THE ENLIGHTENED VOICE
F R E E / L E A F N AT I O N M D . C O M
ISSUE #3 | MARCH 2019
INDEPENDENT CANNABIS JOURNALISM SINCE 2010
NATURAL SUNLIGHT MAKES BETTER MEDICINE.
The standard in clean, natural and sustainable medical cannabis cultivation. SunMed cannabis is rooted in the tradition of local Maryland family farming and perfected with European greenhouse technology.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
8
MMJ 101 PT 3
14
39
ACCESS: MARY & MAIN
16
4
BOOK REVIEW: EVERYDAYMARYJ
40
BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH: HONEY BOOK
MAKING CANNABUTTER
18
42
PATIENT OF THE MONTH: MATT CAIN
20
COOKING WITH HEMP
22
SMOKE SIGNALS SMOKE SHOP
30 LEAFNATIONMD.COM
28-37
NATIONAL NEWS
STRAIN OF THE MONTH: PURPLE PUNCH
MAR. 2019
GARDEN OF THE MONTH: SUNMED GROWERS
46
CONCENTRATE OF THE MONTH: G6 AKA JET FUEL
More awakening
5
More relaxing
Dixie tablets are now available in 60-count packages
DixieBrands.com
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More balancing
W
Here’s wishing you health and happiness as winter ends and spring approaches, Michael Hughes Editor P.S. Be sure to save the date for the first East Coast Cannabis Science Conference, April 8th through 10th at the Baltimore Convention Center (see the ad on page 21). Maryland Leaf will have a booth, so be sure to stop by and say hi! You can find out more about the incredible lineup, including featured speakers Ricki Lake and Montel Williams, and register for the event here: www.cannabisscienceconference.com
ON THE COVER THE ENLIGHTENED VOICE
I S S U E # 2 | F E BRU A RY 2 0 1 9
THE ENLIGHTENED VOICE
marylandleaf
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WRITERS
WES ABNEY WES@NWLEAF.COM 206-235-6721
MICHAEL HUGHES PACER STACKTRAIN SPENCER IMBACH NATE WILLIAMS JANELLE LASSALLE SCOTT D. ROSE LAURIE WOLF
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EAST COAST CREATIVE DIRECTOR BRANDON PALMA @BRANDONPALMA @8THDAYCREATE
NATIONAL CONTENT DIRECTOR
PHOTOGRAPHERS
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MICHAEL HUGHES WYATT EARLY DANIEL BERMAN SPENCER IMBACH BRUCE WOLF
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INDEPENDENT CANNABIS JOURNALISM SINCE 2010
FROSTY BUD from SUN MED GROWERS! Find more on pages 42-43
7
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 the March issue of Maryland Leaf! It’s hard to believe we’re on our third issue and that we’ve met so many incredible, passionate people, both patients and those working in the industry, as we strive to provide our readers with objective and enlightened Cannabis journalism. So thank you for your continuing support, and please support our advertisers, too, by telling them you saw them in the Leaf! In this issue we dive into a variety of fascinating topics, including Cannabis and sexuality, the science of epigenetics, and (important in a state where edibles are largely banned) how to make your own cannabutter. And as a preview of our upcoming special glass issue in April, we look at some of the mind-blowing art glass pieces available at Smoke Signals Smoke Shop in Frederick, Maryland. Who says your Cannabis consumption devices need to be boring and utilitarian? This issue also goes in-depth to help readers understand CBN, a cannabinoid that research suggests is beneficial for sleep disorders. We also pay a visit to SunMed Growers in Cecil County to profile their unique European-style greenhouse. We have been delighted by all the feedback we’re receiving from our readers, especially in response to last month’s feature on pediatric Cannabis patient Elias Hocine. If you know (or are) a patient with a particularly powerful story, please let us know! For any and all feedback or suggestions, contact me directly at michael@leafnationmd.com.
NEWS
POLITICS
Congress Looks At Allowing Marijuana Businesses To Use Banking A bipartisan group of lawmakers in the House wants to give banks and credit unions legal cover to serve the exploding Cannabis industry. Even though a majority of states allow either medical Cannabis or recreational marijuana, weed remains illegal federally. That has created a strange legal limbo wherein Cannabis businesses must incur serious financial and security risks, because of being blocked from using banks and credit unions. Financial institutions have been wary of serving marijuana businesses because they don’t want to land in regulatory trouble with the feds. Without access to basic banking services, some growers and pot shops are forced to operate on a cash-only basis, increasing their risks of being robbed. Lawmakers across the political spectrum are uniting behind a new bill, the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act, to deal with this problem, reports The Hill. The measure is sponsored by Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-Colorado), and would bar federal regulators and prosecutors from penalizing banks and credit unions for serving marijuana businesses if those firms are in compliance with state laws. “You can’t put the genie back in the bottle,” Rep. Perlmutter said. “The prohibition is over.”
8
POLITICS
By MICHAEL HUGHES
LEAFNATIONMD.COM
Maryland Senate Bill to Protect Tenants who Use Cannabis Senator Bobby Zirkin (D) introduced Senate Bill 862, titled “Landlord-Tenant - Tenant Protections - Medical Cannabis,” which aims to prohibit a landlord “from denying a certain patient a lease solely on the basis of the possession of medical cannabis or the consumption of nonsmoked medical cannabis.” The bill would also prohibit a landlord from denying a caregiver a lease solely on the basis of the possession of medical cannabis. Smoked (combusted) Cannabis is excluded, so should the bill pass, patients concerned about potential problems with their landlords should consider other modes of consumption, such as vaping or ingestible forms such as tablets, capsules, or tinctures.
MAR. 2019
CULTURE
Maryland Beauty Queen Hails Healing Power of Medical Cannabis A beauty queen from Maryland says she has all the proof she needs that medical Cannabis works. “It really is the miracle drug,” said Syanne Centeno, who says it can help with things like cancer, seizures, headaches and nausea. Crowned Miss Maryland World in 2015, Centeno suffered chronic aches, anxiety, and fatigue. “I have osteoporosis, which is a bone disease commonly seen in post-menopausal women,” she said. “I have a seizure disorder, I have a pituitary tumor, and I also have a lesion on my temporal lobe.” At one point, Centeno said she was taking 10 pills a day, with little relief. That’s why she turned to medicinal Cannabis oils. “I felt like I had to try it,” she said. “All these pills weren’t working. I did a lot of research.” “I’ve experienced firsthand what the benefits are, so now I feel inclined to advocate for it and be a voice for people who are too scared to come forward and share their experience,” Centeno said.
9 POLITICS
Maryland Lawmakers Study Legalizing Recreational Marijuana In 2020 Leaders in Maryland’s General Assembly in February created a work group to study legalizing the recreational use of Cannabis. Political observers say that’s a signal the Legislature won’t take any action on legalization this year. The bipartisan group will make recommendations by the end of the year that could be used to develop legalization bills for the 2020 legislative session, reports The Baltimore Sun. Work group members will review issues such as licensing and taxing Cannabis, public health effects, impacts on criminal justice, and how to promote participation in the new industry by small businesses, women-owned businesses, and minority-owned businesses. Among the discussions is whether lawmakers should try to directly legalize by passing or bill, or pass legislation that would set up a referendum for voters on the 2020 ballot. A new Goucher Poll found that 57 percent of Marylanders support legal Cannabis, with 37 percent opposing.
Baltimore will cease prosecuting people for possessing marijuana, regardless of the quantity or the person’s criminal history, Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby announced. Calling the move “monumental” for justice in Baltimore, Mosby also requested the courts vacate nearly 5,000 convictions for marijuana possession. “When I ask myself: Is the enforcement and prosecution of marijuana possession making us safer as a city?” Mosby said. “The answer is emphatically ‘no.’” Maryland lawmakers decriminalized possession of up to 10 grams of weed in 2014. By STEVE ELLIOTT
LEAFNATIONMD.COM
POLITICS
BALTIMORE WILL STOP PROSECUTING MARIJUANA POSSESSION
NEWS
NATIONAL
OREGON NOW HAS A SIXYEAR SUPPLY OF WEED
GROWTH
LEAFNATIONMD.COM
10
Oregon growers are now producing twice as much Cannabis as the state’s residents can smoke, according to a new study from the Oregon Liquor Control Commission. While on the surface that may seem like the kind of problem you’d like to have, it does lead to practical issues— such as the state’s current six years’ worth of weed sitting on shelves and at farms, reports Oregon Public Broadcasting. True to market forces, the vast oversupply of Cannabis has driven down prices. Since recreational weed became legal three years ago, prices have dropped from $10 a gram to less than $5 a gram. Consumers are happy about that; Oregonians are now smoking more weed at higher rates than any other state in the nation, according to Portland Business Journal. But regulators worry that the massive oversupply is fueling the black market. Farmers who have spent all year producing a quality crop, only to learn it’s not worth much in Oregon, are tempted to drive it across state lines and sell it somewhere else. But the federal government takes a very dim view of such entrepreneurship. Such illegal exports are likely, according to some industry observers, to lead to a federal crackdown.
Minority BusinessPeople Want Piece of Maryland Cannabis Industry Maryland’s Cannabis industry is expected to rake in hundreds of millions of dollars in the next few years, and minority businessess want to participate. Uplift Maryland, founded last year by Kevin Ford Jr., has as its goal increasing minority involvement among the state’s medical Cannabis growing and retail businesses. According to Ford, more than 350 people have registered to participate in Uplift’s training sessions to prepare minority residents to enter the Cannabis industry. “We really want this training to push people to work together, to be able to sustain a businesses in the Cannabis industry if they actually achieve a license,” Ford said. “I think diversity is good for any industry. When you’re able to have different viewpoints at the table, that’s how you build a thriving in industry.” Uplift Maryland was recently awarded a grant worth $45,000 from the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission. The grants are to support educational and business development programs aimed at training minority businesspeople looking to participate in the industry.
MAR. 2019
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MARY & MAIN 8801 HAMPTON MALL DR. N. CAPITOL HEIGHTS, MD 20743 / MARYANDMAIN.COM / OPEN MON-SAT 10AM – 7PM SUN 12AM – 5PM / (240) 838-3660
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14
MAR. 2019
FLOWER 4/5
Mary & Main has a well-stocked selection of flower from a broad selection of Maryland growers, including Culta, Grow West, Nature’s Heritage, and Verano. All flower is pre-packaged.
EDIBLES
4/5
Mary & Main carries most of the edibles allowed in Maryland, including tinctures, capsules, and tablets, from producers like Liberty, Curio, Feel Collection, and Verano.
DIESELDOUGH
15
BY CULTA CONCENTRATES The concentrate selection is large and diverse, particularly carts and pens from brands like Cannamerica, Curaleaf, Grassroots, and Curio. Also available is a solid selection of shatter, wax, and budder, as well as some of the more exotic products hitting the market, like THCA crystals from Culta and live resin from Grassroots.
4/5
ENVIRONMENT & VIBE 5/5
Mary & Main is simply a beautiful store, with friendly, knowledgable staff. The displays are designed to guide new patients through the variety of products and consumption methods, which is a very helpful touch.
OVERALL
19.5% THC 19.%% THC 1.7% TERPENES These fat, sparkly buds are a visual delight, worth breaking out a magnifying glass to go deep into the bright green forest of trichomes and vibrant orange pistils. The mix of fuel and cookie aromas is intoxicating in its own right, and explodes when the flowers are ground or broken up. Taste is a familiar blend of doughy/cookie sweetness and unmistakable Sour D tang, and vaporizing this strain beats combustion for savoring the exquisite blended flavors. The sativa-dominant effects come on quickly, with pronounced head high and mild, but definitely discernible, bodily relaxation. This strain is perfect for a brisk walk though the park on a sunny afternoon or a night of conversation around a fire with good friends.
It’s great to see a 100% African Americanowned dispensary, especially considering the disproportionate impact of the drug war on that community. Mary & Main checks all the boxes for a successful dispensary: attractive, welcoming space and vibe, a diverse, quality product selection, and super-friendly staff.
17/20
REVIEW & PHOTOS By MICHAEL HUGHES
LEAFNATIONMD.COM
H
ope Wiseman had just graduated from college and was working in investment banking when she had the idea of opening up a dispensary. “I called my mother, she agreed this would be a great opportunity as a minority to make a pathway for people to come up underneath us. We wanted to be part of that.” So in 2016 she got a dispensary license and began the process of opening Mary & Main in Capitol Heights. She was recognized by a slew of media outlets as the youngest African American woman to own a dispensary in the U.S. “Mary and Main is about connecting the old thought about Cannabis and bringing it home to regular, mainstream people. We want our brand to be fun, exciting, inviting, rooted in education—which is a key to removing the negative stigma.” And she works hard to erase the years of negative Cannabis press through activism. “You can catch me in Annapolis all through the General Assembly, testiying and lobbying for causes that affect our community. We are 100% African Americanowned in an industry that has disproportionately affected that population.” Mary & Main’s dispensary is organized to educate patients, with a series of displays that guide them through the various products and methods of ingestion. The esthetic is clean, modern, and stylish, thanks to store manager, Dexter Parker, who was previously an interior designer, and includes a patient consultation area and meticulously arranged product displays. “We’re focused on on education—that’s the key to ending the stigma and normalizing the industry. A lot of people look at us as the minority entity in Maryland, and we’re proud to play that role.“
BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH
16
HONEY BOOK How did Cannabis come into your life?
dabbing—that was good, and I do use concentrates. Vapes are an easy way to I’m a child of the 60s. It was 1967 and I was go. I have a Volcano and a Pax. sixteen. They called it high school, and I was very good at high (laughs). I went to Woodstock. “I’M GOING TO BE 69 AT THE What are your favorite
LEAFNATIONMD.COM
How did you become a budtender?
How do you find the right Cannabis for a customer?
Why do you like working at Curaleaf?
END OF FEBRUARY, AND TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY . . . MY GOSH, I’M BLESSED.”
My husband is a physician, and we went to a medical marijuana convention. I met a bunch of great people, and I knew this was for me. And we live in the neighborhood, near Curaleaf.
What is your favorite part of the job?
It’s amazing to me, the number of people who we’ve helped get off opioids. A lot of the pain management docs totally stopped prescribing opioids to people and didn’t give them any choices. Luckily, medical Cannabis came around. So it’s just, you know, people come in and go, “Oh, my God, I’ve gone from taking this many Oxycontin to doing pinchers.”
How do you prefer to use Cannabis?
I’m flower girl. But I’m open. I did a little
MAR. 2019
My favorite strain I just recently found—I’m a Super Silver Haze girl. I’m a lover of the hazes, the Purple Haze, Silver Haze. I do love edibles, though they’re not sold in Maryland. I like HMS— their products are really nice. And Curio is doing a really nice job. And Culta.
for pain?” So I would say, off the record that I was using Cannabis. A year and a half ago, she says, “Honey, would you like to be on the record? Because I want to start providing [Cannabis prescriptions] and I’d like your advice.” Isn’t that cool? Sometimes people get really overwhelmed. They’re new to this. I show them what we have available—tinctures, patches, salves. I let them know it’s not a miracle drug, it doesn’t work for everybody. And we start low and go slow. Like they say, sativa in the streets, indica in the sheets. And it’s really cool because you become involved and you get in relationships and most of them are so thankful.
strains and producers?
It’s interesting, I’ve been learning so much The atmosphere is great. The people I’m working about terpenes. I look at with are amazing. They take great what works for me. My care of me. I’m going to be 69 at CURALEAF favorites right now are the end of February, and to have this myrcene for pain issues. opportunity. . . My gosh, I’m blessed. 11722 Reisterstown Rd, I’ve been going to my Reisterstown, MD 21136 What are your hobbies outside of work? doctor for twelve years, (443) 744-8921 I paint. I do children’s furniture— and she would say to MD.CURALEAF.COM rocking chairs, names plates. I just me, “You have sciatica, did one for Hillary Duff’s baby. what do you want
PATIENT OF THE MONTH LEAFNATIONMD.COM
18
PATIENT OF THE MONTH
MATT CAIN MAR. 2019
19 “COMING OFF OPIATES WAS TOUGH,” HE SAYS, AND CANNABIS HELPED HIM DEAL WITH THE PAINFUL WITHDRAWAL. “DID IT HELP? OH, GOD, YEAH.”
LEAFNATIONMD.COM
M
att Cain began smoking Cannabis in high school. “As a teenager, I had anxiety, and smoking was the first thing that cured it. Unfortunately, in 2001 I got popped for eleven grams and did nine months in jail. It was complete BS.” He then had an accident while skateboarding competitively, resulting in a broken ankle and clavicle. Worse, while recovering in Florida, his tire blew out on a gravel road, and because he wasn’t wearing his seatbelt, he was ejected through the windshield. He was found unconscious and bleeding, and was airlifted to a hospital in West Palm Beach, then transferred to Ohio, where he received skin grafts. While recovering in the hospital he was given I.V. Dilaudid, and when he was released his doctor put him on ten milligrams of Percocet daily. He had become a totally different person; the accident has worsened his anxiety, and the trauma from the crash had left him PTSD. “I became an asshole and started drinking,” he says. “My brain wiring got completely reversed.” Matt didn’t want to continue on opiates, but knew no one in Ohio who could help him procure Cannabis. He started seeking out a dealer at local bars. “I’ve lived all over the country,” he says, smiling. “I can always find something.” When he explained to his doctor how Cannabis helped with his pain, the doctor prescribed Marinol (synthetic THC)—but insurance wouldn’t cover it. Having lost several friends to opiate overdoses, he decided to quit cold turkey. “Coming off opiates was tough,” he says, and Cannabis helped him deal with the painful withdrawal. “Did it help? Oh, God, yeah.” Cannabis doesn’t just cut down his physical pain, however. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, it keeps him in the calm, functional mind state he calls “Mattville.” “It just keeps my psyche . . . correct. Keeps me from being mental for a while. If I didn’t have it, I’d be buying shit off the streets.” The PTSD from his accident made it hard or him to sleep. “The worst thing is night terrors,” he explains. “I wake up and I’m fighting people, man. Every girlfriend I’ve had since the accident has told me, ‘Don’t wake up. Dude, you punched and kicked me!” So it’s indica before bed. It totally helps.” Matt loves farming and has worked as a master gardener. He is strongly against Big Ag taking over the production of his medicine. “I go march against Monsanto in DC. I don’t want them getting involved in any way with Cannabis.”
PHOTOS & WRITER BY MICHAEL HUGHES
OPINION
COOKING WITH HEMP
H 20
emp is one of the most versatile crops on earth. It can be used in an infinite variety of applications: as a powerful fiber for cords and ropes, in clothing, and even construction. The most lucrative use for hemp is as a food source. Hemp oil and seeds are an incredible superfood. They’re high in Vitamin E, fiber, protein, and are chock full of omega fatty acids—specifically, in a 3:1 ratio of omega 3 to omega 6. This is the ratio that’s widely considered to be optimum for the human body. If that didn’t convince you, cooking with hemp oil can also help lower your cholesterol, improve pesky skin problems, and help with digestion. Here are a few ways you can incorporate cooking with hemp into your diet.
LEAFNATIONMD.COM
ADD IT TO A SMOOTHIE Turn that pre-workout smoothie into a superfood concoction with the addition of hemp oil. Since hemp contains all 20 amino acids, including nine our bodies can’t produce, this combination is a no-brainer. Tart berries like blackberry or cranberry are great for masking the strong herbal notes.
USE HEMP SEED OIL IN SALAD DRESSINGS Hemp seed oil doesn’t really want to be heated up. It’s best consumed cold pressed or at room temperature, making it a great herbal addition to any salad dressing. Mix it in with lots of bright citruses and something sweet for a well-balanced dressing that’ll brighten up any salad. Honey mustard, miso, and tart kinds of vinegars are all great additions here.
SPRINKLE THE SEEDS EVERYWHERE. Hemp seeds are a great way to add a bit of texture to your meal. Throw them onto salads, work them into a pesto or even transform them into hummus. Your body will thank you later.
MAR. 2019
By JANELLE LASSALLE @JENKHARI
USE DISCOUNT CODE LEAF25 FOR 25% OFF* *Full Access or Expo Only Registrations, Does Not Include Canna Boot Camp, Cannot be Combined with Other Offers and Cannot be Applied to Already Purchased Tickets.
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GLASS REVIEW
SMOKE SIGNALS SMOKE SHOP @ smokesignalssmokeshop
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22
MAR. 2019
SMOKE SIGNALS SMOKE SHOP
ONE FLIGHT UP SMOKE SHOP
VOODOO GLASS COMPANY
ONE FLIGHT UP SMOKE SHOP
328 N Market Street
4 Hanover Rd
1013 W. 36th Street
5004-A Governor Ritchie Hwy
Frederick, MD 21701
Reisterstown, MD 21136
Baltimore, MD 21211
Brooklyn Park, MD 21225
ALIEN XENORMORPH PIPE
“SURE, THERE ARE YOUR TYPICAL OLD-SCHOOL BONGS AND PIPES YOU’D EXPECT TO FIND IN WHAT USED TO BE KNOWN AS A “HEAD” SHOP, BUT OWNER LORIN GRAY CLEARLY LOVES TO SHOWCASE WHAT HE CALLS “HIGH-END AMERICAN ART.”
“There’s mass-production glass and there’s the high end artists,” Gray explains. “We try and feature a bit of everything. We have pieces as high as $12,000 in our store but it’s important to carry things as low as $12. I don’t care if you buy a $5 pipe. You’re just as important to me as somebody that buys a $5,000 piece.” Gray believes strongly in supporting the glass artist community, and doesn’t buy things on consignment. Every item in his shop is purchased from the artist, and he occasionally commissions pieces as well. All of the unique pieces are accompanied by placards with the artist’s name and their Instagram accounts. If you’re not into artistic glass art for your Cannabis consumption, you can also find a wide variety of vaporizers and other smoking devices. The store also carries incense, tapestries, and every sort of Cannabis-related paraphernalia under the sun. “It’s my goal to be part museum,” Gray says. “I don’t care if you just come in and enjoy the show.”
WRITER AND PHOTOS By MICHAEL HUGHES
23
LEAFNATIONMD.COM
S
tepping into Smoke Signals Smoke Shop in Frederick is like entering an alien world—a world made of swirling, multicolored, psychedelic glass. Sure, there are your typical old-school bongs and pipes you’d expect to find in what used to be known as a “head” shop, but owner Lorin Gray clearly loves to showcase what he calls “high-end American art.” “You can’t help but fall in love with it. I fall in love with [the art glass pieces] as much as the artists do,” Gray says. And his extensive collection is a testament to that deep love of the fascinating genre of Cannabis-inspired glass art. When I visited the Frederick store on a sunny but frigid February day (one of his four retail shops across the state), it was packed with people wandering through the aisles admiring the mind-bending pieces in the display cases and taking photos (which Lorin encourages). There’s everything from an ultra-realistic octopus bowl, neon-tubed hookahs, a glass menorah dab rig (giving a new spin to the High Holy Days), elaborate, multi-chambered bongs glowing beneath UV light, and pieces so complex and detailed they defy description.
A RICH BUT MELLOW CREAMY BERRY YOGURT FRAGRANCE RISES FROM THE CONTAINER, FOLLOWED BY STRONG EARTHY UNDERTONES.
LEAFNATIONMD.COM
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MAR. 2019
Purple
GROWER & DISPENSARY: CURIO WELLNESS BREEDER: SUPERNOVA GARDENS (LARRY OG X GDP)
REVIEW BY SPENCER IMBACH
STRAIN OF THE MONTH
Punch
THC: 21%
W
PHOTO by WYATT EARLY
25
LEAFNATIONMD.COM
OW. For our March strain of the month I present to you Purple Punch by Curio Wellness. Originally birthed by Supernova, this cut was gifted to a grower friend and later made available by Symbiotic Genetics (The Village), since they knew its poppin’ bag appeal would instantly ignite aficionados all over America. With such vibrant purple and orange colors it’s no secret why this might become your favorite strain—these heavy over-sized gumball buds are lit with a coat of shiny trichomes. A deep inhale suddenly triggers images of the grape Kool-Aid man bursting through a wall of blue Jolly Ranchers. A rich but mellow creamy berry yogurt fragrance rises from the container, followed by strong earthy undertones. Smoking this strain revealed a familiar sugar-coated taste close to the Pixy Stix you may have gorged on at your seven-year-old cousin’s birthday party. Purple Punch provides a very relaxed indica-dominant high that spreads calmly from your head through the rest of your body, bringing pleasant relief to any stress, anxiety, or aches. It can feel sacrilegious to grind up such a pristine, elegant looking flower, but feel free to lose yourself in the extraterrestrial levels of this Willy Wonka bud, which looks like sugar candy and smokes like it, too. The legendary Grandaddy Purple genetics of this strain bring the true indica effect with a spacey head-high and beloved purple flavor that is so often sought by connoisseurs. Purple Punch is best enjoyed in a king-size paper or blunt at the end of the day since its effects can leave you a little spaced-out or muted—albeit with a mellow, satisfied smile.
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PART 3 29 / YOUR BUDTENDER IS NOT YOUR DOCTOR 30 /MODERN MEDICINE \ Q&A WITH DR. RACHEL KNOX 3 2 / S E X U A L H E A LT H A N D C A N N A B I S 34 / CBN THE NATURAL SLEEP AID 36 / EPIGENETICS
MAR. 2019
YOUR BUDTENDER
IS NOT
YOUR DOCTOR Budtenders can offer advice for how certain strains will work, generally, but it’s not medical advice...
the subject. Some folks were straightforward and degrading in their remarks, saying the man should have at least Googled it before trying it out. While a few expressed pity, many others disparaged “the system” in general, saying that the use of a CBD product alone shouldn’t warrant losing one’s employment. “His story highlights a problem I’ve seen half a dozen times this year: people with legitimate health problems ‘consulting’ with dispensary sales staff. This is essentially practicing medicine without a license,” wrote user Seems2Me in a comment on WWeek.com. The fact that this man put the fate of his livelihood in the hands of a budtender when the stakes were so high is a sign that something has gone amiss. Somewhere along the line we’ve failed to properly educate consumers and this is the living proof. “Last November, Jeff Anderson, 62, started taking a daily dose of a hemp tincture to treat the pain from his psoriatic arthritis—a chronic inflammation of the skin and joints,“ wrote Karina Brown at Willamette Week. Anderson had driven for Beaverton School District for 18 years, Brown notes. The tincture alleviated his pain and he thought he was in the clear using CBD. “I was emphatic when I walked into the dispensary that I can’t test positive for THC,” Anderson told Willamette Week. “My job was on the line, and I don’t know about this stuff. I’m not a biochemist. But I lost my job, I lost health insurance for me and my daughter, I’m living on peanuts. And I don’t feel like I did anything wrong other than trust in a company.” This isn’t to say budtenders are automatically unreliable sources of information. Many are fueled
by their passion for the industry as patients or medical professional. caregivers and do their best to educate themselves Though our cheery smiles may brighten your day as much as possible. Some even undergo special we can’t take the place of a licensed professional training like in the East Fork Cultivars’ CBD when it comes to maintaining your health Certified Program while others commit on a and wellness. personal level, attending classes, workshops and Cannabis can help manage pain, reduce anxiety, seminars. improve mood and many other grand things, but it’s Ultimately, budtenders are only people. We not a magic cure all and should not be your lone have a social responsibility to honor and we do method of treatment for serious conditions. our best to uphold that, but we’re limited in the You can seek out a medical marijuana doctor, of amount of information we have access to on a course, but don’t be scared to broach the subject daily basis. with your primary care doctor, either. Dispensaries have limited resources to work The Oregon Health Authority is required to provide with, and while they do their best to educate their “guidelines for attending physicians to follow when budtenders there’s still only so much they can recommending the medical use of marijuana for the realistically achieve. purpose of mitigating the symptoms or effects of a “It’s really hard for dispensaries to have the debilitating medical condition.” resources to run their own educational programs This means that if your doctor agrees that or to pay for those resources,” said Anna medical marijuana is a good idea, then they are Symonds, education and then obligated “to provide that partnership manager for East patient with a... thorough patient THOUGH OUR CHEERY SMILES Fork Cultivars. evaluation, treatment and follow-up “Some are able to manage MAY BRIGHTEN YOUR DAY WE plan.” it, but oftentimes it’s left up There’s also the promise of a CAN’T TAKE THE PLACE OF A to individual budtenders to try more “patient-centered, integrative and educate themselves, which LICENSED PROFESSIONAL WHEN cannabinoid care” at American can also be a big task. There Cannabinoid Clinics, where the IT COMES TO MAINTAINING YOUR Knox clan of doctors have created are some good educational programs available, but not a system that focuses on advising HEALTH AND WELLNESS. everyone can afford the fees.” patients on the use of medical Budtenders want to help. But we’re not doctors. Cannabis for illness and chronic diseases. It’s also We aren’t discouraging you from asking a good idea to sit down and do some research for questions; rather, we are urging you to get the yourself. help you deserve. We want to help but we can’t Learning what terpenes your body is attracted to is do it for you. We can only point you in the right a far more reliable indication if a cultivar will work for direction. you over THC percentage alone, and that provides If you’re suffering from a life-threatening illness; you with invaluable information you can take back experience debilitating pain as the result of a to your doctor. This can then help you better tailor severe injury, have a chronic condition or any a plan to tackle your specific health issues head-on. other condition that can’t simply be bandaged Good luck in your quest. We’re rooting for you. up, I implore you to please seek the help of a By JANELLE lASSALLE @JENKHARI | PHOTO By @BERMANPHOTOS
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hen an Oregon public school bus driver was fired from his job for testing positive for THC, despite using a tincture he was told was “CBD only,” people had lots to say on
HEALTH
MODERN\MEDICINE Q&A WITH DR. RACHEL KNOX
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With legal Cannabis federally on the horizon, we will soon see mainstream medicine begin to incorporate, synthesize and otherwise utilize this plant within their practices. Until that time, our current medical system ensures there are only a few doctors who have studied the plant and are knowledgeable about its applications not just anecdotally, but on a clinical level. MAR. 2019
Meetdr.JaniceKnox,Dr.rachelknoxanddr.davidknox,
mother, daughter and father, three members of a four-member family of MD doctors who have not only adopted Cannabis into their regular practice, but have quite possibly developed our country’s first legitimate Cannabis-friendly clinic since before prohibition. The American Cannabinoid Clinics was brought to life in Portland, Oregon after Janice was asked to cover shifts at a Marijuana Card clinic and was exposed to vastly different types of patients than she anticipated. It didn’t take long for the family to make the realization that a truly non-discriminatory clinic didn’t exist and that they were perfectly poised to step up and fill a gap. Both Rachel and Jessica Knox (not pictured) graduated from Tufts University in 2012 with MD and MBA degrees, and they have been steadily developing their professional medical careers while simultaneously helping their parents establish the American Cannabinoid Clinics. This brilliant family is truly an asset to the Cannabis industry. Never before have we had medical professionals on our side in such a fashion, with skin in the game in the form of their own practice. These individuals are serving patients and spreading knowledge among Cannabis consumers. They are also helping educate and change the minds of other medical professionals. Maryland Leaf was fortunate enough to catch up with Dr. Rachel Knox to learn more about the American Cannabinoid Clinics and get her perspective on this industry and its future.
My parents, Dr. David and Janice Knox, have been practicing medicine for 40 and 39 years respectively. Dr. David is retiring from the field of emergency medicine at the close of this year, and Dr. Janice spent 32 years in anesthesia before her shifting focus into Cannabis Medicine. Dr. Jessica and I have been practicing for three years after completing our residency programs in preventative and family medicine. After several years of writing Cannabis authorizations independently, Dr. David and Janice introduced Cannabis medicine to my sister and I. The four of us, fascinated by the science of Cannabis and the physiology of the Endocannabinoid System (ECS), came together to form the American Cannabinoid Clinics where we could provide patients with much more than an authorization to use Cannabis, but with comprehensive guidance and integration of Cannabis into their care management plans.
As a medical professional, what do you believe is the biggest hurdle for our industry to reach acceptance by the majority of others in your field? Conventional medicine finds itself
beholden to a standard of medical evidence rooted in the peer review of rigorous clinical trials. The “gold standard” is the double-blinded, randomized and placebo-controlled trial. While there exists tens of thousands of scientific and preclinical trials in Cannabis and endocannabinology, there are fewer clinical trials, and very few “gold standard,” “phase 3” trials providing sufficient evidence that Cannabis is beneficial or clinically meaningful to humans. This is the kind of evidence that institutions can get behind. And until they do, the clinicians who are licensed and employed by these institutions—even those who believe Cannabis might be effective for their patients - are limited in their abilities to offer it.
What is your personal relationship with the plant? First, let me set the context that I believe that the health of any organism is wholly dependent on that organism living a natural lifestyle. While lifestyle implies an amalgamation of multiple habits and behaviors, the most imperative is the consumption of food (i.e. fuel aka nutrients). And not just any food, but food naturally designed for it. Whole human bodies require whole foods that are meant for human consumption. What does this mean? This means unprocessed foods in their natural state, unadulterated by pesticides, heavy metals, antibiotics, hormones, toxins, preservatives, fillers, and other unnatural chemicals. While much of our conventional foods are designed and intended for human consumption, they aren’t appropriate for it. I believe the same is true for medicine. Traditional medicine depended on whole botanicals (i.e. plants, herbs and oils) to promote health and induce healing. Whole plant medicines have wider therapeutic and safety windows because they are full of vitamins, minerals and a myriad of other compounds that work synergistically to do so. Not only this, but the human
body recognizes these “This is the kind of evidence that constituents as natural, institutions can get behind. And until as it, too, has evolved to they do, the clinicians who are licensed depend on many of these constituents to maintain and employed by these institutions— homeostasis or internal even those who believe Cannabis might be balance. Take the ECS, for example. The ECS of effective for their patients— are limited every mammalian body in their abilities to offer iT.” responds much more dynamically to the whole Cannabis plant than any authorities. We do not prescribe, distribute or isolated constituent from it, and this is to no handle Cannabis. So we do not violate any state or surprise. That being said, Cannabis holds a federal regulations. special place in medicine and in the hearts of this family of doctors because it lead to the What is being done within discovery of the ECS — the most important the professional medical physiologic system of the human body, and the community to expand focus of our clinical practice. access to clinical or
When and how was the American Cannabinoid Clinic established? The
American Cannabinoid Clinic was formally established in the spring of 2017 after two years of providing integrative cannabinoid care in our former collective practice. It was established to deliver patient-centered, integrative cannabinoid care to every patient looking for a personalized approach to addressing their health and healing. This is our mission. The goal of the ACC is to provide patients with direct access to providers who are not only extensively knowledgeable in Cannabis therapies, Cannabinoid Medicine and Endocannabinology, but compassionate in their approach and commitment to supporting patients in their pursuits of achieving optimal wellness through Cannabis therapies and other natural, lifestyle modalities. To this day patients continue to struggle with health care providers who don’t support their use of Cannabis, or who either cannot or are not comfortable doing so. ACC providers are happy to provide such support.
What have you seen in the way of successful treatments and what are some that did not work? All ACC patients find success with Cannabis therapies to varying degrees. The degree to which a patient reaches that success is dependent on so many factors: the Cannabis product used, the method of use, the frequency of use, the chemical profile of any given Cannabis product used, the therapeutic strength of any product used, adherence to non-Cannabis modalities and lifestyle changes necessary to tone the ECS, the state of their medical condition or disease, and more.
How do federal and/or local regulations affect your practice? At the ACC we adhere to the standard of clinical medicine as defined by our licensing
lab-based research on Cannabis? Where do I start? At this very
moment, there are multiple clinical trials underway to advance what we know about the benefits of whole plant Cannabis in PTSD, cancers, CTE, seizures and more. There are multiple clinical societies focused on Cannabis therapeutics, and myriad medical Cannabis conferences are held throughout the year each year globally that are well attended by healthcare professionals. While it might not be apparent to the general public, the climate is changing amidst the medical community.
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How can you speak to pesticides and their role in any potentially adverse side-effects from Cannabis? When we consider Cannabis
as medicine, we must demand that it be held to the highest standard. Medical grade Cannabis is free of pesticides, meaning that pesticides should be non-detectable in any Cannabis product tested, from raw plant to concentrates and everything in between. Pesticides, heavy metals, microbes, mycotoxins and molds can be extremely dangerous, especially to immunocompromised patients. They certainly aren’t healthy. And for anybody wanting to use Cannabis with the intent to prevent or treat disease, they should be mindful to use only the purest Cannabis products that have been thoroughly tested for toxic substances, and that is as close to organic as possible.
In your opinion, would there BE a difference in the medicinal value of two plants, cloned from the same mother, one grown organically in soil in the sun and one grown using synthetic nutrients in a soilless medium indoor? The more natural the better. Despite all our advancements, even come 2019, we have yet to prove that the human mind can outdo nature.
AMERICANCANNABINOIDCLINICS.COM
INTERVIEW BY NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415 PHOTOS BY DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
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How long have you and your family been practicing medicine and at what point was Cannabis incorporated as part of your curriculum?
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annabis and sex are gifts from nature. Cannabis has been used as an aphrodisiac for thousands of years in many cultures, yet ironically, it also has a history of being used to decrease sexual desire as well. Its use is reported to increase sexual stamina, sensation, length and strength and even number of orgasms, and the emotional/ spiritual bonding between partners. In fact, many users liken the effects on the emotional, spiritual and psychological planes to be that of the descriptions of the ancient Indian Tantric practices. Sex and Cannabis provide for euphoric peak experiences, a unity of both body and mind, and an escape from the routine. Being high or sexually aroused give similar physiological responses, such as increased heart rate, increased sensitivity, changes in blood flow and respiration, an acutely altered state of consciousness and relaxation. The chemistry of the brain, hormonal systems and specific regions of the brain such as the temporal lobe are affected by both Cannabis and sexual arousal. As with most research surrounding Cannabis, data can be conflicting. Some objective findings contradict the increased intensity of climax and increased the degree of sensation, for instance. Some evidence has associated Cannabis use with erectile dysfunction in men and infertility in men and women. Cannabis has been consumed by humans for a long time and with no reported deaths caused directly by its use. This is a pretty safe track record. The use and benefits of Cannabis for sexual health may turn out to be dosedependent where more moderate consumption brings about more stimulating aphrodisiac effects, and higher doses and more chronic use may bring about more negative and deleterious effects. The ancient culture in India is closely associated with sexual Cannabis use. Cannabis has been used in India for at least 3,000 years, probably much longer. Ancient sacred texts revealed how to use Cannabis to increase sexual pleasure. The Indian Ayurvedic and Unani Tibbi medicine systems used Cannabis to increase
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libido, conquer impotence and cure various diseases. Dozens of herbal formulas containing Cannabis were prescribed as aphrodisiacs. These formulations were reputed to produce long-lasting erections, delayed ejaculation, facilitate lubrication and drop inhibitions. Tantra is a Hindu and Buddhist tradition and a mystical religion that used Cannabis and prescriptions of physical and mental exercises like meditation, yoga and sexual practices. These practices are intended to help escape suffering and achieve enlightenment, known as Nirvana. Advanced Tantra Cannabis rituals were intense, elaborate and challenging. The Tantric belief is that human bodies contain energy systems consisting of nerves, heart and spiritual elements that these are linked to cosmic and nature-based energies. Males and females have differing degrees and types of energy, and yogic
Terry Necco “Marijuana and Sex: A Classic Combination”
sexual practices unite these energies, creating energy connections that allow participants to find new heights of intimacy and to transcend egocentric consciousness. Their timeless place in the universe is then realized. Tantric union of these energies is thought to facilitate universal balance and to atone for human sins against nature and the cosmos. Tantric rituals seek to prolong sexual union as long as possible, and were performed with an edible form of Cannabis. Cannabis affects different people in different ways. Some report an increased libido while others report an inability to sustain an erection or have an orgasm. Information is increasing as the field of Cannabis research flourishes. Studies examining the effects of Cannabis use on male sexual function have been limited in both quality and quantity until recent times. Most of these studies yield conflicting results. While some outlined the benefits of Cannabis in enhancing erectile function, others did not. One must always be leery of where research dollars come from and what the intent and basis of the research may be. Most studies have traditionally focused on finding, for instance, an increase in the number of sexual partners among Cannabis users, the association of risky sexual behaviors and Cannabis use, and the correlation to the spread of sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV and Cannabis use. Or a study may look at the correlation between domestic violence and the use of Cannabis in a very specific population. Be aware that most negative impacts are temporary in nature, and with a more moderate consumption and/or discontinuation, the body is able to regulate. High levels of THC have been shown to cause the body to produce lower levels of testosterone. THC stimulates luteinizing hormone (LH)
in the pituitary, an endocrine gland located in the brain that regulates hormone levels, which are released into the blood to the testes for the release of testosterone. The testosterone then travels in the blood to the pituitary and the level is sensed and regulated through a negative feedback loop. The problem seems to be that THC also stimulates the testes to release testosterone and the levels are thrown off and the negative feedback mechanism does not work. Another group of researchers concluded that Cannabis use does not have a significant impact on testosterone — not that there was no impact, just not a large enough impact to be detrimental. Cannabis use has been linked to erectile dysfunction by a number of studies and the prevalent thought is that the lack of erectile function may be directly related to this decrease in testosterone. A very large study conducted in Australia found that men who used Cannabis daily were four times more likely to have problems achieving orgasm than men who did not use, and three times more likely to experience premature ejaculation, while some said they reached orgasm too slowly. Cannabis can also affect a man’s fertility. More specifically, THC hinders the sperm cells’ ability to swim to an egg cell. This is because THC hinders their ability to release enzymes needed to pass through the female egg cell wall. One study using data mostly from the 1990s has recently been released looking at the correlation between the increased incidence of testicular cancer and Cannabis use. This is a good example of where much more work needs to be done. Positive findings have mostly been shown with lower to moderate dosages as well as lower THC levels in the Cannabis consumed. When marijuana dosage was appropriate, it increased sexual stamina and skill, sensation, length and power of orgasms and emotional bonding between partners. Studies indicate that Cannabis has different effects on men than it does on women when it comes to both sex drive and sex life satisfaction. Many claims have been made that topical oils containing Cannabis are able to enhance the sexual experience for women. The results of a study conducted through the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, British Columbia, support the theory that Cannabis is able to improve sexual health for women by increasing arousal and strengthening the physiological responses to sexual stimulation. Positive effects on women’s sexual health seem to be most associated with Cannabis with a THC level around 14 percent. The low-THC Cannabis increases sensitivity and delays orgasm to give couples more time to share the intimate experience. Cannabis also seems to help with any psychological blocks that may be preventing them from enjoying a healthy sex life. Cannabis can also cause fertility issues for women. When a woman uses Cannabis, THC travels to her uterus, cervix, vagina and vaginal fluids. Sperm cells that come into contact with THC from the woman will
then behave much like sperm cells from a man who uses Cannabis. Cannabis use in women can also dysregulate the hormonal system and cause problems at the level of the ovary with anovulatory cycles where there is no release of an egg cell at all. Experiences of sexual activity and Cannabis use can be especially intimate and energetic, facilitating trusting, loving relationships. Despite negative findings, people continue to report positive benefits to their sexual health through the use of Cannabis. Many claim a greater bond between partners, claiming Cannabis facilitates a more beautiful, spiritual connection. Our bodies contain pleasure systems that reward us for sex; our brains contain circuitry that can only be activated by substances with THC’s molecular structure. This makes the high from Cannabis a unique constellation of feelings, and there are only two sources for the substances that activate the receptors in the brain where THC binds. That would be our own brains creating a molecule called anandamide (translation: bliss) and THC and the other cannabinoids contained within the Cannabis plant. Contrary to the “Reefer Madness” myth that Cannabis automatically causes uncontrollable sexual desire, we see that although Cannabis and sexuality have been closely related for thousands of years, each of us has a unique set of psychosexual parameters that determine whether marijuana will magnify or decrease sexual desire and enjoyment. This desire and enjoyment may come at a price so if you’re experiencing erectile dysfunction or problems with orgasm and have concerns about testicular cancer, or are having problems with fertility, consider your Cannabis intake. Change final paragraph to this: “What happens at marijuana parties? Answer: Weird orgies, wild parties, and unleashed passions—that’s what!” (from Marijuana: Weed with Roots in Hell, a sensationalist, low-budget film born of the smear campaign of the 1930s). The smear campaign used blatant bigotry to associate marijuana with aggressive sexuality, implicating certain minorities with the use of marijuana and the rape of white women to perpetuate terrorism against those communities.
BY SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR DR. SCOTT D. ROSE
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“CULTURES WITH SACRED CANNABIS USE TEND TO BE CULTURES WHICH RECOGNIZE THE GODDESS. THAT COULD MEAN MOTHER EARTH, YIN OR FEMALE BEAUTY AND VIRTUES. PEOPLE WHO BRING MARIJUANA INSIDE THEM ARE ENGAGING IN A TYPE OF SEXUAL UNION WITH THE PLANT. IT IS A VERY SEXUAL ACT TO HAVE A MOLECULE OF THC IMPLANT ITSELF INTO YOUR BRAIN.”
SPECIAL
health & science
CBN: Sleep is one of the most important facets of our health. It’s the time when our bodies can heal themselves, and regain our strength spent throughout busy days. When we do not give ourselves an adequate amount of sleep, our health and immune systems begin to deteriorate.
The constant use of handheld electronics further inflames the problem because they don’t allow your brain to adequately turn off. As a person looking for a natural way to achieve sleep, I turned to herbs. I would drink chamomile and
??/may 2016 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF MAR. 2019
BY OREGON LEAF CONTRIBUTOR SIMONE FISCHER
The Natural Sleep Aid
“sleepy time” tea to induce relaxation. At one point, I tried using melatonin. It worked in the beginning, but I quickly grew a tolerance. After a while, melatonin became useless and expensive. Luckily, Cannabis exists. When I first began using Cannabis as a sleep aid, I was told to gravitate towards indicas. But what does that mean? Previously, I would look for aesthetic clues such as looks, smell or taste. Indicas are historically known for their body highs, versus their cerebral sativa counterparts. Being couchlocked is a typical effect from indicas. They are extremely helpful for those experiencing pain or dealing with chronic pain. Indicas have a reputation to help you sleep. Although I could certainly feel the effects of a solid indica, I wanted to know more beyond anecdotal
Photo courtesy of Nils Weymann
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AN INDICA-DOMINANT STRAIN HIGH IN CBN WOULD BE THE MOST IDEAL FOR SOUND SLEEP. hours. Turning off smart devices at least an hour before you go to bed will help you fall asleep faster. The brightness of smart device screens causes our minds to feel awake when we are trying to fall asleep. Instead, try puffing on high-CBN Cannabis and read from a book (not a tablet!) before bed. As a woman who suffers from an autoimmune disease, getting enough sleep is vital to make sure I can work full-time, write and still manage to enjoy my life. I have always favored indica-dominant strains, but I wanted to know how exactly they helped me sleep. CBN is derived from Tetrahydrocannbinol (or THC) oxidation, meaning the more THC breaks down in its finished flower form, the higher the CBN count will be. Overripe or poorly cured Cannabis is usually a telltale sign of high CBN. When dispensary buyers purchase Cannabis, high CBN usually means it’s been sitting on the shelf for a while. CBN code: The older the bud, the higher the CBN. According to Steephill Labs, 5mg of CBN is equivalent to 10mg of diazepam, a common antianxiety medication. For people who use diazepam
for chronic pain or anxiety, CBN could be as effective, or better. Unfortunately, no CBN-specific Cannabis has been cultivated yet. But I’m sure it won’t be long until we can purchase cannabinoidspecific weed, edibles, and concentrates. Luckily, for insomniacs like myself, CBN serves an important purpose beyond THC degradation. The best avenue to find high CBN Cannabis, is asking your local budtenders what strains they carry test highest in CBN. A word of caution: CBN also stimulates appetite. If you smoke something higher in CBN — and choose to stay up — expect the munchies to kick in. CBN is a great choice for those who need to increase their appetite, and you’ll sleep like a baby to boot. One of the best ways to preserve your health is achieving adequate sleep. This goes double for those suffering from autoimmune diseases, or compromised immune systems. Sleep is the best way to let your body heal itself, and sleep deprivation is one of the first steps to poor health. Start taking your sleep seriously and feel the difference in your performance. Your body and mind will thank you!
CBN IS DERIVED FROM THC OXIDATION. OVERRIPE OR POORLY CURED CANNABIS IS USUALLY A TELLTALE SIGN OF HIGH CBN.
Simone Fischer is a Portland OMMP patient and Cannabis advocate. She is a contributing editor at Ladybud Magazine and a graduate of women’s and gender studies from Portland State University.
may 2016 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF
/??
BY SIMONE FISCHER
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evidence. Cannabinol, or CBN, is a weak psychogenic cannabinoid known to help induce drowsiness. Finding strains high in CBN will be ideal for those looking to get a good night’s sleep. When it comes to growing, CBN is usually higher in strains harvested late. The overripening of the Cannabis plant raises CBN amounts. The longer a cultivator waits to cut down her/his crop, the higher the CBN ratio will be. With that said, looking for an indica-dominant strain high in CBN would be the most ideal for sound sleep. Indica or CBN edibles are an excellent way to ingest cannabinoids without having to smoke. Unfortunately, Oregon recreational users are limited to flower, seed and clones sales for now. The purchase of edibles, concentrates and topicals is prohibited at this point in time. Companies are beginning to create indica- and strain-specific edibles for the medical marijuana market, until it is legal to sell to those over 21. Instead of addictive sleep aids like Ambien, Cannabis capsules are a viable option for those looking for smokeless forms of medicating. It seems like more people prefer ingesting Cannabis because they are used to being prescribed pills by doctors. Overall, Cannabis capsules (and other edibles) are more discreet than loading a bowl or torching a dab. Without a healthy amount of sleep, our body’s ability to fight off pathogens is at risk. If you suffer from an autoimmune disease, not getting enough sleep could land you in the hospital. Americans are some of the most overworked people in the world. Scholar and activist Audre Lorde reminds us: “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” Taking the time to let our minds and body heal is a crucial part of self-care. Adequate sleep and a balanced diet are vital keys to the quality of our health. Looking for strains high in CBN to use at night will help you achieve routine sleeping
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EPIGENETICS! WHYWHATYOUEATCANMAKEORBREAKGENETICHEALTH.
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D
oes cancer, heart disease, mental illness or some other malady run in your family? Do you think developing those diseases is inevitable because their programming is within you? A tenet of conventional biology is that the trait and character of organisms are determined by genes. The concept of genes controlling life is in all biology texts and course work. How much influence and control might people have over their genes? Can a particular disease process be affected in a positive way by influencing the genes? The emerging science of epigenetics is offering answers that put the control of our genes within reach. DNA is the hereditary material found in humans and most other organisms. DNA was first identified by Swiss chemist Friedrich Miescher in the late 1860s, but it was not until the early 1950s that U.S. biologist James Watson and English physicist Francis Crick discovered the double-helix structure of DNA. Among the developments that directly followed from its discovery were prenatal
MAR. 2019
screening for disease genes, genetically engineered foods, the ability to identify human remains, the design of treatments for diseases and the testing of physical evidence in order to convict or exonerate criminals. DNA consists of four basic molecules, but human DNA contains about 3 billion of those molecules. The order, or sequence of those four molecules determines the information for building and maintaining an organism. The specific order of these molecules is responsible for the genetic code. Most of the DNA is found within the nucleus of every cell in the body. In fact, it is packed along with protein into structures called chromosomes so tightly that each cell contains almost 6 linear feet of DNA. Humans have 46 chromosomes – 23 pairs, one pair from each parent. The major protein type that is packed into the chromosome with DNA are histones. Histones are proteins that act as a spool on which DNA can wind. Those proteins play a major role in gene regulation. When DNA was discovered, these proteins were largely disregarded and the
focus has been solely on the genetic material. The Human Genome Project was conceptualized during the 1980s to map the human genome. It was undertaken during the 1990s, and results were reported in 2000. One premise of the research was that one gene should exist for every protein in the body. The findings were that 30,000 genes and almost 250,000 to 1 million proteins exist. That was not the only surprise. It was initially thought that the complexity of an organism would require a higher number of genes. That proved false because a microscopic roundworm has 18,000 genes. That means humans only have 12,000 more genes than that of a microscopic creature – not the estimated 100,000 as once thought. It then became evident that there was more to the expression of genes than just the genetic material itself. The field of epigenetics (epi- means above or around) is the study of the factors that influence the orchestration of the chemical reactions that activate and deactivate the genome in specific locations and at specific times.
DO YOU THINK THAT YOU’RE A VICTIM OF YOUR HEREDITY? including broccoli, brussel sprouts, bok choy, cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables, plus garlic and onions, contain substances that act as histone inhibitors, which essentially block the histone, allowing the tumor suppressor genes to be expressed and fight cancer. By regularly consuming these foods, one will naturally support the body’s ability to resist cancer formation and will likely do so for future generations. This is an example
of food as an environmental influence. Bruce Lipton is a U.S. developmental biologist and author of “The Biology of Belief.” He states, “Here is my definition of the environment: it is everything from the core of your being to the edge of the universe.” Lipton contends this environmental influence would include everything from your thoughts and belief systems, to toxic exposures and exposure to sunlight, exercise, and, of course, everything you choose to put onto and into your body. According to Lipton, the secret of life does
not lie within the DNA, but rather within the mechanisms of each cell membrane of the 50 trillion cells that make up the body. Each cell membrane has receptors that pick up various environmental signals, and this mechanism controls the “reading” of the genes inside the cells. There is a choice to read or not read the genetic blueprint, depending on the signals being received from the environment. Just because the genetic programming of cancer or heart disease is in the DNA does not mean that it is certain to arise. Far from it. According to Lipton, “This new biology takes us from the belief that we are victims of our genes, that we are biochemical machines, that life is out of our control, into another reality, a reality where our thoughts, beliefs and mind control our genes, our behavior and the life we experience.” What this all means is you are not controlled by your genetic makeup. Instead, your genetic readout – which genes are turned on and which are turned off – is primarily determined by the healthiness of your environment. One of the most important and core beliefs in conventional biology has been that the traits and character of organisms are controlled by their genes. What seems to control the genes is the epigenome. The concept of selfemerging genes, turning themselves on and off, now seems antiquated. Just as quantum mechanics caused a major shift in the understanding of physics, epigenetics is causing a profound shift in biological belief. So you are in control of your genes. It is your environment and lifestyle that determine the tendency to express disease. Prevention is key, but if disease has already formed, perhaps the right epigenetic information would reset the cells on a path to health. The body is wired to heal itself if given the opportunity, perhaps part of the opportunity is the correct information. This is where conventional, alternative, spiritual and energy ideas find commonality. Leading a healthful lifestyle, which includes exercising regularly, getting high-quality nutrition, limiting exposures to toxins and keeping a positive mental outlook all contribute to the expression of genes with beneficial, disease-fighting behaviors. In the words of Lipton, “Become a master of your life, rather than a victim of your heredity.”
CERTAIN GREEN LEAFY FOODS, INCLUDING BROCCOLI, BRUSSEL SPROUTS, BOK CHOY, CABBAGE AND OTHER CRUCIFEROUS VEGETABLES, PLUS GARLIC AND ONIONS, CONTAIN SUBSTANCES THAT ALLOW THE TUMOR SUPPRESSOR GENES TO BE EXPRESSED AND FIGHT CANCER. BY REGULARLY CONSUMING THESE FOODS, ONE WILL NATURALLY SUPPORT THE BODY’S ABILITY TO RESIST CANCER FORMATION AND WILL LIKELY DO SO FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. THIS IS FOOD ACTING AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCE. BY SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR DR. SCOTT D. ROSE
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Epigenetics can be used to describe anything other than the DNA sequence itself that influences the development of an organism. Scientists began reporting in the early 2000s that environmental influences from neglectful parenting to air pollution can affect chemical tags that turn genes on or off. For instance, one study of Swedish historical records showed that men who had experienced famine before puberty were less likely to have grandsons with heart disease or diabetes than men who had plenty to eat. Perhaps our well-fed population is not offering the same protection against these diseases to future generations – heart disease and diabetes have been on the rise. This idea of an environmentally responsive genome stirs debate, but the notion that epigenetic marks are transmitted across generations is even more provocative. A gene, when “turned on,” is expressed, and when “turned off,” is inhibited. In the case of genes that cause disease, such as oncogenes that cause cancer, we wish for these genes to be inhibited. Epigenetic silencing is one way to turn genes off. Within the cell, three mechanisms have been found thus far – methylation, histone modification and RNA-associated silencing. Methylation requires a biochemical unit consisting of one carbon and three hydrogen atoms used as a tag on genes to turn on and off. RNA-associated silencing occurs when a gene can be downregulated or silenced by small bits of RNA. Histone modification affects how the DNA is stored. The DNA and histone complex is referred to as chromatin. When the chromatin is loose, it is active and the gene might be expressed. If it is condensed, then it is inactive and the gene cannot be expressed. The delicate balance of gene control is evidenced in the findings of a study conducted by the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State that demonstrated how histone modifications can affect the expression of many degenerative diseases, ranging from cancer and heart disease to bipolar disorder and even aging itself. Now, if a tumor suppressor gene (anticancer gene) is hidden in dense chromatin, it cannot be used, and in this way too much histone will “turn off ” those cancer suppressors and allow cancer cells to proliferate. Here’s where epigenetics comes in. Certain green leafy foods,
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MARCH 20, 2019
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BOOK REVIEW
EveryDayMaryJ:
A Practical Guide to Cooking with Cannabis
T
his is a wonderful, personable book which represents the very best of small publishing. EveryDayMaryJ is about everyday Cannabis consumption for all of us. It’s loaded with mouthwatering recipes, including savory and sweet preparations that go way beyond the traditional pot brownie. In charming fashion, you’ll also learn about the history of Cannabis, the culture surrounding it. Information on how to make your own tinctures and topicals are included, and extraction methods as well. You can also read a wonderfully inspiring story about Mary’s cat, Hugo J. Treadwell, who survived cancer with the help of Cannabis. This book is based on Mary’s experiences teaching folks how to cook and use Cannabis in daily life. She does a wonderful job of demystifying the herb and shows you how finding just the right strain and dosage delivery method can positively—and deliciously!—change the course of your life.
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BY MARY J WHITE, 2018, 101 PAGES EVERYDAYMARYJ.COM
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EVERYDAYMARYJ IS ABOUT EVERYDAY CANNABIS CONSUMPTION FOR ALL OF US.
By STEVE ELLIOTT
RECIPE
MAKING CANNABUTTER Cannabis must undergo the process of decarboxylation in order to properly feel its effects. Bake the dried, ground flower on a cookie sheet in a single layer for 40 minutes at 240 degrees.
1. In a medium saucepan bring water to a boil. You can vary the amounts, just be sure that the Cannabis is always floating 2 inches from the bottom of the pan. 40
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2. Add the butter.
4. Set up a bowl to hold the finished product. There are a couple of ways to strain the mixture. Use a deep heatproof glass bowl with a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth. You can also tie a double layer of cheesecloth around a large heatproof bowl with twine, making it taut across the top.
5. Strain the Cannabis
3. After the butter has melted
add the Cannabis. Once the Cannabis is added, the heat should be turned down, very low, to barely a simmer. Cook for three hours.
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butter over the bowl, carefully trying not to spill. When the saucepan is empty, carefully undo the twine, pick up the cheesecloth from all four sides, and squeeze out all of the remaining butter.
6. Allow the cannabutter to cool at room temperature for about an hour. Place in the fridge until the butter has solidified and separated from the water. The THC and other properties have attached to the butter, and you are just about there.
Ingredients 4 sticks butter, see chef ’s notes* 1 ounce shake, finely ground, decarboxylated * This recipe uses four sticks of butter to every ounce of Cannabis, so if you’re using a half ounce of weed that’s about two sticks of butter.
7. Run a knife around the edge and lift the butter off the water. Place upside down on your work surface and scrape off any of the plant matter and milk solids. Your cannabutter is ready to use. Store in the refrigerator or freezer in an airtight container. RECIPE BY LAURIE WOLF PHOTOS By BRUCE WOLF
SOMDRELIEF_
S O U T H E R N M A RY L A N D R E L I E F
Growing Happiness in Baltimore, MD
TM
www.EvermoreCompany.com @evermorecompany
GARDEN OF THE MONTH
SUNMED GROWERS
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ake Van Wingerden, President of SunMed Growers, comes from a long line of plant cultivators. His grandfather emigrated in the 1940s from Holland after the war and brought his family farming tradition with him. With his sixteen children, he set about starting plant producing businesses, and today the family runs a dozen large wholesale companies growing orchids, petunias, marigolds, and other ornamentals in 26 million square feet of growing space. “My entire family legacy is growing plants in a
MAR. 2019
controlled environment,” Van Wingerden says. About five years ago, Jake’s younger brother Chris started working with Cannabis growers in Colorado. “I watched that from afar,” he continues, “and when Maryland’s program came down the line, I thought, I can do this.” After a year of planning and hard work, SunMed’s first seeds were planted. And now, a yearand-a-half later, the company is harvesting 3-400 plants per week, and over 100 individual strains. SunMed’s entire facility came from Holland— shipped overseas in containers to Cecil County.
“WE BELIEVE THE SUNLIGHT GIVES A MUCH BETTER FLAVOR PROFILE, WITH TERPENES, SMELLS, LOOK . . . I’M TELLING YOU WHAT PEOPLE ARE TELLING ME.”
“The Dutch are pioneers in high end commercial agriculture. The epicenter of the world of technology in greenhouse production is in Holland. Our greenhouse is very high-end, with diffuse glass, insect screens, material handling. . . there are 50 different individual systems, all brought together into one functioning ecosystem.” Van Wingerden also claims that using sunlight and natural airflows reduces their carbon footprint by 90% over most indoor facilities. What distinguishes SunMed Cannabis from indoor growers? “It’s the sun,” Van Wingerden says. “Absolutely. We believe the
sunlight gives a much better flavor profile, with terpenes, smells, look . . . I’m telling you what people are telling me.” (Van Wingerden does not consume Cannabis—”I like beer,” he says, laughing.) “And the sun is curative. You feel good when you’re in the sun. Where does mold and mildew grow? Dark corners. We don’t have them. The sun cleans it up!” When it comes to strain selection, Van Wingerden and his team are constantly experimenting. “We’ve gone on a massive phenotype hunt. Our current big sellers are Lemon Skunk, Guice, and Ghost Chem. Those are our superstars.” Touring the expansive facility, it’s impressive to see how the pieces fit together. The 60,000 square foot greenhouse is divided nine zones, and the plants literally roll through each zone on platforms, shifting to the next zone every week as they mature. I can’t help but think of the little plastic puzzles I used to have as a kid, where you had to slide around little squares to match them up. Each week provides a new harvest, so there’s never any downtime, just a constant cycle of germination and growth. And even on an overcast February afternoon, it’s bright inside, airy, open, and full of mixed Cannabis aromas. It feels, well . . . natural. Over the next five years, SunMed plans to add an additional 300,000 square feet of greenhouses and to begin growing outdoors. “I think Maryland may be tough to grow outside. Such hot, humid summers. But we’ll see.” And that’s something plenty of Marylanders would like to see, too—Cannabis flowering in the open air. No greenhouse necessary. SUNMEDGROWERS.COM
WRITER & PHOTOS By MICHAEL HUGHES
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CONCENTRATE OF THE MONTH
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V
GROWN AND PROCESSED BY VERANO Breeder: 303 Seeds Aspen OG x High Country Diesel 87% cannabinoids, 3.5% terpenes
MAR. 2019
enturing back to the roots of dab culture in a time before terps, we would have been lucky to buy shatter anywhere near this quality. Verano’s G6 “sunrock shatter” is an absolute fire example of modern hydrocarbon extraction. Shiny, golden, and free of impurities, this oil is as stable as a rock but still fragile like glass—a consistency which makes it a bit difficult to use for new patients. If it gives you trouble, try pressing the oil with a low-temp hair straightener to give it more surface area (make sure the oil is “taco’d” in parchment paper before you press it, and once the oil is flattened you will have an easier time dabbing). Opening the jar and unfolding the parchment you will see a hardened, glossed-over golden sap, and if you’ve smoked Verano’s G6 flower before you already know the levels of flavor that reside in this young sunrock. If you are looking to enter the realm of concentrates, any of the Verano sunrock shatter would be a great place to start, and if you are unsure of which strain, just try a gram of flower and find your favorite. Not only does the flavor and aroma from the G6 flower still shine through, you will feel a much more potent high. Clearheaded, with bright waves of energy and an amazing fuel-like, sweet earth flavor, this has me reaching for my torch again and again. A great uplifting and energizing high, perfect to get your day going right after breakfast.
“NOT ONLY DOES THE FLAVOR AND AROMA FROM THE G6 FLOWER STILL SHINE THROUGH, YOU WILL FEEL A MUCH MORE POTENT HIGH.” DISPENSED BY: BLAIR WELLNESS
WRITER By SPENCER IMBACH & PHOTOS By WYATT EARLY
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