July Issue #13

NORTHWEST LEAF [Free]

July 2011 Issue #13

WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE TACOMA POLICE

DEPARTMENT? PAGE 6

MAPLE BACON CUPCAKES! Yes, a medicated bacon cupcake not only exists, but it’s incredibly delicious!

Pg. 8

PLUS: SEATTLE’S NEW DISPENSARY, HAVE A HEART |P. 16| |P. 14| TAKE A TRIP TO THE LEFT COAST CANNABIS FARMERS MARKET

HOURS:

11-7 M-S 12-5 Sun.

-FREE HASH FOR ALL PATIENTS -3O top-shelf strains under $12/g + tinctures, edibles!

-10% of your donation as patients will go to charity!

11009 1st Ave. S. Seattle, 98168

Cannabisoasis206@gmail.com

NORTHWEST LEAF Table of Contents

July 2011 www.nwleaf.com

Left Coast Cannabis {pg.14} This Tacoma dispensary has been hosting farmer’s markets for the past few months.

Learn how their success has helped patients explore quality dispensaries and product vendors from around the south-end region!

Tacoma Hempfest...P.6 MedibleReviews......P.8 StrainoftheMonth...P.10 Cannabis Chef........P.12 LeftCoast Cannabis.P.14 Seattle Dispensary..P.16 Cannabinoid101.....P.22 Grow Technology....P.27 Cover photo by FLICKR/ LIVING WITH GIANTS

Have A Heart {pg.16}

Conveniently located on Aurora Avenue, Have A Heart is helping patients with great medicine, a caring staff and a knowledge of their products that others should emulate

Dali’s Sky High Pies {pg. 12}

Yum, yum yum.

Dali, a Seattle chef, has been making home made edibles like pot pies (left), ice cream and cornbread that go way, way beyond just sugar-soaked medibles. Find out how she makes her stuff so darn tasty, potent!

Tacoma Hempfest {pg.6}

Thousands of people attended the rally and marijuana reform event, learning about the movement and the people involved in it -- but then the Tacoma Police put a stop to it -- find out why!

Cannabinoids 101? {pg.22} The organic compounds in marijuana are known as cannabinoids.

Some of these compounds are well known, like THC, and are responsible for the active ingredients and effects that give the body it’s buzz.

Learn more about these crucial bits

Strain of the Month {pg.10}

Molokai Frost, from Columbia City Holistic Health is an unreal sativa that smells just incredible!

3

NORTHWEST LEAF July 2011

www.nwleaf.com

Wes Abney Co-Founder & Business Manager 206.235.6721 nwleaf@gmail.com

4

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We offer a complete selection of:

• Yummy freshly baked edibles, candies and other munchies

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• An incredible selection of glass and vaporizers

For the patient gardener, we offer over forty strains of the best genetics available anywhere, along with discount growing supplies for patients.

W

e are centrally located in SODO, less

Now open 7 days a week, 10-6 No appointment necessary

than a mile from Safeco Field. We have a very knowledgeable staff waiting to compassionately serve you and have the most handicap accessible facility in Seattle.

Our facility is safe, secure, and most of all, patient friendly.

2735 1st Ave. South • Seattle, WA 98134 Email: info@access4washington.com Phone: 206-388-3462 www.access4washington.com

Heckled @

Hempfest

TACOMA POLICE OFFICERS CITE DOOB-TUBES FOUNDER AND 12 OTHER VENDORS FOR “PARAPHERNALIA” AFTER ORGANIZERS PAY $8K FOR POLICE SECURITY

AT 110-YEAR-OLD WRIGHT PARK ON A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN DOWNTOWN TACOMA, patients peacefully explored the 2nd annual Tacoma Hempfest, stopping to peer at vendors selling everything from glass pipes to t-shirts to tasty, healthy hemp seeds and even roach paper artwork (it takes 30 hrs to make one).

Many in attendance signed their support for I-1149 to legalize marijuana for recreational use, a measure created by SensibleWA.org If the event’s suVccess was marred by anything, it was Tacoma Police, who immediately told glass vendors that they were violating the city’s paraphernalia laws and that if they had to return to the booths again everyone working there would be arrested. Many of the paying vendors packed up and left early.

Police confiscated many vendor’s pipes and glassware. Vendors gave out the number to complain about police and told attendees to make their voices heard (see at right). Police even shut down the Doob-Tubes stand.

It’s a shame to all of us at Northwest Leaf that vendors were not made entirely aware of the restrictions -- many of which were not enforced in the same way at last year’s event -- where the same Police left vendors alone.

We hope that in the future, Tacoma patients will be able to experience the liberation of an event like the Seattle Hempfest -- where patients can medicate in an anonymous setting while shopping vendors selling pipes and shirts and storage containers without all of the the absurd police prosecution.

Hopefully, if another Tacoma Hempfest takes place, organizers will be able to work it out so that vendors and their products are protected from this kind of illegal search and seizure, while also insuring that patients from around the state get access to the information they so need, deserve and have the right to know!

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: A vendor tells the truth at his flag-draped booth; Crowds sit to hear the sounds

of talented musicians; Happy woman shows off her war on drugs outfit; Police cite a glass vendor for paraphernalia; Event attendees take it all in; Can you tell what time it’s at this booth?; Signing I-1149.

6

STORY & PHOTOS BY DANIEL BERMAN

Thousands rallied, learning about drug reform, dispensaries & initiatives at the family-friendly event at 110-year-old Wright Park, but Tacoma Police were having none of it.

7

JULY MEDIBLES OF THE MONTH NORTHWEST LEAF PRESENTS TWO SUPERB OPTIONS FOR PATIENTS PREFERRING MEDIBLES TO OTHER WAYS OF CONSUMING CANNABIS

OATMEAL GINGER COOKIES Kushman Bakery is a husband and wife business founded on the principle that medical marijuana patients suffering from systemic nausea or pain should have access to incredibly potent edibles that are a pleasure to devour. They created the medible line after finding prescription medication unsuitable to treat their illnesses. Kushman makes all their medibles by hand in small batches to ensure consistent quality, taste and dosage.

After years of refinement, they have created a proprietary process of making cannabutter that removes the activated taste that turns off some!

THC BACON MAPLE CUPCAKE This delectable treat is from Tacoma’s The Hashford Compassion Club [contact: (253) 212-1593] The cupcake tastes like a combination of french toast, maple bar and tender bacon, mixed in wonderful, sugary layers.

The cupcake looks and smells incredible -- but the best part is that this cake packs a punch. We ate one cupcake and found that we could feel a warm sensation in our stomachs within a half hour, and a nice body buzz even after two hours post-consumption. You’ll never have a plain vanilla one ever again if you take the trip to Tacoma for this amazing cupcake!

Grand Opening Jun. 1st

North Seattle’s Newest Collective!

Here at Have A Heart CC we believe in only the finest quality medicine and catering to our patients & their individual needs

*All Strains $12/g And Under *Wheelchair Accessible Featuring a wide array of EXCLUSIVE medicine through our co-ops found NOWHERE ELSE! *Veteran & Senior Discount ENROLL TODAY! (FREE MEMBERSHIP)

206.533.4142 206.533.4216 8

HaveAHeartcc@live.com 11736 Aurora Ave N Seattle, WA 98133 www.nwleaf.com

A Legendary Medical Marijuana Dispensary in South West Seattle

• All organic medicine • Knowledgable staff • Good vibes: secure, kind & respectful • Relaxing ambiance • Gourmet medibles • Hash tinctures Wed-Sunday Noon- Seven 9619 16th Ave SW Seattle, WA 98106 206.849.5596

HerbanLegends.com

STRAIN MONTH OF THE

Molokai Frost

FIND IT AT Columbia City Holistic Health 5262 Rainier Ave. S. Seattle, WA 98118 columbiacityholistic.com (206) 725-1040

REVIEW BY WES ABNEY // PHOTO BY DANIEL BERMAN

From the Molokai Island of Hawaii, it’s an original island sativa from 20 years ago crossed with an incredible 10-year-old White Widow strain (to help it finish). It takes over 120 days to flower, resulting in a great hybrid that will take patients to a relaxed place -- just like the ancestors might have seen on a daily basis.

The crystals are clear and highly visible and throughout the whole plant.

The crystals are not just on the outside, the bud is dripping with resinous glands throughout the plant.

The bud is light and fluffy, not dense like other buds, and smells wonderful.

The smell is incredibly dank, almost petrol-like, and should be an enticement to people who have gotten used to sniffing buds without real obvious smells.

The high is lung-expanding and provides a cerebral rush to the user -- and within a half hour patients will experience a pretty unreal level of medicated feeling -- it

10 www.nwleaf.com

doesn’t even feel like cannabis, the euphoric feel is that intense at times.

The duration of the high is about 6 to 8 hours, in waves, where the patient may not even realize that they still feel the effects.

Talk about bang for your bud! The potency of the strain should be a thrill for experienced consumers and a cautionary for newbies.

In addition, the strain is vegan, grown with no animal by-products such as Kelp or Meal and is a very natural growing fertilizer method that the people at Columbia City have mastered.

Check out this bud for an incredible high that will keep you wanting more. After years and years of making strains, the people at Columbia City should be your next stop!

Farmer’s Market Every 2 Weeks Starting June 19th from 11a-7pm Vendors call to reserve your space!

T W O G R E AT L O C AT I O N S !

NORTH SEATTLE (206) 841-7295 12309 15TH AVE. N.E. UNIT B WEST SEATTLE (206) 371-8647 5437 CALIFORNIA AVE. S.W.

info@gamecollectives.org

www.gamecollectives.org LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! SEARCH ‘GAME COLLECTIVES’ 11

STORY BY WES ABNEY // PHOTOS BY DANIEL BERMAN

Chicken Pot Pie.

My 3 Favorite Things.

Dali of Dali’s Sky High Pies makes tasty homemade medibles like ice cream, hummus, pot pie & a mean jalapeño cornbread

M

ost people would agree that all three items (chicken, pot and pie) separately are delicious, but the idea of a union seemed too good to be true. That is, until Chip and Dali of Dali’s Sky High Pies decided to take on this very culinary challenge.

I met the couple at their beautiful Seattle home, with an empty stomach and a curiosity for a new type of medibles. Although Dali’s does offer dessert items, their specialty is in meal replacements that are both delicious and potent.

The first thing noticeable was the scent. Delicious. Wafting. Emanating throughout the home overlooking a view of Puget Sound and a verdant garden, nestled along a quiet street.

One thing was instantly clear.

These were going to be some good pot pies.

Inside, Dali showed us the freshly prepared pies, and popped them into the oven. Reaching behind her, she pulled out a magnificent looking platter of medicated hummus and pita bread. The first taste was pure heaven, with a light lemon zing followed by a delightful garlic taste. I couldn’t find the barest hint of Cannabis, but my empty stomach was feeling warm within minutes, and a nice relaxing feeling accompanied the healthy snack. I couldn’t taste the Cannabis – but I sure felt the effects.

“It’s all about the infused oil being added into the hummus,” Dali explained. “And, a secret Greek recipe passed down from a chef,” she added with a smile.

For six months, Dali has been making a variety of savory meals and perfect sweets in this daylight-soaked room. It is, she says, a great place to work. Soon she will be moving to a

12

Seasonally, she also offers a shrimp Cajun style pie that is both restaurant quality and potent. Delicious. new property south of Seattle. For now though making goodies for patients that satisfy as well as medicate has been a treat in its self.

It’s also somewhat of a change from her last occupation: bartender.

“I helped people in both jobs,” Dali quickly points out.

Having worked in the bar industry all over the world, she has a unique set of experiences that have had an inspired influence on her cooking. Time in Maui shaped her, so did the stint in Spain.

“My mother is French and my dad’s a Kraut,” she said, describing the cooking styles passed on by her parents. “I also spent 15 years in New Orleans, which has definitely influenced my taste in cooking.”

It shows in her pies. Along with

traditional offerings like Chicken and Baked Potatoe pies, she makes a special pie unique to her. It’s called Gullah Gullah Island Pie, named for an island of freed slaves that dates back to the Civil War, she said. It has traditional Cajun ingredients plus the medicine baked into the pie.

Seasonally, she also offers a crawfish or shrimp Cajun style pie that is both restaurant quality and potent.

Delicious.

Vegetarians can opt for the potato pie, Dali mentions. “They are all great meals.”

“The crust is medicated with butter and the filling is medicated and cooked in the oil. At the end, I drizzle just a little over the top for that perfect taste and soft crust top.”

A lull in the conversation gives Dali a chance to produce a scoop each of medicated caramel ice cream and milk chocolate. The ice cream is smooth, flavorful and not overly

herby like other people’s products.

This is one prize offering!

But Dali is not content to just entertain her guests. She’s making her spaghetti sauce. That sauce reduces for about twenty minutes before it’s ready for adding to the tomatoes.

Dali steps away, pausing. “It’s done.”

Done with her sauce but not done expanding the business – or helping even more patients improve their lives. Dali knows that patients can’t live on sweets alone. She’s doing her part , using cannabis to create homemade meals with a punch.

Before we leave, Dali loads up a bagfor us. “Here’s some cornbread and make sure to eat the ice cream quick,” she said, unloading pot pies and a saucer of hummus too.

“I hope you enjoy these!,” she says.

Dali is the kind of patient helping patients that more people should strive to emulate.

This is one challenge that Dali has conquered with great, tasty results.

FOR INFO & PRICES EMAIL chloemoon@rocketmail.com

LEFT COAST CANNABIS This Tacoma-area dispensary features high-quality medicine, edibles and glass art.

LCC also hosts a monthly farmer’s market with dozens of MMJ vendors and more!

STORY BY WES ABNEY // PHOTOS BY DANIEL BERMAN

S

tepping inside the Left Coast Cannabis Farmer’s Market is an eye-opening experience. Vendor stands line the massive warehouse adorned with amazing strains, innovative products, and everything medical marijuana related.

As the owner/founder of Left Coast, Mike, says, “This farmers market isn’t about making a massive profit or heavy marketing. It’s about giving patients a good time and the chance to check out a wide variety of products and vendors.”

When I showed up at the last market, I met Mike outside tending a massive barbecue piled high with tenderloin. At each monthly market, he has a different themed cookout with enough food to feed even the hungriest patient.

While turning tenderloin and directing a large staff of event workers, Mike was also directing the setup of a glassblowing demonstration. Minutes later, with the strike of a flint, a portable torch is up and running in a brilliant display of flame and glass.

As patients start filling the parking lot, they filter past the outside area into “We don’t allow caretakers at our market the check-in room.

There, each patient has to show qualified because patients are able to come inside the private area and sample their paperwork before entering the event. medicine before they buy it. It gives them a unique chance to experience what each vendor has to offer, and make an informed decision about which strain they want.”

Once verified, patients have access to a buffet line of great home-cooked food, and they can circle the market while enjoying a tasty treat. Located in a

Left Coast Cannabis

7604-B S. Tacoma Way

Tacoma, WA 98409 Local: 253.218.4858

M-S 9-9, SUNDAY 12-5 14

MIKE, LEFT COAST CANNABIS FOUNDER, WEARING A FAVORITE SHIRT warehouse behind a custom car shop, the inside of Left Coast is huge. With enough room for 20-30 vendors and a constant stream of people, the dispensary feels more like a Costco than pot shop.

“One of the main factors that led to this dispensary was the space,” explained Mike. “We can do whatever we want in here, from live glassblowing to a cannabis cup. That’s the experience we want to pass onto our patients.”

When he isn’t running the bbq at the

monthly farmers market, Mike and business partner Courtney oversee a top notch selection of medicine for patients on a day to day basis.

In addition to the awesome strains, Left Coast also offers medibles, tinctures, hash, and clone services. “We choose to have 50 strains, all under $12, so that patients can find the exact medicine for their needs,” said Courtney.

“Besides, who doesn’t want a large variety of medicine?”

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What an incredible event to witness!

Patients helping patients in a nice, welcoming environment that saw testing, sampling and trying out of new vendors, medicine and medibles.

The experience is a far cry from the back alley experience normally associated with marijuana -- this was as legit as it gets!

We hope to see you down at the next one!

15

In Seattle, it’s all about

HEART North Seattle’s newest dispensary, Have A Heart, offers patients many things: a convenient location, caring staff and medicine standards that exceed others’.

STORY BY WES ABNEY PHOTOS BY DANIEL BERMAN

J

ABOVE: After completing their paperwork, patients follow the hallway to the budroom TOP: Packs of 2 joints housed in UA tubes and chopsticks used for handling meds RIGHT: Have A Heart’s founders believe in offering bud for every patient’s budgets 16

apanese gardening expert and philosopher Shigenori Kameoka once said “Find the seed at the bottom of your heart and bring forth a flower.”

For Ryan Kunkel and Kevin Vu, the seed is that of the beloved cannabis plant, the flower a life saving and changing herb, and with it they have produced a dispensary with a ton of Heart.

You can find the pair in the bright green building on 115th and Aurora in the North end of Seattle. The aptly named Have a Heart is one of Seattle’s newest dispensaries, and they’re truly living up to their name.

“We started this as a way to provide safe access and a comfortable environment for patients,” said Ryan. “We put a lot of ourselves into the process, and now we get to give back.”

Walking inside their storefront, a TV playing the blues and jazz combines with local art and colorful walls to create a unique atmosphere. Once buzzed through the wait-

ing room, patients head down a gently sloped, wheelchair friendly hallway into an invigorating medicine room.

Brightly lit display cases stocked full of exotic strains are lined with barstools, beckoning those in search of relief. A rack lined with prerolled joints sits atop the counters, along with a viewing/smelling sample of each strain available for patients to look at closely.

All the medicine for sale is kept sealed below, and is never touched by hand. Instead, chopsticks are wielded by the budtender to select choice nugs and preserve a germ free environment. Roughly half the strains available are exclusive to their location, including the elusive Happy Train.

A wonderful cross with Trainwreck origins, it is an amber colored Sativa with extremely euphoric effects. The smell is both sweet and tangy, with heavy crystal coverage frosting the neatly trimmed buds.

“I love the Happy Train, and I use it myself in the

>> Article continued on pg. 18

17

>> Continued from pg. 16

Have A Heart, Seattle’s new dispensary

“

We don’t believe that a patient should have to choose between basic living costs and their medicine.

”

-Ryan Kunkel, Have A Heart Co-Founder mornings because of it’s energetic properties,” said Kevin. “I suggest that any patient looking for a clean, clear Sativa try this strain.”

Another great option for medicine is the Red Diesel. A cross of Orange Kush and Sour Diesel, this bybrid strain is covered in red hairs and packs a super strong medicated feeling. At only $10 a gram, like most the strains at Have a Heart, the Red D. is worth sampling.

Also worth trying is the butane hash oil developed from the Happy Train. It carries the same amber color of the strain, and has a piney taste with extremely powerful effects. There are also two different types of bubble hash, each under $20 a gram.

“We don’t believe that a patient should have to choose between basic living costs and their medicine. That’s why everything is under $12 a gram,” said Ryan.

Looking around at the wide selection of strains, extracts and medibles it’s hard to believe that Have a Heart has only been open for a month and a half. Even harder to believe is that Kevin and Ryan have known each other for less than six months.

“We met at a family barbaque earlier this year and got to talking about mmj” explained Kevin. “The idea was raised to start a storefront, and within a few short weeks

18

the lease was signed and the renovation began.

We knew what we wanted to do and jumped right in.”

Before meeting, Kevin had been running a local delivery service, and Ryan was looking for the chance to get out of the casino industry. A professional card dealer for years, the horrors of witnessing gambling’s destructive power had pushed him to his limit.

“I watched one student in particular coming into the casino and blowing thousands of dollars of his financial aid,” Ryan said with a grimace. “One day I was dealing and he was up a couple grand, and I finally had to step in and tell him to walk before he lost it. He left, and I lost my job.”

That’s the type of person Ryan is. He displays a compassion for others that goes above and beyond ‘do unto others as you would like to be treated.’ Combined with Kevin’s inside knowledge from running a delivery service, the pair makes a formidable duo for running a successful storefront.

So take the trip to the North Seattle area, down the hallway lit in purples and blues, and catch a ride out on the majestic Happy Train.

Illustration by 420ish

HAVE A HEART 11736 Aurora Ave. N. (206) 257-4500 OPEN: M-Thurs: 10a-8p F&S 10a-9p Sun: 11-7p www.haveaheartcc.com

Don’t be taken in

by ads for bargain basement clinics.

T

rust your care to a clinic that provides professional services and legal support for all patients. In addition, we provide Medical Marijuana Recommendations by Washington State licensed medical professionals as well as complete patient support in a friendly atmoshere by a great staff totally committed to your needs.

Medical cannabis helps relieve chronic pain resulting from severe injuries and conditions such as fibromyalgia, Multiple Sclerosis, cancer and neuropathy related to diabetes, HIV and many other conditions. Where pain is connected to inflammation, research has shown that site-specific anti-inflammatory relief results from medical cannabis as well.

Decades of anecdotal evidence from patients shows that medical cannabis provides effective relief and is not physically addictive. It also presents fewer side effects with less risk than commonly prescribed pharmaceuticals.

Most patients report that cannabis does not reduce their ability to function normally the way opiates do, and that they can dramatically reduce or even eliminate their need for them and similar risky pain medications. If you feel that medical cannabis may be right for you and have further questions, we’ll be happy to speak to you or your physician to answer them.

Please visit our website which features timely news as well as links to many of the leading medical research studies and articles on medical cannabis, as well as updates on the Washington State Medical Marijuana Act.

New Office Opening in Spokane!

To make an appointment at our new clinic in Spokane please call:

(509) 340-3551.

Medical Cannabis can Help You Call Us Today

Toll Free: 866.607.0035 www.SentryMedicalGroup.com

NORTHWEST LEAF Search “Northwest Leaf� or use your smartphone and barcode scanner app to scan the QR code at right:

Our collective offers several different strains & a variety of effective & delectable medibles for your medicinal needs!!

Located in North Seattle www.emerald-city-cc.com 206-533-2053 OPEN DAILY Please remember your tamper-proof

11AM-7PM 20

original authorization when you visit!

21

By Dr. Scott D. Rose // Northwest Leaf Contributor

CANNABINOIDS 101 Cannabinoids are the organic compounds found in Medical Marijuana.

Here are 3 compounds crucial to testing and evaluating today’s medicinal strains.

Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) - THE MOST WELL STUDIED - THE MOST PSYCHOACTIVE INGREDIENT OF CANNABIS - COMPOUND MOST RESPONSIBLE FOR THE “HIGH” OR INTOXICATING EFFECTS EXPERIENCED BY USERS - REPORTED MEDICAL BENEFITS INCLUDE: RELAXATION, APPETITE STIMULATION, RELIEF FROM NAUSEA, AND MILD TO MODERATE PAIN RELIEF

Cannabinol (CBN)

Cannabidiol (CBD)

- CBN IS A PRODUCT OF THC DEGRADATION FORMING ONLY AFTER THE PLANT DIES AND IS EXPOSED TO OXYGEN

- MOST MEDICALLY RELEVANT COMPOUND IN CANNABIS

- LEVELS SHOULD BE LOW

- RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COMMONLY DESCRIBED “BODY HIGH”

- ELEVATED CANNABINOL LEVELS SUGGEST IMPROPER CURING OR STORAGE - SOME FIND THE BREAKDOWN OF THC BENEFICIAL

How do the body’s Cannabinoid receptors work?

Cannabinoid receptors for binding and physiological effect of these compounds are found throughout our bodies in various tissues.

When consumed, these organic compounds bind to the cannabinoid receptors giving Cannabis it’s desired effects.

There are two main receptor types known as CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors are high density in the nervous system and brain centers that regulate mood, memory, and thought. THC binds primarily to the CB1 receptors in the brain and is responsible for the notorious euphoric effects of Cannabis.

THC is the only known cannabinoid with psychoactive, or mind altering effects. CB2 receptors however, are found in the rest of the body - most notably in the arms, legs, and immune cells of the spleen and white blood cells.

Binding of the CB2 receptor is primarily with CBD and there are little known psychoactive properties. CBD is likely responsible for the commonly described “body high” sensation. The medicinal

22

uses of CBD are astounding. In selective breeding and hybridization of Cannabis for recreational purposes, the THC content of many current strains far outweigh the CBD content. For better “medicinal” effects perhaps increasing CBD content and delivery would be advised.

Cannabinoids have a “fine tuning” effect on cellular dynamics to increase or decrease biological responses. In the nervous system for example, the nerve signals flow in one direction and the cannabinoids signal in the opposite direction. In other words if one nerve cell releases a surge of electrical flow to a neighboring nerve cell, that neighbor can “turn down” the signal by releasing cannabinoids in a backward direction.

CB1 and the binding of THC and its effects in the nervous system are far better understood than that of the CB2 receptor class and CBD. The mechanisms are likely similar, and this regulatory fine tuning of cellular physiology has many implications.

- FEW PSYCHOACTIVE PROPERTIES

- STUDIES HAVE LINKED CBD TO A DECREASE IN THE GROWTH OF BREAST CANCER CELLS, AND AS AN ANTIBIOTIC - COUNTERACTS FEELINGS OF ANXIETY OR PARANOIA CAUSED BY STRAINS W/ HIGHER THC CONTENT

Why is it so important to test for thc/cbd/cbn levels?

A more “scientific” evaluation process will help raise the bar of validity for the use of Cannabis as medicine. Potency testing for THC and CBD presents particular advantages to the medicinal cannabis community. Identifying active compounds and standardizing the medicine to have an accurate and consistent potency assures quality. Knowing the concentration of THC and CBD in a strain can help one select a medicine targeted to address their ailment more specifically and bring maximum relief without unwanted side effects. The natural balance of cannabinoids seems to be very important. This balance has been artificially interfered with through selective breeding of Cannabis for increased THC content.

Again, psycho-activity has been exploited through the concentration of the only known psychoac-

tive compound - THC. The problem with this is that too much THC can have an anxiety/paranoia or psychosis-like inducing effect in some individuals. Research indicates that CBD can actually have an anti-anxiety, anti-psychotic effect - balancing the effects of THC. The proper ratio of THC to CBD can inhibit unwanted short term memory issues. CBD has been bred to a level far below its natural amount and this balancing effect lost. Historically most medicines used in the U.S. with great effect, were made from hemp. Hemp has a high CBD count with no THC. Understanding cannabinoid content will help the effectiveness of this medicine and further research endeavors.

Perhaps the “tweaking” of ratios will be possible for greater and more specific effectiveness in the future w/ better understanding.

>> DR. ROSE ARTICLE CONTINUED ON PG. 24

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Top of the line, Point of Sale (POS) hardware system featuring a powerful computer with an integrated USB scale, bar code scanner, label printer, cash drawer, thermal receipt printer and touchscreen monitor. Merchants will have the option to buy this $3500 computer system or get a monthly lease payment for as low as $150/month.

Best of breed, specialized MMJ software which is web based, user friendly and intuitive. MMJ Menu helps keep track of transactions, patient info, regulation requirements, inventory, menus, accounting, and mobile smartphone data management in realtime!

BE STRONGER. FASTER. SMARTER. You can contact Green Flower at 425-954-6062 for more information about their MMJ business consulting and merchant services; visit their merchant website at www.greenflowercorp.com

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>> DR. ROSE | CONT. FROM PG. 22

Why is testing important for patients?

- Having medicine independently analyzed for potency assures the patient that they are dealing with a reputable operation.

- A certificate is produced by the lab and should be made available upon request. This certificate indicates the testing method used and results for potency of the individual strain. Testing THC and cannabinoid levels shows professionalism, commitment to quality, and care for patients.

- Depending on the condition, a medicine higher in THC, or in CBD may be the best option for relief.

- Labeling helps patients understand their medicine better and to correlate potency with effect.

Are there problems with testing?

Have any concluding thoughts, Dr. Rose?

A scientific evaluation process will help raise the bar of validity for Cannabis. One reason why this medicine fell from favor 75 years ago was due to the difficulty in regulating dose.

Having medicine independently analyzed for

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Dr. Scott D. Rose Naturopathic Physician/ Acupuncturist

425-822-8356

MarketStreetIntegrativeHealth.com Evaluations, Authorizations, Long-term Management for MMJ use

Defensible authorizations through continuity of care

Cannabinoid analysis is currently only available for the three most common cannabinoids THC, CBD, and CBN. There are over 100 known cannabinoids with independent molecular structures. As research continues, we may find others to be equally or even more important medicinally.

- How accurate are the labs’ numbers? Such testing is in relation to a “gold” standard. An inaccurate standard will skew results.

- Sampling is also a weak link. From a pound of buds, a “representative” sample of say, two grams’ worth is sent to the lab. Since location on the plant is a factor in cannabinoid production, finding an accurate avg. for the whole batch is difficult.

- High numbers may be a selling point from one point of view, however this may drive more the recreational use and not necessarily medicinal use

potency is of great value to know the concentration of THC and CBD in a strain. This information may be used to help one select a medicine targeted to address their ailment more specifically, and bring maximum relief

without unwanted side effects. Lets use it as power and develop it further. Let us continue shift the paradigm from “the smoking of pot”, to the use of Cannabis as the important medicine that it is.

GROWTECH

JULY 2011

BY ALEX COOLEY // NORTHWEST LEAF CONTRIBUTOR

Top 5

things you gotta know before growing your own medicine indoors What’s your budget from start to finish?

How important is your safety, security?

One of the most important parts of preparing to cultivate your medicine is your budget. Before starting anything or looking at any equipment, you must sit down and determine how much you can afford over a six month period. This is the typical time period we have our clients budget for; this is due to the various stages along the way, from designing your space to using your medicine takes a long time.

At Green Power Consulting we help patients with budgets anywhere from a couple hundred dollars to a couple hundred thousand dollars; so don’t think there is some magic dollar amount that you need to cultivate.

After you have determined what your willing to spend on your initial six month budget you need to determine your ongoing budget. Don’t forget this keeps costing money, how much can you afford on a continuous monthly basis, factor in electricity and water costs. After you have these two numbers your on to the next step.

How are you protecting yourself, those around you and the community at large? Too many times has the news reported a sad story about a medical marijuana incident of either a house fire, robbery, or the worst: a murder.

When designing and installing your grow system use fire suppression in high fire risk zones like where your ballasts are kept or where using high wattage lamps. In addition try your best to purchase new equipment from a reputable manufacturer, saving fifty bucks on a ballast from a website in China is not worth burning your house down.

To prevent theft and unwanted encounters use some sort of security, at the least standard locks and doors. Also, practice anonymity as a cannabis grower.

Yes, you are happy to be growing and want to share it with the world. DON’T! We live in a world where if someone hears about a grow they’ll come for it.

>> GROW TECH ARTICLE CONTINUED ON PG. 27

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>> GROW TECH ARTICLE CONT. FROM PG. 25

Top 5 things you gotta know before growing your own medicine indoors What are your medical needs? Do you have the time, experience? What system will you use?

This is a pretty easy one, but none the less very important before getting started.

How much medical cannabis do you consume on a monthly basis and what variety treats your condition(s)?

If you need sativas you will need a taller room or some type of bending/ trellis system with a lot of wind simulation. Indicas can be done in much shorter spaces but need a cooler environment or if you need a variety of medicine you will need to create a tall space that is very controllable. When it comes to consumptions, figure a beginning grower can produce a eight ounces of low medical grade cannabis per 1000 watts of flowering light every cycle and an experienced grower can produce twenty four ounces per 1000 watts of flowering light every cycle.

You must be very honest with yourself on this one because you will get in over your head and it can come back to bite you in the ass if your not. Your experience will directly influence the time you must put in to cultivate; if you helped a friend grow or had a vegetable garden your off to a good start. If you have grown before think about the quality of medicine you produced and compare it to the best you have had, also how much did you yield? The more experienced you are, the less time you will have to put in.

At Green Power Consulting we will work on average, 35 hours a month for a client with continuous system that is always flowering with 2000 watts. That is the least amount of time you can put in and expect high quality results. (If you can produce the best in less time, call us and we will give you a job.)

The answers to the above questions will help you answer this one.

Do you want to do hydroponics or soil; hydroponics is easier if you are experienced but can be a nightmare if you are a beginner, soil is simple, easy and allows you to be more “organic� but is harder to produce big yields. Automation is a factor in most grow systems; simple timers and pumps can do a lot for you and advanced control brains will do everything for you, even text you an update but can break and shut your whole system down.

Your environmental system is a large factor; the two ends of this spectrum are an open air systems or controlled environmental agriculture (CEA). Both have their advantages and disadvantages but none the less are one of the many things you must figure out before you get growing.

For any questions on this article and starting your own grow, please do not hesitate to contact Green Power Consulting. This is what we do all day everyday: help patients cultivate their own high grade medical cannabis.

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