated to $308 million for California’s coffers in the fourth quarter of 2021 alone. Further justifying Newsom’s move are the results of a recent study commissioned by the Reason Foundation and published in May, where researchers concluded that eliminating the cultivation tax would result not in a loss, but rather in a 123% monthly tax revenue increase for the state by 2024.

JULY 2022

Cannabis Industry is Sacramento’s Ninth Largest Employer According to a report commissioned by city officials, Sacramento’s Cannabis industry is now considered to be the city’s ninth largest employer. The findings confirm the state capitol has evolved into a legitimate stronghold for Cannabis-related jobs. To explain this spike, the report’s authors cited Sacramento’s proximity to several neighboring regions without permitted Cannabis sales, as well as the city’s appeal as a new hub for cultivation. In total, the Cannabis “THE CANNABIS industry workforce in Sacramento now employs INDUSTRY WORKFORCE IN 7,970 individuals. Since adult-use sales began in SACRAMENTO 2018, the report also found that home values have EMPLOYS 7,970 INDIVIDUALS.” not decreased, nor have crime rates spiked. Business, meanwhile, has been quite impressive – with gross annual receipts more than tripling within the same timeframe.

The release of this report arrives as Sacramento’s City Council continues to weigh a proposal to approve consumption lounges, emphasizing the growing pains still being felt despite the region’s indisputable new commitment to Cannabis-related commerce.

STORIES by ZACK RUSKIN @ZACKRUSKIN for CALIFORNIA LEAF

local news

Soft Landing Pre-Funks Emerald Cup, Preserves OG Culture

BY MARY CARREON @MARYYYSTARDUST

CHRONIC CULTURE

Solventless Against the System

BY TOM BOWERS @CANNABOMBTOM

JULY 2022

Decades of sungrown Cannabis culture descended on the sunny streets of Los Angeles in mid-May, as the Emerald Triangle’s tribe of legacy cultivators and operators donned their Hollywood best to walk the red carpet at The Emerald Cup’s first SoCal-based awards ceremony at the historic Montalban Theater on the Walk of Fame.

It was a historic moment for California Cannabis. For almost 20 years, the Cup has been a mainstay of the NorCal sungrown community, acting as a beacon and arbiter of the best of the best from the Triangle.

Founder Tim Blake and his daughter, Taylor Blake, pulled out all the stops for the occasion – with a weekend of festivities culminating in a three-story event capped by a rooftop afterparty that kept the good vibes flowing until the wee hours of the morning. Even the Awards themselves took things to the next level, with PuffCo Pro trophies customized by renowned glass artist Ryan Fitt going to the winners, of which there were more than ever before – because the SoCal locale also meant the Cup featured indoor Cannabis categories for the first time in its storied history.

High spots – and there were many – included a repeat win of the Sungrown Flower Award by Farmer and the Felon for their Lemon Sponge Cake, a sweep of the top three awards for

Mixed Light by the amazing LitHouse, Fig Farms’ First, Third, Fifth and Eleventh place wins in the first-ever Indoor Flower category, Local Cannabis Co.’s First, Third and Fourth place wins in the Sungrown Greenhouse Flower category, Heritage Hash Co.’s First and Second place respective wins for its Whitethorn Rose Ice Water Hash and Whitethorn Rose Rosin, with Beezle and Cosmic both dominating the top of the Solvent Concentrate categories. (For a full list of winners, visit www.theemeraldcup.com/2022award-winners) Stakes and tensions were high for the event, which seemed to matter even more this year, being on a Hollywood stage. Perhaps the biggest tension breaker – and one of the night’s most memorable moments – was when Oscar-winning Cannabis advocate Woody Harrelson gave a hilarious, impassioned-yet-lighthearted speech, keeping the crowd in stitches and good vibes for roughly 10 minutes. @theemeraldcup

Woody Delivers The Woods

BY TOM BOWERS @CANNABOMBTOM

Speaking of Woody Harrelson, the actor and his partners – including fellow Cannabis-warrior and talk show host Bill Maher – made a huge splash during Emerald Cup weekend with the opening of their new dispensary and lounge, The Woods WeHo. A beautiful, naturalistic, open, airy space, The Woods offers a stunning set for West Hollywood Cannabis connoisseurs to shop for well-curated products. Harrelson imbued his love and respect for his friends in the Emerald Triangle sungrown Cannabis community into the menu and the decor of the shop, with a significant selection of terpene-rich THE WOODS WEHO NorCal flowers from heavy hitters such as Ridgeline, CannaCountry Farms, 8271 SANTA MONICA BLVD. THEWOODSWEHO.COM Huckleberry Hill, SoHum Royal, Rebel Grown and more. An entire wall dis@THEWOODSWEHO play dedicated to the farmers adorns the wall across from the counter.

To celebrate the grand opening, Harrelson invited a number of his farmer friends, as well as some of his celebrity friends, to celebrate well into the night on the evening before the Cup. Good vibes were omnipresent, and the phrase “Cannabis scene” felt even more applicable than ever under the Hollywood sky.

MIKE ROSATI

leafmagazines.com

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BY TOM BOWERS @CANNABOMBTOM

MIKE ROSATI

On Friday, May 13, Emerald Farm Tours hosted Soft Landing – an Emerald Cup pre-party of sorts at Under the Bridge Studios in LA’s Boyle Heights to help build connections between some of the award show’s judges, contestants and VIPs, the local SoCal Cannabis community, and the farmers up north who produce their weed. Which is, after all, the main mission of Emerald Farm Tours.

“The reason my company has been so successful is that I make sure I bring people to the plant,” says Emerald Farm Tours owner and Soft Landing organizer Victor Pinho. “I give people access to farms, get people in front of the farmers, and show people where their Cannabis is actually coming from – which allows them to appreciate the plant in a way they wouldn’t be able to otherwise.”

This philosophy creates a “COMPLIANCE EXPERTS DRESSED more knowledgeable consumIN BANANA SUITS er base and helps preserve ROAMED AROUND the OG Cannabis culture by THE WAREHOUSE LIGHTING JOINTS...” giving farmers and their land visibility. That’s the foundation upon which Emerald Farm Tours was founded, and undoubtedly that’s what went down at the Soft Landing party.

Nearly 120 attendees filtered in and out of the warehouse throughout the evening. Compliance experts dressed in banana suits roamed around the warehouse lighting joints while attendees smoked said joints, took dabs, danced to the sounds of legendary LA party DJ Lou E. Bagels, and enjoyed complimentary beer (from East Brother Beer Co.), gourmet munchies (provided by Briza Botanicals) and vino (courtesy of Bee Hunter Wine).

Sponsors and vendors at the event included Sol Spirit Farms, Guild Extracts, NORML, Coral Cove Wellness Retreat, Equilibrium Genetics and the Leaf, who served as the event’s media partner.

Thanks to Emerald Farm Tours for this intimate night of fun and networking celebrating California’s legacy Cannabis community.

Emerald Cup Goes Hollywood

Across the city from The Woods WeHo Grand Opening, Chronic Culture and Cannabis champion (and Leaf Magazines writer) Jimi Devine gathered a group of heavy hitters in the hash and flower community at The Bakerie’s LA rooftop to sample a smattering of solventless sweetness.

As an Emerald Cup solventless judge, Devine brought an array of entries to serve up for ticket holders, alongside industry hashmakers including a strong showing from freshly-minted legend Marc Hammond and his team at Kalya.

The official sponsor list was a veritable who’s who, with Wizard Trees, Cam, Cali-X, Packwoods, Money Trees, DiamondFire and Cannvestments stepping up to the plate. Every cent from the event went to benefit Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM), and the final ticket tally was $6,700. Talk about getting high for a good cause.

STORIES by CALIFORNIA LEAF STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS @CALIFORNIALEAFMAG

@

shop review

DELTA BOYZ

WHY THIS ‘HASH-CENTRIC’ CLUB STANDS OUT

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Delta Boyz is without a doubt the face of Isleton Cannabis, but the city wasn’t always so 420-friendly – Maldonado worked for years to turn the town’s excellent geographic location for a Cannabis business to his favor.

ISLETON

JULY 2022

It’s not just what’s on their shelves that makes Delta Boyz dispensary special, though. The last business at the end of Main Street, as you face the dispensary you’re immediately struck with a feeling like you’re looking at a historic structure, especially as compared to all of the Apple Store impersonators that are becoming all the rage these days. That aura holds up as you walk up to the receptionist window that feels like something out of the wild west. In fact, back in the day, the upstairs portion of “WE ARE a hash-centric club,” boasts Delta Boyz owner the building served as the local brothel. But recently, MaldoSebastian Moldanado. “If you look at our menu, you’re going nado converted that space into a consumption lounge, and all to see 710 Labs, Hash and of the private rooms off Flowers, Feeling Frosty, the main central lounge and True Hash. We always are now accessible for have the headiest hash, the people to sesh in. strongest BHO, all the cold Delta Boyz is without fire, all the good shit.” a doubt the face of Many of the best flower Isleton Cannabis, but brands in the state also the city wasn’t always so grace their shelves. Recent 420-friendly – MaldonaEmerald Cup winners Fig do worked for years to Farms, the eternal heat turn the town’s excellent of CAM, and SOG Army, geographic location for just to name a few. That a Cannabis business to doesn’t even include all his favor. the crazy flower brands “So I found a local like Money Trees and the municipality. I found Delta Boyz’ own house line three or four property that is sold at other stores owners. I signed a letter outside their umbrella. of intent to buy their There’s also a whole property contingent on bunch of killer pot they the city passing some “You’re immediately struck with a feeling like you’re looking at grow for other people too sort of law. I got the a historic structure, especially as compared to all of the Apple (that Maldonado can’t get laws passed. Basically Store impersonators that are becoming all the rage these days.” into details on). single-handedly and with But we’re talking about the celebration of hash that happens my buddy across the street,” Maldonado told California Leaf. daily at Delta Boyz.

The town was dead, the price of real estate was cheap, and True Hash is one of the brands that fall under the wider Delta it set up the Delta Boyz to go as hard as they are now all these Boyz umbrella, as is the dispensary’s house hash line – all of years later. This will be the first 7/10 they will be which are produced in the solventless and hydrocarbon hash able to party and celebrate in their new lounge. labs located just a short walk from the dispensary right there in So if you ever happen to be passing through the DELTA BOYZ town. Isleton is also home to their production, manufacturing area, be sure to visit the Delta Boyz dispensary – 66 MAIN ST, ISLETON, CA and distribution facilities as well. the jewel of Isleton’s Cannabis crown.

DELTABOYZ.COM

Nestled halfway between the state capitol and the Bay Area – just before where the Sacramento River meets the San Joaquin – lies the tiny, historic town of Isleton, where you might be surprised to find some of the best Cannabis concentrates on the planet.

@66MAINST (916) 236-6060 9AM-8PM MON & TUES 11AM-8PM WED-SAT 11AM-6PM SUN

STORY by JIMI DEVINE @THEJIMIDEVINE for CALIFORNIA LEAF | PHOTOS by MIKE ROSATI @ROSATIPHOTOS

stoner owner

B E E Z LE E X T R AC TS

DORIAN SCHRANER For the past decade, their award-winning extracts and unquestionable integrity have established Beezle as one of the most respected Cannabis concentrate companies in California, if not the country - thanks (for the most part) to the brand’s founder, Dorian Schraner.

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16 EAR LY D AY S Dorian Schraner was born on July 20, 1987, just outside Zurich, Switzerland. In 1981, his family emigrated to Sonoma County and bought some land to start an organic olive farm/oil company.

But olives weren’t the only crop being grown on the family farm. Dorian’s father used to smuggle hashish from Morocco into Switzerland before he was born, and began growing Cannabis on their property after moving to California. By the age of 16, Dorian was growing weed and even getting hash-making lessons from his dad. Growing up “surrounded by the ethos” of sustainable farming, he earned a degree in organic agriculture from UC Santa Cruz. Upon graduating in 2009, he landed a job at Santa Cruz Hydroponics – providing him access to valuable equipment discounts and networking opportunities. After two years at the hydro shop, he moved back up to Cloverdale in early 2011 and started his own indoor grow. It was shortly after his return, at a dispensary up in Hopland called Collective Conscious Apothecary, that he first got turned on to dabbing.

“My friend was like, ‘You gotta come check out this dab bar.’ And I was like, ‘Dab bar … what the fuck is that?’ So I went up there and had really good dabs for the first time,” Schraner recounts. “That was where Matt Rise launched Shatter Bros, and kids were driving there from all over the state to pick up his hash.”

JULY 2022

As it turned out, CCA had just had a bunch of employees walk out and were in need of help, so Schraner offered to work the dab bar for the summer. While there, he befriended Rise and other local hashmakers, and after seeing how they operated, made a fateful decision.

“I had all this weed I was growing to save money to go to grad school in Switzerland … but after seeing how BHO was made, I thought, ‘That doesn’t seem that hard – I could do that too.’ So I just bought all the equipment and started doing it.”

THE BIRTH OF BEEZL E Schraner set up shop in a garage on his family farm and began making concentrates.

He decided to call his new venture Beezle – the nickname his group of friends in high school had adopted for their crew.

“It’s actually a funny story,” he explains. “We all did mushrooms one night and somehow ended up with the word ‘Beezle’ written on a mirror with all of our names around it. After that, we just became the Beezle crew. Later, we decided it was an acronym for ‘because enemies eating zebras leave evidence,” he jokes. “But anyway, we ran with it, and it worked really well for the whole honey oil/wax thing.”

Beezle’s first official drop was in November 2012 – a Jesus OG bubble hash made with genetics acquired from legendary breeder Subcool.

Right out of the gate, Beezle

established itself as a brand to be reckoned with when just a month after their launch, their first release took second place in the solventless category at the Emerald Cup. More awards soon followed, including wins at Connoisseurs Choice and the Bay Area Secret Cup in 2013, and first place wins at the first two Dab-A-Doo competitions (Amsterdam 2013, Denver 2014).

“The momentum just started growing,” Dorian says, “And I was like, ‘All right – I guess I’m not moving to Switzerland. Let’s see where this goes.’”

Starting in 2013, Schraner began flying out to Colorado to observe how the legal market was developing and learn from the major players there. It was in Denver that he bought his first closed-loop extractor (the Emotek Obi-Dos) and was trained by the system’s inventor Giddyup and his live resin co-creator, Kind Bill Fenger. It was also in Denver that Dorian reconnected with TC Labs owners Matt Van Benschoten and Mike Pesce, who he’d originally met at the Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam the previous year.

“I just hit it off with them, like we were on the same wavelength,” Schraner recalls. “I felt like they were the Beezle equivalent in Colorado.

They had to go through the whole regulatory process and figure out what was going on before we did. They brought some business acumen and experience we needed to adopt here in California, so we decided to partner up on everything.”

BEEZLEBRANDS.COM | @BEEZLEBRANDS

LEFT: THE BEEZLE TEAM WELCOMES CLOVERDALE CITY OFFICIALS TO THE LAB. ABOVE: BEEZLE’S BUSY BOOTH AT THE EMERALD CUP.

F ROM 2 1 5 TO 6 4 sure everyone’s like-minded and operating After the passage of Prop 64, transitioning under good practices,” says Schraner. “It not successfully into the newly-legalized market only aligns with our ethos, but also makes for a became Beezle’s top priority. better product, better yields, and better business “As the talks of licensing and stuff started sense overall.” happening around 2017, we started going to It’s from these high-quality, organic genetics city council meetings and getting very involved that Beezle crafts their delicious array of live in the process. We pretty much opened our and cured resin budders, badders, sugars and doors to the city planner, the fire chief, and the sauces, as well as their top-shelf Black Label police chief. They did a whole walkthrough with live resin diamonds and sauce (a 50:50 blend us, and we were like, ‘Look – we’re not bad of THC-A crystals and liquid terpenes). Beezle is people. We work only with dispensaries. We’re also known for their highly potent and flavorful trying to do it the right way.’ We even offered strain-specific live resin cartridges: half-gram to help draft some of the Sauce carts comprised of BEEZLE’S BIZZYBEE EXTRACTION SYSTEM. ordinances and stuff, and pure liquefied live resin they were very receptive to with no distillate; and it. So before Prop 64 even full-gram Buzz carts which came into effect, we got an blend live resin terps approval to operate during and around 60% THC the transition.” distillate, just to keep the potency high. “Because CO N CENTR ATING in the pen market,” ON QU A L I TY Dorian notes, “everyone’s The company operates chasing potency.” out of a warehouse space Unlike many at a business park in concentrate companies, Cloverdale that houses two giant walk-in storage Beezle prides itself on using only Cannabisfreezers, several different work areas, and of derived ingredients in its carts. This commitment course, a C1P1 processing room powered by to purity and quality is the main reason they’ve a Bizzybee multi-rack extraction system (which won over a dozen awards to date, including at Schraner touts as the “Ferrari of extractors.”) this year’s Emerald Cup where they took home Here, his staff of 26 processes around two tons third place for their Orange Blossom Buzz of plant material each month – nearly 80% Cartridge, and both first and second places in of which is fresh frozen. Though they source the Hydro-Carbon Solid category (for their Key material from all over the state, they prefer to Lime Paya Live Resin Budder collab with Luma work mostly with local, legacy farms.

Farms and Gary Payton Live Resin Budder collab “We try to vet all of our farmers and make with Earthen Farms).

“We try to vet all of our farmers and make sure everyone’s like-minded and operating under good practices,” says Schraner. “It not only aligns with our ethos, but also makes for a better product, better yields, and better business sense overall.”

EXTRACT I O N T O E X PAN SI O N This year, Beezle is celebrating its tenth anniversary and their future is as bright as a red-hot glowing banger: They’ve recently launched a division in Maryland, have licensing agreements in the works for Las Vegas and Michigan, and are currently building out new cultivation and processing facilities in New York which they expect to have online by the end of the year. Impressive achievements that the company’s founder, now 34, speaks of with the utmost humility.

“It’s been a long journey for sure,” he says.

“Obviously, in business, you’re going to have ups and downs, but if you can get through it all and stay true to your ethos – and still smoke weed – at the end of the day, that’s really what’s important.”

A Stoner Owner is a Cannabis business owner who has a relationship with the plant. We want to buy and smoke Cannabis from companies that care about their products, employees and the plant. You wouldn’t buy food from a restaurant where the cooks don’t eat in the kitchen, so why buy corporate weed grown by a company only concerned with profits? Stoner Owner approval means a company cares, and we love weed grown with care. Let’s retake our culture and reshape a stigma by honoring those who grow, process and sell the best Cannabis possible.

STORY by BOBBY BLACK @BOBBYBLACK420 for CALIFORNIA LEAF | PORTRAIT by MIKE ROSATI @ROSATIPHOTOS | ADDITIONAL ART courtesy Beezle Extracts

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TERPHOGZ

COMPANY PROFILE

MENDOCINO

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20

CO-FOUNDERS TONY MENDO & GREEN R FIELDZ

Mendo is clear that the brand’s impressive forward movement is a team effort, referencing in particular their Managing Director “Jondo” Orantes.

IF YOU’VE EVER SMOKED ZKITTLEZ, odds are you recognize the name Terphogz. Once described by B-Real as “a room changer,” Zkittlez has been named one of the “100 strains to try before you die” by Leafly and has helped make the brand a household name for a whole new crowd of Cannabis smokers. This award-winning concentrates and genetics company is comprised of a band of breeders and innovators from Northern California led by co-founders Tony Mendo and Green R Fieldz, who represent not only a half-century of combined experience with Cannabis, but also a rich history with music and fashion.

JULY 2022

M E N D O S AY S H E ’ S B E E N G R OW I N G S I N C E H E WA S 1 3 ,

when his mother’s boyfriend gave him some scrappy plants to grow in their backyard. At 17, he moved to Mendocino and started working for a friend’s parents in their gardens before starting his own at home. Fast forward to 1998: After building a reputation for cultivation, Mendo also started recording music and working with different up-and-coming producers, one of whom introduced him to his future business partner.

“The dude that was making my beats, his name was Kendall Travis, but we called him KT the Orchestrator … he was how I met Green R Fieldz,” Mendo recalls. “[Fieldz] was a young dude talking about smoking weed, and KT was like, ‘This is the weed guy!’ He introduced me to Fieldz and Fro [Frozilla] … we were Mendo Green Team after that.”

Fieldz has also had success in the music world – releasing three full-length albums, including tracks with Smoke DZA, Yukmouth, Potluck and Andre Nickatina. In fact, the name Terphogz is even derived from a rap reference – a callback to the chorus of an E-40 track “Mustard and Mayonnaise” which describes “… big cars, turf hogs and Cadillacs.”

“That was at a time when nobody was using the word ‘terp’ in their monikers,” Mendo explains.

“We were coming up with names, and out of desperation, I was like, ‘We should call ourselves the terp hogs … the hogs of terps.”

Mendo and Fieldz would go on to work with other hip-hop artists – including Klypso, DJ Amen and Cozmo – before forming Terphogz in 2014.

Mendo attributes at least some of the brand’s current success to their past careers.

“I think if we would’ve just been two dudes from Mendo, it would’ve been different,” he muses. “We weren’t, though – we already had hella street cred.”

As far as fashion goes, their iconic use of houndstooth preceded its fashion resurgence by at least a year, and Mendo even had a clothing line called Nuglife Ent. Not content to rest on their laurels, they’ve been building the lineup and grinding nonstop – dropping new flavors and product advancements like Hansel and Gretel dropped breadcrumbs.

Because, as Fieldz says on his 2020 album “The Hillz Have Eyez”: “New strain after new strain, they gonna always wanna see these new flavs. Not everyone can keep up.”

Keeping up doesn’t seem to be a problem for this prolific group. In 2017, they pioneered Proto-Terp – an analysis tool that compiles online test results to compare terpene profiles. Last year, they released their Zeuz in vape pods for CCELL, added the “terpcuzzi” (a cold pack that ensures your dabs stay fresh) to their jarred concentrate packages, and supplied genetics for a five-strain collab with Seven Leaves. For this year, they’re

FIELDZ & MENDO keeping their foot on the gas with the scheduled releases of full-gram, solventless Zeuz pods, their first 510-thread cartridges since 2018, a nursery partnership with Refined Genetics, and their first-ever clone drop of Zruntz.

Mendo is clear that the brand’s impressive forward movement is a team effort, referencing in particular their Managing Director “Jondo” Orantes. Orantes was brought in around 2017 and is now a minority partner.

“Jon’s a huge part of our every day,” says Mendo. “This dude came into Terphogz and organized our crazy shit. Now, it’s a three-man team: Jondo, Tony Mendo and Green R. Fieldz.” Orantes, who was instrumental in creating the Blooberry Z and Zlushi, has his own impressive history of growing, with over 30 years of working with Cannabis under his belt.

“Weed got added to my chore list when I was 11,” he points out.

Selecting strains for award-winning concentrates is a group effort that requires not only time and expertise, but also the ability to ignore a certain amount of market pressure.

“A couple of years ago, people started wanting dry flower,” says Orantes. “People get a misin-TERP-retation: They taste a strain in a pod

and want it as a flower, but when they smoke the flower, they’re disappointed. People are chasing down all these fruity strains and putting them on their flower menu, but they don’t taste that great.”

A perfect example of this is the success of their Blooberry Z, which won Second Place Hybrid Flower at this year’s Michigan Hash Bash Cup. “My bro had gotten these seed packs from Canada that were special Bubbas,” Mendo explains. “He lived in San Diego, so he started calling it the Stumpy Downtown Kush.

When he moved to Mendo, he bought a place that came with this Bell Springs Blueberry. He tamed that thing, then crossed it with the Stump, and together we made the Dankster Blooberry. It had the craziest terp ever. You’d catch it in extracts, but we couldn’t grow that as smoke – as a flower it tasted almost like cardboard and tobacco. Then, Jon threw in the Z3 pollen (supplied by Terphogz crew member Dave) to make the Blooberry Zkittlez we run today.”

The story is a perfect example of how collaboration has become one of Terphogz’ most effective tools for expansion. Their relationships have helped them discover the next part of the mission: to organize the community that has sprung up around Zkittlez, and together, unlock better combinations for the future.

“Z stuff is being smoked and talked about everywhere. Everyone has put a ‘Z’ on the end of a strain name. We’re stoked to see how far it’s gone. It’s amazing.”

A public call for collaboration isn’t something you often see from a brand with this kind of reputation, but it falls perfectly in line with their mission to spread Z terps worldwide.

Terphogz Though the company is extract with gearing up to drop 20 new included reversed Zkittlez varieties, they dab spoon, dab mat & seem almost more excited “terpcuzzi” about what other breeders cold pack. will do with the new varietals than how they’ll be received by the public.

“I can’t wait to see other people’s Z terps that they make!” said Mendo.

Following a recipe combining independence, talent and an ability to adapt, this group is making moves to ensure that this legacy gets properly presented to newer markets.

Maybe that’s what it means to be Terphogz: to work from FOLLOW tradition but always listen to that TERPHOGZ wild streak, to know all the dirt ON INSTAGRAM trails by heart but dare to swerve @TERPHOGZ_OFFICIAL off the path.

STORY by MATT JACKSON @ACTIONMATTJACKSON for CALIFORNIA LEAF | PORTRAIT by MIKE ROSATI @ROSATIPHOTOS | ADDITIONAL PHOTOS courtesy of TERPHOGZ

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STRAIN OF THE MONTH

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CAL I F O R N I A

When the California Leaf Magazine team met to discuss the perfect strain to feature for our annual Concentrates Issue, we had one goal: find a toptier finished-flower version of a strain known for making amazing hash.

The ideas started flowing. “GMO,” one person exclaimed. “Papaya!“

AS

we searched for well-known hash strains in amazing finished-flower form, it turned out that not many people were curing and packaging traditionally hyper-washable flower. Instead, they were sending it off to get turned into hash. Imagine that!

We racked our brains for another round and it turned out the perfect cultivar was making a whole lot of noise right under our noses. Enter the Whitethorn Rose from Huckleberry Hill Farms.

A vibrant, snappy cross of Paradise Punch and Lemon OG – cultivated under the Southern Humboldt sun by legacy legend John Casali and his partner, Rose Moberly – this gorgeous, deep purple flower fills the largest of rooms with a punchy terpene profile of electrified Orange Tang, lavender, earth and pastry dough. No joke, when you open a jar you might find yourself resisting the urge to just straight up eat this weed.

It’s such a stunner that when seshing with a renowned genetics hunter, he asked me to make an introduction to the grower.

In the right hands, Whitethorn Rose’s pillowy nugs make absolutely world-class hash. At this year’s Emerald Cup awards in Los Angeles, the team at Heritage Hash Co. in Mendocino took home the first place award in the Ice Water Hash category, and second place in the Rosin category for the solventless they made from the Huckleberry Hill cultivar (see our profile of Heritage Hash Co.’s head hashmaker Cherry Blossom Belle on page 33).

That said, we hope Casali and Moberly never decide to send their entire Whitethorn Rose harvest to wash for hash – the flower is just too damn good. Which reminds me: It’s time to go roll up a hash hole of Whitethorn Rose flower with Whitethorn Rose rosin. We highly recommend you do the same.

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WHITETHORN JULY 2022

ROSE BRED AND CULTIVATED BY HUCKLEBERRY HILL FARMS

PICKHUMBOLDT.COM @HUCKLEBERRYHILLFARMS

In the right hands, Whitethorn Rose’s pillowy nugs make absolutely world-class hash.

REVIEW & PHOTO by TOM BOWERS @CANNABOMBTOM/CALIFORNIA LEAF HAVE A LEAD ON SOME SERIOUS FIRE? EMAIL BOBBYBLACK@LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

All Things Cannabis For All People beardedlorax rickerdj stashleylynn maaryjwhite

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Marijuana products may be purchased or possessed only by persons 21 or older. This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit-forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination and judgment.

Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children.

WATCH ON LEAF LIFE PODCAST V2

7 POINTS IS BRINGING THE CENTRAL VALLEY BETTER CANNABIS. What was once an abandoned citrus pack house is now home to a state of the art indoor cannabis cultivation facility. With the first harvest coming down in 2019, 7 Points has proudly been cultivating high quality indoor cannabis for 3 years to the date.

Since the turn of recreational legalization, the Central Valley has notably lagged behind some of the other major hubs of California in the cannabis world, but now it’s our time to make an imprint on this evolving industry. 7 Points believes our flower is something the cannabis communities of the Central Valley can be proud of and support as their regional brand of cannabis goods.

Over the past 3 years our team has been hyper focused on our cultivation process and servicing our local community. Now we believe our brand is ready to expand our retail footprint and bring a bit of the Valley to the rest of California’s Cannabis communities.

Want to learn more about us? Contact our sales team at sales@7points.biz.

7POINTS_CA | 7POINTS.BIZ

THE CONCENTRATES ISSUE

LEAF NATION G U I D E

CONCENTRATES 101 When our neolithic ancestors first discovered the nutritious qualities of Cannabis seeds and began to forage for them regularly, they quickly noticed how sticky their fingers would get when they broke apart the flowers. It is from this sticky beginning that humans learned about Cannabis resin and began the process of refining and concentrating it into what we now know as hash. While generally speaking “hash” can refer to any number of concentrated resin products derived from the Cannabis plant, in today’s modern world we have developed a wide array of concentrated resin products that are worth understanding.

S T A R T I N G M AT E R I A L

COMMON CANNABIS CONCENTRATE CONSISTENCIES

Fire in, fire out. The quality and cure of Cannabis being turned into concentrates.

FRESH FROZEN FLOWER

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Generally labeled as ‘live’ – flowers cut and flash frozen immediately after harvest.

The quick cut and freeze time captures the resin at the point of harvest and is made directly from the fresh frozen resin. If the flower’s harvest was timed correctly, then this yields an extremely flavorful concentrate very true to the aroma of the living flower itself.

LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

DRIED FLOWER Flower that has gone through the normal drying process, but generally not the curing process. Many concentrates can be cured after extraction, and therefore many companies do not cure the resin beforehand.

BIOMASS Primarily in the hemp industry, but also in large scale Cannabis companies. The waste plant material that accumulates in the harvest supply chain and typically added to edibles or topicals, but sometimes in lower quality concentrates and cartridges.

july 2022

SHATTER

PULL ‘N’ SNAP/TAFFY

BUDDER/BADDER

HONEYCOMB

Hard, flat and glass-like. Very common due to their relatively cheap price point and ease of use.

Rigid oils that break apart like glass into chunks and can be dabbed or added to a bowl.

Similar to shatter, but instead of breaking apart they stretch in a manner similar to caramel or taffy candy. Slightly more difficult to work with due to its sticky nature, but can be dabbed, mixed into bowls, and are commonly rolled into snakes and placed into joints and blunts.

Oils that have not undergone the process of winterization – meaning that the fats, waxes and lipids of the plant still remain in the product. This creates a thick, moist and creamy oil that requires a tool to work with and is most commonly dabbed.

A dry and dense oil that crumbles to the touch and is relatively less sticky than most concentrates.

Often takes on a honeycomb or Swiss cheese-like structure and is generally more rare in the market.

SUGAR

DIAMONDS

SAUCE

Semi-crystalline oil that resembles an incomplete syrup or a thick, wet sugar substance.

Typically dabbed and requires a dab tool to use. Most oils will age into a sugar as the THCa will crystalize over time.

Pure THCa crystals that have been allowed to form from pure Cannabis distillates.

These achieve the highest potency of THCa, but generally lack any other type of terpene or cannabinoid.

Often mixed with terpene-rich sauces and dabbed.

Liquid oils left over as the THCa crystalizes out of solution.

Typically very terpenerich, flavorful and fragrant. Usually vaped in a cartridge or used as a dipping sauce for more solid dabs.

Generally the most difficult texture to work with.

WHOLE PLANT EXTRACT Also known as RSO, whole plant extract has not undergone any type of refinement process.

Deep green and almost black in color. Can be eaten straight, but often mixed with food or formulated into edibles. Robust and highly medicinal, this product is not often dabbed.

STORY by TAYLOR MARTIN for LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by LEAF NATION STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS

SOLVENTLESS The resin is collected by mechanical means rather than chemical.

CHARAS

DRY SIFT

ICE WATER HASH

Created by running one’s hands along living plants in a field. Ripe and sticky trichome heads stick and accumulate over time, and the resin is then stuck together into larger masses that can be smoked on their own or mixed with flower.

Raw resin heads in their natural form.

Using fine micron bags and screens, resin heads are knocked off the plant and sifted into a form that looks like a fine beach sand. Generally mixed with a smoking herb, but can also be dabbed.

Utilizes cold water to knock off and collect the resin heads, rather than dry force. Plant matter is mixed with ice in large mixing containers and then filtered through micron bags to collect the resin heads. The hash is then dried to reveal the raw resin heads, then pressed and refined further, but can be smoked as is.

TEMPLE BALL Hand-pressed hash that’s been heated and rolled into spheres with an airtight oxidized coating.

These balls are then aged to allow for slow chemical processes to occur which cure the resin and elevate the product. This process produces a terpene unique to hash called hashishene.

FLOWER ROSIN Raw flower that is squished under a press and through a fine micron mesh bag. Generally contains contaminants from the plant material itself, but is preferred by some flower lovers due to its purity.

HASH ROSIN Raw, sifted resin heads placed in a micron bag and pressed to squish out the oil under controlled amounts of heat and pressure.

Captures the most pure resin possible, as it leaves behind the waxy coating of the trichome.

Typically yields the highest quality resin concentrate product possible.

THE CONCENTRATES ISSUE

GREG “G” MARTINEZ P E N DA N T S

WHAT’S AROUND YOUR NECK? WHAT STARTED AS A HOBBY FOR A DABBING ENTHUSIAST HAS BECOME AN OFT-RECOGNIZED DELIGHT AMONGST PEOPLE WHO LOVE CONCENTRATES AND UNIQUE WAYS OF CELEBRATING THEM.

30

BASED IN Washington state, this side hustle from Greg “G” Martinez – a brand ambassador of the renowned Smokey Point Productions – has turned into a craft that’s on the level of some of the greatest art forging around. Just like a replica of a famous painting, or an illustration that’s a remarkable facsimile to an American dollar bill, the onlooker will find themselves in awe of the similarity … barely able to discern between the real thing and the fake.

But this is more than just faking the gooey-love-puddy that we stoners regale in a glass saucer and turning it into an eye-catching pendant. There’s a flossy element to it – a way of posting up by dangling your enthusiasm for high-end hash straight off the neck for all to witness, all the while accentuating your look. It’s jewelry, yes – but it is also advocacy for acceptance and education in a way. After all, most of the world still could not explain the differences in consistencies from diamonds to rosin.

And speaking of diamonds, he’ll be upping his game with jewel-encrusted and gold versions in the foreseeable future.

leafmagazines.com

IT’S JEWELRY, YES – BUT IT IS ALSO ADVOCACY FOR ACCEPTANCE AND EDUCATION IN A WAY.

DABWITHG.COM @DC_AND_G

JULY 2022

Meanwhile, Greg is beginning to work with rappers, celebrities, artists and companies with brands (with some of them even using his work for their packaging in varying states).

He will admit that the technique is not new – all hand-crafted with epoxy, ceramic, glass and other materials – and that it’s not his invention. Others around the social media world were either early pioneers of creating these, or early adopters of the craft. Either way, the cat is out of the bag and this dude has got a lead in the race. And thank goodness, because the more the better when it comes to Cannabis fashion allowing you to flaunt your love of the plant, and all the loveliness that oozes from its glowing trichomes.

STORY by MIKE RICKER @RICKERDJ | PHOTOS by @IAMCREATIVESPACE, @THECANNACAM & @THATKIDPAYT

T E C H N O LO G Y

LET’S FACE IT: Puffco’s Peak forever changed the world of Cannabis concentrate consumption as we knew it. And if you’re as reliant on it as I am for your daily dabs, you’re likely looking for ways to maximize its functionality and ease of use.

Introducing the Hot Knife and the Journey Bag – two accessories that are affordable and essential to expressing your Peak’s highest potential.

DABBING TOOLS OF THE TRADE AN ULTRA-MODERN TAKE on the old-school, do-it-yourself method of heating hash from which it takes its name, the Hot Knife is an electronic dab tool that does one simple but incredibly useful thing: It heats your dab to precisely the temperature needed for it to drip off the tool’s ceramic tip and into your Peak chamber without causing it to vaporize – eliminating the messy, AVAILABLE annoying chore of trying to scrape IN BLACK the sticky extract off into the botOR INDIGLO tom (or heaven forbid the side!)

INCLUDES USB-C of the chamber. Simply hold down CHARGING the button and three seconds later, CORD $59.99 ta-da – your dab is in the bowl and ready to smoke.

Puffco Hot Knife

Puffco Journey Bag INCLUDES PUFFCO ICEPAK | $59.99

PHOTOS BY BOBBY BLACK @BOBBYBLACK420

FOR DABBERS ON THE GO, nothing beats Puffco’s new Journey Bag. Think of it as a padded purse for your Peak that resembles a low-slung gun holster (though far less menacing). Made of durable, water-repellent nylon, this stylish black shoulder sling features four main compartments: the Peak pocket, which keeps your device easily accessible and upright so the water in your glass attachment doesn’t spill out; a large storage pocket for other essential items, inside of which are two smaller pockets (including a thin one to slide your dab tool into); a cushioned screen-safe phone pocket; and coolest of all (literally), a small, thermal-lined “chill pocket” at the bottom that’s equipped with a tiny freezer pack to keep your jars of concentrate cool. It also features an adjustable strap with a magnetic buckle and a slip-proof pad under the base. Whether hiking through the woods, strolling the beach at sunset, trekking around town or cruising around a Cannabis festival, the Journey Bag is perfect for keeping your Peak portable and protected.

PUFFCO.COM | @PUFFCO

ONCE THE WORLD got tired of taking hot dabs, BLACK AND LIMITED stoners began to innovate. The original way we could EDITION COLORS tell if a banger or titanium nail was too hot, was to AVAILABLE. $249.99 hold a finger an inch or so away and go off of feeling.

Needless to say that is not only a safety hazard, but also kind of archaic. I mean, we are smoking out of pipes that have five-figure price tags – why not make the dabbing experience a little more sophisticated? The Dab Rite is an infrared thermometer that tells you the exact temperature of your banger, nail, swing-arm, or whatever surface you are dabbing off of. The first thing you’ll want to do is set the material of your banger, with options including quartz and opaque quartz for those extra-heady worked pieces. Next you can set your temperature – and play with the flexible arm that enables you to place it at any angle underneath your banger – where it’ll read the temperature and display it on the small screen of the device. You’ll be able to watch the temperature decrease until it reaches the number you have set it to, and it’ll beep and flash when it’s time for you to dab (you can choose to silence it as well). Hands down, the Dab Rite completely changed the game for me – ending the days of burning my throat with hot dabs and ensuring I can actually taste the flavors I am chasing with dabbing concentrates. Thanks to this device, my precious terps are finally safe.

DABRITE.COM | @THEDABRITE

PHOTOS COURTESY DAB RITE & STACHE

Dab Rite

Stache DigiTül AVAILABLE IN BLACK AND PURPLE | $29.99

IT’S NO SECRET that dabbing technology is constantly evolving into wild new territories, and in our never-ending quest for accessories that convey this growing sophistication, we found the DigiTül

by Stache Products. A dabber running off of AAA batteries in the handle, it features a detachable metal tool and can literally tell you the exact weight of the concentrate you have scooped onto the end of it. The process is simple: Place the dabber on a flat surface, turn it on, scoop your concentrate, and put it back on the same flat surface. The digital screen will read the exact weight of the concentrate down to double digits. After testing out the dabber versus a traditional scale, it consistently weighed the correct amount and was more accurate than a single-digit scale. The DigiTül absolutely pushes the envelope for concentrate accessories into an exciting new realm, developing a tool that’s sure to find its way into the hands of many looking to fine tune their dabbing experience.

STACHEPRODUCTS.COM | @STACHEPRODUCTS

REVIEWS by BOBBY BLACK @BOBBYBLACK420 & WYATT EARLY @ERRLYWYATT/LEAF NATION

31

THE CONCENTRATES ISSUE leafmagazines.com

32

PROFILE

HERITAGE-MENDOCINO.COM FRENCHYCANNOLI.COM

SPREADING THE GOSPEL OF HASHISH Cherry Blossom Belle @cherryblossom_belle holds the teachings of Frenchy Cannoli and she isn’t keeping them to herself. endary Cannabis grower and breeder, sugof Manufacturing at Heritage Hash Co. dispensary gested that he preserve his art by taking in Ukiah, Calif. It’s the first micro-business in the on an apprentice. He agreed and asked state that dubs itself a “hashery.” Belle compares Belle – who was a farmhand on Leo’s it to a brewery or roastery because visitors to the Cannabis farm at the time – if she’d take dispensary can watch professionals press hash and on the role. So why did Frenchy choose extracts right in front of them. Eventually, Heritage her? True, Belle had previously dabbled in Hash Co. will also have an on-site consumption hash-making as a teen, but according to lounge attached to its facility, giving people a her, his reasons were based place to taste the elegant flavor more on personal connection notes of the craft Cannabis extracts than experience. produced there.

“I think [Frenchy] saw me The Heritage team recently won as someone who was young first place in this year’s Emerald Cup’s and motivated and wasn’t set Solventless category for its Whitethorn in their ways yet,” says Belle.

Rose live ice water bubble hash. The “We also both had a culinary team also earned a second-place background that we really trophy for Whitethorn Rose live rosin. connected on and had many “Whitethorn Rose will be the flavor similar cultural values and of the decade,” Belle predicts. “People ways of doing things.” are going to remember it for a hot Remarkably, Frenchy and minute. It made a huge impact, and BELLE & HASHMAKING ICON Belle had both lived in Japan it’s all because of the quality of HuckFRENCHY CANNOLI at the same time before they leberry Hill Farms’ genetics.” knew each other: That’s where Belle grew Since Frenchy’s untimely passing last summer, up during the first 10 years of her life, Belle has begun co-hosting workshops with Mawhile Frenchy was a fashion designer dame Cannoli. She is also doing a series of collabthere making designer stingray purses. orative classes on the road with Byrd Extracts (most HASHISH MAKING is a form of ancient alchemy.

After leaving Japan, Belle lived in Southeast Asia for recently in St. Louis, Missouri). Belle believes that The people who study this fine art are knowledge the following eight years. Frenchy also spent several part of her role here on Earth is keeping the art of keepers of a proud tradition that’s sadly fading years of his life in Southeast Asia. Living abroad hashish making alive by passing on the knowledge away in the United States. An extraordinary young impacted how they both approached their work – Frenchy bestowed upon her to others. woman who goes by the name Cherry from cleanliness to dedication to the style of “Frenchy gave me the skills to become a great Blossom Belle is one of these rare wisdom apprenticeship – which she says resembled hash maker,” she says. “But teaching me was to keepers, and she’s helping Heritage Hash traditional Japanese culture. ensure that there will be other great hash makers Co. produce some of the best concentrates Belle studied under Frenchy, honing the in the future. He always said, ‘You can either be on the market. art of hashish for nearly a decade, four known as the person who shared [this information] Belle was the apprentice of late master years of which she lived with him and his wife to the world, or you can be known as the person hashishin Frenchy Cannoli. She first met Kimberly (who goes by Madame Cannoli). who hoarded it. Who do you want to be?’”

Frenchy in 2012 through her brother, Leo “I started backing him in his workshops, Based on the number of workshops Belle has Stone of Aficionado Mendocino, who had and I instantly assumed the position,” she already taught and her desire to spread the gospel connected with him after Aficionado won says. “It was this unsaid thing between us, of hash to the world, it’s clear how she wants to first place in the flower category at the Em- BELLE AT THIS YEAR’S and that’s where we vibed. We didn’t have be remembered: as a teacher. In the future, she’s EMERALD CUP erald Cup – a victory that would ultimately to talk to each other – of course, we did, hoping to dabble in international markets and focus AWARDS. change both siblings’ lives forever. Frenchy about all kinds of things in life – but we more on pressed hashish. and Leo initially bonded over the importance of didn’t need to talk in terms of him telling me what “My art and my love will always be pressed branding and aesthetic presentation. he needed. For instance, he didn’t have to tell me hash,” she confesses. “I won’t have to fight the “Frenchy and my brother were like long-lost he needed ice – I already knew. And it was just like market as hard for pressed hash on the internationfriends from a past life,” Belle recalls fondly. “They that between us.” al level. Here, I feel like I keep trying and trying and were spiritually so connected and were instant Belle’s infatuation with the plant and its array of trying. But the market already exists in Europe and friends as soon as they met.” expressions is the force driving her to deepen her Brazil. They want pressed hash there. So why not Frenchy quickly became the resident hash maker practice as a hash master. Belle is now applying play in the markets that welcome you, instead of the at Aficionado. That’s when Subcool, the late legher years of training with Frenchy as the Director one that makes you fight for it?”

JULY 2022

STORY by MARY CARREON @MARYYYSTARDUST for LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by MIKE ROSATI @ROSATIPHOTOS & COURTESY CHERRY BLOSSOM BELLE

F E AT U R E

THE CONNOISSEUR CONSUMER Discussing Higher Level Dab Techniques with Adam Lee Simpson @simp.lee.adam Born from the need to judge multiple entries in a short duration of time, Simpson has created what he calls the “bloom dab” – his way of assessing how robust and satisfying a particular concentrate is. The first step is to warm your banger enough to melt the concentrate, but not enough to burn your skin. Next, breathe in the aromatics as the concentrate melts into a thin film, using your senses to pick up on subtleties, both good and bad. Then (and this is where the technique becomes more advanced) the goal is to try to feel out how long those flavors last under the light heat you’ve given the banger.

“The flavor will peak,” Simpson explains. “I call this the ‘Bloom Curve.’”

“Concentrates higher in sesquiterpene to monoterpene [ratios] will have a wider bloom curve than more monoterpene to sesquiterpene,” Simpson speculates.

After 30-60 seconds of sussing out the bouquet of the concentrate, if there are no weird or off-putting aromatics, the next step is to consume the concentrate by applying a very light re-heat. This technique is not unlike when sommeliers and cicerones aerate the wines and beers they’re about to consume by swirling and inhaling them before consumption in order to help analyze them.

“BEYOND TAKING YOUR DABS AT LOW TEMPERATURE, APPLYING THE ‘BLOOM DAB’ TECHNIQUE CAN LEVEL UP YOUR CONSUMPTION EXPERIENCE AND HELP YOU MORE THOROUGHLY ENJOY THE NUANCES AND COMPLEXITIES EACH PRODUCT HAS TO OFFER.”

T H E F O U N DAT I O N S

Picture this. It’s 2010. You just got to your weed dealer’s place because it’s faster to drive across town than to wait for him to come to you.

You’re just there to buy a bag, man. Then, out of nowhere, he whips out a smoking contraption and suddenly you’re the guinea pig for your dealer-turned-backyard-chemist’s creations.

He fires up a torch and blasts a titanium nail until it’s glowing red hot, tells you “It’s go time,” and drops a fat chunk of crumble on top as you inhale. As you pull the thousand degree cloud of vaporized Cannabis into your lungs, you are immediately destroyed – doubling over in pain as you cough harder than you ever have before.

This is unfortunately the way that many veteran consumers experienced Cannabis concentrates for the first time, nearly martyring themselves through the pursuit of higher heights.

THE VERDICT

DIAMONDS IN SAUCE

Thankfully, this fundamentally wrong approach to dabbing Cannabis concentrates has been retired as the industry continues to evolve and look for healthier, less abrasive methods of consuming these products.

THE NEXT LEVEL

In 2022, consumers have access to widely available concentrates-specific hardware – developed from the ground up to achieve the best dabbing experience possible. We also have access to the years of anecdotal data and a modest amount of papered research to help guide our evolution. It is in this era we find well-versed concentrates connoisseur, hash maker and Masters of Rosin judge, Adam Lee Simpson, and a technique he developed to enhance and diversify the experience of consuming Cannabis concentrates.

There are a lot of reasons to deviate from your current dabbing practices and try something new. After all, it’s becoming increasingly widely known that dabbing your concentrates at high temperatures can result in adverse effects to one’s health – which is why the practice of taking dabs off red-hot nails is now nearly obsolete.

Beyond taking your dabs at low temperature, applying the ‘bloom dab’ technique can level up your consumption experience and help you more thoroughly enjoy the nuances and complexities each product has to offer.

While it could be argued that the ‘bloom dab’ technique is essentially an overly thought out cold start, there is every bit as much of an argument that this technique can be highly beneficial for someone that’s judging Cannabis concentrates in a competition format, or for those on the retail level being tasked with deciding whether or not to add a concentrate brand to their shelves. Or perhaps you’re just an avid connoisseur who prides yourself on your palate and wants to explore every facet of flavor each unique concentrate has to offer. Whatever your situation, we recommend giving it a try and experiencing this next level technique for yourself.

STORY & PHOTO by NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415/LEAF NATION

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THE CONCENTRATES ISSUE leafmagazines.com

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HOLY WATER JELLY RANCHERS UNHOLY LIVE RESIN/ROSIN

THIS NORCAL-BASED extractor is on a major come-up, taking both 1st and 3rd Place in the Hydrocarbon Liquid Solvent category at The Emerald Cup Awards in May for their White Runtz and Orange Daiquiri, respectively. Both stellar strains are made from flower by Peak Organics, and the resulting sticky sap deserves every accolade it’s gotten.

The White Runtz delivers delectable sweetness, and the Orange Daiquiri brings that fruit with a funky undertone. 68.9% THC | 79.7% Total Cannabinoids | gocosmic.co @cosmicbrands

SOMETIMES it’s hard to decide what to put in your PuffCo Pro. Thankfully, Holy Water has the answer for that problem. The Unholy split jar offers both the solventless and solventextracted experience, with the Jelly Ranchers rosin on one side and the live resin version on the other. Frankly, it was difficult to pick a favorite of the two: The live resin seemed slightly brighter and more herbaceous, whereas the rosin seemed a little richer. Together they made for a great experience.

76% Total Cannabinoids | 72% THC | 11% Terpenes | @holywater710

Review by Tom Bowers @cannabombtom

Review by Tom Bowers @cannabombtom

COSMIC CONCENTRATES WHITE RUNTZ & ORANGE DAIQUIRI LIVE RESIN

hydrocarbon TRUE NORTH FAMILY FARMS LEMON DROP CRUMBLE

BOX CONCENTRATES ORANGE CREAM CAKE SAUCE

Trinity County’s True North Family Farms, renowned for producing elite sungrown Cannabis flower, is now diving into the world of extracts with this Lemon Drop crumble crafted in partnership with Tree Bird Brands.

The nose is a mixture of astringent lemon cleaning detergent and sugary sweet Lemonhead candies. When dabbed at low temp, the extract’s lemon characteristics are backed by subtle notes of spice and funk. 85.2% THC truenorthfamilyfarms.com @truenorthfamilyfarms

THERE’S SOMETHING enticing about a plain white box. Instead of spending money on flashy advertising, Box is sourcing from sungrown and greenhouse flowers to create simple, effective concentrates. Their Orange Cream Cake sauce isn’t too runny, making for a nice scoop from the dab tool. There’s a hint of orange zest that’s not overpowering, but rather quite pleasant, as well as a subtle, spicy backend at higher temperatures – possibly from the high concentration of caryophyllene (a terpene commonly found in pepper, oregano and clove).

79.12% Total Cannabinoids | 78.65% THC | 2.19% Caryophyllene | .86% Humulene boxconcentrates.com @box_concentrates

Review by Nate Williams @natew415

Review by Matt Jackson @actionmattjackson

JULY 2022

GET GLOBS CRYPTO CAKE SHATTER Founded in the Bay Area, Get Globs has been keeping the fire alive on classic concentrate smoking styles. This one has big Chem Dog energy. The chem dominates the flavor here, but you can still find some Ice Cream Cake in the robust exhale that grabs you by the short hairs. An incredible, rapid-onset head high paired with an easily transportable product makes this a no-brainer for any concentrate kit.

77% THC | 92.14% Total Cannabinoids @getglobs | Review by Matt Jackson @actionmattjackson

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BEEZLE EXTRACTS GARY PAYTON LIVE RESIN BUDDER Beezle has built a solid reputation over the years, offering stellar live resin to the NorCal market and garnering awards in competitions such as The Emerald Cup. The trend continues, with Beezle taking 1st and 2nd Place in the Hydrocarbon Solid Solvent category of the Cup’s 2022 awards. We sampled the 2nd Place winner, Gary Payton from Mendocino’s Earthen Farms (@earthenfarms), and savored the fuel, earth and orange peel on display. 67% THC | 83.8% Total Cannabinoids beezlebrands.com @beezlebrands | Review by Tom Bowers @cannabombtom

GET GLOBS THE JUICE SAUCE Get Globs has simple branding that goes along with their message to the world: Take every day one glob at a time. As part of the Get Globs live resin series, right when you open the jar of The Juice Sauce, you’ll catch a potent and citrusy fruit punch smell. This caviar-esque mix of White Widow and Tangie is a terpy sauce with a thick diamond layer – one that you should shine a light through to fully appreciate. The flavor has combined citrus from the Tangie and the White Widow, but there’s also earth and pine present. Very cerebral and perfect for loading up at Cannabis events. 73.78% THC | 84.89% Total Cannabinoids | @getglobs Review by Matt Jackson @actionmattjackson

REVIEWS by CALIFORNIA LEAF STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS | PHOTOS by TOM BOWERS @CANNABOMBTOM

THE CONCENTRATES ISSUE

solventless FIELD EXTRACTS ICE CREAM SUNDAE LIVE ROSIN LONG-TIME SoCal hashmaker Field Extracts does not skimp on quality of product or packaging for its live rosins and resins. Each ornate box is held closed by a tiny branded dab spoon, creating a ritual to unearth the flavors and aromas within. The Ice Cream Sundae Live Rosin drizzles a tangy pungence over a sweet base. Yum. 75% THC | field.la @fieldextracts Review by Tom Bowers @cannabombtom

NASHA STRAWNANA ROSIN BUDDER NASHA OWNER Barron Lutz crafts phenomenal hash in his lab in Arcata, where he’s been known for years for his modern takes on traditional styles such as powder ice water hash and heated, pressed temple balls. It was a treat to get his take on a contemporary-style offering, with a freshly-pressed batch of rosin from flower cultivated by Clearwater Farms. It might be psychosomatic, but there was more than a hint of strawberry creme wafer in the flavor profile on this ball of goodness. nashax.com @nashaextracts | Review by Tom Bowers @cannabombtom

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REAL DEAL RESIN BLUMOSA LIVE HASH ROSIN REAL DEAL RESIN tucks top-flight solventless into its playful packaging. The hash brand from NorCal’s Leef Holdings works wonders with SOG Army’s Blumosa (Mimosa x Blue Cookies), featuring a scrumptious consistency like fresh marzipan.

Careful with the deliciousness here – you may end up looking for some munchies to pair with it. Actually, maybe don’t be so careful.

72.4% THC | 80% Total Cannabinoids | leefca.com @realdealresin__

leafmagazines.com

Review by Tom Bowers @cannabombtom

ALIEN LABS X KALYA ALIENADE COLD CURE ROSIN FEW NAMES in California Cannabis carry the same heady weight as Alien Labs – I’ve experienced consistent excellence behind every label. When it came out that they were collaborating with Oakland’s legends-on-the-rise Kalya, everyone knew it was going to be stellar. The complex, intriguing Alienade cold cure rosin doesn’t just play multiple notes, it plays multiple instruments – with a refreshing, snappy, citrus tart sitting first chair. 76.1% THC | 79.9% Total Cannabinoids alienlabs.com @alienlabs kalyaextracts.com @kalyaextracts | Review by Tom Bowers @cannabombtom

JULY 2022

FORTÉ DONNY BURGER LIVE ROSIN CULTIVATED BY LANDHAMMER FARMS FORTÉ is a new name in California’s adult-use concentrates scene and is coming out the gate strong, dropping some serious heat. This Donny Burger is a gorgeous and stunning pale-white badder and boasts some seriously loud, funky and greasy aromatics. The nose translates nicely to the palate, delivering a mouthful of chemmy gas and light melon underscored by funky GMO terps. 83.7% THC | 6.1% CBG findforte.com @forte_solventless | Review by Nate Williams @natew415

CHERRY KOLA FARMS X MYTHC LIFE ICE CREAM CAKE LIVE ROSIN SONOMA COUNTY’S Cherry Kola Farms teamed up with the crew at MYTHC Life to create this potent live rosin, the duo’s first offering for California’s adult-use market. A two-second cold start to open up the aromatics of the rosin reveals layer after layer of sweet and creamy dough-forward terps, backed by a touch of rotting fruit funk. The vapor from a low-temp dab is enjoyably punchy and expansive in the lungs, not to mention plenty stoney.

70.6% THC | cherrykola.com @cherrykolafarms_Westcountybrands.com @mythclife Review by Nate Williams @natew415

NAUGHTY CANNABIS CO CAKE CRASHER COLD CURE LIVE ROSIN NAUGHTY CANNABIS CO is a new brand being pioneered by Eliza Espinoza, Co-Founder of Humboldt County’s Seventh Wave Distribution, in order to create more products women can identify with. Their Cake Crasher cold cure live rosin is one of their first offerings and does not disappoint.

The aroma is a delightful mix of rich tropical fruit and sweet creamy cookie dough, and the taste brings both those elements together but adds a touch of gas not detected on the nose.

76.5% THC | seventhwavellc.com @naughtycannabisco Review by Nate Williams @natew415

JETTY EXTRACTS BANANA PUNCH FIRST WASH LIVE ROSIN 90U A BAY AREA Cannabis staple since 2013, Jetty has carved its own path with programs like the Shelter Project and The Cannabis for Good Tour. This first-wash Banana Punch rosin is goldenrod and looks like a delicious, half-chewed taffy. You get a bit of nail polish on the nose, followed by a sweet banana smell. At first, the taste is Banana, but the exhale spotlights the Punch while carrying some sweeter candy tones. The creeper high on this takes a minute to set in but leaves you with a beautiful, relaxed feeling. 74.75% THC | .18% CBD jettyextracts.com @jettyextracts Review by Matt Jackson @actionmattjackson

HONEY BUTTER ROSIN COMPANY GREASE MONKEY FRESH-PRESS ROSIN

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SLIGHTLY AMBER-COLORED when viewed from the side, this had an unexpectedly fruity smell that brightens the senses. This glassy rosin had a greasy, gassy exhale that still carried some sweet fruit on low or high temp. The high was very munchieinducing, so having at least two bags of chips on hand is strongly recommended. honeybutterrosinco.com @honeybutter_rosin_co | Review by Matt Jackson @actionmattjackson

ROYAL KEY CANDY WALLS SOFT SERVE LIVE ROSIN

SUNSET CONNECT SUNSET SHERBET TEMPLE BALL

ANYONE WHO calls themself a connoisseur in California is undoubtedly aware of the Royal Key brand and what it represents. This Candy Walls (which is an in-house hunted pheno of White Runtz x Strawberry Surprise x White Zkittlez) live rosin is bursting with sugary sweet Z terps, intertwined with subtle notes of eucalyptus and menthol. The vapor is as complex on the palate as it is in the aroma, delivering tons of tropical Z terps mixed with a sugary red berry and gasoline funk – bravo! 72.5% THC | 7.3% Terpenes | royalkeyorganics.com @royal_key_organics | Review by Nate Williams @natew415

HASHISH GARLIC JUICE LIVE ROSIN HASHISH is an up-and-coming solventlessfocused brand based in San Diego bringing modern technology to the classic art form of hash making. This Garlic Juice Live Rosin is a gorgeous shade of blonde, and has an outrageously funky and gassy aroma, even right out of the fridge. A low-temp dab releases a cloud of expansive vapor that’s packed with gym sock, diesel fuel and fermenting fruit terps. 70.3% THC hashishofficial.com @hashishofficial

SUNSET CONNECT has a rich and storied history tied to the Bay Area, as founder Ali Jamalian was arrested and nearly deported for Cannabis possession in the Presidio in 1999. When he returned to SF in 2011, his efforts in growing and providing medical Cannabis around the Sunset District earned him the name “the Sunset Connect.” This Sunset Sherbet temple ball was made by separating the trichomes with ice water and freeze drying them before pressing. It melts beautifully, and I was able to take off a piece with my fingers and get that rich smell which seems to mix freshly-tilled earth, baker’s chocolate and pistachio. You can snake this in a joint, top some on a bowl, smoke it alone, or even vaporize some using a Peak Pro 3D chamber – truly an artisanal delight. 63.43% THC 4.22% CBD | 70.24% Total Cannabinoids sunsetconnect.co @sunsetconnect Review by Matt Jackson @actionmattjackson

Review by Nate Williams @natew415

REVIEWS by CALIFORNIA LEAF STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS | PHOTOS by TOM BOWERS @CANNABOMBTOM

THE CONCENTRATES ISSUE

cartridges SELECT ELITE LIVE LEMONBERRY KUSH CLIQ POD ONE OF the national leaders in high-potency cartridges for the better part of a decade, Select and its parent company, Curaleaf, could easily choose to rest on their laurels as the company to beat – yet they continue to innovate. Their new Cliq pod cartridge system gives a sleek home to their popular Elite Live high-terpene oil, and the tech provides a smooth-hitting, reliable alternative to the traditional 510-threaded cartridges that are the market standard. 90.97% Total Cannabinoids | 87.47% THC selectcannabis.com @select.better | Review by Tom Bowers @cannabombtom

HALARA EARTHDAY CAKE LIVE DIAMOND SAUCE HALARA MEANS to “take it easy” in Greek. Based out of Santa Rosa, this live diamond sauce is a special collab with the One Tree Planted charity – part of their ongoing limited-release series, where each cartridge sold equals another new tree planted. Earthday Cake is a proprietary blend of Lucid Blue and THC Bomb, and the flavor is just as they describe.

Earthy yet sweet with just a touch of funk on the backend, the pleasant hybrid experience makes this an excellent choice for day or nighttime activities. Not to mention you’ll feel good knowing that thousands of new trees have been planted by consuming Cannabis.

86.8% Total Cannabinoids | 84% THC | 2% CBG | 7% Terpenes | 2.32% b-Myrcene 1.5% b-Caryophyllene | 1.01% d-Limonene | gohalara.com @gohalara Review by Matt Jackson @actionmattjackson

CHEMISTRY PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE LIVE TERP CART

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CHEMISTRY SIGNALS its commitment to its name in a number of ways, perhaps most obviously evidenced by their insistence in listing the entire major cannabinoid and terpenoid testing profiles on the packaging for their line of tasty vape carts. Flip over the box for their Pineapple Upside Down Cake cart and preview the entourage effect while you sip the vapor. This ocimene and b-caryophyllene rich cart, made with sungrown flower from Mendocino cultivator Radicle Herbs, offers a significant amount of tropical fruit flavor – like inhaling a banana piña colada smoothie. 85.4% Total Cannabinoids | 76.3% THC trychemistry.com @trychemistry | Review by Tom Bowers @cannabombtom

PURIST EXTRACTS GLAZED APRICOT GELATO SAUCE LIVE RESIN CARTRIDGE LIFELONG CONNOISSEURS from the Sierra Nevada foothills, Purist Extracts use their ties with farms all over California to create strain-specific cartridges and extracts from their home base in Nevada City. Extracted without using any trim or additives, this fresh-frozen, live resin sauce is a sweet mix of Gelato and Legend Orange Apricot. Sitting at just over 9% terpenes, a super sweet orange flavor carries over the top of the whole profile. This pleasant hybrid experience had enough punch to be an excellent option for concerts or live events – best vaporized at temperatures between 1.9 and 2.4V. 91.3% Total Cannabinoids | 9.2% Terpenes | 3.07% Terpinolene 1.68% b-Caryophyllene | 1.76% Limonene | puristextracts.com @purist.extracts Review by Matt Jackson @actionmattjackson

TIMELESS CHERRY ICY DISTILLED VAPE CARTRIDGE

leafmagazines.com

SOMETIMES, you want a cartridge that tastes like the dankest weed imaginable. The Timeless Cherry Icy distilled vape cart is for those other times - the days when you want something that tastes sweet. Like, candy sweet. It’s reminiscent of Chewy Sweet Tarts, with a salivating fruity aftertaste and is free of fillers – just terpenes and Cannabis oil included. Packaged in its playful poptop flip-case, it’s the perfect cart for a night out – especially if you’re in a place where your clouds need to smell a bit more sweet and discrete. 92.6% Total Cannabinoids 87.6% THC timelessvapes.com @alwaystimeless.co

THE LEGION OF BLOOM STRAWBERRY BANANA MONARCH CARTRIDGE THE LEGION OF BLOOM’S Monarch cartridge is absolute mastery in mobile vaporization form. Triple-distilled high potency Cannabis oil and expertly extracted single-source, steam-derived Cannabis terpenes come together to create the gold standard for distillate cartridges. This mouthwateringly sweet Strawberry Banana cartridge doesn’t skimp on flavor or potency – only on cost – making it one of the best bang-for-your-buck options on the market today. 85% THC | 3% CBG | thelegionofbloom.com @thelegionofbloomca | Review by Nate Williams @natew415

Review by Tom Bowers @cannabombtom

PLUGPLAY OGKB LIVEST CARTRIDGE OPENING THE BOX for one of PlugPlay’s proprietary batteries dishes up a dose of nostalgia – it’s like pulling a VHS tape out of its sleeve. The tech inside is anything but archaic, however.

PlugPlay’s cartridge pod and battery duo delivers some of the largest clouds we’ve seen on the legal Cannabis market. Available in multiple formulations, their DNA line is made with original strain-specific terpenes, their Livest line is made from flash-frozen, fresh-harvested flower, and their Exotics line is for when you want fruit-flavored blends. 78.36% THC | plugplay.com @iamplugplay Review by Tom Bowers @cannabombtom

JULY 2022

HASH AND FLOWERS GMO, STRAWNANA AND HONEY BANANAS ROSIN PODS HASH AND FLOWERS has been making waves amongst dabbers across the state for their extremely terp-forward single-source hash rosins, and are now rolling out the on-the-go version with their proprietary solventless rosin pods. The GMO is next-level funky, the Strawnana is a fruit bomb with some nice gassy undertones, and the Honey Bananas is, to put it lightly, surreal. These pods taste amazing, can go anywhere and are highly effective – win, win, win. hashandflowers.com @hashandflowers | Review by Nate Williams @natew415

REVIEWS by CALIFORNIA LEAF STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS | PHOTOS by TOM BOWERS @CANNABOMBTOM

whole plant BIRD VALLEY ORGANICS BODY RELIEF FULL-SPECTRUM OIL IN 2011, two first-generation Americans and third-generation farmers, Manny and Terry, traveled from Florida to California to learn about Cannabis. Inspired by the medical movement, they wanted to study under expert cultivators to advance regenerative practices – and six years later, they started Bird Valley Organics in the Pajaro Valley. Their full-spectrum Cannabis oils come in five different CBD:THC ratios, each geared for a different situation. The Body Relief is a 1:30 targeted for muscle pains – and while most of us will drop it on some candy or a cracker – you can also dab it or mix it with lotion for an effective topical.

You’ll feel your entire body relax when this takes effect. 68.76% Total Cannabinoids | 64.74% THC | .7931% CBD | 1.22% Terpenes | 9.8mg CBG 7.7mg CBN | 3.5MG CBC | 2mg THV birdvalleyorganics.com @birdvalleyorganics Review by Matt Jackson @actionmattjackson

CREME DE CANNA ACTIVATED FULL-SPECTRUM OIL A SANTA CRUZ FAVORITE since 2010, Creme de Canna has always been a brand inspired by the therapeutic benefits of Cannabis. From their days making infused ice cream to their inclusion of an extraction team in 2012, they’ve continued to evolve and remain true to their decade-old vision of providing Cannabis products to the world. Full-spectrum oil, or FSO, is an amazingly openended product that can be ingested, vaporized or applied topically. For people used to taking slightly larger doses, FSO can be the perfect solution to consuming Cannabis without having to eat an entire bag of edibles. Each little dropper contains a full 840mg of THC. Just a rice grain-sized drop is all you need to start. THC 84.1% | CBD .23%. | Total Cannabinoids 89.05% | cremedecanna.com @cremedecanna_ca Review by Matt Jackson @actionmattjackson

PROOF CBG DROPS & CAPSULES SINCE 2016, Proof has had one simple goal: to create high-quality Cannabis products priced so everyone can use them. Stunned by the high pricetag of most wellness options, they work with local farmers to ensure those who rely on Cannabis for wellness always have a dependable, compassionate choice. Cannabigerol, often called the ‘mother of all cannabinoids,’ is found in trace amounts in many different strains. Studied since the ‘60s for its potential benefits for brain function, pain relief and vitality, it has both anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties.

Proof’s 1:1:1 blend of CBG, THC and CBD has a broad spectrum of cannabinoids to help stimulate the endocannabinoid system throughout the day and promote good health. Available as either a tincture or capsules, their formula is sugar-free, vegan, gluten-free, and contains nothing but MCT coconut oil and Cannabis oil. 150mg THC/CBD/CBG (drops) | 125mg CBG/THC (capsules) proofcannabis.com @proof.wellness Review by Matt Jackson @actionmattjackson

REVIEWS by MATT JACKSON @ACTIONMATTJACKSON for CALIFORNIA LEAF | PHOTOS by TOM BOWERS @CANNABOMBTOM

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CAL I F O R N I A

Lowell Farms Raises $18m in Private Equity

CONNECT WITH YOUR AUDIENCE

Vertically integrated Salinasbased Cannabis company Lowell Farms received an $18 million private equity investment which will be used “for working capital purposes, automation investments, and expansion into new markets,” a press release said. Lowell Farms, formerly known as Lowell Affordable advertising Herb Co., was acquired by Indus available now!Holdings in February in a deal CALIFORNIALEAFMAG email nate@leafmagazines.com for details $39 million and is listed on worth CALIFORNIA LEAF on including your brand and company in MAGAZINE the August 2022 issue of Californiathe Leaf!Canadian Stock Exchange. #CALIFORNIALEAF

edible of the month

“IF YOU LOVE WEED, WEED FLAVORS AND INNOVATIVE WAYS TO CONSUME THEM, THIS EDIBLE IS A HIT” 42

710 LABS

HASH ROSIN GUMMIES leafmagazines.com

You’d think with the inevitability of edibles tasting like their active ingredient that more producers would embrace the flavor of Cannabis instead of hoping to cover up bitter distillates, but weed culture is still evolving every day.

THIS IS WHY the newer breed of products that taste like an Designed by Emerald Cup-winning edible makers Elefante, actual cultivar (not just a candy) are growing in popularity and these confections are molded to match 710’s emoji-esque logo, market share on shelves filled with dark chocolate and fruit and are all vegan and gluten-free. We tried their Randy Watzon gummies. While having weed in food still feels like a novelty flavor, and they hit a note that we realized is really missing from sometimes, the same old options can get tiresome – especially for the edibles section. While many brands already incorporate people who rely on edibles medicinally. live rosin or full flavor extracts in their edibles, these have no For the Concentrates Issue, we’re featuring an edible additional flavors. It’s so simple, but so brilliant. The that embodies the strain it’s created from to such a result is a jammy and creamy punch of weed flavor that degree that it actually tastes like a rosin dab – straight hits like a sugary dry pull, and it’s downright heavenly.

710LABS.COM up. If that sounds bad to you, feel free to turn the page Earthy in extremis, these candies give you the flavor and @710LABS … but for aficionados of the terpenes that contribute to a feel of smoking but with the delight of a chewy trifle. plant’s taste and aroma, it’s a whole new world of weed flavors.

It’s like someone made marijuana marmalade that tastes like 710 Labs, a company famous for its super-exclusive list of jellied dirt, gas and hops, in all the ways us heads adore from limited-release drops, are also known for generating Cannabis flower and concentrates consumed via inhalation. products that high-key accentuate the plant, from sharply fragrant If you love weed, weed flavors and innovative ways to consume flowers to bright and audacious concentrates. Case in point: their them, this edible is a hit … literally! It’s going to be such a Hash Rosin Gummi, which takes these signature concentrates pleasure to try and compare different strains as they’re created – and shoves them right into an unflavored candy base. just like sourcing flower.

JULY 2022

REVIEW by DANIELLE GUERCIO @REALDANHELL for CALIFORNIA LEAF | PHOTO by TOM BOWERS @CANNABOMBTOM

YAY JULY! HERE ARE THREE SIMPLE RECIPES THAT WILL DELIGHT, AND YOU NEVER HAVE TO TURN ON THE OVEN. That’s how I like my July. And August. Top of the stove cooking is fine, but if I can toss, blend, stir and slice, I’m good. In these recipes a teaspoon of infused oil or butter is 5mg, and I went with the indica-dominant Cosmic Terps from Mr. Nice Guy. It makes me feel really good and I must say, although I rarely admit it, I smoke a bowl of this while indulging in the desserts! I’ve been told that I shouldn’t talk about smoking and only focus on eating, but I love a joint or pipe.

Love to taste the terps!

Serves two | 5mg THC per glass

MANGO SHAKE 2 large ripe mangoes, peeled and cut in pieces 1 cup vanilla ice cream, any type 1/2 cup milk, any type 2 teaspoons canna-butter or oil 2 tablespoons sugar (optional)

cooking with cannabis

chilled out treats

1. In a blender, combine all ingredients.

2. Divide between two large glasses.

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Serves 12 | 5mg THC per slice

Some say the terpene myrcene, in mango, helps you get a little higher. I love that. Use any type of ice cream or milk, non-dairy is fine.

If the mango is sweet, no extra sugar is needed. If you are wanting a thicker shake, freeze the mango before blending.

Serves two | 5mg THC per glass

FRUITY WHIP 1 1/2 cups vanilla Greek yogurt, chilled 24 pitted ripe cherries, chopped, keep juice 1 tablespoon sugar or honey 2 teaspoons canna-butter or canna-oil 1/4 teaspoon almond extract

1. In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients.

Don’t stir so much that you can’t see both the yogurt and the fruit. It’s prettier. Chill for an hour before serving.

If you haven’t tasted cherries with almond flavor, you have missed a combination that is stellar. Cherry season doesn’t last that long, seize while the iron is hot.

2 cups raspberries 1 cup blueberries 1 cup sliced strawberries 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1 tablespoon lemon or orange juice powdered sugar 1 cup raspberries 4 tablespoons canna-butter, melted and cooled 2 tablespoons sugar 2 tablespoons orange juice 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 store-bought cake of your choice, 12 serving size

1. In a medium bowl, combine the fruit with the sugar and juice. Chill.

2. In a blender or processor, combine the raspberries, canna-butter, sugar and vanilla, until smooth. Chill.

3. Place the cake on your work surface. With a serrated knife, slice the cake in half horizontally.

Have the bottom half be taller. You can use toothpicks stuck in the sides to guide your cut, though by no means does it need to be perfect.

Scoop the cake out of the bottom half.

4. Fill the depression in the cake with the fruit.

Smooth to be level, and put the top back on.

5. Dust with powdered sugar.

#July #FarmersMarkets #EatFruit #DontFearTheEdible #EatSeasonally #BeSafe

leafmagazines.com

R EC I P E S b y LAU RIE WOLF P HOTOS b y B RUC E WOLF

STUFFED AND STONED CAKE

I am not suggesting that you bake the cake.

It’s July. Buy any cake that feels right in this preparation. That would mean pound cakes, sponge cakes and absolutely angel food. Scoop out the inside, fill it with fruit, and drizzle with infused raspberry sauce.

cannthropology leafmagazines.com

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PRESENTS

Hail To The Queen Dutch entrepreneur, inventor, and adventurer Mila Jansen has been smoking, smuggling, and making hashish for over a half-century. Along the way, she’s revolutionized how it’s made, established herself as an international Cannabis icon, and more than earned the title by which she’s best known—the Hash Queen.

EARLY LIFE Mila Jansen was born in Liverpool on December 5, 1944. The daughter of a Dutch oil executive, she spent her childhood traveling between England, Indonesia, and the Netherlands before settling in Amsterdam in 1955. She worked in greenhouses during her teens before getting pregnant at 18 and dropping out of school. It wasn’t until 1964 that she first tried hashish—thanks to her boyfriend, who was studying medicine and wanted to observe its effects.

“I rolled my first joint [tobacco and hash], and I remember just lying on the floor rolling with laughter,” Jansen says. “It was love at first toke.”

Mila Mila presents presents the the Best Best Nederhash Nederhash trophy trophy at at the the 2010 2010 Cannabis Cannabis Cup Cup in in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam.

by some to be a precursor of the Cannabis coffeeshops that would follow.

“We might have been the first coffeeshop, apart from the fact that we never sold anything,” Mila chuckles. “We just traded and shared whatever hash might arrive from Turkey, Lebanon, or Afghanistan.”

Their hip hangout attracted all kinds of people from around the world who came to drink tea, have a smoke, and trade goods. It became Mila & partner Henk at their so popular that neighbors complained about it, boutique Kink 22 (1966). and within a year, the police had shut it down. What’s worse, they KINK 22 threatened to take Mila’s daughter away from In 1965, Mila got a job at a local fashion studio, where she her, so she decided it was time to go. befriended a gay designer named Henk Koster. Before long, “I was about to travel to Mexico when this guy the duo opened their own clothing boutique called Kink 22. walked into the teahouse who’d been to India, Employing custom designers, they began churning out mod and within two hours, my whole plan changed. and hippie style clothing and were the first shop in Holland to No more Mexico—I was heading for India!” sell miniskirts. At the height of the counterculture revolution, In 1968, with only $600 in her pocket, Mila Kink 22 attracted creative spirits from all over the world—inand her daughter set out for India. cluding Tina Turner, who once bought a dress there. And in 1967, a Dutch filmmaker shot an art film there (“De VerloederPASSAGE TO INDIA ing van de Swieps”), in which Mila had a role. But the boutique Mila’s six-month-long journey to India took her became so popular that they soon had trouble keeping up with through much of Europe and the Middle East. demand, so in November 1967, they switched the boutique Along the way, she spent nearly a month in into a teashop. And since the cups of tea often came with a Mazar-I-Sharif making dry sift with the locals, free joint (again, tobacco and hash), the shop was considered

July 2022

Mila in 1967.

A scene from the film “Deterioration of the Swieps Family” (1967).

smoked a hookah with cops at the Iranian/Afghan border, and rode in the back of a truck atop boxes of dynamite. She finally arrived in India in December 1968—just in time for her 24th birthday. From there, she also ventured to Nepal, where she traveled with nomads, visited Buddhist monasteries, and learned to make charas.

Mila loved India so much that she spent the next 14 years there—summering in Manali and wintering in Goa (a popular destination for hash-loving foreigners). During that time, she made a living by mailing items back to Holland to sell, including Tibetan jewelry, dresses from Delhi, and blocks of hash hidden in hollowed-out books.

In 1971, she fell in love with a fellow Netherlander named Hans Swart, whom she married and had two children with. Though Mila had many adventures hiking through the Himalayas—some of which included meeting the Dalai Lama and being attacked by wolves—only one was documented on film: a three-month-long odyssey with Hans in 1976 that he hoped to turn into a documentary someday.

Mila and Hans trekking through Ladakh in the Himalayas (1976).

Mila and Hans’ wedding (1971).

RETURN TO HOLLAND In 1988, Mila finally returned to Amsterdam for good— but unlike before she’d left, the city was now filled with Cannabis. So as a single mom with four kids to support, she rekindled her passion for gardening to earn a living growing weed for coffeeshops. Within a few years, she was running 13 gardens all across the city. But in 1992, her largest grow—a greenhouse with 24,000 plants— was raided by police just 10 days before harvest. Other busts followed, forcing her to reassess her career. Fortunately, though, a new opportunity was about to present itself—one that would establish her as the new hash queen of Amsterdam.

HEMP HOTEL In 1998, Mila invested some of her newly acquired capital from the Pollinator into another marijuana-relatOriginal Hemp Hotel sign & ed venture: the other Mila memorabilia.

Hemp Hotel—a small budget hotel dedicated to hemp education that featured five rooms, each decorated to re-

flect a different exotic region they’d visited. They also incorporated hemp into the hotel’s amenities—including soaps, shampoos, curtains, and mattresses. Their onsite bar/café even served 11 kinds of hemp beer and hemp rolls with breakfast. And once a month, their “Hemple Temple Nightbar” hosted a “ladies’ hash night” gathering. Sadly, in 2013, their landlord chose not to renew their lease, and the Hemp Hotel was closed.

MILA’S JOURNEY After the death of her former husband Hans in 2007, Mila decided to recreate a portion of their original Himalayan trek, film it, then combine that with Hans’ old footage (which had been collecting dust) into a new documentary. The result was “Mila’s Journey” (2011)—a retrospective of Mila’s life and adventures, and a touching tribute to Hans.

DAB-A-DOO After serving as a celebrity hash judge at California’s Chalice festival in the early 2010s, Mila was inspired to create her own concentrate competition. On her 69th birthday, during the 2013 Cannabis Cup, the Hash Queen hosted a party at Dab-A-Doo - Amsterdam her Pollinator shop she 2014 with hash experts Doug dubbed Dab-a-Doo—an Dracup, Mila, Robert Connell invitation-only event Clarke and Todd McCormick. focused on dabbable concentrates. Since then, she’s now hosted 30 Dab-A-Doos all around the globe, including Denver, Miami, Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru, and Jamaica.

AWARDS & ACCOLADES Time has not slowed down this beloved marijuana matriarch.

In 2017, she launched her own line of live resin called Hash Queen extracts. The following year, she released her autobiography, “Mila: How I Became The Hash Queen.” And this fall, she’s doing another Dab-A-Doo tour through South America.

Over the past decade or so, Mila has been showered with accolades from every corner of the Cannabis world—receiving numerous lifetime achievement awards and being included in several “most influential people in Cannabis” lists. Yet, there’s one honor we still owe her: an official coronation. Because, after all, every queen must have her crown.

For our podcast & more Cannabis history content visit worldofcannabis.museum/cannthropology.

STO RY b y B O B BY B LAC K @ CAN N T H RO PO LO G Y for LEA F NAT IO N

IMAGES COURTESY OF MILA JANSEN

Left: With basket of weed in Kullu, India; above: with daughter Miloes in Manali (both from 1968).

THE POLLINATOR Since she didn’t care much for smoking flower, Mila made her own hash, which she did by dry-sifting the leftovers from her various grows—a slow, tedious process best done in the cold. She did that for a couple of years… until one night in 1994 when, while doing some laundry, she had an epiphany.

“I was standing in front of my clothes dryer, and it suddenly hit me: what those clothes were doing inside the dryer, waffling around like that, is exactly what I was doing with this dried [plant] material. So the next morning, I went and got an old clothes dryer, put a screen around the drum, took away the heating, threw my leaves in, and lo and behold—the crystals were lying in the bottom of the dryer! I had invented the Pollinator.”

Simple yet brilliant, the Pollinator was the first device ever designed to separate the trichomes With early Pollinator machines. from dried Cannabis mechanically rather than by hand (how it had been done for thousands of years prior).

“I had 5,000 guilders (Dutch dollars) left after all those years of growing, so I used them to build the first three Pollinators,” she says. “Robert Connell Clarke unveiled it at the Cannabis Cup that year, and it’s taken off from there.”

The invention of the Pollinator led to the creation of what’s known as “nederhash”— a style of dry pressed hash made in the Netherlands. (Before this, almost all hash in Amsterdam was imported.)

With their catchy slogan of “Hash from Trash,” Mila and her team started selling the machines like hotcakes (or, should I say, pannekoeken). The Pollinator was soon followed by her Ice-O-Lator bags in 1998 and the Bubbleator in 2005 (both used for ice water extraction to make “bubble hash”). Her extraction machines’ success earned Mila a handsome living and a regal new honorific: the Hash Queen.

Unfortunately, in 2015, the Dutch government informed Mila that her Pollinator shop in Amsterdam was considered the equivalent of an illegal grow shop, and she was forced to go to court.

Thankfully, she won her case—but not before making the difficult decision to sell the shop.

stoney baloney LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

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I THINK IT’S TIME we rebranded these planets. I’m thinking Penis and Mons.

I don’t know.

A guy named John Gray wrote a bestselling book in 1992 called “Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus” and the term quickly became a popular catchphrase that captured the world of differences between the two sexes. I never read the book, but it would be assumed that there’s a distinction made between the two planets that align with the tendencies of gender.

And planets aren’t the only inanimate objects that get assigned masculine and feminine attributes, because boats and cars are usually referred to as female. I don’t know of many items referred to as male, but surely someone somewhere has a butcher knife named Butch, or a Sherman tank named Sherman.

And while we’re rebranding planets, just for the record, I’m not cool with calling Pluto a dwarf planet. It’s not fair. You can’t just disqualify a planet in the middle of the game as if it just wiped its ass with a penalty flag after a touchdown. The system taught us that there are nine planets and now we’re just simply expected to shift to eight. That’s bullshit. And the reason it pisses me off is because if you’re not entirely sure about something you’re going to teach in schools, then don’t teach it. And besides, Pluto is my favorite dog. He’s got his shit together a lot more than Goofy, that’s for sure.

Anyway, Mr. Gray ain’t wrong. I mean, it doesn’t take long once you’ve hit puberty to understand the chasm between how the brains of men and women work.

For instance, when she is thinking “I wonder what he is like…” – he is thinking “I wonder what she is like in bed…”

By the way, if Cannabis genders are also to be associated with a planet, the females are from Mercury and the males are from Uranus.

july 2022

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