THE ENLIGHTENED VOICE
# 2 5 | J A N . 2021
THE FUTURE ISSUE / where the Cannabis industry is growing /
F R E E / L E A F N AT I O N M D . C O M
INDEPENDENT CANNABIS JOURNALISM SINCE 2010
GROWN.
Our greenhouse expansion is all grown out. Tripling in size to 250,000 sq.ft., our state-of-the-art, “Dutch-style” greenhouse is ready to deliver the natural sun-grown medicine Maryland’s patients deserve.
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THE FUTURE ISSUE
DNA GENETICS
feature
leafnationmd.com
Releaf Shop Baltimore
22
Evermore Cannabis Company
WYATT EARLY
20
[
gear guide
grow tour
WYATT EARLY
shop review
Iconic Cannabis breeders “D” and “A” on what drives their continued evolution.
The Dab Rite and more of our favorite high-tech tools.
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30 The Ganjier Program Leaf Nation’s Tom Bowers dives deep into the Ganjier Program which provides master class expert training on all things Cannabis, but getting into the exclusive program is no easy feat.
photos by ganjier
jan. 2021
7 EDITOR’S NOTE 8 N AT I O N A L N E W S 10 J O I N T / C O U N T E R J O I N T 12 M A R I J U A N A M O M E N T 14 B U D T E N D E R Q & A 16 PAT I E N T P R O F I L E 20 R E L E A F S H O P B A LT I M O R E 22 E V E R M O R E C A N N A B I S C O M PA N Y 24 S T R A I N O F T H E M O N T H 26 D N A G E N E T I C S 28 H I G H E R E D U C AT I O N 30 G A N J I E R T R A I N I N G 32 T H E D A B R I T E 34 T H E B E L L O 36 T H E R E F L U X 38 C O N C E N T R AT E O F T H E M O N T H 40 M A X C A S W E L L G L A S S A R T 42 C A N N T H R O P O L O G Y 46 S T O N E Y B A L O N E Y READ & SHARE THE FULL DIGITAL EDITION AND SEE ONLINE EXCLUSIVE FEATURES ON OUR NEW WEBSITE! >> LEAFMAGAZINES.COM ISSUU.COM/NWLEAF
///////// story by tom bowers
MORGAN DEMETER
28 DNA Genetics
14
profile
BRIGID AYER
budtender of the month
Kannavis’ Ron Lewis on helping patients.
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#25
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JANUARY 2021
issue
It's a bright new year at Curaleaf Maryland!
2021 BRINGS MORE EASE AND EXCITEMENT TO YOUR CURALEAF CANNABIS EXPERIENCE, INCLUDING: • New 24-Hour Ordering • Our new Clinical Director • New Specials for 2021
• HUGE flower deals every week • An even greater selection of your favorite brands • Continued curbside pickup—available every day!
We’re also thrilled to announce our recent hire of a new Clinical Director, Dr. Travis Poonai, who comes to us with over 15 years experience! Whether you're a long-time patient or you're just beginning your cannabis journey, it's never been easier to experience cannabis with confidence at Curaleaf MD. Find your closest dispensary at curaleaf.com/locations#maryland
curaleaf.com @curaleaf.usa Orders placed after store closing must be picked up the following business day. Must be 18 years or older to view content. Medical cannabis is for certified patient use only. Consumption of medical cannabis may impair your ability to drive a car or operate machinery. Please use extreme caution. There may be health risk associated with cannabis use, especially during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Accidental consumption of cannabis by children or animals may result in severe adverse reactions. Keep cannabis out of the reach of children and animals.
Warm winter wishes. Bring wellness into your world in 2021. Our warm, caring staff will introduce you to medical cannabis products that can help you feel your best. Stop by and discover all we have instore for you. • Fresh flower, pure concentrates, state-of-the-art vapes and gourmet edibles • Sincere staff who will listen carefully before making suggestions • Pure, high quality products all at the right price Visit soon and see what’s new at True Wellness.
ABERDEEN 226 S. Philadelphia Blvd. Aberdeen, MD 21001 410-306-6099
LAUREL 14703 Baltimore Ave., Suite B Laurel, MD 20707 240-360-2616
mdtruewellness.com Medical cannabis is for use only by a qualifying patient.
Cozy up with Nature’s Medicines Welcome 2021 with cannabis products that will elevate your spirit and well-being. They’re waiting for you at Nature’s Medicines. Partake of all we have to offer: • An epic selection of fresh flower, concentrates, vapes, edibles and accessories • Insightful staff ready to help and answer your questions • Everyday low prices on pure, tested high-quality products Make wellness your priority this year. We’ll show you how.
ELLICOTT CITY 10169 Baltimore National Pike Ellicott City, MD 21042 (410) 988-6004
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E S TA B L I S H E D 2 0 1 0
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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 For The Future Issue and the first edition of the new year, we knew we needed a beautiful and iconic image to grace the cover. In came Leaf Contributor Danny Danko with a true ‘lightbulb moment,’ and a brilliant idea. The fantastic concept was fully realized in the hands of the talented Portland, Oregon photographer Nicolle Clemetson, and Creative Director Daniel Berman, working from Seattle. Utilizing a MAC 2 clone from Tao Gardens, real dirt, and an 18-inch tall lightbulb lamp, the Leaf team was able to craft the perfect message for our future: glowing bright, and built all around Cannabis. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION by NICOLLE CLEMETSON @NICOLLECLEMETSON CLONE by TAO GARDENS @TAOGARDENS
FOUNDER
CONTRIBUTORS
WES ABNEY | EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
WES ABNEY, REVIEWS BRIGID AYER, PHOTOS BOBBY BLACK, FEATURES JOSHUA BOULET, ILLUSTRATION TOM BOWERS, FEATURES NICOLLE CLEMETSON, PHOTOS MORGAN DEMETER, PHOTOS EARLY, PRODUCTION MAX EARLY, FEATURES STEVE ELLIOTT, NATIONAL NEWS TAYLOR MARTIN, FEATURES BAXSEN PAINE, FEATURES PRAWEEN PERERA, PHOTOS JEFF PORTERFIELD, DESIGN MIKE RICKER, FEATURES MEGHAN RIDLEY, EDITING MIKE ROTHMAN, LAW COLUMN JAMIE VICTOR, ILLUSTRATION DAN VINKOVETSKY, FEATURES NATE WILLIAMS, REVIEWS
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WES
ABNEY
Editor’s Note 2021 is here, and while we may not have flying cars or world peace, Cannabis and psychedelic plants are a lot more accessible around the country – a trend sure to change our lives.
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THE FUTURE has always been a funny concept to me, in the sense that every moment that we share is the collective “future.” Which means we have been living in the future our entire lives, as it rolls out one second at a time. So predicting the future is akin to looking at where we’ve come from and where we are, by taking stock of reality. It’s not a nebulous concept like the ‘50s version of 2020 (hint, there was no pandemic), but an understanding of what’s next. After the dumpster fire year we just had, it’s understandable if the thought of the future is a little cringe-worthy, but I for one am feeling very optimistic for what’s next. America has a new President-elect, vaccines are being distributed globally, and voters have overwhelmingly swung towards social justice and drug war reform around America. Five new states voted to add legal or medicinal Cannabis in 2021, and Oregon decriminalized all drugs in a policy about-face that could be a shining example for the entire world. By removing criminal penalties for minor drug possession, Oregon defacto “defunded” the police and the criminal justice system from targeting non-violent drug users, choosing to direct those funds towards rehabilitation and social services. This is change in action – in part funded by Cannabis tax dollars – that will save lives and treat drug users and addicts as people to help, not lock up.
THIS IS THE FUTURE WE WANT TO LIVE IN: ONE WHERE THE POLICIES AND POLITICS OF THE PAST ARE BEING REPLACED...
This is the future we want to live in: One where the policies and politics of the past are being replaced by a desire for the collective good of the people. Which is why I’m not surprised to see plant-based medicine at the forefront of this conversation. It’s pretty hard to be a ‘Moscow’ Mitch McConnell level dick when you take regular bong hits and the occasional psychedelic reset, which he obviously isn’t doing. But with Washington D.C. even voting to decriminalize psilocybin, could it be heroic dose time in the Capital? Something tells me ‘Mushroom’ Mitch would put people before partisan politics... All joking aside, my point is that as America wakes up – and wakes and bakes more often – we are starting to see ourselves more as humans and less as stereotypes or political categories. We all have the same wants, needs and desires – which makes it high time for us to vote and live like we all deserve a comfortable life, with the freedom to pursue happiness however we find it. This is why the future looks so bright from our perspective, and why we brought to life the concept from Danny Danko of a Cannabis plant growing in a lightbulb. As more and more lightbulbs illuminate around the world, I truly believe we are going to see a future in which we can all vibe and thrive. I hope you enjoy our Future Issue of the Leaf – and as always, thank you for reading!
-Wes Abney JAN. 2021
NATIONAL NEWS
northwest
THE SOUTH
TAINTED VAPES RECALLED IN OREGON AS REGULATORS EYE WIDER BAN
LOUISIANA RELEASES MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR $20 WORTH OF CANNABIS
O
regon Cannabis consumers are being advised to avoid legal vapes labeled with ingredients like “natural flavor” until at least April 2021, reports Leafly. The “natural flavor” could be skin moisturizer made from shark liver oil, also known as squalane. Burning it can reportedly result in lung damage. The Oregon Liquor Control Board in December moved to ban the cosmetics ingredients squalane and squalene, as well as a few more, from entering the legal Cannabis vape market and users’ lungs. The ban would be immediate. It would be Oregon’s first big change in regulations since vaping-associated lung injuries killed 60 people and injured 2,711 more across the nation in the fall of 2019. That series of incidents exposed critical gaps in Oregon’s vape consumer safety rules.
northwest
POT TESTING LAB SELLS FAKE POTENCY RESULTS
O 8
ne Washington Cannabis testing lab has had its license suspended after it was found to have falsified testing results and then tried to destroy evidence of the crime, according to the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board, reports The Olympian. Praxis Laboratory of Centralia, Wash., lied about THC levels in “LABELING CANNABIS WITH Cannabis in 1,200 samples of marijuana, according to a news release from FALSELY HIGH THC POTENCY the WSLCB. The lab labeled the products as having more THC than was LEVELS IS A FORM OF CONSUMER DECEPTION AND IS PROHIBITED actually present, the agency said. UNDER WASHINGTON LAW,” THE “Labeling Cannabis with falsely high THC potency levels is a form of PRESS RELEASE SAID. consumer deception and is prohibited under Washington law,” the release said. “Because of this, Cannabis users seeking more pronounced psychoactive results may choose to buy levels with higher levels of THC.” Praxis was quick to clap back at the agency. “We are extremely disappointed in the agency’s obscene behavior,” Praxis told McClatchy News. “We would like to thank the LCB for attempting a death sentence on a small local business employing approximately 20 local people right before the holidays, during a recession ... not to mention a pandemic. This is a clear-cut case of agency overreach and libel, and we will be pursuing legal action immediately and have already started the appeal process in the interim.” The agency suspended the lab’s certification for 180 days. After that time period is up, it “will seek permanent revocation of the ‘marijuana laboratory’ certification due to fraud and the subsequent investigation obstruction,” according to the LCB release.
EAST COAST
F
ate Winslow has been released from Angola State Prison in Louisiana after serving 12 years for $20 worth of marijuana. Winslow, 53, said reuniting with his four children and three grandchildren — who thought they’d never see him again as a free man — is the most important thing to him. “A life sentence for two bags of weed? I never thought something like that could happen,” Winslow said. Winslow was re-sentenced to time served after Innocence Project New Orleans Director and Lead Attorney, Jee Park, successfully appealed the case based on grounds of ineffective assistance of counsel.
“A LIFE SENTENCE FOR TWO BAGS OF WEED? I NEVER THOUGHT SOMETHING LIKE THAT COULD HAPPEN,” WINSLOW SAID.
THE WORLD
U.N. RECLASSIFIES CANNABIS AS A LESS DANGEROUS DRUG
A
United Nations commission voted in December to remove medicinal Cannabis from a category of the world’s most dangerous drugs, reports The New York Times. The move is a highly anticipated and long-delayed one that could clear the way for expanded medical marijuana research and use. The vote, by the U.N. Commission for Narcotic Drugs, removed Cannabis from Schedule IV of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. It was listed there alongside dangerous and highly addictive substances like heroin. The vote won’t have an immediate impact on loosening international controls, because governments will still enforce their own prohibitions on Cannabis. But many countries are influenced by global conventions, and the U.N. recognition is a big symbolic win for advocates.
MARYLAND DISPENSARY LAUNCHES MEDICAL MARIJUANA DRIVE-THRU
leafnationmd.com
B
uying medical Cannabis just got easier in Abington, Maryland. Rev Canna, a dispensary in the town, launched a drive-thru lane in December to help protect patients, caregivers, and staff from the COVID virus and make shopping easier, reports The Daily Record. The process, according to the shop, is a lot like picking up prescriptions at the pharmacy drive-thru window. Patients can order their products ahead of time through the Rev Canna website, then simply pull into the drive-thru once they’ve made their selections, according to the dispensary.
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years behind bars was the amount of time served by Richard DeLisi before his early release.
jan. 2021
50
dollars is the price of hand-rolled joints in hip hop star Jay Z’s new line of products.
90
years was the sentence being served by Richard DeLisi before his early release in December 2020.
100
medical marijuana dispensaries were open in Pennsylvania as of December.
450 3,100 30k
pounds of Cannabis was seized at the Canadian border by officials in Michigan.
Cannabis plants were seized by the Olympia Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team.
pounds of medical marijuana has been sold in AR dispos since opening May 2019.
By STEVE ELLIOTT, AUTHOR OF THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK OF MARIJUANA
Cannabis Medical Dispensary
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JOINT/COUNTERJOINT
PERSPECTIVES
THE TOPIC THIS MONTH, THE LEAF DEBATES...FEDERAL LEGALIZATION
JOINT BY TOM BOWERS Counterjoint? Are you with Joint or alization is leg l era fed nk Do you thi are we in or just over the horizon, ting for figh of ade dec for another rjoint freedom? #JointCointe
It’s easy to be pessimistic about the state of federalized Cannabis, when we came of age in a time when even saying the word “bong” in a head shop would get you kicked out for fear of the owners landing in murky water.
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But let me spell out exactly why decriminalization – if not a complete and abrupt end to prohibition – is due before 2025: Look at the outcome of the 2020 election cycle. As an opener, you have President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Even if it gets shot down in the Kamala Harris, who eschewed their Senate, that certainly doesn’t feel like previous unfriendly Cannabis stances a “wait and see” attitude. for progressive decriminalization and You may say that this will come expungement rhetoric, which they’ll down to states’ rights, but I don’t behave to live up to in order to reenerlieve that means that the federal govgize the voter base for a reelection ernment will extend prohibition and bid in 2024. leave the states to choose. That’s just That’s not even the big typeface on bad business, especially the marquee. For that, when there are billions look to conservative upon billions of dollars strongholds Arizona and You may say that in tax revenue – not to South Dakota – both this will come down mention millions of jobs – joined New Jersey and to states’ rights, waiting in the wings for a Montana in voting for but I don’t believe that means that the population staring down full legalization starting federal government the barrel of an unprecein 2021. Add to that will extend prohibition the fact that Missisand leave the states to dented economic crisis. I believe it’s more sippi voted to legalize choose. likely that the federal medical Cannabis, government will legalize and tax, and Oregon voted to decriminalize all leave it up to the states to choose drugs and Washington D.C. voted to whether or not they want to contindecriminalize psilocybin, and what ue with prohibition. That’s how the we have sure looks a whole lot like U.S. alcohol industry ended up as a boulder-sized snowball picking up a patchwork of states and counties momentum. with differing laws after the passage You might say that a sea change in of the 21st Amendment putting an the attitudes of the voting population end to Prohibition. There may be dry doesn’t necessarily telegraph a bold, counties here and there, and maybe sweeping action on the horizon. But even a lagging state or two, but there look at the MORE Act – the legislaare too many positives for the leaders tion calling for decriminalization and in Washington D.C. to hold out any expungement brought before the longer. They’re going to open the House of Representatives – introfloodgates and leave it to the individduced by a bipartisan coalition and ual communities to choose to reject passing by an overwhelming majority the resulting windfall. last November.
leafnationmd.com
‘‘
jan. 2021
Our entire criminal justice system needs a reset, from how we treat non-violent offenses and drug addiction to the heinous three strikes system that President-elect Joe Biden helped orchestrate – and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris used to prosecute and ruin countless lives. That same criminal justice system lets killer cops walk free, hands out lesser penalties for sex offenders than drug users, and prioritizes COUNTERJOINT BY WES ABNEY the locking away of lives instead of rehabilitating Our government banks on keeping and empowering those caught in the snare of justice Cannabis (and drugs) illegal. Smoke a to return to society as better adjusted people. joint? Land in the joint – that has been Our tax codes also punish “legal” Cannabis our reality for the last 50 years of the war on drugs, and I don’t see that magically businesses in states that have regulated systems, ending anytime soon. denying businesses their ability to write off general While I personally hope this is not the expenses – which will net the Feds billions in revecase, and will be very pleasantly surprised nue this decade – while allowing them to continue to if I am wrong, I believe it push the war on drugs forward. is going to take the entire If this is making your stomach decade to get Cannabis sour at the thought of corruption, Our entire criminal legalized across our country. that’s the feeling of knowing somejustice system needs a It all comes down to one one has been arrested for pot in the reset, from how we treat simple concept: Having your time it took you to read this opinion. non-violent offenses and cake and eating it too – which Simply put, our country has drug addiction to the is exactly what our federal, heinous three strikes massive flaws in how we view system that Presistate and local governments crime, punishment, taxation, states dent-elect Joe Biden get to do every time they rights, and the ability of Americans helped orchestrate. collect tax dollars from to pursue happiness and freedom Cannabis – while simultaneously receiving as our Founding Fathers directed. And while many funding for law enforcement and the criminal of these problems could be solved by our country justice system to continue the war on drugs. smoking a joint and choosing to put humanity before The drug war has funded the growth and mass media talking points, the ‘America Gets Baked militarization of our police, created private Sesh’ is still a ways out. We have 100 years of prisons with guaranteed capacity contracts regressive policies and damage to undo from the that are subsidized by taxpayer money if war on drugs, and it can’t be fixed by waving a magic quotas aren’t met, and continues to be a tool wand of legalization. of the largely racist system that oppresses America needs to look inward, to see the cancer and arrests BIPOC individuals at much higher that has rotted our police forces, prosecutors and rates than whites for petty drug crimes. politicians, and commit to a plant-based healing And there are a lot of cops, politicians and regimen to heal the rot. But I think it’s going to take unenlightened Americans who support these more than an establishment president, or Oregon policies, just as they supported an openly decriminalizing all drugs, for our country to wake up racist president who attacked everything from and realize that Cannabis is safer than the laws that our environment to our sense of decency. regulate it.
‘‘
A DEBATE by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS & WES ABNEY @BEARDEDLORAX/LEAF NATION
Cannabis LAW
Marijuana Moment
Why Marylanders are embracing Cannabis
leafnationmd.com
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ACCORDING TO A JAN. 2020 POLL, 57 PERCENT OF ALL MARYLANDERS SUPPORT LEGALIZING MARIJUANA FOR RECREATIONAL USE, AS DO 76 PERCENT OF MARYLANDERS UNDER 50.
G
iven this broad mandate for marijuana legalization across the state, one might believe that this is the year that adult-use, recreational marijuana legislation finally passes here in Maryland. But political realities are once again intruding on the best laid plans of Maryland legislators, as legislative priorities become shaped by the current events driving the day. During the 2019 legislative session, leaders of the Maryland General Assembly created a legislative working group to study how to best implement the legalization of marijuana. Due to safety and health concerns created by the coronavirus, however, Maryland legislators voted to end this year’s session early. Ultimately, the Working Group made no legislative recommendations for the 2020 legislative session. Delegate Kathleen M. Dumais, a co-chair of the Marijuana Working Group, is concerned that pressing legislative priorities such as the constitutional mandate to pass a budget, COVID relief packages, eviction foreclosures, funding for programs, and police accountability measures just might take up all the General Assembly’s time during Maryland’s 90-day legislative session. She is also concerned that the 2021 legislative session will be shortened again, further limiting what can get done. “So, the message that is coming from House and Senate leadership is to introduce whatever bills you want, and every bill will get a hearing, as it always does,” said Dumais. “But there will be a limited number of bills that actually pass this year. And if it’s controversial and there is not a consensus on it, it may not get through this year.”
Dumais acknowledged that the roll-out of medical Cannabis here in Maryland did not go very well a couple of years ago, and she expressed concern about how Maryland could create a diverse Cannabis legalization program with equity and fairness for everyone. “Whether we keep medical and recreational separate or not, there are still questions that we have not completely grappled with yet [as a legislature]. And I don’t know if there will be the bandwidth to do it this session.” Nevertheless, nearly one year later, the world has changed dramatically. The pandemic has ravaged the country. Economic realities have left many Maryland residents without employment. Police reform has become unavoidable. And just last month, the nation participated in a highly divisive election where every Cannabis measure on the ballot across the United States passed with bipartisan support. With the passage of these initiatives, one-third of the United States population now live in jurisdictions that have legalized Cannabis for adult use, and 70% of all states have embraced Cannabis for medical use. To top it all off, just last week the United States Congress passed the MORE Act [Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act of 2019] by a wide majority (228-164). While this act has no chance of passing in the Senate and becoming law this year, it does represent the first time in nearly 50 years that the House has taken up legislation to remove “marihuana and tetrahydrocannabinols” from the schedules of controlled substances. But other Working Group members are more op-
timistic that current events are propelling the state towards Cannabis legalization. Delegate David Moon, another member of the Working Group, noted that events this year have only further highlighted why Cannabis legalization is an urgent issue. “I think the arguments not to do this [Cannabis legalization] are rapidly disappearing,” said Moon. In past legislative sessions, Moon has co-sponsored Cannabis legalization legislation and he expects to introduce it once again this upcoming session – regardless of what else is on the agenda. “Everybody is bracing for the possibility of budgets being tightened during the pandemic,” Moon noted. “New revenue sources are few and far between. Cannabis legalization is one of the obvious ones left on the table that Maryland has not yet tapped. It won’t solve all of our money woes, but certainly we’re in a place right now where every dollar, every million dollars, is going to matter quite a bit.” Moon opined that racial injustice and institutional inequality have forced Cannabis legalization to the top as a priority. “We’ve obviously been moving more and more towards a reckoning with our incarceration epidemic. By and large, the public in Maryland and nationally is quicker to get behind the concept that we need a system other than criminal prohibition as a policy framework.” But Moon hedged his answer, tempering expectations for legislative action this session. “If I were a betting person, and I’m not, I would say that Maryland is highly likely to pass legalization before the next election. We have two legislative cycles and two years tops where we are likely to see legalization move forward within that period. Now is that going to happen in the next two months? Well, that is a good question.”
“New revenue sources are few and far between. Legalization is one of the obvious ones left on the table that Maryland has not yet tapped.”
Since 2008, Mike Rothman has counseled clients regarding Cannabis laws and regulations as the founder and principal of the Medical Cannabis Law Group and the Law Office of Mike Rothman in Rockville, Maryland. Mr. Rothman has testified on Cannabis laws and regulations before the Maryland House of Delegates, taught classes, and lobbied the federal government on behalf of patients and businesses. Mr. Rothman’s Law Office focuses on criminal defense, including use of the medical Cannabis defense.
jan. 2021
COLUMN by MIKE ROTHMAN, ATTORNEY & PRINCIPAL | MEDICAL CANNABIS LAW GROUP
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INTERVIEW
G OT A FAVO R I TE B U D TE N DE R ? TE L L US WH Y ! WYAT T @ LEA F NAT IO N M D . CO M
K A N N AV I S 8709 F I N G E R B O A R D R D, F R E D E R I C K , M D | K A N N AV I S .O R G | @ K A N N AV I S M D | ( 3 0 1 ) 8 1 0 -2 9 6 2
WHO WAS YOUR MENTOR GROWING UP, AND WHY? My good
friend Ted Smoot, because we come from the same place – Sterling, Va. He’s a real go-getter kind of individual and has always challenged me to try to understand how systems work, why they fail, forecasting and the importance of accountability.
DOES YOUR FAMILY USE CANNABIS EITHER MEDICALLY OR RECREATIONALLY?
Absolutely yes, there has been Cannabis use in my family – and the answer would be recreational. In the ‘80s and early ‘90s when I was a kid, I understood that marijuana was illegal and plenty of people around me used it, but I didn’t really think anything was ‘wrong with it.’
IF YOU WENT TO A PSYCHIC, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR FUTURE? I
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RON LEWIS
leafnationmd.com
MARYLAND LEAF BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH
would want to know what pitfalls to avoid in hopes of making my ‘Keep Off Ground’ project successful. Since 2018 I’ve had a patent pending for a pooper scooper-ish style prototype I made in my house, designed to catch dog’s poop or pee … possibly before it hits the ground, thus avoiding the whole handin-bag pick-up from the grass or carpet cleaning process dog owners know all too well. ‘Keep Off Grass’ was honestly the original name … haha. That evolved into ‘Keep Off Ground,’ which I named it because I had so many prototype concepts, why choose one? Trashcans come in many forms, as long as they ‘Keep Off Ground,’ it’s all good!
DOES CANNABIS INSPIRE THE ART THAT YOU MAKE? YES! Cannabis use
“I STILL CANNOT BELIEVE THAT I GET PAID TO DO THIS AND IT’S LEGAL!”
has been behind almost all of my artwork, from drawing, painting and digital photo editing, to music production most recently. When making art, I use Cannabis to expand the mind and an energy drink to keep me going.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE OR MOST-USED ART MEDIUMS? Jambl, Drum Pad Machine,
Kinemaster, Prismacolor colored pencil and watercolor painting. I like to make art on my iPhone because it’s just all in one place and it’s everywhere I go. I listen to music on my phone when I’m making art, and you can connect to others without going into a gallery. You also never run out of paint!
HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE DISPENSING MEDICINE TO PATIENTS ON A DAILY BASIS?
It feels great dispensing medicine to patients … thank you very much! I started working in this industry in 2020 and it has been a stressful year for everyone! I still cannot believe that I get paid to do this and it’s legal! I wish more people offered themselves the opportunity to learn more about the benefits of medical Cannabis.
FROM 2014 UNTIL 2020, before working at Kannavis, Ron was a funeral home service counselor. There he learned that even though we all have individual differences, everyone’s the same when they lose someone. He finds the Cannabis industry to be very similar, especially now that we’ve all been through a year like 2020 together. Ron says distributing Cannabis as a budtender makes him feel like a badass, and finds it mindblowing that he is being recognized for it in a positive way.
jan. 2021
STORY by WYATT EARLY @ERRLYWYATT/MARYLAND LEAF | PHOTO by BRIGID AYER
PATIENT OF THE MONTH leafnationmd.com
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CANNABIS FOR GI RELIEF
Alex Fogleman Venus Hemachandra still remembers the first time she met Alex Fogleman. A native of Silver Springs, Alex was eager to enter the industry of medical Cannabis and had applied to a half-dozen dispensaries and grow facilities before hearing back from the Herbiculture owner. “I sent an email and heard back in five minutes,” said Alex, who resides a few minutes away from the Burtonsville dispensary. “That sounded like a team I already wanted to work for.” Days later, Hemachandra recalls the then 21-year-old walking in for an interview during a cold February day in 2018.
“He was shy, but there was something about him that was so genuine that we really liked,” she said. “He was a registered patient and at that time, most people we were interviewing didn’t have that. So it was nice to have someone who had the experience of already being a patient.” With the first licensed dispensary opening in Maryland three months prior, Alex had been active in his pursuit of legally using Cannabis to treat his Crohn’s disease. He pursued his medical Cannabis card at age 21 and began medicating to treat his condition. Alex began having gastrointestinal issues at 16, and has since seen the severity of those symptoms increase. On his worst days, he is faced with nausea, debilitating migraines, vomiting, dehydration, muscle weakness and fatigue. Some days he is forced to leave work, medicate with Cannabis and simply just rest his body until the storm passes. “A lot of our team sees what he goes through,” said Venus, who is also a long-standing patient suffering from nerve pain. “But we’ve seen from day one, he doesn’t let that define him.” The bond shared between Alex and Venus has allowed the relationship to thrive. “I’ve never once worried about Alex’s work ethic,” she added. “We always know he’ll put in just as much time as he misses. We’ve always had that understanding and he’s proven himself time and again.” That empathy has been rewarded in loyalty. “They’ve been tremendous in supporting me,” Alex said. “They’ve been able to relate to a certain degree, and that provides a strong level of trust and a strong bond of friendship.”
Alex’s willingness to educate himself has also inspired the team around him. “When I was 18 I started to take it more seriously,” he said. “I began researching medical Cannabis because that was the one thing that could minimize the nausea I was feeling. As I got more into the mediIn three years with the company, Alex has leveled up from Patient Care Specialist cal [literature], I began looking more to General Manager – perhaps the youngest in the state at the spry age of 24. into the terpenes and really trying to understand what works for my body.” Herbiculture Cultivation and Herbiculture ManufacHe took his studies one step further in 2018, turing to be born. As the longest-tenured employee, enrolling into a seven-week certificate course in CanAlex has been selected by management to take on nabis science with the University of Vermont. a broad advisory role as the business breaks ground “I finished up right before I got hired [at Herbiculon new projects. ture],” Alex said. “I’m going to be involved in all three,” he said. The medical education provided specificity on “It’s in the works right now and we’re still defining cannabinoids, and how certain terpenes could benefit the positions, but we’re going to step back, take a variety of illnesses. a look at the broader picture and see where I can “It helped me from both aspects,” he said, noting apply my skills.” that Pie Crust from Grow West was his go-to flower The team is in the process of finalizing a large due to a high myrcene count lessening the inflammavenue capable of providing for both a grow and tion of his abdominal tract. “Being a patient, I was processing facility, and foresee progress really pickable to understand what questions others may have, ing up after the holidays. and I could relate to them better.” “Alex has a willingness to learn and keep going,” In three years with the company, Alex has leveled Venus said. “That’s how we know he will succeed as up from Patient Care Specialist we open up our grow and processor facilities.” to General Manager – perhaps Herbiculture projects it will have Cannabis oil on the youngest in the state at the the market in six months, and hopes to have flower spry age of 24. on the market by the end of 2021. “He’s grown so much since “This was our goal and our dream when I was he first started,” Venus said. onboarded,” Alex said. “They said I’d be able to “As time went on, he became grow as the business does, and now we’re going more comfortable with patients, to grow our own Cannabis and make our own and I think his own condition concentrates.” really helped him connect with As much as he’s looking forward to the changes, patients. He doesn’t budtend Alex says he’ll also miss the days at the dispensary, as much [being the GM], but helping patients leave with a smile. to this day, we always reference “This has been my baby since day one,” he said, Alex as the gold standard.” noting the team has grown from three to 15 under Herbiculture was recently his watch. “But it’s also a big sense of relief and I’m chosen by the Maryland Mediextremely excited to get started on our next leg of cal Cannabis Commission’s diour journey. It’s going to be a lot of work, but I’m versification program to expand really looking forward to the grind.” HERBICULTURE.COM their business, allowing for
“I began researching medical Cannabis because that was the one thing that could minimize the nausea I was feeling...I began looking more into the terpenes and really trying to understand what works for my body.”
jan. 2021
STORY by BAXSEN PAINE @BAXSENPAINE for MARYLAND LEAF | PHOTO by PRAWEEN PERERA
SHOP REVIEW
RELEAF SHOP BALTIMORE SETTING & VIBE How’s that saying go, big things come in small packages? Releaf has certainly proven this to be true, with a top tier and cozy little dispensary on Cathedral Street in Baltimore. Patients in Maryland travel from far and wide to Releaf due to the vast range of deals they offer and the incredible staff. We can all admire this dispensary’s efforts to bring cost effective medicine to people – and all in a place where they can feel at home.
FROM THE NEWEST PRODUCTS ON THE MARKET TO YOUR STAPLE FAVORITES LIKE CURIO CHEWS, RELEAF HAS IT ALL.
FLOWER Have you ever been to a dispensary that has over 100 flower options? Now I have! From the low pricing to the vast range of strains, this flower menu was extremely impressive. Some eighths can be found as low as $25.
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CONCENTRATES The large amount of companies, products and weight variations was truly astonishing. They had everything from Ball jars (3.5 grams) to half gram jars of shatter, badder, sauce and more. They even had solventless hash and hash rosin on their menu.
EDIBLES From the newest products on the market to your staple favorites like Curio Chews, Releaf has it all. I even saw an oral spray from Vireo Health, which is not commonly found on the menus of dispensaries I frequent.
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QUICK HIT Between the bond the managers have with budtenders, and the bond budtenders and owners have with their patients, the atmosphere here is incredible. The folks here are knowledgeable about everything from how the plants were grown, to how the concentrates were extracted and with what chemicals. I always hear patients talking about how much they love this dispensary, and now I know why.
RELEAF SHOP BALTIMORE 1114 CATHEDRAL STREET #5, BALTIMORE, MD SUN-THURS 9A-9P, FRI/SAT 9A-11P RELEAF-SHOP.COM @RELEAFTHATSMYSHOP
jan. 2021
Stylin’ & Friendly Shop
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PRODUCT R E VIEW
SUMMER PEACH CHEWABLE LOZENGES BY INCREDIBLES
Thanks to GTI for bringing another great product line to Maryland with Incredibles. The word lozenge tends to throw off people’s perceptions, and the consistency of these edibles can best be described as gummies. They have a little more bite to them than some of the other chewables on the market. Peach is always a nice flavor for edibles, and they really hit the nail right on the head with a delicious, peach Snapple-like taste. After consuming two gummies, I felt serene and was able to fall asleep with ease.
STORY & PHOTOS by WYATT EARLY @ERRLYWYATT/MARYLAND LEAF
grow tour
EVERMORE CANNABIS COMPANY BALTIMORE
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Evermore’s starting lines were meticulously selected and highlight Cannabis history. Among them are backbone cultivars like Obeah, Big Lemons, Grapefruitz, Sunset Sherbert, San Fernando Valley OG, GDP and Thin Mints — all classic lines brought in from California — while landrace genetics from Thailand, Malawi, Guatemala and Pakistan round out the stellar lineup.
leafnationmd.com
THE FUTURE OF BREEDING This month I had the enormous pleasure and privilege to tour Evermore Cannabis Company’s grow in Baltimore. I cannot express how exciting it is to get out of the house to tour a top shelf Cannabis grow – getting a chance to see some essential workers keeping our medicine coming, day in and day out – regardless of the obstacles 2020 has imposed.
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Evermore has long held a reputation for some of the fruitiest, most flavorful top shelf flower in Maryland, with crowd favorites like Purple Obeah, Tropical Sunset, Blue Cookies and Santa Cruz Blue Dream (to name a few). Indeed, several of these cultivars have earned Strain of the Month recognition in the past, and getting a chance to see some of these in their cultivation stage is simply a Cannabis nerd in quarantine’s wildest dream! Evermore’s cultivation center is tucked into a neighborhood in Baltimore where no one would expect to find commercial Cannabis production operations, but they definitely get bonus points for having such a seamless aesthetic integration into their local community. Several tactics are employed here, but essentially the goal is to be as obscure as possible in sight and scent, while still
being able to carry on the day-to-day operations. Evermore is rather stealthy in this aspect, and for that they get some style points. Many Maryland cultivation licenses had very big ambitions entering into the market and as such, scaled their facilities to essentially be the largest capacity possible. While there is nothing wrong with that strategy, I do appreciate Evermore’s approach wherein they are a slightly smaller scale, but hyper-focused on maintaining quality. Here, they use soil and drip lines to create truly dense, robustly healthy sea of green tables that spread for hundreds of square feet throughout the facility. But all of this would be for nothing if it weren’t for Evermore’s absolutely fire genetics. Vibrant strains featuring both classic heirloom/landrace lines, as well as in-house creations that showcase
some of the best breeding work in the industry, are on full display here. The thinking behind this, according to head growers Tom Klassen and Austin Weiskittle, was to specifically build an in-house breeding project to break into the space with unique genetics. Evermore’s starting lines were meticulously selected and highlight Cannabis history. Among them are backbone cultivars like Obeah, Big Lemons, Grapefruitz, Sunset Sherbert, San Fernando Valley OG, GDP and Thin Mints — all classic lines brought in from California — while landrace genetics from Thailand, Malawi, Guatemala and Pakistan round out the stellar lineup. Evermore is known for some of the fruitiest, full-bodied smokes in Maryland, and for utilizing some of the most exotic sativa genetics available (Klassen’s personal expertise). Since opening, Evermore has had their eyes set on boutique breeding, sourcing many niche quality starting genetics, as well as conducting their own pheno hunts from a variety of equally elite strains. They have extremely high standards for what they produce – and as they have pheno hunted and done a variety of F1 crosses – they have ensured the very best cuts are the ones to reach the market.
To date, less than five breeding projects have been completed and while I wish I could do a deep dive on all of them, I simply must highlight their upcoming Thai-ger King and Orange Grove lines. This first pheno, playing off the reality show phenomenon Tiger King, is a cross between a Golden Tiger mom (an heirloom strain produced from Koh Chang/Hmong Tho Thai landraces and Malawi landrace genetics) and an Airborne Skunk male. According to Klassen, the result is a large growing plant with huge green spears, sweet raisin and herbal aromas, close to 30% THC and a nine-week flowering period! This line is currently in production and set to drop around the New Year. The Orange Grove cultivar is a cross between a Mimosa male and an in-house selected Castaway female. This line has a quick flower period, large chunky bud structure, and most importantly,
gorgeously bulbous trichomes that are washing around 5+%. This is a low-wash yield in general, but for the beginning of a new genetic line, this can only improve. With Evermore starting to explore hash genetics, I can only hope that they become some of the first hash producers in Maryland – most likely with some of their homegrown and bred Orange Grove. Evermore embodies a steadfast commitment to top shelf, crafty, boutique style Cannabis. From some of the fruitiest flavors on the market to some of the most niche and exciting breeding projects in Maryland, this team is cruising with a well-earned reputation. A big thanks goes out to their grow and processing team for showing us around and really putting in the effort and dedication to produce such damn fine Cannabis. Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming Evermore drops and definitely get your hands on some of their Orange Grove and Thai-ger King – tasty selections not to be slept on.
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evermorecannabisco.com | @evermorebrands STORY by TAYLOR MARTIN for MARYLAND LEAF | PHOTOS by WYATT EARLY @ERRLYWYATT
STRAIN OF THE MONTH leafnationmd.com
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RAINBOW BELTS grown by
CULTA
jan. 2021
WE ARE ECSTATIC TO HAVE CULTA HELP US USHER IN THE NEW YEAR WITH THEIR RENDITION OF RAINBOW BELTS!
(Zkittlez x Moonbow) INCREDIBLY TERPY NUGS WITH H Y P N OT I C CO LO R AT I O N .
A cultivar known for its gorgeous looks and delicious flavor, Culta was able to bring out the best qualities of the line to earn our featured spot this month. Bred from the absolutely delicious Zkittlez line and crossed with Moonbow, Rainbow Belts is a genetic hybrid bred to produce some incredibly terpy nugs with deeply hypnotic coloration. Having now seen and smoked the flower, I can definitely say that Culta was able to get this line to express all of the best aspects of the Rainbow Belts genetics, with a terp profile perfect for starting off 2021 with a fresh vibe. Rainbow Belts brings a rich and gentle anxiolytic effect, complete with a good mood and calm disposition. With over 2% terpenes and a humble 19% THCa, Rainbow Belts is the perfect example of how a robust terpene profile can create excellent highs from moderate THC levels. While the market typically gravitates towards the highest potency possible, it’s important to remember the power of terpenes when seeking an intentional headspace. Here, Rainbow Belts displays a robust profile, dominated by caryophyllene, tempered with linalool and limonene, and evened out with a smooth distribution of eudesmol, humulene and nerolidol – really putting me in touch with my inner gooey safe space. The breeding work behind this strain is evident in both the smell and flavor of the smoke, and the high produced is truly a testament to the top shelf growing skills of Culta’s cultivation team. The aroma is an amalgamation of spicy blackberry notes, intermingled with light herbaceous mint leaf and a potpourri of forest florals. The deep forest green of the nugs reinforces the imagery and the high produced is poignant and steady. I was relaxed and uplifted in a way that completely mellowed my anxiety and pushed the stress of the day into the backdrop of my mind, to be carefully dealt with in a cool and collected manner. I really enjoyed the Rainbow Belts high and recommend it for anyone seeking to start 2021 off with some fresh dankness. From the deep hypnotic hue to the effervescent aroma – and then the absolutely tranquil high – Rainbow Belts is a prime example of premium Cannabis.
CULTA.IO | @CULTAIG 19% THC, >2% TERPENES
REVIEW by TAYLOR MARTIN for MARYLAND LEAF | PHOTO by WYATT EARLY @ERRLYWYATT
the future issue
THE FUTURE OF
DNA GENETICS
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Since bursting onto the bud breeding scene with Cannabis Cup wins in 2004 and 2005 for their LA Confidential and Martian Mean Green, Don Morris and Aaron Yarkoni (The “D” and “A” in DNA) have been at the forefront of new, potent and stable genetics. At the time, they relocated from Los Angeles to Amsterdam in order to build their company and expand their genetic library under the relative freedom of Dutch pot policies.
DNA Genetics x Copperstate Kosher
Magic seeds
dnagenetics.com | @dnagenetics Holy Grail
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LA Confidential
heir infusion of California’s finest varieties into the stagnant gene pool changed the game, and countless international victories over the ensuing few years led to me inducting them into the High Times Seed Bank Hall of Fame in 2009. Hundreds of award wins later, DNA Genetics is now established as one of the biggest seed brands in the world, looking into the future with strategic partnerships, new breeding technologies and legislative reform.
Behind it all is their abiding love for the Cannabis
D&A DNA Genetics is utilizing cutting-edge tissue culture techniques to bypass the old ways of cloning and propagation.
24k Gold
DNA Genetics Founders Don Morris and Aaron Yarkoni
plant and commitment to finding new flavors and sharing them with the entire planet. They’ve now moved back to their beloved Southern California and, working with friends and colleagues, the expansion of DNA Genetics is taking shape with their eyes on a legal landscape in which protecting intellectual property, genetic material and even their own likenesses, will be paramount to success. While many brands were hampered by prohibitionist laws, operating as a Dutch seed company allowed them to ship genetics internationally with the proper paperwork and certificates of authenticity. They also work with the Global Alliance for Cannabis Commerce to push sensible legislative and banking changes at the federal and international level, as government activities behind the scenes everywhere prepare for a legal worldwide marketplace. Speaking of the strategic partnerships, Aaron tells Leaf Magazines, “We’ve always looked at working with our friends as a plus. Even way back, we created Reserva Privada as a line of seeds from breeders we admired back home, and that’s how we teamed up with Crockett Family Farms. These new deals are an extension of that process.” President of DNA Genetics, Rezwan Khan, echoed that philosophy when I asked about how the international expansions began. “It started in Canada with Canopy, which at the time was Tweed. At the time, the deal we made was unprecedented and allowed us to test out a new model for the industry in which we trade exclusive regional use of our genetic library in exchange for royalty payments or long-term partnership. This type of licensing model was unheard of for Cannabis brands and bringing professionalism to the table allowed us to prioritize IP protections of strain names, standard operating procedures for cultivation of our varieties, as well as analysis of sales, data and marketing.” With the Canopy deal as their “beta,” DNA was able to expand their operations into newly legal state markets as well. Their 2019 strategic partnership with Copperstate Farms gave them a foothold in Arizona’s quickly emerging market. As Rezwan explains, “When we first met them, they were going through literal growing pains in their massive 40 acres of greenhouses, having inherited legacy tomato farmers who didn’t get Cannabis. We came in and identified that they needed new genetics and new techniques. We brought in our team and revamped the operation, increased yields at lower production costs with higher-quality products. We also helped train the frontline budtenders so that the end user receives a consistent and accurate experience.” In Oregon, Don and Aaron partnered with Halo Labs to bring their strains and concentrates to the legal marketplace, in a deal that makes Halo the only grower and manufacturer of DNA Genetics brand flowers and extractions in the state. Halo also features cutting-edge product forms such as their unique “Dab Tabs.” The DNA deal with Halo also positions them as the exclusive provider of genetics to Bophelo Bioscience & Wellness in the Kingdom of Lesotho, a country within the borders of South Africa. DNA Genetics expansion into Michigan runs through SKYMINT Brands, a vertically integrated company and the largest medical and recreational license holder in the state. The collab features DNA strains sourced and pheno-hunted in the medical
market in Michigan, so they could hit the ground running with the right flavors launched in multiple recreational SKYMINT locations, plus select retail partners. Don and Aaron are excited to be “going back to Cali” by collaborating with Dr. Greenthumb – their longtime friend B-Real of Cypress Hill – to launch DNA Genetics x Insane premium Cannabis flowers at select Dr. Greenthumb, Cookies and URBN Leaf dispensaries. Southern California is their backyard and having their strains available there has been a lifelong dream. As B-Real says, “We are excited to finally have flower from the DNA Genetics family at Dr. Greenthumb’s. They are one of the most revered genetics companies in the Cannabis industry and we can’t wait for people to experience the flavors.” Another flag was planted back home with their newest deal with Natura Life + Science, based in Sacramento. Their amazing brand-new facility boasts 290,000-square-feet of space for cultivation, propagation, concentrate production, edible manufacturing, a showroom, an education center and much more. It’s a massive curated Cannabis campus – the first of its kind to feature state-of-theart laboratories for the research and development of new strains. Sid Gupta, VP of Strategy at Natura says, “Especially exciting to us will be our ability to offer state-of-the-art technology for the cultivation of DNA genetics and the breeding of the next hottest flavors.” Speaking of new technologies, DNA is utilizing cutting-edge tissue culture techniques to bypass the old ways of cloning and propagation. Using tissue culture – cloning on a molecular level under sterile conditions – allows them to streamline the breeding process and reinvigorate old strains that have suffered over time. “It’s not just about cleaning up the strains and relieving them of endemic stresses,” said Rezwan. “Gene mapping allows us to better understand our cultivars and their medicinal properties. And we can dispel the misinformation and expand knowledge on the terpenes, cannabinoids and flavinoids – that’s yet another goal for us.” Rezwan continued, “If Bayer and Monsanto are doing it, we figure we need to do it based on what smokers want to smoke, for the right reasons with all the benefits of the science. Genetic marker identification can find PM resistance and higher yields, but not necessarily a better flavor. We’re still allowing Don and Aaron to guide the process by doing it the same way they’ve always done, but with more information. We’re about the flavors and telling the story better beyond just piney, gassy or fruity.” With the future of Cannabis in the hands of larger and larger corporations, it’s important to maintain credibility at the top. Having lifelong stoners like Don and Aaron and the rest of their team on board, companies like DNA and their partners can help to keep the industry honest to a set of ideals that favors the consumer. As they develop markets throughout Europe, Africa, and North and South America, it’s reassuring to know that there are true believers at the helm. As Rezwan said, “We’re all about getting Don and Aaron’s genetics into grow rooms around the world. We want to continue to create amazing flavors and share them with the entire planet!”
INTERVIEW by DAN VINKOVETSKY @DANNYDANKOHT/LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by DNA GENETICS | ICON by JAMIE VICTOR
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the future issue
HIGHER EDUCATION 28
Sure, you might have studied Cannabis back in your dorm room a time or two, but now you can actually earn a masters in medical Cannabis from the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
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he nation’s first-ever Master of Science (M.S.) in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics program is closing in on its inaugural graduation. Hosted by the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), the two-year, 30-credit online graduate program has proceeded smoothly amidst a global pandemic. “It’s been a great experience,” said 27-year old Washington D.C. native Torshie Cineas. “Everyone in the program has something they are trying to accomplish and everyone is there for a different reason.”
Cineas, a nursing graduate from Marymount University, is one of 175 students currently in the program. Thirty states are represented, with a variety of scholars also representing the international community. “We’re so proud of all our students,” said Program Director Dr. Leah Sera. “To have such a diverse program with students from all different academic and professional backgrounds – and to be able to help this industry move forward in terms of policy development and clinical practice – it’s really exciting.” The curriculum for the program was developed with input from faculty in multiple departments in the School of Pharmacy, including pharmacologists, chemists, pharmaceutical scientists and clinicians. The process began in 2017 when Dr. Sera was asked to provide students with an education in basic science (pharmacology, chemistry and medical Cannabis delivery systems), clinical uses of the drug, public health considerations, and federal and state laws and policies.
jan. 2021
Dr. Sera, 39, was selected in part for her master’s studies in instructional systems – in particular, designing curricula. After graduating from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy in 2010, she spent a residency year in palliative care alongside patients who were curious about medical Cannabis. “My interest in Cannabis as a medicine began when patients would ask what I knew about it, or nurses would talk about hospice patients asking about it,” she recalled. Dr. Sera is quick to acknowledge the current limitations in medical research due to restrictive laws. “We teach what we know scientifically and clinically about the plant,” said Sera, who has been an Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice at UMB since 2012. “In order to make this a 30-credit master’s program, we dive into a lot of the background literature, the research, the policies and the regulations.” UMB also teaches basic pharmacology and chemistry to students. As more clinical studies become available and repressive policies loosen
We teach what we know scientifically and clinically about the plant,” said Program Director Dr. Leah Sera, who has been an Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice at UMB since 2012. “In order to make this a 30-credit master’s program, we dive into a lot of the background literature, the research, the policies and the regulations.”
around the country, Sera and her colleagues will adapt. “The program is likely to evolve itself, as what we know evolves,” she said. “It’s not going to be a static program.” Interaction between students takes place largely inside a Facebook Group. Topics are approached and participants are encouraged to interact and engage with each other. “There are lawyers, pharmacists, CBD entrepreneurs – folks as young as 20 and as old as 70,” said Cineas, who is also the Operations Manager of the Potomac Holistics dispensary in Rockville. “We even have a lot of students who have never tried Cannabis and are just there solely to learn from it.”
D
r. Sera hopes UMB’s bold foray
into medical Cannabis will serve as inspiration to
graduate.umaryland.edu other institutions around the country and the world. “I think we are already seeing more and more colleges and universities incorporate medical Cannabis into their curricula, either by developing full programs or individual courses,” she said. Under her guidance, UMB plans to be a trailblazer in improving treatment for medical Cannabis patients. “We want to move the field forward in terms of policy development and clinical practice,” she said. “The field of medical Cannabis is rapidly evolving and the University of Maryland is ready to meet the challenge of evolving with it.”
STORY by BAXSEN PAINE for LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
the future issue
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GANJIER &
THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS No culture or community can thrive without a common language. Tribes, countries, industries – they all agree upon a shared vocabulary and a baseline for communication.
L
ong before the dawn of the modern Cannabis industry, the vernacular of weed started to take shape. But now, as we progress toward a future with pot shops in every neighborhood, the culture awaits a leader for defining and formalizing the way we talk about Cannabis.
leafnationmd.com
Ganjier intends to become that definitive source. “The world has never developed a Cannabis palate before,” said Max Simon, CEO of The Ganjier Council, which this month will launch the Ganjier Certification Program, a robust curriculum geared toward training the next generation of Cannabis experts. “In wine, they’ve developed a palate repertoire that’s been used for 100 years. Nobody has ever done that in Cannabis.”
jan. 2021
The Ganjier Council CEO Max Simon
1. MAX SIMON CEO, Ganjier
2. JUSTIN CALVINO Co-Founder Emerald Exchange and The Mendocino Appelations Project
3. FRENCHY CANNOLI Master Hashishin
4. DR. AMANDA REIMAN VP, Community Development, Flow Kana
5. DEREK GILMAN Managing Director, Ganjier
6. OMAR FIGUEROA Founding Member, National Cannabis Bar Association
7. NIKKI LASTRETO Co-Founder, Swami Select
8. JEFFREY RABER Organic Chemist | Founder, The Werc Shop
9. SWAMI CHAITANYA Co-Founder, Swami Select
10. WILLIAM PEDRO Friend of Kevin Jodrey, not on Council
11. PATRICK KING THE SOIL KING Founder, Soil King Garden
12. WENDY KORNBERG CEO, Sunnabis Farms
13. KEVIN JODREY Founder, Port Royal | Wonderland Nursery
14. NICK TANEM AKA NIKKA T Owner, Essential Extracts
FACULTY NOT PICTURED: Genine Colman, Origins Council Exec. Dir. Alec Dixon, SC Labs Co-Founder Mel Frank, Legendary Breeder/Cultivator Kimberly Hooks, Frenchy Cannoli Brand CEO Aaron Varney, Dockside Co-Founder Josh Wurzer, SC Labs President
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While many organizations and educators over the decades have toiled to define the dialogue, the industry
hasn’t accepted a broad certification program similar to the Master Sommelier designation for wine and the Master Cicerone program for Beer, whose graduates are considered to be certified experts in the field. The Ganjier program seeks to become that ballast. We spoke with Simon over a video call in November to learn more about The Ganjier Council and its plan to revolutionize the future of Cannabis via standardization. Simon’s energy and excitement about the program was palpable, as he shared soaring stories about the process of collaborating with the rest of The Ganjier Council to build the program.
Assembling the Council
If you’re going to create a program to identify and train the future experts of an industry, you’re going to have to bring in some seriously heavy hitters. Simon, along with renowned cultivator, program co-founder and Ganjier Managing Director, Derek Gilman, did just that. “What we decided from the very beginning was that we didn’t want to take any shortcuts,” Simon said. “We got Frenchy Cannoli to join, who is probably the most experienced hash maker on the planet right now. … He joined the council because he was really dedicated to the fact that The Ganjier Council would be something that would last for 1,000 years.” After Frenchy joined on, the pieces started to fall into place. They sought out the most experienced in each Cannabis field – cultivation, botany, law, chemistry, sales, education – and started gathering the minds. “We really understood that one of the most important criteria levels here was experience,” said Simon. “We were going to be doing things that require a level of experience to understand, and more importantly, to be able to define. We pulled the most experienced people we could find in each category.” In the end, Ganjier ended up comprising 18 renowned names in the industry. Names like Swami Chaitanya, Kevin Jodrey and Mel Frank. “They (see sidebar for full list) collectively span about 600 years of Cannabis experience among those 18 people,” said Simon.
THE ONLINE PORTION WILL BE THE FIRST TO LAUNCH AND WILL CONSIST OF 10 COURSES FOR A TOTAL OF MORE THAN 30 HOURS OF ONLINE CURRICULUM. THE LEAF HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PREVIEW THESE COURSES, WHICH COME ACROSS LIKE INTIMATE, ONE-ON-ONE CLASSROOM LECTURES FROM PROFESSORS OF POT.
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Building a Common Language
With the team built, the Council could begin the real work. Logging more than 8,000 hours over a span of two-and-a-half years, the Council’s Cannabis cognoscenti debated, deliberated and delivered the first level of the program: The Certified Ganjier. The way Simon describes it, the process must have been an experience. “You see Swami and Frenchy, face-to-face, debating vigorously with a piece of hash in Frenchy’s hand,” he said. “It’s the fucking best.” Like the Sommelier and Cicerone programs that inspired it, the Ganjier program will consist of three levels: Certified Ganjier, Advanced Ganjier and Executive Ganjier. The first level, Certified Ganjier, seeks to establish the green standard for knowledge for those operating on the Cannabis front lines – the budtenders, sales reps, consumption lounge sherpas. The online portion will be the first to launch and will consist of 10 courses for a total of more than 30 hours of online curriculum. The Leaf had the opportunity to preview these courses, which come across like intimate, one-on-one classroom lectures from professors of pot. Ganjier defined what they refer to as the “Systematic Assessment Protocol,” which sets a baseline against which all Cannabis products should be judged and discussed. It considers four different factors which will be familiar to anyone who has spent time judging Cannabis competitions: Appearance, Aroma, Flavor and Effects. The classes and coursework cover everything a budding Cannabis expert needs to know, from history, hash, cultivation, chemistry and science, to sales, law and everything in between. As the program materials state, the goal isn’t to teach people how to cultivate Cannabis, rather, it’s to teach them everything they need to know about cultivation. “It’s putting all the Cannabis knowledge on the table that exists, and then defining what a Cannabis sommelier needs to know,” Simon said. Kevin Jodrey | Wonderland Nursery The program culminates in an assessment that students must pass to earn their certification. If it’s anything like the programs in the wine and beer industries, this process will no doubt be rigorous. It has to be. As Simon is quick to point out, if the industry is to grow, it must establish a baseline of trust and clear communication. “Everything in Cannabis comes down to customer service,” he said. “This is about serving consumers in the most effective way.
31 Frenchy Cannoli, Swami Chaitanya & Dr. Amanda Reiman.
Ganjier defined what they refer to as the “Systematic Assessment Protocol,” which sets a baseline against which all Cannabis products should be judged and discussed. It considers four different factors which will be familiar to anyone who has spent time judging Cannabis competitions: Appearance, Aroma, Flavor and Effects. Millions and millions of people are looking for trusted guidance about what to buy. … They haven’t been exposed to the diversity of what’s possible with Cannabis, and that’s because no one has broken it down.”
Get with the Program
As of now, Ganjier expects to launch with a suite of online courses this month, with the in-person portion rolling out in June, COVID-willing. They plan to accept 156 hopefuls out of the first round of applicants. According to Simon, they’ll likely have to increase that number fairly swiftly. Additionally, you will be able to take just the online portion of the curriculum as a standalone option. “The demand is really high,” he said. “I’ve got some of the largest organizations in the country right now asking if they can bring 50 people in to be a Ganjier, and my answer is that I can’t service them that quickly.” With the amount of experience and expertise on staff, Simon believes that demand will only increase as people realize the weight of the opportunity. “I can’t tell you the hundreds of times I would turn to Derek, and we would just look at each other, and think, we’re the luckiest people on planet Earth — to be in this room with these people, who are arguably the most knowledgeable people about Cannabis on planet Earth.”
STORY by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS/LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by GANJIER | GANJIER.COM | ICON by JAMIE VICTOR
the FUTURE issue
“Utilizing science and ingenuity, the Dab Rite has taken all of the guesswork out of dabbing. With adaptive goose neck design, the unit is universally capable of reading the temperature of any style of rig.”
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FUTURE OF caliFornialeaf.COM
CONSUMPTION Make hot dabs a thing of the past with the most modern, versatile and inventive digital IR thermometer to be found: the Dab Rite.
dabrite.com | @thedabrite
JAN. 2021
I
ndustry experts, glass collectors and owners Dr. Seuscio, Dan Wynick, Cody Johnson and Bryan Berc joined forces in January of 2020 to bring this revolutionary commodity to market.
After an intensive year of research and development, their team turned the Dab Rite from a concept to prototypes, ultimately helping their product become the gold standard in the industry. Utilizing science and ingenuity, the Dab Rite has taken all of the guesswork out of dabbing. With adaptive goose neck design, the unit is universally capable of reading the temperature of any style of rig. Unlike other companies that have products that are only useful for banger hanger style rigs, users can bend the flexible neck in any direction to accurately read the heat of the quartz nail on their unique piece of glass art.
After getting the goose neck dialed in, users can set the temperature anywhere from 200 to 800 degrees fahrenheit. We would recommend 500600 degrees, depending on your nail. Dabbing your favorite concentrates at lower temperatures results in the most pronounced terpene expression achievable. You will never miss another dab again, as the Dab Rite lights up, flashes and beeps whenever it has reached the set temperature, making this an ideal product for those hard of hearing. This fabulous feature will save you a ton of butane in the long run. With replaceable silicone guards on the temperature gauge and above the screen, users can mix and match silicone inserts to customize their Dab Rite units. With over 50 years of combined industry experience, their company’s goal is quite simple: To provide a high-quality product that lives up to its own high standards and expectations – something that their entire team can confidently stand behind. They believe that whether or not you are dabbing top shelf concentrates and extracts out of a higher-end piece, that the experience should be as tasty and enjoyable as possible. The Dab Rite is here to help take your sesh to the next level and the creators are honored to have their products included in your dab shrines, or as Dr. Seuscio calls them, “The Terpification Station.” As a philanthropic group of individuals, their ownership stepped up last year and found creative ways to give back to our community. After the horrendous forest fires in Oregon, the Dab Rite team offered their second drop of product to the public with a necessary donation of at least $15 to $50, ultimately raising $4,000 so far for a great cause. Keep an eye out for their recent collaboration with 710 Labs, as well as their official launch party later this month at Lifted Veil Gallery on January 30 with Toro Glass. Make sure to grab yourself a Dab Rite ASAP – your future seshes will thank you! High Tech continues next page
STORY by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST/LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by MORGAN DEMETER @MOOGANPHOTO | ICON by JAMIE VICTOR
the future issue
H
ailed as “the future of vaping” by 2Chainz, whose Most Expensivist show has covered a lot of Cannabis related products, we couldn’t agree more. The Bello is the most unique way to get a group of people high, period. Called the Vapor Tap, the Bello works by loading a cartridge of your favorite concentrate into the center. A vapor-sipping glass gets placed over the cart, and when lightly pressed the internal mechanics cause a hit to fill up the cup.
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THE BELLO The future of Cannabis is vapor being sipped at your favorite Cannabis lounge, and it’s closer than you think to reality. While Cannabis lounges aren’t yet legal in every state, anyone can enjoy the experience of passing a glass of tasty Cannabis vapor around a room with the innovative and sexy Bello. B Y W E S A B N E Y @ B E A R D E D L O R A X bello.love | @bellotogether
jan. 2021
The vapor swirls around as it fills and holds within the cup for easy passing – or the ability to hold it for a short time before consuming the vapor. You sip it like a drink from a glass or with a straw, filling the lungs with Cannabis goodness that takes vaping to a whole new level. The effects of consuming Cannabis vapor in this way are different from a typical puff of a cartridge, and the vapor is less expansive while retaining full flavor, making it easy to take several glassfulls. We enjoyed high end solventless rosin carts through the Bello, but any cartridge will work easily. This includes CBD-only or e-cig carts in the 510 thread format, which are perfect for the upscale hookah user. Bello is also working to release cartridges with herbal formulas that can deliver energy or help with sleep – and it’s worth noting that the possibilities are really endless in terms of what you can vape from a cartridge. We found ourselves clinking glasses and feeling quite classy as we sipped vapor from straws, sharing the glasses around a room, trying different cartridge flavors and enjoying the sensation of sharing weed in a super literal form. Perfect for at home, a cocktail party or your future favorite dab lounge, we expect to see Bello all over the world LISTEN TO LEAF LIFE PODCAST as people EPISODE #98 “THE WIDE WORLD embrace the OF CANNABIS TECH,” AVAILABLE opportunity ON ALL MAJOR PLATFORMS to cheers with AND LEAFLIFEPODCAST.COM Cannabis.
“We found ourselves clinking glasses and feeling quite classy as we sipped vapor from straws, sharing the glasses around a room, trying different cartridge flavors and enjoying the sensation of sharing weed in a super literal form. “
STORIES by LEAF NATION CONTRIBUTORS | PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS | ICON by JAMIE VICTOR
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the future issue
F
rom concept to design, to production and marketing, Indux Labs aims to provide the most advanced and modular concentrate vaporization hardware in the world to those who are looking to get the most out of their resin. “The inspiration for the project came from the desire to produce the highest quality of vapor using the precision and purity of electromagnetic heating,” explained Indux Labs Founder, who wishes to remain anonymous.
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INDUX LABS
The world of concentrate vaporizers is not lacking in competition. There are hundreds of brands all over the world that are all clamoring to get to the top of the pile with the best hardware. For the past several years, brands like Puffco and PAX have dominated the market by gearing their products towards the mainstream. But, what’s available for the more invested enthusiast? Enter the Indux Labs Reflux vaporizer. B Y N A T E W I L L I A M S @ N A T E W4 1 5
REFLUX
induxlabs.com | @induxlabs
jan. 2021
The Reflux vaporizer is hands-down the most impressive piece of consumption paraphernalia we have come across to date. Each unit is hand-built with incredible attention to detail in Austin, Texas. The Reflux is the world’s first Slow-Temp™ vaporizer, which slowly builds the temperature and intensity of the vapor to reveal layers of flavor in your concentrate previously undiscovered. The Reflux is designed to deliver a range of control unavailable with other units on the market, and definitely delivers. The oil is loaded into a borosilicate glass vial along with the user’s choice of titanium heating element. It comes with a variety of designs for the user to experiment with, including both larger, thicker, single elements, as well as thinner ones, which Indux Labs suggests you use multiples of. The larger elements heat faster while the smaller ones get to temp more slowly, which is just one of the uniquely modular aspects of the Reflux. As one might suspect, the smaller elements produce a thinner, wispier vapor and the larger, thicker ones produce a more robust and expansive vapor. In addition, there is a “key” that is used to control airflow, further allowing the user to dial in exactly how they like their concentrate vaporized. The dial on the left of the unit controls how long the heating cycle is, and the buttons on the right turn the coil inside of the unit on and off. The combination of heating element(s), airflow and cycle time results in complete user control. This allows the user to slowly ramp up the temperature, dissecting the concentrate and exposing layers of flavor you’d just flat out miss from the same concentrate in dab form. Both the look and function have a simultaneously new wave, yet classic feel – like a throwback to the future. The analog manipulation of the unit provides a nostalgic kick as you sit back and enjoy a next-level terpene experience. It does take a little dialing in to fully master, but it is fairly intuitive and once understood, becomes second nature. Comparatively speaking, if a traditional dab taken off a quartz nail is like doing a shot, consuming concentrate out of the Reflux is like pouring yourself a high-end whiskey and allowing yourself to sit and enjoy every nuance of flavor that develops as the spirit opens up and oxygenates. Between the flavors achievable with this unit, the efficiency it offers and the complete modulation (I can even run it through my dab rig for a smoother, water-filtered hit), my quartz nail, terp pearl and spinner cap will be riding the bench for the foreseeable future.
PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS | ICON by JAMIE VICTOR
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concentrate of the month
CRESCO LABS CRESCOLABS.COM | @CRESCOLABS
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SUNSHINE #4 Cresco Labs has produced what can only be described as a truly delectable live budder. The thick, creamy texture is rich and golden, complete with a profile that is packed with terpenes. jan. 2021
BUDDER The near even 1:1 ratio of quintessential sativa and indica terps makes this budder a balanced hybrid of the limonene persuasion. Now there are several ways one could imagine the quintessential indica/sativa combinations, but in this case we see a sandwich of myrcene and caryophyllene between a limonene and pinene bread. This particular combination produces a very clear headspace filled with positive vibes and symptom relief. The great thing about hybrid profiles is that they touch on the full range of symptoms Cannabis can relieve. Cresco’s Sunshine #4 brings a balanced package that is ultimately composed of many terpenes capable of synergizing with pain, anxiety, sleep and gastrointestinal relief, and really alleviates a rainbow of symptoms. When we look at the individual terpenes of this profile, we notice that limonene is far and above the most dominant of the bunch, which puts the hybrid effect in house serotonin – happy and energized.
Tinged with a bit of Sunshine #4, the mind is high and noticeably clear. In fact, taking a couple dabs of this profile helps to clear the fog of a heavy indica, as well as to calm the raciness of an overzealous sativa. I smoked this dab in a variety of sets and settings, and each and every time I was guided back to the same calm center of pleasant vibes and clear skies. All of the bells and whistles of my endocannabinoid system were triggered in the most pleasant of ways and I really appreciate the Cresco team’s effort to get this medicine to market. They have consistently been producing delicious live products and honoring a commitment to providing the freshest, terpiest dabs in Maryland!
Cresco’s Sunshine #4 brings a balanced package that is ultimately composed of many terpenes capable of synergizing with pain, anxiety, sleep and gastrointestinal relief
REVIEW by TAYLOR MARTIN for MARYLAND LEAF | PHOTO by WYATT EARLY @ERRLYWYATT
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GLASS ART
HYPERLOOP How do you draw inspiration from nature?
It’s difficult not to – nature has done so many things exquisitely. Whether it’s the connection point flowing together for two pieces of glass or a larger, more powerful concept being translated, there are so many examples of highly refined processes and shapes. It’s incredible to see what natural selection has determined after all those years. While most of my work doesn’t literally translate or attempt to mimic nature, I think that there are many subtle cues taken from it. I’ve always loved the way nature handles its color and transitions or contrasts between them. Most recently and perhaps most noticeable within my work, I saw geysers first-hand for the first time in my life. Their raw power and the display they put on is magnificent! Since then I’ve been playing with similar effects and the potential for displaying that power within my functional work.
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What pushes you to create new mind-melting designs? What’s the point
Art by MAX CASWELL
@maxxswell.ca
“All the designs I make seem to come from seed questions, and the finished pieces are in their own way an answer to the question asked. The answers are always evolving – I don’t feel constrained by the way I’ve done things in the past. Next time I make that style I can mix things up.“
jan. 2021
of creating if you just make the same thing as everybody else? I wasn’t drawn by or interested in the ability to remake things that have already been made – I much prefer to attempt to make things in a different light. I was drawn by the potential to put my own spin on things. All the designs I make seem to come from seed questions, and the finished pieces are in their own way an answer to the question asked. The answers are always evolving – I don’t feel constrained by the way I’ve done things in the past. Next time I make that style I can mix things up. That freedom is one of my favorite things about glass – it’s incredibly easy to try out new proportions or shapes within designs. Nothing has to be like it was before, I don’t have to remake a mold or rewrite a program to get different shapes for new parts. There’s an amazing amount of freedom within this medium.
STORY by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST/LEAF NATION | PHOTO by SHERLOCKS GLASS GALLERY @SHERLOCKSGLASS
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cannthropology
WORLD OF CANNABIS PRESENTS
42
Adam “Mr. Hash Bash” Brook
The History of Hash Bash
The origins and evolution of Ann Arbor’s annual reefer rally
leafnationmd.com
This is the story of how a small Midwestern college town became the home of America’s longest-running Cannabis event and a legendary legalization location. It all began in December 1966, when prominent poet, pot activist, and White Panther John Sinclair unknowingly gave two joints to an undercover policewoman from the Detroit Narcotics Bureau. A month later he was arrested, tried, and in 1969, sentenced to a shocking 10 years in prison. This disproportionately draconian penalty (no doubt intended to make an example of Sinclair), drew widespread outrage among the counterculture community—particularly with the Youth International Party, or “Yippies.” In December 1971, they helped organize a massive rally on Sinclair’s behalf at the University of Michigan’s Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor. Known as the “John Sinclair Freedom Rally,” it included Yippie activists Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, David Peel and future High Times founder Tom Forcade, as well as beatnik poet Allen Ginsberg and NORML founder Keith Stroup. More importantly, though, it featured performances by top musical acts like Bob Seger, Stevie Wonder and most impressively, former Beatle John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono. Just three days after that concert, Michigan’s Supreme Court ordered
jan. 2021
Sinclair’s release on bond pending appeal after serving only two-and-a-half years of his sentence. At the appeal hearing, that same court dismissed his case—ruling that he’d been entrapped and that his sentence was “cruel and unusual.” Moreover, the court declared that the 1952 state law used to convict him—which classified Cannabis as a “narcotic”—was inaccurate and therefore unconstitutional, and overturned it. The state legislature quickly drafted and passed a replacement, but enforcement of that new law didn’t take effect until April 1. This meant that for about three weeks, marijuana was technically legal in the State of Michigan. Taking full advantage of this unique window—and inspired by the action that had set Sinclair free months earlier—local activists organized a pro-pot political rally on the very day the new law was set to take effect. And that, my friends, is how Hash Bash was born. Held at high noon on Saturday, April 1, 1972, at “The Diag” (the central Diagonal Green) on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor, the original event—called simply “Hash Festival”—was reportedly attended by somewhere between 150-500 people and had no arrests. The Democrat-led city council in Ann Arbor had already debated downgrading marijuana possession from a felony to a misdemeanor in 1971. In May 1972—just a month after the rally—they passed an ordinance reducing the penalty for possession to a mere five dollar fine, followed by another in September allowing those fines to be paid through the mail, rather than
For the first decade and a half of its existence, Hash Bash was little more than a gathering of people smoking pot in public. However, from the early ‘90s on, it became a platform for some of the most prominent voices in the marijuana movement.
having offenders appear in court. This gave Ann Arbor the dubious distinction of being the city with the most liberal pot laws in America. When April Fool’s Day rolled around again the following year, so did Hash Bash—this time drawing 3,000-5,000 attendees. Outraged, conservatives fought back—repealing the lenient law in 1973. But less than a year later, the quarrelsome issue made it onto the ballot as a voter referendum and was voted back into law in April 1974 — just in time for Hash Bash number three, which was now officially an annual event. Thanks to the “Just Say No” Reagan era, attendance and interest in Hash Bash saw a steep decline in the 1980s— leading some local officials and newspapers to prematurely celebrate its seeming demise. But all that changed in 1988 with the arrival of High Times; then Editor-in-Chief Steve Hager and his Freedom Fighters (including columnists Ed Rosenthal and Chef Ra, among others) rolled into Ann Arbor sporting Colonial tricorn hats and musical instruments— drawing a crowd of nearly 2,000 and reinvigorating the faltering festival. A further effort was made to increase attendance in 1991, when the annual date of the event was changed from the first of April to the first Saturday in April. In the years that followed, the University made several attempts to shut the rally down by denying permits and such, prompting five lawsuits from Hash Bash organizers, NORML and the ACLU—all of which the University lost. For the first decade and a half of its existence, Hash Bash was little more than a gathering of people smoking pot in public. However, from the early ‘90s on, it became a platform for some of the most just heard the police had 200 officers waiting in prominent voices in the marijuana moveriot gear,” Brook recounts. “Every April Fool’s Day ment, including Tommy Chong, authors we’d publish some sort of claim … Bill Clinton was Jack Herer and Gatewood Galbraith, showing up, Sasha Obama … and sure enough, hippie icon Stephen Gaskin, Yippie Dana the media shows up.” Though no longer serving as Beal, and of course, John Sinclair, who its emcee, Brook still attends each year and hosts a returned to the event (and to Michigan) private event called the Hash Bash Cup the weekend in 1996 after an almost 20-year absence of the rally. living in New Orleans. The new millennium brought many changes to Other than Sinclair, no one has become Michigan’s marijuana laws. In November 2008, votmore associated with the event than ers passed Proposal 1 legalizing medical marijuana. Sinclair’s personal manager, Adam Brook. In 2016, State Representative Jeff Irwin (D) attended Legalization Icon John Sinclair Nicknamed “Mr. Hash Bash,” Brook Hash Bash and announced that he was sponsoring started hosting the rally in 1993 and cona bill to legalize marijuana for adult use. That September, medical tinued to do so for almost two decades, until 2011 when he topicals, edibles and dispensaries were legalized. passed the mic on to other prominent Wolverine State weed In 2018, gubernatorial candidate Gretchen Whitmer (D) came to warriors. Brook’s specialty was getting media coverage of the speak at the rally and on Election Day that November, voters approved event by playing the press. another Proposal 1—this time called The Michigan Regulation and “In order to get the TV cameras to show up at Hash Taxation of Marihuana Act—which finally legalized Cannabis use for Bash, I’d call them on Saturday morning and tell them we’d adults statewide.
“In order to get the TV cameras to show up at Hash Bash, I’d call them on Saturday morning and tell them we’d just heard the police had 200 officers waiting in riot gear." -A DA M B RO OK
The following April, Ann Arbor celebrated that monumental victory with their biggest Bash ever—boasting well over 10,000 attendees and zero arrests. “Welcome to legalization in the state of Michigan!” Sinclair announced to the cheering crowd in 2019. “You haven’t been here before unless you were here in 1972 when we started it. We went three weeks without any marijuana law, and believe me we took full advantage of every minute of it. Then when the Michigan law went into effect on April Fool’s Day, we said, ‘Fuck you—we’re going to go into the Diag to smoke some weed!’ That’s how it started and I’m proud to see it continuing in full force.” Last year, due to COVID-19, organizers were forced to replace the rally with a virtual Zoom event. Hopefully, Hash Bash will be able to return to The Diag this April to celebrate its milestone 50th anniversary.
Tommy Chong
For more on Hash Bash, listen to Episode #6 of our podcast at worldofcannabis.museum/ podcast or visit hashbash.com. Published originally on worldofcannabis.museum and reprinted with permission.
STORY by BOBBY BLACK @CANNTHROPOLOGY for LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by RICK THOMPSON | ART COURTESY WORLD OF CANNABIS MUSEUM @WORLDOFCANNABIS.MUSEUM
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YOUR GPS LIED TO YOU he tragic miscalculation of digital driving directions can be the cause of great stress. Because when you’re lost, everything appears foreign. Your surroundings are unfamiliar, you find yourself flustered and exposed. This is a dark and confusing place where suddenly every turn, every sidewalk and every streetlight looks identical. Your sense of security vanishes, leaving you vulnerable and frightened, the anxiety heightened. You feel betrayed by the soothing, relatable personality inside of your electronic device, as their lack of sound decision-making seemed almost purposeful. The voice you once believed is now a clueless idiot and you are determined to get even with a brazen scolding. You will belittle it, call her a bitch or him an asshole, condemning their actions with caustic flare while detailing the irreparable hassle and embarrassment you’ll endure due to their lack of focus. At some point you may forgive them, but now is not the time. You are lost and late – and the world is in a state of utter peril that may take years to repair. However, although it doesn’t feel like it, this is no one’s fault. You do feel a sense of responsibility, though, for having blindly trusted what used to be a credible source. So, to rectify the blunder of placing your faith in this digital confidante, you will take uncharacteristic chances in the attempt to absolve yourself of any further regret. There is no time to waste in getting to the original course. So, you will make illegal U-turns across center-dividers and irresponsibly hit the brakes on a busy thoroughfare. You will knowingly break the law, nervously cursing while backing up on a one-way street to return to the exit passed. Ninety-five percent of the time, however, this device is correct. Therefore, you should reward your GPS system. I recommend a digital blow job. You take a puff from a vape pen and exhale it into the screen.
T
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by Mike Ricker
jan. 2021
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