HIGHLY LIKELY

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

CLIFF ROBINSON

CLIFF ROBINSON WAS ONE OF THE MANY GREAT ‘CHARACTERS’ TO PLAY IN THE NBA’S GO-GO 1990S AND INTO THE 2000S. HOWEVER, A DEEPER DIG INTO HIS LIFE REVEALS A MAN WHO WAS FAR MORE THAN JUST AN ATHLETE.

Robinson played for almost a decade for the Portland Trail Blazers, and during these years with the team from 1989- About that stint with the Blazers; Robinson was part of the team that was - to fans, at least - affectionately referred to as ‘The Jail Blazers.’ 1997, he made the playoffs almost every year. There he earned the name ‘Uncle Spliffy’ (a

During his time in the league, he scored derivation of his moniker ‘Uncle Cliffy’ better more points than some of the NBA’s greatest known to Blazers fans) from NBA writer Peter players, including Magic Vecesy, following numerous Johnson, Isaiah Thomas and “I think suspensions due to CannabisScottie Pippen, with Robinson currently ranked 54th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. He Cannabis will eventually be related incidents while in the NBA. But there was nothing funny was an excellent defensive recognized about this label - in truth, player as well - making the as a help many Blazers’ players were NBA’s “All-Defensive Team” twice during his career. But while basketball was for athletes, rather than a subject to racial profiling by the Portland Police Department, most of the time something that Robinson was hinderance.” for Cannabis. supremely gifted at playing, it did not entirely define him as Cliff Robinson Unfortunately, due to this Robinson became a target for a person. law enforcement, resulting in a

Robinson was a family man and he loved SWAT raid of his home. Portland, so much so that he began moving his Post-NBA, Robinson became outspoken family and friends here shortly after starting his on his love for all things Cannabis. Once stint with the Trail Blazers in the late-1980s. legalization took hold, Robinson signed on as an ambassador for Pistil Point in the infancy of Oregon’s legal Cannabis industry.

Robinson became a fixture at Cannabis events in Portland, and spoke about how beneficial the herb can be medically - especially for athletes. “[I want] to knock down the myth that athletes and Cannabis don’t mix,” Robinson told the Oregonian in 2017.

“I played 18 years in the NBA and I used Cannabis on and off along the way, and I didn’t have a problem. The more we continue to stay out in front of it in a positive way and continue to push being responsible with it, I think Cannabis will eventually be recognized as a help for athletes, rather than a hinderance.”

Robinson will always be remembered for his friendly personality and warm smile - and by many accounts, for his wonderful singing voice.

While Robinson’s passing away in late August 2020 after a long battle with lymphoma is a big loss for NBA fans and Blazers’ faithful, for the Cannabis industry, we lost a true leader.

Omar Marshall

MARYLAND LEAF BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH

“IF MY MOUTH WATERS WHEN I SMELL IT, IT’S PROBABLY A WINNER.”

OMAR IS A BUDTENDER AND PATIENT who brings the funk to True Wellness Aberdeen. It always helps when your budtender has tried almost everything in the store and Omar is definitely that guy. In his words, he is a “Cannabis enthusiast giving my unsolicited opinion on buds and dabs here in Maryland.” Check out his dozens of product reviews on a weekly basis on Instagram @omars_dabratory and be sure to chat with him next time you’re in True Wellness.

TRUE WELLNESS ABERDEEN | 226 S PHILADELPHIA BLVD, ABERDEEN, MD @OMARS_DABRATORY | MDTRUEWELLNESS.COM HOW DID YOUR PERSONAL CANNABIS JOURNEY BEGIN? GO AS FAR BACK AS YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE. While in college, away from home for the first time, I had severe anxiety and depression. Many friends there suggested I try Cannabis. After my initial aversion, I eventually did. This was in the early ‘90s and not only was Cannabis illegal in all 50 states, the negative stereotypes surrounding it were not only ubiquitous, but widely accepted as fact - me included. I was immediately ‘better’ after I inhaled my first joint. I didn’t have the education, nor training that I do now, but I knew instantly that Cannabis had just become a stable in my mental fortitude, as well as helped me come out of my shell more. I also figured out that Cannabis could also be used for more than just getting high, it can also heal.

WHAT DOES CANNABIS INSPIRE OR ENABLE YOU TO DO? This is the question I’m asked a lot at work. I am a guitarist and musician, and have been for more than 25 years. So much of my art is inspired by creative sparks. It can happen at any moment if I’m in the right ‘mental’ space. I’ve discovered many Cannabis products to be extremely instrumental in this creative spark. That creative spark has even manifested its way into my Cannabis world as well, as I’ve taken to reviewing MD’s finest flower and concentrates at @omars_dabratory on Instagram. It’s just something fun to do and keeps me up on great new products.

DOES CANNABIS INSPIRE YOU TO PICK UP THE GUITAR? Man, HELL YES! Haha, absolutely does. Now, I’m a self proclaimed guitar addict - I don’t need a lot of prodding to grab my axe. However, if I smoke the right strain - like a psychedelic GSC or an energizing sativa like Poochie Love - I’m almost surely going to be running scales up and down my guitar neck. I find Cannabis to be a match made in heaven for me and my guitar playing, specifically pinene/terpinolene/limonene high-terp flower for the mood upliftment and focus.

WHEN REVIEWING CANNABIS FLOWER OR CONCENTRATE, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU LOOK FOR? Whether concentrate or flower, I look for an energizing terpene profile. This means I like a lot of a/b pinene, terpinolene, and I love limonene. I also look for as much THCv and humulene as I can. This cannabinoid/terpene combo has been shown to not only help level out my blood sugar levels from Type 2 diabetes, but also helped me lose about 60 pounds by helping curb my appetite. I also like a nice ‘funk’ or bouquet. If my mouth waters when I smell it, it’s probably a winner.

WHAT SETS TRUE WELLNESS APART FROM OTHER DISPENSARIES? WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT WORKING HERE? Aside from the super knowledgeable and passionate staff and management, something that continues to impress me is the progressive hiring and training I see within this organization.

Over a year and a half ago, in my long journey to get into this industry, I literally went on over a dozen interviews and visited and researched about 25 or so dispensaries. I saw very few POC working in these dispensaries and saw even fewer of them in management. Only two dispensaries that I interviewed at had a POC sitting on the other side of the interview desk. One of them was True Wellness.

As a Black man, it is very important to me that this industry gives opportunity to a community that I feel has disproportionately been negatively affected by archaic Cannabis laws.

Since being at True Wellness, I’ve seen many POC get hired, promoted and trained for future success. When we expanded our brand, the first GM they hired was a POC. The second expansion, AGAIN, they hired a POC. I’ve also been promoted as well. I am extremely proud to work for a company that provides equal opportunity for advancement for all - if you put in the work.

Flower to the People.

Mindful medicine & compassionate care.

Locally-owned and operated, Kannavis is committed to educating and empowering patients to live healthier, fuller lives through cannabis. Visit us in Frederick, just off I-270, and explore our extensive product selection with one-on-one guidance from the incredible Kannavis team— or order online with Weedmaps!

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