EDITOR’S NOTE

THE ENLIGHTENED VOICE

NORTHWEST LEAF / OREGON LEAF / ALASKA LEAF / MARYLAND LEAF / CALIFORNIA LEAF / NORTHEAST LEAF

ABOUT THE COVER

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

WES 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 media. The result has been an explosion in how people are consuming Cannabis, and being open about how the plant fits into their lives and lifestyles. It’s even leading some to drink less, as after work wine time becomes a date with the bong.

Here at the Leaf we are firm believers that Cannabis is safer than alcohol. We feel strongly that when a substance that 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.

PUBLISHER

WES ABNEY | FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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

TOM@LEAFMAGAZINES.COM CONTRIBUTORS

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

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THERE’S NOTHING WRONG WITH RESPONSIBLY ENJOYING A DRINK AND PAIRING IT WITH SOME FORM OF CANNABIS. leafMAGAZINES.com -Wes AbneyHave a strain, product, or news tip that the California Leaf staff needs to know about? Contact us at Tom@LeafMagazines.com!