# 6 | F E B . 2 02 1
THE ENLIGHTENED VOICE
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INDEPENDENT CANNABIS JOURNALISM SINCE 2010
#06
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This month, The Leaf debates pharmaceutical pot.
ERIC KAYNE
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Leaf Nation’s Tom Bowers on why Cannabis is essential
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BAILEY JONSON
stoner owner
ADOBE
28 Connor Sheffield
Teenage NASCAR hopeful driven to fight for widespread access to Cannabis medicine.
44 Eddy Lepp | Cannthropology Northeast Leaf chats with Cannabis growing legend Eddy Lepp on the early days of his career, befriending Jack Herer, and founding The Multi-Denominational Ministry of Cannabis and Rastafari.
photo by mg imaging
FEB. 2021
EDITOR’S NOTE N AT I O N A L N E W S LOCAL NEWS PHARMACEUTICAL POT M O N S TA H J A R S BUDTENDER Q&A F R E S H LY B A K E D STRAIN OF THE MONTH THE ESSENTIAL ISSUE CONNOR’S COURAGE MOVING FOR THE PLANT T H E E V O LV I N G L O U N G E SLEEP CANNABINOID S ’ M O R E S C H O C O L AT E B A R TROPICANNA COOKIES LR C B D B AT H S O A K S R E V I E W VA L E N T I N E ’ S D AY R E C I P E S WOMEN IN WEED ALIA VOLZ ICONIC GROWER EDDY LEPP STONEY BALONEY
READ & SHARE THE FULL DIGITAL EDITION AND SEE ONLINE EXCLUSIVE FEATURES ON OUR NEW WEBSITE! >> LEAFMAGAZINES.COM ISSUU.COM/NWLEAF
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FEBRUARY 2021
N O R T H EAST
COFFEE? TEA?
HOW ABOUT WEED? CANNABIS DISPENSARIES
SHREWSBURY NOW OPEN MEDICAL & ADULT-USE
WORCESTER NOW SERVING MEDICAL & ADULT-USE
235 Hartford Turnpike Shrewsbury, MA
65 Pullman Street Worcester, MA
For more information on The Botanist locations in Shrewsbury and Worcester or to order online, please visit www.ShopBotanist.com @thebotanist.ma Please consume responsibly. This product may cause impairment and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. This product has not been analyzed or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). There is limited information on the side effects of using this product, and there may be associated health risks. Marijuana use during pregnancy and breast-feeding may pose potential harms. It is against the law to drive or operate machinery when under the influence of this product. KEEP THIS PRODUCT AWAY FROM CHILDREN. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. The impairment effects of Edibles may be delayed by two hours or more. In case of accidental ingestion, contact poison control hotline 1-800-222-1222 or 9-1-1. This product may be illegal outside of MA.
ISSUE #6 neleafmag.COM
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TOPICALS
41 FEB. 2021
The Healing Rose delivers with the essential combination of CBD and relaxation.
REVIEW & PHOTOS by BAILEY JONSON @BADMSBAILEY for NORTHEAST LEAF
N O RT H W E S T L E A F / O R EG O N L E A F / A L AS KA L E A F / M A RY L A N D L E A F / CA L I F O R N I A L E A F /
A B O U T T H E C OV E R What is more essential than Cannabis? At the heart of our magazine this month is the utility knife-like nature of this miracle medicine. We looked to Massachusettsbased illustrator Mike Curato to bring to life our concept for a Swiss Army amalgamation of tools one might need for their Cannabis world. Curato is an illustrator and author of children’s books and is most well known for his Little Elliot series. “The cover artwork,” says Curato, “was drawn with pencil and paper and colored digitally (while perhaps having an edible).” His recently released debut young adult graphic novel “Flamer” has been met with critical acclaim. Learn more at mikecurato.com.
ART by MIKE CURATO @MIKE_CURATO
PUBLISHER
CONTRIBUTORS
WES ABNEY | FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
KELLY BJORK, ILLUSTRATION BOBBY BLACK, FEATURES JOSHUA BOULET, ILLUSTRATION TOM BOWERS, FEATURES MIKE CURATO, ILLUSTRATION EARLY, PRODUCTION STEVE ELLIOTT, NATIONAL NEWS BAILEY JONSON, FEATURES + PHOTOS ERIC KAYNE, PHOTOS BOBBY NUGGZ, FEATURES JEFF PORTERFIELD, DESIGN MIKE RICKER, FEATURES MEGHAN RIDLEY, EDITING O’HARA SHIPE, FEATURES PACER STACKTRAIN, FEATURES JAMIE VICTOR, ILLUSTRATION NATE WILLIAMS, REVIEWS BRUCE & LAURIE WOLF, RECIPES
WES@NWLEAF.COM
SENIOR EDITORS MIKE GIANAKOS | DAN VINKOVETSKY
MIKEG@NELEAFMAG.COM DAN@NELEAFMAG.COM 844-4NELEAF
CREATIVE DIRECTOR DANIEL BERMAN | VISUALS & DESIGN
DANIEL@BERMANPHOTOS.COM
DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY PETE THOMPSON
PETE@NELEAFMAG.COM
SALES DIRECTOR MICHAEL CZERHONIAK
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Editor’s Note Thanks for picking up our first Essential Issue of the Leaf! 2020 WILL go down in history for a lot of reasons, but one shining moment is the day that San Francisco declared Cannabis as essential business during the first COVID shutdown. Out of all the highs and lows in my decade of Cannabis publishing, that was the first moment I truly believed Cannabis would become completely legal in my lifetime.
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To understand this sentiment, let me unpack the statement: Being deemed essential means that Cannabis is necessary for tax revenue, jobs, medicine and recreation. It also paves the way for the right to grow Cannabis as a constitutionally protected liberty – the right to pursue happiness and health, as intended by our forefaFROM MY DESK thers who crafted the laws that govern our great country. IN SEATTLE, POT IS STILL
ILLEGAL From my desk in Seattle, pot is still illegal to grow without a TO GROW commercial license. It’s also a felony to have more than 40 grams of flower in Washington state, and there are no protections for pa- WITHOUT A COMMERCIAL tients, parents, employees or drivers who choose to use Cannabis LICENSE. safely. To me, that is not legal – it’s simply regulated and taxed for the purpose of control, not part of an essential liberty that citizens intended when they voted for “legalization” without reading the fine print.
Having lived under the shadow of fake legalization for years, hearing that pot was being declared essential gave me hope that it would lead to people standing up for their rights – and working together to free our plant for all purposes and backyards. And since that sunny day in the Bay when dispensaries were allowed to reopen the Cannabis industry, we’ve seen huge growth and newfound acceptance, as well as five new states joining the recreational and medicinal movement to bring much needed relief to their citizens in the 2020 elections. Cannabis is essential to so many lives, in so many ways, that it really is the Swiss Army knife of plants. Even if you aren’t in pain or struggling, go smoke a fatty and you will likely feel better. And feeling better is essential to us emerging from the pandemic as a more grateful, connected and stoned society. I hope you enjoy our exploration of how Cannabis is essential, and how we see change that brings it closer to legal with each passing day. Thank you for reading and sharing our special plant!
-Wes Abney FEB. 2021
NELEAFMAG.COM
We are creators of targeted, independent Cannabis journalism. Please email us to discuss advertising in the next issue of Northeast Leaf Magazine. We do not sell stories or coverage. We can offer design services and guidance on promoting your company’s medicinal, recreational, commercial or industrial Cannabis business, product or event within our magazine and on our website, neleafmag.com. Email michael@neleafmag.com for more info on supporting and advertising with us!
WES
N O RT H E AS T L E A F
NATIONAL NEWS
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northwest
OREGON SALES TOP $1 BILLION IN 2020
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regon adult-use Cannabis sales soared in 2020, peaking despite a challenging summer of COVID-19 lockdowns and racial justice protests, reports the AP. The state’s marijuana merchants logged a record year of business, according to numbers from the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, which oversees Cannabis sales in the state. Total marijuana sales in Oregon jumped from $795 million to more than $1 billion – $1,110,520,723, to be precise – for the year 2020. Adult-use Cannabis sales skyrocketed in March when Gov. Kate Brown instituted a pandemic-related stay-at-home order and other restrictions. Sales numbers spiked 20 percent that month and stayed robust all year. In May, Cannabis sales in Oregon topped $100 million for the first time ever. Sales then topped $100 million in each of the three months that followed as well, peaking at $106 million in July. west coast
CALIFORNIA SEES NO RISE IN FREQUENCY OF CANNABIS USE BY YOUNG ADULTS POST-LEGALIZATION
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dult-use legalization in California isn’t associated with any increase in the frequency of Cannabis use by young adults, according to data published in the scientific journal Addictive Behaviors, reports NORML. Researchers with the University of California at San Diego examined Cannabis use patterns among 563 young adults (18-24) in California in the years immediately prior to and following enactment of legalization. “Contrary to our expectations, frequency of marijuana use did not change significantly after legalization and was stable throughout three years of observation,” the study’s authors wrote.
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years passed between the federal legalization of hemp and the finalized federal regulations on the crop.
FEB. 2021
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medical marijuana bills were introduced by Neb. lawmakers in the January session.
east coast
MARYLAND CANNABIS WORKERS WILL RECEIVE COVID-19 VACCINE PRIORITY GOV. CUOMO
LEGALIZATION
NEW YORK EYES LEGAL CANNABIS
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ov. Andrew Cuomo has announced a proposal to legalize Cannabis for adult use in New York as part of the 2021 State of the State address he began on January 11. “IT WOULD HAVE A BIGGER New York would join 15 other states to IMPACT ON THE UPSTATE legalize adult-use marijuana, including ECONOMY THAN THE neighbors Massachusetts and New Jersey, CRAFT BEER INDUSTRY DOES,” and Vermont in the Northeast. “It would have a bigger impact on the upstate economy than the craft beer industry does,” said Allan Gandelman, president of the New York Cannabis Growers and Processors Association. “If this is done correctly, we will see a billion dollars in total revenue for the adult-use program in the first full year of operating in New York state.” According to Gandelman, the biggest factors will be the types and number of licenses was added, acreages allowed for cultivation and taxation levels.
sports
UFC’S KNOCKOUT BLOW FOR POSITIVE CANNABIS TESTS
U
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percent more Cannabis was bought by Americans in 2020 than in 2019.
east coast
NEW HAMPSHIRE ADVOCATES CONTINUE LEGALIZATION EFFORT
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FC announced on January 14 a formal change to its anti-doping policy, making Cannabis OK for in-competition fighters, reports CBS Sports. The only time athletes would be punished for using Cannabis or cannabinoids would be if “additional evidence exists that an athlete used it intentionally for performanceenhancing purposes.” “While we want to continue to prevent athletes from competing under the influence of marijuana, we have learned that urinary levels of carboxy-THC are highly variable after out-of-competition use and have poor scientific correlation to in-competition impairment,” said UFC Senior Vice President Jeff Novitzky. “The bottom line is that in regard to marijuana, we care about what an athlete consumed the day of a fight, not days or weeks before a fight, which has often been the case in our historic positive THC cases,” Novizky said.
percent of all drug arrests between 2010 and 2018 in Indiana were for Cannabis possession.
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annabis workers in Maryland will be placed at the top of the list for COVID-19 vaccinations, alongside healthcare providers, reports Ganjapreneur. The move further underlines the “essential” designation that Cannabis businesses and employees received when the pandemic began last year. The Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission alerted the more than 130 licensed Cannabis companies across the state that their workers will be eligible for Phase 1A of the state’s tiered vaccine distribution plan, reports the Baltimore Business Journal.
annabis advocates are continuing their push to legalize adult-use marijuana in New Hampshire, but the effort faces a forbidding path in the GOP-controlled Legislature, reports The Center Square. A bipartisan bill filed in the N.H. House of Representatives in January would, if approved, legalize adult-use Cannabis for those 21-and-older and set up a system of regulation and taxation that would allow retail sales. “The battle continues,” said Rep. Rebecca McWilliams, a Democrat from Concord who is a primary sponsor of the bill. “We keep refining it and negotiating it and trying to come up with something that could potentially get to the two-thirds vote needed to override the governor’s veto.” Republican Gov. Chris Sununu is a firm opponent of legalization.
2,392 new Cannabis cultivation permits were issued by Oklahoma, surpassing California by 88 licenses.
$18.4m was the amount of money paid to Irwin Simon of Aphria, the highest-paid Cannabis CEO in Canada, in 2019.
By STEVE ELLIOTT, AUTHOR OF THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK OF MARIJUANA
LOCAL NEWS
What Happens to a Pot Plan Deferred? Photo by Lucas Fonseca
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ew Jersey legislators and Gov. Phil Murphy are in a stalemate over the state’s marijuana laws. Lawmakers approved bills decriminalizing Cannabis and establishing the legal framework for the state’s adult-use marijuana market over a month ago but in a surprise move, the governor has refused to sign the bills into law. The holdup centers on Murphy’s insistence on adding penalties for underage Cannabis use. The governor announced he would not sign either the decriminalization or legalization bills, which he considers companion legislation, until lawmakers drafted a “cleanup” bill that specified punishments for minors possessing pot. “This was never about legalizing marijuana for our kids,” Murphy said. In an effort to preserve months of work on the Cannabis bills, legislators acquiesced and added penalties to a new bill. The new measure set fines for underage possession (people 18 to 20 years old) at $250 for up to an ounce
of marijuana and $500 for up to six ounces. Minors (under 18) caught with Cannabis would be sent to a juvenile justice court. However, in another surprise (but righteous) move, shortly after the “cleanup” bill was drafted, several state representatives pulled their support and a vote for the new measure was cancelled. Lawmakers objected to adding penalties for pot possession to a legalization bill, and many felt that the change would disproportionately affect the communities of color that have suffered the most under prohibition. “The governor can’t hold legislation hostage in an effort to further target over-policed communities and place a de facto tax on poor people whose children may suffer from drug abuse and addiction. This proposal is regressive, draconian and ethically perverse,” Assemblyman Jamel Holley (D-Union) said in a statement. During his State of the State address in January, Gov. Murphy claimed, “We are on the verge of passing an innovative and groundbreaking set of laws to reform our historically unjust approach to marijuana and Cannabis.” However, after frustrations boiled over and lawmakers pulled their support for the “cleanup” bill, Sen. Nicholas Scutari (D-Union) said the Senate was done with the issue and that the governor has to sign the bill or veto it. Senate President Steve Sweeney (D) said, “The ball’s in [Murphy’s] court.” As we go to press, three weeks into January 2021, more than two months after voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment legalizing Cannabis on Election Day – which became necessary after years of disagreements in the legislature over recreational marijuana – the state remains unable to pass a Cannabis law. New Jersey politics are exhausting.
BIDEN PICKS neleaFmag.COM
PRO - POT RI GOVERNOR President Joe Biden has selected Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo to head the United States Department of Commerce.
FEB. 2021
Photo by Yash Lucid
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resident Joe Biden has selected Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo to head the United States Department of Commerce. If confirmed by the Senate, Raimondo would be in charge of overseeing the country’s economic recovery and growth in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic as commerce secretary. This is especially noteworthy because Raimondo proposed legalizing Cannabis as a plan for stimulating the economy as governor of Rhode Island. Raimondo has been outspoken about legalization, calling it “the next logical step” and working with other governors in the Northeast on a regional approach to legal pot. She’s also included legalization in her last two state budget proposals. Each time, lawmakers decided not to adopt the plan. While Cannabis has been legalized in 15 states and the District of Columbia, Raimondo’s most recent adult-use plan is unlike any current law in the country. The governor supports a state-run model for marijuana retail, instead of the privatized commercial system enacted in all adult-use states. According to Raimondo, a retail Cannabis program run by the state government would be “the most controlled way to do it, arguably the safest, and the way to maximize state revenue.” Lt. Gov. Daniel McKee recently announced that he too supports legalizing Cannabis in Rhode Island. However, McKee’s plan favors an “entrepreneurial strategy” that would leave retail pot to private industry and not the state’s government. McKee would replace Raimondo as governor if she’s confirmed as commerce secretary. Raimondo has repeatedly discussed the economic benefits of Cannabis legalization and clearly sees it as a means to address budget issues by bringing in much needed tax revenue. It remains to be seen if she would push for a similar solution at the federal level.
HEMP CBD COMING TO MASSACHUSETTS DISPENSARIES H
emp products created in Massachusetts can now be sold in the state’s Cannabis shops. The rule change is laid out in the new state budget approved by Gov. Charlie Baker. While hemp-derived CBD continues to be remarkably popular among consumers, hemp cultivators and manufacturers in Massachusetts have had a difficult time capitalizing on the trendy products, as the state had barred them from using their crops to create CBD edibles and selling those products to dispensaries. Under Massachusetts’ marijuana law, dispensaries can only purchase products that contain cannabinoids from companies licensed by the Cannabis Control Commission. The state’s Department of Agricultural Resources is responsible for licensing hemp cultivators and manufacturers. The new rules would amend the law to allow the 79 farmers and 19 processors licensed to operate in the state to sell hemp-derived CBD ingestibles (food, drinks and supplements) to dispensaries, which could lead to a windfall. Massachusetts launched its recreational retail program in 2018 with two stores initially serving the entire state. Since then, 82 additional stores have received official approval to operate in the Bay State, and another 201 rec shops are currently working through the licensing and compliance procedure. In less than two years, the state recorded $1 billion in adult-use Cannabis sales. It reached the marijuana milestone in October 2020 – just 23 months after retail sales began in November 2018.
Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton), who sponsored the budget amendment allowing sales of hemp products, explained that, “Unless this necessary first step is taken, Massachusetts hemp farmers and processors will continue to be unfairly locked out of the market here and face financial and personal ruin.” While opening up legal sales of hemp-derived CBD should provide a long-awaited boon for growers and processors, the new provision is a plus for Massachusetts dispensaries as well, as retailers will be able to provide a more affordable CBD offering to clients. And the popularity of such products ensures plenty of interest from the canna-curious and experienced consumers alike. Without federal guidance on the sale of hemp products, states have begun to adopt their own rules. In the last year, more than a dozen states have OK’d the sale of hemp-derived CBD through licensed dispensaries, including New York, Colorado and Illinois. Like Massachusetts, New York recently lifted its ban on hemp CBD in consumables. However, potency caps and other restrictions make the Empire State’s rules regarding hemp-derived products among the strictest in the country.
Photo by Elsa Olofsson
N H LA W M AK E RS KEEP LEGALIZATION DREAM ALIVE Photo by Elsa Olofsson
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embers of the New Hampshire House of Representatives have filed a bill that would legalize Cannabis and establish retail sales in the state. The measure would allow for possession of up to an ounce of marijuana, as well as home cultivation of up to six plants. Unfortunately, pro-pot legislation introduced in the New Hampshire House is unlikely to become law as the Senate and Gov. Chris Sununu (R) oppose Cannabis legalization. Rep. Rebecca McWilliams (D-Concord), the primary sponsor of the adultuse bill, understands the difficulty in passing a recreational pot law – still, she continues the fight. “We keep refining it and negotiating and trying to come up with something that could potentially get to the two-thirds vote needed to override the governor’s veto,” McWilliams said. However, supporters of the legalization bill will find those votes
difficult to come by after Republicans retook control of the Legislature in the last election. A recreational Cannabis bill passed the Democrat-controlled House in 2014, but didn’t make it out of the Senate. Since then, legislation to legalize marijuana has been introduced every year to no avail. Despite polling that indicates nearly 70 percent of residents favor legalization, progress in reforming marijuana laws has been slow in New Hampshire. In 2013, the state became the last in New England to legalize medical Cannabis. And, while adult-use efforts have failed to gain traction in New Hampshire, neighboring states Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont have all legalized. The Granite State could be the lone holdout in the region as Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York all push for recreational pot in 2021.
STORIES by MIKE GIANAKOS @MIKEGEEZEEY
LOCAL NEWS
>> Continued from pg. 11
VAPE CARTRIDGES WORTH MILLIONS DESTROYED ON VIDEO A
Massachusetts marijuana company destroyed 40,000 vape cartridges valued at $2.6 million. And the demolition was filmed, so you can watch the Cannabis carnage from multiple angles. Some readers may be inclined to look away, horrified by the idea of destroying precious pot products. However, the firm behind the stunt, Temescal Wellness – with locations in Framingham, Hudson and Pittsfield – says it was acting in the best interest of its customers. Prior to the quarantines caused by the coronavirus pandemic beginning in the spring of 2020, vape cartridges were subject to their own quarantine in Massachusetts following the vaping lung illness outbreak in 2019 (EVALI). Gov. Charlie Baker banned vape sales in September 2019 and weed regulators called for a quarantine of all Cannabis-infused vape cartridges in November. While the vape ban ended after several months, the state’s Cannabis Control Commission waited until August 2020 to lift the quarantine and allow cartridges produced before December 12, 2019 to be sold, after being tested for vitamin E acetate (the likely cause of the outbreak) and
heavy metal content. The cartridges demolished by Temescal Wellness were quarantined vapes that had been shelved for months and produced over a year ago. According to a press release, the company felt the cartridges no longer met their quality standards and made the decision to destroy all 40,000 in spectacular fashion (at a rate of approximately 2,000 an hour). The EVALI outbreak took a toll on the vape market, even after sales resumed in early 2020. Temescal Wellness VP of Sales and Marketing Linda Katz told masslive.com that vape sales were down 24 percent as of August 2020. Meanwhile, sales of edibles and concentrates were on the rise and purchases of flower remained steady, according to Katz. Naturally, it will take time for the market to regain its confidence in vape products. In the meantime, if you’d like to see $2.6 million of Cannabis concentrate cartridges ground up in slow motion and set to music, head over to ma.temescalwellness.com and click the “Vape Ban Cartridges Gone for Good” story in their blog section. Of course, if you’d rather remember these Cannabis carts intact, we understand entirely.
12 Photo by Thorn Yang
PURSUING POT
neleaFmag.COM
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onnecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) stressed his support for legalization during his State of the State address in early January. Lamont has consistently stumped for pot as governor of Connecticut, and presented his case for Cannabis to residents in last year’s State of the State and in a 2019 budget address. In this year’s speech, Lamont pledged to work with the General Assembly on an adult-use plan for 2021. However, pro-legalization lawmakers have repeatedly failed to push a tax and regulate bill through the legislature, including a measure Democrats introduced on the governor’s behalf last year. Still, Lamont is convinced that the time is right for legal Cannabis in Connecticut, citing tax revenue and new jobs the industry could create as essential for the cash strapped state. A recent report by the Connecticut Center for Economic Analysis estimates that retail marijuana could bring in up to $223 million in tax revenue by the fifth year of the program and create more than 17,000 jobs in that timeframe. The pressure is on for Connecticut to implement a tax and regulate plan and begin collecting revenue, as nearby Massachusetts and New Jersey have already legalized, and New York and Rhode Island are pushing to advance adult-use legislation in 2021. “I am working with our neighboring states … as well as the legislature on legalization of marijuana,” Gov. Lamont said in his State of the State Address. “Legalized marijuana [is] happening all around us. Let’s not surrender these opportunities to out-of-state markets or, even worse, underground markets.”
FEB. 2021
In Connecticut
Photo by Brianna Martinez
RETAIL ON THE RISE IN MAINE Photo by Nathan Dumlao
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aine’s adult-use marijuana program is gaining traction. At the start of legal sales, recreational Cannabis customers faced obstacles including a shortage of licensed retailers and purchasing limits resulting from a lack of adequate supply. However, three months into the program, it’s clear the state’s legal pot market has grown. The Office of Marijuana Policy, which is responsible for overseeing Maine’s marijuana industry, reported that retail sales have increased each month since the program’s debut in October 2020, despite operating during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. That first month saw more than $1 million in sales, followed by over $1.2 million in November and almost $2 million in December. Unsurprisingly, Maine’s adult-use businesses have also grown since the program launched. Sales kicked off with six licensed pot shops servicing the entire state. There are now 15 retail stores, 16 cultivation facilities and nine
Is It Finally
New York’s Turn?
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ew York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is again proposing a legalization plan for the state. In what has become an annual event, Cuomo will put forward details of a plan to tax and regulate marijuana in a budget proposal for the third year in a row. Previous attempts to legalize in New York have fallen apart in the legislature over disagreements on how to spend potential tax revenue generated by Cannabis.
Photo by Jeffrey Czum
manufacturers in Maine, and regulators continue to issue licenses to keep up with demand. While the recreational industry is growing, it is still dwarfed by the state’s more established medical Cannabis program. Medical sales accounted for $22 million in October 2020 alone, compared to just over $1 million in retail sales. And the medical pot program is growing during COVID, too. From January through October 2020, Maine’s medical marijuana sales reached $221.8 million – more than double the $109.2 million in medical sales reported for all of 2019. Marijuana has become the most valuable crop in Maine thanks largely to medical Cannabis sales. Maine voters approved a plan to tax and regulate Cannabis in 2016. After a delay of nearly four years, sales began on October 9, 2020. Regulators reported roughly 6,400 transactions over retail pot’s opening three-day weekend, which brought in $250,000 in sales.
Still, the governor is confident that New York will enact a new Cannabis policy in 2021, citing the pressure to act created by legalization efforts in Massachusetts and New Jersey, as well as the state’s growing deficit – which has been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic and has reached a whopping $15 billion. Experts believe the Empire State will bring in approximately $300 million a year in marijuana tax revenue when an adult-use retail program is up and running. In addition to the economic benefits of legalization, Cuomo spoke to reporters about the urgent need for marijuana-law reform in communities of color. During a press briefing, the governor said, “I think too many people have been imprisoned and incarcerated and punished … Too many of those people are Black, Latino and poor. It’s exaggerated the injustice of the justice system.” Cuomo also announced that his plan would offer support for “those that have been most harmed by decades of failed Cannabis prohibition” through social equity programs, including “licensing opportunities and assistance to entrepreneurs in communities of color who have been disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs.” Photo by Sharon McCutcheon In addition to Cuomo’s proposal, state senators in New York introduced their own bill to legalize Cannabis. The legislation, filed by Sen. Liz Krueger and 18 cosponsors, would allow adults 21 and older to buy Cannabis and grow up to six plants. Like Cuomo, Sen. Krueger has long pursued pot policy reform for New York. The new bill is her fifth attempt at legalization since 2013. This year, Democrats have a supermajority in the Senate, giving them more influence over policy should the governor not see eye to eye with the legislature on a tax and regulate plan.
STORIES by MIKE GIANAKOS @MIKEGEEZEEY
PERSPECTIVES
JOINT/COUNTERJOINT THIS MONTH, THE LEAF DEBATES...PHARMACEUTICAL POT
Counterjoint? Are you with Joint or on the issue of Where do you stand and style pharmaceutical-scale methods? d an g win Cannabis gro t oin erj int tCo oin #J
Each month, we task two Leaf Nation contributors to debate both sides of a controversial subject. As with all debates, these are assigned positions that are being defended for the sake of an argument and education, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the writer, our staff, or our organization.
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neleafmag.COM
While the average stoner is drooling over the Weedmaps menu in legal states, big pharma has been plotting their profit-driven takeover of pot for the last 20 years.
Should we turn our natural plant over to the same big pharma JOINT BY WES ABNEY companies that poisoned our country for profit with opiates and massive overprescription of pills? I say no!
The future of Cannabis medicines will certainly involve science – so don’t take me for a “whole plant and nothing but the plant” type of activist. After all, I love getting scientifically processed and purged concentrates that are tested for harmful pesticides and chemicals, which produces a much tastier product than the open-blasted BHO of my Cannabis youth. But we must not let our quest for safer products lead to handing control of our plant over to either government regulators or big pharma. Cannabis has been consumed by humans for thousands of years, and many states are still fighting to have access to Cannabis medicine, let alone getting baked recreationally. While the average stoner is drooling over the Weedmaps menu in legal states, big pharma has been plotting their profit-driven takeover of pot for the last 20 years. Need proof? Google Sativex – GW Pharmaceuticals’ attempt to patent and control Cannabis medicine in the UK and beyond, with a terrible synthetic version of a tincture that can be made in any home kitchen. There’s also the Phylos BioScience betrayal of thousands of growers – who submitted their genetics to learn about their plants’ lineage – but later learned Phylos was harvesting information to submit patents and had ties to big pharma money. Their goal? To create genetically modified plants that can be grown with minimal human contact. Personally, I want to smoke GMO (Grandpa’s Mouth Odor) flower, not genetically modified garbage from a mega-grow. We’ve proven in the last decade that Cannabis provides incredible benefits naturally, whether by smoking the flower, vaporizing concentrates, eating edibles or extracts like FECO, or through topicals and transdermals. There are thousands of high-end products that are produced naturally, with love, by a human being paid to get their hands dirty as they grow our favorite plant. Do we need big pharma to change this? Absolutely not. We should free the plant for all people to grow and share, not regulate it further and take it out of the soil and the hands of farmers. You can make nearly every product necessary for a medicinal treatment in your kitchen, and anything you can’t is readily available from a focused, local craft producer. That is freedom – choosing our own medicine, who makes it, and with an intention to heal – not just profit.
FEB. 2021
COUNTERJOINT BY TOM BOWERS There’s a simple beauty in being able to plant a seed and grow your own medicine.
As homegrown, plant-based therapy, Cannabis provides safe, clean relief for millions of people. But not everyone can grow their own Cannabis plants. In fact, most people can’t – and those people rely on increasingly larger companies to produce their medicine. Cannabis continues to transform from homegrown medicine into large-scale industry, and as more and more consumers come to rely on its benefits for their lives, it’s a foregone conclusion that the modern pharmaceutical and medical industry will play a role in this growth. It’s already happening. While this development will bring its share of complicated downsides – these are the same people accountable for the opioid crisis, after all – there are upsides to the situation. When it comes to When it comes to medicine, a few indispensable traits come to medicine, a few mind: It needs to be clean. It needs to be consistent. It needs to be indispensable traits precisely dosed. It needs to be widely available. come to mind: It needs to The modern pharmaceutical industry already has the infrabe clean. It needs to be consistent. It needs to be structure, distribution channels, standards and processes to meet precisely dosed. It needs these criteria. Their labs are among the most clean, controlled to be widely available. environments on the planet – and they are accustomed to producing and distributing billions of precisely dialed doses of their medicines globally, with an efficiency so ingrained that it almost seems effortless. Imagine what that level of organization could do for bringing Cannabis medicine to people all over the globe... Sure, there are glaring downsides. In a bloodthirsty quest for shareholder value, the pharmaceutical industry will attempt to patent genetics and processes, seek to outlaw home cultivation, and will no doubt try to force their own, proprietary synthetic cannabinoid blends on the public. It’s like that person you work with who’s amazing at their job, but is also a complete asshole. We will have to learn to work with the modern medical industry before we get to where we’re going – that’s unavoidable. We need to be creative and unwavering in our fight for the plant and the rights of the people who rely on it, and at the same time, try to reap the benefits of infrastructure provided by a monolithic global capitalistic behemoth – without being destroyed in the process. Easy-peasy.
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A DEBATE by WES ABNEY @BEARDEDLORAX & TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS/LEAF NATION
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stoner owner
NORTHEAST
Joe Souza + Wendy McQuade I Think I’ve Created a Monstah Studios
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Monstah Jars
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JOE, TELL US HOW YOU BECAME AN ARTIST AND SCULPTOR? WHERE DO YOU DRAW YOUR INSPIRATION FROM? I really can’t
As a horror and monster flicks fanatic, I immediately took a liking to the handcrafted products from local artists and power couple, Joe Souza and Wendy McQuade of I Think I’ve Created a Monstah Studios out of Tiverton, Rhode Island. Joe’s Monstah Jar’s are cool and multi-purpose, becoming a favorite among Cannabis enthusiasts in our local community and continue to gain popularity. We spoke to the two owners behind the studio to catch a glimpse into their world of imagination.
remember a time when I didn’t want to become an artist. When I was a child my father was always working on some kind of art project, and then sold his work at arts and crafts shows. Art supplies were always something readily available to me. I grew up in the ‘80s, so monster and horror movies were a staple for inspiration – as well as an ample supply of comic books. You could almost always find me reading comics or watching Godzilla-type movies while drawing the characters. Originally, I wanted to make scary horror movie-type monsters, but they kept coming out whimsical and cartoony. I learned to embrace that over the years, and it has evolved to what I do now. I make ‘monstahs’ that make people smile, instead of making them afraid. YOU’VE BEEN DOING THIS A LONG TIME – WHAT’S IT BEEN LIKE TO SEE CANNABIS BECOME MORE NORMALIZED AND ACCEPTED MAINSTREAM? Growing up in the ‘Just Say No’
era definitely implanted the stigma that society put on Cannabis users, whether recreational or medical. I had been a registered medical marijuana grower since 2007, so I had a lot of Mason jars sitting around. A few years back when I developed the Monstah jars, initially I didn’t want to market them as ‘weed jars.’ I thought it would negatively affect people’s interpretation of my work. It wasn’t until we started vending at Comic Cons and craft shows when we noticed that the majority of people buying the Monstahs were using them to store their marijuana – whether they said it proud and loud in Massachusetts, or whispered it quietly in the
FEB. 2021
still-illegal states. I kept turning down a lot of offers to do Cannabis-themed shows, until I decided to try out the 2018 Harvest Cup in Worcester, Mass. That show was a huge success – and not just monetarily. Connecting with people in the Cannabis industry and seeing the professionalism that now exists showed me that I should be marketing these in the place they belong, not the market I was in. YOU AND WENDY ARE A POWER COUPLE AND EACH HAVE YOUR OWN STYLE. CAN YOU GIVE US AN IDEA OF HOW THE CREATIVE PROCESS WORKS TOGETHER? Wendy has been super supportive of my art and immediately
jumped right in to help. She started with menial tasks such as papermache application and painting on base coats. Over the years she’s learned all of the various techniques used in the Monstah-making process. She’s since designed and introduced pendants to our growing line of Monstahs, which have been quite popular! She also paints all of the glass eyes and sculpts a lot of the smaller pieces, which gives me more time to concentrate on the more intricate ones. SHOWS AND EXPOS HAVE TO BE A LOT OF FUN – DO YOU REGULARLY VEND OR SHOWCASE YOUR ARTWORK? SINCE WE CAN’T GATHER RIGHT NOW, HAVE YOU BEEN UTILIZING SOCIAL MEDIA MORE FOR MARKETING? Well, in the
pre-COVID days, we would try to vend at two to three shows per month, whether they be art shows, Comic Cons or Cannabis events. We have traveled up and down the East Coast from Maine to Georgia selling Monstahs at various shows. After every show we would see an uptick in our social media followers and custom orders. The physical shows that increased our audience then made it easier for us to sell online once COVID-19 cancelled in-person events. Luckily, we have been able to stay pretty busy with custom work through the shutdown, but we have been utilizing social media to keep our fanbase updated with current and future works, as well as to stay relevant. We will always prefer physical shows so we can interact with people and answer the many questions they have, but watching how people react to seeing our work is our favorite part of doing what we do.
Monstah Jars | IThinkIveCreatedaMonstah.com @JASouza3 | Facebook.com/JASouzaIII A Stoner Owner is a Cannabis business owner who has a relationship with the plant. We want to buy and smoke Cannabis from companies that care about their products, employees and the plant. You wouldn’t buy food from a restaurant where the cooks don’t eat in the kitchen, so why buy corporate weed grown by a company only concerned with profits? Stoner Owner approval means a company cares, and we love weed grown with care. Let’s retake our culture and reshape a stigma by honoring those who grow, process and sell the best Cannabis possible.
“WE NOTICED THAT THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE BUYING THE MONSTAHS WERE USING THEM TO STORE THEIR MARIJUANA – WHETHER THEY SAID IT PROUD AND LOUD IN MASSACHUSETTS, OR WHISPERED IT QUIETLY IN THE STILL-ILLEGAL STATES.”
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INTERVIEW by BOBBY NUGGZ @BOBBYNUGGZ_OFFICIAL | PHOTOS by BAILEY JONSON @BADMSBAILEY
INTERVIEW
W H O ’ S YOU R FAVO R I T E B U D T E N D E R ? T E L L U S W H Y ! E M A I L N O M I N AT I O N S T O D A N @ N E L E A F M A G . CO M
SAM EPSTEIN NORTHEAST LEAF BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH
Twenty-three-year-old Sam Epstein works as a patient advisor at Panacea Wellness in Middleborough, Mass. Sam got involved with medical Cannabis through his struggle with Crohn’s Disease and is the Panacea in-house expert on Tikun Olam products.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD PATIENT ADVISOR?
The ability to empathize and relate to someone’s current state in life. It is important to understand that everyone reacts differently to the consumption of marijuana products. Whether or not you’re a lifetime pot smoker or brand new to the ‘tropical cabbage,’ it can mean the world to have someone there to look a little deeper into what would be right for you. I pride myself on my ability to introduce/re-introduce people to Cannabis in a way that will support their lifestyle.
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WHAT IS YOU R FAVORITE THING ABOUT WORKING AT PANACEA WELLNESS?
The atmosphere at Panacea Wellness is what fuels my positive energy. Everyone who works at Panacea sees this opportunity as more than a ‘job’ – it’s a way for us to touch each and every person’s life as they dive into what might be a lifetime hobby, or a means for a healthier wellbeing.
WHAT ARE YOU R RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FIRST-TIME CANNABIS USERS?
I always recommend that first-time Cannabis users take a step back and look at the fundamentals of smoking. These days the technology and different methods of consuming marijuana can be overwhelming to some. If they’re able and willing to smoke, I recommend that they try smoking a little flower, either in a bowl or a joint. I consider these the traditional methods, and they are very simple to start before moving onto other methods like eating edibles, vaporizing, dabbing, etc.
TELL ME ABOUT BEING THE IN-HOUSE TIKUN OLAM EXPERT AT PANACEA WELLNESS?
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Representing Tikun Olam means the world to me. Being able to share the knowledge about the company’s goals and innovations through their years of research on the benefits of their flowers gives me an immense amount of pride.
“THE ATMOSPHERE AT PANACEA WELLNESS IS WHAT FUELS MY POSITIVE ENERGY.”
IF YOU COULD GET BLAZED WITH ANY FIGURE FROM HISTORY, WHO WOULD IT BE?
Louis Armstrong, because jazz was my first love. Most don’t know that during the Roaring ‘20s and the boom of jazz, musicians like Armstrong were introducing marijuana into the mainstream population. Jazz brought people of all cultures together to enjoy the little things. Today we are still trying to do the same thing, and working in this industry is how I am contributing. Being able to smoke with Louis Armstrong and share what the world of Cannabis and music has progressed into is the dream.
PANACEA WELLNESS | PANACEAWELLNESS.COM | @PANACEA_MA 29 HARDING STREET MIDDLEBOROUGH, MA | (508) 738-4833
FEB. 2021
INTERVIEW by DAN VINKOVETSKY @DANNYDANKOHT/NORTHEAST LEAF | PHOTO by PANACEA WELLNESS
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company profile
FRESHLY
BAKED
20
neleafmag.COM
Freshly Baked Company, one of the newest Veteranowned Cannabis businesses in Massachusetts, is blazing the trail and redefining what it means to be essential. With a business
plan that includes a delivery service and state-of-the art police security technology, Cannabis customers everywhere can rest assured that they will get their hands on top quality infused goodies brought straight to their door. We visited with owners Phil Smith and Jenny Roseman during a tour of the operation to learn firsthand about their industry innovation, expansion plans and personal motivations.
FEB. 2021
“In the future, we’ll be partnering with local bakeries to produce Cannabis-infused baked goods.”
TAUNTON, MASSACHUSETTS
What items will you be offering for delivery through your website? For our initial delivery launch, a customer will be able to order gummies, flower, pre-roll and various accessories. In the future, we’ll be partnering with local bakeries to produce Cannabis-infused baked goods. We’re super excited about this plan, as it allows us to bring unique products to our customers while helping local businesses expand. The Reed and Barton complex is on the National Register of Historic Places and was built in 1830. This is a 14-acre property that’s almost 200 years old! Will this be your main cultivating and manufacturing center? Yes. We strategically chose Reed and Barton to be our home for a few reasons: It has over 1 million square feet of space and this will allow us to grow as needed. Most importantly, Reed and Barton used to be a silver mill that created a lot of jobs in the community. We want to be a key tenant that creates jobs and helps to revitalize the campus – we want to pave the way for other companies to come join us at Reed and Barton! Together as a community, we know we can fill up the entire campus and create a thriving business community. How has the process been in getting this facility ready for cultivation and manufacturing? We’ve been working on Freshly Baked since 2018, so it’s definitely been a long, but rewarding process. Our friends, family and community have been a huge help, and have been tremendously supportive throughout our journey – we’re incredibly grateful to have so many wonderful people behind us. We are launching our manufacturing operations now and we’ll start working on the cultivation space later this year. How do you plan to make these deliveries? What type of regulations are required? There are very strict regulations around delivery to make sure it is safe for the customer and our delivery drivers. Our vehicles will be unmarked, with two people in the cars at all times – monitored remotely with video and GPS, as well as security within the vehicle. We focused on ensuring every aspect of the operation is safe and compliant, and are confident that our delivery operations will be a great experience for all FRESHLY BAKED COMPANY parties involved. 144 W. BRITANNIA ST. The technology we use TAUNTON, MA is made for police security FRESHLYBAKEDCOMPANY.COM by Visual Labs, Inc. and the @FRESHLYBAKEDCOMPANY equipment includes body (508) 544-0140 cameras and vehicle cameras in the cab and rear that will automatically record each transaction. These systems can be costly, but we are the first business of our kind to utilize them in this way.
Owners Phil Smith and Jenny Roseman
Are you looking to employ people in the community that are minorities and/or affected by the war on drugs? 100% – we put together an extensive positive impact plan that outlines all the ways we are going to give back to the community. First and foremost on that list is hiring great people from communities impacted by the war on drugs, Veterans, and other communities of disproportionate impact. As a social equity company, it’s important that we continue to promote diversity in the industry, provide opportunities to people Cannabis laws have harmed in the past, and support other companies who are on our same path.
STORY & PHOTOS by BAILEY JONSON @BADMSBAILEY for NORTHEAST LEAF
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THE PASS
1375 N Main St. Sheffield, MA thepass.co @thepass.co (413) 644-6892
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it e
99
THE BRIGHTNESS OF TART CITRUS IS REVEALED IN THE FIRST FEW DEEPLY INHALED HITS. STORY by DAN VINKOVETSKY @DANNYDANKOHT/NORTHEAST LEAF | PHOTO by BOBBY NUGGZ @BOBBYNUGGZ_OFFICIAL
CULTIVATED by THE PASS Upon first glance, these bright-green tight and tiny nuggets look somewhat decent, but perhaps not Instagram worthy specimens. It’s only upon further inspection that the true value within is revealed, as the frosty little buds break open to reveal many glistening glandular trichomes filled with cannabinoid-rich essential oils. Their initial earthy and musky odor gives way to a more tart and piney scent on the back end. A dry toke on a freshly rolled joint tastes slightly floral, reminiscent of freshly cut clover or wild sage. Once lit, the brightness of tart citrus is revealed in the first few deeply inhaled hits. The ground-up flowers burn evenly and cleanly to a wispy and light white ash. The high comes on strong with a sativa dominant effect along with increased appetite. After the initial onset, the quick rush wears off into a long-lasting and relaxed feeling – perfect for an extended gaming spree or a movie binge from the comfort of the couch. White 99 is renowned TESTING for her ability to effectively 25.1% thca treat depression and .18% myrcene anxiety. Patients looking to .29% limonene manage the chronic and 0.11% caryophyllene sometimes debilitating .09% linalool symptoms of these ailments should employ this strain into their reefer regimen for relief. The energetic and happy onset arrives immediately and provides a pathway through any negativity into a more focused and inspiring mindset.
CINDERELLA 99 X THE WHITE | ENERGETIC, POSITIVE
Essential!
the ESSENTIAL issue
ABOUT THE SPECIAL
Shortly after the COVID crisis careened into our lives like a flaming truck packed with irradiated skunk carcasses, something happened that no one could have predicted: Our fearful leaders declared the Cannabis industry essential to the survival of our society. Essential. That word carries weight. It shoulders everything it touches with necessary gravity.
neleafmag.COM
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For those whose lives are impacted by the plant, it can be a matter of the quality of life, and even the difference between life and death. FEB. 2021
But what does it mean to be essential? And why does the Cannabis community – until recent years the green-clad parolee at the family dinner table – suddenly merit the classification from the same governmental bodies that once sought to destroy it? Let’s start with easily measurable metrics. In 2020, the estimated employment statistic for the adult-use Cannabis industry neared 300,000, according to a July report by MJ Biz Daily. That’s up from 211,000 in 2019. That same report models those stats to hit more than half a million legally employed, tax-paying workers in the Cannabis sector by 2024. It’s a staggering figure, when you consider it only accounts for legal-market states, and doesn’t take into account employment in the unregulated Cannabis market, which is exponentially greater, but much harder to track. That’s a lot of bills paid and people fed – something this country needs, desperately. For more easily identifiable proof of the indispensability of indica, look at the money. In its first year of adult-use, Cannabis hit $1billion in combined sales in Illinois, according to figures from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. And that’s on a base of only 82 licensed dispensaries. If that seems like a huge number, look at California during the same timespan. The state clocked more than $1 billion in Cannabis tax revenue alone, according to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, from total sales estimated to exceed $5 billion. That’s a lot of cabbage. But the concept of essentialism goes beyond mere money. For those whose lives are impacted by the plant, it can be a matter of the quality of life, and even the difference between life and death. In the following pages, we explore the concept of Cannabis essentialism by taking a close look at fine details in the fabric of the grand tapestry. We speak with a teenage racecar driver and NASCAR hopeful from Maryland whose life was literally saved by Cannabis, and who pushed for legislation that improved the lives of patients all over his home state. We share the stories of individuals and families pulling up stakes and moving across the country for the promise of a career and a paycheck in the legal market. We explore the past, present and future of public consumption, the concept of cannabinoids as medicine, and CBN sleep therapy. In this, our first Essential Issue, we attempt to identify and define some of the ways in which Cannabis has become indispensable in all of our lives.
STORY by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS/LEAF NATION | PHOTO by ADOBE/WOLLERTZ
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Danny Danko teaches you everything you need to know to get growing now!
Featuring some of the most important people in the cannabis industry
Jorge Cervantes, Kyle Kushman, Tommy Chong, Aaron from DNA Genetics, Jenn Doe, Milo from Big Buddha Seeds, Swerve from The Cali Connection, Ed Rosenthal, Chemdog, Adam Dunn
Past guests include
and many more!
Growing your own marijuana can be both a liberating and political act. Former HIGH TIMES Magazine Senior Cultivation Editor and author of the book “Cannabis: A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Marijuana” Dan Vinkovetsky (Formerly known as Danny Danko) and co-host former HT Editor-in-Chief Mike Gianakos provide news, activism reports and cannabis cultivation tips for connoisseurs, aficionados and medical patients alike. Bonus: Interviews with expert growers and professional seed breeders, ‘Strain of the Fortnight’ and ganja growing questions & answers.
Follow along! @dannydankoht @mikecheckg @growbudyourself
STORY & PHOTO by DAN VINKOVETSKY @DANNYDANKOHT/NORTHEAST LEAF
the ESSENTIAL issue
Connor’s Courage Three years ago, teenage racecar driver Connor Sheffield was in a sprint for his life. Plagued since early childhood with a progressive disease that rendered him unable to digest food, Sheffield approached his 13th birthday at a withered 74 pounds.
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But his is not a tragic story. The tale of 16-year-old Sheffield is one of a young man driven to win against overwhelming opposition. It’s a story of survival, of the strength of family, and of beating the odds. It has racecars, heroic budtenders, inspiring speeches – and more racecars. And at the center of it all is Cannabis.
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DRIVEN BY A DIAGNOSIS
Sheffield and his family spent his childhood struggling with the fact that he simply couldn’t eat. “We thought it was just normal,” said Tricia Sheffield, Connor’s mom. “You know, like someone has acid reflux or something. But as Connor got older, things just kept getting progressively worse.” Connor wasn’t thriving and despite their best efforts, the experts at esteemed medical facilities couldn’t offer hope. The doctors at Boston Children’s Hospital diagnosed him with Gastrointestinal Motility Pseudo Obstruction and Dysphagia, a progressive disease that has no cure or treatment plan. In and out of the hospital, he underwent several procedures and had to have portions of his bowels removed. He had to be put on a feeding tube and when that stopped working, he had to be fed intravenously. Sheffield couldn’t find hope. Then, at the age of nine, his parents suggested racing. “When I was younger, I played baseball, I played football, I was going to get into lacrosse,” Sheffield said.
FEB. 2021
“But because my medical conditions were getting worse and worse, I couldn’t perform. I couldn’t participate. We didn’t know that racing required a lot of strength and endurance – so we got into it, and then we found out.” In a life marked by fatigue and struggle, racing drove Sheffield forward. “I love the speed, the competition, the people you meet – everything,” said Sheffield. “I even love the stress that comes with it … There’s something about going to the track.” LIFE-SAVING MEDICINE
Though driving a racecar helped, hope sustains the mind, not the body. Racing, which was far more physically demanding than the Sheffields predicted it would be, started to take its toll. Connor considered quitting. “We thought that if he gave up on racing, that he would give up on himself,” Tricia said. It was then that a friend named Bobby Windsor directed them to his medical Cannabis dispensary in Perryville, Maryland – aptly named Nature’s Care and Wellness. “She had come to her wits end,” Windsor said of Tricia. “I just said, ‘You have to come in. You have to give it a try.’”
The Sheffields were doubtful. “At first I was against it,” Tricia said. “I didn’t think it was medicine – I thought it was a way to get high.” After Windsor’s urging and a little research, they paid a visit to the dispensary. “Connor was so sick that day, he could barely keep his head up,” Tricia said. “He was falling asleep at the table. They had someone who worked at the dispensary who also used Cannabis for (gastrointestinal) issues. They told me, ‘This is going to help him, and he’s going to get better.’ And I was like, ‘You can’t tell me that. Because he’s dying on me, and you can’t tell me that. We’ve been to hospitals and doctors all over, and they couldn’t help us. So how can you help us?’” The budtender answered their questions and the Sheffields procured a Cannabis tincture from Windsor’s shop. To hear the Sheffields and Windsor tell it, the change was miraculous. “After about 25 minutes of him taking it, he started pepping up,” Tricia said. “He was like a wilting flower and he just started coming to life. He told me he was hungry and wanted to eat.” Sheffield’s first solid meal in years was a cheeseburger. “I don’t want to say we saved his life, but it’s a good feeling,” Windsor said. “I cry every once in a while, thinking about it.”
Off the track, Connor strapped in for another contest. This time, he was fighting to allow Cannabis medicine in schools.
SURPASSING THE STIGMA
For the first month of Cannabis treatment, the Sheffields kept Connor’s medication a secret from everyone – including his doctors, for fear of backlash. “At 30 days, we brought him in and they were like, ‘Wow, he’s doing great,’” Tricia said. “And that’s when we decided to tell them that he was using medical Cannabis. They said, ‘Wow! Really? Well, whatever it is that you’re doing, we’re going to tell you to keep doing it.’” It was a turning point. “For the first three months or so, I didn’t want to believe that it was working,” Connor said. “But I felt the improvements and I saw the weight gain. And I went and saw my doctors, and then I saw them less and less, and now I only see them every six or seven months if I have issues.”
After a while, people stopped giving him sideeye at the track. The crowds and other racers have even been supportive, and Sheffield’s Crew Chief, Kris Reardon, says Connor has never been stronger. “People even secretly ask me about Cannabis and ask me how they can use it to help their medical condition,” Connor said. KEEPING CANNABIS IN THE SCHOOLS
Off the track, Connor strapped in for another contest. This time, he was fighting to allow Cannabis medicine in schools. “Whenever I felt as though I needed my medication, I would text my parents,” Connor said. “They would drive to school, take me out of class, and I’d need to walk off of school property completely, down the street, take my medication, walk back to the school, and walk back to class. It was a lot to THE WRECK THAT NEVER CAME do. It’s even a mouthful to explain.” After years of racing dirt sprint cars, Connor The situation was untenable. The Sheffields came on as a developmental driver on the CMI connected with Maryland State Senator Brian FeldMotorsports team in the NASCAR Advance Auto man, a former lawyer for the Department of Justice Part Weekly Series (late model cars). who sits on the Marijuana One would think that Cannabis could Legalization Work Group complicate Connor’s NASCAR dreams. for the State General Early on, the Sheffields recall a race Assembly. Sen. Feldman in Texas where they were forced to tape started working on MD over all of the logos for their primary HB331, a bill nicknamed sponsor, a dispensary. “Connor’s Courage,” “We just felt like people were just which would allow the waiting for Connor to wreck,” Tricia staff at public schools in said. “All eyes were on Connor that Maryland to administer Shown here racing for Mindbuzz Cannabis medicine weekend.” at Hickory Motor Speedway in Sept. Connor laughs, “I actually ended during the schoolday, 2020, Connor was recently named up doing pretty well. They didn’t know as they would with any Cannabis Patient Advocate of the what to expect. They thought I was other legal medicine. Year by Explore Maryland Cannabis. going to wreck people. They thought I “Finding a way to was going to be high.” help these kids out Ever since starting with Cannabis, Sheffield’s was the primary motive for getting into it,” Sen. strength and skills have improved significantly. Feldman said. “Connor is one of the kids to beat in the dirt Sen. Feldman introduced the Sheffields to Gil series,” Tricia said. “They come to try to beat ConGenn, a lobbyist whose office is covered with picnor. To have people look at him and think, ‘I hope tures of him rubbing elbows with the most powerful I can beat him tonight,’ that’s a great feeling.” U.S. politicians of the past 50 years.
“So I got the call from Tricia,” Genn said, “and she described Connor’s Courage, Connor’s Law, and she said, ‘We need help.’ I said, ‘It would be my honor.’” At the outset, school officials opposed the bill because they worried it would endanger their federal funding. They came up with excuses. “They said, ‘Aside from all of the Connor and Lobbyist liability issues … We have no idea Gil Genn helped pass and no training on how to give this Connor’s Law. medicine,’” Genn said. “They needed to have a task force to train on how to give drops of a tincture.” Genn said that during the hearing, he provided a list of the various medications school staffers were permitted to administer on school grounds. Then, Genn finished with a flourish – he brought in a bottle of simulated Cannabis tincture and stood there, cheekily explaining to a roomful of adults how to use a dropper. “I had people slapping their desks and laughing. It just blew them out of the water. That was the turning point, I think.” Sen. Feldman recalls another tide-shifting moment during the hearing, when a young epileptic Cannabis patient started having a seizure. “His mother put something under the child’s tongue and he calmed,” Sen. Feldman said. “It wasn’t about smoking, or pulling out a bong.” In the end, the bill passed both the House and Senate with nearly unanimous bipartisan support. “At heart, these kids had severe ailments,” Sen. Feldman said. “There was a way to help them go to school. And why would we not allow them access to something that was legal in our state?” Now, Connor and patients like him in Maryland have safe access to their essential medicine during school hours. And to think it all started with a family taking the advice of a budtender. “I am so glad that we did,” Tricia said. “I don’t know what would have happened to Connor, if I didn’t just forget what I’d been taught my whole life about Cannabis being horrible, and just try it. Because now, Connor’s surviving – and he’s thriving.”
STORY by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS/LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by ERIC KAYNE @PHOTOKAYNE & COURTESY SHEFFIELD FAMILY
the ESSENTIAL issue
uprooted ON THE MOVE FOR THE PLANT
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Whether searching for compassionate policy, seeking industry opportunity or fleeing persecution, Cannabis has people pulling up roots and planting new seeds all over the country. ORIGINALLY FROM Salt Lake City, Jenn Doe fled the archaic and prohibitive Cannabis laws of Utah to Washington to ply her trade as a grower and hash-maker. She thrived under the medical marijuana program and eventually won the High Times NorCal Cannabis Cup in 2014, becoming the only woman to win the award for solventless hash – made by her from plants she grew herself. The offers should have rolled in for a “The amount of money champion extract artist, and yet she felt it takes to have a stifled by the restrictions that had been business there, versus imposed on caregivers after recreational being a functioning legalization passed in 2012. caregiver business Jenn promptly moved to Massachuhere in Maine is setts for a year to grow and wash her changing significant, and it’s not flowers in peace, until the laws there policies nearly as saturated of changed as well. A business opportunity a market.” arose and once again, she wound up back in Washington working for Gavita Lighting. Upon their acquisition and the subsequent restructuring of the company, Utah to Washington she decided to again relocate – this time to the state of Maine. to Massachusetts to Why Maine? Jenn tells me, “I couldn’t do anything in the Washington to Maine Pacific Northwest without serious investment, due to the laws, or I would have to work for someone else – which I’d rather by Dan Vinkovetsky @dannydankoht not. The amount of money it takes to have a business there, versus being a functioning caregiver business here in Maine is significant, and it’s not nearly as saturated of a market.” As recreational legalization sometimes guts medical patient protections, Jenn finds the caregiver laws to be more reasonable for the mom n’ pops and small businesses, and the irony doesn’t escape her. She laughs as she tells me, “Each of my moves corresponds to the shift from medical to recreational. … All I know is I will continue to seek favorable conditions for farming and hashmaking on a boutique scale, because that’s who I am and that’s what I want to do!”
neleafmag.COM
JENN DOE
FEB. 2021
industry opportunity
GIDDYUP Oklahoma to Colorado to California to Nevada to Oklahoma
by Bobby Black @bobbyblack420
AS THE founder of Emotek, Jayson “Giddyup” Emo is the mohawked marijuana mogul behind 2012’s groundbreaking OBE-DOS closed-loop butane extraction system that immediately became the industry standard. He’s also the co-creator of live resin – the wildly popular style of concentrate that has taken the market by storm (and that his machine made possible). Giddy originally hails from Oklahoma – a state that, just a few years ago, had some of the strictest pot laws in the nation. Over the past decade, Giddyup “When you move has moved from state to state to a new state with several times, always for reasons big plans, all that shit related to Cannabis. First, in 2010, typically goes out the he moved from Oklahoma City to window when you get Longmont, Colorado with the idea there,” he chuckles. of growing weed for dispensaries, but that plan didn’t quite pan out. “When you move to a new state with big plans, all that shit typically goes out the window when you get there,” he chuckles. Building on the success of his extractors, in 2015 he launched his own brand of concentrates: Giddyup Extracts. After having established himself as an industry leader in Colorado, Giddy set out to bring his equipment and expertise to other legal states. First, he spent a few years in Nevada setting up licensing deals and selling to that market. Then in 2017, he moved to Hollywood to consult in the California market, which he described as a nightmare. In 2018, Giddy moved back to Oklahoma and established a 20,000-square-foot greenhouse grow, followed by his own dispensary named Giddy’s OKC, which opened in January 2019. According to Giddy, states that are new to legalization are a smarter move for those seeking employment in the Cannabis industry.
industry opportunity
RYAN SMITH
CHECK OUT LEAF LIFE EPISODE #97 Cannabis MIGRATION ON ALL MAJOR PLATFORMS AND LEAFLIFEPODCAST.COM
California to Alaska by O’Hara Shipe @shipeshots
fleeing persecution
THE STADLERS Texas to Colorado
by Bobby Black @bobbyblack420
MIKE STADLER used to live in the small town of After returning home from Copperas Cove, Texas with his wife Sheena and the Denver Cannabis Cup their five-year-old son Kayden. An HVAC tech by in April 2014, they learned trade, Stadler sold weed on the side, as well as plainclothes police had growing a few plants for personal medicinal use. been snooping around Stadler also made an effort to set a good example their property. and help his community by starting a community vegetable garden in a vacant lot he called Grow Your Own. The garden was a hit around the neighborhood, but ended up drawing scrutiny from law enforcement. First, City Hall changed local ordinances forcing them to shut down the garden. Next, after returning home from the Denver Cannabis Cup in April 2014, they learned plainclothes police had been snooping around their property. Then police tried bullying Sheena into letting them search their home without a warrant. A few days later, eight cop cars returned, accompanied by Child Protective Services. Luckily, she was out shopping at the time. After being advised by their lawyer that they could likely lose custody of their son, the couple made a fast and fateful decision: They hurriedly packed a few bags, got in their car, and fled to Greely, Colorado. “I don’t regret it at all,” says Stadler of the move. “I don’t have sleepless nights anymore, where I’m worried about whether a noise I hear is the police at my door, or if I get pulled over that I’m going to go to jail.” Though CPS in Colorado was obligated to pay them a follow-up visit, Stadler had no trouble getting the accusations dismissed. “I told them the whole story and they said, ‘We’ve had other families move here for the same situation … if anybody calls from Texas with any more complaints, we’ll tell them to screw off because you live in Colorado now.”
FORMER PRO-SNOWBOARDER Ryan Smith has had his fair share of adversity to overcome. Whether it was the end of his athletic career or a tragic accident while firefighting, he has found ways to exemplify the Japanese proverb, “Fall down seven times, stand up eight.” But Cannabis has challenged the California-native in ways he never anticipated. “I am completely self-taught and I have made a lot of mistakes over the years,” says Smith. “You know, it’s kind of been just trial and error – and Nothing could have screwing up a lot.” prepared Smith His dedication to his craft paid off for what he would when he relocated in 2018 to take encounter on June 16, over the position of Lead Cultivator 2019, when a devasat Wasilla-based grow Scorpion tating fire engulfed Grass. “I always wanted to live in the farm in flames. Alaska, so when the opportunity came up, I jumped and haven’t looked back,” says Smith. But nothing could have prepared Smith for what he would encounter on June 16, 2019, when a devastating fire engulfed the farm in flames. With nothing left to do but watch as his hard work went up in a cloud of smoke, Smith says he felt the pangs of despair. The next day, the flames extinguished, Smith walked through the gardens to see if anything could be saved. It was in this devastation that Smith saw a small glimmer of hope. “I had to walk through [the garden] and take cuttings of some of the plants so we could save the genetics. And then I saw a piece of my favorite strain – Ice Cream Cake – literally growing out from underneath these old burned trusses from the roof. It was this real sentimental moment when I took that clone,” says Smith. The clone has since developed into one of Scorpion Grass’ signature strains, Attic Fire, and is the living representation of Smith’s moxie.
STORY by LEAF NATION CONTRIBUTORS | ICONS by THE NOUN PROJECT Air travel Olena Panasovska | Moving Luis Prado | Cannabis KonKapp | Fire Vladimir Belochkin
the ESSENTIAL issue
The evolution of socializing will include consumption in public meeting places.
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LOUNGING AROUNd T
he moment is seared into my memory. It was the mid-’90s and I was a bright-eyed 25-year-old in Amsterdam for the first time. I stepped into a “coffeeshop” and was immediately transported to a magical realm – one where I could order Cannabis from a menu and be treated like a customer instead of a criminal. Compared to what we went through back home to “score weed,” it all felt so … civilized.
FEB. 2021
I SAT DOWN and rolled myself a joint while watching people ride by on their bicycles outside, and I knew that things would never be the same. I couldn’t go back to the way things were in the United States without doing everything I could to change it. I vowed that one day we would see consumption lounges all over the world, so that everyone could know the true feeling of freedom. The first social consumption of Cannabis dates back to ancient times. Shamans of various tribes in Central Asia, India and the Middle East burned the flowers in rituals meant to induce a trancelike state. Hashish lounges have been a staple of Nepal and Afghanistan, as well as throughout the Middle East for centuries.
s
haring a pipe, bong or joint with others has been a natural way to mix and mingle for as long as people have been getting together in groups. There were even “tea pads” for legal smokers established in the United States during alcohol prohibition. Soon however, worldwide crackdowns on Cannabis put a serious damper on social use. Fear of arrest and prosecution drove users and providers underground, and for many years, anyone wishing to share their stash with others measured the risks and proceeded with extreme caution. It wasn’t until the early 1970s, when Dutch hippies tested their country’s newfound “tolerance” to soft drugs, did a scene emerge in which Cannabis was openly sold and smoked in designated areas. The coffeeshop culture thrived in Holland and over time, Amsterdam became a destination for anyone seeking to sample a new way of Cannabis and hashish consumption. In the ‘90s, the scene spread to Spain under the guise of nonprofit In late 2019, three members private social clubs deigned for of the The Leaf team had members only. Inevitably, as laws in the opportunity to visit the U.S. and Canada were reformed, Amsterdam and enjoy in lounges sprang up in North America, the historic Cannabis coffeshop culture. including the New Amsterdam Cafe Check out the rehashed trip down in Vancouver and the HotBox Lounge memory lane in the Dec. 2019 issue: & Shop in Toronto.
Cannabis consumption lounges have flourished around the world.
The HotBox Lounge & Shop in Toronto
tinyurl.com/leafgoestoamsterdam
The New Amsterdam Cafe in Vancouver, BC
The Summit Lounge in Worchester, Mass. ADAM GLANZMAN
Though how we share Cannabis has certainly changed due to COVID-19, our desire to socialize amongst like-minded compatriots will only increase over time.
IN 2009, The World Famous Cannabis Cafe, run by Executive Director of Oregon NORML Madeline Martinez, opened up in Portland, Ore. as the first state-authorized lounge for medical cardholders. Sadly, they closed their doors in 2016, but places like Flight Lounge and Kaleafa Social Club continue the tradition, welcoming private members to consume flowers and dabs to their hearts’ delight. Longtime California activist Richard Lee launched Coffeeshop Blue Sky in Oakland, even enduring a raid by Federal law enforcement in 2012, but which opened the door for places like Moe Greens, Bloom Room and Barbary Coast Dispensary. The passage of Colorado’s Amendment 64, also in 2012, brought about clubs such as iBAKE Denver and The Speakeasy Vape Lounge, which allow members to consume Cannabis but do not permit sales. Since then, many other spots nationwide have opened their doors to patients and customers yearning for connection. In Michigan, places like Vehicle City Social in Flint and D’Mirage in Detroit create safe spaces for Cannabis consumers to relax and enjoy their buds with friends. New England staples like Tetra Hydro Club in Wakefield, R.I. and Summit Lounge in Worcester, Mass. provide a respite from the bars and nightclubs. I even visited a unique spot in Las Vegas called NuWu on Native land, which is a dispensary with a smoking lounge attached. In states where Cannabis remains illegal, lounges tend to be movable “seshes” that shift from location to location and provide makeshift booths with Cannabis products, entertainment and consumption on site. Worldwide, along with the Netherlands and Spain, there are now social clubs in New Zealand, South Africa, France, Germany and elsewhere. They are all under attack in one form or another from authorities, and the precariousness of their existence is fragile. Though how we share Cannabis has certainly changed due to COVID-19, our desire to socialize amongst like-minded compatriots will only increase over time. As responsible Cannabis consumers, it’s our obligation to continue to change the laws and push to legalize social use and consumption lounges so that we can get together and enjoy our pot in peace.
STORY by DAN VINKOVETSKY @DANNYDANKOHT/LEAF NATION | ILLUSTRATION by KELLY BJORK @KELLY_BJORK
the ESSENTIAL issue neleafmag.COM
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CBN& sLEEP CURIO WELLNESS’ INNOVATIONS
THE CONCEPT of cannabinoid therapy continues to be one of the most invigorating and promising new frontiers on the legalized Cannabis landscape. The Cannabis plant has roughly 426 chemical entities (and more than 60 cannabinoid compounds) according to the National Institute for Health, and researchers have come to find that many of those compounds react in specific, powerful ways with our bodies’ endocannabinoid system. Many of those cannabinoids have well-known and researched effects. THC provides psychoactive effects, but also helps with gastrointestinal issues, muscle relaxation and other ailments. CBD reduces inflammation and battles anxiety.
Curio Wellness’ Good Night Tablets
FEB. 2021
A large portion of the sleep-affected community has tremendous difficulty staying asleep and gaining the benefit of a full night’s rest. But THC and CBD are a small piece of the puzzle, and as research expands, scientists will further unlock the potential of the wealth of compounds in the Cannabis plant. In short, we’re going to start seeing more effect-based products hitting the market. Curio Wellness, out of Maryland, sees the potential. The company recently released a new product, dubbed Good Night Pulse Release Tablets, in order to help with a specific issue that impacts us all: sleep. In order to help people achieve and maintain a good night’s sleep, Curio Wellness’ Good Night Tablets combine THC with CBN, a lesser-known soporific cannabinoid that in recent years has gained popularity because of its focused sleep-inducing properties. To create a product that consumers could trust, Curio Wellness partnered with SleepScore Labs to conduct an observational sleep study with 35 certified Maryland medical Cannabis patients with self-described sleep disorders, clinically testing their new Good Night Tablets. Their formulation is a 2:1 THC:CBN ratio with each tablet containing 10mg THC and 5mg CBN. Participants completed a six-week comparative study, where for the first three weeks their sleep was monitored in accordance with their existing sleep routine, including any sleep aids they already used. In the second three weeks, patients replaced their routine with use of Good Night Tablets according to the independent study protocol. Across all phases of the study, participants sleep was monitored via the SleepScore Max Device and the completion of self surveys via the SleepScore research app. Participants were also required to stop using any other Cannabis product within three hours of bedtime, to avoid clouding the data while trialing the Good Night product.
The results were successful – according to Curio Wellness, the study showed that when taking the Good Night Tablets, patients showed marked improvement in their objective sleep metrics, as well as participant’s subjective feedback indicating improvement in overall sleep quality. The fact that the study subjects were able to stay asleep through the night is something that Curio Wellness sees as a significant factor. A large portion of the sleep-affected community has tremendous difficulty staying asleep and gaining the benefit of a full night’s rest. Falling asleep may be difficult, but staying asleep is what prevents many people from reaching REM sleep and achieving a well-rested body. Curio’s Pulse Release Technology, which allows for targeted dosages at targeted times to interact with the patient’s system, ensures that several hours after ingestion, a second wave of effects enters the body to help keep the patient asleep. This means that by taking one dose, patients feel the initial drowsy effects to help enter a state of sleep, as well as a second targeted release of the cannabinoids several hours after ingestion to help you stay asleep – greatly increasing the probability of a patient sleeping through the entire night. Curio Wellness’ approach to clinical research and product development is refreshing in an industry where many companies simply seek to market products based on trends, not on what they can actually provide to patients and consumers. Everything with Cannabis is dose-dependent around an individual’s tolerance and tied to how the plant interacts with endocannabinoid systems, and we are at the beginning of the journey to unlock what this plant can do. CURIOWELLNESS.COM | @CURIO_WELLNESS
STORY by TAYLOR MARTIN & LEAF NATION CONTRIBUTORS | ILLUSTRATION by ADOBE/ARTINSPIRING + COURTESY CURIO
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EDIBLE OF THE MONTH
COAST CANNA CO. Coast’s packaging is proper. The thick cardboard shines and you can tell it’s made from high-quality material. Boasting their logo on the front of the package, the red, white, blue and orange colors look like a sunset.
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S’MORES CHOCOLATE BAR
The thoughtful design is sleek, but artsy – and slitting the package open will likely require something sharp. Certainly childproof, there are “Not Safe For Kids” and “Contains THC” warning labels as a clear reminder that these tasty treats are for adults only. Once you’ve opened this package of deliciousness, you’ll find dehydrated bits of marshmallow embedded with chunks of organic graham cracker, sunk into delicious fair-trade milk chocolate. On the opposite side, each morsel of chocolate is stamped with a THC warning label. The chocolate bar smells sweet and aromatic, and upon tasting it, you’re enlightened with a deep and robust chocolatey flavor with afternotes of graham cracker and sugary marshmallow. With the smoothness of the milk chocolate and s’mores ingredients, it’s a highly flavorful experience. I ended up taking two morsels and hit them with my dab torch, adding a real burnt s’more flavor. This is a premium edible with a strong high and effect – highlighted by Coast’s utilization of ethanol-extracted Cannabis distillate, which is odorless, flavorless and perfect for chocolates. I took 60 milligrams my first round and definitely felt an exceptional body high with an easy onset. Matching the body stone with a sense of inspiration, you may catch yourself daydreaming. Thankfully, Coast has a very thorough testing label on each product so you can dose yourself appropriately. I would recommend adding the total strength/ milligram on the front of the package, and per serving, as the testing label is so detailed that it may be hard to decipher. To acquire Coast Canna goods you can order through their website, and products can be picked up at select dispensary locations across Massachusetts such as Bask Inc. in Fairhaven, Campfire Cannabis in West Boylston, all three Canna Provisions locations and many more.
> > 100MG THC / 10-SERVINGS
Deep and robust chocolatey flavor with afternotes of graham cracker and sugary marshmallow.
AVAILABLE FROM DISPENSARIES ALL OVER MASSACHUSETTS / COASTCANNABISCO.COM / @COASTCANNACO
FEB. 2021
REVIEW by BOBBY NUGGZ @BOBBYNUGGZ_OFFICIAL for NORTHEAST LEAF | PHOTO by COAST CANNA CO. @COASTCANNACO
All Things Cannabis For All People PODCAST leaflifepodcast AVAILABLE NOW:
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Marijuana products may be purchased or possessed only by persons 21 or older. This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit-forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children.
concentrate of the month neleafmag.COM
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WISELY HAPPY BRAIN BUZZ
TROPICANNA COOKIES #11 LIVE ROSIN THEIR ATTENTION TO DETAIL AND OBSESSION with washing
and pressing only the highest quality flowers results in the creamiest and most flavorful live rosin available on the East Coast. Wisely’s Tropicanna Cookies, sold by the gram in glass jars within sleek and solid packaging, looks and smells amazing upon opening. The initial prevailing scents are of honeydew melon and green papaya, with notes of menthol and eucalyptus, as well as slight undertones of nutmeg. Upon dabbing, it’s no wonder why it won first place in the solventless category in the 2020 NECANN contest, with the flowers winning first place in the sativa category at the IC 420 Growers Cup in 2019.
Maine’s Cannabis extraction connoisseurs know that Wisely produces some of the finest solventless hash in the state.
FEB. 2021
THE UNIQUE TASTE and potency both hit you in the face with a tropical and fresh tangerine punch, backed by an energetic and happy brain buzz. The 73.4% THC high is uplifting and inspirational. As the tasty rosin hits your endocannabinoid system, the electricity is felt first in the forehead and then spreads throughout the body like a warm hug from an old friend. Before you head out on that hike through the woods, choose “wisely” and bring some “Trop Cookies” live resin along for the ride. DELTA 9 THC: 73.4% CANNABIDIOL CBD: 0.178% CANNABIGEROL CBG: 2.04% TETRAHYDROCANNABIVARIN THCV: 0.491% CANNABINOL CBN: 1.40% DELTA 8 THC: 0.753% CANNABICHROMENE CBC: 0.673% TOTAL CANNABINOIDS: 78.9% WISELY HASH 81 INDUSTRIAL AVE. SANFORD, ME (207) 351-7449 WISELYCANNABIS.COM @WISELYHASH
REVIEW by DAN VINKOVETSKY @DANNYDANKOHT/NORTHEAST LEAF | PHOTO by BOBBY NUGGZ @BOBBYNUGGZ_OFFICIAL
Golden Jojoba Oil, Organic Patchouli
The gray coloring of this fine sandy salt conveys an expensive and luxurious feeling. When added to warm bath water, the smell is smooth and earthy with patchouli being most noticeable. The oils in the bath soak make your skin feel slick and shiny – rehydrating dull and lifeless epidermis on the knees, shins and elbows.
Fortify and Renew Epsom Salt, Organic Blood Orange and Lime Oil, Organic Black Pepper Oil
If you’re looking for a tropical citrus vacation in your own bathtub – look no further. The smell of these salts is phenomenal and strong as soon as you open the bag. These large glassy Epsom salts are reminiscent of crystals glistening when you put them in the bath water. Lime is the predominant smell here. Black pepper oil is said to be a great antibacterial agent that eliminates impurities, toxins and bacteria from the surface of the pores – and my body was definitely glowing after this bath salt, even receiving a compliment on my skin tone.
Goddess Revival Dead Sea Salt, Organic
CBD BATH SOAKS The Epsom salts are reminiscent of crystals glistening when you put them in the bath water.
>>
300MG CBD PER 12 OZ BAG (5-PACK)
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Water from the Dead Sea contains minerals such as magnesium, bromide and sodium that are thought to draw out toxins and exfoliate to expose fresh layers of skin. These salts are quite coarse in contrast to the finer salts in Hippie’s Hideaway. I decided to use them as a scrub while also in the bath, so I combined them with my favorite face wash. The herbal smell was pleasant and subtle. The exfoliating qualities worked perfectly as my open pores absorbed the lotion, and I could still smell the eucalyptus from the salts – both pleasant and calming.
THE HEALING ROSE 23 HALE STREET NEWBURYPORT, MA
Relax and Unwind Pink Himalaya Salt,
THEHEALINGROSECO.COM | @THEHEALINGROSE_ (978) 409-1091
Pink and flowery, this bath soak is everything sugary and sweet that a girl like me could want. I used my favorite rose-scented candle while in this luxurious bath, which only added to the springtime vibes. This bag also contains organic clary sage oil and organic frankincense oil, which play nicely as background scents bringing everything together.
Organic Geranium Oil
Unscented
Epsom Salt, Organic Unrefined Golden Jojoba Oil, Non-GMO Vitamin E
If you’re looking for pure therapy, this is the soak for you. With no frills and no added scents, these salts are perfect for anyone looking to soothe sore muscles and exfoliate with chunky, extra-coarse Epsom salts.
REVIEW & PHOTOS by BAILEY JONSON @BADMSBAILEY for NORTHEAST LEAF
neleafmag.COM
ONE OF the oldest, most beneficial and pleasant holistic healing methods is soaking your body in a warm bath filled with salts, oils, flowers and herbs. The Healing Rose Company from Newburyport, Mass. just released a new line of bath soaks featuring phytocannabinoid-rich CBD hemp oil and high-quality ingredients such as French gray salt and non-GMO Vitamin E. The Healing Rose is an MDAR-licensed hemp processor specializing in lip balms and full/ broad spectrum extracts. They recently won the 2020 NECANN “Best Topical” for their Lemon Ginger Salve.
Atlas Cedarwood Oil, Eucalyptus Oil
TOPICAL of the month
Hippie’s Hideaway French Gray Salt,
cooking with Cannabis
R EC I P E S b y LAU RIE WOLF | P HOTOS b y B RUC E WO LF
hEARTS & flOWERS two servings
LOVEBERRY SMOOTHIE 2 cups strawberries, sliced, fresh or frozen 1 cup raspberries, fresh or frozen 1 small banana, peeled, sliced and frozen
¼ cup orange juice concentrate 1 ½ cups coconut milk 2 teaspoons canna-coconut oil Strawberries for garnish
1. Combine all the ingredients in a blender. Let ‘er rip. 2. Garnish with a strawberry. (Feel free to try using blueberries and peaches instead of strawberries and raspberries. You may use yogurt in exchange for some or all of the coconut milk).
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nine servings
CANNABIS CHOCOLATE BARK ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes 2 cups dark chocolate chips 3 tablespoons canna-butter or oil ½ cup chopped pecans ¼ cup chopped dried apricots
1. Place the coconut flakes in a small dry skillet over medium heat and toast until light golden brown. 2. In the top of a double boiler, over simmering water, melt the chips with the canna-butter or oil. Stir occasionally. 3. Place a piece of parchment on your work surface. Pour the chocolate onto the parchment, spreading it out to a 5x7-inch rectangle. 4. Sprinkle with the pecans, coconut and apricots. 5. Allow the chocolate to set. Store in an airtight container for up to one month.
nine servings
WHITE CHOC. BARK
neleafmag.COM
2 cups white chocolate chips or melts 3 tablespoons canna-butter or oil 1 cup granola ½ cup dried chopped cherries 1. In the top of a double boiler, over simmering water, melt the white chocolate with the canna-butter. Stir occasionally. 2. Place a piece of parchment on your work surface. Pour the chocolate onto the parchment, spreading it out to a 5x7-inch rectangle. Sprinkle with the granola and cherries. 3. Allow the chocolate to set. Store in an airtight container for up to one month.
FEB. 2021
Well — it’s about to be Valentine’s Day. If you are not a chocolate fan, the smoothie recipe for two, or just you, is healthy and healing. I like to make my smoothies with THC and CBD. Currently, I need all the help I can get. If you are a chocolate fan and want to give some love to friends you can’t hang out with now, these two barks are fire. And with a bark there are no rules – add whatever toppings you like. The bark police have bigger fish to fry. Check out our link at recipes.laurieandmaryjane.com/lauries-famous-canna-butter, and know that the same rules apply for producing CBD.
#We a rA Ma sk #Dont FearT heEdi ble #EatYourCannabi s #CallYourParents # Comf orting Ca nna b is # WeWillSurvive
Are you
Interested in fighting against the racist legacy of cannabis prohibition? Interested in helping to create an equitable marketplace for those seeking to run cannabis operations? Looking for a way to meet new people interested in cannabis activism? Self-motivated and willing to work as a volunteer within a fast paced and consensus driven environment? For $30 per year, members receive * A MassCann T-Shirt * Membership and voting rights within the organization * The ability to participate in MassCann Committee Meetings * Volunteer opportunities through the calendar year (both digital and in-person, if allowed) * Participation in steering groups to help prepare for and run the annual Boston Freedom Rally * Access to educational programming related to the cannabis plant and cannabis reform (lawmaking and regulations)
JOIN THE ORIGINAL GRASSROOTS CANNABIS ACTIVIST ORGANIZATION IN MASSACHUSETTS, 31 YEARS ON THE GROUND AND STILL GROWING TOGETHER!
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women in weed
ALIAVOLZ The history of the medical marijuana movement is paved with untold stories like the one author Alia Volz has now brought to light with her new memoir, “Home Baked.”
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In the book (out in paperback on April 20, 2021), Volz reveals and celebrates the work of her mother, Meridy, who for decades ran a beloved Bay Area brownie operation known as Sticky Fingers. Defying capture, Meridy and Volz’s father were also instrumental in providing Cannabis to HIV/AIDS patients and satiated their artistic tendencies by decorating each week’s brownie bag with a unique illustration. “Home Baked” serves as a worthy tribute to Volz’s parents, who are still with us, as well as to the larger bravery of those who risked prison to help others in need. FEB. 2021
What is your book about and what inspired you to write it? My folks had the first high-volume Cannabis
edibles business in San Francisco – probably the first in California – to operate at that size. It started in the 1970s. By the time I was born in 1977, they were distributing upwards of 10,000 brownies per month throughout the city, to all of these different subcultures and various neighborhoods in San Francisco. Then, when the AIDS crisis hit at the beginning of the 1980s, Sticky Fingers transitioned into being part of the dawn of the medical marijuana movement. In writing “Home Baked,” I had the opportunity to tell the story of the progression from party drug to palliative medicine, as we think of Cannabis now, through this very personal lens and through the AIDS crisis.
Now that we’re a few years into adult-use sales, we’re at risk of forgetting about the risky, largely untold story of Cannabis as it existed prior to Prop 215, and later, Prop 64. Was that part of your inspiration for writing this book? To ensure your mother’s legacy and work was recognized? To a
certain extent. I decided to bring this project to light in the lead up to the passing of Proposition 64, which legalized adult recreational use in California. One thing that I noticed was that in the conversations that were being had about Cannabis, at that time, there
in the group would design original packaging and it became like this underground comic. It was always some social commentary or a reflection on the politics of the day, or whatever was going on astrologically.
“Home Baked” is also in the process of being adapted for the screen. What can you say about the project?
The story has been optioned by [J.J. Abrams’ production company] Bad Robot for a television series. I’m actually working on developing the show with a co-writer that Bad Robot hired. I’m involved, though to what extent still remains to be seen as there are many people involved and so many variables. It hasn’t been sold to a network yet, but we’re getting ready to pitch.
What are some of the elements of your memoir you hope this potential series is able to capture? I feel
like there hasn’t really been a film or television series that encompasses both the wholesomeness and the community strength that is so evident – and always has been – in Cannabis culture with the seriousness of mind that it takes to run a successful cannabusiness. Especially in the days when it was illegal and involved extreme risk. We’ve had shows like “Weeds” and “High Maintenance” and a few others, but they all tend to focus on the silliness of the culture. Basically, the Cheech and Chong stoner stereotype: people who are so spaced out that they can barely tie their shoes and hilarity ensues. There is certainly an aspect of Cannabis culture that is fun-loving like that, sure, but in my experience, having grown up in that world, it took a lot of savvy and courage and determination – and a really keen business sense – to pull off a significant underground cannabusiness like the one that my folks had. My parents were hippies, but they were not space cadets. So, having grown up steeped in Cannabis culture, I’m really eager to see a show that acknowledges that people who are successful in this world have skills and talents that would also translate successfully to anything else. It’s a real business that takes real, serious-minded people to accomplish it, especially when it was new and it was trailblazing. That’s really important to me.
“In writing “Home Baked,” I had the opportunity to tell the story of the progression from party drug to palliative medicine, as we think of Cannabis now, through this very personal lens and through the AIDS crisis.” wasn’t a lot of attention being paid to the role of AIDS activism in bringing us the access that we now have to Cannabis. For me, that was really the incentive. I came into the project knowing that my family had a deep involvement in that history, but to be completely honest with you, I hadn’t realized when I began working on this book just how much of a pioneer my mom was. I had this great window into the Cannabis culture of the ‘70s and ‘80s, and the evolution of Cannabis culture and medical marijuana, and I knew that my mom played an important role. But I didn’t realize just how pioneering and how original the work she was doing was. Once I dug into the material and got into the research, I realized that nobody was really operating on the scale that she was back then. It’s interesting because my mom didn’t really think of herself as a pioneer. She was making her decisions on a daily basis and trying to do what she thought was right while also avoiding the law. I think she was just happy to get away with it, to be honest with you.
Tell me about the legacy of Sticky Fingers’ brownie bags! People actually collected them, right? Almost
all of the people involved with Sticky Fingers brownies back in the ‘70s, including my parents, were artists – so it became like an arts collective. Every week, somebody
I also want to emphasize that at least as far as Northern California Cannabis culture goes, or at least the culture that I’ve known – it’s always been very driven by strong, business-minded women. I feel like there is a stereotype or misconception that Cannabis is a man’s world that women are just starting to break into. We focus on new women in weed and how to empower women in cannabusiness, but in my experience, the growers and dealers have always largely been women. It goes back to the plants themselves, of course – we’re talking about a female plant, after all. I’d also emphasize that, because this business started during the 1970s, which was a time when it was not so easy for women to gain a foothold and to be taken seriously as businesswomen, Cannabis was an avenue for female-driven businesses. That’s important to look at as well. Then, of course, always with this story, to explore the gravity, the strength and the intense community power that revealed itself during the HIV/AIDS epidemic. I feel like that has yet to be represented in its fullness, in the context of a mass market television show.
The story of Sticky Fingers brownies and the Volz family’s adventures have been chronicled in newspapers and magazines around the world, and in spellbinding longform radio broadcasts on NPR’s Fresh Air and Snap Judgement. Meridy Volz
“I came into the project knowing that my family had a deep involvement in that history, but to be completely honest with you, I hadn’t realized when I began working on this book just how much of a pioneer my mom was.” @ALIAVOLZZZ ALIAVOLZ.COM
“Home Baked: My Mom, Marijuana, and the Stoning of San Francisco” by Alia Volz | $16.99; Mariner Books indiebound.org/book/9780358505020
STORY by ZACK RUSKIN @ZACKRUSKIN for CALIFORNIA LEAF | PORTRAIT by DENNIS HEARNE @MRLUCKYSF, PHOTO COURTESY MERIDY VOLZ
Cannthropology
WORLD OF Cannabis PRESENTS
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Lepp’s legendary garden circa 2003.
Eddy Lepp is a medical marijuana POW whose courage and compassion have secured him a place in Cannabis history.
neleafmag.COM
Reverence for the Reverend Born in Illinois in 1952, Charles “Eddy” Lepp was the son of a soldier who spent his childhood moving around before eventually settling in Reno. In 1968, he enlisted in the Army alongside his brother, and was shipped off to Vietnam. After returning home, he spent the next two decades struggling with addiction, depression and PTSD – self-medicating with drugs and alcohol and engaging in self-destructive behavior. But when his father got cancer in the 1980s, he decided to get clean; the only intoxicant he didn’t give up was Cannabis. “I used marijuana for years to keep from killing myself,” confesses Lepp. “I was using Cannabis to treat myself, but I didn’t realize that I was medicating because we didn’t have the information.” That information came after Lepp met Dennis Peron and his future hero/ mentor Jack Herer, and his life changed forever. “Back in the ‘80s I met Dennis and Jack, was very interested in what they were talking about, and got to be friends with them,” he recalls. “After that, I
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was kinda fucked, because you can’t be best friends with Dennis Peron and Jack Herer and not devote your life to marijuana.” After his father died in 1988, Lepp checked himself into the National Center for PTSD in Palo Alto, Calif. It was there that he met his future wife – a young woman named Linda Senti. With the help of Linda, the Center and Cannabis, he was finally able to get sober and begin to heal. “Cannabis was critically important in shaping my recovery and the man that I was going to become,” Lepp attests. “It allowed me to heal myself physically and mentally, and get back in touch with God as I understood him.” CALLED TO ACTION Eddy and Linda got married and eventually settled in Lake County, Calif. They became heavily involved in the legalization movement – helping to gather signatures for the Compassionate Use Act, then setting out to fulfill its promise by supplying medicine to patients … starting with Linda herself who, like Eddy’s father, had contracted cancer. In 1996, with Peron’s help, Lepp planted a garden of 132 plants for her – which he was arrested for later that year. When his case got to trial in 1998, he cited Prop 215 as his medical marijuana defense, and it worked – making him the first person ever acquitted under the aegis of the new law. At the time, few doctors were willing to recommend Cannabis, so the
Lepps began shuttling patients down to Dr. Tod Mikuriya’s office in San Francisco each week for recommendations. Then in 1999, they purchased a 25-acre farm in Upper Lake and began hosting mobile clinics – bringing doctors and patients together for consultations on their property. Within a year, the Lepps had registered a third of the approximately 100,000 legal Cannabis patients in the state. But many patients were unable to procure, afford or grow medicine for themselves, so once again the Lepps stepped up – offering to grow some plants for a few patients they knew. Over the next few years, it became six patients, then a dozen, then 30. That’s how Eddy’s Medicinal Gardens came to be.
In addition to the garden, Lepp also founded a religious ministry: The Multi-Denominational Ministry of Cannabis and Rastafari. Lepp with his late wife Linda, Dennis Peron, and Jack Herer.
JASON DUNLAP
THE HEALING FIELDS It was a simple idea: create a haven where patients could all grow their medicine in one secure, well-tended garden – reducing costs and avoiding countless possible thefts, busts and other calamities. Lepp charged $500 per 10-foot plot, from which patients received all of the Cannabis harvested. And for those who couldn’t afford a plot, medicine was often provided free of charge. In addition to the garden, Lepp also founded a religious ministry: The Multi-Denominational Ministry of Cannabis and Rastafari. Identifying strongly with both the Native American and Rastafari religions, he became an ordained minister in 2000, adopted the title of Reverend, and began providing spiritual support. Until that point, the farm had operated with relative impunity thanks to an understanding between Lepp Eddy’s Medicinal and the Sheriff’s Department. But that accord ended Gardens sign. one afternoon in 2002, when the Lake County Narcotics Task Force raided the farm – confiscating around 400 plants and arresting She started crying and said, ‘We can’t say no to any of them.’ four people. Surprisingly, they ended And we never did.” up being released the next day and The DEA raided the farm again on February 16, 2005 – “You can’t be best friends no charges were ever pursued. seizing another 6000 plants, re-arresting Lepp, and charging By 2003, the Ministry was servicing him with cultivation and possession with intent to distribute. with Dennis Peron and 100 patients and growing nearly He wasn’t released until two months later, on a $500,000 Jack Herer and not devote 10,000 plants. Lepp made no atbond (thanks in part to a $10,000 donation from comedian tempt to hide what he was doing – in Joe Rogan). your life to marijuana." fact, he actually sent a letter stating His lawyers planned a two-pronged For more on Eddie Lepp, listen - E D DY L E P P his intentions to local and state medical and religious use defense, both to Episode #9 of our podcast officials, but never received a reply. of which were ultimately rejected by at worldofCannabis.museum/ Emboldened by the lack of legal repercussions, they doubled the judge. Lepp was convicted in 2007, and after several unsuccessful podcast. down on their efforts – purchasing property across the road appeals, returned for sentencing in May 2008. and expanding their gardens up to 40 acres, which soon With the total charges against him, Lepp was facing an incredible contained nearly 4,000 plots and 30,000 plants. four life sentences, plus 40 years and $17 million in fines. Luckily, the Published originally on Unlike other outdoor grows, which were typically small and judge sentenced him to only the mandatory minimum of 10 years. worldofCannabis.museum secret, Eddy’s Gardens could be seen (and smelled) while He served eight and a half of those years before being released on and reprinted with permission. cruising down Highway 20, which now ran straight through parole in December 2016. While he was behind bars, both his beloved the middle of his farm. That summer, Lepp even invited High Linda and best friend Jack Herer passed away. Times magazine out, who then recognized the garden as the largest medical marijuana grow in the world – and Eddy RELEASE AND REVERENCE himself as their Freedom Fighter of the Year. Since his release, Lepp has mostly tried to stay out of trouble: spending his time creating art, hosting a podcast, and attending Cannabis events in CONVICTED FOR HIS CONVICTIONS California. Sadly, in October 2020, he announced that he too is now batUnfortunately, though, all of that attention brought about tling cancer, which has metastasized into his lungs and brain; his new wife their undoing. On August 18, 2004, the DEA swarmed their Sandra has created a GoFundMe page to help cover his medical costs. property, arresting Lepp and 14 residents and workers at Eddy Lepp is a modern-day marijuana martyr whose bravery, conviction gunpoint. It reportedly took authorities two days to chainsaw and sacrifices helped pave the way for the freedoms we enjoy today. down the 32,524 plants, which they valued at around $80 Regardless of whether he chooses to use the title or not, our reverence million. It was the largest medical crop seizure from an inditoward the reverend remains. vidual in U.S. history. “Linda said to me, ‘I just wish sometimes it wasn’t so overwhelming,’” Lepp remembers. “And I replied, “Well, I’ll do Eddy and his wife, Sandra. Donate to Eddy’s medical fund at GoFundMe.com/eddyleppneedsyou. whatever you want … you pick the first person we say no to.”
STORY by BOBBY BLACK @CANNTHROPOLOGY for LEAF NATION | MAIN PHOTO by MG IMAGING
SOCCER MOMS ARE THE BESTEST
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neleafmag.COM
by Mike Ricker
et’s all raise our flutes of infused lemonade for a big cheer to those intrepid Dodge Caravanners who make up the backbone of America! You do it all, ladies. You keep the whole tribe in order like the Chief Executive Organizer of the Taylor family, bringing home the bacon, frying it up in a pan, and never letting dad forget he’s the man. You captain the crew with equestrian hands, directing the grocery-getter through the avenues and lanes, school zones and sports practices, rattling cat calls from the stands that urge the victories while softening the losses. And all with impeccable punctuality. You value the respect this earns amongst the other mothers with whom you chronicle scenes inside the home, reporting the events with an omniscient eye, desperately aware that these days will evaporate as quickly as your own youth. You are a conductor, orchestrating the chaos into a seamless symphony with the patience of a glacier – through teen shouting matches over clothes swapping and philosophical differences in social image managing. Then, when the evening wanes and the flurry settles into a mindful moment on the couch, a good glass of red and the guilty pleasure of a naughty reality show are a great way to calm the nerves while rubbing the aching dogs. “How do you do it all?” The audience insists to know your secret as these words echo in your thoughts. The purse lies before you on the coffee table. You unfasten the hinge that conceals your essentials. Where there used to be a prescription bottle that rattled like the tail of a diamondback, there is now a vape pen in its place. You push the button, sneak a toke, and the voices of the madding crowd saunter into oblivion, creating open space that will soon again be filled with the sunrise.
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