May 2022 - Northeast Leaf

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the TRAVEL issue

issue

#21

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MAY 2022

N O R T H E AS T

NE LEAF CONTRIBUTOR CHARLES TA G G A R T EXPLORES THE BENEFITS OF GETTING HIGH AND VISITING THE ICONIC PORTLAND MUSEUM

THE UNOFFICIAL LEAF GUIDE

MAY 2022

30 TOP 10 CANNABIS DESTINATIONS FAIRBANKS & OTHER TOP SPOTS!

ADOBE STOCK

28 TRAVEL DO’S AND DON’TS

36

ISLAND WELLNESS CENTER RELAX INTO YOUR BEST SELF

CHARLES TAGGART

38

BAILEY JONSON

HIGH ON ART IN MAINE

ADOBE STOCK

LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

T H E G R E E N L A DY NANTUCKET

09 10 14 20 24 28 30 32 34 36 38 42 44 46

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EDITOR’S NOTE NATIONAL NEWS LOCAL NEWS BUDTENDER Q&A STRAIN OF THE MONTH TRAVEL DO’S & DON’TS TOP 10 TRAVEL DESTINATIONS CANNABIS IN CATALONIA THE GREEN LADY NANTUCKET ISLAND WELLNESS CENTER HIGH ON ART IN MAINE CONCENTRATE OF THE MONTH CANNTHROPOLOGY STONEY BALONEY

CHARITY GRACE PHOTOGRAPHY

6

1ST PLACE

BEST SATIVA FLOWER Super Lemon Haze 1ST PLACE

BEST HYBRID FLOWER White Wedding 2ND PLACE

BEST EDIBLES Strawberry Margarita Gummies

2ND PLACE

BEST TOPICALS & TINCTURES Remedy Tincture

4TH PLACE

BEST SATIVA VAPE T.SAGE Sativa Vape

@HAPPYVALLEYMA @HAPPYVALLEY_MA PREMIUM CANNABIS - GLOUCESTER | EAST BOSTON - HAPPYVALLEY.ORG - FOLLOW US PLEASE CONSUME RESPONSIBLY. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 years of age or older. Keep out of the reach of children. 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

E S TA B L I S H E D 2 0 1 0

T H E E N L I G H T E N E D VO I C E

N O RT H W E S T L E A F / O R EG O N L EA F / AL AS KA L E A F / M A RY L AN D L E A F / CAL I F O R N I A L E A F / N O RT H EAST LEA F

A B O U T T H E C OV E R Prolific illustrator Joshua Boulet has contributed to more than a dozen covers for Leaf Nation over the last 10 years, and is known as much for his distinctive pen and inkwork as he is the use of parody throughout his striking pieces.

For this month’s special Travel Issue, we tasked Boulet with capturing an imaginative and playful scene envisioning what it might be like for a plane full of eager and happy stoners and patients alike to mingle together.

Fasten your seat belts and prepare for departure, because this bird is cruising across the high skies of Cannabis, USA.

ART by JOSHUA BOULET @JOSHUABOULET

CONTRIBUTORS

WES ABNEY C E O & F O U N D E R wes@leafmagazines.com MIKE RICKER O P E R AT I N G PA R T N E R ricker@leafmagazines.com TOM BOWERS C H I E F O P E R AT I N G O F F I C E R tom@leafmagazines.com DANIEL BERMAN C R E AT I V E D I R E C T O R daniel@leafmagazines.com MIKE GIANAKOS S E N I O R E D I T O R mikeg@leafmagazines.com

DAN VINKOVETSKY S E N I O R E D I T O R dan@leafmagazines.com 844-4NELEAF MICHAEL CZERHONIAK S A L E S D I R E C T O R michael@leafmagazines.com O’HARA SHIPE O N L I N E E D I T O R ohara@leafmagazines.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, LeafMagazines.com. Email michael@leafmagazines.com to start advertising with NE Leaf!

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ABNEY

Editor’s Note Thanks for picking up the Travel Issue of the Leaf!

IMAGINE stepping onto a plane as a flight attendant asks for your preference of dabs, to which you reply – “solventless” – as the captain’s voice comes over the speakers: “As we prepare to hit 420,000 feet mentally, please remember that only Cannabis smoking is allowed on this plane. And the crew takes the first hit when we land!”

While this might seem like fantasy (and certainly the idea of me flying a plane while baked is just that), the spirit of the fictional Leaf airline is nothing like the terrible Spirit Airlines. If I have one piece of travel advice that’s not in our Do’s and Don’ts column, it’s don’t fly Spirit!

But someday we should have the opportunity to dab on a plane and I don’t think it’s wishful thinking. Especially considering that we can drink and take pharmaceuticals on a plane, Cannabis seems the far safer way to travel.

Alas, our new high-end transport is in concept form only, but that shouldn’t keep you from exploring a new destination this summer!

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OUR NEW HIGH-END TRANSPORT IS IN CONCEPT FORM ONLY, BUT THAT SHOULDN’T KEEP YOU FROM EXPLORING A NEW DESTINATION THIS SUMMER!

After two-plus years of virtual reality travel and grifters trying to sell us vacation homes in the metaverse, the time is now to book a flight or rent an RV and go explore a new part of the country or world.

Travel opens eyes and changes paradigms – and it’s fun! It’s easy to watch mainstream cable news and think that the world is full of different people, but in reality we’re more the same than different, especially when we come together over a joint or bowl.

So fire up your favorite energetic strain and start looking for somewhere fun to go, in your backyard or around the world!

Life is too short to sit behind a screen and miss a summer of fun, so get out and make a memory this year – just don’t get too baked to forget it!

-Wes Abney MAY 2022

leafmagazines.com

MEGHAN RIDLEY C O PY E D I T O R meghan@leafmagazines.com

BOBBY BLACK, DESIGN + FEATURES JOSHUA BOULET, ILLUSTRATION TOM BOWERS, FEATURES JENN DOE, SALES EARLY, PRODUCTION STEVE ELLIOTT, NATIONAL NEWS MIKE GIANAKOS, FEATURES CHARITY GRACE, PHOTOS BAILEY JONSON, FEATURES + PHOTOS DAN MCCARTHY, FEATURES + PHOTOS BOBBY NUGGZ, FEATURES + PHOTOS LEXI PADUSSIS, FEATURES + SALES JEFF PORTERFIELD, DESIGN JESSE RAMIREZ, DESIGN MIKE RICKER, FEATURES ZACK RUSKIN, FEATURES O’HARA SHIPE, FEATURES JAMIE VICTOR, DESIGN DAN VINKOVETSKY, FEATURES NATE WILLIAMS, FEATURES

WES

national news

east coast

politics

N

T

HOUSE CLEARS WAY FOR CANNABIS RESEARCH

NJ WILL ALLOW OFF-DUTY COPS TO USE MARIJUANA ew Jersey will allow police to buy and use marijuana once it’s officially and legally for sale. Acting NJ Attorney General Matthew Platkin issued a memo, telling police chiefs they “may not take any adverse action against any officers because they do or do not use Cannabis off duty.” That was codified in the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act. Cops are treated just like any other customers under the legalization laws passed last year. Officers still may not possess or use Cannabis while on the clock, or performing any work while under the influence.

he U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan marijuana scientific research bill on April 4, removing barriers to research on Cannabis, allowing scientists to access herb from dispensaries of legal states. The Medical Marijuana Research Act passed the House on an overwhelming 343-75 vote. All of the ”No” votes came from Republicans, reports The Hill. Democratic Rep. Earl Blumenauer of Oregon introduced the bill in October 2021. It is co-sponsored by 11 Representatives, both Democrats and Republicans.

Both the House and Senate passed earlier versions of the bill in 2020. The Senate also approved a separate marijuana research bill last month.

global

the feds

SPANISH POLICE DESTROY EUROPE’S LARGEST CANNABIS FARM

DOJ GIVES BACK A MILLION BUCKS IN SEIZED CASH

T

he U.S. Department of Justice on April 13 agreed to return all cash seized from an armored car company used by legal Cannabis dispensaries during several traffic stops in California last year. The company, Empyreal, had filed a federal lawsuit in response. The seizures occurred during a May traffic stop. In that incident, Kansas officers stopped an Empyreal Logistics car. Conversations between state and federal law enforcement agencies stemming from the stop resulted in a series of events in which Kansas and California officers stole – we mean “seized” – more than $1.2 million. The company soon filed its federal lawsuit detailing how a deputy in Dickinson County stopped one of their vehicles transporting cash from licensed Cannabis dispensaries to banks and credit unions and “seized” more than $165,000 on Interstate 70. Empyreal said the cops issued no traffic citations to their drivers during any of the five stops mentioned in its complaint, but the company said it was forced to stop transporting cash through Kansas because of the seizures.

S 10

panish police destroyed 415,000 hemp plants worth up to 100 million euros ($108 million), dismantling Europe’s largest Cannabis farm. According to the Spanish Guardia Civil, the farm covered 1,025 acres. About 50,000 kg of Cannabis plants were drying in a warehouse for processing into cannabidiol (CBD).

Located in the rural northern region of Navarre, Spain, the farm spreads across 11 fields. The hemp fields alone had a combined area of 166 acres. CBD sales and consumption are legal across Spain and most of Europe, but Spanish law still prohibits the cultivation of Cannabis plants for anything other than industrial uses like textiles and seeds, according to the Spanish Agriculture Ministry. Growing hemp for conversion into CBD or other derivatives, oddly enough, remains a crime. the south

healthcare

KENTUCKY GOVERNOR LOOKS AT EXECUTIVE ACTION ON MMJ

1 OUT OF 5 MEDICARE RECIPIENTS USE MEDICAL MARIJUANA

LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

K

O

entucky Governor Andy Beshear is a longtime supporter of medical Cannabis. And now the Democrat is going the extra mile: he’s dedicated to providing ailing Kentuckians access to medicinal weed and his comments April 8 showed his frustration, as the latest IF A BILL LEGALIZING medical marijuana bill is currently MMJ FAILS TO PASS, stalled in the Kentucky Senate. When BESHEAR SAYS HE’S READY TO CONSIDER asked if he could potentially issue TAKING ACTION HIMSELF. an Executive Order making medical marijuana accessible if the bill dies, the governor told reporters, “It’s something we will look at. Its time has certainly come.”

18

states and D.C. have legalized the adult use of Cannabis.

MAY 2022

44%

of college students reported using marijuana in 2020 – a record number.

ne in five Medicare recipients use medical marijuana and two-thirds say it should be covered by Medicare.

Thirty-seven states and D.C. have legalized medicinal Cannabis, but Medicare, the federal health insurance program for older Americans, does not cover it. Possession of weed remains illegal under federal law. Pollsters conducted the survey of 1,250 Medicare recipients in April 2022 and found: one in five use medical marijuana; 23% have used it in the past; and 21% said they currently use weed to treat one or more medical conditions. Two-thirds of patients – 66% – “strongly agree” or “agree” medicinal Cannabis should be covered.

52

marijuana cultivation licenses – the first in the state – have been awarded to hemp farmers in New York.

61%

of Wisconsinites favor adult-use legalization of Cannabis.

$93k

worth of marijuana was found on a group of Guatemalans – including a 4-year-old boy – entering the U.S.

4/21 saw the first legalized adult-use marijuana sales in New Jersey.

STORIES by STEVE ELLIOTT, AUTHOR OF THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK OF MARIJUANA

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PLEASE CONSUME RESPONSIBLY. This product may cause impairment and may be habit forming. 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 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.

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LOCAL NEWS

Photo by Rodnae Productions

around 100,000 pounds of pot short of being able to satisfy both markets.

The CRC’s decision was met with ire from both state officials and residents.

However, Gov. Murphy appeared confident that, despite regulators’ concerns, retail sales were mere weeks away. While it seemed unlikely given the supply gap, by the second week of April, the commission approved the hybrid license applications and set retail sales in motion.

The seven companies that will begin selling recreational pot in New Jersey are Acreage Holdings, Ascend New Jersey, Columbia Care, Curaleaf, Green Thumb Industries, TerrAscend and Verano Holdings.

While New Jersey’s adult-use rollout clearly favors multi-state operators (MSOs), the state is reviewing retail license applications and those from businesses owned by people who have been convicted of a Cannabis crime, as well as diverselyowned businesses – those owned by minorities, women or disabled veterans – will receive priority from the CRC during the review process as part of the state’s social equity rules.

However, there will likely be a long wait before new businesses are able to start selling Cannabis. With a 90-day review process and 120 days allotted to meet jurisdictional requirements, plus the time it takes to staff a business and obtain a proper supply of product, the first legal sales from newly licensed businesses are likely months away. And it’s more likely that they won’t begin until 2023.

As licenses are issued and new businesses prepare to open, the state can begin retail sales with hybrid shops. And while the sizable headstart given to MSOs is irksome to many advocates who fought for equity, some feel the lengthy delay of retail sales helped shorten the gap, hopefully preventing an industry dominated by established companies.

New Jersey will beat nearby New York and Connecticut to the adult-use market. Once retail sales begin in earnest, experts anticipate that the Garden State will exceed $2 billion a year in recreational pot sales.

RETAIL SALES START IN

NEW JERSEY N

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ew Jersey will officially launch retail Cannabis sales on April 21 – just a day after the high holiday, 4/20. The Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) approved license applications for seven medical marijuana companies to begin selling recreational Cannabis at 13 locations around the state.

If the start of adult-use sales in New Jersey seems sudden, despite it coming over a year after Gov. Phil Murphy signed the legalization bill into law and nearly a year and a half after voters approved Cannabis legalization on Election Day 2020, it’s probably because just weeks ago things were looking bleak in the Garden State.

At the end of March, the CRC declined to approve the conversion applications that would allow the state to begin retail sales. Regulators cited their concern that the Cannabis companies – which were medical marijuana dispensaries applying to operate as hybrid shops servicing both medical patients and recreational users – would not be able to adequately serve the state’s patients. The primary issue was supply, as the CRC felt the shops were

Equity in Massachusetts LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

L

awmakers in Massachusetts are considering a new bill that would create access to funding for Cannabis businesses operated by people disproportionately impacted by pot prohibition.

The measure, which unanimously passed the Senate, is an attempt to bolster the state’s fledgling social equity program by increasing opportunities to enter the Cannabis industry.

One of the biggest obstacles to participating in the industry is access to money. And, given marijuana’s unique status as a Schedule I narcotic that remains illegal at the federal level despite being legal in certain states, banks are barred from working with Cannabis companies. This, of course, means that marijuana business hopefuls can’t rely on bank loans to get their companies started in the industry.

Getting the average adult-use pot shop up and running can cost operators millions of dollars. Sure, there’s a great deal of money to be made in retail weed, but you need to spend a whole lot of cash before you can make any.

The bill passed by the Senate would create a Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund with 10 percent of marijuana excise tax revenue earmarked for it – resulting in an estimated $18 million of revenue from 2023 alone for the equity fund, according to an Associated Press report.

Qualified equity applicants would be eligible for grants and loans through the fund, helping to level the playing field in the industry.

“Addressing racial justice in our state means getting real about closing our cavernous racial wealth divide … With this bill, Massachusetts will reclaim our leadership role, carving a path to make equity a reality in the Cannabis industry,” State Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz, who sponsored the bill, said in a statement.

MAY 2022

Photo Creative Commons

The measure would also pave the way for Cannabis consumption sites – allowing marijuana to be consumed in designated shops where it is sold – if approved by local voters or city council referendum.

After passing the Senate with a 39-0 vote, the bill now moves to the House.

HIGH IN S

hould pot be growing from the rooftops in New York City? Countless stoned New Yorkers have no doubt envisioned such a verdant future while walking through the streets of the concrete jungle. But while such musings might be explained away as joint-induced fantasy, it turns out the city’s top political figure would like to see rooftop pot become a reality.

As New York continues to implement its adult-use Cannabis program, forward-thinking officials are advocating approaches that will benefit their jurisdictions and constituencies. New York City Mayor Eric Adams is no exception. And in early April, Adams announced his desire to see Cannabis cultivation sites on the roofs of New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) buildings.

Given the dearth of available space for growing marijuana in NYC, Adams’ idea makes sense. And, if he has his way, it would come with the added benefit of employing the people who live in those buildings.

“We want to examine the possibilities of having a greenhouse space on NYCHA rooftops to grow Cannabis. … The jobs can come from NYCHA residents. The proceeds and education can go right into employing people right in the area,” Adams explained during a panel discussion in Albany with Black mayors from New York on the subject of legalization.

A spokesperson for the mayor later added that Adams’ goal is making sure “those targeted by the ‘War on Drugs’ are first in line to benefit from the legal Cannabis industry.”

Despite having a worthy goal, the mayor will need to rethink his proposal.

As it turns out, NYCHA is federally subsidized public housing and Cannabis remains illegal at the federal level. This means that Adams’ greenhouse grows are a no-go.

THE SKY

Photo by Cannafornia

While the mayor hasn’t officially approached the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) about his plan, a spokesperson for the department shot the idea down, telling Gothamist, “There isn’t much more to say, marijuana is illegal in public housing.”

Despite decades of prohibition, there have been encouraging developments at the federal level of late. The House of Representatives recently passed a bill that would deschedule Cannabis, removing it entirely from the Controlled Substances Act. And, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is rumored to be close to unveiling his federal legalization legislation.

Should either measure eventually become law, Mayor Adams might just get to implement his high-scraper proposal after all.

SHOULD COPS SMOKE POT? egalization brings with it any number of unforeseen issues that officials must mull over, debate and ultimately decide. Whether it’s personal cultivation rules or lab testing procedures – or even if cops should be allowed to get high.

That’s the issue currently occupying far too much of many New Jersey officials’ minds, including Gov. Phil Murphy. The dilemma stems from a memo sent by state Attorney General Matthew Platkin, which confirmed that off-duty officers are allowed to consume marijuana under New Jersey’s adultuse Cannabis law.

And while that may seem like a fairly mundane statement, it is making several Garden State lawmakers irrationally angry.

“There’s no allowing anybody to show up impaired, whether you’re drinking or whether you’ve smoked weed. … Anybody who shows up impaired would be dealt with aggressively,” Gov. Murphy postured.

Predictably, the governor is interested in a “legislative fix that would address this.” Such a fix would be necessary because the legalization bill that Murphy signed into law specifically states that police departments “may not take any adverse action against any officers because they do or do not use Cannabis off duty.”

Clearly, much of the uproar stems from the fact that marijuana remains in the system longer than most drugs – long past the point of intoxication.

While Gov. Murphy appears concerned that off-duty cops who smoke will show up for work stoned, state Sen. Paul Sarlo is worried about appearances.

“With Cannabis remaining in one’s system for 30 days; police will subject themselves to never ending lawsuits & questioning of their judgements,” he tweeted.

Like Gov. Murphy, Sen. Sarlo is “hopeful we can modify the law to match all the other states that have zero tolerance for use of off duty Cannabis by police.”

Photo by Elsa Olofsson

State Assemblywoman Beth Sawyer took things even further, criticizing AG Platkin, even though he was simply reiterating the law as it is currently written, and saying, “Anyone who wants to work in public safety must be held to higher standards.”

If only there were some safe, newly legal substance in New Jersey that could mellow all these people out.

STORIES by MIKE GIANAKOS @MIKEGEEZEEY

FIGHTING FOR A SWEET FUTURE

LOCAL NEWS

>> Continued from pg. 15

16

T

he venerable Vermont-based ice cream company Ben & Jerry’s has had enough of federal pot prohibition. Given the ample opportunity afforded to lawmakers to enact change and the overwhelming support for legalization from voters across the country, the company is undoubtedly frustrated with the continued inaction in Congress.

So, Ben & Jerry’s decided to channel that frustration into action by teaming up with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and calling on Americans who support legalization to demand that the Senate pass justice-based Cannabis legislation.

This 4/20, Ben & Jerry’s provided an easy way to “Take action now and tell your senators to legalize Cannabis and help those who have been hurt by its criminalization.” Via this digital ad campaign on social media, users had a one-click option to send a message to their senator.

The campaign targeted the Senate as the House of Representatives recently passed the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act. The MORE Act would federally legalize Cannabis by removing it from the Controlled Substances Act while also focusing on restorative justice, including expunging the records of people with marijuana-related convictions.

This is the second time the House has passed a federal legalization bill.

Unfortunately, the Senate has failed to capitalize on this progress and prohibition continues. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer prefers his own legalization measure and, as a result, he has not given the MORE Act his support. Schumer has also failed to advance the SAFE Banking Act, which would allow banks to work with Cannabis companies, insisting that his federal legalization plan should be enacted first.

Of course, he has not yet introduced his legalization bill.

The House has passed marijuana banking legislation in some form six separate times, yet none have made it past the Senate.

All of this amounts to an unacceptable delay according to Ben & Jerry’s,

which emphasized the need for immediate action in a press release: “Hundreds of thousands of people are still arrested every year for possession or are still locked up for past convictions – and they are disproportionately Black. In addition, the legal Cannabis industry is now worth more than $25 billion a year, and white men are more than 70 percent of the C-suite in the industry while only 7 percent are Black. To put it simply, Our Cannabis laws are half baked.”

The company’s global head of activism and strategy, Chris Miller, explained that the people most harmed by prohibition continue to be the least likely to benefit from legalization. “That’s why the Senate must immediately pass legislation that begins to right the wrongs of the decades long War on Drugs by legalizing Cannabis and expunging records while restoring equity to the booming legal Cannabis industry,” Miller said in a statement.

With overwhelming support for marijuana legalization from voters across the country, Ben & Jerry’s believes, “It’s time for our laws to reflect the will of the people.”

HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH MOLD? C

LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

onnecticut officials are setting new standards for laboratories testing for mold in Cannabis. The new limit, proposed by the Department of Consumer Protection and approved by the state’s Attorney General, makes the maximum allowable amount of colony-forming mold units 100,000 per gram. Under the new rules, no traceable amounts of Aspergillus (a type of mold that can affect the lungs) would be allowed.

Photo by Girl With Red Hat

MAY 2022

The state currently has just two Cannabis testing labs. Based on the new limits, one had been allowing more mold and yeast on the marijuana it tested, while the other had been allowing less.

With the public comment period for the proposed changes having ended, many Connecticut medical Cannabis patients expressed concern with the allowable amount of mold. Some suggested the maximum amount permitted should not exceed 10,000 units per gram, which would be in line with several other states.

Patients were able to bring officials back to the table regarding mold testing after the state allowed one of its testing labs to increase the permissible limit of mold to 1 million colony-forming units per gram. That change was approved by private email in 2020, leading to public outrage when patients eventually found out about the decision.

This time around, Connecticut officials say they consulted with microbiologists about mold limits and the type of mold that laboratories should be required to test for.

Because Cannabis is federally illegal, state officials have no guidelines to rely on when establishing policy. And other states that have legalized adultuse marijuana aren’t particularly helpful, as limits and specific mold tests vary.

Some states have no established mold testing requirements at all.

Until federal regulations can standardize Cannabis testing, adult-use states can do little more than consult with scientists and establish requirements to the best of their ability. But while consumers agree that regulations are necessary, not all agree that Connecticut has got it right.

And, with greater Cannabis competition in the Northeast, comparisons will naturally be made to nearby rec states. As one patient quipped to the CT Mirror, “Is Connecticut really comfortable with safety standards 10 times above the limits typically seen in regulated markets, including Massachusetts?”

NEW HAMPSHIRE

MAKES HISTORY L

awmakers in New Hampshire made history in April by passing a marijuana legalization measure. But, before you get too excited, it’s important to note that the pro-Cannabis vote is only historic because it took place in New Hampshire – where marijuana-law reform has moved at a glacial pace.

A state Senate committee narrowly approved a bill that would legalize the possession and cultivation of Cannabis for adults 21 and older. This is the first time a marijuana legalization measure has been passed by a New Hampshire Senate panel, albeit it by a 3-2 vote.

The House already passed the legalization bill, meaning it will now head to the Senate floor.

While the measure would not create retail sales of Cannabis, it would allow for possession of up to three-fourths of an ounce of personal-use pot. It would also allow for home growing, as adults could cultivate up to six plants (three mature and three immature). Limited marijuana gifting and THCinfused products would be permitted as well. Public consumption, on the other hand, is still banned. Those caught smoking publicly would simply face a civil fine of $100.

New Hampshire is becoming increasingly isolated as the state clings to pot prohibition. Other states in the Northeast – including Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut – have all legalized Cannabis. And Rhode Island is close to joining the region’s adult-use states.

REIMAGINING PSYCHEDELIC

LAWS

M

Photo by Cottonbro

assachusetts has taken the lead of late on decriminalizing psychedelics at both the state and local levels. Activists are hard at work on a plan that would force lawmakers to introduce legislation legalizing entheogenic substances.

Photo by 2H Media

While the House has passed a number of legalization bills, pot progress is repeatedly stalled by the New Hampshire Senate, where meaningful marijuana-law reform has traditionally been a nonstarter. Even if the Senate committee’s historic vote leads to the Cannabis bill passing the chamber, Gov. Chris Sununu (R) would almost certainly veto the legislation.

Earlier this year, the New Hampshire House passed a bill that would create a state-run Cannabis market. Unfortunately, the bill managed to upset both pot advocates and prohibitionists.

Should the measure eventually become law, it would be the first of its kind in the country. The bill would allow possession of up to four ounces of marijuana, and Cannabis could be purchased at dispensaries run by the state. Of course, because marijuana is federally illegal, state employees would be violating federal law by selling pot – even if it is deemed legal at the state level.

In addition, a local measure would decriminalize psychedelics in the state’s second largest city, Worcester.

Should the latest reform-minded ballot initiative succeed, Worcester would join Somerville, Cambridge, Easthampton and Northampton as Massachusetts cities that have changed their policy for policing possession of psychedelics.

The Worcester initiative actually goes beyond psychedelics, as it would ban any government funding from going towards criminalizing possession (or sharing) of up to five grams of any controlled substance by people 18 and older.

Psychedelics receive additional protections from the measure, barring the city from using any funds to prosecute adults 18 and older for possession or cultivation of up to 15 grams of psilocybin, DMT, mescaline, MDMA and ibogaine.

Importantly, the initiative includes protections for possession of paraphernalia such as “pipes, syringes, needles or testing strips,” which can often lead to arrests and fines.

Bay Staters for Natural Medicine (BSNM) is behind the latest local initiative. While BSNM is hopeful the Worcester City Council will take up the proposal, the group is also gathering signatures in order to place the initiative on the ballot next year, if necessary. Activists must collect approximately 16,000 signatures and submit them for review by summer 2023 in order to qualify for the November ballot.

But that’s not all. Thanks to an odd loophole in Massachusetts’ law, citizens can take advantage of a “by request bill” – essentially allowing citizens to have the lawmakers who represent them introduce a bill “by request,” regardless of the legislator’s stance on the issue.

Activists hope to use this method to create legislation that ensures statewide regulated access to psychedelics for therapeutic use and decriminalizes possession of small amounts of all controlled substances.

As for the future of local psychedelics reform initiatives, BSNM told Marijuana Moment that Amherst is up next.

STORIES by MIKE GIANAKOS @MIKEGEEZEEY

@m00dgallery / 23 4th ave. / Neptune City, NJ / Opening 4 . 2 . 2022

interview

NORTHEAST LEAF BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH

SAMM LORD

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“LATELY I’VE ENJOYED WAX AND CONCENTRATES … I REALLY LIKE CITRUS FUNK, SO ANYTHING IN THE TANGIE FAMILY LIKE TROPICANA COOKIES.”

I

FOUND MYSELF meandering along the Maine coastline north of Portland and stopped by a medical and recreational dispensary by the name of Highly Cannaco. Budtender Samm was there behind the desk and the first thing she said to me was “Nice old hippie van!”

We got to talking and when I noticed the magazines on the counter, I revealed that I write for Northeast Leaf. She smiled with pride as she showed me the collage she’s been making using photos from the publication.

Samm got into Cannabis because of her father. “We moved to Maine when it went legal – the pine tree and sticky tree state. We use the plant medically because we don’t trust Big Pharma,” she said.

A passionate supporter of local farmers, she worked on a farm with a farmer’s market on the property before going into Cannabis – which is where she found her love for agriculture. The whole “grow your own” and “pick your own” way felt better than buying at a local supermarket.

Since joining the team at Highly, Samm has done a little bit of everything – from helping with trimming flowers, processing and making pre-rolls, and even helping make concentrates, to being a budtender helping people in both the recreational and medical arena. She’d like to learn how to clone and grow for the company at some point in the future.

MAY 2022

DO A LOT OF PEOPLE WALK UP TO THE WINDOW THAT SHOWS THE CANNABIS CULTIVATION ON THE OTHER SIDE? Yes, a lot of people like to look at that! Not a lot of dispensaries have a window showing their Cannabis grow.

WHAT KIND OF STRAINS DO YOU LIKE AND HOW DO YOU LIKE TO CONSUME CANNABIS? That is an easy one! Lately I’ve really enjoyed wax and concentrates, and I use a Puffco Peak Pro. I really like Citrus Funk, so anything in the Tangie family like Tropicana Cookies. I also have my ice bong and I like rolling up a joint, too … at least one a day!

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN THE FUTURE WITH CANNABIS? I really want to be on the creative side. I’m really interested in photography and hoping to learn more. I just got a new camera and am hoping to help the company by creating more photos for their Instagram account.

HIGHLY CANNACO

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(Black Cherry Punch x Tropicana Cookies)

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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.

theOF TRAVEL issue STRAIN THE MONTH

“COLORFUL, JUICY AND SMOOTH-SMOKING FLOWER FROM ONE OF SOLAR CANNABIS’ MOST PRESTIGIOUS PHENOTYPES.”

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JELLY RUN

MAY 2022

NORTHEAST

UNTZ

Due to Rhode Island’s limited number of dispensaries, it’s easy to feel some redundancy with the available choices of Cannabis products in the state. Luckily, Solar Cannabis Company has two locations in Massachusetts bordering the Ocean State – one in Seekonk and the flagship in Somerset – both just a hop, skip and a jump from my hometown. We love to visit the South Shore, where the famous pizza is crust-less and the weed is recreationally legal for adults over 21.

Cultivated

by Solar Therapeutics 25.1% TOTAL CAN N ABI N OI DS 24.58% T HC 0.12% CBD 23.84% T HCA 0.39% CBGA

REVIEW by BOBBY NUGGZ @BOBBYNUGGZ_OFFICIAL for NORTHEAST LEAF | PHOTO by BAILEY JONSON @BAILEYNUGGZ

The Somerset dispensary is located in a large, state-of-the-art warehouse that’s also home to their massive solarpowered grow and packing facility. A laid-back atmosphere and helpful staff complete the trendy but professional vibes of this store featuring many new and interesting products to try.

After some talking and shopping around, we chose an eighth of their Jelly Runtz to enjoy on a warm and sunny spring day. A hybrid hailing from Humboldt Seed Company, Jelly Runtz was made by crossing Hella Jelly and White Runtz to create a well-balanced and sugary smoke. During a walk near Battleship Cove, we rolled up a nice RAW joint with the well-cured and dense buds.

This ultra-potent hybrid provided immediately tranquil effects, with terpenes boasting sweet and flowery undertones. The linalool dominated with a spring flower flavor and a sugar-packed aftertaste. Pleasant and effective, this joint was a perfect match for sunshine and fresh air.

With the Gelato genetics behind this cultivar, Jelly Runtz is evenly psychoactive, colorful in appearance and has a fragrant terpene profile – all resulting in an uplifting and special smoking experience that creates mild euphoria and happiness, as well as works great for stress relief and as a natural pain killer that won’t leave you feeling tired and groggy. Hands down, this is a top tier SOLAR THERAPEUTICS flower that certainly 1400 BRAYTON POINT ROAD proves Solar SOMERSET, MASSACHUSETTS Cannabis has found 508-300-3366 | SOLARTHERA.COM their edge in the @SOLARCANNABISCO cultivation game.

1 G R A M C E R A M I C TA N K FOR CONCENTRATES

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MAY 2022

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travel do’s & don’ts

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leaf nation’s wes abney offers a word to the wise on weed travel

While many of us are longing for a super stoney vacation this year, nobody wants to end up on an episode of Locked Up Abroad, or find themselves having to return to some ill-fated destination in Anywhere, USA for a court date. The following recommendations for traveling with or without Cannabis are purely anecdotal and not meant as legal advice. Always remember to be safe and follow the rules wherever you may travel.

MAY 2022

Don’t Spark in National Parks

While there’s not much better than getting high in the great outdoors, think twice before you spark up in a park run by state or federal government. National parks are federal property regardless of the state they’re located in, so state Cannabis laws don’t apply there. You can get serious fines and real time for being caught with weed in a national park. The penalties in a state park can vary – unless you’re in California, where smoking in state parks and on beaches is permitted.

security stumbles

Know Before You Go

Familiarizing yourself with the laws of your destination is an absolute must. Depending on where you are going, Cannabis can be completely legal, somewhat legal or entirely illegal – especially if you are traveling internationally. And the places that do offer legal weed in some form, often have confusing laws and policies surrounding the purchase and consumption. Always do your research before packing anything that could potentially lead to trouble. If in doubt … throw it out.

Never Buy Illegally (Especially Overseas) While this might seem like obvious advice, there’s almost nothing worse than being out of weed on a vacay … and it can lead you to do irrational things. What is worse, though?

Getting robbed or busted for buying weed illegally. Chances are the guy offering you a “drug” hookup is just as shady as the street vendor selling “authentic” Rolex watches and “licensed” Gucci gear. Avoid the trouble (and the best case mids scenario) and wait to bake until you get home.

Going through TSA is painful, but it’s worth being smart so you can get your buzz on when you land.

My first time going through airport security with a couple vape pens in my backpack was gut wrenching, complete with sweaty palms and an irrational fear that I would be going to prison for a small amount of weed. This was 2013 and while weed was legal in Seattle and my destination of Denver, I had no clue what would happen if I brought my stash with me.

Years later I heard a quote attributed to a senior TSA official, which I share in paraphrased and off-the-record format: If we stopped every bag with a personal amount of drugs in them, the planes would never take off.

When it comes to a more official statement, TSA policy says: “TSA’s screening procedures are focused on security and are designed to detect potential threats to aviation and passengers.

Accordingly, TSA security officers do not search for marijuana or other illegal drugs, but if any illegal substance is discovered during security screening, TSA will refer the matter to a law enforcement officer.”

Generally, checked luggage and carry-ons are only screened at your point of departure – so if weed is legal where you fly out from, you shouldn’t have a problem getting your bag where you land.

This is not the case for international flights, so don’t risk it. We recommend putting anything sensitive in your checked bag and to only take what you plan to consume.

And don’t forget: Never smoke or vape on a plane (there is one Leaf team member I’m thinking fondly of as I write this). Also remember that eating edibles before a flight might seem like a good idea, but it can be just as bad as taking a hit of LSD if that 100mg nano-emulsified beverage hits a little harder than expected.

don’t drive high

My advice regarding weed and cars is simple: Never drive high and don’t smoke while driving. As a general rule whenever I rent a car on vacation, I always get the walk-away (full coverage) insurance.

I won’t risk driving in a new place without it, and I certainly wouldn’t add weed to the already stressful mix. So if you plan to party, take a rideshare and be aware of your surroundings. Driving in a new city statistically increases your odds of an accident, so don’t make it worse by being impaired.

My first time going through airport security with a couple vape pens in my backpack was gut wrenching, complete with sweaty palms and an irrational fear that I would be going to prison for a small amount of weed.

Stoners & Scooters Don’t Always Mix

While this writer once had an epic group scootering experience while on a lemon-tech dose of psilocybin in Denver (great street graffiti, highly recommended), it’s important to remember that anything with wheels can lead to a DUI. This is more of a concern for happy hour drinkers bar-hopping on scooters, but be careful if you rent something – especially if it has an electric motor and you don’t know your way around town.

STORY by WES ABNEY @BEARDEDLORAX/LEAF NATION | PHOTO by ADOBE STOCK | ICONS by THE NOUN PROJECT

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10

cannabis destinations

From smoke lounges and spa treatments to bus tours and bud and breakfasts – there is no shortage of ways to satisfy your weedy wanderlust.

boston

As the birthplace of the American Revolution, Boston is known as the Cradle of Liberty – a promise they lived up to for pot smokers when Massachusetts legalized Cannabis for adult use in 2016. There are now nearly 180 dispensaries across the state, at least 20 of which are located in the greater Boston area. Beantown is home to the original Chemdog strain and the Boston Freedom Rally – the annual “protestival” held at Boston Common park each September, thanks to the activists at MassCann NORML. When visiting the Common, stop by the bench on “Mount Malta” dedicated to the late, great Cannabis activist Michael Malta – aka the “King of Pot” (KOP) – and pay tribute with a joint. After blazing in the Common, you can grab a quick beer across the street at the famous Cheers bar (from the TV show), then head out on the Freedom Trail – a 2.5-mile walking tour (marked on the road by a line of red paint) that leads to 16 of Highest Attractions Freedom Trail, Sam Adams Brewery, Boston Common, Boston’s most important Revolutionary Boston Freedom Rally (September), Faneuil Hall War sites.

AMSTERDAM

The original Cannabis tourism destination. Long considered the Cannabis capital of Europe, Amsterdam was the seat of Cannabis activism and cultivation for decades. Though not legal, Cannabis has been “tolerated” in the Netherlands since the early 1980s. In addition to the 160-or-so Cannabis coffeeshops, the Dam offers visitors many outstanding museums, a rocking nightlife and of course, the infamous Red Light sex district. Unfortunately, though, the government there has been clamping down in recent years – closing nearly half of the city’s Cannabis coffeeshops and threatening to ban tourists from them by next year. So if you’ve ever dreamed of going, now’s the time.

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Highest Attractions Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, The Bulldog, Greenhouse Coffeeshops (Cookies Lounge), Barneys Farm & Uptown, Sensi Hemp Museum, Smokeboat Canal Tour, Amsterdam Light Festival (Dec).

barcelona

Similar to Amsterdam, Barcelona has 200 quasi-legal lounges/clubs where one can buy and consume Cannabis – the difference being that, to enter, you need to be a member (and technically, a resident). But like most other prohibition laws, there are always gray areas to exploit. Aside from the Cannabis clubs, Barcelona also offers delicious tapas, decadent hot chocolate, spectacular cathedrals and architecture (most notably by Anton Gaudi), hip graffiti and skater culture, museums, nightlife and more. Barcelona is also home to Spannabis, the world’s largest Cannabis convention each March.

Highest Attractions Sagrada Familia Cathedral, Parc Guell, Sensi Hemp Museum, Bulldog Barcelona, Picasso Museum, The 4 Cats Café, Spannabis, Hop On-Hop Off bus tour.

MAY 2022

denver

They don’t call it the Mile High City for nothing! After becoming the first major city in America to legalize Cannabis for adult use in 2012, Denver saw a mass migration of Cannabis lovers. With over 200 dispensaries, multiple Cannabis bus tours and consumption lounges, a smorgasbord of gourmet restaurants and craft breweries, killer street art and a number of 420-friendly hotels (some of which even offer complimentary vaporizers in their rooms) – not to mention the glorious Rocky Mountains, Red Rocks Amphitheater, world-class mountain sports, hot springs, and sister stoner city Boulder all just an hour or so drive away – Denver remains a popular getaway destination for tokers.

Highest Attractions Meow Wolf, Red Rocks Amphitheater, Illuzion glass gallery, International Church of Cannabis, Patterson Inn (420 Hotel), 4/20 Rally - Civic Center Park

the emerald triangle

Comprised of three counties in Northern California (Mendocino, Humboldt and Trinity), the “Emerald Triangle” has been considered the Cannabis cultivation capital of America (if not the world) for half a century now – ever since the hippies of Haight Ashbury moved up there to live amidst nature and escape the eyes of the law. But thanks to legalization, decades of suspicious and seclusionary attitudes towards outsiders have given way to an embrace of history and hospitality. Today, the region is exploding with new venues, shops, spas and tours designed to educate the public about Cannabis culture. Sample some of the legacy strains, then explore wineries, the majestic Redwoods and rugged coastline.

Highest Attractions

The Lost Coast, Avenue of the Giants.

Madrones Hotel, Papa and Barkley Social, Fern Canyon,

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HIGHER WAY TRAVEL

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For those on the more adventurous side who don’t mind the cold, we present our wildcard entry on the list: Fairbanks, Alaska. The Golden Heart City is home to 17 Cannabis dispensaries – including Good Titrations, which also features a cultivation facility and the state’s only legal on-site consumption lounge. After you snag yourself some of the region’s famous Alaskan/Matanuska Thunderfuck to puff on, enjoy some of the city’s craft breweries, local delicacies (such as fresh salmon, reindeer and yak), and cool attractions like Pioneer Park, Wedgewood Wildlife Sanctuary and the Ice Art Park. And after freezing your buds off all day, warm up in the local hot springs and gaze up at the awe-inspiring Aurora Borealis. Staring at the Northern Lights while smoking some Northern Lights … what could be cooler than that?

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FAIRBANKS

Highest Attractions Good Titrations, Aurora Ice Museum, Ice Art Park, Chena Hot Springs Resort, Castner Glacier Ice Cave, Fairbanks Ice Museum, World Ice Art Championships (Feb-Mar)

negril, jamaica

For half a century now, visitors from around the world have flocked to the Caribbean paradise of Jamaica to enjoy the pristine beaches, reggae music and (of course) the ganja. The island has been inextricably connected with Cannabis since the mid-20th century, when the rise of the Rastafarian faith and their sacramental use of the herb helped fuel the reggae revolution. Thankfully, after decades of prohibition, Jamaica finally legalized Cannabis in 2015. Negril remains one of the island’s top tourist hotspots – renowned for its pristine, resort-lined Seven-Mile Beach, raucous nightclubs and local flavor. Here, you can dine on fresh grilled Highest Caribbean lobster or jerk chicken, rent a jet ski Attractions or a glass-bottom boat, or just lay around in the sun smoking spliffs and drinking dirty bananas all Rick’s Café, Bob Marley Museum, Coral Cove Wellness Resort, day. In the nearby town of Little Bay, where things Zimbali Retreats are a bit quieter, you’ll find Coral Cove Wellness – Jamaica’s premiere Cannabis resort, complete with its own private reef, on-site dispensary and ganja-filled greenhouses, as well as a full array of spa services. Not far from there in Orange Hill is Blue Hole Mineral Spring, home of Wabba’s Weed Adventure, where you can tour the fields of award-winning ganja.

LAS VEGAS

In addition to gambling and prostitution, Las Vegas also legalized weed for adult use in 2017. Since then, a slew of dispensaries have popped up in Sin City, most of which are located far from The Strip. But much like its extravagant casinos and clubs, the pot shops in Vegas tend to be over the top. Case in point, the city’s two most famous spots: billing itself as the world’s largest dispensary, Planet 13 is a 112,000-square-foot interactive superstore that’s open 24/7 and will soon be the new home of the Cannabition Cannabis Museum. And then there’s NUWU – the 16,000-square-foot dispensary located on tribal land just two blocks from Fremont Street that features a 24-hour drive-thru window and the state’s only legal Cannabis consumption lounge (The Vegas Tasting Room) located inside.

Meow Wolf at Area 15, Jammin’ on Vegas,

Aside from being the entertainment capital of the world, LA is also one of our nation’s stoniest cities – particularly West Hollywood, which aspires to become America’s answer to Amsterdam. Over the past five years, the city has passed ordinances authorizing licenses for on-site consumption, making it one of the only places in SoCal to allow Cannabis smoking in lounges and restaurants. The most famous example of these is the Original Cannabis Café (formerly Lowell Café), where patrons can order Cannabis (and various smoking apparatus) from a menu along with their food and drinks – and enjoy it right at their table during their meal. There are also an array of stoner sightseeing and grow facility tours available, or you can just wing it: stroll down the Hollywood Walk of Fame or the Venice Beach boardwalk, peruse the vintage stores along Melrose, or spend a night on the legendary Sunset Strip.

Highest Attractions

Walk of Fame, Original Cannabis Café, Comedy Store, Nostalgia,

Gusto Green, Rainbow Bar and Grill, Whiskey a Gogo, Cookies Melrose, Alternative Herbal Health Services (AHHS)

vancouver

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Los angeles

With nicknames like “Vansterdam” and “The Big Smoke,” it’s no wonder that Vancouver, B.C. has been Canada’s Cannabis capital for decades (long before weed was actually legalized in 2018). The city hosts the world’s longest-running 4/20 event, the Vancouver Smoke Out, every April. It’s also home to Canada’s most notorious activist/seed merchant Marc Emery – founder of Cannabis Culture magazine and the city’s oldest headshop/vapor lounge, Cannabis Culture HQ (formerly known as Hemp BC). “The Couve” also features several other consumption lounges (such as the iconic New Amsterdam Café), guided Cannabis tours and crawls, as well as numerous compassion clubs and dispensaries (including the city’s first legal marijuana dispensary, Evergreen Cannabis), where one can acquire some of the area’s famous BC Bud. Then, get high and go out hiking, snowboarding, mushroom hunting or whale watching, eh?

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Highest Attractions

Jerome Baker’s Dream Factory, NuWu Cannabis Marketplace, Planet 13, Stratosphere.

Highest Attractions

Cannabis Culture HQ, New Amsterdam Café,

Studio 710, Museum Of Anthropology, Vancouver Aquarium, Capilano Suspension Bridge

STORY & PHOTOS by APRIL & BOBBY BLACK/HIGHER WAY TRAVEL @HIGHERWAYTRAVEL for LEAF NATION

the TRAVEL issue

Dank Destination

cannabis in catalonia

32

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ThispastMarch Iwas in Barcelona,

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LA SAGRADA FAMILIA AND THE SURROUNDING BARCELONA AREA

sitting with European street artist Soklak and puffing on a joint apparently filled with Runtz from somewhere in California … if the label is to be believed.

“You look like the Daniel Craig of weed right now,” I blurted out, which is just the kind of icebreaker that could either kill the conversation or take it to the next level. Thankfully, we were all pretty stoned – so we had a good laugh and talked about Soklak’s vision for the future of Cannabis hospitality in Europe.

Soklak is the art director for CRTFD in Europe. CRTFD is a California-born plant medicine-centric lifestyle brand that does everything from providing artists with regularly paying work, to operating Cannabis social clubs and producing high-quality streetwear.

The brand’s Barcelona location is in the city’s old Gothic Quarter, which is a labyrinthine neighborhood with dark, twisting streets. Roman ruins, bars and nightclubs, Modernist architecture and medieval landmarks are the aesthetic markers of the quarter, making it a popular destination for tourists due to its history and proximity to the port, though many tried-and-true locals live here, too. During high season, large cruise ships dock in Barcelona (considered the

MAY 2022

Mediterranean hub for the world’s cruising industry) and in their limited hours on shore, many of the boats’ inhabitants end up exploring the Gothic Quarter’s narrow avenues.

The streets were uncharacteristically empty on the drizzly Sunday morning I walked through the city and across La Rambla to CRTFD from the stylish and affordable Hotel Brummell in Poble Sec where I was staying.

It’s a route I’ve walked many times before. I actually used to live in Barcelona – I got married, did a lot of restaurant, wine and travel writing, and spent a lot of time partying and hanging out in the capital city of Catalan culture.

The city’s Cannabis culture wasn’t new to me, either. I have been a member of Circulo, which is just around the corner from CRTFD, for around five years.

As far as weed culture in Spain is concerned, Barcelona is definitely the country’s epicenter. In fact, I don’t think it’s too much of a stretch to say that, thanks to a crackdown on weed tourism in Amsterdam, Barcelona has emerged from Covid as the clear titan of European Cannabis.

The distinction is based on the city’s evolving and growing cultivation and hash cultures (still illegal and therefore underground), along with its positively buzzing private social club culture that operates in

CRTFD’S SOKLAK AND THEIR CLUB.

top barcelona bud bars Like the skate culture vibe displayed at CRTFD, each club in Barcelona has a unique flavor to it. Here are some of the best.

PHOTOS BY TOM BOWERS @CANNABOMBTOM

THERE’S HQ, which ended up being designated the home base for others in town visiting from the United States for the Spannabis conference, as I was. Located in the central L’Eixample neighborhood, HQ featured some of the best locally grown and “imported” weed the city had to offer, as well as a crew of customers dedicated to the evolving California-style hash culture currently taking Barcelona by storm.

COOKIES BARCELONA is no different from Cookies outposts all over the globe, which is exactly what makes it special – especially for enthusiasts who aren’t able to visit California or anywhere else in the United States. This club, which is a favorite of young men in particular, is right up the street from Antoni Gaudi’s famed Sagrada Familia cathedral, making it the perfect stop to toke before taking in the truly psychedelic-looking wonders from one of Spain’s most famed architects. The club is also one of the only places in town to feature Fidel’s famed hash hole joints, which are sold exclusively at Cookies locations.

FIDEL AND JOSH SCHMIDT OF NATURA AT THE HASH HOLES AND DONUTS PARTY AT COOKIES BARCELONA DURING SPANNABIS.

TERPS ARMY, near La Rambla, is a more bare-bones Cannabis enthusiast experience from the famed Amsterdam club by the same name. Lorenzo, the owner, is the OG who invented the hash hole joints and who eventually taught Fidel what he knows. Terps Army is where the hardcore stoners convene, especially those who are particularly into hash. Expect lots of European tourists.

a precarious legal gray area, but results in a comes from California, as well as from cultisemi-permanent scene nonetheless. vations across Europe and probably beyond.

It’s exactly that rich Barcelona subculture It’s a striking change from even just a few that CRTFD has tapped into, so it’s no suryears ago, when it was significantly harder prise the club appears to be flourishing. Even for someone from the United States to find on a dreary weekend morning, the couches passable weed – even in the clubs functionare filling up, coffee cups are being poured ing mostly as safe spaces for those wishing and joints are being lit. to toke up in peace with other like-minded The club is at once stylish individuals. The weed’s and comfortable, but not quality was important, Barcelona snobbish – exactly what the of course, but secondhas emerged cosmopolitan city is about. ary. While the quality of from Covid Plus, Soklak and the rest of Cannabis found in Baras the clear CRTFD’s team is pretty damn celona still has a ways to titan of near certain that Cannabis go, there were genuinely European and art in all its various decent buds to be had forms go hand-in-hand. at every club I walked Cannabis.

“We want to reflect and into. This never used to represent subculture around be the case. the globe,” Soklak told In many ways, what’s me, mentioning that street and skate art are happening at CRTFD and other clubs around cornerstones of the brand’s image. He is prithe city is indicative of Barcelona’s Cannabis marily based in Paris, but spends a lot of time world coming into legitimacy. working in CRTFD’s Amsterdam and BarceStreet art and skate culture have been lona clubs – the latter of which is decked out strong for a long time in Catalonia, the in spray-painted murals by the artist featuring separatist-friendly region of Spain of which his signature script.

Barcelona is the capital.

The dedication to creativity shows up These subcultures dovetail with a robust, throughout the club: The Cannabis jars are politically-left presence in Barcelona, which is made using a special printer and unique particularly exemplified in the city’s squatter graffiti tags, while the clothing features art and anarchist scenes. They have always fed by different kinds of graffiti artists. The weed into one another – with street art, skate cul-

ture, Cannabis use and the squatter lifestyle becoming TINYURL.COM/BCNLEAF @CRTFD.BCN markers of an alternative, more off-the-grid style of living. So, it’s fascinating to see them becoming sought-out spaces, with more public access and a wider mix of people. These things were always cool, but up until recently, you had to be a certain type of person to access it.

I used to live in Barcelona and very much consider it one of my homes, yes … but that’s not how I ended up in that club. I have Cannabis to thank for that.

To me, it’s just one more example of how Cannabis culture fosters community among those who choose to indulge. Just as Soklak and his crew at CRTFD identified, there’s a thread running through all of these subcultures, even though they each have their own thing going on. Once again, Cannabis is the thread tying everything together – even (and especially) in Barcelona right now.

CRTFD BARCELONA

STORY by JACKIE BRYANT @JACQBRY for LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by JACKIE BRYANT & CRTFD

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LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

The Green Lady Dispensary nantucket If you’re seeking a quick island getaway, look no further than right here on the Atlantic Coast.

Nestled in the mist, 30 miles offshore of Massachusetts, sits the island of Nantucket – a hidden gem for any travel and Cannabis enthusiast. More commonly known for its small town charm with lovely restaurants and picturesque scenery, the tight-knit community has a group of individuals that fully embrace their love for the plant … in true Nantucket style.

Nicole Campbell, owner of The Green Lady Dispensary, is one of the local Cannabis pioneers helping to spread the good vibes and good ganja around the island. Coming from a Dutch and Caribbean background, Nicole’s family embodies both cultures’ love for Cannabis and shares that passion with the lucky people of Nantucket, as well as its many visitors.

MAY 2022

The Green Lady Dispensary was the Commonwealth’s first operational Black and women-owned Cannabis business, and is dedicated to enhancing their community’s quality of life. The cozy feeling you get when speaking with Nicole and her family is a testament to the elevated value their company adds to the island’s enchantment.

What brought you to Nantucket?

My husband and I have been coming to the island since the early ‘90s and we were married at Brant Point Lighthouse. When our children were young, they enjoyed summer visits to the island. Some of our fondest memories include spending the day driving on Dionis Beach with the calm waters perfectly suited for young children to splash around in.

What first drew you to Cannabis?

My father’s side of the family is Dutch, and as a young adult I spent a great deal of time enjoying Amsterdam. The great food, history, museums and of course, the coffeeshops. The Dutch have a very open-minded and inclusive way of thinking. I’ll never forget the first time I saw a Cannabis menu in Amsterdam. Mind you, this was back in the late 1980s, so by today’s standards, it wasn’t much of a menu … maybe a dozen items on it at most. But the thought that there could be options and categories on a Cannabis menu blew my mind. I’ve always disagreed with our government criminalizing Cannabis in so many ways, especially when compared to how the Netherlands chose to regulate it.

Why and how did you get into the industry? My husband and I

had worked in the agricultural industry for close to 30 years and have always been avid gardeners at home. However, we were burnt out and needed a career change.

We hoped for something entrepreneurial that we could eventually pass along to our daughters. We all share a passion for Cannabis, entrepreneurship and growing plants. Cannabis is fun and enjoyable – the people in the Cannabis industry are pioneers, hardworking, welcoming and most importantly, happy! It is a lot of hard work, but at the end of the day, well worth it.

How did the people of Nantucket respond to Cannabis legalization? Back in 2016 when Massachusetts voted to legalize Cannabis, Nantucket overwhelmingly voted for the legalization. We are very lucky this little island does not have the NIMBY attitude, which has made it very difficult for many Cannabis operators in Massachusetts. The people who live year-round on the island want to have the same access to goods and services that people on the mainland have. Being able to shop for Cannabis on the island is a hugely positive thing for living here year round. For so many people, Cannabis improves their quality of life! Many people of Nantucket have told us that Cannabis has offered them relief from physical and mental pain in lieu of addictive prescription drugs. Everyone deserves to have access to this plant if needed.

Tell me more about your operation and what makes it unique. Nantucket is very much about keeping things quaint, handcrafted, authentic and artistic.

An interesting fact about Nantucket – no chain stores are allowed

on the island. The island is full of unique restaurants, delicious bakeries, farm-grown summer vegetable stands and numerous artists. We’ve brought this lifestyle to the Cannabis space. At The Green Lady, we pick unique strains of Cannabis that we hand-trim and grow in small batches. The chef behind the creation of our delectable edibles, Eric Anderson, worked for years at many of the best-known island restaurants. Our line of cocktailflavored chews, chocolate confections and fresh-baked goods strive to be more like that of an island bakery.

Nantucket is also known for its top-notch customer service. Our trained budtenders are very knowledgeable of all our products and Cannabis use in general, because we believe that educated customers will use the products safely and responsibly. We strive to make each visit to The Green Lady a personal interaction, not a transaction.

From product information, suggestions or how-tos, we take time for every single person who needs it.

What are some special moments that you want to highlight about your story? Recently, The Green Lady

Nicole and her family

Our line of cocktailflavored chews, chocolate confections and freshbaked goods strive to be more like that of an island bakery.

- Nicole Campbell

Dispensary was a three-time winner at the NECANN Cannabis Community Awards! The awards were for the Best Cannabis Product Innovation for our Strawberry Lemonade Hash Rosin Chews, the Champion in Diversity and Inclusion, and Best New England Cannabis Company. This meant so much to everyone at The Green Lady who have worked so hard to make the company a success. My daughter, Corbet Campbell, the General and Hiring Manager, has strived to make The Green Lady a diverse and inclusive business. So, the award for being a Champion in Diversity and Inclusion really meant a lot to her. Living on the island, sometimes you feel disconnected from the rest of Massachusetts. The winners were chosen by popular vote online, and we are glad to know we have made so many customers happy with our craft Cannabis products.

What factors played a major role in how you operate on the island?

Are there any specific regulations? Since Nantucket is 30 miles out in federal waters, we are not allowed to ship any products on or off the island. We can’t buy products wholesale and we can’t send Cannabis samples to labs off the island for testing. The Cannabis Control Commission addressed this in the regulations and decided that Cannabis companies on either Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard must have their own modified testing facilities. The Green Lady was the first cannabusiness approved for modified on-premises testing in the United States, which was a major milestone. Research, effort and extra cost for sophisticated testing equipment was integral to this process. We test for all the same things that other companies do, such as microbials, mycotoxins, pesticides, heavy metals and cannabinoids. The CCC reviews all these tests before allowing our products to be sold. Everything we sell must be made by us right there at 11 Amelia Drive.

Anything new or exciting that we will see from The Green Lady Dispensary this year? Coming up next for The Green Lady is our retail store opening in Newton Center! We are delighted to be expanding onto the mainland and overjoyed to bring our expertise and professionalism to the Newton community. It’s a beautiful city and a wonderful location where we can be part of the downtown business community – just a block away from the Green Line.

We’ve just begun renovating the shop, which was previously an auto body shop. We are ready to bring the charm and delightful customer service experience from Nantucket to Newton.

THE GREEN LADY DISPENSARY

THEGREENLADYDISPENSARY.COM @THEGREENLADYDISPO 11 AMELIA DR, NANTUCKET, MA | (774) 333-3875 | OPEN 10AM-7PM DAILY

STORY by LEXIE PADUSSIS @LEXPUP__ for NORTHEAST LEAF | PHOTOS by CHARITY GRACE PHOTOGRAPHY @CHARITYGRACE_PHOTOGRAPHY

the TRAVEL issue

Dank Destination

36

We’re not an exclusive day spa - we’re an inclusive wellness center.

The only requirement to be a client is to be kind.

Owner Casey Sanginario

relax & unwind

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Island Wellness Center - Newport, Rhode Island

Newport, Rhode Island has long been revered as a travel must-see.

Favorite of the Kennedys, the Vanderbilts and the Astors – even claiming to be America’s first vacation destination – this place is definitely deeply rooted in history.

Nowadays, new shops are popping up with fresh concepts, attractions and vibes, and of course, Cannabis is securing its spot.

No longer reserved for privileged, wealthy multimillionaires, Newport is seeing a revival. Centered in pampering yourself like the rich do, Island Wellness Center is creating a new space for everyday people to treat themselves in a relaxed and happy atmosphere for all.

We visited Island Wellness to try everything from cryotherapy, to massages and even a weed-friendly salt cave, ultimately sitting down with Casey Sanginario – the owner and visionary behind a whole new experience in this revolutionary New England town.

MAY 2022

How long has Island Wellness Center been open and what services do you offer? We opened Island Wellness in 2018 as a small cryotherapy and sauna shop. After a year, we expanded to a full holistic wellness center and CBD dispensary at 102 West Main Road in Middletown.

After three years, we were able to expand again and open another shop in Providence at 116 Calverly Street. We offer holistic therapies including a halotherapy Himalayan salt cave, infrared crystal saunas, zero gravity massage chairs, hydromassage bed, jade heated massage beds, cryotherapy, cryo facials and more!

What’s your goal when helping customers who visit your store? Our goal is to provide ‘Wellness for Everyone.’ Island Wellness is not an exclusive day spa – we’re an inclusive wellness center. Our mission is to make the best natural wellness treatments accessible to everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status. The only requirement to be a client is to be kind. It is for these reasons that we keep our prices low and our spirits high.

How has Cannabis positively influenced your life and how do you bring it into health and wellness? Cannabis has 100%

positively influenced my life and career. I began smoking at 17 for my ADHD and migraines. Back then I wasn’t aware of how much this plant was helping me, but as I got older and became an MMP (medical marijuana patient), it became very clear.

I’m now able to medicate while running two physical location wellness centers, a travel CBD bus (The Chill Bus), and own my own line of CBD – Flower Powered Medicinals. I’ve been able to focus while managing my anxiety and become a successful businesswoman, all from this plant.

What’s your favorite way to consume Cannabis? My favorite way to medicate are joints! I love a good hemp joint

or RAW joint to end my day. I’m also a fan of bongs and bubblers because of the water filtration it provides. I like to switch up the type of flower and strains, but right now I’m super into Mammoth’s MAC1 THC flower and Rhode Island’s Finest Gardens’ Chilly.

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the TRAVEL issue

Dank Destination

HIGH ON ART in maine

Wave Breaks and Weed Breaks at the Portland Museum of Art I laughed as the map app told me to turn left on High Street to find parking near the Portland Art Museum in Maine, where my plans were to enjoy some fine artwork along with a variety of Cannabis-infused edibles. My morning had started with a couple pieces of 25mg of infused chocolate in my coffee, knowing they wouldn’t take effect for an hour or so.

WARNING: Remember, eating edibles is different from smoking or vaping – it takes longer to kick in and lasts longer than a typical buzz, depending on your tolerance level. I don’t recommend going to an art museum for your first time eating edibles and you should discover the dosage that works for you before eating them in public. And always check your state’s Cannabis consumption laws. There’s no open smoking or vaping of Cannabis in public in Maine, but most people won’t notice you enjoying an edible here and there.

That being said, there’s a large assortment of both medical and recreational dispensaries within a mile or two of the Portland Museum of Art that you can pull up on WeedMaps, including some that are within walking distance to the museum.

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MAY 2022

To enjoy art while also enjoying Cannabis is one of the most natural things one might do.

Cannabis seems to add a bit more clarity to the visual sensations … colors seem to be a bit brighter and I tend to notice more details in paintings. There have even been studies showing Cannabis helps with connecting ideas, and a painting is just a visual way of telling a story.

For over a hundred years, many great American artists have been drawn to Maine’s beautiful landscape to paint, and the Portland Museum of Art has a nice selection of these on display. Some of my personal favorites – Winslow Homer, Edward Hopper and Andrew Wyeth – all have paintings in the Portland collection.

In front of the painting

by Homer, I popped a couple root beer hard candies by River Driver Co. into my mouth, knowing root beer candy started in the 1930s at around the same time the artwork was created. The painting is of a wave breaking on the rocky stone beach nearby and for me, it was my first time seeing it in person.

I knew it from books and in art classes projected on a screen or the wall, but to see those brush strokes in person was a revelation. It’s no wonder Georgia O’Keefe mentioned his work and having been inspired by the York Beach area. I’ve been to the rocky shore myself and have stood in almost the same spot as the artist painted – now, I sat entranced by the piece for almost two hours. The candy and gummies had surely kicked in.

I took a quick coffee break in the gallery cafe to enjoy some infused chocolate chip cookies and look over the map of the museum. I noticed a brochure highlighting the photography show on the first floor and took a mental note to check it out. I wandered through one room that had an Edgar Degas statue of a dancing woman and felt like I could dance a bit myself – a nice reminder that the Cannabis treats were working to soothe the discomfort of my chronic back pain.

To enjoy art while also enjoying Cannabis is one of the most natural things one might do, as the great tasting edibles and visual experience can make it that much more special and memorable. So plan yourself a trip to a museum, eat some infused edibles and take some time to truly savor the beautiful artwork.

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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 Edible Marijuana Products may be delayed by two hours or more. In case of accidental ingestion, contact poison control hotline 1-800-2221222 or 911. This product may be illegal outside of MA. Please Consume Responsibly. For use only by adults 21 years of age or older. Keep out of the reach of children. Marijuana should not be used by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

concentrate of the month

C U LT I VAT E D & P R O C E S S E D B Y L E A F L A B S

LAUGHING BUDDHA BUBBLE HASH TEMPLE BALL

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I’M ALWAYS on the prowl for some good old school hash, and the Laughing Buddha bubble hash temple balls by Leaf Labs didn’t disappoint. Laughing Buddha was a very popular strain back in the day, providing that giggly, laugh-out-loud stoner buzz.

A 75% sativa/25% indica strain, Laughing Buddha was bred by Barney’s Farm in Amsterdam using pure landrace Thai sativa crossed with a Jamaican hybrid, winning a Cannabis Cup 2003. You can find Laughing Buddha Temple Balls by Leaf Labs in Quality Medical Dispensaries of Southern Maine.

MAY 2022

Dylan Turner of Leaf Labs is a small-batch organic Cannabis producer who focuses on growing premium craft flower first. He grows in a soil and coco mix using only natural nutrients and emphasizes that the quality of the hash is only as good as the flower it’s made from.

I asked Dylan why they make hash balls, as not many Cannabis companies make old school hash like this these days. He smiled and explained how he watched and studied the late, great Frenchy Cannoli’s hash-making techniques and his “Lost Art of Temple Ball Hash Making” – ultimately so inspired that he started to make them himself.

Opening the beautifully shaped jar “RELAXED AND with a twist, IN A COMPLETELY the ball BLISSFUL, GIGGLY was hard HIGH BY THE END with the OF THE BOWL.” cool spring temperature. Breaking out my pocket knife, I sliced the ball in half and started breaking it into smaller pieces, which became more pliable like clay with the warmth of my fingertips. A slight hashy, yet unique aromatic fragrance tickled my nose as I smelled the warmed pieces and put a nice-sized chunk into my soapstone pipe.

The flavor was refreshingly enjoyable – full-flavored as hash often is – with a hint of woody herbal spice and a pineapple-tang citrusy twist.

My back was sore and my stress level was off the charts, but a bowl of this hash seemed to lift both off my shoulders. I found myself relaxed and in a completely blissful, giggly high by the end of the bowl. I spent the evening enjoying sitting back with a book, while a deep and euphoric relaxation soothed my body.

If you’re into old school hash, you need to try some of this. Laughing Buddha is great for anxiety, chronic pain or just lifting your spirits.

I highly recommend sharing this with your friends and be ready to giggle, laugh and be talkative! This is what smallbatch organic craft Cannabis and great hash temple balls are all about.

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REVIEW & PHOTO by CHARLES TAGGART @KINDBUD.PHOTOS for NORTHEAST LEAF

Medical Cannabis Dispensary BROOKLYN • HUDSON VALLEY • STATEN ISLAND

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We carry New York patient-favorite brands including:

Please Consume Responsibly. Cannabis products should be kept out of the reach of children.

cannthropology

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WORLD OF Cannabis PRESENTS

Pakalolo in the Pacific

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With its mineral-rich volcanic soil, tropical temperatures and abundant rainfall, the Pacific paradise of Hawaii has the ideal conditions to grow some of the most stellar weed in the world, including iconic strains like Puna Budder, Kauai Electric and of course, the legendary Maui Wowie.

But exactly how and when cannabis first arrived on the isolated islands remains one of history’s little mysteries.

INTRO TO THE ISLANDS The first recorded reference to Cannabis in the Hawaiian Islands was published in the Honolulu newspaper Ka Nonanona in 1842, where it was referred to as “pakalolo.” Though probably meant as a derogatory term at the time, pakalolo – which roughly translates to “numbing tobacco” or “crazy weed” by some accounts – remains the name Hawaiians Issue of Ko Nonanona use for the herb to this day. newspaper, 1842.

There’s no doubt that Cannabis had been in Hawaii long before 1842, but how it first arrived there is unclear. Some claim the original Polynesian settlers (who had previously migrated from Asia) brought it with them when they first sailed to the islands as early as the fourth or fifth century, but there doesn’t seem to be any proof of that. Others claim that Cannabis may have

MAY 2022

Britain’s Royal botanist, Sir Joseph Banks.

been brought there by the Mexican cowboys (known as vaqueros or paniolos) who came to Hawaii to work on King Kamehameha’s cattle ranches starting around 1793, or by sailors on whaling ships around 1820. While either of those groups may have brought Cannabis with them, there’s no evidence that they were actually the first. Rather, the most plausible explanation, according to my research, is that Cannabis was introduced to Hawaii by the first European explorers who visited the archipelago in the late 18th century – thanks to a hemp-loving horticulturalist named Joseph Banks.

SIR JOSEPH BANKS Sir Joseph Banks was the head botanist for the British Empire and an adviser to King George III. He also happened to be a well-established Cannabis enthusiast who encouraged the monarchy to grow hemp for practical and strategic purposes (essential to use for sails and ropes for the Navy’s ships and to make parchment for writing letters and documents) and urged the King to underwrite voyages of discovery to new regions of the globe, so that he could collect and study samples of any new flora and fauna they discovered.

In 1766, the 23-year-old Banks was elected to the Royal Society and embarked on his first sea voyage, which took him to Newfoundland and Labrador. Then two years later in 1768, he was appointed to a scientific expedition to the South Pacific aboard the Royal Naval ship HMS Endeavor, commanded by 39-year-old Captain James Cook. Later dubbed “the man who mapped the world,” Cook had been commissioned by the British Admiralty to sail to the Pacific Ocean to record the transit of Venus across the Sun – an astrological phenomenon that, if correctly observed and recorded, could help determine

Main photo: A View of Karakakooa, in Owyhee — color print of HMS Resolution’s arrival in Hawaii by John Webber (1784).

Banks continued to evangelize for Cannabis for the remainder of his life, and his interest in the plant was in no way limited to its industrial uses.

the distance of the Earth Above: A period map from the Sun. of the Hawaiian (aka On both of these voyages, Sandwich) Islands.

Banks brought with him an array of various seeds with which to trade (at that time, the ship arrived. Beseeds could be used as a cause of this, Cook’s sort of universal currency), initial interactions with and this extensive seed bank the inhabitants were Engraving Engraving of of the the HMS HMS Endeavor Endeavor off off the the coast coast of of eastern undoubtedly included several overwhelmingly posieastern Australia Australia by

by Julian Julian Ashton Ashton (1770).

(1770). varieties of Cannabis. tive – so much so that During his three-year journey aboard the Endeavor, he and his crew remained on the island, trading Banks visited Brazil, Tahiti, New Zealand and the eastern and interacting with the Hawaiians peacefully for shores of Australia, where he collected over 30,000 nearly a month. Unforplant specimens and named over 1,400 new species. In tunately, Cook later ran fact, Australia’s Botany Bay is so named because of “the afoul of the Natives after great quantity of plants Mr. Banks … found in this place.” attempting to kidnap When Banks returned home to London in 1771, he betheir king, Kalani’opu’u, came an instant celebrity in the scientific community. in a dispute over a stolen cutter boat and was THE SANDWICH ISLANDS stabbed to death along Banks had planned to accompany Cook on a second with several of his men. voyage to the Pacific in 1778, but was denied permission Banks may not have to sail by the Admiralty after a fierce disagreement about been on board that the lodgings, provisions and equipment he required for expedition to Hawaii, Old botanical illustration the journey. It was on that expedition aboard the HMS but his seeds almost of Cannabis plant.

Resolution that Cook would “discover” the Hawaiian certainly were. He Islands (which he named the Sandwich Islands, after his was still the Crown’s horticultural advisor and friend John Montagu, the Earl of Sandwich). was known to require that a wide variety of In 1779, the Resolution made landfall at Kealakekua seeds be brought along on all voyages – includBay on the Big Island, where the Brits first made contact ing Cannabis, which the Brits would’ve wanted with the Natives. Upon their arrival, Cook was perceived to plant on the islands so they’d have hemp as a divine emissary of the Polynesian god Lono, whose crops waiting for them upon their next visit. festival the Hawaiians happened to be celebrating when BOTANY BAY Though Banks never returned to the Pacific, he The Death of Captain James Cook, by the Indians of continued to advise the Crown regarding policy O.Why.ee, one of the Sandwich-Islands - an engraving there for decades to come. It was allegedly

by George Carter.

Banks who convinced the British Government to colonize Australia and turn Botany Bay into a penal colony – later earning him the honorific “the Father of Australia.”

In 1788, Banks reportedly gifted a bag of hemp seeds to the First Fleet before they set out

THOSE WHO CAME AFTER Even if, for whatever reason, Banks’ Cannabis seeds didn’t make it onto the islands during Captain Cook’s visit, they could just as easily have been brought by one of the other European explorers who began trading with the Hawaiians in the years that followed. The two next most likely candidates would be Frenchman Jean François de Galaup, comte de Lapérouse (or simply Lapérouse), who became the first European to set foot on the island of Maui in 1786, and British Naval Captain George Vancouver, who visited both Australia and the Hawaiian Islands in 1792.

Regardless of the exact year it arrived or by whose hand, it seems clear that Joseph Banks was most likely the true progenitor of pakalolo in the Pacific. In fact, it’s even rumored that the fruit of one of Banks’ seeds later evolved into one of Hawaii’s most famous landrace strains, Hawaiian Duckfoot.

CANNABIS CODA In closing, it should be noted that Banks continued to evangelize for Cannabis for the remainder of his life and that his interest in the plant was in no way limited to its industrial uses. In addition to the sativa variety commonly used for hemp fiber, he apparently acquired some of the more exotic indica varietals from British sailors who’d traveled to India and came to enjoy their medicinal and recreational benefits. It was eventually revealed through his personal letters that Banks even received shipments of hashish from a British consul in Tangiers named James Matra.

And in 1803, he provided some of it to his friend, the Romantic poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge, along with a note saying that its effects included “almost frantic exhilaration” – making Mr. Banks, on top of everything else, England’s first de facto hash smuggler and weed dealer.

STO RY b y B O B BY B LAC K @ CAN N T H RO PO LO G Y for LEA F NAT IO N

ALL IMAGES IN PUBLIC DOMAIN

A painting of Joseph Banks (second from left), Captain James Cook (center), the Earl of Sandwich (right) and other nobleman by John Hamilton Mortimer (1771).

to find the penal colony. A letter he received from the East India Company in 1801 provides evidence that his bags of hemp seeds were still being handed out in the Australian colonies 13 years later. Throughout that time, Banks continued to exercise his influence over the colony’s governors to expand hemp production there.

In fact, many scholars believe that the growing of hemp was the primary purpose of the New South Wales settlement and that shipping the convicts there was merely a cover to deceive Britain’s rivals.

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WHO DOESN’T LOVE TACOS? I mean, this juggernaut of Mexican culture easily rivals the hamburger when competing for “most delectable” item in the food pyramid. And whether you like your fillings grilled, deep fried or sauteed, all it takes is herding the ingredients into a tortilla and wrapping that baby up to convert your hand into a flavor shovel of extreme awesomeness!

Think about it: Tuesday would be Bluesday if not for the amazing taco. And not just because the two are alphabetically compatible, but because tacos are so damn cheerful, they turn an ordinary meal into a downright fiesta. And with the deliciousness well in hand, all you need is a bottle of to-kill-ya to quickly transform a mundane weekday into a Satur-type-day.

So vamanos on those happy hour margaritas amigo, because we’re going to need some tang to punctuate the party.

Tacos aren’t just yummy for the tummy – they give the meal personality. It’s the rare food item that can relocate your dinner table to a barstool smack dab in the middle of a pinata-filled cantina. Suddenly you’re stoned on some pressed brick weed surrounded by a handful of gleeful hombres with frilly tuxedos and giant sombreros strumming guitars, squeezing accordions and singing like angels, and you’ll swear you’ve been transported somewhere south of the border.

Every country has their own version of a taco, right? Poland has the pierogi, Italy has the pizza, and Israel has the falafel. And the United States has the taco pizza.

But back to the food pyramid. I wonder if that originated in Tenochtitlan – that’s where they used to conduct human sacrifices. Those were some evil bastards.

But then, they didn’t have Cinco de Drinko.

MAY 2022

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GET THE CRAFT CANNABIS YOU’VE BEEN CRAVING! Pick up your favorite Grassroots strains in Take Five Pre-roll 5-packs & concentrates.

Learn more at grassrootscannabis.com 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.