Jan. 2014 — Issue #43 by Northwest Leaf / Oregon Leaf / Alaska Leaf / Maryland Leaf / California Leaf / Northeast Leaf

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Issue #43

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contents

JANUARY 2014

Chris Padron, 22, smokes during an event Dec. 6 marking the 2nd year of the terrible law that is Initiative 502.

2013 in Review PROFILE

m E D I CA L M A RIJUA N A PAT IEN T S are the only ones being thrown under the bus in the name of “legalization.” Thanks I-502.

These are the people who truly need their medicine the most, and now patients are threatened with decreased possession amounts, an absurdly low grow limit (3 flowering plants versus 15???) and still no job or arrest protection. This is why we continue to fight.

Olympic Alternative

Community of Voices

8 Questions for....

Dockside Co-Op

Brownie Mix Review

Take a scenic ferry

Transitioning Clones

Northwest News

Steve Elliott keeps you up to date

Bringing patients & activists together Fremont access, sustainable model

Bremerton’s Top Green Meds awaits

Taking a look at the mural of heroes

Ryan Kunkle — MMJ businessman

All in one box, this potent batter hits An important step, but don’t stress

Northwest News...............10 i-502 quoted.....................18 What will the feds do?.....24 Fremont Access..................28 Kitsap Access..........................32 Olympia access.....................36 strain of the month............40 Patient’s Resolutions...........44 tasty recipes..........................56 micro strains.........................64 herbology......................66 DR. ROSE: HOMEOPATHY..........68 BEHIND STRAIN........................78

cOVER & CONTENTS PHOTOs by Daniel Berman/Northwest Leaf

contents

L i q uo r b oa r d b a ns p ot i n b a r s Frank Schnarrs, 62, has owned Frankie’s Bar and Grill since the 1990s. For a $10 annual fee, patrons at the Olympia, Wash. bar could become members with access to a special upstairs section of the building where one could smoke marijuana or cigarettes while playing pool and having a cocktail. It brought a struggling bar back into the black, and was a frequent gathering spot for many patients. But that will disappear since the Washington State Liquor Control Board voted in December to ban businesses with liquor licenses from allowing any type of pot consumption on the premises. “This is something government hates because they can’t control it,” said Schnarrs, who does not use marijuana himself. “I knew people used to smoke [marijuana] before they would come. They might as well do it here.” Photo by Daniel Berman

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editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s note Thank you for checking out the 43rd issue of northwest leaf! As we enter 2014

it is important to be thankful for the rights we have been given as medical Cannabis patients, and to resolve to fight to maintain them in the coming year. If this issue of Northwest Leaf can remind you of anything, let it remind you what we stand to lose if MMJ access is taken away. Hundreds of small businesses, tens of thousands of jobs, and patients being forced into the black market to get their medicine. We need to keep a steady eye on the legislature in the coming months, and speak out against those that would marginalize the needs of patients. Check out our NW Leaf New Years resolutions (just after Strain of the Month), and see how many you can keep! This monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s issue also features three great access points, including our first feature on a Bremerton collective, as well reviews of places in Fremont and in Olympia. All three are unique, quality, and bring something special to the table. We also feature the first ever pre-medicated

baking mix in our reviews section, two whole pages of tasty recipes to start trying out, and an awesomely stoney strain of the month, and a new herbal feature exploring the medicinal properties of Elderberry (hint: it beats Tamiflu). Micro Strains this month focuses on a strain designed to help provide incredible pain relief. Our photographer, Daniel, shares his favorite pictures of the year from all around the state, showcasing the people and issues we read about. Steve Elliott brings some hard-hitting and fun national news this month, and Tyler Markwart has a new article on the conflict between Federal laws and State MMJ programs. We also have a comprehensive growtech guide to transitioning clones and Behind the Strain from Dr. Scanderson. Thanks for reading, and I wish everyone a happy and prosperous New Year!

january 2014

Contact Northwest Leaf editor Wes Abney to discuss advertising or displaying our magazine in a new location. We want to hear from you! Feel free to send submissions, share news tips, your take on a story or one we should hear. Phone 206-235-6721 Email nwleaf@gmail.com

~Wes Abney

founder & editor-in-chief

Wes Abney

the truth about the plant you thought you knew, IN every issue.

photographer & designer

Daniel Berman contributors Steve elliott kirk ericson tyler j. markwart bob montoya Will rodenbough Dr. Scanderson dr. Scott D. rOSE

jan. 2014 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

northwest

Steve Elliott is the editor behind tokesignals.com, an independent blog of Cannabis news and opinion

Washington Liquor Control Board Announcement

change of heart: Medical Marijuana Patients Can Grow (less) At Home

a major victory for the medical marijuana community, the Washington state Liquor Control Board, under heavy patient pressure, reversed itself Dec. 18, signaling it will recommend to lawmakers that patients continue to be allowed to grow Cannabis in their homes. The LCB’s previous recommendation that home growing be outlawed in order to force patients to conform to recreational legalization measure I-502 stirred outrage in Washington’s medical marijuana community. State voters approved I-502 last year. Board members now say they recommend that patients, or their designated providers, be allowed to grow up to six plants, three flowering and three nonflowering, reports Bob Young at The Seattle Times. Currently, patients are allowed to grow up to 15 plants at any stage of growth. Not explained was why the 15-plant limit -- reached by the Legislature after extensive discussion -- was abandoned. “We’re all in agreement on home grows,” said Sharon Foster, chairwoman of the three-member Liquor Control Board. Members on Dec. 18 worked on changes they’d like to make to their recommendations, but didn’t take formal action. The recommendation will reverse a proposal by staff at the departments of Health and Revenue and the LCB to outlaw home growing by patients. Recreational users aren’t allowed home growing under I-502. The outlawing of patient home grows was the most controversial recommendation by the LCB. In public comments about the recommendations, keeping patient home grows was the most common request, echoed by 362 people.

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It was also the most common refrain at an emojuana are explicitly allowed under Washington’s tional public meeting last month in Lacey, where medical marijuana law, RCW69.51a). more than 600 packed a room designed for 450. Board members appeared Dec. 18 to reach The patients, for more than three hours, told memagreement on several other recommendations, bers of the LCB and the departments of Health including requiring a patient registry, also unand Revenue why ending home growing, banpopular with patients because they fear the regning patient collective gardens, ending the process istry will be used to plan law enforcement raids. through which new conditions can be added to auThe board also wants the Department of thorized medical conditions for Cannabis, and forcHealth to define “intractable pain,” a common ing patients onto a state registry are reprehensible. condition for medical marijuana authorization, Patients and advocates told board members that in an apparent attempt to reduce the number of home growing provides patients with more affordauthorizations. able Cannabis, and also allows them to have rare Board members left in place a proposed 25 medicinal strains they might not be able to find in percent tax on medical marijuana at the cultirecreational retail stores. vation, processing and retail The board still plans to shut levels. Marr said the tax rate Recreational users are not down patient collectives, and an for medical marijuana should allowed to grow at home additional source of concern is that be left to the Legislature and under Initiative 502, though in some areas, the number of stores Department of Revenue. will be reduced more than 10-fold patients are actually going to The LCB wants to allow if and when dispensaries are shut only recreational marijuana see a decrease in the number down. In Seattle, for example, stores to get a state endorseof plants that they can grow: more than 220 patient collectives ment to serve patients, but from 15 down to just three. are operating. Under I-502, only officials haven’t determined 21 retail outlets will be allowed what the criteria would be for in the entire city. That sounds like enough, right? such an endorsement. In the real world, what State consultants have publicly admitted they this means, is that medical marijuana patients are concerned that the medical marijuana system will have even fewer safe access points because will “siphon” potential customers from the profitmany or most of the recreational stores might making recreational system. They also claim the not be “endorsed” to sell to them. medical marijuana system will deter the I-502 sysToo bad there’s not an existing system of tem from its goal of undercutting the illicit marmedical marijuana collectives that specifically ket, which is nonsense, as the medical marijuana exist to serve patients, eh?. Oh, wait. There is, system isn’t illicit (exchanges of money for maribut the state has decided it’s bad for profits.

Liquor Board bans pot smoking in bars

Quick Hits!

41 6 15 500 3,700

Percentage of drivers arrested for impaired driving in Washington state who tested positive for Cannabis. This is the 1st year such a statistic has been recorded.

Number of flowering marijuana plants that every family in Uruguay will able to grow at any one time, thanks to a new law that took effect last month to global applause.

PHOTOs BY DANIEL BERMAN

arijuana’s supposed to be legal now in Washington, but apparently it’s not as legal as alcohol. The state Liquor Control Board adopted a rule change in December making it illegal for a business with a liquor license to allow Cannabis use of any kind on-premises. The rule change goes into effect 30 days from the unanimous board vote, according to LCB spokesman Mikhail Carpenter, reports Jeremy Pawloski at The Olympian. That would mean that marijuana smokers who light up in Frankie’s Sports Pub in Olympia will be breaking the law after Jan. 17. Frankie’s, for a year, has allowed bar patrons to smoke weed in an upstairs private room. Owner Frank Schnarr says members can legally smoke there after Washington voters approved I-502, making it legal for adults ages 21 and older to possess and use up to 1 ounce of marijuana. Washington bars, except for Frankie’s, ban smoking of any kind, but Schnarr won a legal battle to allow his patrons to smoke tobacco in an upstairs room, if they pay $10 annual dues to become “Friends of Frankie’s.” Business is booming at the bar since he started allowing marijuana smoking, he said. There are now about 13,500 “Friends of Frankie’s,” he said.

Schnarr said he planned to ignore the Liquor Control Board rule change. According to the new rule, bars that catch patrons smoking weed are supposed to throw them out. A bar that repeatedly allows patrons to toke up could face fines and could even lose its liquor license, according to Carpenter. The rule change wasn’t made to specifically target Frankie’s, claimed Justin Nordhorn, chief of enforcement for the LCB. He claimed the board has heard “numerous reports” from officers in King County that other bars are also allowing patrons to get high. Board members claimed they were concerned about bar patrons smoking marijuana and then driving home. It seems odd that they waited until now to express concerns about impaired driving, since folks drink alcohol at the bar then drive home every night. The LCB has argued that the sudden rule change was necessary to bring its rules into compliance with I-502, which bans consumption of Cannabis “in public view.” “Public drinking” is also against the law in Washington. Wonder when they’re going to bust bar owners for that?

Number of states that will be introducing marijuana legalization bills in 2014, according to Reuters.com In 2013, 10 legalization measures were introduced. Amount in dollars of a fine for smoking Cannabis in public that the city of Boulder, CO has handed out to 113 very unlucky tokers.

Number of recreational marijuana license applications submitted in Washington, according to the Associated Press. The state has put a cap at 334 total stores across the state, however 867 applications for a retail storefront have also been submitted.

60 3.7 4

Percentage of United States high school students surveyed by the National Institute of Health who reported hey do not view marijuana use as harmful

Millions of dollars worth of Cannabis that was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol in a single weekend in South Texas. More than 4,600 pounds of pot in total were confiscated by the much-lauded drug unit. Number of different initiatives filed in California to legalize Cannabis in 2014. California voters in 2010 narrowly defeated Prop 19 which would have legalized recreational marijuana for personal use for everyone over 21.

Quoted

‘‘

Colorado will be leaving prohibition behind in the new year. The movement taking place in Colorado has piqued the interest of voters and elected officials around the country, many of whom will be taking the issue on in 2014. - Mason Tvert, director of communications for the Marijuana Policy Project, who told CNN he was pleased to see 348 recreational marijuana business licenses being sent out across Colorado last month. Colorado issued licenses to 136 stores, 178 cultivation sites, 31 manufacturing facilities and three testing facilities.

northwest

Steve Elliott is the editor behind tokesignals.com, an independent blog of Cannabis news and opinion

6,000,000 ounces

Study: Washington state tokers went through 135 to 225 metric tons of marijuana last year

Seattle City Council

$27 fine approved for pot smoking in public

moking marijuana in public is still against the law in Washington, even under legalization measure I-502, but it won’t cost you much, at least in Seattle. Seattle City Council members in a December committee vote approved a $27 fine for public Cannabis smoking. City Attorney Pete Holmes had at first suggested $50 fines. When administrative fees were added, the total cost of a public pot-smoking fine could have reached $103. The lower fines, sponsored by Councilmember Nick Licata, match the penalty for illegally drinking alcohol in public. The council asked that Seattle Police Department officers give people a warning before fining someone for smoking marijuana in public. The ordinance would also require that police log the age, race and sex of anyone fined for smoking pot in public, and the locations of the violations. Police would be required to report these findings every six months. The council members who are also members of the Housing, Human Services, Health and Culture Committee -Licata, Sally Bagshaw, Tim Burgess, Sally Clark and Bruce Harrell -- voted for the fine. The ordinance leaves it to the Seattle Municipal Court to decide the cost of fines after administrative costs. The law would allow the court to tack on about $28 in additional fines, totaling $55. “I fully support this,” City Attorney Holmes said. Holmes has in the past emphasized that it is “in the interest” of marijuana legalization measure I-502 to ban public pot smoking.

12/jan. 2014 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

ashington marijuana users smoked more than 6 million ounces of pot this year, according to a RAND Corp. study. The RAND study, aimed at figuring out how much Cannabis is smoked by heavy users on a typical day, was released Dec. 18. A team of researchers calculated that the Evergreen State’s roughly 750,000 marijuana users will have consumed between 135 and 225 metric tons of weed in 2013. The team came up with the median figure of 175 metric tons, which is 6 million ounces, enough for about 340 million half-gram joints, or 170 million the way I roll ‘em. According to the RAND study, “Before the Grand Opening,” half the weed in the state is consumed in its three most populous counties: King County uses about 30 percent of Washington’s marijuana, while Pierce to the north and Snohomish to the south smoke about 11 percent each. Knowing the amount of pot smoked in Washington is important to the government because of the implementation of I-502. If the state-licensed marijuana stores run out of weed, customers will turn back to the black market and the state won’t get the tax revenue politicians are salivating for. If “too much” marijuana is produced (or, in a more likely scenario, that which is produced is overtaxed so badly that folks won’t buy it), surplus production could be illegally diverted. For that reason, the study’s researchers conducted an online survey to ask marijuana consumers how The massive figure is much they use. Researchers were especially interenough for about 340 ested in consumers who toke up more than 21 days million half-gram per month, because that segment of the smoking joints, or about 170 public uses about 80 percent of all weed smoked, according to earlier research. million joints the Nearly two-thirds of the 2,783 respondents from way that i roll them. Washington reported using pot at least 21 days per month, averaging 1.3 to 1.9 grams per day on days they smoked, according to the report. “If you can get a good idea about what those heavy users use, you can get a pretty good idea about the size of the market,” said RAND study author Beau Kilmer. The users were shown photos of a half-gram of Cannabis next to a credit card and a coin, for scale. The idea was to improve the accuracy of their responses about how much weed they smoke. Washington officials plan to allow licensed producers to grow 80 metric tons of marijuana in 2014, half for use as dried flowers and half for producing Cannabisinfused products. Because their own estimate is that 175 metric tons are used in the state each year, their modest goal is to capture less than half the market on their first year. When asked if the city would sue to block the new legalization ordinance, City Attorney Danielle West-Chuhta said. “At this time, the city has not decided what next steps, if any, it will take with regard to the ordinance.” PHOTO BY DANIEL BERMAN

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Steve Elliott is the editor behind tokesignals.com, an independent blog of Cannabis news and opinion

Portland DEA Agent Leaves Job To Enter WA Marijuana Industry

Drug Enforcement Adminismedical marijuana business consultant. tration agent in Portland, Ore., Moen was an agent who “understood the mission” of federal law enhas quit his job to join a Seattle forcement against illegal drugs, said John Deits, an assistant U.S. attorney in company involved in the marijuana indusOregon who oversaw federal drug prosecutions in the state until his recent try. Ten-year DEA veteran retirement. Patrick Moen left the agen“I think it was surprising to me that Pat would want to do “It wasn’t an easy cy for Privateer Holdings. what he is doing,” Deits said. “I think it was surprising to a decision. It’s not one Moen, 36, admits some of lot of people within his own agency. But obviously they are I took lightly. I talked his former DEA colleagues the ones that know a lot about the laws and a lot about mariare less than enthusiastic about juana.” with friends, family the career change this November. Bringing ex-DEA agents into the industry is “politicaland coworkers. I The former drug agent will now be tracking Cannabis-related ly savvy,” according to marijuana lobbyist Steve Fox, but he sought out opinions. investment opportunities for investors. doesn’t see the move as necessarily a positive one in general. “It wasn’t an easy decision,” Moen said. “It’s not one I took “This industry now is about producing and marketing a prodlightly. I talked with friends, family and coworkers. I sought out opinions. uct and the people who work for the DEA have experience in a different “When it comes down to it, this is an incredible opportunity for me proindustry, which is arresting and prosecuting people for marijuana,” Fox said. fessionally and personally,” Moen said. Moen is the second Oregon DEA Meanwhile, Moen said he’s been surprised to find out just how many agent to take a position within the marijuana industry. Paul Schmidt, who people he knows use Cannabis. “Now that people can open up, I realize this was the highest-ranking DEA agent in Oregon until 2010, now works as a is a product that someone’s parents use, someone’s friend uses,” he said.

14/jan. 2014 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

Florida

Marijuana court judge caught drunk on the job

Florida judge apparently came to work drunk last week, and her inebriated antics at the bench caused such an uproar that the chief judge had to take matters in hand. Judge Gisele Pollack came into a Broward County court obviously drunk last week, calling for her staff to be fired, reports Deirdra Funcheon at the Broward-Palm Beach New Times. Chief Judge Peter Weinstein reportedly had to be called out of a meeting to personally remove the juiced judge from the courtroom. “The staff tried to keep the judge off the bench,” reports Red Broward at The Daily Broward. “The judge’s response was basically, ‘Fuck you; you’re fired.’ ” Broward declined to name the drunken judge, but her name was soon revealed on Jaablog, an insider blog for lawyers and judges, and Broward Beat soon also named her. The judge had been “writing irrational emails” lately, according to Broward Beat. One recent day, Pollack was seen

entering the courthouse through an exit door, according to a source, a security no-no. The judge’s troubles were met with sympathy in many quarters of the press. Jaablog called the incident “a shame ... this is one judge who has dedicated her career to evening out the playing field and getting help for people like herself who struggle with a sometimes overpowering disease.” Pollack came up with the idea for a “marijuana court” for people with misdemeanor pot violations; the court steered defendants toward treatment rather than jail. Pollack recently abruptly adjourned the misdemeanor drug court she founded after court had only been in session 90 minutes, according to The Huffington Post. Later, she was allegedly seen screaming at an assistant and demanding that someone give back her car keys. Pollack, who has struggled with alcoholism, admits she suffered a relapse. She didn’t return to work Dec. 18, and on Dec. 19 she told reporters that she was taking two weeks off for “an intense outpatient program,” according to the Sun Sentinel.

Judge Pollack came up with the idea of a marijuana court where people with misdemeanor pot violations could be directed to take treatment rather than jail. COURTESY FLORIDA SUN-SENTINEL

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/15

national

Steve Elliott is the editor behind tokesignals.com, an independent blog of Cannabis news and opinion

Harvard Medical School Study

MARIJUANA DOESN’T CAUSE SCHIZOPHRENIA PHOTO BY DANIEL BERMAN

fewer than 1/3 of americans oppose legalizing marijuana

ccording to a poll from The Associated Press, just 29 percent of respondents said they opposed “legalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use.” The number opposing legalization has fallen dramatically since 2010, when 55 percent were opposed, notes Forbes financial magazine. The AP numbers are consistent with other recent surveys in finding increased acceptance of marijuana, and increased resistance to its prohibition. The share in favor of legalization was about the same as in 2010, but more repeated “feeling neutral” on the issue this time, reports AP. Pollsters typically see an increase in “neutral” responses in surveys conducted online (as in 2013) compared with those conducted by phone (as was the case in 2010). Opposition to legal marijuana peaked in 1990 at 84 percent, according to the General Social Survey conducted at the University of Chicago. In the new poll, 37 percent said legalizing marijuana would improve the economy, up from the 32 percent with that response in 2010. Fewer (16 percent) felt it would harm the economy than thought so in 2010 (21 percent). People are also less likely to think of marijuana as a gateway drug. About one-third said it could lead people to try harder drugs, down from 39 percent in 2010. In fact, more people (17 percent) now see Cannabis as a deterrent to hard drug use than did so in 2010 (10 percent). Just one in five people in the U.S. said they would personally use Cannabis, if its sale and possession were legal; eight in 10 said nope. Those most likely to say they would use pot were men, city dwellPublic opinion has been ers, people younger gradually softening than 65, liberals and toward Cannabis since Democrats. The poll anti-pot hysteria peaked of 1,367 adults has a during the “Just Say No” margin of error of +/era of the 1980s. 3.5 percentage points.

16/jan. 2014 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

laims of a causal link between marijuana use and the development of schizophrenia have been some of the reefer madness claims hardest to extinguish, partly because of insistent coverage in the British tabloid press, which led to the Brits re-criminalizing Cannabis after briefly relaxing the laws. But yet another study, this one from Harvard Medical School, has found no association between smoking Cannabis and the mental illness. Researchers compared families with a history of schizophrenia to those without. “The results of the current study suggest that having an increased familial morbid risk for schizophrenia may be the underlying basis for schizophrenia in Cannabis users and not Cannabis use by itself,” the researchers found. According to researchers, the study is the first that “examines both non-psychotic Cannabis users and non-Cannabis user controls as two additional independent samples, enabling the examination of whether the risk for schizophrenia is increased in family members of Cannabis users who develop schizophrenia compared with Cannabis users who do not and also whether that morbid risk is similar or different from that in family members of schizophrenia patients who never used Cannabis.” While some researchers have in the past suggested that a correlation could exist between teenage Cannabis use and the increased likelihood of being diagnosed with schizophrenia later, rates of schizophrenia in the general population haven’t increased along with the explosion of marijuana use. The study collected Researchers at Harvard Medical School and the VA Boston Healthcare system looked into whether faminformation on pot ily risk for schizophrenia is a crucial factor underlyand other drug use ing the supposed association between the developalong with ment of schizophrenia in pot-smoking teens. family history Scientists recruited 282 subjects from the Boston regarding and New York metro areas, dividing them into four schizophrenia, groups: bipolar disorder • Controls with no lifetime history of psychotic illand depression. ness, Cannabis, or other drug use; • Controls with no lifetime history of psychotic illness, and a history of heavy Cannabis use during adolescence, but no other drug use; • Patients with no lifetime history of Cannabis use or any other drug, and less than 10 years of being ill; • Patients with a history of heavy Cannabis use and no other drug use during adolescence and prior to the onset of psychosis. The study collected information on marijuana use, along with family history regarding schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression and drug abuse. Researchers concluded that the results of the study, “both when analyzed using morbid risk and family frequency calculations, suggest that having an increased familial risk for schizophrenia is the underlying basis for schizophrenia in these samples -- not the Cannabis use.” “While Cannabis may have an effect on the age of onset of schizophrenia it is unlikely to be the cause of the illness,” wrote the researchers, led by Ashley C. Proal of Harvard Medical School. Photo courtesy abc news

legalization quoted

Compiled By Northwest Leaf Staff

Patient advocates have become increasingly concerned by an apparent unwillingness to accommodate two parallel markets and a desire to roll the state’s 15-year-old medical marijuana program into the emerging recreational marijuana program by making the medical-use law much more restrictive, the requirements unnecessarily onerous, and the costs far too prohibitive for patients.

Patients in Washington will not sit idly by

to see the state dismantle its 15-year old medical marijuana program and attempt to roll them into a nascent recreational market. The very real needs of medical marijuana patients cannot be adequately met by the recreational marijuana program and must be addressed by preserving and strengthening the law that currently exists. We’re urging Governor Inslee and the state legislature not to abandon the tens of thousands of patients in Washington and continue to treat medical marijuana as a public health issue.”

-ASA Exe. Dir. Steph Sherer in a Nov. 13, 2013 press release

“People all over the world are watching and they’re about to see us wipe out medical marijuana. What kind of message does that send to other states who are thinking about legalizing marijuana?” -Patient and Activist Kari Boiter, in a Dec. 3, 2013 interview with The American Prospect

“I don’t think we need to have two systems, but we have to preserve the ability for legitimate, qualifying patients to have access to a safe, secure, reliable source for their medicine.” -Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles (D-Seattle), in an Oct. 28, 2013 Seattlepi.com interview

Patients who choose to purchase, rather than produce, their medicine will have greater assurance of quality and safety than is available to them under the current unregulated patchwork of commercial collective gardens. Given these conditions, it makes little sense to create a parallel system of production and distribution and incur duplicative administrative and enforcement expenses. Nor would it be good policy to continue allowing collective gardens to engage in unregulated commercial activity. Alison Holcomb, in a Nov. 13, 2013 letter to the Washington state Liquor Control Board

the folks who wrote I-502 put together a piece of shit that could pass. They wanted to win so bad they forgot to bring along the reform. -Attorney Douglas Hiatt, in a Nov. 25, 2013 interview with The American Prospect

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rehashed

By tYLER j. markwart for Northwest Leaf | Photos by Daniel Berman

d e c . 2 1 , 2 01 3

VOICES of CONCERN About 150 patient advocates, MMJ business owners, lawyers, state legislators and the architects of I-502 GATHERED TO TALK AND ALSO LISTEN at Town Hall sEATTLE.

20/jan. 2014 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

NAMING NAMES ROW Row Row Row

1 2 3 4

Vivian McPeak of Seattle Hempfest, Kristin Flor & Marijuana Is Safer Monkey, Alex Cooley of Solstice Shawn Denae of CCSE, Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes, Sharon Whitson of Seattle Hempfest Patient Allison Bigelow, State Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, Cannabis Attorney Aaron Pelley Patient Joanna Mckee, John Novak of 420Leaks.com, I-502 Creator Alison Holcomb

ttendees were entirely unafraid to boo or applaud even louder for many of the 30-plus speakers, who all shared their plans and hopes for whether medical marijuana will have a future in Washington. Yet one point was heard repeatedly throughout the rally: The MMJ community needs to come together and reduce the internal divisions that are keeping us from making progress. Early in the afternoon, Hempfest mainstay Vivian McPeak took to the stage to emcee, doing an excellent job of keeping the rally moving along without major disruptions or delay. Some of the most passionate activists in the industry spoke, including a touching speech from Democratic state Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles who began by apologizing that she had only a few minutes. Kohl-Wells shared that she expected her her mother, only blocks away in the hospital, to die soon. Kohl-Wells said there should be “No more stigma for using medical marijuana ...” before noting that her mother decided against cannabinoid treatments because of the stigma surrounding Cannabis when she was younger. Joanna Nicki, known as the “mother of Washington state medical marijuana,” let patients know that it is not acceptable to go back to having zero protections for medical marijuana patients as we had before the passage of I-692 in 1998. Alex Cooley from Solstice Gardens, Dante Jones from Grow Ambrosia and Ben Livingston, pot columnist for The Stranger, all gave excellent speeches highlighting the absolute importance of maintaining medical marijuana protections, creating realistic goals for MMJ and looking at the benefits that I-502 will provide to patients. Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes took the stage to a few boos, but was able to quickly take control by explaining to the crowd that “Prohibition is the enemy.” He wasted no time imploring the crowd to work against Prohibition on a united front. Looking back to a few weeks earlier, Holmes mentioned that “Ben Livingston’s pot party at the Seattle Center is like a beer garden or a wine tasting,” drawing enthusiastic applause. Holmes stated repeatedly that it is imperative for everyone to work together to contact their elected representatives in

an orderly manner and that democracy can have a positive effect when legislators and lawyers “are trying to expand Medical licensing.” ACLU attorney and I-502 author Alison Holcomb took the stage to a fairly resounding mix of cheers and boos. She told the crowd that they may have read about her or think they know her, but they may not know “the real her.” She didn’t hesitate to dive right into a five-minute description of her role in I-502’s “success.” Many of the attendees agreed that bringing all sides of the conversation into one room so they could talk to each other seemed to help attract attention to many of the ideas that we either need approved

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of or left alone by the Legislature. The rally brought into the open some tough truths, and helped ease the MMJ community’s attitude toward I-502 supporters. McPeak closed the rally by expressing hope of having another rally soon. “This was a great event and I hope to see more supporters out here next time filling those seats,” McPeak told Northwest Leaf. “I hope that we can put together another rally before the Legislature commences their next session.” Additional reporting by Daniel Berman

Let’s never ever lose sight of what the real enemy is: prohibition. We must go at this enemy on a united front. -Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes, addressing the crowd.

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By tYLER j. markwart Northwest Leaf Contributor

FEDS VS. STATES 24/jan. 2014 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

ILLUSTRATION BY CATHOLICLANE.COM

orts f f e ion t punch t i b i h ro nockou p w o H ak t e g t mus

The countdown has ended for recreational Cannabis sales in Washington and Colorado, and now the world is eagerly watching and waiting to inhale. State and federal laws are conflicting in a significantly historic manner, with the consensus of intellectually engaged people in the United States leaning toward a regulated Cannabis market. Now is the time to throw the legislative uppercut and knock out the War on Drugs.

ut throwing an uppercut can leave a big opening for the feds to come in and put a halt to the entire experiment and wreak havoc on medical patients’ access, sending us back to pre-1998 laws when the only protection for patients was case law. With Washington and Colorado making bold statements to the federal government that they are going to implement the will of their voters, the feds have slowly been changing their stance to more of a regulatory than an enforcement agency. Attorney General Eric Holder issued a statement in August that included eight points that the newly created regulatory systems in the two states should be aware of and that the federal government still will enforce. Prominent Seattle criminal defense attorney Douglas Hiatt told Northwest Leaf that some serious problems could remain as jurisdictions move forward with moratoriums. “When places like Pierce County get sued because of the moratoriums they have implemented, “ Hiatt said, “those lawsuits could possibly be passed onto the federal courts, where they could preempt I-502 partially or in its entirety, which would also have an effect on patients if medical marijuana laws are to be changed in the next legislative session.”

Pay your dues The IRS recently announced it is now allowing banking institutions to accept, handle and issue Cannabis businessrelated profits, savings and investments. The IRS has stated twice that it has dropped forfeiture cases across the country against landlords and landowners of medical marijuana enterprises. That signals a huge shift in the government position on marijuana policy and corporate involvement in the production, processing and distribution of a substance. With a short break over the holidays, Washington lawmakers will be back in Olympia in January for a new legislative session, where they could possibly amend I-502 and I-698. With a supermajority vote of at least 60 percent, the Legislature could take into consideration the Liquor Control Board’s recommendations about amending I-502 and I-698. A reconsideration of those initiatives

is highly probable because a number of elements need to be addressed in I-502, including potential regulations that could positively benefit patients’ rights and access to medical marijuana. Legislators are asking constituents to contact them so they can get a better idea of how communities want to handle production and distribution. Expressing your ideas for legislation should be done with a simple, polite email or a handwritten letter. Also, approaching your local representative at a scheduled political event can have a major effect on the outcome of any legislation.

One down, the rest to go…

Tighter regulations on production should help create better standards on production and processing, but many Seattle-based medical access points have been kicked to the curb because of the change in zoning regulations that have gone from “common path of travel” to “as the crow flies.” Also, many patients across the state are furious with the Liquor Control Board’s recommendation for a change that would allow only three plants for home growing for licensed medical patients, along with a patient registry. In order to change the recommendations, that anger must be directed in an educated manner toward the Legislature in the upcoming session. Patients not only need to protect their rights, they need to expand their rights. Positive influence is the ability to take your knowledge and pass it on to other people so they can understand it and use it to benefit themselves and others. Positive action requires expressing your views in a civil manner, perhaps even in a circumstance where it’s uncomfortable to talk about drug policy, and doing it in such a way that people become educated and don’t even think about whether they are comfortable. Our state is riding an experimental board on one of the biggest waves our society has ever witnessed. Right now, we are peaking at the crest and are about to drop in for the ride of our lives. Hold on, act properly and never let anyone push you down.

The Good:

The potential for positive state legislative action

Tighter regulations on production and processing Increased access in some areas of state currently without any medical collectives.

The Bad: Federal lawsuits could potentially squash parts of I-502 that are desirable or beneficial. Loss of the affirmative defense for patients Lowered possession amounts for patients from 24 ounces down to just three ounces, a move that hurts those reliant on producing their own edibles or specialized concentrates. Loss of business location because of “as the crow flies” standard for measuring distance from schools, parks, or other areas. New DUI standard of 0.05 ng/ML may cause additional arrests when the driver is not impaired.

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By wES abNEY | Photos by Daniel Berman

Minding The Mantra DOCKSIDE CO-OP HAS CULTIVATED A WARM & WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT DOWN IN FREMONT

the realm of medical Cannabis, knowledge is power. Many patients must rely on their access points to provide them with accurate and useful information, as well as products. Dockside Cooperative empowers patients while going the extra mile to provide a quality experience. From the structure of the sales-tax-compliantnonprofit co-op to the tested medicine on the shelf, the co-op is an excellent model for MMJ organizations. While some access points grow and improve in awkward spurts, the model developed by founders Oscar Velasco-Schmitz, Maria Moses and Aaron Varney has served them perfectly since opening.

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the founders Oscar Velasco-Schmitz,

Maria Moses and Aaron Varney with some of their staff in the back budroom.

If you ask them, they would point to their handbook, at the center of which is their business mantra, “We don’t want to be the best in the industry, but the best for the industry.” That mindset has served the co-op and its patients with a sustainable reliability not easily achieved. “We have fundamental values that guide us, and we try to remind ourselves continually of them, but we also really try to have fun. It’s reflected in interactions with the patients, our staff, and the community at large,” Oscar explained. “It’s like having a type of faith that everything will be all right, as long as we keep doing things with good intentions and good deeds.”

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The LA Confidential has purple tones and a musky scent, while the Romulan tickles the cerebral cortex, delivering a surprising sensory high, given its 80/20 indica dominance.

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The edibles are in-house, extra-strength and tested along with all of their strains and extracts Positive vibes fill the space, which has a comfortable “We try to match patients with strains that waiting area and beautiful cork flooring. Tea and match their condition, and we also try to have water are always available for those waiting to take predictability with our staple strains,” Aaron said. a turn in the medicine room, which is laid out to be “It’s finding a balance, and we always take feedback visually appealing and functional. to try and meet patients’ needs better.” It’s also simple to make a knowledgable decision, Dockside displays an expansive selection of with every item in the store tested by Analytical 360, concentrates, edibles and topicals. Some of the so you know what will work best for your condition. rarer items on its shelf are multiple types of CBD “Testing is a requirement for all our growers,” capsules, Ohana Farms fresh-juiced CBD Cannabis said Aaron, whose specialty lies with finding the smoothie inserts, Irie Works THCA smoothie best dried flowers and growers. “We’re not a shop inserts and even medicated pickles. that takes in random vendors. The first thing I build The cooperative emphasizes CBD-rich products is a relationship with a grower, and once they have and has begun offering a $40 CBD starter pack that proven test results, we look for diversity in strains.” includes a glycerine or alcohol tincture sample, two One of the most medicinal strains we saw is types of capsules and 2 grams of CBD-rich strains. the CBD Cannatonic, a 50/50 hybrid strain testing “We’re trying to get people to try CBD out, and at 10.64 percent THC and 6.25 percent CBD. The a lot of patients just don’t know enough about it,” surprisingly sweet-smelling flower is chunky and Maria. said “We offer the sampler as a chance to try unassuming until smoked. Clean smoke fills the everything at a fair price.” lungs and upon exhaling, a euphoria drifts over the To that end, the co-op actively encourages the body, relieving stress from pain and inflammation. employees to connect and help in the community. Another staple strain is the Cactus, with its agave “Being here is really rewarding,”said Sabina Boehm, taste and underlying skunkiness which make for a often found smiling and helping behind the counter. great smoke. It tested at 15.04 percent THC and “I think the best part of my job is when little old 0.26 percent CBD, which is proven ladies come in who are nervous and by the heady and slightly psychoactive skeptical, and have opinions that Dockside CO-OP high. The LA Confidential has purple MMJ won’t work, and to be able 223 N. 36TH ST. SEATTLE 98103 tones and a musky scent, and the to lead them through the process Phone: 206-420-4837 Romulan tickles the cerebral cortex, of learning. They come back paindelivering a surprising sensory high, free and happy and it makes for a www.docksidecooperative.org given its 80/20 indica dominance. beautiful awakening.”

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By Steve Elliott Northwest Leaf Contributor | Photos by Daniel Berman

Traveling to The Top just a scenic ferry ride away, the folks AND IN-HOUSE EDIBLES at bremerton’s top GREEN meds are worth THE day trip

took 15 years after passage of Washington’s medical marijuana law for safe access storefronts to open in Kitsap County. With Bremerton proper now home to at least three dispensaries (with three more access points just outside town in Gorst and three more in Silverdale), Northwest Leaf decided to check out Kitsap’s young but thriving medicinal Cannabis scene — a relaxing ferry ride away for Seattle and King County residents. The term “mom and pop shop” is thrown around a lot in the medical Cannabis community, but in the

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case of Top Green Meds, which opened Aug. 16 in Bremerton, it’s literally true. Owner/operators Steve and Rose Young are local folks who got into the business with the single intention of providing patients with high-quality meds, and they make you feel welcome as soon as you walk into the place. Besides running Top Green Meds, Steve and Rose have been breeders of ball pythons for three years. Ball pythons are the smallest members of the python family, and they’re mellow and

good-natured snakes. Once NW Leaf photographer Daniel Berman and myself found this out, the Youngs agreed to go get three of their 68(!) snakes so they could be included in the pictures. (All you patients who are deathly afraid of serpents should relax: The pythons are normally never brought into the shop. Ball pythons are available from the Youngs for sale, starting at $40, but are sold only to individuals, not pet stores, citing ethical reasons.) Steve says he’s not interested in getting an I-502

Besides running Top Green, Steve & Rose have been BReeDers of ball pythons for three years. bUT DON’T WORRY, The snakes aren’t kept at the store.

While in Bremerton, check out the U.S.S. Turner Joy, take in a show at the Admiral Theatre, and stop by the beautiful waterfront before boarding the ferry home.

license to sell recreational marijuana. If the state eventually shuts down patient collective gardens, he said he’s getting out of the business. Top Green Meds pride themselves on their selection of medibles, all prepared in-house. Cookies for $3 each include snickerdoodles, chocolate chip and very potent shortbread, and some fresh and delicious chocolate bon bons are well worth $5 a pair (if you eat them both in one sitting, you should plan on staying home). Deliciously savory medicated chex mix is also available for $4, and infused honey sticks are $6 apiece. While you’re perusing the selection, don’t forget the $15 EdiPure candies (Apple Drops, Banana Rings and Rainbow Bells) and the $10 Elevation Bars (chocolate and peanuts, cookies and cream, milk chocolate). Concentrates are available, including hash ($20/ gram), Rick Simpson Oil ($46/gram, $26/halfgram), Sativa Valley THC tincture ($24) and Sativa Valley CBD tincture ($30). Topicals are available, too, including Sativa Valley Massage Oil ($26) and Migraine Salve ($18). Printed information on every one of the strains available – 14, on the day we visited – is available

ing of white giving them an alluring glow. If at the shop. Strains, which are priced at $10 a gram across the board, except for the ATF, which is $12, you need to medicate for pain, nausea or both include Opal, Alaskan Thunder Fuck (ATF), Blue in the morning, yet retain functionality and relDream, Purple Train Wreck, Agent Orange, AKative clear-headedness, ATF is a good choice. This strain has a lot of expansion, no doubt 47, Girl Scout Cookies, Medi and Green Crack. due to its abundance of resin glands, with a Opal, a little-known hybrid strain, is a tasty and effective smoke. It has a subtly dank bouthick, rich exhale and immediate euphoria. quet, but not a powerful smell, which I find The Blue Dream was an excellent expression slightly surprising in view of its genetic heriof that ever-popular strain. Cannabis patients tage (Frankenstein x Lemon Kush x OG Kush). know there’s no reason why good medicine, while it’s taking care of your The flowers are similar to the OG Kush part of its genetic forebears, alpain and nausea, can’t be fun. Top Green Meds Blue Dream is a perfect examthough they have a more energetic 2135 Sheridan Road, Ste. D ple of this: Around the time you effect, no doubt due to the sativa inBremerton, WA 98310 fluence from the Lemon Kush. notice you’re not in pain anyThe ATF flowers were positively more, you’ll notice that music is Phone: 360-479-9172 fuzzy with trichomes, a sticky coatsounding better than ever.

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By wES abNEY | Photos by Daniel Berman

Owner Steve Mohr

commissioned a mural outside his collective of Cannabis pioneers, including Steve DeAngelo, Marc Emery, Jorge Cervantes, Pops, Dr. Lester Grinspoon & Jack Herer.

A Loyal Following o ly m p i a a lt e r n a t i v e m e d i c i n e ’ s d e d i c a t i o n a n d s e l e c t i o n p ay o f f f o r p a t i e n t s

hen people talk about small businesses, they don’t often think of the MMJ scene, but occasionally you’ll find an access point owner who wipes glass and tends bud alongside the staff. It’s a modern twist on the fabled apothecaries from the turn of the 19th century, but with a bigger focus on sustainability and local products. Olympia Alternative Medicine has been open since November 2011, and has found a comfortable balance within the community.

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For owner Steve Mohr, the opportunity to help patients has been the motivation to grow and keep coming into work daily. “I always say to people that to me, I really feel like finding Cannabis was a pivotal point in my life, and it changed my life,” Steve explained. “It made me want to learn all sorts of things about the plant, and it continues to surprise me the variety of conditions it helps with.” One of the coolest parts of the collective is the

large outside mural depicting some of the medical Cannabis movement’s biggest heroes, including Steve DeAngelo and Dr. Lester Grinspoon. It stands as a reminder of those who have fought for the right of storefront access points and provides a special feel to this collective. It’s this attitude of respect, both toward patients and those who have fought for our medicine in the past, that makes Olympia Alternative a community asset. While many collectives have grown jaded to the

a bl tom ue ic be rr y bustle of the fast-paced MMJ business, Steve is in specials such as $9 Mondays on everything in stock. his collective several days a week budtending and On the shelf during our interview was a beautiful talking with his patients. Skunk No. 1, which had a light and pale flower “One word -- compassion,” said Arnie West, dripping in trichomes. It has a warm and piney a frequent patient. “He really cares, and he really smell, and delivers a superbly stoney high that is wants to help patients out.” made for pain relief. For Steve, part of helping patients is fighting to The Dutch Treat was also a solid option, with its protect their rights. strong odor and reliably powerful effects. Strains “When we started things, it was a more positive such as Mars and the Atomic Blueberry are tasty, situation. Since the passage of I-502, things have though they must compete with the concentrates taken a negative stance toward medical. It makes and edible selection for attention from patients. me nervous,” he said with a light shrug that belied “The Black Beauty hash is consistent and one his deep concerns. “Since day one we have wanted of the best concentrates I have had. Time after to help patients, and that is our concern.” time this has been what I needed, which keeps While he isn’t against recreational use of me coming here even as I drive past other places,” Cannabis, he said he believes that medical use patient Tom M. said on his way out of the collective. should not be discounted or discontinued for a Tom said he is hoping to protect MMJ and happy hour alternative. his right to grow. “We can’t relinquish our home“If you have a headache, or your back hurts growing rights, or be told what we can medicate from a long day at work, you should be able to use ourselves with. I don’t want to lose rights that we Cannabis as medicine. If you can use it to get high already have.” recreationally then you should absolutely be able By working to move forward and stepping up to use it as medicine,” he said. for patients, Steve has found a loyal following Speaking of medicine, the collective has a in Olympia, which he hopes can translate fine selection of products. The flower into a strong future for both the is displayed in a fairly no-nonsense olympia alternative collective and Washington patients. way that emphasizes the choice “This is part of a broader issue medicine of strains themselves, not a flashy ... If you use Cannabis for self– 2405 harrison ave. nw brand or overly heady sales pitch. medicating, it represents a loss for olympia, wa 98502 With 40 to 50 strains on the shelf daily, big pharma,” he said. “We need to Phone: 360-705-9415 patients have got options. All flowers preserve the rights and laws that we www.olyaltmed.com are donated at $10 per gram or less, with already have now.”

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“If you have a headache, or your back hurts from a long day at work, you should be able to use Cannabis as medicine. If you can use it to get high recreationally then you should absolutely be able to use it as medicine.”

“The Black Beauty hash is consistent and one of the best concentrates I have had. Time after time this has been what I needed, which keeps me coming here even as I drive past other places,” patient Tom M. said on his way out of the collective.

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In terms of bag appeal alone this Blackberry Kush is a fantastic strain. Deep purple and frosty buds of medium size and firm density pile perfectly atop one another, releasing a strong and fragrant smell that is both warm and sweet. The blackberry tones are perfectly developed, and the taste comes through the smoke with an explosion of flavor. Developed by crossing Afghan flower with a true Blackberry, this heavy Indica is great for treating pain or nausea. The effects hit very quickly, melting pain and anxiety away with waves of overpowering body high. The smoke has a very hashy and earthy taste, almost as though it was a bowl of bubble hash in the bowl and not a dried flower. If you didn’t know, the effects could be mistaken for hash as well. This is one strong flower.

‘‘

The smoke has a very hashy and earthy taste, almost as though it was a bowl of bubble hash in the bowl and not a dried flower. If you didn’t know, the effects could be mistaken for hash as well. This is one strong flower.

This strain is definitely better for night time use, though patients with heavy pain levels might try pairing it with a cup of coffee to get through a tough morning. The effects tend to linger on a lot longer than many of the more Sativa leaning hybrids, making it a functional medication if you have to medicate and then refrain for several hours. It is also known as an appetite enhancer, so watch out for the munchies!

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Exhale

By N ort h west Lea f sta ff

as a patient, this year i proudly resolve to...

Your PHOTO here

Only buy locally produced glass in 2014. Try a new medible or concentrate company.

Drive safely & not medicate in the car or anywhere illegal.

Buy (and wear) a Cannabis-themed item for my wardrobe.

Treat my medicine and other patients with respect and love.

Always pass to the left, and follow all proper smoking etiquette.

Return any accidentally stolen lighters acquired through the year.

Call my legislator or representative and tell them to protect my medicine.

Share a copy of Northwest Leaf with a friend or family member who doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know about MMJ. Donate to a local MMJ compassion program, activist group, or volunteer at least once this year to help save my medicine.

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because, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s up to each of us.

REHASHED

Text & PHOTOS by daniel berman

Photos of the Year Cannabis in 2013 had its challenges, its successes, its enemies and its heroes.

46/jan. 2014 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

“They’re setting back years of traction in proving marijuana has medicinal uses by designating it as an intoxicants,” said Michael Dare, a patient of five years, during a protest at Seattle City Hall before a heated public comment hearing by the Washington state Liquor Control Board on October 8.

cLOCK WISE FROM top: A worker at a Spokane, Wash. medical marijuana access point February 15. Ten access points have sprouted

up across downtown Spokane in the past year. // Cannabis Freedom Marchers shout through the streets of Seattle May 11. // Ladarius Freeman, 23, from Atlanta, does a French inhale during the Cannabis Freedom March May 11. // Smoking in the tent at Seattle Center during an I-502 anniversary event. // Patient Chuck Warner protested Initiative 502 proposals at the state Capitol in Olympia June 19.

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REHASHED

Text & PHOTOS by daniel berman

Photos of the Year Continued from previous page

r i g h t:

Ryan Barker of Modus Vivendi weighs out Maui Wowie during the opening of the Rainier Beach NW Cannabis Market Feb. 13.

fA R R i g h t:

Seattle Police Dept. Spokesman Sgt. Sean Whitcomb hands out bags of Doritos with info on I-502 to attendees on day two of Seattle Hempfest Saturday August 17.

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b el o w :

Attendees flee a huge 4/20 pot rally at Denverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Civic Center Park after gunshots rung out injuring two, minutes after 4:20

Fr o m to p to b o tto m : Offering up a joint during the MMJ Concentrates Cup June 1 at MMJ Universe in Black Diamond. When a Peacock Finds a Pot Leaf authors Morgan and Geneva Carman I-584’s Don Skakie is calling for real legalization, protecting home grows & possession amounts. Trimmed leaves stick to the bottom of a worker’s heel at a grow site in Okanogan County, Washington. Happy smokers at a Snoop Dogg concert at the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver, CO April 19. Former Mexican president Vicente Fox called for sweeping marijuana legalization across the country during a press conference with Diego Pellicer founder Jamen Shively in which Shively said the business would become the #1 global marijuana provider. WSLCB member Chris Marr indicates a speaker’s time is running out at a comment hearing Nov. 11.

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TASTY

compiled by northwest leaf

Recipes

A bit of the munchies never hurt anyone

medicated bacon almond brittle

PUPPY CHOW Prep Time: 20 Minutes Cook Time: 10 Minutes Ready In: 30 Minutes 1/2 cup medicated butter

Makes 3 pounds of Bacon Almond Brittle. It’s sweet, salty, smoky, and plain addictive.

1 cup creamy peanut butter 2 cups milk chocolate chips 1 (17.5 oz) package crispy corn and rice cereal 1 pound confectioners' sugar 1. Melt the peanut butter with the butter or margarine and the milk chocolate. Pour over the cereal and toss until well coated. 2. Place the coated cereal in a large paper sack then add the confectioners’ sugar 3. Fold down the top of the bag and shake to coat.

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4 to 6 slices of good quality bacon 2 cups salted dry-roasted almonds, toasted and coarsely chopped 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar 1/4 cup plus 2 tbs. light corn syrup 1/4 cup plus 2 tbs. water 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted medicated butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes, at room temperature 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon crushed pink peppercorns

Email your recipes nwleaf@gmail.com It might just be in our next issue!

1. Cut the bacon into bite-sized pieces. Place the pieces in a large saute pan and cook over medium heat until crispy, about 10 minutes. Drain on paper towel-lined plate and set aside. Line a baking sheet with a Silpat, waxed paper, or parchment paper—set aside. Combine salt, baking soda, and pepper—set aside. 2. In a large saucepan, combine sugar, corn syrup, and water. Cook this mixture on medium-high heat for about 4 min., or until the sugar turns thick and syrupy. Slowly add the softened butter and continue stirring until mixture emulsifies. Keep cooking and stirring until all the water has boiled off and mixture is golden brown, between 300°F and 320°F. Use a candy thermometer or eyeball it, about 10 to 13 minutes. 3. Remove the pan from the heat. If the mixture is not smooth, whisk until it is smooth. Stir in the baking soda, salt, peppercorns, crispy bacon bits, and almonds. Quickly but carefully pour the brittle onto the prepared baking sheet. 4. Once the brittle has cooled and hardened, break it into bite-sized pieces or larger chunks. Store in a tightly sealed container for up to 1 week.

cinnamon snack mix Prep Time: 10 Minutes Cook Time: 10 Minutes Ready In: 20 Minutes 5 cups honey graham cereal 3 cups cinnamon-flavored bear-shaped graham cookies 2 cups ramen noodles, crushed 3/4 cup sliced almonds 1 cup golden raisins 1/3 cup medicated butter 1/3 cup medicated honey 1 teaspoon orange juice 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. 2. In a large bowl, mix honey graham cereal, bear-shaped graham cookies, ramen noodles, almonds, and golden raisins. 3. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt butter, and blend in honey and orange juice. Spread over the honey graham cereal mixture, and toss to coat. 4. Spread mixture onto a large baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes in the preheated oven.

TASTY

compiled by northwest leaf

Recipes

Interesting side dishes and a gooey snack

Deviled eggs w/ apple compote Prep Time: 20 Minutes Cook Time: 20 Minutes Ready In: 40 Minutes 8 eggs, hard boiled, cooled and peeled 2 tbs. medicated butter 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and diced small 1 shallot, finely chopped 2 tsp. chopped fresh parsley leaves 2 tbs. mayonnaise 1 tsp. Dijon mustard Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 tbs. fresh lemon-thyme or fresh mint leaves, very finely chopped

1. Cut each egg in half lengthwise. Transfer hard-boiled egg yolks to a mixing bowl. Melt butter in a saute pan, and gently cook apples and shallots until tender. Remove from heat and add parsley to apple mixture and let cool. 2. mix yolks with mayonnaise and mustard, and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Spoon apple mixture into empty hard boiled egg whites. Spoon egg mixture on top of apple. Garnish with lemon-thyme or fresh mint.

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sweet potato & parsnip latkes with chunky applesauce Top these satisfying potato pancakes with a dollop of apple sauce, sour cream and green onions For the Latkes: 1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled 1/2 pound parsnips, peeled Pinch of Salt 1/4 cup flour 2 large eggs 1/4 cup medicated vegetable oil For the Chunky 5-spice Applesauce: 6 MacIntosh or Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1-inch chunks 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon apple cider 1 teaspoon lemon zest 1/2 teaspoon Chinese 5-spice powder 1 tablespoon sugar To finish: Sour cream (to taste) 1/4 cup green onions, sliced thinly

Email your recipes nwleaf@gmail.com It might just be in our next issue!

1. In a large saucepan over med. heat, combine apples, lemon juice, apple cider, lemon zest, 5-spice powder and sugar and stir to mix well. Cook 10-15 min. until apples begin to break down, but are still chunky. Remove from heat and cool. 2. On a box grater grate the sweet potatoes and the parsnips. Combine potatoes and parsnip in a large bowl. Season with salt and toss to combine. Add flour and stir to distribute evenly. Add eggs and stir well. 3. Heat 2 tablespoons of the medicated oil in a large saute pan over med. heat. Form the potato mixture into 3-inch latkes that are about 1/2-inch thick. Add to the oil and fry until golden brown on both sides and cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. 4. Remove to a paper-towel lined plate and season with salt. Repeat this procedure with all of the potato/parsnip mixture, adding more fat as necessary. 5. sERVE with applesauce, sour cream and green onions.

salted caramel brownies 1/2 1b. (2 sticks) medicated unsalted butter 8 oz + 6 oz. Hershey’s semisweet choc. chips 3 oz. unsweetened chocolate 3 extra-large eggs 1 1/2 tbs. instant coffee, such as Nescafe 1 tbs. pure vanilla extract 1 cup plus 2 tbs. sugar 1/2 cup plus 2 tbs. all-purpose flour 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. kosher salt 5 to 6 oz. good caramel sauce, e.g. Fran’s 2 to 3 tsp. good flaked sea salt 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and flour a deep 9 in. x 12 in. baking pan. 2. Melt the butter, 8 oz. of the choc. chips, and the unsweetened chocolate together in a medium bowl set over simmering water. Allow to cool 15 min. In a large bowl, stir (do not beat) together eggs, coffee, vanilla & sugar. Stir the chocolate mixture into egg mixture and allow to cool to room temperature. 3. In a medium bowl, sift together 1/2 cup of the flour, baking powder, and salt and add to chocolate mixture. Toss the remaining 6 oz. of chocolate chips and the remaining 2 tbs. of flour in a medium bowl and add them to the chocolate mixture. Spread evenly in the prepared pan. Bake 35 min. until a toothpick comes out clean. Be careful not to overbake. 4. As soon as the brownies are out of the oven, place the jar of caramel sauce without the lid in a microwave and heat just until it’s pourable. Stir until smooth. Drizzle the caramel evenly over the hot brownies and sprinkle with the sea salt. Cool completely and cut into 12 bars.

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TASTY

Reviews

by wes abney Photos by Daniel Berman

Killer Bee Concentrates Brownie Mix $30-40

makes 9 brownies, approx. 100mg thc eacH

Nothing tastes as good as homemade brownies,

steaming hot out of the oven. For years patients have had to go by an all too often stale brownie from a collective, go home and microwave it before being able to enjoy a tasty warm treat. Which is why the Killer Bee Concentrates brownie mix might just be the best new product of the year. The boxes of mix are sleek, professionally designed and sealed, and have every bit of information a patient could ask for. In addition to basic info like cooking instructions and times, there is a full list of ingredients and test results for the end product on the box. The only difference we noted was the instructions are designed for convection ovens, so if using a traditional oven add an extra five minutes to your bake time. The mix calls only for eggs and oil, and takes about five minutes to blend and be ready for the oven. There is very little Cannabis smell in any of the process, and only a light taste of medicine in the finished product, so this is something you can make without stinking up the house or irritating non-patients. The mix makes 9 servings of roughly 100 mg THC brownies (depending on thickness and cutting skills), so use caution and sensibility when eating the product. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very potent! In terms of value, this product really shines. It has a sixmonth shelf life, making it good for access points and patients alike. At a suggested donation to the patient of $30-40 depending on location, this is a solid value by the milligrams alone. The average $5 brownie has roughly 50 mg THC inside, so this box carries a standard value of $75-90 worth of average brownies. You also get the experience of making the brownies fresh on-demand, which greatly amplifies the eating experience. Killer Bee Concentrates has clearly put in a lot of work to develop this product line, and we couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be happier for another new medible option. There are rumors of more mixes coming, with a possible Lemon-Poppyseed Muffin mix on the horizon. Show your support for innovation by asking for it at your favorite local collective.

29.88mg CBG- A 12.19mg CBG 42.07mg CBG-TOTAL 4.88mg CBN 17.99mg CBD-TOTAL 15.58mg CBC

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The Score

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43.43mg alpha-pinene 0.33mg humulene 0.47mg caryophyllene oxide 51.017mg terpene-total

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STORY AND strain PHOTOS by BOB MONTOYA for NORTHWEST LEAF

Micro Strains Up Close Each month we’ll highlight growers crafting strains with the goal of helping specific needs, not necessarily obtaining the highest yields

T B aby c ashy hy de

Cashy’s honey CBD 18.3% THC 8.9%

64/jan. 2014 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

here is a lot of turmoil in the medical Cannabis industry with pending legislation and conflicting perceptions of reality. It is time to sit back and focus. Some say that the Medical Cannabis industry is too “wild west” and “under regulated. I say that is the way it should be. It is this very quality that allows groundbreaking discoveries at such a sustained rate. It would be incomprehensible to imagine that Big Pharma would be able to generate a cure as quickly as the Cash Hyde Foundation and their supporters have. Cashy’s Honey was the answer for young Cash Hyde, who sadly lost the battle with cancer before the medicine could become available for him. Although it was not made in time to save him, this medicine is fortunately now available to others in similar need. A mix of DulcaCanna and AK 47, Cashy’s Honey is a unique blend of CBN, CBC, and CBD that is touted to be an excellent cancer fighter. Integrity Testing provided a comprehensive breakdown of the active ingredients: THC 8.9%, CBN 3.0%, CBC 1.7% and a whopping CBD 18.3%. The bulk of these plants will go to concentrate form for specific patients. It was an honor to experience the definition of a Micro Strain. The dried flower has a sweet oily aroma with a hint of citrus. At first glance the leaves look gray, but closer inspection reveals a bed of medicine-filled trichomes, with little if any leaf surface visible. Vaporizing renders a quick body and mind relief with just enough Sativa influence to keep you alert. No matter what the new year brings, excellent strides have been made. Contact the Cash Hyde Foundation for more info: for availability. Mike Hyde has been a Support and donate at kind of “Johnny Appleseed,” spreading CashHydeFoundation.com clones far and wide. Kris Haskins of Sonshine Organics nurtured the first flowers of Cashy’s Honey shown here. We are at a crossroad, with Medical Cannabis hanging in the balance — we must not lose focus. Growing this flower is no easy task. There are so many things that can go wrong that even the best experts are stumped once and a while. We need collective gardens. Make your voices heard. Cashy’s Honey is hope.

The white crystal-like trichomes are about half the width of a human hair â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Seen in a 500x close-up

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health & science

TH E SEC RE T P O W ER O F EL D ER B E RRI ES

By Northwest Leaf special contributor sCOTT d. roSE

A BOTANICAL MONOGRAPH

Commonly known as black elderberry, European elder, elderberry, elder flowers, flos sambuci nigra

Identifying marks:

Shrub growing in moist soil with stems up to 4m high; narrow, dark green, serrated leaves; large clusters of small, fragrant, creamy-white flowers in early summer ; fruits shiny black-purple, edible, berry-like drupes in late summer/early fall.

Parts used:

The leaves, bark, ﬂowers, and berries have all been used medicinally. The berries are most commonly used today formed into a concentrated syrup.

Active constituents:

Flavenoids quercetin and rutin, anthocyanadins, proteins, glycosides, viburnic acid, and vitamins A and C

Historical uses:

Treatment of common cold symptoms, increase body temperature and induce sweating, as a diuretic, astringent, laxative, as an expectorant for treatment of mild inflammation of upper respiratory tract, and induce vomiting. Has been used as food to make pies, wine, flavorings and color dyes.

Medicinal uses:

(Sambucus nigra) is found in North Africa, North America, western & central Asia and Europe. Photo by flickr/jacob whittaker

Side effects & toxicity:

Uncooked berries or juice can result in vomiting and diarrhea. constituents of the leaves, stems, ﬂowers, and roots contain poisonous alkaloids (best to use berries). People can be allergic to it.

Contraindications:

There have been no adverse effects reported. as with all botanical medicines women who are pregnant or nursing should consult with their doctor before use.

The antioxidant properties of elderberry make it useful in any condition where there is oxidative stress such as cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative processes such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, peripheral vascular disorders, autoimmunity, and Multiple Sclerosis. direct stimulation of insulin and glucose metabolism directs its’ use toward blood sugar issues such as diabetes. perhaps the most important and

66/jan. 2014 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

Dosage:

Elderberry syrups are typically dosed at 1 tablespoon (15ml) three times per day and powdered preparations are typically dosed at one 500mg capsule 3 times with or without food. For acute viral infection, treatment is typically 3 to 5 days.

Drug interactions:

No confirmed interactions. people with diabetes should monitor their blood sugar with usage.

most well studied are the antiviral effects of elderberry. numerous studies using a trademarked proprietary blend - Sambucol (available over the counter as well as others {look for Honey Gardens Elderberry Syrup- has other herbs that work well with elderberry}) have shown multiple antiviral mechanisms. elderberry is useful in the treatment of viral infections associated with the common cold, influenza, herpes simplex, and HIV.

Recipe for elderberry syrup: www.tinyurl.com/elderberryelixir

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health & science

Natural and alternative solutions to many of life’s ailments do exist, but sorting the fact from the fiction of these treatments isn’t so easy.

HOMEOPATHY + YOU H

omeopathy is a system of medicine that originated in Germany more than 200 years ago. It contains more than 3,000 remedies, all without side effects, that are specific to individuals and their complaints or ailments. Many of these remedies are sold over the counter. Homeopathic remedies stimulate the vital force -- the healing energies -- of a living organism with miniscule doses of the remedy, operating on a premise of “like cures like.” Homeopathy is largely rejected by conventional medicine due to a lack of understanding of how it works, though most pharmaceuticals in use today aren’t clear about how they work, and may cause many side effects. Hippocrates was known to prescribe small doses of mandrake root, which causes mania in high doses, to treat patients with mania. He might have laid the foundation for homeopathy. In the early 16th century,

68/jan. 2014 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

Paracelsus proclaimed that “what makes a man ill also cures him.” In the late 18th century, Samuel Hahnemann, a village doctor in Germany, was unhappy with current medicine, including bloodletting and purging. Hahnemann began testing substances for the effect they produced on a healthy person. He tried to deduce from the ills a substance created what that substance might heal. Hahnemann coined the term homeopathy. He noticed as he tested substances that ingesting substances to affect a noticeable change often produced toxic effects. He then explored dilutions of the substances to mitigate toxic effects. He developed a technique of “succussion and dilution,” which is a vigorous agitation of one part of the original substance mixed in 100

By Northwest Leaf special contributor sCOTT d. roSE

parts of water, then one part of that solution is added to another 100 parts of water. This process is repeated. Using this process, a substance is able to be “potentised” or increased in its strength the more diluted it becomes. The most common remedies found over the counter are 30C dilutions, where the original substance has been succussed and diluted 30 times. At this dilution, there is statistically no longer any of the original substance in the medicine. Homeopathy was popular during the early to mid-19th century and then fell into disfavor. The problem stems from the fact that no solid mechanism of action has been shown in research. It enjoyed a resurgence in the 20th, and into the 21st century. Homeopathic remedies are derived from

Remedies are available for the common cold, flu, digestive complaints, hangovers, and even to speed and strengthen the healing of a fractured bone.

reasons why homeopathy may appear to be working

But again, homeopathic remedies are given without side effects. If a remedy is going to work, it will. If the remedy doesn’t work, it won’t do anything at all.

The Placebo Effect Consultation and expectations for the homeopathic preparations may cause effects.

plants, minerals, animals and even synthetic materials. Many harmful substances such as arsenic, mercury, strychnine and even the captured energy of X-rays are used as “like cures like.” For example, homeopathic poison ivy, or Rhus toxicodendrum, is often used to cure skin rashes.

A TEXTBOOK OF ALTERNATIVES The Homeopathic Materia Medica is a resource for all of the remedy symptom pictures, which describes the symptom patterns associated with each remedy -- the symptoms the remedy is used to treat. Symptoms are listed in the homeopathic repertory. This is the classical use of homeopathy -symptoms are pulled from the physical, mental and emotional planes of the person and then, during the repertorisation process, the remedy that fits the symptom picture of the person is found. Some remedies in the Homeopathic Materia Medica are made from Cannabis. Homeopathic Cannabis indica is often correlated with exaggeration of the duration of time and the extent of space. Other symptoms include forgetfulness, inability to finish statements, uncontrollable laughter, involuntary head shaking, backache, and fatigue with inability to sleep. Homeopathic Cannabis sativa has fewer side effects, and is used to treat stuttering, cataracts, oppression of breathing with heart palpitations, frightful dreams and dislocation of the knee bone going upstairs. The Cannabis remedies are often

used in the treatment of “Cannabis addiction.” They might be also used to mitigate unwanted side effects during Cannabis use. These remedies are not readily available. The most commonly used homeopathic products are often in a base of lactose, but lactosefree options are available. Homeopathic remedies have traditionally been used as single remedies, but products can now be found that mix and match remedies to get additive effects. Remedies for the common cold, flu, digestive complaints, hangovers, and even to speed and strengthen the knitting of a fractured bone are available. Again, homeopathic remedies are given without side effects. If a remedy is going to work, it will. If it doesn’t, it won’t do anything.

WHY IT MATTERS Stimulating the vital force is a forgotten concept in conventional medicine. Vitalism contends that a living organism is fundamentally different than an inanimate object. This difference is the spark of life, or vital energy. Ayurveda medicine from India calls it parana and Asian cultures call it qi (or chi). Addressing imbalances on a person’s energetic plane might thwart the disease process. In doing so, we can shift from pathology-based medicine to an approach that manipulates the vital essence and subtle energies of living organisms. Homeopathy is a way of doing just that, if you find the right remedy.

Therapeutic effect of the consultation The care, concern, and reassurance a patient experiences when opening up to a compassionate caregiver can have a positive effect on the patient’s well-being. Unassisted natural healing Body’s ability to heal without assistance can eliminate many diseases of their own accord. Unrecognized treatments Unrelated food, exercise, environment or different ailment treatment may have occurred. Regression toward the mean Since many diseases or conditions are cyclical, symptoms vary over time and patients tend to seek care when discomfort is greatest; they may feel better anyway but because of the timing of the visit to the homeopath they attribute improvement to the remedy taken. Non-homeopathic treatment Patients may receive standard medical care at the same time as homeopathic treatment, and the former is responsible for improvement Cessation of unpleasant treatment Often, homeopaths recommend patients stop getting medical treatment such as surgery or drugs, which can cause side-effects; improvements are attributed to homeopathy, not stopping the treatment causing side-effects, but an underlying disease remains untreated and continues to be dangerous to the patient.

Homeopathy, How it Really Works (2004)

How homeopathic remedies are made graphic: DrZimmermann.org

The 1700s-era German village doctor Samuel Hahnemann coined the term homeopathy and later developed a technique known as succussion and dilution. You start with the mother tincture or curative substance, and add 1 part of that to 100 parts of water. It’s shaken vigorously, then 1 part of that solution is added to yet another 100 parts of water. The process is repeated until it has been succussed and diluted 30 times, at which point it is known as a 30C dilution — common in over the counter remedies. The original substance is now said to have been potentised, or increased in its strength the more diluted it becomes. jan. 2014 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

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growtech

THE NEXT STEP FOR YOUR CLONES

By Northwest Leaf special contributor Dr. Scanderson

s t r e s s - f r e e t r a n s i t i o n s c a l l f o r h y d r o -t r a n s p l a n t i n g

74/jan. 2014 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

Photo by Daniel Berman

ransplanting Cannabis from one rooting environment to another as it develops is one of the most important aspects of gardening. With proper processes and applications, clone transplanting can become a seamless process that promotes explosive, lush growth. Transplanting can stress your plants, bringing all new growth to a halt because of problems such as nutrient lock-up and O2 deprivation, so you need to have a firm understanding of the fundamentals. Paired with a plan and patience, transplanting can be an exciting part of growing. In this month’s Growtech, we will examine the basics of hydroponic transplanting and, specifically, medium selection.

Let’s focus first on transplanting rooted clones from their existing medium to the proposed medium. We will then examine the strategies behind using different mediums at different stages and see how that plays a role in the development of the plant. Cloned Cannabis plants are most commonly produced using two methods: plug cloning and aeroponic cloning. Plug cloning uses a root plug such as rock wool, rapid rooters or pellets as the first environment for the plant to propagate its roots in. The plugs with the new cuttings inside are usually placed in some sort of a high-humidity environment and kept moist until roots form. Aeroponic cloning uses an electric pump and a manifold to spray nutrient solution on the bases of cuttings in an enclosed environment. Aeroponic cloning has the benefit of having consistently faster rooting times for most growers. Without as much experience or time to devote to coddling plants, I’ve found aeroponic units split large roots in nine to 12 days while root plugs average closer to 14 days. The machines are built to deliver highly oxygenated nutrient solution to the suspended cuttings. These cuttings can absorb large amounts of O2 with no medium restricting direct contact with the air inside the unit. This design provides a rooted clone, with roots hanging from the bottom of the cuttings. However, aeroponic units do have downsides. If you do not closely monitor your nutrient solution or don’t use the correct levels of the correct products, bacterial blooms or other pathogenic enemies of your cuttings can spread faster and be more devastating than other techniques. We will start our exploration with the aeroponic type of starter clone. I’ve found that limiting change is a pervasive positive element in all gardening endeavors. In the case of clone transplanting, that means limiting all the factors that change during

transplanting. The easiest element to start with is water. I find that plants have the least difficulty the environment and lighting. Keep temperatures, adapting from aeroponics to coco, followed by humidity and the lighting spectrum the same. rock wool and lastly, grow rocks. That’s accomplished by cloning in the same room Essential for all three of these techniques is you vegetate in. transplanting to a small container. Solo cups Assuming you remove any humidity dome for coco work great, but I also like 3-inch rock prior to the cloning process being wool cubes or 3-inch completed, no significant change baskets for rock wool Essential for all three of these to the environment should occur. I or grow rocks. The techniques is transplanting to recommend keeping the nutrient largest obstacle is a small container. Solo cups for formula identical to whatever you getting the roots to coco work great, but I also like were spraying the cutting with adapt to their new 3-inch rock wool cubes or 3-inch for the first two to four days. environment without However, you’ll likely be unable suffocating them. baskets for rock wool or grow to avoid a change in rooting The transplant will rocks. The largest obstacle is medium. Unless you want to create some stress for getting the roots to adapt to move a cup cloning unit directly your plants, so their their new environment without to an aeroponic setup, your roots need for new water suffocating them. will experience a dramatic change. and nutrients will be I used to run aeroponics with minimal in the days exactly that method, although riddled with other immediately after transplant. Provided you drawbacks. It was one of the easiest methods for are transplanting them into a properly treated what I would consider a “zero stress” transition. medium, you should have to add nothing to them for three to five days for rock wool and coco, and two to three days for growstones, provided you hydroponic mediums are using the recommended container size. Larger container sizes avoid the need to The hydroponic mediums we will compare will transplant down the line, but I find they don’t be coco, rock wool and grow rocks (hydroton or dry out fast enough and consequently fail to growstones). Although the aeroponic cloner will deliver the same levels of O2 to the root zone. have impressive-looking roots in little time, the Additionally, if you transplant healthy, thriving roots come with the disadvantage of being highly plants from one small hydro container to a larger adept at pulling water and nutrients from a mist one, I rarely observe any shock. The faster and of solution or aerated reservoir -- if they reach more frequently you can dry out your medium, that far. These roots are often characterized as the faster I’ve seen root zones develop — “fish bones” because they grow long and stringy rewetting it with nutrient solution will benefit it with several short, evenly spaced side branching roots coming off the main shoot, much like a fish bone. Unfortunately, the environment they Article continues next page are going to no longer has standing or spraying

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growtech

TRANSITIONING YOUR CLONES more than suffocate it. I recommend that the initial medium treatment and the first initial rewetting of the medium be completed using the rooting solution recipe.

BEST PRACTICES AND SOME LIMITATIONS

hen using aeroponic cloners, 100 percent synthetic nutrient solutions work best. Using beneficial bacteria (mycorrhiza), with few exceptions, is useless, if not damaging, in aeroponic cloning. If transitioning into a 100 percent organic feeding environment, you need to allow adequate time for the root structure to develop while it accommodates the stresses the change creates. Roots plugs can certainly take longer to create lush vigorous rooting structures, but they have several advantages. First, like a miniature “container,” the plug (and usually the high humidity environment) provides ample protection against drought stress and creates no dependence on electrical equipment to keep the clones alive. In most stages of growth, if the pump in your cloner dies, you have three to six hours before every clone dies. Because you are providing it with medium, you have many more options for nutrient solutions. The same synthetic nutrients will work in root-plug environments, but the gardener can also propagate complex microbial life in many of today’s root-plug mediums and employ other organic gardening methods when using this type of medium. No matter what environment you are transitioning the root plug to, you are only adding to the existing environment, not replacing the one it’s in. The plugs are designed to be inserted directly into the vegetative container. Regardless if that container is then filled with rock wool, coco or grow rocks, the plug’s roots still exist in the environment they were propagated in, which limits stress. Root plugs come in various mediums. If you already know you’ll be going into rock wool, choose rock wool as your rooting medium. Rock wool 1-inch plugs to rock wool cubes often create a 100 percent zero-stress transplant with roots clearing

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that only one container exists between a rooted the bottom of the new cube in 48 hours or less. cutting and the final container I use. This supports the idea that the more “familiar” Plants are most susceptible to disease and the root zone is with the environment, the lower infestation when young and stressed, so my the risk of stress. Rock wool starter cubes and focus is on curbing stress and developing a blocks have the same material, density and moisture robust and dense root structure to produce retention. By starting them in 3-inch cubes rather highly resistant plants. Root plugs deliver than larger blocks, you are avoiding the potential for moisture and nutrients to the root zone by overly saturated blocks limiting O2 uptake by the staying moist. Deep water culture systems do newly rooted cuts. Rock wool cubes are versatile, so through the roots’ direct contact with the however, and also excel when transplanted into oxygenated nutrient solution. A transition other medium-based rooting environments. needs to occur in the root zone from those roots I’ve found organic plugs and pucks, often composed most adept at absorbing of sphagnum, peat, bark and water and nutrients other organic compounds, are IF YOU ALREADY KNOW YOU’LL BE through the surrounding versatile and lend themselves GOING INTO ROCK WOOL, CHOOSE medium (the root plug) even better than rock wool to ROCK WOOL AS YOUR ROOTING to growing through the organic feeding environments. MEDIUM. ROCK WOOL 1-INCH PLUGS new medium. I find them ideal for coco and I don’t try to catalyze maybe just slightly superior to OFTEN CREATE A 100 PERCENT this transition quickly. rock wool when transplanting STRESS-FREE TRANSPLANT WITH Rather, I keep the plants to grow rocks because they ROOTS CLEARING THE BOTTOM OF in their new container in usually have lower moisture THE NEW CUBE IN 48 HOURS OR LESS. a flood-and-drain type of capacity and retention system, which keeps the characteristics than rock rooting medium moist in the way the cutting wool. This complements the faster drying speed of is already accustomed to. Once the roots grow rocks because O2 reaches the root zone with accommodate the first transition from their ample space between each rock compared to finer plug environment and begin to thrive, I might mediums such as coco or soil. They dry out faster transition them directly to their water culture and, after an adjustment period, a healthy root container. structure in grow rocks can take feeding as often as I rarely highlight my personal gardening every four hours. procedures, but I wish to show my thought process, specifically, how I choose to identify, WHY I CHOOSE ROOT PLUGS break down and accommodate each potential stressful process and work backward to choose In experimenting with all these methods, I’ve elements such as nutrients, growing mediums found I enjoy the security, cost, simplicity and and grow environments. flexibility of using root plugs. I’ve mitigated the I always start with the idea that the plant time disadvantage by starting them earlier. I was already knows what’s best and you have to 100 percent aeroponic faithful for many years, learn how to communicate clearly enough with but I came to my preferred method by working your plants to understand how closely you are backward. With stress mitigation being the first meeting those needs, knowing that several limiting factor and transition to a bloom light different and equal ways can help you reach cycle being the last opportunity to make significant that goal. It is my hope that you find a piece changes, I like to ensure that the plants are already of this logic helpful so you can move closer to transitioned, adapted and vigorously thriving in stress-free transitions. the exact environment they will bloom in. I know

If you have questions or want to suggest a column, please email me at

thegreengardengroup@gmail.com. As always: HAPPY GARDENING!!

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BEHIND THE STRAIN

BY dr. scanderson for northwest leaf

questions?

Never hesitate to email me at thegreengardengroup@gmail.com. See a wide range of useful growing videos and tips at Youtube.com/DrScandersonGt

Lineage The mother plant,

the F-Cut OG Kush, was brought onto the scene by ICMag.com member DankiestOG. Having posted some of the arguably, dankest looking pictures of an OG Kush to ever hit ICmag.com, it was an instant hit and immediately one of the most highly sought cuttings. He claimed he had received the cutting in the late 90’s/early 2000’s in the Lake Tahoe area, when it was simply labeled as “Kush” — nothing more. She is named after the impressive Lake Tahoe area ski resort “KirkWood.”

HOW IT GROWS

Typical to many OG Kush’s, Kirkwood OG is a bit of

a slow-starter and a lighter feeder in veg. Once she takes off, she can stretch 300 percent or more, growing densely spaced branches that respond very well to super cropping. She likes nitrogen and calcium through week 2-3 of flower. Not as nutrient-sensitive as other OG’s, she still isn’t a heavy feeder. With 63-68 days she will produce medium-sized spear-shaped nuggets comprised of tightly stacked calyxes deeply encrusted with resin. This plant prioritizes resin production, smell, taste and potency over structure and yield, making it best suited for an intermediate gardener.

effects the instant head high is followed by the deep relaxation OG Kush is known for. As my eyelids take a familiar “sunset” position I can feel my perky, clear, kushed up, symptom-free state emerge and remember to offer a special thanks to Dr. GVS and the breeders at Archive seeds for making this plant available. Smoke report/bag appeal the flowers have F-cut OG Kush x Face Off OG BX1

KIRKWOOD OG

‘‘

This plant prioritizes resin production, smell, taste and potency over structure and yield, making it best suited for an intermediate gardener.

78/jan. 2014 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

tightly organized calyxes, with almost no leaf evident anywhere, exploding from a center of what appears to be an opaque white fuzz. The overall color appears blondish with welcomed breaks of deep green crevices on a consequence of the vast array of trichome heads. As stacked as each flower is, it breaks apart perfectly, sending out a potent rush of deep kush and acrid lemon pine sol cleaner. The familiar and riveting scents of piney kush with notes of cedar and a deep lemon reach into the mouth, jerking fiercely as a thick rush of potent smoke escapes through the throat. My chest cavity explodes and a pine needle forest spills out of my mouth as I exhale — and I am immediately met by a devastating head rush.