June 2023 - Maryland Leaf

HIGHLIGHTING THE PEOPLE AND COMPANIES CHANGING THE CANNABIS LANDSCAPE

THE IMPACT ISSUE

SunMed’s first line of edibles launching soon!

Infused with our hand-picked, sun-grown flower, SunMed Labs’ new line of edibles is coming to Maryland dispensaries this Summer. Until then, we’ll be crafting new flavors and confections for future Sunnies releases!

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.

MARYLAND, ALLOW US TO REINTRODUCE OURSELVES

GRASSROOTS IS BACK WITH A NEW, FRESH LOOK TO MATCH THE QUALITY OF OUR TOP-SHELF CANNABIS PRODUCTS.

We are introducing fresh ower strains like Stardawg x Northern Lights, Country Cookies, and Cherry Burger along with Shorties (the pre-rolls you formerly knew as Take Fives). All featuring our new packaging.

Stop by your local Maryland dispensary to experience the new Grassroots look in person and fall in love with us all over again!

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

On the cover this month is the Leaf’s first AI-assisted photo illustration, crafted by the inimitable mind of Pete Gibson. Gibson’s surreal and creative works have become well-known in the Cannabis-fueled Instagram community, where it caught the eye of Leaf contributor Matt Jackson who connected him with the team. Leaf Creative Director Daniel Berman @bermanphotos and COO Tom Bowers @ cannabombtom, worked with Pete over one intense week (ahead of the Oregon Leaf Bowl) to morph the piece and dial in the cover designs to fully capture the Impact Issue’s heart and soul: the people and businesses making change and waves in our ever-evolving industry.

ILLUSTRATION BY PETE GIBSON

@PETE.GIBBY | @PETE2GIBBY

CONTRIBUTORS

BOBBY BLACK, DESIGN + FEATURES

JOSHUA BOULET, ILLUSTRATION

BORO PHOTOGRAPHER, PHOTOS

TOM BOWERS, FEATURES

EARLY, PRODUCTION

WYATT EARLY, FEATURES

STEVE ELLIOTT, NATIONAL NEWS

PETE GIBSON, ILLUSTRATION

MATT JACKSON, FEATURES

GREG MALCOLM, PHOTOS

TAYLOR MARTIN, FEATURES

BAXSEN PAINE, PHOTOS + FEATURES

JESSE RAMIREZ, DESIGN

MIKE RICKER, FEATURES

MEGHAN RIDLEY, EDITING

MIKE ROSATI, PHOTOS

TONY SIMONELLI, PHOTOS

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!

CONNECT WITH MARYLAND LEAF

WES ABNEY

Editor’s Note

Thanks for picking up The Impact Issue of the Leaf!

We’ve decided to honor the people, organizations and trends that are having an impact on the Cannabis industry and culture, which touches all of our lives in an environment that’s constantly shifting. Just as the Earth developed its rich layers of minerals and water from countless impacts during the Late Heavy Bombardment, so has the weed world been shaped by those who have had an impact – changing the landscape for the future betterment of the Cannabis community.

This month also marks the thirteenth anniversary of the Leaf in print, which began printing in June 2010 with Northwest Leaf and hasn’t missed a month yet. I was only 22 years old when I decided to take my journalism skills and apply them to Cannabis – at a time when the biggest impact weed had on lives was the slamming of a cell door. But I’d had a taste of the injustice, having been arrested for a small amount of pot myself, and seen the impact firsthand of a friend who beat all odds through the healing powers of the plant. I knew in my heart that people could heal themselves with Cannabis instead of pharmaceuticals, and that the most dangerous thing about weed were the laws making it illegal – so I set out to tell a story that has lasted for over a decade.

Along the way the Leaf has distributed millions of copies for free, now across 13 states and with a much bigger team than when it all began. I’m blessed to have been joined on this journey by a team of Leafers who care just as much about Cannabis journalism as I do, and many more who have helped along the way. We’ve told stories about patients healed through Cannabis, and those whose last days were improved by the plant. We’ve seen hundreds of companies come and go, high hopes become failed dreams, and witnessed the weed rising from the ashes as the green rush crested.

Today the industry is once again full of people who care about the plant and those who need it, largely because we are the only ones left. Everyone looking to get rich quickly either did or failed, and those who hoped for nothing more than a chance to grow legally are once again at the forefront of the cultural movement that is Cannabis. And just like the early Earth, it’s the sum of those who’ve had an impact that have built the layers we stand on today. This issue honors a lot of those people, but being the nature of a list, doesn’t include many of the wonderful contributors to our amazing movement – we’d probably need a whole year’s worth of issues for that.

With that spirit in mind, I hope you enjoy our first Impact Issue. And if you have a nomination for a future list, please shoot us an email or DM on social!

“TODAY THE INDUSTRY IS ONCE AGAIN FULL OF PEOPLE WHO CARE ABOUT THE PLANT AND THOSE WHO NEED IT, LARGELY BECAUSE WE ARE THE ONLY ONES LEFT.”

POST-ACCIDENT MARIJUANA TEST POSITIVITY REACHES RECORD

LEGALIZATION HEADS TO FLORIDA SUPREME COURT

ATTORNEY GENERAL Ashley Moody in May formally submitted a proposed adult-use marijuana ballot initiative to the Florida Supreme Court. AG Moody signaled she will argue the proposal doesn’t meet legal requirements to go before voters in 2024. The political committee Smart & Safe Florida is sponsoring the proposed constitutional amendment. The group has far exceeded the 222,881 petition signatures needed to trigger a crucial Supreme Court review. The Supreme Court reviews issues such as whether proposed constitutional amendments are limited to single subjects and whether the proposed ballot language is clear.

MONTCLAIR: JERSEY’S CANNABIS CAPITAL?

MONTCLAIR, N.J. , has granted four more licenses to Cannabis businesses – moving the city closer to becoming the “marijuana capital of New Jersey.”

In May, the town council awarded two more recreational licenses – bringing the total to three with Ascend, which opened last fall.

The percentage of employees in the general U.S. workforce testing positive for marijuana following an on-the-job accident increased to its highest level in 25 years in 2022, according to a new analysis released in May by Quest Diagnostics, a provider of diagnostic information services.

In 2022, post-accident marijuana positivity of urine drug tests in the general U.S. workforce was 7.3%, compared to 6.7% in 2021. The new peak follows a steady increase in post-accident marijuana positivity every year from 2012 to 2022. In that 10-year timeframe, postaccident marijuana positivity increased 204.2%. From 2002 to 2009, post-accident marijuana positivity declined.

"The new peak follows a steady increase in postaccident marijuana positivity every year from 2012 to 2022."

CANNABIS PROVIDES SIGNIFICANT HEALTH HELP

THE USE of medical marijuana is associated with “significant improvements” in quality of life for people with conditions like chronic pain and insomnia. Those effects are “largely sustained” over time, according to a new study published in May by the American Medical Association (AMA). Researchers carried out a retrospective case series analysis that involved 3,148 people in Australia. Patients were prescribed medical Cannabis for the treatment of certain eligible conditions. For all eight wellbeing indicators that were tested, marijuana appeared to help. Adverse side effects were “rarely serious,” according to the study.

These increases in post-accident marijuana positivity correspond with legalization of marijuana in certain states. In 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize for adult use. Since then, 19 additional states and the District of Columbia have followed, while 38 states (plus DC) have legalized medical use. Either kind of use remains illegal under federal law.

"Intoxicating Cannabis products, including marijuana, can have a major impact on safety at work and have been proven to slow reaction time, impact memory and impair skills essential to driving. State legalization of the drug creates new challenges for employers," said Katie Mueller, a senior program manager at the National Safety Council focusing on Cannabis safety. "The Quest data provides compelling evidence that increased use of Cannabis products by employees can contribute to greater risk for injuries in the workplace. It is imperative employers take the proper steps to create and maintain a policy that addresses Cannabis use, build a safety-focused culture and educate the workforce to keep all workers safe on and off the job."

MINNESOTA ONE STEP CLOSER TO LEGALIZATION

LEGAL ADULT-USE CANNABIS is almost certainly coming to Minnesota, with lawmakers signing off in May on a final version of the bill. The conference committee agreed on a state tax of 10% on top of sales taxes – with 80% going to the state mainly to fund the Office of Cannabis Management and 20% going to local governments. Residents may possess up to two pounds in their home, and two ounces everywhere else.

N.M. ADDS INSOMNIA AS QUALIFYING CONDITION

INSOMNIA will soon be a qualifying condition to obtain medical marijuana in New Mexico. “From a health equity perspective, medical Cannabis can offer a legal alternative to the expensive medications sometimes utilized by those suffering with insomnia,” announced the state’s medical marijuana program. The Department of Health’s Medical Cannabis Program will allow the condition to qualify for enrollment starting in June.

One went to two Montclair entrepreneurs, George Marable and Eric Payne. They plan to open Night Owl at the site of the former DLV Lounge on Bloomfield Avenue. Marable owned the iconic jazz venue, which closed in December after 50 years. The second recreational license was granted to Kush Connections. Licenses for cultivation and manufacturing were granted by the council in April. Both of these businesses, Genuine Grow and TLEHL, will share space at 154 Pine Street, currently under renovation.

normalization

MICHIGAN MOVES TO END PRE-EMPLOYMENT TESTING FOR GOV. WORKERS

Michigan officials are proposing to end preemployment drug testing for marijuana for most government job applicants, while also giving people who’ve already been penalized over positive THC tests an opportunity to have the sanction retroactively rescinded.

The Michigan Civil Service Commission released the proposed amendments to the government’s employment code in May, opening a public comment period on the two policies.

“Michigan voters legalized marijuana’s medicinal use in 2008 and recreational use by adults in 2018.”

“Michigan voters legalized marijuana’s medicinal use in 2008 and recreational use by adults in 2018,” John Gnodtke, the state’s personnel director, wrote in a memo.

“In light of these changes, commissioners have requested circulation for public comment of potential regulation amendments to end the pre-employmenttesting requirement for marijuana for classified employees hired into non-test-designated positions.”

$13m

$202m

of those between 18 and 30 say federal marijuana policies keep them from applying for jobs.

of the Earth’s population uses marijuana, according to the U.S. Government.

is the amount of growth in Florida’s medical marijuana patient count in the past two years.

71%

adult-use Cannabis outlets were operating in Pennsylvania in January 2023.

of Cannabis was sold in Missouri during the first weekend of legalization in 2023.

of adult-use marijuana was sold in Montana during the first year of the program.

Earthquake Sativa

THCa: 34.45%

THC: 30.31%

Terpenes: 3.08%

POWERFUL NEW GENETICS HAVE COME TO MARYLAND

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

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

sammi martin PATIENT OF THE MONTH

More than a dozen white-capped, orange-tinted cylinders littered the residence of Sammi Martin. Caught like a wildfire out of control, she had reached a point where she was taking daily medications simply to combat the side effects of other medications.

“I was just so numb,” said Sammi, a native of Glen Burnie, Maryland. “I was miserable and it became apparent [my attitude] was becoming an issue. My son said to me, ‘You’re just so mean all the time.’ I couldn’t do that anymore. Something had to change.”

Sammi had always been the one to bring a cheery spirit.

A tumbling toddler, she took an early liking to gymnastics at the age of three. As her athletic skills increased, she found joy in cheerleading and traveling across the country for competitions – even appearing with an all-star team on a live ESPN broadcast.

“I loved it,” the 38-year-old said. “Back then, I’d eat, sleep and breathe gymnastics and cheerleading.”

Her family on the floor, often soothed by a big crowd’s roar, provided an escape from her hectic home life.

Sammi’s father was a Vietnam veteran and he had returned to the states after the war with untreated PTSD. His mental illness manifested in the form of physical and psychological abuse –culminating in a substance abuse pattern that resulted in his death in 2013.

“I always said I had two fathers,” she said. “One was my dad – and he was amazing. Then there was Danny. That guy was an asshole who would steal from me, fight with my mom and stepmom in front of me, and even threatened to kill me and my son the last time I saw him.”

After nearly two decades on the mat, Sammi’s escapism through “cheernastics” was no longer an option. Her body, which had been so strong and capable through 16 years of competition, no longer wished to provide an escape from the unpleasantries of life. She spent her 29th birthday on a surgical table for a knee replacement – the first of 42 surgeries, 28 of which have been on her legs.

“I grew up so healthy; I was constantly in the gym working out,” said Sammi, letting out a large exhale and turning the blame to a 2008 pregnancy filled with complications. “After I got pregnant with my son, my body was destroyed. It all caught up to me and I’ve been paying for it ever since.”

Sammi was diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum, which is characterized by severe nausea, vomiting, weight loss and dehydration during pregnancy. Nine months of stress amplified the inflammation previously plaguing her body, placing Sammi in a permanent state of discomfort and pain. That pain led to a barrage of surgeries, before morphing into postpartum depression and a heavy reliance on pharmaceuticals.

Like translucent pill bottles on a kitchen counter, the years began to stack up with little differentiating one from another. That is, until Sammi found medical Cannabis.

“All that medicine? It was just a band-aid covering up what was really hurting,” she said, crediting weekly therapy sessions for a breakthrough.

Cannabis has helped her tune into her body more efficiently, allowing her to shed 60+ pounds and 10 medications over the past five years. The radical transformation has encouraged Sammi to take up a new career, earning a role as a budtender at CuraLeaf in Columbia, where she has guided patients for the past year.

“When first-time patients come in, it can be very overwhelming,” said Sammi, who has worked in a multitude of healthcare jobs, varying from primary care practices, radiologists, chiropractors, neurosurgeons and pediatric wards alike. “I want my patients to feel better. So I try to find a connection with them –whatever that takes – and go from there.”

After a year of experimenting with various forms of Cannabis, Sammi’s quality of life has drastically improved. She has dialed in her regimen to include a THC tincture and a joint in the morning – preferably a hybrid or indica. Her “best friend” – a Puffco Pro – is always nearby in case of a flare up or a bout of nausea.

“I don’t know why I waited so long to start using [Cannabis],” she said, surmising that her father’s drug use likely played a role in keeping her away. “Ever since I switched to medical marijuana, my life has done a complete 180°. I'm only on three meds now and I’ve lost 60 pounds. I'm much happier with things in my life and I see everything more positively.”

“Cannabis has helped her tune into her body more efficiently, allowing her to shed 60+ pounds and 10 medications over the past five years.”

Follow along Sammi's Cannabis journey on Instagram @Ur_Hiighness_Sammi.

project glow 2023

a magical Washington, D.C. weekend

AS WE APPROACH SUMMER, with it comes the much-awaited music festival season. Kicking ours off properly, we took the short hour drive from Baltimore to Washington D.C. for Project Glow 2023 at RFK Stadium Festival Grounds – a medium-sized venue with enough distance between stages to drown out the opposing music, but not such a distance that navigating between them was difficult. Basically, it was the ideal setting to get festival season rolling.

PHOTO BY IVAN MENESES

Insomniac Events is the promoter responsible for bringing us festivals like Moonrise, EDC, and now Project Glow for a second year in a row. Some of the biggest names in EDM were on the lineup, including Tiesto, Dom Dolla, Zeds Dead, LSDREAM, Benny Benassi and many more. The other performers were a little heavy on the house music end of the spectrum, but there was still a decent amount of dubstep and other genres. Tiesto even began his set with around 20 minutes of dubstep-leaning music, which is unusual given his sets I have seen in the past.

As someone who has been to a ton of festivals, the art installations at Project Glow were larger than life – including a more-than-20-foot-tall fire-breathing chrome lady. Directly in the middle of the venue was a Big Purple Man (as we called it, which proved very helpful for meeting up with friends given the poor cell service).

The three stages – Eternal, Pulse and Secret Garden – all had vibes that were on point, with a minimal amount of rowdiness unless you were dead center at the front of the stage. Something you can expect at these shows in general is a mosh pit from time to time, so if that isn’t your cup of tea, it's best to stay near the middle of the crowd. The sound at the two larger stages, Pulse and Eternal, blew us all away. The Secret Garden was smaller, with calming and immaculate energies if you wanted to get away from all of the madness for a minute.

Given it was supposed to rain the entire weekend, we got pretty lucky with the weather this year.

Even with the light amount of drizzle, this would have made for a ton of mud had the staff not taken measures to cut it down. Lucky for us, they did a great job of maintaining the festival grounds. The amenities at the venue were wellplaced and attended to as well, and the VIP sections were clutch when I needed a moment to relax, use the bathroom, and mess around with my camera equipment.

Luckily, the men’s bathroom lines in VIP were nearly nonexistent – while the stalls were pretty much always taken (a friendly reminder that whatever is taking so long in there, I’d probably rather not know about). Water stations were aplenty, keeping lines short and people hydrated.

My favorite sets of the weekend were definitely Shiba San, LSDREAM, Tiesto and Kygo. Something about the vibe during these sets was beyond amazing, with our crew all agreeing that these beat our expectations. As the light mist came down from the sky during Shiba San’s set, I looked around in awe as my friends bobbed their heads and bodies with me. There is something special about the bond you create with people at music festivals that can’t be replicated – part of that is the vibe of the weekend, which is created in part by you, but also by the festival itself. Project Glow did a great job of setting the stage for everyone to have a mind-blowing experience … and that is exactly what we did.

This was a special weekend in D.C. and we look forward to continuing to cover events from Insomniac. You can definitely expect to see us at Moonrise Festival in August, so if you spot someone rocking Maryland Leaf gear at the festival, come up and say hello to the crew. Congratulations to the Insomniac team for another successful festival – one that will hold a place in the hearts of many for years to come.

PHOTO BY IVAN MENESES

PHOTO BY IVAN MENESES

PHOTO BY TANIA HAUYON

PHOTO BY TANIA HAUYON

ZENLEAF

ZENLEAF

PASADENA

Zen Leaf has four locations in Maryland, including Pasadena, Elkridge, Towson and Germantown. The Pasadena location was previously known as Oceanside dispensary, but rebranded to Zen Leaf in August of 2022. Being under the Verano umbrella, you can expect to find a huge selection of their products at these stores across Maryland. The dedicated staff at this shop is extremely knowledgeable and familiar with their patient base, and always eager to answer questions for those new to medical Cannabis. Be sure to stop by when you’re in the Pasadena area for an elevated dispensary experience.

SETTING & VIBE

Bringing a great combination of fancy dispensary vibes blended with a hometown feel, the employees at this store do a great job of making patients feel right at home. Bright and powerful display cases classily showcase the cornucopia of Cannabis products available, while smiling and giggling employees bounce around the store and keep things running smoothly. It’s always inspiring when you see people who truly love their work, and since happy employees make happy customers, the vibe here is a weed-infused win for everyone involved.

FLOWER

Over 100 different options for flower were available during our visit, including a wide range of different product prices and potencies. They had hot new strains like Lemon Vuitton from District Cannabis and Grape Gummiez from Gage Cannabis. I was also excited to see a nice selection of Grow West flower on the menu, which I cannot get enough of when I find solid batches in dispensaries.

CONCENTRATES

There is a concentrate product for everyone at this store, from live rosins to RSO and everything in between. For people who are new to concentrates, the staff is well equipped to help you dive into new strains and product types, as well as how to consume them. My favorite product on the menu was the Tarts live resin sugar from Grassroots. Edibles are an extremely important part of the dispensary experience and to patients’ medication regimens. This store keeps a plethora of different forms of edibles in stock to make sure no one goes without their necessary medicine – with chocolates, gummies, hard candies, drink mixes and capsules on the menu (to name a few). Be sure to ask your budtender what their current favorite selections are to stay on top of Maryland’s ever-evolving edible game.

EDIBLES

MOTORBREATH FLOWER

We love to see a big bag of nugs, and the Savvy Uncensored line is coming correct with 14 grams of fire. These nugs are advertised as untrimmed, but I found very little plant material attached to them, giving a real bang for your buck. Spicy gas is the best way to describe the smell when opening the bag, with a nice concentration of both myrcene and limonene. After burning a joint, I was in a relaxed and creative headspace – perfect for artistic endeavors of all kinds.

37.86% TOTAL CANNABINOID CONTENT | 2.8% TOTAL TERPENES VERANO.COM @VERANOBRANDS

SAAVY UNCENSORED

"This store keeps a plethora of different forms of edibles in stock to make sure no one goes without their necessary medicine."

BUDTENDER

KURT LANE

WHAT IS IT LIKE SEEING MARYLAND MOVING INTO ADULT USE THIS YEAR? It's been a long time coming. It’s been way too long and we’ve watched other states just soar over us with their programs. It feels like we finally got our time now. I’m an old head and I also worked in the liquor industry for a minute, and it was weird to sit there and sell that but be ostracized for smoking Cannabis.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY? HOW HAVE YOU SEEN IT CHANGE? I’ve been in the industry for almost four years. I’ve watched it grow, and honestly I think it's grown for the better. I see out-of-state markets that are trying to turn their dispensaries into Walgreens – they have a weird cookie-cutter corporate structure, and there is no research into the culture. Here, we do work with the Last Prisoner Project, community cleanup and food drives, among other charity work. I see this industry as very strong because although there are corporate entities in Maryland, their shops still feel like a mom-and-pop store because of the people. Maryland takes care of its own.

WHAT KIND OF MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO? DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE ARTIST? I like heavy and interesting music. Deftones, Gojira, Meshuggah – I like bands that are heavy but have something unique, like a weird time signature or a saxophone. I’ve seen the Deftones probably a dozen times and I used to love Ozzfest when it was around because you not only got to see bands you liked, but ended up stumbling upon a bunch of new ones.

HOW WAS YOUR 4/20? Packed, but I’ll be honest: It was the best one yet. It gets busier every year, but also calmer every year and we’re not taboo anymore. Remember that channel G4? Maybe 10-15 years ago in the mid-2000s they said, ‘Happy 4/20 everybody, we’re doing a 4/20 day’ – and they played ‘Half Baked’ and some other stuff. It was before legalization and they were just like, ‘Are we allowed to do this?’ They just took this bold stand of ‘It’s 4/20. deal with it.’ Now it's our day and it’s cool, but not taboo.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ACTIVITY TO ACCOMPANY SMOKING CANNABIS? My biggest thing is I like to get ripped, put on some old ‘90s hip-hop, and just power through some Mario Kart. You know what I’m saying? Get a nice bean bag, turn the lights down low, I’ve got a colored lamp in the background of my room. I’ll lean back, put on some headphones and listen to things like ‘Illmatic’ (Nas), ‘Aquemini’ (Outkast) … all the old school stuff, nothing past 2001.

ASELF-DESCRIBED “old head,” Kurt Lane has been a passionate Cannabis consumer for much of his life – smoking on both classic and exotic cultivars, from flower to dabs, over the years. Having witnessed the taboo nature of the plant finally begin to wane, he’s looking forward to the next chapter in Maryland’s Cannabis story – where his expertise can reach an even wider audience.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE PRODUCTS ON THE SHELVES RIGHT NOW? I’ve really liked the Trulieve Cultivar Collection. I got the Animal Mints crossed with Bubba Kush from them and it was amazing. Culta’s Hot Mint Sundae is excellent. I also love my classics like Deadband #7 from Evermore. My favorite concentrate right now is the Lucky Orchard Cold Cure Rosin from Evermore – it’s unmistakable. As soon as I put it in my [Puffco] Peak, it even bubbles differently.

“I’VE BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY FOR ALMOST FOUR YEARS. I’VE WATCHED IT GROW, AND HONESTLY I THINK IT'S GROWN FOR THE BETTER.”

kind therapeutics

Kind Therapeutics is responsible for bringing us many of our favorite brands on the Maryland medical Cannabis market, with product lines from Nature’s Heritage, Betty’s Eddies, In House, Bubby’s Baked, Healer and K Fusion all wrapped up under one roof in this booming Hagerstown facility. During our tour we had the pleasure of watching the flower grow, catching a glimpse of where the concentrates and edibles are made, and seeing the smiling faces that make the whole thing possible.

ASwe entered the different grow rooms, I followed closely behind Collin Hart and Tyrone Hill as they explained their design – from their “mini moms” to their vegetative, flowering and curing rooms. Crossing paths with numerous employees, it was clear that they enjoyed the work environment at Kind Therapeutics. “Happy people grow happy plants,” explained Collin. “We’re a bunch of extremely passionate people and this is a really rewarding experience working here.”

Continuing our tour, it was clear that the team was especially excited to be using LED lighting for an added level of control over the light spectrum and improved efficiency on power consumption. This is the driving force for the brand releasing 28 new strains by the end of this year, including RS-11, Juicy Banger, Sherb Cake, Cherry Gelato, Crescendo, Mimosa and many more. They have around 1,200 plants in the vegetative state at any given time and there is an individual cultivator who is responsible for each grow room – creating a healthy level of friendly competition that continues to push this operation and its products to the next level. “Enough to shine, but not to sink,” said Collin, who has worked at several other grows in Maryland before finding his home with Kind Therapeutics.

As we moved our way through the facility, the aromas of different strains filled my nose when I entered each curing room … the

unmistakable cheesy funk of Lamb’s Bread in one, the gassy and cake-like smell of Dosi-Woah in another. Dialing in their curing process, Kind Therapeutics aims for a consistent 10-12% moisture level. Honestly, this has got to be one of the cleanest setups I have ever seen in a curing room – complete with meticulously placed hanging racks allowing plants to be spaced out to breathe.

The next phase in the process is trimming, and they are not taking any shortcuts in delivering beautiful, hand-trimmed flower to the patients of Maryland. That's right: No machine trimming is being done under this roof, and it shines through in the Nature’s Heritage flower. Trimmers use magnifying glasses with lights to carefully inspect each bud as they trim away unwanted fan leaves. Everyone’s bin in the room was full of freshly trimmed nuggets that glistened with trichomes in the light.

Moving on to the processing side of things, Lab Manager Ashley Streaker has things on lock when it comes to pumping out tasty and potent concentrates. They are running between 150,000 and 200,000 grams of fresh frozen material for hydrocarbon extraction each week. That is no small feat, but is necessary for meeting current demand and keeping things fresh from a product perspective. For the solventless production,

Ashley uses a 44 gallon Bruteless hash washing system where lab techs take fresh frozen material and pop it into the giant tub full of water and ice to extract trichomes without using any chemicals like butane or propane. This assists in their hash making – which is then turned into live rosin and sold in dababble form.

Finishing up the tour brought us to the cGMP certified edible production portion of this facility, where all of the edibles are handmade in small batches with the help of some taffy pulling and dividing machines. It was really special to see Betty’s Eddies made in person (the process was just as lengthy as I imagined), with each piece weighed individually before packaging to ensure consistency in dosing. Keep an eye out for high dose edibles launching in the next couple weeks in multiple varieties and flavors.

It’s always important to have employees that are passionate about what they do, and this facility is a perfect example of just how beautiful work can be when people actually love it. As Collin said earlier – “Happy people grow happy plants” – and that transfers into all of the products coming from Kind Therapeutics. With adult use coming to Maryland in July, we are excited for their range of high quality brands to reach a wider audience.

kindtherapeuticsusa.com

@kindtherapeuticsusa

“We’re a bunch of extremely passionate people and this is a really rewarding experience working here.”

~Collin Hart

SOUR PINK LYCHEE IN LIVING SOIL.

BUBBY'S BAKED

LAB MANAGER ASHLEY STREAKER HOLDING HASH.

INHOUSE GUMMIES LAMBSBREAD

BETTY'S EDDIES

HASHPLANT SUGAR

BLUEBERRY MUFFINS LIVE RESINBADDER

BLUEBERRY MUFFINS LIVE RESINBADDER

EXTRACTED BY KINGS

&QUEENS

BLUEBERRY MUFFINS live resin badder by Kings & Queens is a truly succulent example of a Maryland heavyweight dab, with their extraction team creating a luscious and golden product that absolutely oozes terpenes and bleeds crystals.

The immaculate consistency shows their extraction prowess, and the robust aroma displays their preservation of the cultivar’s profile while concentrating it down to perfection.

This delicious dab starts with a vigorous blueberry smell that is surely where this cultivar earned its namesake, but further examination reveals nuances of mango, diesel fuel and soapy florals that challenge the nose in interesting ways. For those of you who enjoy complex aromas, this is definitely a dab for you to consider. The flavor itself is inundated with blueberry and it's only on the exhale that the gassy florals are revealed – resulting in a bold and tasty product.

For the medical patient, one can expect potent indica effects offering relief for sleep, pain and anxiety. A heavy dose of myrcene is at the top of the profile and is tempered by quite a showing of caryophyllene and limonene. Patients will likely experience a couchlocked sense of relief from their day's ailments with each dab inhaled. Personally, I was totally mellowed out on the couch, free of pain and watching a movie – exactly where I like to be at the end of the night. All hail the team at Kings & Queens for bringing this Blueberry Muffins live resin badder to the Maryland market, as it’s a wonderful example of the royal reputation their concentrates are known for.

VIREOHEALTH.COM | @KQCANNABIS

“The flavor itself is inundated with blueberry and it's only on the exhale that the gassy florals are revealed – resulting in a bold and tasty product."

BUBBLE HASH

The bubbly escape from reality you've been waiting for! Every batch of our bubble hash is created with art and science. A s o l v e n t l e s s e x t r a c t u s i n g i c e w a t e r a n d a s i e v i n g technique that produces clean a n d p u r e b u b b l e h a s h .

GROWWESTMD.COM

CULTIVATED BY GAGE

SUNDAE DRIVER

Sundae Driver by Gage promises to be your daily driver as we transition from spring into summer. This effervescent delight is the perfect profile for all of one's mental health and productivity needs.

With 2.26% total terpene concentration, this iteration of Sundae Driver is certainly one of the most aromatic you will find – but what's really important are the terpenes themselves.

As a whole, this profile is pretty spectacular in that it creates the perfect daily high that elevates the mood, calms the anxieties and focuses the mind. In short, this strain is excellent for patient relief for a variety of symptoms throughout the day.

Gage’s Sundae Driver has a heavy dollop of limonene at the top of the profile, followed up with a very even and balanced dose of caryophyllene, pinene and linalool. This basically creates a headspace that is euphoric and happy, but also even, mellow, calm and focused.

For me, this is exactly what I want to toke on as I make my way through the hours of the day –come rain or shine, good or bad – I really appreciate the stability and rarity of such a profile.

The flower itself is deliciously fragrant and will appeal to lovers of cakey/gassy varieties, and Gage did a wonderful job preservering the terps with the cure – resulting in a gorgeous final product.

Bottom line: With Sundae Driver at the wheel, the world just gets a little brighter … and better.

“The perfect daily high that elevates the mood, calms the anxieties and focuses the mind.”

HIGHLIGHTING THE PEOPLE AND COMPANIES CHANGING THE CANNABIS LANDSCAPE

dr. amanda reiman

CHIEF KNOWLEDGE OFFICER

NEW FRONTIER DATA/FOUNDER | PERSONAL PLANTS

Northern California-based social ethnobotanist Amanda Reiman, PhD MSW, has been a Cannabis patient, advocate and educator for decades while pioneering the study of the therapeutic value of plants, earning her PhD from UC Berkeley. Dr. Reiman was the first to explore the use of marijuana as a substitute for alcohol and other drugs. Her groundbreaking work in the field of psychoactive plants and social science led to her founding of Personal Plants in 2020, with an emphasis on mindful consumption and a healthy lifestyle. mypersonalplants.com | @personalplants | @dr.amandareiman

stephanie landa

FOUNDER & PRESIDENT | FREEDOM GROW

Sen. Chuck Schumer

U.S. SENATOR

ed rosenthal

A lifelong pot pioneer and activist, Ed Rosenthal’s massive contributions to Cannabis cultivation knowledge helped “Overgrow the Government.” Ed’s books, first published in 1981, and his grow column in High Times in the 1980s and ‘90s, enlightened many thousands of prospective pot farmers. As Tommy Chong said, “Ed holds the distinction of turning more people onto pot than Cheech and Chong.” Ed’s arrest and trials in the early 2000s galvanized the movement and he continues to release new grow books – with his recently revised “Cannabis Grower’s Handbook” being the definitive Cannabis cultivation guide. edrosenthal.com

@edrosenthal420

tom angell

PUBLISHER & EDITOR | MARIJUANA MOMENT

As the creator and curator of the Marijuana Moment website and daily email newsletter, Tom Angell provides vital up-to-the-minute information for the Cannabis culture and industry.

A 20-year veteran in the marijuana law reform movement, Tom has his finger on the pulse of pot policy and politics – and always links primary source documents. Politico called Marijuana Moment “One of the nation’s leading trackers of developments and news in the Cannabis industry,” largely due to Tom and his team’s timely, unique and unbiased approach to reefer reportage. marijuanamoment.net @marijuanamoment | @thisistomangell

A longtime supporter of Cannabis law reform, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is the highest-ranking pot proponent in Washington. He recently labeled federal legalization a top priority and joined Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Cory Booker, D-N.J., to introduce the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act – a measure to decriminalize and deschedule marijuana. Chuck has also been a speaker at the NYC Cannabis Parade for the last three years, saying, “I’m proud to be the first Senate Majority Leader ever to say it's time to end the federal prohibition on Cannabis and bring justice to so many Americans whose lives have been ruined by the War on Drugs.” schumer.senate.gov @senschumer

Stephanie Landa knows firsthand the price paid by those who fell into the hands of law enforcement during the height of pot prohibition. It was during her five-year stint in federal prison for Cannabis cultivation when she learned the importance of money for prisoners to purchase essentials such as socks, stamps, clean drinking water, medicines, etc. She’s now the founder and current president of Freedom Grow Forever, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that works directly on prisoner outreach to help them maintain their dignity while incarcerated and most importantly, regain their freedom. freedomgrow.org @letfreedomgrow

robert "baby boi" jeffrey

PRESIDENT | MASSCANN

evan nison

FOUNDER & PRESIDENT

NISON CO.

Evan got his start in Cannabis law reform early on as a student in Ithaca, New York in 2008. He’s been active and effective ever since as the youngest member of the NORML National Board of Directors. In 2012 he founded Nison Co., and the PR and SEO agency has since become an industry stalwart –representing some of the biggest brands in bud. Marijuana Venture included Evan in their “40 under 40” and The Observer listed Nison Co. at the top of their “Cannabis PR Power List.” nisonco.com @nisoncopr | @nis022

Robert’s activism began as a volunteer at the Boston Freedom Rally, getting an inside look at local legalization efforts and events. As a medical marijuana patient, cultivator and educator, he became a member and then the director of MassCann – the decades-old nonprofit organization that puts on the rally. He was recently voted in as President of the embattled org and pledges to continue the fight, saying, “I’m hopeful that all the work done today will bring a better tomorrow for the community.”masscann.org | @robert_babyboi_jeffrey

jeremy silva FOUNDER | BUILD A SOIL

Over a decade ago, Jeremy Silva started Build A Soil in his Colorado garage with the dream of providing the best growing mediums and natural fertilizers, as well as educating people on the benefits of cultivating Cannabis in living soil. Since then, Build A Soil has become a mainstay in the “back to the future” growing movement that promotes no-till farming, cover crops, oxygenated compost teas and many more sustainable products and natural techniques. buildasoil.com | @buildasoil

“THE GURU OF GANJA"

CHRISTIAN PEACOCK

BY DANNY DANKO @DANNYDANKOHT | TOM BOWERS @CANNABOMBTOM | KATHERINE WOLF @KATADELLIC | BOBBY BLACK @THEBOBBYBLACK | MATT JACKSON @ACTIONMATTJACKSON | AMANDA DAY @TERPODACTYL_MEDIA | MIKE RICKER @RICKERDJ

THE IMPACT List

HIGHLIGHTING THE PEOPLE AND COMPANIES CHANGING THE CANNABIS LANDSCAPE

Eugene Monroe

FORMER NFL PLAYER | FOUNDER OF HEART COMMUNITY

Chosen as the eighth overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, Eugene Monroe had a brief but eventful, seven-season career as an offensive tackle for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Baltimore Ravens. He was the first active player to publicly challenge league policy on Cannabis for pain relief and brain injury treatment in March of 2016, and also championed the plant as an alternative to highly addictive opioids. Monroe was also named chairman of the "Yes on 4" campaign that legalized Cannabis for recreational use in Maryland and formed Heart Community Capital to “build the leading Black-owned MSO.” heartcommunity.com | @eugenegreenmonroe

luke scarmazzo ADVOCATE

As a young father who was sentenced to 22 years under the Kingpin Statute for operating a state-legal Cannabis dispensary in Modesto, Calif., Luke Scarmazzo immediately became a lightning rod for the emancipation and legalization movement. The Cannabis advocate worked from within the system to fight to end the harassment and imprisonment of people for the plant, and advocacy group The Weldon Project (run by Scarmazzo’s former prison mate Weldon Angelos) worked with the White House on commutation of his sentence. After more than 14 years in prison, Scarmazzo was finally freed and has since rejoined his family. He and Angelos’ Project Mission Green continue to fight for the rights of Cannabis consumers and for the emancipation of Cannabis prisoners. @lukescarmazzo

weldon angelos

FOUNDER | THE WELDON PROJECT & PROJECT MISSION GREEN

Advocate Weldon Angelos embodies the concept of impact, both in how he benefited from powerful people who advocated for him, and how he then passed along the power of that advocacy in his work for others. The music producer was sentenced to a mandatory minimum sentence of 55 years after a confidential informant testified that he possessed a weapon in the commission of a Cannabis sale – serving 13 years before pressure from his friend Snoop Dogg, other celebrities and high-powered politicians, led to a commutation of the remainder of his sentence. These days he’s a tireless advocate for law reform and clemency for Cannabis prisoners, founding both The Weldon Project and Project Mission Green. projectmissiongreen.org | theweldonproject.org | @weldonangelos

brian "box" brown

CARTOONIST & ILLUSTRATOR | LEGALIZATION NATION

Brian “Box” Brown wondered why legal Cannabis in his native Pennsylvania didn’t hold up to the stuff he found in his travels among other “legal” states. He decided to use his background in visual arts to create a relevant and sometimes scathing comic strip that depicts the pitfalls of over-regulation and consolidation in the licenced industry. Box speaks truth directly to power, simplifying complex topics into easy-to-digest cartoons. His Legalization Nation strip is now syndicated by Hearst Media’s King Features. boxbrown.com | @boxbrown

"fab 5 freddy

brathwaite DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER GRASS IS GREENER DOCUMENTARY

Iconic hip-hop elder statesman, first host of Yo! MTV Raps, video director and Cannabis advocate, Fred Brathwaite has been at the cusp of major movements since the late 1970s. Better known as Fab 5 Freddy, he recently teamed up with pot prisoner Bernard Noble and Curaleaf to create the social equity brand B Noble – drawing attention to the disproportionate impact of the drug war on minorities. His documentary film “Grass is Greener” further articulates the injustice and brutality of prohibition on disadvantaged communities. fab5freddy.com | @fab5freddy

Julio Zenil

EDITOR, REVISTA CÁÑAMO MÉXICO | EVENT PRODUCER, EXPOWEED MÉXICO

Julio Zenil has been at the forefront of Cannabis legalization efforts in Mexico for many years and organized the first Million Marijuana March there 23 years ago. As the editor of Revista CÁÑAMO México and producer of the Expoweed México event, he educates the Spanish-speaking public and politicians on the medicinal and spiritual benefits of marijuana, as well as the excessive negative effects of global prohibition on the Americas. He’s also the founder of Museo del Cáñamo y la Marihuana de México and proprietor of Cañamo Shop – a Cannabis museum and hemp store in Mexico City. canamo.mx | @juleszengram

jackie bryant

HOST, THE PLANT LADY PODCAST | MANAGING EDITOR, SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE

Based in California, Jackie Bryant is an acclaimed journalist, the managing editor of San Diego Magazine and host of The Plant Lady – a podcast about modern Cannabis culture. Bryant's bylines include The New York Times, Harper’s Bazaar, Forbes, and Cannabitch, her very own newsletter with more than 2,000 subscribers. A frequent panel speaker, moderator and judge at conferences and events – her unique voice touches every aspect of the industry. jackiebryantwriting.com | @jacqbry

Garyn Angel FOUNDER & CEO | MAGICAL BRANDS

A thought leader and entrepreneur in the Cannabis industry, Garyn Angel created Magical Brands to transform the way people perceive and use the healing flower. His first development, the Magical Butter machine, streamlines the extraction process and allows consumers to create their own infused Cannabis edibles. Their Magical Gummy Maker transforms extracts into delicious, easy-to-dose Cannabis gummies. The newest arrival, Magical Grow, is an AI-powered smart garden designed to simplify the process of cultivation. Altogether, Garyn Angel’s vision and innovation revolutionized home growing and processing for everyone. magicalbutter.com | @magicalbutter | @garynangel

"

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THE IMPACT List

HIGHLIGHTING THE PEOPLE AND COMPANIES CHANGING THE CANNABIS LANDSCAPE

cannabis marketing association

INDUSTRY TRADE GROUP

Founded by Lisa Buffo in 2016, the Cannabis Marketing Association is an industry trade group with a mission to bring a positive perception to, and authentic understanding of, Cannabis and its consumers around the world. By supporting industry professionals through career resources, educational events and networking opportunities, the CMA has contributed to more approachable and informative marketing in the Cannabis space. thecannabismarketingassociation.com @cannamarketing

ricardo baca

JOURNALIST | FOUNDER, GRASSLANDS

Ricardo Baca is one of the most widely respected ganja journalists in the game. As a 20-year industry veteran, he was appointed as the first-ever Cannabis editor of The Denver Post in 2013 and founded the news vertical The Cannabist before launching Grasslands in 2016. This “journalism-minded” marketing and PR agency based in Denver empowers brands in highly regulated industries, from Cannabis to psychedelics and spirits – earning him a spot on Fortune’s 7 Most Powerful People in America’s Marijuana Industry and Marketer of the Year by AdCann. mygrasslands.com | @bruvs

40 tons

CANNABIS ACTIVISTS | SOCIAL JUSTICE REFORM

In 2013, Corvain Cooper was sentenced to life in prison for a nonviolent Cannabis offense while states across the nation began to decriminalize possession and personal use. He received a “winning lottery ticket” on the last day of Donald Trump's presidency in 2021: clemency.

After his release, Cooper, along with his team, Loriel and Anthony Alegrete, started 40 Tons with the sole purpose of fighting for social justice and diversity in Cannabis. In addition to their CPG line in California, New York and other states, the brand puts on career conferences, offers educational programs and mentorship, and has set up a foundation to help provide second chances for those who have been impacted by the War on Drugs to work in the legal industry. 40tons.co | @40tonsbrand

nba ATHLETIC LEAGUE

The National Basketball Association recently announced a revolutionary move allowing players to promote and invest in Cannabis companies – one that we can only hope other sporting leagues will soon follow. With Cannabis removed from the league’s drug testing program, players will no longer be penalized for personal use and will also be able to promote and invest in Cannabis companies. Talk about a slam dunk for stoners. nba.com | @nba

women employed in cannabis

FOUNDER | KYRA REED

Founded by Kyra Reed in 2017, Women

Employed in Cannabis is a safe place for all women working with the plant to participate in the mission of creating a fair, just and equitable industry. With a Facebook Group to share resources and support as well as virtual networking events, in-person meetups, and “Women’s Lounges” at Cannabis conferences across the country, WEIC is working to create a more inclusive industry for the next generation of women in weed. womenemployedincannabis.com

rick simpson

MEDICINAL CANNABIS ADVOCATE | FULL EXTRACT CANNABIS OIL

Rick Simpson is the man who first made the extraordinary claim that super-potent, whole-plant Cannabis oil could actually shrink tumors and cure cancer. Though not a doctor or scientist, the humble Canadian engineer began producing the full-spectrum extract Cannabis oil (FECO) that eventually came to be known as “Rick Simpson Oil” (RSO) or “Phoenix Tears” in 2001 – at first, to treat his own skin cancer, then later to supply to thousands of other patients free of charge. For this, he was convicted and forced to flee North America and live in exile in Croatia. It’s not an exaggeration to say that everyone who’s used Cannabis oil to treat their cancer in the past two decades owes Rick Simpson a debt of gratitude.phoenixtears.ca | @ricksimpsonoil

champs trade shows

CANNABIS INDUSTRY EVENTS

CHAMPS was the first trade show of its kind in the Cannabis industry, paving the way for modern-day events like Hall of Flowers (also mentioned on this list) and our very own Leaf Bowls! Since 1999, CHAMPS has been hosting annual trade shows in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Denver, Orlando and Chicago – bringing together some of the most innovative brands, manufacturers, distributors and artists in the space. champstradeshows.com @champstradeshows

EMILY EIZEN

ADOBE STOCK

THE IMPACT List

HIGHLIGHTING THE PEOPLE AND COMPANIES CHANGING THE CANNABIS LANDSCAPE

the emerald cup

GROUNDBREAKING CANNABIS EVENT

Nowadays referred to as the “Academy Awards of Cannabis,” the Emerald Cup started in 2004 as an underground sungrown Cannabis competition among the Emerald Triangle’s outlaw farmers. Run by founder Tim Blake and his daughter Taylor, the Emerald Cup has continued to set the standard for modern-day Cannabis competitions by enlisting the industry's top experts as judges, establishing terpene profile-based judging subcategories, and honoring sustainable farming practices and legacy cultivators. theemeraldcup.com | @theemeraldcup

ana willey OWNER | CAM

In 2018, Anna Willey moved her brand CAM from Colorado to California. Since then she's worked to cement the name and in 2022-23, she became the largest female Cannabis producer in the country when she activated a 2,000-light facility in Sacramento. In May, the company went multi-state by expanding into 30 Pharmacann stores in Colorado – where they first started. Her firm stance that price shouldn’t keep someone from access to quality is why the M in CAM still stands for Medicine. camdispensary.com | @camstr007

laganja estranja

ADVOCATE & ENTERTAINER

Laganja Estranja is a transgender advocate for Cannabis use and LGBTQ rights. As a professional choreographer and dancer, she believes Cannabis motivates and challenges your creativity. Since first gaining national attention as a contestant on “RuPaul's Drag Race” in 2014, she's gone on to have appearances on “Bong Appetit,” “Now This” and “Getting High with Doug.” She's also created education and outreach with her medicated dance classes, her World of Wonder show “Puff Puff Sessions,” and as co-host of the Twitch streaming series “Misters & Marys with Adam Ill.” laganjaestranja.com

last prisoner project

DRUG REFORM ACTIVISTS

The Last Prisoner Project was founded in 2019 by drug policy reform activist Steve DeAngelo, Cannabis entrepreneur Andrew DeAngelo, and music industry veteran Dean Raise. The organization was born out of the belief that no one should remain incarcerated for Cannabis offenses and focuses on three core criminal justice reform initiatives: release, record clearance and reentry support. LPP has given micro grants to over 300 constituents, matched over 80 with pro-bono attorneys through its Cannabis Justice Initiative, and been involved in freeing over 70 Cannabis prisoners nationwide. lastprisonerproject.org

@lastprisonerproject

jimi devine

JOURNALIST | FOUNDER, TRANS BAY CHALLENGE

Bringing both the hype and the heat via bylines in every major pot publication and weed website, journalist Jimi Devine has emerged as one of the most popular and prolific voices in marijuana media in the past several years. In addition to his editorial endeavors, Jimi is also the man behind one of Northern California’s hottest new happenings: the Trans Bay Challenge – a one-day connoisseur Cannabis competition/party launched in the fall of 2019 and designed to determine the best bud in the Bay. jimidevine.com | @thejimidevine

grassroots california

CLOTHING BRAND | DESIGNERS

When it comes to the headiest of hats, there’s no topping the team over at Grassroots California. Founded by former real estate financier Ryan "Ruga" Connolly in 2008 as a passion project born out of his love for music, fashion and weed, the Denver-headquartered company quickly became renowned for their high-quality, custom-embroidered ball cap designs – including countless celebrity collabs and limited artist editions. Today, what began as a mere backpack trap on the Venice Beach boardwalk is a multi-million-dollar streetwear brand in 300 stores worldwide. grassrootscalifornia.com | @grassrootscalifornia

@laganjaestranja

Ali Jamalian

OWNER, SUNSET CONNECT | CHAIRMAN, SAN FRANCISCO

CANNABIS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

Successful businessman, equity operator, Owner of Sunset Connect, Chairman of the San Francisco Cannabis Oversight Committee, and former plug for half of SF – these are all ways to describe Ali Jamalian. With 20+ years of experience, Ali is a rallying force for Bay Area Cannabis producers, dispensary owners and industry personalities alike. This year he helped gain national attention for the plight of Bay Area shop owners and dispensary workers who have seen a dangerous rise in armed robberies. sunsetconnect.co | @jahmillion415

cannabis media council

CANNABIS MEDIA/PR

Just formed in September 2022, the Cannabis Media Council is a nonprofit group comprised of an impressive roster of media, marketing and PR professionals from prominent publications, organizations and corporations whose mission is to foster a positive public perception towards Cannabis. Their inaugural campaign, entitled “I’m High Right Now,” targets older Americans with the message that contrary to the myths of harm, Cannabis can actually improve their daily lives. cannabismediacouncil.com | @cannabismediacouncil

NICK MALLOY

ALEXANDER FOSCHI

JON SAMS

THE IMPACT List

HIGHLIGHTING THE PEOPLE AND COMPANIES CHANGING THE CANNABIS LANDSCAPE montell williams

TALK SHOW HOST | CANNABIS ADVOCATE

Famous for his daytime talk show, Montel Williams gives a voice to Cannabis patients all over the country. After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999, doctors suggested Cannabis for pain in 2001. Williams has said it was the medicinal use of Cannabis, not traditional medications, that allowed him to continue the show until 2008. Since then, he's spoken on behalf of patients in front of state legislatures, created his own brand of products, and started the informational show "Let's Be Blunt." letsbebluntmontel.com | @montel_williams

origins council

CANNABIS ADVOCATES

In 2019, this Northern California-based nonprofit advocacy group was created to help promote legacy Cannabis farmers and the areas they live in. Key to their mission is establishing a nationally and internationally recognized map for regions that have a long history of producing Cannabis. They’ve developed partnerships in Massachusetts, Maine, Oregon and Vermont, as well as a regional council made up of six different counties in California. In 2023, they partnered with scientists, researchers and the Cannabis Equity Policy Council to launch a two-year study surrounding legacy Cannabis in California. originscouncil.org | @originscouncil

thc nyc

ART GALLERY

hall of flowers

CANNABIS B2B EVENT

Started in 2018, Hall of Flowers is a business-to-business event focused on presenting the latest offerings and innovations from the Cannabis industry. Over two days vendors present at their booths, interacting directly with dispensary purchasers and industry professionals, while the surrounding spaces are made into comfortable lounges to take meetings and sample products. In 2022, they opened up second-day attendance to budtenders. Since launching in Northern California, it's expanded to include shows in Las Vegas and Toronto.

hallofflowers.com | @hall_of_flowers

mary pryor

CO-FOUNDER, CANNACLUSIVE | OWNER, SHEBA BABY!

spannabis

INTERNATIONAL CANNABIS TRADE SHOW

The largest Cannabis gathering in Europe, Spannabis is held yea rly in the city of Barcelona. Twenty-five thousand people attended in 2023, traveling from over 50 different countries and uniting a worldwide passion for the plant. While the show has live music, food vend ors, on-site tattooing and tons of prize wheels, there are also hall s full of nutrient companies, accessory brands and seed vendors from around the globe. It's estimated this year's event had an over 8 million euro fiscal impact on the city. spannabis.es | @spannabisbcn

alice reis

FOUNDER & CEO | GIRLS IN GREEN COMUNICAÇÕES

Alice Reis is the Brazilian Founder and CEO of Girls in Green Comunicações, one-half of Wooksauce Winery, and Content Manager at Weedmaps. Reis brings a background and passion for psychology and harm reduction –“the biggest pillar of Girls In Green” – to the Cannabis space, all while casually crushing the concentrate scene from Cali to Spain. Her skills and perspective (from gardening to drug policy) have been gathered around the globe as one of a small group of women paddling and pressing their way to hash history. @aliiiiiice

@girlsingreen710 | @wooksaucewinery

The House of Cannabis is the first-ever immersive Cannabis experience and art gallery. It’s a multi-level, “transportive, multi-sensory journey” stretched out over 10 exhibits. In this revolutionary look at Cannabis, viewers can find a new perspective of the plant through exhibits like Kandid Kush’s “microverse” of macro photography, educational works about the War on Drugs, or even peruse the plants in a real indoor grow. Overall, the concept is a significant step for Cannabis art and the continued normalization of the plant. thcnyc.com | @thcnyc

Mary Pryor is a “multihyphenate” making waves in the digital strategy, marketing and business side of Cannabis and hemp. Her portfolio includes New York brands like Tricolla Farms and Tonic CBD, and her very own Sheba baby! brand. Pryor has poured years into making space for more all-around inclusivity in Cannabis – as a co-founder of Cannaclusive, she helped create a network for accountability, outreach and advocacy. InclusiveBase is a tool for “collaboration and communication” that allows the community to find Cannabis-related products and services through a categorized and searchable database.

@iammarypryor | @cannaclusive

The Hashish Inn

CANNABIS PODCAST

When it comes to community education and connection, social media and podcasts have become an invaluable tool. Shoragim Amir of The Hashish Inn has embraced this concept to create a unique community of hash heads looking to talk terps and techniques.

Episode One aired in 2019 featuring Oregon’s Pua Extractions and since then, the show has only continued to cater to some of the finest and freshest events, companies and individuals on the scene. It’s even picked up Rosin Evolution as a main sponsor, with others rolling in to support.

thehashishinn.com | @thehashishinn

THE IMPACT List

HIGHLIGHTING THE PEOPLE AND COMPANIES CHANGING THE CANNABIS LANDSCAPE

bubbleman

CREATOR, FRESH HEADIES LTD. | HASH CHURCH

After some time looking for a “safe, compact and portable trichome extraction kit,” Fresh Headies Ltd. was born. Here, Marcus Richardson made his name and mark in the world of water extraction with the invention of the “first three-bag multitasking filtration kit”

– earning him the name Bubbleman. In the early 2000s, Richardson and Skunkman Sam dreamed up an exclusive, invitation-only hash event spanning four countries and 21 years later, Legends of Hashish was born. In 2014, Richardson began building what would become a staple in concentration education and community building: Hash Church. The web series made it to its fourth iteration (“Hash Church 4.0”) after almost 10 years and has boasted experts from fields far and wide. @bcbubbleman

Mila "Hash Queen" Jansen

INVENTOR, THE POLLINATOR

This royalty of the revolution didn’t just pave a path for women in hash – she led the march in modernizing mechanical separation methods with her invention of the Pollinator in 1994 – a move that would take timely, traditional hash techniques into a new era of dry sift automation. Some even say Jansen jump started the beloved coffee shop culture Amsterdam is so famous for when her fashion studio-turned-teahouse started attracting an atmosphere of global ganja visitors sharing hash from far and wide over cups of tea. These days, she’s keeping her crown polished by producing more equipment for mechanical separation methods and organizing events like DabA-Doo. All hail the queen! pollinator.nl | @milahashqueen

humboldt seed company

SEED PRODUCERS

Humboldt Seed Company has produced regular, feminized and auto-flowering seeds since 2001, with origins in breeding for patients under California’s Prop. 215. Today, they’ve established themselves as the state’s largest seed provider, with a global reach spanning multiple U.S. states, Spain, Canada, Jamaica, South Africa, Colombia, France, Portugal, Greece, the UK, Malta and Thailand. The team also dedicates their time to making an impact in the world around them with endeavors like the Nature Rights Council, the company’s environmental nonprofit arm that’s led by Humboldt’s Indigenous youth. humboldtseedcompany.com @thehumboldtseedcompany

ellen komp

ADVOCATE & AUTHOR | DEPUTY DIRECTOR, CALIFORNIA NORML

Activist, author, advisor and all-around leader, Ellen Komp currently serves as the Deputy Director of California NORML. In the early ‘90s, Komp held rallies for hemp advocacy in LA that ran 20,000 strong. In the late ‘90s, she began her era as Deputy Director of Community Outreach and Communications at the Drug Policy Alliance. She’s authored articles in multiple major Cannabis publications and put out her own book, "Tokin' Women: A 4,000-Year Herstory.” Komp was even acting editor on the ninth edition of the legendary book, "The Emperor Wears No Clothes" by Jack Herer. canorml.org

mj bizcon CANNABIS BUSINESS EVENT

MJ BizCon is entering its twelfth year influencing the business side of Cannabis as the top industry trade show around the globe. It’s held annually at the Las Vegas Convention Center, so companies can flex their latest concepts and network with over 1,400 exhibitors, 100 speakers, and “more than 30,000 Cannabis executives from around the world.” It’s a place to make moves and stay up to date on the latest industry innovations, and an undeniably momentous mechanism for moving forward. mjzbizconference.com | @mjbizdaily

MIKE ROSATI

CEO NAT PENNINGTON

MARIA CAVALI

THE IMPACT List

HIGHLIGHTING THE PEOPLE AND COMPANIES CHANGING THE CANNABIS LANDSCAPE

woody harrelson ACTOR, ADVOCATE OWNER, THE WOODS

Few pro-Cannabis advocates have the star power of Woody Harrelson. Many of us remember when he first came out in the ‘90s as a pot smoker, alienating much of his weed-hating audience and cementing the fandom of the rest of us. In the years since, the Oscar-nominated actor has fought alongside small farmers in the Emerald Triangle, spoken out on the need for clemency for prisoners, and even entered the business space in 2022 with The Woods, his own dispensary and consumption lounge in West Hollywood. thewoodsweho.com | @woodyharrelson

you, the reader

Thank you, our beloved reader, for you are taking the time to educate yourself about the plant that we all love. You deserve credit for becoming an enlightened stoner, and hopefully you share the good news about our plant the way you share tasty strains from your favorite dispensary. We can change the world, one person and toke at a time, for as the Lorax said, "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.”

leafmagazines.com

greg james

FOUNDER | MARIJUANA VENTURE

From a career making big bucks in software, James found himself in Seattle with an idea to show the Cannabis industry a professional approach to doing business. Taking from his experiences in software, he launched Marijuana Venture to publish on the expanding business world of Cannabis, and started Interchange – an event which allows speed networking between brands and retailers in multiple states. marijuanaventure.com | @mjventure

dragonfly earth medicine

CANNABIS GROWING STANDARDS

The team at Dragonfly Earth Medicine long ago established their authority in the Canna-certificate scene. A “DEM Pure” commitment goes deeper than superficial certifications to examine a producer’s full practices – right down to their inputs, treatment of employees and pricing ethics. They offer a holistic approach to preserving the integrity of Cannabis medicine while acting as a steward of the earth. When you see a DEM Pure certification, you can rest easy knowing the producers have rallied around regenerative practices and earthbased formulas. DragonflyEarthMedicine.com | @dragonflyearthmedicine

honorable mentions cap 'n crunch

CEREAL AFICIONADO

This Merchant Marine of Marijuana secured his place in the Stoney Cereal Hall of Fame when he added Crunch Berries to the already phenomenal peanut butter bonanza.

the cannabis alliance

INDUSTRY GROUP

A trade organization with an eye on highlighting the best of Washington’s Cannabis community, and a focus on bettering policy through collective efforts – the Cannabis Alliance has worked for years to make the Washington industry a better place for businesses and consumers alike. thecannabisalliance.us | @thecannabisalliance

matthew mcconaughey as david wooderson in dazed and confused

FILM ICON This was potentially the turning point for all adolescents back in the day who discovered that even though possession could get you in trouble with Mom and the Fuzz, having a joint on hand when in the presence of an older, seasoned stoner would make you cooler.

elliot

lewis

FOUNDER & CEO | CATALYST CANNABIS

Elliot Lewis is the man behind one of California’s most prolific and fastest growing retail empires. He opened the first Catalyst location in 2017 in his hometown of Long Beach, Calif. – which is now up to 18 stores and counting. Much of Lewis’ notoriety comes from his outspoken approach to business ownership, his “bring-the-fight-to-their-door” mentality, relentless hustle and impassioned persona, earning him the reputation of a force to be reckoned with in the ever-evolving California market. catalyst-cannabis.com | @catalyst_ceo

COO & O-OWNER | THE GREEN JAR

A tireless advocate for the plant and legalization, Stuart is a single mom running two retail locations, while also finding time to serve on the Alaska Marijuana Control Board as an advisor and advocating for the Alaska Cannabis industry through AMIA. Her stores – the Green Jar locations – are also the official Intake Partner for the Alaska Leaf Bowl! thegreenjarak.com | @greenjar_ak

shaggy

STONER DETECTIVE

The biggest mystery of the machine was that he kept his stash in the dash. With his wake-and-bake regimen and Scooby gobbling down CBD snacks, there’s no wonder they were the ones catching the ghosts.

WAYNE MASER NATHAN AVILA

THE IMPACT List

HIGHLIGHTING THE PEOPLE AND COMPANIES CHANGING THE CANNABIS LANDSCAPE

dennis peron

MEDICAL CANNABIS ADVOCATE | (1946-2018)

Known as the “Father of Medical Marijuana,” Dennis Peron was a passionate advocate for the people and the plant. After experiencing Cannabis in Vietnam during his time in the Air Force, he decided to smuggle some back and begin a career. This legend led the way to medical legalization in California when he saw the benefits of Cannabis use surrounding him in a community coping with AIDS. It was his persistence in the early days of campaigning that pushed the 1996 Compassionate Use Act (also known as Prop 215) into fruition and with it, the nation’s very first public dispensary: the San Francisco Cannabis Buyers Club.

alaska marijuana industry association

PRESIDENT | LACY WILCOX

As President of the Alaska Marijuana Industry Association –a collective of Cannabis businesses that work together for the betterment of the industry – Wilcox works around the clock on everything from legislative or municipal changes in regulations, to running a network of canna-businesses that are unifying to better the industry as a whole. She’s also a partner at Top Hat Alaska, an award-winning CO2 processor. alaskamia.org thcalaska.com | @thcalaska

Doctors Knox

ENDOCANNABINOID SPECIALISTS

frenchy cannoli

HASH

INNOVATOR & ADVOCATE (1956-2021)

Frenchy Cannoli was born in Nice, France but left at a young age to explore the world. On the road to becoming a hashstorian and master hashishin, he lived nomadically from “Morocco to Mexico, to Nepal, Pakistan, and India,” taking in the historic hashish techniques of many cultures. Cannoli dedicated his life to teaching students from far and wide the philosophy of his craft. His workshops (“Lost Art of the Hashishin”), brand (Very Special Olde Press), videos, writings and presence on this earth left a mark on the minds and methods of many hash makers. @frenchycannoli

This family of doctors is a pioneering force in Endocannabinology. With a diverse background in medicine (including Emergency, Anesthesia, Family, Integrative and Preventive), the talented Dr. Rachel, Dr. Jessica, Dr. David and Dr. Janice have been breathing hope into the healthcare scene. The Knox Docs are knocking down barriers in healthcare with endeavors like Pivotal EDU and The Association for Cannabis Health and Equity Medicine – a brainchild of Drs. Janice, Jessica and Rachel Knox, alongside Dr. Ogadinma "Oga" Obie – aimed at “serving the needs of BIPOC healers and health and medical professionals in the advancement of health equity.” doctorsknox.com

rep. earl blumenauer

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, OREGON

Rep. Earl Blumenauer has been a force in plant politics since 1973 when he first voted in Oregon to decriminalize possession in small quantities. Since then, he has been stirring up and supporting movements like Cannabis research (The Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act), banking access (The SAFE Banking Act), veterans' access to Cannabis (The Veterans Equal Access Act), and much more. Recently, along with Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, Rep. Don Young and Rep. Jared Polis, the congressman announced his founding and co-chair position in the Congressional Cannabis Caucus – a bipartisan Cannabis workgroup focused on research, veteran access and Cannabis business needs. blumenauer.house.gov

DANIEL BERMAN

CARY NEWMAN

O'HARA SHIPE

HIGH SIGNS

Sign language brought medical marijuana growers Angela and Jared Panks together. Now, this creative couple

Cannabis community communicate.

FATE IS A CURIOUS THING … some people go their entire lives without ever truly finding their place in the world, while others are fortunate enough to have the universe show them a sign early on to point them in the direction of their destiny. Such seems to be the case with Jared Panks.

Jared grew up the son of a guerilla marijuana grower in southern Oregon – smoking by 13 and growing by 16. Besides weed, Jared’s other teenage hobby was playing hockey, which he learned by playing with several local adults, one of whom happened to be deaf. As the two that differed from the rest of the group, they formed a bond, and his new friend began teaching him some basic sign language. Little did he realize at the time how much learning the ASL alphabet would soon change the trajectory of his life – thanks to an unexpected encounter with a girl named Angela, who would eventually become his wife.

HEEDING THE SIGNS

Angela had quite a bit in common with Jared: She’d also grown up in southern Oregon, had started smoking weed around the

same age (sneaking joints at a hippie party in Keno near Klamath Falls), and also had family members who were guerilla growers – not only her dad, but uncle and grandfather as well. But there was one big difference between Angela and Jared (and, in fact, most of the other kids in their area) – Angela was born deaf.

As it happened, the two teens ended up in the same church youth group but never officially met until one fateful afternoon when the group went out wakeboarding and Angela started having trouble.

“I went in the water trying to wakeboard, and I was struggling, trying to get up,” Angela recalls. “People were trying to yell at me to tell me what to do, but I couldn’t hear them.”

Seeing her start to panic and realizing her situation, Jared instinctively sprang into action.

“I jumped out, swam over to her, and started finger spelling everything that she needed to do, trying to communicate for the first time while I was treading water,” he explains.

“Thanks to his help, I was able to get onto the board … and after that, I had a crush on him,” Angela confesses.

Since the two teenagers were in relationships with other people, nothing came of the encounter and they continued on separate paths – Angela later got married and had kids, while Jared studied to become a firefighter paramedic in Salem. But the experience in the lake never left him.

“It gave me a different perspective on life,” he reflects. “I remember praying, and God putting that image in my mind of being in the lake interpreting for Angela because she needed it. I started thinking about how useful it would be in emergency services, so that became my second language.”

Just two months into his classes, Jared used his knowledge to help paramedics save the life of the infant of a deaf couple who’d accidentally ingested heroin. He took it as another sign from above. “After that, I was like, ‘OK, I hear you, God.’”

LOVE CONNECTION

Fast forward to 2013: Angela was divorced and single for two years, and Jared was working for the forest service in California. Having never forgotten that girl in the lake, Jared

is developing their own new sign language specifically to help the

TONY SIMONELLI

“There's no sign language for regenerative farming or Cannabis or natural sciences. So we decided to build a foundation and create our own language."

HOW

TO SIGN

looked her up on Facebook and sent her a friend request.

“I wasn’t looking for a relationship. After my divorce, I didn’t trust anybody – I just wanted to be on my own,” explains Angela. “So when I got his friend request, I almost deleted it … but I thought he looked familiar, so I said ‘fuck it’ and I accepted it. As soon as I did, he sent me a message saying, ‘Do you remember me from back in the day?’ And I was like, ‘Oh yeah.’”

“I told her that I went to college and studied sign language and how she’d changed my life,” Jared says. “Then we FaceTimed, and as soon as we started talking again, she just fell in love with me right there.”

HOME GROWN OREGONICX

By this point, both of them had been separately working on Cannabis farms for several years: Jared, running his dad’s grow after his debilitating spinal surgery in 2006, and Angela helping at a farm as part of the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program since 2005. Eventually, Angela started a medical grow of her own on her one-acre property in Grants Pass — supplying Cannabis just to herself and her deaf friend Brandy at first, then later selling to local dispensaries. After the couple got together, they expanded their cultivation efforts, started driving to dispensaries all around the state together soliciting business, and building their own sustainable medical Cannabis brand: Home Grown ORegonicX. Sadly, that dream ended for them in 2015 with the passage of Measure 91, legalizing recreational adult use.

“Rec killed that opportunity for us,” Jared laments. “We were in 70 stores all over Oregon, and then they suddenly closed our access to sell legally to those stores. There’s no justice for the medical farmer.”

says Jared. “It’s about the need, and giving people opportunities to live a better life.”

“Deaf people come from all over the country to learn and do hands-on farming here because they want to learn, and they trust us,” Angela adds proudly.

DEAFINING CANNABIS

This caring couple now devotes their lives to educating deaf people about Cannabis and regenerative agriculture – not only on their farm, but online as well. In February 2020, they started a Facebook group for deaf growers called Deafining Cannabis where they answer questions, offer advice and post educational videos. It was this name and concept that they adopted for their latest and most impactful project yet: developing their own Cannabis-related signs.

“We’d go to different Cannabis events and we’d see that there were no interpreters, so I would interpret for Angela and our team,” Jared explains. “But we’d lose our train of thought since I had to fingerspell so many words because there were no signs for those words.”

its own name – one that’s more positive.”

To determine what that sign should be, they launched the “Three Words Project” – walking around at Cannabis events with a video camera asking prominent people in the Cannabis industry/community what three words best defined Cannabis for them.

“A lot of people would say community, love, inspiration, healing, mission – it was all about coming from the heart,” Angela says. “So when we were thinking of the word to appropriately represent the inspiration behind Cannabis, it’s a letter ‘C’ tracing the outline of your heart, because a lot of it comes from love.”

DEAFINING.ORG

“We wanted to do educational videos for our deaf community, but how can you when you don’t have language?” Angela asks. “There’s no sign language for regenerative farming or Cannabis or natural sciences. So we decided to build a foundation and create our own language.”

Without the ability to legally sell to dispensaries, they did the only thing they could do: scale down their grow (from 80 to 48, and now just 12 plants) and provide medicine only for themselves and their patients in the deaf community, even though it meant operating at a loss.

FB.COM/HOMEGROWNORX ANGELA IN THEIR GARDEN.

In developing their new sign language for our culture, they naturally started with the most obvious word: Cannabis. There were already two signs for marijuana in ASL, but both had derogatory drug connotations to them – so the Panks decided to come up with a better one.

The couple has since developed signs for sativa, indica, hybrid, terpenes, extract, cannabinoids, endocannabinoid system and mycelium, as well as starting a nonprofit and website – Deafining – planning to eventually use their many hours of footage to produce a documentary and educational video series. They also hope to someday revive their Cannabis business in the modern legal market using the new 60-acre plot they purchased five years ago, so they can once again provide their dank medicine to the masses. Unfortunately, though, all of these projects require funding – which has been in short supply lately.

“Money’s been a struggle,” Jared reiterates. “We’re making it work, but it’s crucial for us to find sponsorships and do some fundraising to help with it.”

“We’ve kept going and providing for our patients because it’s not about the money,”

“We really wanted to create a sign that represents Cannabis well – gives it its own identity,

SIGNING ON STAGE AT THE EMERALD CUP.

PLEASE VISIT LEAFMAGAZINES.COM FOR MORE SIGNING EXAMPLES AND VIDEOS OF THE DUO AT WORK.

HOW TO SIGN " TERPENES " 1 2 3 4 5 STORY

by BOBBY BLACK

WE ARE PREOCCUPIED WITH SEX. Since each of us first exited the womb, the genitalia has drawn our fascination by the irreversible magnetism that’s built into our DNA.

But as the system of indoctrination has been designed to control our natural urges through guilt and shame, there is still no proven method of turning off the salacious thoughts that occupy much of our attention – no matter how hard we try. Because like any animal with the propensity to propagate its lineage, the compulsion to unveil the object of our reproductive options hiding behind those undergarments is undeniable. And make no mistake about it, were we armed with the intensity of a dog or a bear’s ability to determine the signals of varying bodily scents, we would probably be sniffing each other’s backsides, too.

Thank God for perfume and cologne.

But then again, those are a creation for the modern age, as our innate senses seek to gauge one’s virility by taking stock of the current state of natural bacteria that we foolishly wash away and subsequently mask with these pheromones of other mammals.

They call this evolution.

Hence, the mind and body will negotiate, often subliminally, to direct our senses to determine what we favor the most based on our biological needs. Just as the nose knows when it dips into a jar of finely-cured Cannabis bud or a saucer of freshly-pressed rosin, the subconscious directs our senses to the favored terpenes to best stimulate the body’s endocannabinoid receptors. They are females, the givers of life, and their sensuous allure is only a different manifestation of what instinctively draws us to the loins…

We want to see the flowers in full blossom. It satisfies our voyeurism.

Because we are naughty.

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