Dec. 2022 - Northeast Leaf

ABOUT THE COVER

As Cannabis edibles continue to emerge as one of the industry’s fastest growing markets, Leaf Nation sought to showcase how that acceptance and embrace could yield a new twist on the holiday party scene. Our heads dancing with visions of Norman Rockwell and other nostalgic artists, Creative Director Daniel Berman worked with Brooklyn-based illustrator Kiki Kita to bring the concept to life.

Kita grew up in Nagoya, Japan and Dallas, Texas, and counts Smithsonian Magazine and Hilton among her diverse clientele.

Kita’s work has also been recognized by the prestigious American Illustration competition and the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles.

KIKI KITA for LEAF NATION FOLLOW

@_KITAKIKI

CONTRIBUTORS

BOBBY BLACK, DESIGN + FEATURES

JOSHUA BOULET, ILLUSTRATION

JENN DOE, SALES

EARLY, PRODUCTION

STEVE ELLIOTT, NATIONAL NEWS

MIKE GIANAKOS, FEATURES

GILBERT GJERSVIK, REVIEWS + PHOTOS

BAILEY JONSON, REVIEWS + PHOTOS

KIKI KITA, ILLUSTRATION

DAN MCCARTHY, REVIEWS + PHOTOS

SARA MILLS-GAINES, SALES

BOBBY NUGGZ, REVIEWS + PHOTOS

LEXI PADUSSIS, SALES

JEFF PORTERFIELD, DESIGN

JESSE RAMIREZ, DESIGN

MIKE RICKER, FEATURES

PACER STACKTRAIN, FEATURES

CHARLES TAGGART, FEATURES + PHOTOS

JAMIE VICTOR, DESIGN

DAN VINKOVETSKY, FEATURES

FLETCHER WOLD, PHOTOS

KATHERINE WOLF, FEATURES

Editor’s

Thanks for picking up the Edibles Issue of the Leaf!

The holidays are here and there’s no better time to fill up on tasty treats that will put a real sparkle in the Christmas lights this year. December is a huge month for edibles, and no wonder, with so many family gatherings and white elephant parties to attend. And there’s nothing more satisfying than quietly crunching an infused peppermint bark chocolate bar as the kids go on a sugar bender and half the adults on a booze-fueled festivus, while the rest of the family casts their all-to sober and judgemental looks from across the room.

No wonder Santa has an eating disorder – he has to change his final list constantly to accommodate all the end of the year drama, and people don’t even give him weed cookies! Is it true that kids in states with legal weed have cooler presents and happier holidays than in places where ganja is illegal? I digress, as my own edibles and coffee must really be kicking in…

But here’s the thing: I personally love edibles so much that some days I don’t smoke weed. Nonetheless, I have a constant layer of cannabinoids kicking around in my bloodstream – with specific dosages and blended options including CBD for pain relief and anxiety, Delta 8 THC for less psychoactivity, CBG for the giggles or CBN for sleepy time. You really can dial in your experience one milligram or serving at a time. We live in a glorious era for edibles, and I never take that for granted.

When I started the Leaf in 2010, testing for THC percentages in bud wasn’t available and we had little to no idea about other cannabinoids, terpenes or the entourage effect. Edibles came in dosages like XXX and were wildly inconsistent – to the extent that I didn’t eat them for many years. It only takes one bad trip to teach most users to read the label, and it wasn’t until testing for Cannabis potency at Analytical 360 in Seattle became available that I started sampling infused treats.

The daze of ziplock brownies are long gone, and most people don’t have time for homemade edible adventures – but thankfully we have the option to head to the store and enjoy a selection of infused drinks, mints, treats and even chips in some markets. For my full advice on edible do’s and don’ts, check out my piece later in the magazine, but here is my core advice: Always read the label and think twice before eating more. Edibles take a long time to kick in, but once you’re on the journey, the train doesn’t stop until you wake up the next morning.

And remember, no matter what, you will wake up – so don’t waste a trip in an ambulance. The only way edibles could kill you is if a giant tote bin full of them fell on your head.

“WE LIVE IN A GLORIOUS ERA FOR EDIBLES, AND I NEVER TAKE THAT FOR GRANTED.”

SEAN COMBS GETS INTO THE WEED BUSINESS

ip-hop mogul and entrepreneur Sean “Diddy” Combs is venturing into the world of Cannabis.

Combs has agreed to acquire licensed Cannabis operations in New York, Massachusetts and Illinois, in a deal worth up to $185 million. The transaction marks Combs’ first investment in marijuana and will reportedly create the country’s first minority-owned, vertically-integrated, multi-state Cannabis company. It will also reportedly be the world’s largest Blackowned marijuana operation, according to a release from Combs and the companies.

The transaction comes after Cresco Labs earlier this year agreed to purchase rival Columbia Care in a $2 billion deal. The acquisition makes Cresco the top U.S. marijuana producer. It was one of the biggest deals in the Cannabis industry, and required Cresco to divest assets in limited-license markets including New York state.

The deal includes four retail stores and one production facility in the Empire State; three retail stores and one production facility in Massachusetts; and two retail stores and one production facility in Illinois.

“My mission has always been to create opportunities for Black entrepreneurs in industries where we’ve traditionally been denied access,” Combs said. “And this acquisition provides the immediate scale and impact needed to create a more equitable future in Cannabis.”

GERMANY ENABLES CONTROLLED CANNABIS CULTIVATION & DISTRO

ermany will permit adults to purchase and possess up to 30 grams (a little over an ounce) of Cannabis for adult use, reports Bloomberg. The ruling coalition is fulfilling its promise to legalize weed, as Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s cabinet approved a proposal allowing controlled cultivation and distribution of marijuana. Germany, with Europe’s biggest economy, wants to discourage the illegal (and untaxed) market for the herb.

The coalition government last year struck an agreement to introduce legislation allowing distribution of Cannabis in licensed shops.

The plan would also allow home cultivation of three marijuana plants per adult, reports the BBC.

MARYLAND AND MISSOURI LEGALIZE ADULT-USE CANNABIS

MARYLAND VOTERS in November overwhelmingly passed a measure making the state the twentieth to legalize marijuana for adult use. Meanwhile, 53% of Missouri residents approved a legalization measure of their own.

Under Maryland legalization, possessing amounts between 1.5 ounces and 2.5 ounces will be subject to civil fines. Possession of greater amounts will remain subject to existing criminal penalties. Adults can grow up to two marijuana plants.

Missouri’s new law allows adults to possess up to three ounces of marijuana. Adults can home-cultivate up to six flowering plants, six immature plants, and six plants under 14 inches for personal use.

FIVE TEXAS CITIES PASS DECRIM LAWS

VOTERS IN five Texas cities in November decided in favor of municipal ballot initiatives eliminating local enforcement of low-level marijuana offenses.

Voters in the cities of Denton, Killeen, San Marcos, Elgin and Harker Heights decided ‘yes’ on the measures. Specifically, the ordinances limit local law enforcement from making arrests or issuing citations for most marijuana-related violations. It also prohibits police in most circumstances from considering the odor of Cannabis as probable cause of a crime.

“Texans have shown that they want major Cannabis law reforms in Texas via polling, legislative engagement, and now at the local ballot box,” Texas NORML Executive Director Jax James said. “This will have a positive impact on the almost half a million people living in these cities.”

MINNESOTA GOVERNOR PROMISES LEGALIZATION

INCUMBENT Governor Tim Walz (DFL) is planning for Cannabis legalization with Democrats newly in control of the Minnesota Legislature. Spark ‘em if you got them!

The governor promised it will be “one of the first” bills to pass in 2023, according to former governor Jesse Ventura. Walz called him to chat about the implications of November’s midterm election results, Ventura said.

Walz extended an invitation to former wrestling star Ventura – a longtime Cannabis activist – to the anticipated signing ceremony once lawmakers deliver a legalization bill to the governor’s desk.

MISSOURI GROUP PLANS POT-FRIENDLY ENTERTAINMENT AREA

ell, that didn’t take long. Just a day after Missouri voters legalized adult-use marijuana, developers were already rolling out plans for an entertainment district allowing people to consume marijuana onsite.

It will be known as the Smokey River Entertainment District. Planners want to build it in the small village of River Bend, along the Missouri River, north of Independence.

“You go to any music venue throughout the United States, Cannabis has been a part of it whether you know it or not. Whether it was legal or illegal,” said Besa Hospitality Group Marketing VP Joey Pintozzi.

He envisions wedding venues, an amphitheater, clubs, restaurants and spots for adults to consume marijuana. “It’s normalizing Cannabis in everyday life,” Pintozzi said.

states – Maryland and Missouri – legalized adult-use Cannabis in November’s election.

years have passed since Colorado and Washington became the first two states to legalize adult-use marijuana.

states have legalized adult-use Cannabis, with two more added after the Nov. 2022 elections.

of voters in Elgin, Tex. approved a city ordinance that will officially decriminalize marijuana.

JUDGE ALLOWS VIRIDIS’ LAWSUIT TO PROCEED

AMICHIGAN judge has cleared Viridis North to move forward with its lawsuit against four individuals who worked for the Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA). The lawsuit alleges these individuals violated Viridis North’s constitutional rights. According to the suit, they did so by issuing what the company terms “a baseless recall” in November 2021.

U.S. District Court Judge Paul L. Maloney ruled that Viridis North’s suit can continue. This entitles the company to receive documents, discover evidence and question people under oath. This is to determine any individual liability among CRA leadership and staff for their roles in last year’s recall. The recall was against marijuana tested by Viridis North in Bay City, Mich.

“We applaud the Court for allowing this case to move forward so Viridis North can seek justice,” said David Russell, attorney with Foster, Swift, Collins, and Smith, P.C. “This was clearly an ill-conceived recall based on politics, not science, and we intend to pursue all remedies in court. It’s high time for the state to admit responsibility for its actions.”

in

revenue was brought in by Colorado’s legal Cannabis market in 2021, making it the 2nd largest in the country behind California at $5.2 billion.

Cannabis retailers are now open in Massachusetts’ legal adult-use market.

“It will be known as the Smokey River Entertainment District.”

®

BEST MENU IN MASS OPEN EVERY DAY

GMO Rosin

Whenever I visit Maine, I’m always interested in dropping by exciting local Cannabis cultiva tors, dispensaries and businesses. The state is on the cutting edge of all things weed-related. And, thanks to the freedom created by progressive legislation, many innovative products and tech niques have been brought into existence here.

Ripple Wellness, established by Tyler Crespo and his family in Saco, Maine, is a high-tech Cannabis crafter with a deep understanding of every aspect of cultivation. For over a decade, Ripple has been curating an impressive genetic portfolio and bringing a vision to life. Currently open by office appointment only, this estab lishment is gearing up to bring innovative and high-quality products to the market.

I really loved the vibe of this place. It was much more like a patient-to-caregiver relation ship handled by Crespo and his small team from start to finish.

Ripple’s GMO hash oil benefits from the ice-water extraction process, which begins with making bubble hash that is eventually refined and pressed into rosin. Preserving the terpenes and trichome quality at the beginning of the process is incredibly important, so each batch is immediately “fresh-frozen” in a deep freezer, then washed in 20-gallon machines along with ice water, eventually producing the bubble. This process has really become standard practice in rosin making. However, the amount of detailed care required for these tasks shouldn’t be un derestimated.

The final product is an impressive, saucy and fragrant rosin that leaves no doubt as to why GMO Cookies is an extremely popular strain. Derived from a cross of Chemdog x GSC, this is single-source live rosin – meaning that Rip ple sourced the genetics, grew the flower and pressed the hash – so you know exactly where

the final product came from. This one is extra terpy with a really viscous layer, resembling car amel on top of flan. Crespo explains that this is his “high terpene full spectrum live rosin,” and we can see exactly what he means.

The flavor is potent and tastes as complex as a three-course meal. Initially smelling of musty blood orange, the nose eventually morphs into an earthy pine scent. With the first dab, the skunk hits you immediately and creates a tinge in the nostrils. It finishes earthy with a subtle spice that gives a pleasant aftertaste. Invigorating and enjoyable, this GMO rosin creates a great body high that can put you in a wonderful mood.

Ripple surely has a passion for producing the highest-quality solventless concentrates possible – and the GMO rosin truly shines as a single-source triumph.

“The flavor is potent and tastes as complex as a threecourse meal.”

CULTIVATED & EXTRACTED BY RIPPLE WELLNESS

a Utah company with Colorado-grown CBD, has made its way to the Massachusetts marijuana market at The Mass Apothecary in Swansea. Both businesses are ‘mom-and-pop’ run, community driven and provide the highest-quality products to help address all types of ailments and health concerns. With the wellness movement in full effect in the Northeast, more businesses are establishing their market share and it’s good to see smaller businesses gaining traction on a multistate level.

If you’re looking to soothe your aches and pains, especially as the weather gets colder, this is the topical for you. Cannabidiolic acid or CBDA is the star of the show and proves why it is unlike the other 100+ identified cannabinoids in the plant. In recent studies by Dr. Linda Parker at the University of Guelph, tests showed CBDA to be tre mendously more potent than CBD. CBDA is also massively effective at relieving pain and inflammation. When used with a full-spectrum formula, CBDA can provide immediate relief that lasts longer and works better than other cannabinoids.

Made with emulsifying wax NF, cocoa butter, coconut oil and olive oil, this topical is thick. When applied to the skin it creates a blanket-like effect that seals the transdermal area. For this reason, we do not suggest applying directly to the face or any places on your body where you are prone to breakouts, as it can clog pores. Large areas of the back, legs and arms are easily treated with this stuff and a little goes a long way.

With only a faint scent of lemony orange, this is a down-to-earth prod uct formulated to do a job and not play around. There is virtually no smell, which is greatly appreciated by those who prefer discreet relief. The product packaging follows suit with an earthy autumn palette that’s low-key but attractive. Upscale and powerful with carefully formulated ingredi ents, HempLucid is now available at a store near you or online at massapothecary.com.

“If you’re looking to soothe your aches and pains, especially as the weather gets colder, this is the topical for you.”

REVIEW & PHOTO by CHARLES TAGGART

IT’S HARVEST SEASON IN THE NORTHEAST AND A LOCAL SMALLBATCH CULTIVATOR IS MAKING A WHOLE LOT OF NOISE WITH A SUPER-POTENT STRAIN CALLED BANANA CONDA.

Jasper Farms recently took first place in the flower category at the Best of New England competition with Banana Conda –an indica-dominant hybrid boasting a major kick! Lab tested at an astounding 31.75% THC, you might want to strap in before sampling this superlative strain.

Banana Conda is a mix of Snake Cake – a rare sativa strain bred in York, Maine, known to be exceptionally potent and full of trichomes – and the indica-dominant Dual OG #4, also known for its strength.

With a lineage like that, Banana Conda was destined to be a knockout. The strain features tight, good-sized nugs and a dark-purple hue to the leaf with beautiful trichomes covering nearly every surface, as if they were poured on the buds.

Upon opening the jar, you’re greeted by a pleasant, fruity fragrance. And on the inhale, you’ll recognize a soothing banana cream flavor, followed by an earthy and gassy exhale that got me coughing hard.

These gorgeous nugs filled the bowl nicely and rolled with ease. I took a few puffs of Banana Conda and my back pain quickly melted away. However, I soon noticed that I was too stoned for normal daily work.

If you have chronic pain, problems sleeping and/or a high tolerance, I highly recommend this strain. Just don’t expect to get too much done – Banana Conda is most definitely couchlock Cannabis and, after smoking a fair amount, you will most likely fall asleep. This is a great strain to add to your collection, but don’t sleep on its potency.

Jasper Farms is a small, sustainable organic facility providing top quality, mold and pesticide-free Cannabis. Billy Jasper and partner/head cultivator Zoan Tuttie have been operating Jasper Farms since 2017, with a commitment to quality over quantity.

That commitment is apparent in Banana Conda. The strain received a great deal of one-on-one care and it shows! Only six hands might touch the flower from clone to harvest to your door.

A visit to Jasper Farms’ bloom room revealed five strains within a week or two of harvest – each demonstrating great size and aroma. It was particularly interesting to see the Banana Conda just before harvest and compare it to the dried, cured and jarred Cannabis I had sampled. It was clear that the spectacular flowering plant would become the knockout nugs I consumed.

Jasper Farms is a medical caregiver wholesaler and delivery service in the Midcoast Region of Maine between Bath and Brunswick District.

THE EDIBLES HALL of FAME

This feisty medical marijuana legend moved to the Bay Area during World War II to embark on a career in social activism. In the early 1980s, she volunteered at San Francisco General Hospital and became known for baking and distributing Cannabis brownies to AIDS patients suffering from wasting syndrome. After several high-profile arrests, the city eventually gave Rathbun permission to provide brownies to people with AIDS. She also helped establish Dennis Peron’s San Francisco Cannabis Buyers Club – the first medical Cannabis dispensary in the U.S. For more on Brownie Mary check out Bobby Black’s Cannthopology column this month.

“...the city eventually gave Rathbun permission to provide brownies to peo ple with AIDS.”

“He later soured on the practice of eating weed

An author, journalist and explorer, Fitz Hugh Ludlow started eating Cannabis extracts during college at Princeton in the mid1800s – in particular a tetanus remedy called Tilden’s extract – during the time that marijuana-infused medicines were a part of the medical pharmacopeia. He wrote his autobiographical book “The Hasheesh Eater” in 1857, extolling the ability of Cannabis to enlighten and boost creativity. He later soured on the practice of eating weed after becoming addicted to opium, and unfortunately ended up expressing racist and bigoted remarks in his later works, but his influence in introducing edibles to many in the the public remains.

Way ahead of her time, Alice B. Toklas was born in San Francisco but later moved to Paris to join the emerging avant-garde movement. She had a four-decade relationship with writer Gertrude Stein and the couple hosted legendary parties for American expats, budding intellectuals and French painters. She published her “Alice B. Toklas Cook Book” in 1954 with a recipe from her artist friend in Morocco, Brion Gysin, for “Haschich Fudge” for brownies infused with Cannabis and featuring dates and figs. The original edible was later immortalized in “I Love You, Alice B. Toklas” – the 1968 film starring Peter Sellers.

“She published her “Alice B. Toklas Cook Book” in 1954.”

Born and raised in Illinois, Jim Wilson Jr. — aka Chef Ra — excelled in academics and athletics but also endured racial abuse. He soon joined the counterculture, traveling to Woodstock and Jamaica before becoming a fixture of Ann Arbor’s Hash Bash and Grateful Dead tours with his Rasta Pasta Pesto. His friend, High Times Editorin-Chief Steven Hager, hired him as an edible columnist and put him on the November 1987 cover. Ra’s ebullient personality and recipes – such as Springtime Ganja Nachos and Ultimate Hash Brownies – were also featured in the videos “Chef Ra Escapes Babylon” (1989) and “Ganja Gourmet” (2003). Sadly, Jim passed away on December 26, 2006.

“He soon joined the counterculture, traveling to Woodstock and Jamaica...”

We are pleased to be Introducing the first 10 inaugural inductees into our Leaf Magazine Cannabis Edibles Hall of Fame honoring lasting contributions to the world of marijuanainfused foods. These pioneers and legends changed the way we consume weed, from brownies to beverages and beyond.

“Mickey continued to produce weed candy while becoming more active in pot politics.”

Mickey Martin co-founded Tainted Inc. and Compassion Medicinal Edibles in Oakland after the passing of Prop 215 to provide patients with Cannabis-infused chocolate bars with names and labels mimicking established brands. After parting ways with partner Chris Bliss, Mickey continued to produce weed candy while becoming more active in pot politics. He eventually “grew into a large marijuana-candy maker that bought chocolate by the ton” – according to the DEA, which raided Tainted Inc. in 2007, resulting in Mickey’s arrest on Federal charges. He remained defiant, co-authoring “Medical Marijuana 101” in 2012 and founding Parents 4 Pot, a nonprofit that provided support and Christmas presents for families of pot prisoners. He passed away in 2017.

In the early 1990s, activist, entertainer and model Mary Jane Dunsdon made a name for herself on Vancouver’s Wreck Beach –selling cold slices of watermelon along with weed cookies to locals in-the-know. She was arrested several times, sometimes while topless, adding to her notoriety and bringing attention to the need for a legal framework for Cannabis in Canada. “Watermelon” was featured on multiple covers of High Times and also in the video “High Times presents Watermelon’s Baked and Baking” in 2003. She’s now the founder and operator of the Commercial Drive Licorice Parlour.

“Watermelon” was featured on multiple covers of High Times.”

Elise McDonough began her career at High Times in 2002 as a talented art designer, but quickly discovered her prowess as an edible writer and editor. Having judged the infused food category of multiple Cannabis Cups (over 500 edibles!), she created a new lane for herself as a food critic and author who introduced an element of fine dining to Cannabisinfused cuisine, becoming the first-ever Edibles Editor at HT. Elise is the author of “The Official High Times Cannabis Cookbook,” “Marijuana for Everybody!” and Vice’s “Bong Appetit.”

“McDonough wrote ‘The Official High Times Cannabis Cookbook,’ ‘Mar ijuana for Every body!’ and Vice’s ‘Bong Appetit.’ ”

Elise has experience as a PR specialist and brand builder and is currently the Director of Marketing at multi-state Cannabis brand binske.

Cheri got her start as a circus performer and magician, eventually pivoting into a career as a professional food writer and recipe developer. After discovering medical marijuana and graduating from Oaksterdam University, Cheri set out to turn her foodie credentials into a career in Cannabis cuisine. Since then, she’s engaged in activism – organizing multiple rallies and fundraisers – and is also the author of “The Cannabis Gourmet Cookbook” (2012), “Mary Jane: The Complete Marijuana Handbook for Women” (2015) and “The Easy Cannabis Cookbook” (2018). She also teaches live classes, as well as online Cannabis cooking courses on her website cannabischeri.com.

“Sicard is known for her activism, organizing rallies and fundraisers.”

As a co-founder of Tainted, Chris Bliss was the chef and chocolatier who created the recipes, logos and branding for their chocolates and truffles – long before any of it was remotely allowed. He also prepared some of the first multi-course marijuana laden meals ever served. Trained in all aspects of cooking, from the busiest diner kitchens to the impeccable restaurants of Wolfgang Puck, his experience helped pioneer the manufacturing, labeling and packaging we see in the current edible industry. Many of today’s legal brands owe Chris a huge debt of gratitude, as he taught and trained the founders in the alchemical arts of infusion.

“Bliss helped pioneer the manu facturing, labeling and packaging we see in the current edible industry.”

“Bobrow intro duced the main stream public to Cannabis cocktails and mocktails.”

Author, chef, mixologist and “Cannabis Alchemist” Warren Bobrow got his start in the alcohol industry, having studied food writing at New School University and the French Culinary Institute. He’s also written multiple books, including “Apothecary Cocktails, Whiskey Cocktails, Bitters and Shrub Syrup Cocktails” and “The Craft Cocktail Compendium.” His 2016 book, “Cannabis Cocktails, Mocktails & Tonics: The Art of Spirited Drinks & Buzz-Worthy Libations,” introduced the mainstream to marijuana-infused liquid beverages – now an entire segment of the legal weed industry. In fact, he’s also the co-founder and CEO of Klaus (@drinkklaus), creating terpene-forward craft Cannabis cocktails for the marijuana marketplace.

Send your nominations for future cannabis edible hall of famers to

dan@leafmagazines.com.

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

Laurie Wolf never quite planned for her career in the high-end NYC culinary scene to lead her to the Portland Cannabis industry – but after being dubbed the “Martha Stewart of Edibles" by The New Yorker, I’d say she ended up exactly where she’s meant to be.

Following her graduation from The Culinary Institute of America in New York, Laurie spent years working as a successful chef, caterer and recipe developer for various magazines. Soon after turning 30 and trading in the city life to move out to Oregon, she was diagnosed with absence epilepsy. “I would feel a little sick, a little nauseous, and then I wouldn’t know my name or where I was,” recalls Laurie. “I wouldn’t know anything. It was awful. I couldn’t drive, I was on really strong medication and everywhere I went, I had to have a little name card on me in case I had an episode.”

It was this experience that led Laurie to ultimately discover the magical, miraculous world of Cannabis edibles. “One day I was sitting next to this old guy with white mad scientist hair who looked like Albert Einstein,” explains Laurie. “We just started talking, I told him about my epilepsy and he asked if I had ever used Cannabis for it. At the time, I didn’t even know Cannabis was medically legal. He said, ‘Call this doctor, get your card, and come find me if it doesn’t work. I guarantee you, your episodes will stop.’”

Leaf Nation sits down with Laurie Wolf, the culinary mastermind and Cannabis connoisseur behind the Laurie + MaryJane brand.

Laurie and Mary Jane, at their production facility in Portland, Oregon.

Laurie was willing to try just about any thing for relief, so she took the word of the mad scientist and started going around to different dispensaries. Back then, edibles were only sold in 1,000mg bars, so she’d get one and break it up into very small pieces. “I’d take about five milligrams every morning. I started doing that and I became seizure-free. My epilepsy was not gone, but managed so that I could live a normal life, which was just unbelievable,” says Laurie.

The only problem?

Laurie says the edibles at the time were not only difficult to dose, but “tasted like somebody dipped a bud in chalk.” She knew she could make something better, which inspired her to start ideating her own edibles company. After her son Nick and his new wife Mary decided to follow in Laurie’s foodie footsteps and also relocate from New York to Portland, Mary offered her help with the logo she had been working on. “She added the whisk, and it just completely changed the look. I asked her to be my partner and the rest is history,” says Laurie.

Laurie + Mary Jane officially opened its doors in 2014 with the goal to make edi bles so delicious, people would want to eat them even if they weren’t infused.

Laurie said that her profes sional culinary background has been crucial to the critically-ac claimed success of the brand. “I just wanted to hear people say, ‘Oh my god, this is so good,’ and have the quality of the ingredients be top notch,” ex plains Laurie. “Having gone to cooking school and owning a catering business, I knew how to do that and how to season things. I could overcompensate for the flavors of the Cannabis with a mix of spices and things that would work together.”

HOMEBASE Portland, Oregon

COOKING STYLE

Comfort rustic MOST SMOKED STRAIN Forbidden Fruit

GO-TO MUNCHIE SNACK Potato chips

FAVORITE LMJ PRODUCT Almond Cake Bites

them do it in a non-scary way and they don’t get uncomfortable.”

Today, Laurie + Mary Jane products can be found in over 300 dispensaries throughout the state of Oregon. From cookies and chocolates to crackers and cake pops, their lineup includes both sweet and savory treats that make great gifts for seasoned stoners and inexperienced edible eaters alike.

“Cannabis is definitely a part of our holiday celebrations. I like to bake infused holiday cookies and things for gifts,” says Laurie. “A lot of my friends who have nev er tried or enjoyed Cannabis before have now come to like it because I’ve helped

Laurie continues to tell me about how she enjoys blending Cannabis and community around the holi days, making infused festive breakfasts of pancakes or french toast for loved ones. Her go-to meal around this time of year is a Puerto Rican dish called Pernil – a shoulder of pork that is flooded with herbs and garlic and marinated for two days before a low-and-slow bake – served with vegetables and rice and paired with a tres leches cake and coconut flan for dessert. My case of cottonmouth from trying one of the brand’s Fudgy Brownie Bites before my interview was quickly cured by Laurie’s mouth-wateringly delicious description of this meal.

“A lot of the kinds of foods that I like to cook tend to be comfort food rustic, and to me, there are so many strains that lend themself to that,” says Laurie. And I’d have to agree with you there – there truly is no pairing that makes me feel quite as comfy and cozy as some good ol’ home cooking and Cannabis around the holidays.

LAURIEANDMARYJANE.COM

@LAURIEANDMARYJANE Katherine Wolf is a Cannabis writer, branding specialist, and the Chief Marketing & Operations Officer of Malek’s Premium Cannabis, a small-batch Colorado cultivator focused on flavor-first genetics.

“Cannabis is definitely a part of our holiday celebrations. I like to bake infused holiday cookies and things for gifts. A lot of my friends who have never tried or enjoyed Cannabis before have now come to like it because I've helped them do it in a non-scary way…”

Mary Jane, Laurie, Emily and Amelia

Advice for optimizing the edible experience.

For the first timer…

THE edibles ISSUE THIS INFUSED LIFE

Go slow! You can always eat more, but never less. Start with a single serving of 5-10mg, wait a couple hours, and enjoy the feeling. Pay at tention to how your body reacts and remember: One plus one, doesn’t equal two. Everybody reacts differently to servings, and you might feel great at 10mg and feel sick and out of control at 20mg. So take it easy, start slow, and build a tolerance and dosage range that works for you over time.

What’s a serving size? How do I decide dosage?

Looking at the label on an edible might seem confusing, but there are a few simple tricks to figuring it all out. The two most important things to note are the serving size and total cannabi noids/potency. Most states define a serving as either 5mg or 10mg of THC. Potency will always be based on milligrams. The total potency could be 50mg or 100mg, depending on regulations, but it could also be as high as 1,000+ milli grams if it’s a tincture or high-strength option. Reading this and knowing your dosage is the difference between a fun time and a neverend ing rollercoaster of THC.

For most people, eating a single serving is going to be perfect. People with low tolerances might find medicinal relief at just two or three milligrams, but a sweet space seems to be 10mg. Once you feel comfortable there, explore by adding a serving per edible experience so you can expand your comfortability zone.

It’s also common to have a personal range when it comes to dosing. For this writer, 1020mg is a daily relaxer and anti-anxiety tool, 50mg does the trick for pain but makes it hard to focus, and 100mg is a full-blown, drooly edi ble trip. But this is just me – I’ve seen people eat 250mg and reach for the next cookie. So take it slow and find your sweet spot when it comes to dosage … you’ll have fun and feel great!

Can I overdose on edibles?

Here’s the good news about eating too much THC: You can’t die! The only way edibles could kill you is if a loaded crate of them fell on your head in a tragic weed warehouse accident. But that’s where the good news ends.

Do you remember the first time you got too drunk? Most of us have at least a few col lege-age, puking-in-random-places memories that we’d like to forget. That said, consuming too much THC or other cannabinoids can result in serious discomfort similar to alcohol over consumption, with symptoms including nausea/ puking, paranoia and the spins. In extreme

This holiday season, get ready to fly as high as a reindeer with our annual Edibles Issue! To avoid crashing and burning like Rudolph after a long night of whatever keeps his nose so red, check out our edibles advice for living your best infused life. While most of this information is for new consumers, it’s always great to get a refresher course – and to keep sharing with friends and family before embarking on a journey into the holidaze.

situations, the high level of psychoactive effects can lead to crazed behavior.

The only cure for over consumption is time and water, which is why you should avoid wast ing a medical professional’s time at a hospital getting fluids and a large bill. If you or a friend end up too high, grab the Gatorade and a weighted blanket, and plan to sit it out. This might mean silence and darkness or putting on a favorite movie – but rest assured that it will pass and once you fall asleep, you’ll be on your way to a fresh start the next day.

The Edible Hangover

While edibles are much safer than alcohol, they can still cause a hangover that can be incred ibly unpleasant. Imagine being stuck in a sort of mental quicksand and having every move ment slowed down 30%, while feeling like the dehydrated SpongeBob that tried to hang out in Sandy’s air environment. Like a fish out of water, eating too much can leave you gasping … and

there’s not a lot to help but coffee and fluids. Our best advice to prevent a hangover is to go slow, and make sure to eat edibles with enough time to activate and have effects before sleep. And if your goal is sleep, don’t wait until your bedtime to pop the CBN. Giving the cannabinoids time to kick in will help with either fun or sleep, and allow for a restful night without effects clouding your mind the next day.

In Budtenders We Trust

Last but certainly not least, trust your budtender when you have questions, concerns or expe riences to share. Don’t be shy: They’ve heard it all and probably love helping with advice!

If they don’t, pick a more enthusiastic bud tender and dive in. Getting trusted info from the source is always clutch, especially before dropping money on a new product or trying something different. And for the best advice possible, always tip your budtender for good service. It will definitely pay off!

PHOTO BY ADOBE STOCK

EDIBLE LIFE HACKS FOR THE MODERN STONER

In many Cannabis markets across the United States, the dosage cap for edibles often seems to scoff in the face of the medicinal food and beverage movement that helped create so many of the names we know today. So, what do you do if you want something with more THC than what’s available on the shelf? We’ve come too far now to go back to making questionablydosed brownies in our kitchen, and not everyone wants to learn the art of cooking with Cannabis. But there are a ton of hacks –and even some products out there – that will help you transform your favorite edibles into amazingly potent “haute cuisine.” Below, you can find four suggestions for spicing up your edibles without becoming a Michelin SensiStar chef.

One classic example is a dessert I learned about in Europe in the early 2000s called a Yogi. All you need is some hash, some oil, and a sin gle-serving carton of yogurt. Head to your local shop and ask for some melty bubble hash, place about one third to one half of a gram into a spoon with a bit of coconut or cooking oil, and heat the bottom until they melt into one mixture (alternatively, you can warm them up in a ramekin). Then drop that into your cup of yogurt, stir, and eat up. At first, you’ll wonder if it’s even working, but after a couple hours in … get ready for a beautiful ride that can last half the day.

If you’re looking for something a little fancier, how about something I worked up by accident?

Called the Canna-Potta, this take on a classic Italian dessert usually calls for two thirds to a whole bag of gummies per serving. Take your gummies and place them into a muffin top tin. Let them melt at 95 degrees on a lower rack for two to three minutes, or until they become one solid disc. Heat gelatin powder, heavy cream, salt, sugar and vanilla bean extract together. Whisk well, then let cool and pour into cups. Pop everything into the fridge to chill for at least four hours, then place that high-powered con fection on top and bon appetit.

Have you ever tried a tincture milkshake? One of the benefits of the Cannabis beverage explosion has been the increase of delicious, large-dose mixers in a wide array of flavors on the market. It’s a misno mer that beverages must be low-dose, and a good tincture can work solo or in tandem with a Cannabis beverage. For example, stopping by your local store and tossing 200mg of Mango

tincture in with some blueberries, vanilla ice cream and coconut milk makes for an incredible afternoon (you can pour them into two glasses, but we can’t guarantee you’ll share). Up your level by topping it with your favorite canna-drink.

Want something a little simpler, but with almost no end to the possibilities? Look no further than RSO. Also called Full Spectrum Oil, by adding a drop the size of a grain of rice to something like buttered toast, you can achieve a similar effect to a handful of treats – or even transform a gummy into a supercharged edible. When consuming THC, it’s important to remember it’s lipid-soluble, meaning it will need to bond with fat to produce that wonderful experience. Now, who’s ready for a 50mg fried peanut butter and banana sandwich?

There’s no telling what new ideas you might get the next time you’re checking out the edible section at a dispensary! If you come up with something fun, tag Leaf Magazines and let’s share the culinary creativity.

STORY by MATT JACKSON

PHOTO BY ADOBE STOCK

“For a Yogi, all you need is some hash, some oil, and a carton of yogurt.”

PRODUCT REVIEWS

this versatile liquid additive can be paired with both hot or cold beverages of all kinds. The compact and discrete bottle features a unique fill-and-pour reservoir for precise dosing every time, keeping the effects consistent and quick to work their mellow magic. 150MG THC/BOTTLE | AVAILABLE AT CURALEAF DISPENSARIES IN HANOVER, OXFORD, PROVINCETOWN AND WARE, MASS., AS WELL AS CONNECTICUT, VERMONT AND MAINE. | SELECTCANNABIS.COM | @SELECT.BETTER | CURALEAF.COM @CURALEAF.USA | REVIEW BY DAN VINKOVETSKY @DANNYDANKOHT

NONA THE STONAH TOASTED COCONUT BISCOTTI

When things are as advertised, one tends to have the same pleasing feeling that comes with taking a super crispy, almond-sweet toasted Italian cookie and dipping it into tea or coffee and letting the sensory overload set you right. And with this five-pack of toasted coconut Cannabis infused biscotti, you have all that plus the weed part. Bonus points for this cookie not shying away from the proper texture and form of a classic biscotti, as well as the ironbranded Cannabis warning on the cookie for aesthetics.

5MG THC/PIECE | 25MG THC/PACKAGE AVAILABLE AT CANNAPROVISIONS LOCATIONS IN MASSACHUSETTS REVIEW BY DAN MCCARTHY @ACUTALPROOF

Solventless ice-water hash in a fragrant, flavorful and soft gelatin gummy. Nova Farms is jumping on the “solventless-instead-of-distillate" trend with their hash-infused THC edibles called Hashables. A cleverly-named product that promises a more full-bodied high – rather than the strong psychoactive effects of typical distillate edibles – and delivers. Utilizing Impact Extracts’ nonsolvent concentrate, you can expect to feel euphoric and happy with added pain relief to soothe your body.

4.79MG THC/GUMMY | 95.86MG THC/CONTAINER | AVAILABLE AT NOVA FARMS LOCATIONS IN MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE AND SOON NEW JERSEY | NOVAFARMS.COM | @NOVAFARMSRETAIL

MYSTIQUE OF MAINE ENTOURAGE EDIBLES GUMMIES

Mystique offers three different types of Entourage Edible gummies: Sativa Lift, Indica Chill and Happy Hybrid. Available in both strawberry and orange flavors, these gummies are infused with full spectrum live resin Cannabis oil. They have a texture somewhere between the Haribo brand of gummies and calamari – a little rubbery and firm – and the fruit flavors are subtle with a hint of the botanical. The effect, which started to kick in about 45 minutes after consumption, was mild and lasted for approximately five hours. 10MG THC/GUMMY | 100MG THC/JAR (10 PCS)

AVAILABLE AT MYSTIQUE OF MAINE | MYSTIQUEOFMAINE.COM | @MYSTIQUEOFMAINE

REVIEW AND PHOTOS BY GILBERT GJERSVIK

CHEEBA CHEWS

THC AND THCV CHARGED CHOCOLATE TAFFY ENERGY CHEWS

The minor cannabinoid THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin) is known to provide a boost to our motivation, while also increasing satiety. Each low-calorie, fat-free piece of yummy chocolate taffy (with just a hint of caffeine added) delivers a clear-headed buzz – while also increasing metabolism –making them the perfect option for on-the-go stoners. The appetite suppression and energy lift make this the perfect edible for conscious Cannabis consumers looking to improve their health … and possibly lose a few extra pounds in the process.

5.13MG THC/PIECE | 102.6MG THC/PACKAGE

2.56MG THCV/PIECE | 51.32MG THCV/PACKAGE

AVAILABLE AT THE BOTANIST LOCATIONS

THROUGHOUT MASSACHUSETTS CHEEBACHEWS.COM | @CHEEBACHEWSOCAL SHOPBOTANIST.COM | @THEBOTANIST.MA

REVIEW BY DAN VINKOVETSKY @DANNYDANKOHT

MARY PALMER

INTERSTELLAR S’MORE

Mary Palmer is a woman and veteran-owned business founded in Massachusetts by social equity partners Lynne Spinney and D.J. Stenny, whose products have earned over 40 awards in the Cannabis industry. Their Interstellar S’more is a Cryo Cured marshmallow stuffed with Nutella on a chocolate-drizzled graham cracker and topped with caramel, toffee crunch and 24K gold. It’s a delicious and beautiful morsel infused with CBD that will please your palate and your psyche. Mary Palmer’s events and offerings can be accessed at The Peoples Congregation of Shakers and Movers. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT PCSAM.ORG. 100MG CBD PER S’MORE | WHOISMARYPALMER.COM | @WHOISMARYPALMER

REVIEW BY DAN VINKOVETSKY @DANNYDANKOHT

REVIEWS by NORTHEAST LEAF STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS

NOVA FARMS HASHABLES BANGIN’ BERRY GUMMIES

REVIEW AND PHOTO BY BAILEY JONSON @BAILEYNUGGZ

PRODUCT REVIEWS

HAPPY VALLEY

X-CELL NANO STIR STIX

If you’re seeking a fast way to infuse any beverage, look no further than the X-Cell Nano Stir Stix from Happy Valley. Available in Raspberry Lemonade, Fruit Punch, Strawberry and Orange Pineapple flavors – as well as Unflavored – these quick-acting, zero-calorie, low-carb powders can be easily stirred into your preferred drink. Take a few sips and you’ll feel the effects come on in less than 15 minutes for a rapid onset of experiences.

5MG THC/POUCH | 50MG THC/ PACKAGE

AVAILABLE AT HAPPY VALLEY’S LOCATIONS IN GLOUCESTER AND EAST BOSTON HAPPYVALLEY.ORG | @HAPPYVALLEYMA

REVIEW BY DAN VINKOVETSKY @DANNYDANKOHT

WANA BRANDS WANA OPTIMALS FAST ASLEEP Getting a gummy for the knockout of the night is great when you want it, but sometimes you pop awake at night for various reasons and just want something to slip you back into the snooze-stream without making the morning a waking nightmare. These fast-acting, minor cannabinoid-rich chews boast a 5-10 minute onset and a balanced 2-4 hour sleep duration effect. The balance of THC:CBD:CBG:CBN and melatonin come in blocks of a mixed-berry flavor thanks to the 30 different terpenes they load these things with.

2MG THC/PIECE | 20MG THC/PACKAGE | AVAILABLE AT CANNAPROVISIONS LOCATIONS IN MASSACHUSETTS | WANABRANDS.COM | @WANABRANDS

REVIEW BY DAN MCCARTHY @ACUTALPROOF

BUBBY’S BAKED

FULL SPECTRUM BROWNIE BITES

From the creators of the “World’s Largest Pot Brownie,” these exquisite morsels from Bubby’s Baked are a wonderful way to medicate with the benefits of full spectrum Cannabis. Soft, moist and chewy, these 45-calorie chunks are a bite-sized burst of nostalgic, old-school pot brownie flavor made from scratch in small batches. Pop one in your mouth and soon you’ll be feeling the pleasant and mellow buzz in both your body and your brain.

5MG THC/SERVING | 25MG THC/PACKAGE

AVAILABLE AT AYR MASSACHUSETTS BUBBYSBAKED.COM | @BUBBYSBAKED AYRMASSACHUSETTS.COM | @AYR_MASS

REVIEW BY DAN VINKOVETSKY @DANNYDANKOHT

SELECT ORANGE MATTER

X BITES

These gummies are strictly for the experienced and seasoned Cannabis consumer. Select uses their proprietary encapsulation technology to deliver the fastest, strongest and longest-lasting effects by optimizing the absorption of THC. The creamy vanilla-orange flavor is reminiscent of a tasty orange creamsicle from the ice cream truck. Onset begins in less than 15 minutes and lasts for hours, with a strong but mellow and consistent buzz.

5MG THC/PIECE | 100MG/PACKAGE

AVAILABLE AT CURALEAF LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT MAINE AND SOON TO BE IN MASSACHUSETTS, AND EVENTUALLY IN CONNECTICUT, NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK.

SELECTCANNABIS.COM | @SELECT.BETTER CURALEAF.COM | @CURALEAF.USA

REVIEW BY DAN VINKOVETSKY @DANNYDANKOHT

4FRONT VENTURES KOKO GEMZ HANDMADE INFUSED CHOCOLATES

These fantastic, silky-smooth chocolate orbs are created using high-quality Belgian chocolate and are mostly gluten-free* and all vegetarian. They’re tasty and effective with a steady effect that can take up to an hour to kick in. Flavors include: Cookies N' Cream (*not gluten free), Dark Chocolate, Dark Chocolate CBD, Milk Chocolate, Milk Chocolate CBD, Milk Chocolate with Peanut Butter, Milk Chocolate with Peanut Butter 1:1, Mint Dark Chocolate and Sea Salt Milk Chocolate. 10MG THC/PIECE | 100MG THC/PACKAGE | AVAILABLE AT MISSION DISPENSARIES AND FYRE ANTS IN EASTHAMPTON, MASSACHUSETTS MISSIONDISPENSARIES.COM | @MISSIONBROOKLINE | FYREANTS.COM @FYREANTS | REVIEW BY DAN VINKOVETSKY @DANNYDANKOHT

COAST CANNABIS CO. RASPBERRY LIME THC:THCV:CBD

INFUSED

GUMMIES

One of the benefits of innovation at a woman-owned company and independent edibles manufacturer like Coast is getting to try products – as they seem to spend great effort in perfecting their recipes and infusions targeted at effect-based options, like these uplifting gummies.

High points for these COAST 1:1:1 THCV:CBG:CBD raspberry lime gummies’ consistency and effects, as well as for being a new weapon in one’s arsenal for enhancing cooking holiday dinner. Not to mention, a new energy-boosting boon to the workouts needed to recuperate lost ground in the fight against the 25 pounds winter brings.

5MG THC/PIECE 100MG THC/PACKAGE

AVAILABLE AT CANNA PROVISIONS STORES IN MASSACHUSETTS

COASTCANNABISCO.COM @COASTCANNACO

REVIEW BY DAN MCCARTHY @ACUTALPROOF

REVIEWS by NORTHEAST LEAF STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS

CURALEAF ENDLESS COAST CANNABIS-INFUSED SELTZER

Endless Coast Seltzers are known for their low-calorie, low-sugar and low-carb line of beverages with four fabulous flavors with controlled and consistent effects. Using their nanotechnology, they’re able to turn cannabis oil into tiny water-soluble molecules that make them more easily absorbed with effects being felt within 15 minutes of consumption. Their newest seasonal selection, Spiced Apple, tastes like a “hard” cider but is considerably more gentle, providing all the fun and flavor without the calories or hangover.

5MG THC/CAN AVAILABLE AT CURALEAF LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT MASSACHUSETTS AND CAMPFIRE CANNABIS CURALEAF.COM | @CURALEAF.USA

REVIEW BY DAN VINKOVETSKY @DANNYDANKOHT

BETTY’S EDDIES GO BETTY GO AND TAKE IT EASY EDDIES

FRUIT CHEWS

These tasty fruit chews resemble the saltwater taffy of a classic New England childhood. Customizing the edibles experience, Betty’s Eddies creates a lane of their own on the canna-consumption superhighway. With each set of new chews, we’re seeing some serious ingredient innovation – a real attempt to address certain wellness ailments like lack of energy or sleep. The Go Betty Go provides energy while the Take It Easy Eddies promote stress relief.

WATERMELON (ENERGY): 5MG THCV

L-THEANINE, CAFFEINE PINEAPPLE ORANGE (STRESS RELIEF): 5MG CBG | 2.5MG CBDV CHAMOMILE, L-THEANINE, PASSIONFLOWER AVAILABLE AT CANNAPROVISIONS LOCATIONS AND CANNAVANA IN ROCKLAND MASSACHUSETTS | BETTYSEDDIES.COM

@BETTYSEDDIESOFFICIAL

REVIEW AND PHOTO BY BAILEY JONSON @BAILEYNUGGZ

MARY PALMER CHRONIC CLOUDS

The award-winning woman and veteran-owned mom ‘n’ pop edible brand Mary Palmer is taking freeze-dried confections to new heights. A perfect example are their Chronic Clouds, a CBD-infused cotton candy burst whipped and Cryo-Cured to a light and fluffy cloud that will remind you of long sunny days at the county fair. The packaging and presentation are as wonderful as the beneficial (non-psychoactive) cannabinoids. Take a ride on a Chronic Cloud and kiss the sky! 100MG CBD | MARY PALMER’S EVENTS AND OFFERINGS CAN BE ACCESSED AT THE PEOPLES CONGREGATION OF SHAKERS AND MOVERS. PCSAM.ORG | WHOISMARYPALMER.COM | @WHOISMARYPALMER REVIEW BY DAN VINKOVETSKY @DANNYDANKOHT

MILLY BRANDS CANNATINI

INFUSED

ADULT CHEWS

Milly Brands, founded in 2019 by Northeast Alternatives, has created an upscale version of one of our favorite adult beverages of all time – the martini. Using RSO rather than distillate, this product has an impactful response throughout your body’s endocannabinoid system and a flavor that will keep you coming back for more. Packaged in a classy and elevated black tin canister, traveling with your wellness routine is a breeze and you feel like you’re giving yourself a special treat with every piece. 4.66MG THC/PIECE | 93.2MG THC/CONTAINER AVAILABLE AT THE BOTANIST LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT MASSACHUSETTS MILLYBRANDS.COM | @CANNATINI | REVIEW AND

PHOTO BY BAILEY JONSON @BAILEYNUGGZ

BYKY DARK CHOCOLATE SNACKING AND BAKING MORSELS

These versatile, artisanal dark chocolate nubs can be nibbled on straight out of the bag or used to bake with for a euphoric and uplifting buzz with flavor to boot. They’re vegan, paleo, dairy-free, keto-friendly and created using organic ingredients and pure CO2 extracted Cannabis oil – making these cacao chips a plant-based superfood that also gets you super high! As with all other Cannabis-infused products, start low and go slow to avoid a potentially uncomfortable experience. 2.5MG THC/SERVING | 100MG THC/PACKAGE AVAILABLE AT SOLAR CANNABIS CO. | EDIBLESBYKY.COM @EDIBLESBYKY | SOLARTHERA.COM @SOLARCANNABISCO REVIEW BY DAN VINKOVETSKY @DANNYDANKOHT

REVIEWS by NORTHEAST LEAF STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS

Baking a Difference

HUMBLE ORIGINS

Brownie Mary was born Mary Jane Rathbun on December 22, 1922, in Chicago, then raised in Minnesota. She was a social justice warrior from the get-go: At 13, she fought back against a nun at her Catholic school for trying to cane her; in her teens, she traveled to Wisconsin to campaign for the unionization of miners; and in the ’40s she fought for abortion rights in Minneapolis.

During World War II, Rathbun and a few of her girlfriends moved to San Francisco hoping to marry a military man … which she did – giving birth to a daughter named Peggy in 1955 – but divorced soon after. She moved into a public housing unit not far from Haight Ashbury and got a job as a waitress at the local IHOP. Coming of age in the 1960s, her daughter befriended many gay men in the predom inantly LGBTQ Castro district. Which is why, after Peggy was tragically killed by a drunk driver at the age of 22, Rathbun began mothering young gay run aways as her new “adopted” children. It was through her embrace of the gay community that she eventu ally connected with her future friend and partner-incrime, Cannabis activist Dennis Peron.

INTRO TO CANNABIS

Rathbun first met Dennis Peron in 1974 when they shared a joint at the Castro’s Cafe Flore. Inspired by Peron, and a copy of Alice B. Toklas’s infamous Can

nabis cookbook, Rathbun started baking weed-laced cookies and brownies as a side hustle to make ends meet using ingredients purchased with her $650 per month Social Security check and grower-donated Cannabis (often left anonymously on her doorstep). She sold her “magically delicious” brownies for a few dollars each out of a napkin-lined basket (and later, at Peron’s Big Top pot market) and advertised them with flyers posted on local bulletin boards. Before long, she was churning out hundreds of brownies a day, with customers reportedly lining up along the stairs to her apartment to order them by the dozen. By the decade’s end, she’d become a folk hero in the Castro known as “Brownie Mary.”

Eventually, Brownie Mary’s endeavors came into the crosshairs of law enforcement when a narc from the SFPD came across one of her flyers. On the night of January 14, 1981, Det. Sgt. Robert Bullard showed up at her apartment posing as a customer and placed her under arrest … to which the feisty, foulmouthed 57-year-old in the flowered apron reacted by saying, “Oh shit.”

After searching her home, police found and confiscated 18 pounds of Cannabis and 54 dozen brownies. To cover her legal defense, it’s rumored she had to sell most of her belongings – including the kitchen table on which the brownies were made. She pled guilty to nine counts of possession and sale of marijuana, but the judge liked her and sentenced her to just three years probation and 500 hours of community service – which, it turned out, she was happy to do. In fact, she found her service so

BROWNIE BUSTS

Compared to everyone from Betty Crocker, Mrs. Field and Sara Lee, to Florence Nightingale, Mother Teresa and Harriet Tubman, Brownie Mary wasn’t just a pioneer of Cannabis edibles – she was a selfless, spirited activist who many consider the mother of the medical marijuana movement.

With best friend and partner-in-crime Dennis Peron.

A never-before-published photo of Brownie Mary.

rewarding that she finished her sentence in a record 60 days and kept on volunteering thereafter.

Despite her probation, Rathbun went right back to baking – except this time, instead of selling the brownies, she gave them away to AIDS and cancer patients for free. On December 7, 1982, while on her way to deliver some brownies to a friend under going chemotherapy, Rathbun had the bad luck of running into one of the cops that had arrested her the year before. After he discovered the four dozen brownies she was carrying, she was arrested again and charged with several counts of possession and a probation violation. Luckily for her, the charges were later dropped – but not before she received a stern warning at her court hearing.

“The judge said, ‘You have to stop the Brownie Mary shtick – it’s over,’” Peron’s husband John En twistle told Bon Appetit magazine in 2019. “‘If you do it again, we’ll send you to jail.’”

Undeterred, for the next decade she made weekly visits to Ward 86 at San Francisco General Hospi tal, where she spent thousands of hours volunteer ing with AIDS patients and supplying them with her brownies at no charge.

“She called them her kids,” Peron recalled. “Many of them were dying alone and despised. Their families wouldn’t even visit them. She baked them something that helped ease their pain, and she also dispensed friendliness and resilience. A lot of those patients called her an angel of mercy.”

Mary became so beloved at the hospital that in 1986 they gave her a “Volunteer of the Year” award.

to court, but police wouldn’t take the bait. Rathbun, however, did get busted again on July 19, 1992, in the town of Cazadero, where she was caught baking brownies at a grower friend’s house and charged with felony possession of two-and-a-half pounds of marijuana. Initially, the Sonoma County district attorney attempted to prosecute her, but that didn’t exactly go as planned.

On August 25, Rathbun testified at a medical marijuana hearing held by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors at City Hall. By the end of that hearing, the Board had not only passed a resolu tion making possession or cultivation of medical Cannabis law enforcement’s “lowest priority,” they also voted to honor Rathbun’s humanitarian work –officially declaring August 25 “Brownie Mary Day” across the city. Addressing the 5,000-plus crowd outside after, Brownie Mary raised her fists and shouted: “If the narcs think I’m gonna stop baking brownies for my kids with AIDS, they can go fuck themselves in Macy’s window!”

With famed cannabis attorney Tony Serra (left) and his legal team.

putting this saintly septuagenarian on trial, the DA dropped the charges.

As a cause célèbre for medical marijuana, Brownie Mary helped broaden sympathy for the movement and pass Proposition 215 in No vember 1996. That same year, she and Dennis released the book they’d co-authored: “Brownie Mary’s Mari juana Cookbook and Dennis Peron’s Recipe for Social Change.” Notably absent from the book, however, was her famous brownie recipe – because, as Rathbun once told the NY Times, “When and if they legalize [Canna bis], I’ll sell my brownie recipe to Betty Crocker or Duncan Hines and take the profits and buy an old Victorian for my kids with AIDS.”

DEATH & LEGACY

Two different editions of Brownie Mary’s cookbook.

Unfortunately, Mary never got that opportunity. Sad ly, by the time Prop 215 was passed, Rathbun was in so much pain from her numerous ailments that she considered contacting Dr. Kevorkian to arrange for assisted suicide. After suffering a fall in August 1998, she underwent surgery on her neck and spine, after which she was confined to a wheelchair. Finally, on April 10, 1999, Brownie Mary suffered a heart attack and died at Laguna Honda Hospital. She was 76.

ACTIVISM & ANOTHER ARREST

In addition to helping the sick, Rathbun also got more involved in Cannabis activism. At Peron’s invitation, she spoke to the ACT UP organization about the effectiveness of Cannabis in treating HIV patients. And in 1991, she helped him with Proposition P – an initiative to protect doctors in San Francisco from criminal penalties for prescribing medical marijuana – which passed that November with an overwhelming 80% support.

In 1992, Rathbun helped Peron and Entwistle launch the San Francisco Cannabis Buyers Club (the first public medical marijuana dispensary in the country) in Peron’s house, which included a Brownie Mary’s Cafe in the basement. Apparently, the club’s organizers were actually hoping it would get busted so they could take their case for medical marijuana

THE PEOPLE V. RATHBUN

Like that SF rally, Rathbun’s pre-trial hearing – held two months later at a small Santa Rosa courthouse – became a huge media event.

“We marched to court. The radio and television stations all covered it. The court and the halls were filled with everyone from flower children to medical specialists,” explained famed Cannabis attorney Tony Serra in the book “Lust for Justice: The Radical Life & Law of J. Tony Serra.”

With her new high-profile lawyer at her side, Rathbun showed up in her trademark bifocals, polyester pants, and sweater adorned with various pro-pot pins and pleaded not guilty. Serra then presented her defense: submitting a flurry of affi davits from doctors, psychiatrists and activists, and positing that she did not profit from her “crimes” –that they were acts of conscience and compassion and that “the nobility of her actions outweighed the reprehensibleness of her offense.” The judge offered her a “slap on the wrist” plea deal carrying a fine of $10,000, but Rathbun refused – instead insisting on a jury trial. Eager to avoid the negative publicity of

A week after her death, a candlelight vigil was held in her honor in the Castro, where nearly 500 peo ple paid their respects by leaving candles, flowers, photos, news clippings, pot leaf leis and of course, brown ies. Among those who spoke at the memorial were Peron, Serra and SF District Attorney Terence Hallinan, who told the crowd: “Brownie Mary was a hero, and will one day be remembered as the Florence Nightingale of the medical marijuana movement.”

“Brownie Mary is a heroine in the eyes of many,” Serra once aptly attested. “She won herself a place in history.”

For our podcast & more Cannabis history content visit worldofcannabis.museum/cannthropology.

“If the narcs think I’m gonna stop baking brownies for my kids with AIDS, they can go fuck themselves in Macy’s window!”

Painting of Brownie Mary by artist Thomasina DeMaio.

Offering brownies to AIDS patients.

ANYONE WHO’S EVER worked in a restaurant knows that when you have two half-empty bottles of the world’s most popular condiment, you pour one into the other to make one of them appear fresh and new while the other gets tossed. It’s called marrying the ketchup. That’s a figurative term.

But what if we made it literal? Because let’s face it, there are a lot of people on this planet who are unhappily married. And if they could run off with a bottle of ketchup to a tropical island for a glorious honeymoon without the rough repercussions of divorce, most would probably drop everything and go. Think about it … a plush balcony overlooking the crashing waves of a majestic coastline with your culinary love. Where’s the sign-up sheet?

If I could marry a bottle of ketchup, I probably would. We already share bottley fluids, so why not consummate what you consume? I mean, talk about compatibility: I want succulent tomato flavor and the sauce’s only objective is to be eaten.

In no time, we’ll have a small family of packets.

And it will never guilt you for inviting other tasty items into the relationship. Like a greasy burger beckons to be dipping in the dripping. And French fries are lacking the jazz with no sauce to give them pizzazz.

Ketchup is good on just about everything. In fact, I’m pretty sure that if you look up the food pyramid from the year 1955, it will tell you that man can survive off ketchup alone. Because we’re not just talking about tomatoes and sugar – but onions, cloves, garlic and other healthy items that put the zing in amazing.

I understand that there are some cultures that prefer soy sauce or chili sauce, but I don’t get it. You could smother a piece of plywood with ketchup, and it would probably still taste good.

By the way, is ketchup really the world’s most popular condiment?

For me it’s bubble hash.

Please Consume Responsibly. 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. 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 judgement. 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 911. This product may be illegal outside of MA.