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MAY 2019 leafnationmd.com
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07 Editor’S Note 09 NATIONAL cannabis news 10 carl’s jr. cbd burgers 12 JERRY WHITING - HEMP 2019 14 highly likely 16 BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH 18 shop review 22 patient profile 24 strain of the month THE BEHIND THE SCENES ISSUE 28 activist adam eidinger 30 GRASSROOTS CANNABIS 32 CANNALINE Q&A 34 DABSTARS Q&A 36 PHYLOS BIOSCIENCE 38 WOMEN IN WEED PROFILE 42 Cannabis recipes 44 concentrate REVIEW 46 stoney baloney
PHYLOS BIOSCIENCE HAS BUILT THE LARGEST CATALOG OF CANNABIS DNA FROM THEIR OFFICES IN PORTLAND, OR.
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ISSUE
Long live the planet, long live the plant Born amongst the beauty of our planet’s great bounty, Dixie is celebrating spring by committing to dramatically reduce our environmental impact. Join us and help save the planet: dixiebrands.com/gogreen
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“I love the staff. As soon as you walk in, you're greeted and welcomed as if they are your best friends! They are very helpful when trying to find the best product based on your needs. They answer all of your questions and carry great conversations.”
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ON THE COVER Grassroots Cannabis Read more about this passionate team of grower and Cannabis processors! Feature profile, pg. 30 Illustration by 8th day create with photos by wyatt early
CONTRIBUTORS
FOUNDER & EDITOR
Alaina Dorsey, writing
WES ABNEY Wes@nwleaf.com 206-235-6721
Wyatt Early, photography Steve Elliott, writing
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Ariana Foote, writing
EARLY Early@LeafNationMD.com
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CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Matthew Newton, writing
Daniel bermaN | photography & design daniel@bermanphotos.com
Pacer Stacktrain, writing
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ian newman, dc ccsp Ian@LeafNationMD.com 301-305-0002
Nate Williams, writing Laurie Wolf, writing Bruce Wolf, photography
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ABNEY
Editor’s Note Maryland Leaf is going Behind the Scenes in this Issue!
My favorite part of the Cannabis industry is the connection between people and our beloved plant. It all starts with a seed rooted in soil, which is a wonderful metaphor for a relationship that has existed for thousands of years. I find so much of my life is rooted in Cannabis, and partake of the plant for medicinal and pleasurable reasons daily. 7 A behavior once deemed illegal, now widely accepted but still largely misunderstood. Which is exactly why we share our behind the scenes issue of the Leaf! Today’s Cannabis marketplace is booming with I BELIEVE THAT patients and recreational users alike, benefiting EVERY TIME WE from a plant and industry the average American still misunderstands. Our theme this month takes a look TELL SOMEONE at a few of the many people and companies that ABOUT THE are changing how Cannabis is perceived, produced, BENEFITS OF processed and sold. There are endless stories to tell, which is how we’ve filled magazines for nearly nine CANNABIS, WE years - and I hope you enjoy this issue. I recommend ARE PLANTING hopping onto our website for a glimpse into the other A SEED FOR A issues of the Leaf for some unique local content. All that said, I’d like to take a moment to offer a BETTER FUTURE. glimpse behind the scenes of Leaf Nation. When I began working on the first magazine (Northwest Leaf) in early 2010, Cannabis legalization was a distant hope at best, and a fanciful pipe dream we puffed at constantly. I consider myself extremely lucky and blessed to have been surrounded by a team of people passionate about the plant, and a consumer base that is so hungry for information, leading us to print over three million free copies in the last decade. As Cannabis has emerged from prohibition, the drive for knowledge and social reparations has only grown stronger! It warms my heart to see so many lives changed for the better, and for enlightenment to be spreading with each new mind changed about Cannabis. While our magazines have a large footprint across four states, we are fueled by a relatively small team of people who really care about Cannabis. And so I want to thank every member of the Leaf team who has worked through deadlines and piles of Cannabis to bring the best magazines possible to our readers. Without their massive efforts made to build fresh magazines each month, you wouldn’t be reading my words today. I’d also like to thank all our advertisers, and especially you, our readers. I hope that you enjoy reading and learning about Cannabis as much as we do sharing the Leaf, and that it has a positive impact on your life.
-Wes Abney
MAY 2019
weird
TRENDS
LAWMAKERS APPROVE BILL EXPUNGING 69,000 CANNABIS CONVICTIONS
POT SMOKERS WEIGH LESS THAN NONSMOKERS ACCORDING TO NEW STUDY
CBS NEWS POLL FINDS 65 PERCENT OF AMERICANS WANT LEGAL MARIJUANA
On April 16th, the Washington State House of Representatives approved a bill expunging nearly 69,000 misdemeanor Cannabis convictions. The bill, which originated in the Senate, passed the House on a 69-29 vote. It returns to the Senate for reconciliation of an amendment added by House representatives. The amendment specifies that the bill applies to misdemeanor Cannabis convictions under municipal ordinances, in addition to charges brought under state law, reports The Tacoma News Tribune. The bill will head to Gov. Jay Inslee’s desk after being re-approved by the Senate. According to the Washington State Patrol, 58,864 individuals with 68,543 misdemeanor Cannabis convictions would be eligible for expungements under the proposal. Those with cleared convictions will be able to legally write on job and housing applications that they were never convicted of marijuana related “crimes.”
Recent research findings from Michigan State University suggest that adult pot smokers actually weigh less than non-smokers. The findings showed that, contrary to the popular belief that marijuana will lead to weight gain, those who don’t smoke it are actually out-weighing pot users. “Even [pot users] who just started were more likely to be at a normal, healthier weight, and stay at that weight,” said lead study author Okayama Alshaaraway. Researchers used data from the National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions to compare the body mass indexes (BMIs) of 33,000 participants 18 and older. Even though the difference is small — about two pounds — it was consistent. “Over a three-year period, all participants showed a weight increase, but interestingly, those who used marijuana had less of an increase compared to those that never used.”
JOB MARKET
Cannabis legalization in Washington state doesn’t appear to have influenced teens to use it, according to a new study from Washington State University. According to the study, marijuana use dropped significantly amongst 8th and 10th graders after legalization in 2012, and remained level for 12th graders, for those who work less than 11 hours a week at a job. One striking feature of the study was the element of work and marijuana. No matter what grade — 8th, 10th, and 12th — teens who had worked more than 11 hours a week tended to use Cannabis more often than their jobless peers. Presumably, they can afford the stuff. This also further debunks the already discredited “amotivational syndrome.” After legalization in “TEENS WHO HAD Washington, 4.8 percent WORKED MORE of non-working 8th graders THAN 11 HOURS A WEEK TENDED admitted to using pot in TO USE CANNABIS the past month, contrasted MORE OFTEN with 20.8 percent of their THAN THEIR employed peers. Among JOBLESS PEERS” 10th graders, the difference was 13.9 percent versus 33.2 percent. Twelfth graders saw the highest levels of Cannabis use, with 20.5 percent of nonworking teens using Cannabis in the past 30 days, and 36.7 percent of those working. The study was led by WSU College of Nursing Assistant Professor Janessa Graves. The study used data from the state’s biennial Healthy Youth Survey from 2010 and 2016.
NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL BARS COMPANIES FROM TESTING JOB APPLICANTS FOR CANNABIS
FEWER WASHINGTON TEENS USING CANNABIS AFTER LEGALIZATION
BY STEVE ELLIOTT, AUTHOR OF THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK OF MARIJUANA
legalization
CORPORATE GIANTS BATTLE WITH MMJ CAREGIVERS FOR CONTROL IN MICHIGAN Big business interests, lured by new regulations and the promise of a profitable recreational market, are clashing with medical marijuana caregivers and patient needs in Michigan. The tension played out in Lansing on April 18th as medical marijuana patients, caregivers and business owners filled a courtroom at the Hall of Justice, reports mLive. Court of Claims Judge Stephen Burrell heard eight cases, all regarding medical marijuana regulation. Though most of the cases regarded a licensure compliance deadline, which state officials have been trying to impose since June 2018, a bigger conflict was evident. One case before Judge Burrell, The Curing Corner v. Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, specifically asks THE TENSION for medical caregiver products PLAYED OUT to supply the licensed industry IN LANSING through the end of the year. ON APRIL 18TH The state’s two largest licensed AS MEDICAL growers, VB Chesaning and MARIJUANA Green Peak Industries, had tried to PATIENTS, become parties to that lawsuit, but CAREGIVERS Burrell denied their motion. Their AND BUSINESS representatives were still in the OWNERS FILLED courtroom, observing. A COURTROOM For the past year, state AT THE HALL OF regulators have allowed untested JUSTICE medical Cannabis grown by caregivers to be sold to patients at provisioning centers. As fully regulated growers have entered the picture, they’re not producing the specialty medicinal products that medical Cannabis patients need. “A lot of the medicinal products that our patients are used to using, and have been used to using for years, I have not been shown from licensed growers or processors,” Amy McKinnon-Glue, manager of licensed provisioning center Curint Corner in River Rouge, testified in court. With patients facing the prospect of losing needed medical products, licensed growers in Michigan worry they won’t be able to sell their products to dispensaries due to competition from medical caregivers. “Our licenses are worthless in this market,” read a letter signed by High Life Farms’ CFO James LaPorte.
MAY 2019
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In a groundbreaking measure, the New York City Council has passed a bill banning most companies from testing job applicants for Cannabis use. The bill, approved by the council April 9th, is also supported by Mayor Bill de Blasio. The change will take effect one year after the mayor signs it into law. The legislation was sponsored by New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. According to Williams, testing for Cannabis has meant the loss of job opportunities for far too many New Yorkers already. “Testing isn’t a deterrent to using marijuana, it’s an impediment to opportunity that dates back to the Reagan era — a War On Drugs measure that’s now a war on workers,” Williams said. “Prospective employers don’t test for alcohol, so marijuana should be no different.”
TRENDS
Sixty-five percent of Americans now think Cannabis should be legal, a record high in CBS News polling. Most people view marijuana as safer than alcohol, and believe it is less dangerous than other drugs, according to the poll. Support for legalization has grown among some groups long opposed to the idea, with 56 percent of Republicans thinking marijuana use should be legal. That’s the first time a majority of GOP respondents have supported legalization in a CBS News poll. As they have for years, Americans (51 percent) say Cannabis is safer than alcohol, with just 6 percent saying weed is more harmful.
national news
justice system
national news
Carl’s Jr. unveiled the Rocky Mountain High Cheese Burger Delight on Saturday, April 20, 2019 at the Carl’s Jr. in Denver, CO. The cheeseburger, a double cheeseburger with jalapeños, pepper jack cheese, waffle fries and sauce infused with CBD oil, was sold for $4.20.
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HIGH DINING
CARL’S JR. COOKS UP A CBD BURGER STUNT
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IN CELEBRATION OF 4/20, Carl’s Jr. decided to join the craze by unveiling the Rocky Mountain Cheeseburger Delight - a double cheeseburger with jalapeños, waffle fries, pepper jack cheese and Carl’s Jr. Santa Fe sauce infused with CBD oil. The exclusive release was only available at one Carl’s Jr. location in Denver, for one day only. But for dedicated celebrators of 4/20, the burger AVAILABLE AT was a perfect cure for the ONE CARL’S JR. munchies. The waffle fries, LOCATION IN DENVER, FOR jalapeños, and two beef patties ONE DAY ONLY. made it satisfying for everyone partaking in the day, and the CBD made sure everyone who ate it felt good afterward. The store began selling the burger at 6:00 AM, and a steady stream of people filtered through the store to spend the $4.20 for the burger and a free t-shirt. As the tee appropriately read…“I was there and I inhaled it.” Restaurants, bars, ice cream and coffee shops around the state offer CBD products, so it was only a matter of time before a major chain decided to jump in with products of their own. It remains to be seen if a larger rollout will follow, but for now, if you weren’t there on 4/20, a regular burger will have to do.
MAY 2019
STORY AND PHOTOS BY CHET STRANGE @STRANGEVISUALS FOR LEAF NATION
/ MDLEAF @MARYLANDLEAF
L E A F N AT I O N M D . C O M
OPINION
BY JERRY WHITING LeBlancCNE.com/podcast
HARVEST ‘19 READY, SET, GO...
leafnationmd.com
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T h e Fa r m B i l l i s o l d n e ws . Everyone wants in on hempderived CBD and farmers can’t wait to plant acres upon acres. Marijuana’s non-intoxicating cousin has gone mainstream and there seems to be no end in sight. But not all is as it seems. As I’m writing this mid-April, multiple states are quickly passing new or revised hemp legislation to allow farmers to grow industrial hemp this summer. If approximately 78,000 acres of hemp was grown in 2018 - in just 24 states by 3,000 farmers - this year will see these numbers escalate. My guess is there will be close to 15,000 licenses issued, and as much as 400,000 acres grown nationwide. With a pound of seeds, planted five feet on center and covering ten acres, it will take 40,000 pounds of seeds if my prediction is true. That’s right, 20 tons of hemp seeds. I honestly don’t think there are enough hemp seeds available to meet the demand. Worst case scenario, new hemp farmers will have nothing to plant. Low quality seeds will be sold to newbies, some destined to go hot (>0.3% THC), resulting in bad (and illegal) pot, not legal hemp. Imagine unscrupulous vendors passing off bulk marijuana seeds as hemp. Don’t laugh. With CBD industrial hemp seeds selling for $5,000 to $10,000 a pound, some will be tempted to lie, cheat and steal to make a quick buck. There are lots of conventional farmers who are looking at hemp to help get them out of debt, and weather uncertain market conditions due to politically motivated trade and tariff wars. Yes, hemp is more profitable than corn, wheat or soybeans. But unless you’ve grown hemp or Cannabis before, you’ll find challenges at every turn. Many can grow it successfully, but stumble when it comes to drying, curing and storing it. There’s a learning curve with any new crop, but this is one your county extension agent can’t help with. Yes, growing hemp for CBD extraction can be profitable. People do make $30,000/acre and up. There’s no telling what the market price will be when thousands of farms flood the market this fall. Colorado and Oregon hemp farmers have several years of experience by now. Meanwhile, new farmers will grow good hemp, bad hemp and everything in between. The quality will be all over the map, as will the prices. Speaking of which, now that it’s a legal
MAY 2019
agricultural crop, every hemp farmer will be competing with every other hemp farmer in the country. Price differences across state lines will even out as buyers shop nationally in search of the best deal. But not everything that will be grown can be sold. While the individual state laws, rules and regulations don’t mandate organic and sustainable farming practices, the market expects it. Why? Because the hemp movement was founded by hippies. Crunchy, eco, vegetarian, Earth-worshiping hippies. I’m a hemp broker and I won’t even look at bulk hemp, a.k.a. biomass that doesn’t come with pesticide and heavy metal lab test results. I don’t have to; “WHILE THE INDIVIDUAL there’s plenty of organic STATE LAWS, RULES AND hemp in the market. I feel REGULATIONS DON’T bad for new hemp farmers who’ve used pesticides MANDATE ORGANIC AND like RoundUp, and don’t SUSTAINABLE FARMING know that their hemp crop PRACTICES, THE MARKET will bring lower prices - if EXPECTS IT.” they can sell it at all. The good news is that those that stick with hemp will transition to organic farming practices for hemp, and hopefully their whole farm. It may take two or three years to transition from conventional to certified organic, but organic hemp will command a higher price in the end. Contrarian by nature, my murky crystal ball tells me that CBD-rich industrial hemp is a two or three year window. After that, production will shift to larger farms planting fewer, stable (predictable) cultivars. My advice? CBD can be a profitable learning curve to hemp for food, fiber, plastic alternatives, and uses yet to be discovered. Diversification will help small family farms keep up with Big Ag, and believe you me, Big Ag is coming. They can’t afford not to. Many will try to enter the hemp market. Some will make it, others won’t - all of us will learn something along the way.
PHOTO BY DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
highly likely #45 leafnationmd.com
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Highlighting Cannabis pioneers who paved the way to greater herbal acceptance.
JEFFDOWDA.K.A“THEDUDE” ORIGINALLY, this month’s edition of Highly Likely was supposed to be an article about Jeff Bridges. However, while researching Bridges, the backstory of his most famous character - the Dude from The Big Lebowski - was too fascinating to pass up. You see, the Dude abides. He still does. His real name is Jeff Dowd, which school friends made a play on to nickname him “dude” as early as sixth grade. Dowd grew up in the Pacific Northwest, and was an original member of the Seattle Seven protest group that was jailed for protesting the Vietnam War in the late 60s - which is referenced in The Big Lebowski. He served six months in a federal prison for contempt of court. Dowd continues his activism to this day with work for racial equality, economic justice and environmental causes. We all know that the Dude in The Big Lebowski is a true slacker in every sense of the word, but the real dude is a legitimate movie mogul, someone who has produced, marketed and worked on the inside of Hollywood for a lengthy career. He’s even a founding member of the Sundance Film Festival, where he apparently caused a scene that resulted in a food fight in 2009. The idea for The Big Lebowski actually came from Dowd’s friendship with the Cohen brothers - since the 1980s - who were so enamored with his character that they decided to write a movie around him. And while Jeff Bridges doesn’t really smoke Cannabis anymore, Dowd certainly does. And apparently a lot. There are many tales of Dowd post-Lebowski rolling about Hollywood or elsewhere, casually smoking Cannabis with folks from all walks of life - but especially Lebowski fans
DOWD WITH THE BIG LEBOWSKI ACTOR, JEFF BRIDGES.
Perhaps the best of these accounts was written rather recently by Josiah Hesse of Colorado’s The Cannabist, about a day-long, weed-fueled press junket with Dowd, where he smoked freely and openly with everyone he came in contact with. A few years back, Dowd helped produce Mary Jane: A Musical Potumentary – a musical film that focused on a families’ trials and tribulations growing Cannabis on the black market in Northern California. It may be true that all of us have known a
dude-like character in our lives, you maybe even see a little (or a lot) of that character in yourself. What is it that’s so special about someone like Jeff Dowd? In this author’s opinion, it’s authenticity. Genuineness, if you will. And genuineness is something that is so very lacking in our digital age. We crave these connections with individuals who are able to be themselves with all the flaws and imperfections. For that, we can all thank Jeff Dowd for continuing to be the Dude.
THERE ARE MANY TALES OF DOWD POST-LEBOWSKI ROLLING ABOUT HOLLYWOOD OR ELSEWHERE, CASUALLY SMOKING CANNABIS WITH FOLKS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE - ESPECIALLY LEBOWSKI FANS. MAY 2019
By PACER STACKTRAIN
BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH
What made you want to get into the industry, and help others? My personal background is also in pain management (before getting into the Cannabis industry). Dealing with insurance companies and that sort of thing was very difficult, especially providing healthcare to patients based off of doctor recommendations when the insurance companies didn’t want to pay for it. This industry is great for providing recommendations to the patients in need right on the spot, and not having to worry about that process.
JUSTIN 16
ASHENDORF
leafnationmd.com
“ I’M USED TO DEALING WITH A LOT OF CHRONIC PAIN PATIENTS WHO AREN’T HAPPY, THEY AREN’T AT THEIR BEST. WE’RE VERY UNDERSTANDING WHEN TALKING TO PATIENTS LIKE THAT, WE START OFF BY GOING THROUGH WHAT EXACTLY THEY’RE TRYING TO ACHIEVE AND FEEL WHEN TREATING A SPECIFIC CONDITION OR AILMENT.”
CURIO WELLNESS
2060A York Rd, Lutherville-Timonium, MD (443) 484-8600
How did your personal Cannabis journey begin? So, I was born with multiple birth defects. One of which was Amniotic Band Syndrome [ABS], which basically caused my fingers and toes to not fully develop and be stuck together. I received multiple surgeries when I was younger to give me more mobility and dexterity, which succeeded and everything was well until I hit puberty. After puberty, the pain was intense and that led me to start using Cannabis as an outlet for pain relief.
What is currently your personal favorite strain that you find most beneficial to yourself? And what is your main way of using Cannabis? Right now, I know I work here… but the Lemon Tree from Curio. It’s by far my favorite medical Cannabis strain in Maryland. I call it my ‘desert island strain,’ if I had to be stuck with just one that would be it hands down. I mainly smoke flower (vaporizing with the Volcano) and use ingestibles. I make my own ingestibles, I’m actually the instructor for the cooking with Cannabis classes that we hold here. I believe that for nerve pain and chronic pain the ingestibles are definitely an effective route. What sets Curio apart from other dispensaries, what do you like about working here? The reason I chose to apply to Curio, is the medicinal approach. I was looking online, and my personal Cannabis doctor was familiar with them and he told me all about the approach they take and with my personal background in pain management it seemed like a great fit. I’m used to dealing with a lot of chronic pain patients who aren’t happy, they aren’t at their best. We’re very understanding when talking to patients like that, we start off by going through what exactly they’re trying to achieve and feel when treating a specific condition or ailment. From that point we expand into their history and try to find the proper dosages and usages that will fit them best. I’m very good at finding a starting
point and proceeding from there. We have a “start low and go slow,” approach that we take. When a patient comes in for the first time and hasn’t used Cannabis before how do you make them feel comfortable? We start off by really trying to engage them, not overwhelm them. If you look at our menu it has a lot going on and it’s overwhelming, it’s like the Cheesecake Factory with all the different options. That’s why I’m here, to make this a much easier journey for the patients. I don’t rush them at all, I’ve literally spent three hours with a single patient before. I feel like this really sets us apart and helps them open up to us more, and that’s the goal. If a patient comes in and doesn’t feel comfortable telling you what’s wrong or what they’re looking for then we can’t really help as much. Is Cannabis the most effective outlet for treatment that you’ve found compared to other routes (pharmaceuticals, etc.)? Absolutely, my father was a doctor and my mother was a nurse. I had trials with pharmaceuticals and didn’t like any of the side effects, so I wouldn’t take them. My parents introduced Cannabis to me when I was 15 (I’m 38 now) so I’ve been using it for 23 years now. I don’t take anything else, all that I use is Cannabis. I love what Maryland has done with the medical program. We know all the terpenes that are involved and we know exactly what we’re dealing with. From what I’ve seen and heard a lot of other states won’t be able to provide proper testing documentation and knowledge of the actual products, basically all you get is a warning label. I feel spoiled living here and being in the industry in Maryland now, I don’t want to try anything unless I know it’s been tested. What do you enjoy doing outside of work? What are some of your favorite hobbies? Video games, I love video games. I met my wife playing Call of Duty, I’m from New Jersey and she was from Ohio and we met playing online and eventually moved to Maryland.
GOT A FAVORITE BUDTENDER? TELL US WHY! WYATT@LEAFNATIONMD.COM
MAY 2019
INTERVIEW by MATTHEW NEWTON | PHOTO by WYATT EARLY
behind the scenes issue leafnationmd.com
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GOLD LEAF 2029 WEST STREET, ANNAPOLIS, MD / 10AM-8PM MON-SAT, 10AM-5PM SUN / 410-267-3000
G
old Leaf dispensary in Annapolis is looking to elevate your experience with Cannabis. Located on West Street in our state capitol, you pull up to a building that you could easily mistake for a high-end nightclub or hotel. The building has large glass windows with gold paneling, accompanied by a modern exterior that makes this dispensary easy to find. Once you arrive at the door, a security guard in a swanky outfit greets you to show you to a room filled with glass pieces and beautiful lighting. When you enter Gold Leaf, you know you’re about to get a different kind of experience. Despite the luxury atmosphere, the pricing can be easy on the wallet of any consumer. Gold Leaf has two menu categories: select and reserve. The select menu has affordable options, with eighths as low as $30. The co-owner, Lawrence Adler, said he wants to ensure that patients receive the “highest quality service for the lowest possible price.” He seems to be keeping his word with this kind of pricing. All flower is packaged in-house, and any ‘reserve’ flower is sold to you in a beautiful gold and black jar that stands out on any shelf in your home. Gold Leaf had a large variety of flower, concentrate, cartridges, tinctures, ingestibles, topicals, and anything else I could have been looking for. Despite only being open a week, their menu was large and comprehensive - with products from popular brands such as Grassroots, Curio and Liberty. I appreciated having a large selection in front of me, and the dispensary room floor made it that much more exciting to select my goodies. The dispensing room has a jewelry store display setup, with you looking down at your product options through glass or through presentation from your budtender. The dispensing room floor also has merchandise, large and accessible bathrooms with gold sinks, and an ever-so-sleek selfie wall for you to capture your experience. Michael Tese, their General Manager, said that his priority is to ensure the patients have a “high end and safe atmosphere to get their medicine.” This was proven true after my experience with the staff and service. The budtenders are mainly women, which I found to be a nice change of pace! The ladies at Gold Leaf were incredibly compassionate, meeting you at the door and walking you out of the dispensing room. The guard will even walk you to your car with an umbrella during inclement weather! With a lovely decor, a sharp employee uniform, and a decent price on product, Gold Leaf should be the next dispensary you decide to visit. Lawrence said he was motivated to create Gold Leaf due to his “love for the plant and the medicinal value it brings the community.” He then went on to say the team wanted to “take our time in creating something unique.”
DI S P E N SA R I E S L I K E G O L D L E A F A R E S E T T I N G A DI F F E R E N T S TAN DA R D I N CA N NA B I S T HAT O N E COUL D D E F I N I T E LY G E T USE D TO . MAY 2019
INTERVIEW by ARIANA FOOTE | PHOTOS by WYATT EARLY
“CO-OWNER LAWRENCE ADLER SAID HE WANTS TO ENSURE THAT PATIENTS RECEIVE THE ‘HIGHEST QUALITY SERVICE FOR THE LOWEST POSSIBLE PRICE.’ ” FLOWER 4/5
The flower selection has solid pricing, cute packaging, and different choices - but is missing heavy hitters like Evermore, Culta, and Verano. All flower is packaged in-house.
EDIBLES
5/5
Gold Leaf has tinctures, tablets, RSO, oils and capsules. They have most ingestible items on the Maryland market. Anyone looking for non-smokables will be pleased with their options.
CONCENTRATES 5/5
The selection for cartridges is large enough to please any customer. They have Rhythm, Curio, Curaleaf, Liberty, and Grassroots. They also have a large selection of shatter, wax, and sugar.
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ENVIRONMENT 5/5
The environment and vibe here is simply like none other. You’ll definitely leave this place wanting to tell your friends all about your time here. The environment is upscale, friendly, and clean. You can also purchase a beautiful new bong while you wait to be seen!
OVERALL 19/20
Gold Leaf leaves you feeling like you just bought a high-end purse, pair of shoes, or a diamond watch - even if all you got that day was a pre-roll. Their atmosphere, packaging, and attention to detail will leave anyone impressed. With a menu to match the image they’re trying to convey, they have the tools for success.
G O L D LEA F M D . CO M
patient profile leafnationmd.com
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MAY 2019
STORY by ALAINA DORSEY | PHOTO by WYATT EARLY
AMBERCOLLIER PATIENT OF THE MONTH whether they’re 21 or 81, and helps make the journey of Cannabis a THE FIRST TIME I SAW AMBER was at the Cannabis Scisupportive family affair. Specifically, she cited a time at a dispensary when ence Conference in Baltimore. Given my own hijinks about socializing she saw an elderly Asian woman enter the shop, but was staring out the and my issues with anxiety, I didn’t approach her there. But looking at window at her waiting family in a car. her brought two things to mind: Understanding the dynamic and how confusing Cannabis can be to She had some really dope, iconic golden marijuana leaf earrings the uninitiated, Amber took the initiative to speak directly to the woman’s that you couldn’t miss. There aren’t many Asians floating around in the family and encouraged them to enter the dispensary to support their elder industry that I’ve met before. through this new medicinal encounter. As a Black woman and thus fellow person of color, seeing her was Looking back, Amber was straight edge - no smoking, no drug congreat in and of itself. And through unexpected fortunes, I got the opporsumption, no drinking alcohol - until she smoked Cannabis for the first tunity to interview her at Starbucks in Quarry Lake one ridiculously, Chitime her senior year of high school. cago-like windy day. She definitely delivered on her iconic look, sharing She wasn’t diagnosed with severe arthritis until age 20, so this first puff her story that glistened as bright as her dangling earrings. proved to be the elixir to her underlying issues with anxiety. As she deThough she uses medical Cannabis to address her severe arthritis that scribed in an almost whimsical manner, the pretty green bud in her blood assaults her body from her feet and up, Amber also ties her consumpbrought on relaxation and released her anxiety. It made her feel a normal tion with her identity and learning to be true to herself. she never felt before. And it was the first time she felt better. She was born in South Korea and adopted by a non-Asian American Diving into her daily Cannabis use, Amber sticks with 1:1 CBD products family. Growing up in Reisterstown, Maryland, the lack of similar peers and, at night, consumes meds high in terpenes myrcene and beta caryoled to a growing sense of self-hatred as she struggled with accepting all phyllene. facets of her identity. She’s big into indica She did eventually find solace in strains and loves Nature’s “AS SHE DESCRIBED IN AN ALMOST a few major Asian American role Heritage’s Oro Blanco models. The first was in school flower - which she loves with her Korean art teacher, who WHIMSICAL MANNER, THE smoking in joints and taught her how to love herself, and bongs, along with other fathe second a Chinese couple who PRETTY GREEN BUD IN HER BLOOD vorite strains. owned a restaurant that she worked Also a huge fan of dabat - whose experiences made her BROUGHT ON RELAXATION AND bing since this past January familiar with discrimination that and adores the Puffco Peak Chinese workers receive from RELEASED HER ANXIETY. IT MADE for concentrates. American patrons. This identity Given her anxiety, she struggle contributed to an ongoing HER FEEL A NORMAL SHE NEVER avoids sativas as her condianxiety that coupled with the negations aren’t compatible with tive mental effects of adoption, creFELT BEFORE. AND IT WAS THE terpenes pinene and limoating an anxiety tag team that she nene. Ultimately, she’s not addressed with Cannabis use. FIRST TIME SHE FELT BETTER.” shooting for a high. Considering this segment of her Ultimately, Amber’s misstory, it highlights the value of Asian sion is to help as many people, especially Asian Pacific Americans, be Pacific Islander Heritage Month and how that overlaps with representathemselves and comfortable in whatever healthy way they choose. She’s tion in the Cannabis industry. currently helping her mother get certified as a patient to address her Amber found home and connection in this industry, where she has chronic pain from multiple surgeries. With pride, she acknowledged that met tons of Asian women. She specifically mentioned Jackie of Curaleaf her mother is a fighter, and her mother uses CBN and terpenes at night for making an impact on her. Given the freshness of Maryland’s industry relief. Unfortunately, her father passed away from lung cancer in Summer and Amber’s mission to get people to ‘be yourself in whatever way 2018, and she wishes she could’ve gotten him to use Cannabis, despite makes you comfortable’ - she has been able to use her experiences him being an adamantly skeptical man. To commemorate this month’s with anxiety and severe arthritis, as well as her experience as a former theme of Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Amber will continue her budtender, to teach classes at local head shops about Cannabis 101, fight to normalize Cannabis use in her communities, and to bring light to dabbing and use of hemp-derived CBD. the major benefits it can have regarding wellness and quality of life. She’s also a force of encouragement for Asian American patients,
@MARIJIN420
STRAIN OF THE MONTH
For those of you who have been following the Cannabis scene as it has spread from west to east, you’ve probably heard of Berner and the Cookie Fam. If you haven’t, you’ve likely come across some of their fire genetics right here in Maryland! Here we find May’s strain of the month Verano’s Gelato 33 - whose lineage hails from the illustrious Cookie Fam, bringing nothing but the stunning flower these genetics have grown famous for. Stunning genetics are only as useful as they can be expressed, and Verano’s growers stepped up to the prestige of Gelato’s lineage, growing fire batch after fire batch since this strain first hit the Maryland market. The batch selected for the strain of the month was an exceptional example of a quality Gelato 33, and smoked just like the sunshine it brings to patients. The first thing that struck me was the burst of citrus and fruity smells that wafted out of their newly humidity-controlled packaging. The nugs were tight and conical, with deep green hues and hints of purple coloration, and noticeably covered in a dense micro-canopy of resinous, glittery trichomes. With a 3.7% total terpene concentration, I knew it would be some of the loudest Cannabis in Maryland. But I didn’t realize how much the nose on this cultivar could trigger such a pleasant sensation from its aroma alone! This batch of Gelato contains a whopping 1.79% limonene, which puts it right at the edge of being more than 50% of the total terpene concentration. When any cultivar has a terpene that represents more than 50% of the entire terpene profile, it becomes a good indication of what type of chemovar (aka chemical variety) your Cannabis will be. In this case, we can just about consider this batch of Gelato to be a limonene chemovar, which in and of itself makes it a rare find for the Maryland Cannabis marketplace. But when we examine the profile closer, we see just how special this batch of medicine really is. The limonene concentration is tempered by .61% caryophyllene, .4% b-pinene, .29% a-pinene, as well as a notably low (.2%) myrcene concentration. What does that mean? Well, limonene has been shown to trigger serotonin production in the brain, as well as exhibit some anti-anxiety qualities. And caryophyllene also has some calming, mood-stabilizing effects, having been shown to bind to our CB2 receptors - contributing many of the same synergistics effects as CBD. Additionally, pinene inhibits acetylcholinesterase interactions in our brains, which effectively means that it helps to retain memory, thus counteracting the typical forgetful fogginess of a stereotypical “couch-locked” high. The other special component of the Gelato profile is the low myrcene concentration. Many people don’t realize that myrcene is our most common Cannabis terpene and in large concentrations, is responsible for the quintessential couch-lock, stoned high. Myrcene is a beautiful terpene full of therapeutic value, but it’s not great for daytime functionality and tends to overpower a profile at .5%+. Together and in harmony, this Gelato 33 creates a terpy orchestra with its medley of limonene, pinene, and caryophyllene carrying Maryland patients to headspaces full of sunshine and bountiful peace. In short, Verano’s Gelato profile, grown and cured to perfection, represents some of the best mental health specific Cannabis on the Maryland market. I encourage everyone to try a sample when they encounter it on their Cannabis journey!
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GROWN BY VERANO
GELATO33 @VERANOBRANDS
may 2019
REVIEW by TAYLOR MARTIN | PHOTO by WYATT EARLY
“GELATO 33 CREATES A TERPY ORCHESTRA WITH ITS MEDLEY OF LIMONENE, PINENE, AND CARYOPHYLLENE CARRYING MARYLAND PATIENTS TO HEADSPACES FULL OF SUNSHINE AND BOUNTIFUL PEACE.” 20.01% THC | 1.51% CBG | 7.40% CBD | 3.71% TERPENES
behind the scenes issue
EIDINGER WITH ONE OF HIS HOME-GROWN PLANTS, A PREDOMINANTLY AUTOFLOWERING HYBRID, ABOUT THREE MONTHS OLD.
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ADAMEIDINGER ACTIVISMINTHECAPITAL
MAY 2019
In 2014, Initiative 71 legalized possession of Cannabis in small amounts and allowed home cultivation for up to three plants in the District of Columbia. It allowed sharing, but not sales. Adam Eidinger, one of the activists who raised money, spent his own money, helped write and get 71 on the ballot, calls the initiative “Legalization 1.0,” or legalization without commercialization. The next step, Legalization 2.0, will allow sales, and, he hopes, a thriving home-cultivation movement as well as decarceration for what he calls “marijuana prisoners.” He’s the social action director for Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, where he started in 2001 as a public affairs manager, and he co-founded DCMJ, a Cannabis rights nonprofit. He’s a publicist for the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), and is working on a Cannabis decriminalization initiative for 2020. Lately he’s flexed his political muscle by working on the $15/hour minimum wage movement in the District, and he’s putting his weight behind campaigns to oust two policymakers who are thorns in the Cannabis-movement side: Jack Evans, councilmember for Ward 2 in the District, and US Representative Andy Harris, from Maryland’s Eastern Shore. (Rep. Harris was re-elected in 2018, but Eidinger is undeterred; “Harris is a six-year project,” he says.) He’s working on about a dozen projects at once, all of which excite him.
can have organic hydroponics, they’re pretty cool, very efficient with water. Really, if you’re on Mars, I think it’s great stuff. But the Emerald Triangle [California]? I mean, it’s beautiful. It’s a paradise to grow Cannabis in. And the Pacific Northwest has some of the ideal best climate for growing rich, complex, flavored Cannabis. And with the temperature fluctuations, you get amazing colors. Growing anything in a sterile environment [such as a warehouse] really kind of freaks me out, because they have to sterilize an indoor cultivation facility. They use bleach to sterilize the place.
What’s your newest project? I’m developing a new marijuana product with David Bronner [CEO of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps], who I’ve worked with for many years. It’s called Brother David’s. It’s Emerald Triangle, California, sungrown, outdoor-grown Cannabis. And 100 percent of the profits will go to charity, kind of like Newman’s Own. We’re looking at it as a national brand. We’re going to talk about it everywhere, even though it can only be sold in California. It’s an ethical brand that’s so broad it has labor standards. We’re launching on 4/22, on Earth Day, and it’s Sun + Earth certified. We’re motivated by, first of all, saving the planet. What’s so exciting about Sun + Earth Certification? Currently, we have a couple different certifications [for Cannabis] that use organic standards, for example, Clean Green Certified is very widely seen. But that doesn’t certify whether it was grown in the sun. The consumer is not being exposed to harmful pesticides, and the plant was grown in organic nutrients [which is great]—but it could have been grown [in warehouses] under nuclear power, coal power. And I’ve seen many greenhouses where the plants are not in the ground, they’re actually sitting on top of plastic inside of a pot. So you have to bring all the inputs from somewhere else, which is not sustainable. So there’s nothing regenerative about it. Sun + Earth Certification is the only certification that looks at the holistic situation, not just if you are growing organically. Anyone can do that. But do you actually have contracts with your farm workers? We want to see them. A lot of these farms do what’s called polyface farming. We’re trying to produce Cannabis that Michael Pollan can be proud of. What don’t you like about the current model of growing? What’s being done in conventional agriculture is literally putting dioxins on the plant that will be smoked, and then you get carcinogenic smoke from your plant … and so we’re taking this non-carcinogenic plant and then it’s becoming carcinogenic. On the nutrients side of things, you
“GROWINGAT HOMEISPURE EMPOWERMENT ANDSHOULD PROVIDELAWFUL SUPPLEMENTAL INCOME.”
why is homegrown cultivation important to you? Growing at home is pure empowerment and should provide lawful supplemental income. There’s a shortage of Cannabis in DC until we get interstate commerce. DC will not be able to grow enough Cannabis to meet the demand. And so what we’re proposing is a simple registration for home cultivators, essentially saying, look, you got to get the DC Council to let the home growers sell their Cannabis, there should be a way to have a farmers market for home growers in DC, we should merge it with the existing farmers markets. Do you think Maryland will legalize recreational Cannabis? Maryland is stuck. They should have never passed that [medical] legislation. Now there are huge lobbies to not have legal adult sales unless it’s medical dispensaries. What’s your long-term vision for Cannabis? If you were to legalize it, you’d be able to buy it in any store. You know, John Mackey [co-founder and CEO of Whole Foods] wants Cannabis in Whole Foods. And you know what? I do, too. And I think Brother David’s, or Humboldt’s Finest, which is a great brand … I think these brands should be available everywhere in America. And if you grow Cannabis in Kentucky, you should be able to say, This is Kentucky-grown Cannabis. And if you grow in California, you should be able to sell it everywhere.
INTERVIEW AND PHOTOS by CHRISTINE GRILLO
behind the scenes issue
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MATT DARIN GRASSROOTS OUR BEHIND THE SCENES ISSUE HAS US TALKING WITH MATT DARIN, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF GRASSROOTS CANNABIS. BASED IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, THE COMPANY HAS LICENSING ACTIVELY OPERATING IN EIGHT MARKETS, WITH THREE MORE COMING ONLINE IN 2019. A VERTICALLY INTEGRATED CANNABIS OPERATION FOCUSED ON CRAFT AND QUALITY CANNABIS, WE TALKED WITH DARIN ABOUT HOW THE COMPANY IS EVOLVING AND EXPANDING IN THE MARYLAND MARKETPLACE AND BEYOND!
What was the inspiration for starting Grassroots Cannabis?
The business was conceived when Illinois passed its medical Cannabis law in 2013. Legalization had not really spread to the Midwest or East Coast, so we were on the front end of legalization heading East. We were excited for the opportunity to enter the industry, and the notion of being able to grow, process, and sell legal Cannabis was something I never dreamed would be possible while growing up. I knew the opportunity was tremendous from friends in the California industry, and while I was from the commercial real estate world and had no prior experience, I was a real believer in the medical and social justice benefits of legal Cannabis.
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You landed three of the original dispensary licenses in Illinois, and added cultivation later. What was the startup process like?
We spent the first couple years in our stores, running dispensaries hands-on as owner operators getting to know the culture and patients, and to identify how to differentiate ourselves. Our retail business has a very wellness oriented dynamic, so we built our facility to be warm and friendly. We knew the people coming to our locations were sick and already spending enough time in hospitals, so we wanted them to be comfortable with highly educated and trained people on our team. We also offer services from yoga to meditation, massage and cooking classes, and we still do that. Our efforts were to go above and beyond being a dispensary, and into building a long term relationship with our patients.
MAY 2019
INTERVIEW by WES ABNEY @BEARDEDLORAX | PHOTOS by WYATT EARLY
Once you had the model down, what were your goals for expansion? We realized we wanted to be vertically integrated (selling Cannabis products we produce), to have the ability to control the supply chain and our own destiny, and reap other benefits of vertical integration. We were also very focused on newer, highly regulated markets with limited licenses where we could build to scale in each market. Fast forward to today, it has been an exciting period of exponential growth and we now have licenses in 11 states - operating in eight of those actively. And we are on a heavy growth trajectory for more markets.
You guys also celebrated a big milestone on 420 this year! 420 is like our Christmas or Black Friday! We got a notice from HR that we hired our 420th employee on 420, so that’s pretty cool. We’ve gone from an operator of a handful of retail stores, to a real operation of hundreds of employees.
Tell us about your operations in Maryland. We were some of the first people to operate in the MD market, and it’s been a great market to operate in - in the sense it’s growing really steadily. It’s accessible to patients by and large, has a strong industry group with professional and established operators, and is a vibrant market for one that’s only a couple years old. There’s a great selection of high quality products across the spectrum that are branded, and a lot of active dispensaries. In Maryland we are growing and processing, and we operate those out of a 55,000 square foot facility. We were also awarded one of original dispensary licenses under the brand Herbology, which opened in January of 2018.
What drives the Grassroots brand?
We are extremely focused on producing high quality Cannabis and being first class across all categories - flower, concentrates, vaporizers or other products. Our mission and values drive the company, which is to infuse products with passion that are crafted with
care. We have employees that are very passionate about the quality of the products, and we will not put a product out if we are not proud of it. It’s not an easy task, but we have fun with it and take a lot of pride in our Cannabis. Many of our employees are patients themselves, so we have that in mind anytime we grow, process or sell a product.
How do you view the dispensaries you sell Grassroots products to? Our goal is to develop strong relationships with dispensary partners. We view every dispensary we sell to as a partner, and we want to have our products on most shelves throughout the state. That’s a critical part of the business, for as much as we sell our own products at retail, we are one of only 50 stores open. I am very proud of our efforts to develop relationships around the state. Sometimes outlying dispensaries don’t get as much attention, and we’ve taken a long term approach to build loyalty and spread our products across the state.
You’re also doubling up your flowering capacity. Tell us about what is driving the expansion. We’re very pleased to be in the position of expansion because we have more demand than production. We built a state of the art indoor growing facility, designed a 55,000 square foot building, and built over half initially. Now we’re in the process of building other half and more than doubling the lights in flower. We are really focused on quality from A-Z. We have some very unique genetics, things that are not widely out there that we have procured over time. We’ve got a perpetual harvest cycle, cropping every couple weeks to ensure a consistent supply, and are as heavily focused on growing as the after flowering stages of drying and curing. We hand trim everything and stay focused after harvest, because so much of the hard work for 8-12 weeks of growing can be wasted if the last phase isn’t handled properly. We strive to make sure all the love and care is seen through to the end, when it is finally packed for sale.
What are you currently producing?
Our grow is producing hand trimmed flowers and joints, and we also have a state of the art extraction laboratory in Maryland. We do hydrocarbon extraction and distillation as well, which allows us to produce a full line of concentrates and cartridges. We also have a Full Extract Cannabis Oil (RSO) product that’s been very popular in the market, and are making specialized products like diamonds and sauces. We’re also doing solventless extraction with water to focus on ice hashes and rosins. Our goal is to continue to try and innovate and really be focused on looking ahead in every product category.
What are your hopes for the future of the Cannabis movement and how does that translate into the future of Grassroots? Part of DNA in our mission is to serve, advance and respect the Cannabis movement for medical and recreational use. We are reminded of that every day and never take it for granted. It has taken a lot of work for years to get to this place, and it’s incumbent on operators to set a good example and represent what this plant and movement are about. Which is offering a natural, healthy alternative medicine, and to deliver social justice while being a good representative of the plant. When you combine all those elements along with financial opportunity, it’s pretty amazing.
“Many of our employees are patients themselves, so we have that in mind anytime we grow, process or sell a product.”
GRASSROOTSCANNABIS.COM
@GRASSROOTSCOMPANIES
behind the scenes issue
ARNOLD HECKMAN & CANNALINE ARNOLD HECKMAN IS THE FOUNDER AND CEO OF CANNALINE, A PACKAGING COMPANY THAT HAS BEEN SERVING THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY FOR A DECADE. AN EARLY BELIEVER IN THE BRANDING DRIVE AND VALUE FOR CANNABIS, HECKMAN SAW THE CALIFORNIA MEDICAL CANNABIS MOVEMENT EXPLODE AND CARVED OUT A NICHE IN PROVIDING QUALITY, FAIR PACKAGING SERVICES. TODAY, CANNALINE SERVICES COMPANIES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY WITH CANNABIS PACKAGING AND FREE DESIGN HELP AND SUPPORT - ALL WITH AN EYE FACING TOWARDS THE PACKAGING SOLUTION FOR THE FUTURE OF POT. How did you get started in the packaging industry for Cannabis?
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I had a friend who grew up in the Maryland area move out to California and open a dispensary, and it was pretty successful. He came back for a visit and over lunch I was asking about it, because ten years ago it was a pretty new thing. I asked what the challenges were, and one of the main ones was finding packaging.
What was the problem with finding packaging?
He was at the forefront of having a concept of branding, and the problem was basically that nobody was making packaging with specifications for the industry. In his instance, people really didn’t want to talk to him about being in the Cannabis industry. So I suggested that he talk to some importers and create the packaging he wanted, and have it made offshore. After talking more about that, he suggested that I do it and he would buy it from me.
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What were your next steps?
I didn’t have a huge amount of experience with packaging at that time. But through another business I had a partner who had imported packaging for his cosmetic business. I called him and told him I was interested in developing packaging for the Cannabis industry, and he thought I was crazy! I said, “No, I’m really not, but you should come down and see what this is all about.” So we ran some numbers and figured that we could provide a custom printed and logo’d packaging - specific to the industry at very competitive prices.
At a time when almost all Cannabis was still sold in Ziplocs, how did Cannaline evolve and help the industry? We started with printed jars with imagery that would never come off, that was the first start. Then we looked at concentrate containers currently in use - which were terrible - and we came up with a screw top option. Then we started evolving into
MAY 2019
“They are paying attention to the packaging that they are using to create a real user experience for their customers, and they’re getting that first time buyer because they have nice packaging that catches the eye.”
more and more products. We rolled out flexible packaging with mylar bags, because many people were still using sandwich baggies that were not smell proof. We started working with compound film technology and developed a smellproof bag that really worked well with Cannabis. So the products just kept evolving, with more and more concentrate containers, single use child resistant bags, and other types of tube jars that are unique to this market.
Cannaline goes beyond brokering packaging and into the world of development. What are you working on now?
A big part of what I do here is development. Conceptually, it’s talking to our customers and figuring out what they want, or getting ahead of problems they face - saying we’re looking at the available solutions for this problem and how we can make it better. Our latest and greatest is our child-resistant, tamper-evident bag and blister package, which is a very unique approach to that problem. It’s patent pending and we think it will be a game changer, because right now there is no tamper-evident, reclosable blister package available anywhere in the world. We also recently came out with a new concentrate container that doesn’t have any corners, so it’s easy to remove sticky materials. It can be a long design and prototype process, but we look at the industry and say, “If there’s a problem, how do we fix it?” And the end product is wonderful.
Cannaline also designs packaging for free for clients, something no other packaging company does. Why do you offer that service?
We see people who want to launch a brand, and they’ll say they can’t afford to get custom printed packaging in terms of quantity, but the problem is if you don’t do that, you may never get that brand launched because you are really behind the curve from day one. So, we built our business based on the fact that if you want to buy custom printed products from us, we will do the design for you as part of the price. We have two full-time designers who know how to design packaging that helps products sell. I consider all of our customers partners - if they do well we do well, so it’s really on us to make the best packaging and design we can. If we do that, they’ll sell a lot of product and we’ll sell a lot of packaging - so it’s a win-win for everybody.
How have things changed over the last 10 years in Cannabis packaging? When we first started, we were promoting branding your buds. Cannabis is an agricultural product - if you have bananas and Chiquita bananas, it’s still a banana - but what drives sales is branding. The big change is that people have now really embraced the idea of a brand identity, and we have been doing that since day one.
What do you see as the future of Cannabis packaging and the industry?
The industry is coming to grips with the fact that we are selling an agricultural product, certainly when it comes to flower. For lack of a better term, there’s a land rush in emerging markets to get new customers, because if they try a brand the first time, they may never switch brands. So getting that consumer the first time is really important, and really the only way to do that is with attractive packaging. It’s a lot like food packaging. If you look at food, and one is a generic bag with a sticker versus the same item in a printed bag with a nice design, which are you more likely to buy? The one that looks professionally packaged.
Do you think the best branded companies will be the ones to succeed?I think that
branding now is more critical than ever, and there are companies that are really spending a lot of time and energy building their brand. They are really paying attention to the packaging that they are using to create a real user experience for their customers, and they’re getting that first time buyer because they have really nice packaging that catches the eye. At the end of the day, you can take five buds and get experts on Cannabis who can’t tell you where it was grown or came from. But put it in a branded container - that is what gives the flower its true identity.
CANNALINE.COM
@CANNALINE
behind the scenes issue
What is a Dabstar, and how does highlighting the rock stars of Cannabis inspire you to share stories?
I think you nailed it, to me Dabstars were always the rock stars of Cannabis. These were the people I looked up to and respected in the community, and I wanted to shine a light on what was going on in the culture. I never considered myself a Dabstar, I was a small-time basement grower with an idea to be something more. It was the stories of the people around me that inspired me, and continue to inspire me today.
What does Dabstars do as a company, and how do you help companies in the Cannabis industry?
A lot of these brands are essentially operating in the dark, cut off from banks and traditional media, fighting an uphill battle from the start. I think as Dabstars, we have been granted a giant flashlight that we try to wield responsibly, highlighting people, products, and brands that are standing out in their niche of Cannabis.
Why is social media important for the Cannabis industry and legalization movement?
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Bringing an entire industry into the light has been a painful process. Most Cannabis business owners found themselves engaging with their base via social media, and I think that is even more prevalent today as we network our community together all over the world. For all its faults, the internet has essentially democratized media. If you have a strong message and it rings out with the people, you can find yourself with an audience, and I think that has in a sense radicalized a new generation of stoners. No one gave us legal weed - we took it back - and that message has resonated across the planet via social media.
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What is a day in the life like for you as a Dabstar, and what is your favorite part of leading your company? We work our asses off like every other startup. We installed a new CEO this year (Jeremy Jacola) and my partner (Jair Vellmen) is based out of Amsterdam, so between us we hit the clock pretty hard 24/7. I grew up in the tiny town of Ouray, CO - population 2,500. My mom passed away from a hunting accident when I was four years old, and my dad raised me the best he could working full time. I never even dreamed I would have a passport, let alone be traveling the world celebrating Cannabis. For me, that’s the fuel that keeps it all going.
DABSTARS Q&A | JONAH TACOMA, FOUNDER, CANNABIS PROMO COMPANY
MAY 2019
How have your traveling experiences influenced your views on Cannabis? Traveling opens your eyes in so many ways, but one thing that hit me right away was how accepting the Cannabis community is. Cannabis is a common denominator for so many people, and that holds true all over the world. I’ve had breakfast in buildings older than our country, smoked weed at world heritage sites. It is crazy what Cannabis has done for me and my family, witnessing firsthand the impact Cannabis has all over the world.
How is Dabstars growing & adapting for the future? I think there is a lot of momentum towards national federal legalization, and we have always positioned Dabstars around that - building the brand and prioritizing market share over profits in the beginning. These days we are opening up new states each month, expanding the brand.
You now have branded Dabstars products sold in seven different markets. How is your brand transcending social media into product licensing, and what are your goals in that area?
We were nominated for best Washington oil company in 2013, so I think this was always a natural evolution for us. Federal laws have forced companies like ours to work with different partners in each state, and we have adapted to that model with Dabstar products being sold around the country. We recently partnered up with Yeti Extracts in Colorado and I’m excited to see products launching in my home state this year. We have six new states in the works and are in talks with Canada about moving the brand out of the United States.
How do you view the current direction of the Cannabis industry in the US, and worldwide? Cannabis will be central in the next election, and politicians are going to have to take a stance one way or the other. As Cannabis users we are no longer the minority, we are the vocal majority wielding real political clout. The clock is ticking and the big guys are lining up. Cannabis belongs to the people and we need all the head start we can get with federal legalization. Canada exported $48 million in Cannabis last year, other countries are watching what’s going on and reshaping their own policies across the globe.
What is your craziest Dabstars moment? I came off the stage at the Seattle High Times after a big giveaway, when a red headed stranger approached me arms out with a giant bottle of what I assumed was tincture. I took the five inch dropper, squeezing it full and squirted it under my tongue, holding it for the sublingual effect. Red stood staring at me with a gaped expression. Finally he tells me like a line straight out of Cheech n Chong “You just took the most acid I’ve ever seen man!” I spit it out but it was too late. Long story short, it was a long crazy trip and I ended up drinking Patron with David Arquette and Senior Fumo in a shitty hotel room. So many wild nights in this industry. Facebook.com/dabstars
STORY by WES ABNEY @BEARDEDLORAX | PORTRAITS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS & PHOTOS COURTESY DABSTARS
behind the scenes issue
PHYLOS BIOSCIENCE
WE CAUGHT UP WITH BRIAN CAMPBELL, A PLANT BREEDER AND GENETICIST WITH A PH.D. IN CANNABIS GENETICS FROM COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY, AND MOWGLI HOLMES, THE COMPANY’S COFOUNDER AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, TO STEP INSIDE THEIR WORLD OF CANNABIS SCIENCE AND DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF PHYLOS.
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GENETICIST BRIAN CAMPBELL ALONGSIDE CEO MOWGLI HOLMES AT PHYLOS’ OFFICE IN PORTLAND.
How does Phylos help support ongoing Cannabis breeding projects? And how has this support evolved since legalization in 2015? / Essentially pre-2018 Phylos was a testing company, testing for plant genotypes and plant sex tests. That’s how we mainly supported people in the industry - the sex test was to help figure out males versus females and save growers money by removing males from production as soon as possible. Now through collaborative projects we have amassed the largest collection in the world of Cannabis DNA. We have all this genotype info, but to put that into action you need phenotypic (physical) information too. When you have both you can use statistics, so you can figure out what genes are controlling the traits. But it takes a long time and you need a lot of data in order to develop molecular markers. BRIAN CAMPBELL
/ We are trying to drive and do serious plant breeding ourselves. Phylos currently has customers from 30 differents states and 8 different countries. When we wanted to start getting more phenotype info, and we wanted to work with cultivators and breeders for more information. We wanted to crowdsource, so we can make the next generation of tools. We created the breeder innovation network, with individual projects with different goals. It stays private to the public, but we use the data in aggregate so we can look for bigger trends. We never share anyone’s data with another party, but we can start to see a range and begin to make molecular markers.
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MOWGLI HOLMES
MAY 2019
Phylos Bioscience was founded in 2014 by Mowgli Holmes, Ph.D. and Nishan Karassik, and has been steadily evolving with the Cannabis industry since legalization. Five years ago, Phylos primarily supported growers and breeders through accurate sex testing as the company began to map existing Cannabis strains within the emerging legal market. Today, Phylos is working with breeders, and collecting data to further understand the process of Cannabis breeding.
LAB TECHNOLOGIST DAVID GRABER USES A MULTICHANNEL ELECTRONIC PIPETTE TO PERFORM A PLANT SEX TEST
How has the Phylos Galaxy helped navigate the huge spectrum of phenotypes within Cannabis, and can it map market predictions and potential Cannabis trends of the future? The best part of the galaxy is that it’s not static - it’s constantly evolving and growing. As we start to add all this phenotypic information (THC content, aroma, taste) it’s gonna be an evolution, where the information from your reports becomes more detailed and accurate. There is the breeding side with molecular markers, but there is also the user side. As we inform the model it becomes more explanatory of products on the shelf. DNA fingerprinting will become valuable market trust. Over time we can keep adding pieces of information. BC
Are you primarily interested in working with Cannabis breeders or Cannabis growers? It seems like a lot of growers are beginning to breed their own genetics to give them more exclusivity over popular strains and cuts. Does it matter at this point? We want to provide new strains for producers by developing high performance plants. Growers have been the life-blood of this company and we don’t want to push them away. Our breeding information is just as valuable to growers. But we can start with a foundation of breeders and open up that transparency from the foundation. BC
WE HAVE AMASSED THE LARGEST COLLECTION IN THE WORLD OF CANNABIS DNA.
How do you track different varieties or support cannabinoid-specific research? Are Cannabis (THC-dominant) and hemp (CBD-dominant) varieties mapped in the same galaxy? Are these genetically distinct backgrounds because they came from different places, or is it an artifact of artificial selection because they were bred for specific purposes? It’s an interesting question and it’s still up for academic debate. Is hemp a phenotype or is there an evolutionary distinction? In my opinion, it doesn’t matter because these things can inter-mate, we have mixed them. What about the historical hemp now that the regulation of less than three percent of the market? You have arbitrary controls that will affect the outcomes of the future of hemp. To me, despite the bottlenecks, there is still an amazing amount of diversity. BC
It’s all Cannabis. “Hemp” is a regulatory concept, not a scientific one. Everything exists within the same galaxy, but we will be able to pinpoint traits as we continue to move forward and collect more data. Hemp was originally used for fiber, but now it’s gonna look like fields of stickyass weed because it’s all AC-DC. As canopy sizes go up, it’s going to be harder for small farms to complete. The hemp world is an excuse to have a massive canopy, and the mechanization of hemp farming will look a lot like big agriculture. Unlike the smaller canopy sizes of THC-dominant Cannabis, where the craft and quality of the plant can play a bigger role. Phylos.bio MH
STORY by SIMONE FISCHER @SIMONEFISCHERR | PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
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KIERYNWANG
MAY 2019
behind the scenes issue
In the hospitality industry, we have the terms “front of the house” and “back of the house” when segmenting employees into different categories. Front of the house members of the Cannabis industry would be your budtenders, brand representatives, managers, sales people, influencers, and even sometimes the customers themselves. Those of us in the back of the house, such as the growers, extractors, packaging team, marketing team, inventory and delivery crews, and so on – we don’t get as much spotlight as the front of the house. However, our duty to keep the gears running in the industry machine are just as important, if not more.
more normalized market via the women making household purchases. An issue that Kieryn has identified in the industry lies within the larger companies and their ability to see the picture beyond the dollar value. She warned against “catering to investors, not necessarily consumers” and noted that “it’s disappointing to see companies not listening to their consumers and employees” - instead pleasing shareholders. This is why she has urged Cannabis brands to slow down on their higher-level marketing efforts. While it is true that award-winning design and packaging is necessary to stand out among the over-saturated recreational market, as Kieryn summarized, “All this nice, beautiful higher-level stuff doesn’t benefit anyone until they can learn the basics about your product from you.” There are countless products coming online daily in every state, including Washington. Industry members like Kieryn Wang play an important role in keeping the Consumers and budtenders alike are bound to be overwhelmed by the vast Cannabis industry honest and educational. Her company, Almost Conamount of options and information regarding these products. It is importsulting, provides marketing expertise within the Cannabis industry to help ant for these brands to connect with their consumers on the ground level, companies reach their customers - specifically women. She got started providing education and addressing specific consumer needs. Kieryn adds in the industry after its transition from medical to recreational, but has a that companies “can’t know what consumers want, need, or know until you deep respect and appreciation for the pioneers who founded the industry talk to them to find out.” and allowed it to grow into what it is today. Kieryn believes in our collective responsibility to not spread misinformaIn early 2016, Kieryn assisted in the launch of Van der Pop as their tion and pseudoscience, especially for the sake of SEO hits and growing marketing manager, helping to grow their women-centric business your site. The early history of Cannabis is stained in propaganda, so we through experiential and social media marketing techniques. As Kieryn owe it to ourselves and our industry to double check all information being explained, “Van der Pop is a lifestyle brand focused on creating opporused to educate consumers on Cannabis products. Marketers are just as tunities and accessories, as well as spaces for women, whether they are responsible as budtenders for knowing the basic science online or in-person at events. To learn about Cannabis behind the Cannabis plant and how it affects our bodies. and make women feel comfortable asking questions about “DON’T BE AFRAID I asked Kieryn to give me some examples of how she weed.” She noted that this was the magnet that drew her in reaches the consumer. Once a company has solidified their to working with the company, and working in the Cannabis TO USE YOUR VOICE, BECAUSE WE NEED talking points on how to inform consumers about Cannabis industry in general. and their specific products, she recommends hosting events Many of the women that Kieryn has encountered credit MORE CONNECTORS to engage the community. Events are important tools that Cannabis as a support and resource for their daily lives. BETWEEN THE provide not only socialization and networking, but also a While she recognizes that some consume recreationally, CANNABIS INDUSTRY physical place to meet where people can collectively learn many need Cannabis to get through the day for serious together. Kieryn emphasizes marketing to the everyday AND THE EVERYDAY medical needs. Once the women began to confide in consumer, and continuing to talk about topics that more Kieryn that weed was helping them, she realized how necPERSON. I THINK IT’S educated consumers may consider to be basic. She underessary it was to begin to educate non-users that Cannabis IMPORTANT FOR LOTS stands that events cost money, but argues that it doesn’t was an option for them as well. She explained to me that OF DIFFERENT TYPES have to be an elaborate event. “Just provide a space for not only is it imperative to inform the general public about people to be able to learn with no judgement.” the benefits of Cannabis, but it is also crucial to make sure OF PEOPLE TO BE A final option Kieryn suggests for marketers is to provide we are covering the basics and giving consumers the facts REPRESENTED IN THE informational resources both in-person and online, and and education necessary to make informed choices about CANNABIS INDUSTRY.” being candid when speaking publicly about Cannabis. how, when, why, and where to consume - if they choose to Allow people to ask you questions and have a conversation do so. together. Maybe it’s via a platform on your website, social media, or even Why focus marketing efforts on women, if men consume Cannabis your LinkedIn profile. Kieryn said once she “claimed Cannabis” on her too? Kieryn explained that although men do, indeed, make purchases, in LinkedIn profile, she felt free to begin to encourage others to come out of “the majority of households in America, women are the ones making the the so-called Cannabis closet as well. “Don’t be afraid to use your voice, purchasing decisions. What happens in the home, and what is purchased, because we need more connectors between the Cannabis industry and the is coming across womens’ eyes.” If women have the highest buying everyday person. I think it’s important for lots of different types of people power in the U.S., and potentially the world, Kieryn warned, “It would to be represented in the Cannabis industry. It helps shed that uncertainty, be a missed opportunity if the Cannabis industry didn’t pay attention to to realize how many different types of people consume. Not just the stoner women. They will buy your products if you can convince them to.” She stereotype we’ve seen in the media.” AlmostConsulting.com/about rationalized the potential for the industry to grow if it is able to reach a
founder & owner | almostconsulting cannabis marketing
STORY & PHOTOS by DANIELLE HALLE @SWEET.DEEZY
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RECIPES
T H I S I S A N O D E TO 42
T H E S T R AW B E R RY , a s t h i s i s t h e i r se a s o n t o s h i n e . D u r i n g s t ra w b e r r y se a s o n yo u ca n s m e l l t h e m b efo re yo u eve n se e t h e m . I n t h e w i n t e r m o nt h s , yo u ’ re l u c ky i f yo u ca n g et t h e i r fra g ra n ce fro m a s c ra t c h a n d s n i f f a p p ro a c h . R i p e s t ra w b e r r i e s a re j u i c y a n d s we et a n d g row n n e a r by , s o i t ’ s b ett e r fo r yo u a n d b ette r fo r t h e p l a n et . T h ey d o n ’ t h a ve t o
aklEAF.COM
t ra ve l fa r t o g et t o yo u r m o u t h - a n d i n t h e se t h re e re c i p e s t h ey a re p a i re d w i t h Ca n n a b i s - s o t h e re ’ s a l o t t o l ove . S t ra w b e r r y F i e l d s fo reve r ! # D o n t Fe a r T h e E d i b l e MAY 2019
Berry Good Idea
POT PARFAIT 1 1/3 cups vanilla Greek yogurt, plus 2 tablespoons 1-2 tablespoons canna-butter or oil 1 cup sliced strawberries 1 cup Grape Nuts cereal, plus 2 tablespoons 1. Place 1/3 cup yogurt at the bottom of each glass. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of Grape Nuts on the yogurt. Top with ¼ cup sliced strawberries. 2. Add another 1/3 cup yogurt and follow up with the cereal and the berries. Top each glass with the remaining yogurt and the remaining Grape Nuts.
SWEET BERRY SALAD 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar 2 teaspoons canna-oil 1 teaspoon olive oil 1 teaspoon dijon mustard ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon coarse black pepper 4 cups romaine lettuce, thinly sliced 1 cup strawberries, sliced ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced ¼ cup toasted sliced almonds ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
1. In a small bowl whisk together the vinegar, oils, mustard, salt and pepper. 2. Toss the remaining ingredients together gently so you don’t bruise the berries. 3. Add the dressing and toss again. Serve immediately.
by laurie wolf Photos By Bruce wolf
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BERRY PAIR OF SMOOTHIES ½ cup dark chocolate, chopped and melted* 12 strawberries, rinsed, stems removed, cut in chunks 1 medium banana, peeled, sliced and frozen 2 cups milk, dairy or nut 2 teaspoons canna-oil 1. Place your two glasses on your work surface. When the chocolate is melted, run the rim of each glass through the melted chocolate. You will probably need to tilt the bowl of chocolate to get the rims covered. 2. Combine the ingredients and blend until smooth. Pour into the two glasses and enjoy.
*Place the chocolate in a small bowl or microwave safe cup. Microwave for 20 seconds on half power. Check the chocolate. It may not look melted, so stir it. If not melted, microwave in ten second intervals till almost fully melted.
All recipes serve two
CONCENTRATE OF THE MONTH
“THEIR RSO HAS BEEN A DEPENDABLE SOU RCE OF TRUE CANNABIS MEDICINE SINCE IT FIRST HIT THE MARKETPLACE, AND CONTINUES TO BE A HIGH POTENCY SOLUTION CAPABLE OF TOUCHING A WIDE VARIETY OF SYMPTOMS - STEMMING FROM AN EQUALLY WIDE VARIETY OF POWERFUL CONDITIONS.”
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NATURE’SHERITAGE
leafnationmd.com
RICKSIMPSONOIL
Rick Simpson Oil, aka RSO, has been a favorite Cannabis medicine for advocates since the beginning of the medical Cannabis revolution. Indeed, Rick Simpson Oil played a pivotal role in the advancement of the medical Cannabis movement overall, and yet, flies below the radar of many new Cannabis patients. That being said, this orally ingested, high potency, whole plant extract has been finding its way into the hearts and lifestyles of many Maryland medical patients because of its profound therapeutic value. A special thanks goes out to Nature’s Heritage brand RSO for producing a consistent, high quality RSO that stays true to the uncompromising medical standards Maryland has set for its marketplace. Their RSO has been a dependable source of true Cannabis medicine since it first hit the marketplace, and continues to be a high potency solution capable of touching a wide variety of symptoms - stemming from an equally wide variety of powerful conditions. At first glance the syringe appears to be a dark black, viscous goo that doesn’t seem to have any relation to the Cannabis plant. However, when closely examined against the light, a beautiful emerald hue is revealed that sparks nothing but thoughts of the exquisite Mary Jane herself in all her healing glory! Contrasted to other concentrates noted for their honey, amber, and golden hues, RSO’s robust emerald complexion indicates not just an oil rich in THC or CBD, but rich in all the phytochemicals Cannabis has to offer! When orally ingested, the medley of phytocannabinoids induces a strong psychoactive effect that is characterized by powerful full-body pain relief, drowsiness, anti-anxiety, and muscle relaxing effects that last for substantial periods of time. The high potency THC concentration combined with its conversion to 11-OH-THC (11-hydroxy-THC), a more psychoactive liver metabolite of digested THC, makes this extract one of the most potent medicines available from the Cannabis plant, and therefore provides high tolerance patients access to cost effective mega-dosing strategies. Overall, Nature’s Heritage RSO provides a full plant, high potency extract that allows patients to address severe symptomatology for a wide variety of chronic and acute conditions - reliably and robustly - regardless of a patient’s tolerance. It is a cost effective product that can provide tremendous benefits and relief to low and high tolerance patients alike.
MAY 2019
REVIEW by TAYLOR MARTIN | PHOTO by WYATT EARLY
KINDTHERAPEUTICSUSA.COM
84.1% THC 0.1% CBD @KINDTHERAPEUTICSUSA
STONEY BALONEy
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Leaving Las Vegas leafnationmd.com
Leaving Las Vegas is like coming down off cocaine. It sucks. Well, probably because you are coming down off cocaine. After all, there’s nothing fun about returning to your mild-mannered desk job after getting a taste of what it’s like to be a rock star. In fact, no one ever said, “Thank God that’s over, now I get to go back to my accounting firm.” Ok, maybe someone did say that. Like, an accountant who unexpectedly got fast tracked into a frenzied bacchanal - and it scared him. Because no one should paddle into Bonzai Pipeline if they haven’t first learned how to steer a boogie board. Is there anything more punishing than the reality bite of seeing that skyline shrink in the distance through the small airplane window? It’s as if you’ve just had a chunk of your soul grizzled out by a werewolf, but the exciting myth that you’ll morph into one with the next full moon, to devour fleshy tourists gorged on gargantuan buffets and Yardaritas, is all a farce. In fact, you’re only going to die a slow, excruciating death from the bite. For the next two days, at least, until the liver filters out the poison. Of course, it might be different if you’re headed back to normalcy with bulging pockets after crushing it at the tables, but that’s never happened to me. Or anyone I know. Well, that’s not exactly accurate. I have friends who have won money in Vegas, but they generally won’t include an Excel spreadsheet detailing the losses incurred leading up to those rare moments of dopamine filled glory. And it is those losses that keep the casino lights on, the air cool, and the carpet confusing. But if gambling is the driving force of Vegas’ success, I wonder what effect Cannabis will have on Sin City now that it’s been legalized. Because embarking on a strip search for the Great Pyramid, the Eiffel Tower and the Big Apple can be a dangerous lure with a belly full of Redbull and vodka - but a head full of Super Lemon Haze can create a completely different course for a city built on bad decisions. Can Cannabis kill Vegas?
MAY 2019
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