Pleasure Med West Hollywood Owner Brian Robinson shows off the Cannabis consumption lounge’s Wake N’ Bake signature cocktail, paired with Seed Junky’s Red Eye
Oct. 10 th 7-10 pm
MICHELIN STAR Food & Drinks & FULL OPEN BAR! WEST HOLLYWOOD’S PREMIER CONSUMPTION LOUNGE 715 SANTA MONICA BLVD PLAY BOUGIE BINGO!
THE ENLIGHTENED VOICE
WES ABNEY CEO & FOUNDER
wes@leafmagazines.com
MIKE RICKER OPERATING PARTNER ricker@leafmagazines.com | advertising opportunities
TOM BOWERS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER tom@leafmagazines.com
DANIEL BERMAN CREATIVE DIRECTOR daniel@leafmagazines.com
BOBBY BLACK STATE CONTENT DIRECTOR bobbyblack@leafmagazines.com
KAYL WOHL COPY EDITOR kayl@leafmagazines.com
ASHLEY HIRCHERT SOCIAL MEDIA LEAD ashley@leafmagazines.com
ABOUT THE COVER
Flavors are a palate’s best friend. And with this September’s Tannins & Terpenes Special edition, we’re whisking you directly to WeHo’s bougiest consumption lounge, Irie, to sit with owner Brian Robinson over an energizing pairing that will electrify your evening. With the consumption lounge scene coming alive, the Leaf is eager to share the excitement by suggesting wonderful ways to celebrate the convergence of bud and libation. Head to our website to read an online feature on Robinson and to see more pairings!
PHOTO BY ROGER KISBY @ROGERKISBY
CONTRIBUTORS
WES ABNEY, FEATURES
DANIEL BERMAN, PHOTOS + DESIGN
BOBBY BLACK, FEATURES + DESIGN
JOSHUA BOULET, ILLUSTRATION
TOM BOWERS, FEATURES + PHOTOS REX HILSINGER, FEATURES + PHOTOS
MATT JACKSON, FEATURES ROGER KISBY, PHOTOS
MALINA LOPEZ, STYLING
JESSE RAMIREZ, DESIGN
MIKE RICKER, FEATURES + PHOTOS
TOM SEARCY, PHOTOS
KELSEY STEVENS, PRODUCTION + STYLING
SHANNON SWEENEY, FEATURES + PHOTOS
TERPODACTYL MEDIA, FEATURES + PHOTOS
BRUCE & LAURIE WOLF, RECIPES
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 ricker@leafmagazines.com to start advertising with California Leaf!
Editor’s Note
Thanks for picking up The Tannins & Terpenes Issue of the Leaf! This issue celebrates the art of pairing Cannabis with wines, cocktails and nonalcoholic beverages, as nothing satisfies quite like a big hit and a fresh sip to wash it down.
Cottonmouth is a common occurrence after smoking or eating Cannabis, which is why we’ve sought out refreshing ways to quench the palate since our first T&T issue in 2010. Back then, people didn’t understand that Cannabis had different strains, flavor profiles and effects, so we highlighted this variety through wine pairings. Over the last decade-plus, we’ve expanded into a wide range of product combinations and pairings, from energy drinks and cartridges to smoothie beers and edibles.
Today, it is well known that Cannabis comes with a variety of flavors, effects and looks, and we celebrate the opportunity to pair local craft products together. While I recently celebrated 18 months of sobriety from alcohol, and firmly believe that Cannabis is safer than alcohol, I still find it both apropos and invigorating to pair the two together. Folks who choose to use Cannabis before cocktails will likely consume less booze, drink more water and have a lessened hangover experience from Cannabis’s neuroprotectant Cannabinoids. There is strong evidence that if choosing to consume alcohol, a low dose, one-to-one edible could be the secret to a hangover-free experience.
“CANNABIS IS TRULY THE ONLY DRUG THAT CAN BE CONSUMED DAILY WITHOUT FEAR OF TOXICITY OR OVERDOSE.”
Throughout my lifetime, I was told that weed causes cancer and hurts the brain’s ability to develop, only to see science and anecdotal patient testimonies prove time and again that the opposite is in fact true. Cannabis protects the brain, stabilizes our endocannabinoid system, which regulates many functions, including our immune system, and is patented by Big Pharma for anti-cancerous and anti-tumorigenic properties.
Meanwhile, the theory that a glass of wine a day is good for the heart has been disproven, and regulatory bodies now advise that adults limit themselves to one to two drinks per day (or less), with EU guidelines pushing for just two to three drinks per week. This is a far cry from the Americanized view of drinking, which pairs booze with every day of the week, with football on Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, and drinkers left to concoct their own reasoning, like Taco Tuesday (margaritas, duh).
But I see a time when our collective view of alcohol shifts to view it as a hard drug to be consumed sparingly and in times of celebration or difficulty, with the go-to daily sip being an infused Cannabis drink or CBD for those seeking more relaxation than intoxication. Cannabis is truly the only drug that can be consumed daily without fear of toxicity or overdose, with benefits that build over time as the endocannabinoid system improves in health. With this in mind, please consider Cannabis for your 5 p.m. ritual or whenever the mood strikes you, and think twice before your next happ y hour. Pouring out the Bud Light and smoking bud is not only safer, it’s probably cheaper in this inflationary economy.
SIX SOCIAL EQUITY SMOKING LOUNGES
COMING TO VEGAS, SOFTENING SIN CITY VIBE
"...a prospective applicant [must] have had an immediate family member convicted of a Cannabis crime and that they live in an area “significantly impacted by poverty and high arrest rates."
Las Vegas, a city long synonymous with vice and gambling, is issuing six social equity licenses for consumption lounges, which will give stoners a safe place to use Cannabis without fear of harassment or criminal issues.
The social equity licenses were issued originally to applicants deemed not qualified, based on restrictions that include criteria from the Cannabis Control Board and Cannabis Advisory Commission’s Social Equity subcommittee. The criteria require that a prospective applicant have had an immediate family member convicted of a Cannabis crime and that they live in an area “significantly impacted by poverty and high arrest rates,” based on study data.
18
The percentage drop in teenagers aged 12-17 who report having ever tried marijuana, between 2014 and 2023, according to the latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service.
SHOULD NJ COPS FIRED FOR WEED GET JOBS BACK? JERSEY CITY MAYOR SAYS
CNO!
77
The number of legal Cannabis retail stores in Vermont, which legalized in 2022, and now has reached $128 million in annual sales, more than $40m stronger than forecast.
1,500
Once the licensing process begins, applicants must undergo a “suitability investigation” and clear many other regulatory hurdles before a lounge can be established and operated. Unfortunately for Vegas visitors and residents, this process can take many months or years, so it will be some time before these licenses are ready to serve dabs and infused drinks.
CARLSBAD BREAKS BAD WITH NEW CANNABIS SMOKING BAN IN APARTMENTS, CONDOS
The beach buzz in Carlsbad, Calif. is set to be a little less hazy as a new city ordinance bans smoking or vaping of Cannabis and nicotine in buildings zoned as multifamily residential, aka the places where most people live.
The push comes from advocates whining about cigarettes killing people and Cannabis smoke being annoying, but this is America, where we have the right to die high and slow while consuming processed foods, forever chemicals and microplastics that are not historically regulated in consumers’ best interests.
"this is America, where we have the right to die high and slow while consuming processed foods, forever chemicals and microplastics that are not historically regulated in consumers’ best interests."
Local resident and “Karen” Katrina Preece told the City Council that “this is a painful and alarming health hazard,” referring to people smoking on their own property. Carlsbad is one of 84 California counties that have banned smoking in homes or on decks and patios, proving that California is the ultimate in high-tax, low-freedom legalization — aka NIMBY legal. In a twist of progressive policies, there is now pushback not for freedom of choice and property rights, or the disproportionate effect on renters and low-income families who deserve the choice to smoke, but because the law could affect property owners and police officers who refuse to enforce the law.
We salute Will Creagan, chairman of Southwest Equity Partners, who wrote to the city: “So you pass an ordinance and then tell the property managers, ‘You need to enforce this’ ... good luck. This is another clear case of government overreach.” The new smoking ban will not affect single-family homes and will go into effect on January 1, 2025.
annabis legalization comes with so many difficult questions, including whether cops, doctors, truck drivers and others with professional licenses should be able to use Cannabis off-duty. When viewed through the lens that Cannabis is safer than alcohol, it seems clear that we should prefer cops blowing off steam and PTSD via a plant-based medicine, as opposed to drinking to deal with the emotional stress of a dangerous and important job.
Fighting for cops to have the right to party, lawyer Michael Rubas is both running for mayor and accusing the current Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop of firing cops for using weed off-duty, in a “ruse done solely to bring attention to him and to assist his gubernatorial campaign to the detriment of Jersey City employees, as well as taxpayers who are now footing the bill of hundreds of thousands of dollars in back pay awards and attorney fees.”
"This dispute stems from a wrongful termination suit filed by one of the cops fired for the use of Cannabis while off duty."
This dispute stems from a wrongful termination suit filed by one of the cops fired for the use of Cannabis while off duty. Several cops have been fired in Jersey City for testing positive for Cannabis during random drug screenings, using the conflict between federal law and firearm restrictions as justification for the firings. In a twist unique to New Jersey, the 2021 law that legalized Cannabis allows cops to use Cannabis if they are not on duty, setting the table for a showdown between state and federal law.
Jersey City has lost its court cases against three cops to date, but the choice to not rehire them has come from the top, with the decisions causing a “little revolt,” according to an email sent by Mayor Fulop.
A spokesperson for the mayor, Kimberly WallaceScalcione, said in a statement that the suit is “silly” and that “most people would agree with the administration that police officers should not be coming to work stoned.”
The minimum distance in feet mandated between a gaming establishment and a legal Cannabis business under rules imposed by the Nevada legislature.
The number of illegal, unlicensed Cannabis products seized during a sting operation conduced in the Los Angeles Toy District last month in California at the behest of Governor Gavin Newsom and the Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce, which announced it has also recovered more than $120 million in illegal Cannabis since January 2024. $
2.2m
“THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S OVER-TAXATION OF CANNABIS COMPANIES IS NOT JUST STIFLING THEIR GROWTH; IT’S ALSO COSTING THE U.S. ECONOMY VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM AN INDUSTRY THAT IS READY TO THRIVE."
As with all legal challenges to current standards and limits on Cannabis, this case could have national implications as it sets up a direct challenge between state and federal law. As the suit states, “This constitutional right to possess and consume regulated Cannabis is granted to all New Jersey citizens, including Jersey City Police Officers.” Whether that interpretation is correct, it seems most Americans agree that cops are safer stoned than drunk, on or off duty.
-Investor & wealth manager Ross Gerber, who will be speaking at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in October. Gerber has boldly come out against federal prohibition of Cannabis, claiming that it is hurting the overall U.S. economy during a time of economic uncertainty, and notes that laws criminalizing Cannabis are outdated and hurting more than just the Cannabis industry. Read more on our website at LeafMagazines.com
20th annual EMERALD cup
AUGUST
17-18,
2024 | OAKLAND
We’ve heard people say that in Cannabis time, one year is equal to five regular human years. That would make 20 years a century. Regardless of whether you agree with that math, it’s indisputable that The Emerald Cup celebrating its 20th anniversary this year with an awards ceremony is a monumental milestone.
The die-hards in California’s Cannabis community showed up at the Cup’s new location in Oakland’s Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts in August. The historic event space rose to the occasion with room for an outdoor expo, consumption areas, an indoor expo floor, and a theater where the heart of the show took place. Revelers passed hash holes at the outside lounge, and shared dabs at the PuffCo Pavilion, splitting their time between buying clones, seeds and consumables at the vendor booths, and dipping into the theater to check out the awards.
While it was a scaled-back version of the huge, festivalesque cups of the past, it was still the Cup at its core. Familiar faces mingled with new characters, with music blasting in every space, and as always the crew had a few tricks up its sleeve, including an unadvertised performance by Oakland hip hop legend Too $hort that took everyone by surprise.
The awards stole the show, with electricity in the air as Cannabis creators waited on the edge of their seats for their chance to take the stage. Keith Stroup, founder of NORML, was given the 20th Anniversary Lifetime Achievement Award, for his tireless work fighting for the plant and the community.
Mendo Dope won Best in Show for its headies, its entry in the Personal Use category.
Farmer & The Felon and Rebel Grown took first place for their collab Double OG, while Decibel Gardens won the indoor category with Roswell 47 (and had a total of five awards). Terp Mansion won Mixed Light with their Thin Mint x Jealousy, and Chameleon Craft took the crown for Sungrown Greenhouse with their Bubble Bath flower.
John Casali from Huckleberry Farms took the stage multiple times, as he deservedly tends to do at these awards, taking home eight total awards for his products and his many collaborations, including first place in the Solventless Ice Water Hash category with his collab with Ay Papi, the Whitethorn Rose Ice Water Hash 6 Star Full Melt.
Moon Valley Cannabis took home a pair of first place trophies for their Solventless Infused Pre Roll (Neon Panther 0.7g Infused Pre Roll 5 pack) and Non-Infused Pre Roll (Grape Gas 1g), and walked with a staggering total of 9 trophies. Have Hash x Royal Budline took home the coveted first place Solventless Rosin trophy for their Honey Bananas Cold Cure Live Rosin collab (which was featured as the LEAF’s Concentrate of the Month in our August 2024 issue).
Alien Labs also crushed the competition, earning a total of eight trophies, while Holy Water took home a total of six. Focus V also had a big moment, taking home the award for Most Innovative Product - an Industry Asset for its AERIS portable, pocketable rig.
After 20 years, the heart still beats in the California Cannabis Community, and The Emerald Cup proved it. Whatever the future has in store, it feels good to gather and celebrate one another’s wins, and check in with our Cannabis family.
Cheers to The Emerald Cup on reaching 20 years, and cheers to the entire California community, for continuing to fight for the life we all love.
Find the full list of winners at theemeraldcup.com
The storied awards festival celebrates two decades.
Recreational rollercoaster at the State Fair
Golden Bear Award Winners
Sungrown Flower
Emerald Spirit Botanicals - Pink Boost Goddess
Indoor Flower Pure Beauty - New Jack City
Mixed Light Flower Glass House Farms - Lilac Diesel
Beverages
Pure Beauty - Little Strong Drink Mandarin Tumeric Ginger 5:1 CBD:THC
Cartridges
Arcata Fire x Ridgeline Farms Collab100% LIve Rosin Syrup Lantz All-In-One
Concentrates
Ay Papi x Huckleberry Hill Farms - 6 Star Full Melt Whitethorn Rose
Edibles
Space Gem - CBD 1:1 Assorted Flavors
Pre-Rolls
The Pairist - Whitethorn Rose Rosin Pre-Roll Single
Wellness
Kikoko - Hybrid X Tabs
CA STATE FAIR
july 12-28, 2024 |
Zipping past the rides, crossing the sea of cotton candy and corn dog stands, and sidestepping the beer garden, we found an oasis at the California State Fair. It was a retail dispensary, feeding into an outdoor consumption lounge space.
The welcome weedy sight marked a global step forward for the plant. No other region that we know of holds state-sanctioned Cannabis awards, let alone gives them a venue at a familyfriendly event, along with a place to do a J before taking a turn on the Gravitron.
The landmark retail experience was managed by NorCal’s own Embarc retail group, which has been making huge strides in the normalization of the plant in recent years.
The consumption lounge experience was anchored by tenant sponsors, including Sacramento-based Dream by ESG and Cookies, and featured presentations such as a class on how to roll the perfect hash hole by the legend CGO.
Judging for the awards was handled by Budist and their team of professional Cannabis reviewers. The ceremony itself, while small and invite-only, felt like a huge step in the right direction. Emcee Rachelle Lynn Gordon came out in a sparkling green outfit, kicking off festivities by lighting and handing out a mouthful of joints to the crowd.
During the ceremony, the legendary Pebbles Trippet accepted a Lifetime Achievement Award, and gave a heartfelt speech after a video showcasing her life of advocacy.
The gold and silver medals were awarded prior to the ceremony, but the best in show Golden Bear Awards were handed out to applause and speeches from the recipients.
The vibe of the night was one of thrilled excitement of receiving the first-ever stateissued quality awards for Cannabis production. But it was tempered by an undercurrent of uncertainty about the future. The majority of the legacy producers who took the podium have struggled to make ends meet year over year under the California tax and regulatory structure.
A number of people in attendance expressed bittersweet feelings, as the same state handing out the awards with one hand is putting companies out of business with the other.
But overall, the feeling was triumphant.
Nick Betts summed it up well when he and his team from Arcata Fire accepted their Golden Bear award for Best in Show in the Cartridges category for their collaboration with Ridgeline Farms.
“Anyone who’s doing a craft brand in California right now, you’re fucking warriors,” he said. He then held up the award, and thoughtfully, poignantly added, “This doesn’t mean sales.”
Find the full list of award winners at castatefaircannabisawards.com.
BEARD BROS FIGHTS TO UNITE CANNABIS INDUSTRY: FREE EDWIN RUBIS FROM PRISON!
In the late 1990s, Edwin Rubis was in his late 20s and got mixed up with the wrong people operating on the wrong side of the law, and when the law caught up, Edwin was the only defendant who refused to cop a plea, instead fighting the feds and their prized 98% conviction rate.
ASthe song goes, Rubis fought the law, and the law won; the result was a guilty verdict on a handful of nonviolent Cannabis distribution charges. To show any future freedom fighters what happens when you challenge Uncle Sam’s lawyers, Rubis was crushed by a 40-year sentence in federal prison, a bid he has already served 26 years... and counting.
“Cannabis distribution” is a lucrative license category in today’s regulated markets, so you can imagine the frustration that Edwin Rubis must feel watching people who were born after he got locked up now making six or seven figures driving truckloads of weed around, doing the same things his old crew got popped for decades ago.
Having exhausted all of his appeals, despite a record of nothing but good behavior behind bars, Rubis
now faces the reality that he could still have a decade or more to go before he is free.
Efforts have been made in the past to raise awareness of Edwin’s situation and petitions circulated lobbying for his freedom. But so far, these things have not worked, and another decade of incarceration for a man who has already served so much time for a nonviolent crime is unacceptable.
Leaf Magazines was founded in 2010 as an advocacy and culture magazine for the Cannabis community and has fought for freedom for the plant ever since those early prerecreational days.
“...ANOTHER DECADE OF INCARCERATION FOR A MAN WHO HAS ALREADY SERVED SO MUCH TIME FOR A NONVIOLENT CRIME IS UNACCEPTABLE.”
Like Leaf Magazines, Beard Bros Pharms has been advocating for the release of all Cannabis prisoners for over a decade now, and the Bros have been blessed to exchange hugs and high-fives with many who have been Edwin Rubis
granted their long overdue freedom, including Craig Cesal, Weldon Angelos, Luke Scarmazzo, John Casali and others. Edwin’s story and his continued lockup have torn at our emotions for years, and now it is time to consolidate all efforts to free Edwin Rubis immediately.
As we approach Election Day, the Beard Bros plan to rally heavy hitters in Cannabis culture and beyond to put pressure on people like President Joe Biden to pardon Edwin Rubis before he leaves the Oval Office. Our colleagues at Jungle Boys and Catalyst have
already contributed directly to Edwin’s books and to the rekindled effort to get him home to his family as soon as we can, and Leaf Magazines is jumping in to help spread the word. We cannot do this alone, but we can do anything with allies like these and the ones you will see stepping up soon.
Here’s how you can help to #FreeEdwinRubis!
When you see Beard Bros Pharms amplifying this cause in the coming weeks, like, comment and share that content and those calls to action with your sphere of influence. We have a powerful voice when we all speak together. Get involved at BeardBrosPharms.com and follow @beardbrospharms for updates, and be sure to follow @FreeEdwinRubis.
JPPHILLIPS
CALIFORNIA LEAF BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH
JP loves hanging with friends and family when not creating music or viewing visual arts. Otherwise, you might find him checking out the latest anime or skateboarding all over SoCal before heading out into nature. Check out some San Diego music collectives he’s part of, such as AfroMantis, Drippy Pool Club and Global Therapy. Follow him @bluuzuli33.
YOU OBVIOUSLY LOVE CANNABIS, BUT WHAT OTHER MEDICINES HAVE YOU WORKED WITH?
I’ve got an extensive background in herbal and homeopathic medicine, so I’m all in. I’ve even participated in ayahuasca ceremonies as a guardian. Medicine is a very big part of my life.
HOW DO YOU TAKE THAT LOVE FOR PLANTS AND APPLY IT TO SERVICING THE GOOD FOLKS AT COOKIES WHEN YOU’RE BUDTENDING?
I use it as a conduit to connect. When I think of Cannabis specifically, I think of community and the magic it has in being able to dissolve barriers and connect people from all walks of life. I can’t think of another substance that brings gangsters, preppies, goths, you name it, together to sesh in a friendly fashion. You wouldn’t see that diversity of people anywhere else huddled up together. So, the way I treat customers is like family. San Diego is chill too; we’ve just got a lot of really cool people who slide in.
WHAT IS THE MAIN ATTRIBUTE THAT MAKES A GREAT BUDTENDER?
They say if you can find a job that you love to do, you’ll never work a day in your life, so I’m just stoked to share all the product knowledge that I have. It’s important for me to not get stuck in any one lane. I like all of it: sativa, indica, hybrid, concentrates and flower — they all have distinct applications. So, I have extensive knowledge of the brands we carry and the desired effects. All those things included, with showing the right amount of love, are the key.
“WHEN I THINK OF CANNABIS SPECIFICALLY, I THINK OF COMMUNITY AND THE MAGIC IT HAS IN BEING ABLE TO DISSOLVE BARRIERS AND CONNECT PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE.”
WHAT ARE YOU DIGGING NOW?
Obviously, Cookies, but also Ted’s Buds, Wizard Trees and Josh Wax. I love Josh Wax. Those are fire brands I’m currently suggesting, but then I pay close attention to what the customer is asking for based on their wellness needs, whether it’s for sleep, relaxation, energy or focus. I pride myself in being able to recommend terps like limonene, linalool, myrcene, etc.
WHO IS YOUR TOP PICK TO ROLL UP AND SMOKE WITH, DEAD OR ALIVE? I would like to smoke with Jimi Hendrix. Music is a constant in my life.
MEDICINE MARKET
Secret Garden’s location has been a home for getting better since it was previously a doctor’s office. The doc asked owner Mike Hannegan if he knew anyone in the Cannabis space who might be interested in taking over the property, and he pounced on the opportunity. So, he got a bunch of his friends to help him with the buildout, and voilà, here we are. Mike had a Cannabis bath bomb company that didn’t make it out of COVID-19 called 19Forty (the year CBD was discovered). But this experience taught him a lot about starting brands and how to follow compliance. One year later, it’s a thriving Cannabis retail shop and the closest to John Wayne Airport in Costa Mesa. Wins and lessons!
CALI VIBES
Since there’s ivy growing on all the walls and to get there you have to jockey around from the highway, the name choice makes a lot of sense — a taste of Shangri-La in the OC. This shop strives for an intersection where Nordstrom style meets a beachy hotel vibe — a warm, higher-end experience. All the cabinetry is custom made with an interior curated by well-known designer Kegan Neall from Weather Station Zebra. And how cool is this: you’ll find signed memorabilia from reggae rock bands like Rebelution, Fortunate Youth, Iration and more. And because of the proximity to the airport, you may see a celebrity popping in for a quick pic and a grab-and-go.
ONE-STOP SHOP
If you’re in the area, come take advantage of a complimentary meal on Free Food Friday with burgers and dogs hot off the grill — just look for the smoke signals emanating into the sky. If you’re a veteran, be sure to take advantage of 15% off your entire order. And talk about a well of wellness: Secret Garden works with different wellness brands for some extraordinary activities, including sound baths and yoga classes right there on the property in an adjacent facility. It also collaborates with neighbors Southwest Health and Fitness so you can get your meds and your workout at the same time!
STAFF PICKS
FLOWER
CARTridgeS
DABS
PHENO HUNTS NECTARINE JELLY ROSIN
Anticipation makes our mouths water, and we’ve been salivating for a long time over the release of the Pheno Hunts Rosin lineup.
The first time we heard about this project from Cory Zila, owner of the destination Yosemite-adjacent dispensary Tioga Green, we were standing on the tradeshow floor at last year’s MJ BizCon huddled in a flotilla of fellow legacy operators afloat in a sea of green rushers.
“We’re finally doing it,” Zila said, before pulling out a couple of jar samples and logo pics of a new rosin brand called Pheno Hunts. There on the show floor, he explained the philosophy behind the brand, which he started with business partner Will Stolk. Pheno Hunts is a rosin brand crafted for curators and connoisseurs of phenotypical expressions, using strains and flavors hunted from indoor cultivation.
At the moment, it was in the development phase, but now, about nine months later, Pheno Hunts has already sprouted past infancy, with a fully developed line of tasty rosin flavors, flower strains and all-in-one vape carts.
We had the opportunity to sample a couple of varietals from the rosin lineup, and maybe it’s the late-summer sun impacting our tastebuds, but we fell in love with the Tier 1 Nectarine Jelly. It starts off cold, with a cookie-dough consistency, but warms and whips up into a tasty, terp-rich squish to slide into your rig, gassing into vapor laden with stone fruit and pine character, ripe with hints of confectionery sweetness.
It’s a featherweight, smooth-sipping dab, with energetic effects. A great transitional flavor for the shift into fall.
Zila and the hunting party plan to continue to release small batches of hand-picked flavors as the brand gets rolling — keep your eyes out for the rosin, as well as Pheno Hunts’ flower and vape pens at dispensaries around the state.
ASKUSABOUT CARYOPHYLLENE
tORONJA
CULTIVATED BY PURE BEAUTY | BRED BY PURPLE CITY GENETICS
GENETIC DIVERSITY.
You hear those two words tossed around in the Cannabis breeding community.
In a market overwhelmed by demand for chunky, candy-sweet purple flowers, diversity is taking a hit. The world of Cannabis cultivation seems to be losing some of its variety to trend-chasing.
That’s no surprise. It has happened in every segment of agriculture, and it’s happening here.
Pure Beauty is stepping out of that rotation with its new collab lineup with Purple City Genetics.
PUREBEAUTYPUREBEAUTY.CO
@PUREBEAUTYPUREBEAUTY
PURPLECITYGENETICS.COM
@REALPURPLECITYGENETICS
TESTING: 31.7% THC
“IT’S A COLLABORATION to bring awareness to sativas again,” said Pure Beauty Head of Cultivation Lou Carrasco. “The market is super indica hybridheavy, and there aren’t a lot of individuals who are doing indoor sativas.”
Pure Beauty sought out Purple City to bring a lineup of sativa-leaning strains to the market because they saw a gap for people who love indoor weed but also want an energizing, uplifting experience. Carrasco, a Bay Area cultivator with 30 years under lights, misses a lot of the genetics that initially sparked his passion. His team has recently garnered some deserved attention with their Golden Bear Award, the best-in-show award for Indoor Flower at the California State Fair Cannabis Awards, which they won for their New Jack City.
On a recent tour of Pure Beauty’s Sacramento facility, Carrasco pulled out a jar of one of the new Purple City collab strains, Toronja.
It was a familiar, reminiscent sight for anyone with enough history in the grow room — glittering, lanky buds with stretchy foxtail fingers. It’s a look you don’t see very often anymore.
“I like the alien antennas that pop up out of there,” Carrasco. “To me, it’s more nostalgic. It reminds me of some of that old-school Northern Lights that used to finger up on us.”
A cross between (Grapefruit Chem x THC Bomb) and GovernMint Oasis, the flowers give off salivary aromas of citrus, pastry dough, gas and pepper.
The trichomes create a resinous squish when you break it up, gluing your fingers together.
Strong citrus peel flavors permeate the exhale.
“It’s more of what old-school Cannabis users were after back in the day,” Carrasco said. “What we liked. Those terpene profiles you can actually taste.”
As we discussed the flower and the Pure Beauty philosophy in Carrasco’s office, I couldn’t help but notice the floweringorchid LEGO set perched behind his desk. When I mentioned it, Carrasco said he chose to bring in a LEGO flower because, obviously, no outside plants could enter the facility. Seeing it there was a notable juxtaposition for a conversation about the importance of preserving the unique characteristics of the diverse expressions of the Cannabis plant. It will be fun to watch what the Pure Beauty x Purple City collab puts out next as part of this series.
CALIFORNIA
“To me, it’s more nostalgic. It reminds me of some of that old-school Northern Lights.”
TANNINS
Pleasure Med Wake and Bake cocktail
It’s five o’clock somewhere, or so the idea behind the Wake and Bake cocktail goes. Made with freshly brewed espresso plus reposado tequila, Licor 43, banana, cereal whipped créme and a kiss of popcorn salt, this drink is both beautiful to loo k at and delightful to sip. With a sweet and salty foam and the richness of espresso with a tequil a tang, this complex cocktail delights the senses, perking up the mind with a shot or two of espresso, depending on taste and personal levels of caffeine addiction. pleasuremed.com @pleasuremedla
TERPENES
Seed Junky Red Eye
Whether you’ve endured a red-eye flight, we’ve all frantically washed hands, sprayed cologne and hit the eye drops to get rid of that telltale stoner look. Luckily for us, this Red Eye is a cross of Permanent Marker and Lemon Cherry, promising heavy-indica effects and loud bag appeal. Initial notes are raw and funky, with sour glue and lemony, rubbery marker notes slapping senses. With dark purple colors and a ton of frosty trichomes, this flower is ready to dull senses in the best way possible. seedjunky.com @seedjunky_jbeezy
THE PAIRING
Served in the luxurious atmosphere of Pleasure Med, which features a Cannabis consumption lounge, a separate bar area and a gourmet kitchen, this drink and flower combo is the epitome of a Hollywood buzz. The first tokes of the Red Eye are smooth and gassy, with bright notes of lemon cutting through the sharper, heavier funk that comes from the Permanent Marker parentage. Alternating between sips and tokes sends the mind to flight, proving that a buzz is all it takes to hit the skies in style — even if we’re only taxiing between the lounge and the kitchen. Experience this pairing or create your own with Pleasure Med’s full lineup of custom cocktails and mocktails and a well-stocked dispensary ready to gas up your next mental flight.
TANNINS
Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, Firestone Walker has become an institution on California’s Central Coast, establishing itself as one of the nation’s best small breweries. Though best known for its 805 blonde ale and its DBA (Double Barrel Ale), a British-style pale ale, it produces dozens of other styles of magical microbrews, including a line of vintage, barrel-aged sweet stouts and porters, all of which are fantastic. For this pairing, I chose the Parabolita — a blend of its iconic Parabola imperial stout (aged for a year in Heaven Hill bourbon barrels) and its silky Velvet Merlin milk stout, which is then infused with Madagascar vanilla beans, cocoa nibs and sea salt. The result is a deep, dark, decadent dessert beer with a tan foam head and notes of malt, chocolate, vanilla, bourbon, molasses/brown sugar and, of course, caramel. 9.2% ABV firestonewalker.com @firestonewalker
THE PAIRING
TERPENES
Bay Area-based Atlas Edibles was founded in 2017 by Ezra Malmuth — a former food truck chef with a degree in culinary nutrition. Atlas offers two lines of healthy edible s: powdered drink mixes and award-winning granola bites. The granola bites come in four flavors: Lemon Blueberry (hybrid), Dark Chocolate (hybrid), Mexican Chocolate (indica), and the one I chose for this pairing, Caramel Cashew (sativa).
CRACKING OPEN the can of Parabolita, I gently pour its creamy black goodness into Firestone’s Teku glass to appropriately accentuate the beer’s bouquet and flavor. Immediately, my nose is hit with an array of aromas, including caramel, molasses, milk chocolate, marshmallow and the faint hint of bourbon.
The sticky little cubes of granola, on the other hand, smell of caramel and coconut, with an almost currylike tinge (due to the turmeric). In addition to oats and caramel, these yummy clusters also include honey, brown sugar, sorghum, coconut cream, dried apricots, turmeric and cayenne pepper. The texture is somewhere in between chewy and crunchy and quickly crumbles apart in my mouth as I take a bite. The cashew and caramel hit first, followed by the fruity flavors of apricot and coconut, then a hint of heat from the cayenne.
Next, I take a slurp of the stout and allow the two tastes to mingle in my mouth. Naturally, the prominent caramel presence in both syncs up nicely, but that’s just the beginning of the complexity that unfolds: the earthiness of oak, nuts and malt; the sweet serenades of chocolate and brown sugar; the exotic accents of coconut, Madagascar vanilla and turmeric. It’s a cascade of culinary delight upon my taste buds. Finally, the aftertaste of cayenne, mingled with the lingering undertones of bourbon, makes for a spicy, balanced finish that leaves a hint of heat in the back of my throat.
Parabolita is so sweet on its own that pairing it with a candy or dessert would be overkill, which is why it’s perfectly complemented by the granola, whose sweetness is subtle, not overpowering. Plus, the sativa-dominant terp profile of the bites beautifully balances out the sedative effect of the alcohol.
By the time I’d finished my samples and taken my notes, I was as stoned as a witch in colonial Salem, coming up with cool ideas, giggling my ass off and feeling no pain. At one point, my face even felt like it was vibrating. All in all, this was a solid pairing of two deliciously intoxicating treats.
Special thanks to Firestone Walker’s Vintage Barrel Master Jordan Ziegler, whose cooperation, expertise and passion for beer and Cannabis made this possible.
All varieties are made with all-natural, organic ingredients and high-quality, full-spectrum rosin. They are dairy- and gluten-free, making them an excellent health-conscious alternative to the preponderance of high-sugar, high-calorie-infused candies on the market. 5 clusters per package | 20mg THC per cluster atlasedibles.com | @atlasedibles
TANNINS Wild Tonic
Mango Ginger Sparkling Jun
Sparkling and fermented, this Mango Ginger Jun is a healthy cousin to kombucha with classical roots in Tibet. Brewed with green tea instead of blac k tea and using honey instead of sugar for sweetness, jun is then brewed with a SCOBY — a symbiotic cu lture of bacteria and yeast, like a traditional kombucha. Jun uses different microbes that love the honey, and the process leaves a sweeter drink that’s less tart. The Mango Ginger hits with a bright mango start with a gentle ginger that is easy on the palate, perfect for settling the stomach. Brewed with organic ingredients and easy to sip, there’s a reason juns are known as the champagne of kombucha. wildtonic.com @drinkwildtonic
TERPENES
Cosmic Space Bears
Dancing bears are already a sign of the culture, so these infused cuties are ready for your next jam band tour stop. Each pack has a blend of green apple, mango, strawberry kiwi and watermelon, all with a fruity and tangy bite with a hint of tart citrus. The gummies are infused with a full-spectrum mushroom extract and plant adaptogens that help with bioavailability. Each bag contains 16 bears, with 0.25 grams of extract per bear and four grams total per bag. A starting microdose serving can be half a bear to a bear, which might sound strange, but it’s no different than splitting a weed gummy. With a focus on mushrooms as medicine, the team behind Space Bears is driven to share the healing aspects of sacred mushrooms, one yummy bite at a time. cosmicspacebears.com @spacebearsofficial
THE PAIRING
Eating a micro (or macro) dose of mushrooms is more journey than a quick high, which pairs well with the intention of sparkling jun. It’s a health drink that doesn’t taste like something pretending to be healthy and is a great alternative to soda or beer. The citric acid present from the fermentation process helps activate the gummy in your tummy, which will soon transform an ordinary day into a special trip. With one gummy, we found the world more sparkly as sounds became crisper, ushering in a gentle, energetic euphoria that held for several hours. Eating a few more bears may have you wondering if you are indeed part gummy bear, as you melt into a blob of honey, just like the delicious jun from the pairing. This all makes sense because bears love honey.
TANNINS Coffee Connoisseur Club Tanzanian Peaberry
Let’s face it, heady culture extends far beyond just weed and hash, often dripping down into the world of coffee. A complex and fla vorful exploration into the world of nano-batch roasting, C3 mails its packs of six ready-to-brew pouches straight to your house. This light Tanzanian Peaberry was grown by the Aviv Estate in the Mbeya Region of Tanzania. The term “peaberry” means that these beans have naturally mutated, so there’s only one bean inside the cherry instead of the usual two. Expect intense tasting notes of honey, banana and a smooth cacao bite. Bright and crisp, this makes a great iced coffee as well. The r oaster recommends a 1:15 ratio for iced coffees. @thecoffeeconnoisseurclub
TERPENES
Ember Valley Grapefruit Zlushiez Rosin
This may be the first year Ember Valley officially dropped rosin into the market, but they’ve been hard at work in both the garden and th e lab to create a line that’s completely selected, grown and washed in-house. Clearly, the work is paying off after taking home second place in People’s Choice and first place in Aroma at San Diego’s Farmers Cup 710. Grapefruit Zlushiez (Grapefruit Runtz x Zlushiez) is a collaboration between Raw Genetics and Pheno Addict that Ember Valley grew and hunted through to find the perfect pheno. The team selected this particular pheno for its pink lem onade flavor, as well as its effects, which include a burst of social energy that can make you feel super talkative. ember-valley.com @ember_valley
THE PAIRING
Right off the bat, you’d think the honey and fruit notes in the peaberry coffee would partner with the pink lemonade flavor in the rosin, but as soon as the terps hit your tongue, that cacao bite pairs with citrus on that Grapefruit Zlushiez. A lot of sweet fruit and Z flavors develop as you exhale and eventually collect altogether in the aftertaste. Both the rosin and the coffee have complex finishes, so putting them together was like that scene in “Avengers: Endgame” where everybody shows up on screen. Make sure to take a couple sips ’n’ rips to take in the whole cast. Also, quick tip: The energy boost from this combo is not for the faint of heart.
WINE AND CANNABIS , which are two of nature’s most controversial and celebrated creations, share a surprising number of chemical similarities. At first glance, these might seem like entirely different worlds — wine, with its centuries-old traditions, and Cannabis, with its new-age renaissance. However, a deeper dive into their chemistry reveals that they are more alike than one might think. From terpenes and flavonoids to anthocyanins and phenolic compounds, both wine and Cannabis are driven by the same molecules that shape their flavors, aromas, overall effect and experience. Let’s take a closer look.
Cherry Pie OG
(Granddaddy Purp x F1 Durban) from Sunmed Growers
Big Cork Vineyards in Rohrersville, MD
TERPENES | The Aromatic Architects
Terpenes are the unsung heroes in both wine and Cannabis, responsible for the aromatic profiles that make each wine or strain unique. These volatile organic compounds (VOCs) not only influence the scent and taste but also contribute to the effects and experiences associated with consumption.
In wine, terpenes like linalool, which offers floral and citrus notes, and geraniol, known for its rosy scent, play a crucial role in defining the bouquet of the wine. These compounds are essential in creating the distinct aromatic identity of each varietal, from the bright citrus of a Sauvignon Blanc to the complex florals of a Riesling.
Cannabis is also rich in terpenes, with myrcene, limonene and pinene being some of the most common. Myrcene imparts earthy, musky notes and is often associated with the sedative effects of certain strains. Limonene, on the other hand, provides a bright citrus aroma, which is linked to mood enhancement. Pinene, with its fresh piney scent, is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties. The combination of these terpenes in both wine and Cannabis creates the nuanced aromas and flavors that connoisseurs of both can appreciate.
FLAVONOIDS | Nature’s Wellness Boosters
Flavonoids are another class of compounds that wine and Cannabis have in common, contributing to color and potential health benefits. Quercetin, one of the most abundant flavonoids in both plants, is a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. In wine, quercetin not only contributes to bitterness and astringency but also enhances the wine’s overall stability and aging potential. It’s found in higher concentrations in red wines, where it works alongside tannins to create a robust and complex flavor profile. Cannabis also contains quercetin, which contributes to the plant’s antioxidant defenses during its growth stage and may have potential therapeutic benefits for consumers. This compound is part of what makes Cannabis such a versatile and potentially health-promoting plant, with effects that go beyond just its psychoactive components.
ANTHOCYANINS | The Colorful Chemists
Anthocyanins are the pigments responsible for the rich red, purple and blue hues found in many fruits and flowers, including wine grapes and Cannabis. In wine, anthocyanins are most prominent in red varieties, where they not only provide color but also contribute to the wine’s flavor and antioxidant properties. As wine ages, anthocyanins and tannins can undergo condensation reactions. These reactions contribute to the deepening and evolution of the wine’s color over time, as well as to the softening of tannins, leading to a smoother mouthfeel.
Similarly, in Cannabis, anthocyanins are responsible for the striking purple and pink colors seen in certain strains, especially under cooler growing conditions. While their role in Cannabis is less about taste and more about visual appeal, anthocyanins still contribute to the plant’s overall ability to tolerate environmental stressors.
THE INFLUENCE OF TERROIR
PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS | The Backbone of Complexity
Phenolic compounds, including tannins, resveratrol and lignans, are critical to the structure and complexity of both wine and Cannabis.
In wine, tannins are responsible for the astringency and mouthfeel, particularly in red wines. They bind to proteins and other compounds in the mouth, creating a dry sensation that is a hallmark of many red wines. Tannins also play a vital role in the aging process, allowing wines to develop more complex flavors over time.
Cannabis contains a variety of phenolic compounds as well, including tannins, which contribute to the plant’s bitterness and astringency. Resveratrol, famous for its presence in red wine, is also found in Cannabis, where it may offer similar antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. These compounds are part of what gives both wine and Cannabis their complexity and depth of flavor.
Terroir — the unique combination of soil, climate and geography that influences the growth of plants — is a concept deeply embedded in winemaking. The terroir of a vineyard can dramatically alter the flavor and aroma profile of the wine produced, with even small changes in soil composition or weather patterns leading to noticeable differences in the final product.
In outdoor Cannabis cultivation, terroir is becoming increasingly recognized as a significant factor in determining the quality and characteristics of the plant. Just as a vineyard in Western Maryland produces a wine distinct
from one in Southern California, Cannabis grown in different regions will exhibit unique traits influenced by local terroir.
The chemical parallels between wine and Cannabis are more than just a curiosity; they offer a deeper appreciation for the complexity and artistry involved in cultivating, processing and enjoying these products. Whether it’s the aromatic terpenes, health-promoting flavonoids or the influence of terroir, the connections between these two ancient plants are profound and multifaceted. So, the next time you sip a glass or sit down for your sesh, consider the shared chemistry that makes each experience so unique and enjoyable.
Cannabinoid testing at The Winery at Bull Run in Centreville, VA.
Shannon Sweeney checks out Brix sugar levels
Cabernet Franc grapes ripening up at Big Cork Vineyards.
TASTEOFSEPTEMBER
I WAS WEED SHOPPING at my favorite Electric Lettuce, the retro dispensary chain around Portland, OR that checks all my Cannabis boxes and makes me feel like an (over 21) kid again! The budtenders know their stuff and turned me on to a new, euphoric strain called Dark Rainbow that is relaxing, fun and tastes amazing. Kind of a citrussy vibe, with a hint of sweetness and a peppery, earthy finish. This strain has now surpassed my old favorite, Forbidden Fruit — because this is fire. In a couple of weeks, I am going to have a small dinner party, and we are going to do some terpene pairings. I’m desperate to use my new tabletop bong and create some interesting flavor combos. And right now, fruits and vegetables are bursting with flavor — this is going to be fun. At the end of the day, it’s all about the terpenes. Laurie@Laurieandmaryjane.com
Limonene is the prominent terpene in Dark Rainbow. It’s found in the rind of citrus fruit, so between the orange and lemon, this salad is a perfect intro to terpene pairing.
GRIDDLED PEACHES WITH PIZAZZ
Caryophyllene is the spicy terpene. The cinnamon and black pepper call out this terpene with a musky, funky warmth, and the combo of flavors is divine.
4 ripe peaches, halved and pitted
4 teaspoons cannabutter (5mg THC) or 20mg THC distillate, which would be added to the honey instead
1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
2 tablespoons hot honey
About 20 raspberries
1. In a medium skillet, melt the cannabutter. When melted, add the sugar and cinnamon and stir to distribute.
2. Cook the peach halves for 6-8 minutes, until golden and tender.
3. Place the peach halves on a plate, sprinkle with the black pepper and drizzle with honey. Top with the raspberries and serve. If you wanted to top this with a scoop of ice cream, I would not blame you.
MANGO MAGIC
With its main terpene being myrcene, this simple mango dessert is refreshing, super tasty and marries beautifully with the myrcene in the Dark Rainbow strain. Perfect together.
3 cups frozen mango chunks
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
4 teaspoons cannabutter (5mg per teaspoon) or distillate
1/2 cup thick Greek yogurt (I used vanilla, but it’s your call)
1. In the bowl of a food processor or blender, puree the mango with the lime juice and infusion until smooth.
2. Scoop the mango into a glass, alternating with the yogurt. That’s the show, so easy.
ORANGE & AVOCADO SALAD
4 cups salad greens, washed and dabbed dry
1 large navel orange, peeled and cut in slices
1 medium avocado, peeled and cut in thin wedges
1/2 cup seedless grapes
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/3 cup olive oil
4 teaspoons canna-oil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Zest of the lemon
1. In a large bowl combine the greens, orange, avocado, grapes and tomatoes.
2. In small bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients.
3. Toss dressing with greens and serve immediately.
Fire Bros. Apple Banana Candy
Max Caswell
Max Caswell has a simple mantra: “To be or not to be…” To be means putting his heart and soul into a design that represents function and form. Not to be would mean succumbing to trends and sublimating what works
for other artists.
MAX, a native of Tennessee, started his journey in borosilicate art in 2015 in the renowned glass art hub of Bellingham, Washington. Interning and mixing with some of the greatest artists in the world, he was able to hone his craft rapidly. In 2017, Max continued his journey by teaming up with Hamm in Eugene, Oregon, where borosilicate glass art thrives.
From there, Max further solidified his skills while working with arguably the premier functional scientific glass artist of our current culture, Hamm Glassworks. You can see in his designs, current and past, that he strives for a level of perfection that challenges all. This set was designed to celebrate the pairing of bourbon, Cannabis and this year’s Tannins and Terpenes issue.
THE PAIRING
While it is considered one of the true American spirits, bourbon must meet certain standards to bear the title.
This much sought-after spirit must have a mash distilled from a minimum of 51% corn and aged in charred new oak barrels.
A high percentage of corn and the vanillin compounds extracted from the charred oak during aging tend to give bourbon notes of caramel, vanilla, dried fruit and spice. These tannins and terpenes are what Fire Bros. took into serious consideration when they matched these amazing profiles with their Apple Banana Candy strain.
This strain is a great yielder with a pungent smell that sticks to everything it touches. Sweet notes of honeysuckle flowers mixed with dense notes of hibiscus hit first.
Once you consume this magical flower, the old-school hints of Diesel and Northern Lights are unmistakable.
The effects come on almost immediately!
The warning, “Do not operate motorized vehicles,” was written for this class of Cannabis.
Sit back and enjoy the flavors, and the exceptional high, and maybe pair it with your favorite bourbon.
@Maxxswell | 1000ml Decanter, 12.5” tall, $2,500
Titan of Terps
When it comes to Cannabis industry bona fides, Trichome Technologies founder Kenneth “K” Morrow’s resume is as impressive as they come. Over the past three decades, he’s developed sophisticated grow systems and hash-making techniques and bred numerous award-winning cultivars that have graced the covers, centerfolds and calendars of High Times and the many other Cannabis publications around the world that he’s contributed to. High Times even ranked his garden number one in their top grow rooms of all time in June 1999. But perhaps his most historic accomplishment is becoming the first person on record to extract and isolate terpenes from Cannabis.
A 13-year-old Kenny posing incognito with his Hydro Pot plant.
SEEDS OF SUCCESS
Ken Morrow spent his entire youth around agriculture: first, growing up in Napa Valley, where his parents taught him how to garden; then later in Winters, where he worked at agricultural packing plants. So it’s no surprise that, after first trying marijuana at age 11, his thoughts almost immediately turned to cultivation.
“My friend Richie and I would smoke in his car in front of his house, and every time we’d clean the weed, we’d throw the seeds out the window,” he reminisces. “Well, one of those seeds sprouted in his front yard, and I asked him if I could have it.”
Predictably, the plant died, but Morrow’s lifelong fascination with Cannabis was born. He started reading High Times cover to cover every month, and in 1977, he ordered an all-in-one grow kit called the Hydro Pot from one of the magazine’s ads.
“It was basically a busboy tray with a lava rock, a fish aquarium aerator and a little bit of Miracle-Gro,” he recalls. “That’s the only hydroponic system I ever purchased — I hand-built all of them after that.”
CULTIVATION CAREER
Over the next two decades, Morrow continued to develop his cultivation skills, teaching himself to build complex hydroponic and aeroponic systems despite having no training in horticulture. However, he made up for his lack of formal education through the friendships he forged with the community’s most respected luminaries, including Robert Connell Clarke, Skunkman Sam, Mel Frank, Jorge Cervantes and Ed Rosenthal. And thanks to family connections in the Emerald Triangle, he also gained access to a wealth of rare landraces and heirloom genetics. Eventually, his hard work paid off: With Rosenthal’s help, Morrow’s plants and gardens were soon gracing HT’s pages — including covers and centerfolds — on a regular basis. Of course, growing was still highly illegal back then, so to protect his identity, he was referred to in print as “K.”
TRICHOME TECHNOLOGIES
Morrow wanted to be known as more than a mere letter, though — he wanted to be a brand. So, in 1994, he conceptualized his own Cannabis research and development company called Trichome Technologies. Under Trichome Tech, he continued experimenting with various cultivation techniques and bred over 200 different varietals, including award-winning strains like Ultraviolet (aka Purple Kush) and G-13. After the passage of Prop 215 in 1996, K became a top supplier for the new dispensaries emerging in the Bay Area, such as Berkeley Patients Group and Patient ID Center. That same year, through his friendship with Rosenthal, K had the remarkable distinction of becoming the first Cannabis grower ever interviewed (albeit in shadow with his voice altered) on “60 Minutes” as part of Morley Safer’s marijuana segment “American Enterprise” (which also featured the 1995 Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam).
Trichome Technologies founder Ken “K” Morrow.
HASHING IT OUT
In addition to growing and breeding, Morrow also delved heavily into hash making — using his abundance of trim and shake to make water hash using the technique outlined in Skunkman’s infamous “Sadu Sam’s Secret” pamphlet (see our July 2024 issue). Morrow quickly built on that basic technique: upscaling it to a 32-gallon drum and cooling it using a titanium chiller and producing “ice hash” as early as 1995 (years before the Ice-O-Lator or Bubble Bags). As proof of this claim, Morrow notes that in 1997, he became the second grower ever (Mel Frank being the first) to have their flower and hashish tested at the nation’s only government-sanctioned Cannabis lab at the University of Mississippi — one sample of which was his water hash, which tested at 68% THC.
In April 2000, K penned his first article for HT entitled “Trichome Technologies’ Guide to Making Hash,” in which he outlined his at-home methods for making handrubbed, dry sieve and ice hash — marking the first time that the water hash method was published in the mag. That same year, he also wrote the first article ever published on butane hash extraction in Red Eye Magazine, wherein he detailed the method of “open blasting” using PVC pipe. Of course, he quickly developed methods to upscale that process significantly, producing large quantities of BHO nearly a decade before the dab revolution hit the mainstream Cannabis community. It was these efforts that would soon lead to his most monumental discovery.
TAPPING THE TERPS
In 1996, K had the remarkable distinction of being the first cannabis grower ever interviewed by Morley Safer on “60 Minutes.”
“I went to eliminate the captured moisture, which was in the form of ice, and when I melted the ice with hot water, I was hit in the face with the aromatics of Cannabis terpenes,” he says. “I thought, ‘Wow — obviously I shouldn’t be flushing this down the sink!’”
Thus, in 2012, he became the first person to extract and isolate terpenes from Cannabis. K began collecting the ice between runs and putting it all into graduated cylinders, where it would then melt and separate into a thin layer of purified essence oil atop the water. To maximize his terpene output, K started extracting from fresh plant material rather than dried — at least a year before Colorado concentrate makers Giddyup and Kind Bill came up with their first live resin.
Morrow wanted to get his liquid terpenes (aka “separate”) tested to find out exactly what he had, but the few Cannabis labs around at the time didn’t have the capabilities to do a complete analysis. So K contacted Rick Doblin at MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies), who recommended he call Dr. Paul Daley, Sasha Shulgin’s research assistant. Dr. Daley, in turn, invited him to Shulgin’s chemistry lab in Lafayette, California — aka “The Farm.”
In his quest to produce cleaner concentrates, K did some research and learned that he could better expel his solvents by utilizing a vacuum drying oven, then purchased one from Chinese laboratory equipment manufacturer Across International. The oven worked great at purging the ethanol and water, but there was a problem: the water that evaporated during the process kept contaminating the vacuum pump, causing him to waste valuable pump oil. K needed a way to prevent condensation from getting into the pump; luckily, Across recommended an accessory called a cold trap separator designed for that very purpose. After ordering and installing the device (and some other parts recommended by their technician), he saw excellent results — it captured all of the moisture, thus preserving the integrity of his oil. But while emptying the trap, he made an unexpected discovery.
“I went to The Farm, and I was there with [Sasha] and Paul Daley … just the three of us doing some of the very first GCMS [gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer] and HPLC [high-performance liquid chromatography] quantification and testing of my separate,” he remembers fondly. The result? Over 100 different terpenes, only half of which they could even identify — more terpenes than had ever been recorded before.
PATENTS & POSERS
K knew he’d stumbled into something big, so rather than write an article to share his new technique as he had in the past, he decided instead to protect his discovery by patenting his methodology.
“My first thought was to teach myself how to write and file a patent application,” he says. “But patents are very expensive, so I also had to get investors and lawyers.”
Filed in 2017, his patent has since been granted in Europe, Canada and Mexico but is still pending in America — held up by a slow, costly bureaucracy and a less-than-cooperative examiner. In the meantime, other companies have since entered the market selling isolated terpenes at exorbitant prices — isolates that Morrow claims don’t even come close to the purity and potency achieved by his low-temperature extraction method.
“I separate the terpenes in liquid form with no heat applied, as opposed to the others, which are steam distillates or hydrocarbon extracts,” he explains. “So the resulting isolate is a superior essence oil of pure terpenes as opposed to a syrupy essential oil that’s a mixture of both cannabinoids and terpenes.”
To clarify, if you’re doing a CO2 or hydrocarbon extraction, you inevitably accidentally reclaim some of those terpenes when you purge the solvent back out of the concentrate. And with steam distillation — where water vapor is percolated through the plant material — the resulting extraction is a “hydrosol,” which contains mostly the water-soluble aspects of the plant’s essence. It’s these hydrosols that producers were allegedly selling as “pure terpenes.”
“[Customers] thought all they were getting was terpenes when it wasn’t,” he says. “Yes, it contains terpenes, but in minimal percentages — the majority of a hydrosol is water. So to be selling hydrosols for $10 a drop is disingenuous.”
Morrow was so indignant about this practice that in August 2018, he wrote an article for HT entitled “The Great Terpene Swindle,” breaking down the different extraction methods and exposing the truth about the Cannabis terpene industry.
RECENT PROJECTS
In 2016, Morrow released his first book, the highly acclaimed “Marijuana Horticulture Fundamentals.” Last fall, he filed more terpene-related patents and is currently working on developing equipment to separate cannabinoids and terpenes from biomass on a commercial scale, cementing his status as one of the most respected and sought-after Cannabis consultants in the world and a true titan of terps.
For more Cannabis history content, and to listen to our Cannthropology podcast, please visit worldofcannabis.museum/cannthropology.
K being interviewed by Morley Safer on “60 Minutes.”
Counterculture chemist Sasha Shulgin checking out K’s terps at The Farm (2012).
K’s isolated terpenes.
One of K’s gardens on the cover of High Times (Sept. 2006 issue).
THERE’S ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with being nice. Because niceness is something that is severely lacking in today’s self-gratification society. Back around the 1950s, the postman knew every household member by name, and the milkman was a friendly gentleman with a white smile and straight hat. These iconic staples represented the bright American standard that exemplified a high regard for your fellow countryman.
Business deals were ensured with a firm handshake.
Pleasantries shared in that idyllic time were sweet and simple, epitomizing small-town ideals and reinforcing a sense of pride in being the war winners of the world. The greater collective understood that the classic depiction of the Norman Rockwell archetype — be it a boy fishing with his dog or the president caught in a moment of prayer — was what to strive for. Simplicity equated to contentment in the post-WWII era, and conformity was sold as the key to success.
So, what happened?
Well, things changed. Quite dramatically, in fact. Now, too much niceness leads to suspicion. And when received genuinely from a stranger in proximity, the apathydar gets territorial and the creepdar begins to peak.
But what’s so scary about being super friendly? Why do we apply a negative label to the spirited man who offers unsolicited waves simply for a reciprocated smile?
In essence, there really is nothing to fear. We’ve just been manipulated by the controlled narrative to live in terror.
So, relax. He’s probably just baked anyway.
FULL FLAVORED, 100% NATURAL
Purified cannabis oil, natural terpenes, and vibrant flavors that’ll have your taste buds dancing.
