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A B O U T T H E C OV E R In just the last ten years, Cannabis has undergone a radical shift in public perception, and the definition of Cannabis culture, naturally, has changed as well. The Leaf Nation team sought to present a wide range of Cannabis culture figures for this month’s special edition. On the cover is rapper, fashion designer, and the founder of Cookies Cannabis, the one and only Berner. Photographer Bennyy Blanco is well-known in the hip hop community for his photographs that offer an intimate glimpse at stars on and off the stage. Check out more photos and our exclusive interview with Berner inside this issue!
PHOTO by BENNYY BLANCO @BENNYY_BLANCO
CONTRIBUTORS
WES ABNEY | FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
BOBBY BLACK, DESIGN + FEATURES BENNYY BLANCO, PHOTOS JOSHUA BOULET, ILLUSTRATION TOM BOWERS, FEATURES JENN DOE, SALES EARLY, PRODUCTION WYATT EARLY, FEATURES EMILY EIZEN, FEATURES MIKE GIANAKOS, FEATURES BAILEY JONSON, FEATURES + PHOTOS BOBBY NUGGZ, FEATURES + PHOTOS JEFF PORTERFIELD, DESIGN MIKE RICKER, FEATURES JESSE RAMIREZ, ILLUSTRATION MEGHAN RIDLEY, EDITING ZACK RUSKIN, FEATURES CHARLES TAGGART, FEATURES + PHOTOS JAMIE VICTOR, ILLUSTRATION DAN VINKOVETSKY, FEATURES
WES@LEAFMAGAZINES.COM
SENIOR EDITORS MIKE GIANAKOS | DAN VINKOVETSKY
MIKEG@LEAFMAGAZINES.COM DAN@LEAFMAGAZINES.COM 844-4NELEAF
CREATIVE DIRECTOR DANIEL BERMAN | VISUALS & DESIGN
DANIEL@LEAFMAGAZINES.COM
DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY PETE THOMPSON
PETE@LEAFMAGAZINES.COM
SALES DIRECTOR MICHAEL CZERHONIAK
MICHAEL@LEAFMAGAZINES.COM
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ABNEY
Editor’s Note Thanks for picking up our Culture Issue of the Leaf! THIS IS OUR ISSUE that honors the culture of Cannabis consumers, from the rap and cultivating star Berner to Cannabis couples and high fashion. We’ve come a long way as a community from the days of stoner stereotypes being synonymous with “Dude Where’s My Car” to a point where our culture, community and plant are combining to become a mainstream lifestyle.
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Cannabis has long been part of our society in an underground way – influencing artists and creatives, helping athletes and celebrities, and driving the emergence of hip hop – but without recognition, and has occasionally ruined a career instead of helping to create one. Today we can openly celebrate those that use Cannabis to enhance their lives, enjoy the fruits of the plant sprouting new ideas, and highlight the positive impact it has in leading our country out of the war on drugs’ mindset, and into a new era of acceptance and positivity. It’s important to note that the only lifestyle past stoners could expect was that of orange jumpsuits and 10x10 cells, and those who took risks to lead our community deserve to be remembered.
IT’S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE ONLY LIFESTYLE PAST STONERS COULD EXPECT WAS THAT OF ORANGE JUMPSUITS AND 10X10 CELLS.
While it’s likely that if you read my words you are in a legal state, weed can still lead to prison in many parts of the United States or around the world – which means we have more work to do! That’s why normalizing the decision to make Cannabis our recreational drug of choice as parents, professionals and even influencers, must be shared with the world.
In normalizing Cannabis, we can also open the door for so many other forms of acceptance – from a new approach to drugs in healthcare to opening minds to all walks of life. Cannabis makes our human experience better in every way … even in the bedroom, where hopefully the commercialized St. Valentine’s Day will be bringing people together to reach new highs this year. So get down with the culture and your bad self, ditch the chocolate hearts for infused treats, and try a massage oil or personal lubricant to explore a new way for weed to make your life more enjoyable. After all, being a stoner is a lifestyle choice – and it feels good to feel good.
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-Wes Abney FEB. 2022
leafmagazines.com
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WES
N O RT H E AS T L E A F
