THE ENLIGHTENED VOICE
#8 | DEC. 2020
CAL I F O R N I A
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INDEPENDENT CANNABIS JOURNALISM SINCE 2010
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DEC. 2020
CAL I F O R N I A
ISSUE 08
9 EDITOR’S NOTE 10 NATIONAL NEWS 11 LOCAL NEWS 12 GREEN WAVE 14 EQUITY ENTREPRENEUR 16 STONER OWNER 18 WOMEN IN WEED 20 TALKING TREES 22 HUMBOLDT PRC 24 STRAIN OF THE MONTH 26 THE CULTURE ISSUE 27 ICONS 28 MUSIC 29 ART 30 GLASS 32 SPORTS 33 FOOD 34 CELEBS 36 GIFT GUIDE 38 TANNINS & TERPENES 39 EDIBLE OF THE MONTH 40 CONCENTRATE OF THE MONTH 42 TOPICAL OF THE MONTH 44 CANNTHROPOLOGY 46 STONEY BALONEY ISSUU.COM/NWLEAF
NATE WILLIAMS
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14 NINA PARKS
NATE WILLIAMS
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22 SHOP REVIEW HUMBOLDT PATIENT RESOURCE CENTER Illuminati over Syzygy Jetcycler
california leaf chats with the team behind toro glass to learn about how their iconic designs & technology have revolutionized the cannabis glass art machine. INTERVIEW by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST/LEAF NATION | PHOTO by JEFF DIMARCO @IAMJEFFD I MARCO
COURTESY
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DEC. 2020 EQUITY ENTREPRENEUR
36 GANJA GIFT GUIDE IDEAS FOR THE STONER IN YOUR LIFE
the culture issue
contents
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california leaf chats with craig nejedly, the dedicated founder of talking trees, about their growing business ventures, staying safe, and doing good for their cannabis community.
DEC. 2020
STORY by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS | PHOTOS by BRIAN SHAMANSKI
E S TA B L I S H E D 2 0 1 0
T H E E N L I G H T E N E D VO I C E
N O RT H W E S T L E A F / O R EG O N L E A F / A L AS KA L E A F / M A RY L A N D L E A F / CA L I F O R N I A L E A F / N O RT H E AS T L E A F
A B O U T T H E C OV E R For The Culture Issue, we wanted to highlight the myriad ways that Cannabis can be used and enjoyed by people from all walks of life. This vibrant cutaway scene was created by Baltimore-based illustrator Devin Watson. “My artwork is very inspired by the psychedelic pioneers of the ‘60s and ‘70s, particularly the work of Push Pin Studios, Family Dog, and the Grateful Dead posters of Stanley Mouse,” says Watson, who has worked in the field since 2007. “I love pieces that make people pause to explore the illustration and uncover all its little secrets.”
ILLUSTRATION by DEVIN WATSON @eyeballfortress
PUBLISHER
CONTRIBUTORS
WES ABNEY | FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
LINDA ANH, REVIEWS BOBBY BLACK, FEATURES JOSHUA BOULET, ILLUSTRATION TOM BOWERS, FEATURES JEFF DIMARCO, PHOTOS EARLY, PRODUCTION MIKE GIANAKOS, NATIONAL NEWS ELISE MCDONOUGH, FEATURES JEFF PORTERFIELD, DESIGN LUKAS PREVIN, FEATURES MIKE RICKER, FEATURES MEGHAN RIDLEY, EDITING MIKE ROSATI, PHOTOGRAPHY ZACK RUSKIN, FEATURES BRIAN SHAMANSKI, PHOTOS JEN VERTZ, PHOTOS DEVIN WATSON, ILLUSTRATION NATE WILLIAMS, FEATURES BRUCE & LAURIE WOLF, RECIPES ALEX WORKMAN, PHOTOS
WES@NWLEAF.COM 206-235-6721
STATE DIRECTOR NATE WILLIAMS | AD SALES
NATE@CALIFORNIALEAF.COM 415-717-6985
CREATIVE DIRECTOR DANIEL BERMAN | VISUALS & DESIGN
DANIEL@BERMANPHOTOS.COM
CONNECT WITH CALIFORNIA LEAF Exclusive Cannabis Journalism @NWLEAF
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ABNEY
Editor’s Note What does Cannabis culture mean as we head into 2021? As a high school honors student in 2004, I made fun of stoners without mercy. They were stinky, grungy and certainly not in advanced classes! The messaging about Cannabis from my parents (who are still teachers today), the media and movies like “Dude Where’s My Car” made smoking pot akin to killing brain cells – which was not something I wanted to do yet. But by freshman year in college, our Creative Director Daniel Berman and I had our Journalism advisor ask, “Wes, do you always do your homework when you’re high?”
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My journey with Cannabis culture went from the DARE mindset, to embracing it as a fun party drug, to being arrested for possession – before ultimately realizing the medicinal values that led me to start Northwest Leaf in 2010. This massive change happened for me over a period of an influential year, and I feel like much of America is on a similar journey to what I went WE HAVE through as a teenager. A THRIVING COMMUNITY, America is confused about Cannabis. We have the stereotyping of COMPLETE stoners in the media alongside the massive coverage of the mediciWITH nal and ‘safer-than-alcohol’ recreational benefits, all mixed in with a CULTURE Bible Belt mentality and DARE’s ongoing stigmas, and now even have AND VALUES Oregon decriminalizing all drugs entirely. Simply put, most Americans couldn’t define Cannabis culture, let alone imagine that we have a thriving community, complete with culture and values that lead many of our venerated pastimes like sports, music, arts and celebrity culture. More on that with Ricker’s “Death of Celebrity Culture” piece – a great read with good reasons as to why Cannabis doesn’t need a Kardashian to share the marquee with. The point is, we know that we have an amazing culture, but the rest of the country is still in the dark. And we have to break out of the past and embrace the future – blending patients with stoners, grunge with rasta, wooks with suits and everyone in between. Because Cannabis touches all walks of life, can help everyone as a medicine or recreational substance, and is going to change the world and how we view it. This I know beyond a doubt, the same way I did when my mom asked if I wanted to live my life behind bars for choosing to smoke pot. My answer? It shouldn’t have ever been illegal … and a few months later the Leaf was born. Thank you for reading and being a part of our community and culture – let’s remember to let it shine! After all, it feels good to be high and smile, so make sure to spread the cheer this holiday season. Our world will thank you for it.
-Wes Abney
Have a strain, product, or news tip that the California Leaf staff needs to know about? Contact us at tom@californialeaf.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, nwleaf.com. Email nate@californialeaf.com for more info on supporting and advertising with CA Leaf!
WES
NATIONAL NEWS
E L E CT I O N 2020 chance to tax and regulate recreational Cannabis with Prop 205 but the initiative failed, receiving only 48.7 percent of the vote. This year, Arizona succeeded in legalizing Cannabis for adults 21 and older when an incredible 60 percent of voters approved Prop 207. The new law takes effect once the election results are made official on November 30, 2020 and allows possession of up to an ounce of marijuana, “of which five grams can be concentrate.” The measure also permits home cultivation of up to six plants or up to 12 plants in homes with two or more adults, and allows for expungement of past Cannabis crimes. Under the law, Arizona’s Department of Health Services is responsible for establishing the rules for retail sales and issuing licenses. Adult-use sales could begin as early as the spring of 2021. >> M O N TA N A << Fifty-seven percent of voters in Montana approved Initiative 190, which legalizes the possession, cultivation and sale of Cannabis. Beginning January 1, 2021 adults 21 and older can possess up to an ounce of flower or eight grams of concentrate. Home cultivation of up to four plants will also be permitted. Montana’s new marijuana law tasks the Department of Revenue with establishing the state’s retail program. Yet while possession will be legal this coming January, Montanans will have to wait a bit for the debut of adult-use sales. The Department of Revenue will start accepting applications for dispensaries and providers by January 2022. When retail sales begin, the state will impose a 20 percent tax on pot products.
AMERICA VOTES YES FOR CANNABIS!
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ast month, a divided country waited four days to learn who won the presidency, as Election Day turned into election week. On Saturday, November 7 the race was called and Joe Biden declared the winner. But by then it was clear that the biggest winner of the 2020 election was unquestionably Cannabis, which enjoyed a clean sweep at the ballots. The country appears uncharacteristically united when it comes to marijuana, as voters in four states decisively approved measures to legalize, tax and regulate pot. Those four states – Arizona, Montana, New Jersey and South Dakota(!) – join the 11 states that already legalized Cannabis, bringing the total number of legal pot states in the country to 15 (along with the District of Columbia). While recreational legalization stole the headlines on Election Day, medical marijuana also deserves a mention as voters in Mississippi and South Dakota legalized Cannabis for medicinal use (it was a big day for pot policy in South Dakota, as residents approved both adult-use and medicinal marijuana measures). Medical Cannabis is now legal in 35 states and Washington, D.C. No two state’s pot laws are the same and rules can vary drastically by jurisdiction.. So let’s take a closer look at what was passed on Election Day and see what residents of the latest legal states have to look forward to.
>> N E W J E R S E Y << New Jersey voters were given the opportunity to do what state lawmakers had been unable to accomplish when the question
DEC. 2020
of Cannabis legalization was placed on the ballot. Leading up to the election, polling indicated that legal marijuana had strong support in the Garden State and campaign finance records showed that pot proponents outraised opponents 130:1. So it was no surprise that voters easily passed the constitutional amendment legalizing recreational Cannabis. Still, the 2-to-1 margin is impressive, as the measure passed with 67 percent of the vote. It’s near impossible to get 67 percent of people to agree on anything. Now that adult-use Cannabis has been approved, lawmakers in New Jersey must create (and, importantly, agree on) the corresponding legislation. Just about all aspects of the program, like the number of cultivation and retail licenses that will be allowed, the rules for regulating and testing marijuana and even possession limits, have to be decided. So while Cannabis will officially become legal for adults 21 and older on January 1, 2021, the state is likely about a year away from beginning retail sales as it works through the process of crafting the program. Recreational Cannabis will be subject to New Jersey’s sales tax (6.625 percent) and local governments can decide to add additional taxes on sales in their jurisdictions.
>> S O U T H D A K O TA << Voters in South Dakota passed a constitutional amendment to legalize Cannabis for adults. The amendment allows possession of up to an ounce of Cannabis and establishes retail sales. The state’s Department of Revenue will be responsible for issuing licenses for the retail program. Once sales are implemented, the new law imposes a 15 percent tax on marijuana products. The law also allows local governments to ban Cannabis sales in their jurisdictions. Those who live in an area without a licensed retail shop are permitted to grow up to three plants at home, or as many as six plants in a single household. South Dakota’s recreational Cannabis amendment passed with 54.2 percent of the vote – easily the lowest percentage of the four states that approved adult-use pot laws. Only an election boasting such resounding victories for marijuana-law reform could trivialize the fact that recreational Cannabis got over 54 percent of the vote in South Dakota.
CANNABIS WAS THE BIG WINNER OF THE 2020 ELECTION.
>> A R I Z O N A << Support for marijuana policy reform was on the rise over the last decade in Arizona, culminating in a resounding victory for recreational Cannabis this November. In 2010, voters narrowly approved the use of medical marijuana, passing Prop 203 with just over 50 percent of the vote. In 2016, Arizona had its first
STORY by MIKE GIANAKOS/LEAF NATION
LISTEN TO LEAF LIFE PODCAST #91 POST ELECTION EXHALE PART 1: THE NEW STATES
CREATIVE COMMONS/COURTESY/CA LEAF
local NEWS
CALIFORNIA Jay-Z and Caliva Announce Ex-Offender Mentorship Program
(2019) SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SHERIFF RAID OF AN ILLEGAL GROW
1.1 Million Illicit Plants Destroyed This Year One consequence of regulation is the burden it places on state officials to eradicate the illegal market. As a result of California’s own choice to legalize recreational sales of Cannabis, the state’s annual battle to snuff out illicit cultivators and their crops has yielded some staggering numbers. As reported by MJ Biz Daily, this year the results of a 13-week effort conducted jointly by state, local and federal agencies across 29 counties included the destruction of 1.1 million illegal Cannabis plants spread over 455 grow sites. According to Attorney General Xavier Becerra, the biggest operation the Campaign Against Marijuana Planting busted was not located in the fabled Emerald Triangle, but was instead a 293,000-plant grow uncovered in Riverside County. Other “top five” illegal grow locations included more of the usual suspects like Trinity, Lake and Siskiyou counties. In addition, the campaign reports their efforts this year led to the arrest of 140 people and the seizure of 174 weapons.
What if weed could give us superpowers? That’s the premise that sent studios into a bidding war for the latest project from “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” star Andy Samberg. Described as an action-comedy, “Super High” has now landed with New Line. The project will also reportedly feature musician-actor Common and comedian Craig Robinson (“The Office”). In terms of what the film is about, little is known beyond this tease from Variety, which describes the flick as “a superhero movie where smoking a special strain of weed gives superpowers to the smoker.” It appears screenwriter Adam Mansbach will thus have his work cut out for him. Fortunately, as the author of the bestselling children’s parody book “Go the F*ck to Sleep,” Mansbach has proven he’s up for the task. Interestingly, Mansbach’s lone previous screenplay (“Barry”) was actually a drama that focused on Barack Obama’s life at Columbia University. One imagines the thematic overlap with “Super High” will be minimal.
a new career training program focused on helping inmates recently released from the California state prison system. The hip-hop mogul’s Monogram appears primed to reap big sales, thanks in large part to its marquee spokesman, but Jay-Z is also using his clout for good. As part of the social impact initiative built into his partnership with Caliva, the company will partner with two California nonprofits, Chrysalis and Success Centers, with the goal of getting newly trained ex-offenders AS PART OF THE SOCIAL into gainful IMPACT INITIATIVE BUILT INTO HIS PARTNERSHIP WITH CALIVA, employment, THE COMPANY WILL PARTNER reports Cannabis WITH TWO CALIFORNIA Business Times. NONPROFITS, CHRYSALIS AND SUCCESS CENTERS, WITH THE With a record GOAL OF GETTING NEWLY number of inmates TRAINED EX-OFFENDERS INTO being released GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT across the state as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, viable pathways to housing, health and employment are needed now more than ever. “We have an opportunity,” stressed Molly Moen, Vice President of Development & Communications for Chrysalis, which serves the Los Angeles population, “at a time when re-entering the workforce seems impossible, to make a life-changing impact for those most in need of resources and support right now.”
STORIES by ZACK RUSKIN @ZACKRUSKIN for CALIFORNIA LEAF
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Stoner Superhero Flick Casts Comedy and Music Stars
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hile many headlines are focused on news that rapper Jay-Z has announced a new Cannabis co-brand with San Jose’s Caliva, the bigger news may be
perspective
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Green Wave
Heading into the 2020 election season,
we all knew what was at stake. The country
seemed poised to fight for its very identity and tensions grew so intense that people on all sides started seriously
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holding a license to grow Cannabis, as part of a research program at University of Mississippi – voting to legalize medicinal use of the plant in 2020. This is what they call the tipping point. For more evidence, let’s take it a step further and look at Oregon, which voted not only to legalize psilocybin therapy, but to decriminalize all drugs. All. Drugs. That means if you get caught with a personal gram of Colombian nose candy, you get hit with a $100 fine or go through a rehabilitation evaluation. “Sure, but that’s Oregon,” you say. “They’ll legalize everything.” OK, how about Washington D.C., the beating heart of federal policymaking, which just took a cue from the trailblazers in Oakland by decriminalizing the possession of psychedelics? There’s something happening here. And what it is seems hazily clear. Of course, while these developments telegraph a sign that things are moving in the right direction, we can’t all get couchlocked and decide that everything is going to be fine. After all, the fate of the Senate majority is still up in the air, though it’s likely leaning toward Republican control – which has never been good news for Cannabis. Then there’s the outcome of the title fight, in which the American populous overwhelmingly voted against a would-be fascist despot and instead elected Joe Biden, a career politician who promises progressive policy, but carries the albatross of a disheartening anti-Cannabis record and a history of supporting the prison system. Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris, while an intelligent, badass woman of color, has been a long-time opponent of Cannabis legalization – prosecuting nearly 2,000 Californians for non-violent Cannabis offenses during her tenure as District Attorney in San Francisco. Each of them has a significant climb ahead. Both made an about-face in the run-up to November, with Biden lightening his stance to favor decriminalization – but not legalization – and Harris toeing a similar line, also calling for decriminalization and the expungement of nonviolent Cannabis offenses from criminal records. When the dust settles, the main takeaway from the election is this: Though it may seem appropriate to sit back and revel in these victories, in a fight, if you let your guard down after what feels like a decisive blow, you leave yourself wide open. Now is the time for renewed vigor. We need to hold those in the highest seats of power to their word and push them past those promises until we find satisfaction. We must continue to fight for the expungement of arrest records and for smart and equitable legalization efforts in all states and municipalities. Current FBI statistics show that an average of one Cannabis arrest per minute occurs in the United States. If you’re holding this magazine, you have to know that no matter how many states legalize, no matter how many substances get decriminalized, there will be no real justice until that arrest number shrinks to zero.
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discussing a second Civil War.
fter slogging and bickering through months and months of interminable shitposting and doomscrolling online, with each day bringing a fresh new hell, the election came. The people made a choice: America decided it needed to chill the fuck out and smoke a joint. The adult-use Cannabis market absolutely exploded this election season, adding four new states to its previous 11-state total. That’s a 36% increase, bringing the state tally to 15. And perhaps more interesting than the sheer volume of new markets is which markets voted to legalize. Classically conservative stronghold Arizona finally voted to legalize Cannabis for adult-use, after a years long battle. This, coupled with the fact that Arizona voted for a Democratic President for the first time
DEC. 2020
since 1996, belies a possible sea change in the alignment of voter values in the state. Montana finally lived up to its fiercely libertarian reputation and legalized recreational Cannabis, so residents and visitors can get high under that beautiful Big Sky starting in 2021. And South Dakota – South Dakota! – legalized both recreational and medical Cannabis during the 2020 election cycle. With a street date of July 2021, a summer roadtrip to Mount Rushmore just got 420% more attractive. Rounding out the four horsemen of the a-pot-calypse is New Jersey, which also finally legalized adult-use Cannabis, edging out its neighbor New York for the first to go fully legit. And then there’s good ole Mississippi, which has always been staunchly anti-legalization – despite boasting the only federally funded facility in the country
This is what they call the tipping point.
STORY by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS for LEAF NATION
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equity entrepreneur
NINA PARKS Plant & People Warrior
JUST A KID FROM SAN FRANCISCO
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Forged in the crucible that is life, Nina Parks is an inspiring, motivated and medicated pioneer in San Francisco’s Cannabis scene –– particularly within the realm of social equity. Born and raised in SF’s Mission and Excelsior districts, Parks’ experience growing up was similar to many from the area during that time. While San Francisco’s gentrification has ramped up and become the subject of national attention in recent years, it’s been slowly occurring for decades and has affected every single resident of the area, regardless of whether they’re impoverished, affluent or somewhere in between. For Parks, this meant her parents worked over 60 hours a week to keep the lights on and food in the refrigerator. When the lack of adult oversight and structure was coupled with the elimination of educational resources like afterschool programs, arts, music and sports opportunities from her school, as well as witnessing a lot of stress induced violence in her family and community, Parks began getting into trouble with the law and other authority figures. As a result of her rebellion and an early indulgence in hard drugs she was using to quell her pain and deal with the trauma she’d been witness to, she spent her sophomore to junior years of high school at a ranch school in New Mexico before returning to San Francisco –– where she would take her California High School Proficiency Test, pass, and effectively wrap up her high school experience. Afterwards, she began taking Criminal Justice and Sociology classes at City College of San Francisco and eventually switched to San Jose State, ultimately becoming educated on a higher level beyond her real world experience about the the strategies being used to uphold oppressive systems that target people of color in America, including drug laws. This would effectively lay the foundations upon which she would develop a passion for social justice and equality, and when a close family member became incarcerated for working with the plant, her career in Cannabis would begin to take shape.
DEC. 2020
“I JUST KEPT GOING TO MEETINGS AND BRINGING UP THE SAME CONVERSATIONS. THOSE CONVERSATIONS EVENTUALLY TURNED INTO THE EQUITY PROGRAM.” A B U D D I N G PA S S I O N
This year, Parks created and launched her own Cannabis brand called Gift of Doja, which features premium flowers curated from select legacy cultivators like Sanctuary Farms.
Fast forward to 2014 and Parks’ brother would be arrested for felony possession with intent to sell while participating in interstate commerce on a trip from California to New York –– while only a matter of months later, New York would vote to legalize medical Cannabis. Her brother’s arrest would turn out to be the impetus for Parks’ entrance to the Cannabis industry as her newfound profession. Previously, she’d copped a few ounces on occasion when she needed to make some extra money and would break them down and sell them in dimes, dubs, eighths, quarters –– whatever the customer wanted. Thus, she knew it could be profitable, but had never thought it would be her career. Her brother, on the other hand, was deep in the scene and had been steadily building out a brand and retail business, with the intention of bringing it to life when California legalized Cannabis recreationally. He could see that this was imminent and by the time he was arrested in 2014, he had his Mirage Medicinals brand and business fully dialed. But when he was arrested, his entire future in Cannabis was put into jeopardy as the initial regulations drafted for Prop 64 barred convicted felons from obtaining a license and excluded language to support delivery-based businesses. Parks knew her brother’s passion for the plant was deep, and that him being disallowed from participating in legal Cannabis for being a participant in illegal Cannabis was unjust. She went to work ensuring her brother wouldn’t miss out on the chance to build his business in the newly legal adult-use market. She began operating Mirage
Medicinals, bringing the brand and business to life and set out to figure out how to ensure her brother had a chance to come back home and continue his career with the plant. AFFECTING CHANGE
social equity in San Francisco’s legalized Cannabis scene, she became co-founder of the Original Equity Group –– a facet within the San Francisco Cannabis Equity Working Group –– whose goal was to create a way of lowering the barrier of entry for those wanting to apply for an equity Cannabis license, providing education for a “quick and dirty” crash course on navigating regulation and running a business.
Parks knew that the only real way to affect change would be on a group level. She began attending as many meetings in the Bay Area regarding Cannabis as she possibly could. She A RELENTLESS ENTREPRENEUR witnessed firsthand and was impressed by the efforts of people like Amber This year, Parks created and launched Senter and Lanese Martin, who helped her own Cannabis brand called Gift of develop Oakland’s Cannabis social Doja, which features premium flowers equity program –– the country’s first. curated from select legacy cultivators She would then connect with Sentlike Sanctuary Farms. er and together, along with Sunshine Not satisfied with only a couple irons Lencho and Andrea Unin the fire, Parks is the sworth, they would found Chair of San Francisco’s Our new monthly Equity Entrepreneur feature Supernova Women –– an Cannabis Oversight Comhighlights business organization dedicated mittee, a founding member operators and thought to empowering women of the Cannabis Regulaleaders who seek to build of color and giving them tors of Color Coalition, this industry in a way that the tools they need to be a member of the Equity sheds the prejudices of the successful and stake their Trade Certification and past while reflecting on the claim in the burgeoning co-founder of Locals Equity rich diversity of the plant legal industry. Distribution. and the people who use it. Parks then took what she Today, Parks remains Know someone who would be a great interview? Email had learned and turned an active participant in nate@californiealeaf.com. her focus to her home city. the San Francisco CannaShe began going to San bis scene and continues Francisco’s public Cannabis meetings to work towards positive change by and would continually prompt legislahelping bring the industry much needed tors as to what the city had planned in diversity. Armed with a deep passion for terms of a social equity program. people and for the plant, we are excited “I just kept going to meetings and to see what Parks brings to the industry bringing up the same conversations. in 2021. Those conversations eventually turned into the equity program,” explained Parks. As Parks became more and more F O L LO W H E R @ N I N A _ PA R KS integrated in the conversations around
INTERVIEW & PHOTOS by NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415
stoner owner caliFornialeaf.COM
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LIAM KACZMAR SUMMERLAND CERAMICS WELCOMETOSUMMER.LAND @SUMMERLAND_CERAMICS DEC. 2020
Tucked away in San Francisco’s Outer Sunset neighborhood, Liam Kaczmar spends his days making art you can smoke with. His ceramic stonerware, which takes the form of elegant bongs and pipes – not to mention an amazing apple-shaped chillum – is all handmade and designed with an emphasis that equally favors form, sustainability and functionality. A solitary profession by nature, Kaczmar spoke with Leaf about how the pandemic has affected his business, the spirit of the Outer Sunset, and why we should all treat ourselves to a bong we can showcase with pride.
BEFORE YOU STARTED SUMMERLAND, YOU WERE HUNTING FOR SMOKEWARE IN THE HAIGHT AND COMING UP EMPTY. WHAT WAS IT THAT YOU FOUND LACKING THAT LED YOU TO ENTER THE MARKET YOURSELF?
Simplicity and timelessness in material – something that would naturally blend in with a nice home, yet didn’t scream ‘I’m fancy’ or ‘let’s get lit.’ I was in search of a bong that seemed to be a relic from a more innocent time or something that maintained mid-century or Japanese inspired sensibilities.
THERE’S THIS INEXPLICABLY LONG-LASTING STIGMA THAT BONGS ARE SOMEHOW JUVENILE OR UNSOPHISTICATED. HOW DOES SUMMERLAND COUNTER THAT NARRATIVE? The prevalent view
on bongs seems to be that they are only used to smoke a lot of weed very quickly – to get ‘faded.’ This can be done, yes, but the truth is that a bong is more of a simple filtration device than an inebriation weapon. Huge rips aren’t necessary. Bongs are also great to just smoke a small amount; just put a few crumbs in or light the corner of your bowl and sip on it lightly. From an aesthetic standpoint, Summerland bongs are made to seamlessly blend in to the user’s life. To not be a gadget or toy, maybe not even ‘paraphernalia.’ FOR THOSE WHO AREN’T FAMILIAR WITH YOUR NECK OF THE WOODS, COULD YOU BRIEFLY DESCRIBE SAN FRANCISCO’S OUTER SUNSET NEIGHBORHOOD?
The Outer Sunset is on the edge of the city at the Pacific Ocean. It was once written off as foggy, cold and ‘too far.’ This has kept it rather sleepy, but also allowed its residents to create their own small town outside of the hustle and bustle of the technopolis. Our neighbors are generational families and surfers keeping their eyes on the forecast at the beach. The surfy-beachy vibe and what was once cheaper rent brought a lot of SF’s creative types to this neighborhood. I would say the main thing we’ve seen since the pandemic is a large increase of outsiders coming over to enjoy the ample outdoor space provided by Ocean Beach and Golden Gate Park. I don’t really blame them though.
WHAT’S THE PROCESS FOR MAKING A SUMMERLAND BONG? Liquid clay is poured into
THIS YEAR I THINK IT’S IMPORTANT TO REALIZE THAT WE’VE ALL BEEN GIVEN SOME SPACE TO SLOW DOWN, BREATHE, REFLECT AND GET CREATIVE.
a plaster mold, which absorbs the water and allows the clay to solidify from the outside in. Before it all hardens, the mold is flipped and the clay that is still liquid is dumped out. A hollow shell of solid clay remains. From there the downstem is carefully inserted and fused to the vessel. It’s set aside to further dry for a few days until it is thoroughly sanded, fired in the kiln, glazed and fired again. The whole process takes a number of steps and a lot of time and attention. We do it all by hand here in Northern California. HAS COVID-19 IMPACTED YOUR BUSINESS? STRONG SALES? DIFFICULTIES WITH SOURCING MATERIALS? Sales have been
unbelievable! A lot of people’s lives have changed where they are spending more time at home, considering their material possessions differently, maybe wanting to upgrade to higher quality things. They’re also understandably dabbling with Cannabis more in these anxiety-ridden days. To be honest, we’ve been having trouble keeping things in stock. From a production standpoint it has been hard to keep up with the demand as ceramics materials suppliers were shuttered for awhile and are still behind, and our production studio has been on-and-off in order to navigate employee safety. Things just take considerably longer, but that’s OK. This year I think it’s important to realize that we’ve all been given some space to slow down, breathe, reflect and get creative.
to hit either right before the holidays or shortly after. For holiday gifting, get those orders in early. We expect to sell through our stock very quickly and for the mail to have some funky delays. HOW HAS RUNNING SUMMERLAND CHANGED YOUR OWN RELATIONSHIP TO CANNABIS? I wonder if I would smoke as much
if I wasn’t in this industry. I usually have weed and a plethora of ways to smoke it. That said, I don’t go overboard. I think my consumption patterns are pretty organic – I’m not a wake-and-bake kind of smoker and it really depends on how life is going at the time. There was a time early in the business where I was hitting my three-footer regularly, and quite frankly was thriving with it. I’m pretty good at recognizing how or if my Cannabis intake is negatively impacting my daily wellbeing and adjust accordingly, which is one of the great things about this plant — it isn’t too addictive — and it’s relatively easy to break a negative consumption pattern.
ANYTHING YOU CAN SHARE ABOUT WHAT SUMMERLAND MAY BE RELEASING NEXT? Well, 2020 has
been a lot of roadblocks and setbacks, and we thought we’d be further down the road on some things by now, but reality is real. We have some new colorways dropping this winter that are really beautiful. Expect some fun smaller objects
A Stoner Owner is a Cannabis business owner who has a relationship with the plant. We want to buy and smoke Cannabis from companies that care about their products, employees and the plant. You wouldn’t buy food from a restaurant where the cooks don’t eat in the kitchen, so why buy corporate weed grown by a company only concerned with profits? Stoner Owner approval means a company cares, and we love weed grown with care. Look for the Stoner Owner stamp when purchasing fine Cannabis, and let’s retake our culture and reshape a stigma by honoring those who grow, process and sell the best Cannabis possible.
INTERVIEW by ZACK RUSKIN @ZACKRUSKIN for CALIFORNIA LEAF | PHOTOS by SUMMERLAND CERAMICS
profile
women in weed
LANIAKEA EVANS Laniakea Evans stands as a friendly, outspoken Cannabis advocate in her role as the General Manager of 365 Recreational in Santa Rosa, where she prides herself on being able to help destigmatize and educate people about the plant.
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Talking to her and hearing about her intense appreciation and passion for Cannabis, it’s hard to believe there was a time when Evans, a mother of three, GENERAL MANAGER had to hide that love from the world. Evans had her first daughter at 15-years-old, and there were few options for a single teen mom to make ends meet. Through friends, she found solace and survival in the Cannabis industry, working the harvest. “I started off in the legacy market,” she said. “I was a single mom with two kids, and I started off as a trimmer. I needed the extra income to take care of my kids.” The work felt good. It empowered her to provide for her children and stand on her own two feet. At the time, that empowerment came with a hidden pricetag. “It was a big, frowned-upon thing,” she said. “I was on the PTA. I was a volunteer at my kids’ school, and nobody knew. My kids didn’t know, my friends didn’t know, nobody knew.”
365 RECREATIONAL
As many parents in the industry can understand, there’s a price to pay for doing the work you believe in. The stigma can be too great. In Evans’ case, she had to keep it secret from her children, which was especially hard on her relationship with her oldest. “I was afraid she was going to get blackballed by her teachers,” Evans said. So she and her children had to craft a different narrative. Rather than be truthful about her employment, Evans says they characterized her as a “stay at home mom.” That was back during the pre-legalization days, and the farms she worked with banded together in co-ops. It was a scary time to balance her two identities, Evans says, but despite the challenge, Cannabis provided for her. “During back to school, when I had to get supplies and new clothes, whatever (my children) needed, and I could afford it,” she said, “it was worth it. As a single mom with two kids, it was worth it.” That forced secrecy went on for roughly half a decade, and as the stigma started weakening, Evans started feeling secure in the fact that her profession wouldn’t jeopardize her role as a parent. She recalls a time when she went over to her friend’s house, and she had a realization. “His kids were there, and they knew,” she said. “I was like, ‘Is that OK?’” When the medical and then adult-use markets opened up, she grew confident in her role as a Cannabis mom. By then, Evans had moved up in the industry and began managing grows, warehouses and farms. Her feeling of
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empowerment reached a level where, when Girl Scout Cookie selling season came around for her daughter, she took a bold cue from something she heard was happening in Colorado. “I was the ‘Cookie Mom’ in Sonoma County,” she said. “I sold Girl Scout Cookies with my kid in front of nearly every dispensary in the county.” The gambit proved wildly successful – it was a huge step forward for Evans’ transition into a public-facing Cannabis warrior. In the years since, she’s only increased her role as an advocate, and has managed grows, farms and dispensaries as she’s built her career. “This is helping my family. It’s helping my kids. It’s helping people who are sick,” she said. “I think the biggest group of people that we helped when it went legal were veterans. I would hear these stories about how many different types of medication they were trying, and nothing was working. You can try 20 different pills, and nothing works, and then one plant works.” Evans stops short of claiming that Cannabis is a one-sizefits-all cure, but she does believe it’s intensely powerful. “I’m not saying that Cannabis is the one thing, but it’s amazing to me that we’re coming out of the ‘Reefer Madness’ era and it has helped so many people, in so many ways.” Now, Evans is frank and honest with all of her children. She talks about her oldest, who is a teenager, and believes that the open communication about Cannabis will only help, not hinder, their relationship. “She can’t rebel against me and smoke,” Evans jokes. Over the years, she has invited people into the industry as a way of helping the plant save their lives as it did hers.
“I love bringing people in, and helping them succeed, and helping them provide for their families,” she said. “Cannabis always has work for you.” Now, in her role as the General Manager of 365 Recreational, she calls herself “everybody’s mom.” “People call me Mom, they call me Auntie,” she said. “I’m Mexican, Hawaiian and Filipino. We adopt everybody.” And, in the wake of COVID-19, the role of Cannabis as provider has once again become stronger than ever. “My husband is a chef, and he’s out of work,” she said. “It’s been really great to land at 365. They’re like family. Again, Cannabis is making our ends meet.” In the end, Evans looks at her history in the industry – at her time spent as a mother relying on her own hard work to provide for her family – and she thanks the plant, the people and the sense of empowerment that she has found working with Cannabis. “Honestly, if I didn’t have this industry, I don’t know where I would have been,” she said. “I want people to understand that I really do see them as family and that I am thankful for all the people that took me under their wing. Cannabis supported my family. It saved my family. It’s supporting my family now. I can’t imagine myself being anywhere else.” 365 RECREATIONAL SANTA ROSA 2750 MENDOCINO AVE SANTA ROSA, CA (707) 999-9420 365RECREATIONAL.COM
STORY by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS | PHOTO by JEN VERTZ @LITTLEJEN007
company profile
ZMONEY
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TalkingTrees A G R O W I N G B U S I N E S S , O N E P L A N T AT A T I M E
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GRINDING OUT AN EMPIRE
Craig Nejedly started his first company before most people even figure out what they want to do with their lives. As a 20-year-old motivated by a belief in the power of hemp and a deep passion for skateboarding and the skater lifestyle, Nejedly started Satori Movement – a lifestyle brand focused on manufacturing and selling hemp-based skateboarding gear. The year was 1998, and in Satori’s hometown of San Francisco, the public had already acclimated to the concept of hemp and Cannabis as part of the fabric of every day life. “I started using Cannabis when I was 18,” he said during a conversation in October. “I’m a joint smoker. I’m an avid connoisseur and consumer of Cannabis. I smoke Cannabis everyday.” With Satori, Nejedly grafted that passion onto his love of skateboarding. Named for the Buddhist concept of enlightenment, Satori started
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with hemp-based apparel. At the time, hemp textiles provided a relatively risk-free way to publicly participate in the hemp and Cannabis community. Fast forward 22 years, and Nejedly has now turned that passion into a veritable empire, helming a number of companies in the California Cannabis community, including Talking Trees, Satori Wellness dispensary in McKinleyville, High Grade Distribution and Satori Teas, as well as a partnership with the visionary Cannabis confectioner Wendy Baker on her Space Gem candy line. As it goes with empire building, Nejedly’s journey hasn’t been a straight skate from the beginning to the present. SETTING UP THE LINE
Once Nejedly started Satori Movement, it wasn’t long before things started to fall into place for his entry into the Cannabis world. “In the skate industry, we were always known CR AIG & WENDY
THE CREW
CR AIG & TOM
THE FAMILY TA L K I N G T R E E S FA R M S TA L K I N G T R E E S FA R M S .C O M @ TA L K I N G _ T R E E S _ FA R M S
S AT O R I W E L L N E SS
S ATO R I W E L L N E S S .O R G @ S ATO R I W E L L N E S S _
“We have way too many strains, at the end of the day,” he jokes. L AYER TRIMMING CAKE CONTINUES
“Being upfront about what we do has been nice. Coming out of the shadows, coming out of the closet. Being able to provide jobs for people and create good, quality Cannabis.” f o u n d e r C r a i g N e j e d ly as the stoner brand,” Nejedly said. “I was always smoking, growing, on a personal-use scale. Nothing major.” While running his hemp-based lifestyle brand and simultaneously running in Cannabis circles, Nejedly learned to cultivate. His roots grew deep and strong in the scene, and he started thinking about how to increase his scale. By the economic crash of 2008, Nejedly says Satori took a backseat, and by 2010, he started scaling up his indoor cultivation game. Then, by 2012, he’d added outdoor cultivation. All the while, he coped with the significant risk of being involved in a largely underground market. “I was watching the helicopters fly over and getting scared, so when I saw the opportunity to go legal, I decided to take it,” he said. SCALING THE GRIND
In 2015, Nejedly and his crew started the permitting process for the Talking Trees brand and
BRANCHING OUT
AWARD WINNERS
facility, in order to take advantage of the opportunity to enter the adult-use market under Proposition 64. They officially launched in 2016. “Being upfront about what we do has been nice,” Nejedly said. “Coming out of the shadows, coming out of the closet. Being able to provide jobs for people and create good, quality Cannabis.” At this point in the game, Talking Trees has grown to a significant scale. “We have over 60,000-square-feet of cultivation,” Nejedly said. “Talking Trees is a single-source brand, which means that everything in Talking Trees packaging, we grew it. So we can stand by the quality.” Talking Trees currently cultivates more than 100 strains, focusing heavily on pheno hunting from other breeders, with some in-house breeding mixed in. The idea, Nejedly said, is to always be rotating – though they do have their pet strains. Right now, Nejedly says he’s loving their Zkittles.
S PAC E G E M C A N DY
S PA C E G E M C A N DY.C O M @ S PA C E _ G E M _ C A
HIGH GRADE DISTRIBUTION H I G H G R A D E D I ST R I B U T I O N .C O M
@ H I G H G R A D E D I ST R I B U T I O N Flower isn’t the only thing available under the Talking S AT O R I T E A M OV E M E N T @ S ATO R I T E A M O V E M E N T Trees label. As a longtime connoisseur, Nejedly’s team throws in some classic funk. “I’ve stayed away from the hype trends, like vape cartridges, live resin and butane extraction,” he said. “I prefer bubble hash. Just water, ice and Cannabis.” 21 That bubble hash is used in all of Talking Trees’ affiliated non-flower products, including the Satori Tea line, as well as the Space Gem confections. Nejedly says they never use distillate in the products his company touches – they prefer to offer their customers a full spectrum experience. Distribution for all of the product lines are handled in-house by High Grade Distribution. The distro arm currently distributes to the entire state, and their products can currently be found in more than 200 dispensaries statewide. The majority of their business takes place right in their backyard, in Humboldt – a fact that Nejedly doesn’t mind at all. “Our vehicles cover over 12,000 miles a month,” he said. “That’s a lot of oil changes.” LANDING THE 360
After weaving hemp into a skateboard lifestyle brand, then folding that success into a vertical family of respected Cannabis brands with in-house retail and statewide distribution, one would think Nejedly might consider chilling out a bit, rolling up some Zkittles and surveying everything he’s built. Instead, he brought things full circle. As of this writing, Satori Movement offers an entire line of Cannabis-friendly, hemp-based skateboarding products, including decks branded with Talking Trees and Satori Wellness logos. Their website, SatoriMovement.com, even offers branded COVID-era facemasks. “The whole outdoor and skateboarding market is just insane, so we just jumped back in and started manufacturing skateboard wheels again,” Nejedly said.
STORY by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS | PHOTOS by BRIAN SHAMANSKI
SHOP review
HUMBOLDT PATIENT ARCATA, CA
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New School Cool Carlos and Laurel will help you with your selection
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RESOURCE CENTER SETTING & VIBE HPRC Arcata is just steps away from the old town plaza, occupying a historic standalone building that is easily recognizable. With the entire place recently renovated, the dispensary features a spacious check-in area with the standard online order pickup window for the quick grab, or you can casually make your way into the six station retail shop through the inviting doorway. The store’s warmly lit wooden and glass interior displays artfully arranged Cannabis products lined along the front cases and the beautifully stocked back walls. Reminiscent of an old-time apothecary – where rustic meets classic – HPRC’s vibe is that of an intimate neighborhood gathering place.
HPRC 980 6TH STREET, ARCATA, CA 10AM-7PM M-SAT., 10AM-6PM SUN. HPRCHUMBOLDT.COM @HPRC_ARCATA
HISTORY & VALUES Founded in 1999 shortly after the passage of California’s Prop 215, HPRC Arcata was one of the nation’s first Cannabis dispensaries and hasn’t wavered in their commitment to health and wellness after all these years. By donating Cannabis to medical patients through the Compassion Program, offering health plans with gym discounts to employees, and reallocating their marketing budget for a fund benefitting currently furloughed staff, HPRC walks the walk. Ensuring patient safety, when they operated Humboldt’s only Cannabis testing lab at the time, they included the testing of medicine not-yet-legal. In 2018 HPRC launched Connection HPRC – a community wellness center in downtown Eureka which hosts educational events and classes that are offered by donation on a sliding scale.
PROCURING QUALITY HPRC supports Humboldt County’s economy with their “local procurement policy” – prioritizing local suppliers of everything from Cannabis products to interior décor, to the lunches ordered for team meetings. Expertly selected retail items like concentrates, edibles, tinctures and topicals are 100% pesticide-free, as HPRC’s policy is stricter than the State of California’s. Their own HPRC-branded flower and pre-rolls are grown in the adjacent garden in Arcata using “conscious cultivation,” and on any given day customers can choose from several strains of clones made available for home cultivation.
REMINISCENT OF AN OLD-TIME APOTHECARY – WHERE RUSTIC MEETS CLASSIC – HPRC’S VIBE IS THAT OF AN INTIMATE NEIGHBORHOOD GATHERING PLACE.
FRIENDLY FACES At HPRC, Cannabis Consultants are treasured members of the team who serve both medical patients and recreational users. Cannabis Consultants have opportunity to enroll in the Medical Cannabis Institute’s Curriculum for Nurses free of charge, earning continuing education credits toward nursing or medical school while studying cannabinoids and terpenes. HPRC’s robust customer service training creates such a high-end experience in this community dispensary that from the moment you leave, you’ll begin daydreaming of your return.
HIGHLIGHTS More than just a dispensary, HPRC Arcata is an award-winning microbusiness of cultivation, processing and distribution, with its larger sister shop and the Connection HPRC nearby in downtown Eureka. This bastion of goodness offers medical card discounts on HPRC-branded products and features daily deals throughout the week. HPRC strives to be a partner to the region and a contributor to Humboldt County’s tourism. Through hard work and an eye on values, they’ve cultivated a supportive work atmosphere with low employee turnover, and since hiring a semi-pro disc golfer, they’ve sponsored Humboldt County’s long running Goddess Games – a popular women’s disc golf tournament. It’s no surprise that HPRC’s living legacy continues to be proven via their investment in patients, employees, the community and of course, the plant.
In 2018, HPRC launched Connection HPRC – a community wellness center in downtown Eureka which hosts educational events and classes that are offered by donation on a sliding scale.
STORY by LINDA ANH /CALIFORNIA LEAF | PHOTOS by NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415
STRAIN OF THE MONTH
CAL I F O R N I A
THE
G R A N D D AD DY P U R P L E
SOUR DIESEL
GRANDDADDY PURPLE, also known as GDP, became instantly famous after its introduction in California almost 20 years ago. This version of the classic indica-dominant strain, cultivated by White Rabbit Cannabis, showcases super tight, chunky, frosted nugs laden with myrcene – the lead terpene in its distinctive profile. That myrcene helps deliver the sweet, earthy funk and intense relaxation that are this strain’s calling cards. If you’re looking for something to help you chill out and boost your appetite, Granddaddy’s got your back.
THESE STINKY, STRETCHY sativa-dominant buds pack enough fuel for a cross-country roadtrip. That makes sense, since before this strain made the eventual, decades-long journey that landed it in the Humboldt Growers Network lineup, it gained its fame on the streets of New York City. This version is perfect for lovers of the gas. True to its name, the pungent diesel aroma wakes you up and inspires nostalgia for all the great times you’ve twisted up a joint of Sour D and its many, many descendants. At once both dreamily euphoric and almost savagely energetic, plus no signs of mind-racing paranoia, the Humboldt Growers Network version is perfect for after-hours activities – however you want to interpret the phrase.
WHITE RABBIT CANNABIS | 23.01% THC 28.71% TOTAL CANNABINOIDS
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HUMBOLDT GROWERS NETWORK
TIMELESS BENCHMARKS FOR ALL OTHER GENETICS.
CO O K I E S . CO / / / / / JAC K H E R E R B R A N D S . CO M H U M B O L D T G R OW E R S . N E T
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CLASSICS ORIGINAL THIN MINT
THE GSC LINE proved to be so strong, so influential, that its breeders built a powerhouse Cannabis company on the back of its popularity. Cookies still cultivates phenotypes of its namesake strain, and damn, their grow team still has the magic touch. An unmistakable aroma fills your nostrils when you peek into the sky-blue bag at the frosted, dark purplish-green nugs. Strong aromatics of sugar and soil invade the senses. It’s like dirt for dessert, in the best possible way. When you grind a few crumbs between your finger and your palm, sweet minty smells brighten the room. The effects start to creep before hitting a steep incline, not unlike the click-clacking rise to the peak of a roller coaster. Before long, it feels as if satin-gloved fingers are gripping you gently by the sides of the head and back of the neck, lifting your mind toward the ceiling. COOKIES | 27% THC
JACK HERER ORIGINALLY BRED in honor of California Cannabis icon, tireless educator and passionate hemp advocate Jack Herer – it’s not just a clever name – these slender, dark-green flowers are as distinctive as the man himself. If you’ve had the Jack, you remember the aroma: It’s like electrified green Jell-O. Seriously, with a terpene profile this damn pretty, they should make leave-in conditioner out of this herb. We tracked down our flower from Jack Herer Original, a California-based cultivation arm under the umbrella of the Herer Group, a vertically-integrated Cannabis company founded by Dan Herer, Jack’s son. Here’s a tip: Crush a little bit up in your palm and rub your hands together before cupping them over your nose and mouth. Take a deep breath and let the terpenes awaken your senses. Then roll it up and buckle up, because this sativa-dominant strain will take your mind for an energetic ride. JACK HERER ORIGINAL | 15.81% THC 0.05% CBD | 19.13% TOTAL CANNABINOIDS
O
ut of countless genotypes and thousands upon untold thousands of hard-hunted phenotypes, every once in a while, a genetic line so distinct – so uniquely brilliant – rises above the canopy and into the spotlight, becoming a cultural touchstone. Some of those strains burn brightly but shuffle swiftly off into relative obscurity as breeders continue to unleash the newest, hottest fire onto the market. These strains are not those strains. For the Culture Issue, we gathered four strains that so perfectly and uniquely blended aroma, appearance, flavor, name and effect that they still stand, decades later in some cases, as timeless benchmarks for all other genetics – proliferating around the globe and favored by breeders as the basis for countless crossbred strains. Now, without further ado, we present four locally cultivated stone-cold classics.
REVIEWS by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS | PHOTO by NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415 /CALIFORNIA LEAF
the CULTURE issue
STORY by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS + MIKE RICKER @RICKERDJ
CANNABIS CULTURE. Together, those two words encapsulate an encouraging phenomenon – the idea that a plant can inform identity, binding individuals to one another. But that’s what Cannabis does. It inspires the mind and spirit of those who invite its synergistic qualities into their bodies, and by doing so, sows the seeds of lifestyle. Within the evolution of modern human history, Cannabis influence has woven into the fabric of our shared existence in a myriad of ways: The saxophonist improvising rich, sultry notes in sweaty underground jazz clubs. Rasta mystics channeling a higher level of spirituality. The Beat poet hammering out the essence of America on the keys of an Underwood typewriter. Tie-dyed miracle seekers smiling brightly outside of a show with a finger held high. Good parents slyly sipping on a vape pen. Entrepreneurs evaluating a pitch to fund their startup over a pre-roll. Grandma slathering medicated lotion on arthritic joints, savoring an infused chocolate.
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Cannabis is the touchstone, the common thread that stitches the tapestry together. It’s the flag. So, then, how do you define Cannabis culture? Perhaps it’s not typical of any one type of person or distinct aesthetic. Its mystery is not delineated by socioeconomic status, skin color or geographical region. We all know what it is not. It’s what it is that stretches the barriers of our imaginations and escapes the dogma of definition.
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Cannabis culture is defined by the tribe who prescribe and imbibe. It’s a community of seekers reaching for an unconventional connection that swirls in the ether outside the periphery of conformity. They are not easily fooled, are wise to propaganda and weary of carpetbagging capitalists with steely smiles. We are on the precipice of an overwhelming shift and the momentum is palpable. Cannabis is essential and so are the people who apply it to their lives and improve their precious time on this planet. We are at the epicenter of a movement, blasting through the atmosphere like a rocket to the sun, staring down the inevitable collision of rainbow supernova proportions into a massive collective spiritual awakening. All around this plant. It’s a community of seekers reaching for an unconventional connection that swirls in the ether outside the periphery of conformity.
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We all inherently understand where we are and what we are, but Cannabis allows us to better understand and express who we are. It helps all of us seekers on our quest for deeper meaning and stronger connection. In this issue, the Leaf staff have humbly extracted the indispensable intricacies of Cannabis culture into a sticky concentrate for your consumption. Please enjoy.
ART
FOOD MUSIC GLASS ICONS SPORTS SOCIAL
CELEBS GIFTS ART BY IRINA
HUNTER S. THOMPSON “I have always loved marijuana. It has been a source of joy and comfort to me for many years. And I still think of it as a basic staple of life, along with beer and ice and grapefruits – and millions of Americans agree with me.”
BROWNIE MARY “I’m not a criminal. I did nothing wrong. I was helping my kids. We desperately need medical marijuana in this country.”
B-REAL “Like Louis Armstrong played the trumpet, I’ll hit that bong and break you off somethin’ soon.”
DAVE CHAPPELLE “I don’t do drugs, though. Just weed.”
ZACK GALIFIANAKIS “I don’t know what my assistant would do besides get me pot.”
JOE ROGAN “If you lock someone up for smoking a plant that makes them happy, you’re the fucking criminal.”
DOUG BENSON “A message to parents who think legalizing weed will make their kids want to try it: They will anyway.”
WHOOPI GOLDBERG “The vape pen has changed my life. No, I’m not exaggerating. In fact, her name is Sippy. Yes, she’s a she. And yes, I named her Sippy because I take tiny, little sips – sassy sips, even – from her. And with each sip comes relief – from pressure, pain, stress, discomfort.”
SNOOP DOGG “Can we get a muthafuckin’ moment of silence for this small chronic break?”
BILL MURRAY “I find it quite ironic that the most dangerous thing about weed is getting caught with it.”
CARLOS SANTANA “Legalize marijuana and take all that money and invest it in teachers and in education. You will see a transformation in America.”
MARTHA STEWART “Of course I know how to roll a joint.”
SARAH SILVERMAN “I’d have to be honest: I have contempt for pretty much every drug other than pot. I find drunk people gross. Most people with more than one drink in them aren’t giggly, goofy and happy the way people are with a puff of pot smoke in them. At a party, I have so much fun stoned, flitting about -– but once I sniff that first wave of drunkenness on someone, I’m out of there.”
icons ICONS 25 CANNABIS CULTURE
27 SETH ROGEN “Yes, I have a medical marijuana prescription, personally. I went in, and they said, ‘What do you need it for?’ And I said, ‘I have a very specific ailment – it’s called, I ain’t got no weed on me right now.’”
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
CARL SAGAN “The illegality of Cannabis is outrageous, an impediment to full utilization of a drug which helps produce the serenity and insight, sensitivity and fellowship so desperately needed in this increasingly mad and dangerous world.”
MORGAN FREEMAN “I have fibromyalgia pain ... and the only thing that offers any relief is marijuana.”
JACK KEROUAC “I smoked more grass than anyone you ever knew in your life.”
LOUIS ARMSTRONG “We always looked at pot as a sort of medicine, a cheap drunk and with much better thoughts than one that’s full of liquor.”
LIL WAYNE “I love weed so much I tried to marry Juana.”
BOB MARLEY “I feel so high, I even touch the sky / Above the falling rain ... I got to have kaya now.”
JIMI HENDRIX “Please pass me the peace weed, and take some heed. Throw away all that mixed up speed.”
TOMMY CHONG “You can smoke marijuana, you can eat it, you can wear it, it’s a perfect plant!”
WILLIE NELSON “The biggest killer on the planet is stress, and I still think the best medicine is and always has been Cannabis.”
SHAGGY (SCOOBY DOO) “Like wow, my favorite! A double triple decker sardine and marshmallow fudge sandwich.”
WILLIAM S. BURROUGHS “Unquestionably, this drug is very useful to the artist, activating trains of association that would otherwise be inaccessible, and I owe many of the scenes in Naked Lunch directly to the use of Cannabis.”
CREATIVE COMMONS IMAGES/LEAF NATION STAFF
the CULTURE issue
STORY by LUKAS PREVIN @DEBTCRISISDC
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MUSIC
From Then ‘Til Now: Music and Marijuana
As long as music has existed, so has the relationship between its creators and their preference of muse-inspiring consumption. We can start way back with Louis Armstrong – one of Jazz’s most influential artists, Armstrong was a household name for his genius on the trumpet spanning five decades from the 1920s to 1960s. He also used those huge lungs to inhale Cannabis between blowing out notes. Arrested outside the Los Angeles Cotton Club in 1930 for smoking a joint – reportedly laughing the night in jail away – Armstrong had no clue “what a wonderful world” was yet to come for Cannabis. As Armstrong’s last notes trilled into the ether, Jamaica was about to introduce the world to another Cannabis legend - Bob Marley. A true icon in the culture of Cannabis, Marley smoked partly due to his deep religious Rastafarian beliefs. ‘Ganja’ is a Rastafarian word taken from the Sanskrit language for marijuana, and on the song “Ganja Gun,” the lyrics lay out his deep love and respect for the medicine. Marley’s likeness continues to grace grinders, bongs, pipes and the Marley Natural brand, with his timeless music ringing throughout every storefront. Another artist you’re likely to hear banging from your dispensary’s speakers is the mighty Black Sabbath. Formed in 1968, Black Sabbath are pioneers of metal and stoner rock. Infamous for both their sound and reputation, Sabbath cemented fear in the hearts of parents around the world when they released their third studio album “Master of Reality” with the ode to Cannabis “Sweet Leaf,” starting with a rhythmic loop of Ozzy and guitarist Tony Iommi coughing from a joint, continued by a Cannabis love letter in musical form. Then there’s Willie Nelson, a man who truly adores our beloved plant and has written numerous classics on the topic. Nelson’s blend of authentic country sound and an outlaw’s attitude earned him worldwide fame. He smuggled his sound across the borders of genre, and continues to light up a style of music that usually doesn’t see much cultural crossover. Willie cashed the cigarettes and booze in 1978, when four fights with pneumonia - and a self-awareness of not being a kind drunk - turned Cannabis into his one true love. These days, his Willie’s Reserve brand of Cannabis is available across the country.
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We can see that Cannabis has shifted from underground whispers and innuendo to mainstream acceptability in the arts.
Next we pass the pipe to Snoop Dogg – perhaps the only man to claim to have smoked 81 blunts in a day and be believed. An artist, advocate and entrepreneur, Snoop helped pave the way for other celebrities to come forth with their own Cannabis use. From his albums, to his Snoop Dogg Pounds glass line, to the Cannabis company Leafs by Snoop,this titan of toking shows no signs of slowing down. Much thanks to Snoop, we find the evolution of open lyricism about Cannabis in the music of Wiz Khalifa. Hailing from North Dakota, Wiz has been burning through charts and Cannabis. Releasing records with infused titles like “Kush and Orange Juice” and “Rolling Papers,” Wiz squashes the stigma of lighting up. Another entrepreneur in both industries, Wiz has launched Khalifa Kush and his own rolling paper collab with RAW. Over the years, Cannabis representation in the arts has shifted from underground whispers and
innuendo to mainstream acceptability. A modern-day example of this crossover is Margo Price. Born in Illinois and based in Nashville, Price is currently one of country’s biggest rising stars. Grammy nominated in 2019, Margo came out as a Cannabis user stating that “some musicians want to sell clothes on the Home Shopping Network, but I want to sell weed.” Price would do just that with her All American Made line supported by Willie’s Reserve. Price’s alignment with Nelson not only brought extra attention to her music, but also bolstered her counterculture image as a pioneer in the Cannabis field. With each generation of artists, the public’s embrace of Cannabis progresses like the notes in a scale. Today, we have the legends of yesterday collaborating on music and Cannabusiness with the next class of hitmakers. There’s no telling what the green muse will inspire in the generations to come.
ART BY OLEGGANKO
STORY by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST
@MILEHIGHGALLERY | MILEHIGHGALLERY.BIGCARTEL.COM
Brain Heart displays by Emilio Garcia with chairs by Takashi Murakami
Mark Whalen’s “Ok Okay” vinyls
High Art
Drew Degen | Q Q& &A Mile High Gallery
From vinyl toys to canvas paintings, high-end glass art to recycled tables crafted out of skateboards, Mile High Gallery has it all. We were lucky enough to pick owner Drew Degen’s brain a bit for our December Culture Issue, gaining insight into the underground art scene world and how Cannabis has influenced these rebellious pioneers. With art curators like himself, we hope that both street art and Cannabis will become more widely appreciated and accepted. Visit Mile High Gallery’s Instagram page, where Drew steadily adds art on the daily.
WHAT PARALLELS DO YOU SEE IN CANNABIS AND THE UNDERGROUND STREET ART CULTURE? Both Cannabis
and street art are still illegal in most places worldwide, but are still a positive part of the daily lives of millions of people. Growing up, both of these subjects were frowned upon, but the overall public opinion on both of these subjects over the past two decades has changed dramatically in a positive direction. Colorado played a big part in doing this because it was one of the first states to legalize recreational back in 2012 – and we also have one of the largest underground art scenes currently. Only two years before legalization, the first Crush Walls event occurred. Crush Walls is a counterculture graffiti-based event which takes place annually in Denver. Crush Walls focuses on creative expression and has hosted iconic artists like Shepard Fairey, Cryptik, Hoxxoh, Elmac and many more.
HOW DO YOU FIND THAT CANNABIS INFLUENCES ARTISTS TO PUSH THEIR BOUNDARIES AND THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX? Cannabis
has incentivized creativity in humans and artists for thousands of years. From cave art to the emergence of graffiti as a counterculture art form in the 1960s, it’s common to find Cannabis as a collaborating partner. It’s scientifically proven that Cannabis can make you more creative – it increases cerebral blood flow to the brain’s frontal lobe – which is directly linked to creativity.
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“Nebula Panther” by Adam G and Buck @sweaterkingpin @buckglass
Cannabis companies using art directly on their products and packaging to look more attractive and to pertain to the common Cannabis user, who most likely appreciates art too. This is a direct correlation between artists and the Cannabis community. I’ve been noticing that more muralists are getting hired to paint public spaces, including the walls on the exterior and interior of Cannabis dispensaries and headshops.
HOW ARE ARTISTS INFLUENCING THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY? Cannabis and art go hand
in hand. Some of the most notable artists in the world have shaped their careers off using Cannabis, whether it’s musical artists from Willie Nelson and Bob Marley portraying their lyrics about how Cannabis helps them, to painters like Alex Grey directly depicting the plant. Not only does Cannabis influence artists, but artists also influence the Cannabis community greatly. I often see
Hebru Brantley Flyboy and Lil Mama vinyls with a mask made by Dan Schaub
(Left to right:) WJC (@wjcglass) x Rose Roads (@roseroadskojima) Heartifact, WJC x Adam G Heartifact; Quave (@quaveglass) x Buck(@buckglass) Fish Klein PHOTOS BY ALEX WORKMAN @WORKDUBS
the CULTURE issue Jumbo Jetcycler with jumbo Jet Perc
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Custom Jetcycler with Jet Perc
caliFornialeaf.COM
Q & A | J P To ro & W e nd y
The To ro Tea m
DEC. 2020
TORO GLASS For glass aficionados, Toro has been a name that has been familiar for years, and that is certainly not changing anytime soon. Toro Glass was one of the first brands to truly make a name for themselves, becoming an internationally renowned company and innovating the way we all consume Cannabis. From Y2K on, collectors have been flocking to their local headshops for their shot at JP Toro’s bongs and dab rigs – and Toro’s latest creation, the Terp Slurper, has become one of the most sought after glass-related items this year. Here we find what gets JP’s gears turning and what it takes to keep a machine like Toro Glass finely tuned and running clean.
Through many different trials and errors, and R&D with a couple o f m y c l o s e b o y s , t h e Te r p S l u r p e r w a s c re at e d . I t l i t e ra l l y t o o k almost three years for people to catch on, but today there is a super craze for the Slurpers and their function.
Terp Slurper
Illuminati over Syzygy Jetcycler
WENDY, CAN YOU PLEASE GIVE US AN IDEA AS TO WHAT IT TAKES TO KEEP A COMPANY LIKE TORO HIGHLY FUNCTIONING FOR THE PAST 15+ YEARS?
Marbles
It wasn’t until 2015 that I started to fuck with quartz, but I immediately became obsessed.
A lot of hard work, customer service, great employees and adaptability! We are a family-run business of 12 employees. Everyone who works here we hired through word of mouth and through a friend of a friend. There are a couple of married couples, along with some of their close relatives and family friends. We are so blessed to have the crew we have. Our families and children all grew up with each other, and we often even celebrate holidays together. Our bonds and respect for one another run deep. Luckily too, JP designed Toro as a ‘classic.’ As the industry ebbs and flows from flowers to hash, from titanium to domes to quartz, we are adaptable and luckily JP is always at the forefront.
JP, WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO CREATE? For function, the
desire to make the ultimate hitting piece. For art,
are industry standards and the building block behind so many pieces. Back at the beginning of this industry, there were tubes and hand and water pipes. When I first made ‘micro’ and ‘macro’ pieces, people were not sure what to think of these smaller styles of glass ‘rigs’ – and then when titanium was introduced onto them with glass domes in late 2006-2007, it was a serious issue and most stores thought I was nuts! They were scared to sell any sort of dabbing accessories – but time went on, people adapted to the change, and it all became industry standard. Mad props to Quave for bringing the quartz banger to the scene and increasing the dabbing experience by allowing for larger surface areas and cleaner dabbing all around. It wasn’t until 2015 that I started to fuck with quartz, but I immediately became obsessed. In 2017, I remembered Bubble Man did some sort of burping terps for flavor, which got me thinking about how I could create a piece of quartz that caused terps to percolate. I closed my eyes and imagined percolation holes, and the hash bubbling and popping and creating flavor. It reminded me of slurping fine wine. Through many different trials and errors, and R&D with a couple of my close boys, the Terp Slurper was created. It literally took almost three years for people to catch on, but today there is a super craze for the Slurpers and their function. Other innovations, such as the TempTech in 2018, which allowed people to dial in their dabbing temperatures, also helped the movement by not making it seem so intimidating to dial the Slurper’s temperature in.
CAN YOU GIVE US SOME INSIGHT ON YOUR RIGOROUS PROCESS OF MILLIE WORK? My new favorite art form at the to keep trying to make a masterpiece that makes me happy. I am always trying to outdo myself. Definitely, I am my own worst critic and never satisfied, which keeps me going on and staying behind the torch every day – even after blowing glass for 22 years.
WHERE DO YOUR INNOVATIVE IDEAS COME FROM WHEN DESIGNING NEW PRODUCTS? Living life … it’s random.
I can be driving down the road and see a tractortrailer with a certain color pattern on the side of the truck, which I may then incorporate into my next piece. I spent a lot of my younger years in downtown Philadelphia, where a crew of us designed and worked on comic books. I found that it allowed me to stretch my imagination because it is not the real world and anything is possible/ doable. This world/realm taught me that there are no boundaries, even when it comes to glass. At first, when I started to create, people wondered what I was doing. Now today, a lot of the designs
moment is Millie work. I did a bunch years ago, but then got so busy with Toro and life, that I had to put some of my own passions on the backburner. But pulling from my Philly years and animation experience, I have been creating a lot of original images and characters and incorporating them into my art in multiforms, from glass millefiore to fashion, to producing music. There is a story behind it all, but as with everything I have done thus far, it may take a minute for it all to make sense and come together. Hopefully, in this lifetime I am able to accomplish it, but ultimately, I am having a blast doing me for a change! It is hard to shake the ‘production’ stigma of Toro, but exciting to get to introduce myself in a different light that most people have not seen yet. Most importantly, experimenting, creating and designing for this newer body of work is what keeps me sane during these crazy times! TOROGLASSGALLERY.COM | @TORO_GLASS | @JPTOROLIFESTYLE
INTERVIEW by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST/LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by JEFF DIMARCO @IAMJEFFDIMARCO
the CULTURE issue
STORY by MIKE GIANAKOS
caliFornialeaf.COM
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SPORTS Athletes are the new rock stars. Players from the four major American sports (well, three of them anyway) increasingly become major celebrities with massive social media followings, recognizable brands and, whether you realize it or not, a great deal of cultural influence. Cannabis has long played a role in sports. Pitcher “Spaceman” Bill Lee was a loud and proud pothead in the ‘70s and old school NBA centers Robert Parish and Bill Walton were certainly known to partake. But as it’s become increasingly socially acceptable to consume, athletes have played a major role in bringing marijuana into the mainstream. Likewise, the culture around Cannabis in professional sports is finally beginning to change as pot policies are relaxed. Of course, this shift coincides with changes in the legal landscape. There are 123 teams across the four major American sports (football, basketball, baseball and hockey) and 101 of them play in a state that has legalized recreational and/or medical marijuana (that’s over 80 percent). Still, for a long time, the NFL was content to keep its pot policy in the dark ages, subjecting players to random tests and punishing them with suspensions. Ricky Williams is probably the best-known example of an athlete embracing Cannabis –– and paying the price. The former running back used marijuana to cope with social anxiety disorder and to recover from workouts. But after failing a drug test, Williams found it difficult to navigate the NFL’s draconian pot policy. Testing became more frequent, so frequent that Williams says he was drug tested at least 500 times during his football career. He was also suspended for an entire season. Williams opted to retire rather than be governed by the league’s pot rules. He got away from the NFL, traveled to India, studied Ayurveda and grew as a person before returning to football. Williams ultimately had to toe the line in the NFL, but he never let the league’s ridiculous take on Cannabis change him. In fact, it’s pretty clear he changed the culture of the NFL, as players view marijuana in a different light thanks to Ricky. Now, it’s commonplace for players to use Cannabis to recover from the wear and tear of the sport. Estimates indicate that anywhere between 50 and 89 percent of the league partakes. In fact, many players advocate for using marijuana in place of harmful opioids when dealing with
DEC. 2020
pain. Ricky definitely has something Previously, players were randomly tested As it’s become to do with that. He was a pioneer. four times over the season and positive increasingly socially pot tests were met with escalating punishUnfortunately, as the saying goes, pioneers usually end up with arrows in ments, including suspensions. Under the acceptable to their backs. new rules, players are screened for PEDs consume, athletes After years of forcing pot prohibibut not recreational drugs. tion on players, the NFL has at last Additionally, the NHL and more recently have played a major changed course: The new collective MLB don’t ban Cannabis and treat its use role in bringing bargaining agreement does away with as a health issue. MLB also did away with marijuana into the suspensions for pot use, limits the testsuspensions for minor leaguers who test ing window to the first two weeks of positive. mainstream. training camp and significantly raises Competitors in extreme sports and the threshold for a positive test. e-sports have largely embraced Cannabis. Pot is also prevalent in the NBA. Despite estiYet as e-sports have grown to rival some traditional mates that as much as 85 percent of the league sports in viewership and ad dollars, drug testing is consumes Cannabis, the Association had banned becoming more commonplace. Still, Cannabis and pot since 1983. Change finally came this summer gaming are undeniably linked and testing in these when the NBA and the players union agreed on a leagues is certainly on the liberal side. But if you new drug policy prior to resuming play in Orlando prefer to watch stoned gaming, remember, some following the coronavirus outbreak. e-sports leagues make marijuana mandatory.
ART BY EMILY
STORY by ELISE MCDONOUGH @CANNABISEDIBLES420
cuisine CUISINE High Hospitality is the Culture We Deserve By far, the most common way to introduce an American to a new culture is through food. Sharing food forms an instant connection, a long-standing way to bridge the divide between strangers. Coming together around a table to enjoy a meal initiates people into the etiquette, rituals and customs of different cultures, forming the basis of much human socialization in societies around the globe. H O W H A S C A N N A B I S I N F L U E N C E D F O O D C U LT U R E ?
Whether you’re eating THC or smoking it alongside meals, it’s important to know that for most of human history, Cannabis was food. There were no arbitrary laws separating it from any other useful plant, and its effects were wellknown among ancient cultures. Simmered with milk and spices, Cannabis infuses bhang lassi, an Indian beverage that dates back to 2000 B.C.E. Mixed with melted butter, sugar, spices, ground nuts and dates, Cannabis imbues mahjoun with potent psychedelic effects, and this recipe for the first-ever edible originated in the Middle East in the 11th century. These days, you might find people hot-boxing their car in restaurant parking lots, firing up their appetites before they eat. According to research conducted by Giovanni Marsicano of the University of Bordeaux, it’s been scientifically proven that “THC – the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana – fits into special receptors in the brain’s olfactory bulb, allowing users to smell and taste food far more acutely while high.” Cannabis is one of the few plants on Earth proven to enhance appetite, which has medical applications for patients suffering from AIDS wasting syndrome, anorexia, or the side effects of chemotherapy. For the rest of us, weed elevates even a humble meal into a taste sensation. Eating while high can help you notice more nuance in the taste and textures, conferring a newfound appreciation for even the simplest things, like sourdough toast slathered with butter. H O W H A S F O O D C U LT U R E I M PAC T E D C A N N A B I S ?
Chefs have long had an affinity for weed, as discussed by Anthony Bourdain in the 2010 New York Times article “Marijuana Fuels a New Kitchen Culture,” with the memorable quote “Everybody smokes dope after work … People
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uating various wines, “cannaphiles” rave about you would never imagine.” bud structure, trichome coverage, terpene profiles Outspoken Cannabis aficionados like Eddie and cannabinoid percentages, devising systems for Huang bridged the gap, bringing an appreciation pairing specific Cannabis cultivars with food and for how being high led to creative ideas for new wine. dishes at his acclaimed NYC bun shop Baohaus. Someday, in a post-COVID world when the hosWhen I interviewed Huang for High Times in 2013, pitality industry revives, we’ll see the full flowering he said, “I do discover a lot of flavor combinations of the Cannabis culinary movement: a full-service, when I’m high that I normally wouldn’t.” infused fine dining experience. Nothing epitomized this paradigm shift more Previously only available through than the VICE series “Bong Appétit,” underground supper clubs, the full inwhich transformed Cannabis cookery Cannabis is one of the tegration of Cannabis into a regulated methods from a mindset of scarcity few plants on Earth dining experience will be an evolving to abundance, revolutionizing how process, as evidenced by the OG CanCannabis is perceived as an ingrediproven to enhance nabis Cafe project in LA. ent. Introducing chefs to the plant and appetite, which has A fully-realized Cannabis restauteaching them how to integrate it into signature dishes, “Bong Appétit,” let the medical applications rant scene is the ultimate goal that all chefs continue to work world know that those inspired stoners for patients suffering weed-loving towards – where you can indulge in a were going way beyond brownies. from AIDS wasting joint on an outdoor patio before being Today, as the Cannabis culinary movement evolves, we see a level of syndrome, anorexia, seated, or pair vapes with each course before finishing off the meal with a connoisseurship comparable to wine. or the side effects of Cannabis-infused dessert. It’s a future Just as oenophiles have developed a worth looking forward to. lexicon of their own devoted to evalchemotherapy.
ART BY IANA ALTER
the CULTURE issue
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ROCK AND ROLL IS DEAD. You can blame American Idol for that, but let’s not get into it. Let’s do get into, however, why it doesn’t matter to Cannabis people whether you’re playing a stage or staging a play — if you are a stoner, you’re cool. And the fact that someone notorious draws eyes for their talent, or lack of, is neat, but kind of ends there. Because what you do for work does not validate you as a viable influencer in the Cannabis community. There is no validation required to be a part of it. You either get weed, or you don’t. Since the Green Rush that began around five years ago, many companies have learned the chilly truth that having celebrity status in Cannabis can get you recognition, but it does not guarantee credibility. And in any known movement that values credence over crap, credibility is paramount. Cannabis lovers have learned the inherent differences between deception and authenticity because they very simply can tell good from bad. A con from a sucker. Fire from mids. People don’t like to be suckered and Cannabis people have been suckered for a hundred years. Whether it’s the fear mongering propaganda of Henry Anslinger, the failed war
DEC. 2020
on drugs begun with the Nixon administration, or simply buying a bag of black-market brick weed, everyone has gotten burned at least once. And just because a new celebrity brand has insert retired professional athlete’s name here repping it, that don’t mean it ain’t bullshit junk CBD powder irrigated by some of the world’s gnarliest tertiary treated sewer water in China. We do not give a shit who is promoting it, just make sure it works. Because the list goes on with the Willie Nelsons, Tommy Chongs, Jay Zs, Martha Stewarts, Seth Rogens, Mike Tysons, Jimmy Buffetts, etc. who have slutted themselves for a ticket on the passing bandwagon without first getting high on their own supply. And just because people know your name does not make you any more of an authority on quality Cannabis than Aaron Rodgers on car insurance, or Post Malone on prescription glasses. Anyway, Rock and Roll is dead (name one significant band in the last 20 years) because no one cares who is playing the guitar, they just want to hear the music. Mercury is stuck in retrograde, and Kim Kardashian is off the air. And now she’s stuck in retrograde, too.
That’s show biz, Honey. Here’s the deal. The celebrity is the flower. Get used to it. It is not the trendy artist with the most fuck you money and teardrop face tattoos. The celebrity is Blue Dream, Wedding Cake and Green Crack. Because people and their influence are only as important as you make them to be, while the plant will always endure. Its nature is pure and its identity true. Cannabis prospers. No earthquake, famine, pandemic, or government will ever stop a weed from growing. It will journey through all periods, and for as long as people inhabit the earth, it will make itself available. It is the food of the gods, the essence to our senses. So, here at the end of the most reality checking year of our lives, celebrity fatigue is real. But it is possible that our stargazing tendencies could again get the better of us. Because if Kanye manages to pull off a Hail Mary in 2024, Kim Kardashian will indeed be your first lady. You scoff, but stranger things have happened. After all, there is still that swearing in bit in January that has yet to take place.
Because people and their influence are only as important as you make them to be, while the plant will always endure.
ILLUSTRATION BY JEFF PORTERFIELD
the CULTURE issue
Ganja Gift Guide
You wouldn’t try to put a round peg in a square hole, right? So why would you try cleaning your banger with a rounded cotton swab? Proswabs has come through with the solution to keep your banger clean and chazz-free use after use! These swabs have a pointed tip on one end, allowing you to reach the hard to clean spots in your nail — particularly the area where the wall meets the base. Available in bulk size (300 swabs) tubs and coming soon in travel packs (30 swabs), Proswabs are ready to keep your gear as fresh as possible, both at home and when out and about. $5.99/300pk, ProSwabs.com
Proswabs
Puffco Peak Pro Blazer GT8000 Big Shot Torch
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For the analog dabbers of the world, heating up is a part of the ritual and there is no more ubiquitously used tool to accomplish that job than the Blazer Big Shot GT8000 Torch. Offering a powerful flame, the Big Shot heats up even thick bottomed nails quickly and with ease. The sleek frame is ergonomic and makes the torch easy to handle, while the base allows the torch to stand upright when not in use. The Big Shot is a must-have item for any concentrate enthusiast not using an electronic dab rig. $79.99, BlazerProducts.com
Gifts GIFTS
Puffco’s revolutionary Peak made a lightning fast ascent to become the industry’s gold standard of electronic concentrate vaporizers since its release in January 2018. With a sleek design that’s on-the-go friendly (it fits flawlessly into your car’s cupholder, though we certainly don’t suggest you use it while driving) and an intuitive torch-free function, it’s no wonder the Peak has become the go-to tool for many dabbing enthusiasts worldwide. The new Peak Pro addresses the atomizer issue that plagued the original models, adds bluetooth integration for smart phone connectivity and control, and now has wireless charging capabilities — improving upon an already stellar platform. $399, Puffco.com
FOR CANNABIS LOVERS
caliFornialeaf.COM
Kasher Every lighter needs a Kasher and every ganja smoker needs a lighter. By the transitive laws of nature, this means every stoner needs a Kasher. And for good reason — these helpful little tools are great to help clean out finished bowls, pack down weed in your joint or blunt, and can even function as a skewer for your doobie when it gets down to the finger-stinger stage. As an added benefit, Kashers go a long way in helping keep lighters in their rightful owners’ pockets by adding a unique look and helping differentiate yours from everyone else’s. $7.99, MyKasher.com
DEC. 2020
OCB Organic King Size Slim Hemp Papers + Tips When it comes to rolling papers, there are really only a few factors you need to take into consideration — the thickness of the paper, the stickiness of the glue and the flavor. OCB Organic Hemp Rolling Papers deliver on all of these important aspects and provide a highly enjoyable smoking experience each and every time. After years of smoking through every paper on the market, OCB’s Organic Hemp line wins out as the thinnest, easiest to use and best tasting papers available from your local head shop. $4.99/32pk book, RollOCB.com
Pax 3
Not everyone wants to smoke their Cannabis flower — some want a cleaner, more lungfriendly option and want to vaporize it. For these folks, we recommend the newest rendition of Pax Labs classic dry herb vaporizer: the Pax 3. Their new version offers a fleet of new colors, bluetooth connectivity for phone or computer-based temperature control, and upgraded battery life to make it the longest lasting unit on the market. Add in intuitive function, versatility in its ability to be used for both concentrates and flower plus a sleek design, and the result is an exceptional piece of hardware any Cannabis enthusiast would be thrilled to receive. $249.99, Pax.com
R EVI E W S b y NATE WI L L I A M S @ NATE W4 1 5/ LEA F NAT IO N
tannins & terpenes
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T H E A RT OF PA I R I NG C A N N A BI S
LAGUNITAS HOPPY REFRESHER
TANNINS | LAGUNITAS HOPPY REFRESHER 0% ALCOHOL, 0 CALORIES
Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher is a unique and crushable beverage you can throw down without a touch of guilt as it’s completely calorie, carbohydrate and alcohol-free. This brew was flavored with real Citra, Equinox and Centennial hops chosen specifically for their terpene profiles. While all beer has tannins, hoppier beers tend to have greater amounts than malt-driven or yeast-driven beers. As this beverage was crafted to mimic a hop-driven IPA, it’s no surprise that there’s a noticeable tannic presence that provides an enjoyable, drying bite to complement the citrusy hoppy notes and light body of the brew. This unique libation is the perfect choice for designated drivers during nights out, for minding your calories, and for food pairings when you want the plate to be the star of the show –– not the beverage.
& FA NINO’S SMOKIN’ GREEN POT SAUCE
TERPENES | FA NINO’S SMOKIN’ GREEN POT SAUCE 100MG THC/ 6 OZ. BOTTLE
This is a real-deal artisan hot sauce loaded with high quality organic ingredients and infused with rapid onset, nano-enhanced THC oil from the weed wizards at Kushla Life Sciences. FA Nino’s is a Santa Rosa-based, family owned and operated business with a successful line of hot sauces sold in grocery and specialty stores throughout the country. They are now rolling out the infused versions of their legendary sauces, starting with this Smokin’ Green Pot Sauce. The sauce has a delicious tangy bite to it, with just the right amount of kick brought forth by the combination of jalapeño, serrano and Anaheim peppers. The effects can be felt within minutes –– a stark departure from your standard edible’s onset, which can sometimes take up to a full hour. The cap of the bottle holds a perfect tablespoon and 2.8mg THC, which makes proper dosing a breeze.
A combination bringing bubbly and buoyant effects.
caliFornialeaf.COM
THE PAIRING
faninos.com lagunitas.com
DEC. 2020
*California Leaf Warning* Anytime you combine two substances of any kind, you have to be extra vigilant of the effects. We strongly recommend conducting pairings in a safe and private space, in small quantities with friends. Always use a designated driver or have a plan to get home safely.
This sugar-free pairing is super versatile and could be enjoyed at any time of the day. We chose lunch to test it out and grabbed a couple pollo asado street tacos to try these two products with. Using the cap, it was easy to measure out the proper dose for my desired effects. The flavorful Smokin’ Green Pot Sauce added a delightful zing to the tacos, while the Hoppy Refresher provided crisp, caloriefree refreshment and made for a quaffable complementary beverage. The combination brought forth buoyant, bubbly effects that lifted spirits, eased stress and provided a perfect midday pick-me-up that satisfied both my stomach and endocannabinoid system. Within minutes, the tacos and tasty brew were gone and we were left with a mostly full bottle of sauce, wondering what other delightful combinations could be dreamt up.
REVIEW & PHOTO by NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415/CALIFORNIA LEAF
KIVA CONFECTIONS
In the interest of full disclosure, I must admit in advance that I’ve been a big fan of Kiva Confections’ products for some years now.
100MG THC PER BAR / 20 SERVINGS
KIVACONFECTIONS.COM | @MADEBYKIVA
Wo u l d I e a t t h i s e d i b l e a g a i n if given the chance? Hell yes. REVIEW by BOBBY BLACK @BOBBYBLACK420 for CALIFORNIA LEAF | PHOTO by NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415
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Their Blackberry Dark Chocolate bar and Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans are among my all-time favorite edibles in terms of both flavor and effect. So when the editors here at Leaf said they needed someone to review Kiva’s newest offering – the Milk Chocolate Churro bar – I eagerly volunteered to take one for the team. First off, I’d like to point out that the childproofing on Kiva’s packaging isn’t nearly as frustrating to open as a lot of other edibles tend to be, which is a big plus. The chocolate is made from sustainably sourced premium cacao, cane sugar, milk, vanilla, ice waterextracted Cannabis, and real Saigon (Vietnamese) cinnamon – a premium variety of the spice that’s believed to possess a number of health benefits, including powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. \]\ The bar is divided into 20 small, 5mg sections for easy dosing, and each piece contains only one gram of fat and sugar, and 15 total calories (so not the worst on your waist). For the purposes of this review, I sampled two pieces (10mg) to start. In a nod to the Spanish dessert pastry from which it’s inspired, the back of the bar is sprinkled with a generous coating of sugar crystals, giving it a glittery sparkle. And as someone who’s fortunate enough to have enjoyed fresh-baked churros dipped in thick, rich hot chocolate while visiting Barcelona on several occasions, I can tell you there’s nothing quite like that sweet, hot, crunchy, creamy combo masticating in your mouth. The chocolate had a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth consistency and a sweet, mild flavor – a bit too mild though, in my humble opinion. To be honest, I found myself wishing that the cinnamon flavor was more pronounced, rather than just a subtle aftertaste. As for the effect, I’d say my slow slide into inebriation was almost imperceptible; I didn’t really realize I was feeling high until almost two hours after ingestion. Once I did feel it, though, it was thoroughly enjoyable. While many edibles I’ve tried tend to make my mind and heart rate race, Kiva’s products have always affected me in a very smooth and stable manner. That’s one of the main reasons why their products are among my favorites, and the Churro bar is no exception – allowing me to remain mellow, mindful and fully functional from the onset to the off-ramp. I mean … I wrote this article while I was under the candy’s influence, and it came out alright, didn’t it? Overall, I give the Kiva Churro Chocolate bar the two proverbial thumbs up. Would I have liked it more if it was dark chocolate rather than milk? Definitely. Would I have preferred that the cinnamon flavor be more pronounced? Sure. But more importantly: Would I eat this edible again if given the chance? Hell yes. In fact, I just ate two more pieces! If you dig milk chocolate and cinnamon, and are in the mood for a mild, manageable buzz – you’re sure to love this tasty treat.
edible OF THE MONTH
MILK CHOCOLATE CHURRO BAR
concentratE OF THE MONTH
HIGHER VIBRATIONS
ICE CREAM CAKE
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What do we talk about when we discuss vaporizing Cannabis? For the most part, it’s taste. As the industry continues to refine and expand its methodology for extracting cannabinoids and terpenes from flower, consumers are continually tasked with weighing all of the elements in favor of concentrates (like value and potency) against the all-important metric of flavor. Case in point: Getting high is great, but no one wants it to come at the cost of ingesting some sickly-sweet, artificial tasting concoction, right? Fortunately, California cultivators and manufacturers Higher Vibrations have taken this message to heart, utilizing Powerhouse Distribution’s Cold Crop Technology certification in a new line of vaporizer cartridges. What the heck is Cold Crop Technology? Essentially, by freezing fresh Cannabis flower within 30 minutes of harvesting it, more of the plant’s terpene profile is preserved in the resulting oil. And this end result brings incredibly ripe, flavorful hits. For my sample, I took a few deep inhales of a cartridge derived from Ice Cream Cake. An indica-dominant cross combining Wedding Cake and Gelato #33, Ice Cream Cake is renowned for its notes of creamy sweetness and the occasional hint of pepper and citrus. The full profile of the strain was beautifully expressed with each hit, confirming the power of live resin to capture the essence of Cannabis flower. The fact that these Higher Vibrations cartridges are strain-specific is another mark in their favor. While generic oils may appeal for some as a more cost-effective option, strain-specific vape cartridges are, by contrast, able to retain the specific cannabinoid profiles and true genetics of their origin flower. Made with no distillate or other additives, the end result is a natural palette of flavors packed into each puff. When one compares Higher Vibrations’ Ice Cream Cake oil against the market’s standard offerings, it’s hard not to envision a near future in which live resin has fully usurped the competition. The difference is just that remarkable. 74.6% THC / 6.6% TERPENES
HIGHERVIBRATIONS.CO | @HIGHERVIBRATIONS.CO DEC. 2020
The full profile of the strain was beautifully expressed with each hit, confirming the power of live resin to capture the essence of C a n n a b i s f l o w e r.
REVIEW by ZACK RUSKIN @ZACKRUSKIN | PHOTO by NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415/CALIFORNIA LEAF
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topical OF THE MONTH
INFUSED EPSOM SALT
BATH SOAKS
Let’s face it – this has been one stressful year. Regardless of whether you’re an essential worker out there on the front lines (thank you!), a physical laborer or a desk jockey who spends eight-plus hours a day sitting at a computer (like me), we all experience our own unique aches, pains and anxieties.
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OM WELLNESS And we all have our own ways of dealing with those mental and physical stresses: yoga, meditation, hiking … and of course, smoking copious amounts of weed! Well, allow me to suggest one more easy self-care therapy that’s sure to help soothe your mind and body after a hard day: a Cannabis-infused bath soak from Om Wellness. Based in the Bay Area, Om is a female-run business founded in 2008 by Maya Elisabeth – the woman behind Whoopi Goldberg’s acclaimed medical Cannabis brand Whoopi and Maya. Over the past decade, Om’s products have won over 20 awards (including 10 Cannabis Cup awards and a dozen Emerald Cup awards), and specifically, their epsom soaks have won four – including first place for Best Topical at the 2018 Emerald Cup. Om Epsom Salts come in seven varieties: Fragrance-Free, Athletic, Rose Geranium, Lemon Ginger Eucalyptus, Lavender, Himalayan Kush and their newest varietal, Arnica Pain Relief (there are also five varieties of CBD-only available). All varieties are made according to the strictest safety and quality standards in the country, from all-natural ingredients including pharmacological-grade epsom salt, apricot kernel oil, jojoba oil, avocado seed oil, argan oil, magnesium, lavender and various therapeutic-grade essential oils, as well as sustainably sungrown, full-spectrum Cannabis flowers sourced from organic Cannabis farms in Humboldt County. Each packet contains a 1:1 ratio of 25mg each of THC and CBD, and comes ready to use. Simply run a bath, pour in a package, give it a quick swish to spread it through the water and hop on in. Be extra careful when stepping into and out of the bath, as the oils in the soak will make the tub and your skin super slippery! As someone who suffers from chronic lower back pain and itchy skin, I must say I found this soak to be immensely therapeutic. After spending 20 minutes in this soothing bath, my back and neck pain had totally dissipated and all of my muscles were completely relaxed. My skin was soft, smooth and saturated with aromatic oils. And though my mind was still alert and sober, I could feel a deep, penetrating body high that lasted for a couple of hours – after which I quickly slipped into a long, deep sleep. So if you’re dealing with stiffness, sleeplessness, inflammation, stress or body aches, you may want to seriously consider one of these soothing salt soaks.
OM-WELLNESS.COM | @OMCBD 25MG CBD, 25MG THC PER PACKAGE
Immensely therapeutic … my back and neck pain totally dissipated and all of my muscles were completely relaxed.
DEC. 2020
OM Cannabis Infused Epsom Salt Soaks retail for $16 each ($12 for CDB-only) and are available at over 100 dispensaries and retailers across California — map on OM’s website.
REVIEW & PHOTO by BOBBY BLACK @BOBBYBLACK420 for CALIFORNIA LEAF
cannthropology
WORLD OF CANNABIS PRESENTS
Throughout modern history, countless artists and musicians have used marijuana to help enhance their creativity … but far fewer have actually featured it as their subject matter. Many of those who did helped forge new genres of “degenerate” art—like jazz, comic books and concert posters—that
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would eventually establish them as counterculture icons. One such artist is Pat Ryan.
CANNABIS AMERICANA
Celebrating the weed-infused work of underground art icon Pat Ryan
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EARLY LIFE
Raised in suburban Long Island, Paul Ryan heard his artistic calling early— beginning to paint and draw cartoons by the age of eight. A born rebel, Ryan became enamored with Mad magazine, whose irreverent satire was “exposing the shortcomings of the Leave it to Beaver generation of Americans becoming homogenized.” He spent his teenage years in the jazz clubs and coffeehouses of Greenwich Village—getting into Dylan, Kerouac and Ginsberg. Then in 1962, Ryan moved out to Hermosa Beach, where he discovered the SoCal surfer scene, weed and psychedelics. After working as an art director for an ad agency across the street from the Whiskey a Go-Go and taking lots of acid, he soon grew disillusioned by the phony LA scene and wanted out.
BEST BUDS
In 1971, Ryan moved up to Marin County, where he opened a tiny studio and jumped headfirst into the area’s art scene. Within months he met a kindred soul who would become his best friend and partner for the next decade—comic artist Dave Sheridan. Ryan moved into Sheridan’s studio, and the two formed a company called C.O.D. (Consistently Over Drawn!) Grafix and began cranking out content. Sheridan created the comic character Dealer McDope and collaborated with Gilbert Shelton and Paul Mavrides on the cult classic The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers; Ryan produced a series of Native American-themed paintings and a comic about hitchhiking called Hit the Road (1972), which Sheridan helped him get published. In 1974, the doobious duo relocated into a large building in San Rafael that served as a collective studio space for local artists, including rock poster
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greats Alton Kelley, Stanley ‘Mouse’ Miller and Victor Moscoso. Officially named the Concrete Foundation of Fine Arts, the collective was better known by its nutty nickname: the Peanut Gallery. To raise money for rent each month, the Peanut Gallery threw huge parties dubbed the “Black Death Parties”—named after the Black Death beer Sheridan brewed.
THE CANNABIS HOMEGROWERS ASSOCIATION
During these salad days at the Gallery, the two partners came up with the idea for a series of marijuana brand label parodies they called the California Homegrowers Association. “We’d sit around smoking joints and coming up with fictitious brand names,” Ryan recalls. “We made a whole list of them … that’s what became the California Homegrowers Association.” Some of the iconic phony brands they created included Harvest Moon, Sticky Fingers, High Society and Space City—each of which was President Reagan illustrated with a humorous charm launched his notorious inspired by the well-known Califor“Just Say No” anti-drug nia agricultural labels of the day. They planned to use the images campaign, leading to to market a line of merchandise to the closing of stoners all over America via head head shops across shops and ads they placed in High the country and Times magazine. Unfortunately, kneecapping their however, the products hit the market dream before it had a in 1982 just as President Reagan chance to take off. launched his notorious “Just Say No”
anti-drug campaign, leading to the closing of head shops across the country and kneecapping their dream before it had a chance to take off.
ARTISTA GANG
In 1979, the Peanut Gallery was evicted and reconstituted under a new name: the Artista Gang. Throughout the 1980s, “Gang” members designed album covers and concert posters for several classic rock performers, including Journey, Santana and the Grateful Dead, as well as Steve Miller’s Greatest Hits, for which Ryan did the lettering. It was also during this time that Ryan created his famous “Indoor Bud” painting, which now resides in our World of Cannabis collection; prominently featured against a red background, it’s a dense, dark nug that sparkles with crystals—an effect he achieved by coating it with clear acrylic paint and then sprinkling glitter on it. That nug image ended up gracing the cover of the Fall/ Winter 1985 issue of Sinsemilla Tips magazine. But that wasn’t the only reefer rag Ryan was featured in during this period: In 1983, High Times ran an article on the Homegrowers Association in their March issue and featured the t-shirts in their December gift guide, and the following year ran a few of Dr. McDope comics drawn by Ryan. Like the Peanut Gallery, Artista Gang were notorious for their wild parties. One particular rager in 1983—held at a clubhouse in an upscale San Anselmo neighborhood called Sleepy Hollow— featured the group’s first-ever cannabis judging contest. Strain samples were brought from all over California, and according to Ryan, the winner was a clear standout. “The winner was a guy from Santa Cruz named Dave Watson, a.k.a. Sam the Skunkman,” Ryan recalls. “He had something so sticky and outrageous, nobody had seen anything like it before. He won hands-down.” The Artista’s parties and cannabis contests continued to grow, as did their roster—eventually numbering over 700 members. Sadly though, Dave Sheridan would never get to see what Artista would evolve into; diagnosed with lymphatic cancer on March 3, 1982, he died suddenly of a brain hemorrhage less than a month later—just a week shy of his daughter’s birth. He was only 38-years-old.
HIGH IN HUMBOLDT
In 1992, Ryan moved from Marin County up to a log cabin in the Emerald Triangle, where he spent several years living pioneer-style and cranking out over 50 event posters, as well as a series of t-shirts featuring new characters and brands he created, such as Seaweed, Redeye and Hightops. Then in 1999, he moved back down to Sonoma County, where— with some assistance from his pals in Humboldt—he started growing his own “really wicked bud” for the first time in his garage. An avowed sativa man, Ryan grew mostly Orange Crush, but admits his current favorite strain is Blue Dream.
RECENT RESURGENCE
This past decade has been one of Ryan’s most prolific yet. In 2011, Last Gasp Publishing released a 40-year anthology of his work entitled Sinsemilla Sinsations, as well as a set of greeting cards called “High Again” based on his Humboldt designs. In the past few years, Ryan has returned to his roots with a series of weed-themed comic books called Tales of the
In 1974, the doobious duo relocated to a large building in San Rafael that served as a collective studio space for local artists, including rock poster greats Alton Kelley, Stanley ‘Mouse’ Miller and Victor Moscoso.
World Famous Drive Thru Bud (Golden Frog Press), based on the various characters he’s created over the years (including Humboldt Honey, Super Skunk and Budzilla), accompanied by a line of branded stoner swag which they sell online and at cannabis and comic events up and down the West Coast—bringing the merchandising dream he once shared with Sheridan full circle. Most recently, he’s created a series of paintings based on popular strain names similar to the “Purple Haze” painting we have in our collection, including “Ice Cream Cake,” “Blueberry Kush,” and “White Widow.” Sadly, in recent months, Ryan’s health has been in steep decline due to stage four liver cancer. His family has started a gofundme and is planning an art auction to help raise money for his medical costs. If you’d like to help please visit worldofcannabis.museum/ post/pat-ryan-fundraiser.
For more on Pat Ryan, listen to Episode #4 of our podcast at worldofcannabis.museum/ podcast
-Bobby Black, Pat Ryan, Vince Dugar of Golden Frog Press. -Blueberry Kush and SuperSkunk art by Pat Ryan.
Published originally on worldofcannabis.museum and reprinted with permission.
STORY by BOBBY BLACK @CANNTHROPOLOGY for LEAF NATION | ART COURTESY WORLD OF CANNABIS MUSEUM @WORLDOFCANNABIS.MUSEUM
CAN WE PLEASE END CHRISTMAS? isten, I’m not trying to be a jerk here. I used to love Xmas just as much as any kid. Catching a glimpse of Santa nibbling on a cookie or hearing the patter of hooves on top of the apartment complex made sleeping unbearable. It’s just that I’m not sure I can bear grandma getting run over by a reindeer for the umpteenth time before even having a chance to banish my yard witch back to the shed and evaluate the leftover bowl of miniature Snickers and candy corn. Out with the devil and in with the lord. Because the problem with Christmas isn’t Christmas day — it’s the fact that we’re hyped for two months on the front end and then stuck with a stiff tab on the back end. Which equates to one sixth of your life forced into a whimsical play where everyone dresses like they’re from Norway in the 1600s. And I know what you enthusiasts are thinking: I can simply choose to not take part. Which is about as easy as choosing to not take part in death and taxes. “But it’s for the kids,” you say. Fair enough, but do you really want them learning that the plastic packaged gifts — which magically appear under the tree that was cut down to end up in the dumpster — came from a stranger with an addiction to spiked eggnog? Why not teach them real values, like patience leads to prosperity? And that violence in Walmart on black Friday is not how adults should behave. I get it, there’s nothing wrong with spreading good cheer, but can we at least ease up on the carpet bombing of commercials for stuff we don’t need? Like shiny new cars with ridiculously large bows and another collared shirt with a snowman tie? And can we do it every leap year just to freshen things up? It’s becoming Groundhog Year. By the way, you do realize that mom infuses Santa’s Christmas cookies, right? That’s because she secretly feels his pain.
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by Mike Ricker
DEC. 2020
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