Sept. 2021 - California Leaf by Northwest Leaf / Oregon Leaf / Alaska Leaf / Maryland Leaf / California Leaf / Northeast Leaf

THE ENLIGHTENED VOICE

#17 | SEPT. 2021

CAL I F O R N I A

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THE PERFECT PAIRING WINERIES EMBRACE CANNABIS

LEAF GUIDE: TERPENES 101 WHAT’S IN A BUD’S PROFILE?

ADOBE STOCK

SHOP REVIEW FOOTHILL HEALTH AND WELLNESS

SUNSTONE WINERY

CHRIS FORSTER

Deep in the heart of wine country, California Leaf chats with Napa Cannabis Collective’s Michaela Reed & Aimee Henry about how their medical dispensary is helping patients navigate the wide range of products to aid their quality of life.

44 Michael Kennedy, Radical Lawyer

SEPT. 2021

feature

Combining Cannabis with a tasty beverage...

9 10 12 14 16 18 20 24 26 27 28 29 30 32 34 38 40 43 44 46

EDITOR’S NOTE IN MEMORIAM NATIONAL NEWS LOCAL NEWS SHOP REVIEW THE PERFECT PAIRING NAPA CANNABIS COLLECTIVE STRAIN OF THE MONTH TERPENES 101 VODKA X LIVE RESIN WINE X FLOWER MEAD X CAKE BADDER IPA X FLOWER ALCOHOL-FREE INFUSED BEVERAGES THE HERB SOMM RICKETT BREWING EDIBLE OF THE MONTH CANNTHROPOLOGY STONEY BALONEY

NATE WILLIAMS

ALEX RUBIN PHOTOGRAPHY

[

#17

Alcohol-Free Pairing Guide

feature

DAVID HANDSCHUH/ ASSOCIATED PRESS

the TANNINS & TERPENES issue

SEPT. 2021

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CAL I F O R N I A

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A B O U T T H E C OV E R The Tannins and Terpenes Issue is one of our staff’s all-time favorites to produce each year, because it gets us tasting and testing innovative and dynamic flavor combinations we might never have considered. On the cover this month is a beautiful pairing of CalStar Cellars’ 2019 Rosé of Pinot Meunier and Sonoma Hills Farm’s Orange Acai. Artfully styled and photographed by Tom Bowers in northern California, with creative direction from Daniel Berman in Seattle, this pairing illustrates how Cannabis and wine are as good of a match as a sunset and a walk on the beach.

PHOTO by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS ART DIRECTION BY @BERMANPHOTOS

PUBLISHER

CONTRIBUTORS

WES ABNEY | FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

BOBBY BLACK, DESIGN + FEATURES JOSHUA BOULET, ILLUSTRATION TOM BOWERS, FEATURES JACKIE BRYANT, FEATURES EARLY, PRODUCTION MAX EARLY, FEATURES WYATT EARLY, FEATURES STEVE ELLIOTT, NATIONAL NEWS CHRISTOPHER FORSTER, PHOTOS ALEXA JESSE, FEATURES ERIC KAYNE, PHOTOS BAXSEN PAINE. FEATURES JEFF PORTERFIELD, DESIGN MIKE RICKER, FEATURES MEGHAN RIDLEY, EDITING ALEXANDER RUBIN, PHOTOS ZACK RUSKIN, FEATURES EMEHT SHERMAN, SALES O’HARA SHIPE, REVIEWS CHARLES TAGGART, PHOTOS NATE WILLIAMS, FEATURES DAN VINKOVETSKY, REVIEWS

WES@LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

CREATIVE DIRECTOR DANIEL BERMAN | VISUALS & DESIGN

DANIEL@BERMANPHOTOS.COM

SALES DIRECTOR NATE WILLIAMS | ADVERTISING

NATE@LEAFMAGAZINES.COM 415-717-6985

CONTENT DIRECTOR TOM BOWERS | EDITORIAL

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ABNEY

Editor’s Note Thanks for picking up this bubbly new issue of the Leaf! WHEN WE FIRST began pairing Cannabis with wine in 2012, our goal was to enlighten the growing MMJ movement to the idea that there are as many unique and beautiful strains as there are varieties and styles of wine. This pairing concept has proven wildly popular and led to our Tannins & Terpenes events, as well as this annual issue of the magazine where we pair delicious beverages with tasty Cannabis offerings for the ultimate adult tasting experience.

As we’ve grown used to Cannabis as a normal part of life, I find that people love to pair Cannabis with food, wine and their favorite activities. Cannabis adds to experiences, and with legalization comes normalization – allowing us to celebrate our freedom and share our tasting styles with our community and on social THERE’S NOTHING media. The result has been an explosion in how people are WRONG WITH consuming Cannabis, and being open about how the plant fits RESPONSIBLY into their lives and lifestyles. It’s even leading some to drink ENJOYING A less, as after work wine time becomes a date with the bong.

DRINK AND

PAIRING IT WITH Here at the Leaf we are firm believers that Cannabis is safer SOME FORM OF than alcohol. We feel strongly that when a substance that CANNABIS. harms people is sold, one should also have access to a plant that does the opposite. America has an alcohol problem, built on a consumption culture that gives reason to celebrate any success or failure with a drink. I’ve had to shake out of that mindset myself, and found freedom in choosing Cannabis in times of need and joy. It’s a lot more fun to get baked, and there’s no hangover! All that said, there’s nothing wrong with responsibly enjoying a drink and pairing it with some form of Cannabis – and the neuroprotectant benefits, along with other healthful properties, can mean that the THC, CBD and other cannabinoids are actually beneficial for your body when drinking. And if you don’t like alcohol, no worries! Check out our boozefree pairings to see what tasty strains our team paired with kombucha and tea, and try exploring on your own! I’ve been enjoying the limoncello La Croix sparkling water with a citrusy dab of Breathwork that gets me going, and keeps me highdrated for whatever adventure comes next. Happy pairings, and thanks for reading and sharing the Leaf!

-Wes Abney

Have a strain, product, or news tip that the California Leaf staff needs to know about? Contact us at Tom@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 for more info on supporting California Leaf!

WES

in memoriam

Remembering the

REVEREND

Paying tribute to the beloved medical marijuana pioneer and P.O.W., OG Eddy Lepp.

MG IMAGING

WO WEEKS AGO, we learned of the passing of yet another legend in the Cannabis community—outlaw medical marijuana grower/activist Eddy Lepp. Lepp passed away peacefully in his sleep around 2:00 a.m. on the morning of August 16 after a difficult battle with cancer. He was 69 years old. Charles “Eddy” Lepp was one of the most famous and revered pot POWs in America. As an activist, Lepp traveled the world with his best friend Jack Herer and worked closely with Dennis Peron to help get Proposition 215 passed in 1996, and was then the first person to be acquitted under that law in 1998 after being charged for operating a medical Cannabis collective. In the early 2000s, he established Eddy’s Medicinal Garden—the largest medical Cannabis grow in history, containing over 30,000 plants servicing around 4,500 patients. The farm also doubled as the site of the Rastafarian ministry he founded, earning him the honorific of Reverend. Though the farm was protected under California law, it was still federally illegal, and was raided by the DEA in 2004 (the largest individual medical marijuana crop seizure in U.S. history), then again six months later. Lepp was convicted in 2007 and served over eight years in prison before being released in December 2016. Lepp has received several honors over the years, including having a song and a Cannabis strain named after him. High Times named him Freedom Fighter of the Year in 2004 and awarded him their Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017. And at their 420 Icons event on April 20 of last year, the Cannabis Business Awards (in conjunction with the World of Cannabis Museum) named him one of the top 100 Cannabis advocates of all time. OG Eddy Lepp, as he was known, was one of our nation’s most beloved and beleaguered medical marijuana growers and activists—a modern-day marijuana martyr whose bravery, conviction and sacrifices helped pave the way for the freedoms we enjoy today. He will be missed and never forgotten.

CHARLES “EDDY” LEPP 1952-2021

For more on Eddy Lepp’s life, read our February 2021 installment of Cannthropology.

Carry On, WAYWARD

BILL

Alvin Chengelis—better known as “Wayward Bill”—died of cancer at the age of 70. Wayward Bill was a Cannabis crusader his entire adult life. In 1969, at the age of 18, he joined the White Panther Party in support of the campaign to “Free John Sinclair.” He was studying constitutional law and journalism at Youngstown State University before being drafted into the Vietnam War. After being honorably discharged in 1974, Chengelis joined the Youth International Party (Yippies) and began attending their annual July 4th Smoke-In protests at the White House almost religiously. He also became a devoted Deadhead and moved to Hayward, California, where he gained the nickname “Hayward Bill” (he changed it to “Wayward” Bill after Jerry Garcia’s death in 1995). Bill was also a member of many other activist groups, including the ACLU, S.A.F.E.R., Sensible Colorado, NORML, and the U.S. Marijuana Party, which he was elected chairman of in 2011—a title which he held proudly until he was forced to retire from the position in May of this year due to illness. Bill was on a bus en route to the 51st annual Yippie Smoke-In in D.C. this past July when that illness finally caught up with him and he was forced to turn back. Sadly, in the weeks that followed, his health declined rapidly. Upon his passing, the VA hospital honored Bill with a full military sendoff. He’s also been honored by the Cannabis Business Awards: first in 2016 with a Lifetime Achievement Award, then again last April when he was named one of their esteemed “420 Icons.” Fare thee well, wayward son.

“WAYWARD BILL” CHENGELIS 1951-2021

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ON AUG UST 7, the Colorado Cannabis community lost one of its favorite sons when activist William

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national news

the south

normalization

ALMOST HALF OF AMERICANS ADMIT TO TRYING CANNABIS

NEW ORLEANS DECRIMINALIZES CANNABIS

ew Orleans is ending penalties for people found with small amounts of Cannabis. The law takes effect September 15, reports The Lens. The City Council passed several agenda items to end marijuana penalties, reports the Associated Press. City officials said their goal is to increase community trust of police. Another aim is to allow New Orleans police to focus on reducing violent crime in the city. Those who get a summons pertaining to simple possession are immediately forgiven with no additional action necessary by the accused, the officer, or the court. No court appearance and no police report are needed. Smoking weed in public will remain prohibited. But instead of the cops issuing a drug summons, it will be a ticket in violation of the Smoke-Free Air Act – which is not a drug charge. CA SUPREME COURT: INMATES CAN’T POSSESS WEED

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nmates in California prisons can’t legally possess Cannabis under legalization, the State Supreme Court ruled August 12. The ruling overturns a lower court finding that prisoners could have weed as long as they didn’t consume it, reports The Associated Press. The justices said the 2019 appeals court ruling allowing prisoners to have an ounce of weed went against common sense. The high court sided with the California attorney general – finding legalization, approved by voters, did not apply to prisoners. “It seems implausible” that the voters intended to allow marijuana in prisons, Associate Justice Joshua Groban wrote for the majority. If voters had so intended, “we would expect them to have been more explicit,” Groban wrote.

additional qualifying conditions – cancer and PTSD – were added in August to Texas’ limited medical marijuana program.

SEPT. 2021

he percentage of U.S. adults who admit they have tried marijuana has gone up to 49%, according to the latest numbers from Gallup’s most recent Consumption Habits Poll. That’s the, well, highest number Gallup has measured to date. Just over 50 years ago, only 4% said they had tried the herb. But that percentage surpassed 20% in 1977, 30% in 1985, and 40% in 2015. The sharpest rise in reported usage occurred during the 1970s, when the percentage increased from 4% to 22%. A much smaller proportion of U.S. adults, 12%, say they “currently smoke marijuana.” The percentage of current Cannabis smokers has been steady in recent years. It varies between 11% and 13% after increasing from the 7% Gallup initially measured in 2013. LEGALIZATION

MISSISSIPPI LAWMAKERS ‘VERY, VERY CLOSE’ TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA DEAL

ississippi legislative negotiators are working on a medical marijuana program to replace the one canceled by the State Supreme Court. And they now say they’re close to a deal. According to the lawmakers, that could prompt a special legislative session as early as this month, reports Mississippi Today. “I believe we have basically most of the major issues resolved,” said GOP Sen. Kevin Blackwell, the Southaven Republican who’s leading the Senate’s medical marijuana work. “We’re very, very close.” Blackwell said. “I would be surprised if there were not a special session soon, but that’s not my call,” said Brandon Rep. Lee Yancey. “I think at some point soon we will be ready to say to the governor that we have something we can work with.” Mississippi lawmakers, by popular demand, are trying to reach a deal on a medical marijuana program because the State Supreme Court shot down the one overwhelmingly passed by voters last year. The State Supreme Court ruled in May that the medical marijuana initiative and the entire ballot initiative process was invalid. Interestingly, the Court left previous ballot initiatives intact – even those passed under the same process. Gov. Tate Reeves has sole authority to call lawmakers into a special session. He has said he would do so for a medical marijuana bill – but he refuses to do so before the House and Senate have general agreement, to avoid a long, drawn out session.

qualifying conditions were rejected in August by the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Advisory Board.

percent of adult Oklahomans – about 376,000 people – have medical marijuana cards.

diversions of city water to unlicensed grows were discovered by Humboldt County CA Sheriffs.

Harold Long, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee, and Nancy Long, plant hemp at their farm in Murphy, N.C. (Photo courtesy Long Family Farms and Gallery)

east coast

N.C. CHEROKEES SAY THEY’LL SELL MEDICAL MARIJUANA

edical marijuana was legalized on Cherokee land in Western North Carolina back in May. And now the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has announced it will actually sell the herb to non-tribe members. The move comes after six years of debate among the tribe, reports The One Feather. The Cherokee maintain a sovereign nation in Western North Carolina known as the Qualla Boundary, reports the Winston-Salem Journal. The move establishes the first location in North Carolina where medical marijuana is both legal and for sale, reports WFMY News 2. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Council approved an ordinance on August 5 to legalize the cultivation, sale and usage of medical marijuana on the Qualla Boundary. The boundary is about 45 miles west of Asheville. The Cherokee haven’t announced a timeline for their medical Cannabis program – when cultivation will begin or when marijuana will become available for purchase, reports The Charlotte Observer.

23m

dollars per year are spent arresting Wyoming residents for marijuana, according to Wyoming NORML.

171m

dollars in Cannabis transactions were recorded in Michigan, a new record amount for the state’s adult-use and medical marijuana shops in July.

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

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CALIFORNIA CA Federal Court Greenlights Drug Testing of Applicants In what can be considered a loss for the Cannabis industry and community, the U.S. District Court in California recently dismissed the lawsuit of a former employee who claimed disability discrimination,

following his termination for a positive THC test. This case was set up to fail in many ways, and it’s a shame that it’s now the legal precedent for such instances THIS CASE WAS SET UP in California. Basically, Espindola v. TO FAIL IN MANY WAYS, Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc. involved AND IT’S A SHAME an employee who asked to postpone THAT IT’S NOW THE his drug test and only after the fact LEGAL PRECEDENT FOR disclosed a back injury, for which SUCH INSTANCES IN he did not have proper medical CALIFORNIA. marijuana documentation. In effect, this decision allows employers to continue drug testing for THC.

Glass House Takes Over

Flower Prices Down Across The State

Houweling’s Nurseries near Camarillo recently sold its 5.5 million square foot tomato nursery to Santa Barbara-based Glass House Brands. According to

MJBizDaily reported that wholesale flower prices across California are down,

a letter submitted to the County of Ventura, the tomato grower will vacate the property by September 30 and permanently lay off 486 employees. The VC Star reported that Glass House plans on re-hiring as many of Houweling’s former employees as possible.

with prices dropping by up to 60% for outdoor flower, which generally trades at a lower price. Indoor is faring a bit better, with wholesale prices down 10-20%. “Probably a conservative estimate is we’re producing about twice what the domestic market can consume, and that’s with current permitting levels,” said Ross Gordon, Policy Director for the Humboldt County Growers Alliance (HCGA). “We’re looking at prices that are as bad or worse than they’ve ever been. It’s the number one thing on pretty much every farmer’s mind right now.” The downward trend is expected to continue for months and possibly years.

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SHOP review

SHINGLE SPRINGS

SEPT. 2021

FOOTHILL HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Going strong in the medical space for the past decade, Foothill Health and Wellness preps for the transition to the adult use market and a shiny future in its home tucked between Tahoe and Sacramento.

DEEP ROOTS Founded by Dave Sisson in 2011, Foothill Health and Wellness slid into a niche for its surrounding community, and for people on the road from the Bay Area to Tahoe. Since its sale to STEM Holdings in 2020, Foothill has maintained its OG character and and community-focused approach under the watch and care of Sisson’s daughter, Store Coordinator Lauren Sisson, and her husband, General Manager Jason Music. With backing from STEM, which also operates respected brands in other states – such as Yerba Buena, as well as TJ’s Garden in Oregon – Foothill Health and Wellness has been pushing for approval from the county to go full adult use, and expects to be able to do so in the coming months.

VIBING WITH THE COMMUNITY As is the case with all OG medical shops, Foothill has a solid following of dedicated regulars who return to the shop time and time again for their medicine. On a recent visit, we got the chance to watch the staff interact with the regulars, many of whom the budtenders knew by name. It’s a family vibe you don’t always see at recreational dispensaries in more populated areas. Music, Sisson and their staff put on yoga sessions, art classes, and other community-minded events in order to engage with their customers. Music has even started holding a recurring car show, where customers can bring their steel steeds to show and shine, and attendees can vote for their favorites – with winners walking home with swag prizes from the dispensary.

THE GOODS The mission of the shop, according to Music, is a pure and simple one. “If you help enough people get what they want, then you’ll get what you want, as well,” Music said. In his view, what his customers want is consistent quality for affordable prices. In order to achieve that, Music maintains close vendor relationships with brands that cultivate and produce stellar products, but don’t attempt to ride the hype wave to exorbitant prices. Flower is king here, and customer favorites from solid producers such as King’s Garden, FloraCal and Sweetwater, go for an average of $45-$60/eighth. Concentrates and edibles are also a huge draw here, with stellar producers like Beezle and Alien Labs on the menu for dabbables, and ubiquitous household names like Wyld sharing edible shelf space with OG brands like Creme de Canna out of Santa Cruz.

COMPASSIONATE CREW One of the greatest things about a legacy shop in a community like Shingle Springs is the low staff turnover rate. According to Music, many of the current staffers have been with them since almost the beginning. The benefit gets passed on to their patients and customers, who get to build long-standing relationships with the budtenders who, in turn, are able to make informed recommendations based on the patients’ well-established needs. The vibe at the shop feels friendly, lively and tight knit. The crew all seem to play off one another, and you get the feeling that they’re the type of squad that all hangs together after the shift is over.

THE WRAP The overall effect of the Foothill experience is one of a classic medical dispensary – think less Apple Store, more family-run shop with excellent taste in inventory curation. Whether you’re part of the Shingle Springs community or simply passing by on your way through town, it’s definitely worth a stop. We look forward to seeing what this crew accomplishes as they prepare for the inevitable transition to the adult-use market, and look forward to visiting again once they’ve made the switch.

FOOTHILL HEALTH AND WELLNESS

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THE VIBE AT THE SHOP FEELS FRIENDLY, LIVELY AND TIGHT KNIT. REVIEW by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS/CALIFORNIA LEAF | PHOTOS by CHRIS FORSTER @C4SHOOTZ

feature

FOR ANY PLANT ENTHUSIAST, it’s a particularly romantic truth that the United States’ historic home of Cannabis cultivation also happens to be coterminous with its dominant wine-producing region. For fans of intoxicating substances, it’s downright exciting, not to mention convenient. And, for history and geography buffs, the fact that American weed and wine country not only significantly overlap with one another, but also got their starts in Northern California, is more than just a coincidence – it’s a testament to the special land both industries call home, as well as the industriousness and foresight of the people who brought them both to life.

The Perfect Pairing Cannabis growers and wineries embrace their common ground

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a perfect world, weed and wine are obvious bedfellows. They are both delicious and make people feel good. They come from the earth. And, for those who dare to think a little bit more about what they are putting into their bodies and why, both products evoke a legacy of taste and enjoyment that transcends just getting drunk or high – a lifestyle, some might say. Unfortunately, the relationship between legal weed and wine hasn’t always been friendly up until now. In Sonoma, Napa and Santa Barbara counties, fierce wars are being waged between Cannabis cultivators and wine producers, the latter of whom argue that Cannabis cultivation damages their agriculture and sullies the upscale reputation of the wine industry. They’re also not keen on the smell, which they say lessens their quality of operations, especially as tourism is concerned. On their side are wealthy proprietors, who don’t want to live next door to a weed farm, legal or not. Those battles are currently being litigated in the public sphere via local governments and court cases. But there are brighter spots: In late 2020, a law was passed in California, State Bill 67, which allows the California Department of Food and Agriculture to begin administering an appellations program. It will determine geographic boundaries for Cannabis producing regions, the way such designations exist in wine. Many people in the wine world were instrumental in helping Cannabis industry folks put that program, which is still in its

Stephanie Honig of Honig Vineyard & Winery in the Napa Valley, helped found the Napa Valley Cannabis Association. Photo by Devin Cruz.

SEPT. 2021

Sunstone Winery in the Santa Ynez Valley. Photo courtesy Sunstone Winery.

infancy, together. They believe that strengthening an appellations system in one industry leads to an overall strengthening in the concept of geographically centered agriculture, which is ideal from both a farming and a marketing standpoint. Some winemakers are taking it a step further, either by fully advocating for Cannabis cultivation in their wine-producing proverbial backyards, or by getting into weed growing themselves. Teddy Cabugos, who owns Sunstone Winery in Santa Barbara County’s Santa Ynez Valley, is doing both. In a notable judgment, his winery applied for a land use permit to grow Cannabis at the vineyard’s estate, which would mean grapes intended for winemaking and weed are grown on the same property. Sunstone Winery Owner Teddy Cabugos This is strictly at their Santa Barbara County property. Photo courtesy Sunstone Winery.

verboten just about everywhere else, especially in California. After a lot of back and forth with local governments and agencies, as well as his well-heeled wine cultivating neighbors, Cabugos was able to reach an agreement. In May 2021, Sunstone was approved for the permit to plant up to six and a half acres. It’s the first time such a permit has been granted in Santa Barbara County and it represents a significant step in pairing wine with weed, pun fully intended. “Sunstone is in a neighborhood with very wealthy people, most of whom don’t want Cannabis,” he says. “I had to work against seven appellates, very high-profile people, and for a year I had to work with them to dwindle down my project to something ‘respectful,’” adding that he understands he’s the newcomer to the neighborhood – having bought the property in 2019, though he’s a fourth generation Santa Barbara resident. He respects that not everyone was initially on board with his plans to grow weed, and thus was willing to compromise. Cabugos says he and his wife bought the property with Cannabis cultivation in mind from the start. “I think the wine industry missed a huge opportunity in Santa Barbara County for filing for their permits, because they have the most beautiful properties,” he says. “They already have brand names. They already have the public coming onto their proper-

most vineyards and certainly so from any tourist attractions. Nearby in Sonoma County, storied winemaker Mike Benziger of Benziger Family Winery is quietly growing legal weed at his GlenTucky Farm while making award-winning, certified organic and biodynamic wines at his estate winery. Apart from championing Cannabis cultivation in wine country, Benziger was also involved in the creation of California’s appellations law, which requires sungrown buds and prioritizes organic and biodynamic farming – his specialty and, in the opinion of the law’s architects, the only way to ensure land and geography has its rightful place in cultivation, and the marketing of weed that comes from a specific area. To Benziger, the link between growing weed and grapes for wine is an obvious one. They’re both just plants, after all, and those who Sunstone Winery Owner Teddy Cabugos says he and his wife bought the property care for one crop or another, ulwith Cannabis cultivation in mind from the start. timately, are stewards of the land. That it falls on the same territory, for the environment, nor is it good from an ecoonly means more care in his view. nomic standpoint,” she says of the dominant cash “When we were creating appellations, we looked to crop for the region, which is obviously grapes. France and their A.O.C. system,” Benziger says of the “Especially with these fires we have been expeFrench system for creating geographic boundaries for riencing, nobody wants just one crop. The other winemaking, which includes best practices for farming piece is with marketing – Napa produces only four and land management. “The French model for appelpercent of the wine made in the state of Califorlations takes a lot into consideration. It takes everything nia. But it generates over a third of the value of from the environment, to the soil, farming techniques, California’s wine industry, monetarily speaking. the mindset of the grower and the politics of the area So, it’s really the top of the pyramid when looking ties to buy their goods. That can catapult their entry … it’s all part of creating the best product possible. at quality and quantity, because it’s the premium into Cannabis,” he says, recognizing the value of Cannabis is a very expressive plant, so are grapes,” he end of the market, right? Price, quality, and a small an established brand – something many legal Cansays, indicating the level of care exhibited by Cannaamount,” she explains. nabis brands are sorely lacking due to prohibition. bis cultivators as they move further into winemaking To Honig, the wine industry is so focused on the Cabugos is not alone in thinking the wine industerritory. high-end older consumers, which keep the industry has severely missed the mark. Stephanie Honig Like with the planned cultivation in Napa, Benziger try afloat for now from both a retail and tourism of the Napa Valley estate Honig Vineyard & Winery is required to grow on a separate parcel of land that in perspective. But they have a “Millennial and Gen is not interested in cultivating Cannabis, but she no way touches the wine part of his business, whethZ problem” that she thinks Cannabis can help, is steadfast in fighting for cultivators’ rights to do er literally or figuratively speaking. Down in Santa saying that no longer are people wanting “just” so in Napa County, advocating for it in public and Barbara County, Cabugos at Sunstone will have to do a wine vacation. They are going to want to mix it private and helping to found the Napa Valley Canno such thing, thanks to his land use ordinance which with Cannabis, distillery visits and brewery stops, nabis Association. Currently, Cannabis cultivation is allows him to grow weed in full view of his grapes, and in addition to world-class farm-centric banned in the county. vice versa. cuisine and beautiful views. The association is largely responsible for keeping Cabugos, who is about to hire an estate Honig’s idea is that, ideally, Cannathe issue of cultivation at the county’s forefront, sunstonewinery.com grower for his new Cannabis venture, is bis cultivators in Napa would mimic which has been no small task in the Covid era, also in possession of a somewhat hard to honigwine.com the wine model with weed. “If we can seeing as many of these ballot initiatives and ordicome by dispensary permit. He owns an offbenziger.com even grow one or two percent of the nances require in-person signature gathering. So, site manufacturing and processing center Cannabis that is grown in the state with the Napa an official county ordinance is currently tabled until as well. Ideally, he would like for the dispensary – and name, then we are really touching on that luxury it’s safer and more possible to move it forward, eventually a consumption area – to be on site at the market,” she says, noting that would-be growers Covid-willing. In the meantime, Honig says that she estate property. Both of those are not currently possible, have asked for only 100 acres out of the entire and her team are more focused on education until so he said that the worst-case scenario is he holds onto county. For context, grape growing takes up about the next time they can vote on it. They are shootthe license for as long as that takes, and will utilize his 850,000 acres. She also notes they have made ing for 2024 to ensure as high of voter turnout as local dispensary connections to sell whatever weed he serious concessions in the process to get even this possible, which they don’t think is likely for a 2022 grows. far, as Cannabis cultivation would be set back far election. Either way, Sunstone Winery’s first Cannabis seeds from the main artery of the valley along the Silver“There are a few reasons why I’m a believer in will be planted next spring. It remains to be seen what, ado Trail. Instead, Cannabis cultivation would take [Cannabis cultivation] in this county,” Honig says. exactly, grows from that – but planting seeds is always place in the agricultural watershed, far away from “Everybody knows that a monoculture is not good the first step.

STORY by JACKIE BRYANT @JACQBRY for CALIFORNIA LEAF

plant profiles

Napa Cannabis Collective Michaela Reed & Aimee Henry talk to California Leaf about the mission of their medical Cannabis dispensary

leafmagazines.com

SEPT. 2021

CEO & Co-Director Michaela Reed, left, raises a glass alongside CFO and Co-Director Aimee Henry.

AT NAPA CANNABIS COLLECTIVE, THE PATIENT COMES FIRST. A rare medical dispensary to open in 2020 – in the midst of a pandemic, no less – the relatively new operation has managed to fulfill their mission of providing tailored solutions to every person who walks through their doors. At the helm? CFO Aimee Henry and CEO Michaela Reed, who both joined California Leaf for a Zoom chat to discuss their journey to opening Napa Cannabis Collective, as well as their shared belief in the power of the mind-body-spirit triumvirate.

AH: My journey started 23 years ago. I grew up with really severe scoliosis. I’ve had chronic pain since I was about 11 years old. Finding Cannabis as a teen really opened up the world for me, but back then, it was very stigmatized. There were very few dispensaries, so, at that point in time, I wasn’t really able to get into the Cannabis industry as a career yet. I got my associate’s degree and then I was going to school to get my bachelor’s in biology, but I hit a bump in the road by herniating a disc in my back. Having grown up in California and loved it, I wanted to move back and get into the Cannabis industry – so I moved and got a very entry-level role and just worked my way up. Eventually, to an opportunity for business ownership.

“WE TRAIN OUR STAFF THAT, REGARDLESS OF WHO WALKS IN HERE, WE’RE GOING TO TREAT THEM WITH THE UTMOST RESPECT AND COMPASSION.” CFO Aimee Henry

Have you seen a variety of patients since you opened in July? MR: We see all different demographics, from 18-year-old patients to people in their 90s. It’s a wide variety here in Napa. We have our old-school, Prop 215 patients who’ve been growing for years and years. They have plenty of access to flower, so they just come by to get something different or learn about something new. We have our cancer patients coming and getting RSO [Rick Simpson oil]. We have everyday people just looking to better their lives and improve their wellbeing through different cannabinoid use. The people that we see come from all walks of life. We’ve had professional golfers and celebrities in here. We’ve also had houseless people here. We’re welcoming to everyone and I think we have something for everyone.

AH: We train our staff that, regardless of who walks in here, we’re going to treat them with the utmost respect and compassion. Whatever it is that’s going to meet their needs, that’s what we’re looking to do.

Tell me about the mission driving Napa Cannabis Collective. AH: For me, the driving force is really about educating people about the endocannabinoid system, that this is a healing medicine that’s been used for thousands of years, and that if we listen to our bodies and connect with our bodies, we can find healing in this plant.

What’s it like to be a medical dispensary in California in 2021? AH: It’s definitely a very interesting place to be. I think, in a lot of respects, that Prop 64 didn’t really keep the rights of patients and their needs in mind when it was written. Our city has chosen to remain medical. There are a lot of cities that have not allowed Cannabis at all, and then you have other cities that have adult use. It seems to me that the voters weren’t properly informed about how this was all going to play out a few years into things. We still have a lot of people who don’t realize that each city has their own domain ordinance and they get to decide what’s going to be allowed in their cities. That’s just the fact of the law, but a lot of people are not necessarily aware of that.

MR: It’s best summarized as integrity, community and service. Those are our three main pillars. In addition, through education, compassion and connection, we’re able to offer and tailor solutions that are specific to each individual and not just generalized. We are based in education. That’s our goal, first and foremost.

MR: I also feel like we left behind the warriors who fought for many, many years – people who have sacrificed literally everything. Many of these regulations that we’re rolling out do leave behind the medical aspect. That said, I believe that many people do recognize and value that this is harm reduction, which is ultimately the goal in public health.

Napa Cannabis Collective 860 Kaiser Road, Suite D Napa, California

COURTESY YELP

What led you each to a career in Cannabis? MR: At first, I studied Western medicine, focusing on physical therapy and exercise physiology. That was my first degree. Then I decided I wanted to be more Eastern-based, so I got a massage license and started being a practitioner. In doing that, I recognized how profound these different modalities of healing really are and that opened up my whole world. I’d been using Cannabis personally for sleep issues behind closed doors, but I realized that it was really an impactful, viable and valuable source of healing, so I decided to do more of a plant medicine focus. I pursued a master’s degree in global health at a naturopathic medicine school and that galvanized my passion for herbal medicine to the max.

Napacannabiscollective.com @NapaWellness @napa_cannabiscollective (707) 732-1726 nccexpressorder@gmail.com open 12p-7p daily

STORY by ZACK RUSKIN @ZACKRUSKIN for CALIFORNIA LEAF | PHOTOS by ALEXANDER RUBIN PHOTOGRAPHY @RUBINPHOTOG

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STRAIN OF THE MONTH

CAL I F O R N I A

SEPT. 2021

Those who are familiar with the concept of terroir and the importance of place, along with its intricacies – climate, soil, terrain, sun exposure – hail the legendary Mendocino County for its long growing season, ideal climate and its ability to inspire lush, towering growth patterns in the right sungrown genetics.

VITAL

GRAPES grown by

LIVICATED FARM M E N D O C I N O COUN T Y

“A scrumptious mix of pungent fuel and musky fruit aromas and sweet, round mouthfeel.” REVIEW & PHOTO by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS/CALIFORNIA LEAF

hat’s what brought Livicated Farm’s Jeremiah Woodard out west to chase his dream of raising tall trees in the Emerald Triangle. Woodard, an East Coast native who went from being an indoor cultivator to discovering a passion for outdoor farming before making the move, knew of the Triangle’s reputation well before he traversed the country – first landing a job with Fetzer Vineyards before breaking ground on his passion project. Woodard spends long days in the fields at his farm, thriving among the vineyards of Redwood Valley, where the long growing season allows him to sow sativas that stretch to the sky with their gangly arms and indeterminate growth patterns. Count his delicious Vital Grapes among those genetic sativa crosses perfectly suited to the Mendocino terroir. A featured flower in the curated Farmer’s Reserve line from Flow Kana, Vital Grapes was originally called Ital Grapes – a reference to the Rastafarian culinary concept of Ital, or natural, organic living and eating. It’s a delicious cross between Chem Cookies and Banana Punch, with frosty, chunky flower offering a scrumptious mix of pungent fuel and musky fruit aromas and sweet, round mouthfeel. The overall effect is that of soothing stress relief and dreaminess, without sleepy sedation. While we didn’t pair this flower with any wine for this issue, we highly suggest mingling the two, as these grapes would be right at home with the fruit of their neighborly vines out of Redwood Valley.

FLOWKANA.COM 26.67% THC

28.39% TOTAL CANNABINOIDS Dominant Terpenes: limonene, beta-caryophyllene, alpha-humulene

TERPENES 101

the TANNINS & TERPENES issue

Mild, but earthy and sweet, this terpene is found in hops, thyme, and mango. Myrcene is the most abundant terpene found in Cannabis. As a monoterpene, its simplistic molecular structure is a precursor to an array of more complex aromatic compounds.

MYRCENE

Floral and fruity, Geraniol is found in geraniums, roses, and coriander. Honeybees actually produce geraniolcontaining pheromones to mark hive entrances and nectar bearing flowers.

GERANIOL

Signature strain: OG Kush

Gentle, woody and floral, Linalool is found in lavender, birch and chamomile. Linalool has been studied many times in the medical community, producing a wide array of promising results (particularly when it comes to neurological health).

LINALOOL

Citrusy and bright, Limonene can be found in nature in oranges, lemons, and caraway. Limonene’s solvent qualities make it a popular compound for use in industrial cleaning agents.

LIMONENE

Signature strain: Amnesia Haze

Camphorous, minty and green, Eucalyptol can be found in eucalyptus, bay leaves, and cardamom. Eucalyptol exhibits cooling properties, and as such, is a common additive in products like mouthwash and cough syrup.

EUCALYPTOL

Signature strain: Harlequin

Signature strain: Sour Diesel

Fresh and forest like, Pinene is found in pine, sage, and rosemary. α-Pinene is the most commonly found terpene in nature, and is known for its anti-inflammatory and bronchodilatory effects.

PINENE

Signature strain: Super Silver Haze

Signature strain: Romulan

ADOBE STOCK

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SEPT. 2021

Woody with a complex cleaner-like profile, Terpinolene is found in tea tree, lilacs, and fir. This floral and herbal terpene is known for its antioxidant properties and is found in relatively small amounts in numerous strains.

TERPINOLENE

Vegetal and woody with a subtle spice, Humulene can be found in hops, ginseng, and balsam fir. Humulene is largely responsible for the “hoppy” aroma of beer, and is known for its anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties.

HUMULENE

Signature strain: Durban Poison

Woody and sweet with floral notes, Ocimene is found in basil, bergamot, and orchids. This elusive terpene often constitutes only a small portion of a cultivar’s profile, and is often used in the perfume industry for its herbaceous aromatic profile.

Spicy and peppery, Caryophyllene is found in pepper, cloves, and oregano. β-Caryophyllene was one of the first Cannabis-based compounds outside of THC, CBN, and CBG shown to interact directly with our endocannabinoid system.

CARYOPHYLLENE

Signature strain: Stardawg

OCIMENE

Signature strain: Girl Scout Cookies

T E R P E N E S are a class of hydrocarbons that occur naturally in plants and animals. They are produced in nature for a range of reasons, from attracting pollinators to deterring danger. Terpenoids are the oxygenated derivatives of terpenes – although the terms often get used interchangeably. Together these compounds provide a vast range of smells, flavors and effects. Their history with humanity dates back to our very beginnings, from fragrances to flavoring. But to the modern-day consumer, terpenes represent the very variety that we crave from Cannabis.

Signature strain: Pink Lemonade

They are, after all, largely responsible for what makes your favorite cultivar your favorite! Before diving into some of the more common Cannabis terpenes, it’s important to note a few facts. Much like in nature, each plant will encounter an array of conditions during its life that (inevitably) alter outcomes. This can range from genetic sourcing to production practices, unplanned circumstances and everything in between. So, while we hope you’ll find a promising start here today, we encourage you to continue exploring the nuances of these exciting compounds on your own.

STORY by AMANDA DAY @TERPODACTYL_MEDIA for LEAF NATION

Oregon favorite, Wild Roots Spirits have been a staple in our home bar since launch. With a base of fresh Pacific Northwestern fruit and premium spirits, it’s always a home run if you’re mixing it up with lemonade – or just topping off with a splash of soda. It was Cannabis Nation’s Blue Magoo live resin that encouraged this stoney highball. After taking a small dab, we remarked on how flavorful and reminiscent of those old-school nostalgic blue candy flavors this Blue Magoo was. It was like a blue raspberry Jolly Rancher had been turned into concentrate form, and better yet, it included all of the giggly and spacey effects one would hope for. Magic Seltzer’s tonic is much less quinine forward than we had expected, which is great because instead of that sharp puckering taste we get from some tonics, this had a light herbal flavor that complemented the marionberry in the Wild Roots perfectly. We’ve always had success combining real fruit flavors with exaggerated profiles, and this is a shining example. You get those bright blue candy notes alongside real complex fruit flavor, and end up with something that is better than these flavors in isolation. At 50mg of THC, I decided to let the seltzer do all of the heavy lifting in this cocktail. I used the Wild Roots marionberry vodka as a way to add a note of color and flavor – less than a quarter ounce in each serving. As Magic Number uses live resin in their sodas, this is already a very potent potable. This approach allows you to modulate your own dosage, adding as much spirit as you’d like and topping the remaining off with soda for a beautifully refreshing cocktail. Keep a few cans on hand to reward yourself for yard work well done, or for some spontaneous entertaining when friends pop over unannounced. Our highly recommended suggestion? Pair this Blue Magoo live resin with a pitcher of cocktails – just don’t be surprised if your guests never want to leave.

MAGIC NUMBER 50MG TONIC SELTZER CANNABIS NATION BLUE MAGOO LIVE RESIN

75.66% THC | 9.37% TERPENES @wildrootsspirits | drinkmagicnumber.com | @cannabis.nation.inc

REVIEW by RYAN HERRON @THELOUD100 | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

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WILD ROOTS MARIONBERRY VODKA

the TANNINS & TERPENES issue

CALSTAR CELLARS 2019 ROSÉ OF PINOT MEUNIER RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY SONOMA HILLS FARM ORANGE ACAI

TERPENES Nestled against the undulating landscape of its namesake, Sonoma Hills Farm has become known for top notch organic, living-soil, sungrown Cannabis cultivated in the heart of a region best known for its stellar winemakers and traditional agriculture. Bringing years of experience growing farm fresh produce for famed chef and restaurateur Thomas Keller and his legendary California restaurant, The French Laundry, Sonoma Hills Farm boasts many pairing-friendly offerings among its 31 Cannabis strains – which stretch their stems alongside organically grown vegetables and flowers, Highland cattle and Mangalitsa pigs. Their Orange Acai strain displays rich, dark green with pops of orange hairs and twinkling trichomes. Ripe with terpinolene, beta-caryophyllene, limonene and myrcene, this flower bursts with an electric zest, offering complex candied fruit notes. It’s a smooth, easy, mouth-watering experience.

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TA N N I N S A boutique winemaker in California’s famed Sonoma County winegrowing region, CalStar Cellars releases extremely limited bottlings of stellar expressions of the region’s American Viticultural Regions (AVAs), all caringly crafted with artistic attention by winemaker Rick Davis. CalStar’s Rosé of Pinot Meunier, grown in the Russian River Valley AVA – a lesser-known French varietal known mostly for its widespread use as one of the three primary grapes used in Champagne – features mouthwatering notes of honeyed stone fruit and strawberry soda, with a round, lush mouthfeel supported by firm, refreshing acidity. An absolutely gorgeous bottle to open in the waning hours of the evening, as summer begins to beckon the onset of fall.

26.45% THC | 30.53% TOTAL CANNABINOIDS | 3.35% TERPENES Rich in terpinolene, beta-caryophyllene, beta-myrcene, limonene, humulene calstarcellars.com | sonomahillsfarm.com | @sonomahillsfarm

SEPT. 2021

T H E PA I R I N G Every once in a while, a pairing experience hits so many harmonious notes that it can’t help but conjure a content sigh and a smiling exhalation at the end of a long day. The ripe, juicy strawberry notes of the Russian River Valley-grown Rosé of Pinot Meunier seem to absolutely love the lively limonene and caryophyllene punch of the Orange Acai. The snappy, zippy fruit characteristics of each complement the other almost too perfectly, with the tantalizingly tart and acidic undertones of the Rosé punctuating the pairing’s perfection on the lingering finish. These two stunners make a beautiful pairing for any occasion that calls for light refreshment – recommended at sunset, preferably with rolling hills or a coastline in the distance.

REVIEW & PHOTO by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS/LEAF NATION

CHARM CITY MEADWORKS SWEET BLOSSOM EVERMORE SUNSET SHERBET FLOWER & LIVE RESIN CAKE BADDER

TA N N I N S A semi-sweet barrel aged honey wine that is produced locally in Baltimore City, this Sweet Blossom mead is a refreshingly perfect addition to a late summer day. While mead may fall into a lesser-known category of alcoholic beverages, the team at Charm City Meadworks is dedicated to changing that – believing that this brew deserves to stand alongside the staples of beer, wine and cider. If you’ve never tried mead and you’re a fan of a light and dry drinking experience, then look no further than the offerings at Charm City Meadworks – with 10-plus varieties and shipment to 39 states, you just might find your new favorite beverage. TERPENES Notes of sweetness and jet fuel are battling it out on the nose of this strain. The sweetness is reminiscent of cookies, cakes, pies or even candy. A slight citrusy waft lies underneath these tantalizing aromas, and the visually stunning, beautiful deep purple and light green buds are surrounded by shiny trichomes and bright orange pistils. Flower that looks this high quality gets me really excited about rolling a fat joint and lighting up. In my experience, this strain has proven to be a cerebral heavy hitter, leaving me in a noticeable state of euphoria.

SUNSET SHERBET FLOWER 26.99% TOTAL CANNABINOIDS 3.118% TOTAL TERPENES LIVE RESIN CAKE BADDER 83.78% TOTAL CANNABINOIDS 12.54% TOTAL TERPENES evermorecompany.com | @evermorebrands charmcitymeadworks.com | @charmcitymead

REVIEW by WYATT EARLY @ERRLYWYATT/LEAF NATION | PHOTO by ERIC KAYNE @PHOTOKAYNE

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SWEET BLOSSOM 12% ABV

T H E PA I R I N G When smoking the flower, and even stronger when smoking the concentrate, sweet cake-like flavors shine through. A slight hint of limonene can also be expected, which accompanies the taste of baked goods nicely. The sweet and floral flavors of the mead blend perfectly with the similar taste of the flower and badder. After a few puffs, my anxiety lessened significantly, while simultaneously putting me in a great mood to be around friends and family. A night out with a few glasses of Sweet Blossom and a fat joint or dab of Sunset Sherbet – this is a match made in heaven.

the TANNINS & TERPENES issue

IPSWICH ALE 6.3% ABV, 35 IBU MALTS: SILO, CANADA WHEAT, HONEY MALT HOPS: CENTENNIAL, MAGNUM, MOSAIC, CITRA, AMARILLO, IDAHO 7 MOOSE AND LOBSTA FLOWER 19% THC 1.33% TERPENES ipswichalebrewery.com | canuvo.org

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IPSWICH ALE 1620 NEW ENGLAND STYLE IPA CANUVO MOOSE AND LOBSTA

SEPT. 2021

TA N N I N S Celebrating the year that the Mayflower first sailed onto the rocky shores of New England, this traditional India Pale Ale features a cornucopia of exotic and tropical hop varieties for a hazy and fruity combination that’s true to the centuries-old style of beer brewing. Produced locally on Cape Ann in Massachusetts since 1991, Ipswich Ale is celebrating three decades of pioneering craft beer on Boston’s North Shore by creating a variety of full-bodied brews with robust mouthfeel and bold flavors. TERPENES Bred by Professor P of Dynasty Genetics, Moose and Lobsta is a sativa-dominant cross between Kali Snapple and Oregon Huckleberry 2014. The dense flowers are covered with tons of crystals and grind up into a nice consistency for rolling a joint or packing a bowl. Upon opening the jar, a cheesy and fruity scent permeates the room – and the flavor when smoked echoes that sweetness, with hints of lemon and pine on the exhale. The buzz is immediate, pleasant and alert; I felt coherent yet creative and my lower back muscles relaxed quickly, reducing pain and relieving stress. The high lasted longer than most – more than two hours – and resulted in a substantial increase in creativity, and especially, appetite.

REVIEWS by DAN VINKOVETSKY @DANNYDANKOHT & CHARLES TAGGART @KINDBUD.PHOTOS | PHOTO by CHARLES TAGGART @KINDBUD.PHOTOS

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T H E PA I R I N G These two samples seem made for each other. Both the tannins of the Pale Ale and the terpenes of the Moose and Lobsta flowers feature strong notes of citrus and ripe fruits, particularly lemon, apricot and pineapple. The sweetness of the beer and weed contrasts particularly well with the briny oyster liquor of a freshly-shucked bivalve. This is the ideal combination for a smoky seafood feast by the shore, with plenty of fresh shellfish such as clams, mussels, shrimp and of course, lobster. So before it gets too cold out, get some friends and family together for a relaxing campfire on the beach with some fat joints of Moose and Lobsta, paired with a couple of frosty pints of Ipswich Ale.

the TANNINS & TERPENES issue

BREW DR. TRANQUIL GINGER KOMBUCHA GRASSE BIRI BLACK CHERRY PUNCH FLOWER AND ICE HASH INFUSED PRE-ROLLS

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19.01% THC @brewdr | @grasseco | @smoke_biri thegrasse.com | brewdrkombucha.com

FRONTIER CBD SOUR CBD GUMMIES ALASKA BOTANICALS HERBS AND TEAS SELDOVIA BAY BLUEBERRY TEA

50MG CBD frontiercbds.com @frontier_cbds

SEPT. 2021

ALCOHOL-FREE PAIRING GUIDE

rasse has released their new line of potent pre-rolls, called Biri. Packed in compact tins that stand out from typical Cannabis products, we knew we had to get our hands on a pack. It certainly didn’t hurt that they were infused with solventless hash. BIRI was created to be the sort of joint you might find at a pharmacy or drug shop in India – compact and powerful with the vibe of a convenience item. Slide the tin open and you’ll find carefully packed joints, stuffed into dependable Futurola papers with a twisted tip. The joints are nicely stuffed and you can see the ice hash infusion running tip to tail through the thin papers. Easily lit, a light herbal flavor carries through the joint, earthy and slightly floral. Once the hash begins to melt, the joint takes on a rich cherry flavor – even leaving a lingering sweet aroma in the living room. To complement the earthy and herbal profile, we split a Brew Dr. Tranquil Ginger Kombucha and toasted to our genius pairing. The spicy and effervescent ginger cuts through the acidic sourness of the kombucha and rounds out those herbal flavors of the pre-roll. Turmeric grounds the entire combo with an earthy base that supports the rest of the profile. The hash scent and flavor on top of everything completes the package and reminds us why we paired these two in the first place. After sharing one of the half-gram joints, we settled into an effect that was nearly psychedelic – energetic but grounded, without coming close to being racy or our anxiety spiking. The joint burned evenly to the end and our eyes were considerably more relaxed when we stubbed out the last of it. There’s no doubt we’ll be knocking glasses to this combo again as the patio season winds down.

REVIEW BY RYAN HERRON @THELOUD100 PHOTO BY DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

Summer is winding down, and increasingly, Alaskans are feeling the urge to cuddle up with a comfortable blanket and warm drink. After spending the last three months fishing, hiking, biking and camping, it’s safe to say that we’re more than a little tired and maybe even a bit banged up. So, when picking a pairing for this month, we decided to slow things down and focus on a relaxing combo of Alaska Botanicals Herbs and Teas’ Seldovia Bay Blueberry Tea and Frontier CBD’s Sour CBD Gummies. This full-bodied, robust tea features wild blueberries gathered locally from Seldovia. Once picked, the berries are set to cure in a blend of natural herbs like lavender, lemon thyme, chicory and red leaf clover. The tea is then infused with fragrant wild-picked fireweed and a pinch of stevia for added sweetness. The result is a delicious, caffeine-free cup of tea that perfectly steeps within three to five minutes. To get the most out of your self-care routine, try pairing your cup of tea with a few of Frontier CBD’s Sour CBD Gummies in blue raspberry. The sweetness of the tea cuts through the sourness of the gummies and intensifies the fruity flavor of both products. Highly potent, Frontier CBD’s products are the perfect way to enjoy the pain and mood regulation effects of Cannabis without consuming any THC. Said to adjust the endocannabinoid system, which in turn regulates eating, sleeping, inflammation, cognitive function and overall relaxation, CBD is a natural way to show your body some love. Frontier CBD’s gummies also come in a wide variety of flavors and potencies, so you can find the exact right product for your individual needs. REVIEW & PHOTO BY O’HARA SHIPE @SHIPESHOTS

MODERN TIMES BOURBON BARREL AGED ETHIOPIA WARQA COFFEE PURE BEAUTY TERRY T X GELATO 33

TA N N I N S Modern Times is a brewery and coffee roastery with California locations in San Diego and Oakland, as well as a spot in Portland, Oregon. While they’re known for their outrageous barrel-aged stouts, the crew at MT has applied this same aging method to their coffee to bring more complexity and depth to their small-batch beans. This Ethiopia Warqa coffee boasts huge aromas of woody oranges, coupled with a hint of herbal spiciness and a touch of bourbon and caramel, even in whole bean form. Once ground, the spirit profile becomes the star of the show while the orange liqueur, sandalwood and Werther’s Original notes take a back seat. I brewed my cup with filtered water and used the paper-free Pure Over brand pour over system to obtain the best, most unadulterated flavor possible. On the palate, the coffee is smooth and full-flavored, offering exquisite tastes of milk chocolate, orange rind and bourbon, wrapped up and delivered via an elegant and silky mouthfeel. TERPENES Pure Beauty is a female and minority owned, sustainability minded indoor cultivator, which is an incredibly rare combination of words to find in a single sentence. Utilizing water captured from the air, LED lighting, a zero-runoff system in the grow and 99% plastic-free packaging, the team at Pure Beauty is going above and beyond to create high end indoor flower, without the impact to the environment. This impressive 2:1 CBD dominant Terry T x Gelato 33 strain delivers gorgeous, chunky purple buds with a noticeable frostiness to them. Each nug is finely manicured, the clear result of a professional hand-trim. The herb emits the classic cherry cough drop aroma typically associated with high CBD strains, but is also intertwined with the Gelato’s sweet, creamy, doughiness that brings just a hint of fuel and funky fruit to it as well. I rolled up a joint using OCB’s Slim Organic Hemp papers and sparked it up. The resulting smoke was lightweight and easy on the lungs, bringing forth sweet and herbal flavors and a soothing, mellowing vibe. T H E PA I R I N G In my experience, balance is the key to happiness and success – and this mantra can be applied to essentially all elements of life. Matching the significant dose of caffeine with the relaxing power of high end CBD flower makes this pairing greater than the sum of its parts. This highly unique barrel-aged Modern Times coffee provides an energetic kick-in-the-pants that will get you going, while the gorgeous Pure Beauty flower rounds out the edges and tapers your acceleration to get-shit-done-land, where you’re bound to end up after consuming this delicious duo.

REVIEW & PHOTO BY NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415 6 . 3 1 % T H C , 1 3 .1 5 % C B D @moderntimescoffee | @purebeautypurebeauty

BIOSPECTRUM UNFLAVORED BROAD SPECTRUM HEMP OIL

BioSpectrum CBD prides itself on being a family-owned and operated company. Each product is handcrafted with love and utilizes the most trustworthy ingredients imaginable. Their unflavored broad-spectrum hemp oil carries other phytocannabinoids that further help your body’s endocannabinoid system. Overall, this can relieve day-to-day stress and anxiety, as well as support sleep and recovery. Be sure to check out their game-changing nasal spray, revitalizing roll-on and hemp prerolled doobies.

Cold-pressed juices have many health benefits, as it retains more antioxidants, minerals, enzymes and vitamins than regular juice. Overall, this makes it a healthier option than traditional juicing methods. Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Press Juicery offers a plethora of excellent tasting, high-quality products such as smoothies, wellbeing shots – and even plant-based treats. Utilizing premium ingredients, it’s no wonder that this sustainable brand has taken the world by storm with their farm-to-bottle beverages.

1 5 0 0 M G U N F L AV O R E D BROAD SPECTRUM HEMP OIL biospectrumcbd.com @biospectrum.cbd

PRESSED JUICERY GREEN 3 GREENS WITH GINGER pressed.com @pressedjuicery

Combining a dropper or two of BioSpectrum’s unflavored CBD oil with Pressed Juicery’s Greens 3 is an excellent way to start your day and fill your body with the good stuff. Cannabidiol and ginger work together synergistically to provide a boatload of anti-inflammatory properties. As this CBD oil doesn’t have a taste, you can enjoy the eight different fruits and vegetables without any plantlike flavor from hemp. Not too sweet or too earthy, Green 3 is a perfectly balanced beverage for anyone interested in drinking close to the daily recommended amount of vegetables. After downing the entire bottle, notes of honey crisp apples, fresh celery and Meyer lemons had my palate singing songs of joy.

REVIEW BY MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST | PHOTO BY DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

REVIEWS & PHOTOS by LEAF NATION CONTRIBUTORS

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PRESSED JUICERY GREENS 3

the TANNINS & TERPENES issue

B E V E R AGE ROUND-UP Reviewing California’s Canna-Beverage Boom

In one short year, dozens of new beverage brands have come onto the scene and existing players have expanded and dialed in their product lines, making this the fastest growing segment of the California Cannabis market. Three intrepid California Leaf Contributors put their tastebuds to the test to see what’s available out there and worth picking up on your next trip to your favorite local Cannabis shop.

34 CALEXO INFUSED BEVERAGES

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GEM & JANE SPARKLING BEVERAGES @FINDGEMANDJANE Gem & Jane’s branding is as sparkly as the beverage tastes. Sleek metallic cans feature a wide range of cannabinoids like THCV for energy, Delta-8 to chill, a splash of CBD, and a burst of flavor. The subtly sweet refreshment is delicious straight up, but mixes well in a cocktail – and they even share recipe recommendations regularly on IG. Cannabinoid blends vary.

REVIEWS BY ALEXA JESSE @ALEXAJESSE

SEPT. 2021

@DRINKCALEXO Full bodied in taste and presentation, artist and BIPOC founded Calexo’s psychedelic design pairs perfectly with their cocktail inspired flavor combinations like Cucumber Citron and Citrus Rose. Intended to be shared in social settings, the substantial 22-ounce bottle is sure to ”bring a smile to your mind.” 10mg THC/bottle.

CANN SOCIAL TONICS @DRINKCANN Blood orange and agave nectar are a few of the simple ingredients to be savored in queer-owned Cann’s Social Tonics. With a fine-tuned balance of 2mg THC to 4mg CBD, the bubbly beverage provides a lovely buzz that takes the edge off – while their 5mg THC Hi Boy provides an elevated experience. 2-5mg THC/can.

MAD LILLY LEMON DREAM TONIC @MADLILLYDRINKS Mad Lilly’s nighttime Dream Tonic wraps the mind and body in a lemony haze. Tart and sweetened with real sugar and lemons, the lavender and lemon balm extract ease stress and support muscle relaxation. A dose of 5mg CBN and 3mg THC makes for a sleepy night and a cozy morning, courtesy of this woman-owned brand. 24mg THC, 40mg CBN, 16mg CBD/bottle.

GREEN MONKÉ CLASSIC LIGHTLY SPARKLING SODA

@DRINKGREENMONKE Green Monké is a newcomer to the scene, and has entered the market with three delicious flavors of lightly carbonated and sweetened, infused sodas: Mango Guava, Tropical Citrus and Orange Passionfruit. With only 5g of sugar per can, you can indulge in several of these crushable refreshments without the guilt – and without getting absolutely blasted. Happy hour just got happier! 3mg THC, 6mg CBD/can.

RICKETT BREWING JOLIE FLEUR BLANC AND JOLIE FLEUR PINK

@RICKETTBREWING Rickett Brewing’s high end infused sparkling wines are the perfect option for any special occasion. Their Jolie Fleur Blanc offers loads of white grape, honeydew melon and green apple flavor, while the Jolie Fleur Pink delivers huge raspberry jam notes and still maintains a nimble body and dry finish. Both have a delicate carb and nuanced complexity – sure to please even the most discerning of palates. 10mg THC/bottle.

CANNABIS QUENCHER BLACKBERRY LEMONADE

@CANNABIS_ QUENCHER This sweet and tart Blackberry Lemonade is packed with bright, jammy and tangy citrus flavors that’ll transport you back to summer camp and those three ounce paper cups full of juice. Perfect for a hot day, this one is sure to hit the spot and complement any warm weather activity you can think of. 100mg THC/bottle.

UNCLE ARNIE’S ICED TEA LEMONADE

@GOODSTUFFBEVERAGECO This tantalizingly sweet and herbal Honey Lemonade is as tasty as it is versatile. Perfect as a slow sipper over some big cubes, a heady addition to seltzer or tonic water, or a flavorful addition to your favorite cocktail – this luscious brew benefits from the infusion of Cannabis derived terpenes. A timeless treat for any time of day! 100mg THC/bottle.

NECTR LEMON LIME SPARKLING WATER HOUSE OF SAKA SPARK MIMOSA

@INFUSEDLUXURY This orange blossom and nectarine essence infused, de-alcoholized mimosa is a highly quaffable and effervescent treat – tasting exactly like the real deal, minus the booze and featuring a 5mg dose of nano-enhanced THC instead! They’ve even crafted it using strain specific Cannabis oil from the Mimosa (Clementine x Purple Punch) strain. Delicious! 5mg THC/bottle.

@DRINK.NECTR Nectr’s Lemon Lime Sparkling Water tastes like the name brand lemon lime sodas, only without all the sugar and artificial flavors. It’s simple, refreshing and easy to drink – really, what more could you want? Providing incredible bang for your buck, Nectr’s Sparkling Water packs in 10mg of THC and retails at most stores for just $5 per bottle. 10mg THC/ bottle. R E V I E W S B Y N AT E W I L L I A M S @ N AT E W 4 1 5

REVIEWS by CALIFORNIA LEAF CONTRIBUTORS | PHOTOS by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS

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GOOD STUFF BEVERAGE CO. HONEY LEMONADE

@OFFICIALUNCLEARNIES Sweet, blissed out vibes accompany this modern take on the classic mash-up of iced tea and lemonade. The flavor is nostalgia-inducing and there’s no hint of Cannabis flavor on the palate. Loaded from lemonade, twisted off tea – this stuff is the real deal potency-wise. Packing a stout 100mg THC in every bottle, even the heftiest of tolerances will be feeling this one after just a few swigs. 100mg THC/bottle.

the TANNINS & TERPENES issue

BEVERAGE ROUND-UP

KEEF BRANDS ROOT BEER @KEEFBRANDS With so many options on the market, it’s refreshing to find a classic soda on the shelf. This sugary sweet, traditional root beer from OG Colorado-based beverage brand Keef hits every note you’d expect – with the hint of Cannabis flavor only adding to the herb-and-root profile. Just add infused ice cream and you’ll be root beer floating. 10mg THC/12oz can.

continued from pg. 35

WUNDER LEMON GINGER SPARKLING BEVERAGE @FINDWUNDER Wunder earns its stellar reputation in the Cannabis beverage world by offering well-developed flavor combinations that work for gourmet food pairings, for integrating into cocktail recipes, or all by themselves. The effervescent Lemon Ginger is crisply refreshing, and the fact that it comes in a low-dose, sessionable formulation means it’s cool if the slightly spicy kick of ginger root has you reaching for a second and third can. Per can: 2mg THC, 2mg delta 8 THC, 4mg CBD (also available in a 20 mg can, with 10mg THC and 10mg Delta-8 THC)/8oz can.

KAN-ADE WATERMELON SYRUP KUSH CUPS SINGLE ORIGIN GUATEMALA - LOS SANTOS MEDIUM ROAST

@KAN_ADE_ Billed as a Medible Mixer, the Kan-Ade products offer extremely high potency, versatile syrups for use in cocktails, to be mixed with sodas, or – for the set who came up sippin’ on syzzurp – it can be consumed uncut. This candylike potion tastes like watermelon bubblegum, and it doesn’t take much … just a tiiiiny taste. 1000mg THC/bottle, 200mg THC/serving.

@KUSHCUPS With so much flavor and category innovation going on in the Cannabis beverage market, there’s something awesome about pure, high-quality infused coffee. Kush Cups pairs direct trade, single-origin roasted beans with the convenience of the Keurig brewing system – making for an easy caffeine and Cannabis combo on the go. 10mg THC/cup, 40mg THC/4-pack.

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BOLDT DRINKS BLUEBERRY POMEGRANATE ICED TEA @DRINKBOLDT Boldt blends a variety of fruit flavors for the company’s line of infused black teas that are a throwback to the heyday of chuggable canned iced tea. The Blueberry Pomegranate has a smooth, almost creamy mouthfeel – not to mention smells like blueberry muffins. Boldt also brings their teas in black and peach offerings, as well as a half tea/half lemonade version. 10mg THC/12oz can.

PABST LABS LEMON SELTZER

KOAN CREATE CORDIAL @KOAN.LIFE Intentional, purposeful formulation and attention to detail are the hallmarks of KOAN, which offers a line of single-dose cordials that are perfect for people looking to accomplish something specific with consumption. Good alone as quick shots or mixed into other beverages, the KOAN cordials come mixed in experience-based cannabinoid ratios – from the CBDrich “Calm” to the THC-heavy “Play” – making them perfect for dosing at different times of day. 18.6mg THC/pkg, 6.2mg THC/serving, 19.96mg CBD/pkg, 6.65mg CBD/serving.

SEPT. 2021

@PABSTLABS This easy, bubbly seltzer from the powerhouse lager producer Pabst is the perfect sipper for someone who can’t get enough of the hard seltzers that have been dominating the alcohol industry – but minus the boozel. It’s lightly sweet with a whisper of acidity, and completely crushable. 5-10mg THC, 12oz can.

S*SHOTS TROPICAL THUNDER @DRINKSSHOTS These little stubby bottles contain opaque, richly potent elixirs with intense flavor profiles. The Tropical Thunder tastes like a pina colada and a roll of Smarties threw a rave in your mouth. S Shots was kind enough to provide a shot glass with dosage hash marks, ensuring we didn’t unintentionally double or triple dose while throwing one back. 10mg THC/shot, 100mg THC/bottle.

REVIEWS & PHOTOS by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS/CALIFORNIA LEAF

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The Herb Somm JAMIE EVANS

Jamie Evans

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I F Y O U M U S T D O S O M E T H I N G , try to do something you love. If you can craft a calling out of multiple passions, even better. As the creative mind behind The Herb Somm, a lifestyle brand and blog focused on treating Cannabis as a highend ingredient worthy of culinary exploration, Jamie Evans has done just that, by blending a rich career in wine with a zeal for terpene-rich weed. We connected with Evans to talk about the journey that led her to a career in Cannabis, her books and her new project, Herbacée – a line of Cannabis-infused sparkling wines inspired by French tradition, set to launch this fall.

SEPT. 2021

“It’s about thinking about Cannabis as a gourmet ingredient, rather than just something that can get you high.” -Jamie Evans, The Herb Somm

A CULINARY ADVENTURE It all started over dinner. Well, dinners. Plural. Evans began hosting infused culinary experiences, blending her knowledge of hosting wine events with the pairing potential of Cannabis. “It’s about thinking about Cannabis as a gourmet ingredient, rather than just something that can get you high,” she said. Evans worked with chefs to build four-course meals paired with wine and Cannabis, with

A C U LT I VAT E D C A L L I N G In wine, a sommelier is a certified specialist in wine and wine pairing. It’s an intensely difficult designation to achieve, and a skilled sommelier can elevate an experience from the ordinary to the transcendent. It’s this concept of meticulously considered pairing, curation and creation that Evans hopes to achieve with The Herb Somm. Her first book, “Cannabis Drinks,” was published in April 2021, and explores the world of infused cocktails, made both with and without alcohol. Evans is thrilled by the concept of low-dose infused beverages that can be shared and experienced the way people have traditionally enjoyed alcohol. That’s why in addition to her books and events, she’s preparing to launch Herbacée – her own line of sparkling non-alcoholic infused wines, blended in the traditions of Bordeaux, the Rhone Valley, Provence and of course, Champagne. “Wine country is weed country, and weed country is wine country,” Evans said. “What grows together, goes together.” THEHERBSOMM.COM | @THEHERBSOMM

Try it at home Recipe from “Cannabis Drinks” by Jamie Evans

B L AC K B E R RY G I N G E R B R A M B L E

riginating in London in the 1980s, the Bramble traditionally incorporates dry gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, crème de mûre (a blackberry liquor), and crushed ice. As an old classic, here’s a fun and refreshing Cannabis- infused blackberry ginger Bramble you can try at home. Rather than using blackberry liqueur, try adding fresh blackberries, then muddle with your ingredients including cannabis-infused ginger simple syrup. Add a splash of ginger beer and an optional dash of bitters for an extra kick of flavor!

Ingredients:

Equipment:

1/3 cup (43 g) fresh blackberries

Shaker tin

1 ¼ ounces (37.5 ml) fresh squeezed lemon juice

Muddler

3/4 ounce (22 ml) dry gin

Old-fashioned glass

3/4 ounce (22 ml) Cannabis-Infused Ginger Simple

Hawthorne strainer

Syrup (find the recipe in the book)

Fine-mesh strainer

Cracked ice Ginger beer Dash of Angostura bitters Blackberry and a lemon twist, for garnish Preparation: In a shaker tin, muddle the blackberries with the lemon juice until the berries release their juices. Add the gin and infused simple syrup, then add ice and shake for 10 to 15 seconds. Fill an old-fashioned glass with fresh crushed ice. Place

Target Dose: 12 mg CBD | 3 mg THC per drink (using Cannabis-Infused Ginger Simple Syrup, find the recipe in the book) or your preferred dose (using commercially made CBD or THC tincture of your choice).

a Hawthorne strainer on the top of the shaker tin,

Credits:

then strain the liquid through a fine mesh strainer

over the old-fashioned glass to remove the seeds.

– Recipe from Cannabis

Top with a splash of ginger beer and a dash of

Drinks: Secrets to Crafting

Angostura bitters. Give the drink a stir, then garnish

CBD and THC Beverages

with a blackberry and a lemon twist.

at Home

Editor’s Note: When mixing Cannabis and hemp products with alcohol, it’s best to proceed with caution and stick to the low side of the dosage range, which is reflected in the recipes found in the cocktail section of Cannabis Drinks. Above all, start low and go slow. See more of Jamie’s cocktail recipes at LeafMagazines.com.

STORY by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS/CALIFORNIA LEAF

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As with so many people, Evans wound her own unexpected path to the Cannabis world. Evans, a Certified Specialist in Wine with a Bachelor of Science in Viticulture with a concentration in Wine Business, spent much of her career on the track you’d expect from someone with the degree – working with companies such as Kendall-Jackson, and Folio Fine Wine Partners from industry heavyweight Michael Mondavi. After the better part of a decade, she came to find that it was difficult to rise in the ranks of the established corporate culture. In 2017, she started turning her view to the blossoming Cannabis industry. “I really started noticing that Cannabis was becoming such a point of conversation around the Bay Area,” she said. “Especially around the culinary world and Cannabis.” Evans had some experience with Cannabis, going back to when she was studying the intricacies of wine in college. “I would come back from my sensory evaluation classes and smell different Cannabis, and I would think, ‘There are a lot of similarities in the way these things smell,’” she said. “I have always been drawn to the way that Cannabis smells.” In 2017, Evans had been using Cannabis and CBD tinctures to battle trauma-induced insomnia resulting from witnessing a horrible car accident, and had tremendous respect for the healing power of the plant. She decided to attend a Women in Weed conference in the Bay Area, and after seeing so many female entrepreneurs who’d built their futures in Cannabis, she realized she’d found her calling.

each pairing inspired by terpene profiles. She would have glasses filled with terpenes, so attendees could pinpoint specific characteristics and leave with a more well-rounded knowledge of the intricacies of the plant. “Once they make that memory association with a certain smell, then it’s easy to pick it out,” Evans said. “It’s just about training your nose on the different terpenes … I really wanted to bring this concept of pairing, and incorporating Cannabis and food, into a meal. It was just so cool, because about 10 percent of these people who would come to these dinners would come without any Cannabis experience.” Many attendees who did have Cannabis experience had limited experience – think of that person who ate a super-potent pot brownie in college and never tried it again. With her lower-dose, experience-based meals, Evans was on a mission to unlock the potential of the plant for those people.

Colleen Eversman

NEW BUDS ON THE VINE

the TANNINS & TERPENES issue

Interview | Rickett Brewing Founder Scott Rickett

hen it comes to blending weed and wine, Scott Rickett and his network of experienced industry collaborators are as artistic as they are meticulous throughout the process. Rickett Brewing is on a mission to create an alternative to alcohol without sacrificing taste nor experience, and they invite us all to be a part of the revolution. This feat takes the combined efforts of multiple companies and dozens of passionate individuals to ferment high quality California grapes, remove the alcohol, infuse the wine with sun-grown Cannabis, and finally convince the state’s retailers and consumers that the world is ready for this.

ENDOCANNABINOID EFFERVESCENCE leafmagazines.com

Origin Story Rickett’s no rookie in the newly popular infused beverage game. He began crafting alcohol-free beer and infusing it with Cannabis in 1998, becoming a master beer brewer by 2000. At the time, he owned a recording studio in LA – and is a lifelong musician himself (his soulful collaboration with Ricky Fante is a fitting background to this writing sesh). Rickett was accustomed to hosting and entertaining his artists, some of whom did so to cope with alcoholism and opioid addiction. He personally self-medicated with the plant to treat ADD and hypertension. Rickett’s non-alcoholic weed beer spread like wildfire in the local LA music scene, where the homemade brew was in demand by the barrel, and corporate beer soon began partnering up to get their piece of the pie.

SEPT. 2021

Since de-alcoholizing beer is simpler than wine, Rickett chose the path less traveled where he could stand out and have a greater impact. Thus the vision was born, and the journey to Jolie Fleur Cannabis Infused Champagne commenced.

Alcohol Alternatives From the beginning it was a labor of love and an ambitious pursuit for all involved. The evolution of alcohol extraction technology alongside innovation in Cannabis infusions encouraged Rickett to keep pushing the envelope, as he worked alongside scientists to influence some of these advancements. After two years of fermentation – and since no traditional wine bottler can touch a Cannabis product – Rickett’s carefully curated wine gets transported to BevZero in Santa Rosa, as they

specialize in de-alcoholization. Kayla Winter, Director of Product Services and Winemaking at BevZero, ensures that the quality of the wine (beer or cider) is maintained to a strict standard that is “chemically viable” – meaning it can be successfully de-alcoholized, as not all wines respond to the process equally. A Sonoma County local who has been in the wine business since she was 16, Winter works alongside Cannabis emulsion experts to fully understand the end product they are creating. It’s a delicate combination of chemistry and artistry to find the best wines for the task. “On the artistic/sensory side,” Winter shares, “there are many levers we can play with to meet the client’s artistic visions, as well as fine tune the consumer’s experience. With any consumable food or beverage, the flavors and the smells can transport the consumer to a different place or

The evolution of alcohol extraction technology alongside innovation in Cannabis infusions encouraged Rickett to keep pushing the envelope.

Harold Han, Founder and CSO of Vertosa

Fr o m S e e d t o S i p

Did you know? Rickett Brewing creates hand sanitizer out of the alcohol removed from their wines, which they share with their dispensary partners!

state of mind. Depending on the final goal, we pick and choose what flavor components come out to match the direction each product label is going towards.” Rickett’s Jolie Fleur champagne was one of BevZero’s first Cannabis wines to hit the market. The product was designed to provide an equally premium and elegant alternative to alcohol. BevZero worked under Rickett’s direction to develop products that can hold their own in a high end social setting, and they continue to learn and evolve in this new category.

The Science and Healing of Bioavailability

RICKETTBREWING.COM | @RICKETTBREWING

STORY by ALEXA JESSE @ALEXAJESSE/LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by RICKETT BREWING

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Once the wine is de-alcoholized and the team satisfied with the final formula, a sample is sent to Oakland to be evaluated by the scientists at Vertosa – a science, technology and ingredient company whose main role is to infuse Cannabis essence into consumables. The first step is to conduct a stability study to test that their Cannabis emulsion is compatible with the wine base. The formula gets tweaked or approved, and the emulsion is shipped to a co-packing facility where it meets the wine and the magic happens. It’s not that simple, as both wine and emulsions have complex chemistry. Nanoemulsion technology is about bioavailability, which is a more

efficient method of delivering cannabinoids into our system. Cannabinoids and terpenes absorb directly into the bloodstream through the tongue, esophagus and stomach lining, providing an almost immediate onset. Furthermore, the body absorbs three to five times the amount of beneficial plant compounds compared to typical distillate oil used in edibles. Distillate oil droplets have larger molecular structures that must pass through the liver in order to absorb, which is why edibles take one to two hours to feel, and have lingering effects. Vertosa guarantees their Cannabis emulsions will be equally dispersed through the bottle for precise dosing, while taking oxidation, degradation and flavor into account. Harold Han, Founder and CSO of Vertosa spoke candidly, “Me and Scott know each other personally. He’s picky about flavor, so we went through many rounds of testing until Scott felt comfortable. Scott looks for perfection, he doesn’t say it’s good unless it’s good.” “Scott is an interesting person from the music industry,” Han continued, “You can see how alcohol damages people and how a true alcohol replacement has power to heal society. His mission aligns with ours: to heal. We need to unlock the healing power of the Cannabis plant and make it accessible to all. We need more partners like Scott for us to achieve this, and we need consumers to accept these beverages.”

The vision begins with one artist, is cultivated by small batch wine makers, perfected by the minds of scientists, then finally lands at Greenstone Distribution for its grand reveal. Interestingly, even with all the complexities involved in managing a heavy, temperature sensitive product with delicate chemistry, all parties acknowledge that the biggest hurdles throughout this process are not physical ones. Ryan Rivera of Greenstone Distribution took a gamble on Rickett’s “crazy” weed champagne idea, and brought it on board as the first beverage in their impressive brand suite. “We didn’t want to work with beverages,” Rivera explained. “They are a pain to store, heavy, and a small portion of market sales, 3-5% at the time. We didn’t have an interest, but it was Scott’s infectious nature that convinced us. His past was interesting and unique, he’s cool as hell, and the project was in a class of its own.” The biggest challenge of all? Consumer education. This product was made for the conscious consumer who enjoys a classy drink and a light buzz, and that’s not the typical dispensary shopper. Although Greenstone undertook the physical challenges to accommodate Rickett’s champagne, their main task is to educate their salespeople, to in turn convince buyers that there is a market for this 10mg, 25 calorie, premium beverage. Rickett agrees that consumers don’t necessarily get it yet, but he’s still not giving up. Despite grueling regulations (in Rickett’s words, “You can move nuclear waste easier than you can our products”), he is busy developing a wide array of both Cannabis and hemp infused wines, including updated packaging, white labeled brands, and a true Napa red. The team is even working on strain specific wines with flower from partner Honey Dew Farms. It’s time to cancel milligram per dollar culture, and to instead value clean ingredients, and support products and people that give a damn. Cheers to that.

CANNABIS-INFUSED SHRIMP CHIPS

IF YOU CAN HANDLE SOME HEAT AND THC, THE EXTRA SPICY OPTION IS A FIERY AND FLAVORFUL BLEND.

GETPOTLI.COM POTLISHOP.COM @GETPOTLI 10mg THC/package (original) 50mg THC/package (spicy)

REVIEW by ZACK RUSKIN @ZACKRUSKIN for CALIFORNIA LEAF | PHOTO by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS

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lready beloved for staple products like infused honey, olive oil and sriracha, the release of Potli’s first “officially snackable” product is a proud celebration of its co-founders’ Asian roots and heritage. Released earlier this summer as part of an effort on the brand’s behalf to combat hate against the AAPI community, the latest innovation from Felicity Chen and Christine Yi is most definitely a worthy addition to the acclaimed Potli line of products. Available in either original flavor (10mg THC per package) or extra spicy (50mg THC per package), the first thing you’ll notice is this snack’s snazzy packaging. In addition to the aforementioned “Grandma Approved” banner, these colorful, oversized bags are about as adorable as Cannabis packaging can get. But what’s inside is even better. For the original flavor, Potli’s choice to make the 10mg THC dosage equate to eating an entire bag of chips is simply brilliant. As fans of edibles know, one major challenge with delicious, Cannabis-infused treats is stopping before you’ve exceeded your desired dose. With Potli’s shrimp chips, concerns about having to cut yourself off after only a few nibbles to prevent getting too lit is entirely unwarranted. By contrast, you’ll need to go slower with the extra spicy version, which is five times as potent and defines a single serving as one chip. That said, if you can handle some heat and THC, the extra spicy option is a fiery and flavorful blend of garlic, shrimp and Cannabis goodness. Thankfully, with both options available to California consumers (there is also a hemp-derived version featuring only CBD that is nationally available), the choice to get down on a whole package at once, or dole them out carefully, is entirely up to you. Either way, you’re in for an absolutely delectable snack, marking yet another win for the impressive Potli brand.

POTLI

edible of the month

When an edible’s packaging boasts of being “Grandma Approved,” you know you’re in for a real treat. Such is the case with Potli’s Cannabis Infused Shrimp Chips, a scrumptious new snack from the popular Cannabis kitchen pantry brand.

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WORLD OF Cannabis

Michael Kennedy

Weather Undergound leaders Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn with their lawyer Michael Kennedy (right) turning themselves in to authorities after 11 years in hiding.

COURTESY OF ELEANORA KENNEDY (2)

Radical Law leafmagazines.com

A profile of the late, great activist attorney Michael Kennedy.

The Brotherhood of Eternal Love, The Yippies, The Weather Underground, High Times … all these iconic counterculture institutions had one thing in common: When they needed legal help, they all turned to the same man – radical civil rights lawyer Michael Kennedy. EARLY LIFE AND CAREER Michael John Kennedy was born in Spokane, Washington in 1937 – the same year as marijuana prohibition. After graduating from Berkeley in 1959, he got his law degree from the Hastings College of Law in 1962. A year later, he was drafted into the Army, where he was frequently disciplined for his anti-war rhetoric. After leaving the service, Kennedy moved to New York in 1967 to work as a staff counsel at the National Emergency Civil Liberties Committee, where he immediately began making a name for himself by taking on some of the most controversial civil rights cases in the country – such as defending labor leaders Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta and conscientious objectors of the Vietnam War. MARIJUANA & THE MILITARY In the first-ever marijuana-related case in U.S. military history, Kennedy represented Private Bruce “Gypsy” Peterson – a soldier at Fort Hood who’d been busted for pos-

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Michael and wife Eleanora in San Francisco in the mid-1970s, after returning from their time on the run from the FBI. session. Peterson – who’d been publishing an underground anti-war newspaper called Fatigue Press – was targeted with a harassment campaign by the MPs, who began planting dime bags in his locker. Peterson was arrested thrice in one month (each time for minuscule amounts of pot) and sentenced to eight years of hard labor at Leavenworth. After appealing his case, Kennedy got the conviction overturned, and Peterson was exonerated and released after 13 months.

“That’s the role of a radical lawyer—to make the courtroom a site for resistance, and there was really nobody better at that than Michael Kennedy.” – Bill Ayers, Weather Underground

LIAM MCMULLAN

THE CHICAGO EIGHT After moving to San Francisco in 1969, Michael and his wife Eleanora developed relationships with Yippie founders Abbie Hoffman and Jerry Rubin. Hoffman and Rubin – along with Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) founder Rennie Davis and five other activists – had been indicted in the famous “Chicago Eight” conspiracy case. Kennedy – who’d represented Davis when he was subpoenaed by the House Un-American Activities ComNot long after Randall was arrested in December 1972, the Kennemittee in December 1968 – joined their dys rented a house in Laguna to operate from while working the case. pre-trial legal team. But when he and Unbeknownst to them, the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs three other lawyers abruptly withdrew procured another arrest warrant for Randall on a passport violation … from the case, judge Julius J. Hoffman and on the evening of March 9, 1973, they followed Randall to Kennecited them all for contempt and arrested dy’s house to re-arrest him. Michael slammed the door in their faces and Kennedy, sparking a firestorm from the cursed at them as they dragged Randall away. As a result, he was hit with legal community. The National Lawyers 42 counts of obstruction of justice (all of which were later dismissed). Guild (NLG) and American Civil LiberKennedy got Randall released on bail again the next day, after which he ties Union mobilized a swarm of lawyers Kennedy with a few of the Chicago Eight. too went on the lam. FROM “RADICAL LOVE” to descend on the courthouse – pressuring the judge to drop the charges. HIGH TIMES The most consequential of Kennedy’s clients, however, was undoubtTHE WEATHER UNDERGROUND edly High Times founder Tom Forcade. Kennedy first met Forcade in San Kennedy also represented the Francisco in 1973, when Forcade handed him a bag full of cash to retain Weather Underground, aka the his services in a pending grand jury investigation for marijuana smuggling. Weathermen – a militant and conWhen he launched the magazine the following year, he appointed Kennetroversial offshoot of the SDS that dy the company’s official legal counsel. used pipe bombs to blow up dozens By all accounts, Forcade was a troubled genius … and in November of banks and government buildings 1978, his inner demons got the best of him when he took his own life. In (including the Capital Building and a private memorial held atop the World Trade Center (the highest place in the Pentagon) as a means to achieve the world at the time), Kennedy – along with Forcade’s other close friends their political goal of ending the – smoked joints containing some of his ashes in tribute to him. Vietnam War. The Kennedys became To ensure that High Times would continue, Forcade had established close with two of the group’s leaders, Weathermen FBI a trust that was to be managed by a board of directors, which Kennedy Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn, wanted poster. chaired. When the trust was dissolved in 2000, some long-time employees At the High Times 40th and – according to Eleanora – they received shares in the company as Forcade had intended, but the Kennedys aniversary party (2014). “helped the Weathermen in any way we could, legal or illegal.” and Forcade’s family retained controlling interests. Over the years, accuAfter finding themselves on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted list in sations have been made by former HT employees that Kennedy had assumed control of the 1970, Ayers and Dohrn went into hiding, where they remained company illegitimately, but according to former associate publisher Rick Cusick—who’s done for over a decade. To avoid being subpoenaed, the Kennedys extensive research on the subject—none of those allegations were ever substantiated. ended up having to flee the country for 18 months as well. In Kennedy served as High Times’ protector and patriarch for nearly three decades, until he died 1980, when Ayers and Dohrn finally decided to turn themselves on January 25, 2016, after a battle with cancer. He was 78 years old. in, it was Kennedy who negotiated their surrender and managed to get them off without any jail time.

TIMOTHY LEARY One of the crimes for which the Weathermen were best known was breaking Timothy Leary out of prison. Leary had been arrested in December 1968 for possession of two joints, and in March 1970 was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Kennedy filed an appeal, but it was rejected … so the Brotherhood of Eternal Love paid the Weathermen approximately $20,000 to bust Leary out and sneak him out of the country. Which, on September 13, 1970, they did … but in 1973, Leary was apprehended in Kabul and extradited back to the U.S. In an attempt to reduce his sentence, Leary snitched on his associates – even testifying to a grand jury that Michael had masterminded the whole plot (an accusation which Kennedy denied). Kennedy faced possible disbarment and prison, but the FBI was unable to corroborate Leary’s accusations and the charges were ultimately dropped. THE BROTHERHOOD OF ETERNAL LOVE Another counterculture group Kennedy worked closely with was hippie drug syndicate, the Brotherhood of Eternal Love. When the Brotherhood’s leader Michael Randall and chemist Nick Sands were indicted on multiple counts of drug smuggling and manufacturing, it was Kennedy who represented them.

RADICAL REMEMBRANCE This past June, a new film paying tribute to this steadKennedy served fast defender of underdogs and the First Amendment as High Times’ was premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. Directed by William Kirkley – the man behind the Brotherhood of protector and Eternal Love documentary “Orange Sunshine” – “Radical patriarch for Love” is a short documentary about the Kennedys’ life, nearly three love and legacy. The film highlights their incredible double lives: representing and fraternizing with high society decades. elites, while simultaneously using their status and privilege to aid the nation’s most radical activists – a lifestyle philosophy summed up in a 1991 New York Magazine article about Kennedy as “Think left, live right.” Michael Kennedy was unquestionably a complicated, even contradictory man: a military officer who hated authority; a Communist sympathizer who enjoyed great wealth; someone who devoted his life to the law yet was always eager to subvert it … but one thing he remained unwavering about was his commitment to fighting for individual liberty. In the final interview with Kirkley before his death, an emotional Kennedy confessed: “I’ve lived a phenomenal life, and what I loved about it most was that I was never afraid – not once. Because if we don’t rebel, if we don’t stand up, no one will.”

For more about Michael Kennedy, listen to Episode #14 of our podcast at worldofcannabis.museum/cannthropology. Story and photos originally published on worldofcannabis.museum and reprinted with permission.

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

CROSSWALK PHILOSOPHY

LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

by Mike Ricker

he United States is really big. So, it makes sense that different regions will have different ways of doing things. And where some systems will function one way in a particular city or state, in another they may not. Areas of transportation are a great representation of this. And pedestrianism is no exception. For instance, if you step one foot into a crosswalk on a busy street in Baltimore or New York, the chances of losing that foot to a speeding vehicle is exceptional. Yet in Seattle, a bumper leaning one inch over the white paint will most likely result in a shameful, passive aggressive eye laser launched that is purposefully directed with great negative emotion, strictly intended to vilify you with expulsion to the depths of Black Hole Hell for eternity. This is no exaggeration. For a certain personality type, a crosswalk is a place to make a statement. And in cities like Seattle and Portland, that statement is “even though I am addicted to modern conveniences like everyone else, I will never admit it. Therefore, when I decide to champion my birthright as an American citizen and take dominion of the street with my formidable legs to carry me across, do not stand in my way with your impure machine – or you will witness the silent wrath of my glacial stare. And you will continue on your salacious path with the deep regret of understanding that you knowingly disrespected an utter stranger, who only wanted to exercise their right to free expression.” I don’t get it. And I’ve never really understood why a Chihuahua will attempt to intimidate a German Shepherd either, but so be it. I do get that elderly people should be treated with patience and dignity when the time comes around. I mean, they’ve earned it for chrissake, if for no other reason than having successfully dodged every dangerously moving vehicle since birth. And thank goodness Washington and Oregon are fueled with amazing legal Cannabis shops. Otherwise, there would be fewer good reasons to walk across the street.

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Sept. 2021 - California Leaf

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STONEY BALONEY

CANNTHROPOLOGY

EDIBLE OF THE MONTH

THE HERB SOMM

RICKETT BREWING

INFUSED BEVERAGES

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IPA X FLOWER

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SHOP REVIEW

IN MEMORIAM

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