July 2023 - Maryland Leaf

THE THE

CONCENTRATES CONCENTRATES

ISSUE 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!

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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.

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Health For Life

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The Dispensary

The Living Room

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We're excited to now be offering our premium cannabis products to all our cannasseurs, now including adult use.

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

For this month's cover we wanted to showcase some of our favorite concentrates we shot for the special. Greg Malcolm shot all of the photos for the special and pulled these images together to construct the cover. On the top left we have Summer of Love Live Resin Badder from Culta. On the top right SunMed Labs' Ice Cream Cake Live Resin Batter is bustingoutofa3.5gram ballerjar.Inthemiddlewe'reshowcasingthe BlueberryMuffinDiamondsandSaucefrom Kings&Queens.Andyouknowwehadtothrow somerosinonthecover,goingwithEvermore's MidnightCircusColdCuredLiveRosin.Lastbut certainlynotleast,thebottomrightisDosidos22 LiveResinAppleSaucebyAlchemistConcentrates.

CONTRIBUTORS

BOBBY BLACK, DESIGN + FEATURES

JOSHUA BOULET, ILLUSTRATION

TOM BOWERS, FEATURES

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

We are creators of targeted, independent Cannabis journalism. Please email us to discuss advertising in the next issue of MarylandLeaf Magazine. We do not sell stories or coverage. We can offer design services and guidance on promoting your company’s medicinal, recreational, commercial or industrial Cannabis business, product or event within our magazine and on our website, leafmagazines.com. Email wyatt@leafmagazines.com to start advertising with Maryland Leaf!

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WES ABNEY

Editor’s Note

Thanks for picking up The Concentrates Issue of the Leaf!

Our Concentrates Issue is my favorite of the year for one simple reason: I love dabs!

My first dab was around 2011 – in the century-old boiler room below the now closed Northern Cross Collective Gardens – and I remember feeling the oil touch the red hot nail as the vapor burst into my lungs with the force of a thousand bong hits. The world closed in around me and I felt the reverberation of raw THC as it pulsed through my blood and into my mind, sending me away for the next few hours, humming with a high that was unlike anything else.

Over the last decade of publishing and working in Cannabis, I have personally seen the concentrate world evolve from homemade Rick Simpson Oil and open-blasted butane hash oil, to highly medicinal mono-cannabinoid extracts and vaporizable concentrates of all kinds, to being the precursor to a new world of edibles, topicals, capsules and more. For our Concentrates Issue we sought out the best examples of the different types of extractions, to share how they affect the body and the science behind the scenes.

Concentrating Cannabis means exactly what it sounds like: taking a full plant and using a process or solvent to extract the purest essence of it. This makes it incredibly important to only consume high-quality, pesticide-tested concentrates. Quality concentrates have the ability to impart healing values that Cannabis flower alone cannot replicate, delivering a pure flavor and experience that captures the taste and effect of fresh Cannabis in a perfect dab. Look closely and you’ll see that concentrates cover every aspect of Cannabis – every product beyond flower – from medicinal to recreational uses and benefits.

Our comprehensive Concentrates Issue covers the different extraction methods, terminology, ways to consume and much more. So take a dab, flip through this beautiful and informational issue, and learn something new that you can share with someone in need of Cannabis – as both a plant and a medicine. And as always, thanks for reading and sharing the Leaf!

“FOR OUR CONCENTRATES ISSUE WE SOUGHT OUT THE BEST EXAMPLES OF THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF EXTRACTIONS.”

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY GREG MALCOLM MARYLANDCONNOISSEUR.COM @MARYLAND.CONNOISSEUR

The Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission (AMCC) in June decided to delay the issuing of state licenses for marijuana businesses. The board cited possible irregularities in the scoring of applicants.

AMCC did not say if it had evidence of wrongdoing. “I know we’re all concerned about it, but it would have been just a catastrophe if the applicants went through their numbers and found an error,” said commission director John McMillan.

"The vote came a few days after the commission awarded 21 licenses to grow, process, distribute, transport and test medical marijuana."

The vote came a few days after the commission awarded 21 licenses to grow, process, distribute, transport and test medical marijuana. Several companies that didn’t get licenses said they weren’t clear on why some firms prevailed.

MAN ARRESTED AFTER ANSWERING DOOR

A Kentucky man was charged with trafficking marijuana after answering the door with drugs in June. Oak Grove Police say they went to the home attempting to serve an arrest warrant and 28-year-old Pedro Gelpi answered the door with a Cannabis blunt behind his ear.

During a search of the home a large amount of marijuana, along with money, was reportedly found. Gelpi was arrested and charged with trafficking marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

MARIJUANA LICENSE REVOKED IN MICHIGAN UNLICENSED CASE

The Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency ordered an already suspended marijuana business in Shiawassee County’s Corunna to destroy all of its marijuana products, and then revoked its license.

The CRA in a statement issued in June said inspectors discovered suspected illicit and unlicensed marijuana, in addition to other rules violations. The discoveries happened during an October 2022 site visit to discuss the business’s inoperable camera system.

“When licensees don’t act within the laws and rules that govern the Cannabis industry, we must act swiftly to protect the public,” CRA Director Brian Hanna said.

MINNESOTA VETERANS ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN 2024

Thousands of Minnesota veterans will be able to access medical marijuana for the first time in 2024. Veterans receiving care through the VA System have faced some unique challenges, according to Office of Medical Cannabis Director Chris Tholkes.

“Those providers are not allowed to certify their patients for the medical program because of the federal standing of marijuana,” Tholkes said. “So, we are tasked with developing a new way to get veterans into the program.”

2.5

ounces of Cannabis is the new possession limit in Nevada.

D.C. WOMAN BLOCKS NEIGHBOR SMOKING MEDICAL WEED

A D.C. resident just won a private nuisance case to block her neighbor from smoking medical marijuana.

The ruling – in a first-of-its-kind case in the District over Cannabis smoke – may influence other judges and landlords, reports the news website, Axios.

"Veterans receiving care through the VA System have faced some unique challenges, according to Office of Medical Cannabis Director Chris Tholkes."

4

medical marijuana products were recalled in Arizona due to salmonella.

Cleveland Park resident Josefa Ippolito-Shepherd was so bothered by the smoke she sued her nextdoor neighbor, representing herself.

“Cleveland Park resident Josefa Ippolito-Shepherd was so bothered by the smoke she sued her nextdoor neighbor, representing herself.”

A judge ruled last Monday in her favor. The judge ordered Thomas Cackett to stop smoking inside his own home – or anywhere within 25 feet of IppolitoShepherd’s address, The Washington Post reported. Medical and adult marijuana use are legal in D.C.

5

ounces and less convictions would be expunged by the Ohio Adult Use Act.

14

grams and less convictions are eligible for expungement in Louisiana after 90 days.

FLORIDA TO VOTE ON ADULT-USE CANNABIS LEGALIZATION

IN 2024

Aconstitutional amendment to legalize the adult use of Cannabis could be on the Florida ballot next year. The proposed amendment is inspiring both support and opposition.

Suncoast NORML Executive Director Chris Cano has issues with the petition, but it already received enough signatures to put it on the 2024 ballot. Cano said if passed, it could benefit businesses more than consumers.

The Adult Use of Marijuana initiative would allow the legal sale of Cannabis to anyone over 21 by medical marijuana treatment centers. The proposal is currently being reviewed by the Florida Supreme Court. Once allowed on the 2024 ballot, Floridians can vote to legalize personal use of Cannabis.

normalization

NCAA PANEL RECOMMENDS DROPPING MARIJUANA FROM BANNED DRUGS

AN

NCAA panel is calling for the removal of marijuana from the organization's list of banned drugs. The panel suggested that testing should be limited to performance-enhancing substances.

The proposal released in June from the Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports would mark a big change for the NCAA. The organization has been drug testing at championship events since 1986. Committee members recommended halting Cannabis tests at events until a final decision is made this fall.

“Legislation would still have to be introduced and approved by all three NCAA divisions to take effect.”

Legislation would still have to be introduced and approved by all three NCAA divisions to take effect. Administrators in Divisions II and III had asked the committee to study the issue. The recommendation comes as the U.S. is seeing more states allowing medical or adult marijuana use.

23

states have legalized Cannabis for adult use since 2012.

3,000

Kansas Citians have had their old weed charges cleared from their records.

nekeidra cromwell

Nekeidra Cromwell prefers to be called Keidy, which is fitting, because she appears to have nine lives.

Known in the Cannabis industry as “Keidy Weedy” – the 47-year-old has beaten two forms of cancer, survived a brain surgery, overcome opioid addiction and walked away as a pedestrian after being upended by an oncoming motor vehicle.

“God and Cannabis,” responded Keidy when asked how she continues to orbit the sun. “For real, they saved my life. I look back behind me and it’s like damn, I really survived all that? I fucking made it.”

The Annapolis native has indeed made it, pulling the quill from a tragedy and rewriting a mid-life symphony. Keidy’s revival tour has included pit stops with celebrities like Montel Williams and Redman, and tropical destinations such as Jamaica. All this has left her two children, Kenny and Neishja (pronounced Neesha), awestruck.

“My babies are old school, so this be tripping them out,” said Keidy, noting their ages of 29 and 25, respectively. “I’m just glad to have their support. Because I’m trying to lead the way for them, knowing I am going to have to pass the torch.”

Keidy recalls being diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer in 2004. While chemotherapy was helpful, a full hysterectomy was required – removing her uterus to ensure the cancer wouldn’t return. Unrelatedly, she was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in 2018, which was surgically removed before it could spread.

“I didn’t know Black people could get skin cancer,” she told renowned talk show host and Baltimore native, Montel Williams, on his podcast ‘Let’s Be Blunt with Montel.’

Like Montel, Keidy is a big proponent of medical Cannabis. She underwent brain surgery in 2015 to treat Chiari Malformation – a structural defect where brain tissue extends into the spinal canal causing a variety of problems, including severe pain. She was prescribed four different opioids, and yet, would still pass out due to overwhelm.

“They had me on OxyCodone fives, Fentanyl patches, Xanax bars, OxyCodone 10s … at the same fucking time … for almost three years!!!” Keidy said, letting out an exasperated sigh.

She says she was perceived as a drug seeker before receiving a proper diagnosis – a process that took multiple years.

“They thought I just wanted pain medicine, but I needed answers. I wanted to know what was wrong with me,” she said.

An injury to her shoulder required medical imaging that revealed the Chiari Malformation.

“The doctor says to me, ‘You’re not crazy,’” said Keidy. “I lost it for a second. I lost all my emotions.”

It took nine months following surgery to wean off the opioids, during which time Cannabis served as a healthier alternative. In 2018, Keidy received a medical Cannabis card and furthered her understanding of the plant as she navigated Maryland’s new system. That year, she came out of the “canna-closet” – and began to advocate for fellow sufferers.

“I was in the hair industry for 25 years,” she said, noting a career as a cosmetologist. “I always had to have Visine in my eyes and to be smelling like Miss Fay down the street. At the time, I felt I had to dumb down and deny what was helping me.”

Furthering her education has helped Keidy feel more comfortable embarking on this path. She has taken Cannabis science courses through Anne Arundel Community College, as well as the University of Colorado Boulder.

Associating with celebrities in the Cannabis community has also endeared Keidy to the cause.

Following a 4/20 reunion concert with Method Man and Redman, Keidy was inspired by the rap pioneers to reach out to the National Cannabis Party (now known as the United Empowerment Party). Redman’s sister enjoyed Keidy’s courageous spirit and invited her to be a special guest at the National Cannabis Festival in Washington D.C.

“My life changed that day,” said Keidy, who serves as the Director of Community Outreach for the UEP. “Since then, I’ve been across the country, going to different states, talking and learning more about this plant.”

Keidy now sports her own Cannabis lifestyle brand – Keidy Weedy – that sells t-shirts, socks, fanny packs, sweatsuits, sweatshirts. She is also a full-time certified recovery coach with a specialty in Cannabis science. She is currently working on a certification to become a Certified Recovery Specialist through the 3c Recovery Support Training Institute.

“I want to be a voice for the voiceless,” she said. “Until we get Cannabis de-scheduled and make it fair for everybody, I am going to keep causing good trouble.”

Every so often Keidy finds herself ruminating on the time lost mired in pain.

“I was stuck in a dark cave,” Keidy said. “I was raising teenagers and I missed three to four years of that. You can’t do nothing but sleep when you’re in that much pain.”

“I look back now though, and it’s motivation,” she added. “It’s a fire under my ass. I might fall into this woe-is-me thing for a second and then I take myself out of it and remind myself what is in front of me. I keep moving knowing I’m this strong and I’ll never be that weak again."

“i want to be a voice for the voiceless. Until we get Cannabis de-scheduled and make it fair for everybody, I am going to keep causing good trouble.”

CANNABIS FOR A BETTER LIFE

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MIKE WALTON

WHAT SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN COLLECTING VINYL RECORDS? My dad actually grew up listening to records, so once I was old enough, I started stealing his records and playing them myself. Something about smoking and listening to records brought me back to a different time. I just got Hot Mulligan’s ‘Why Would I Watch’ and I love listening to Mom Jeans’ albums. The very first one I started with was ‘Peripheral Vision’ from Turnover.

YOU LIKE TO DO IMPRESSIONS. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR BEST ONES? Everybody tells me my Rick and Morty impression is my best one, but my favorite is my Bender impression from Futurama. It’s just something I started playing around with one day – like kids do to trick their friends and it stemmed from there. I can do pretty much anybody, and Pepe Le Pew is another one of my favorites.

WHAT DO YOU USE CANNABIS FOR? Depression and anxiety. I actually have severe social anxiety and it’s really hard for me to talk to people and step out of my comfort zone. I tend to shut off and run away from conversation, so if it weren’t for Cannabis, I wouldn’t be able to be talking with you right now. It got me to Budtender of the Month, so it’s definitely helped me connect with people.

WHAT TYPE OF MOVIES DO YOU LIKE? I love horror movies. I’m really into the ‘Evil Dead’ movies. I like the scary aspect to them, keeping me on the edge of my seat. My all-time favorite is ‘IT’ – I love Pennywise and the whole mental aspect to those movies.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT ADULT USE? It’s definitely crazy, and we’re seeing a huge influx of new people in the store. It’s a better way for me to get the word of Cannabis out there and help to stop the stigma. Organized madness is the best way to describe adult use going live. We have everything situated and ready for recreational users.

CURALEAF

MIKE is a super friendly dude who once struggled with conversation … but now welcomes it with the help of Cannabis. He is true to this, not new to this, and encourages patients to ask questions when they are shopping with him. During our interview, he welcomed patients to the store, recognizing their faces and greeting them on a first-name basis. Be sure to stop by Curaleaf Columbia and ask for Mike.

WHAT IS IT LIKE WORKING AT CURALEAF? I’ve never worked anywhere else in the industry, but Curaleaf took me in and I have loved it from the get-go. I mostly love the products. Grassroots is hands down my favorite, Garcia Hand Picked was close, but now Grassroots reigns supreme for me. I’m a flower guy, but the diamond infused pre-rolls are awesome too, and I can’t wait to see Ghost Rider in that form.

WHAT GOT YOU INTO TATTOOS? I actually got my first tattoo when I was 16. My parents signed for me and it's a memorial to my grandfather. After they had my parents signing for me on record, I kept going back and the shop kept letting me get tattoos. I started getting my sleeves done when I was 17 and now I have both arms done, my chest done, my ribs and back, and a little bit of space left on my back and my stomach.

"ORGANIZED MADNESS IS THE BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE ADULT USE GOING LIVE. WE HAVE EVERYTHING SITUATED AND READY FOR RECREATIONAL USERS.”

What Does Recreational Adult-Use Cannabis Mean For Maryland?

LEGALIZED LANDSCAPE

IN HIGH SCHOOL, Frederick County native Shannon Sweeney sought to combat the political leanings of her parents, making her first-ever debit card purchase a refrigerator magnet with a message: LEGALIZE IT!

Twelve years later, fellow Marylanders helped complete Sweeney’s rebellion with 67% of voters approving of a recreational Cannabis market. She entered her parents’ home following the November election, adding an exclamation point to her decade-long decree.

“LEGALIZED!” the altered kitchen decor read –a Sharpie serving to change the tense.

“I'm so excited!” exclaimed the 30-year-old. “It’s really cool to witness.”

Sweeney is one of more than 162,000 residents listed by the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC) as registered medical patients. Lawmakers have spent the past eight months hammering out legislation to ensure those over the age of 21 can legally purchase Cannabis at dispensaries beginning July 1, 2023 – while not imposing on those with prior authorization.

“It’s going to be really exciting,” said Brandon Barksdale, Co-CEO of Remedy Maryland. “We have a really good framework to go off from a legislative perspective. We’re all amped up and ready to go.”

But not everyone shares Barksdale’s enthusiasm.

“Medical was different,” said Baltimore County Councilman Todd K. Crandell. “Now we’re moving into recreational and it seems like we’re moving at a pace that we might not be ready for on a local level on a few different matters.”

Municipalities such as Ocean City have been quick to pump the breaks – fearful of watching the resort town go up in smoke.

Last month, City Council members unanimously passed the first reading of an ordinance that will effectively ban on-premises Cannabis consumption licenses. Ocean City previously banned Cannabis usage on its beach and boardwalk, and other municipalities may follow suit after receiving permission by way of the Cannabis Reform Bill passed by the General Assembly.

That bill permits those 21 and older with a valid ID to possess no more than 750 milligrams of THC at one time, and that can be in different forms. It will be legal to possess up to 1.5 ounces of Cannabis flower or 12 grams of Cannabis concentrates. Those caught exceeding the statute will be subject to a misdemeanor. Possession of more than 2.5 ounces may result in six months of jail time and/or a civil fine of $1,000.

The recent ballot initiatives allow all residents of Maryland over the age of 21 to grow up to two Cannabis plants. Recreational purchases will encounter a 9% state tax on all Cannabis products, meaning those who spend $500 per year on products will incur a tax of $45 – nearly twice the price of a medical card application ($25).

Medical users will maintain a higher purchase allotment through a 30-day rolling period, with most following a standard allotment of 120 grams of flower or 36 grams of THC (non-flower products). Patients will also hold a special priority status over visiting recreational users.

“The bill was written so each dispensary must have either a special hour or a special window for medical patients,” said Sweeney, who serves as

the Director of Marketing for Evermore Cannabis, providing statewide service to 90 dispensaries. “A lot of the stores I’ve been talking to are choosing to do the special priority window.”

Evermore, along with a variety of manufacturers such as Curio Wellness, MaryMed, SunMed and Grow West, has spent the past two years expanding their operations. As the twentieth approved adult-use market in the country, projections show the recreational market in Maryland will generate as much as $600 million in its first year – and up to $1 billion by year four.

“We can expect to see probably around three times the amount of patients and customers we’d typically see in a medical market,” Barksdale said.

The rising demand for product has sent employment opportunities inside the industry skyrocketing.

“There is a combination of anxiety and excitement,” said Sweeney, noting statewide additions including cash registers, parking spots and much more.

Maryland encountered a variety of problems in 2018, the first year of its medical program. Computer shutdowns and product shortages were common, leaving many business owners frustrated. Sweeney believes recreational patients may experience a variety of hiccups as well.

“That’s probably my favorite thing to speculate on at this point,” she said. “I believe we’re going to see some stores that aren’t able to keep flower on their shelves that first month [due to the demand].”

Her advice? “If you have a medical card, keep it,” Sweeney said. “There’s the 9% tax [for rec]. Then there’s the new emergency regulations that say dispensaries must reserve high-dose edibles, hash rosins, and other concentrates for medical patients. All those concentrates – well, they're only for medical patients.”

Ready or not, July 1 is upon them.

“It’s been a long time coming,” she said. “But since they voted for it, it feels like it arrived in the blink of an eye. But hey, at this point, we’re all along for the ride. I’m just excited for the state and to see how it all plays out.”

As the twentieth approved adult-use market in the country, projections show the recreational market in Maryland will generate as much as $600 million in its first year – and up to $1 billion by year four.

BLISSFUL

“These buds are more than equipped to put even the highest of tolerances into a happy, hypnotized state.”

CULTIVATED BY CURIO WELLNESS

What

happens when you cross some good old fashioned Girl Scout Cookies and the exclusive Captain’s Cookies? You get the powerful hash plant, Blissful Wizard – grown here in Maryland by Curio Wellness and bred by The Captain’s Connection.

This cross, already winning Cannabis cups as early as 2015, is known for being bred to be a pure potency bomb. Today, Curio Wellness has coaxed this variety to an astonishing 37.19% THCa content – one of the highest Maryland has to offer.

With such high percentages of cannabinoids, the Blissful Wizard doesn’t leave a lot of room for the terpene profile. But it does, however, bring a solid 2.24% dominated by some of the most luxurious and desirable terps around. With a caryophyllene dominance tempered with myrcene, linalool and some limonene, the ‘Wizard’ truly earns its ‘Blissful’ namesake. The high is most notably marked by a euphoria that carries one's mood to elevated, giggly heights. This is a combination of the delectable terpenes and supreme cannabinoid content synergizing into a truly happy-go-lucky headspace.

Alongside the glorious mood, there’s a tingling relaxation that makes its way throughout the body – creating a general calm that keeps the everything-is-funny giggles from reaching a manic cackle. Instead, you’re just steadily blissed out without a care in the world.

Beyond the high, the Blissful Wizard is also a sight to behold. Boasting a glittering, ice-like surface that reflects some of the best trichome density I have ever seen, there’s a beautiful forest green coloration with a thin film of crystals creating an almost blueing effect. Clearly, these buds are more than equipped to put even the highest of tolerances into a happy, hypnotized state.

Marylanders can’t get enough of the Blissful Wizard throughout the year – especially with Curio Wellness consistently topping the potency charts for this cultivar – but the summertime vibes could be where the Wizard really shines.

I highly recommend bringing him along as a happy companion for wherever the season takes you.

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DAB VOCAB' DAB VOCAB'

Concent Extracts explained.

FRESH FROZEN

The process of freezing Cannabis plant material right after harvesting it, typically with dry ice, to preserve trichomes for concentrate extraction.

ICE WATER HASH

Made when trichomes are separated from fresh frozen plant material using nothing but ice, water and filter bags. Also referred to as bubble hash, it is usually dabbed but can also be mixed with flower and smoked.

FULL MELT

The highest grade of ice water hash, usually rated at five or six stars. Fully melts and leaves very little to no residue or char on the banger.

STAR SYSTEM

What stars are we talking about here, you say? Ice water hash is rated on a scale of one to six stars based on quality and meltability, with one being the lowest quality and six being the highest.

FLAG OF HASH

Pressing out water hash using parchment paper into a flag shape in order to dab it off a nail.

TRADITIONAL HASHISH

Produced for centuries in countries such as Morocco, Afghanistan, Nepal and India, traditional hashish is made by either separating the trichomes from a live plant with one's hands (charas) or by agitating dried, cured plant material over a screen (dry-sift), then compressing the collected resin to form a solid brick or ball of concentrate that is typically brown in color.

Six star bubble hash that’s been washed and cured using a unique process that preserves resin. It has a consistency similar to soft fudge and can be cut with a knife.

LIVE ROSIN

Solventless hash oil made by using water and ice to agitate the trichomes off of the fresh frozen plant material, which is then placed into a rosin press that uses heat and pressure to extract the rosin.

FRESH PRESS

Rosin that goes directly from the parchment paper it was pressed onto and into the jar. Tends to have a glassy, stretchy consistency like taffy.

COLD CURE

Fresh-pressed rosin that has been stored in a jar, cured at low temperatures, and agitated until it has more of a batter-like consistency.

FULL SPECTRUM EXTRACTS

Includes all compounds of the Cannabis plant such as cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids, rather than isolating just one specific compound.

WAX

An umbrella term used to describe concentrates that appear soft and waxy in appearance. Typically extracted using butane or hydrocarbon solvents, and comes in a variety of forms referred to as butter/badder, honeycomb, crumble, sugar and more.

BHO

Butane Hash Oil, or a form of concentrates extracted using butane, and available in various consistencies. Excess butane is purged using a vacuum oven.

DISTILLATE

An extract made with a distillation process that separates all materials and compounds from one specific cannabinoid, often THC. Can be used to dab or vaporize, but is most often found in edibles, topicals, vape cartridges and other products.

DIAMONDS

Cannabinoids which have been purified and isolated to form crystalline solids that look like diamonds.

FECO

Full Extract Cannabis Oil. A dark, tar-like extract made by soaking plant matter in a solvent – typically grain alcohol. Often used for severe pain relief. Sometimes referred to as Phoenix Tears or Rick Simpson Oil (RSO), after the Canadian engineer and Cannabis advocate who helped popularize its medical use to treat tumors and other cancers.

SHATTER

Named for its glass-like consistency that tends to crack or shatter when broken, typically gold or amber in color.

HASH HOLE

Also referred to as a “donut,” hash holes are rolled with a snake of hash rosin surrounded by flower. As the flower and rosin burn together it creates a perfect ring of hash resembling a donut, with bubbling rosin in the hole.

JAM

Bubble hash that has been pressed and heated until the microcrystals of THCa separate from the terps in the rosin, creating a jam-like consistency with small chunks of crystals.

EXTRACTION

The process of removing the resin from fresh frozen plant material to make a concentrate.

SOLVENT

Extraction methods can use solvents, such as butane or CO2, to create products like BHO or CO2 extracts.

SOLVENTLESS

Extraction methods not dependent on solvents can use techniques involving ice and water, or heat and pressure, to remove oils. This is used to create products like rosin or traditional hashish.

SQUISHING

Also called “pressing,” this is the process of using a rosin press to apply heat and pressure in order to “squish” live rosin out of the plant material.

RESIN

A sticky substance found in trichomes that can be collected or extracted from the plant to make various forms of concentrates.

MICRON SCREEN

A series of mesh screens that allow trichomes to fall through to each successive screen while

HEAD STASH

Your personal, private reserve stash of those extra special or rare terps you don’t want to share. “My roommate better not have smoked that jar from my head stash while I wasn’t home.”

HEADIE

A piece of glass you’re proud to pull up to the sesh with. “Hey man, can I take a dab of this fire off your new headie?”

GLOB

A dab of epic-sized proportions. “I need a giant glob after the day I’ve had.”

710

The dab version of 420. And if you haven’t gotten it yet, “710” spells “OIL” upside down and backwards. “What event are we pulling up to for 7/10 this year?”

WOOK

A hippie who likes to take a lot of dabs and hang out at music festivals to see jam bands. “Wow, there sure were a lot of wooks on lot at the Grateful Dead show last night.”

DAB RIG

A water pipe that is used to inhale Cannabis concentrates.

E-RIG

A device that electronically heats a nail for dabbing rather than using a torch. Learn more about Focus V, one of the innovators in eRig technology, in this month’s issue or at LeafMagazines.com

NAIL

An attachment that connects to the downstem of a rig, like a bowl in a bong, to hold and heat up the concentrate.

BANGER

A bucket-shaped attachment on a rig to dab concentrates off of, made in a variety of materials, sizes and designs.

QUARTZ

A common material used to make bangers that can withstand high temperatures for longer periods of time, making it the most common and ideal material for taking dabs off of.

TERP SLURPER

A style of quartz banger with a dish attached to the bottom, invented by glass legend JP Toro. When a concentrate is heated up and melts, holes in the bottom of the banger allow oil to seep out into the dish, enhancing flavor and minimizing waste.

CARB CAP

A device that seals around the banger to help regulate the amount and direction of air going to the nail on a dab rig.

DABBER

A tool that is used to scoop up dabs and place them on a banger.

DAB MAT

A mat made of non-stick material that is placed underneath a rig when dabbing to protect the glass and keep it in place.

TERP PEARL

Small balls that spin around the bottom of the banger while dabbing to distribute the concentrate and heat evenly.

TORCH

A device filled with butane that is used to heat the nail of a dab rig to high temperatures.

ISO

Referred to simply as “iso,” isopropyl alcohol is great for getting sticky resin off surfaces and is used to disinfect and clean dab tools and rigs between uses.

KINGS & QUEENS BLUEBERRY MUFFIN LIVE RESIN BUDDER

This award winning cross between Razzleberry and Purple Panty Dropper by Humboldt Seed Co. is just as flavorful as its name. Popping open the jar reveals a pool of golden budder which is putting off sweet, berry-like aromas. After a dab, I felt a calming effect come over my eyes – while not being locked into the couch. 79.85% Total Cannabinoids

11.98% Total Terpenes | @KQcannabis

SUNMED LABS

SNOOP DOGG OG

LIVE RESIN BATTER BALLER JAR

Snoop Dogg had to keep it classy with Lemon OG and Sour Diesel creating this true OG of a strain. The jar almost smells like an earthy mix of flavors reminiscent of walking through a Cannabis forest. The consistency was a solid mix of wet with some firmness, which made it easy to get on the dabber. I felt really relaxed after taking a dab of this strain, and it goes a long way with the depth of these baller jars.

78.09% Total Cannabinoids | 11.45% Total Terpenes @SunMed.labs

CULTA CANDY

CREAM DIAMONDS & SAUCE

This strain is the love child of Ice Cream Cake and Dayglow –with some of the best of both strains in one. The nose can be described as lemon-citrus candy, coming from the Agent Orange in Dayglow. This specific batch had a decent amount of myrcene, which added some relaxing peppery flavor to the sauce.

After one dab of this rocky golden goodness, I felt focused without taking me over the top energy wise. 86.25% Total Cannabinoids | 5.77% Total Terpenes | @cultaig

CULTA SUMMER OF LOVE LIVE RESIN BADDER

Terpinolene does a fine dance with myrcene in this succulent batch of live resin from Culta. The first smell released is the fruity sweetness of the terpinolene, with the woody and peppery notes of myrcene on the back end. The result had me feeling dialed in after just one dab from this golden-tan pool of oil. 69.15% Total Cannabinoids | 14.68% Total Terpenes | @cultaig

CULTA

Dog Shit x Face Off OG comes together to bring a funky, cheesy smelling strain with petrol dominating the back end. The skunky and powerful aroma of this strain cannot be mistaken, with the same exact smell smacking you in the face with every batch. I was feeling creative and energetic, and found myself smoking this to lift my mood during off days.

80.82% Total Cannabinoids

11.2% Total Terpenes | @cultaig

SUNMED LABS

NATURE’S HERITAGE G13 SKUNK DIAMONDS & SAUCE

Believe it or not, this strain is G13 crossed with Skunk #1 from Mr. Nice Seedbank. Popping off the top of this jar released a strong fruity and skunky smell. While this strain is technically a hybrid, I have always found that it makes me feel relaxed and ready for a nap – or even going straight to bed. The diamonds in this batch were hefty and coated in golden sauce.

89.34% Total Cannabinoids

6.53% Total Terpenes @naturesheritagecannabisco

ICE CREAM CAKE LIVE RESIN

BATTER BALLER JAR

Wedding Cake and Gelato 33 come together to make this an instant classic of a gassy strain. This batch of live resin really smells like a birthday cake or a sweet baked good, almost like a bakery. There are also hints of orange citrus-like flavor, which shine through a little stronger than expected on the exhale. Another strain I use for nighttime, providing sweet relief to the stresses of the day. 83.82% Total Cannabinoids | 8.97% Total Terpenes | @SunMed.labs

SUNMED LABS GMO X SKYWALKER OG LIVE RESIN BATTER BALLER JAR

These baller jars from SunMed are truly something to behold, with 3.5 grams of golden, perfectly-textured batter. Something I love about this cross is how quickly it hits me, and then smooths out into a relaxing body high. A perfect balance of over 2% limonene and myrcene creates a classic flavor blend that is unmistakable to the trained nose.

85.73% Total Cannabinoids | 5.66% Total Terpenes | @SunMed.labs

BEEZLE SFV OG LIVE RESIN BUDDER

CULTIVATED BY TRULIEVE

Beezle’s concentrate presentation is nothing short of spectacular, with each and every gram meticulously placed into the jar in a perfect dollop. It’s a great feeling to see that care was taken all the way to the end product when you spend money on concentrates. This San Fernando Valley OG brought a high with a very quick onset, and did not burn out after a short time.

84.17% Total Cannabinoids | 7.55% Total Terpenes | @beezlebrands_md

MPX NURSE JACKIE X CAMBODIAN THAI LIVE RESIN SUGAR

MPX live resin has always been a staple on the Maryland market, and this balanced batch of live resin is a perfect example of why. Perfectly-sized diamonds are coated in a terpene-rich sauce. The earthy and woody smells coming off of the jar come from a well-balanced terpene profile. After one dab, I was ready to keep smoking this throughout my day.

81.76% Total Cannabinoids

10.9% Total Terpenes | @mpx.us

KINGS & QUEENS

ALCHEMIST CONCENTRATES DOSIDOS 22 LIVE RESIN APPLE SAUCE

Everything that has come out of Alchemist Labs has been extremely impressive to me. Their “Apple Sauce” is absolutely exploding with terpenes, with this batch having a dominantly gassy and fuel-like aroma. The color is bright gold and it has tiny little diamonds throughout the oil. After one dab, I was feeling calm and sleepy – with a noticeably relaxed feeling behind the eyes. 82.68% Total Cannabinoids | 13.2% Total Terpenes | @alchemistlabsmd

HUMBOLDT POUND CAKE LIVE RESIN BADDER

This strain crosses Wedding Cake with Notorious THC to create a lemon-lime fueled up jar of badder. As soon as this lid came off, I immediately noticed how wet and terpy looking this oil was. The terpene profile is dominated by limonene, bringing rich and citrusy notes to the flavor. A single dab had me feeling euphoric and uplifted.

78.41% Total Cannabinoids | 8.06% Total Terpenes @KQcannabis

HYDROCARBON REVIEWS

SUNMED LABS GOLDEN PINEAPPLE LIVE RESIN BATTER BALLER JAR

Golden Goat is something that brings me back to my first days of smoking weed, and crossing it with Pineapple Kush has created something new to behold. Everytime I have seen this batter from SunMed, it has been the same gooey and wet consistency I have come to expect from a terpy batter. The jar smells like a golden berry smoothie, profusely spitting fruity flavor. After a dab, I had a good level of energy perfect for doing outdoor activities. It helps that it comes in a baller jar – I literally can’t stop dabbing this stuff. 81.91% Total Cannabinoids

13.27% Total Terpenes | @SunMed.labs

NATURE’S HERITAGE GUAVA IX LIVE BADDER

MPX PIE CRUST LIVE RESIN BATTER

Malibu Pie x Grapple Cookies?! Count me in. Grow West brought this strain to Maryland and MPX has extracted this delicious and potent live resin. The golden batter has strong notes of floral citrus and the smell is unmistakable. After a dab, I felt a boost of clean energy coupled with a lovely head and body high. 77.5% Total Cannabinoids

6.3% Total Terpenes | @mpx.us

MPX NURSE JACKIE LIVE RESIN SUGAR

KINGS & QUEENS GMO LIVE RESIN SUGAR

GMO is a legendary cross between Chemdog and Girl Scout Cookies. I make sure to get all my tasks for the day done before diving into GMO, which feels like a true indica. I felt every bit of this dab in a heavy, hazy body high – making this a nighttime-only strain for me.

89.93% Total Cannabinoids

This badder was a wetter and saucier consistency than most badders I have seen, and reeks of freshly-picked guava. At just over 8% terpenes, this was a flavorful batch – but not overwhelming to the point it becomes harsh. Nature’s Heritage’s live products are distinct in their flavor – bringing an undeniable freshness on the exhale.

Bred by Homegrown Natural Wonders, this strain is a combination of Jack the Ripper and Medicine. This sativa-dominant hybrid is true to its kind, bringing me a strong burst of energy and focus. The pinene and limonene in this batch leaves a distinctly citrus-pine aroma lingering. 90.78% Total Cannabinoids

84.93% Total Cannabinoids

8.13% Total Terpenes | @naturesheritagecannabisco

MUFFIN DIAMONDS AND SAUCE

While just as flavorful (if not more so) than its cousin in budder form, this batch of diamonds and sauce is slightly more potent. The jar floods the entire room with the smell of freshly-baked blueberry muffins. This was perfect for my bedtime routine – putting me in a wonderful mood and headspace to fall asleep quickly. 87.87% Total Cannabinoids 5.97% Total Terpenes | @KQcannabis

8.6% Total Terpenes | @mpx.us

BEEZLE MR. CLEAN LIVE RESIN SAUCE

CULTIVATED BY TRULIEVE

Crossing Lime Skunk and The Cube creates this terpinolene-rich batch of live resin sauce. The diamonds are spread very consistently throughout, creating an easy-to-dab product. The nose on this batch is crazy, reminding me of Juicy Fruit or Fruit Stripes gum. After one dab, I was energetic and ready to crush a busy day. 83.38% Total Cannabinoids

11.88% Total Terpenes @beezlebrands_md

1.51% Total Terpenes @KQcannabis

CULTA THCA ISOLATE

For one of the strongest medicating experiences, I turn to THCa. As an isolate, this is nearly 100% on the cannabinoid profile and packs a strong punch. There isn’t much of a smell to it, because of the low terpene level. I used this product mostly for getting through extremely painful days. 99.83% Total Cannabinoids | .95% Total Terpenes | @cultaig

SOLVENTLESS REVIEWS

BEEZLE GINGER SNAP ROSIN

EVERMORE ORANGE CREAMSICLE

LIVE ROSIN COLD CURED

Much like its name, this strain is a citrusy cross between Orange Crush and Juicy Fruit. Popping open the jar makes a literal citrus bomb explode in my nose. I smoked this through the Puffco Proxy, which really allowed the terpene profile to shine through in a creamy and orange-like flavor. I like to use this strain when I need an energy boost to start my day, or before a workout. I find that I need something to do when smoking sativas, and this strain was a perfect tool for keeping busy. 75.94% Total Cannabinoids | 7.873% Total Terpenes @evermorebrands

BEEZLE STARDAWG ROSIN

Bringing us another classic, Beezle launched their rosin line with Stardawg (Chemdog 4 x Tres Dog). While we have come a long way to smoking this as rosin, this strain takes me back to the days of smoking Stardawg shatter. The smell and flavor can be described as honeysuckles growing while taking a nature walk. I found that this strain made me more social, something that Cannabis can occasionally cause the opposite of. I was talkative and giggly for the duration of the high. 81.02% Total Cannabinoids | 6.42% Total Terpenes @beezlebrands_md

Beezle is really coming in hot with their new line of rosin, and the Ginger Snap is a perfect example. This strain is brought to us by House of Cultivar, and crosses Girl Scout Cookies x Fire OG with Triangle Kush. The smell and flavor are reminiscent of a sweet and sugary cinnamon cookie. This strain is mouthwatering and I truly could not stop dabbing it. The effects for me were rather sedative – putting me into a deep state of relaxation. 79.71% Total Cannabinoids | 9.120% Total Terpenes @beezlebrands_md

EVERMORE BALTIMORE

KUSH CAKE

LIVE ROSIN

COLD CURED

Evermore was one of the first rosin producers in Maryland, and they remain one of my favorites. This banger of an in-house cross combines Patapeake Shortbread and Tinselmints. The result is a lemony/gassy profile that sent my nose and taste buds on a wild ride. One dab left me with a creative and euphoric happiness – and with a smile on my face for the rest of the day. 85.11% Total Cannabinoids | 7.543% Total Terpenes @evermorebrands

EDEN SOLVENTLESS RED VELVET LIVE ROSIN

Another relatively new kid on the block is Eden Solventless, and my goodness they are bringing the heat with their rosin. Red Velvet crosses Lemon Cherry Gelato and Pina Acai in a wildly delicious creamy texture and flavor. It reminds me a lot of lemon pastries from the citrus notes to the baked deliciousness. I felt a significant boost in my mood when smoking this rosin, and it felt so good to know how clean my medicine is. 79.55% Total Cannabinoids | 7.55% Total Terpenes edenconcentrates.com

EDEN SOLVENTLESS BAKER’S DELIGHT LIVE ROSIN CART

When smoking carts, I always love when rosin is an option over distillate. Baker’s Delight is a cross between The Cookies x Sorbet, which has a classic gassy indica-like flavor. When I am in the house and want to kick back and relax – but don’t feel like heating up my rig – this is my go-to. The calming properties kicked in almost immediately for me and I felt confident in this pen’s ability to get me to sleep on the most restless nights. 78.14% Total Cannabinoids | 9.323% Total Terpenes edenconcentrates.com

EDEN SOLVENTLESS GRAPE CAKE COLD CURE LIVE ROSIN

Grape Stomper, Cherry Pie and Wedding Cake are doing an intricate dance in this batch of cold cured live rosin. The grape flavor is dominating this profile in both the smell of the jar and the flavor after dabbing. The cannabinoid content of this strain is usually high, and this batch proves it topping out at nearly 90%. After a dab, I felt a sedating effect come over my head, neck, and then all the way down into my extremities. 88.89% Total Cannabinoids | 4.462% Total Terpenes | edenconcentrates.com

EVERMORE MIDNIGHT CIRCUS LIVE ROSIN COLD CURED

This crowd pleasing blend of Sunset Sherbet x Animal Cookies left my nose and taste buds with a good feeling I could not shake. This is the perfect blend of fruits and gas, almost smelling like an expensive cologne. The jar was bursting with succulent terps in a juicy and wet live rosin. Taking a dab left me with a strong body high that melted away some of my knee pain, while settling in nicely with a relaxing but not overpowering head high.

78.53% Total Cannabinoids 9.58% Total Terpenes | @evermorebrands

BEEZLE MOTORBREATH #15

ROSIN

Chem D and SFV OG come together to bring us this insanely gassy cross which is a true indica. Bursting out of the jar are diesel and jet fuel-like aromas, which is a profile I always know will put me on my ass. The wet and cake-like consistency of this rosin had me diving in for dab after dab before bed. There is something euphoric about the way this strain made me feel – putting me in a perfect mood for the end of the day. 80.96% Total Cannabinoids

7.72% Total Terpenes | @beezlebrands_md

EDEN SOLVENTLESS GELATO CAKE MOROCCAN HASH

I love to see some old school hash available to medical patients, due to its strong effects and how far it takes the patients’ dollar.

Gelato Cake crosses the infamous Gelato #33 and Wedding Cake. I usually sprinkle some of this into a joint or on top of a bong or bowl pack for the best results. Eden has made a product that breaks apart easily, reeks of sweet terpenes, and had me feeling deeply euphoric after just a couple hits.

67.31% Total Cannabinoids | 3.932% Total Terpenes edenconcentrates.com

EDEN SOLVENTLESS GRAPE PIE TEMPLE BALL

Grape Stomper and Cherry

Pie is the cross that brings us this delicious strain, with a blend of hard-hitting, deep and fruity terpenes slapping me in the face. This hash is easily squishable, which differentiates it from the Moroccan hash Eden makes. I like to enjoy my temple balls through a glass pipe, using a heat rod to melt it as I inhale the sweet terpenes. Two hits of this left me feeling on top of the world, with an artistic urge rising up to get creative. 72.05% Total Cannabinoids

4.481% Total Terpenes edenconcentrates.com

SeKaya ellness

DISTILLATE

EVERMORE GUAVA COOKIES SLYDE DISPOSABLE

One of our classic favorites, Girl Scout Cookies, is crossed with C99 Pineapple to create this vibrant sativa-dominant hybrid. The taste can be described as sweet and fruity crossed with gasoline and fresh-baked cookies. While the initial effects for me were energizing, I also felt very stoney as the high continued to creep up.

I used this pen most often during stressful times to help alleviate a tough day. 88.4% Total Cannabinoids | 3.019% Total Terpenes | @evermorebrands

HELLAVATED CARTRIDGES

OG MINT, CLEMENTINE & MANGO DRAGON

These cartridges utilize botanical terpenes, bringing a flavor that is true to their names – so I knew exactly what to expect on the terpene side of things. They pack a whopping potency, teetering right around and even over 90% THC per cart. My favorite of the three was the Mango Dragon, putting off a sweet flavor reminiscent of fresh fruit. After a small hit off each cartridge, I felt a pleasant calmness in the head and behind the eyes. 88.69% - 91.08% Total Cannabinoids

.59% - 3.37% Total Terpenes | hellavated.com

JUly 2023

NATURE’S HERITAGE LAMB’S BREAD LIVE RESIN VAPE CART

Bob Marley’s favorite strain in an easy-to-use, discrete disposable? Yes, please. These little pens pack a major punch, with that classic live resin taste to match. While the origin cross is unknown, this strain has become loved by many in Maryland and around the world. This was a great daytime smoke for me, proving to increase my energy levels without any fogginess creeping in. 79.64% Total Cannabinoids | 12.61% Total Terpenes @naturesheritagecannabisco

REVIEWS by WYATT EARLY @ERRLYWYATT/MARYLAND LEAF | PHOTOS by GREG MALCOLM @MARYLAND.CONNOISSEUR

EVERMORE FECO CAPSULES

A truly medical product like this is required in certain patients’ daily regimen. I use these capsules to fight pain throughout my body, but I only take them at night due to their strength. One capsule sends me over the moon, allowing me to get a restful night’s sleep. Kudos to Evermore for producing a product that is tailored to patients with severe chronic issues. For those looking to dabble in FECO, these capsules can also be split apart into smaller doses. 100mg per capsule 1,000mg per pack | @evermorebrands

NATURE’S HERITAGE RSO SYRINGE

I love to see RSO that is higher in CBD because it gives me confidence in the product’s ability to alleviate my anxiety without getting me too high. Don’t get me wrong, this still gets me rather buzzed – but nowhere near as stoney as straight up, THC-rich RSO. Another aspect I appreciate about this RSO is the ease with which it comes out of the syringe. Sometimes RSO can be nearly impossible to get out of the tube, and this stuff squirted right out with no issues. After a .1 dosage, I felt a smooth wave of calmness come over my mind and body – with a slight stoniness behind the eyes. 26.26% THC | 50.30% CBD | .80% Total Terpenes | @naturesheritagecannabisco

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Trail Blazers

From the late 1950s to the mid-1970s, hundreds of thousands of hippies traveled to the Far East in search of adventure, enlightenment and the world’s best hashish, along what was known as the Hashish or Hippie Trail.

BEAT IT

After World War II, the U.S. experienced an economic and cultural boom – leading many well-to-do Westerners to begin vacationing along the old Silk Road (also known as the “overland route”) and later publishing accounts of their adventures. These tales, along with beatnik author Jack Kerouac’s groundbreaking novel “On the Road” – which glorified a Zen, vagabond lifestyle – incited a wanderlust in America’s youth. In 1957 (the same year that “On the Road” was published), Kerouac himself visited Tangiers, Morocco – meeting up with fellow beat writer William Burroughs, who lived there for a few years.

As the ‘50s ended and the Beats evolved into Hippies, more counterculture icons began heading East: Beat poet Allen Ginsberg moved to India in the early ‘60s, and in 1967 the Beatles also headed there for a meditation retreat at an ashram. As a result of these cultural influences, hundreds of thousands of young Americans disillusioned with capitalist consumerism and Cold War paranoia began a decade-long exodus to the East – seeking a freer, simpler life and the ultimate mystical high. Though they didn’t actually call themselves “hippies” – reportedly preferring the terms “intrepids” or “freaks” – this pot-smoking pilgrimage to the hashish capitals of the Old World became widely known as the “Hippie Trail” or “Hashish Trail.”

ON THE ROAD

Following in the footsteps of such legendary explorers as Alexander the Great and Marco Polo, countless counterculture vagabonds undertook some or all of the nearly 6,000-mile overland journey across Eurasia. Typically starting off from a European city such as London or Amsterdam, these “intrepids” would often travel by train, car, motorcycle or “Kombi” (often garishly painted Volkswagen minivans). But the cheapest, most common modes of transportation along the Trail were either hitchhiking or via the several bargain bus lines that emerged to serve the ever-growing influx of hippie hash seekers, such as the Indiaman Bus Company (who offered rides from London to Bombay for around $45), Amsterdam’s Magic Bus, Budget Bus and Swagman Tours (a.k.a. the “Asian Greyhound”). These companies marketed inexpensive fares to the hippie crowd via underground publications and bulletin boards at various Hippie Trail hotspots.

Main photo: Chicken Street in Kabul, Afghanistan—one of the hippie hubs on the Hashish Trail. Above: route maps from the Swagman and Indiaman bus companies. Left: Swagman bus tour makes a stop in Kabul (1970).

While there was no formal or definitive trail, these journeys typically followed one of two main paths: a Northern route, passing through Tehran, Kandahar, Kabul and Lahore en route to India and Nepal, and a Southern route, through Syria, Jordan, Iraq and Pakistan. Regardless of the specific route, however, almost all of these pilgrimages (which would take several weeks or even months to complete) passed through certain hubs that offered travelers access to rest, restaurants, resources, connection with fellow Cannabis-loving compatriots and of course, killer hand-made hashish.

THE PUDDING SHOP

As the only metropolitan city to straddle Europe and Asia, Istanbul, Turkey (a.k.a. the “Gateway to the East”) was where all routes converged. And for any freaks passing through Istanbul, there was one essential stop: The Pudding Shop.

Opened in 1957, the Lale Pastahesi (Turkish for “Tulip Pastry Shop”) was a small restaurant/dessert shop on the city’s imperial avenue (Divan Yolu) that was nicknamed “The Pudding Shop” by Western visitors who frequented it due to its variety of cheap and delicious Turkish puddings.

The Pudding Shop became the hub for all hippie activity in the city – a phenomenon the owners encouraged. To capitalize on the increased patronage and publicity, they actually had new signs made with the nickname to hang in front of the shop. They also installed a bulletin board where travelers could leave messages, post travel tips, and solicit or offer rides. Remarkably, this message board became the only place in the city where information about inexpensive transportation to Asia was available to Western tourists.

KABUL & THE HINDU KUSH

Long before the U.S. or Soviet invasions, or the Islamic Revolution, Afghanistan was actually a pretty progressive place that was warm and welcoming to Westerners. Various accounts from that time – including those of future travel gurus like Rick Steves and Lonely Planet founders Maureen and Tony Wheeler – tell of bus drivers, hotel managers, and even customs agents smoking hookahs with travelers and offering them gifts of free hashish. According to the Wheelers, by the early 1970s, Kabul was actually “in danger of becoming a tourist trap” – with an average of around 5,000 hippies in the city at any given time.

Like in Istanbul, there was a specific part of town that catered to the influx of hippie tourists. In Kabul, that place was called Chicken Street – a narrow, two-block-long mar ketplace crammed with eateries, hotels and various shops selling clothing, rugs and trinkets. Oh … and you could buy hashish and opium there, too.

Leaving Kabul, the route continues along the southern edge of the Himalayan Mountains in a region known as the Hindu Kush (or, as the Greeks called it, Cau casus Indicus), where the potent, portly “indi ca” variety of Cannabis first originated. It was Hippie Trail travelers who first brought seeds

of these strains (such as Afghani and Kush) back with them to Europe and North America – and it was those genetics that then laid the foundation for most of the popular cultivars we enjoy today.

GROOVY GOA

Next, the Trail traverses the infamous Khyber Pass into Pakistan and India. At that point, travelers had a choice: either turn south into India, or continue southeast along the Himalayan foothills and up into Nepal.

In the winter, many would head down to the state of Goa on India’s west coast for its warm weather and water. Originally a Portuguese colony before being annexed by India in 1961, Goa retained many of its European sensibilities and famously welcomed foreigners. In fact, Goans have a trademark term for their indolent, indulgent lifestyle: susegad, from the Portuguese word sossegado, meaning “quiet.” That philosophy, along with its beautiful beaches, lack of police presence and accessibility to drugs (particularly hashish and LSD), made Goa what has been described as “a counterculture Nirvana.” Indeed, Anjuna Beach’s legendary full moon parties have attracted many hash icons over the years, including Mila Jansen and Frenchy Cannoli.

K-K-K-K-K-KKATHMANDU

During the warmer months, however, the most popular terminus of the Trail was Nepal’s fabled capital of Kathmandu.

Boasting one of the oldest hashish-making traditions in the world, Nepal is renowned for its hand-collected, hand-pressed hash known as “charas.” Charas is typically rolled into what is called Temple Balls, which were sold legally at cafes and hashish shops all around the country. And just like Chicken Street in Kabul and The Pudding Shop in Istanbul, there was one particular section of town that the hippies all gravitated to: in this case, Jochen Tole Street in Kathmandu Durbar Square, better known by the nickname Freak Street. Freak Street became the epicenter of the counterculture in Nepal thanks to its concentration of hotels, eateries, tattoo parlors and most importantly, its three dozen government-licensed

hash shops – the most famous of which was the legendary Eden Hashish Centre. Opened in around 1970 by owner Devi Dhatta Sharma (nicknamed the “Ganja Raja”), Eden was a five-story Cannabis dispensary catering exclusively to tourists that featured a warehouse floor, a showroom floor, and a consumption lounge floor loaded with comfy couches and beds.

Sharma brilliantly marketed the shop to Westerners with a series of calendar posters featuring images of Hindu gods and goddesses and English writing that served as perfect souvenirs – and later, as sought-after collectors’ items. The business became so successful that in 1973, Sharma opened the Eden Hotel: a nine-story luxury hotel one block south of Freak Street, whose “Heavenly Pleasure Room” served a selection of hash-infused foods and drinks.

Unfortunately for him, the flow of tourists was about to dry up.

END OF THE TRAIL

Sadly, during the mid to late ’70s, several wars erupted that would spell doom for the Hippie Trail –including America’s War on Drugs. In 1973, the Nixon Administration reportedly paid a $47-million bribe to King Zahir Shah to have him declare Cannabis and hashish illegal in Afghanistan. Three years later, bowing to U.S. pressure, Nepal also banned Cannabis products. Then, a series of military conflicts across the Middle East and Asia – including the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979 – quickly made many nations along the Trail inhospitable and dangerous to Western travelers, effectively ending tourism in the region.

Today, few remnants remain of the old Hippie Trail. The Pudding Shop is still open, but other than some old photos and clippings on the wall, it’s essentially just a tourist trap. The hash shops on Freak Street were long ago replaced by conventional businesses, and tragically much of the neighborhood was destroyed or heavily damaged by an earthquake in 2015. But hey – I hear Goa is still pretty chill, at least…

To hear one hippie’s tales from the Hashish Trail, listen to Episode 23 of our Cannthropology podcast at worldofcannabis.com/cannthropology or wherever you get your podcasts.

Nepal is renowned for its hand-pressed hashish known as “charas,” which was sold legally at cafes and hash shops all around the country.

Hash shop in Kathmandu.

Outside the Pudding Shop in Istanbul (early 1970s).

Temple ball hash.

Eden Hash Centre on Freak St.

PUDDINGSHOP.COM

Eden Hash Centre promo calendar & restaurant menu.

Daily Mirror article on hash in Kabul (1971).

MICHAEL PALMIERI

Hippie chick selling Manali hash in Goa.

DUDE, WE WERE HAVING A GREAT NIGHT, AND THEN... It appeared that the late shot of elixir was what transformed Dr. Jekyll into Mr. Hyde, escalating the exuberant whiskey-burn growl into an ear-piercing screech.

And that’s where the off-switch appears to have malfunctioned.

Like a shark upon the first scent of blood that triggers the wide-eyed feeding frenzy, in an instant, what was a composed practice in cocktail etiquette became an all-bets-are-off mission to Mercury. This was the turning point where the motor skills became erratic and sloppy – effectively turning the leaking lip into a lawn sprinkler that sprays the bar with nonsensical gibberish.

And here I am, hyper-aware of every tic and touch while you decimate the vibe of the room with nails-on-a-chalkboard karaoke. The turkey strut turns to a fumbling act of foot balance and mumbled lyrics – thoroughly entertaining yourself whilst the room second guesses the system of open mics and over pours.

Dropping the microphone, you parade to the bar demanding attention – lambasting those who won’t share in your fist-pumping, shot glass-pounding camaraderie, measuring the patron’s moxie in ounces.

Your jerking, brutish arms are weapons of buzzkill. And then there you go, swapping spit with the wobbly sea hag who appears like a ball to the barstool chain – deliriously charmed by your advances. She cackles with delight while you attempt to dance her around before stumbling to the filthy floor like limp bags of garbage meant for the dump.

Meanwhile, her cross-eyed cougar friend peers towards me, on the hunt for the thunder from down under. So, I grab your arm and shuffle out of the impact zone as the bouncer gets anxious.

Thankfully, I just use Cannabis. So, you have a friend to drive you home.

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