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N O RT H W E S T L E A F / O R EG O N L E A F / A L AS KA L E A F / M A RY L A N D L E A F / CA L I F O R N I A L E A F / N O RT H E AS T L E A F
A B O U T T H E C OV E R
Odds are if you’ve been around Maryland’s Cannabis scene, you have met Daniel Simmonds of Georgetown Hemp. From pioneering his brand to helping write proposed legislation surrounding Cannabis, Daniel’s roots are deep in the Cannabis industry as an insider. This photoshoot took place in the processing lab where his formulations are made in Baltimore, surrounded by top-tier lab equipment. Photographer Greg Malcolm, otherwise known as Maryland Connoisseur was able to truly capture Daniel in his element doing what he loves most. The passion that these guys share for the Cannabis industry proves to be an inspiration to many.
PHOTO by GREG MALCOLM @MARYLAND.CONNOISSEUR
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CONTRIBUTORS
WES ABNEY | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
BOBBY BLACK, FEATURES JOSHUA BOULET, ILLUSTRATION TOM BOWERS, FEATURES MAX EARLY, FEATURES EARLY, PRODUCTION STEVE ELLIOTT, NATIONAL NEWS GREG MALCOLM, PHOTOS TAYLOR MARTIN, FEATURES BAXSEN PAINE, FEATURES JEFF PORTERFIELD, DESIGN MIKE RICKER, FEATURES MEGHAN RIDLEY, EDITING MIKE ROTHMAN, LAW COLUMN CHARLES TAGGART, PHOTOS JAMIE VICTOR, DESIGN JULIO VISUALS, PHOTOS
WES@LEAFMAGAZINES.COM
PUBLISHER EARLY
EARLY@LEAFMAGAZINES.COM
CREATIVE DIRECTOR DANIEL BERMAN | VISUALS & DESIGN
DANIEL@LEAFMAGAZINES.COM
STATE DIRECTOR WYATT EARLY | AD SALES
WYATT@LEAFMAGAZINES.COM 410-961-8779
We are creators of targeted, independent Cannabis journalism. Please email us to discuss advertising in the next issue of Maryland Leaf Magazine. We do not sell stories or coverage. We can offer design services and guidance on promoting your company’s medicinal, 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 Insider Issue of the Leaf! AS OUR Northeast Leaf Director Danny Danko recently tweeted, “I’ve been in the ‘Cannabis Space’ so long that when I got started, the ‘Cannabis Space’ was just a part of your home you didn’t talk about.” While the beloved Mr. Danko started in Cannabis long before I did, I still remember that same feeling in 2010 – where working in the weed industry was less a talking point than a risk factor, and even working in publishing for pot was taboo.
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Fast forward to today and society is starting to get used to the idea of Cannabis as an industry with legitimate jobs, which allows us the chance to peel back the layers and highlight some of “WE SHOULD the insiders who are making the Cannabis industry a better NEVER TAKE place to be. With this issue we hope to show that the world of OUR FREEDOM Cannabis is much more than just “stoners growing weed” and FOR GRANTED, OR ASSUME offer a unique perspective on companies large and small that THAT THOSE are doing it right.
ON THE INSIDE
ARE ROLLING As those of us on the inside know, working in the Cannabis IN MONEY OR industry is often harder than taking a mainstream gig. I’ve LIVING THE met plenty of ex-professionals, and I don’t mean athletes, who SWEET LIFE.” left careers as lawyers, nurses, managers, executives and beyond for a chance to follow their passion. Most would say that they work much harder for less money and stability, but the thing they all have in common is their continued commitment to the plant. Those working in the industry, especially the entrepreneurs and heritage members, have risked everything to make sure we have the opportunity to go to a store and buy a pre-roll. With that said, we should never take our freedom for granted, or assume that those on the inside are rolling in money or living the sweet life. While there are many influencers on social media who would portray working in weed as a Hollywood dream, the Cannabis industry is really full of dedicated, resilient and strong-willed people who would again risk their freedom or security to defend a plant that helps so many lives. People who work hard, stay late … all to have a chance to work with our plant. And that’s the way we like it – and what it means to really be an insider in our beloved Cannabis community.
-Wes Abney ocT. 2021
