Nov.-Dec. 2023 - Northeast Leaf

# 3 9 | N O V . 2 02 3

THE ENLIGHTENED VOICE

NORTHEAST

FEATURING

FLOWER HOUSE

NEW YORK // pg. 10-13

MASSACHUSETTS

SMASH HITS CANNABIS // pg. 14-15 MAINE

HIDDEN FOREST FARMS // pg. 16-17 REHASHED

HISTORY OF THE LEAF // pg. 18-19

F RE E / L E A F M AGA Z I N E S . COM

THE HARVEST ISSUE

AJ Sour Diesel Returns to New York!

—

Joe “AJ Sour Diesel” Murray at FlowerHouse New York’s gardens in Hudson Valley, NY.

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HISTORY OF THE LEAF

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14 SMASHHITSCANNABIS

ADHDEAD

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DAN MCCARTHY

THE BERKSHIRES

16

NOV. 2023

NEWCASTLE, MAINE

HIDDENFORESTFARMS

PAT I E N T OF THE MONTH

JAZMINE MOORE 09 10 14 16 18 20 24 28 32 34 36 38

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EDITOR’S NOTE FLOWERHOUSE NEW YORK SMASH HITS CANNABIS HIDDEN FOREST FARMS HISTORY OF THE LEAF STRAIN OF THE MONTH EDIBLE OF THE MONTH CONCENTRATE OF THE MONTH PATIENT OF THE MONTH GLASS ART SPOTLIGHT COOKING WITH CANNABIS STONEY BALONEY

DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS + MALINA LOPEZ @MALINALOPEZ

10 FLOWERHOUSENEWYORK

#39

GREG MALCOM @MARYLAND.CONNOISSEUR

THE HARVEST ISSUE

NOV. 2023

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N O RT H E AS T

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COLOMBIA FEB. 10-17, 2O24 BROUGHT TO YOU BY

for MORE details & booking scan here or visit US AT HIGHERWAYTRAVEL.COM/COLOMBIA

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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 E A F / A L AS KA L E A F / M A RY L A N D L E A F / CA L I F O R N I A L E A F / N O RT H E AS T L E A F / U TA H L E A F

A B O U T T H E C OV E R The Harvest Issue is always among our most highly anticipated editions, and this month’s coveted cover feature goes to a very deserving farm indeed: Flowerhouse New York in the scenic Hudson Valley area of the state. Their stunning farm is one of three profiled in this special issue, alongside Smash Hits Cannabis in Massachusetts and Hidden Forest Farms in Maine. Be sure to read our interviews and when you’re done - take another hit and check out our other markets’ Harvest Issues for a look at Cannabis being grown all around the country! Read, toke & enjoy!

PHOTO BY FLOWERHOUSE NEW YORK @FLOWERHOUSE_2.0

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

ABNEY

Editor’s Note Thanks for picking up The Harvest Issue of Northeast Leaf!

I remember the first time I saw a photo of a Cannabis plant, and it forever changed my perspective on the “drug” that was highly illegal at the time. It was the summer before college started, I was at a dealer's house trying to score some “hydro,” and there was a stack of High Times magazines on his coffee table. I flipped one open and was transfixed by the exotic, almost alien-like beauty of the brightly-colored budding colas. It was the first time I had truly seen the actual plant, as all of my weed buying to that point had involved Jack-in-the-Box parking lots and Ziplock bags of mids.

It was in that moment, as I gazed with the wonder usually reserved for the first peeks at a Playboy, that I had an epiphany: The Cannabis plant was beautiful and not anything to be afraid of.

A few summers later, I was working on the first issues of Northwest Leaf and my friends and I came into a bunch of rooted clones in red Solo cups.

We decided to play a prank on my dad, a high school teacher at the time, and plant a few of the clones in the big outdoor garden full of vegetables and ornamental plants. We took bets and waited for the moment of discovery, but it took a few weeks – until the tops of the distinct plants were reaching beyond their non-psychoactive companions.

“ALL THESE YEARS LATER, I STILL EXPERIENCE A CHILDLIKE SENSE OF WONDER WALKING THROUGH A CANNABIS GARDEN …

ESPECIALLY OUTDOORS. ”

When he realized the garden transgression and angrily tore them up, it was a funny and sad moment. This culling shaped my view of Cannabis and drug policy for years to come. The fact that my dad had watered the plants for a few weeks before realizing they were the “wrong” plants, reaffirmed my view that no plant should be illegal and that fears of Cannabis as a harmful drug were dangerously exaggerated. After all, why should we be scared of a plant that makes people feel good?

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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All these years later, I still experience a childlike sense of wonder walking through a Cannabis garden … especially outdoors. Looking up at plants that are taller than my six-foot eyespan feels magical, as the fan leaves and heavy colas dance in the wind and bloom under the sun while waves of terpenes wash over the mind. We must not forget how wonderful it is that we can grow our own medicine, and we should be very appreciative of the farmers who dedicate themselves to this crop.

Walking into a dispensary full of bright packaging and competing brands, it’s easy to forget that it all begins when a grower places a seed or clone into dirt, caring and nourishing a baby plant until it reaches harvest. So to all the farmers – those hard workers with dirty fingernails putting in long hours – the Leaf says “thank you.” We celebrate this harvest and the freedom to do so, for we remember a time when simply growing a plant was enough to earn a prison sentence. @NELEAFMAG

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-Wes Abney NOV. 2023

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CONTRIBUTORS ADHDDEAD, REVIEWS BOBBY BLACK, DESIGN + FEATURES JOSHUA BOULET, ILLUSTRATION TOM BOWERS, FEATURES AMANDA DAY, FEATURES + PHOTOS JENN DOE, SALES EARLY, PRODUCTION MAX EARLY, FEATURES STEVE ELLIOTT, NATIONAL NEWS BAILEY JONSON, REVIEWS + PHOTOS DAN MCCARTHY, FEATURES + PHOTOS SARA MILLS-GAINES, SALES BOBBY NUGGZ, REVIEWS + PHOTOS LEXI PADUSSIS, SALES BAXSEN PAINE, FEATURES + PHOTOS MIKE RICKER, FEATURES JAMIE VICTOR, DESIGN DAN VINKOVETSKY, FEATURES + PHOTOS BRUCE & LAURIE WOLF, RECIPES

WES

the harvest issue

WALDEN, NY | HUDSON VALLEY

LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

PHOTO BY DAN VINKOVETSKY

10

HARVEST TIME

flowerhouse newyork

THE NEW AGE OF A.J. SOUR DIESEL: The Iconic East Coast Chronic Returns For Its Legal Encore

nov. 2023

Size 43,560 square feet Employees 80 Signature Strains A.J. Sour Diesel, Gas Face, Donny Burger {GMO x Han Solo Burger}, Jelly Cake {Jealousy x Ice Cream Cake} Motto/Mantra “From the ground up.”

JOE MURRAY

I'm

PHOTO BY DAN VINKOVETSKY

RIDING A TRAILER being pulled behind a tractor watching a team of workers harvest four long rows of Cannabis plants at a time, among them the first legal A.J. Sour Diesel plants in New York that’ve ever been grown. By my side, along with FlowerHouse New York co-founders Sid Gupta and Linsay Villarreal (aka V), stands Joe Murray – the A.J. behind the Sour Diesel – who more than 30 years ago popularized a particular phenotype that changed New York and earned a name that has spread worldwide. It’s a surreal sight for us all, watching industrial farming equipment being used to harvest THC-rich Cannabis, but especially so for Joe. The A.J. Sour Diesel story starts in the early ‘90s when he was a fixture at legendary NYC music venue Wetlands – where jambands, hardcore outfits and hip-hop acts performed at one of the few nightclubs that turned a blind eye to weed smoke in the air.

DEDICATED TEAM

“I became an intern for the eco office in Wetlands around ‘92-‘93,” Joe tells me.

“That’s where I met Mike Klopp. Mike had the Chem 91 and everyone wanted it. At some point, Mike had gone to Amsterdam and bought beans from Sensi Seeds including NL#5, Hawaiian Indica and Superskunk. I decided to call the Chem 91 “Diesel” because I thought it was a better name. A small amount of seeds popped out of Mike Klopp’s Chem and we all assumed it was pollinated by one of the Sensi strains.

The Albany kids found two. They called them Diesel #1 and Diesel #2. By 95-96, a random seed from them produced what came to be called “Sour Diesel. V” and “M” wrote ‘Our Diesel’ on the jar they stored the seed in. The seed was planted into a pot that had previously been labeled with the number 5. When they wrote “our diesel” on the pot, the 5 appeared to be an S. The name Sour Diesel was born.”

“Access to the Sour became all consuming and some people became insatiable. It had a power and a force around it that broke apart lifelong friendships and made people crazy.

In 1998, I moved back to New York City from upstate and a break-in happened in my grow.

Clones were stolen and Sour got out.

“By 2002, I was sharing clones with friends and eventually started selling cuts. Honestly, it took the pressure off me. I knew that no matter how many people grew it, it would never be enough.”

A.J.’s description of the Sour is a reminder of the strain’s potency and a testament to its staying power and popularity.

“It’s similar to Chem but a little puffier and flashier – shinier,” he says. “Greasy and funky, but with a skunkiness.” >> STORY CONTINUES NEXT PAGE

STORY by DAN VINKOVETSKY @DANNYDANKOHT/NORTHEAST LEAF | PHOTOS COURTESY F LOWER H OUSE NY

flowerhouse newyork

12 SLURRICANE

PHOTO BY DAN VINKOVETSKY

LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

“TO ME, AS A NEW YORKER THAT’S YOUNGER THAN YOU GUYS, SOUR DIESEL WAS THE FIRST DESIGNER WEED. NAMED, SOUGHT AFTER AND ALLOCATED. THERE WERE RUMORS THAT ALL OF IT WAS GROWN FOR AND CONSUMED

BY THE WU-TANG CLAN.” -SID GUPTA

nov. 2023

HARVESTING

RUNTZ

PHOTO BY DAN VINKOVETSKY

the harvest issue

STORY CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PG.

HIGH ABOVE THEIR FIELDS

FLOWERHOUSE NY X AJ SOUR DIESEL How did this epic collaboration happen?

As FlowerHouse New York co-founder and CEO Sid Gupta explains, “To me, as a New Yorker that’s younger than you guys, Sour Diesel was the first designer weed.

Named, sought after and allocated. There were rumors that all of it was grown for and consumed by the Wu-Tang Clan. As I transitioned from the restaurant industry to the Cannabis industry, Jason Pinsky brought A.J. to my cultivation facility – Pistil Point in Portland, Oregon – in 2013 and we started talking about a collab then. I always knew I wanted to work with A.J. but the timing now couldn’t be better. We’re both returning to New York with legal A.J. Sour Diesel!”

When it comes to this new age of A.J. Sour Diesel, Joe couldn’t be more excited for the legal landscape that’s emerging.

“It’s great! I never thought this day would come. I wish it was 20 years ago, but I can’t complain now that I see her in all her glory – growing in full sun and in greenhouses where she can truly thrive,” Joe shares passionately. “FlowerHouse New York is doing Sour justice and as far as the online haters are concerned, I know it’s the authentic cut. There’s a million other Diesels out there – crosses, bagseed and mislabeled stuff included – but I can vouch for the fact that this is the A.J. Sour Diesel people know from the past.”

OCATED IN THE BUCOLIC HUDSON VALLEY, FlowerHouse New York prides themselves in producing licensed Cannabis for the legal New York State marketplace. Their commitment to excellence is reflected in the quality of their smokable flower and pre-rolls.

Known for strains such as GasFace, Blueberry Danish and Gelato, they’re super excited to be growing A.J. Sour Diesel flowers in conjunction with Joe – and especially under his personal supervision.

L

HARVESTING THE SOUR

On the day of my visit, we’re in Hurley New York, at a satellite location operated by Flowerhouse.

The 300-acre site has been a working farm for over 200 years! The first house was built on the property

by Dutch settlers in the 1720s and in recent years, the family who now owns the property has been growing a variety of organic heirloom vegetables in fertile, mineral-rich, river-bottom soil for green markets and Michelin-starred restaurants.

In the field, workers cut down four rows of plants at a time as the tractor drives ahead pulling the trailer. As they move, they chop down whole plants and large branches, quickly placing them on a conveyor belt. At the other end of the belt, workers on the trailer remove the branches and carefully place them into bins for transport up to the 150-year-old TROPICANA drying barn.

CHERRIES The barn, used for decades to dry hay, has been retrofitted to sweat the moisture out of thousands of Cannabis plants at a time. With 30-foot ceilings and breathable wood, the barn provides the perfect atmosphere for the drying process – after which the branches are bucked and flowers are placed into their curing bins in climate-controlled storage containers. Once properly cured and packaged, the legendary A.J. Sour Diesel flowers, pre-rolls, vapes, edibles and extracts will be available via limited release through preferred New York retailers.

FLOWERHOUSENY.COM | @FLOWERHOUSE_2.0 | @GET.SOUR | @AJSOURDIESEL

STORY by DAN VINKOVETSKY @DANNYDANKOHT/NORTHEAST LEAF | PHOTOS COURTESY F LOWER H OUSE NY See more photos from the garden at LeafMagazines.com

the harvest issue

SHEFFIELD, MA/THE BERKSHIRES

smashhitscan or over two years now since dropping their first crop on 4/20 of 2021 at Canna Provisions stores in Lee and Holyoke in Western Mass (as well as select dispensary carriers across the Bay State), the award-winning Smash Hits Cannabis has been wowing consumers and racking up bewildered looks from savvy buyers when they learn or confirm that – YES – they can in fact land legit original Chemdog strain genetics. See: Chem 91, Chem 4 and the justdropped line of insane Chem D OG – sourced from Cultivation Director Greg “Chemdog” Krzanowski’s famed line of influential eponymous strains, all grown by the man himself.

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LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

At harvest time this year, Chemdog poured over his first-ever legal crop of full outdoor flower that was blooming at the Smash Hits cultivation in Sheffield this past October (yes, you can expect some exciting live hash rosin and special concentrate collabs in the near future). The craft cultivation Krzanowski oversees continues to uphold its dedication to the artistry of growing – selecting retail partners based on their ability to understand and communicate how special 14 the flower is, given its origins and connections to the legacy market and U.S. Cannabis genetics over the past 30 years.

As such, their core library of two dozen strains continues to ebb and flow, as well as constantly strive for innovation as they experiment with new pheno hunts and exciting crosses of classic Chemdog strains and newer genetics for offerings found Size nowhere else in the Northeast.

10,000 sq. ft. inside 10,000 sq. ft. outside Making the product great comes down not only to the passion and knowledge of the Smash Hits leader, Employees 17 but also his crew of diverse, passionate, deeply knowledgeable staff at the grow. And almost all of them Signature Strains knew Chemdog long before he knew them.

Chem 91, Chem D, Chem 4, Chem S1, “I had the Chem 4 for a while back in the day, and Chem’s Fruit Stand, then I had the Chem 91 when I first got back from the Stardawg (Corey Cut), West Coast after Jerry Garcia died back in the day,” Kingston Kind says Don D’Agostino, 54, who has been focused on the Motto/Mantra 2023 season’s outdoor flower. “Being somebody who “All Gas, No Brakes.” was a fan and a friend of Chemdog in the heyday, and now years later getting to work with him and have him as my direct boss … for somebody who comes from the legacy growing world, I dreamed about this for years.”

“The fact that I come into work and clock in every day to work on a patch full of really gassy, classic Chemdog aromas for my job – I try to remind myself to remain cognizant of the privilege this is. It’s just close to my heart. I have relied on Chemdog strains in my personal life for over two decades, and now I get to help provide it on a larger scale with my favorite grower.”

Hari Delsignore, Post-Harvest Manager for Smash Hits, is also a Chem 91 megafan.

“From the smell to the high, it’s so different from all the rest and it’s got that huge gassy Chemdog funk!”echoes Taylor.

“It means a lot to be able to do this, and it’s an honor to work with Chemdog, and to be able to produce flower at a high level with craft attention. I’m always excited to be a part of it, which continues to make it all feel so special.”

SMASHHITSCANNABIS.COM | @SMASHHITSBYCHEM

nov. 2023

Cultivation Director Greg “Chemdog” Krzanowski

“THE FACT THAT I COME INTO WORK AND CLOCK IN EVERY DAY TO WORK ON A PATCH FULL OF REALLY GASSY, CLASSIC CHEMDOG AROMAS FOR MY JOB – I TRY TO REMIND MYSELF TO REMAIN COGNIZANT OF THE PRIVILEGE THIS IS. IT’S JUST CLOSE TO MY HEART.” -OUTDOOR FLOWER TECHNICIAN DON D’AGOSTINO

WHERE CRAFT, WOMEN GROWERS, AND SCIENCE CONTINUE TO THRIVE.

nnabis Chem D

Don D’Agostino

Chem 91 Closeup

Hari Delsignore

Drying Time

Taylor Brock sniffs some Zour Diesel

STORY & PHOTOS by DAN MCCARTHY @ACUTALPROOF for NORTHEAST LEAF See more photos from the garden at LeafMagazines.com

the harvest issue LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

16

NEWCASTLE, MAINE

hidden forest farms the cradle of Mid-Coast Maine, where whispers of the old pines echo through the clearings, you’ll find a haven of resin-rich Cannabis flourishing outdoors under the tender care of Hunter, Matt and the small team at Hidden Forest Farms. This quaint sanctuary, restored from a once-barren logging site, is now a flourishing verdant playground for the Cannabis cultivars – thanks in part to the resilient spirit of its custodians. Their story is not just a tale of transformation, but a statement about the potential of regenerative farming and keeping a student’s growth mindset.

IN

The journey truly started when Hunter Smith and Matt Morgenbesser – two friends that bonded over their shared love of Cannabis and extracts, along with their partners Victoria Benditt and Mackenzie Carter – decided to fully commit and see if they could make the jump from passionate connoisseurs to full-time cultivators. Their search for the perfect planting spot led them to Maine where they saw beyond an available barren logging lot – envisioning a green sanctuary where nature and cultivation could restore the land to its fullest potential.

“We clearly saw the power in the regenerative agriculture movement. We felt it embodied a lot of our own concerns about sustainability and the pitfalls of conventional farming,” explains Hunter. “So instead of renting a warehouse and building out an indoor, we decided to focus on finding a cheap logged property that needed a lot of love. Owning and operating the farm ended up being the best decision we could have made. There were plenty of bumps along the road, but it’s been the most life-changing and rewarding journey to regenerate this land.”

To restore the farm, they leaned heavily into regenerative farming practices. To start, they were able to reduce fertilizer use by grazing broiler chickens in their Cannabis gardens. Using non-GMO “Freedom Ranger” chickens that act as natural fertilizers and pest controllers, they provide a great example of the harmonious cycle that benefits both the soil and the cultivators.

As Hunter put it, “In addition to being phenomenal fertilizers as well as active predators to slugs, ticks and other pests, these birds feed our plants – as well as feed our friends and families. The difference they can make on your property and life amazes us each round.”

nov. 2023

FROM TIMBER TO TERPS: THE RESINOUS JOURNEY OF HIDDEN FOREST FARMS

Photo by Mark Archer @curator.co

OWNING AND OPERATING THE FARM ENDED UP BEING THE BEST DECISION WE COULD HAVE MADE. THERE WERE PLENTY OF BUMPS ALONG THE ROAD, BUT IT’S BEEN THE MOST LIFE-CHANGING AND REWARDING JOURNEY TO REGENERATE THIS LAND.” -CO-FOUNDER HUNTER SMITH They are able to successfully avoid tilling by using their Hugelkultur beds to create a microbial-rich carbon sponge that sub-irrigates and regulates water absorption for the plants. This allows their team to take advantage of the groundwater while cutting back on irrigation. They learned to reduce the usage of pesticides by focusing on creating a suitable environment for predator insects. And last but not certainly not least, their commitment to the soil is vital.

The team noted they apply compost twice per season to add microbes and nutrients to their soil, helping to insulate and inoculate it with healthy carbon-decomposing fungi.

These continually tuned experiments collaborating with nature embody a holistic and sustainable approach to Cannabis farming, nurturing the soil and promoting plant vitality.

That plant vitality is the engine that drives their reputation for great hash and leads them to make some of the best outdoor-grown extracts in the game. Beyond patient favorites like Zcube, Banana Pie-paya and Papaya, the team is continually testing to find what genetics work best in their unique microclimate. While Maine’s cold, short and wet growing seasons present challenges, the team believes they can find valuable strains and genetics to preserve what will thrive in their system. This year, they are adding six new selections into the lineup from a recent pheno hunt: Berry Fizz (Terpfountaingenetics), Sour Lemon Drop (6starselections), Illmatic (Garden of Grease Seeds), 007up (Swamp Boys), Trillson (Masonic Seed Co) and Red Smoothie (Terpfountaingenetics). It is this willingness to adapt and experiment that reflects a student’s Canopy Size growth-oriented mindset, which Hunter and 30 plants/caregiver Matt believe is crucial for evolving in the Employees Cannabis cultivation sphere. ”Aidan Conti @rasaidan However, like any great student, they is our right hand man, but we do it all eventually become the master. Sending the ourselves besides elevator back down to help support and some extra harvest level up the next generation of cultivators, hands.“ Hunter often goes live on his social media Signature Strains while walking around the farm and sharing Banana Pie-paya, valuable insights (“free game”) to others Zcube, and Papaya. in the community. These impromptu talks New Phenos are informal, ranging from giving in-depth Sour Lemon Drop, analysis of what is happening with his plants, Berry Fizz, Illmatic, soil and farm, to answering questions in the 007up, Tropgun x comments, to sharing knowledge about the Wilson, Red Smoothie.

Maine community and Cannabis culture. Just Motto/Mantra like their stellar hash, catching a live stream “Teamwork makes may be a bit tough to find – but if you happen the dream work.” to stumble across one, you’re in for a treat.

The Hidden Forest Farms journey exemplifies how regenerative farming practices can not only transform a barren land into a flourishing farm that produces incredible Cannabis, but also plant the seeds for a community centered around sustainable growing and continuous learning. Here the harvest is never complete, but rather, an ongoing cycle of cultivation. @HIDDENFOREST_FARMS

STORY & PHOTOS by ADHDDEAD @ADHDDEAD for NORTHEAST LEAF See more photos from the garden at LeafMagazines.com

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nov. 2023

THE ENL IGHTENED VOICE

@REVERE GLASS

INDEPENDENT CANNABIS JOURNALISM SINCE 2010

#152 | FEB. 2023

THE CULTURE ISSUE

EXCLUSIVE

CHEECH AND CHONG LEAF NATION'S BOBBY BLACK & MIKE RICKER INTERVIEW THE STONER COMEDY ICONS F RE E / L E A F M AGA Z I N E S . COM

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INDEPENDENT CANNABIS JOURNALISM SINCE 2010

#110 | AUG. 2023

THE PSYCHEDELIA ISSUE F RE E / L E A F M AGA Z I N E S . COM

THE ENL IGHTENED VOICE

INDEPENDENT CANNABIS JOURNALISM SINCE 2010

# 5 5 | J U LY 2 0 2 3

THE

CONCENTRATES

F RE E / L E A F M AGA Z I N E S . COM

@EMILYEIZEN

From Arrest to Protest THE LEAF has always stood as a free publicaGrowing up in a Seattle suburb, weed was in a weird letion dedicated to medical patients and freedom for gal space. Seattle had decriminalized the plant and the few the plant, telling stories of healing and loss, and times I had interactions with cops and weed, it was only to sharing the truth as we see it through the lens of have it confiscated or be told to step on it, crushing a bag the sick and oppressed. of BC Bud into the dirt. But only a few months before my While today’s patients have a lot of options, in 21st birthday, as captain of the college tennis team and 2010 the best case scenario for MMJ seekers was business manager of the student newspaper, I was arrested laughter – and the worst, jail or death. I have interfor possession of a gram of “leafy vegetable matter.” viewed patients from prison and their deathbeds, It was a Wednesday in June, and my good friend Daniel and seen children with intractable epilepsy live Berman (our Leaf Creative Director) and my very preghealthy lives because their parents defied laws and nant girlfriend headed down to a local beach for a quiet big pharma to give their children a plant. bonfire. Our lives were changing, mine quite majorly, and The fight for access to a plant that heals, and so we lit a fire and Daniel and I each cracked a single to end a drug war that hurts, has often felt like a 24-ounce beer – preparing to smoke battle of good versus evil.

“Suddenly the very sad looking gram of weed we But it’s not that simple, because a bright had between the two of us. Suddenly our government and teachers and flashlight a bright flashlight lit us up and behind police officers told us that pot lit us up and the glare a cop appeared, smoking a was evil. The devil’s lettuce. The behind the glare cigar and wearing a cowboy hat. His gateway drug. A message repeated a cop appeared, partner had circled behind us, and with blindly and taught by DARE – one smoking a cigar a classic “we got ya” attitude, the cops that has to be reprogrammed, a and wearing a proceeded to arrest us. narrative that must be retold. cowboy hat.”

This was in a suburb and the local When the Leaf began in 2010, it high school had senior graduation was a project that I thought would that day, and these cops were the party patrol. While they take me to Law School – my own testament to couldn’t believe that we were in college, or that the pregfighting for the oppressed, which is what attracted nant woman wasn’t secretly drinking one of the two beers, me to using the law in defense of those wronged they arrested myself and Daniel before releasing us on the by the system itself. To date, this project has never beach with a court summons. stopped … instead spreading like the weed we Weeks later, as my mom cried while we waited for my once feared. Northwest Leaf has published an court hearing, she asked me a tough question: “Wesley, issue every single month in Washington since June is this what you want your life to be?” She did not like 2010, with our November 2023 Harvest Issue my answer, but it burned inside me like a fire. I told her being the 161st monthly issue. directly that I didn’t believe I deserved to be in court We’ve published in Oregon since 2014, Alaska for Cannabis. This planted the seeds for my belief that 2016, Maryland 2018, California and our eightnobody should lose their freedom or rights for a plant – state Northeast edition since 2020 – and now which would matter greatly when I was first introduced to Utah begins our first quarterly edition with the medical Cannabis. partnership of Salt Baked City.

DUSTIN REVERE X PYRO F RE E / L E A F M AGA Z I N E S . COM

THE GLASS ISSUE

@ CHRIS_DYER

<< From the first issue published in June 2010, the Leaf has existed to serve as advocacy journalism for a plant that has healed for millenia, and to right the wrongs of the War on Drugs which has criminalized a seed that is a gift to our human race.

#36 | APR. 2023

CAL I F O R N I A

ISSUE

INDEPENDENT CANNABIS JOURNALISM SINCE 2010

@MARYLAND.CONNOISSEUR

REHASHED S OTO ANPH M @BER

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HISTORY OF THE LEAF

T H E E N L I G H T E N E D V O I C E | 3 RD A N N I V E R S A R Y E D I T I O N

Available anywhere you listen to podcasts!

LISTEN TO LEAF LIFE PODCAST SHOW #238

THE HISTORY OF THE LEAF

THE ART & SCIENCE OF PAIRING CANNABIS & TASTY BEVERAGES

The Hash Frontier's Lemon Dough flower paired with color-changing Unicorn Butterfly Pea Vodka in a classic lemon drop cocktail.

INDEPENDENT CANNABIS JOURNALISM SINCE 2010

@JOSHUABOULET

F RE E / L E A F M AGA Z I N E S . COM

See nearly 14 years of free and exclusive Cannabis journalism in our vast archive of past editions at Issuu.com/nwleaf and LeafMagazines.com. Toke. Read. Enjoy!

I lived a boy’s life growing up: Fishing and dirt-biking and generally being as risky as possible, without breaking bones or rules.

For my best friend David the limits were more fluid, and it wasn’t long after my pot arrest that he crashed in a motocross event and fractured his pelvis in three pieces. To put him in traction, doctors at a prominent Seattle hospital drilled a pencil-sized hole through his knee and then promptly overdosed him on morphine. He died and was resuscitated on the operating table, and they could not provide NORTHEAST him painkillers for the first two weeks of an incredibly painful recovery.

When I first saw David after the accident, he looked many years older – more frail and had more pills than I had ever seen. I snuck him off to get high and the Cannabis helped with his pain. He began pushing his father to allow him a medical Cannabis authorization and facing the prospect of long-term opiate dependence, David became one of the first minor medical Cannabis patients at age 17 (he was a few years younger than me) in Washington.

The plant healed him, helped him recover THE WEED & WELLNESS ISSUE without opiates, and turned us both into something more than just “stoners.” He began growing and after a trip to California for canna-tourism, he returned in a twist of fate with Cannabis magazines.

By this point I was 21, had a one-year-old daughter, and I’d left a Division 1 tennis scholarship behind and was splitting time between contracting as a builder and moving furniture. But when I saw the magazines writing about weed, I knew that it was something I could do – because Daniel and I had worked on our college paper, and David knew business. We outlined a plan over the winter for a first edition that would be distributed to the dozen or so MMJ collectives in Seattle, found a printer, and convinced David’s dad to loan us $1,600 to print the first issue of the Leaf. It was 16 pages and the same dimensions as this magazine you hold, but printed on newspaper and unstapled. It was a tabloid, it was underground, and it created a spark in the Seattle medical Cannabis scene that still burns today.

# 2 9 | J A N . 2 02 3

THE ENLIGHTENED VOICE

F RE E / L E A F M AGA Z I N E S . COM

@KET.IMAGES

THE TANNINS & TERPENES ISSUE

Medical Roots

#89 | SEPT. 2023

@TONYSIMONELLI

THE ENLIGHTENED VOICE

INDEPENDENT CANNABIS JOURNALISM SINCE 2010

“We believe in the right to grow Cannabis at home, and that homegrow doesn’t pose a threat to the medical industry. And we believe in the right for brands and companies to advertise and share their products – if we can allow big pharma companies to dominate television advertising, how does hiding the benefits of medical Cannabis products serve the patients of Utah?”

@BERMANPHOTOS

Fighting for Freedom Nationwide

At the Leaf, we believe that all use of Cannabis is medicinal – because it heals without causing harm. No other drug can make this claim. We believe that all people should be free to use Cannabis medically or recreationally, in any form, from topicals and tinctures to smoking flower.

We believe in the right to grow Cannabis at home, and that homegrow doesn’t pose a threat to the medical industry. And we believe in the right for brands and companies to advertise and share their products – if we can allow big pharma companies to dominate television advertising, how does hiding the benefits of medical Cannabis products serve the patients of our country?

Cannabis opens minds and generates empathy and understanding, so let’s lay down our stigmas and instead embrace our community, and end the War on Drugs that has caused so much harm. I have high hopes for Leaf Magazines and it is an honor to serve this beautiful state and community with Cannabis journalism. I hope and pray to do so for many years to come.

STORY by WES ABNEY @BEARDEDLORAX/LEAF NATION | ART DIRECTION by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

GARY

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PAYTON

LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

STRAIN OF THE MONTH

NORTHEAST

“YOUR NOSE IS IMMEDIATELY HOOKED BY THAT SIGNATURE PETROL-ESQUE SMELL – REMINISCENT OF HEADBAND OR AN OG KUSH, BUT WITH A SWEET AND TANGY TWIST. ” nov. 2023

Last year, I attended a launch party for Gary Payton’s eponymous strain in Massachusetts – and since then, the cultivar’s impact on the market has been iconic. Many Bay State stoner sports fans were in attendance at the packed event, including a lot of big games in the Cannabis industry. This strain is certified gas and is highly coveted among growers and smokers alike. It seems to have taken over as the new gas pack over GMO. Having grown it myself, it’s one I truly love to smoke on a regular basis.

GROWN BY

RI CULTIVATION CO.

A HIGHLY POPULAR collab breeding project between the Cookies crew and Kenny Dumetz of Powerzzzup Genetics, Gary Payton is a cross of the Y x Snowman that packs a serious punch. This potency matched with its high resin production and loud terpenes gives me hope that true gas will never fall out of favor.

I was able to purchase an eighth of some official Gary Payton from Rhode Island Cultivation Co. – an up-and-coming cultivator in the 401 with decades of experience and a superior palate. This batch tested at over 22% THC, using Athena Pro nutrients. And let me just say: This is some incredibly well-grown flower that was harvested to perfection.

Immediately upon opening the pill bottle-style jar, your nose is hooked by that signature petrol-esque smell – reminiscent of Headband or an OG Kush, but with a sweet and tangy twist.

Gary Payton had me giggly and talkative in a public setting, which helped me break out of my typically socially anxious side. Don’t underestimate its very relaxing effects, as you may find yourself with a case of cement feet. I rolled a cone and the flavor lasted all the way until the very end and skunked up the whole place. Whenever someone smokes some Gary, the pungent aroma of lemon, lime and gas sticks to the air like “The Glove” did to his opponents while playing defense in the NBA. RICC is doing a top notch job reimagining craft Cannabis here in Lil’ Rhody. Being a Class A cultivator with only a 5,000-square-foot grow, they’re as boutique and high quality as it gets. It’s all about supporting the true pop and pop growers like these guys who put love and attention into every plant grown and bud harvested.

With RICC product available at almost every dispensary in the state, I highly recommend purchasing any of their flavors on the menu.

Usually an eighth is under $40, which is a good bang for your buck for this level of quality.

Follow them on Instagram to stay up to date with their latest drops — you’ll be happy you did! @ricultivationco | 22% THC

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

4 CHARLESVIEW ROAD HOPEDALE, MA

the harvest issue

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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 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. This product may cause impairment and may be habit forming. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. PLEASE CONSUME RESPONSIBLY.

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EDIBLE the harvest OF THE MONTH issue

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LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

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Ahh Chocolate | Serene Dreams Dark Chocolate Bar pain management. The entire “Indica” bar contains 100mg of THC At the 2022 Harvest Cup in Worcester, Massachusetts, “The line of three I ate what was one of the tastiest edibles I’ve ever tried. And the different Cannabis- and 25mg of CBN, for a 4:1 ratio determined to increase rest and best part was that it was actually healthy! The co-founders of infused chocolates relaxation. The neuroprotective 68% cacao, along with their curated Ahh, Andrew and Haley, craft their products with the utmost care lovingly crafted by blend of cannabinoids, combine for a one-two punch of nighttime relief for patients struggling with insomnia or body pain. and source only the finest ingredients. In fact, the line of three the duo are actual As effective as this plant-based chocolate is, the Serene Dreams different Cannabis-infused chocolates lovingly crafted by the superfoods.” bar is equally as delicious – featuring organic wild blueberries with a duo are actual superfoods – made with Fair Trade single-source hint of vanilla bean for a sweet and beneficial treat. The hardest part is not eatDominican cacao boasting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. ing too much! At proper dosage, these tasty tidbits will help you sleep through For Ahh’s Serene Dreams Dark Chocolate Bar, Andrew and Haley combine the night and awaken rejuvenated and refreshed!

THC-rich, full-spectrum RSO (Rick Simpson Oil) from award-winning extractors AHHMOMENTS.COM | @AHHMOMENTS Treeworks with CBN (cannabinol) – a compound that helps with sleep and

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REVIEW by DAN VINKOVETSKY @DANNYDANKOHT/NORTHEAST LEAF | PHOTO by AHH CHOCOLATE

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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.

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CONCENTRATE OF THE MONTH

BEWELL ORGANIC MEDICINE

SHERBNINJA SUGAR WAX When it comes to quality concentrates in the area of Merrimac, Massachusetts, BeWell holds it down.

At any given moment, they’ve got your sugar wax, sauce or live resin needs covered – and they’ve recently added some fire solventless products to their menu. And oh yeah, you can expect good prices too.

LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

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“AT LOW TEMPERATURE, THIS SUGAR WAX HAS PREMIUM FLAVOR AND LEAVES THE ROOM SMELLING LIKE LINGERING FRUIT TERPS.”

NOV. 2023

DURING THIS TRIP to BeWell, I narrowed my choice down to a gram of Sherb Ninja sugar wax. The alluring bright-yellow color of this concentrate really caught my eye. It also looked juicy and promising for a BHO – and upon opening, this promise was fulfilled with an enticingly dank aroma of citrus fruit rinds and petroleum fuel.

It’s definitely a lemon-forward strain with candy undertones.

Any Sherbet cross is usually very enjoyable for me. On the package it states this was processed with flower grown in their cultivation facility in Lowell and has a THCA count of 56.6%. I actually thought this was a bit lower than a lot of the extractions I see for sale in the Massachusetts recreational marBeWell ket, but I didn’t Dispensary let it deter me.

17 Broad Street While dabbing Merrimac, MA Sherb Ninja I exbewell420.com perienced pleas@bewell420 antly euphoric (978) 224-1577 and uplifting Testing: 56.6% THC effects. At low temperature, this sugar wax has premium flavor and leaves the room smelling like lingering fruit terps. I didn’t see the terpene percentage on their test results, but I imagine they would be coming in pretty high for this particular strain given its palate-coating flavor.

The Sherb Ninja sugar wax is an excellent option if you’re looking to add some flavor to your headstash – especially at $45 after tax for a full gram.

Be sure to follow BeWell on Instagram @bewell420, and check out their extensive medical and rec menus with over 30 flavors.

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

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PAT I E N T O F T H E M O N T H

jazminemoore The journey to completing a collegiate culinary degree nearly killed Jazmine Moore. In 2007, Jazmine overcame a variety of health ailments to reach the finish line of a senior campaign at Baltimore International Culinary College. “My friends were pleading for me to go get help,” recalled the native of Washington D.C. “I was losing weight, I was fatigued and I couldn’t keep any food down.

But I just kind of refused to accept it. I kept pushing through until the end of college.”

When an emaciated Jazmine finally sought medical help, she meagerly made her way through the doors of the hospital at a mere 84 pounds.

“I was really skinny,” the 37-year-old recollected.

Jazmine was given a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel disease that impacts the gastrointestinal tract, often upending patients’ lives and forcing a regimented way of life.

Jazmine’s health was monitored closely over a five-week stay at the Washington Hospital Center – a place she credits with giving her the foundational keys to a new life at the ripe age of 21. Some of those lessons she took home, while others, she pooh-poohed.

“I knew that I had to live differently, but I refused to accept the lifestyle the doctor wanted me to live,” she said. “They wanted me to get a bag in my stomach, have a specific diet and take all these medications. I was 21! I just did all this work, and graduated from college. I wanted to celebrate, not do all that. So I started looking for alternative remedies that could help.”

Her mother, Trinna, was a raw food vegan chef – which certainly helped flavor an initial adherence to a starch-heavy diet consisting of rice, potatoes and white bread. However, Trinna had a surprising ingredient she was about to add to Jazmine’s sustenance: Cannabis.

Jazmine departed the hospital at 96 pounds, up a dozen from her entry. While she was leaving behind a medical picc line that delivered nutrients intravenously, her mother was encouraging her daughter to pick up a natural substance that could quell her inflammation and encourage a necessary appetite.

“People always laugh when I say my mother introduced me to Cannabis,” smiled Jazmine. “But she didn’t say, ‘Go get high.’ What she did was introduce me to a man named Dr. Patterson, who taught me about cannabinoids and cooking with Cannabis. He showed me that I could treat my condition by microdosing.”

nov. 2023

Jazmine began making infused smoothies – “juicing” hemp leaves, or just “chucking a nug” into a blend that provided relief for daily inflammation. But she was just getting started. A harrowing health scare had inspired a foray into Cannabis cuisine, broadening the horizons of a young woman with a passion for the culinary and a degree to prove it. Her life has never been the same.

“Sixteen years later, I do not take any medications besides Cannabis and food,” she said.

Jazmine dives into her culinary creativity to microdose 25mg of CBD in a variety of ways including, but not limited to, sandwich toppings, honey, salads, or even drizzling infused spreads on tasty foods such as popcorn.

“Everyone has their own journey, so I don’t push my experience on another,” cautioned the graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. “But if they do want to know, I try to teach the fundamentals about the Endocannabinoid System and just give the tools for those on their own journey.”

Jazmine has taken on the professional moniker of Green Panther Chef, combining her love of the cougar cat with a passion for living a sustainable and holistic lifestyle.

The Green Panther Chef is now a published author, releasing an infused eating guide entitled “More than a Cannabis Cookbook.”

The book, which can be found on Amazon.com, provides readers insight into her background, a comprehensive understanding of the Endocannabinoid System, more than 75 infused recipes, and journal prompts to help track progress.

“There’s a whole section in the book where I talk about different terpene pairings and what they can do for you,” she said. “It’s something I really subscribe to because it’s helped me with GI symptoms, even down to improved sleep.”

Jazmine also runs the Green Panther Chef Cannabis Catering Company, hosting a storefront in Brentwood, Maryland, alongside her mother Trinna. The Moore mother and daughter combination can often be found working side-by-side in the kitchen, which Jazmine fondly refers to as “The Lab.” “It means everything to me that she’s even a part of this journey,” Jazmine said. “She’s always been so supportive and encouraged the best out of me. I mean, at her age (67), to be with me through all the ups and downs of this business … she doesn’t have to do that. It just means the world to me.” YouTube.com/@GreenPantherChef

“Everyone has their own journey, so I don’t push my experience on another.

But if they do want to know, I try to teach the fundamentals about the Endocannabinoid System and just give the tools for those on their own journey.”

STORY by BAXSEN PAINE @BAXSENPAINE for LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by GREG MALCOLM @MARYLAND.CONNOISSEUR

CANNABIS FOR A BETTER LIFE

GLASS ART SPOTLIGHT

@QUESTGLASS

Quest Glass

Glass Art by With a burning Quest Glass passion to get x Power Pat behind the flame, @_powerpat Johnny Quest received his first introduction to glassblowing when his mom gave him a Groupon for his 16th birthday to learn from Aaron Tate. At that same glass studio, Quest met Kevin Morris to help him with his initial foray into the glass realm.

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LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

"I am very inspired by the scene as a whole.

I have so many talented friends and am constantly finding new glassblowers that ‘wow’ me.”

nov. 2023

Being creative from a young age, Quest had been trying his hand at video editing for FPS games and enjoyed drawing particular glassblowing designs like Arik Krunk and Kevin Howell's wigwags.

Fast forward to 2023, and Quest has now carved his lane into the glass game – offering everything from gorgeous pendants with his signature "fleur" design and immaculate hammer pipes including silver fuming and thumbies, to scalloped glassware and his one-of-a-kind "floor perc."

This unique creation provides an unparalleled function where the water jets up through four holes through the bottom of the rig – hitting unlike any other piece of glass.

"I am very inspired by the scene as a whole. I have so many talented friends and am constantly finding new glassblowers that ‘wow’ me, which stokes me out. Inspirations like James Daschbach, Kevin McCulley, Cesare Toffolo, Mike Raman, Arik Krunk, Yuko Sorte, Davide Fuin, Chris Eberhardt, Chris Carlson and Pat Powers made me the person I am today," said Quest.

Quest holds it down in the streetwear industry, offering branded clothing and collaborating with homie Cary @allmyhatsaredead.

Additionally, Quest wants to give a big shout-out to Groovy Money and his mom for helping him get to where he is today.

"I am grateful to have found this path of glass so early on, and sharing it with people I've admired since I was a kid," said Quest.

Keep up with Quest on IG to see where you can find his work next, as he's constantly on the go and has his art regularly featured in renowned glass shows around the globe.

STORY by MAX EARLY @LIFTEDSTARDUST for LEAF NATION | PHOTO by @BOROPHOTOGRAPHER

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cooking with cannabis

HOLIDAZE COOKIN' BRIE BITES

NOVEMBER HASHTAGS // #LaurieAndMaryJane #DontFearTheEdible #EatYourCannabis #BeKind | #Share #Herb+Spice

SERVES 5, 3 PER PERSON 15 mini frozen phyllo tart cups 2 tablespoons infused butter or oil, melted 8 ounces brie, cut in ¾ inch pieces 1/3 cup raspberry jam slivers of hot chili peppers (optional) 1. Heat oven to 340º F. Place the cups on a sheet pan covered with parchment. Brush the inside of each of the mini tart shells with the melted infused butter.

2. Place a piece of brie in each cup. Place a ½ teaspoon of jam on the cheese. Top with the slivers of pepper. Bake for 7- 9 minutes.

CRANBERRY CLUSTERFUX MAKES 15 CLUSTERS 12 ounce package white chocolate chips ½ cup dried cranberries, chopped if large ½ cup pecans, chopped 2 tablespoons infused butter, melted Shredded coconut (optional)

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1. Line a sheet pan with parchment.

2. Place white chocolate in a microwave safe bowl. Heat on medium power for 1 minute.

Remove and stir. Continue melting for 10 second intervals until melted.

3. Add remaining ingredients except coconut.

4. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheet. Sprinkle with coconut. Let set for at least 30 minutes.

ROOTS, SEEDS AND SOUP

LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

SERVES 6

LET’S BEGIN TO GET IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT! IT’S NOVEMBER, THERE’S A CHILL IN THE AIR … AND SOME CANNABIS THAT SEEKS TO WARM UP SOME OF YOUR FINEST COOKING PLANS. Last night I made a bunch of canna-butter using Forbidden Fruit, an indica-dominant strain that entices the eyes, treats the nose to tropical mango and grapefruit aromas, and tastes simply sweet and sublime. It’s relaxing but not overly so, with a glow that allows me to be rather productive. I have a recipe for a grapefruit sorbet and I’m thinking that this delightful strain will really make it shine. I’m going to infuse the sugar – it will make a superb palate cleanser. I will keep you posted. Laurie@Laurieandmaryjane.com

2 tablespoons infused oil, butter or infused equivalent 2 cups parsnips, peeled and cut in chunks 1 cup sweet potatoes, peeled and cut in chunks 1 cup carrots, peeled and sliced 1 cup butternut squash, peeled and cut in chunks 1 medium onion, peeled and cut in chunks 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper 6-7 cups vegetable broth 1/3 cup sour cream, Greek yogurt or crema Pepita seeds 1. Heat oven to 340º F. In a large baking dish, combine the vegetables and toss with 2 tablespoons of infused oil, rosemary, salt and pepper. Roast until the vegetables are getting tender, stirring occasionally, approx. 45-50 minutes.

2. Place the vegetables in a large sauce pot and add the vegetable stock. Simmer for about 35 to 40 minutes, stirring a couple of times.

3. Carefully purée the soup with either an immersion or regular blender. Be careful, and if using a regular blender, purée in small batches. Add more vegetable stock if too thick. Heat again a few minutes and divide among 6 bowls.

4. Drizzle sour cream over each bowl. Top with the pepitas.

nov. 2023

RECIPES by LAURIE WOLF @LAURIEANDMARYJANE for LEAF NATION | PHOTO by BRUCE WOLF @BRUCE_WOLF

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38

UH OH, I’VE CROSSED THE LINE. Boy, am I gonna get my ass kicked now. I stated the opinion that everyone else is thinking, but is too afraid to actually voice … at least openly in public. And the last thing you want to do is belittle the thing to which these irrefutable enthusiasts attach their identity – because if you insult the motorcycle, you insult the person riding it. And that’s a surefire way to get stuck in the gut by a Hell’s Angel, Altamont style.

Hey, Harley Rider: I get it. You want people to think you’re a lion in the jungle, that your ear-curdling roar induces tingles of hair-raising fear. And that you just don’t give a fuck what anyone thinks. Which is ironic. Because it would appear that you care very much about what everyone thinks, otherwise your motor would be muffled. Intent on convincing us that you’re unconventional – a rebel, unique, fringe, anti-establishment. It’s just that it’s hard to be persuaded when the company you fiercely endorse had a spreadsheet of over $5 billion in revenue last year.

Now, motorcycles are cool. And if it’s not raining, they make an exciting form of transportation. It’s liberating when the sativa-soaked sun shines on your face with the unbridled summer wind sweeping your body while you harness a stout speed machine. And what do I care if your favorite pastime is standing around inspecting one another’s saddles like dogs sniffing their buddy’s backside?

To each his own.

But could you turn down the volume a little? It’s irritating when your conversation is jolted by a passing DC-10 on the street, that’s all.

Note: This never applies to a lady on a Harley. Baddies on bikes are always awesome, no matter what – and have a license to crank their volume any time they feel overcome with the need to express themselves.

nov. 2023

FOLLOW @RICKERDJ // GET THE AUDIO VERSION & EVERY EPISODE AT LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

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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. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. 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. Please Consume Responsibly. For use only by adults 21 years of age or older. Keep out of the reach of children. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product.