THE ENLIGHTENED VOICE
#61 | JAN. 2024
The
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CBC is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that activates receptors in the brain tied to energy and mood elevation. Known to amplify the effects of THC, it also binds with two cannabinoid receptors linked to how we experience pain, often making it more effective than CBD for relieving pain, anxiety and inflammation.
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Must be 21+ or a registered medical cannabis patient to consume this product. Consumption of cannabis may impair your ability to drive or operate machinery. Please use extreme caution. There may be risks associated with cannabis use, especially if pregnant or breastfeeding. Keep out of reach of children and animals.
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CHESAPEAKE APOTHECARY
14
SHOP REVIEW
WYATT EARLY
the weed & wellness issue
#61
[
JAN. 2024
issue
30
BLEW GLASS
GLASS ART SPOTLIGHT
Leaf Nation's April Black
JAN. 2024
SELF-CARE SESHING'
COURTESY
ELLIE MCKENNA
BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH
26
42
RECIPES
BRUCE WOLF
takes readers on a journey through the Sound Healing experience that enlightens.
12
WYATT EARLY
leafmagazines.com
COURTESY ERIKA COLE
EXCLUSIVE
09 10 12 14 18 20 24 26 28 30 32 34 38 42 44 46
20
EDITOR’S NOTE NATIONAL NEWS BUDTENDER Q&A SHOP REVIEW CONCENTRATE OTM GLASS ART SPOTLIGHT STRAIN OF THE MONTH SESHING FOR SELF-CARE CBD PRODUCT ROUNDUP POSITIVE VIBRATIONS NOT YOUR PARENT’S POT TALK YOU DON’T KNOW JENN DOE CANNABIS AND AROMA COOKING WITH CANNABIS CANNTHROPOLOGY STONEY BALONEY
COURTESY BLEW GLASS
6
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Order online at
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E S TA B L I S H E D 2 0 1 0
T H E E N L I G H T E N E D VO I C E
N O RT H W E S T L E A F / O R EG O N L E A F / A L AS KA L E A F / M A RY L A N D L E A F / CA L I F O R N I A L E A F / N O RT H E AS T L E A F / U TA H L E A F
A B O U T T H E C OV E R
Based on a concept from the Leaf's Mike Ricker, and with the help of Northwest Leaf's Lena White on props and styling, this month's cover was created in the Seattle studio of Creative Director Daniel Berman and features local Cannabis and psilocybin advocate Jerry Mead, undergoing a new take on the classic spa treatment. This month's special edition highlights the variety of ways that Cannabis can be utilized for health and wellness, from spa treatments, to creativity, to being a better parent, to understanding and achieving your very best self. PHOTO & STYLING BY DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS | @LENA_B_SPARKED
WES ABNEY C E O & F O U N D E R wes@leafmagazines.com MIKE RICKER O P E R AT I N G PA R T N E R ricker@leafmagazines.com TOM BOWERS C H I E F O P E R AT I N G O F F I C E R tom@leafmagazines.com DANIEL BERMAN C R E AT I V E D I R E C T O R daniel@leafmagazines.com EARLY M A RY L A N D L E A F P U B L I S H E R early@leafmagazines.com
WYATT EARLY STAT E D I R E C T O R wyatt@leafmagazines.com (410) 961-8779 MEGHAN RIDLEY C O PY E D I T O R meghan@leafmagazines.com
CONTRIBUTORS DANIEL BERMAN, PHOTOS APRIL BLACK, FEATURES BOBBY BLACK, DESIGN + FEATURES JOSHUA BOULET, ILLUSTRATION TOM BOWERS, FEATURES AMANDA DAY, PHOTOS + FEATURES MAX EARLY, FEATURES WYATT EARLY, PHOTOS + FEATURES AMELIA HANNAH, PHOTOS LAURA LEE, PHOTOS GREG MALCOLM, PHOTOS TAYLOR MARTIN, FEATURES JERRY MEAD, MODELING JESSE RAMIREZ, DESIGN MIKE RICKER, FEATURES MEGHAN RIDLEY, EDITING LENA WHITE, PROPS & ASSISTING BRUCE & LAURIE WOLF, RECIPES KATHERINE WOLF, FEATURES
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ABNEY
Editor’s Note Thanks for picking up The Weed & Wellness Issue of the Leaf! The medicinal use of Cannabis is what started my journey into publishing the Leaf, at a time when cancer patients had to choose between the plant and prosecution with their literal lives on the line. When Cannabis was illegal, it was presented as a drug that caused problems – not healed them. I remember DARE classes telling us young men that weed causes testicular cancer. What a scary thought! It wasn’t until years later that I met a survivor of that very cancer who credited Cannabis with keeping him alive. To say that weed has gone through a social transformation is an understatement, as moving from the war on drugs to CBD roundups on network news is a complete metamorphosis. All of the freedoms we have today as recreational users have been realized because of the medicinal effects of Cannabis, and we cannot lose that respect and understanding of the plant in a heady rush to get users as baked as possible. Like the humble pot brownie (google Brownie Mary) created by a nurse for AIDS patients with wasting syndrome, much of our culture co-opted the medicine – and I think it’s high time that we return to acknowledging the medicinal aspects of Cannabis.
"I HAVE LONG BELIEVED THAT ALL USE OF CANNABIS IS MEDICINAL, EVEN IF IT’S GETTING SUPER FRIED OFF DABS BECAUSE YOU HAD A BAD TUESDAY IN THE TRAFFIC AND RAIN."
I have long believed that all use of Cannabis is medicinal, even if it’s getting super fried off dabs because you had a bad Tuesday in the traffic and rain. Many people use pharmaceuticals or alcohol for those types of stresses, but Cannabis heals the body – even when we are trying to escape. This light medical use still has big benefits and they get amplified when regular users of Cannabis get hurt, deal with major stresses or diseases, or even face end-of-life battles. Let’s not forget that Big Pharma and our own government have known about all of these medical benefits for decades. Just as Big Food corrupted our food chain with sugar for profits (check out NPR’s story ‘50 Years Ago, Sugar Industry Quietly Paid Scientists To Point Blame At Fat’), so has the government worked in lockstep with private prison lobbyists, pharmaceutical companies, and our vast law enforcement system to ensure that peaceful drug users were still victims of asset forfeiture and imprisonment in the prison labor scheme. And this isn’t new-woke thinking – I’ve been reporting on this for 15 years and working to dismantle the hold that these forces have on America's health. So as we head into this new year, and many of us focus on health and wellness, it’s high time we start thinking about our use of Cannabis as medicinal and share that knowledge with those in our lives that might see it only as a recreational drug. Because even when we get puddled by dabs on the couch watching “Game of Thrones” reruns, Cannabis is working to make our bodies and minds, healthier and happier.
Exclusive Cannabis Journalism
9
-Wes Abney
JAN. 2024
national news
CANNABIS STOCKS FALL DESPITE SOARING MARKETS A report on the top 100 Cannabis stocks shows 14% losses against an overall growing market in 2023.
Technology continues to lead the way on
leafmagazines.com
both sides of the stock market’s growth, with AI guiding investor strategies using amazing computing power to maximize profits, resulting in companies like Open AI that are worth billions of dollars in this new tech revolution. Sadly, these gains have not reached the pot industry – where against all odds and inflationary 10 pressures, Cannabis as a commodity has seen major price drops alongside the skyrocketing cost of goods, labor and services. This cycle of producers growing the same volumes while charging less money for their flower, joints and other products might lead to happy customers and sales at dispensaries, but the end result has been constriction and losses for many Cannabis companies in "So what does 2023. The Cannabis stock marketthis mean for place has always been volatile, and the industry’s the news that the sector dropped hopes and 14% against the S&P 500’s general fears of market growth of 23% at time of billion dollar print, will surely shock investors – valuations and have a chilling effect on multiand corporate state operators in the new year. takeovers With hundreds of millions of dollars in shareholder value lost of the pot across the pot stock market, there industry?" are only two Cannabis companies holding onto billion dollar valuations, though Curaleaf and Innovative Industrial are still taking losses year-to-date according to Markets Insider. So what does this mean for the industry’s hopes and fears of billion dollar valuations and corporate takeovers of the pot industry? Right now, the smaller companies with cash on their books and clean debt sheets are likely to gain in value – while the tightening of belts with investors could hurt companies whose shareholders structure requires the pursuit of profit. Will 2024 be the year of the noble farmer, as prices stabilize and consolidation and failures leave more to harvest for those survivors? While our crystal ball is surely broken, we won’t be buying pot stocks any time soon.
jan. 2024
HIGH BAR SET FOR CALIFORNIA CANNABIS USERS' HIRING & FIRING California Cannabis users will soon be protected against discrimination for their medical or recreational use of the plant, ending one of the longest running tools of the war on drugs. These changes come via an and linked to 232 million missed work "...it will be amendment to the state’s Fair Employdays annually according to the Washingillegal to ask ment and Housing Act (AB 2188) that ton University School of Medicine in St. took effect on January 1, 2024. The new during the Louis, it seems that the real culprit behind law states that it is illegal for an employer interview the noxious “weekend flu” and low process if a job productivity can be blamed on weekend to not hire, penalize or fire a person applicant uses for their use of Cannabis outside of the boozing – not the use of Cannabis at the plant." workplace. home. While most American companies do In addition to the hiring and firing not have a policy regarding alcohol use on weekprotections, companies will no longer be able to ends or outside of work, many small businesses and use drug tests to target Cannabis users, and it will corporations alike used drug screening to weed out be illegal to ask during the interview process if a bad hires – inadvertently catching medical patients job applicant uses the plant. Coming from the state or recreational consumers of Cannabis in a snare that first legalized medical use in 1996, this is both meant for those with addictive drug issues. With a landmark change and a long overdue step in alcohol responsible for more than 140,000 deaths dismantling the war on drugs' continued impact.
WAS PRINCE HARRY SENT TO REHAB FOR WEED? The beloved and beleaguered Duke of Wessex has long been lambasted for his experimentation with drugs as a youth, and a new madefor-TV revelation adds to the drama of his alleged reckless behaviors with a visit to rehab. Reality TV lovers and fans of all things ‘royal’ have been clinging to episodes of “The Crown” season six, with a somewhat shocking scene depicting 17-year-old Prince Harry discussing being sent to rehab when his father found a stash of weed. This was big news back in 2002, when the BBC reported that “Prince Harry was sent to a drugs rehabilitation clinic for a day after he admitted smoking Cannabis and drinking alcohol.” But according to Prince Harry in his memoir “Spare” – the event never happened. His claim? That tabloids used a prior photo of him during a royal visit to a treatment center, using the photos in a sordid attempt to sell papers. It seems the writers of “The Crown” didn’t read his memoir, and used the now debunked story as a plot line in the show. What’s not in doubt is whether the Prince has
done drugs, as he did admit to using cocaine occasionally at parties and smoking Cannabis in his bathroom while dodging his security detail. He told Vanity Fair that Cannabis use “really did help me,” and that he has also used psychedelics like psilocybin for medicinal purposes. He went on to say that mushrooms “brought me a sense of relaxation, relief, comfort, a lightness that I managed to hold back for a period "He told of time. … I started doing it recreationally and then started Vanity Fair to realize how good it was for that Cannabis me. I would say it is one of the use “really fundamental parts of my life did help me,” that changed me and helped and that he me deal with the traumas and has also used the pains of the past.” psychedelics While his personal use like psilocybin hasn’t led to any political for medicinal changes in British law regard- purposes." ing Cannabis or mushrooms – both of which are illegal to grow, possess, distribute or sell in the UK – luckily, Amsterdam is only a train ride away for those seeking therapy, and fun.
STORIES by WES ABNEY @BEARDEDLORAX/LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by ADOBE STOCK & CREATIVE COMMONS
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INTERVIEW
MARYLAND LEAF BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH
ELLIEMCKENNA
FROM A HEALTH AND WELLNESS PERSPECTIVE, WHAT IS YOUR REASON FOR USING MEDICAL CANNABIS? I definitely use Cannabis for anxiety and elevating my mood. It helps regulate my day-to-day life, making me able to be a normal person and do normal things. It really helps me to regulate my emotions and eat correctly. I am a big believer in Cannabis being used for health and wellness.
"THE PATIENTS HAVE BECOME REALLY GOOD FRIENDS OF MINE SINCE I HAVE BEEN HERE FOR SO LONG. WE CAN TALK ABOUT ANYTHING, FROM CANNABIS TO LIFE ITSELF.”
HOW DID YOU GET YOUR START IN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY? I started in 2021, basically after lockdown wasn’t so harsh anymore. I was a licensed cosmetologist previously and started to get burned out on that. Cannabis has always been a passion of mine, so I started at Herbiculture in Montgomery County. In 2022 I came here to Blair, and I’ve been here ever since.
BLAIR WELLNESS CENTER 5806 YORK RD
BALTIMORE, MD 10AM-10PM MON-SAT 10AM-8PM SUN BLAIRWELLNESS.COM @BLAIRWELLNESSBALTIMORE (410) 323-0100
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT WORKING AT BLAIR WELLNESS? I love the culture here … the fact that we’re really just a huge family, more than anything. It’s not just work – I get to come in and see my best friends every day. It makes work a lot easier and more enjoyable when you get to be surrounded by people you know and love. Also, the patients have become really good friends of mine since I have been here for so long. We can talk about anything, from Cannabis to life itself.
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WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS IN THIS INDUSTRY? I love being a budtender because I am a people person – that’s what I liked so much about cosmetology. I really enjoy being able to help people. I’d like to continue to promote the health and wellness aspect, and educate people about products from that standpoint.
leafmagazines.com
IF YOU COULD SMOKE WITH ANY CELEBRITY, ALIVE OR DEAD, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY? Mac Miller. I feel like he is somebody that I could sit down and smoke with, listen to some of his music, and become the best of friends. He is one of my favorite people. If it wasn’t Mac, it would be Taylor Swift. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE GENRE TO WATCH WHILE STONED? As morbid as it sounds, I like horror. Like ‘48 Hour’ mystery things that make my brain work a little bit while I’m watching. I am not too big of a TV person, but if I'm not watching that genre, ‘Bob’s Burgers’ is definitely my go-to.
O
RIGINALLY FROM BALTIMORE, off to Florida for a few years, and now right back to her roots here in the 410 – Ellie Mckenna brings a lot more than a smiling face to the Blair Wellness Center storefront. You know when you have that favorite budtender, someone you genuinely look forward to seeing and talking to when in the dispensary? That’s Ellie. She takes pride in being able to give patients and adult-use customers the knowledge they crave, while making them feel comfortable exploring new territory in the Cannabis field. From EDM shows all the way to the dispensary floor, Ellie is bringing an exciting and welcoming energy that creates an environment everyone wants to be a part of.
JAN. 2024
WHAT KIND OF ENERGY DO YOU BRING TO THE DISPENSARY? The impression I try to make on customers is being personable. A lot of people are anxious about purchasing Cannabis and feel like they are doing something wrong. I like to help people feel more comfortable in the store, and put a smile on their face. Even with recreational customers, I feel like people are still using Cannabis medicinally whether they know it or not. I don’t want to make it seem like I know more than anybody, but I want to make purchasing Cannabis more approachable for the everyday smoker.
STORY & PHOTO by WYATT EARLY @ERRLYWYATT/MARYLAND LEAF SEND NOMINATIONS FOR BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH TO WYATT@LEAFMAGAZINES.COM
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o f a l lRtE hS IeN hBaAtDsD E(Ro r h e l m e t s ) yBoA uD ’DvEeR wB AoLrLnE,R wJ AhRi c h i s y o u r f a vAoP rP Li tE eS A? U C E “General Manager, It comes with the stripes, it took a lot of work, showed me that I had skills other than football. Showed me I had skills within the workplace, and that I could still process information at a high speed and high level, just like on the field.”
VINSTON PAINTER IS “THE GOAT” OF THE C A N N A BMI SA N DI NA RDI NU S T R Y I N E V E R Y S E N S E : H E H A S R UT ENCMOPEOLVEK IEBEASRL YL D E P A R T M E N T TDFEORMOPODL ELMEB AP ILEL SECURITY TO INVENTORY INTAKE, & EVEN HAS DONNED A HAZMAT SUIT AS A LABORATORY TECHNICIAN, TODAY HE LEADS BOTH CHESAPEAKE APOTHECARY DISPENSARIES IN-HOUSE AS GENERAL MANAGER. BORN AND RAISED IN NORFOLK, VA, VP STANDS AT AN IMPRESSIVE 6'5, COMMANDING THE B AC K ECRU ’S P I E S , A T T E NB LTAUICLOKT RNLAI VOE F A N Y S P A C E H ED E O LIGHT LIVE H E W IRLOLSCI NUDRCIESO LADR M Y O U W I T H H I S RWOISDI NE DIMPLED SMILE & AND BOISTEROUS LAUGH. AS A VETERAN NFL OFFENSIVE TACKLE, HE HAS PLAYED FOR TEAMS LIKE THE DENVER BRONCOS, MIAMI DOLPHINS, WASHINGTON COMMANDERS, CLEVELAND BROWNS, AND ARIZONA CARDINALS. HE IS ALSO PART-OWNER AND ORIGINAL I N V E S T ODB EARLKIEGORH’FST C H E S A P E A K E A PGOR ATSPOHEUFERR UCI TA R Y AM N LIVE S OSL VAER N TI E L ES S S A N D A L C H E M I SDTR EV DISPEN R OE SIN T U R E S DIAMONDS PROCESSOR. VP HAS HAD UNMATCHED BOOTS-ON-THE-GROUND EXPERIENCE IN THE MARYLAND CANNABIS INDUSTRY SINCE 2018, WHEN HE MANNED SECURITY OPERATIONS AT CHESAPEAKE, AND BECAME A MEDICAL CANNABIS PATIENT HIMSELF. IN 2020, HE BEGAN USING HIS E X P E R I E N C E T O C O N S U L T P ADTEIAEDNB ATNSD A S W E L L .DDIIEANAMDO2BN0RDES2A D1& , W H E N T H E O PDPI AOMRO NTDUS N I T Y C A M E T HS ARUOC EU G H A P R O C E S S I N G L I C E N S E ACQUISITION, PAINTER IMMERSED HIMSELF IN LABORATORY PROCESSES AND PRACTICES AS AN EXTRACTION TECH AT ALCHEMIST. IN 2023, VP TOOK ON D I S P E N S A R Y O P E R A T I O N S A S G E N E RA L MANAGER FOR CHESAPEAKE APOTHECARY LOCATIONS, WHERE HE REMAINS TODAY. STRAWBERRY COOKIES
V I N C E L E A D S O T H E R S B Y E X AL I VME PBLA DED:E RH E ELECTRIFIES THE PASSIONS OF OTHERS, INSPIRING SELF IMPROVEMENT IN HEALTH & FITNESS, FAMILY & SERVICE, BUSINESS & PERSONAL PURSUITS. HE CONTINUALLY KEEPS THE MORALE OF STAFF AROUND HIM ELEVATED & DEVELOPS THE WORK ETHIC OF OTHERS SIMPLY BY THE DEMONSTRATION OF HIS OWN.
SHOP REVIEW
14
CHESAPEAKE APOTHECARY leafmagazines.com
CHESAPEAKE APOTHECARY has two gorgeous stores in Maryland – one in White Plains and one in Clinton – where Founder and Chairman Seth Erlin’s personal approach to Cannabis is fueled by having witnessed his Aunt Kimberley suffer from ALS. Seth left a successful career in the culinary field to pursue the opening of this White Plains dispensary (his hometown), and has continued to advocate for Cannabis ever since. The store ebbs and flows with the desires and needs of the community – changing things like their hours and operating practices to make sure their customers are happy. If there is a must-see Cannabis store in Southern Maryland, this is it!
JAN. 2024
SETTING AND VIBE The vibe here is best described as comfortable and elegant. All of the wood for the counters and displays is repurposed from the tornadoes that devastated La Plata, Maryland in 2002. In the waiting room you will find comfortable couches and TV screens to keep you occupied, or you can peep the menu while you wait. They have an earthy, mossy display in the middle of the dispensary room that reminds me of “The Hobbit” – and is definitely worth taking a closer look at. There’s also tons of accessories and branded clothing that truly embodies Cannabis culture, and the staff brings a great vibe with their fun, diverse and knowledgeable approach to the plant.
FLOWER The flower game here is on point, featuring anything and everything from Maryland’s top growers. Whether you are interested in the newest drops or just want to grab a pack of pre-rolls, they have you covered. No matter what your knowledge level is surrounding Cannabis, the staff will be able to steer you in the right direction to meet your unique needs. Keep an eye out for the full-ounce packages from SunMed!
<< PRODUCT REVIEW >>
T E M PLE M ANDARI N S U NS ET TEM PL E B AL L B AL L ER J AR You read that right: Baller jars of temple ball hash! For those who don’t know, a baller jar is a 3.5 gram jar of hash … and this is a true solventless beauty. Everyone has a little bit of a different preference for smoking temple balls – mine is to create little snakes and roll them into joints. You can also top them on bong or bowl packs for extra flavor and potency. Popping the lid off this jar unveiled a harmony of sweet and citrusy scents that I could not get out of my nose. This hash added significant flavor to my joint, taking the high to another level with every puff. 72.55% Total Cannabinoids and 6.506% Total Terpenes
"JAM-PACKED WITH MORE GUMMIES, CHOCOLATE AND DRINKS THAN WILLY WONKA’S KITCHEN." C O N C E N T R AT E S This building is large and even shares space with a processing lab that specializes in hash – including high quality options ranging from rosin to live resin. Because of this, they have a huge selection of concentrate products on the menu at any given time – including their ever-so-popular temple ball hash. I personally love knowing that my hash is being made right behind the doors I am purchasing it from, eliminating any chance for it to get exposed to external elements in transport. My favorite thing on the menu were the live rosin cartridges – one of the only rosin products available to recreational customers in Maryland.
EDIBLES Jam-packed with more gummies, chocolate and drinks than Willy Wonka’s kitchen, this edible menu is outstanding. They have more flavors of Wana chews than I could possibly begin to fit into this review. As new edibles hit the market, this store is actively seeking to add them to their shelves – keeping their selection fresh for customers and patients alike with everything from 5mg chews and chocolates, to 40mg per piece and 400mg per package options (and everything in between). You can’t go wrong with the sour blackberry chews from Smokiez – they’ve been in my stash lately and are highly recommended.
CHESAPEAKE APOTHECARY 4781-CRAIN HWY WHITE PLAINS, MD | 9AM-9PM THURS-SUN & 10AM-10PM FRI & SAT CHESAPEAKEAPOTHECARY.COM | @CHESAPEAKEAPOTHOG | (301) 818-2427
STORY & PHOTOS by WYATT EARLY @ERRLYWYATT/MARYLAND LEAF
$60 R E N E W A L
410-440-3353
concentrate of the month
Bred & Grown by Curio Wellness | Washed & Pressed by Beezle Extracts
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GONDOLA LIVE WISH ROSIN
A RELATIVE NEWCOMER to the Maryland scene, Beezle has established itself as one of the premier concentrate producers in our state. Gondola Wish live rosin is the perfect dab to highlight their prowess as we continue to be blessed by their enticing assortment of concentrated goodness. Any company that puts the time, money and energy into producing a live rosin product is cool in my book, but with Beezle you can see them go above and beyond with their meticulous and pristine products.
BEEZLEBRANDS.COM CURIOWELLNESS.COM @BEEZLEBRANDS_MD 89.3% THC 6.7% Total Terps 2.53% limonene 1.68% caryophyllene .63% myrcene .52% pinene .42% humulene .36% linalool .31% terpineol
JAN. 2024
Gondola Wish is an immaculate palegold oil, perfectly pressed and preserved, and absolutely bursting with a rubbery, diesel profile. In the spirit of the golden rule of extraction – fire in, fire out – we must acknowledge Curio’s contribution to the Beezle product, as they are responsible for not only cultivating the Gondola Wish flower, but also breeding it. As an in-house breeding project, this cultivar is part of a genetic series built on the infamous MK-Ultra strain. In this case, Curio crossed MK-Ultra with Raven to produce Gondola Wish – along with several other varieties built off the classic cultivar. The ability to make a selection for rosin is itself an impressive task. The nuances of oil production, trichome type, strong/weak notes, yield potential, etc. makes just finding good rosin genetics a difficult task – let alone preserving that
selection through a press and into a customer’s rig. Beezle has excelled at both of these … and boy are we excited that they did. The Gondola Wish is a heavy gas burner that is almost reminiscent of a tire fire, but with notable sweetness that smoothes out the edges of a sharp gasoline smell. As one dabs the oil, that heavy gas overtone gives way to a more delicate, lighter fluid-esque note with floral and sweet dollops throughout the experience. Beezle always takes us on a journey of flavor with their concentrates, and this Gondola Wish leaves us drowning in a puddle of powerful petrol. Whether you prefer a smooth and clean dab, a joint with a bit of oil, or a dollop directly on your bowl – taking a ride on this rosin is sure to be memorable.
REVIEW by TAYLOR MARTIN for MARYLAND LEAF | PHOTO by GREG MALCOLM @MARYLAND.CONNOISSEUR
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glass art spotlight
BLEW B.LEWW__
GLASS
ART B
Y
BOB S I W LE
Hailing from Salt Lake City, Bob Lewis has been trailblazing and navigating the Cannabis industry and glass community for over 15 years – often reflecting on the early days when he would get together with his buddies, seeking to acquire the finest herb money could buy.
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"When I was 17, I started caring about quality Cannabis,” shared Lewis. “I would connect with a buddy from California who came to town with a mobile dispensary, and high-end glass I had never seen before." His local glass gallery, Boro Syndicate, also opened his eyes to top-tier artists – inspiring him to start a glass collection ranging from Contrabasso to Preston Hanna. From that point forward, Lewis continued to be moved by these unfamiliar creations he encountered, further drawing him to the flame. While Lewis was finding himself increasingly fascinated by the world of glass blowing, his relationship with the art form officially began when he started going to Oktoberfest at Snowbird. It was here he discovered Kenyon Coon, aka Borokato, who had a glass-blowing booth at the festival. Lewis was mesmerized by his works of art and began going there daily after his morning shifts as a landscaper … until one day, he had built a strong enough relationship and was offered an apprenticeship. "I got to work under his company, creating pipe production work including spoons, hammers, and other various works of art," explained Lewis. Lewis now finds himself living in the mecca of flameworking: Denver. He originally connected with the Mean Screens team about decade ago, and found both his lane and his people – where artists including Brick Glass, Trust Glass, Tutaw and MZ helped Lewis level up, hone in on his craft, and find new ways to offer. Nowadays he resides at Explore Glass Gallery, where he still works with some of the original artists that help him achieve new heights years ago. From mini-tubes and water-spinners to cups and trinkets, Lewis has come a long way from his early days cranking out production glass. His most recent design, IBR or Internal Ball Recycler, combines the shapes of a few different designs he has created into one powerhouse of a piece. "Glass blowing has proven to me that you can do anything you want to do, and be anything you want to be." Lewis is also a passionate Cannabis cultivator and processor with over a decade of experience. Look out for his hash brand, Hashishi Co., and their upcoming menu this year – including Fiendz Club's latest genetics. Feel free to reach out directly to Lewis on IG to see what available work he currently has, as his art sells out fast – both directly from him and the glass galleries he works with!
JAN. 2024
"From mini-tubes and water-spinners to cups and trinkets, Lewis has come a long way from his early days cranking out production glass."
STORY by MAX EARLY @LIFTEDSTARDUST for LEAF NATION | PHOTOS courtesy
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STRAIN OF THE MONTH
“This flower reeks of delicious scents that scramble the senses.” 35.3% THC .94% LIMONENE .61% CARYOPHYLLENE .42% MYRCENE .2% HUMULENE .16% PINENE RYTHM.COM @RYTHM_OFFICIAL
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JAN. 2024
BROWNIE
SCOUT CULTIVATED BY RYTHM
Rythm’s Brownie Scout flower project has been an enormous success in Maryland, promising to elevate itself to the top tier of our state’s horticultural scene. The cultivar is a wonderfully potent and bold flower that functions as a daily-driver indica covering a whole spectrum of needs.
BROWNIE SCOUT’S genetics come from Green Thumb Industries and are somewhat of a secret, but there does seem to be some consensus regarding the presence of Kosher Kush and Platinum Cookies being in the mix. Regardless of the parentage, the strain is an absolute potency bomb bringing some of the most unique flavors and aromas in Maryland. And after perusing online forums regarding Brownie Scout’s reputation in states like Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, it’s clear that its fragrant reputation lingers everywhere it goes. Now let’s dig into this delight reminiscent of a nutty, flourless chocolate cake deep-fried in a big vat of gasoline… Holy chocolate dough and petrol! This flower reeks of delicious scents that scramble the senses. Everyone loves a good gas cultivar, but rather than drowning out all the other aromas, the fuel in the Brownie Scout uplifts and enhances the other smells – allowing the entire bouquet to commingle in a truly unique manner. Just a rich and deep chocolate note, accentuated by a clean and sharp gas that coalesces into what I believe to be one of the highest olfactory experiences in Maryland. The presence of limonene, myrcene and caryophyllene produce a classic indica effect – perfect for taking a light load off or addressing heavier needs with repeated tokes. Rythm’s cultivation team has no doubt done the Brownie Scout justice across the board – from seed to smoke, it’s nothing short of stellar. Keep your eyes peeled for this treat, as it’s sure to be swept off shelves as quickly as it’s stocked.
REVIEW by TAYLOR MARTIN for MARYLAND LEAF | PHOTO by GREG MALCOLM @MARYLAND.CONNOISSEUR
THE weed & wellness ISSUE
SESHING FOR
SELF-CARE Take a stoney soak.
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Hot bubble baths are already a selfcare staple – but adding cannabinoids can take your soak to the next level of relaxation. We love these bath bombs from Kush Queen infused with full-spectrum CBD, hemp extract and essential oils but no artificial colors or scents. With targeted effects such as Revive, Sleep and Immunity, toss one in the tub and listen to the fizzing sounds for ASMR, smell the essential oils for aromatherapy, and watch the shades swirl together in the water for color therapy in a true multi-sensory experience. As you soak, your body will continue to absorb the essential oils and CBD through the skin like a sponge for added therapeutic benefits. Pro tip: light a few candles, put on some music, and sesh on a joint before (or during) your bath to further set the mood. kushqueen.shop
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Pair your sesh with meditation.
Meditation to promote mindfulness and reduce stress dates back to ancient times. Similarly, Cannabis has been used for centuries to quiet the brain and relax the body. Trying them together can boost self-awareness and help you stay grounded in the moment with a deeper state of focus. Eat an edible or take a few drops from a tincture 30-45 minutes before you meditate or spark up during your practice. It’ll depend on your habits and preferences, but strains high in the terpenes myrcene (think OG Kush, Granddaddy Purple and Blue Dream) and linalool (like Lavender Kush, Do-Si-Dos and Amnesia Haze) tend to be suggested for their calming effects. If you’re new to meditation or want to be part of a community, check out Collette from Balancing Cannabis! She hosts a donation-based virtual guided Cannabis meditation that you can join every Monday at 6:00 p.m. PST. balancingcannabis.com
jan. 2024
Get those creative juices flowing.
Studies have shown that creative activities stimulate the release of dopamine – the chemical that gives the brain feelings of happiness, satisfaction and motivation. If you don’t naturally have a knack for the arts or have a hard time loosening up and coloring outside of the lines (literally), there are still ways you can get into a creative headspace. Roll up, grab some markers, and make your own masterpiece with Cabin 7 Originals Coloring Books for Stoners. Two editions are available with 40 coloring pages in each that you can fill in with pens, crayons, markers or paint. If you want to spread some self-care cheer this season, go for the bundle that includes both editions and gift one to a friend! cabin7originals.com
GIVE YOUR MIND AND BODY A LITTLE EXTRA LOVE THIS YEAR BY INFUSING YOUR SELF-CARE ROUTINE WITH CANNABIS.
Give yourself a fire facial. Physical relaxation sends your brain the message that it’s time to chill out too, so pampering yourself can actually create a more mellow mental state. What better way to spoil yourself than with an at-home spa day? We suggest starting with the Sacred Facial Set from Sacred Ace Skincare. All of their products are made with vegan, cruelty-free ingredients and infused with USDA-certified organic full-spectrum CBD. Adding CBD to your skincare routine is known to have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant and calming properties, and this kit contains everything you need to give yourself a full facial in one beautiful box. With the Hydrating Face Mist & Toner, Anoint Face Oil and Antioxidant Face Moisturizer, dry winter skin won’t stand a chance this year. sacredaceskincare.com Reflect on your Cannabis consumption.
Slowing down and connecting with your inner needs and thoughts is a huge part of selfcare – and being mindful about your Cannabis consumption is a simple place to start. You can keep a journal or use a digital tool to set an intention before each sesh and reflect on the results. We like the Releaf App, where you can enter the product type and strain, why you’re using it and how much you used. After you consume, simply record how you feel to see if it aligns with your original intention. Maybe you wanted to chill out before bed, but the edibles you ate had the opposite effect because you were digging around the fridge with the munchies all night. Or perhaps you finally stumbled across the flower that brought you to your inner zen. As you enter more experiences, you can compare which products were the most beneficial in various situations and even get customized strain recommendations. Releafapp.com
STORY by KATHERINE WOLF @KATADELLIC for LEAF NATION | PHOTOS courtesy
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THE weed & wellness ISSUE
CANNABINOID CONCOCTIONS "IT’S EASIER THAN EVER FOR PATIENTS AND RECREATIONAL USERS OF THE PLANT TO EXPLORE DIFFERENT CANNABINOIDS AND HOW THEY COULD POTENTIALLY FIT INTO ONE’S LIFESTYLE."
COURTESY WYLD
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AS WE CONTINUE to embark on this journey of health and wellness, many of us turn to cannabinoids other than just THC. This is where a whole slew of other cannabinoids come in like CBD, CBN and CBG. Two companies that are shining a bright light on this space are the nationally-known brands Wyld and Smokiez. While both companies are rooted in the Pacific Northwest, they’ve since grown into several states across the country – making it easier than ever for patients and recreational users of the plant to explore different cannabinoids and how they could potentially fit into one’s lifestyle.
Good sleep is essential to living a healthy life, and CBN has come out as the top cannabinoid for helping people reach the state they desire. Personally, I’ve taken CBN before bed and noticed that I fell asleep sooner, stayed asleep longer, and had minimal grogginess the following morning. When taken with CBG, a cannabinoid that increases the production of a chemical called GABA, my anxiety was calm enough to improve the effects of the CBN. There are tons of other proposed effects of CBG – including the improvement of digestive health and acting as a neuroprotectant. And when it comes to CBD, what can I say? It’s essential to the stoner’s stash, and a cornerstone of a robust Cannabis diet. When checking out Wyld’s offerings, their wide selection of seven different gummies alongside six flavors of sparkling water makes for endless cannabinoid combinations. Gummies come in lemon, blackberry, raspberry, huckleberry, peach, pear and elderberry, with varying ratios of CBD, CBG, CBC and CBN.
jan. 2024
Wyld's grapefruit sparkling water is one of my personal favorites, but the lemon, blood orange, blackberry and raspberry are all refreshing in their own unique way. And don’t sleep on the blueberry pomegranate CBN formulation … it’s a great pre-bedtime bubbly that Wyld says is “like watching a sheep count you.” Next we find Smokiez bringing the heat with CBD, CBG and CBN variations of their gummies. They have 16 flavors currently available including blue raspberry, sour green apple, and way too many more to keep this list going. With 12 flavors of their 2.5:1 ratio CBD:CBN gummies, they are sure to have a flavor for everyone. These come in packs of 10 and 30, totaling 250-750mg of CBD and 100-300mg of CBN per package. The CBG gummies come in 12 flavors as well, with the same variation of potency as the CBN. It goes without saying that everyone’s consumption methods are a little bit different, but I urge you to go out and try some other cannabinoids besides THC in the new year. The risk level is extremely low with these non-psychoactive cannabinoids – and they come with the potential benefit of increased health and wellness. Let’s be honest: Humans eat and drink things we know are toxic all the time. With brands like Wyld and Smokiez available, why not treat your tastebuds to a delicious product that might actually make you feel better? WYLDCBD.COM | SMOKIEZCBD.COM
STORY by WYATT EARLY @ERRLYWYATT/MARYLAND LEAF | PHOTOS courtesy
THE weed & wellness ISSUE
POSITIVE VIBRATIO POSITIVE POSITIVE VIBRATIO THESE DAYS, there’s no shortage of Cannabis-infused wellness activities available – from yoga and meditation to massage and tai chi. One modality that’s taken center stage recently though is the sound bath: A full-body meditative experience employing various instruments to generate vibrations meant to heal and balance one’s mind, body and spirit. To see (and feel) what all the buzz was about, I signed up for a 60-minute group session at Let’s Get Tuned – a gorgeous sound healing/yoga studio overlooking the Pacific in Morro Bay, California. This new studio is owned and operated by a married couple of holistic healing practitioners named Jon Nowaczyk and Natalie Teichmann, whose hundreds of hours of soundhealer training translates into profound insights into the practice.
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LETSGETTUNED.COM | @LETSGETTUNED
jan. 2024
ONS ONS ONS “DURING THE SOUND BATH, IT’S LIKE YOUR CELLS ARE HAVING A SYNCHRONIZED FLASH MOB DANCE PARTY … THEY’RE GETTING SHAKEN UP,” EXPLAINS NATALIE. “We don’t just hear with our ears – we also hear through bone conduction and through our skin. So in a way, we are all one big ear … or rather, millions of small ears,” Natalie explains. “The harmonious tones in a sound bath provide a steady vibration to the body, allowing you to enter a state of balance called neural coherence. It’s like taking a deep breath for your nervous system. That creates a feeling of being at peace, and once your body feels safe and relaxed, it can begin to heal itself.” Psychologically speaking, the meditative mindset induced by sound bathing can help ease anxiety and facilitate better sleep, as well as fuel motivation, inspiration and creativity. Physiologically, the vibrations activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which in turn can increase blood flow and help reduce pain and inflammation. It also stimulates nitric oxide production, which aids in digestion, and bolsters memory and the immune system. Basically, sound healing acts like a massage for our internal organs.
“All matter is vibrating, so everything has a sound – including the cells in our bodies,” explains Natalie. “During the sound bath, it’s like your cells are having a synchronized flash mob dance party … they’re getting shaken up. If we’re in a pool and I push the water towards you, you can see that wave. Well, it’s the same with sound – only it’s not as tangible.” One way to visualize that effect is with cymatics (the science of seeing sound) – where sand on a blank plate vibrates into intricate geometric patterns when different sounds are played. “With cymatics, that’s the visual representation of a frequency,” Jon notes. “The higher the frequency, the more intricate the pattern gets … the lower the frequency, the wider and bigger the pattern is. We can almost imagine that happening to the water molecules in our body as they’re shaping to that frequency.” Considering the human body is composed of 70% water, you can imagine the kind of effect that’s having on a cellular level.
“These frequencies are like sonic multivitamins,” he continues. “If you have just one frequency, the sound is very targeted … but for overall health, you want a full spectrum of sound.” (You know – kind of like with cannabinoids.) After our discussion (and a quick puff for me outside) it was time for the session. Once we all picked our spots, got comfy with our yoga mats and blankets and closed our eyes, Jon dimmed the lights and began the sound bath. First came the Crystal Tones singing bowls – sculpted from quartz crystal and infused with precious metals and gemstones like topaz, gold and selenite. The sound was so relaxing that I immediately felt my jaw fully relax and my face soften. Next up were the steel gongs from Grotta Sonora in Italy, which he played by sliding a silicone friction mallet across them. At first, the low hum came in soft waves and ripples … but as he began to play harder it felt like a herd of wild horses running by us. I took deeper and deeper breaths as I felt the vibration of the sound permeate throughout my entire body. Finally, Jon eased us out with the soft, soothing sound of Koshi chimes, which washed over each person as he circulated around the space. The gentle tinkling sound made me feel like I was entering a magical woodland, being greeted by fairies and gnomes. I was indeed in the safety zone and felt amazing. Before I knew it, the hour was up and I was slowly opening my eyes, readjusting to the light, and feeling relaxed and refreshed. Sound healing offers us a safe space where we can truly let go and get our inner frequencies in tune with the universe. If you are looking to go deeper within your own wellness practice, I highly recommend it.
STORY by APRIL BLACK @HIGHERWAYTRAVEL for LEAF NATION | PHOTOS courtesy of LET’S GET TUNED & ERIKA COLE
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NOT YOUR PARENT'S POT TALK
jan. 2024
KIDS &THE NEW AGE CANNABIS CONVERSATION PARENTS HAVE A LOT on their plates these days. In the already challenging role of parenting through the pandemic, navigating social media and changing norms, they also have to grapple with how to address Cannabis use and legality for themselves and their loved ones. As we grow from Cannabis users to become parents and grandparents, the changing times and perceptions around the plant and kids are a constantly evolving area of focus. Is Cannabis dangerous for kids? What about parents? In this primer, we share our advice as parents and once-teens ourselves, as we continue to learn about and shape the way Cannabis is viewed in our society.
MOMMY’S MEDICINE
When my children were little, we made a decision to talk to them about Cannabis and how it helped Mom and Dad as a medicine that was special … and something we kept secret. We let them know that just like any other medicine, it was for adults only – but that this one was special. It helped us, but some people didn’t like it – so we didn’t talk about it outside of the house. This might sound a little twisted, but so is a drug counselor coming to school with a DARE presentation asking kids if they’ve seen their parents using drugs. By making the talk about Cannabis a simple explanation about medicine, most little kids will ignore pot like they ignore most of the adult world. The biggest issue for little kids and pot? Keep your edibles (and everything else) locked up or otherwise secure. While a toddler isn’t going to grab the bong, they definitely will gravitate towards bright colored candy. Should the worst happen and they eat something, just remember that Cannabis has never killed anyone … and with hydration and rest, kids, dogs and moms can all recover from too much weed.
BUILDING TRUST WITH TEENS
“Do as I say but not as I do” doesn’t work when parenting little kids, and it certainly doesn’t help when trying to keep teens out of the medicine or liquor cabinets, or for getting them to leave Cannabis alone. Generally teens don’t want anything to do with what their parents are in to – with the exception of drugs and alcohol. They are looking to us for cues on what’s OK and it’s important to be an example of responsible use during these crucial years. While alcohol might be present at sporting events and advertised nearly everywhere, it’s important not to glorify getting a buzz. The same goes for Cannabis. With the rise in Fentanyl, which can kill with a dose the size of a grain of rice, it can be lifesaving to have trust with your teen. If they or a friend takes a pill or accidentally consumes a drug, and someone is overdosing or hurt – they need to feel safe to call you and for paramedics. So just like a good household has a fire escape plan, talk to your children about the dangers of pills – and what their plan is if someone overdoses. By building trust with your teen, they’ll feel comfortable talking to you about their experimentation, giving you the chance to lead with love and guide them towards good decisions – like waiting to use Cannabis until they are of a legal age to do so.
CHILDRENS’ MEDICINE
There’s nothing a parent won’t do for a sick child, and when the choice is between a potential jail sentence and providing relief through Cannabis for a kid, the Leaf has documented many parents' choices to heal their child with plant-based medicine. Starting with Charlotte's Web in 2011, a high-CBD strain named for a girl with epilepsy in Colorado, the right to provide children with Cannabis has been hotly debated. While it seems clear to those in the Cannabis activism space that CBD and THC can help with a wide range of ailments, parents still face risk and ridicule for giving their children a potentially life-saving medicine. The Leaf has written about children who are alive thanks to their parents being brave enough to administer Cannabis, and we believe that this medicine has huge benefits for humans of all ages. But even with the benefits, Cannabis should only be used for children with extreme or life-threatening conditions like epilepsy. This includes CBD, which might be sold at your local drug store – but isn’t the right way to calm down a hyperactive kiddo or help with sleep as it does for adults. Healthy children don’t need Cannabis and it’s important as parents to make careful decisions about all medications.
SETTING BOUNDARIES
While Cannabis and the vaping of e-cigs might be common on high school and college campuses, and of course in pop culture – it’s important to set boundaries with drugs and alcohol as students head into these formative years. America has always celebrated college partying, and to a lesser extent, high school house parties in movies and pop culture. But with the cost of college rising, and the true impact of alcohol and hard partying becoming mainstream knowledge, it’s important to talk to older students about their choices and future. While Cannabis is certainly safer than alcohol, we don’t want our teens using these drugs before their brains have fully developed. By setting boundaries and having open communication, we can share this messaging with our kids – helping them to stay kids for as long as possible. Luckily for our younger generations, their 21st birthday can be spent at a legal pot shop without fear of arrest or alcohol poisoning. And that’s a world we should all be grateful to live in.
STORY by WES ABNEY @BEARDEDLORAX/LEAF NATION | PHOTO by ADOBE STOCK
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YOU DON'T KNOW JENN DOE INTERVIEW by WES ABNEY @BEARDEDLORAX /LEAF NATION
jan. 2024
J
ENN DOE’S STORY IS THAT OF A SINGLE MOTHER, A PIONEER, A CANNABIS CUP-WINNING HASH MAKER IN A MALE-DOMINATED SCENE, A SURVIVOR OF A NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE, AND A FIGHTER FOR THE RIGHT TO USE AND SHARE PLANT AND ANIMAL BASED MEDICINES. As a patient herself using Cannabis to combat symptoms of Long Lyme Disease, she’s researched and embarked on a journey for health that has included using South American Tree Frog Kambo therapy, snake and scorpion venom treatments, and plant-based medicines like psilocybin and other psychedelics to heal her body, mind and spirit. We sat down with Jenn over Zoom from Utah – her childhood home that she's now returned to part-time, spreading the good word of Cannabis and helping remove the stigma surrounding patients and recreational users alike.
How did you start your relationship with Cannabis? I was 14 when I started smoking. My Dad was a closet smoker – he kinda hid it from me – and friends at school wanted to smoke. When I was 16, I got my hands on my first seeds and grew them out in my closet. By then my parents weren't so awful about it, but my mom did keep telling me to get rid of the plants because they were stinky. Did you fall in love with growing from the start? I did! It was so expensive to buy it and I realized that I could take my own seeds and grow this plant. … My first grow setup was literally my closet. Back then it was really hard to find any information about growing and we didn’t bring it up because it was so illegal. When I could get my hands on High Times, I read it – but even that was very rare to stumble across at a 7-11. How did you get involved in the medical side of Cannabis? My grandmother had cancer, and I had been selling weed on the black market. I'd heard that Cannabis was helpful for cancer, and I was finally able to gather enough info to present to her as an alternative to eliminate the cancer. I had all this weed, but I didn’t know how to make it into medicine. By the time I figured it out, my grandma actually died – so that was very hard for me. I still feel that if I had access to the information, I could have helped more – which drove me into the medical aspect of Cannabis even further. How did it feel to go from the restrictive Utah environment into the more open, medical Cannabis world? When I moved to Washington in 2013 [where medical and recreational use were legal], I realized that I could share this info and not be worried about someone hunting me down and throwing me into prison. So I decided to share as much as I could! Coming from Utah, it was very freeing. It took a long time to get out of the Utah mindset of being anxious about smoking Cannabis somewhere that wasn’t hidden.
Once you settled in, you started making solventless ice water hash – how did that happen? When I first started, I was shooting in the dark. I’d made old-school pressed hash, but I had no idea if I was making the six star-style bubble hash right. I had been pushed out of a BHO lab because I was a girl and my partners didn’t give me that opportunity … I wanted something that could be mine, so I started making hash!
You went for gold with it and won a High Times Cannabis Cup, and you're still the only woman to grow and process a single-source hash entry and win! I entered originally as more of a tribute and paying my respect to one of the only sources of info I could find. It was fun to be pioneering, and I entered not thinking I had any chance of winning. When I won the Cup, it was only my eighth time washing hash. I was like, wait – I did this, right? It was complete imposter syndrome – a little scary, and very unexpected. >> STORY CONTINUES NEXT PAGE
PHOTOS by AMELIA HANNAH @ONA.PORTRAITS for LEAF NATION
YOU DON'T KNOW JENN DOE
THE weed & wellness ISSUE
STORY CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PG.
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LAURA LEE @LAURALEEDIARIES
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As a pioneering woman in Cannabis, how does it feel to shine a light on women’s talents? I think there's a lot of women in the industry that have always stayed behind the scenes with too little credit, or without any at all. There’s different reasons other than the obvious male egos and industry, and a lot of it comes back to mothers needing to take care of their kids. In the early days, that kept women behind the scenes so we didn’t make ourselves a target. It was challenging for me because I did feel like I had a target [in the past], but I felt that it was important not to be afraid of that.
After your accident, and a tick bite later gave you Lyme Disease, you began searching beyond Cannabis for plant and animal medicines that could help you heal and recover. What pushed you to try those alternative medicines? You have to be in a place in life where you feel so hopeless, that you can search out these different things. Also, I've always been open to psychedelics and used them previously. I actually did acid before I tried weed, because Utah put such a big ‘no-no’ on weed, we didn't hear about acid. So when I was a kid, acid was less scary than weed.
How does it feel to help others with medicine now? It doesn't change that I couldn't help my grandma, but knowing her circumstances brought all this together … is very heartfelt. Even before I knew Cannabis was medicinal, I knew it was doing something positive – that it improved my focus and helped with headaches and cramps or back pain. Cannabis was doing something for me and people I interacted with, even when I wasn’t conscious of what it was doing.
What was the effect of Lyme Disease like? The tick bite fucked me up really bad. I have Lyme Disease and five other co-infections. It affects everything, really – your nervous system and your brain's ability to communicate with your organs properly. I was having a lot of weird heart situations but it wasn't my heart, it was the signals my brain was sending to my heart. So I would be exhausted all day and then during sleep, my heart would race – so I would wake up feeling like I ran a marathon. The signals were backwards to my heart, all because of the neurological issues with Lyme Disease.
It’s also helped you overcome the trauma of a horrific accident. How did Cannabis help? I was in a freak accident … a car went into a river and I was trapped, and my friend Harland Ryman died. The hardest part of the PTSD stemmed from the fact that I got us out of the car once it was sinking, to save his life – and then he helped save me, and then died. I had a lot of survivor's remorse and guilt. There’s so many things in that whole situation that really fucked me up, but that was the worst. How do you watch someone you just saved, die? Was going into the garden a form of therapy in your recovery? Growing definitely helped me through all of that – being in the garden as therapy, to sit quietly. To have a reason to step away from the kids and have a space to go and know that I was helping people again was empowering. Weed allowed me to help people when I wasn’t able to help Harland.
jan. 2024
That sounds terrible. So, with the doctors unable to help, you had to take matters into your own hands? I've had migraines since I was five years old. They put me in the ER all the time, and the doctors would either say I was lying, or put me through the ringer on a bunch of migraine and epilepsy and pain meds. So I don't have a whole lot of trust in doctors. I’d rather research and try medicines that other cultures have used for thousands of years. And if we really look at pharmaceutical companies suppressing traditional medicines and designing drugs from them – including Cannabis – it’s all been for profit, not for truth.
"EVEN BEFORE I KNEW CANNABIS WAS MEDICINAL, I KNEW IT WAS DOING SOMETHING POSITIVE."
@JENNDOE420
What was using the frog venom, Kambo, like? How did it help? I started microdosing Kambo and that seemed to help. It's like giving yourself the worst flu you've ever had in your life for about 20 minutes. They make little burns and they put the medicine on those burns to get it into your lymphatic system … while it's on there, you're as sick as can be in every way, from puking to shitting to sweating to crying – it's like a full purge of everything. Once you wipe the serum off, within a couple minutes all those terrible feelings go away. And then you feel very tired. So this isn’t something that gets you high? You dont feel better right away, but it puts you to rest and you feel rejuvenated afterwards. It's not to get high – it's kind of like viewed as a full body detox. The peptides and alkaloids in the frog excretion work with the body in harmony to correct issues, including emotions. What else have you done that’s helped from the plant world? I also microdose mushrooms, which is very helpful for mental and physical health.
My body pains aren't as bad when I am microdosing, and it's helpful with my sleep patterns to relax me enough to help with my heart situation. Another alternative I've used are flower essences and herbs. I worked with a woman in Maine – utilizing herbs for the physical body and flower essences for the energetic body – and using them together helps with your energy field and your body. You can't fix one without fixing the other. How did you make the leap to snake venom? I went down to Mexico after a lot of research. If you look into snake venom, many pharmaceutical drugs have been created from it. It felt very different from Kambo. I didn't feel much of anything with some of the venoms, but I was learning to be an administrator – so I tried 10 different venoms that all do different things. There are three different categories of snake venom: One is Hemotoxic and works with your blood, one is Cytotoxic and used for cancers because it kills cells, and the Neurotoxic venoms can be helpful for the brain and neurological systems.
That treatment is illegal in the U.S., and dangerous, right? The biggest reason it’s illegal is gatekeeping for pharmaceutical companies, but I do understand that it can literally kill you. So if you are inexperienced, venom can be fatal – in small doses, however, it has such different effects. One of the venoms made me feel like I'd taken Adderall for my ADD – I had a noticeable change in my focus when I took the monocle cobra, a forest cobra. Do you see this journey of plant and animal medicines being your focus as you heal yourself and help others by sharing your experiences? I’ve always been a healer, so now it's expanding into other modalities. It's no different than when I started in Cannabis. I didn’t have the information I needed – and once I did, I turned around and started helping. This isn’t just for me … it’s to have the experiences and the knowledge to help others discover things – without going to the crazy lengths I do for these experiences!
STORY by WES ABNEY @BEARDEDLORAX/LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by AMELIA HANNAH @ONA.PORTRAITS
THE weed & wellness ISSUE
THE STINKY, THE Abstrax Tech Uncovers New Compounds in Cannabis
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38 Some time ago, the Cannabis community came to the understanding that there’s more to the magic of this plant than lonely cannabinoids. Terpenes served as a tipping point and ignited a desire for more knowledge, and for years they offered a better way to categorize and consume products – based on the limited information our community had access to, that is. While these aromatic compounds greatly expanded our understanding (or at the very least, a thirst for it), we all knew the day would come when access and experimentation bloomed into a deeper comprehension of mysterious canna compounds missing from the equation. That day arrived on October 12, 2023 via a press release from Abstrax Tech, Inc. announcing an exciting discovery of “many key aroma classes with diverse functionality, each responsible for some of the most desirable aromatic qualities found in high quality modern Cannabis.”
jan. 2024
THE SCIENTISTS
THE SAVORY
Abstrax Tech is a research and development company based in Tustin, California. While they formulate and sell terpene blends, their reach extends beyond the simplicity of a supplier – with a heavy emphasis on education. The company has “successfully lobbied to legalize hydrocarbon (BHO/PHO) extraction in Canada, discovered an entirely new class of compounds in Cannabis that are the true source of its skunky aroma, and partnered with six different universities in ongoing research studies.”
One of those discoveries was indole – the chemical base for quite a few familiar compounds in nature, including melatonin and tryptophan. It was previously noted in Cannabis smoke, but its newly identified omnipresence among the study’s hash rosin samples suggests some interesting new possibilities: Not only is indole responsible for the “prototypical” Cannabis aroma (think earthy and floral), but it may even play a part in its perceived effects.
One of their studies – ongoing since 2019 and in partnership with 710 Labs, SepSolve Analytical and Markes International – has gained attention after its recent publication and Editor’s Choice in ACS Omega, a peer-reviewed, weekly journal by The American Chemical Society. The paper, titled “Minor, Nonterpenoid Volatile Compounds Drive the Aroma Differences of Exotic Cannabis,” is available to the public for free on pubs.acs.org and highlights these exciting new “key aroma classes.” If a 10-plus page scientific whitepaper isn’t your idea of light reading, you can hop over to the Abstrax Instagram (@abstraxtech) for some great breakdowns of the research findings. But since you’re already here, why not have a taste of our takeaways?
Skatole is a member of the indole family, but this stinky string of molecules has a slightly more fascinating claim to fame. As a result of tryptophan breaking down during digestion, it’s responsible for the stench of mammalian and bird feces! But there’s no need to skip your favorite “stinky” smoke like the skatole-containing strain GMO, as this compound’s scent changes with its concentration and even encompasses a wide range of aromas from savory to chemical. The fragrance and food industries have utilized its diverse aromatic outputs for many years – it’s just our community’s first time getting familiar.
SWEET, AND THE SCIENCE THE SWEET Volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) are probably another first for many of us. Some of their prenylated forms were previously known to cause the “skunky, gas-like” characteristics in Cannabis. However, the team at Abstrax Tech has uncovered a new class of these VSCs. “Tropical Volatile Sulfur Compounds” were found to have a fruity twist akin to sulfuric citrus – an unsurprising revelation considering their presence in “tropical fruits such as passionfruit and grapefruit.” Esters encapsulate another important role in Cannabis aroma. These common compounds are found in “nearly every fruit” and Abstrax has identified over 30 in Cannabis with a “wide range of sweet or fruity related aromas.” A single strain can contain many of these esters and in its own unique combination. According to the study, a popular cultivar known as Banana Scream contains over 15 esters alone – and “each with a different aroma descriptor ranging from fruity, pineapple or banana.”
"IF NOT TERPENES, WHAT ARE THE TRUE SOURCES OF CANNABIS’ UNIQUE AROMATIC CHARACTERISTICS?"
The study also identified a handful of “structurally unique compounds.” A bouquet of grapelike aromas is produced by methyl, dimethyl and ethyl anthranilate. Mild, sweet, honey scents spawn from Phenethyl n-butyrate, isobutyrate, and n-propanoate – three discoveries that only appear present in “more recently bred” varieties of this particular panel (namely, Papaya Peach and Juiceman). And finally, an answer for the creamy coconut taste that creeps onto the palate through so many strains: a lactone identified as 6-amyl-αpyrone. It’s found in peaches and produced by a common soil fungus. Now that you’ve been doused in a potpourri of new knowledge, it’s time to chat about why it matters – because budtenders around the nation probably won’t be bombarded with requests for the “highest-hitting 6-amyl-ALPHA-pyrone strain” anytime soon. But let’s face it … the importance of advancing research in Cannabis is massive – especially if we want to dive deeper into its medical benefits and cater to cultivation.
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42
JANUARY HASHTAGS // #HappyNewYear #LaurieAndMaryJane #DontFearTheEdible #EatYourCannabis #BeKind | #Share
SOUP SEASON SERVES 4-6
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TOMATO SOUP 2 tablespoons canna oil 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 small yellow onion, diced 1 carrot, diced 1 celery stalk, diced 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped 1 tablespoon garlic, minced ½ cup red wine 2 (12-ounce) cans diced tomatoes, with liquid salt and pepper 1 tablespoon lemon juice
SERVES 4-6
BLACK BEAN SOUP 1-2 tablespoons canna oil or butter 4 strips bacon, cut into ½-inch pieces ½ onion, diced 1 tablespoon garlic, minced 3 cups chicken stock 2 (12oz) cans black beans, drained and rinsed 1 arbor chili pepper, seeds & stems removed 1 chipotle pepper, seeds & stems removed salt and pepper 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped. dash of Tabasco 1 teaspoon lime juice
JAN. 2024
1. In a large saucepan, sauté the onion, carrot and celery in the olive oil and canna oil for 10-12 minutes. 2. Add garlic and sauté for two more minutes. Add red wine and chopped thyme. Simmer gently and reduce by half. 3. Add tomatoes, bring to a boil and simmer for 30 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste. 4. Puree until smooth. Add lemon juice to finish.
1. In a medium saucepan, render bacon on medium heat in the canna-butter. Add onions and sauté until translucent. Add garlic, and sauté for two more minutes. 2. Add chicken stock, beans, arbor chili, and chipotle pepper. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste. Puree in blender in batches with fresh cilantro. Add Tabasco and lime juice to finish. Reheat and divide among the bowls.
Clockwise from lower-left: Tomato Soup, Black Bean Soup, and Brocolli Soup.
I WENT OUT TO DINNER AND ORDERED THIS TRIO, loving each one so much that I decided to create infused versions. The Meyers Lemon strain, sourced from Noble Farms, adds a delightful citrusy and aromatic touch to these three delectable and uncomplicated soups. The tomato and smoky black bean recipes both carry a subtle hint of lemon, making them even more flavorful. Personally, I find this strain perfect for social gatherings and creative writing. Its uplifting effects are truly remarkable. To experience the soups, I hosted a small gathering where guests enjoyed the trio alongside crusty bread and a refreshing salad – creating a satisfying and enjoyable meal. And they Ubered home! Laurie@Laurieandmaryjane.com SERVES 4-6
BROCOLLI SOUP 2 tablespoons canna-butter 1 tablespoon butter 2 leeks, rinsed and chopped 2 pounds broccoli, ends trimmed, chopped 4 cups chicken or vegetable stock 1 cup plain Greek yogurt handful of chives, chopped salt and pepper to taste
1. Melt butters in a large saucepan and add leeks. Sauté leeks until they become soft. Add broccoli and stock, bringing to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to medium, cover and let simmer until broccoli is tender. 2. Carefully ladle stock, leeks and broccoli, and puree in batches with a blender. Heat slowly. Divide among the bowls and top with Greek yogurt and chives.
RECIPES b y LAU RIE WOLF @LAU RIEANDMARYJANE for LEAF NATION PHOTO b y BRUCE WOLF @BRUCE_WOLF
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cannthropology
44
PRESENTS
Peron’s Pot Propositions During the 19th century, Cannabis was widely used in pharmaceutical remedies … but after prohibition took effect in 1937, it would take over half a century before marijuana would regain credibility as a medicine — thanks in large part to a gay Vietnam vet turned Cannabis crusader by the name of Dennis Peron.
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BIRTH OF AN ACTIVIST Born on April 8, 1945 in the Bronx, New York, Dennis Robert Peron grew up in a middle-class Italian-American family in a conservative area of Long Island. In 1966, after several unsuccessful attempts to avoid the Vietnam War, he enlisted in the Air Force. But before being shipped off to combat, he spent the Summer of Love in San Francisco, immersing himself in the new counterculture. In 1969, as soon as his tour was up, Peron headed back to the Bay (with two pounds of weed in his duffle bag), where he settled in the Castro District and began his 40-year career as an activist – becoming a Yippie, organizing smoke-ins, and selling weed.
Dennis Peron in his garden at Castro Castle. Inset: Prop 215 promo poster signed by Peron, Jack Herer, Dale Gieringer, Ed Rosenthal and other architects of the bill.
It was there at The Island that Peron developed a deep bond with up-and-coming gay rights advocate Harvey Milk — so much so that he allowed Milk to use The Island as his headquarters for several political campaigns, including his historic election to San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors in 1977.
BIG TOP BUST On July 20 of that same year, the Big Top was raided by the SFPD Narcotics Squad. Peron, mistaking the plain-clothes police storming up the steps for robbers, MILK & THE SUPERMARKETS threw a five-gallon water Peron’s pot-friendly restaurant and Throughout the 1970s, Peron operjug down the stairs at them activism hub The Island. ated a series of clandestine Cannabis – prompting one of the ‘supermarkets’ around the Castro. First, officers to shoot him in the in 1972, came The Big Top – a ganja leg, shattering his femur. grocery store he ran out of the living They arrested Peron (and room of his third-floor walkup at 715 a dozen or so others) and Castro Street. Two years later, he bought seized around 200 pounds a cafe at 16th and Sanchez, turning it of weed and some live into a 420-friendly health food restauplants, as well as a stash of rant called The Island (named after the utopian last novel by other drugs (hash, shrooms, acid and peyote) Aldous Huxley), and converted the apartment upstairs into a and nearly a quarter million dollars in cash. pot market. The Island quickly became a hub for the counterDuring the trial that followed, the testimony of culture community – offering both gay rights and marijuana the lead officer ended up being thrown out after reform activists a safe place to gather, converse and organize. he admitted in front of witnesses that he wished
JAN. 2024
the bullet had hit Peron’s heart so there would be “one less faggot in San Francisco” – an outburst that resulted in a lighter sentence for Peron, who ended up cutting a deal and serving six months in San Bruno County Jail. Sadly, he was still behind bars when he learned of the tragic assassinations of Milk and Mayor George Moscone. Milk had helped Peron pass Proposition W – a citywide decriminalization measure (which Mayor Moscone backed) that directed the district attorney and law enforcement to stop arresting and prosecuting people for growing, possessing or transferring Cannabis. Though the measure had passed with 56% of the vote, the new incoming mayor, Dianne Feinstein, chose to disregard it. DEATH & DETERMINATION When the AIDS epidemic broke out in the 1980s, Castro – being one of the most prominent gay neighborhoods in the nation – was among the most brutally hit. For those dealing with the horrible disease, Cannabis was one of the few things that brought them some relief from their pain and stimulated their appetites to combat the accompanying wasting syndrome. Seeing the suffering all around him only strengthened Peron’s resolve to provide me-
The San Francisco Cannabis Buyers Club at its peak.
THE CANNABIS BUYERS CLUB The San Francisco Cannabis Buyers Club was founded in 1992 by Peron, with some help from his future husband John Entwistle, longtime activist Mary Jane Rathbun aka “Brownie Mary” (see our Dec 2022 column “Baking a Difference”), and Dr. Tod Mikuriya – a prominent psychiatrist/ medical doctor and Cannabis advocate who served as the club’s medical coordinator. Considered the first true medical marijuana dispensary in the country, the five-story dispensary at 194 Church Street was described as a cross between a community center and an Amsterdam coffeeshop. The club offered a variety of edibles and strains to its patients, as well as starter plants and various paraphernalia. At its height in 1996, the CBC reportedly boasted nearly 12,000 members and over 100 employees – most of whom were patients themselves. Emboldened by the success of Prop P and the CBC, Peron and his allies began working on what would become their most significant achievement: Proposition 215. PROPOSITION 215 Since the passage of Prop P, the state legislature had approved several medical marijuana bills – but they were all vetoed by Governor Pete Wilson. Frustrated
“The passing of 215 lit a fuse around the world,” Peron once said. “It changed everything. They can’t turn back the clock now.” across the Bay in Alameda County – a with the lack of progress, Peron jurisdiction he calculated would be once again appealed directly to less sympathetic. Ironically, however, the voters. In 1995, he partnered instead of discrediting Dennis and with California NORML Director Prop 215, it actually garnered symDale Gieringer and Los Angeles pathy for the cause and drew criticism Cannabis Resource Center’s Scott from many in the public eye – includTracy Imler to create Californians ing cartoonist Garry Trudeau, who, for Compassionate Use – a politin his syndicated “Doonesbury” ical action committee devoted comic strip, lampooned Lungren to getting medical marijuana for arresting sick people. In the on a statewide ballot. weeks before Election Day, support In a series of meetings at the for the initiative actually increased CBC, Peron and his allies sat and a few prominent health care down and hashed out the deorganizations even endorsed it. tails of a new statewide medProp 215 ended up passing with ical marijuana initiative they Top: Peron For Supervisor campaign 56% of the vote, making Califorcalled The Compassionate brochure (1970s). Above: Local nia the first state in America to Use Act, aka Proposition 215. coverage of the CBC raid. legalize medical marijuana – an Essentially, Prop 215 was an example that other states would soon follow. amendment to the California Health and Safety “The passing of 215 lit a fuse around the Code that exempted physicians who recommend world,” Peron once said. “It changed everything. Cannabis – as well as patients and designated They can’t turn back the clock now.” caregivers who cultivate and possess Cannabis for medical use – from criminal prosecution. AFTERMATH & LEGACY With the help of Drug Policy Alliance founder Of course, the fight didn’t end there. Ethan Nadelmann and political consultant Bill On December 30, 1996, AttorZimmerman, the group raised close to $2 million ney General Janet Reno and Drug from sympathetic entrepreneurs and philanthroCzar Barry McCaffrey held a press pists such as liberal billionaire George Soros, conference at Columbia University in Progressive Insurance owner Peter Lewis, and which they threatened any doctors who Men’s Wearhouse founder George Zimmer. After recommended Cannabis with revocation of their completing the bill in the fall of 1995, they had DEA registration, without which they wouldn’t be just six months to collect the 500,000 signatures able to prescribe medications. And in fact, many necessary to get it on the ballot for November doctors had to fight to keep their licenses after 1996 – which they did, with the help of their dorecommending Cannabis to their patients in the nors and a small army of activist volunteers. years that followed. After a drawn-out legal battle with Lungren, TRIBULATION & TRIUMPH the SF Buyers Club was ultimately forced to close Predictably, the measure faced heavy opposiits doors on May 26, 1998. That same year, tion from law enforcement and elected officials Peron ran (unsuccessfully) against his nemesis – including California’s governor and senators, in the Republican primary for governor. After as well as former presidents Ford, Carter, and that, Peron gave up on operating dispensaries Bush, who all issued statements condemning the – instead moving to a farm in Lake County to bill. California’s Attorney General Dan Lungren, grow Cannabis. He and his husband eventually however, went a lot further: On August 4, 1996, returned to San Francisco and opened a small he directed the California Bureau of Narcotics Cannabis-friendly bed and breakfast they called Enforcement to raid and shut down the CBC – the Castro Castle. alleging that the club was selling marijuana to miA vocal advocate for Cannabis until his death nors and people without legitimate medical need. from lung cancer on January 27, 2018, Dennis They reportedly seized 150 pounds of Cannabis, Peron will forever be remembered as “the father of 400 plants, $750,000 in cash, and thousands of medical marijuana.” patients’ doctor recommendation letters. Then, on October 5, Lungren had Peron arrested and charged with possession and For our podcast & more Cannabis history content criminal conspiracy to distribute marijuana visit worldofcannabis.museum/cannthropology.
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MEMORABILIA COURTESY WORLD OF CANNABIS MUSEUM
dicinal marijuana to those affected – including his partner, Jonathan West, whose health was rapidly deteriorating. Despite his weakened condition, though, police showed no compassion when, in January 1990, they again raided the couple’s apartment and allegedly forced West to the ground and beat him with a gun. They then confiscated his weed and arrested Peron on charges of possession and distribution. At the trial that August, an extremely feeble West testified that the marijuana belonged to him and that Peron was merely his caretaker. The judge threw out the charges and told the officers that he “never wanted to see another case like this in court.” West died two weeks later. He was just 29 years old. He’d stayed alive just long enough to exonerate his love. Following Johnathan’s death, Peron rededicated himself to reforming California’s Cannabis laws – launching Proposition P (the nation’s first-ever medical marijuana initiative) and “almost single-handedly” collecting the signatures necessary to get it on the ballot. Prop P would decriminalize Cannabis’ medicinal use in San Francisco and allow doctors to recommend it to patients. In November 1991, it passed with an impressive 79% of the vote – illustrating the city’s overwhelming support for medical marijuana and inspiring Peron to open his most ambitious pot shop yet.
stoney baloney LEAFMAGAZINES.COM
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A LOT OF PEOPLE NEED TO DRY OUT AND THEY KNOW IT. So, getting sober is an annual challenge some of my friends will undertake for around 30 days, usually the same month every year. It’s not like they enjoy this exile, but in their mind, abstinence is a necessary evil that is going to miraculously stave off an early grave. And rehab. We all know that the body can’t reverse liver and heart damage in the matter of one month, but that’s OK – the effort is nonetheless recognized. And it sure makes for a delicious bender for said participant when the 30 days ends and Ol’ Faithful releases some steam. This temporary lifestyle change is never easy, and they will struggle to find ways to occupy their attention. Over coffee and fast food, these anxious souls will squirm uncomfortably while plotting their return … romanticizing their immersion into the waterfall of temptation when that clock finally hits 12:01 a.m. on the first day of the new month. So, to see the discipline through, they must maximize these efforts while minimizing the FOMO. And that means choosing the surest span with the least amount of opportunity to relapse during this annoying stint. Therefore, Superbowl Sunday will never be part of the equation. Neither will St. Patrick’s Day, their birthday, or Cinco de Drinko. Spring is no time to get sober – there’s too much excitement and optimism. And summer is completely out of the question. November is a strong candidate, but there’s that four-day holiday of fowl, family and football that begs for self-medication. So, January makes the most sense. They say Cannabis still does not constitute ‘being sober’ because it’s a mind-altering substance. I should know … I’ve been sober for 38 days! Not consecutively, of course.
JAN. 2024
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