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May 2018

issue #95

BEHIND THE SCENES SHINING A LIGHT ON CANNABIS COMPANIES AND STORIES THAT DESERVE IT // P. 40-57

inside news from around the country National 12 budtender of the month Feature 24 miracle maddie and surviving with cannabis Profile 54 Strawberry cannabis crostata Recipes 60 sriracha tincture reviewed Edibles 64

Smokey Point Productions Arlington, Washington.

This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of the reach of children. Marijuana products may be purchased or possessed only by persons 21 years of age or older.

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MAY 2018

WASHINGTON BUD CO. Processor Kay Kehoe trims up Purple Sour Diesel. Kehoe has worked for the company for four years since their medical Cannabis days.

BUDTENDER

Eric Latta is the experienced buyer at Kush 21, ensuring customers have a great selection.

@BERMANPHOTOS

46 STONER OWNER Justin Ruiz is the mind behind the concept of Stoner Owner and shares what it really means.

54 MIRACLE MADDIE The five-year-old with Zellweger Syndrome is surviving through her mother’s Cannabis plan

BEHIND THE SCENES Special Issue // Pg. 40-57

11 12 16 20 24 30 32 36 40 41 42 44 46 48 49 50 54 60 64 66 70

EDITOR’S NOTE NATIONAL NEWS NATIONAL NEWS MR. BILLS OF BUCKLEY REVIEW BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH PATIENT PROFILE HIGHLY LIKELY STRAIN OF THE MONTH BEHIND THE SCENES ISSUE SMOKEY POINT PRODUCTIONS JEROME BAKER GLASS WASHINGTON BUD CO. STONER OWNER UPPER LEFT LIGHTSCALE LABS STOCKPOT IMAGES MIRACLE MADDIE TASTY RECIPES EDIBLE REVIEWS CONCENTRATES BOOK REVIEW

ON THE COVER smokey point productions Prof ile | Pg. 40-41

PHOTO BY DANIEL BERMAN

BACK ISSUES/OREGON//ALASKA

WWW.ISSUU.COM/NWLEAF

MARIJUANA PRODUCTS MAY BE PURCHASED OR POSSESSED ONLY BY PERSONS 21 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER.

contents

GLASS ARTIST JEROME BAKER IN SEATTLE The artist is known for elaborate collaborative pieces featuring multiple artists working together. PHOTO BY DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

NORTHWEST LEAF

the truth about the plant you thought you knew, IN every issue.

editor’s note

MAY 2018 ISSUE #95

We want to hear from you

FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

this is our first look behind the scenes of the Cannabis

Please get in touch to place an ad or become a drop-off location to display our magazine. Feel free to share feedback, pitches, story ideas and hot news tips. This is all our plant!

Wes abneY | Wes@NWLeaf.com | 425-219-6155

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Daniel bermaN | Daniel@Bermanphotos.com

ADVERTISING NATE WILLIAMS | NW SALES DIRECTOR nate@orleaf.com | 415-717-6985

CONTRIBUTORS Sarah Climaco, Editing Steve Elliott, National News Simone Fischer, Features Sean O’Neill, Illustration Brandon Palma, Design Pacer Stacktrain, Features Laurie & Bruce Wolf, Recipes Nate Williams, Production

FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF FOLLOW US @NWLEAF FREE DIGITAL ARCHIVES ISSUU.COM/NWLEAF WWW.N W L EAF.COM Please email or call us to discuss print and online advertising opportunities in an upcoming issue. We do not sell stories or coverage. We are happy to offer design services and guidance on the best approaches for promoting your company’s recreational, commercial or industrial product, event or pursuit. We are targeted. Department of Corrections

We welcome reader feedback. Please email Wes@NWLeaf.com if we have made a factual error or mistake meriting correction.

industry, and I hope that you enjoy all the different profiles, people and companies that make the system work. It takes a lot to bring Cannabis to sale legally, much more than most realize, and it takes a collective effort to make it happen. I am honored to share the profiles we have this month and to highlight the folks making it happen. On that note, I’d like to touch on the team here at the Leaf, and how much it takes to put these magazines together each month. While we have a big footprint with the magazines, it’s a small core of dedicated staff who grind and stress each month until these magazines are done. Without our team members, namely Daniel Berman handling design and photography, and Nate Williams running our Oregon bureau, we wouldn’t have a magazine. Not to mention the dozen or more writers, editors, delivery drivers, and everyone else who helps make the magazine happen. Behind the scenes, we are here to serve you, the reader, and the Cannabis industry. We do this by selling ads to fund our printing each month, and by counting on readers to pick up and enjoy the magazine. It is truly a blessing to be able to publish each month, and not something we, or you, should take for granted. Without support from advertisers and the industry, we would not be here. So, thank you for reading, for the companies that advertise, and those thinking about supporting the Leaf. When you pick up or support us, you help more than just our company grow. You help spread our message, of quality Cannabis journalism, and telling the truth about the plant we all love. Thanks for reading and enjoy!

IT TAKES A LOT TO BRING CANNABIS TO SALE LEGALLY, MUCH MORE THAN MOST REALIZE, AND IT TAKES A COLLECTIVE EFFORT TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

—Wes Abney MAY 2018 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

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national

STEVE ELLIOTT is the editor behind tokesignals.com, an independent blog of Cannabis news and opinion.

Smith Rock

DESCHUTES COUNTY SEEKS CANNABIS CRACKDOWN

eschutes County, Oregon is trying to crack down on illegal cannabis production by hiring two new enforcement officers. County commissioners also want to limit new legal grows by pausing the processing of applications to grow. The move from the

Deschutes County Commission is one of the latest efforts by conservative counties in Oregon to control an industry they claim is growing too fast. Officials in Josephine County — a prime growing area in southern Oregon — in April went even farther. They sued the state in federal court, asserting state laws are pre-empted by federal marijuana prohibition. The Josephine County Commission in December tried to ban and restrict Cannabis farming on rural residential lots, but the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals put those restrictions on hold. Meanwhile, back in Deschutes County, the sheriff and D.A. are complaining that it’s hard to differentiate between legal and black market marijuana crops. That’s why the Board of Commissioners in April started the process to hire two more members for the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) team to focus on Cannabis enforcement. “The new limited duration marijuana enforcement staff would solely focus on marijuana cases, complaints, and compliance,” said Deschutes County official Nick Lelack, reports the Insurance Journal. The new staffers, who will be temporary hires, will likely be a deputy sheriff and a Bend police officer, according to Lelack.

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Pullman, Wash.

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCHING CANNABIS AND HEALTH

esearchers at Washington State University are looking a variety of potential health impacts of Cannabis. Issues being studied include the

effects of marijuana on pregnant women, young people, and those with chronic pain. The scientists are also studying public and professional attitudes toward weed, its relationship to tobacco, and how Cannabis stimulates the appetite. The projects, all of which comply with federal law, were awarded recently by WSU’s Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research Program. The work is funded by Washington state Cannabis taxes and liquor license fees. The program is aimed at pilot projects which focus on “drug abuse” in the state. In the last three years, the program has awarded no fewer than 28 Cannabisrelated research grants. “Funding for these pilot grants is essential because it allows us to expand our research at WSU to investigate some of the most pressing questions related to the impact of Cannabis on health,” said Michael McDonnell, associate professor in the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. McDonnell chairs WSU’s Committee on Cannabis Research and Outreach. “Pain relief is the most commonly reported medical use of marijuana,” according to the grant abstract. Clinical trials suggest it can being “significant pain relief” and may be safer than opioids. The WSU project is the first to characterize the pain-relieving effects of vaporized marijuana, according to the abstract.

e k i L I

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shop where the industry shops This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of the reach of children.

national

STEVE ELLIOTT is the editor behind tokesignals.com, an independent blog of Cannabis news and opinion.

OREGON’S TOO GOOD AT GROWING CANNABIS

regonians are really skilled at growing marijuana. Maybe they’re too good. State officials in February announced that 1.1 million pounds of Cannabis flower was in the state’s database. But last year, Oregon customers

consumed just under 340,000 pounds of legal weed. State farmers have grown three times the amount that the entire state of Oregon can smoke in a year. Prices for “regular” bud has come down to $4 or $5 a gram due to the oversupply. Pounds have fallen from $1,500 last summer to $700 by midOctober. One grower told Willamette Week he sold 60 pounds of indoor-grown Cannabis at auction for $100 a pound. “Currently, we’re operating at a $15,000-per-month loss,” said the grower, who’d invested $250,000 in an indoor farm. The number of marijuana growers in Oregon is set to double this summer, according to state licensing documents. Basically, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission issues a license to anyone who is qualified. Prices have fallen so low many farmers are hurting. Some of the pain has even extended to the pot shops, who aren’t happy about $4 grams, reports Willamette Week. “The business has been up and down and up and down,” said Don Morse, who closed his Southwest Portland dispensary, Human Collective II, five months ago Family owned mom-and-pop marijuana farms are taking low-ball offers from out-of-state investors. What was once a local market is increasingly being taken over by a few big players since state lawmakers in 2016 allowed money from outside the state into the industry. “The root of the entire thing was an allowance of outside money into Oregon,” said Myron Chadowitz, who owns a Eugene marijuana farm called “Cannassentials.” “Unlimited money and unlimited licenses, you’re going to get unlimited flower and crash the market.” To add to the issue, federal law enforcement is watching. “We have an identifiable and formidable marijuana overproduction and diversion problem,” said US Attorney Billy Williams earlier this year. “We’re going to do something about it.”

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WHY MICHIGAN HAS YET TO AWARD ANY MEDICAL MARIJUANA LICENSES

n April 19, 2017, the Michigan Medical Marijuana Licensing Board gave preliminary approval to nine applications, denied two and postponed action on another. But that seemingly

good news serves to highlight the fact that 16 months after the Michigan Legislature regulated and taxed the medical Cannabis industry, not a single business has been awarded a license. The medical marijuana business has been estimated to be at least a $700 million business in Michigan, reports the Detroit Free Press. Dispensaries already serving patients are facing a June 15, 2018 deadline to either get licensed or shut down. “There was a lot to be done after the law was passed,” said Andrew Brisbo, director of the Michigan Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation. “We had to get an IT system set up, build an organization and hire employees.” Businesses still operating after June 15, 2018, could risk their chance at a license, according to David Harns, spokesman for the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. But, he said, “LARA does not currently intend to issue cease-and-desist letters nor refer to law enforcement any applicant who turned in their state application by local attestation by Feb. 15, 2018, has a pending application and is making a good faith effort to become licensed by LARA.” The state in March sent cease-and-desist orders to more than 200 medical marijuana facilities operating without having submitted a license application.

PHOTO BY DANIEL BERMAN

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Issaquah Cannabis Company 112th Street Cannabis Diamond Green Mr. Bills of Buckley

Marijuana products may be purchased or possessed only by persons 21 or older. This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgement. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of reach of children.

access

REVIEW by WES ABNEY | PHOTOS by @BERMANPHOTOS

MR. BILL’S OF BUCKLEY

MARIONBERRY KUSH RSO BY JV RANCH

Hands down this is THE SCORE the most flavorful and tasty ethanol F LAVO R extract we’ve EF F EC T THC experienced PAC KAG I N G in recreational VA LU E Cannabis. JV Ranch is T O TA L 19/20 a one-man operation, harvesting and processing plants whole into medicine. At under $22 a gram, this extract is worth every dollar. Extremely clean and tasty, we expect to see this brand expanding with more great options for those seeking whole plant extract. ($22/g with tax)

73.25%

It's easy to see why they keep growing, and why customers keep coming to this gem in Buckley. MR. BILL’S OF BUCKLEY

29393 WA-410 Suite D Buckley, WA 98321 Mon-Sun 8a-10p MrBillsofBuckley.com (360) 761-7540

Strains 5/5 THERE’S A ton of strains at Mr. Bills,

ranging from $5 to $16.50 for top shelf, with tons of tasty options. Exotic Genetics is a mainstay for high-end flower, and we really liked Bangs Cannabis, with beautiful greenhouse flowers that looks like fire indoor. We saw great priced selections from Buddy Boy Farms, Soul Shine, Marley Naturals, Fireline and a full selection of Fat Panda. There’s also a huge selection of prerolls starting at $3 and topping out at $13.50 for infused joints, with Candy Cones from Forbidden Farms and Boon Sticks from Boggy Boon catching our eye.

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Edibles 4/5 RIGHT AT the front of the store is a

fridge full of infused drinks, so you know the edibles focus is strong here. We liked seeing a wide variety of edibles, from liquids to tinctures and everything in between. There’s a full selection of topical so, like Honu’s Face Cream, Frozen Heat and Massage Oil, empowering options like Velvet Swing Cannabis Lube, and lots of different capsules with various blends and strengths. There’s even CBD Honey and the new Fairwinds Cannabis infused Sriracha!

Concentrates 5/5 WE LOVED the wide selection of

concentrates here, from really fairly priced hydrocarbon options to solventless hash and RSO. Grams range from $15 to $60, with a lot of tasty items around $25 like Pioneer Nugs and Sticky Buds. We saw tasty options from Dabstract, Refined and Western Cultured. We really liked seeing RSO for $20 a gram, which is great for medical patients and recreational consumers alike, and tons of cartridge options for those seeking vapor highs.

TUTANKHAMUN ICE HASH SEATTLE BUBBLE WORKS

Lightly sticky and filled with a sweet, earthy and rich flavor, this ice water hash is a great value at $20 per gram. It’s awesome to see solventless hash in recreational stores, which is a surprisingly overlooked product sector. THE SCORE Seattle Bubble Works is doing a great job, bringing all natural, pesticide-free FL AVOR Cannabinoids at a great value. We found THC E FFE CT the Tutankhamun to be stoney but energetic PACK AGIN G enough for daytime use, and perfect atop a bowl or VA L UE smoked into a melty bliss with the screen provided with TOTA L 18/20 each gram! ($20/g with tax)

62.84%

CONSTANTINE EXOTIC GENETIX

Bag appeal is everything THE SCORE in 502 Cannabis, and this Constantine has got it. Like A R O MA the legendary name suggests, DEN SI T Y this triple OG CURE cross is absolutely LO O KS THC beautiful. With solid F LAVO R bud structure and EF F EC T S purple notes, the flower is thickly T O TA L 26/30 CBD coated in trichomes and fairly glistens from within the jar. Cracking it reveals sharp and sour OG funk, with notes of pine and lemon and hints of spice. The smoke is clean and sweeter than expected and drops a heavy indica high that hits quick and lasts for several hours. We look forward to seeing more from Exotic Genetix in the future!

18.66% .22%

Environment 5/5 MR. BILLS of Buckley is named after

a real person, although the founding Bill has passed, his business model of customer service and friendly atmosphere live on. The store moved a year ago into a larger space, filling a large retail location with tons of Cannabis and lots of education. Walking into the store instantly brings warm and friendly vibes, with budtenders ready to help find customers the right Cannabis. Small town feels with a big city selection make for the perfect environment for buying Cannabis!

Overall 19/20 We really love the atmosphere, selection, pricing model and the team that make Mr. Bills feel like a true hometown dispensary. It’s easy to see why they keep growing, and why customers keep coming to this gem in Buckley. It’s definitely worth the drive for a non-local to get their hands-on craft strains and a cultivated selection, all with a friendly smile in an environment that is all friendly stoner chic.

may 2018 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

/21

@ogzfireweed WARNING : This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do Not operate a vehicle or heavy machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risk associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children.

@ogzfireweed

WARNING : This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do Not operate a vehicle or heavy machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risk associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children.

kush21 17730 Ambaum Blvd South D, Seattle, WA 98148 Kush21.com

24 /May 2018 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

budtender of the month

Interview by WES ABNEY | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

ERIC LATTA

Send your suggestions for Northwest Leaf’s Budtender of the Month, highlighting budtenders who stand above the rest!

NWLeaf@gmail.com Instagram: @NWLeaf

Eric is the buyer for Kush 21 Burien, which is expanding to add three more locations, including a newly opened store on Vashon Island. Latta has used his passion for Cannabis and the feedback from customers and his team to cultivate a quality selection of products, and prices, while still remaining true to his goal of having the best weed possible at the best price. WHEN DID YOU FIRST EXPERIENCE CANNABIS?

I was one of the last of my friends to start smoking, back before medical and recreational, everyone I knew smoked weed. I always liked the smell, even before I smoked. When I did finally try it, I loved it. I was just out of high school and have been consuming ever since.

HOW DID YOU BECOME A BUDTENDER?

I started working at a restaurant next to a medical dispensary. I started covering shifts there and then I ended up working part-time at the dispensary. When medical disappeared, I went recreational. The first rec shop I worked at almost turned me off rec weed entirely, but I really love it at Kush 21. Before being a budtender, I also did some closed-loop extraction. The science and solvents are really interesting to me, and that led me into the industry in search of knowledge and passion.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF BEING A BUDTENDER? Honestly, it’s helping older people. My favorite thing is to be the positive face of Cannabis. There’s a lot of stigma and stereotypes. I love when people come in for the first time after not smoking for 40+ years, and I’m able to change their mind about what Cannabis is and how it can help people.

FAVORITE WAY TO CONSUME CANNABIS?

Dabbing. A clean dab rig with a nice fresh banger. Low temp around 50 seconds, depending on the size of nail I’m using. They all have a mind of their own.

FAVORITE STRAINS AND PRODUCERS?

WHY DO YOU LIKE WORKING AT KUSH 21?

I’m a big fan of Downtown Cannabis, they’re a small farm and spend a lot of time on their product. Experience Organics a has been really popular, with lots of terps and a full organic and LED grow. I joke that I like anyone that tucks their plants in at night. I’m also a big dabber. I tend to have a highend taste for oils. I like a lot of concentrates and enjoy Refined and Amber Brick. I’ve also been doing a lot of the edible oils lately, Hootie Hoo and Dose Oil have been killing it, with a full gram of Co2 you get nearly 1000 mg for only 30 bucks.

I like being super close to the airport. We have people come from out-of-state where they aren’t allowed full legal access to Cannabis. We try to make sure that they get knowledge here and that they leave with what they want. I also really love our team and the owner here, they make Kush 21 feel like a home, and I’m really happy to be here.

HOW DO YOU HELP FIND THE RIGHT CANNABIS/PRODUCTS FOR A CUSTOMER?

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR AS A BUYER WHEN YOU CHOOSE WHICH BRANDS TO CARRY?

I like to find out when they’re smoking, what time of day or what activity they’re doing. For me, that helps the most, because trying to explain the differences in strains right off bat can be overwhelming. I like to find out what they’re trying to do with their Cannabis and what they hope to get out of the experience. I also try to understand what they want to pay. People are moving away from THC percentages into cannabinoid profiles, terpenes and entourage effects, which is good. We try to keep budtenders from focusing on the testing numbers because we all know they aren’t that reliable.

WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES OUTSIDE OF CANNABIS?

Music and cars. I have an old RX7 I’m building at home, and I used to play in a bunch of bands, played in a metal band. I like everything, metalcore, rock, hip-hop, all music and lots of weed.

My job is to buy what the people like, not just what I like. I try to find a combination of the brands people follow online and on social, and the smaller, medical-style hand grown Cannabis. Our floor staff and management are all involved with purchasing insight. Our staff takes everything customers and budtenders say, and they filter it back to me to make decisions. The best thing you can do is hear firsthand what people say. If you’re just taking opinions it’s a very small portion of the market. I like to get involved and hear about the good and the bad, if someone doesn’t like something I want to get it off the shelf as fast as possible.

“I love when people come in for the first time after for 40+ years, and I’m able to change their mind about what Cannabis is and how it can help people.”

PUT IT ON PHO-KING EVERYTHING! Fairwinds Cannabis has produced a Sriracha THC Tincture to honor one of the very best and iconic hot sauces. All-natural ingredients, made with real hot pepper oils & organic avocado oil, gluten free, vegan, and non-GMO. Kicked up another notch with 100 mg THC — It’s Pho-King Hot!

#SrirachaMiHi

This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the inﬂuence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of the reach of children. This product is not approved by the FDA to treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

pATIENT Profile

By SIMONE FISCHER | PHOTO by @BERMANPHOTOS

JOHN FOWLER BATTLING LYME DISEASE THROUGH CANNABIS John Fowler created the “To Be Blunt” YouTube channel where he reviews Cannabis products from local Oregon dispensaries. Besides his passion for all things Cannabis, Fowler is a proud Eagle Scout who uses Cannabis to relieve the painful symptoms of Chronic Lyme Disease.

ohn Fowler was not diagnosed with Lyme disease until December 2015. He was living with a roommate who was going to school, so he thought he was just getting sick from something going around. But things started to get worse, and fast. Though Fowler was working technical support at the time, he thought previous years of construction and physical labor had taken a toll on his body. Then Fowler’s father passed away and he had to make his way back East for the funeral. “I started getting sick on the job and had to call in,” Fowler said. “I thought the construction work that was abusing my body - and I was tired from the hard work. Between that and the three-year-old, I would have never guessed it was Lyme.” Fowler finally saw a doctor on the East coast and had a series of tests done to figure out what was causing his fatigue. “Finally after numerous tests, my doctor said I had Lyme for years. The West coast doctors and - especially the neurologists - think it’s all in your head because they are not as familiar with Lyme as the east coast doctors,” Fowler said. “In my experience, neurologists can be very dismissive.” Reports of Lyme disease are much higher on the East coast in comparison to the West. Unfortunately, Fowler did not experience the typical bulls-eye rash associated with Lyme when he was first infected – which is why he went undetected for so long. He went years before he finally got properly diagnosed when he became routinely sick due to Lyme wearing down his immune system. “I was living in North Carolina a few years back before the diagnosis and chances are, it probably started there,” he said. “I lived on several acres in the middle of the woods and part of my chores was spreading tick poison. We estimated it was around 2000 when I contracted Lyme. When I was finally diagnosed in December 2015, my doctor said I had it for at least five years.” Fowler didn’t try Cannabis until his early 20s in New York. He grew up and became an Eagle Scout

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“I find it a lot harder to filter myself these days, which is part of the reason why I named my show “To Be Blunt.” and wasn’t a big drinker either. Fowler smoked about Cannabis products for his ‘To Be Blunt” socially from time to time but did not become a channel on YouTube because it was a way he bonafide stoner until after his diagnosis. could give back to the OMMP community by “I became an OMMP patient in 2016 and startproviding education and real-time reviews to ed using Cannabis products on a medicinal basis. help navigate new Cannabis users. The problem with Lyme is that it releases toxins “I find it a lot harder to filter myself these as you kill it from the inside. Often, [late stage/ days, which is part of the reason why I named undiagnosed] Lyme tends to do more damage on my show “To Be Blunt.” It all started because its way out. Honestly, the brain and memory issues my friends and I wanted to be like the “Buzzare much worse than the physical part. It’s hard feed” of weed. Now, I live in a small town and for me to recall a lot of things memory-wise.” I feel trapped in my small room, so I started “I’m in a wheelchair because of my muscles as making videos,” he said. well as my joints. I often deal with cramps and “I hope someday it might be something, but inflammation, so I use a lot of CBD. My favorite for now it keeps me busy and keeps me using CBD flower is Freedom grown by 7 Points, which any kind of skill I might still have. I figured if is said to be bred by a veteran.” I’m going to be an OMMP patient, I wanted to He’s also a dabber. “For concentrates, I love the focus on the education aspect. I want to talk ‘Lite Me Up’ processed by Dab Society and grown about THCA and suppositories – things you by Bull Run Craft Cannabis. THCA helps when I’m normally wouldn’t associate with Cannabis culfeeling crampy/twitchy, but I still need mental clarture. It’s a way I can give back the community, ity. I feel like it’s not something a lot of people talk which is also why I became an Eagle when I about, but Cannabis suppositories are was in the Boy Scouts. Giving back See John’s reviews really helpful as well,” Fowler said. to my community has always been a of Oregon products Fowler started to make review videos Youtube.com/ToBeBlunt part of who I am.”

Cascade Gardens • Northwest Leaf - 1/2 Page Horizontal Layout: Galaxy • Version Horizontal C • Size: 9.25” wide x 5.25” tall

highly likely

By PACER STACKTRAIN

Column # 34

Highlighting amazing Cannabis pioneers who helped pave the way to greater herbal acceptance.

JOHN SALLEY Why the health-focused former NBA player and sports commentator uses Cannabis John Salley is a rare, four-time NBA

health and the environmental benefits of the vegan lifestyle. He’s even champion who earned that honor with been a spokesperson for PETA. Addithree different franchises through his stotionally, Salley is a regular Cannabis ried career. His friendly smile and evensmoker, often consuming Cannabis more-camera-friendly demeanor have after his morning workout. made him one of the most sought-after He’s not alone. He has joined spokespeople in the game. In his career, the growing list of celebrities that he’s worked as a sports broadcaster and are starting their own Cannabis analyst, actor, talk show host and combrands. The company, Deuces22 mentator and done just about everything (named after Salley’s #22 on NBA there is to do in the entertainment inteams) hasn’t officially launched dustry. And now, he’s a proud Cannabis yet – but Salley says they’ll feature business owner. sustainably grown Cannabis oil The winner of four championship rings, and flower. with three different teams, in three differ“Cannabis helps me relax my body. ent decades and two different millenniCombining it with a healthy lifestyle ums says he started smoking Cannabis gives me the feeling of wellness I like. in 1996. At this time he was 36 years It’s not just one thing… It’s a whole old and in the last few months of his pro way of life,” Salley career. He’s said that told High Times. his first experiences THE WINNER OF FOUR CHAMPIONSHIP This is also a famwith the herb were so RINGS, WITH THREE DIFFERENT TEAMS, ily business. Salley’s positive because of IN THREE DIFFERENT DECADES AND daughter, Tyla, serves how much better he slept and how much TWO DIFFERENT MILLENNIUMS SAYS HE as the President and CEO of Deuces22, better his body felt STARTED SMOKING CANNABIS IN 1996. shares that same (including during his perspective—and is also a vegan. final NBA playoff series.) In an on-theOf all the big four sports (NBA, street interview with TMZ, he explained NFL, NHL and MLB), the NBA seems that smoking Cannabis rather than using to be the best equipped to allow it’s pharmaceuticals would likely have explayer to benefit from the healthy role tended his career. He noted in the interthat Cannabis can play in a sports view that “Cannabis fits into my healthy career. lifestyle because it allows me to medicate As to the NBA’s “don’t ask, don’t without damaging my liver, my kidneys tell” policy with Cannabis? “This is a or my spleen. In addition, I don’t have to thing that literally brings peace, calm look like an old man, I don’t have to take and healing,” Salley says. any drug.” “I think teams need to invest more What seems to particularly go hand-ininto the thought of [Cannabis.] hand with his Cannabis lifestyle is Salley’s They need to invest more into penchant for healthy living. Throughout what’s going on and into keeping his post-NBA career, he’s become intheir players healthy--not just for creasingly health conscious. while you have them, but for the life As a vegan, he promotes a raw, plantthat comes after.” based diet – noting both the personal

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“Cannabis fits into my healthy lifestyle because it allows me to medicate without damaging my liver, my kidneys or my spleen. I don’t have to look like an old man, I don’t have to take any drug.”

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STRAIN OF THE MONTH By WES ABNEY | PHOTOS by @BERMANPHOTOS

here are a million right reasons, and no wrong ones, to smoke Cannabis, but sometimes the end goal is to simply get really high, and for that we turn to Pure Kush.

Purity is a sure sign of quality, and this indica strain delivers on multiple levels. The fluffy nuggets have a clean, tight trim and a beautiful look, with glistening trichomes tucked into the dense surface with a light covering of red and amber colored hairs. Cracking a bag reveals rich chocolate notes with hints of lemon, rose and a floral-skunk that smells perfectly delicious. Breaking apart the flower is an easy process, with a light stickiness and a layered fluffiness that makes rolling a breeze. Each toke from the Pure Kush delivers a rich earthiness with a mild sweetness that lingers, tingling the mouth. The smoke is like a whisper in the lungs, with no harsh expansion, and leaves as sweetly as it enters. Effects build from the chest outward, warming the lungs and spreading a high that quickly hits the mind. The mind high brings a spectacular feeling of being perfectly baked, easing stress, pain and little details as the mind melts into a stoned euphoria. In addition to the mind-numbing effects, this strain also has great medicinal values as a pain reliever.

18.72% THC WABudCo.com

@Washingtonbudco

Washington Bud Co. grows their Cannabis pesticide-free and has the certification from the Department of Health to prove it, and you can learn more about their grow practices in our profile on page 44. All the effort is readily apparent when smoking their flower, as the taste is all strain, without the synthetic nutrients or chemicals that can mask a flowers flavor. The bud burns a clean white, is easy on the lungs, and really sets the bar for care and quality at the same time. For tasty, consistent flower options from this heritage farm ask your budtender for pesticide-free Cannabis.

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THE SMOKE IS LIKE A WHISPER IN THE LUNGS AND LEAVES AS SWEETLY AS IT ENTERS.

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PURE KUSH

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Warning: This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgement. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. "There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product." For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of reach of children.

NORTHWEST LEAF

BEHIND THE SCENES ISSUE SHINING A LIGHT ON COMPANIES AND PROFESSIONALS HELPING DRIVE WASHINGTON’S CANNABIS INDUSTRY INTERVIEWS by NORTHWEST LEAF PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN

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Sales Director Jason Hwang, Owner Ryan Lade and Executive Director Daniel King

[SMOKEY POINT PRODUCTIONS] Looking down the immense hallway that runs through the center of SPP’s facility feels like a scene out of the Matrix, with

endless doors leading off into rooms covering every process from seed to retailer in the Cannabis world. The facility runs tightly with 16 hours of run time daily, 120 employees, and even a full laundry service department for shift clothing changes. It’s a big operation coming from a group of locals who have thrived with Cannabis since the early days of medical. SPP is proving that size and heart aren’t mutually exclusive, and it’s a formula we hope to see expand as the industry grows, and as the true scale of weed comes into play. For owner Brian Lade, the dream wasn’t to have hundreds of employees and giant facilities. Growth has been the key to success from day one, since starting Clone Zone in Arlington for medical Cannabis patients and supplying the early phases of Washington’s recreational growth. “We’re proud of that history, coming through the medical years and helping legal farms start grows in 502. We supplied clones by the thousands to farms as they became licensed, and we were involved in the first round of licensing for ourselves,” Lade said.

“Our heart will be with the medical community and providing clones to all the families. The thank you cards and phone calls, of ‘our child doesn’t have seizures anymore’ or ‘OMG, I can eat.’ They’re touching, and if you were ever involved in providing medicine like that, it is impactful, so we keep that at the forefront and never forget where we come from.” Lade has been working with his first employee, Daniel King, since the first days of Clone Zone, and continued that relationship as the company grew. Most Cannabis companies have trouble retaining their core, but for SPP the family is the core. Both literally and figuratively, as there Brian’s father and sister both work for the company. “We were born to provide Cannabis. It’s the only reason I’m on this Earth, and I passionately believe that. There isn’t anything else for us. It’s life, it’s everything. It’s not only every piece of food I eat is made through Cannabis, it’s my morals founded and forged through Cannabis,” Lade said. “My dad has been a huge leader for the company and he is my consigliere. He’s been with me from through being raided for Cannabis and onto today.”

Smokey Point Productions is blending large scale agricultural production with true love and passion for Cannabis in a facility the length of two football fields.

Jose Peña packages grams of Purple Urkle wax

Walking over from the admin building and into tea mixer alone is the size of a hot tub, so big that the the grow with Lade, he greets employees by name, room it sits in had to be built around it. asking about their days and how things are going. “Just because big doesn’t mean taking shortcuts or It’s his birthday, but you’d never know it, as he’s using pest, we do everything the hard way, brewing immersed in the many-layered workings that keep a on tea, hand packaging hand watered and hand giant weed manufacturer alive. Our first stop is the trimmed. I find that’s what I know, I come from where processing center, where 30 or so people in hairnets I make it because willing to work harder, time effort, and gloves are packaging oil, flower, and vapor pens personally I’m willing to hurt harder. Our company in all the varieties that SPP makes. Their inventory has embodied that work ethic and will never let it die. area has over $2 million worth of retail value product I learned that from my Grandma.” passing through each month, and the team can find Every single plant in the facility is hand watered, any barcoded box within 30 seconds. Efficiency and and nutrients are mixed and piped into each room teamwork are the names of the game in SPP, which per controls, blending craft with automation. The wafairly buzzes with activity and the smell of terps. The ter is drawn from a local well and filtered down. But music on the PA system goes back and forth from rap even with 30,000 square feet of natural, high-quality and classic rock to Mexican music, an homage to the Cannabis, SPP still needs tons of weed to keep up bilingual workforce at the facility. with demand. From there we head to the source of the material, “We get loads of about 800 to 1,000 pounds of into the gardens and lab. Everyflower weekly. We’re the number one thing that carries the SPP brand is seller of concentrates by volume, and SMOKEY POINT PRODUCTIONS produced in-house, and is grown the third largest seller of vapor cartridg@SmokeyPointProd4 clean, pesticide-free using teas and es in the state. We pesticide test every SmokeyPointProductions.com natural pest controls. Their nutrient single farm multiple times a year, as

well as test our own products,” Lade said seriously. “I’m smoking my shit, and if I’m going to tell you to smoke SPP I have to smoke and sell it with confidence.” SPP buys the entire crop annually from 25 tier 3 outdoor and greenhouse gardens, buying thousands of pounds of product from each farm, and essentially keeping those businesses alive. All the outside weed is fed into the pristine lab, where hydrocarbon oils and distillate are pumped out in massive volumes. We peeked into the industrial washing room for clothing as well, where employee uniforms are laundered after each shift. Lade explained that when employees show up for shifts their uniform is ready, waiting, and how growers shower three times per shift. He jokes that SPP has the cleanest growers in the industry, and it might be the case. Looking around the facility it’s hard to spot a spill or speck of dust, or anyone sitting still. The most amazing part of SPP is the fact that they are still growing, not just more weed, but adding staff, products and continuing to evolve. We toured their soon to be running kitchen, with two full lines of edibles coming, and Brian’s sister is turning on another Tier 3 to provide Cannabis with the same quality and values to feed the internal processing demand. The concept of complacency doesn’t exist here, but the balance is right, between work and passion. “The reason we’re different and what sets us apart is our culture and our values. The people that make up Smokey Point, and the culture they bring to the company, that’s what it comes down to,” Lade said. “A lot of people have money or experience growing pot, but we started with nothing to get to this point, and we’re actual people. It’s simply that we come in and work harder. And we all love it.”

EVERY SINGLE PLANT IN THE FACILITY IS HAND WATERED, AND NUTRIENTS ARE MIXED AND PIPED INTO EACH ROOM PER CONTROLS, BLENDING CRAFT WITH AUTOMATION.

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HEATING UP

GLASS ARTISTS JEROME BAKER & CREW RING IN 4/20 WEEKEND INTERVIEW by WES ABNEY | PHOTOS by @BERMANPHOTOS

erome Baker came to Seattle last month with just one goal in mind: making the world’s largest functional bong. In a tale of two cities, the 24foot monster was crafted in individual segments over 4/20 weekend at a studio in the shadow of the Space Needle. Then it was shipped to Las Vegas to be assembled and put on display this July. Part one of our coverage of this epic event covers Baker’s history as a glassblower and his inspiration for this piece.

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How did you start working with glass?

I’m an artist by art and trade and I started in 1991, where learned from a guy named Bob Snodgrass. When I started with him it was a very special time. There wasn’t a lot of glass pipes being made and he invented the color changing glass technique. At the time, I was going to the University of Oregon when I met Bob. It changed my life when I saw him making pipes. Bob Snodgrass is a legend! You were in Oregon at a really unique time in glass history.

I came up in Eugene in that heavy-duty glass scene. I started a company and by 1996 and was doing

$1 million a year in bongs. By 1999, I was doing $4 million a year. We had 70 employees and we prided ourselves on making the best functional art bongs in the world. On February 23, 2003, I was arrested along with Tommy Chong and 55 others in a sting called Operation Pipe Dreams. I was arrested for manufacturing drug paraphernalia. But that obviously didn’t stop you from making glass!

For me, it’s about art. I make things with my hands, so when I got off probation I was already working at the U of O glass blowing program. I helped create, design and build the equipment and curriculum of the program. I’m also a founding member of the Eugene

Getting it hotter

Safety First

Artist Jerome Baker in Seattle

Morgan Peterson shapes a connection

Glass School. But I did move to Maui and was making non-smoking glass art until around 2012 when Cannabis became popular again. I reignited my brand and have worked in bongs ever since. Why do you make giant bongs?

My giant bongs are a metaphor for what’s happening in the world, and a great way to crossover art and culture into Cannabis. For me as an artist, I think of the giant green bong and think of the great time we had as a team and the special things that went into the creation. For the public, it’s overwhelming, surreal, massive and a larger than life presence. People will go home remembering the piece and what’s being created in this industry. That inspired me to get here and move forward. What excited you about the world’s largest project?

It’s a performance piece, built on the road with a lot of people involved, with a lot of eyes on the process. Documenting the blow and putting it out to the general public, creating awareness to the high intensity and highlights the skill level it takes to create glass in general. It also shows the difference between Chinese imports and the stuff we can do when we put our hearts and passions into it.

What is the process of making glass this size like?

Making a piece like this requires equipment and a shop with the right tools to create such massive pieces of glass, so there’s a lot of logistics involved in planning to make these. Plus, feeding and housing the team on top of planning and building. The most magical moment is when you have the team on the floor and a dance happens. It’s a communication thing without talking. The people we hire are incredibly skilled and have been doing this glass dance for 10 years or more. And production goes from the first blow into the bubble, handing it off to the back team who finishes it. Then a side team doing marbles, each team works together while dancing around the whole shop. The whole thing is like a big ballet. It’s something you only get in a moment when a team is working together in harmony. How much glass will be used total in the process?

About 1,000 pounds of glass in it. We also have to find special glass, it’s made entirely of uranium glass, which is hard to find and handle. But once we get it into the bong and hit it with blacklight it lights up like Superman’s kryptonite. It will have a very spiritual presence when it is finally on display.

When is the final process and where will it be on display?

The piece will be made in multiple parts, each has to be cut and polished, with at least three weeks of cutting and polishing ahead of us. We made custom wood crates for each section, trucked them to Vegas, offloaded and we will start to construct it in June. It’s going on display at the new Cannabition gallery in the heart of Fremont in Las Vegas. We will do a big unveiling in July and a smoke out. Then it will stay on display and be JEROMEBAKER.COM for sale until it finds a @Jerome_Baker home, with a price tag MauiGlassblowing.com around $150,000. What has been the best part of the project so far?

For me, I feel like it’s a great thing because it helps my cause and my brand projection. It’s functional glass and that’s where I have my roots. A bong is a tool – more than just a pretty piece. You use it to get inspired and I’m helping change people’s thought processes. I enjoy using my artwork as a tool for a change of perspective.

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WASHINGTON BUD CO.

A peaceful farm setting in Arlington houses a family-run Cannabis operation that has built on years of growing experience and a commitment to growing clean Cannabis.

INTERVIEW by WES ABNEY | PHOTOS by @BERMANPHOTOS

ashington Bud Co.’s family-run operation is what makes the company and Cannabis so special. For Shawn DeNae and Bill Wagenseller, and their son Seth, growing is a passion that has brought their family together and helped them to spread a strong message about pesticide-free Cannabis. Shawn and Bill began growing medically in 2012, becoming one of the first branded Cannabis companies in the industry. This predates packaged Cannabis or the massive push in branding Cannabis and shows the foresight the two had in producing and building their brand. “Back then there were just five of us, Solstice, Fire Bros, Dama, Green Lion, and us,” Shawn said laughing. “It was a small industry back then. Have a Heart was really the inspiration for us to brand. I walked in with two pounds of Blackberry Kush to vend, and Ryan Kunkel, the owner, looked at me and

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said this is the best Kush I’ve ever seen, so you better blender or body, and I won’t sell it to others. brand it or I’ll brand it myself.” Over the years we’ve gotten better with the Shortly after Washington Bud Co. was born, same principles, evolving and adapting our bug and the two took the steps to become a legitimate regiment to become as clean as possible.” business. They thrived in the self-regulated market, The proof is in the pudding, and for Washington paying B&O tax, registering as a business, and only Bud Co. that means pesticide testing every few vending to stores that were also paying their taxes. months to prove that their product is clean. This helped prep them for the transition into While many pesticides are banned in 502, where they began producing Cannabis Washington’s recreational market, there THEY TOOK ALL recreationally in 2016. They took all the is no mandatory testing of products, and THE EXPERIENCE experience from MMJ, bought a property in FROM MMJ, BOUGHT its estimated that as much as 60 percent Arlington and set out to build a Cannabis of product on shelves is tainted with A PROPERTY IN company that continued the values from chemicals. The Department of Health ARLINGTON AND medical into the future. SET OUT TO BUILD A offers an emblem for companies that “Leading into medical marijuana our guys CANNABIS COMPANY have certified their products as clean and had to figure out how to grow with chemicals passed testing to their requirements. THAT CONTINUED or pesticides because I was picking leaves “If you want the DOH emblem on your THE VALUES FROM and juicing for my Lyme disease,” Shawn package you have to take samples from MEDICAL INTO THE FUTURE. explained. “I wasn’t going to put junk in my your entire crop and grow facility, and if

But even with all the advantages of their model, Shawn still sees the industry needing change, and for consumers to become aware of who they support when they buy Cannabis at a store. With a handful of well-funded companies providing nearly 50 percent of all flower sold in Washington, consumers and buyers at rec stores need to make a choice to support craft and family farms now, or they might not have the option in the future. “There's a real battle between the big deep are conscious in the Northwest about their food, pockets that want to control the market and the buying organic, but they aren’t when it comes to cottage industry, and unfortunately Cannabis. Until people learn the hazards of pesticides and what they do in the long run, Washington Bud Co. the cottage folks are just getting beat up right now. It's real obvious that we’re going to continue going down the WaBudCo.com the deep pockets are trying to drive road of big agriculture and big food, which the price down to the point it drives people out is full of pesticide ridden, nutrient-deficient food. We and monopolizes the market,” she said seriously. see food in the beginnings of getting back to people “What's tough is that independent companies asking where it comes from, getting to know the need to get together and work together, but it's farmer, and if we aren’t careful Cannabis will become against the nature of independents. But we can just another Big Agriculture product.” do it! We can share resources, tech, lobbyists, By using only environmental controls and natural and we can make sure that we shape this pest eating predator bugs, Washington Bud Co. has industry in a way that benefits us all.” truly learned to work with nature, and you can taste it Look for the DOH compliant sticker on in their Cannabis. More accurately, all you taste is the Cannabis products at your local store, ask for Cannabis, with none of the harshnesses from heavy pesticide-free product when shopping for a high, metals or chemicals. They also limit their production and visit wabudco.com to find their products at to six tried and proven strains, focusing on growing select Cannabis retailers. the best cuts possible in a sustainable way.

BY USING ONLY ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS & NATURAL PEST EATING PREDATOR BUGS, WASHINGTON BUD CO. HAS TRULY LEARNED TO WORK WITH NATURE, AND YOU CAN TASTE IT IN THEIR CANNABIS. MORE ACCURATELY, ALL YOU TASTE IS THE CANNABIS, WITH NONE OF THE HARSHNESSES FROM HEAVY METALS OR CHEMICALS. anything fails you have to destroy the entire crop. I think that’s what’s preventing people from going down the path. It’s expensive, takes time, and there’s a risk of losing a crop. I just wrote a $2,800 check for testing six strains, so the cost is real. There's a lot of companies that say they grow clean and pest free, but we're the only one that proves it.” Since starting in 502 the company has never had to destroy a crop, and everything has come back clean. Being able to prove their medicine is poison-free, which is listed on all their packaging, has helped the company maintain shelf space and a higher price point than many similar indoor growers. Shawn hopes that by setting an example, the industry can start to differentiate between clean Cannabis and the mass-produced, chemical-laced product that comes from farms that either don’t care or aren’t able to grow clean. “There certainly should be more awareness. People

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“AS A CONSUMER OR BUYER, YOU WANT TO WORK WITH A STONER OWNER. THEY WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU THE MOST, HAVE THE MOST CULTURE SURROUNDING THEM, AND IT’S A COMPANY YOU WANT TO SUPPORT.”

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HOW DID CANNABIS AFFECT YOUR LIFE GROWING UP?

JUSTIN RUIZ ORIGINAL STONER OWNER FOUNDER | STONEROWNER.ORG Q & A BY WES ABNEY | PHOTO BY DANIEL BERMAN

Justin Ruiz is the founder of HypeHERBALly, a heritage Cannabis retail brand that is about to launch in the recreational market. He created the Stoner Owner stamp and organization to shine a light on other heritage Cannabis companies that embody positive values and respect for the plant, and the community it supports. He is a passionate voice for Cannabis who has made true sacrifices to spread the plant, and true legalization nationwide.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN CANNABIS?

It was 1999 and I was 14 and it was like love at first smell really. We smoked of a makeshift zoom tube out a Gatorade bottle and a tin foil bowl piece, and I was leaning against this really heavy barn door. As I took my first hit I kept putting weight on it until the door hit the wall with a boom, and I literally fell into the wall and exhaled, and that was my first hit ever.

SO YOU IMMEDIATELY LOVED CANNABIS?

I spent the rest of the night with that bud and smelling it, holding my homies bag all night babysitting it because it smelled so good. I was obsessed with the smell and taste of it and pretty much have been on a terpene chase ever since.

AT WHAT POINT DID YOU DECIDE TO MAKE CANNABIS A CAREER? I didn’t realize it would be my career, but I made it a necessity to be able to smoke at a pretty young age, and I knew I was fighting for freedom for a long time. Ever since my junior year in 2001, when I wrote a 13-page bill for my government class to legalize Cannabis. It was pretty controversial within my school. I took it to the capitol and even got it sponsored.

STONER OWNER is our new section giving credit to individuals who have developed their love for Cannabis into a thriving business. Stoner Owner celebrates owners who love and consume the plant, giving them insight into the industry’s true roots and culture.

I ended up getting caught with my senior year with weed separated into 20 sacks. It fell out of my pocket, and I got emergency expelled from all schools and pulled out of class and arrested. That was a really big, tragic eye-opener for me. But it wasn’t an eye opener like my family wanted it to be, where I realized that marijuana was causing me so much harm. Instead, it was an eye-opener of how I wasn’t doing anything wrong. I was taught to go by my moral compass and I didn’t feel that the punishment matched the crime

DID THEY LET YOU BACK INTO SCHOOL?

I wrote my superintendent and asked what I could do to walk graduation with my peers. I convinced her to let me back into school with conditions. I had to go to treatment full time and make up the two months of work. I made it! I walked with my peers, but I almost missed it because we were taking bong rips right before we went on stage.

SPOKEN LIKE A TRUE STONER! WAS THAT THE END OF IT?

Unfortunately, no. Basically, the system tried to ruin my life over a plant. A year later I was working in concrete, had my own place, and the state brought Class C Felony charges. I did two years. It was the first year of zero tolerance for school zones, and I still have it on my record today, but it didn’t affect my 502 licenses because it’s Cannabis related. I got scared and did not want a felony or to go to jail, and so I opted for drug court, the chart program. It’s an extreme program that requires you to do three full outpatient classes a week, three AA meetings a week and court every Friday to sit through an hour-long session. So, I opted for that. In two years, I’ve gone to court over 130 times. In the end, they kicked me out and I still did four and a half months in county.

DOES IT MAKE YOU ANGRY TO LOOK BACK ON WHAT YOU WENT THROUGH OVER A LITTLE BIT OF CANNABIS?

The blessing and testimony I have from all the treatment were being around severe addicts with heroin or meth problems, and the silver lining was it prepared me to be a budtender and a retailer. It was prep to help people find alternative medicine as opposed to using drugs, and it helped me relate and talk about treatments to get off opiates, and it helped me get down on their level. I’m always looking for silver linings, because I know that I’m here to brave the fronts and make it to where everyone can smoke everywhere, that’s my goal.

YOU ENDED UP IN LEGAL WEED, STARTING WITH MMJ?

I became a professional when I finally had the option to get involved in MMJ. I realized when my plug, Kevin, met my customer, Ryan, and they opened Have a Heart. They said it’s time to go legit and so I did. In 2011, I established the paperwork for Hype Herbally and paid over $1 million in sales tax operating under medical. I am really excited to be opening in 502. The setbacks have created bigger comebacks, and each time we’ve grown and learned a lot more, and we can’t wait to bring that to 502.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START STONER OWNER AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE A STONER OWNER?

A company is like a pyramid. We have to know where the soul of the company is and the soul is in the ownership. It doesn’t matter how many influential stoners or legit Cannabis industry people you hire — if the soul of the company is not part of our culture and is coming in to disrupt our ecosystem and community, then we need to be able to differentiate who’s who. We want to know who we are supporting. This is about more than just business too, it’s about quality. A stoner owner won’t put out product if we don’t smoke it ourselves. We won’t poison our people because weed-karma is involved. We want to bless each head equally with fire.

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO SEE ‘BIG CANNABIS’ COME IN?

The analogy I use is that it’s like a marathon, where our community has run this whole race, fought it, bled, cried and went to jail for the plant to be where it’s at. Where right before the finish line, someone drove up in a car, sprayed themselves with water, crossed the finish line first and didn’t acknowledge the people who brought Cannabis to where it is. I want people to know whose shoulders this industry stands on, the people who made this real — especially the old school growers. Without them, there would be nothing. It sucks to watch good growers have to sign a deal with the devil and work for a corporate company to stay in the industry. The ones that braved it, made it and are doing it all grassroots really deserve to be highlighted.

TELL US ABOUT STONER OWNER AS A STAMP OF APPROVAL MEANT TO HONOR HERITAGE COMPANIES?

The consumer has the power, so if the consumer is informed and educated they can choose with their dollars. There’s still a decision, and some people still shop at Walmart, but the power is in the consumer’s hands and the buyers who select products for rec stores. We want to educate, so they can make the right decision. As a consumer or buyer, you want to work with a stoner owner. They will take care of you the most, have the most culture surrounding them, and it’s a company you want to support.

WHAT IS IN THE FUTURE FOR STONER OWNER?

We are going to take this stamp worldwide. It’s going to be a symbol that connects us all and has a lot of culture surrounding it. We’ll have the Stoner Owner Awards coming soon, for the stoners by the stoners, for real. Not some white-collar guy hiring stoners for the stoners, or a bought and sold fake industry awards show. This will be completely chosen by us. I knew that I could trust the heart of Northwest Leaf and where their intentions are to make sure to put the Stoner Owner stamp on the right people and help connect all across the HypeHERBALly HypeHERBALly502 nation and soon the world.

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BEHIND THE SCENES ISSUE Outside of Upstream, you guys book a lot of artists — what do they ask for when they come to Seattle?

“THERE IS A LONG HISTORY BETWEEN HOUSE MUSIC AND CANNABIS. THERE’S A LEVEL OF RESPECT THAT HOUSE MUSIC SHOWS THAT IS DIFFERENT THAN WHAT YOU FIND AT THE MAJORITY OF ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC EVENTS,” What drove you to start Upper Left and branch out on your own?

Doug - I left USC Events and Sean was

creative director at Q Nightclub and he brought me on at Q to help with talent buying and marketing. During those three years, we decided to form Upper Left, to do larger events outside the club that allowed us to work together in a way geared towards a 21+ crowd. We started Upper Left in 2014, throwing events like our Dirty Bird Barbecue, permitted warehouse parties and this is our second time coming to Upstream. What brought you back to Upstream, and how was last year?

Sean- Last year was the inaugural for

INTERVIEW by WES ABNEY | PHOTO by @BERMANPHOTOS

[UPPER LEFT] SEAN MAJORS + DOUG MCINTYRE

Upstream. We came on as a guest curator and produced our showcase by taking over 14th floor of the Smith Tower. We brought people up and down the old school elevators the whole time. This year is going to be in Pioneer Square, at a venue called Stage, and I believe we are the only all-electronic showcase at Upstream. The event is more than just a music event though, tell us about the format.

Sean- Upstream has a lot of different

purveyors of music. It’s not just a music festival. It’s multimedia and it’s a summit showcasing discussion and education on a variety of topics relating to the music industry, specifically geared towards NW artists, labels and organizations. There’s a very heavy local and regional influence in Upstream.

Doug- International artists always want to go

get sushi and get legal weed. It’s in their riders!

Sean- Back in the day they would put code

words in there, like smoking accessories, but nowadays they just put in things like pre-rolls. I haven’t seen anything like 80 percent indica but I’m sure it’s coming. We are used to filling out pretty absurd artist riders, like buying socks or strange candies and obscure organic foods. We even had an artist ask that a framed photo of a dog be present in the green room (any dog, they were flexible on the dog.) What makes house music such a good connector for Cannabis, and why should people check out the show?

Sean-Specifically about a house music event,

I find that having an open mind to the music and really enjoying the fact that people going to those shows are there to dance and enjoy music first and foremost.

Doug- There is a long history between house

music and Cannabis. There’s a level of respect that house music shows that is different than what you find at the majority of electronic dance music events these days. I think it’s pretty cool because there’s a wide range of people at the events, all respectful and there for the same reason. Music, and it’s really refreshing. What advice do you have for people throwing events?

Doug-There are two ways to produce events

or work in the industry. Emulate what seems to be successful. Or, to constantly try new stuff and fail at some and win at others but stay ahead of the curve and contribute something that will change the direction the way events or community are going in this part of the world.

Sean- Establishing an awareness of parts of

the culture that you’re into and subgenres and paying attention to that kind of thing. Doug and I started doing things the way we do part based on our experience and education, and part as a response to doing things differently. Anything else for people trying to make their way in the world of events, music, Cannabis or business?

Doug- If you don’t love it, the 18-hour days

are going to feel like 50-hour days. It almost can’t feel like work. It has to be something you are passionate about that’s fun to do! We both think anything that is cool and small biz in the NW right now is mobbing in the right direction.

The duo founded Upper Left, an events and entertainment company that brought years of big-name experience with a creative and homespun vibe. The two were recently on the cover of Seattle Met Magazine for their newest project, By the Pound Delicatessen & Justice, a hidden bar concept with the entrance inside the walk-in freezer of the deli. the friends will also be responsible for the electronic and house music showcase at this year’s Upstream Festival.

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PROFILE by NATE WILLIAMS | PHOTOS by @BERMANPHOTOS

Oregon Leaf got an inside look at one of the state’s sleekest new labs. Founded in 2015, Lightscale Labs is an Oregon Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program Certified Cannabis testing facility in Portland. Lightscale Labs tests for potency levels of THC and CBD as well as ensuring a Cannabis product is free of pesticides and any residual solvents before a product can reach store shelves.

TESTING [LIGHTSCALE LABS] is bright, clean and chic. The waiting room is inviting and invokes a modern lounge. Highend testing equipment was arranged neatly throughout the lab. As we toured the space, the flow of product from intake to storage to testing became apparent. While the lab itself is fairly compact. The efficiency of the layout allows them to handle more than 1,000 tests per month with a standard turnaround time of only five to seven days for a full compliance screening, which includes pesticide and potency analysis. Lightscale employs nine people, all with diverse backgrounds in technology, chemistry, biology, design, marketing and more. Lightscale Labs was founded by brothers Julien, Justin, and Jesse Ouellette and Chief Scientist Aaron Troyer in 2015. Born and raised in Portland, the Ouellette brothers are selfproclaimed homegrown weed nerds. Troyer is also a Portland native and went to high school with Jesse, and then came on board with the project as the Chief Scientist in late 2014. Lightscale Labs

“WE’RE ALL PASSIONATE ABOUT MAKING CANNABIS SAFER THROUGH SCIENCE FOR BOTH PEOPLE AND THE PLANET,”

All three brothers use Cannabis recreationally, but for Justin, it’s an essential tool used to treat Crohn’s Disease, a chronic inflammatory condition of the digestive tract. This year, the team at Lightscale is focused on building an even better experience for its customers, in terms of the testing process, accessing Co-founder Justin Oullette, left, and sharing data results through social media and and Chemist Harrison Cassady. other channels. As new data and research lend more insight, This type of test result only comes from Lightscale will continue to add in compounds to a combination of precise testing methods, the list of standard items tested for. Just last month, excellent communication and the desire to do they announced they will begin testing for five new things right, no matter how much cannabinoids, CBG, CBGA, CBC, Delta-8 time it takes. and THCV, at no additional cost. LIGHTSCALE LABS While most labs are focused Lightscale is one of seven labs in the (503) 493-2535 on cranking out as many tests state that is ORELAP accredited for potency, info@lightscale.com as possible, Lightscale prefers to pesticide, and solvent analysis. They are 2535 N Ross Ave Portland, OR 97227 focus on accuracy and precision; also one of only three statewide that are Lightscale.com a respectable endeavor in today’s also accredited for ORELAP certified high-cost, low-reward world of sampling procedures. Cannabis business. Lightscale has set itself apart from the rest with a “We’re all passionate about making strong focus on customer service. “We love working Cannabis safer through science for both closely with processors to get their unique products people and the planet,” said Justin. dialed in exactly right,” Justin explains as he presents “We strive to have the highest accuracy of us with a test result. The data is impressive indeed, any Cannabis lab, [and] we take great pride showing results for a potency test on a finished oilin customer service and delivery of fast and based product with a perfectly executed and exact reliable turnaround times.” ratio of 10:1 CBD. THC.

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BEHIND THE SCENES ISSUE

Photo by Linus Shentu/StockPot Images

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INTERVIEW by WES ABNEY | PHOTOS by @STOCKPOTIMAGES CONTRIBUTORS

[STOCKPOT IMAGES] Ophelia Chong is the founder of StockPot Images, a stock photography company that focuses solely on Cannabis, from consumption to lifestyle and everything in between. She’s a creative and inspiring entrepreneur who has taught as an art school professor and now works to educate through messaging of Cannabis. She is also the creator of Asian Americans for Cannabis Education, and a partner at Bevel Group, which seeks to help Cannabis brands expand into new markets. We had the pleasure of chatting with her about the stigma Cannabis users face, and how photos have the power to change how Cannabis is perceived worldwide. How did Cannabis come into your life?

What brought me to it was my friends who brought Cannabis over when my parents were away. This was all Canadian weed, in Toronto where I grew up. It was seeds and twigs, basically ditch weed back in the early 80’s, and I kept thinking is that all there is? I didn’t smoke again until I came to California. What brought Cannabis back into your life?

What spurred me three years ago was my sister’s autoimmune disease. She was shrinking down to 80 pounds and all her soft tissues were hardening. Although she lives in a country where Cannabis isn’t allowed, she tried it and it helped her. I hadn’t touched it except the occasional joint at a party in years, but she asked me for help getting her medicine since I lived in California, and suddenly I was going into dispensaries in Los Angeles and I had no idea what I was walking into. What was the Los Angeles dispensary experience like then?

I went to a place to get my card and asked where to buy Cannabis, and the lady said next door. So I went into an alley to meet a guy who had a gun, and he lets me into a tiny little room filled with furniture from garage sales and Bob Marley posters. I was buying for my sister but had to pretend it was for me, so I told them I can’t sleep and don’t want to smoke, and they gave me two cookies and said just eat a little bit and you’ll be totally fine. The first night she ate a little and was totally fine, but the next night she ate way too much and had an edible horror story. She was puking and I was watching her and the first thought that came to my mind was “woah,

she’s a stoner.” Then the next thought slapped me on head – I just stereotyped my own sister. I realized at that moment about stereotypes and how they affect our vision of weed. How did that experience lead you to take action?

I worked in a stock photo agency previously, so I went to Getty Images and typed in “pot, weed & MMJ.” The images that came up of people smoking had keywords which tag and track images, and they were words like addict, addition, illegal, convict, drug dealer. Especially for people of color. I looked at this and said that’s how they view my sister. From that moment it hit me, I needed to start my own stock agency and change this perception, and Stock Pot Images was created January 8th and launched April 20th of that year. How do you select images for Stock Pot Photography?

I have one big rule, inclusivity. This means no objectification of women, of others, and all people in images have to be real Cannabis users. That’s why our portraits are so powerful, you can see the authenticity. What kind of photos and people are found in your images?

We have veterans holding Cannabis and pills, little ladies growing, pregnant women using Cannabis, people of color, LGBTQ and more. There are vintage images from the 70s of people growing on Kona, drug busts, and even photos of old drug planes downed in the Bahamas.

I REALIZED AT THAT MOMENT ABOUT STEREOTYPES AND HOW THEY AFFECT OUR VISION OF WEED.” MAY 2018 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

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StockPot Images | Continued from pg. 51

George Post

David Michaels

“IMAGES ARE ABLE TO CHANGE PEOPLE’S OPINIONS WITHOUT USING WORDS OR LANGUAGE.” -Ophelia Chong, StockPot Images founder

Do you feel the images have the power to make a change?

I feel that it is a very subconscious way of educating people. Images are able to change people’s opinions without using words or language. I can show a picture of two people hugging and kissing, to someone doesn’t speak my language, and they will understand that that’s love. How has StockPot Images grown since starting?

We launched on April 20, 2016, with about 3,000 images and 60 photographers, and that was working 24/7 to make it happen. Now at our third year, we have over 20,000 images and 200 contributing photographers. Has the business model been successful? Does it help the photographers?

The backend is all built on a business model that has already been proven. Basically, you put images out that you love, and hopefully find someone who needs them. It’s kind of like dating, when someone finally comes looking for you a photo gets licensed. I offer the highest photographer commissions in the industry, at 50 percent, because I respect the fact that photographers came out of the closet and want to show their work with their name on it. What is the benefit of using StockPot Images over another stock photo agency as a Cannabis company?

A lot of new startups want to create their own content, but after a while, you can’t because of cost or staffing. At the lowest end, it’s $15 per image or the largest at $375 for a poster-sized photo – you can’t pay a photographer $15 to go shoot a grow.

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How do you feel about women in the Cannabis industry?

My first objective was to not sexualize women and pust that kind of photography. No nugs between boobs king of thing. For women, this industry is like the internet in 1995. Everyone is running into it. And in the beginning, Brownie Mary (1977 Mary Jane Rathburn) began making brownies for her patients, this history created a space for women to create products that included edibles and topical products for healing. Today women are entering in all facets of the industry, from creators to financiers. What about minorities in Cannabis and the imbalance?

For minorities in Cannabis, about 2.4% are Asia/ Islanders, Latino’s about 4%, African Americans about 6%, and the rest is all white. There is also a real problem with Cannabis conventions too. When there are panels with diversity in the title, it is really condescending when there aren’t people of color on the panel. If they can see someone of color on a panel talking cultivation or financing or extraction, then you don’t need diversity panel anymore, that’s where you can make a difference, not looking at us by color but by skill. You were a part of helping PUSH Magazine start, an all women-run magazine. What started that, and how do you feel about Cannabis journalism and media in the industry today?

The reason why we called the magazine PUSH is that all of the women that started the magazine were pushed out of an unhealthy work environment. They were let go or walked out while working there because the misogyny was so bad – that is how it started. For media, Cannabis is basically

Justin McIvor

Seagrass Photography

losing its outlaw stereotype as it becomes mainstream. For media to survive you have to think out of the box and what is it you can offer an audience others have not offered. Can you tell us about AACE?

Asian Americans for Cannabis Education is a group that shares stories from Asian Americans willing to talk about Cannabis, for it educates my own community and shares how it should not be stigmatized. Here in Orange County, we have a heavy Asian American population that is also the biggest anti-Cannabis group in the state. They are wealthy and educated but know nothing about Cannabis. What is the biggest lesson the Cannabis community needs to learn?

Same lessons we need to teach every girl, it’s about self-respect. In Cannabis, we also need to value each other, and even though we might have different opinions, we need to listen to everybody. A lot of people had to either go to jail or lose everything and rebuild to make this industry happen. We don’t even have a generation walking around yet that has not known legal weed. None of us in the last 100 years can remember buying Cannabis at a local pharmacy or store without fear. We’ve all grown up in an age of prohibition, and we are the first generations seeing it move towards legalization. StockPotImages.com | Ophelia@StockPotImages.com

Miracle Maddie NORTHWEST LEAF

BEHIND THE SCENES ISSUE

As five-year-old Maddie battles Zellweger Syndrome, whole plant Cannabis is reducing this little girls’ seizures. Her mom, Meagan Holt, is pushing for increased access to Cannabis for children with life-threatening illnesses.

By WES ABNEY | PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN Our Behind the Scenes Issue takes us into the world of Meagan and Maddie Holt, a mother and daughter who have faced tremendous adversity and powered through with love, positivity and a lot of Cannabis. Maddie was born five years ago with a genetic disease and was not expected to live past her first birthday. Today, her family and the many that follow her story are filled with hope, as medical Cannabis continues to help heal her body and keep her alive.

how does MADDIE’S CONDITION affect her development? She has a genetic disease called Zellweger Syndrome. It destroys the white matter of the brain, and most kids don’t live past the first year of life. It’s been a miracle that she made it as long as she did before using Cannabis. She was born 12 weeks premature and weighed only two pounds and could fit in the key tray of a normal stroller. She had no issues being premature, so she wasn’t genetically tested because she did so well in the beginning.

When did you find out that she had the condition? It wasn’t until eight months when I noticed one thing after another. The first thing was that she didn’t respond to noises properly. We had a chihuahua that would bark and she didn’t react like a baby should, she didn’t cry or even look at the dog. So, at 10 months we saw a geneticist, and two days before her first birthday we got a call.

What was that like? It was scary. I tell people I don’t

remember much of the day after that call. It was Oct. 30th and I was coming to the gate of our apartment after birthday shopping for her when the geneticist called and asked if I wanted to hear the results. “Of couse I want to hear them,” I said. “We don’t know what to tell you, other than we’re sorry.”

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What did you do next, and how did you move forward? I was really in shock for a few weeks, knowing she’s supposed to die at any moment. It all just hit me that I wanted her to live. They had been wrong before, so why dwell in that place. So, I chose from the very beginning of Maddie’s journey that no matter how long she was here she would be comfortable. I’d make sure to give her the best life possible, to enjoy all those things that we enjoy as human beings.

How did the next phase of her life go? She did really well, learned 150 words in sign language, was rolling over, could play with toys and could say “hi” and “mama.” In January 2015, after turning two, she started having seizures. She coded the first one (often doctors use the term for a cardiopulmonary arrest) and stopped breathing. Which means doctors can find a pulse but not making a respiratory effort and she was completely blue. Those events can last two hours or more, and within eight weeks they had her on 26 pharmaceuticals.

Was she aware when the seizures and meds started? I would say she’s very aware now, but back then she wasn’t. What always drove me with Maddie was when I saw from the first time she waved “hello” and signed “mama.” I knew, “omg my kid is brilliant!” But when we started meds the change was immediate. She was manic, screaming at top of her lungs, trying to bring her hand to her face to sign “mama.” She looked drunk, her eyes roll back into her head and immediately she stopped trying to communicate. So, of course, I did what every parent would and listened to the doctors.

We tried everything available, down to opiates and those became an even bigger problem. Eventually, it got to the point where her seizures would cause intubation, where she needed a machine to breathe, and then the medications started causing that too.

So, the medications would make her stop breathing? That’s incredibly scary. It got so bad they gave me a

bag mask to go home with. I knew she would stop breathing if I gave her opiates or benzos. Over that eight week period, Maddie lost everything. It was a blur for me. I tell people when I think about it, the best way to relay it is the poems at beginning of my book, to understand what we went through. It can be so chaotic when you are going through something like that.

THC HAS A BIG EFFECT ON HER, SHE COMES ALIVE WITH THE PLANT. How did you find her medicine? We were fortunate

enough to be linked with Grandma Cat, and she was bringing us her oil. First, it was every day, coming to Children’s Hospital and meeting me with Cannabis. Then it moved to once a month, where we’d get our jar of FECO. And about a year into our journey, we met Jerry Whiting and project CBD. That’s where I had gotten my info about whole plant medicine and Cannabinoids. I met Jerry just before Coleman passed, and we began perfecting Maddie’s Cannabis use. That’s when we began tinctures, using whole bugs as a sniffer and was able to use the terpenes to pull her out of a seizure. There are even videos of me using terpenes to stop her seizure and withdraw symptoms. The terpenes also help us microdose the Cannabis, instead of 10mg of THC I can dose with two and a half and it acts like 10mg, because of the beta-caryophyllene, terpinalol and linalool are in her blend.

How much Cannabis does Maddie need each day, and has it really helped? Maddie was supposed to die and

it became a Cannabis success story. Usually, we dose her three times a day, but it can be closer to six. There was one day where it went up to 12 times, but it depends on how she’s doing. I would say on average she gets 125 mg a day. THC has a big effect on her, she comes alive with the plant. The misconception with THC and getting high is not even a thing, the first time I saw her sign again was after she had THC.

Did you start out with THC, or something else?

That had to be incredibly difficult for you as a parent. Today I say I have pharma-trauma. I remember being in the hospital and hearing a call go out over the loudspeaker, about a child coding, and knowing it was my child. Nobody else in the hospital knew it was my child, but I did, and hearing that over and over was heartbreaking.

Did the pharmaceuticals work? No. She would scream at the top of her lungs. You would think someone was hurting her, with sweaty and clammy hands and skin. Sadly, it’s what you see with people going through opiate withdrawals, that’s exactly what she was going through. It’s very intense and has been the hardest part of the last three years. Cannabis saved her life so quickly, but also what kills me and

drives me to stand on the platform I do. This is why I am so vocal because we spent more time getting her off the pharmaceutical drugs than it took for Cannabis to save her.

When did you begin treating Maddie with Cannabis?

We started with mostly CBD and no THC, but when we gave her the THC she came back to life. The lightbulb turned on, she would perk up for 20 minutes at a time, and now she can stay awake for hours at a time. We caught her turning sideways in her bed, which means she’s moving again, not something she’s supposed to do. She’s relearning sign language, doing augmentative communication, using switches like Stephen Hawking, turning on and off toys. She will go all the way through the cycle of Minnie Mouse, waits until it says goodbye and then starts it again. These are things I thought would never be possible again. I didn’t think we would be here looking for ways for her to learn again. It’s nice to have hope again.

On April 10th, 2015, we were sent home for one last night outside the hospital and that was when I got her authorized. You can’t start Cannabis as an inpatient but if you are discharged and leave the hospital you can become a patient. I told her doctors that was my goal, to make her a patient, they knew-- and palliative care MADELINES WHOLE PLANT JOURNEY Facebook.com/MaddiesFight was receptive to the ideas. I had no Cannawarrior22@gmail.com other choice, and nothing left to lose.

Article continues next page

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Miracle Maddie | Continued from pg. 55

“When I chose to treat her with Cannabis, I made a decision no matter what it took, I wasn’t going to listen to other opinions. I promised that I would do what’s best for Maddie and speak up for her.” Is she improving now? And does it feel better for you? Yes. I have hope. Hope that she has a future because nobody knows, there’s not enough research. She is past her life expectancy, and doctors say “keep doing what you’re doing”, and I love it. She’s started saying “mama” again, a couple weeks ago, she still understands about 100 words and can sign five. She also knows the whole alphabet and will spell the first letters of people’s names as a way of recognizing.

Has it been hard to use Cannabis for her as a parent and what issues have you faced with that? When I go

to the legislature, where I’ve been very active in talking about Cannabis, I’ve had to rescue her from a seizure with Cannabis. Nobody realizes what I’ve done and that I’m forced to do it in public. No one knows what I’m doing, and I think is it really that big of a deal, and people look at us like any other mom with a special needs child. Until I open my mouth and say it’s Cannabis, that is when it becomes an issue. That’s the hardest thing for me, the school issue, this kid wasn’t supposed to live past her first birthday. Here we are preparing for something never thought possible. I threw out college dreams and first day of school fantasies years ago, and now she can’t go to school because I chose to save her life. I recently did an interview with Q13 FOX and said that when I chose to treat her with Cannabis, I made a decision no matter what it took, I wasn’t going to listen to other opinions. I promised that I would do what’s best for Maddie and speak up for her.

Does it frustrate you that you can’t give Maddie her medicine whereever she needs it simply because it’s different than what people are used to? If I’m at a park and I give her Cannabis from an “open container” I’m breaking the law. As a law-abiding citizen, I like to think that I’m a good

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member of society and don’t want to break the law. Everyone says, “oh you can just do it,” but that’s not the point, in fact, it’s against the law. You could go to this park and maybe get arrested, but nobody thinks about an epileptic girl walking with her mommy who has a seizure and needs a tincture. Speaking up about Cannabis isn’t only about saving Maddie’s life, about giving her life that no one thought possible. Now she’s segregated and no one seems to care. No family should be forced to make that choice over a medicine that works.

Do you still live in fear and awareness that she could die at any time? I do. For me, it’s very real that Maddie could die any day. Her care plan, that I carry everywhere, not only says what my plans would be if I was at home or in a hospital setting, but what I want her end of life to look like. It has the funeral home number and social worker info, everything ready if it happens suddenly.

How are her doctors today about her Cannabis use? I work closely now with Seattle Children’s Hospital and do advisory work for them. I stood for this from the beginning and said this is not a fight, and Children’s took to that and they really respect me and they don’t have issues with her Cannabis use. I’m used as a source of education. I’m used to having doctors tell me to “keep doing what we’re doing”, “that it’s a miracle” and “that’s how you know you’re doing the right thing.”

How do you feel about our law changes in WA, and what has happened to the Medical cannabis community? The regulators and industry need someone like Maddie to humble everyone back to the roots. To say what are you doing? MMJ started out as a beautiful patient-driven marketplace and now we’re fighting over scraps instead of helping the patients who need the help most.

You’ve chosen to make your story very public. What drives you to share this, knowing that it has to be both painful and empowering at the same time? It’s not easy, but someone has

to do it. I can’t stand the thought of other parents too afraid to speak, who can’t go to the store or school or don’t have family because they were deserted for choosing Cannabis. Maddie is what society tells us we shouldn’t see, we’re not supposed to see the kids stuck in the war on drugs. I’m standing up for all the other kids and parents at the hospital that I can’t even talk to because of the laws. I can’t even sit in parent areas because I can’t stand to hear the heartbreak and not be able to help. I want to help you all, and that for me is the way to change.

What is your goal with telling Maddie’s story? My goal is to uplift, empower and inspire, and that is on all levels across all boards. This year I’m taking the platform as a patient liaison, and I’m willing to speak with any company or person if they are willing to learn. I want to see the community come back together. I want the world to see what we are doing, our boldness, sticking true to who we are and what we believe in. I want more patients to rise up and say this is not legalization, it’s reefer madness 2.0 and it has to stop. I really think that moving forward people need to see this bigger picture. Unless we do this together nothing will happen. we have to stand as a community, there is no med and rec, we all work for the same plant and all want legalization, and we have to start working on that together.

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recipes

By LAURIE WOLF | PHOTOS by BRUCE WOLF

Laurie Wolf has been a regular contributor to Northwest Leaf since 2015. Named the “Martha Stewart of Marijuana Edibles” by The New Yorker, Laurie has published four Cannabis cookbooks, contributes to six Cannabis publications and runs Laurie + MaryJane, an award-winning edible company based in Portland, Oregon.

STRAWBERRY CANNACROSTATA Serves 4-6 • Flour for dusting • 1 pie crust, store-bought or made from scratch, rolled to 10-12 inches in diameter • 4-6 teaspoons canna-butter or canna-coconut oil, melted • 2 cups strawberries, trimmed and thinly sliced • ¼ cup sugar • 2 tablespoons cornstarch • 1 teaspoon grated orange peel • 1 teaspoon vanilla • Pinch salt • 2 tablespoons sugar

1.Heat oven to 340F. Lay a piece of parchment on a baking sheet with sides. Dust with flour. Place the crust on the parchment. Brush the crust with the infused butter or oil.

In a medium bowl, combine the berries, sugar, cornstarch, orange peel, vanilla and salt. Gently toss.

Place the berry mixture on the crust, leaving a 2-3 inch border. Turn the sides of the pastry up partially covering the berries. Sprinkle the crust with sugar.

4.Bake until the juice is bubbling and

the crust is golden brown, about 35-40 minutes. Allow the crostata to rest for 15 minutes before slicing. Ice cream on top? Sure.

Serves 2 • 3 tablespoons butter, divided • 2 teaspoons canna-butter • ½ pound asparagus • Salt • Coarse black pepper • 2 large eggs, room temperature

1.In a medium saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons butter along with the canna-butter over medium heat.

Add the asparagus to the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes, gently stirring or shaking the pan.

Salt and pepper the asparagus. Divide between the two plates.

Add remaining tablespoon of butter to the pan. When hot, add the two eggs, breaking them on a flat surface before gently lowering them into the pan.

Cook the eggs to your desired degree of doneness. Spoon the butter on the top of the eggs to add flavor and further cooking.

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6. Using a spatula place an egg on each of the

asparagus piles. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and fresh dill.

Marijuana products may be purchased or possessed only by persons 21 years of age or older.

edibles

REVIEWS by WES ABNEY| PHOTOS by @BERMANPHOTOS

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4mg of THC per spicy drop

SRIRACHA THC TINCTURE Hot sauce lovers rejoice! The perfect union between weed and

heat has come to the Washington recreational weed market. The always innovative Fairwinds Manufacturing have stepped up the heat level from traditional Sriracha and their delicious and spicy tincture comes in dropper form with a more liquidy viscosity. The flavor and effects are no joke. I dripped this on tacos, mac n cheese and pizza and I loved every single bite (note: I like to eat). The best part is the freedom of a choose-your-own-adventure edible, ready for whatever needs more spice in your life.

Fairwinds Manufacturing | 25 servings | 100mg THC per container | $25-30

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The Digestify is the first tincture ever designed specifically to help those suffering from indigestion or stomach related issues. The tincture is primarily non-psychoactive, so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good even for low tolerance or non-users, and blended with essential oils of bergamot, ginger, peppermint, cardamom, coriander and caraway. This combined with the unique THC-A, an acid form of THC, and CBD, make the tincture a relaxing and healing blend that can be taken day or night.

Digestify is primarily non-psychoactive so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good even for low tolerance or non-users and blended with essential oils of bergamot, ginger, peppermint, cardamom, coriander and caraway. FairwindsCannabis.com

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THIS PRODUCT HAS INTOXICATING EFFECTS AND MAY BE HABIT FORMING. MARIJUANA CAN IMPAIR CONCENTRATION, COORDINATION, AND JUDGMENT. DO NOT OPERATE A VEHICLE OR MACHINERY UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THIS DRUG. THERE MAY BE HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH CONSUMPTION OF THIS PRODUCT. FOR USE ONLY BY ADULTS TWENTY-ONE AND OLDER. KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.

CONCENTRATES

REVIEWS by WES ABNEY| PHOTOS by @BERMANPHOTOS

22 RESCUE

PATRICK SEIFERT IS A VETERAN ACTIVIST AND CANNABIS PATIENT who was frustrated

by the high suicide rate among veterans and decided to take action. He began a controlled study of veterans through his medical Cannabis collective, Rainier Xpress, and gave cartridges free of cost to over 2,000 veterans in return for feedback and Twenty22Many journals. The end result is a cartridge blend Twenty22many-olympia.org designed to help with PTSD through a full spectrum Cannabis and terpene infused oil, that brings the best of the entourage effect for those who truly deserve the medicine. Absolute Oils provides the oil, a legacy company that draws roots from the CPC in medical days and 10 percent of all proceeds go to Twenty22Many, Seifertâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s organization which lobbies for safe access to medicine and awareness about veteran suicide and supports local veterans. The project continues today, with a space on the website where users can upload journals about how the pens help with a condition. These blends are great for PTSD but also valuable for anyone looking for a Cannabis blend with purpose.

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ABSOLUTE OILS Day Blend

51% THC 23% CBD 1.7% CBN .76% CBC 1.5% CBG

Night Blend

60% THC 8.8% CBD 2% CBN .89% CBC 2% CBG

Each puff of the Co2 cartridge brings warm, earthy and bright vapor with a sweet and smooth exhale that comes from a natural extraction. Effects come quickly with both, although we preferred the relaxing Night Blend as it was calming and great for pain at the end of the day.

Look for the 22 Rescue vapor cartridges at your local dispensary and visit their website to find locations that carry the product and help support our veterans all while enjoying healthy and beneficial Cannabis.

AOCannabis.com/22rvc

MARIJUANA PRODUCTS MAY BE PURCHASED OR POSSESSED ONLY BY PERSONS 21 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER. THIS PRODUCT HAS INTOXICATING EFFECTS AND MAY BE HABIT FORMING. MARIJUANA CAN IMPAIR CONCENTRATION, COORDINATION AND JUDGEMENT. DO NOT OPERATE A VEHICLE OR MACHINERY WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE. THERE MAY BE HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF THIS PRODUCT. FOR ADULT USE ONLY. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

ALL LOCATIONS

WE CARE ABOUT YOUR HEALTH small batch

NORTHWEST LEAF

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Washington Bud Company periodically tests our flower for pesticides and heavy metals to prove our POISON FREE claim. We are the ONLY flower company in the State that has qualified to use the Department of Healthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s General Use Compliant symbol on our packages.

Visit our web site for further details and where to find WA Bud Co products: www.WABudCo.com This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit-forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use by adults twenty-one or older. Keep out of the reach of children.

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NWLEAF.COM

cELEBRATING 8 YEARS OF PUBLISHNG IN JUNE @BERMANPHOTOS

This E*Blunt is a discreet and fun way to enjoy cannabis vaping. Each E*Blunt comes pre-ďŹ lled with high quality cannabis oil.

Processed by Honu, Inc. Visit online at www.Honu-Inc.com

Warning: This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Smoking is hazardous to your health. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. Should not be used by women that are pregnant or breast feeding. For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of reach of children. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. This product contains marijuana. Distributed by E*Blunt: www.EBlunt.com

Reviews

By STEVE ELLIOTT Editor, Tokesignals.com

THE VEGAN

STONER COOKBOOK

ore and more people are choosing vegetarian (no meat) and vegan (no animal products) lifestyles. But

people who choose plantbased diets don’t have to be left out of the party when it comes to Cannabisinfused dishes. Authors Sarah Conrique and Graham Haynes, with this volume, offer a definitive beginner’s guide to stoner-friendly Cannabis cooking. Just to be clear, the book contains recipes that are simple, convenient, and tasty for stoners, not weedinfused recipes. Cooking vegan doesn’t have to be hard. And eating vegan doesn’t mean giving up meals that taste wonderful. This entertaining take on veganism shows that even beginners and slackers can put together tasty, satisfying meals with just a few simple ingredients and minimal time and effort. “The Vegan Stoner Cookbook” comes complete with recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner and munchies. The recipes are designed to make vegan cooking fun, feasible and quick. “There will be moments when you will be in doubt,” the authors advise. “Trust yourself, dig in with your fingers, and grab what feels right. Pay attention to consistency, texture, smell, and most importantly, your taste buds. In time you will rely less on exact measurements and more on instinct.” It’s enjoyable to browse through the recipes for such treats as Mean Green Smoothies, Asapra-Guy Sushi, Bahnwiches, Animal Cookies, Churro Chips, and many others. While the recipes themselves are great, I would be remiss as a reviewer if I didn’t mention the delightful drawings. They add immeasurably to the quaint appeal of the book; more than once, I’ve paged through the cookbook just to enjoy the artwork. By the same token (or is that tokin’?), I often find myself pulled in by a recipe for, say, vegan Biscuits & Gravy, Fried Tofu Tacos, Chili Cheese Fries, or Apple Rice Pudding. Yum!

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118 pages | by Sarah Conrique and Graham I. Haynes | Ten Speed Press | 2013 | $16.99 hardcover

“TRUST YOURSELF, DIG IN WITH YOUR FINGERS, AND GRAB WHAT FEELS RIGHT. PAY ATTENTION TO CONSISTENCY, TEXTURE, SMELL, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, YOUR TASTE BUDS. IN TIME YOU WILL RELY LESS ON EXACT MEASUREMENTS AND MORE ON INSTINCT.”