June 2020 - California Leaf The Leisure Issue

THE ENLIGHTENED VOICE

#2 | JUNE 2020

CAL I F O R N I A

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INDEPENDENT CANNABIS JOURNALISM SINCE 2010

All Things Cannabis For All People

Vrickerdj

AVAILABLE NOW:

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#65 The Timeline For Legalization #66 Pre-Election Tension Part 1: Where’s Cannabis?

Leaf Life is recorded at Mob Studios in Seattle

#67 Weed and Dieting

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Marijuana products may be purchased or possessed only by persons 21 or older. This product has intoxicating eects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgement.

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

JUNE 2020

26 The world is stressful, and CALIFORNIA leaf has you covered with our guide to staying stoned at home and in style.

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FEATURES 7 EDITOR NOTE 8 NATIONAL NEWS 9 LOCAL NEWS 10 HEMP INDUSTRY 11 HIGHLY LIKELY 12 GLASS ART 14 SOVEREIGN FIELDS 18 SOLFUL REVIEW 20 BUDTENDER Q&A 22 WOMEN IN WEED

24 STRAIN OF THE MONTH 26 MINDFUL CANNABIS USE 28 ACTIVITIES & HIGHJINX 29 MUST-HAVE MUNCHIES 30 FAVORITE STONER MOVIES 32 GAMES…GAMES…GAMES 33 AUDITORY ENTERTAINMENT 34 CANNABIS & COVID 36 CLEANING 101 37 FINDING MOUTHPEACE

THE LEISURE ISSUE

38 COOKING WITH CANNABIS 39 EDIBLE OF THE MONTH 40 CONCENTRATE OF THE MONTH 41 TOPICAL OF THE MONTH 42 TANNINS & TERPENES 44 ON THE ROAD 46 STONEY BALONEY ISSUU.COM/NWLEAF

ILLUSTRATIONS by JOSHUA BOULET @JOSHUABOULET

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MEDIA

California Leaf is dedicated to providing accessible, authentic, plant and people focused media to the world each and every month - with over 350 dropoff locations and more added daily, California Leaf is your one-stop shop for Cannabis brand exposure!

Contact nate@californialeaf.com for more information today!

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the leisure issue

SHOP REVIEW

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California Leaf TAKES A TRIP TO solful solful, a friendly & beautiful CANNABIS shop in Sebastopol.

June 2020

STORY by NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415 | PHOTO by DANIELLE HALLE

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

ABOUT THE COVER

Kick back and relax with our first-ever Leisure Issue, beginning with this beautiful cover art styled, meticulously by hand (no Photoshop in sight)!

Many thanks to House of Cultivar in Seattle for supplying their buds, joints and fan leaves to help in creating this one-of-a-kind piece of art for us.

PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN Instagram @bermanphotos STYLING by MALINA LOPEZ Instagram @malinalopez

PUBLISHER

CONTRIBUTORS Joshua Boulet Illustrations Tom Bowers Features Steve Elliott National News Danielle Halle Features Malina Lopez Styling Brandon Palma Illustration Mike Ricker Features Meghan Ridley Editing Pacer Stacktrain Features Jonah Tacoma Features Jerry Whiting Hemp Bruce Wolf Photography Laurie Wolf Recipes

WES ABNEY | founder & editor-in-chief wes@nwleaf.com 206-235-6721

STATE DIRECTOR NATE WILLIAMS | ADVERTISING SALES nate@californialeaf.com 415-717-6985

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Daniel bermaN | photography & design daniel@bermanphotos.com

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

CONNECT WITH THE LEAF @NWLEAF

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ABNEY

Editor’s Note Thanks for picking up the first Leisure Issue of the Leaf!

This issue marks the 10th anniversary of Northwest Leaf, which I began publishing in Washington state in 2010. Optimism was 7 a big part of my mindset then - knowing that Cannabis healed lives and that it would one day be legal to grow and share. I feel the same energy today as I did a decade ago. We have so much to look forward to, for the scars of the war on I BELIEVE drugs to be healed and our planet to breathe through THE MOST our sister plants - Cannabis and Hemp.

IMPORTANT I believe the most important trait we can embody at this time is optimism. It’s something you can’t buy or get from the news and it definitely comes from within. It’s a choice to view the cup as half full and live with a mindset that embraces the positive - allowing negativity to slip into the past.

TRAIT WE CAN EMBODY AT THIS TIME IS OPTIMISM.

It is with that intention that we decided to create a Cannabis Mandala for our covers.

Our hope is that Malina Lopez and Daniel Berman’s combined artistic efforts help to lift your spirits and radiate the happy energy of the plant. And once you’ve taken a deep breath of positive vibes and Cannabis, I invite you to explore our first annual Leisure Issue.

June is traditionally our Travel Issue, but with the changing reality of Covid-19, we decided to focus on ways to enjoy life from the safety of home. Dive into our guide on all things entertainment and learn some new tips for mindful Cannabis use and keeping your bong or rig extra clean. So embrace the leisure, smoke a new strain and give some of our laid-back recommendations a try!

In closing, I would like to thank you for reading. And to all our supporters, advertisers and team members who have contributed to this decade long journey - I can’t wait to see where the next 10 years takes us and the Leaf!

-Wes Abney june 2020

californialeaf.com

We do not sell stories or coverage. We are happy to offer design services and guidance on promoting your company’s recreational, commercial or industrial Cannabis product or upcoming event. We are targeted and independent Cannabis journalism. Email or call to discuss advertising.

WES

midwest

NATIONAL NEWS

quoted

“Let’s legalize adult use of marijuana.”

- New York Governor Andrew Cuomo “The federal government failed Americans with opioids, And we cannot allow that to happen with cannabinoids,” gov. cuomo said in a may 20, 2020 announcement of a legalized marijuana program that could raise $300 million in tax revenue and billions more in economic activity, the new york times reported last month.

TRUMP ADMIN. CUTS OFF FEDERAL FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH OVER MAINE’S MMJ ACCESS

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he federal government will not provide $3.3 million in approved funding for Maine’s mental health programs for kids, because the state allows students to use medicinal Cannabis when authorized.

The state got the money as scheduled for the first two years, but recently learned it has been cut off due to a Trump Administration policy change, cutting off states that allow students access to medical Cannabis.

Lender Makin, Maine’s Commissioner of Education, said the state has a statutory obligation to permit students to use medical Cannabis if they possess the necessary authorization to do so.

Maine won a five year grant in 2018, providing $1.1 million annually for a program called Maine-AWARE, assisting in bolstering mental health support for students.

State officials still don’t know if other federal grants will be impacted “by this new and arbitrary requirement,” said Kelli Deveaux, Director of Communications for the state Department of Education.

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Los Angeles County firefighters were injured while working to put out a warehouse explosion last month linked to an illegal butane hash extraction operation, The blast even soared across the street and damaged firetrucks.

June 2020

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23-year-old Portage, Ind. woman is facing charges for driving while under the influence, resisting arrest and possessing drugs, after allegedly throwing a joint out the window of her car at the feet of a police officer, reports the NWI Times.

Police claimed they stopped Evelyn Vann’s vehicle THE OFFICER shortly before 1 a.m. on May 16 after watching it swerve - nearly SAID HE SMELLED striking another vehicle and a concrete pillar.

WEED AS HE The officer said he smelled weed as he approached her vehicle and APPROACHED saw a marijuana cigarette near the vehicle’s gear shift, according to HER VEHICLE. police. Vann reportedly denied having any Cannabis in the car, and when questioned about the joint, admitted it was marijuana and threw it out the passenger window where the officer was standing.

“I advised Miss Vann she should not be littering,” the officer said.

Vann reportedly told police she had drank “a fifth” of liquor that night. She is accused of being verbally abusive with officers, challenging them “to take off her handcuffs and they would see,” according to the police report. the south

LOUISIANA HOUSE APPROVES MMJ FOR ANY DEBILITATING CONDITION

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policy & law

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LITTERING LEADS TO ARREST AND CHARGES FOR JOINT TOSSER

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percent of Washington state residents believe that Cannabis legalization was a success, according to YouGov, an international research data and analytics group based in London.

ouisiana’s House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved bills to expand the state’s medical Cannabis program by including patients with more conditions, and allowing medical dispensaries to deliver Cannabis products directly to patients’ homes, reports Marijuana Moment.

The legislation, passed in May 2020, lets doctors issue medical mar“IT’S SOMETHING THAT DESERVES ijuana recommendations for all debilitating conditions, rather than the TO BE DONE,” short list of specific maladies under the previous law.

REP. BAGLEY SAID. Both bills were sponsored by Rep. Larry Bagley, a Republican. Bagley’s medical expansion bill was approved 76-15, and the delivery legislation passed 80-15.

“It’s something that deserves to be done,” Rep. Bagley said. “I knew that it was bipartisan.

I never thought it had a chance to fail unless I messed up somewhere in the presentation.”

east coast

MASS. POT SHOPS WILL OPEN BACK UP

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ecreational Cannabis shops in Massachusetts will be allowed to reopen on May 25 after a two month mandated closure due to the coronavirus pandemic, state officials announced on May 18.

The shops had been deemed ‘nonessential’ in March, when Gov. Charlie Baker listed them GOV. BAKER SAID as such in his initial business closure AT THE TIME order. Medical dispensaries, however, THAT REOPENING RECREATIONAL were allowed to remain open and were encouraged to use curbside pickup POT SHOPS WAS to limit contact between patients and employees.

A “NONSTARTER.” Gov. Baker said at the time that reopening recreational pot shops was a “nonstarter” - fearing the dispensaries would lure visitors from surrounding states at a time when people were being encouraged to remain home to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

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Cannabis plants and 300 pounds of weed were seized on May 19 by Lake County, FL deputies in what they hailed “the largest marijuana bust in Lake County history.”

$250k $31m is the fee for a marijuana dispensary permit in Rhode Island under new legislation released by the Rhode Island General Assembly. Until 2018, the fee was only $5,000.

There are currently just three dispensaries open for the whole state.

was the value of a scuttled deal for Colorado-based pot retail chain Strawberry Fields to be acquired by vertically integrated chain Schwazze, before talks fell through in May 2020.

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

local NEWS

CALIFORNIA

Looters Target Cannabis Shops

Harborside Files 280E Appeal The team at Harborside, alongside their legal team at

Greenspoon Marder, has filed an appeal in federal courts hoping to reverse the ruling that the dispensary made tax deductions illegally. Harborside argues that Section 280E violates the 16th Amendment and that they’ve properly calculated its COGS, or cost of goods sold.

While federal tax court has already ruled on the matter, the appeal could have monumental effects on the industry if Harborside wins the appeal.

Section 280E stipulates that no deduction or credit shall be allowed for any business engaged in the activity EFFECTIVELY, of trafficking a controlled substance.

THIS DISALLOWS Effectively, this disallows Cannabis businesses CANNABIS BUSINESSES from making standard business deductions on FROM MAKING STANDARD BUSINESS their federal taxes.

If Harborside and Greenspoon Marder win DEDUCTIONS ON THEIR FEDERAL this case (though in nearly 40 years the IRS TAXES. has not lost a case regarding 280E) it will be a huge unburdening for the fledgling Cannabis industry nationwide.

This case will certainly be one worth keeping an eye on.

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adly, dozens of Cannabis retailers across California have been the target of thieves looking to use the chaos of widespread protesting as a distraction. In many cases, the looters are not part of protest groups, but are carrying out premeditated theft and intentionally targeting dispensaries.

This list was accrued by Cannabis Now Magazine, LA Weekly, Filigreen Distribution Company and the Cannabis Buyers Club of Berkeley in early June. Due to current legislation, many Cannabis businesses aren’t eligible for insurance and will have to come out of pocket to get their stores up and running again.

Please consider supporting the following retailers as they look to rebuild

San Francisco |

SPARC, B.A.S.A., Dutchman’s Flat, Moe Green’s, Apothecarium Castro, Connected, Mission Cannabis Club, Grass Roots, Medithrive, Green Cross, Dr. Greenthumb California Street Cannabis, Urbana, Bryant Street Club (Project Cannabis SOMA),

Oakland |

Cookies, Magnolia, ECO Cannabis, Harborside, Blüm, Osanyin, Blunts and Moore

Berkeley |

Farmacy

Los Angeles |

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Sweet Flower, MedMen West Hollywood, MedMen DTLA, LA Kush, Cookies

Sacramento |

NUG, 515 Broadway

State receives $135 million in Q1 Cannabis Tax Revenue

The result was $134.9 million in tax dollars for the state of California, which is $42.4 million less than Q1 2019. However, these numbers are expected to change in the coming months as more businesses file their quarterly return. About half of what was anticipated was filed, due to the CANNABIS SALES pandemic and the extended time frame Cannabis businesses were given SPIKED BUT THEN DROPPED AS MOST to get their first quarter returns submitted.

HAD OVERSTOCKED These tax revenues are creating real change within the Cannabis ON THEIR SUPPLY community, with a $30 million disbursement being made by the Office of Business and Economic Development through the Cannabis Equity Grants Program.

This money is being made available to social equity applicants and licensees in the form of low or no interest loans.

In the span of less than a month, from April 27 to

May 20, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Enforcement Team eradicated over 60,000 Cannabis plants, seized more than 3,000 pounds of finished product and over $12,000 in cash.

The actual figure of cash seized is 10x or more than the amount reported, in all likelihood.

In addition to enhanced enforcement efforts in Humboldt County, other areas in California are seeing heightened pursuance of illicit Cannabis activity.

During that same time span, dozens of raids have been executed in Mendocino County, Shasta County, Siskiyou County and in the Southern California cities of Los Angeles, Lucerne Valley, Lake Elsinore, Menifee, Homeland, Wildomar, Anza and Aguanga.

These raids yielded nearly two dozen arrests, tens of thousands of plants eradicated, about a thousand pounds of finished product seized and over $300,000 in cash.

STORIES by NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415/CALIFORNIA LEAF

caliFornialeaf.COM

While many businesses were closed and most folks were sheltering in place at home, Cannabis was deemed essential

by California Governor Gavin Newsom during the outbreak and subsequent aftermath of Covid-19. Initially, Cannabis sales spiked but then dropped as most had overstocked on their supply - much like food and toilet paper.

Illegal Cannabis Enforcement Efforts Ramp Up

EXPERT OPINION

THE HEMP INDUSTRY JERRY WHITING for LEAF NATION L e B l a n c C N E . co m / N WL e a f

Where’s all the hemp plastic?

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Think of it as a contribution to the cause, putting your money where your mouth is.

I’m sure you’ve seen the meme or heard someone say, “If it can be made from plastic it can be made from hemp.” Given that plastic seems to be everywhere these days, why is none of it made from our favorite plant?

We want it, where is it? Everyone wants to see petroleum-based plastics replaced with plant-based alternatives, but historically biobased polymers (aka bioplastics) make up a mere 0.2% of all plastic in use. The market is growing, with some predicting biobased plastics to make up 5% of all manufactured plastics in 2020 - though current economic conditions mean that all bets are off for the time being.

June 2020

There seems to be little room in today’s market for non-petroleum based plastics because the plantbased plastics cost more and often don’t have the same performance.

Because the economies of scale will only work if and when a significant portion of the industry uses biobased polymers, there’s little motivation for the industry to shift if it isn’t as profitable.

One would think that bioplastic made from hemp would be non-toxic, biodegradable and compostable. Many of the arguments against bioplastics are really about the environmental impact of conventional farming, including fertilizer, pesticide and herbicide runoff. Farm organically and sidestep these issues. On the upside, bioplastics compost better than petroleum plastics.

This alone will have a big impact on municipal dumps and waste sites.

Sixty percent of the bioplastic market is packaging and accounts for the largest share of the growth in the industry. The consumer demand is there, so where’s hemp bioplastic in all this?

This is the second catch-22: until industrial hemp production shifts from CBD extraction to biomass and fiber, there’s no guaranteed source of bulk hemp suitable for bioplastic production.

Compounding matters is the need for factories to be close to farms, otherwise transportation costs add to the manufacturing costs eating away at profits.

Hemp contains 60-70% cellulose, and cellulose is used to make cellophane and rayon.

Hemp fibers can be used to reinforce composite materials, providing increased tensile strength. I think a hemp-based PLA that can be run through 3D printers is the way to go. The market wouldn’t be large at first, but DIY enthusiasts will come up with prototypes and projects faster than waiting for large companies to lead the way.

For a number of reasons, hemp plastics will take awhile to take hold. There’s incredible momentum behind the current plastic industry and change won’t come quickly.

Hemp cultivation needs to ramp up to meet future demand for bioplastics. Increased R&D efforts will shorten the learning curve and propel the market forward.

Meanwhile, we as businesses and consumers need to choose hemp plastics whenever possible.

It costs more? Think of it as a contribution to the cause, putting your money where your mouth is.

While 100% hemp plastics may be a lofty ideal, it isn’t necessarily an achievable goal - at least in the short term. Let’s not let that stop us from embracing it sooner rather than later.

PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

EDROSENTHAL “I’M JUST A WRITER WHO LIKES TO GIVE ADVICE TO GARDENERS. I REALLY WISH THIS DIDN’T HAVE TO BE A LEGAL CRUSADE.” - ED ROSENTHAL

In tandem with last month’s column on Cannabis journalist Mel Frank, we’re featuring his longtime collaborator and colleague Ed Rosenthal.

By PACER STACKTRAIN for LEAF NATION | PHOTO by DABSEL ADAMS/CC

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URU OF GANJA ED ROSENTHAL has been making Cannabis cultivation secrets known to the general public for over 40 years.

He has also been a staunch supporter of legalization throughout his career and saw the fruits of his labor realized in the middle of the last decade. Rosenthal was born and raised in the Bronx, developing his lifelong interest in plants throughout childhood.

A smart and crafty individual, he worked as a Wall Street stock broker in the ‘60s after college, but soon grew dissatisfied with that work. An interest in marijuana beckoned - and as Rosenthal told the SF Gate in 2007, “If you were interested in plants and you grew up during hippie times, you sort of just gravitated to learning more about marijuana.”

It was around this time that Rosenthal helped to found NORML (the National Organization for Reformation of Marijuana Laws). In 1972 he moved to California, eventually landing in Oakland. In the mid70s Rosenthal worked with his partner/ collaborator Mel Frank (last month’s Highly Likely subject) on what would have been considered a large-scale grow by the standards of our time.

Along with Frank, Rosenthal was one of the founders of High Times - where he wrote many columns, including the famous “Ask Ed” column which helped to answer questions from readers around the world about Cannabis.

While all of this was happening, Rosenthal also found the time to author many books that have become staples of Cannabis growing culture.

His “Marijuna Grower’s Handbook” is a tried-and-true staple of home growers around the world.

But he hasn’t only written about growing - you can find books he has authored about Cannabis culture, Cannabis as medicine, and editorials like the famous “Why Marijuana Should Be Legal.”

Yes, Rosenthal’s love for the plant goes well beyond horticulture, as he’s been an outspoken activist for the legalization of the plant even before it was in vogue to do so. He has always had a sort of legal bend to his career, seeing the laws regulating Cannabis as important social issues.

And the law has affected him personally more than once, notably in 1999 when he was appointed ‘Officer of the City of Oakland,’ directed to cultivate Cannabis for patients. Some three years later, the federal government shut down his city-supported facility. Rosenthal was arrested and put on trial twice for marijuana cultivation in federal court.

These highly publicized trials shifted public opinion in favor of state medical marijuana laws - and eventually helped to pave the way for the state legalization we enjoy today.

For that and many other things, those of us who enjoy and rely upon Cannabis owe Ed Rosenthal a debt of gratitude.

HIGHLY LIKELY

H i g h l y L i ke l y h i g h l i g h t s Ca n n a b i s p i o n e e rs w h o p a ve d t h e wa y t o g re a t e r h e r b a l a c c e p ta n ce .

GLASS ART

CAMERON BURNS Hailing from Santa Cruz, California,

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Cameron Burns has made waves in the glass community by crafting distinctly striking, psychedelic and colorful pieces. Utilizing the classic wig-wag style, discs on discs on discs, and most often bright primary colors, Burns’ functional art is easily recognized by those familiar with his work. Paying homage to the original glassblowing techniques, Burns’ work is always hand-spun, making the cleanliness and immaculate shaping of his work that much more impressive. @CAMERONBURNSGLASS

June 2020

STORY & PHOTO by NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415/CALIFORNIA LEAF

ALL ORGANIC CANNABIS HAND WATERED, HAND TRIMMED. GROWER OWNED & OPERATED

SERVING LOCAL COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

TROPICANNA COOKIES F2 SITUATED IN THE MOUNTAINS ABOVE SONOMA VALLEY, WE DO INDOOR, LOW TILL, SOIL GROWN, THC-RICH CANNABIS. USING PURIFIED OAK WOODLAND AIR AND AQUIFER DRAWN WATER.

BUSINESS PROFILE

How hemp seed provider and breeding company Sovereign Fields is planning for the future of hemp, today.

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caliFornialeaf.COM

RYAN DAVIDSON, CO-FOUNDER, LEAD BREEDER AND CO-CEO

ERIC FOSTER, CO-FOUNDER AND CO-CEO

ALL ABOUT THE GENETICS

June 2020

Sovereig

ign Territory Cultivators know that one of, if not the, most important factor in growing is your genetics.

Hearty, resistant strains can stay healthy and yield heavy, regardless of cultivation style.

The under-appreciated heroes of the scene, breeders are the cornerstone of the Cannabis and hemp industries, constantly working to provide the best cultivars for farmers to grow worldwide.

CHANGING THE GAME

BEAUTIFUL BUDQUET

One such breeding company making serious waves in the hemp industry is Sovereign Fields, as they were one of the first to parlay a renowned Cannabis genetic into the hemp world by creating Kush Hemp E1 - a cross of the world famous Pre-98 Bubba Kush and an elite CBD hemp cultivar.

Their creation has sent ripples across the community, with farmers clamoring for their genetics. In 2019, all 10 million seeds they produced were snatched up by cultivators across the US, Canada and Europe.

One of the reasons for the great acclaim of this genetic is the ubiquitous familiarity of the word ‘kush’ with both consumers and non-consumers alike. Hemp is Cannabis and Cannabis is hemp, but these two varietals of the same plant are quite different. Hemp - whose primary active ingredient is CBD - is considered acceptable, healthy and medically viable around the globe.

By crossing a widely recognized Cannabis strain with hemp, they’ve single handedly created a hemp varietal that appeals to consumers of all kinds.

Cannabis connoisseurs who haven’t cared about what’s going on in the hemp industry are suddenly curious to try this new ‘Cannabis-hemp hybrid.’

Former Cannabis consumers who can no longer do so due to their job are hearing about and pursuing Kush Hemp.

Sovereign Fields has developed something big, and they know it. However, they haven’t stopped progressing the scene with their Kush Hemp E1 varietal.

Nay, their 2020 catalog includes Hemptonic, a hearty cultivar known for its aggressive growth, hefty yield and resiliency in a wide variety of climates; Kush Remedy, a Kush Hemp E1 crossed with Remedy CBD, known for its high testing CBD numbers (12-14%) and ability to sustain harsher environments; an autoflower varietal that goes by Lightning Autoflower; and a CBG dominant strain called Alpine CBG boasting 2-4% CBD and 16-18% CBG. Sovereign Fields expects to produce a staggering 45 million seeds in 2020, a huge step up from the 10 million produced in 2019. >>

STORY by NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415/CALIFORNIA LEAF | PHOTOS by SOVEREIGN FIELDS

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BUSINESS PROFILE

Despite this benefit, it still requires years of diligent effort to launch a new genetic into the market. “Autoflowers can take 4-5 generations to stabilize,” Co-founder and Co-CEO Eric Foster says. “We did our first few test acres for Kush Hemp in 2015 and we didn’t make seeds and bring her to market until 2018.”

Given their significant experience on the THC side of things, they’ve developed a keen understanding of growers and their needs.

“We want to sell people success, not seeds,” explains Foster. “I consistently talk people down on their orders, you don’t have to do hundreds of acres to be successful.”

With a strong focus on customer support, both Sovereign Fields and Humboldt Seed Organization work hard to offer the highest quality seeds available and to take care of each and every person they do business with.

The success has not come without working through and overcoming many obstacles over the years. Foster describes the largest hurdle to date having been bringing Sovereign Fields up to full federal compliance.

“It’s an ever changing market and there’s no real set goalposts or guidelines. It would be a lot easier if they just said, ‘Everything below 1% (THC) is hemp, everything above is Cannabis.’”

VISION FOR THE FUTURE

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CONTINUED FROM PG. 15

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SOVEREIGN FIELDS HUMBOLDT ROOTS

For over 20 years, the team at Sovereign Fields has also been deeply involved in Cannabis under their sister company that handles THC products - Humboldt Seed Organization. Acting in a similar role as their hemp counterpart, the goal from day one has been to develop, stabilize and make widely available the absolute best genetics money can buy.

Humboldt Seed Organization has been a staple in the community and has worked with hundreds of growers, cultivating in every imaginable style and level of professionalism, from hobbyists to large scale commercial operations and everything in between. These relationships and years of testing and studying the plant have given the team

June 2020

at Sovereign Fields a huge leg up on the competition, many of whom are just entering the scene hoping to cash in on the newly legal crop.

While they have worked with many cultivators, they have also made strides in development at their own farm. Here, the unique environment in Humboldt has played a significant role in helping further the team’s mission.

The area’s diverse climate has allowed for the testing of their genetics in a variety of settings, while minimizing the need to outsource production. With a large percentage of testing going on under one roof, the amount of control is heightened and the consistency and accuracy of their test results improved - shortening their timeline to bringing each quality, stabilized genetic they offer to market.

There’s lots to be excited about going on behind the scenes at Sovereign Fields.

Continually pushing the envelope, the company is now producing both CBG and autoflower hemp genetics for the masses. At just 45 cents a seed for their autoflower beans, they’ve got the highest producing, highest quality, lowest priced autos on the market.

Just this year, they began a partnership with the wildly popular brand Sherbinskis, a Cannabis company founded by Mario Guzman, the creator of some of the world’s most exclusive and sought after genetics including Pink Panties, Sunset Sherbert and Gelato.

Through this strategic union of powerhouse brands, the team at Sovereign Fields is developing a custom hemp cultivar for Sherbinskis that will be used to expand the brand’s availability outside of California to consumers worldwide.

This multifaceted organization also has an arm in the craft hemp distribution scene and regularly moves over 10,000 pounds a month of smokable hemp flower to consumers all over the world. All of these accomplishments are made possible by a diverse staff of nearly 200 employees.

The team at Humboldt Seed Organization plans to bring a branded product line to California’s adult-use market within the next 18 months.

With so much development going on behind the scenes of these businesses and in terms of legislation around hemp and Cannabis, we are excited to watch both Sovereign Fields and Humboldt Seed Organization continue to innovate and grow over the coming years.

SOVEREIGNFIELDS.COM FOLLOW @SOVEREIGNFIELDS

GETTING HIGH

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BY CROSSING A WIDELY RECOGNIZED CANNABIS STRAIN WITH HEMP, THEY’VE SINGLE HANDEDLY CREATED A HEMP VARIETAL THAT APPEALS TO CONSUMERS OF ALL KINDS.

PLANTING

HEMP FLOWER

STORY by NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415/CALIFORNIA LEAF | PHOTOS by SOVEREIGN FIELDS

SHOP review

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SOLFUL

caliFornialeaf.COM

ENVIRONMENT Found in the quaint town of Sebastopol is one of Northern California’s true gems in the world of Cannabis retail. A modestly sized, yet clean and inviting space, Solful has been built with both the customer and the farmer in mind. The sales floor is chock full of well thought out signage that does an outstanding job educating consumers about the products on the shelves. The staff on site often includes ownership, and during our visit everyone was genuinely excited to greet and assist each customer that entered the store.

The store has beautiful natural light - thanks to a custom built skylight giving the space an organic feel - enhanced by the pseudo living wall at the rear of the sales floor.

June 2020

HISTORY & VALUES Solful was opened in October of 2017 by founders Eli Melrod and business partner Peter Dickstein, following Eli’s father Jon’s battle with pancreatic cancer. After the diagnosis in 2005, Jon worked to find clean Cannabis to use during chemo and radiation treatments, unknowingly building the foundations for what would eventually become what Solful is today. The ownership truly cares about each and every product being placed on the shelf. They employ what they call ‘muddy shoe sourcing,’ meaning they visit each farm they intend to work with prior to putting them on the shelf. Solful also employs what they call ‘love-worthy quality,’ making sure each product is a ‘yes’ to the question: Would I give this product to someone I love? All products are tested beyond the California minimum standards and the shop goes extra lengths to ensure things like edibles are free from artificial colors, and vape pens are free from harmful chemicals.

SELECTION Solful has done a masterful job of curating an elite menu for their customers. With a flower menu loaded to the brim with amazing sungrown options from renowned regenerative cultivators like Alpenglow Farms, Briceland Forest Farm and Moongazer Farms, consumers can feel good knowing they’re purchasing naturally grown Cannabis from quality farms working to heal the earth.

Solful’s concentrate menu was equally impressive, with options ranging from the ultra-elusive Frenchy Cannoli hash, to a number of different ratio options of whole plant extract from Wonder, to Guild’s renowned THCA. Of course, they also stock plenty of vape and edible options from top tier producers.

BUDTENDERS Budtenders at Solful aren’t actually called budtenders at all. With the shop’s mantra being ‘Cultivating Health and Happiness in Our Community,’ the staffers here are referred to as Health and Happiness Consultants. All receive education on the endocannabinoid system and terpenes, as well as occasionally making field trips to partner facilities for a deeper understanding of the products they’re selling at the store.

Solful provides living wages for their staff and offers full health, dental and vision benefits, a quarterly bonus program and a strong team member discount.

QUICK HIT Solful is truly a gem in a sea of retail mediocrity. The work they go through to ensure only safe and high quality products are sold at their store is impressive, and sadly, quite rare. The storefront is intimately apportioned, brightly lit and easy to navigate. Staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and the product selection will satisfy everyone from brand new consumers to the most seasoned of connoisseurs.

With many new businesses entering the market whose sole intention is to capitalize off this newly legal industry, it’s safe to say few will hold themselves to as high of standards as Solful does.

785 GRAVENSTEIN AVE, SEBASTOPOL, CA 11A-7P DAILY (707) 596-9040 SOLFUL.COM @SOLFULCA

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“Solful has done a masterful job of curating an elite menu for their customers.”

STORY by NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415 | PHOTOS by DANIELLE HALLE @SWEET.DEEZY

interview

W H O ’ S Y O U R FAV O R I T E B U D T E N D E R ? T E L L U S W H Y ! E M A I L N O M I N A T I O N S T O N A T E @ C A L I F O R N I A L E A F . C O M

AngeloChavez “BEING ABLE TO MEET DIFFERENT PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE GLOBE IS REALLY SPECIAL.”

Budtender of the Month

WHEN WAS THE FIRST TIME YOU CAN REMEMBER BEING AROUND CANNABIS?

I was around Cannabis at a young age, as my older brothers used it but always kept it low key and away from me. But I knew.

HOW DID YOU WIND UP SLINGING BUDS AT ONE OF SAN FRANCISCO’S TOP DISPENSARIES? Before working

here at Urban Pharm, I enjoyed visiting San Francisco’s dispensaries because of all the different products and strains they carried. One day I noticed the buses, specifically the 14, had a purple wrap decal with a big weed nug on one side and a dab rig on the other side. That bus wrap easily caught my attention and I ended up visiting the shop.

I enjoyed the decoration and chill workers, and all the customers in the lounge were very friendly.

Later on as I was job searching, Urban Pharm had a posting about a position opening up for the Dab Bar, which at the time was the only shop that had one.

I applied and within a week I was working for Urban Pharm. 4/20 was the debut of the Dab Bar and it was unique serving dabs to people.

I then worked my way up to budtender and my knowledge of Cannabis grew. It is a blessing and a privilege to work in this new industry where people before me were incarcerated for doing the same thing I am doing.

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CALIFORNIA LEAF

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE ASPECT OF THE JOB?

Urban Pharm 122 10th St. San Francisco, CA | (415) 872-9488 | UP415.com

June 2020

My favorite aspect of the job is being able to speak about Cannabis to people! Urban Pharm gets the full spectrum of customers, from the young 21-year-olds, to the 9-5 workers, to the elderly. Being able to learn from the industry’s top brands about their product allows me to have knowledge and information to help me with my job duties as a budtender. In return, being honest and clear will keep people wanting to do business.

HOW HAS THIS PLANT INFLUENCED OR AFFECTED YOUR LIFE OUTSIDE OF WORK?

The Cannabis plant has done wonders for my life outside of work! Being able to meet different people from all over the globe is really special. Also, when my family found out about my job, it allowed me to share the products I enjoy with them. It made me closer to my family and friends as well.

IF YOU COULD PICK ONLY ONE FORM OF CONSUMPTION TO ENJOY FOR THE REST OF 2020, WHAT WOULD IT BE & WHY?

It would be to smoke a sweet aromatic Backwood rolled up with Triple Scoop Gelato from Triples SF. I choose to smoke instead of vaping or edibles because I feel the effects faster and can taste the strain. Also, smoking is the general standard of consumption for Cannabis.

For some reason, I like to keep the culture of passing joints/ blunts to homies.

WHAT MAKES A DISPENSARY STAND OUT TO YOU?

Their staff. Before working in the industry, I always went back to the shops with knowledgeable budtenders and nice security guards. All shops in San Francisco sell weed, but not all of them have welcoming staff.

FAVORITE PRODUCT ON THE MARKET RIGHT NOW?

VET CBD. I personally do not own a pet, but I have close friends and family that regularly buy it for their pets. It is a really amazing product created by a licensed veterinarian. Even though humans don’t take it, the fact pet owners come back, buy it again and swear up and down about the product just shows Cannabis can improve someone’s life one way or another.

STORY & PHOTO by NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415

profile

Women in Weed

Founder/CEO

Leisure Life Co-Founder/ Exec. Director

SuperNova Women AMBER SENTER is an unstoppable force in the Cannabis industry and beyond. Here we find this Coast Guard veteran turned marketing maven pushing pause on providing services to Fortune 500 companies to tackle a monumental challenge: Cannabis entrepreneurship.

It’s safe to say that Amber is handling the journey with exceptional grace. She has launched and worked on multiple successful projects since moving to Oakland in 2014, including Compassion Edibles, Breeze Distro, Leisure Life, California Rolls, The Congo Club and more.

More recently, Amber co-founded the nonprofit SuperNova Women, shortly before taking on the role of COO at Magnolia Wellness Center.

SuperNova Women is an organization that works to empower women of color in the Cannabis economy through education, training and networking opportunities.

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“It’s imperative for this industry to provide an opportunity for those folks who

Amber E. Senter June 2020

were profited off of and who went to jail for so long.”

“We need the community to show up and tell these legislators what they want.”

How did you get involved in the Cannabis industry? What was it about Cannabis that interested you? I’m an avid user of

Cannabis, so that definitely piqued my interest in wanting to explore more. I’m a medical patient and I suffer from Lupus. I’ve been using Cannabis since I was 18. I started growing when I was 27 because I needed higher quality Cannabis. So, I became really intrigued with the plant and I started to blog about it. I met a lot of folks as I was writing about Cannabis, and then when I was diagnosed with Lupus at the age of 33, I was offered a job in California working for a Cannabis company and took it. I was hired as the Sales and Marketing Director for Compassion Edibles and I moved to California in February 2014 - that’s pretty much how I got started here in California.

Can you explain how Cannabis helps to relieve your symptoms from Lupus? Lupus

is an autoimmune disease of inflammation, where essentially the body attacks itself and causes different organs to become inflamed. This attacks any organ - eyes, brain, skin, heart, lungs, kidneys - whatever. Cannabis has anti-inflammatory properties and it helps with pain as well.

What has been the most personally rewarding moment in your journey with launching SuperNova Women? Definitely

helping to establish the country’s first equity program. We worked very closely with the City of Oakland to not only create and build the equity program, but also to implement it. To give feedback and help the city perfect it and make it better. As well as recently getting the taxes lowered - that was something we were told was going to be able to get done. Oakland has the highest Cannabis taxes in the state, which makes it really hard for equity operators to survive.

It’s a priority for us, and we were able to get the taxes lowered just before the end of the year in 2019. We worked with Lanese Martin from The Hood Incubator, as well as Chaney Turner on that whole initiative. The tax rate is tiered, but in 2022 the tax rate will be as low as 5%. We’re currently at 10% for the Oakland City Tax.

Oakland leads the way for the equity movement and other cities are taking note.

What advice would you give to the cities that are struggling to get their equity programs up and running? What advice would you give to the applicants who are waiting for the pieces to start coming together? Keep it simple. Use the KISS method.

Remember that the communities were affected by the war on drugs. How are we going to use these social equity programs to benefit the communities as a whole that were affected?

The way Oakland’s social equity program is set up, it’ll only help a few. Not everybody who was disproportionately affected by the war on drugs wants to open a Cannabis business. I can’t say that I blame them, because it’s a very hard business. It’s not an easy business to get into. So what, that’s the only benefit that they get? ‘We’re sorry we destroyed your community, you don’t wanna take these Cannabis business license opportunities we have for you? Well, that’s all we’ve got.’ That’s BS. Cannabis equity and social equity needs to expand beyond licensing. It needs to create opportunities within the communities. I encourage cities to look outside of this Cannabis box. Maybe folks want to open a barber shop, restaurant, or some other small business. Folks’ homes were taken during this drug war. That was a tool the government used. They’d come in and seize everything - they took the house, they took the car.

How do we give peoples’ homes back? How can we issue low interest homes and affordable housing for people? I would ask the municipalities to look at how the war on drugs really affected those communities and how we could fix those things.

And then for the folks who are waiting for their municipalities to come up with some sort of social equity program, you’ve got to be an advocate these folks definitely are not going to do it willingly.

We need the community to show up and tell these legislators what they want.

You’re the chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee for the National Cannabis Industry Association. Can you tell me more about this role and why it’s crucial for the Cannabis industry to implement these ideologies into our business culture? It’s important because this is a

new industry, at least a new legal industry. It’s being formed now, and we just don’t want to repeat the mistakes that were made in all the current industries now. Black and brown people are being left out especially in Cannabis because this was an industry built on the backs of black and brown people going to jail, risking their lives to provide for their families by selling Cannabis.

It’s imperative for this industry to provide an opportunity for those folks who were profited off of for so long, and who went to jail for so long.

The committee that I’m the chair of is working with NCIA to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the entire Cannabis industry. We do that by working on social equity models, so that businesses can have their own social equity program if there isn’t one that’s available within the state or municipality they’re working in. We’re also working on a national effort to have diversity and inclusion throughout the industry by creating programs that allow, for example, retailers to have a certain percentage of social equity products on their shelves, or are partnered with a certain amount of social equity distributors. Different ways in which we can ensure not only access for social equity businesses, but also participation.

The third piece that we’re working on in the committee is ensuring that NCIA is aligning with the diversity and inclusion, which includes making sure that NCIA’s programming and speakers are inclusive, as well as all of the committees within NCIA also working with diversity and inclusion values in mind.

What projects and engagements are you planning for the future?

I’m actually speaking at SXSW in March.

I do plan on doing more writing this year and I’ve got a few Op-Ed pieces that I’ll be writing over the next couple of months.

SuperNova Women has some events coming up within this first quarter as well.

Learn more at SuperNovaWomen.com Follow on IG/FB @SuperNovaWomen

INTERVIEW by DANIELLE HALLE @SWEET.DEEZY | PHOTOS by MARK CLENNON @MARK.C

STRAIN OF THE MONTH

CAL I F O R N I A

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ALPENGLOW FARMS IS A FULLY LICENSED AND COMPLIANT DRAGONFLY EARTH MEDICINE CERTIFIED SUNGROWN CULTIVATOR LOCATED IN SOUTHERN HUMBOLDT. Perched upon a sunny ridge above the Eel River at 1,800 feet elevation and planted in native soil in Hugelkultur style beds, the Cannabis grown here produces unique flavors reflective of the farm’s terroir.

Voltron boasts aromas of soft cheese, mild spice, rich earth, fuel and fresh cut flowers, all mingling together forming one of the more nuanced and complex bouquets I’ve come across anywhere.

The buds have a lovely plump treelike structure and sport a thick coat of trichomes - atypical of most full season flowers we come across.

The flavor matches the nose with floral, earthy, spicy and lightly gassy notes, and the smoke is smooth and minimally expansive in the lungs.

A couple pulls off a hand rolled joint and I noticed a loosening of the muscles, with my shoulders dropping and my neck relaxing. An even and mellow, yet functional high crept in - suggesting this strain is good for daytime use.

BRED BY JESSE DODD @BIOVORTEX (Athene Sour Kush) x (Green Crack x Big Sur Holy Weed) X (Sapphire Scout x Black Dog)

JUNE 2020

Alpenglow Farms

VOLTRON

VOLTRON BOASTS AROMAS OF SOFT CHEESE, MILD SPICE, RICH EARTH, FUEL AND FRESH CUT FLOWERS. STORY by NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415 | PHOTO by DANIELLE HALLE @SWEET.DEEZY | @ALPENGLOWFARMS707

the LEISURE issue

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D F U N I L M

S P E T S TO

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CannabisUSE June 2020

ENJOY YOUR MOMENT AND EMBRACE WHAT YOU ARE EXPERIENCING WHETHER YOU ARE NEW TO CANNABIS OR AN EXPERIENCED CANNABIS USER, WE CAN ALL STAND TO GAIN HIGHER CONNECTION WITH OUR TRUE SELVES. In current society, it can be difficult to listen to our inherent, inner desires through the cacophony of responsibilities, relationship expectations and financial demands that are typically included in the modern adult experience.

Additionally, new developments in our shared lifestyle - such as the 24-hour news cycle and the constant stream of social media content - only further separate us from the peace and connectedness associated with more simple living.

That said, I am happy to report that I have found a strategy that helps me to reconnect with myself: mindful Cannabis use.

Cannabis allows us to get in touch with the inner self. Bob Marley himself once said, “When you smoke herb, it reveals you to yourself.” And when we know and understand the inner self, we can start to nourish it for optimal alignment and happiness.

I want to share my approach to mindful Cannabis with you so that you can incorporate this tool into your own lifestyle. These steps are straightforward and can be practiced by anyone who has legal access to bud and 10 spare minutes!

This guide is intended for someone who is searching for the mindful experience that comes with consuming Cannabis alone. Smoking with a partner or friends is also a wonderful experience - one that harnesses harmony and community. However, for the optimal self-connected moment, I recommend consuming Cannabis by yourself.

HEATHER DAGLEY is a Cannabis writer who writes about the benefits of intentional Cannabis use on her blog, bud and blossom. Heather shares how she has used Cannabis and self-care to achieve optimal self-connection, health, and happiness - and how you can, too! Heather also highlights how Cannabis has helped others, including those suffering from ADHD, seizures, and opioid misuse disorder. You can find Heather’s blog at budandblossom.blog and follow her on Instagram @bud_n_blossom.

1

SOURCE YOUR CANNABIS PRODUCT CONTAINING THC.

2

FIND A COMFORTABLE PLACE IN YOUR HOME AND SET THE TONE.

3

SET OUT YOUR CANNABIS, A JOURNAL, PEN AND SUPPLIES FOR A SMALL ACTIVITY YOU CAN WORK ON POST-CONSUMPTION.

This may require a trip to your local Cannabis shop, or just a trip to your nightstand! By selecting a Cannabis product that contains THC, you are opting into the delightful and elevated headspace that the tetrahydrocannabinol molecule triggers in our brains.

I recommend sitting on a couch or armchair in a well-lit room. Pour yourself a cup of coffee or sparkling water.

If you like to listen to music, put on some that lifts you up and makes you smile.

I find that completing an activity with my hands after consuming Cannabis helps to foster the focus and headspace for higher thinking. This might be something as simple as giving yourself a manicure, knitting or drawing.

4

REMOVE DISTRACTIONS.

5

SIT AND CONSUME YOUR CANNABIS.

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DO. BE. THINK. RECORD. BREATHE.

Turn off the TV and put your phone away. We spend so much time tuning in to what others are saying, but this exercise is about listening to you.

Start low and slow - there’s no need to overdo it or go too fast. Take a dose that has already proven to be comfortable for you, or was recommended by a dosing guideline or trusted budtender.

Enjoy your moment and embrace what you are experiencing. If you feel like it, try the tactile activity that you had selected. Most importantly, spend time with your thoughts. I also recommend writing down any insights you gain while in this elevated headspace. You may find that Cannabis allows us to face pending life uncertainties with greater ease and confidence. This exercise will help you to feel more connected. Connected to what makes you happy. Connected to your joys and your purpose. Connected to yourself.

STORY by HEATHER DAGLEY for LEAF NATION | ILLUSTRATIONS by JOSHUA BOULET @JOSHUABOULET for LEAF NATION

the LEISURE issue

highjinx PLANT A GARDEN

MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST

WITH AN additional amount of downtime lately, these dull moments are a great opportunity to brighten up our world by going outside and getting your hands dirty in the garden. Whether that means pulling those ever daunting weeds, planting some new ornamentals or building a few raised soil beds, now is the time. Utilizing all of the countless resources we constantly have at our fingertips these days, we can absolutely become the master farmers we all dreamed of growing to be. Visit nwleaf.com and click on this story to find links for your respective state’s best times to plant certain vegetables!

TAKE A MEDICATED BATH

AMANDA DAY @TERPODACTYL_MEDIA

LIFE’S A LITTLE too full of leisure for some these days. For others, it’s a stressful time of ‘essential’ work and uncertainty. Whether you’re lazing-around in lockdown or home after a long day dealing with the perils of the public, you might just benefit from a medicated bath.

The process of cannabinoid absorption during a soak is something special. A bath provides several physical pathways for cannabinoids that, in turn, boost bioavailability. For those with a generally high tolerance, a bath bomb or salt soak offers a new way to decompress when dabs just won’t do it.

According to studies presented in the Oxford University Press’ Handbook of Cannabis, (stick around for a second while it gets technical), evidence points to maximized uptake in rectal administration from a reduced “first-pass hepatic THC metabolism.”

This means that, unless you’re bathing bottoms-up, the compounds will be free to enter your body through a route that skips some of the damage of digestion and inhalation. Cannabinoids are spared from the liver’s breakdown process, resulting in a higher peak concentration of THC in the blood.

Research in the peer-reviewed journal Molecules acknowledges this theory and adds that similarly, transdermal absorption offers uptake directly into the bloodstream, “eliminating first-pass metabolism.”

Right now, the world is going through a tough transition trying to find the new normal, and a medicated bath is the perfect way to loosen up those stress-stiffened muscles or melt away anything on your mind.

So, set aside that digital device, grab a good book, and drown your worries in the warm water of a Cannabis-infused bath knowing that science has your back - quite literally.

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PLAY SOME CROQUET

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU’RE STONED June 2020 jUNE

MIKE RICKER @RICKERDJ

WHEN PRINCESS DI was once photographed amid a friendly display of mellow mallet marksmanship, she was clearly missing the fun factor. Truth is that this backyard amalgamation of goofy golf, bumper cars and Mouse Trap can be your stay-at-home version of Wipeout! The key is to utilize every nook of your lot by creating a course that will employ skill and strategery.

By mindfully placing the wickets in areas of different levels of difficulty, you can turn the feng shui into feng swing. Then once you’ve got the course designed, it’s the rules that make it fun. You can even set mines around the area, and one touch with your ball, mallet or person equates to a loss of turn.

Go balls out for the take no prisoners approach that will have you dreaming up strategies for your next round. The best part is when you hit another player’s ball and then send them into oblivion.

Note: Be prepared to sleep on the couch.

must-have

MUNCHIES

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PB & J ON A RICE CAKE I know, I know, nothing new here. But just remember: It is not always the recipe that counts, but the quality of the ingredients. Just a thin layer of Adam’s crunchy peanut butter will set the foundation for the heaping helping of Bonne Maman mixed berry preserves that oozes off the sides like an irresistible flow of sweet blue lava. And with organic whole grain Honey Nut rice cakes in place of bread, your indulgence becomes guilt-free. MIKE RICKER

REESE’S PEANUT BUTTER CUPS STUFFED WITH PIECES As if Reese’s weren’t already incredible, in 2016 they debuted their Reese’s stuff with pieces!

This delectable combination of peanut butter, chocolate, and peanut butter pieces is sure to satisfy every stoner’s sensations. MAX EARLY

RAINBOW SHERBET I was raised with limited dairy products as a child, so most of the time I would have some sort of milk substitute like soy. Needless to say, I wasn’t a huge fan of ice cream as a result. For the most part, I’d only be able to eat a little bit of chocolate ice cream before I started to feel uneasy in my stomach. Flash forward to now, and I have begun to expand my horizons. I am still not the biggest fan of ice cream, but will indulge in it every so often. During one outing, I ordered rainbow sherbet from a stand and fell in love. Just recently, I poked my head into the ice cream aisle at the grocery store and discovered that they sell gallon buckets of rainbow sherbet. I have now been thoroughly enjoying my nights ever since - high as a kite - curing my dry mouth with tasty sherbet! MAKANI NELSON

KETTLE CHIPS

SMOKED SALMON

Kettle chips are my go-to munchies food, with my favorite flavor being jalapeno. Bonus points if you can get some made fresh and local. Kettle brand will always do the trick to stop the munchies though. WYATT EARLY

Good smoked salmon is hard to find - especially in the contiguous United States. But I do not have that problem. Living in Alaska has many benefits, such as access to an ample amount of salmon. For me, smoked salmon has always been a go-to feel good food. I was raised with it and I will raise my children with it. No matter the occasion, if there is some delicious homemade smoked sockeye anywhere near me, the package in which it resides will soon find its way to empty. The sweet, smoky flavor of fish is to die for. Stores around the country do carry some varieties, but save yourself the disappointment and buy some raw fish (or catch it if you have that luxury), google a recipe and smoke it up yourself. You will enjoy it 100 times more. JOSHUA STAHLE

ORGANIC BABY CARROTS & TJ’S MEDITERRANEAN HUMMUS While it’s not an indulgent, sugar laden snack, my favorite munchie to dive into when baked is organic baby carrots and Trader Joe’s Mediterranean hummus. The union of a creamy, flavorful spread and the crisp crunch of a carrot provides a fun snacking experience you can consume to your heart’s content and not feel guilty about since it’s all plant based! My pup loves carrots too, so I can let her have every third or fourth carrot and we can enjoy snacktime together. NATE WILLIAMS

STORIES by LEAF NATION CONTRIBUTORS | ILLUSTRATIONS by JOSHUA BOULET @JOSHUABOULET for LEAF NATION

the LEISURE issue

trippy

flix FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS

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Story by TOM BOWERS @PropagateConsultants IN HIGH SCHOOL, my friends and I draped over the furniture and howled at Cheech and Chong getting blasted with Paul “Pee Wee” Reubens in “Nice Dreams.” By the time I got to college, my roommates and I shared a room with Dave Chappelle’s smiling face looking down from a “Half Baked” poster hanging over the couch.

These were the stoner films of my youth.

But as a budding young writer with novel aspirations of the journalistic variety, nothing left a mark like “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.”

Now here was a film. Huge, uncomfortably hallucinogenic visuals. Frenetic, hilarious performances. A killer psych rock soundtrack. And at the center of it all, the razor-sharp screenplay filled with the incendiary, the legendary, the unapologetically poetic political commentary of journalist Hunter S. Thompson.

“Fear and Loathing” reset the bar for what the drug culture film could be because it wasn’t just a film about getting high. It refocused the conversation on the realm of political discourse, introducing a new generation of heads and aspiring writers to the searing, literary style of Thompson’s brand of Gonzo journalism.

I’ll never forget the moment when Flea walks into the bathroom, asking, “What’s the trouble?” before licking acid off of Thompson’s sleeve. Or the way the carpet crawls and slithers in those Vegas hotels. But what really left an impression were the intricate, frenzied internal monologues full of horror and beauty that sliced straight to the marrow of the skeletons in America’s closet.

Now, I’ll never be the next Hunter S. Thompson.

No one will. But I know 20-year-old me wasn’t alone in dreaming that maybe - just maybe I could be.

MAY 1998 | DIRECTED BY TERRY GILLIAM | AVAILABLE ON ITUNES, AMAZON PRIME, GOOGLE PLAY, VUDU, YOUTUBE - $3.99

June 2020

HALF BAKED Story by

NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415

ONE OF the o’est of g’s and a solid contender for greatest stoner comedy movie of all time, “Half Baked” is an absolute classic and a favorite amongst many that consume the plant.

Written by and starring Dave Chappelle, the film tells a story of a group of friends that love to smoke weed and have been lighting up together since they were teens. One night, one of them ventures out for munchies after enjoying some top shelf chronic and winds up in jail after feeding a diabetic police horse A story of a group of all his snacks, killing poor ‘Buttercup’ in friends that love to the process. smoke weed and have The weed-fueled adventure that ensues been lighting up together explores the highs and lows of stonerism, since they were teens. layered with facets of romance and the archetypal coming-of-age story. “Half Baked” is not only a comedic gem of a movie, it has helped shape today’s Cannabis market by inspiring branding for dispensaries, delivery services and consumable products for over 20 years.

JANUARY 1998 | DIRECTED BY TAMRA DAVIS | HULU, SLING TV, STARZ - SUBSCRIPTION, ITUNES, AMAZON PRIME, GOOGLE PLAY, VUDU, YOUTUBE - $3.99

CHEECH AND CHONG Story by MIKE RICKER @RICKERDJ

“YOUR LICENSE, I need your license,” the police officer requests at the driver’s side window as smoke flows past. “It’s on the bumper back there,” Cheech points.

Is there anything that better represents the genesis of Cannabis normalization? This proverbial slap in the face to authority set into motion a sea change toward public acceptance, while relishing in the notion that Cannabis use, and life, should not be taken too seriously. Released in 1978, this zany romp became the perfect antidote to the uptight Nixon era and post-60s war tension. And for this 12-year-old boy whose father’s daily joint toking was immediately validated, the lasting impression has not been lost 40 years later.

SEPT. 1978 | DIRECTED BY TOMMY CHONG & LOU ADLER AVAILABLE ON NETFLIX, YOUTUBE TV, GOOGLE PLAY AMAZON PRIME, VUDU - $2.99

SUPER HIGH ME

FRIDAY Story by

MAKANI NELSON @CHOICENUG

DO YOU remember that one friend that came to get you high when you were feeling down? “It’s Friday, you ain’t got no job, and you ain’t got shit to do!”

This iconic quote has held fast ever since being uttered

by Chris Tucker’s character, Smokey. And while “Friday” has many different themes to “It’s Friday, you ain’t got unpack, there is no denying no job, and you ain’t got that it is a true stoner classic. shit to do!”

Ice Cube wrote a ‘90s masterpiece, capturing a certain time in one’s life.

Craig has no direction, he gets fired on his day off, his friend who got him high can’t pay back his dealer, and he has to deal with the neighborhood bully.

This movie is loaded with hilarious quotes, as well as many lessons for young men in this demographic growing up at the time.

If you haven’t seen “Friday,” please do yourself a favor and watch it. Don’t forget to light one up and remember what Smokey said: “Weed is from the earth.

God put this here for me and you. Take advantage man, take advantage.”

APRIL 1995 | DIRECTED BY F. GARY GRAY | CINEMAX - SUBSCRIPTION ITUNES, GOOGLE PLAY, VUDU, YOUTUBE, AMAZON PRIME - $3.99

SAVING GRACE Story by

PINEAPPLE EXPRESS Story by

MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST

WE ALL have that one quintessential heady movie that changed the game for us.

Seth Rogen and For me, “Pineapple James Franco’s wild Express” was one of antics make for an the first movies that unimaginable plot. helped me signify between different strains, further growing my curiosity for Cannabis cultivars.

After seeing this movie, I began to search for certain elusive strains such as Pineapple Express. For anyone who has had the pleasure of trying it, they know that it’s the real deal!

Seth Rogen and James Franco’s wild antics make for an unimaginable plot with lots of twists and turns. So kick back, relax, roll up a cross joint or two - just make sure it’s not the Snicklefritz!

EARLY

SET IN the beautiful English countryside of Cornwall, “Saving Grace” is a timeless romantic comedy about a widowed cultivator Grace, played by Brenda Blethyn, whose husband leaves her with a ton of debt after his suicide. The movie starts with Grace’s caretaker Matthew, played by Craig Ferguson, digging the grave for her Grace uses her years of recently departed husband hydroponic experience and the sounds of someone and turns the sick little smoking a joint. Turns out plant into a greenhouse Matthew has a sick pot full of prime buds. plant and he brings it to Grace to rejuvenate. Grace uses her years of hydroponic experience and turns the sick little plant into a greenhouse full of prime buds.

The plot thickens as they navigate the illegal market to distribute the crop. Filled with many hilarious scenes, as well as true commentary of how just about anyone could end up growing Cannabis for profit when faced with insurmountable debt, this is a classic and truly entertaining Cannabis movie.

SEPT. 2000 | DIRECTED BY NIGEL COLE | ITUNES - $2.99, AMAZON PRIME, VUDU, GOOGLE PLAY, YOUTUBE - $3.99

AUGUST 2008 | DIRECTED BY DAVID GORDON GREEN AMAZON PRIME, VUDU - $2.99 / GOOGLE PLAY YOUTUBE - $3.99 / ITUNES - $9.99

Story by WYATT EARLY @ERRLYWYATT

“I SAW that movie “Super Size Me” when I was high,” comedian Doug Benson jokes. “MISTAAAKE! That is messed up, you know? The premise of the movie is that it’s bad to eat a lot of McDonalds, but I’m sitting here all high thinking, ‘Well, I could go for a hot apple or a frenchy at this point. Hook me up man.’ And he’s just gorging it all on himself and then throwing up - it’s disgusting. If that’s a movie - eating McDonalds for 30 days - and people are willing to pay to see it, I’ve got an idea for a movie. I’m gonna smoke pot Producer Alex Campbell every day for 30 days, try to remember and director Michael to film it, and my movie is going to be Blieden set out to make called “Super High Me.” Or “Business a mockumentary where as Usual” - I haven’t decided yet.”

Doug Benson would Producer Alex Campbell and director not smoke Cannabis for Michael Blieden heard of Doug’s idea 30 days, immediately and approached him, wanting to make followed by 30 days of the movie. They set out to make a mocheavy daily consumption. umentary where Doug would not smoke Cannabis for 30 days, immediately followed by 30 days of heavy daily consumption.

Doug says the first 30 days of non-consumption is to show “how awful it can be” when he doesn’t consume Cannabis at all.

Since the film was made in 2007, California had not yet legalized recreational adult use, and so Doug had to become a medical Cannabis patient under Proposition 215 to legally consume Cannabis.

Doug was tested throughout both 30 day periods to see differences in things like lung capacity, memory, IQ, sperm count and even psychic abilities.

During his first set of lung capacity tests, Doug’s doctor stated that in his 17 years of heavy Cannabis use, he hasn’t done any permanent damage. However, his lung function did increase a little more than 2% after three weeks of not smoking.

After not consuming any Cannabis for 30 days, Doug kicks off his consumption with a Volcano vaporizer. He enters the dispensary not knowing what to expect or what he wants to purchase at all. It was a pleasant surprise to see educated dispensary operators and budtenders that were able to point him in the right direction.

I will leave the results of Doug’s tests a surprise for when you watch the documentary.

APRIL 20, 2008 | DIRECTED BY MICHAEL BLIEDEN | VUDU - FREE / AMAZON PRIME - $0.99

GRANDMA’S BOY Story by

The flick follows 35-yearold video game tester Alex as he is forced to move into his grandma’s house after his roommate spends all of their rent money

JOSHUA STAHLE

GRANDMA’S BOY holds a special place in my heart as one of my go-to movies to just kick back and relax. An incredibly hilarious comedy, the flick follows 35-year-old video game tester Alex as he is forced to move into his grandma’s house after his roommate spends all of their rent money on hookers. The trials that follow include the ups and downs of life with Grandma (seriously, buy a microwave!), as well as encounters with some outlandish characters that jump off the screen. Dante, who might just be one of the most overexaggerated stoner characters ever conceived, is of particular hilarity. Although I have never been high enough to put up my Christmas tree in the middle of the summer while only wearing my birthday suit, perhaps that is just the kind of activity I need to pick up the spirits for these trying times.

JAN. 2006 | DIRECTED BY NICHOLAUS GOOSSENE | HULU, HBO SUBSCRIPTION, GOOGLE PLAY, VUDU, AMAZON PRIME - $3.99 / ITUNES - $9.99

STORIES by LEAF NATION CONTRIBUTORS | ILLUSTRATIONS by JOSHUA BOULET @JOSHUABOULET for LEAF NATION

the LEISURE issue

RPG

TOM BOWERS @PROPOGATECONSULTANTS

Given the amount of time we’re spending at home lately, sometimes it helps to just throw on an open-world RPG and simply run around. These games provide the perfect vehicle for these isolated times: vast, gorgeous scenery to battle the claustrophobic cabin fever, endless quests to keep you occupied and the feeling of accomplishment every time you level up your character. Here are a few titles to help you escape while you’re stuck at home...

THE ELDER SCROLLS V: SKYRIM SPECIAL EDITION REMASTERED

ICDPROJEKT’S CYBERPUNK 2077

XBOX ONE, PS4, MICROSOFT WINDOWS

STADIA, PS4, XBOX ONE, MICROSOFT WINDOWS

Scheduled for September release, this game looks absolutely amazing. Not only does it boast a vast techno-future open world, but it features Keanu ‘John Wick’ Reeves to boot. Regardless of whether we’re still living in the COVID world by then, we know we’ll be spending some time with this one when it drops.

RETRO

If you’ve been feeling a little confined during the COVID lockdown, we encourage you to visit - or revisit - “Skyrim,” one of the most completely imagined open-world games of all time. Few game experiences offer more pure escapism than questing among Skyrim’s vast vistas. Climb to the top of a moonlit mountain before bounding down, leading a dragon into a field full of mammoths and giants, and finding a vantage point from which to watch them all battle each other. The definition of epic.

MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST

CRASH BANDICOOT N. SANE TRILOGY NINTENDO SWITCH, PS4, XBOX ONE, MICROSOFT WINDOWS, IBM PC

32

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE PLAYSTATION 4

A complete reimagining of one of the most revered titles in RPG history, this April 2020 release offers some of the most beautiful graphics available.

FALLOUT FOUR XBOX ONE, PS4, MICROSOFT WINDOWS

This one may qualify as gallows humor, but there’s something cathartic about rebuilding society in the rubble of a post-apocalyptic wasteland. This vast, inventive and highly entertaining open-world game almost counts as doomsday prep though we’re pretty sure bottlecaps won’t be the currency of that future.

From Spyro to Super Smash Bros., video game consoles like the Switch, PS4 and Xbox One now offer adults the ability to relive their favorite childhood games! With newer and improved technology and graphics, high end flat screen televisions and even higher quality Cannabis products these days, we are truly living in a magical, futuristic place. If only our 16-year-old selves could have had a glimpse into the future - we would all be in disbelief. We highly recommend taking a few dabs of hash and playing Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, a remastered version of the first three games: Crash Bandicoot, Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back and Crash Bandicoot: Warped.

caliFornialeaf.COM

THE LATEST

VIDEO GAMES IN THE MARKET FOR A NEW GAMING CONSOLE? The console wars continue with Microsoft’s Xbox Series X and Sony’s Playstation 5 - keep your eyes peeled for release in late 2020.

June 2020

MAKANI NELSON @CHOICENUG

I’ve been spending more time playing videos games than I have in the past few years combined. As I am still working, the reason behind my recent addiction lies in the fact that many of my friends are currently unemployed and playing video games to pass the time. While many businesses have been impacted negatively due to COVID-19, the video game industry is buzzing - especially with these new titles.

CALL OF DUTY: WARZONE PS4, XBOX ONE, MICROSOFT WINDOWS

ANIMAL CROSSING: NEW HORIZONS

VALORANT

NINTENDO SWITCH

MICROSOFT WINDOWS - PC ONLY

One of the most talked about games of late!

Here you’ll spend your time collecting items to sell, with the goal of buying new items to improve your own island. Think of it as your own little town, where you can even invite friends!

This hero-based shooter game has made waves in the online streaming community, Twitch.TV. Similar to Counter Strike Global Offensive, Valorant has drummed up record-breaking viewer numbers.

CoD:W is still extremely popular, even since its release in March.

Activision hit the nail on the head with their free, battle royale style shooter. In addition, there are no restrictions between platforms, enabling more players to play with each other than ever.

leaf nation’s writers share their favorite auditory entertainment

potcasts REPLY ALL

WYATT EARLY @ERRLYWYATT

STARTED IN 2014, Reply All is a podcast that focuses on real stories with real people.

My first time being introduced to the podcast was Episode #102, titled “Long Distance.”

Host Alex Goldman receives a call from a telephone scammer, prompting him to spend the next weeks of his life uncovering this scammer. He goes as far as traveling to India to find the call center and meet with The podcast is just as useful in the men in charge of the scam. He discovlife as it is interesting. ers the exact ways in which these scammers were stealing money from less tech savvy Americans. Maybe this information will stop someone from getting scammed in the future? Or maybe you are simply laughing at how bad these scammers really are?

Not all stories on this podcast involve the hosts - in fact, most of them do not. They involve larger audiences and specific individuals not on the show.

The podcast is just as useful in life as it is interesting.

Modern technologies are operating in more ways than many of us know and this podcast has brought these stories to light.

The hosts have such a vast understanding of technology that they are able to break down complex topics in a way that anyone can understand. If pop culture, internet trends, scams and technology are of interest to you, this podcast is definitely worth a listen. GIMLETMEDIA.COM

MALT COUTURE

NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415

IF YOU’RE LIKE ME, then listening to folks who are incredibly articulate and knowledgeable about a certain subject is a treat, regardless of the subject matter. When that content is intertwined with laugh out loud antics and also diversified to appeal to a wide audience, it levels up to a rare treat.

Malt Couture is both a hilariously good time Malt Couture is both a and highly educational. And it is, by a large hilariously good time margin, my favorite podcast out there right now. and highly educational.

While only sporadically discussing Cannabis, the content of Malt Couture is a smattering of beer, wrestling, video games, music, the English language and sketch comedy.

Hosted by a trio of comics who also happen to be craft beer enthusiasts, this podcast explores the highly nuanced and constantly evolving world of beer.

With Cannabis becoming more mainstream by the week, there are a lot of comparisons to be drawn and a lot of insight to be gained while listening to Alex Kidd, Stephen Loh, Paul Michael Gabriel and their guests unpack and discuss the backend of an industry most have only a surface level understanding of. DONTDRINKBEER.LIBSYN.COM

THE JOE ROGAN EXPERIENCE

MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST

WHILE MANY of you may know Joe Rogan for his longtime role with Fear Factor, his lifetime involvement in mixed martial arts or maybe his stand-up comedy, the persona that we have all fell in love with has also recorded 1,471 podcasts to date.

From mycologist Paul Stamets to heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson, Rogan In 2018, Rogan had Elon Musk steps outside of his comfort zone to deeply queson his show in which they tion his subjects, promoting thought-provoking passed around a fat blunt, conversations. In 2018, Rogan had Elon Musk on sending the world into shock. his show in which they passed around a fat blunt, sending the world into shock. Circle back on one of his latest shows where Musk revisits and they discuss coronavirus, Neuralink and the future!

Sadly, Musk didn’t smoke down the second time around.

Rogan regularly consumes Cannabis on his podcast, which we can only imagine helps further expand his level of creativity and consciousness. Much commendation is owed to Rogan for taking essential steps towards making Cannabis more widely acceptable by showing that you can live an exceptional life, be a hard worker and consume Cannabis daily! PODCASTS.JOEROGAN.NET

HIDDEN BRAIN

MIKE RICKER @RICKERDJ

HOSTED BY an Indian national who is a Stanford graduate, this open-minded path to a deeper understanding of human behavior is professionally produced education through investigation. If a favorite sativa has got your attention set onto a curious track, here you will immerse into a platform of nonfictionStorytelling that explores al storytelling that explores subjects that subjects that wouldn’t wouldn’t normally manifest into your daily normally manifest into thoughts. And with titles that are both timely your daily thoughts. and timeless, there’s a concept explored for every critical thinker - with seemingly as many options as you might be able to self-imagine. So, when your day of decision making has devolved into a case of brain drain, here you can unlock a spare that does the contemplating for you. NPR.ORG

STORIES by LEAF NATION CONTRIBUTORS | ILLUSTRATIONS by JOSHUA BOULET @JOSHUABOULET for LEAF NATION

33

the LEISURE issue

Cannabis, Consumption &COVID-19 A changing world confronts a growing industry

caliFornialeaf.COM

34

We all have our preferred method of Cannabis consumption. Whether it be vaping, dabbing, smoking, eating edibles or anything in between, it’s a ritualistic part of how many of us conduct our daily lives.

If I could choose, I would spend most of my days smoking that sweet, sticky ganja - choosing the perfect strain, picking out the best looking nugs, rolling it up in my favorite papers, and inhaling that smoky, aromatic goodness that cleanses the soul.

Well, that was until coronavirus hit the globe and turned the entire world upside down, forcing us to take a good look in the mirror and reflect on how current actions impact future health.

T

he Cannabis industry is fortunate enough to be deemed an essential business in legal states. Though sales have been generally steady across Cannabis companies - with some businesses seeing record numbers - the industry isn’t immune to having to adapt. Farms are limiting the number of trimmers and laborers. Distributors are also limiting staff, wiping equipment, engaging in remote sales and keeping contact to a minimum.

Dispensaries are limiting the number of customers allowed in stores, sanitizing as much as possible and offering curbside delivery. These act as a strong first line of defense against the virus, but what else can the Cannabis community do to mitigate risk?

From what we know about COVID-19 thus far, it mainly affects the respiratory system leaving those who smoke or have difficulty breathing feeling uneasy regarding the potential for greater risk.

June 2020

Tinctures are highly effective because they’re Though there haven’t been many studies on already activated and fast acting compared how coronavirus and Cannabis are specifically to other methods. Just a few drops under the related, we can look at the emerging data that tongue and the Cannabis is absorbed directanalyzes traditional tobacco and e-cigarette use ly into the bloodstream without having to go in conjunction with COVID-19. through the lungs, stomach or liver. Tinctures There have been multiple studies linking any generally come in a liquid form with a dropper traditional cigarette and e-cigarette use to an to measure dosage, though tincture capsules increased likelihood of developing respiratory isare gaining popularity due to the lack of taste. sues if infected. According to a recent study lead Edibles are typically preferred over tinctures beby Stanton Glantz, director of the Center for cause they taste better due to being paired with Tobacco Control Research and Education at the sweet or savory foods. Though edibles normally University of California San Francisco, current taste great, they’re not as effective as tinctures. smokers more than double their odds of disease Edibles are absorbed via the stomach lining progression if affected with COVID-19. and liver, so they are not directly entering the This means that many Cannabis users are bloodstream and could take anywhere from 30 putting themselves at risk every time they spark minutes to two hours to take effect. The best adup that joint or take that fat dab. vice for figuring out edibles is to start slow, even Globally, humans are realizing that coronaif you think it isn’t hitting yet. You can always eat virus has changed some aspects of daily life more, but you can’t eat less. maybe permanently. Cannabis is no Some people prefer dispensary different. Knowing the consequences IT WAS ALL FUN products because they are tested, smoking and vaping have on the respiratory system, there needs to be AND GAMES BEFORE, professionally made and ready to be consumed straight from the package, a fundamental shift in the way we BUT THE LAST FEW thus making them generally safer and view Cannabis and its relationship to more accurate. our body.

MONTHS HAVE Making products at home requires The Cannabis industry has long research, product knowledge and focused on flower and combustion CHANGED HOW availability. There are many ways to inhalation as the favored method of create your own products and hunconsumption. How many videos do WE NEED TO VIEW dreds, if not thousands, of articles onwe see on social media that glorify line that can help consumers navigate hot dab coughs or choking out from CANNABIS GOING the new world of homemade consuma fat blunt? It was all fun and games ables. Nothing is more satisfying than FORWARD. before, but the last few months have creating and eating your own infused changed how we need to view Canhomemade pie. Turns out, you can have your nabis going forward.

Cannabis and eat it, too.

To safely consume Cannabis in a way that’s As a community and as an essential business, still effective, we need to bypass the lungs it’s our responsibility to evaluate the risks and entirely or at least minimize smoking, as a way rewards of Cannabis in this new world. And the to mitigate risk. The most common ways to conway we view Cannabis and its relationship to the sume Cannabis minus the smoke is by ingesting body must adapt, for better and for worse. tinctures and edibles.

ALEX DUBS WORKMAN is a Cannabis artist, photographer, and amateur chef who is passionate about everything Cannabis. After working in the industry for many years, Alex now spends her time making art with Cannabis, photographing her favorite products, infusing oils, and making homemade edibles for family and friends. She enjoys keeping up with Cannabis trends, products, and industry news in her spare time. You can keep up with Alex’s art and lifestyle on her instagram @workdubs.

STORY by ALEX WORKMAN @WORKDUBS for LEAF NATION | ILLUSTRATIONS by JOSHUA BOULET @JOSHUABOULET for LEAF NATION

the LEISURE issue

cleaning

101

36

THIS GUIDE ILLUMINATES MY MANY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE CLEANING - AND YES BREAKING -

caliFornialeaf.COM

SOME BEAUTIFUL PIECES OF GLASS.

T

he hardest part about writing this article was letting my bong and dab rig get dirty.

So hard. There is nothing I enjoy more than tasting all the unique terpene combinations through some nice clean cool water that has traveled through an air diffuser. There is just a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ about the first draw through a clean piece - I compare it to how your car feels like it slices through the air smoother after being freshly waxed. And it’s truly hard to beat a clean and smooth flavor-filled dose of California’s finest Cannabis through glistening glass. STORY BY EARLY

June 2020

>> T I P S T O B E L E A R N E D A N D R E M E M B E R E D .

ALWAYS PREPARE A SAFE AREA TO PERFORM ANY CLEANING. That can include an old kitchen rag, handy paper towel or preferably an old dab mat (a typically silicone Cannabis accessory used in the practice of dabbing hash oils). This is VERY important, as a safe and soft surface is the best way to ensure that all pieces of the glass emerge unscathed from the cleaning process.

TAKE YOUR TIME. THE WORST THING IS TO END UP WITH NO PIPE, BONG OR DAB RIG WHEN YOU ARE DONE. Be sure when shaking or rinsing the various components that you do not come in contact with the edge of the sink, faucet or other components.

CLEANERS. There are many different products available on the market for cleaning glass used for Cannabis consumption. I have used many over the years - mostly alcohol based - from the first available 420 Cleaner that now comes in several varieties, to boutique blends like Randy’s Black Label that is acetate based. The old standby was 91% isopropyl rubbing alcohol and some kosher rock salt. I have learned over the years that the rock salt was actually scratching the glass as it was doing its cleaning. I would suggest for any inexpensive glass that any of the readily available products will work pretty well, and the scratching is not that big of an issue.

For finer quality glass I would suggest using 91% isopropyl rubbing alcohol, Everclear from the liquor store if available in your state, or acetone. If you warm any of these three they work much better, but you must do this extremely carefully!

<< how to clean your bong STEP # 1 Start by running hot water through whatever device you are cleaning. This will help loosen the resins and tars. I like to run the water at about as hot as I can stand through the device for at least a minute. I have used silicone tongs to assist in holding smaller pieces, but this is risky and you must be very careful to not drop anything.

STEP #2 Allow the water to drain and disassemble any components, placing on the safe protective surface.

STEP #3 Follow the directions on your cleaning product, add the appropriate amount, and carefully cover any openings on the device with yours hands. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good to wear dish gloves or any latex type glove while doing this step. You can also use a nifty device called Res CAPS Bong Cleaning Caps to cover the openings, keeping your hands much cleaner. (www. resolutioncolo.com/products/res-caps). If cleaning small components, it is best to add a small amount of cleaner to a ziplock baggie. You can do this one at a time for the smaller pieces.

STEP #4 Shake the cleaning product throughout the device, making sure to touch all surfaces. It may take a bit of vigorous shaking to break some of the tars and oils from the surfaces. Again, be extremely careful to watch your movements to avoid hitting the glass against anything. It may be best to allow the cleaner to sit for a couple of minutes with heavier resin and tar buildups, rather than repeating.

STEP #5 You may likely need to use a few cotton swabs to clean out trouble areas. Dip the swab into your cleaner and carefully rub until clean. There are many types of brushes available as well to assist in the cleaning process. Make sure they do not have metal shafts, as they can scratch your glass.

STEP #6 Rinse and clean and rinse and clean and rinse and clean. Many of the commercial cleaners can leave behind residues and scents that are not so great, so use your nose and clean it until it has no odor.

STEP #7 Carefully towel dry your glass with a soft rag, reassemble, refill with water if used, and enjoy!

MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST

Moose Labs

37

MouthPeace UTILIZING A SIMPLE COMBINATION OF PLATINUM-CURED SILICONE AND TRIPLE-LAYER ACTIVATED CARBON FILTERS, MOOSE LABS IS BRINGING YOU THEIR NEW AND IMPROVED MOUTHPEACE.

TO USE this revolutionary product, one simply presses a filter down into the MouthPeace. From there, the possibilities are endless!

Realizing that bongs and rigs come in all different shapes and sizes, Moose Labs certainly had their end users in mind, as MouthPeaces are made to fit all styles of glass - as well as joints and blunts!

With our current reality and the pandemic on our hands, we could not think of a better time to take a load off your lungs and filter out some of the less desirable tars and resins.

Following taking my usual five or six bong hits throughout the day, my lungs felt an undoubted difference when using the MouthPeace.

After flipping over the activated carbon filter, I was amazed and taken aback all at the same time by the amount of resin that was on it.

It is always important to note that while the MouthPeace removes certain types of toxins, resins and tar, the terpene profile is not affected or compromised by any means.

Smoking my normal sized bowl pack, I encountered a substantially smoother hit - all the while experiencing the same flavors and effects that we love so much.

Whenever you feel that it's time to replace the filter, their no-touch design makes it incredibly simple, while also promoting good hygiene. Simply remove the filter by squeezing it up and out with your thumb from the bottom of the MouthPeace.

Moose Labs went above and beyond with their new creation, hitting the drawing boards for 16 months of R&D to offer us an environmentally-friendly product designed using both recycled and biodegradable elements.

Consumers can confidently purchase Moose Labs products knowing that the company makes every effort possible to be sustainable. MOOSELABS.US

I ENCOUNTERED A SUBSTANTIALLY SMOOTHER HIT - ALL THE WHILE EXPERIENCING THE SAME FLAVORS AND EFFECTS THAT WE LOVE SO MUCH.

ILLUSTRATIONS by JOSHUA BOULET @JOSHUABOULET for LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

cooking with cannabis

FEEL GOOD PIZZA As most of us hunker down and stay safe, food is among the ‘high’ points of the day. One of the best comfort foods - pizza, with Cannabis - makes me feel better. Always remember that when you are cooking with Cannabis, don’t let the oven temp go above 340 degrees. #DontFearTheEdible Being able to make a white sauce, or béchamel, provides lots of wonderful culinary options. And it sounds real fancy. Spoon it over your pasta or ladle over seafood. Add cheese for a great mac and cheese or pour over the top of nachos.

GREEN PIZZA BIANCO 1 SMALL HOMEMADE/STORE-BOUGHT PIZZA CRUST ½ CUP BÉCHAMEL SAUCE (RECIPE BELOW)* 3 CREMINI MUSHROOMS, WIPED CLEAN AND SLICED 1 TABLESPOON ROSEMARY, CHOPPED CRUSHED RED PEPPER ¼ CUP FONTINA CHEESE, THINLY SLICED, ROOM TEMP.

38

PINCH OF SALT 1. Heat oven to 400° F. 2. Place the crust on a baking sheet and drizzle with the olive oil. Bake according to the package directions, but remove the crust five minutes before the time suggested.

3. Turn oven down to 340° F. 4. Spread the crust with the white sauce, then top with mushrooms, rosemary, red pepper and fontina.

5. Bake until the cheese melts, about 4-5 minutes.

BÉCHAMEL SAUCE 3 1/3 TABLESPOONS CANNA-BUTTER 4 TABLESPOONS ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR PINCH SALT & PINCH WHITE PEPPER 2 CUPS MILK, WARM 1. In a small saucepan melt the canna-butter over low heat.

caliFornialeaf.COM

2. Whisk in the flour, salt and pepper until smooth.

SOPPRESSATA PIZZA

1. Heat oven to 400° F.

1 LARGE PREPARED PIZZA CRUST

with the unmedicated olive oil.

2 TABLESPOONS OLIVE OIL

3. Bake according to the package directions, but

4 TEASPOONS CANNA-OLIVE OIL

remove the crust five minutes before the time

1 CUP TOMATO SAUCE

suggested. Turn oven down to 340° F.

1 ½ CUPS MOZZARELLA, ROOM TEMP.

3. Slowly add the milk, whisking to prevent lumps.

½ CUP SOPPRESSATA, THINLY SLICED

4. Cook without simmering until the white sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.

¼ CUP CHOPPED SCALLION

[ 10 1/4 cup servings]

[Serves 4]

COARSE BLACK PEPPER

GARDEN PIZZA Salad pizzas have always been an interesting concept.

Confusing, but after years of contemplation I have decided they are pretty cool. Like crusty bread and a salad but better.

June 2020

2. Place the crust on a baking sheet and drizzle

4. Spread the pizza with four teaspoons of canna-olive oil added to the tomato sauce.

5. Top with the cheese, soppressata, scallion and black pepper, and add pizza back to oven to bake until cheese is melted, about 6-8 minutes.

We have decided to go with soppressata rather than pepperoni for this pizza.

Nothing personal.

Just a new tasty take on an old classic. If you like you can add some béchamel sauce - double whammy.

1 SMALL PREPARED PIZZA CRUST

INSTRUCTIONS

1 TABLESPOON OLIVE OIL

1. Heat oven to 400° F.

2 CUPS SALAD GREENS

2. Place the crust on a baking sheet and drizzle

¼ CUP BELL PEPPERS, CHOPPED

with the unmedicated olive oil. Bake according to

¼ CUP RED ONION, PEELED AND CHOPPED

the package directions.

1 TABLESPOON OLIVE OIL

3. In a medium bowl, combine all the remaining

2 TEASPOONS CANNA-OLIVE OIL

ingredients including the optional goat cheese.

2 TABLESPOONS BALSAMIC VINEGAR

4. When the pizza crust is done place it on your

COARSE SALT, COARSE BLACK PEPPER

plate. Top with the dressed greens.

¼ CUP GOAT CHEESE, OPTIONAL

[Serves 2]

RECIPES by LAURIE WOLF | PHOTOS by BRUCE WOLF

CBD TINCTURE

39

Downing this earthy solution was all that was necessary to melt away the anxiety and stress that can plague even the most level-headed of adults in the morning.

BLOOMFARMSCBD.COM @BLOOMFARMSCBD

STORY & PHOTO by DANIELLE HALLE @SWEET.DEEZY

caliFornialeaf.COM

‘Tea time’ has a variety of meanings, but for today’s purpose we’ll define it as dosing yourself with CBD tincture to start the day.

This event was by no means a rendezvous with the Mad Hatter of Wonderland, but instead a tryst with the Good Witch, Glinda, of Oz. One doesn’t even need to wake and bake after sipping on an herbal tea dosed with this full spectrum goodness cloud nine level mental bliss is achieved purely with the help of these lesser known cannabinoids.

Let’s dial it back a bit to how we concocted this potion of peace and clarity. First, we started off with the Balance Blend from Bloom Farms’ CBD line. It is a 300mg dropper full of amber colored liquid, delicately draped in gold-leafed lettering that extends from the box to the bottle. Inside the box contains a beautiful linen carrying bag to help protect both your personal belongings and the precious cannabinoids in your tincture.

You will also find a quick start user guide that provides directions for use, plus a lovely welcome message from the Founder/CEO with plenty of information on the product and company.

The most eye-catching words on this brochure are all you need to know about why this product is so effective: Flash-Activated & Truly Full Spectrum The effects of 20mg of this tincture were surprisingly quite noticeable. Credit must be given where credit is due, and Bloom did an excellent job of formulating this full spectrum solution.

This combo of tincture and tea is a wonderful way to replace a habitual wake and bake ritual, as it covers two components: medication and morning tradition. Blending herbs such as black tea, rosehip, lemongrass, anise seed, green tea, ginger root, and orange peel with the naturally occurring phytocannabinoids and terpenes of Cannabis is ALMOST enough to convert any coffee addict.

Downing this earthy solution was all that was necessary to melt away the anxiety and stress that can plague even the most level-headed of adults in the morning. At half the dose, one can expect functional mood elevation, but for those with a higher tolerance to THC, the CBD dose may need to be doubled if the desired effects aren’t felt within an hour or so.

In addition to this product being organic, glutenfree, non-gmo and sustainable, Bloom Farms is a 1-for-1 company, meaning that they donate one healthy meal to an individual or family in need for every purchase made.

The only thing that could elevate you more than the tincture itself is the feeling one experiences knowing that medicating with Bloom benefits someone in need.

ediblE OF THE MONTH

BLOOM FARMS

concentrate OF THE MONTH caliFornialeaf.COM

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This is a ‘cancel your plans and open Netflix’ level of stoned.

GUILD EXTRACTS

THCA California’s Guild Extracts is an award-winning operation that combines artisanal values with some truly dazzling extracts. While Guild has produced an impressive array of items over the years, it’s difficult to quantify just how unique their latest offering truly is.

Testing at 99.667 percent, the brand’s THCA crystalline extract is an undoubted alien beauty. In terms of consistency, these clear crystals seemingly have nothing in common with other Cannabis extracts - at least at first glance.

The true magic of Guild’s THCA is only unleashed through decarboxylation, in which a weed diamond is heated (often by means of a dab) to a temperature that activates the THC within. Once that happens, you’re hitting something roughly four times as potent as most flower. One of the craziest parts about taking a dab of THCA, however, is that the normal guidance we rely on from terpenes is entirely absent.

Instead, the taste of these crystals is almost imperceptible. This is neither good nor bad, although consumers who enjoy a rich terpene profile are advised to add a bit of terpene extract or flavorful shatter if a more robust taste is preferred.

In either case, Guild’s THCA diamonds pack a powerful punch. This is a ‘cancel your plans and open Netflix’ level of stoned, although there is a notably serene mental clarity that comes with a more controlled consumption.

If there’s one thing to be wary of with this extract, it’s the price point. At $100 per gram, Guild’s THCA certainly isn’t cheap (although it is comparable with the cost of other high-end extracts).

Regardless, this extract is arguably best enjoyed as a special treat - especially given its impressive quality and unique properties. Kudos to the wizards at Guild who continue to push boundaries in the extract world.

GUILDEXTRACTS.COM | @ GUILD_EXTRACTS

June 2020

STORY by ZACK RUSKIN @ZACKRUSKIN | PHOTO by NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415

At 30 years old, body maintenance is no longer optional - it is a necessity and a huge benefit to my health.

These days, after a session pushing myself to perform at my best, a hot shower just isn’t enough to combat the muscle soreness that inevitably follows.

S

ince discovering High Desert Pure’s Clinical Strength Lotion, this potent pain-killing ointment has become my go-to for body care after any physical exertion.

Lightly mentholated and packed with over 1000mg of full spectrum cannabinoids, this lotion is ready to take on your worst aches with ease.

The lotion absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy or oily residue and I especially love that it’s not overly mentholated, instead offering a pleasantly mild cooling effect that even those with sensitive skin should be able to handle.

The bottle comes with a plastic cap, making it travel safe and easy to throw in your gym bag without hesitation.

From stiff and barely moving around, to loose and flexible with a single application, you’ll be hard pressed to find a more effective topical on the market today.

HIGHDESERTPURE.COM @HIGHDESERTPURE

“Lightly mentholated and packed with over 1000mg of full spectrum cannabinoids, this lotion is ready to take on your worst aches with ease.”

STORY & PHOTO by NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415

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caliFornialeaf.COM

INGREDIENTS FULL SPECTRUM CANNABIS + MENTHOL 502MG THC | 440MG CBD

topical OF THE MONTH

HIGH DESERT PURE

Clinical Strength Lotion

tannins &terpenes

T H E A RT OF PA I R I NG C A N N A BI S W I T H A L C OHOL

The subtle sweetness baked into the Blueberry Muffin balances out the punchy, bold tones of The Lop’s chai spices.

TANNINS | DR. HOPS KOMBUCHA BEER

8.0% ABV - Pomegranate Chai – The Lop

Dr. Hops was founded by two wellness enthusiasts on a mission to create a healthy craft beer. Using only organic and fair trade ingredients is a tradition that began in 2015 as a small, grassroots garage project and has continued with their upgrade to a large-scale brewery in San Jose.

Since their successful Indiegogo launch, they’ve combined the probiotic nutrients of kombucha with fresh American hops to provide a balanced and drinkable beverage.

Dynamic and layered, this gluten-free and vegan concoction is buzzing with spicy cinnamon, cardamom and anise.

A double fermentation process renders The Lop as a dangerously refreshing take on traditional craft beer.

TERPENES | URSA EXTRACTS LIVE RESIN

Blueberry Muffin Liquid Diamond Sauce

“We Are Stardust” is a small reminder delicately printed on the packaging of Humboldt-based Ursa Extracts, and the last thing you see before embarking on a mission to taste their liquid diamond sauce.

Not to be confused with the typical live resin available on the market, Ursa’s strict single-source, fresh frozen methods award their extracts a ‘craft concentrate’ distinction.

Exploring the Blueberry Muffin liquid diamond sauce like the Mars rover Curiosity was undoubtedly a vaping experience unlike any currently available to both Earthlings and Californians.

Strong caryophyllene and myrcene tones are brightened up by the presence of fenchol, which is more commonly found in basil.

In combination with being sourced from the highest quality Cannabis in the Emerald Triangle, this terpene profile leads to incredibly pleasant relaxation effects - both potent and immediate.

caliFornialeaf.COM

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THE PAIRING

If The Lop’s 8% ABV is captaining a spaceship - with the Blueberry Muffin’s full spectrum of cannabinoids as navigator passengers can expect a well-rounded and cerebral adventure. The subtle sweetness baked into Blueberry Muffin balances out the punchy, bold tones of The Lop’s chai spices. Frozen blueberries to top The Lop were a brilliant highdea that solidified the stellar collision. This social, giddy crossfade is bliss on a summer afternoon - bonus points if absorbed beneath sunrays.

DR. HOPS POMEGRANATE CHAI KOMBUCHA BEER URSA EXTRACTS BLUEBERRY MUFFIN LIQUID DIAMOND SAUCE *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.

June 2020

TANNINS

TERPENES

DrHops.com

UrsaExtracts.com

STORY & PHOTO by DANIELLE HALLE @SWEET.DEEZY

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Cabin Fever

LEISURE ISSUE EDITION

STORY by JONAH TACOMA @DABSTARS2.0 for LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by JESS LARUE @JESSICALARUE_420

“Some say the Cannabis community is lost, others say they would be lost without the Cannabis community…” Wise words from an unknown stoner who had managed to cut right to the heart of the issue. Those words rang truer than ever for me now as we entered day 40-something of quarantine lockdown.

JUNE 2020

As a traveler who thrived on the energy of the community, the separation/stagnation was starting to take more of a toll than I had imagined.

We were a community divided, torn apart by a virus that had already all but ruined the much anticipated 4/20/20, and was now threatening to put an end to the rest of the summerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s events as well.

HUMANS ARE NATURALLY Champs Tradeshow a policy which had been and MJBizcon had SOCIAL CREATURES AND historically bad for pot pages, announced virtual STONERS AS A COLLECTIVE which often fell target to attacks editions of their from ideological opposition. summer shows and ARE NATURALLY rumors were swirling REBELLIOUS. Rage Against the Machine blared around the viability loudly from the kitchen where of Seattle Hempfest, Jessica was finishing up the dishes. my favorite hometown Cannabis event, which had gone on We were all doing our best to work from home uninterrupted for decades. but the cabin fever was starting to evolve into something more insidious. It was hard not to Many vendors were up in arms about the $2k Champs feel like cattle as you stood outside in a faceless was asking for a virtual booth. Word was still out on Bizcon line, six feet apart waiting to go buy overpriced booth prices, but virtual attendance tickets were available commodities. I was starting to wonder just how on their website at $40 a pop, a sharp decrease from the much of this we could take. $500 walk-in price years previous.

As Covid raged on the Cannabis community in particular was feeling the strain, even social media which seemed like a logical respite, was not without its own complications.

Instagram and their parent company Facebook were both AFK at the wheel. Appeal processes had been replaced with Covid-19 warnings explaining that we had all been left at the mercy of an algorithm,

Humans are naturally social creatures and stoners as a collective are naturally rebellious. Cannabis was the common denominator, but what really united our community was the willingness to break unjust laws. A willingness to stand together in open criminal defiance for something we believed in. Sure, you could walk into a store and buy Cannabis in more than a dozen states, but it had not always been so. Legal Cannabis was a concession, an acknowledgement from the powers that be and for the observant, a chink in the political armor.

For now we were happily appeased, reveling in the spoils of our hard fought victory, but time did not seem to be on the side of the establishment.

The people had scored their first big victory in a long time.The people were waking up. We had taken back Cannabis. What was next?

CALIFORNIALEAF.com

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by Mike Ricker What Happened to The Shotgun?

It was the sexiest move ever.

For those of you who have no context from which to draw for the legendary shotgun, it was

the old school move of smoothness where you took a lit joint, flipped it around and carefully cupped your lips over the center without touching the cherry. You then forced an exhale, pressing the smoke outward through the hole and into the recipientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s open mouth, without drenching the paper with saliva. And the cooperation with which you administered this fashionable toke lent directly to the level of closeness you wished to share. Today it is as much of a foregone cultural trend as disco music, the CB radio and the Six Million Dollar Man. For stoners, there was nothing cooler. And then, poof - gone, like an out of fashion pop group.

The beer shotgun followed, but that was stupid.

So why did this practice of provocative participation diffuse into thin air? The shotgun was very communal.

Kind of like splitting a banana split. And it required no technology other than weed and a rolling paper.

If you think about it, it was like sharing a peace pipe with Sitting Bull - and I am not referring to my Camp Couch buddy Davey Dabs.

Moustaches made a comeback. Hippie clothes made a comeback. Backstreet Boys made a comeback.

We should lobby the Danksonian Institute to revive it from the archives. Because like those native chiefs who forged pacts in a teepee, our world leaders could blow shotguns into each othersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; mouths before the customary presentation of old war swords and hand painted vases as diplomatic gifts. In fact, after a good shotgun blast, they may for once see value in the trippiness and functionality of these items.

Maybe the shotgun can be the first step toward ending social distancing.

By the way, these days he would be called the Six Hundred Million Dollar Man.

June 2020 Get the audio version and every episode at Stoney-Baloney.com

@RickerDJ

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