STRAIN SPECIFIC. FULL SPECTRUM. BURSTING WITH FLAVOR.
Sunnies Live Resin Gummies are sourced from fan favorite strains like Snoop Dogg OG, Golden Pineapple, GMO Skywalker, Cherry Pie OG and Purple Punch. Each gummy features 10mg of THC, crafted in flavors designed to complement the expression of each individual strain.
Sustainably sourced and packaged.
Big Cork Vineyards
2022 Muscat Canelli paired with Fade Co.
Hash Burger Flower
by Wyatt
THE ENLIGHTENED VOICE
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
KAYL WOHL COPY EDITOR kayl@leafmagazines.com
ABOUT THE COVER
For our fifth consecutive year, we’re pushing the boundaries of societal norms by venturing into the kaleidoscope through plant medicine. This time, Denver, Colorado artist Randal Roberts blesses us with a different bend on "The Simpsons" animated show with a work that has become one of the most popular blotter art pieces of all time. “My work is the intersection of art and spirituality,” says the famed psychedelia artist. “And through blotter art, I’ve joined the ranks of the renegades.”
PHOTO BY GREG MALCOLM @MARYLAND.CONNOISSEUR
STYLING BY @ERRLYWYATT & @THESTONEDSOMMELIER
CONTRIBUTORS
BOBBY BLACK, FEATURES
JOSHUA BOULET, ILLUSTRATION
TERPODACTYL MEDIA, FEATURES + PHOTOS
MATT JACKSON, FEATURES
JESSE JOHNSON, FEATURES
ZACK JOHNSON, PHOTOS
REX HILSINGER, FEATURES + PHOTOS
GREG MALCOLM, PHOTOS
TAYLOR MARTIN, FEATURES
JESSE RAMIREZ, DESIGN
MIKE RICKER, FEATURES
SHANNON SWEENEY, FEATURES + PHOTOS
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, 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 Tannins & Terpenes Issue of Maryland Leaf! This issue celebrates the art of pairing Cannabis with wines, cocktails and nonalcoholic beverages, as nothing satisfies quite like a big hit and a fresh sip to wash it down.
Cottonmouth is a common occurrence after smoking or eating Cannabis, which is why we’ve sought out refreshing ways to quench the palate since our first T&T issue in 2010. Back then, people didn’t understand that Cannabis had different strains, flavor profiles and effects, so we highlighted this variety through wine pairings. Over the last decade-plus, we’ve expanded into a wide range of product combinations and pairings, from energy drinks and cartridges to smoothie beers and edibles.
Today, it is well known that Cannabis comes with a variety of flavors, effects and looks, and we celebrate the opportunity to pair local craft products together. While I recently celebrated 18 months of sobriety from alcohol, and firmly believe that Cannabis is safer than alcohol, I still find it both apropos and invigorating to pair the two together. Folks who choose to use Cannabis before cocktails will likely consume less booze, drink more water and have a lessened hangover experience from Cannabis’s neuroprotectant Cannabinoids. There is strong evidence that if choosing to consume alcohol, a low dose, one-to-one edible could be the secret to a hangover-free experience.
“CANNABIS IS TRULY THE ONLY DRUG THAT CAN BE CONSUMED DAILY WITHOUT FEAR OF TOXICITY OR OVERDOSE.”
Throughout my lifetime, I was told that weed causes cancer and hurts the brain’s ability to develop, only to see science and anecdotal patient testimonies prove time and again that the opposite is in fact true. Cannabis protects the brain, stabilizes our endocannabinoid system, which regulates many functions, including our immune system, and is patented by Big Pharma for anti-cancerous and anti-tumorigenic properties.
Meanwhile, the theory that a glass of wine a day is good for the heart has been disproven, and regulatory bodies now advise that adults limit themselves to one to two drinks per day (or less), with EU guidelines pushing for just two to three drinks per week. This is a far cry from the Americanized view of drinking, which pairs booze with every day of the week, with football on Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, and drinkers left to concoct their own reasoning, like Taco Tuesday (margaritas, duh).
But I see a time when our collective view of alcohol shifts to view it as a hard drug to be consumed sparingly and in times of celebration or difficulty, with the go-to daily sip being an infused Cannabis drink or CBD for those seeking more relaxation than intoxication. Cannabis is truly the only drug that can be consumed daily without fear of toxicity or overdose, with benefits that build over time as the endocannabinoid system improves in health.
With this in mind, please consider Cannabis for your 5 p.m. ritual or whenever the mood strikes you, and think twice before your next happy hour. Pouring out the Bud Light and smoking bud is not only safer, it’s probably cheaper in this inflationary economy.
Cannabis legalization comes with so many difficult questions, including whether cops, doctors, truck drivers and others with professional licenses should be able to use Cannabis off-duty. When viewed through the lens that Cannabis is safer than alcohol, it seems clear that we should prefer cops blowing off steam and PTSD via a plant-based medicine, as opposed to drinking to deal with the emotional stress of a dangerous and important job.
"This dispute stems from a wrongful termination suit filed by one of the cops fired for the use of Cannabis while off duty."
Attorney Michael Rubas is running for mayor and also accusing the current Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop of firing cops for using weed off-duty, in a “ruse done solely to bring attention to him and to assist his gubernatorial campaign to the detriment of Jersey City employees, as well as taxpayers who are now footing the bill of hundreds of thousands of dollars in back pay awards and attorney fees.”
This dispute stems from a wrongful termination suit filed by one of the cops fired for the use of Cannabis while off duty.
Several cops have been fired in Jersey City for testing positive for Cannabis during random drug screenings, using the conflict between federal law and firearm restrictions as justification for the firings.
In a twist unique to New Jersey, the 2021 law that legalized Cannabis allows cops to use Cannabis if they are not on duty, setting the table for a showdown between state and federal law.
Jersey City has lost its court cases against three cops to date, but the choice to not rehire them has come from the top, with the decisions causing a “little revolt,” according to an email sent by Mayor Fulop.
A spokesperson for the mayor, Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione, said in a statement that the suit is “silly” and that “most people would agree with the administration that police officers should not be coming to work stoned.”
As with all legal challenges to current standards and limits on Cannabis, this case could have national implications as it sets up a direct challenge between state and federal law.
18
The percentage drop in teenagers aged 12-17 who report having ever tried marijuana, between 2014 and 2023, according to the latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service.
77
The number of legal Cannabis retail stores in Vermont, which legalized in 2022, and now has reached $128 million in annual sales, more than $40m stronger than forecast.
1,500
The minimum distance in feet mandated between a gaming establishment and a legal Cannabis business under rules imposed by the Nevada legislature.
$ 2.2m
The number of illegal, unlicensed Cannabis products seized during a sting operation conduced in the Los Angeles Toy District last month in California at the behest of Governor Gavin Newsom and the Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce, which announced it has also recovered more than $120 million in illegal Cannabis since January 2024.
“THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S OVER-TAXATION OF CANNABIS COMPANIES IS NOT JUST STIFLING THEIR GROWTH; IT’S ALSO COSTING THE U.S. ECONOMY VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM AN INDUSTRY THAT IS READY TO THRIVE."
-Investor & wealth manager Ross Gerber, who will be speaking at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in October. Gerber has boldly come out against federal prohibition of Cannabis, claiming that it is hurting the overall U.S. economy during a time of economic uncertainty, and notes that laws criminalizing Cannabis are outdated and hurting more than just the Cannabis industry. Read more on our website at LeafMagazines.com
MIAHSAUNDERS
ARE YOU AN ANIMAL LOVER? Yes. I have two dogs, one is getting ready to turn 10, and the other just turned two. If I could have more if space permitted, I would have a whole farm. We bought our first house over a year ago, so we’re starting small but we’ll get there eventually. I would love to have flightless ducks, and on a bigger scale, I’d like to have a cow. My neighbors on either side have chickens, so I live vicariously through them for now.
TELL ME ABOUT BEING A CANNABIS PARENT. When my stepdaughter was younger, I could get away with stepping away for a few bong rips or to smoke a joint. The older and more observant she gets, I don’t really have the time for that. I keep it away until she’s in bed, and it has definitely made me more careful about where I store my weed. We ended up converting a night table from Goodwill into our storage spot, which she can’t access. Her father is also an avid Cannabis lover, and we often talk about how we will have to have a Cannabis conversation with her eventually. She’s in middle school now, and we know that we will give her the choice once she’s an adult. At the end of the day, I have to be her parent.
“THE STAFF AND THE PEOPLE I GET TO WORK WITH EVERY DAY KEEP ME IN THIS INDUSTRY.”
DO YOU GROW WEED OR VEGETABLES? I’ve always grown fruits and vegetables and attempted to do a homegrow a few times. I can yield a decent amount, but I’m spoiled by dispensary weed and can never get the same flavor on my own. It also takes a ton of time, patience and nurturing to grow Cannabis, which my current lifestyle doesn’t allow. It’s also an investment to get a nice tent setup, air filters and more. Currently, I feel like if I’m dropping $500 on something, I’d rather use that money on family time or home projects.
iah Saunders hails from Rappahannock, Virginia, where she says, “There are more cows than there are people.” Moving to Maryland in 2018 and entering the Cannabis industry in 2021, Miah fell in love with the industry while finding her place with a company that suits her. She joined the Curaleaf team in August of 2023 and has never looked back, owning a feeling of genuine excitement for coming to work every day. Stop in Curaleaf in Reisterstown and say hey to Miah the next time you’re passing through!
WHAT MAKES WORKING IN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY SO REWARDING? The people — and I know that sounds like a generic answer — but I started in this industry when it was just medical. I feel like the dynamic between patients and budtenders is so different from then to now. Being in the industry for a while and experiencing the passion myself and others have makes it feel like the island of misfit toys. The staff and the people I get to work with every day keep me in this industry.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE PATIENT OR CUSTOMER?
Ms. Deadre is a ray of light in every way. Every time we see her through the glass as she walks in, she dances and makes funny faces at us. She is so vocal about what products she loves and doesn’t love. Dealing with customer service for the last four years, I sometimes encounter challenging individuals, so to meet someone who is so light and happy is extremely rewarding. She’s an avid lover of the magazine and always makes sure we save her a copy.
THE NEWEST OF CULTA’S three locations in Maryland is the Columbia store, which puts a fresh face to Culta’s familiar name on the market here. One of their goals with opening this store was to connect with the community in Columbia and provide a service to the residents. They have the ability to cater to both medical and recreational customers with their informative staff and innovative product releases. Keep an eye out for hash rosin from Culta when it hits the market! >>
SETTING AND VIBE
Culta has a friendly vibe and an intimate setting. The clean layout and murals on the walls make it feel like a hometown dispensary with a classy aspect. Images of the indoor and outdoor Culta grow can be found hanging on the walls, giving the customers an inside look at where the products come from. The managers at this store have created an inclusive environment that everyone can feel comfortable walking into.
FLOWER
As you can imagine, the selection of flower from Culta’s grow is abundant here, but they really have a ton of options from every grower on the market. Culta is tapped into the community here and has no trouble keeping a vast selection of delicious, terpene- and THC-rich flower on its menu. The killer deals they offer on larger quantities of flower are just one of the reasons customers have continued to flock to this store.
CONCENTRATES
The vault at this store looked like Willy Wonka’s closet with all the flavors they had. From the fruitiest fruit strains to the gassiest gas strains, they had everything on the spectrum for concentrate connoisseurs. Now that’s not to say they don’t have entry-level concentrates like shatter or badder as well, which they certainly do. I was excited to see Temple Ball Hash on the menu; all my old-school hash smokers know just how good this product is.
EDIBLES
The only thing better than a huge selection of edibles is a staff that is passionate and willing to explain the different formulas to you. Culta’s staff is well-versed in the world of edibles, from classic THC chews to ratios containing CBG, CBD, THCV and many other cannabinoids. I found CBG has helped me with stomach issues that I was never able to find a quick fix for in the past. Get out there and try different cannabinoids, and you might just be surprised at what you can achieve.
“FROM
THE FRUITIEST FRUIT STRAINS TO THE GASSIEST GAS STRAINS THEY HAD EVERYTHING ON THE SPECTRUM FOR CONCENTRATE CONNOISSEURS.”
This strain crosses Colonel Chem with Grape Pie Wedding Crasher F2, for a blend of fruity and funky cheesy aromas. After smoking a joint of Colonel Crasher, I felt a deep relaxation in my mind, body and soul. This strain altered my mood in a way that had me excited to spend my day outside with a strong boost in productivity. The buds were nice and fluffy, in addition to being caked in trichomes from top to bottom.
REVIEW
CULTA COLONEL CRASHER
Settled into his home recording studio in Annapolis, Maryland, Benjamin Heemstra sits in a corner playing bright chords on a piano. As he plays, it’s clear how different this one is compared to the many others he has readily available to play. His piano is from 1922, a pre-World War II Steinway Vertegrand upright, which he acquired through Facebook Marketplace. “I name most of my instruments, and I’m a fan of alliteration, so
she’s Stella the Steinway,” he said with a passionate smile.
ben heemstra
BEN WORKS AS A FULL-TIME MUSICIAN, a job that has taken him all over Maryland and beyond. On top of trying to play at least six days a week in the evenings, the 34-year-old keeps himself occupied during the day by creating visual and audio content for himself and others in the area. He also utilizes his 30-plus years of playing and music education to teach lessons.
“I have ADHD, so I love that I have the diversity of different ways of making money, all music-related, but it’s different applications of music,” he said. “Sometimes days can be busy, but since I work for myself, I can do whatever I want.”
In high school, Ben played basketball for Severna Park High School before leaving the team in his senior year to pursue being a musician. He said it was around that time he began smoking Cannabis, but he didn’t smoke while on the basketball team due to concerns about its impact on his performance.
After high school, he was accepted into the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland before switching his major to music education in 2010. Following four years at UMD with no degree, he transferred to Anne Arundel Community College to get an associate’s degree in transfer studies with an intent to finish up at Towson University.
Ben left Towson after two semesters and began working odd jobs to support himself while playing music on the side. After feeling a personal shift to get out into the music scene and start working, he made the full-time switch to working musician in 2018.
“My best and worst quality about myself is if I’m not passionate about it, it’s going to be really hard for me to put forth effort into said thing,” he said.
Sporting a 6-foot-5-inches, 270-pound frame, Ben has long suffered from chronic back pain and sciatica, and when he went to get an X-ray to see what was wrong, his doctor refused. When he confessed to his doctor that he smoked weed and that it did alleviate his pain, she helped him get his medical Cannabis certification.
While at Anne Arundel, Ben moved back in with his parents and, for a time, smoked synthetic marijuana after getting caught with real Cannabis. He quit cold turkey and went back to smoking Cannabis when he moved out again in 2015.
that helps him stay focused during setup and take his mind off the temptation to smoke more throughout the night. He said that even with a pretty high tolerance, he reduces his dosage to 100mg to avoid overdoing it before playing.
CANNABIS FOR A BETTER LIFE
“I’m high-fiving my college self,” he said. “It’s cool that it’s come to the point where we’re not just talking about how sticky or purple it is, but we can talk about terpenes, the medicinal side of things.”
Ben said he enjoys Cannabis in a few different ways, like smoking flower and taking edibles, but he prefers smoking concentrates out of anything and leans toward more sativa-dominant strains.
“I’m a musician who gigs out. If I smoke indica stuff, I’d be in-dacouch,” he explained. “You’re just a part of the upholstery, and I can’t do that when I’m trying to entertain people and have a good time.”
When he’s playing longer gigs, however, Ben turns to RSO to help maintain a prolonged buzz
Ben recently celebrated the release of his debut album, “speak your mind.,” this past July. When making the record, he asked local musicians to contribute, much like how he puts together a live band for his cover gigs. With no real blueprint for what he wanted them to play, he would simply show them the song and encourage them to “add their own flavors.” With all of these different musicians contributing a piece of themselves to his art, Ben said he owes it to them to make sure their unique contributions are heard and to continue spreading the love between his collaborators and peers.
“My biggest fear for anybody is not finding that thing that makes you unique,” he said. “So when people find that thing, it’s almost like you start to get superpowers because that’s where you’re supposed to be.”
UNCORKING CHEMISTRY UNCORKING CHEMISTRY
The Parallels Between Wine & Cannabis
WINE AND CANNABIS , which are two of nature’s most controversial and celebrated creations, share a surprising number of chemical similarities. At first glance, these might seem like entirely different worlds — wine, with its centuries-old traditions, and Cannabis, with its new-age renaissance. However, a deeper dive into their chemistry reveals that they are more alike than one might think. From terpenes and flavonoids to anthocyanins and phenolic compounds, both wine and Cannabis are driven by the same molecules that shape their flavors, aromas, overall effect and experience. Let’s take a closer look.
Cherry Pie OG
(Granddaddy Purp x F1 Durban) from Sunmed Growers
Big Cork Vineyards in Rohrersville, MD
TERPENES | The Aromatic Architects
Terpenes are the unsung heroes in both wine and Cannabis, responsible for the aromatic profiles that make each wine or strain unique. These volatile organic compounds (VOCs) not only influence the scent and taste but also contribute to the effects and experiences associated with consumption.
In wine, terpenes like linalool, which offers floral and citrus notes, and geraniol, known for its rosy scent, play a crucial role in defining the bouquet of the wine. These compounds are essential in creating the distinct aromatic identity of each varietal, from the bright citrus of a Sauvignon Blanc to the complex florals of a Riesling.
Cannabis is also rich in terpenes, with myrcene, limonene and pinene being some of the most common. Myrcene imparts earthy, musky notes and is often associated with the sedative effects of certain strains. Limonene, on the other hand, provides a bright citrus aroma, which is linked to mood enhancement. Pinene, with its fresh piney scent, is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties. The combination of these terpenes in both wine and Cannabis creates the nuanced aromas and flavors that connoisseurs of both can appreciate.
FLAVONOIDS | Nature’s Wellness Boosters
Flavonoids are another class of compounds that wine and Cannabis have in common, contributing to color and potential health benefits. Quercetin, one of the most abundant flavonoids in both plants, is a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. In wine, quercetin not only contributes to bitterness and astringency but also enhances the wine’s overall stability and aging potential. It’s found in higher concentrations in red wines, where it works alongside tannins to create a robust and complex flavor profile. Cannabis also contains quercetin, which contributes to the plant’s antioxidant defenses during its growth stage and may have potential therapeutic benefits for consumers. This compound is part of what makes Cannabis such a versatile and potentially health-promoting plant, with effects that go beyond just its psychoactive components.
ANTHOCYANINS | The Colorful Chemists
Anthocyanins are the pigments responsible for the rich red, purple and blue hues found in many fruits and flowers, including wine grapes and Cannabis. In wine, anthocyanins are most prominent in red varieties, where they not only provide color but also contribute to the wine’s flavor and antioxidant properties. As wine ages, anthocyanins and tannins can undergo condensation reactions. These reactions contribute to the deepening and evolution of the wine’s color over time, as well as to the softening of tannins, leading to a smoother mouthfeel.
Similarly, in Cannabis, anthocyanins are responsible for the striking purple and pink colors seen in certain strains, especially under cooler growing conditions. While their role in Cannabis is less about taste and more about visual appeal, anthocyanins still contribute to the plant’s overall ability to tolerate environmental stressors.
THE INFLUENCE OF TERROIR
PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS | The Backbone of Complexity
Phenolic compounds, including tannins, resveratrol and lignans, are critical to the structure and complexity of both wine and Cannabis.
In wine, tannins are responsible for the astringency and mouthfeel, particularly in red wines. They bind to proteins and other compounds in the mouth, creating a dry sensation that is a hallmark of many red wines. Tannins also play a vital role in the aging process, allowing wines to develop more complex flavors over time.
Cannabis contains a variety of phenolic compounds as well, including tannins, which contribute to the plant’s bitterness and astringency. Resveratrol, famous for its presence in red wine, is also found in Cannabis, where it may offer similar antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. These compounds are part of what gives both wine and Cannabis their complexity and depth of flavor.
Terroir — the unique combination of soil, climate and geography that influences the growth of plants — is a concept deeply embedded in winemaking. The terroir of a vineyard can dramatically alter the flavor and aroma profile of the wine produced, with even small changes in soil composition or weather patterns leading to noticeable differences in the final product.
In outdoor Cannabis cultivation, terroir is becoming increasingly recognized as a significant factor in determining the quality and characteristics of the plant. Just as a vineyard in Western Maryland produces a wine distinct
from one in Southern California, Cannabis grown in different regions will exhibit unique traits influenced by local terroir.
The chemical parallels between wine and Cannabis are more than just a curiosity; they offer a deeper appreciation for the complexity and artistry involved in cultivating, processing and enjoying these products. Whether it’s the aromatic terpenes, health-promoting flavonoids or the influence of terroir, the connections between these two ancient plants are profound and multifaceted. So, the next time you sip a glass or sit down for your sesh, consider the shared chemistry that makes each experience so unique and enjoyable.
Cannabinoid testing at The Winery at Bull Run in Centreville, VA.
Shannon Sweeney checks out Brix sugar levels
Cabernet Franc grapes ripening up at Big Cork Vineyards.
introducing
ELEVATE YOUR CANNABIS EXPERIENCE
Experience Our Hand-Selected Cultivars, Curated for Those with Sophisticated Taste.
FEATURING EXCLUSIVE STRAINS
PERMANENT GAS (Sour Diesel x Permanent Marker)
UVA FUEL (Rocket Fuel x Dulce de Uva)
CULTA CONNOISSEUR COLLECTION EXCLUSI V E STRAIN
SIAM SOUFFLÉ (Pineapple Pez x Watermelon Zkittles x Soufflé)
Now available at any CULTA location or your local dispensary.
$9 Strane (2x.5g) P
Limited Availability - Strain Selecti
$30 ALL Strane (1/8
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$36 ALL (1g) Hellavated g
Limited Availability - Strain Selection Subject to Change
Limited Availability - Strain Selection Subject to Change
EXOTIC ELEVATIONS
THIS IS OUR FIRST DIVE into the world of Exotic Elevations with their potency-packed Lemon Apple Gelato live diamonds! Diamonds, the crystalline ver sion of raw THC, are a special treat for any dabber, offering top-shelf potency and delectable terp sauces for your palate to enjoy.
Lemon Apple GelatoLive Diamonds
THE LEMON APPLE GELATO LIVE DIAMONDS are a special treat for your end-of-summer days. What better way to send off another summer than with some tremendously potent and pure diamond dabs? Few better diamonds are on the market than the Lemon Apple Gelato, which is a testament to the fine team at Exotic Elevations. Diamond quality is most notably marked by the clarity and purity of the diamonds. As a product, it is primarily a concentration of THC in a crystal form, so the more potent and pure the crystal, the higher its quality. The Exotic
Elevations team produced gigantic, see-through, pure crystal diamonds that look more like they belong on a ring than in my dab rig! When used in the rig, they reveal additional layers of purity, showing a super clean and pure melt without any contaminants or impurities exposed by heat or other mechanisms.
But what is a diamond without its sauce? Well, the answer is simply a diamond. Some people enjoy adding a potent kick to their dab, but if you want the full flavor and terp-rich experience that Cannabis truly offers, you can mix your
diamonds with sauce, also known as terpene-rich distillate. In this case, the Exotic Elevations team selected an exceptional cultivar and extracted its diamonds and sauce for a complete sensory package ready for the headiest among us.
A Limonene-dominant profile puts this dab firmly in the fruity category, with nuances that provide a truly delectable experience.
Lemon Apple Gelato Live Diamonds by Exotic Elevations are the perfect way to wrap up a long, hot summer with outstanding flavor and high potency!
All together now.
1g & 2g All-In-One Vapes NOW IN MARYLAND
Fan-favorite strains team up with discreet and convenient hardware that’s sure to be a winner for your routine.
Available in Indica, Sativa, and Hybrid.
S I H
PINEAPPLE
CULTIVATED BY
MODERN FLOWER
A cross between the classic Pineapple Trainwreck and Cookie Monster, Pineapple Upside Down Cake encapsulates some of the best terpene batches of each genetic lineage. The magic of blending different genetics can vary greatly; sometimes it’s a hit, and other times, it’s extraordinary. In the case of Pineapple Upside Down Cake, it combines the fruity, sweet and smooth nature of the Pineapple Trainwreck with the cakey, doughiness of the Cookie Monster, expressed in the most harmonious way.
The buds are a delicate grassland green, sparkled with luscious trichomes and long red calyxes, truly one of the prettier flowers to come out of a dispensary bag. The flower’s beautiful quality is a testament to both the breeders and growers at Modern Flower.
We always appreciate a meticulous team that takes the time to produce show-quality flower that tastes great and smokes well, and Modern Flower consistently hits this mark. Their Pineapple Upside Down Cake is a great example of the team’s precise craftsmanship and represents one of those fruitier hybrid highs that tends to sneak up on you.
Reading about this genetic, you might expect some typical sativa-like effects. Indeed, its fruity essence, packed with effervescent limonene notes, might also suggest an energizing appeal. However, a closer examination of the terpenes and a quick couple of tokes is enough to reveal the creeping couch-lock this tantalizing flower delivers.
What starts as a limonene-rich, delicious toke finishes with a smooth, slow-creeping myrcene and caryophyllene high that brings in some sedation and fogginess — but in the best kind of way.
For those of you with needs that lead you to the heavier side of the spectrum, Modern Flower’s Pineapple Upside Down Cake is definitely a cultivar to consider!
DOWN CAKE
"A GREAT EXAMPLE OF THE TEAM’S PRECISE CRAFTSMANSHIP AND REPRESENTS ONE OF THOSE FRUITIER HYBRID HIGHS THAT TENDS TO SNEAK UP ON YOU."
T r i l o g y P M E l
L A T E N I G H T Your D E S T I N A T I O N
C i t y , M D storewide DEAL daily! open till 10:30pm!
i c
FOR THIS YEAR'S TANNINS AND TERPENES SPECIAL, Wyatt Early and Shannon Sweeney teamed up to bring you hyper-localized pairings that everyone in Maryland can enjoy. Whether you indulge in beer and wine or stick to nonalcoholic beverages and even baked goods, this special has a pairing everyone can get down with. Each and every pairing was done with heavy consideration for Maryland's Cannabis products and local businesses that you can feel good about supporting. Thank you for picking up this copy of Maryland Leaf!
TANNINS Cushwa Brewing Co.
Trust Fund Hippie IPA
Cushwa Brewing Company is a brewery and taproom located along the C&O Canal in Williamsport, MD. There is also a second location in Columbia. Its mantra is simple: Exceptional Beer. Positive Impact. Respect. Trust Fund Hippie is a New England hazy IPA brewed with Citra, Simcoe and Amarillo hops. Both hops and Cannabis belong to the Cannabaceae family, which explains their shared characteristics. This hop blend imparts resinous, bitter aromas that can resemble Cannabis due to its high levels of the terpene β -myrcene. Unlike traditional IPAs, which are often bitter and clear, hazy IPAs offer a softer mouthfeel and a smooth finish. The Citra hops in this brew add layers of pineapple, mango and citrus flavors. cushwabrewingco.com | @cushwabrewingco
TERPENES
Beezle Extracts
Lemon G Diamonds & Sauce
This is one of those strains that reminds me why I love Cannabis so much, due to its expressive fragrance and flavor. When the lid comes off, the entire room fills with a sour, citrusy scent reminiscent of lemon Pledge. On the exhale, the fragrance blasts my tastebuds with sour lemon terps that remind me of a lemon-flavored Warhead candy. 84.97% Total Cannabinoids and 8.51% Total Terpenes | beezlebrands.com | @beezlebrands_md
THE PAIRING
These two are a match made in heaven. Blending the smooth mouthfeel of the beer with the transcendent citrusy notes going on in both the hash and the beverage creates a symphony of flavor. They settle each other out while complementing in every way, from the smell of both entering your nostrils to the flavor that combines on your palate.
TANNINS
Big Cork Vineyards
2022 Muscat Canelli
Big Cork Vineyards is a testament to the art of winemaking, nestled on 100 rolling acres of fertile land in Washington County, Maryland. As an estategrown vineyard and tasting room, Big Cork cultivates 18 varieties, producing over 25 unique wines under the expert guidance of winemaker Dave Collins. Among these is the Muscat Canelli, a variety from one of the oldest and most widely planted grape families in the world, which thrives particularly well in Maryland’s terroir. Known for its intense floral notes, Muscat Canelli is rich in the terpene linalool, also found in lavender and certain Cannabis strains.
One of the unique aspects of this wine is its production process. Muscat Canelli grapes are harvested with a naturally high sugar content, or Brix. During production, Dave allows the fermentation to continue until the wine becomes completely dry. As the yeast consumes the sugar, it releases alcohol, so the higher the Brix, the longer the fermentation. This extended fermentation process ultimately determines the wine’s residual sugar and ABV. The result is a wine that captures mouthwatering aromas and flavor characteristics of a Muscat yet finishes with an unexpectedly crisp and dry profile. bigcorkvineyards.com @bigcorkvineyards
TERPENES
Fade Co. Hash Burger Flower
Fade Co.’s Hash Burger is a cross between Han Solo Hash Plant and Double Burger. For those who appreciate the depth of a Hash Plant landrace, this strain delivers. The buds are well-sized and perfectly cured, a consistent hallmark of Fade Co.’s flower. While the terpene content is just under 1%, don’t let that fool you; this strain’s flavonoids do the heavy lifting. The aroma is a blend of sweet and earthy notes, while the flavor profile surprises with pungent citrus and woody undertones. thefadecompany.com @fadecoofficial | 27.37% Total Cannabinoids | .9% Total Terpenes
THE PAIRING
Pairing Hash Burger with a wine that complements rather than overwhelms its subtle flavor profile was essential. Bold reds were ruled out immediately due to their strong tannic presence. Instead, the 2022 Muscat Canelli from Big Cork was the perfect choice. As I sip the wine, its pseudo-sweet aroma mingles with the linalool in the flower, drawing out delicate notes of melon and stone fruits. The contrast between the crisp, light fruitiness of the wine and the earthy, robust characteristics of the Hash Burger creates a balanced and refined experience that would appeal to both connoisseurs and novices alike.
THE PAIRING
The kombucha, with its refreshing ratio of sweet to bitter to bubbly, compounds nicely with the terpene-rich profile of the Papaya Melonz to create a sensory experience. The β -myrcene and limonene in the budder amplify the Citra hops used to brew the kombucha, creating a unique flavor combo that lingers on the taste buds. I found this pairing to be very relaxing on both the body and mind.
TANNINS
Wild Bay Watermelon Hops Kombucha
Wild Bay Kombucha isn’t just another kombucha brand; it’s a story of community and sustainability. Launched in February 2015 by three friends in a small corner of a Baltimore juice shop, Wild Bay has expanded rapidly. Now, you’ll find its kombucha on the shelves of over 700 grocery stores, cafes, bars and restaurants — including Whole Foods Market. Its mission goes far beyond making kombucha; it’s dedicated to nurturing a healthy community and protecting the environment, with a strong commitment to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. The Watermelon Hops Kombucha combines the sweetness of watermelon with the bitterness of Citra hops, finishing with a very light effervescence. It’s the perfect nonalcoholic toast to bid farewell to summer, offering a unique flavor profile that stands out in the crowded kombucha market. wildbaykombucha.com @wildbaykombucha
TERPENES
Nature’s Heritage Papaya Melonz Live Budder
Papaya Melonz is a mouthwatering cross between OZ Melon and Papaya strains. In my experience, anything bred with Original Z presents a noticeable artificial berry and sugary citrus aroma. It was oddly reminiscent of those sugar-coated, fruit-shaped candies, or perhaps even dehydrated sweetened mangoes — a likely combination of the β-myrcene and limonene dominant in this strain. The texture of the budder is ideal: smooth and scoopable without being overly saucy, even with total terpenes over 10%. When smoked, the flavor shifts to highlight the peppery notes of the Papaya, providing a satisfying body high. The packaging deserves a special mention as well. It’s rare to find something that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional, but Nature’s Heritage has achieved just that, delivering a product that is as visually appealing as it is effective. naturesheritagecannabis.com @naturesheritage_ 83.93% Total Cannabinoids 10.33% Total Terpenes
STANDARD GUMMIES
Onset Time: 45 minutes - 1 hour
Effect Duration: 5-6 Hours
Flavors: Blue Raspberry (Indica), Green Apple (Hybrid), Guava Passionfruit (Sativa), Watermelon (Hybrid)
Vent Coffee Roasters is a local company located in the Union Collective on West 41st Street in Baltimore. We really wanted to dial in the local pairings for this issue without compromising the integrity of the blend, and Vent allowed us to do just that. The most notable flavors and aromas from this coffee are stone fruit and peach tea with a light body and medium acidity. Island vibes can be felt when drinking this coffee, making the name ideal for the best time to drink it — during the summer. ventcoffee.com | @ventcoffeeroasters
TERPENES RYTHM
Frozen Margarita Flower
As far as fragrance and flavor are concerned, this strain is perfectly named, bringing out strong aromas and tastes of sweet and fruity frozen beverages. It’s worth noting that the aroma is complex, with back-end notes of diesel and limonene in the mix. At nearly 1% limonene, it’s surprising that this flavor doesn’t dominate the profile more, but the mix of terpenes feels perfectly balanced. rythm.com | @rythm_official 24.35% Total Cannabinoids 3.25% Total Terpenes
THE PAIRING
Both coffee and Cannabis can produce a happy and sociable feeling, and blending the two did just that for me. The fruity flavors and aromas in the coffee and the Cannabis churn together, creating an extremely enjoyable mouthfeel. From a high perspective, the coffee gave me clean energy without making me feel racy, and the Cannabis gave me a creative euphoria that benefited from a little uptick of energy from the coffee.
Tiesta Tea Black Thai Tropical Mango Citrus
Black Tea
The Black Thai Tropical tea is a standout blend that merges bold black tea with dried apple, orange and papaya chunks for a vibrant, fruity experience. Black teas are known for their higher caffeine and tannin levels, contributing to their robust flavor and pronounced astringency compared to green or white teas. The tropical citrus notes introduce limonene, enhancing the tea’s complexity. Enjoy it hot or cold! tiestatea.com
@tiestatea
TERPENES
Curio Wedding Cake Live Rosin
Curio Wellness enters the loose concentrate market with a product everyone in the Maryland market has come to love: live hash rosin. The smell and flavor of this jar are sweet, fruity and highly aromatic. On the exhale, I sensed strong notes of baked goods, like a freshly baked blueberry pie. curiowellness.com
@curiowellnessbrand
84.5% Total Cannabinoids
8.11% Total Terpenes
THE PAIRING
The tea’s fruitiness accompanies the slight fruitiness of the hash rosin while balancing out the baked-good, cologne-like fragrance and flavor. The caffeine content of the tea, paired with the sedating effects of the rosin, created a blend that left my mind and body feeling a clean, levelheaded high. Tea and hash rosin fall into the same category for me in terms of the serene feeling they provide, making this a pairing that came easily to us.
TANNINS Charlottetown Farm
Cherry Goat Cheese Cheesecake
This uniquely crafted cheesecake is locally made in Monkton, Maryland, providing a new experience for cheesecake lovers. The slight bitterness of the goat cheese blends with the sweetness of the cheesecake and cherries to take the senses on a rollercoaster. I have not always been a huge fan of goat cheese, but I can rarely make it home before eating the entire slice with my hands. It comes in several varieties, including mixed berries, caramel, chocolate, and my favorite, the cherry, which is loaded with tannins. Find it daily at Hidden Waters Farm in Pikesville. charlottetownfarm.com | @charlottetownfarm
TERPENES SunMed Growers
Cherry Pie
True to its name, this strain emits strong scents of sweet cherries and baked goods. On the exhale, the sweet, berry-like flavor continues and is accompanied by some gassiness. It seems that SunMed has really nailed this strain down and dialed in the genetics, making it a wonderful representation of their growing skills. sunmedgrowers.com @sunmed.growers
29.68% Total Cannabinoids
2.46% Total Terpenes
THE PAIRING
Sweet tooth lovers will flock to this pairing, initially smoking this sweet and delicious flower before getting the munchies and diving into the cheesecake. I smoked a joint while eating the cheesecake, and the cherry flavors were bouncing off of each other and divulging flavors onto my palate that blended in perfect harmony. The bitterness of the goat cheese also mixed nicely with the gassy backend of the flower, rounding out this pairing in a perfect sensory compilation.
Fire Bros. Apple Banana Candy
Max Caswell
Max Caswell has a simple mantra: “To be or not to be…” To be means putting his heart and soul into a design that represents function and form. Not to be would mean succumbing to trends and sublimating what works
for other artists.
MAX, a native of Tennessee, started his journey in borosilicate art in 2015 in the renowned glass art hub of Bellingham, Washington. Interning and mixing with some of the greatest artists in the world, he was able to hone his craft rapidly. In 2017, Max continued his journey by teaming up with Hamm in Eugene, Oregon, where borosilicate glass art thrives.
From there, Max further solidified his skills while working with arguably the premier functional scientific glass artist of our current culture, Hamm Glassworks. You can see in his designs, current and past, that he strives for a level of perfection that challenges all. This set was designed to celebrate the pairing of bourbon, Cannabis and this year’s Tannins and Terpenes issue.
THE PAIRING
While it is considered one of the true American spirits, bourbon must meet certain standards to bear the title.
This much sought-after spirit must have a mash distilled from a minimum of 51% corn and aged in charred new oak barrels.
A high percentage of corn and the vanillin compounds extracted from the charred oak during aging tend to give bourbon notes of caramel, vanilla, dried fruit and spice. These tannins and terpenes are what Fire Bros. took into serious consideration when they matched these amazing profiles with their Apple Banana Candy strain.
This strain is a great yielder with a pungent smell that sticks to everything it touches. Sweet notes of honeysuckle flowers mixed with dense notes of hibiscus hit first.
Once you consume this magical flower, the old-school hints of Diesel and Northern Lights are unmistakable.
The effects come on almost immediately!
The warning, “Do not operate motorized vehicles,” was written for this class of Cannabis.
Sit back and enjoy the flavors, and the exceptional high, and maybe pair it with your favorite bourbon.
@Maxxswell | 1000ml Decanter, 12.5” tall, $2,500
Titan of Terps
When it comes to Cannabis industry bona fides, Trichome Technologies founder Kenneth “K” Morrow’s resume is as impressive as they come. Over the past three decades, he’s developed sophisticated grow systems and hash-making techniques and bred numerous award-winning cultivars that have graced the covers, centerfolds and calendars of High Times and the many other Cannabis publications around the world that he’s contributed to. High Times even ranked his garden number one in their top grow rooms of all time in June 1999. But perhaps his most historic accomplishment is becoming the first person on record to extract and isolate terpenes from Cannabis.
A 13-year-old Kenny posing incognito with his Hydro Pot plant.
SEEDS OF SUCCESS
Ken Morrow spent his entire youth around agriculture: first, growing up in Napa Valley, where his parents taught him how to garden; then later in Winters, where he worked at agricultural packing plants. So it’s no surprise that, after first trying marijuana at age 11, his thoughts almost immediately turned to cultivation.
“My friend Richie and I would smoke in his car in front of his house, and every time we’d clean the weed, we’d throw the seeds out the window,” he reminisces. “Well, one of those seeds sprouted in his front yard, and I asked him if I could have it.”
Predictably, the plant died, but Morrow’s lifelong fascination with Cannabis was born. He started reading High Times cover to cover every month, and in 1977, he ordered an all-in-one grow kit called the Hydro Pot from one of the magazine’s ads.
“It was basically a busboy tray with a lava rock, a fish aquarium aerator and a little bit of Miracle-Gro,” he recalls. “That’s the only hydroponic system I ever purchased — I hand-built all of them after that.”
CULTIVATION CAREER
Over the next two decades, Morrow continued to develop his cultivation skills, teaching himself to build complex hydroponic and aeroponic systems despite having no training in horticulture. However, he made up for his lack of formal education through the friendships he forged with the community’s most respected luminaries, including Robert Connell Clarke, Skunkman Sam, Mel Frank, Jorge Cervantes and Ed Rosenthal. And thanks to family connections in the Emerald Triangle, he also gained access to a wealth of rare landraces and heirloom genetics. Eventually, his hard work paid off: With Rosenthal’s help, Morrow’s plants and gardens were soon gracing HT’s pages — including covers and centerfolds — on a regular basis. Of course, growing was still highly illegal back then, so to protect his identity, he was referred to in print as “K.”
TRICHOME TECHNOLOGIES
Morrow wanted to be known as more than a mere letter, though — he wanted to be a brand. So, in 1994, he conceptualized his own Cannabis research and development company called Trichome Technologies. Under Trichome Tech, he continued experimenting with various cultivation techniques and bred over 200 different varietals, including award-winning strains like Ultraviolet (aka Purple Kush) and G-13. After the passage of Prop 215 in 1996, K became a top supplier for the new dispensaries emerging in the Bay Area, such as Berkeley Patients Group and Patient ID Center. That same year, through his friendship with Rosenthal, K had the remarkable distinction of becoming the first Cannabis grower ever interviewed (albeit in shadow with his voice altered) on “60 Minutes” as part of Morley Safer’s marijuana segment “American Enterprise” (which also featured the 1995 Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam).
Trichome Technologies founder Ken “K” Morrow.
HASHING IT OUT
In addition to growing and breeding, Morrow also delved heavily into hash making — using his abundance of trim and shake to make water hash using the technique outlined in Skunkman’s infamous “Sadu Sam’s Secret” pamphlet (see our July 2024 issue). Morrow quickly built on that basic technique: upscaling it to a 32-gallon drum and cooling it using a titanium chiller and producing “ice hash” as early as 1995 (years before the Ice-O-Lator or Bubble Bags). As proof of this claim, Morrow notes that in 1997, he became the second grower ever (Mel Frank being the first) to have their flower and hashish tested at the nation’s only government-sanctioned Cannabis lab at the University of Mississippi — one sample of which was his water hash, which tested at 68% THC.
In April 2000, K penned his first article for HT entitled “Trichome Technologies’ Guide to Making Hash,” in which he outlined his at-home methods for making handrubbed, dry sieve and ice hash — marking the first time that the water hash method was published in the mag. That same year, he also wrote the first article ever published on butane hash extraction in Red Eye Magazine, wherein he detailed the method of “open blasting” using PVC pipe. Of course, he quickly developed methods to upscale that process significantly, producing large quantities of BHO nearly a decade before the dab revolution hit the mainstream Cannabis community. It was these efforts that would soon lead to his most monumental discovery.
TAPPING THE TERPS
In 1996, K had the remarkable distinction of being the first cannabis grower ever interviewed by Morley Safer on “60 Minutes.”
“I went to eliminate the captured moisture, which was in the form of ice, and when I melted the ice with hot water, I was hit in the face with the aromatics of Cannabis terpenes,” he says. “I thought, ‘Wow — obviously I shouldn’t be flushing this down the sink!’”
Thus, in 2012, he became the first person to extract and isolate terpenes from Cannabis. K began collecting the ice between runs and putting it all into graduated cylinders, where it would then melt and separate into a thin layer of purified essence oil atop the water. To maximize his terpene output, K started extracting from fresh plant material rather than dried — at least a year before Colorado concentrate makers Giddyup and Kind Bill came up with their first live resin.
Morrow wanted to get his liquid terpenes (aka “separate”) tested to find out exactly what he had, but the few Cannabis labs around at the time didn’t have the capabilities to do a complete analysis. So K contacted Rick Doblin at MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies), who recommended he call Dr. Paul Daley, Sasha Shulgin’s research assistant. Dr. Daley, in turn, invited him to Shulgin’s chemistry lab in Lafayette, California — aka “The Farm.”
In his quest to produce cleaner concentrates, K did some research and learned that he could better expel his solvents by utilizing a vacuum drying oven, then purchased one from Chinese laboratory equipment manufacturer Across International. The oven worked great at purging the ethanol and water, but there was a problem: the water that evaporated during the process kept contaminating the vacuum pump, causing him to waste valuable pump oil. K needed a way to prevent condensation from getting into the pump; luckily, Across recommended an accessory called a cold trap separator designed for that very purpose. After ordering and installing the device (and some other parts recommended by their technician), he saw excellent results — it captured all of the moisture, thus preserving the integrity of his oil. But while emptying the trap, he made an unexpected discovery.
“I went to The Farm, and I was there with [Sasha] and Paul Daley … just the three of us doing some of the very first GCMS [gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer] and HPLC [high-performance liquid chromatography] quantification and testing of my separate,” he remembers fondly. The result? Over 100 different terpenes, only half of which they could even identify — more terpenes than had ever been recorded before.
PATENTS & POSERS
K knew he’d stumbled into something big, so rather than write an article to share his new technique as he had in the past, he decided instead to protect his discovery by patenting his methodology.
“My first thought was to teach myself how to write and file a patent application,” he says. “But patents are very expensive, so I also had to get investors and lawyers.”
Filed in 2017, his patent has since been granted in Europe, Canada and Mexico but is still pending in America — held up by a slow, costly bureaucracy and a less-than-cooperative examiner. In the meantime, other companies have since entered the market selling isolated terpenes at exorbitant prices — isolates that Morrow claims don’t even come close to the purity and potency achieved by his low-temperature extraction method.
“I separate the terpenes in liquid form with no heat applied, as opposed to the others, which are steam distillates or hydrocarbon extracts,” he explains. “So the resulting isolate is a superior essence oil of pure terpenes as opposed to a syrupy essential oil that’s a mixture of both cannabinoids and terpenes.”
To clarify, if you’re doing a CO2 or hydrocarbon extraction, you inevitably accidentally reclaim some of those terpenes when you purge the solvent back out of the concentrate. And with steam distillation — where water vapor is percolated through the plant material — the resulting extraction is a “hydrosol,” which contains mostly the water-soluble aspects of the plant’s essence. It’s these hydrosols that producers were allegedly selling as “pure terpenes.”
“[Customers] thought all they were getting was terpenes when it wasn’t,” he says. “Yes, it contains terpenes, but in minimal percentages — the majority of a hydrosol is water. So to be selling hydrosols for $10 a drop is disingenuous.”
Morrow was so indignant about this practice that in August 2018, he wrote an article for HT entitled “The Great Terpene Swindle,” breaking down the different extraction methods and exposing the truth about the Cannabis terpene industry.
RECENT PROJECTS
In 2016, Morrow released his first book, the highly acclaimed “Marijuana Horticulture Fundamentals.” Last fall, he filed more terpene-related patents and is currently working on developing equipment to separate cannabinoids and terpenes from biomass on a commercial scale, cementing his status as one of the most respected and sought-after Cannabis consultants in the world and a true titan of terps.
For more Cannabis history content, and to listen to our Cannthropology podcast, please visit worldofcannabis.museum/cannthropology.
K being interviewed by Morley Safer on “60 Minutes.”
Counterculture chemist Sasha Shulgin checking out K’s terps at The Farm (2012).
K’s isolated terpenes.
One of K’s gardens on the cover of High Times (Sept. 2006 issue).
THERE’S ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with being nice. Because niceness is something that is severely lacking in today’s self-gratification society. Back around the 1950s, the postman knew every household member by name, and the milkman was a friendly gentleman with a white smile and straight hat. These iconic staples represented the bright American standard that exemplified a high regard for your fellow countryman.
Business deals were ensured with a firm handshake.
Pleasantries shared in that idyllic time were sweet and simple, epitomizing small-town ideals and reinforcing a sense of pride in being the war winners of the world. The greater collective understood that the classic depiction of the Norman Rockwell archetype — be it a boy fishing with his dog or the president caught in a moment of prayer — was what to strive for. Simplicity equated to contentment in the post-WWII era, and conformity was sold as the key to success.
So, what happened?
Well, things changed. Quite dramatically, in fact. Now, too much niceness leads to suspicion. And when received genuinely from a stranger in proximity, the apathydar gets territorial and the creepdar begins to peak.
But what’s so scary about being super friendly? Why do we apply a negative label to the spirited man who offers unsolicited waves simply for a reciprocated smile?
In essence, there really is nothing to fear. We’ve just been manipulated by the controlled narrative to live in terror.
