Aug. 2023 - Maryland Leaf

THE PSYCHEDELIA ISSUE

Sun-grown. Sweet.

Our full line of edibles, powered by SunMed’s sun-grown flower, is coming soon to a dispensary near you.

Chocolates, gummies and more, oh my!

@SunMed.Labs

@SunMed.Growers

@SunMedGrowers

Medical cannabis is for use only by a qualifying patient. Consumption of medical cannabis may impair your ability to drive a car or operate machinery. Please use extreme caution. There may be health risks associated with cannabis use, especially during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Accidental consumption of cannabis by children or animals may result in severe adverse reactions. Keep cannabis out of the reach of children and animals.

To experience the freshest flower in the market and learn more about our strains, visit www.naturesheritagecannabis.com and follow us on Instagram @naturesheritagecannabisco.

WES ABNEY CEO & FOUNDER wes@leafmagazines.com

MIKE RICKER OPERATING PARTNER ricker@leafmagazines.com

TOM BOWERS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER tom@leafmagazines.com

DANIEL BERMAN CREATIVE DIRECTOR daniel@leafmagazines.com

EARLY MARYLAND LEAF PUBLISHER early@leafmagazines.com

WYATT EARLY STATE DIRECTOR wyatt@leafmagazines.com (410) 961-8779

MEGHAN RIDLEY COPY EDITOR meghan@leafmagazines.com

ABOUT THE COVER

This month's incredible cover comes to us from renowned psychedelic artist Chris Dyer. Writes Dyer, "I painted this image in Montreal back in 2001, as a college project. The teacher, Carmelo Blandino, didn't mind the illegal subject matter depicted, as he knew my art style was something unique and it deserved to be encouraged, not censored. He ended up buying the watercolour off me and we've stayed friends. When Leaf Magazines asked me to do the cover for the mag, I felt it was time to revamp this image, as it was neverdone correctly,sincemytechnicalabilitieswerestill growingbackthen. The image, named "Life," depicts an interdimensional creature of life, enjoying the electric blessings of the herb."

CONTRIBUTORS

BOBBY BLACK, DESIGN + FEATURES

JOSHUA BOULET, ILLUSTRATION

TOM BOWERS, FEATURES

CHRIS DYER, ILLUSTRATION

EARLY, PRODUCTION

WYATT EARLY, FEATURES

STEVE ELLIOTT, NATIONAL NEWS

MATT JACKSON, FEATURES

GREG MALCOLM, PHOTOS

TAYLOR MARTIN, FEATURES

BAXSEN PAINE, PHOTOS + FEATURES

JESSE RAMIREZ, DESIGN

MIKE RICKER, FEATURES

MEGHAN RIDLEY, EDITING

BRUCE & LAURIE WOLF, RECIPES

KATHERINE WOLF, FEATURES

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WES ABNEY

Editor’s Note

Thanks for picking up The Psychedelia Issue of the Leaf!

Like Alice in Wonderland falling down the rabbit hole, it feels like society has tripped and awakened into a new age of enlightenment and acceptance for the developing world of psychedelic experiences. This new class of drugs are following the policy road paved by Cannabis – using a combination of science and personal testimonies to advocate for the medicinal and recreational use of natural, plant-based psychedelics and laboratory-derived drugs.

From mushrooms containing psilocybin to ayahuasca in the jungle, the research done via personal experience for decades with shamans and at festivals is shifting to clinical analysis – providing the legal basis for freeing these chemicals and entheogens. It’s all about changing perception, which is ironic given the ego-killing 20,000 foot view of life a good trip provides, and convincing mainstream America that shrooms are more than a hippy escape or the flashback to a bad trip. In a society where we’ve been taught that there’s a pill or doctor for everything, could repackaging mushroom trips into therapy sessions be the missing link?

Oregon is embarking on this journey with the first state-licensed psilocybin producers, therapy centers and facilitators of psychedelic experiences. I had the pleasure of touring Satya in Medford where the first patients have passed through the veil into a legal trip, complete with pre-trip intake analysis, and a reintegration process to take the experience and apply it into lessons for therapeutic healing back in the “real world.”

Whether we are discussing entheogenic drugs like mushrooms, ayahuasca or toad DMT, or looking at laboratory-developed drugs like MDMA, LSD and Ketamine, we are at the bleeding edge of exploration that is finally being allowed. Research that began in the ‘60s and ‘70s and continued under strict hospital conditions at Johns Hopkins, is now happening all over the world. While recreating Cannabis as medicine in the lab was a failure (search Marinol for more), we can learn a lot by isolating and synthesizing the chemicals that make us trip. In the search for acceptance, we must also search to provide experiences that are familiar in normal life – so that our parents, teachers, police officers and veterans can head to a therapy center, take a capsule or ingest a tea, and have the opportunity to experience the world through the lens of a psychedelic experience.

If we really want to change the world, it starts with shedding the ego and the manipulation of mainstream media and governments – returning humanity to a simpler state of mind that rewards connection, community and love for each other. And if we are really going to start with change in America, I recommend a heroic dose for every politician in the country. That’s the true melting pot that a new age of enlightenment can be spawned from.

“WE ARE AT THE BLEEDING EDGE OF EXPLORATION THAT IS FINALLY BEING ALLOWED. ”

ART BY CHRIS DYER FOR LEAF NATION @CHRIS_DYER POSITIVECREATIONS.CA

DEPUTIES SEIZE $200K WORTH OF DRUGS AT THE GORGE

Thousands of grams of weed, psychedelics such as LSD, and even cocaine were seized in July during two Dead and Company shows at the Gorge Amphitheatre in Washington state. Officials said the street value of all the drugs seized totaled more than $200,000.

"The Grant County Sheriff’s Office said 13 arrests were made by detectives, who conducted nine different investigations."

The Grant County Sheriff’s Office said 13 arrests were made by detectives, who conducted nine different investigations, resulting in more than 15 felony drug distribution charges. Dead and Company is a band featuring several former Grateful Dead members.

“Many concert events attract narcotics users, as well as people involved in the distribution of illegal narcotics and controlled substances,” the sheriff’s office claimed on Facebook. “The types of controlled substances seized by law enforcement over the weekend ranged from hallucinogenics (psilocybin mushrooms, LSD), dissociative anesthetics (Ketamine), stimulants (MDMA, MDA, cocaine), and Cannabis.”

normalization

LEGAL CANNABIS HELPS COMPANIES RELAX DRUG TESTING

Businesses are at last cutting back preemployment marijuana testing as a condition for hiring. This happy news comes thanks to increased weed legalization, shifting attitudes and efforts to build more diverse pools of job applicants, reports Bloomberg Law.

Recreational Cannabis use in the work force hit “historic highs” in 2022, according to Quest Diagnostics – one of the largest American drugtesting corporations.

August marked Minnesota becoming the 23rd state, plus D.C., to legalize adult-use Cannabis. Most states, with a few benighted holdouts, now allow some form of medical marijuana.

GERMANY UNVEILS LEGALIZATION BILL

Germany’s Health Ministry has unveiled a bill to legalize adult-use Cannabis, submitting it to officials and the public for review, reports Marijuana Moment.

The legislation would allow adults 18 and older to cultivate three plants for personal use. It would also sort out rules for “social clubs” where they could buy weed.

Officials also plan to introduce a second measure establishing programs for commercial sales in cities throughout the country.

No extraction of oils or concentrates from Cannabis are allowed under the measure.

PENNSYLVANIA LAWMAKERS FILE LEGALIZATION BILL

A bipartisan duo of Pennsylvania legislators in July introduced a bill to legalize adult-use Cannabis in the Keystone State. Senate Bill 846 was filed by Sen. Dan Laughlin (R) and Sen. Sharif Street (D) on July 6.

“Legalized adult use of marijuana is supported by an overwhelming majority of Pennsylvanians and this legislation accomplishes that while also ensuring safety and social equity,” Laughlin said.

The 224-page bill would allow adults 21 and up to buy and possess up to 30 grams of flower. Registered medical marijuana patients could grow up to five plants for personal use. No recreational home cultivation would be allowed. Pennsylvania legalized medical marijuana in 2016.

MORE THAN 1 MILLION FLORIDA VOTERS WANT LEGALIZATION ON BALLOT

Over a million Floridian voters want to see an adult-use Cannabis legalization measure on the 2024 general election ballot, reports Forbes. The data comes from the Florida Division of Elections.

State officials in June revealed the proposal from Smart & Safe Florida got enough signatures to qualify for the ballot.

With the current count, the initiative has more than 120,000 signatures beyond the 891,000 required.

But it still must pass muster with the Florida Supreme Court, which must determine the measure is limited to a single issue and is not likely to “confuse voters.” The same court has already invalidated legalization bids on two separate occasions in 2021.

NORTH CAROLINA GOP RESISTANCE DOOMS MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Opposition from recalcitrant, regressive Republicans in North Carolina has likely doomed a move to legalize medical marijuana in the state this year, reports Marijuana Business Daily Legalization in North Carolina has been considered a long shot, reports the Associated Press. But the North Carolina Senate in March overwhelmingly passed what sponsors called the Compassionate Care Act.

The bill would have allowed patients with one of 15 medical conditions access to smokable flower in a tightly controlled, limited-license market.

But the North Carolina House took no action at all. That is, other than an emotional committee meeting in early June. According to House Speaker Tim Moore, there are too many Republicans who oppose the bill for it to move forward.

Quoted

-Tourist Zach West, visiting Neptune Beach, Florida last month with his mom, who called local police. The sandy, stinky scene revealed several tons of loose, unpacked marijuana washed up on the beach. Police warned the public not to try to pick up the marijuana or take it home, saying it was degraded and rotten.

MIDWEST

S.D. POLICE COMMISSION FORGIVES COPS FOR USING CANNABIS

Two law enforcement hopefuls in South Dakota were given forgiveness for past marijuana use by the state police commission in July.

One police officer and one sheriff’s deputy are now eligible for certification. Parkston Officer Kody Beckers had a seven-year-old guilty plea to THC wax possession during his freshman year of college in Minnesota.

A future Roberts County sheriff’s deputy now gets a shot at becoming certified despite using a tribal medical marijuana card, which isn’t recognized by the state. She was treating pain with Cannabis last summer after a surgery.

12

percent or less of a state’s population typically enrolls in a medical Cannabis program.

states have medical CBD laws that forbid highTHC marijuana.

19

percent of U.S. adults say they have used Cannabis in the past year.

states have what Marijuana Policy Project considers effective medical marijuana laws.

percent of U.S. adults approve of recreational pot legalization.

percent of U.S. adults say Cannabis should be legal in some form.

“I did pick it up and smell it to see what it smelled like, and it was weed. So, I was like, ‘OK, that’s kind of crazy.’ ”

Earthquake Sativa

THCa: 34.45%

THC: 30.31%

Terpenes: 3.08%

POWERFUL NEW GENETICS HAVE COME TO MARYLAND

Grown directly by a small team of our master and most senior cultivators, Cultivar™ represents decades of expertise and plentiful direct experience in medical, recreational, and legacy communities. It’s a distinctive brand which provides best-in-class growers with the time, environment, and freedom to do what they do best.

As medical cannabis lovers ourselves, we take great pride in the unrelenting pursuit of quality at every step in our process to craft a product that is truly a cut above the rest.

Recapping an irie weekend

Reggae Rise Up Maryland

I really appreciated how the music alternated back and forth between two stages at this festival. That makes it so you don’t have to pick and choose between who you want to see and there is also no bleeding of sound from one stage to another – something I have often experienced at festivals where multiple artists play at the same time.

THIS FESTIVAL brought in huge names in reggae, with acts like Citizen Cope, Damian Marley, The Expendables, Rebelution and many more. It's no secret that the reggae scene is very familiar with and accepting of Cannabis use, with the smell wafting in the air being all the reassurance I needed. For only its second year, this festival was top tier in the execution of a successful event with happy attendees.

First let's talk about the badass food options – an absolute event essential for foodie stoners like myself. We started the weekend off with a smash burger from Fuzzies Burgers, a Baltimore-based food truck that started in 2020. For smash burger fans, this is a god tier selection. Our crew also couldn’t stay away from Dave’s Smoke and Tacos serving up some of the tastiest tacos we could’ve asked for. After a joint and some time relaxing by the water, I was ready for a slice of undeniably thick and cheesy pizza from UPC (Underground Pizza Company). Needless to say, we did not leave this event hungry.

In general, the fans at a music festival make up a huge part of the environment and can influence the experience at shows. That being said, the fans at Reggae Rise Up can best be described as happy and inclusive – not a single weird or sketchy instance occurred during the weekend. People were looking after one another and during the Michael Franti and Spearhead set, the entire crowd swung each other around doing the Do-si-do. That is the first time at any music festival I have been to where the artist influenced the crowd to embrace the random people around them. Michael Franti also brought a six year old on stage during his set and she helped sing one of his songs – a display that brought tears to the eyes of many, making this set one of the most memorable of the weekend.

On day two, we bounced back and forth from Collie Buddz to Bone Thugs-N-Harmony to Citizen Cope to The Movement, with Damian Marley closing out the night. Citizen Cope brought the heat, providing a nostalgic environment that our crew really resonated with. Damian Marley, the youngest son of the late Bob Marley, felt spiritual – as if he channeled the energy of his father. The voices of some of these artists are so unique that I gained an even stronger connection with reggae than I ever imagined possible.

On day three, Koffee stole the show midday with an outstanding performance that made me want to go see her again and again. In the middle of her set the mics cut out due to a lightning advisory, but she kept singing and refused to exit the stage before the sound came back on and she finished a banger of a show. The crowd threw Ws up in the air for her song “W,” and her unique voice rang through the air in a way that is unparalleled to anything I have ever heard. As I looked around, I saw nothing but huge smiles.

Closing out the weekend with Rebelution was nothing short of spectacular. All weekend long we joked about how cool it would be if someone used lasers in their light show, never fully expecting it to happen. Lo and behold, in the middle of them opening with “Outta Control,” lasers shot into the night sky, electrifying the energy of the crowd. They paused vocals several times, allowing the audience to sing along – and everyone did just that in perfect harmony. This was the perfect way to end an incredible weekend with amazing people and music.

We want to give a massive “Thank You” to Reggae Rise Up for having us at the festival, and absolutely cannot wait for next summer when we get to do it again. Congratulations to the entire team for throwing such an incredible event – definitely keep an eye out for their festivals in Florida, Nevada and Utah. This is something you do not want to miss!

MICHAEL FRANTI

BONE THUGS

SHWAYZE

Reggae Rise Up Maryland returned for its second year at Baltimore Peninsula, and the vibes were certainly in the air. Heading into the weekend with about 15 Maryland Leaf staff members, we had the crew we needed for an amazing weekend of music.

MariMed Fights Cannabiz Rights for

The 2023 protesters, however, were out to fight the modern-day taxation atrocity known as 280E –intended to prevent drug dealers from claiming tax deductions on their business expenses. The way the law has been interpreted by the government stops legally-operating Cannabis companies from deducting these expenses on their tax returns.

We boarded the ship and sailed into the harbor, with everyone on the boat but myself and the captain dressed in colonial garb. There were buoy boxes labeled with “WEED” aboard the ship, which would later be thrown into the harbor for a true reenactment. Before you ask, “Isn’t that littering?” – there was a smaller boat in the harbor which retrieved all the boxes. What better way to bring attention to this issue than to plan something like this? For all involved, it was certainly a powerful and memorable manner to raise awareness for 280E and its profoundly detrimental effect on the Cannabis community.

The negative impact of this tax code can be seen all the way down the line – from hindrances to companies’ growth, to higher prices on the retail end for consumers. It also stops Cannabis companies from reinvesting this money into their businesses, sponsoring positive outreach and donation-based efforts in their communities, and giving employees raises as they deserve.

As Timothy Shaw put it: “The little guys are having a tough time making ends meet under 280E.”

There are technically two avenues in which the 280E tax code could begin to be resolved. First, the descheduling on a federal level would exempt Cannabis companies from having to worry about this tax code. Cannabis needs to be removed from the Controlled Substances Act in order for this to go away.

The more obvious option would be to lift the tax code as a whole – enabling Cannabis companies to stay afloat or even thrive in an already difficult market to navigate.

Cannabis businesses in the United States are effectively paying twice as much or more income tax than non-Cannabis businesses. As an example, let's say there are two companies operating in the United States – one Cannabis and one non-Cannabis. Both do $2 million in gross revenue annually.

After the cost of goods sold is deducted, say that number is $1.3 million, $700 thousand is left over. Now, non-Cannabis companies get to deduct their business expenses – let’s say that number is $400 thousand, leaving $300 thousand for taxable income.

The Cannabis business, meanwhile, is stuck with the aforementioned $700 thousand in taxable income – no deductions allowed.

With Cannabis companies often facing twice the tax bill as a non-Cannabis company, how are they expected to survive?

So, what can we do? Continue to protest for the de-scheduling of Cannabis under the Controlled Substances Act, and also support efforts like this from MariMed and other companies to bring awareness to the issue.

Without fighting for positive change, nothing in this country will change. The Cannabis industry has come a long way … but the fight is far from over.

“No taxation without representation!” chanted MariMed CEO Jon L evine, COO Timothy Shaw, CCO Howard Schacter and staff from around the country, as we sailed the Boston Harbor aboard the Liberty Star Schooner – MariMed’s way of paying homage to our nation’s patriots by reenacting the famous tax protest known as the Boston Tea Party.

“The little guys are having a tough time making ends meet under 280E,”

-COO Timothy Shaw

COO TIMOTHY SHAW & CEO JON LEVINE

MARYLAND LEAF BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH

MOHAMMAD DAR

WHERE DID YOU LIVE OVERSEAS AND WHAT WAS IT LIKE? So I was born in New Jersey but I lived in Pakistan for almost two years, and it was a huge culture shock. I was younger so I wasn’t into smoking at the time, but Cannabis is taboo and basically forbidden in Pakistan. There still is a Cannabis culture there though, and I indulged when I went back when I was older. They have hash there, and they empty out cigarettes and refill them with hash and smoke them. I tried it, and went through all different kinds of highs. My whole family is over there, so that aspect was great – but as far as the schooling, I was ready to come back to the States.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE ART MEDIUM? Music and fashion. When it comes to fashion, at younger ages you can’t always have the clothing you want – but I always wanted to look good. First impressions are everything and you have to look good to make one. I listen to rap mostly – the usuals like Drake and Future – as well as the oldies like Nas and New York rappers like Max B.

WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE YOU HAVE SMOKED CANNABIS? I actually went to Europe and smoked in Belgium and Amsterdam. Belgium had some of the greenest and prettiest flower I’ve seen overseas. Amsterdam weed was kind of hype – it was cool to smoke in Amsterdam, but compared to America, we have that gas here. We went to coffee shops, walked out and saw people smoking and were amazed at how accepted it was. They don’t smoke Backwoods out there so I had to compromise – most people were smoking spliffs out there.

WHAT IS IT LIKE WORKING AT NIRVANA? I love it bro, it’s so great. I’ve grown a lot personally and professionally since I started working here. It was a great way to step into the industry when I started here, and everyone has been friendly and helpful. It helped me perfect my customer service skills and focus on the best ways to talk to people. I come up with fire names for strains, and one day I’d like for people to be paying for my name. I want people to come in the dispensary and say, ‘Let me get an eighth of Mo.’

DID YOU KNOW YOU HAVE THE MOST POPULAR NAME IN THE WORLD? Yeah, ‘Superbad’ taught me that!

GROWING UP in both the United States and Pakistan, as well as traveling throughout Europe, Mohammad has experienced first hand the vast cultural differences of the world. But when it comes to Cannabis, not even the coffeeshops of Amsterdam can compare to “that gas” we have in America. Find him at Nirvana Center in Baltimore for fire strain recommendations – including some he named himself – where one day he hopes “an eighth of Mo” will be on the menu.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT CANNABIS BECOMING LEGAL FOR ADULT USE? It has opened a lot of doors for me. It is interesting to see the prices going up, but overall this is a step in the right direction. I also feel like it was rushed in the way it was rolled out – for example, we could have had guidelines way sooner so we could be more prepared for the way things would work in the adult-use market. Information is changing every day as far as regulations and guidelines, so it has been hard to give patients and adult-use customers consistent information.

"I’VE GROWN A LOT PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY SINCE I STARTED WORKING HERE.”

PATIENT OF THE MONTH

erintyszko

She was supposed to be the next Weijia Jiang. But along the way to TV stardom, she found contentment in being who she’d always been: Erin Tyszko from Kingsville, Maryland.

A graduate of Towson University, Erin was hired for her dream job in 2017, reporting for WBOC-TV. She recalls her team saying she possessed Jiang-like talent – a reference to the renowned CBS Senior White House Correspondent. While the honeymoon phase was flattering, it didn’t take long for the bloom to come off the rose.

“I didn’t like how superficial it all became,” the 28-year-old said. “Being on TV, doing live shots and following teleprompters, you lose the truth in a lot of those news stories. If your beliefs weren’t in line with what was being typed, you just couldn’t stay true to who you were.”

Erin spent her senior year at Towson completing a year-long internship with WJZ-TV Baltimore. There, she received a “look at real world reporting” – being placed on a “controversial and dangerous” beat that made her question whether the industry was a good fit for her future. At WBOC, the constant pressure to perform nightly in front of thousands of viewers caught up to Erin.

“There was a moment on-camera, on a live shoot where I froze,” she said. “I just walked off the camera and said, ‘This is not for me.’”

And that was the end of her reporting career.

With six years of introspection, Erin looks back and believes she’s “too high-strung of a person” to have made a lengthy career in the news. And she’s at peace with that – having returned to her roots and opening up a dialogue about her appreciation for the medical benefits of Cannabis.

“I think I’ve always been an anxious person,” she said. “But now I can do what I love and treat my symptoms in a healthy way. I’m able to be my true self.”

Erin began self-medicating with Cannabis in high school to overcome struggles with attention and anxiety. Cannabis had a way of leveling her out, allowing Erin to focus on stressful tasks.

“I relied on it in high school,” she said. “Cannabis helped ground me.”

After bartending for a year following her departure from the news world, Erin joined Nature’s Care and Wellness in Perryville as a receptionist in 2018. Her talents quickly elevated her to patient care specialist, and eventually dispensary manager.

“I was doing what I loved, talking about what I love, and meeting a lot of new people,” she said. “I guess maybe it was the reporter in me – I got so excited about the patients’ interactions. I loved hearing their stories and helping them find helpful ways to medicate. That interaction was big for me.”

By 2020, Erin was hired by Melting Point Extracts (MPX) – serving as a statewide brand representative and traveling across Maryland for a variety of events.

Today, she is the Business Development Director for SunMed Growers in Warwick – a job she has held since 2021. At SunMed, Erin believes she found a familial-like love that was missing in the television industry.

“SunMed gave me the keys to the castle and allowed me to live out my vision,” she said. “I’ve never been with such a wholesome team. They are there for me every step of the way.”

Erin has also dialed in on a consistent routine, preferring live Cannabis resin vaporizers to support focus and calm.

“It has done wonders for my body and mind,” she said, noting she looks for strains with a terpene profile of limonene and terpinolene. “They’ve helped me drastically.”

Her stress levels were surprisingly minimized as her and her team encountered a new wave of clientele following the opening of recreational sales in Maryland.

“It was ‘Show Time’ and we showed up!” Erin exclaimed.

She maintains that enthusiasm as she talks about a future in her newfound profession.“I want to continue riding this wave with SunMed,” Erin said. “I wear a lot of hats here, but so does everyone else. And there’s so much possibility in Maryland. I want to be a part of that every step of the way.”

“[Cannabis] has done wonders for my body and mind,” she said, noting she looks for strains with a terpene profile of limonene and terpinolene.

“They’ve helped me drastically.”

CANNABIS FOR A BETTER LIFE

FAR & DOTTER

Far & Dotter is a dispensary brand brought to us by the highly esteemed Curio Wellness, bringing a classy feel that is inviting to patients and adult-use customers alike. There is even a spa attached to the shop, with a focus on holistic health services allowing people to maximize the benefits of their health regimen. With an option to franchise, we can expect to see more Far & Dotter locations popping up around the country in the years to come. For those in need of financial support in opening a dispensary, the Curio Investment Fund provides opportunities for women, BIPOC and veterans to maximize their entrepreneurial abilities on a path to full ownership.

SETTING AND VIBE

This dispensary truly feels like an all-encompassing wellness center – from the comfortable waiting area to the high-end products – where you can expect to find everything from smoking accessories to vitamins and different supplements. It also has that clean smell of a spa when you walk in the front door, which has been comforting ever since the first time I set foot in the store. You can have acupuncture, massage and beauty treatments done at the spa here – providing easy access to adding new elements to your wellness routine.

FLOWER

There is a TON of flower on this menu, with everything you can imagine from Maryland’s top growers. Of course you can expect to find a huge selection of Curio Wellness branded flower, given that they own the dispensary. However, I could not think of a company growing Cannabis in Maryland that didn’t have a couple options on the shelves. They also offer daily deals to save some money on mix-and-match flower purchases.

CONCENTRATES

For the medical patients, the concentrate selection here is elite – including the new live rosin from Beezle Extracts and many other hot new drops – they really have something for everyone on this menu.

>>

CURIO EXCLUSIVE PROMETHEUS FLOWER

This powerful indica-dominant strain is perfect for the end of a long day, locking me into the couch and rocking me to sleep. Popping open the jar reveals frosty, trichome-coated buds wrapped in tightly-packed, bright-orange pistils. The smell is best described as a sweet and musky aroma with notes of gas and pine needles.

30.42% THCa | 2.39% Terpenes

I’ve also been really impressed with Eden Solventless and Alchemist lately, with both having impressive options on the shelf during the time of my visit.

EDIBLES

Everyone can buy edibles! There seems to be an edible coming out that is intended for every type of consumer – whether you need a quality nighttime sleep remedy or a consistent relaxing feeling throughout the day – Far & Dotter is stocked up with those and everything in between. But remember the regulations: Medical patients can have up to 40mg per piece or 400mg per pack, while recreational customers may have up to 10mg per piece or 100mg per pack of edibles.

"I COULD NOT THINK OF A COMPANY GROWING CANNABIS IN MARYLAND THAT DIDN’T HAVE A COUPLE OPTIONS ON THE SHELVES."

PRODUCT REVIEW <<

PURO LOCO is an intriguing Cannabis strain that has garnered attention for its unique genetic lineage, delightful flavor and aroma, and reported user experiences. Bred by Archive Seed Bank and grown out by SunMed Growers, this strain is a result of crossing Moonbow #75 and Papaya – creating a hybrid that offers a well-rounded and captivating Cannabis encounter. The combination of these two strains gives Puro Loco a balanced blend of both uplifting and calming effects.

PURO LOCO LIVE RESINBATTER

One of the standout features of Puro Loco is its flavor and aroma profile. Users describe an enticing and refreshing citrus experience boasting a gargantuan 4% limonene content. The strain's limonene, myrcene and linalool dominance contributes to its invigorating scent – making it a true treat for the senses, as well as your medical symptoms. The flavor is that of a delightful fusion of tangy citrus with underlying herbal and earthy undertones, creating an all-around enjoyable taste.

Consumers report a range of effects that encompass both cerebral stimulation and physical relaxation.

The strain is known to induce a surge of euphoria, elevating mood and promoting a sense of uplifted wellbeing. Patients often describe heightened focus and creativity, making it conducive for engaging in artistic endeavors or social interactions. Additionally, Puro Loco has been noted to provide a calming sensation – allowing for a state of tranquility without inducing overwhelming sedation.

4.06%

2.48%

.64%

1.73%

3.5G BALLER JAR

This balance of effects makes Puro Loco versatile and suitable for various occasions.

The therapeutic applications of this cultivar are extensive, as its uplifting and euphoric qualities may make it beneficial for individuals dealing with mood disorders such as depression or stress, as well as sleep, gastrointestinal problems and general pain relief. Moreover, the strain's reported focus-enhancing properties could potentially assist those seeking relief from attention-related issues.

It is important to note that individual experiences with Cannabis strains can vary, and the effects of Puro Loco may differ from person to person. As always, it is recommended to start with a low dosage and gradually increase as needed, while being mindful of personal tolerance and any potential side effects. That being said, whether seeking an uplifting mood enhancer or a relaxing and tranquil encounter, Puro Loco has the potential to deliver an enticing and satisfying Cannabis experience.

"An enticing and refreshing citrus experience boasting a gargantuan 4% limonene content."

Vegan, Gelatin-Free Gummies

WHAT’S YOUR FLAVOR?

For those who choose to stand out, be di erent, and create their own path

HIPPIE CRASHER HIPPIE CRASHER

The exact genetic origins of Hippie Crasher are debatable, but it is most likely a cross between Wedding Cake x Kush Mints – two iconic cultivars. This parentage suggests that Hippie Crasher inherits its indica dominance and calming properties from the heavier Wedding Cake profile, while Kush Mints contributes its distinctive flavor and therapeutic effects.

One of the standout features of Hippie Crasher is its high-THC content – in our case almost 30% –making this an excellent candidate for the high-potency consumers out there. Novice consumers can always consume less and save more money when utilizing such a variety – and who doesn’t like to save some money while experiencing a spectacular high?

The effects of Hippie Crasher are deeply relaxing in a way that provides a sense of tranquility and calm. The top of the experience is marked by a clear cerebral euphoria that gradually melts into a full-body relaxation due to its abundance of limonene, tempered with the heavier terpenes on the spectrum. This strain is reported to have sedating qualities that can lead to a couchlock effect – making it an ideal choice for evening or nighttime use when relaxation and unwinding are desired. It is also worth noting that Hippie Crasher may induce a case of the munchies, as it definitely had me raiding my fridge before bed.

In terms of smell and flavor, Hippie Crasher has a sweet and fruity profile – often described as reminiscent of grape candy or berries that blends elegantly with a distinct cookie-mint aroma. The taste reflects its smell, with a smooth and sweet combination that adds to the overall experience and excellent mouthfeel on the toke. The olfactory and gustatory delight induced by Trulieve’s Hippie Crasher buds is absolutely next level. With its high-THC content and sedating effects, Hippie Crasher is a great strain for experienced users looking for a deep sense of relaxation. Its sweet and fruity aroma, coupled with potentially medicinal benefits, makes it an attractive option for those seeking relief from stress, anxiety or chronic pain. However, it's important for novices to approach this strain with caution – the Hippie Crasher has a potent reputation for a reason.

“A clear cerebral euphoria that gradually melts into a full-body relaxation.”

HIPPIE CRASHER is an indica-dominant, hybrid Cannabis strain with a diverse genetic lineage and a reputation for its powerful effects – known for inducing a deep sense of relaxation while still allowing for mental clarity and focus. And the batch produced by Trulieve this month is a testament to just how potent this cultivar can be.

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From kickflips to Ayahuasca trips, the life and artwork of Chris Dyer is a masterpiece woven from many experiences. >>

"OPEN YOUR EYES"

Many people believe that when we consume psychedelic entheogenic medicines, we tap into both an inner space as well as an interdimensional, shapeless plane of existence too vast and complex for us to describe or define with our limited human capabilities. Through his art, Chris Dyer attempts to give a physical, visual form to concepts, beings and feelings conjured to his mind in part from his many experiences as a spiritual psychonaut. We had the chance to tap in with the Canadian-Peruvian skateboarder and psychedelic visionary to learn more about his life, his artistic process, and what he’s seen and felt during his many experiences with various journeyinducing substances all over the world.

"KING OF SWORDS"

"MURAL AT MENDOJA FARMS"

ON THE INFLUENCE HIS PERUVIAN UPBRINGING HAD ON WHO HE’S BECOME:

Peru’s tricky. When people think of Peru, it's like, ‘Oh, it's so beautiful with the llamas running around the mountains and the ruins and the Incas, and then you go to the jungle and you drink ayahuasca – la la la.’ But no, for me, growing up in the ‘80s and the ‘90s in Lima, Peru was terrorism and blackouts and getting mugged four times a year for being white. I went to an all-boys school, so it's just like hyper-masculine scenarios where everyone's fighting over power, and me being a sensitive artist, I had to build a bunch of armors to protect myself from getting too energetically robbed. It gave me a lot of challenges that I've had to work through in my life. I'm better now, but I recognize where the wounds started.

ON THE INTERCONNECTED EXPERIENCES AND VISIONS REFLECTED IN TRIBAL

ART THROUGHOUT

GLOBAL HISTORY:

Cultures around the world somehow had access to the portals that take you to … the same center of creation, and it comes out and it manifests as a head in Mexico, or a carving in Nepal, or some motifs on textiles in Peru. This tribal artwork

from ancient times, they were all tapping to the same place. And I'm tapping to the same place. Yes, I am Peruvian and I grew with a certain influence, but I've also traveled to 45 different countries around the world and observed the similarities. Then I go into that place of oneness and try to understand what these interdimensional consciousness beings are and what they're trying to tell us, and how they're trying to help humanity throughout time. They're in a place past time, so they're just waiting for us there. In that other dimension, they exist. If I were to go into an Ayahuasca ceremony today, I’d tap into that place. It's the same exact time and place –since it's timeless – that the pre-Inca cultures tapped into, and many other cultures around the world.

ON THE EXPERIENCE OF AYAHUASCA:

When I'm there, I'm like, ‘What the fuck's going on here? What is this place? Is it alien? Is it collective consciousness? Is this an aspect of God? Is this God itself?’ A couple weeks ago, I did my 45th ceremony in Willow Creek – I was sitting in the other dimension for a few hours just observing it and letting it teach me how to fix my own corrupt coding so that I can shine more and help empower others to shine more. And thus, together we shine together and create a flame of

humanity that is so strong that we'll break through the darkness that's trying to hold us down as a humanity. … What is this fractal consciousness reality that feels like many souls in one, that wants to help me and wants to help us? It's almost like the elders are cheering us from the place before and after life. That's where I go with Aya.

ON THE DIFFERENCES

BETWEEN AYAHUASCA AND OTHER ENTHEOGENIC MEDICINES:

When I did Bufo, I went somewhere else. Bufo took me to a white place where I wasn't even there anymore. And thus, I don't have many memories of it. There wasn't even a ‘Chris’ left to observe because I had dissolved into everything-slash-nothingness, and there's a subconscious part of me that remembers that place of expansion in my dreams. positivecreations.ca | @chris_dyer

With mushrooms, you can get to that place that Aya takes you, but you gotta take like, a lot of mushrooms. … I think all of these medicines open different portals, and really, once the portal's open, those places are so big it makes the physical plane that we live in – with our planet, our solar system, our galaxy, the universe – look small compared to the astral plane where there's no up and down and it just goes on into infinity or eternity. Once you're there, it seems like that's the real place and this is the fake little video game that we play to kind of experience physical reality, and this array of human emotions and pain and joy. In the end, we're from beyond, and these places that we go through these medicines are closer to our real self. I would say our true, pure, real self is what we understand to be God –that oneness, the absolute energy of love and expansion. But that's just my personal belief.

“What is this fractal consciousnessreality thatfeelslikemany soulsinone,that wantstohelpmeand wantstohelpus?It's almost like the elders arecheeringusfrom theplacebefore and after life.”

"NATARAJA SHIVA"

"GOLDEN BOY, LET IT GO." "PACHAMAGO"

PHOTO BY PIERRE GAUTIERE

SKATEBOARDING: A PASSION AND MUSE FOR CHRIS.

ABOVE: "THE PROCESS OF EVOLUTION" BELOW: "MURAL AT HERITAGE HASH"

ICONS ICONS PSYCHEDELIC PSYCHEDELIC

ALBERT HOFMANN

The Swiss chemist who first synthesized LSD while working with the ergot fungus in 1943. After purposefully taking a dose of acid, his historic afternoon bike ride on April 19, 1943 has become a revered psychedelic holiday. The author of “LSD: My Problem Child,” Hofmann believed LSD could be used to increase society’s respect for our place in the natural world.

MARIA SABINA

Posters of the famous mushroom shaman of Mexico still line windows in Oaxaca where Sabina lived until 1985. She famously used mushrooms – which she called “the children” – to cure sick members of her community and communicate with the divine. This ritual, or velada, was reported in LIFE Magazine and was responsible for an explosion of interest in psilocybin research.

ALDOUS & LAURA HUXLEY

Authors of numerous cornerstones of psychedelic literature including “The Doors Of Perception,” “Islands” and “You Are Not The Target” –the Huxleys believed using psychedelics could unlock the secrets of the mind, and perhaps existence. Aldous believed psychedelics help us achieve a spiritual and philosophical experience that has benefits for everyone. Laura – a self-described "restrained investigator of LSD" – believed acid and mescaline could help you navigate the heavy jungles of the human mind. In 1963, she helped her husband pass peacefully, administering 100 micrograms of LSD to him on his deathbed to ease his journey.

TERENCE MCKENNA

He’s been called a mystic, ethnobotanist, pioneer, and even “the Timothy Leary of the ‘90s.” Throughout McKenna’s travels in Jerusalem, Mexico and Nepal, he experimented using plant-based psychedelics to increase the spiritual connection to a combined consciousness. In 1976, he and his brother wrote “Psilocybin: Magic Mushroom Grower's Guide” outlining spore cultivation techniques for the home enthusiast.

TIMOTHY LEARY

Referred to as the “father of the psychedelic movement” of the '60s, Leary was a psychologist who studied psychedelics and personality at Berkeley and as a faculty member at Harvard. He inspired young people everywhere to experiment with acid. Famous for the phrase "tune in, turn on, drop out" – he co-founded the Harvard Psilocybin Project and the League for Spiritual Discovery. President Richard Nixon called him "the most dangerous man in America."

RICHARD ALPERT (RAM DASS)

A researcher at Harvard who was fired in 1962 for giving psychedelics to his undergraduate students, Alpert worked with Timothy Leary to found the infamous Millbrook Commune – aka the League for Spiritual Discovery. Later, he’d journey to India and be renamed Baba Ram Dass by a guru, before returning to become a spiritual leader and write the influential book “Be Here Now.”

ALFRED M. HUBBARD

ANN & ALEXANDER “SASHA” SHULGIN

Together, this husband and wife team created and tested over 200 psychoactive compounds in their home laboratory. The process was documented in their 1991 book “Phenethylamines I Have Known and Loved” and its follow-up “Tryptamines I Have Known and Loved” – commonly referred to as “PiHKAL” and “TiHKAL.” While not the inventor, Alexander’s work introducing MDMA throughout the ‘70s and ‘90s earned him the nickname “The Godfather of Ecstacy.”

HUNTER S. THOMPSON

Author, journalist and psychonaut who defined the literary style we now call “Gonzo.” Throughout his career, Thompson notoriously supplied the first psychedelic dose to influential artists, writers, actors … and even Hells Angels. He often used psychedelics to invite the unknown to write his next paragraph. “As for LSD, I highly recommend it. The feeling it produces is hard to describe. 'Intensity' is a fair word for it."

AUGUSTUS OWSLEY STANLEY III

“Clandestine chemist” is the best way to describe this pivotal figure in the ‘60s psychedelic scene. It was his talent for manufacturing acid that helped iconify the Monterey Pop Festival and fueled the Merry Pranksters’ Acid Tests. The Oxford English dictionary defines Owsley as a noun for a particularly pure form of LSD.

KEN KESEY

PAUL STAMETS

Over the last 40 years, Stamets has become one of the most famous mycologists of our time – spreading the message that mushrooms have the power to save the world. His stance that psilocybin mushrooms are a non-addictive, life-changing substance has helped him discover new types of hallucinogenic fungi and even inspired a character in “Star Trek.”

The Johnny Appleseed of LSD, it’s estimated that Hubbard dosed six thousand people between 1951-1966. Hubbard wanted to change the world by dosing influential and prominent figures in society. Using LSD he obtained from Hofmann himself, Hubbard preached the key importance of “set and setting” during an acid session and felt promoting psychedelic therapy was his angelic calling.

After volunteering in a 1959 government program that studied the effects of psilocybin, amphetamine, LSD and other psychoactive drugs, Kesey used the experience to write “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.” With his group of Merry Pranksters, he sought to defy conformity and promote psychedelic discovery. Their exploits were documented in Tom Wolfe’s novel “The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test.” (For more on Kesey and the Merry Pranksters, check out this month’s Cannthropology).

HEADY THREADS HEADY THREADS

THE BINDLE CONSPIRACY

Luke started The Bindle Conspiracy in 2016 after exploring Europe, Southeast Asia and Central America, then driving his van across the United States, Mexico and Canada. “A few things sparked my interest as potential careers while I was traveling,” he explained, “but really one thing stayed constant for me: my love for clothing.” So, he decided to learn how to make it from scratch and has been cutting and sewing every single piece by hand since. Currently based out of Boulder, Colorado, his one-of-a-kind wearables feature fun fabrics, trippy textures and playful patchwork. thebindleconspiracy.com | @thebindleconspiracy

KILLER ACID

Rob Corradetti has been making art for over 25 years and launched Killer Acid in 2010, which specializes in screen prints, t-shirts and psychedelic accessories. While the brand is based out of Santa Cruz, California, Rob’s style blends “head shop and punk rock” inspired by the technicolor coming-of-age in New York City – full of cartoon characters, bright colors and subtle references to classic art. So far, Killer Acid has done some killer collaborations with brands like Meow Wolf, Zumiez, VICE, Adult Swim and Santa Cruz Skateboards. killeracid.com | @killeracid

BROKEN PROMISES CO.

Founded by Mandee Bence and Jason Blake, Broken Promises Co. is “rooted in the expression of human emotions, with products that allow people to express their feelings by wearing them when sometimes itʼs hard to talk about how you feel.” Based out of Southern California, the brand has its own app where it drops an exclusive new collection every Saturday morning and has collaborated on capsules with Hot Wheels, Beetlejuice, Mountain Dew, Death Note and others. brokenpromises.com |@brokenpromisesco

A ROUNDUP OF ARTISTS AND CLOTHING BRANDS MAKING THE MOST WONDERFUL WEARABLES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP.

SKULLY VIBES

Skully Vibes has been making art his whole life but started drawing skull characters in high school. He continued to evolve his spooky-stoney style, and the Skully Vibes brand was officially born in 2021 with a passion project called Smoking Skulls – a collection of 710 different hand-drawn skull characters with a poem to go with each one. Now, the skulls are a staple throughout his multimedia art including prints, stickers and t-shirts –each embroidered to order in Denver.skullyvibes.com @skully.vibes

GRASSROOTS CALIFORNIA

Grassroots began making hats for a documentary film in 2009 and has since hooked up artists like Method Man, Jerry Garcia and Griz with the headiest headpieces. They’re known for their signature holograms and designs on the interior of the hats, made with environmentally-friendly materials such as hemp. The company donates 1% of all sales to charity and has done limited-time collections with psychedelic artists such as Vincent Gordon and The Frank Brothers. grassrootscalifornia.com @grassrootscalifornia

Michelle started Wook Wear a couple of years ago to create stash bags for all her friends, specializing in “prizedpossession pouches” that are perfect for terp pearls or marbles. She designs her own patterns, cutting and sewing everything from scratch by hand, and says she “loves making insulated bags for hash or your favorite glass and psychedelic supplies – just about anything you can dream of!” Don’t miss the drops on her Instagram at 4:20 p.m. on #wookwearwednesdays. @wook.wear

STRAIGHT TRIPPIN CO.

Armed with his friend's printing press and his mom's old embroidery machine, Tyler started Straight Trippin Co. in 2021. Today, he makes shirts, hats and beanies that are each dyed and embroidered by hand in Austin, Texas. He draws inspiration from his own psychedelic experiences and says he started the brand to “challenge the prevailing stigma associated with substances often frowned upon in society.” straighttrippinco.etsy.com | @straighttrippinco

SHELTER CULTIVATION PROJECT

The Shelter Cultivation Project is an experimental retail space and apparel brand in Burlington, Vermont featuring zines, clothing, artwork and home goods by a collection of makers. Founder Shawn Dumont says, “This is really just a weird art experiment, and we only make something new when we have an idea worth pursuing or find an artist that we really want to work with.” Shelter has done a few group gallery shows, created a toll-free hotline for talking to exotic plants (give it a call at 1-844-Plant-Talks), and recently held a concert with Michael Nau and Benny Yurco. sheltercultivationproject.com | @sheltercultivationproject

THE ART OF BRIAN

Aspreadfrom“

TWO HITS OF TWO HITS OF

BRIAN BLOMERTH might not have written the book on psychedelic history, but he’s certainly illustrated the novel.

A cartoonist and visual artist, he’s created work for Dead and Company, VICE, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, as well as Phish. Inspired by manga artist Suiho Tagawa and Disney legend Floyd Gottfredson, his art reflects the visual style of comic strips from the ‘40s and ‘50s. “The ‘funny animal’ genre of cartooning looks to me like the gold standard,” he told us from his home in Brooklyn. “I love it and think it’s utterly insane.”

Blomerth’s two graphic novels present stories from the history of psychedelics. “Bicycle Day” recounts the time Albert Hofmann took that historic dose of LSD, while “Mycelium Wassonii” involves R. Gordon and Valentina Wasson's experiences with mushrooms and is described as a “globetrotting vision of hallucinatory science and

religious mysticism with appearances by Life Magazine, the CIA, and the Buddha.”

Blomerth’s two graphic novels present stories from the history of psychedelics.

“Bicycle Day” recounts the time Albert Hofmann took that historic dose of LSD, while “Mycelium Wassonii” involves R. Gordon and Valentina Wasson's experiences with mushrooms and is described as a “globetrotting vision of hallucinatory science and religious mysticism with appearances by Life Magazine, the CIA, and the Buddha.”

He explained initially getting the idea while watching a documentary where Hofmann recounted his experience during that first intentional acid trip. After reading Hofmann’s book “My Problem Child,” Blomerth knew this was the perfect choice for jumpstarting the project. From there, his fascination and respect for the history has only grown. “Hofmann really believed LSD had an actual home as a substance within medicine …The Wasson’s were amateur mycologists,” said Blomerth. “They read about and researched mushrooms as a hobby and that snowballed into their meeting with Maria Sabine.”

You might assume this artist starts each project off with a heroic dose and a pad of paper, but the process really begins with tons of investigation. “I try to read as much as I can about the subjects, even things by other minor characters in the books, compile as much research as possible, then simplify it down as far as it can go,” he explained.

With each book, he’s illustrating more than a story – creating a visual language that reflects the substance. “In ‘Bicycle Day’ I used Neon Inks … which is made in a lab like LSD. For ‘Mycelium Wassonii’ I used watercolors because they have a long tradition of use by naturalists documenting plants, and because they are natural pigments,” said Blomerth. “Also, since language seems to play a big part in a mushroom trip, I gave one to the mushrooms in the book.”

Blomerth is crafting an easily digestible version of history for future generations. In his eyes, the quick-to-read, easy-to-follow path comic books carve out for readers can present dense information, but in an extremely simple way.

”Psychedelics are currently being re-evaluated by science and things are opening up in that regard,” said Blomerth.

“So I think a simple book about them is an easy way to get that history out there and maybe inform someone that wouldn’t normally go for a larger text. I don’t think that any of these will change someone’s mind about psychedelics … but the history to me is fascinating.”

We asked what his next book is about, hoping to catch a glimpse – but he answered cautiously. “I’m only on page 50 and it still has a way to go. These books all sort of work like puzzles and I’m still in the pulling my hair out phase.”

brianblomerth.com | @pupsintrouble

Blomerth’s two graphic novels, “Bicycle Day” and “Mycelium Wassonii,” published by Anthology Editions.

OF HISTORYOF HISTORY

NO OVENS ALLOWED

AUGUST HASHTAGS |

# DontFearTheEdible

# NoOvensAllowed

# BeKind # StayHydrated

# LaurieAndMaryJane

TUNA CORN SALAD

4 SERVINGS

2 6oz cans of tuna, drained and flaked

12oz bag of frozen corn, defrosted

3 scallions, sliced

½ English cucumber, cut in small pieces

4 fresh basil leaves, shredded juice from ½ lemon

½ cup ranch dressing

4 teaspoons canna-oil salt and pepper to taste

1. In a medium bowl, combine the tuna, corn, scallion, cucumber and basil.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, dressing and canna-oil.

3. Combine the tuna with the dressing and toss gently. Season with salt and pepper and toss again.

AVOCADO LOVE

2 SERVINGS

1 tablespoon cooking oil

2 corn or flour tortillas

1 cup guacamole, smooth or chunky

2 teaspoons canna-oil

2 eggs, room temperature ¼ cup salsa

1. In a medium saute pan, heat the tablespoon of cooking oil. When hot, saute tortillas until they begin to get golden, turn and repeat.

2. Add the canna-oil to the guacamole and mix well. Spread each tortilla with ½ cup of the avocado mixture.

3. In the same pan, fry each egg until set. Place each egg on the guacamole and top with the salsa. Serve immediately.

HIGH-QUALITY QUESADILLAS

2 SERVINGS

1-2 tablespoons olive oil

4 flour tortillas

2 teaspoons canna-oil

2 cup shredded chicken

The too frequent, impossibly hot days are really pissing me off. There’s no way I’m turning on the oven – I’m keeping it simple and keeping it infused. This time I am infusing with my favorite CBD strain, Wesley’s Wish, from East Fork Cultivars. Their flower is outstanding – so relaxing and tasty. The yogurt bowl is the perfect refreshment on a hot day, and the tuna salad is great for a cool noontime meal – at home or on-the-go. I love putting it in a mason jar to keep all the flavors combined until I’m ready to eat. And no one will stop you from putting it in a pita, if you are so inclined. Finally, the fried egg atop a guacamole-topped tortilla really gives you a spicy zing. And who doesn’t want a zing?!

You’ll probably have to prepare these one at a time. Just keep the first one in a 300 degree oven until the second one is done.

1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed

1 cup shredded cheddar

2 teaspoons chili powder

½ teaspoon kosher salt

½ teaspoon garlic powder

1. In a medium saute pan, heat the olive oil. Place the first tortilla in the pan. Divide the toppings in half and place the chicken, beans and cheddar on the tortilla. Sprinkle with half the spices.

2. Place the top tortilla on the cheddar and cook slowly, 5-7 minutes, on low heat until the cheese is melted. Once the cheese melts, press down slightly on the top of the tortilla and carefully flip. The melted goodness will hold in the fillings.

3. Place finished tortillas in oven and prepare next.

4. When done, cut the quesadilla into wedges and enjoy along with your favorite salsas, hot sauces and condiments.

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Further Education

Despite being “too young to be a beatnik, and too old to be a hippie,” author Ken Kesey and his band of Merry Pranksters played a pivotal role in transitioning between the two subcultures and launching the psychedelic revolution.

MK ULTRA

After earning a BA in journalism from the University of Oregon in 1957, aspiring author Ken Kesey moved to the hip Perry Lane neighborhood of Palo Alto, California to enroll in Stanford University’s graduate writing program. There, he forged friendships with fellow writing student (and future BFF) Ken Babbs and a psych major named Vic Lovell – who informed him that the nearby Menlo Park Veterans Hospital was paying volunteers $75 a day to participate in a series of drug experiments, which Kesey immediately signed up for.

Codenamed Project MK Ultra, it was a military research program designed to study the effects of mind-altering substances. Over several weeks in 1959, Kesey ingested various psychedelics – including LSD, psilocybin, mescaline, peyote and others (all of which were still legal) –then underwent physical and psychological testing afterward. Through these experiments, Kesey realized the potential of psychedelics to transform society.

Kesey landed a job as a night attendant at the hospital so that he could smuggle the drugs out to share with his friends and the rest of the world. His interactions with patients there (often while tripping) inspired his best-selling novel, “One Flew Over the

Cuckoo’s Nest.” Published in 1962, the book was an instant success – adapted into a Broadway play, then an Oscar-winning film. The money he earned from “Cuckoo’s Nest” funded the next phase of his life as a counterculture icon.

MERRY PRANKSTERS

Word about MK Ultra soon made its way to Beat legend Neal Cassady (the basis of the Dean Moriarty character in Kerouac’s “On the Road,” which Kesey loved) – who, in 1960, also came to Palo Alto to partake in the experiments.

The growing influx of bohemians, coupled with psychedelics Kesey was supplying them, led to huge orgiastic parties in Perry Lane (aka “Sin Hollow”).

But in summer 1963, Kesey relocated to nearby La Honda – buying a ranch in the mountains and starting his second book, “Sometimes a Great Notion.”

By the time it was finished in 1964, he’d attracted an entourage of beatniks and freaks to his property –including his buddy Babbs, who after returning from Vietnam, allegedly came up with the moniker “Merry Pranksters” for their menagerie of miscreants.

The core cadre of Merry Pranksters consisted of 14

people, each of whom adopted new Prankster nicknames: Babbs became “Intrepid Traveler,” Cassady became “Sir Speed Limit,” and Kesey took on the title of “Captain Flag.” Kesey’s goal was to “explore what would happen when hallucinogenic-inspired spontaneity confronted what he saw as the banality and conformity of American society.” To manifest that vision, the Pranksters would embark on an epic entheogenic odyssey.

ON THE BUS

With the release of his second novel and the World’s Fair both happening in New York in the summer of ‘64, Kesey decided to lead his band of Merry Pranksters on a cross-country road trip. To accomplish this, he purchased a 1939 International Harvester school bus converted into a camper, and Pranksterized it: installing cameras and microphones, placing a stage on the roof, and painting it inside and out with psychedelic Day-Glo artwork. They christened their new magic bus “Further” (or “Furthur”) – a reference to their expanded consciousness.

On June 17, 1964, with Cassady at the wheel, the Pranksters set off with a lysergically-laced jar of orange juice on their own madcap version of “On The Road.” Along their trip, the Pranksters dosed as many willing recipients as possible, played a bunch of improvised pranks, and filmed the entire experience. Their mantra became: “You’re either on the bus, or you’re off the bus.”

Ken Kesey, from the film “Magic Trip.”

A poster of the Merry Pranksters cruising down the highway in their psychedelic bus “Further.”

Further arrived in “Madhattan” on June 29, where Cassady introduced the Pranksters to his beat buddies Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg. Kerouac was apparently unimpressed with their antics and distanced himself from the group. Ginsberg, however, embraced them –even making arrangements for them to drive upstate to meet fellow LSD pioneers Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert in Millbrook. Unfortunately, like Kerouac, Leary was not “on the bus” – he’d not yet embraced the dissemination of acid to the masses, still believing it should remain a controlled scientific pursuit.

By August, Further was back in La Honda with 40 hours of footage. Their two-month, cross-country sojourn – immortalized by several books and films, including Tom Wolfe’s 1968 classic “The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test” – is rumored to be the inspiration for The Beatles’ “Magical Mystery Tour” and is considered by many to be the beginning of the psychedelic 1960s movement.

THE ACID TESTS

Once home, Kesey launched the next stage of his plan to turn on America: a more inclusive version of the MK Ultra experiments they dubbed the Acid Tests. The Acid Tests were multimedia “happenings” featuring spoken word, art, music, projected video, fluorescent paint, funky lighting and of course, loads of acid (courtesy of the their personal chemist Owsley Stanley) distributed in cups of Kool-Aid. The goal was to “usher in a societal paradigm shift” – away from egoism towards what they called “intersubjectivity.” After a few trial runs – including a three-day party in August 1965 at La Honda at which Hunter S. Thompson and the Hells Angels first tripped on acid – they were ready to take their message to the masses. The first semi-public Acid Test occurred on November 27, 1965 at Babbs’ ranch in Soquel, known as “The Spread.” The gathering was promoted via handwritten handbills asking “Can YOU pass the Acid Test?” distributed at Babbs’ Santa Cruz bookstore, The Hip Pocket. Around 50 attendees were dosed with acid and treated to hours of sensory stimulation – including live music by a local bar band called the Warlocks (who, mere days later, would change their name to The Grateful Dead).

The following year, more Acid Test parties followed at various locations around California (then later Oregon, Canada and Mexico). The Grateful Dead became the unofficial house band of these events, although other psych rock legends (such as Jefferson Airplane and The Doors) also made appearances – as did other counterculture figures who quickly became part of the Prankster entourage, including performance artist Wavy Gravy and Carolyn “Mountain Girl” Adams (who would eventually have a daughter with Kesey, then later marry Jerry Garcia).

MARIJUANA BUSTS & TRIPS FESTIVAL

Unfortunately, their parties attracted the attention of authorities, who began surveilling Kesey’s home. On April 23, 1965, DEA agents raided Kesey’s ranch, where they caught him flushing a jar of weed down the toilet. Ultimately, 14 people were arrested on marijuana charges, including Kesey, Cassady and Mountain Girl. Kesey was later found guilty and sentenced to six months at the San Mateo County Jail. Just two days after his sentencing, Kesey and Mountain Girl were again arrested on marijuana charges while smoking a joint on the roof of a house on Telegraph Hill. Kesey posted bail and returned to preparing for their biggest Acid Test yet, set to take place two days later: the Trips Festival at San Francisco’s Longshoreman’s Hall.

Held on January 21-23, 1966, the Trips Festival featured mime and acting troupes, dancers, avant-garde artists, light shows, and live music from The Dead and Big Brother and The Holding Company in their debut performance (pre-Janis Joplin). Over 10,000 people reportedly showed up, drank the Kool-Aid, and partied with the Pranksters. Considered the first true hippie event, the Trips Festival is credited with kick-starting the psychedelic scene in San Francisco.

Of course, since Kesey had just been arrested two days prior, he was forced to attend in disguise – wearing a spaceman suit and helmet. And with fears of a possible five-year sentence now hanging over his head, Kesey made a desperate decision.

FUN-LOVING FUGITIVE

On January 31, 1966, Further was found abandoned on a seaside cliff outside Eureka, along with what appeared to be a suicide note. Kesey hadn’t actually committed suicide – in another

prank to misdirect police, he’d jumped bail and escaped into Mexico. The media seemingly bought into the ruse; the FBI, however, did not – they launched a manhunt for the “fun-loving fugitive” but couldn’t locate him.

Meanwhile, the Pranksters were hosting more Acid Tests in Los Angeles, where Wavy Gravy filled trash cans with LSD-laced fruit drink and began handing out 300-microgram-dose cups – coining the term “Electric Kool-Aid” for the beverage (hence the title of Wolfe’s book).

After the LA tests, the Pranksters – along with Kesey’s family – drove Further down to Mexico to meet up with him. It wasn’t until after making their clandestine return to the Bay in the fall of ‘66 that authorities finally apprehended Kesey. Luckily, he was offered a plea deal that allowed him to spend only six months (including the Summer of Love) in a work camp, but the deal reportedly had one unfortunate stipulation: Kesey allegedly agreed to publicly disavow LSD.

GRADUATION & DISSOLUTION

With LSD becoming illegal in California on October 24, 1968, the Pranksters planned their last big hurrah for Halloween night at a warehouse in San Francisco: The Acid Test Graduation. They all wore caps and gowns, Cassady handed out “Acid Test Diplomas,” and Kesey delivered a “commencement address” in which he encouraged attendees to “graduate” beyond needing LSD. It was essentially an Acid Test party without the acid, which predictably didn’t go over very well: Only a couple hundred attendees showed up, and many reportedly grew bored and left early.

Sadly, the Acid Test Graduation party proved to be the Merry Pranksters’ swan song. They held a few more minor events and even took Further to Woodstock in 1969 … but after that, Kesey disbanded the group, took his bus and moved back to Oregon, where he spent the remainder of his life on a farm with his family. Kesey died of complications arising after liver surgery on November 10, 2001, at the age of 66.

While Ken Kesey and his Merry Pranksters may not have ushered in the utopian America they envisioned, the impact of their exploits created countercultural shockwaves that still reverberate to this day.

The Merry Pranksters’ epic entheogenic odyssey— rumored to be the inspiration for The Beatles’ “Magical Mystery Tour”—is considered the beginning of the psychedelic movement.

LSD pioneer Timothy Leary “on the bus” with Further driver and beatnik icon Neal Cassady

*ALLEN GINSBERG

Ken Babbs in a superhero mask at one of the Acid Tests.

Acid Test flyers.

PEEK INTO SOMEONE’S FRIDGE, AND YOU GLIMPSE THEIR SOUL. Because what one chooses to store in the crib’s chilliest place provides clues to those with inspective impulses while grabbing a glass of water. Are there indications of plans for the unexpected (or expected) Armageddon, or is it a bare bones, protein shake and salad with raspberry vinegarette affair?

Food lends definition to our existence. And what we choose to stock in the container of cool mirrors our personality. This inventory often reflects how we manage our bodies, entertain people, and what we stand for as members of society.

And the volume speaks volumes.

For instance, if you find frozen Salisbury steak television-ready dinners amassed on the freezer shelves, chances are good that the person bathes at least once a week – whether he needs it or not. If the veggies appear visibly abundant and there’s oat milk and faux meat, she most likely keeps a yoga mat close by. And if a tub of Ben and Jerry’s Chunky Monkey ice cream and leftover Domino’s pizza is evident, then it’s obvious they are a stoner. However, some may find that contradictory because a stoner probably wouldn’t have any Ben and Jerry’s ice cream left. So, let’s pretend they just made a grocery run.

And by the way, the Cap’n Crunch that sits on top of the refrigerator does indeed deserve inclusion.

It’s almost like the refrigerator is your butler. It stands ready at the guard; you chat with it. You audit the innards and shuffle the contents accordingly.

Its interior reflects a calendar of sorts, most items categorized by preference while others stay static – the capers, the horseradish, the sauce you took a chance on –accessibility based upon frequency.

This cold cache is an indirect barometer of your success. It’s important that you’re content with the contents.

And it’s where you stash your quality dabs. Right next to the Devil’s lettuce.