HIGHLY LIKELY

Highly Likely highlights Cannabis pioneers who paved the way to greater herbal acceptance.

A Veteran and the CEO of Simply Pure, a Colorado based dispensary

12 ONE OF THE WORST WAYS THAT THE UNITED STATES HAS RESTRICTED THE CIVIL LIBERTIES OF ITS CITIZENS IS THROUGH THE FAILED AND SADISTIC OPERATION BEGUN BY RONALD REAGAN IN THE 1980S - AND CONTINUING THROUGH TODAY - KNOWN AS THE WAR ON DRUGS. Roughly 40 years after his official declaration in 1982, we know that the war on drugs isn’t just a war WANDA JAMES The subject of our column this month is Wanda James, the CEO of Simply Pure, a Colorado based dispensary and brand that prides itself on quality products and social justice. And James has a spectacular story. Along with her husband, Scott Durrah, James became the first Black American to >> on your ability to take liberties with your body and own and operate a Cannabis storefront, mind, but that it is also a racist war. That’s because the cultivation facility and an edible company. war on drugs has disproportionately affected people James is a former lieutenant in the leafnationmd.com of color since its inception. It is what has helped to create the privatized prison-industrial complex that has wrought pain and terror on our society. It is truly an evil thing, created and maintained by those in power, and it is high time that it is ended for good. US Navy, who also served on President Barack Obama’s 2008 National Finance Committee. After her brother was given a 10-year sentence for Cannabis possession, she became inspired to help After her brother was given a 10-year sentence for Cannabis possession, James became inspired to help right the wrongs of the United States’ failed drug war. right the wrongs of the United States’ failed drug war. She has also worked to get jail sentences commuted for people imprisoned for similar Cannabis related crimes. She has been an ambassador for the legalization of Cannabis ever since.

She’s highly regarded in the industry when it comes to intelligently thinking about operating a business in this burgeoning marketplace.

When asked by Cannabis Dispensary Magazine about whether the Cannabis industry instills the same sort of discipline and goal of serving the public interest as her time in the military and politics, James replied, “No, I don’t think that the industry instills it at all. I think that it’s really vital that you’ve got a good sense of values before you come into this industry, because this industry will rip and will tear at those - and will challenge you at every turn.”

Today, Wanda James continues to fight for equity and equality in the Cannabis industry. In June, she worked to get Colorado House Bill #1424 passed, which creates a social equity license. This allows someone who might not otherwise qualify for a business license to work with a mentor - an established business willing to be a partner and adviser - through the licensing and operational processes.

The bill signing ceremony by Colorado Governor Jared Polis was held at James’ Simply Pure dispensary, where James said it best: “Social Equity is about righting the wrongs of the drug war and giving diversity a strong foothold in the developing industry.”

Ed Holloway

maryland leaf budtender of the month

“I LOVE KNOWING THAT I’M PUTTING MY ENERGY TOWARD A BIG PICTURE I REALLY BELIEVE IN.”

CURALEAF REISTERSTOWN 11722 REISTERSTOWN RD, REISTERSTOWN, MD (443) 881-4782 | CURALEAF.COM | @CURALEAF.USA

HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE BIZ? Before I started working in Cannabis I was a massage therapist. I believe personal wellness is important and I’m committed to helping people live healthier, happier lives however I can. I’ve always been a huge advocate for Cannabis use, so when I saw there was an opportunity to work as a budtender at Curaleaf, I knew it’d be a perfect fit for me. I love interacting with our amazing patients, discussing the power of the plant and helping them on their personal health and wellness journeys.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD BUDTENDER? It’s important to understand the products and the forms of Cannabis that are available, so you can help steer patients toward their wellness goals. Remaining educated ourselves is very important, and we undergo a lot of training to be able to best guide our patients. In addition to believing in Cannabis’ endless potential, I also believe that a good budtender is a reflection of the good attributes found in their fellow budtenders. It takes a team to run any dispensary and I’m so blessed to have such an awesome group of souls to learn and grow with at Curaleaf.

HOW HAS CANNABIS MADE AN IMPACT ON YOUR LIFE? In addition to being used for its medicinal properties, Cannabis has a varied history as a spiritual herb. Once I understood the herb was sacred, the positive vibes sent me to an infinite high. I’d like to see a world where Cannabis is more widely accepted as something that can be used for medicinal, recreational and spiritual purposes because personally, it has impacted my life in all of those areas. In addition to providing medical relief, it has brought me to have insightful thoughts, meet beautiful new souls and discover incredible new places that I don’t think I would have otherwise. Working at a dispensary has allowed me to interact with and help patients from all walks of life, which has given me an incomparable sense of connectedness, happiness and fulfillment.

WHAT ARE YOU SMOKING RIGHT NOW? Personally, I love our flower because of its high quality, potency and flavor. At home right now I have Thin Mints special reserve flower and Skywalker OG flower from HMS - both hybrids - rolled up in my Big Bambu rolling papers.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BUDTENDING AT CURALEAF? I love knowing that I’m putting my energy toward a big picture I really believe in, and that I’m working alongside other compassionate dispensary associates who are equally committed to the wellbeing of our patient community. I enjoy interacting with and assisting our customers to help them figure out which method of medicating works for them, and opening them up to new methods of consuming Cannabis; the goal is to provide the tools and knowledge they need to take control of their experiences with confidence and ease.

WHERE DO YOU GO FOR NEW CANNABIS KNOWLEDGE? Other than the training and education we receive daily at the dispensary, I like to keep up with industry news on a national level, including legalization efforts and product innovation. The more I know, the better I can be at guiding our patients.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR INTERESTS AND HOBBIES? I enjoy spending time with my family. I have three sons - my eldest is 16 and I have two 11-year-old twins. I’m also really close to my brother, Dubbz, and we create music together. You can check us out on YouTube under Ap3x Music Productions.

Flower to the People.

Mindful medicine & compassionate care.

Locally-owned and operated, we at Kannavis are committed to helping educate and empower our patients to live healthier, fuller lives through cannabis. Visit us in Frederick, MD, conveniently-located just off I-270 (on-site parking available), and explore our extensive product selection with one-on-one guidance from the incredible Kannavis team—or try ordering online with the Weedmaps app!

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Must be 18+ years of age. Products are for use by qualified MD patients only.