Feb. 2019 - Maryland Leaf

I S S U E # 2 | F E BRU A RY 2 0 1 9

8THDAYCREATE.COM

2019

THE ENLIGHTENED VOICE

F R E E / L E A F N AT I O N M D . C O M

INDEPENDENT CANNABIS JOURNALISM SINCE 2010

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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NATIONAL NEWS

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HIGHLY LIKELY FRAN DRESCHER

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ACCESS: CHESACANNA ENHANCED WELLNESS

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HEMP, CBD, & WHOLE PLANT MEDICINE

31-36 MMJ 101 PT 2

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REVIEW: MARY’S MEDICINALS TRANSDERMAL PATCH

FEATURED PATIENT OF THE MONTH: ELIAS HOCINE

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EVERMORE CANNABIS COMPANY

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STRAIN OF THE MONTH: DO-SI-DO #9

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EDIBLES ARE HERE...KINDA SORTA

FEB. 2019

DREAMY 1:1 CBN TINCTURE

CONCENTRATE SPACE FACE LIVE SUGAR

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PLANT A SEED OR GROW A CLONE PART 2

46 RECIPES

More awakening

5

More relaxing

Dixie tablets are now available in 60-count packages

DixieBrands.com

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More balancing

PHOTO COURTESY OF CURIO

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Wishing you healing and happiness, Michael Hughes Editor

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THE ENLIGHTENED VOICE FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

WRITERS

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MICHAEL HUGHES PACER STACKTRAIN SPENCER IMBACH JERRY WHITING JAMES SCHWARTZ MATTHEW MEYERS DR. SCANDERSON LAURIE WOLF

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LEA F NAT IO N M D. CO M This publication is distributed to licensed and approved Maryland MMJ dispensaries and doctors for their 21 and over patients and patrons

LEAFNATIONMD.COM

elcome to our second issue of Maryland Leaf!

We were delighted by the responses to our premier issue, which have been overwhelmingly positive. So thank you! We’ve been deluged with requests for more copies from dispensaries because they’ve been running out quickly. If you haven’t been able to get your hands on a copy, please let your local dispensary know and we’ll do our best to make them available.

This issue is a special one for me because of our patient of the month, Elias Hocine, a four-year-old with Dravet Syndrome. Dravet is a rare, debilitating, lifelong form of epilepsy that begins in the first year of life.

Children with Dravet can experience hundreds of seizures per day, and as a result often have delays in growth, speech, movement, and behavior. Patients require constant care, and worse, have a 15-20% mortality rate from Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy seizures (SUDEP). There are very few treatment options, but one in particular has shown extraordinary efficacy in many children—Cannabidiol, or CBD, which is extracted from Cannabis.

Elias’s mother, Masha Chernikova, kindly agreed to allow me into her home to see how Cannabis has helped her son. Following the guidance of other parents of children with Dravet, she makes her own full extract cannabis oil (FECO) because she believes CBD is just one healing ingredient among many found in the whole plant. Thanks to her homemade Cannabis medicine and continuous experimentation, Elias’s development has progressed and the rate of his seizures has been cut from once a month to once every four months. It is a story sure to touch your heart, and, we hope, will help educate everyone about the importance of Cannabis as a medicine for children, not just adults.

We also take a look at two very different forms of using Cannabis—dabbing and microdosing. As dabbing concentrates becomes more popular, we examine ways to do it healthfully. At the other end of the spectrum, we cover microdosing—a favorite method of mine, and an increasingly common form of consumption that provides abundant medicinal benefits without the high.

As many of you have already seen, the range of edibles available in Maryland is starting to expand. We explain why that’s a good thing for many patients, and look at two new tasty and convenient items that have pushed the envelope.

This edition also brings more local news, our usual strain, edible, topical, and concentrate of the month reviews, and the introduction of our first Garden of the Month with a look inside Baltimore City’s Evermore Cannabis Company.

As the leading source of free, unbiased, Cannabispositive journalism in the Free State, and welcome your comments, criticisms, and suggestions. Please email me directly at michael@leafnationmd.com with your feedback. And thank you for supporting Maryland Leaf!

NEWS

POLITICS

MMCC Report Rejects Adding Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) as Qualifying Condition for Medical Cannabis

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CONGRATULATIONS!

Curio Wellness Awarded Best Flower Products Curio Wellness, featured in our “Seed to Sale” article (January 2019), was awarded “Best Flower Products” by Leafly in their “Best of State” category. Strains mentioned include Captain’s Cake, Chocolate Mint, and Strawberry Aurora.

FEB. 2019

The Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC) recently issued a legislative report titled “Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder with Medical Cannabis” to address ongoing calls for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) to be added to the list of qualifying conditions for medical Cannabis patients in the state.

During the 2018 legislative session, two bills to add Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) as a qualifying condition for patients were introduced in the Maryland General Assembly. Both bills were shot down, largely because of opposition from health care organizations and, in particular, addiction organizations and specialists. On the record opposing the use of Cannabis in OUD were the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), Maryland-DC Society of Addiction Medicine (MDDCSAM), Maryland Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (MATOD), National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency (NCADD), and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). The organizations opposed the bills, according to the MMCC, due to “insufficient evidence of the efficacy of treating OUD with medical Cannabis.”

Although conceding a large body of evidence that medical Cannabis is an effective treatment for pain, and noting the conclusion of The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NAM) that “conclusive or substantial evidence” from randomized controlled trials suggests that cannabis is effective for the treatment of chronic pain in adults, the MMCC rejected adding OUD as a qualifying diagnosis, writing: “A comprehensive review of existing medical literature shows that there is no credible scientific evidence backing up the claims that cannabis is beneficial in treating addiction and that there is some evidence suggesting that it may exacerbate substance use and dependency issues.”

For patients wanting to wean themselves from opiates by using Cannabis, and those who have successfully utilized Cannabis to quit prescribed opiates (such as our Patient of the Month, Jeanne Alessi, profiled in our January 2019 issue), the report can be seen as a major setback and a refutation of a large body of clinical and anecdotal evidence contradicting the report’s conclusions.

Despite the report’s conclusions, the Commission notes that “providers may certify patients to obtain medical cannabis to treat OUD under the current regulatory system.” To do so requires the provider to certify that the condition is severe, that other treatments such as FDA-approved MAT (medicallyassisted treatment, such as with methadone or buprenorphine) have been ineffective, and that the symptoms reasonably can be expected to be relieved by the use of medical cannabis. So, if you are looking to cut down or eliminate opiates, or if you are suffering from opiate addiction, a certified provider can utilize that clause to allow you access to medical Cannabis.

POLITICS

MARYLAND CANNABIS REGULATORS LOOK TO ASSEMBLY TO HELP RESOLVE OWNERSHIP ISSUE

CULTURE

Maryland Companies Want To Brew Cannabis Beer If regulators approve it, Maryland is about to get its first Cannabis-infused beer.

Frederick-based businesses Flying Dog Brewery and Green Leaf Medical Cannabis plan to produce a Cannabis-infused, non-alcoholic IPA for sale in Maryland dispensaries in 2019.

“In a way, the cannabis industry is a lot like the craft beer movement was a few decades ago,” Green Leaf CEO Phil Goldberg said. “We have to educate people and change the overall perception of what cannabis is, what it could be, and how it might benefit people. Partnering with Flying Dog seemed like another great way to get more people interested in cannabis.”

The beer, Hop Chronic, will be available in six-packs or individual 12-ounce cans. Iconic counterculture artist Ralph Steadman, of Rolling Stone magazine and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas cover fame, designed the can’s art.

NATIONAL

Senate Bill on Guns and Cannabis On January 14th, State Senators Michael Hough (R-4th District) and Bobby Zirkin (D-11th District) introduced Senate Bill 97, titled “Firearms - Right to Purchase, Possess, and Carry Use of Medical Cannabis.” The bill states, “For the purpose of providing that a person may not be denied the right to purchase, possess, or carry a firearm solely on the basis that the person is authorized to use medical cannabis; and generally relating to firearms.”

Cannabis use and possession are illegal under federal law, and the Gun Control Act of 1968 prohibits the possession and purchase of guns by Cannabis users. If you want to purchase a gun from a federally licensed dealer, you must answer a series of questions—one of which asks if you are registered as a medical marijuana patient. Answer yes, and you cannot purchase the gun. Lie and you can be prosecuted and jailed for up to ten years and fined up to $250,000.

Senator Hough admitted in an interview with WAMU that the bill, even if it passes, will not change federal law. “We can’t change the federal law. At least with this, it would be a statement to the State Police that if you have a medical marijuana card, they can’t use that as a basis to seize peoples’ guns. It would address some of the fears at the state and local level as far as enforcement,” he said.

INDEPENDENT CANNABIS JOURNALISM SINCE 2010

The Maryland General Assembly will likely have to clarify whether state rules were meant to stop big out-of-state companies from dominating the state’s medical marijuana market, according to the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission.

The Commission’s policy committee on January 8th deferred voting on a proposal to amend existing rules to make clear that companies can’t own more than one license in each of the industry’s three categories, reports The Baltimore Sun. The categories are growing Cannabis, processing it, and selling it at dispensaries.

Commissioners said they expect the General Assembly to weigh in and decide the matter during the 90-day legislative session which ends in April.

Several well-financed companies from outside the state have gained control of multiple licenses across categories by entering “management agreements” with licensed firms for fees or revenue sharing. Maryland’s medical marijuana market generated almost $100 million in sales during 2018, its first full year.

By MICHAEL HUGHES

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F R E E / L E A F N AT I O N M D . C O M

NEWS

CULTURE

MEDICAL MARIJUANA PATIENTS FIND COMMUNITY, RESOURCES ABOARD CANNA CRAWL’ BUS Maryland’s “Canna Crawl” bus tour is like a pub crawl—but it’s meant for the state’s medical Cannabis patients to tour and shop at different dispensaries, and socialize along the way, reports The Baltimore Sun. “I didn’t know about Cannabis as medication,” said Bethany “Betty” Jane, who organized the event and is a medical marijuana patient for chronic pain. Jane, a former journalist, now runs the Mary Jane Chronicles website. The site maintains a calendar of events she coordinates for patients to connect and find resources.

“Here you a say, ‘I’m hurting,’ and there’s so much support,” said Jane, 53, of Ellicott City. “We really need events for people to get community support.”

During the latest Canna Crawl, patients visited dispensaries across Baltimore County, including shops in Cockeysville, LuthervilleTimonium, and Towson. Along the way, they shopped for products ranging from ready-rolled joints to topicals and oils. Some shops presented the touring patients with swag bags filled with goods and informational packets.

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GROW

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NORML Ranks U.S. Governors On Cannabis Support The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws has released its 2019 Gubernatorial Scorecard. The database assigns a letter from “A” to “F” to state governors based on their comments and voting records specific to Cannabis policy. Maryland governor Larry Hogan received a C-.

Twenty-seven governors got a passing grade of “C” or higher from NORML. Of these, 22 were Democrats and five were Republicans.

Nine governors, all Democrats, received an “A” grade. This is a big increase from 2018, when just two governors got the highest available grade. Ten governors (nine Democrats and one Republican) received “B” grades.

Fifteen governors (14 Republicans and 1 Democrat) got “D” grades, while four governors — all Republicans — got an “F.” Four governors received no grade because of insufficient data.

FEB. 2019

By MICHAEL HUGHES

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Highlighting Cannabis pioneers who paved the way to greater herbal acceptance.

HIGHLY LIKELY

FRAN DRESCHER W

hile Fran Drescher is best known for her leading role in the 1990s television sitcom “The Nanny,” she’s been an accomplished actress in television and film since the 1970s. As “The Nanny,” Drescher’s lovably-unique voice and sharp wit made her a fan favorite almost overnight, and she went on to win two Emmys and Golden Globes for her work on the show. Dresher’s NYC attitude combined with a sense of grace and over-the-top Queens style seemed not too far removed from her own persona, and that resonated with Americans of all backgrounds. Once her role as “The Nanny” came to an end, Drescher moved outside of TV and film, working with the Oregon State Department as a diplomatic envoy, and as an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ rights and women’s health issues. As of this past summer, she’s become an outspoken advocate for Cannabis.

On August 28th, Drescher delivered the plenary address at the Cannabis Science Conference in Portland. While she may seem like an unlikely candidate for the Cannabis industry, Drescher’s story makes perfect sense. In the speech (which can be viewed online) Fran talks about her own battle with

Cannabis by saying, “I would encourage, support, uterine cancer, about changing the way we think put my name and face to a product or even just as about health care, and about the good she’s seen a consumer on the ones that are being grown, you from Cannabis in her own life. know, the old school way of organic in good, healthy, Drescher was interviewed by Forbes during the rich soil...the old fashioned way. “That’s going to be conference, telling the interviewer that “there’s a happy plant.” so much that we don’t know, and that’s true with I’ve got to Cannabis” and, DESCRIBING HOW CANNABIS admit, I was about how her pretty surprised father has started to to see Fran consume Cannabis HELPED SAVE HER FATHER, Drescher’s face for a neurological DRESCHER SAID “HIS WHOLE on a billboard disorder. “He went FACE BECAME ANIMATED. HIS for a Cannabis from having that Conference, expressionless look VOICE BECAME STRONG. HIS EYES as she’s not that Parkinson’s a celebrity patients often get, OPENED UP, AND MY DAD WAS I’d associate where it’s kind of BACK TO BEING HIMSELF.” with our a dull life, to a favorite herb. positive reaction But that’s what makes mainstreaming of Cannabis within seconds upon using Cannabis,” she said. “His such an interesting thing to watch happen. As we whole face became animated. His voice became strong. His eyes opened up, and my dad was back to get closer and closer to full national legalization, voices that come out of nowhere, like Drescher’s, being himself.” will undoubtedly turn the tide on the opinion of our In the interview, Drescher also seemed to endorse favorite plant. sustainable and healthy growing practices in

By PACER STACKTRAIN

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ACCESS

CHESACANNA ENHANCED WELLNESS 10534 YORK RD. SUITE 101 COCKEYSVILLE, MD 21030 / CHESACANNA.COM / OPEN MON-SAT 10AM – 7PM SUN 10AM – 2PM / (410)-650-6555

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Chesacanna is the northern-most dispensary on what is sometimes called “Dispensary Row” because of the large

just dispensing the healing herb.

“Our vision was a dispensary that combined all of our

number of access points stretching along York Road’s

wellness programs—nutritional counseling, exercise, all

busy thoroughfarefrom Chesacanna’s sleek facility in

the things you can do for better well-being,” Spataro says.

Cockeysville south to Blair Wellness in Baltimore City.

“That differentiates us from a lot of dispensaries. A lot of

“We’re a true independent dispensary, Maryland-owned

them preach wellness, and that they’re wellness centers.

and operated,” explains Marc Spataro, president of the

You can be wellness to a point, but here at Chesacanna our

company. He and his wife, vice president Brenda Liscinsky,

medical director is a hematologist/oncologist, our wellness

have twenty years of experience in the health and wellness

director is an integrative medicine physician… I put

field, and created Chesacanna with far more in mind than

together this team to support the mission, and the mission

FEB. 2019

“OUR MISSION IS TO HELP PEOPLE, TO EDUCATE PEOPLE, GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRY A DIFFERENT MEDICINE THAT HAS REDUCED SIDE EFFECTS, OR NONE AT ALL, AND GET THEM OFF OF SOME OF THE OTHER PHARMACEUTICALS.”

FLOWER 4/5

Chesacanna has a wide variety of flower from a number of Maryland cultivators, including Verano, Culta, and SunMed, and Spataro and his crew seek out strains with good terpene profiles instead of just carrying those with high THC scores. They also stock a number of high-CBD strains, including Brenda’s Gift, which is one of their biggest sellers, as well as strains with a 1:1 CBD/THC ratio. Verano’s G6 is always in stock and is a patient favorite. All flower is pre-packaged.

is to make people better, healthier, fitter, in all aspects.” access points, with a chic but warm and inviting décor. The waiting area is large and comfortable and an enormous fish tank nearby provides a contemplative focal point. The

NORTHERNLIGHTSBY SUNMEDGROWERS

BY GRASSROOTS

dispensary is huge, with wood flooring and soft lighting.

In the back is a library stocked with reference books on

THC: 28% CBGA: 2%

medical Cannabis and next to it is an uncommon feature for a

β-MYRCENE: .38%

dispensary—a kitchen.

OCIMENE: .26%

“I’ve always dreamt of having a facility where I could teach people proper nutrition,” Spataro says. “Along with your medical Cannabis journey, we can help you create your wellness journey with us, and the first stage of the wellness journey is nutrition.” The kitchen will also be used to teach patients how to cook with Cannabis and create their own medibles.

And there’s a retail wellness store within the premises, also unusual for being open to non-patients and allowing them to see into the dispensary. It carries bowls, bubblers, electronic vaporizers, and other consumption devices, but also fermented foods and drinks, organic chocolates, raw honey, and bath and skin products, with the majority of products coming from locally owned businesses. And next door is a gym also owned

by Spataro, where Chesacanna hosts monthly “Canna-Fit” classes along with other educational events.

“Our mission is to help people, to educate people, give them the opportunity to try a different medicine that has reduced side effects, or none at all, and get them off of some of the other pharmaceuticals,” Spataro says. “We change people’s lives. There’s nothing more satisfying.”

TOTAL TERPENES: 1.13% A lot of Maryland farms are growing Northern Lights.

And that’s no surprise, considering it is a perennial favorite of Cannabis veterans and beginners alike, and one of the most popular strains of all time.

SunMed’s Northern Lights was pretty and welltrimmed, sparkling with trichomes and swirled with bright orange stigmas, but the buds I tested were a little on dry side (a not uncommon problem with Maryland flower in general). Myrcene dominates the rather mild aroma, earthy and funky. Smoke and vapor is smooth, but also mild, with a bit of grape and spice on the exhale.

While it’s not a knockout in the aroma or taste department, Northern Lights’ effects are like a blissful warm cocoon. A keystone indica, this is a great strain for Cannabis newbies or those prone to high anxiety, and it’s popular among patients battling anxiety, insomnia, and pain and discomfort. While physically sedating, it’s not gonna melt you down, and the mental effects are like a full-spectrum lightbox on a gray day, lifting depression and dampening social phobia. Overdo it, and you’re likely to fall deeply asleep with a relaxed smile on your face. Whether among friends or alone, you’d have to try really hard to not enjoy Northern Lights, and SunMed has grown some fine medicine.

EDIBLES

4/5

Chesacanna’s solid edibles selection covers just about every form of ingestible allowed in Maryland, including tinctures, tablets, capsules, and elixirs from Evermore, The Feel Collection, Mary’s, and Verano, and newcomers like Liberty’s infused olive and coconut oils. Dixie’s line of elixirs are particularly popular with patients seeking to get off opiates, and RSO is always in high demand.

CONCENTRATES Although cartridges and vape pens are varied and wellstocked (with offerings by Curio, MPX, Rhythm, Verano, Curaleaf, among others), Spataro admits the store is catching up when it comes to concentrates like budder, shatter, and wax.

Currently, Grassroots, Liberty, Verano, and gLeaf make up their limited, but quality, selection.

3/5

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ENVIRONMENT & VIBE 5/5

Chesacanna’s space is beautifully designed, large, and inviting, with a kitchen, reading/consultation area, and a retail store that is open to the public. It’s a place you want to stay for a while, perhaps lounging in front of the fish tank or browsing the books in the library—all of which is encouraged.

And although the decor is about as high-end as you might find in a Maryland dispensary, it’s warm and comfortable, not the least bit sterile or intimidating. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and seem to really enjoy what they’re doing.

OVERALL Chesacanna Enhanced Wellness epitomizes a high-end retail dispensary, with enormous attention to style and detail in its decor and layout. The product selection is extensive and varied, and the budtenders are energetic, helpful, and patient. If you’re looking to incorporate nutrition, exercise, and other lifestyle changes along with your medical Cannabis, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more ideal place to book a consultation and purchase your medicine. And if you’re a non-patient curious about how things work, the retail store offers a literal window into Cannabis retail and plenty of free, introductory classes in its nearby fitness facility. The kitchen is another bonus, especially if you’re curious about cooking with medicine. Chesacanna proves that Cannabis is an important part of the larger health and wellness community, and integrates it with style, quality products, and a commitment to patient education.

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REVIEW & PHOTOS By MICHAEL HUGHES

LEAFNATIONMD.COM

Chesacanna occupies the aesthetic high-end of Maryland

BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH

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SHARAEPARRIS

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How did Cannabis come into your life?

her caregiver, in intense pain and walking with a cane. You could see the pain on her face. But As a teenager, experiencing it with my cousins, once she found the product that she needed, actually. As I’m aging I have G.I. issues and she would come in with tendonitis in my hand a smile on her face, and my wrist, and it’s “I LOVE TO HELP PATIENTS no pain, saying, “I’m really helping me.

SEEK OUT THE RIGHT feeling better.” And she Before I started using didn’t come in with her Cannabis, every single CANNABIS TO HELP THEM cane anymore, either. day I literally wanted ALLEVIATE THEIR SYMPTOMS, to chop my hand off.

And honestly, after TO GET THEM TO FEEL THAT How do you prefer to use Cannabis? having two boys, I COMFORT AND BALANCE.” I love flower. It’s just so became a patient pure. The terps, the flavor, (laughs). Doctors love the aroma! I use a bowl or a bubbler; smoking to send you home with all these Percocets flower is especially good for my stomach with all and pain pills, and I noticed how easily the GI pain that I have. It certainly alleviates that. people can get addicted to them.

How did you become a budtender?

I just worked my way up from concierge. I love to help patients seek out the right Cannabis to help them alleviate their symptoms, to get them to feel that comfort and balance.

What is your favorite part of the job?

I just love seeing patients come back, saying “Thank you, I feel so much better, I’m sleeping now.” Seeing patients come back with that relief, to guide them to the right product, for them to be happy again - it brings me joy.

We once had a patient who would come in with

FEB. 2019

What are your favorite strains and producers?

Curio is my favorite. I love their OG Kush Breath.

It has a perfect OG balance! I also like Grow West, they grow a lot of good strains. I had their Cough OG over the weekend - that was very relaxing.

REMEDY COLUMBIA

@shoproyalparris

First, I just listen to their symptoms and receive everything that they’re telling me. Then I find the best terpenes and best cannabinoids to pair with them. Next, I ask them which consumption method they’d prefer for their product. I make sure I’m knowledgeable about every product we have so I can easily guide them. I also pay attention to patient feedback and do consultations daily. People are welcome to go on our website and book a consultation with us, patients or non-patients, to educate them and make sure they’re comfortable with Cannabis.

Why do you like working at Remedy?

I love working here. It’s like my family away from home. Everyone is very knowledgeable about all the products. If I don’t know something, I know my coworkers definitely will. Everyone is loving and caring with the patients.

They’re going home happy and coming back happy. We love it!

6656 Dobbin Rd Suite E, Columbia, MD 21045 (443) 542-0948 REMEDYCOLUMBIA.COM

How do you find the right Cannabis for a customer?

What are your hobbies outside of work?

I’m from Atlanta, so moving to Maryland means everything I do here is a new experience.

I love hanging with my family—my husband and two boys—and running my @shoproyalparris Instagram page to educate and inform about Cannabis.

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PATIENT OF THE MONTH

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PATIENT OF THE MONTH

ELIAS HOCINE Elias Hocine was ten months old when he had his first grand mal seizure.

His mother, Masha Chernikova, watched helplessly while her son seized for thirty minutes as he was transported to the hospital, his arms stretched out wide, his entire body shaking and spasming, and his face contorted in fear. “It looks like terror,” Masha explains. “I’ve never seen a person so terrified. As if he’s seeing the worst thing in the world.”

The doctors at the hospital diagnosed it as a febrile seizure, a relatively harmless and not uncommon reaction to a fever or spike in body temperature in children, and Elias was sent home. One month later, he seized again, and once again made the trip from the family’s home in Connecticut to their local hospital. Masha knew something was wrong this time. She had worked in a pediatrician’s office, so used her network to find the best neurologist in New York.

FEB. 2019

The diagnosis was epilepsy, and Elias was put on the antiepileptic drug Keppra (Levetiracetam).

Masha then took Elias to Boston Children’s Hospital, where the doctors, noting delays in her son’s development, decided to test for Dravet Syndrome (pronounced Dra-VAY). The Dravet Syndrome Foundation (DSF) describes the disease as a “rare, catastrophic, lifelong form of epilepsy that begins in the first year of life with frequent and/or prolonged seizures.”

80% of children with Dravet have a mutation in their SCN1A gene, and the syndrome is associated with a laundry list of health issues: developmental delays (including language and speech), chronic infections, sensory integration disorders, and disruptions in the autonomic nervous system that regulate body temperature.

Worse, 15-20% of Dravet patients die from complications related to the disease—not something any parent ever wants to hear.

In the meantime, Elias’s father found a job

in Maryland and the family relocated to Forest Hill in Harford County. It was there—nearly four years after his first seizure—that the diagnosis of Dravet was confirmed. Despite learning her child had a rare form of epilepsy, Masha was relieved.

“We had no diagnosis besides epilepsy, didn’t know the cause, didn’t know anything, really. I was told his was a mild case of Dravet, and was given info about DSF and their Facebook support groups.” The family also discovered that their doctor had miscalculated Elias’s daily dose of Keppra. “We were playing catch up all the time, and then we would catch up a little bit, and then he would start seizing about once a month.”

Masha’s mother mentioned seeing a CNN documentary (“Weed”) about the use of CBD for seizure disorders. Masha remembered seeing it, too. “I had watched the documentary years before. Not even knowing I was going to have a child with Dravet, not connecting the two. My husband said, ‘You know that little girl, Charlotte,

she has Dravet. We might want to think about it.’”

In March of 2018, Masha ordered some hemp-derived CBD online. “It did nothing,” she says. “If they’re selling it over the Internet, there’s something missing. This is not what the little girl was taking.”

She joined the Maryland Cannabis Club Facebook group, got an MMCC card, and started experimenting with Cannabis preparations. Although a number of people, including her neurologist, suggested she try the newly approved Epidiolex (the first FDA-approved cannabidiol drug), she prefers to utilize extractions made from the plant. “They’re isolating CBD. I’m coming from the belief that whole-plant extract is really more beneficial to him. Because I’m not just looking to stop his seizures. It’s a plant. Why mess with what’s already perfect?”

Masha discovered that a small amount of THC— not enough to affect Elias’s behavior—was an important part of his regiment. She’s also

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FROZEN SYRINGES OF FULL EXTRACT CANNABIS OIL (FECO)

WRITER AND PHOTOS By MICHAEL HUGHES

ILLUSTRATION By BRANDON PALMA / 8TH DAY CREATE

PROFILE

20

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MIXING UP THE MEDICINE

convinced terpenes have been beneficial.

When I first met Masha in her Forest Hill home, Elias and his twin sister were at school.

She showed me what she calls her kitchen “laboratory”—an electronic scale, Mason jars, strainers, plastic oral syringes, and glass pipettes for measuring in milliliters. She purchases high-CBD flower strains like ACDC at Curaleaf in Reisterstown (taking advantage of their 20% pediatric discount), but notes that high-CBD strains are not always readily available.

“First I did butter. Then I did his extraction in coconut oil, but eventually you hit a point where you can only extract so much. So eventually I just started extracting with Everclear.”She does a freezer extraction of the flower in Everclear, then uses a slow cooker to evaporate the alcohol, leaving what is known as FECO—full extract cannabis oil. She then makes chocolates infused with the FECO to conceal the taste.

She pulls out her notebook, with page after page of her handwritten dosage calculations and notes about Elias’s reactions. “I was decent in chemistry, but who remembers it from high school?” She laughs. But it’s always an experiment, she explains— seeing what works, trying something new.

FEB. 2019

“It’s all a constant… what’s next? Do we go up in dosage? Do we wait? Do we try something else? CBDA? More THC?” And she’s frustrated by the inability to have her medicine tested for potency and levels of cannabinoids by a lab in Maryland. “I should be allowed to get his medicine tested. A lot of [Dravet] parents in other states can have theirs tested.”

One things she’s absolutely sure of—Cannabis works.

“The first day I gave him the CBD that I made, he went to sleep. He was kinda smiling, and I thought okay, you’re happy.”

She laughs. “The next day morning I gave him the second dose before he went to school.

I didn’t tell his teacher anything.” When she picked Elias up from school, she asked teacher if she had noticed anything. “We had the best day so far!” the teacher told her.

Masha interrupts our conversation to greet Elias and his twin sister, Leila, at the door as they return from school. She feeds them lunch, but because kids with Dravet are extra sensitive to heat, she always cools his food down first. He’s an adorable kid, with big, inquisitive brown eyes behind his red glasses,

“BUT ACTIVISM ISN’T ALWAYS STANDING ON THE FRONT LINE. IT’S HAVING LITTLE CONVERSATIONS LIKE THESE.”

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MASHA MEASURES OUT A CAREFULLY CALIBRATED DOSE OF ELIAS’S MEDICINE

a bright smile, and thick, dark hair.

Elias now has a seizure about once every four months—a marked improvement from before his Cannabis treatments, when he was averaging one a month. And when he does have a seizure, his recovery time has decreased. “He bounces back, he’s able to walk,” Masha says. “Otherwise, it takes everything out of him.”

Other improvements were readily apparent. “He wasn’t able to put together spontaneous sentences . . . but now his language has become amazing.

For the first time, he was able to sit down and read a whole book. Want to see?”

She grabs a nearby copy of Dr. Seuss’s Green Eggs and Ham. Elias begins to recite the words as Masha turns the pages. He smiles at her when he’s finished, and she gives him a hug. “He’s able to speak clearer, speak better, relay things easier... he’s becoming more aware.”

“And the last two days he’s been saying ‘I love you.’ So I tell him ‘I love you’ oh, I don’t know . . . a million times a day. Only recently has he been saying it back.” It takes a few tries, as Elias is entranced by a video he’s watching on his mother’s phone, but eventually he looks up and tells her he loves her.

“Okay, Elias, give mommy a kiss.”

He kisses her, and she smiles at me. “So . . . that’s what we do.”

But every day still has its challenges.

“We have our ‘normal’ and it’s okay. With Cannabis, one seizure every four months is great, especially considering his dose of Keppra hasn’t been increased in over a year.” And the progress Masha sees each day is heartening.

“For him, any kind of progress is usually very small. And only noticeable to people who are constantly with him, like me or his father. But even so . . . the littlest thing, it’s like, oh wow. He started drawing . . . His hands tremble while holding a pen, but in the last two months he started drawing a sun.”

And Elias’s illness has made her an activist. “Cannabis is medicine in this house. This is the most activist-y thing I’ve ever done.” She pauses. “But activism isn’t always standing on the front line. It’s having little conversations like these.”

GARDEN OF THE MONTH

EVERMORE CANNABIS COMPANY

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CITRUS KLEANER

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COOKIES), AND SUNDAY BRUNCH (CLEMENTINE X PURPLE PUNCH).

EVERMORECOMPANY.COM

WRITER AND PHOTOS By MICHAEL HUGHES

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EVERMORE’S CULTIVATION TEAM FRONT TO BACK: AUSTIN WEISKITTEL, RONALD KING, TOM KLASSEN, CHARLES BURNETT, SR., GARY NUSINOV

Evermore Cannabis Company (formerly Temescal Wellness of Maryland) is the only licensed growing and processing facility located in Baltimore City.

And they take their homegrown Maryland roots seriously. Crucial, a Bmore native, explained the company’s perspective on growing Cannabis locally. “We do it the Maryland way. Maryland is ‘the land of pleasant living,’” he says, riffing on the beloved Natty Boh slogan. “What better way to live than around pleasant plants?”

V.P. of Cultivation and Processing Gary Nusinov agrees. “We know the local atmosphere, the local environment. We know the tastes that the local air might impart. Or what the water is going to do.” The Evermore team is proud of building their vertical operation from scratch. “We haven’t hired out to the consultant world to tell us how to do our thing . . . We’re not running off the outline, or the blueprint.” Their flower is grown using organic nutrients and naturally mined minerals in a microorganism-inoculated medium. Insects are used for any bug remediation.

If you’ve seen Evermore products at your local dispensary, you will have likely noticed that they have proprietary names for their strains, or “varieties” as they like to call them. “It stops confusion in the marketplace,” Nusinov explains.

“Unless it’s well-known, and everybody has it— like Blue Dream—we try to distinguish it with our own IP.” Some of their varieties have generated a lot of fans, particularly Purple Obeah, a truly delicious cross between Cherry Pie and Tangie, Strawberry Cookies (Strawberry Fields x Animal Cookies), and Sunday Brunch (Clementine x Purple Punch). And for those seeking high CBD flower, Evermore recently introduced a new CBDdominant strain, GSC-CBD (Girl Scout Cookies x Pennywise).

The team at Evermore produces and packages their own concentrates as well, and there’s a lot of excitement about the products they’re bringing to market, including fresh-frozen live resin, sugars, terp sauce, budders, and—a relative rarity in the Maryland market—live rosin. “We also make HC-FSE [High Cannabinoid Full-Spectrum Extract] and HT-FSE [High Terpene Full-Spectrum Extract].

We take the crystal and the terp layers, and mix them in what we call ‘crystals and terps.’”

And they take feedback seriously. “It’s all about the patients,” says Marketing Director Andrea Nusinov. “We take every piece of feedback, integrate it, and adapt what we’re doing in order to meet the patients’ needs.”

Morey Zuskin, a principal in the company, agrees. “We’re here for right reasons and we’re doing it the right way.”

THE BUDS ARE TRIMMED PERFECTLY, DRESSED FOR SUCCESS AND TRULY REPRESENT CRAFT CANNABIS AT ITS FINEST.

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FEB. 2019

Do-Si D

GROWN BY CULTA GENETICS: ARCHIVE SEED BANK (OGKB GIRL SCOUT COOKIES X FACE OFF OGBX1)

REVIEW BY SPENCER IMBACH

STRAIN OF THE MONTH

C

ulta’s smooth-hitting Do-si-dos #9, based on a powerful genetic background, delivers steady, potent relief. The buds are trimmed perfectly, dressed for success, and truly represent craft cannabis at its finest. Instantly after opening the package, my nose was filled with a heavenly clean vanilla aroma that rushed to my brain, begging to be smoked. A strong and loud kush fragrance, both rude and reassuring, will bring comfort and excitement to any cannabis lover. The careful balance between creamy dough and earthy gas flavor speaks to the inspiration that went into raising and curing these buds.

Fluffy but still compact, fresh and sticky with resin, they had a perfect moisture content, making them easy to break down. The smoke was smooth, even-flavored, and easy on the exhale. Smoking Do-si-dos #9, with its high amounts of myrcene and limonene, washed away my headache, put my mind at ease, and melted away my stress in calming waves. As a highly indica-dominant strain, it should be avoided if you have a lower tolerance or need to be productive. Do-si-dos #9 could be considered for anxiety, chronic pain, nausea, and insomnia. A comfortable living room setting with punchy speakers can be a great way to enjoy the warmth of this long-lasting high.

PHOTO by WYATT EARLY

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Our Vision Our vision is to bring collectives, vendors, growers and auxiliary companies together to create the synergy that was lacking in this area of the cannabis culture/industry. One of the biggest problems (which is universal in this industry) Is that the buyer or procurement agent is lacking time. This allows the decision maker, to meet, see and discuss products at their leisure. This allows the decision maker to see many compliant companies at once, and to create ongoing relationships. Justin, Hap and the Champs Dispensary+ team look forward to helping create an atmosphere that you can thrive and conduct business, at your LEISURE. We are also open to companies/vendors you want to see there. Feedback is important, and we are open to it. The industry is changing and helping you expand to a bigger market share is our goal. The Champs family of shows continues to grow and look forward to growing with you.

For More Information Hap Kent- office: (818) 855-1528, cell: (818) 640-7010, email: Hap@ctsdplus.com Justin Wilson- cell: (509) 994-7051, email: Justin@ctsdplus.com

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EDIBLES ARE HERE… KINDA SORTA Things are looking up for Maryland patients seeking Cannabis-infused edible products.

Edibles—broadly defined by the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC) as “foods”— have been prohibited since the rollout of the state’s medical Cannabis program. The MMCC states its reasoning on its website: All “food” produced or sold in Maryland is regulated by the Maryland Office of Food Safety. The Commission has not developed regulations regarding the production of medical cannabis in forms like food. Licensed processors will produce cannabis in forms such as extracts, oils, and tinctures.

So forget about buying Cannabis-infused cookies or salsa at your favorite dispensary.

Interestingly, the commission recommends homemade edibles: Some of those products would be suitable for patients and caregivers to use at home to make a wide variety of edible forms of cannabis. Some of these could also be flavored to increase palatability.

Patients will need appropriate guidance and education about edible products.

But as anyone who has tried to make a batch of Alice B. Toklas brownies knows, it’s not always easy to get things just right, and while good information abounds on the internet, so does bullshit. (We’ll be covering the basics of DIY Cannabis cooking in an upcoming issue of Maryland Leaf). It’s also difficult to estimate the dose of homemade products, especially without patient access to testing laboratories.

But why do patients want edibles anyway, and why are they important?

First, not everyone wants to blaze up a blunt to take their medicine. Smoking Cannabis, though much healthier than smoking tobacco, still generates toxic byproducts that many people prefer to avoid. For older patients, smoking or even vaping carries an unfortunate stigma ingrained by decades of anti-pot propaganda. Ingesting Cannabis seems healthier, it’s discreet, and taking Cannabis orally allows targeted dosage, particularly when using any of the available MMCC-sanctioned tinctures, tablets, or capsules. And edibles have stronger, longer

FEB. 2019

lasting bodily effect than smoking or vaping, which is why many patients prefer them for pain and other physical ailments.

Ingested Cannabis, whether in a cookie or a capsule, is processed in the liver (versus in the brain when smoking or vaping), where THC is converted to 11-hydroxy-THC, a more potent form of the molecule. THC takes longer for the liver to metabolize, and effects are usually not felt for 30 minutes to two hours. The effects of ingested Cannabis, while stronger, last longer, too.

Ingestion carries risks, as NYT columnist Maureen “I’ll eat the whole thing!” Dowd and plenty of others who have taken too high a dose can attest. Taking too much orally is a recipe for an unpleasant experience, with disorientation, paranoia, elevated heart rate, and panic being common. Though you’re not going to have any physical aftereffects from eating too much, the psychedelic rollercoaster can be terrifying, even for an experienced user. So the mantra for responsible ingestion has become: Start low and go slow.

In other words, start with a low dose and wait at least two hours or more before you consider supplementing, especially if your stomach is full.

And because edibles look like, well, yummy stuff to stick in your face, please keep them far from the reach of children or adults who might not realize that delicious gummy bear is loaded with highly psychoactive cannabinoids before eating the whole bag. Keep your medicine in its original package in case something untoward happens.

With those caveats out of the way, it’s important to emphasize that Cannabis-infused edibles are vital healing tools when used intelligently, and for many patients they are life-savers. For those with chronic pain and high tolerance, ingesting Cannabis is sometimes the only way to get the required dosage.

In 2018, some interesting new eproducts began to appear on dispensary shelves, with others arriving early this year. Maryland Leaf applauds the rollout of more traditional edible items, with hopes the trend will continue—a desire shared by many patients.

Here are two of our favorites.

“BUT WHY DO PATIENTS WANT EDIBLES ANYWAY, AND WHY ARE THEY IMPORTANT?”

VERANOBRANDS CHEWABLETROCHES What you call gummies Verano calls troches (pronounced tro-keys). These sweet, chewy morsels (“medicated lozenges”) are available in several flavors and formulations. Mandarin is 1:1 CBD:THC, Strawberry Peach is 2:1 CBD:THC, and Watermelon is THC only. Regardless of flavor and cannabinoid ratio, each troche contains 5mg THC. If you’re a new patient and don’t know your sensitivity, start with a half (2.5mg of THC is unlikely to be unpleasantly psychoactive to any but the most sensitive patients).

Bodily relaxation is pronounced, especially with the high CBD Strawberry Peach, and 5mg is the perfect functional dose for a lot of people.

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Betty’s Eddies look like taffy but are more like chewy hard candies. At 20mg THC each, they’re more potent medicine, too, so not for newbies or those extra sensitive to THC. They’re vegan, come in five cornily-named flavors (including “Lime a Good Person” and “Orange You Beautiful”), and contain non-GMO organic fruits and vegetables. They’re perfect to let dissolve in your mouth on a long hike or while hunkered down for a Game of Thrones binge on your couch

WRITER AND PHOTOS By MICHAEL HUGHES

LEAFNATIONMD.COM

BETTY’SEDDIES MEDICATEDCHEWS

OPINION

HEMP,CBD &WHOLE PLANT MEDICINE I

by JERRY WHITING for MARYLAND LEAF

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think we can all agree that else companies spike with cannabidiol CBD is mainstream. It’s for sale will deliver a one-dimensional effect everywhere: online, at the mall, in compared to using a full spectrum stores all over town, everywhere extract.The problem is that people expect you look. Sanjay Gupta, the results attributed to a whole plant Charlotte’s Web and cannabidiol were preparation when, in fact, what they the sparks that lit this firestorm. Is it any bought is CBD and only CBD. wonder farmers are falling over each While the gap may be negligible or other to plant industrial hemp to feed inconsequential to some, others will be the growing CBD market? This is a good understandably disappointed. The market thing, especially if small, family farms find isn’t well versed or sophisticated enough hemp is a profitable crop without farm to tell the good products from the bad. subsidies or bank debt.

The flip side of the coin is that some This is all well and good until the hemp Cannabis intake is better than none. One harvest is processed. In the green rush advantage of CBD isolate and distillate is to hemp riches farmers single-mindedly the ability for manufacturers to scale up focus on CBD cultivars and processors production while keeping the serving sizes take that hemp and extract CBD and and dosages consistent. often only CBD. CBD-isolate and CBD If a fizzy drink from a convenience store distillate are sought after and valued for is your only option, a high tide lifts all their purity. This is fine as long as you boats as they say. As the market matures consider CBD (or THC for that matter) an a flurry of products will be unleashed. ingredient, rather than an end product People will try them, rejecting some unto itself. Reductionist chemistry which and popularizing others. In time, we’ll all breaks the plant apart into individual identify and patronize our favorites just as chemicals doesn’t evoke we do beer, breakfast cereal, THE MARKET the entourage effect, the and yes, fast food.

ISN’T WELL synergistic action of whole Cannabis consumers VERSED OR plant preparations. are learning more and CBD isn’t a magic potion. SOPHISTICATED more about terpenes, and ENOUGH TO While one does derive adjusting their buying habits benefit from CBD and TELL THE GOOD accordingly. Savvy shoppers CBD only, its bioactivity know that CBD and THC PRODUCTS is measurably enhanced levels alone don’t paint FROM THE BAD. in the presence of other the whole picture. We all cannabinoids like THC, CBG, not need to learn as much as we can about to mention terpenes, the aromatic cannabinoids, terpenes and the other compounds that color the effect of compounds in hemp and Cannabis. Then cannabinoids. we need to teach each other. As our Products like CBD tinctures, infused individual shopping habits evolve, the coffee and sports drinks, and everything market will respond.

FEB. 2019

Read the labels of products when you shop—ask questions, visit producers’ websites, attend educational events and seek the truth.

Yes, it’s all about CBD isolate and distillate right now. We’re all starting from scratch. It’s up to us to nurture and guide the hemp market as it grows. There’s no better time to exert influence than now!

Visit LeBlancCNE.com/podcast

3 5 / A G u i d e t o H e a lt h y D a b b i n g 36 / The power of a little THCV

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3 4 / C a n n a b i s : n e c e s s a ry f o r g o o d h e a lt h

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32 / Microdosing your Cannabis

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MICRODOSING YOUR CANNABIS

Less than a decade ago, most of us had a “dealer” and with them, a practice of procuring our herb in a manner that was often inconvenient, sometimes anxiety-inducing and, on occasion, scary. Naturally, this had the effect of scarcity on the amount people consumed, and how often they consumed it. What I’m trying to say is—there were times when things ran dry—and when it did, we had to cut back on how much we consumed.

Fast forward to today, a time in history where there’s more Cannabis being produced than ever before.

We live in a time where we can walk into stores to purchase Cannabis, and do so in forms we never imagined before. With the sheer abundance of Cannabis in our daily lives, it can be hard not to gravitate toward a sort of macro-dosing. But there are questions to be — is all of that smoke healthy? Are huge, lung-crushing dabs hazardous to our health?

We’ve all had the experience of consuming a large amount of Cannabis, only to find that the next time we smoke it takes more to get as high. This is especially true for edible consumers, where the tolerance builds quite rapidly. And with that tolerance comes a reduction in the therapeutic benefits.

But how does one learn the right amount to consume? The answer is that your body knows—but it’s your brain that gets confused.

We’ve all felt the therapeutic benefits of this herb, but our endocannabinoid system hasn’t been tested to the degree that warrants actual scientific, or medical conclusions, so all we can really do is try to listen to our bodies to discover what feels right. And, because Cannabis is a non-physically addictive substance, taking a break from consumption provides a very real benefit, albeit one that requires a bit of willpower.

Many of us have had the experience of not getting high the first few times we consumed Cannabis. While we don’t truly understand why this happens, we do know that Cannabis tolerance works differently than other drugs like alcohol or tobacco.

Scientists theorize a “sensitization period” when one begins using Cannabis, where it takes a few times for the body and brain to develop the CB1 receptors that allow us to feel high. That’s why sometimes it takes a person a few tries before they really experience being high. Then, there’s the nuance of the physiological and psychological effects of Cannabis—in general terms the idea of being “high” vs. being “stoned.”

tiny tokes for a try

1.

First, you’ll need a tolerance or “T” break. This can take place over two to seven days; what you choose to do is really up to you. But, a good way to judge how much time your receptors need to reset likely depends on how much Cannabis you consume and how often you do. Once you’ve gotten to the point that you feel your cannabinoid receptors have reset, you’ll be primed to try microdosing.

FEB. 2019

2.

Take just one small hit off of whatever type of device or smoking apparatus you typically use. If you’re a concentrate-only user, take a little dab or a very light hit off of a pen or vaporizer. If you primarily use edibles, try a very low dose (say 2.5mg or under). Note: this can be really hard, especially if you were previously accustomed to, say, smoking a joint at a time. Try setting a timer for 5-10 minutes and notice what you feel like. This will be your gauge as to how much it takes to get you to the place you want to be.

3.

The beauty of microdosing Cannabis is that you introspect a bit. You get a good idea of how your mood, mind, and body are being affected. You’ll begin to be able to really discern the difference between what “high” and “stoned” means for you (hunch: I bet you’ll like “high” better). Start moving toward experiencing one more over the other.

I really enjoy the feeling of being high.

MICRODOSING can actually

allow us to have a sort of first experience all over again. Most of us never get to feel that because it’s so plentiful now, but it is absolutely essential and wonderful.

Further information on microdosing: healer.com

BY PACER STACKTRAIN | ART BY BRANDON PALMA / 8THDAYCREATE.COM FOR MARYLAND LEAF

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SPECIAL

WHY CANNABIS IS NECESSARY FOR GOOD HEALTH Cannabinoid Deficiency Syndrome (CDS)

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is a progressive concept in Cannabis research that shows linkages between common illnesses and diseases like migraines, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Crohn’s Disease, Celiac Disease, ADHD, and many others afflicting large populations in the U.S. Dr. Ethan Russo MD, a leading scientist, has been hypothesizing concepts of CDS and been a part of the research conducted by GW Pharmaceutical—all under the supervision of the FDA, NIDA, DEA, and other governmental organizations at the only legal Cannabis cultivation and research facility in the U.S., located at the University of Mississippi.

Research surrounding CDS and the described illnesses and diseases involve a relationship with our endocannabinoid system (ECS), a network of ligands and receptor sites that exchange information between our body’s systems.

Via the ECS, our bodies naturally produce endocannabinoids such as anandamide, which mimic externally ingested cannabinoids known as phytocannabinoids—including THC and CBD—to carry information or activate receptor sites to stimulate a reaction. The ECS is innervated throughout all systems of the body and is the modulating system that creates homeostasis or equilibrium—i.e., balance.

Due to the unique structure, actions, and innervations within all body systems, the ECS is not well understood.

However, it is known to play a role in key functions of the body, which helps to maintain homeostasis.

Current medical theories suggest a clear linkage between being deficient in cannabinoids and the prevalence of prominent diseases and conditions.

There is a major impediment to conducting research

FEB. 2019

BY JAMES SCHWARTZ RN, BSN, LNC CEO | CASCADEHIGH

on this topic: Cannabis is classified as a Schedule originated from naturally occurring plants, 1 drug under the Controlled Substances Act, animals, and other natural sources. So, which means that it has been deemed to have no the healing power of plants is a welltherapeutic value and a high risk of abuse. documented fact and one I embrace. As As such, research organizations are banned from a health scientist, I am a firm believer in studying the substance. evidence-based medicine and science.

This creates a problem to either prove its Without the ability to study Cannabis and effectiveness and safety, or disprove false claims. its many therapies, it’s impossible to prove For scientific health research, large group, longits effectiveness. term, variable controlled studies However, what the are critical to providing concrete preliminary evidence Current medical evidence in clinical trials. and working hypotheses These studies are referred to around CDS proves to theories as double-blind, randomized me is that Cannabis is a suggest a clear control trials, or RCTs, which strive “wellness drug,” similar to eliminate bias and control linkage between to daily vitamins, that variables. we should all ingest in being deficient If research can’t be done, it one form or another. is extremely difficult to provide That said, there are in cannabinoids evidence or conduct RCTs. Data many ways of ingesting and the and research on Cannabis is cannabinoids, including extremely limited and has only been THC, that would not prevalence conducted under direct government cause any psychoactive of prominent control and supervision. With effect because it has not privately funded companies with been decarboxylated. diseases and limited resources and a few smallOne example is juicing. conditions. group, human clinical trials.

There are also other As a parent, a healthcare methods that prevent the professional, a Cannabis user, and a licensed “adult occurrence of psychoactive effects and use” Cannabis producer, I recognize I have a biases. other cannabinoid compounds that are When using critical thinking, we need to recognize not psychoactive to begin with. These our own bias and preconceived ideas about a compounds and methods have been subject. I realize my opinions on Cannabis come demonstrated to be safe, even for children. from a true belief in the power of this plant, which is Cannabis is safe, has many medicinal the reason I am not only a proponent of Cannabis benefits, and appears even necessary for but also a producer. As a nurse, I know very well the good health. If you don’t believe me, seek healing power of plants; as most know, the primary the truth for yourself. source of a wide variety of pharmaceutical treatments

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stability. If you still notice some oil that won’t wipe off, wet a cotton swab in isopropyl alcohol and wipe again ONLY once the banger is mostly cooled down.

If you are using a laser, wait until it’s below 200°F or until the isopropyl doesn’t sizzle when applied.

Health conscious dabbing might be a bit more work and money, but it’s well worth it. We only have one body; get the most out of it during your precious time here on this beautiful earth!

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bong rip. Extracts are rapidly absorbed into the lungs, so it’s good to exhale promptly (sometimes a couple extra times on a larger dab).

Use a cleaner-burning butane torch as opposed to cheaper propane options.

Make sure to properly clean your banger before reheating it. If you notice smoke during the reheating process, your banger wasn’t fully clean. It’s easiest to wipe out when the banger is still warm. If you need added strength to your cotton swabs use two at once for added

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the temperature at which you vaporize your extracts is important when considering health and enjoyment. Terpenes can convert into more harmful vapors at higher reaction temperatures, so it’s all about patience and timing.

The traditional method involves using a timer to count the heating and cool-down times (which vary depending on the banger). This can be less accurate if you want to take multiple dabs in a row, which is when a laser thermometer comes in handy. You can use these infrared lasers to ensure that every dab is at a consistent, low, healthy temperature.

There are also great electronically heated nails that ensure your rig is always ready to dab. Gadgets like the Temp Tech and e-nails will inevitably make hitting the perfect temp easier, allowing us to make the most out of all these delicious concentrates and extracts on the market. Without the proper temperature, it’s also much harder to judge flavor and overall quality of the oil you’re dabbing.

Learning about what your Cannabis was fed and how it was processed is important when considering the quality of your starting material. Extraction is science, not magic, and therefore it’s always worth seeking higher quality over cheap prices.

We are also witnessing an evolution of more solvent-less extracted concentrates. I recommend trying a solvent-less option to see how it compares to hydrocarbon, CO2, or other solvent extracts. Everyone has their preference, but health-wise there is a strong argument towards using solvent-free extracts to concentrate the product.

Another important factor of healthy dabbing is using a high-quality dabbing surface. There are many different grades of quartz. I recommend bangers made from GE 214 or Herdus Quartz to avoid impurities in your dabbing surface. There are also some amazing inserts coming onto the market that can instantly upgrade the dabbing surface of any banger. These inserts are mainly made from quartz, silicon carbide, or lab-grown ruby and sapphire, although other technologies exist.

It’s also essential to note that it’s unnecessary to hold in the vapor from a dab like you might with a

DABS

HEALTHY DABBING

BY MATTHEW MEYERS

•

SPECIAL

THCV

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APOTENT,RARE,ANDPROMISINGCANNABINOID The Cannabis plant produces over 400 chemical compounds, including about 111 compounds named phytocannabinoids that have not yet been detected in any other plant.

These phytocannabinoids include familiar compounds such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), but you might not have heard of tetrahydrocannabivarin, or THCV, which has gained fame due to its high potency, rarity, and promising medicinal value.

Only certain strains of Cannabis contain THCV in appreciable amounts. Breeders have developed strains that contain higher levels of THCV for medical patients looking for a particular type of relief or for recreational users chasing a specific high. THCV is a homologue of THC, which means they belong to a series of compounds that are only very slightly different from each other. In this case, THCV has a propyl (3-carbon) side chain instead of a pentyl (5-carbon) group on the molecule, which makes it produce very different effects from THC. Their chemical structure is nearly identical, but the biochemical process involved in their creation is quite different. Unlike THC, THCV doesn’t begin as a cannabigerolic acid (CBGA). Instead of combining with olivetolic acid to create CBGA, the geranyl phosphate joins forces with divarinolic acid, which has two fewer carbon molecules. The result is cannabigerovarin acid (CBGVA). Once CBGVA is created, the process continues the same as it does for THC. CBGVA is broken down to THCVA by the enzyme THCV synthase. At that point, THCVA can be decarboxylated with heat or UV light to create

FEB. 2019

THCV, or in other words, become activated.

The activation of THC occurs at a temperature of 314 degrees Fahrenheit. For THCV, the activation temperature is 428 degrees Fahrenheit. That is a lot hotter than THC, and as a result, more complex to prepare! The vaporizer temperature will need to be turned up. Decarboxylation in the oven of flower and trim for tincture and edible prep will need to be performed at higher temperatures to take advantage of the THCV present (240 Fahrenheit).

When combusting or smoking flower, most lighters have a flame heat of 500+ degrees, well beyond

YOU MAY BELIEVE THCV IS THE PROVERBIAL NEEDLE-IN-A-HAYSTACK CANNABINOID, BUT DON’T LOSE HOPE. the activation temperature of THCVA or THCV. And with the superheating required for consuming concentrates, THCV activation is not an issue.

The cannabinoid compounds like THC, CBD, and THCV bind to specific receptors in the body named cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors.

When cannabinoid receptors are stimulated, a variety of physiologic processes ensue. CB1 receptors are predominantly present in the nervous system, connective tissues, glands, and organs, while CB2 receptors are by and large found in the immune system and its associated structures, like white blood cells and the spleen. THCV affects

the same receptors in the brain as THC, and many report it produces a much different high.

THCV is psychoactive, and causes a reported psychedelic, clear-headed effect. THCV at low doses has been shown to interfere with the physiological action of THC at the CB1 receptor due to having a similar structure as THC and blocking its ability to bind. However, THCV acts as a CB1 agonist at higher doses, where binding to the receptor occurs, and the receptor is stimulated instead of inhibited.

Interestingly, a study published in November 2015 in the Journal of Psychopharmacology seems to show that THCV works against THC to dampen the high. While the sample size was small, the results showed that combining doses of THCV with THC overwhelmingly resulted in a high that felt “less intense” compared to THC alone. The study used single agents and not the complex chemistry found in the whole plant. THCV also seemed to protect against other common effects of THC, including memory impairment and increased heart rate. Information about the dosing and action of THCV on the cannabinoid receptors is increasing and will be helpful to utilize the power of this cannabinoid to its fullest extent. THCV may offer a similar sort of benefit to medicinal users as CBD in modulating the psychoactive effects of Cannabis and tailoring use to the patient’s desired needs.

Because of its inhibitory action on the CB1 cannabinoid receptors, THCV is being studied for its use as an appetite suppressant.

Obesity is a severe health problem in the

system and its subsequent results. THC has been shown at high levels to induce anxiety and panic in some individuals, most notably with sativa strains in general. These may indeed be sativa strains lacking appreciable levels of THCV. THCV has been found to reduce or even block panic attacks and, as a result, can be highly effective in the management of PTSD and other mental disorders involving anxiety or stress. THCV doesn’t appear to suppress emotions, only the ability to panic associated with the fight or flight response.

THCV has also been shown to reduce tremors associated with diseases such as Parkinson’s, along with ailments associated with motor control like ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Promising research also demonstrates a reduction of brain lesions associated with Parkinson’s.

THCV stimulates bone cell growth and has potential in the treatment of osteoporosis and similar ailments, and it also has anti-convulsive properties. It seems to raise the seizure threshold for those with epilepsy. As a result, those who take THCV experience fewer seizures.

THCV HAS GAINED FAME DUE TO ITS HIGH POTENCY, RARITY AND PROMISING MEDICINAL VALUE.

THCV has shown benefit for the treatment of addiction to just about anything. Imagine: a Schedule I drug may just turn out to be the key to curing drug and alcohol addiction!

High-THCV strains are out there, and some breeders have started to focus on the production of more of them (more strains like TGA Genetics’ Jack the Ripper would be great additions).

THCV traditionally is most prominent in African sativa landraces like Durban Poison and the Haze strains. Southeast Asian sativa varieties are known to have high THCV content, namely Thai, Cambodian, and Vietnamese. Dutch Treat and Skunk #1 also have significant THCV content. If a strain has one of these four strains in its lineage, it’ll probably have some THCV. Strains bred specifically for high THCV content include Doug’s Varin and Willie Nelson, but they aren’t very common. Pineapple Purps is one of the highest THCV strains out there, but again hard to find. Pineapple Purps’ breeders claim it has a THC to THCV ratio of 3:1.

An article in the American Journal of Botany found that of 157 different strains analyzed from around the world— whether sativa, indica or ditch weed— all contained some measureable amount of THCV. THCV is an important cannabinoid lending to the complex chemistry of the Cannabis plant. It could work wonders for addicts, for those with bone disorders, for obesity and diabetes—which often go hand in hand—or for people who suffer from epilepsy or other neurological disorders.

One can expect soaring, creative highs and psychedelic experiences from bud containing higher levels of THCV. You may believe THCV is the proverbial needle-in-a-haystack cannabinoid, but don’t lose hope.

As more research is done on THCV, you can expect to see breeders and scientists alike focusing on this cannabinoid. In the near future you may see a “High THCV” label on the dispensary shelves.

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modernized world, especially in the U.S., and understanding the central nervous mechanisms underlying food-seeking behavior are at the forefront of medical research in this field.

Cannabinoid receptors have proven an efficient target to suppress hunger and weight gain by their pharmacological inactivation. For example, the anorectic anti-obesity drug rimonabant functions by inhibiting CB1 receptors, though it was withdrawn from the worldwide market in 2009 due to frequent reports of severe depression and suicidal thoughts. THCV may be a better way to aid in fighting obesity, as it blocks the rewarding sensations we experience when eating often unhealthy comfort foods. A conclusion of one research study from 2009 states that “THCV is a novel compound with hypophagic (appetitelowering) properties and a potential treatment for obesity.” Cannabis that can inhibit the munchies... hmm...

THCV produces therapeutic metabolic effects, and its strongest effects are exerted on plasma glucose and insulin levels. Based on the data of E. T. Wargent, et. al., published in the May 2013 Journal of Nutrition and Diabetes, “it can be suggested that THCV may be useful for the treatment of metabolic syndrome and/or type 2 diabetes, either alone or in combination with existing treatments.” Given the reported benefits of CBD in type 1 diabetes, a CBD/ THCV combination may be beneficial for different types of diabetes mellitus.

GW Pharmaceuticals is studying a plant-derived tetrahydrocannabivarin (as GWP42004) for type 2 diabetes in addition to metformin, a popular drug for treating type 2 diabetes.

THCV may actually interact with a different cannabinoid receptor than CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids.

Its unique mechanism of action makes it a potentially useful cannabinoid for treating various neurological disorders from schizophrenia to Alzheimer’s disease. Again, much attention has been paid to THC and its binding to the CB1 receptors in the central nervous

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S O U T H E R N M A RY L A N D R E L I E F

I

was lucky enough to have two of Mary’s Medicinals transdermal patches on hand when I twisted my ankle on Christmas Eve. I applied the CBD patch as soon as I hobbled home, just before I went to bed. The patches are easy to apply, 2” x 2” squares. Simply peel off the backing and stick it on a venous (veiny) part of your body, like the inside of your wrist or the top of your foot (where I applied mine). I didn’t take any other pain medicine because I wanted to see how well these patches worked.

When I went to bed, my ankle was throbbing and swollen to the size of a tangerine. When I woke up, the swelling had gone down significantly and the pain was a fraction of what it had been during the night. While I can’t be certain, I believe that applying the CBD patch shortly after it happened spared me significant pain and swelling.

The next day, I removed the first patch and applied the CBD/THC patch. Within 20 minutes I noticed a THC “alert”—a very slight but definite alteration in consciousness and a

calm sense of relaxation. Those with a high Cannabis tolerance probably won’t feel the THC effects, but novice patients and those with low tolerance should expect some psychoactivity.

The residual pain decreased substantially as well, with relief lasting several hours into the evening.

It’s always hard to quantify pain relief, and to separate placebo from objective results in individual, anecdotal cases such as this. However, the decrease in swelling and the pain relief were significant after I applied both patches. Based on my experience, I would definitely recommend trying any of the Mary’s Medicinals patches to those dealing with acute and chronic pain. Those with severe pain might require higher doses of both THC and CBD, but the currently available formulations—10mg THC being the maximum—are a fast acting, convenient, and discreet way to medicate while providing long-lasting, controlled dosage.

Mary’s Medicinals transdermal patches are available in THCSativa, THC-Indica, THCa, CBN, CBD, and 1:1 CBD:THC.

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“BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE, I WOULD DEFINITELY RECOMMEND TRYING ANY OF THE MARY’S MEDICINALS PATCHES TO THOSE DEALING WITH ACUTE AND CHRONIC PAIN.”

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Cannabidiol/Tetrahydrocannabinol CBD/THC 1:1 4.46mg CBD and 4.59mg THC Terpene Enriched™ with Myrcene, Linalool, Limonene, B-Pinene, and B-Caryophyllene

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARYS NUTRITIONALS

Mary’s Medicinals Transdermal Patch

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Feel Dreamy 1:1 CBN Tincture CBN 47MG | THC 43MG | CBD 15MG | CBG 3MG

INGREDIENTS: Cannabis extract, organic essential oils of chamomile, peppermint, spearmint, absolute honey, and grapeseed oil.

Total Cannabinoids per bottle: 100mg 1ml dose (dropper full) = 6mg total Cannabinoids

“THE TASTE IS QUITE PLEASANT, WITH CHAMOMILE AND MINT AND NOT A HINT OF “WEEDY” FLAVOR, PLUS JUST A TOUCH OF SWEETNESS FROM THE HONEY.”

THE SCORE Flavor: 5/5 Value: 3/5 Effect: 4/5 Packaging: 3/5 Overall: 15/20

REVIEW AND PHOTO By MICHAEL HUGHES

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O

ne of the most common reasons patients use Cannabis is to help them sleep, and The Feel Collection’s Feel Dreamy is aimed directly at them. The non-psychoactive cannabinoid CBN (cannabinol) is noted for inducing drowsiness and sleep, and is the primary ingredient in this oil-based tincture. The level of THC per dose is unlikely to be psychoactive, except in the most sensitive patients.

A random sampling of budtenders suggests that patients say it works well for insomnia and other sleep difficulties, such as sleeping through the night. At 2ml, the onset of effects took about 45 minutes, and the bodily relaxation was pronounced. I began to get tired shortly thereafter, went to bed roughly two hours after ingestion, fell asleep easily, slept soundly, and woke up without any grogginess. The taste is quite pleasant, with pronounced chamomile and mint and not a hint of “weedy” flavor, plus just a touch of sweetness from the honey. Since the tincture is oil and not alcohol-based, there’s no burning sensation as you let it dissolve. Effects come on anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours, so it’s probably best to take it before bedtime.

An important note: the text on the bottle and cardboard box is tiny and not ideal for patients with visual impairments.

As with many specialized Cannabis tinctures, it’s not cheap, selling around $70 for a bottle. But if it helps you get a good night’s sleep, it might be worth every penny.

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43

GROWN AND PROCESSED BY CULTA Genetics: Archive Seed Bank (Skywalker OG x Face Off OGbx1)

he way this golden yellow sugar glistens in the light is a spectacle in and of itself. The wet, sugary clusters sit in clumps in a smooth and glossy sauce, high in pungent terpenes that are initially transparent but bright, shimmering yellow when mixed with the oil. This concentrate is prepared in a wide, flat jar, allowing most of the wet sauce to settle on the bottom. On the nose is a much more complex mix of citrus and earthy pine, and inhaling these terpenes has an uplifting effect that will be beg you to try a dab. When smoked on a quartz nail the earthy OG flavor hit immediately, with a dank and juicy Aquafina-like taste, followed by refreshing, citrus pine. The smoke packed a punch, as the concentrated THC sent mellow, euphoric waves to all my limbs with a heightened sense of focus and clarity.

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GROWTECH

SOWASEED ORPLANTA CLONE PART 2 OF 2

BENEFITSANDDEFICITS OFRUNNINGSEEDS Last month’s Growtech explored the benefits and deficits of starting your gardens from a seed, so this month’s Growtech will illuminate starting your garden from a clone. Let’s jump right in.

So many farmers rely heavily on the nursery component of their farms as well as other supply lines to provide them with an ongoing fresh supply of healthy clones. The production and predictability of such a model assures reliability. Clones are already females, which eliminates the need for gender selection, as is the case with seeds. Clones also almost universally tend to display more vigor and accelerated growth rates—especially in the early and mid-veg stages—when compared to their seedling counterparts, which saves time.

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CLONE BENEFITS

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As a proven winner, clones are more stable than seeds, as any intersexual traits have (theoretically) been selected out. Clones have higher tolerances against plant stressors such as unstable environmental conditions or flawed feeding applications.

Clones also tend to have strong natural resistance to pests and diseases, and are able to maintain a perpetual vegetative state.

The consistent theme to all these benefits is the predictable nature that clones provide; you’ll know what you’re getting, at least to some degree. Let’s take a closer look at some of the more subtle features of this characteristic.

Discovering the correct feeding schedules and environmental conditions a specific variety of plant thrives under are among the most complex, time-intensive, and important endeavors of gardening. Having reliable feedback on other growth characteristics, such as ideal flower window, specific time periods for each stage of development from clone through veg, and each of the stages of flower through dry and curing schedules, is also important.

Each of these puzzles have many different pieces and only provides feedback on the placement of each piece, once every 90 to 120 days on average, which is akin to filling an Olympic swimming pool with a dripping faucet. By starting from clone, you may not have the precise formula that will work for you specifically, but at least you’re starting with the pool considerably more than halfway full.

Knowing the specific flower you’ll end up with has many benefits beyond the grower’s perspective. Working a particular variety often includes a predisposed amount of marketability. Many of the most desirable clones garner such popularity from the demands

FEB. 2019

WHAT BENEFITS ABOUT FARMING FROM SEEDS OR FROM CLONES GETS YOU THE MOST EXCITED?

CLONE DEFICITS

Starting to sound almost too good to be true? Don’t worry, I’m a true seed-aholic and am here to rain all over this clone parade.

As much as one can tout the benefits of knowing exactly what you’re getting when growing from a clone, the devil’s advocate (ahem) would ask, “But do you really?” That is to say, you don’t really know what else you’re getting with all these assurances a clone provides.

Far and away, gardens suffering infestation from bugs, disease, or a combination of the two can be traced back to the introduction of a contaminated clone. Protecting completely against any sort of contamination is a timeintensive process simply on account of the life stages and developmental stages associated with some of the most insidious pests and diseases. The practice of sharing clones further proliferates these parasites and can also be a prime contributor to the systemic resistance to

treatment observed in resistant pest populations.

The predictability of the outcome of a specific clone can also be largely linked to the grower, or more specifically, the growing methods employed in its cultivation. It’s not uncommon to fall in love with a particular variety after enjoying its finished blooms only to find—after running it through your system—the results differ enough to no longer enjoy it in the same ways. Existing comparisons highlight these detriments as well as the benefits described earlier. Some cultivars can adapt to a wide variety of environments, while others thrive considerably in an organic environment and still others result in a most favorable finish when grown using synthetic feeding components.

@DrScanderson_gT Email: DrScanderson@protonmail.com

Lastly, but perhaps most important to someone who promotes an artisan approach to cultivation, is the defined nature that growing another’s selection offers. A clone is simply another gardener’s opinion of an ideal representation of that variety. You may agree with the selection and enjoy sharing in the benefits pre-selected varieties offer, but at the end of the day, you are promoting another grower’s work. This is beneficial in many ways, but when it comes in place of promoting your own, it can remove what I consider to be the most enchanting part of the pursuit.

For me, the addictive intoxication I find myself lost in is the ability to express myself through the creation, discovery, and selection of new varieties of Cannabis: New to you, to your friends, and to the world.

Introduced through your distinct partnership, and covered in your opinions that exists for no other reason than the result of your unique partnership with space and time as a human.

Ultimately, it all comes down—like everything in the pursuit of cultivating life—to what seems to intrinsically call to you. What benefits about farming from seeds or from clones gets you most excited? Which detriments found in either seem like they would be most reasonable to deal with? Somewhere in the past two months in this two-part exploration, my hope is that you will find some direction you can take your garden in.

Discover some new varieties of Cannabis no one but you has ever visited or bring a new standard to a highly prized existing variety. Either way, enjoy the ride of being seamlessly woven into the fabric that is the evolution of this beloved plant.

Happy Gardening!!!

By DR. SCANDERSON

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the market places upon it.

Even on a micro level, there are often specific varieties a particular patient or friend requests due to their desire to have a reliable supply for themselves. The intrinsic ability to have beneficial influence over the demand for the completed product is a stellar and valuable commodity that many clones can provide.

Any market for a variety of Cannabis also establishes mediums for cultivation standards, which allows for comparisons of test results with other gardeners. This environment fosters communal discussions that spread knowledge. Such openness amongst a community with a very specific shared interest results in a deeper, more accurate understanding of the information and improved accessibility to such knowledge. This ultimately furthers the plant’s agenda to have the greatest amount of its genetic potential actualized through our efforts in the garden.

RECIPES

by laurie wolf Photos By Bruce wolf

February 2019

LOVE IS IN THE AIR, and hopefully, Cannabis is too! Whether you are celebrating with friends, lovers, or co-workers, this year let Cupid have his arrows, we’ve got something a whole lot better.

These three recipes are straightforward, delicious, and promise to make a day about love considerably lovelier. And we need all the love we can get. Happy Valentines Day from Laurie and MaryJane! #DontFearTheEdible!

SALMON FILET WITH FIRE ROASTED RED PEPPER PUREE Serves 4

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4 6-ounce pieces salmon 1 tablespoon olive oil Salt & pepper 4 teaspoons canna-olive oil 3 roasted red peppers, cut in strips 1/4 cup chopped onion 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 cup chicken broth 1/4 cup cream, optional 12 small peppers, cut in half and seeded 1/3 cup pesto Chopped fresh basil or flat parsley

BEST BEET SOUP Serves 6

1. Heat oven to 425F. Place salmon on a baking sheet with sides. Brush with the olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

3. In a medium sauté pan heat the canna-oil over medium heat. Sauté the red peppers, onion, and garlic until the onion is soft, 4-5 minutes.

4. In a blender or food processor combine the peppers with the broth and the cream. Taste for salt and pepper.

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5. Back in the medium sauté pan, heat the red pepper mixture over med. heat.

6. Place the small peppers on your work surface. Spoon a teaspoon of pesto into the halved peppers.

WHITE CHOCOLATE, & CHERRY BARK Serves 8 2 cups white chocolate melts or chips 2-3 tablespoons canna-butter 1 cup granola 1/3 cup dried cherries 1. In a double boiler melt the chips with the canna-butter.

2. Place a sheet of parchment on your work surface.

7. Bake the salmon in the oven and roast until just done, 12-15 minutes.

3. Pour the white chocolate onto the parchment.

8. Transfer the salmon on plates. Add three pepper halves and spoon the red pepper sauce over the salmon.

5. Allow to set for one hour before breaking into pieces.

9. Garnish with the fresh herbs & enjoy.

FEB. 2019

4. Sprinkle white chocolate with the granola and the cherries.

Cannabis, chocolate and cherries. What a combo!

1 ½ pounds fresh or canned beets 3 garlic cloves, peeled 1/4 cup chopped onion 1 bay leaf 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 1-2 tablespoons canna-oil or butter 1/4 cup chopped dill pickle ½ cup buttermilk ½ cup whole fat yogurt 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill Salt and pepper Pumpkin seeds Yogurt 1. In a large soup pot cover the beets with water. Add the garlic, onion and bay leaf and cook until tender, about 30-40 minutes, until fork tender.

Drain and cool.

2. In a blender or food processor combine the beets, vinegar, oil, pickle, salt and pepper. Puree till smooth. Add the buttermilk and yogurt, dill and puree again. Add salt and pepper to taste and garnish with the optional toppings.

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