Oct. 2021 - NE Leaf

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THE ENLIGHTENED VOICE

NORTHEAST

FROM LEGACY TO LEGAL HAPPY MUNKEY CO-FOUNDERS VLADIMIR BAUTISTA AND RAMON REYES ARE THROWING SOME OF THE MOST SURREAL NEW YORK CANNABIS EVENTS

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

THE INSIDER ISSUE INDEPENDENT CANNABIS JOURNALISM SINCE 2010

CALLA KESSLER

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PROFILE: HALEY KNAUB MULTITALENTED ENTREPRENEUR

INSIDE WEEDMAPS’ TECH PUSH HOW THE SITE CHANGED CANNABIS

COOKING WITH CANNABIS GETTING SPOOKY STONED

44 A History of Rolling Papers

Maybe you take those little paper packets for granted.

After all, they have always been there for you — ready to accept whatever you had lined up to roll up. But the long legacy of these tools, dating back to 8th century Spain, reveals how our community has been shaped by the humble items. ///////////// story by bobby black

ocT. 2021

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EDITOR’S NOTE N AT I O N A L N E W S LOCAL NEWS GLASS ART STRAIN OF THE MONTH HAPPY MONKEY EQUINOX FARM HALEY KNAUB WEEDMAPS A LT M E D C O R N E R C O N C E N T R AT E S RECIPES TOPICALS CANNTHROPOLOGY STONEY BALONEY

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CHARLES TAGGART

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COURTESY OF WORLD OF CANNABIS MUSEUM

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GLASS ART SPOTLIGHT BRUCE WOLF

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JUSTIN STEWART

Happy Munkey Co-Founders Vladimir Bautista and Ramon Reyes are the forces behind some of New York City’s most surreal and well-attended Cannabis events.

Known for backgrounds in the not so legal market, they’re pushing onward legally.

CHARLES TAGGART

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OCTOBER 2021

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Please consume responsibly. This product may cause impairment and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. This product has not been analyzed or approved by the Food and Drug Administration 4FDA). 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. Massachusetts: in case of accidental ingestion, contact poison control hotline 1-800-222-1222 or -1-1.

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FEATURE

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EQUINOX FARM

30 ocT. 2021

Ted Dobson

horticulturalist, general manager, and farmer-in-chief.

STORY by JON SCHMITT for NORTHEAST LEAF | PHOTO by TOMMY STEPHENS

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 E A F / A L AS KA L E A F / M A RY L A N D L E A F / CA L I F O R N I A L E A F /

A B O U T T H E C OV E R As pot pioneers emerge from the underground into the mainstream, we focus on those “Insiders” that converted their risks into opportunities.

To that end, first-time Northeast Leaf photographer Calla Kessler, who also freelances for The New York Times, traveled to Upper Manhattan to shoot pics of Vladimir Bautista and Ramon Reyes of Happy Munkey, who evolved their popular Cannabis consumptionfriendly smokeasy lounge into a rotating slate of spectacular events that uplift our culture, remove the stigma, and celebrate our love for healing flowers.

PHOTO by CALLA KESSLER for NORTHEAST LEAF @CALLAKESSLER

CONTRIBUTORS

WES ABNEY | FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

BOBBY BLACK, DESIGN + FEATURES JOSHUA BOULET, ILLUSTRATION TOM BOWERS, FEATURES EARLY, PRODUCTION MAX EARLY, FEATURES MIKE GIANAKOS, FEATURES BAILEY JONSON, FEATURES + PHOTOS CALLA KESSLER, PHOTOS BOBBY NUGGZ, FEATURES + PHOTOS BAXSEN PAINE. FEATURES JEFF PORTERFIELD, DESIGN MIKE RICKER, FEATURES MEGHAN RIDLEY, EDITING MICHAEL ROSATI, PHOTOS JON SCHMITT, FEATURES TOMMY STEPHENS, PHOTOS JUSTIN STEWART, PHOTOS CHARLES TAGGART, FEATURES + PHOTOS JAMIE VICTOR, ILLUSTRATION DAN VINKOVETSKY, FEATURES

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SENIOR EDITORS MIKE GIANAKOS | DAN VINKOVETSKY

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CREATIVE DIRECTOR DANIEL BERMAN | VISUALS & DESIGN

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DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY PETE THOMPSON

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SALES DIRECTOR MICHAEL CZERHONIAK

MICHAEL@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 begin advertising with NE Leaf!

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ABNEY

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

AS OUR Northeast Leaf Director Danny Danko recently tweeted, “I’ve been in the ‘Cannabis Space’ so long that when I got started, the ‘Cannabis Space’ was just a part of your home you didn’t talk about.”

While the beloved Mr. Danko started in Cannabis long before I did, I still remember that same feeling in 2010 – where working in the weed industry was less a talking point than a risk factor, and even working in publishing for pot was taboo.

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Fast forward to today and society is starting to get used to the idea of Cannabis as an industry with legitimate jobs, which allows us the chance to peel back the layers and highlight some of the insiders who are making the Cannabis industry a better place to be. With this issue we hope to show that the world of Cannabis is much more than “WE SHOULD just “stoners growing weed” and offer a unique perspective on NEVER TAKE OUR FREEDOM companies large and small that are doing it right.

As those of us on the inside know, working in the Cannabis industry is often harder than taking a mainstream gig. I’ve met plenty of ex-professionals, and I don’t mean athletes, who left careers as lawyers, nurses, managers, executives and beyond for a chance to follow their passion. Most would say that they work much harder for less money and stability, but the thing they all have in common is their continued commitment to the plant.

FOR GRANTED, OR ASSUME THAT THOSE ON THE INSIDE ARE ROLLING IN MONEY OR LIVING THE SWEET LIFE.”

Those working in the industry, especially the entrepreneurs and heritage members, have risked everything to make sure we have the opportunity to go to a store and buy a pre-roll. With that said, we should never take our freedom for granted, or assume that those on the inside are rolling in money or living the sweet life.

While there are many influencers on social media who would portray working in weed as a Hollywood dream, the Cannabis industry is really full of dedicated, resilient and strong-willed people who would again risk their freedom or security to defend a plant that helps so many lives.

People who work hard, stay late … all to have a chance to work with our plant. And that’s the way we like it – and what it means to really be an insider in our beloved Cannabis community.

-Wes Abney oct. 2021

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NEW JERSEY EXPUNGED 362K POT CASES OVER THE SUMMER

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ew Jersey courts have expunged 362,000 low-level marijuana cases over the summer, clearing a massive amount of criminal records in just two months.

The state judiciary had estimated some 360,000 cases qualified for automatic expungement following the passage of marijuana legalization, reports NJ.com. That law did away with fines and penalties for possessing and selling small amounts of weed.

The judiciary began vacating and dismissing cases in July, and then expunged them.

That’s the final step that ultimately clears a person’s record.

About 125,000 to 150,000 marijuana expungements remain for the courts to complete automatically, said MaryAnn Spoto, a spokeswoman for the judiciary. People with Cannabis cases not automatically expunged in New Jersey can file a motion for review with the court.

NEBRASKA GROUP LAUNCHES 2022 MEDICAL INITIATIVES

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2022 ballot campaign for medical Cannabis is underway in Nebraska, reports KLIN. Led by a coalition of families, patients and state senators, Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana wants to qualify a pair of initiatives ahead of the November election next year.

They must gather 250,000 signatures across the state before the July 7, 2022 deadline.

Crista Eggers, a mother of two, is leading the effort to organize a statewide signature drive. One of Eggers’ sons, six-year-old Colton, has severe intractable epilepsy.

With other families and patient advocates, Eggers helped build a grassroots movement to establish a MMJ program in Nebraska.

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California marijuana companies had sued the state as of September 17, after having their provisional business licenses revoked.

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POTGRESS

POLITICS

LEGALIZATION

CONGRESSWOMAN OPPOSES POT LAWS, OWNS POT STOCKS

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irginia Foxx, a North Carolina Congresswoman, holds a voting record showing she said “No” to federal Cannabis legalization. But that has not stopped her from investing in the pot industry and cashing in on marijuana stocks, reports Indy Week.

According to a report in Salon, Foxx, who wields power on the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform, has made at least six investments in Altria. Ever heard of them? Well, they’re “a leader in the burgeoning U.S. Can- FOXX IS A nabis industry” since MEMBER OF September of last year, THE U.S. HOUSE according to financial COMMITTEE ON disclosure reports.

OVERSIGHT The stock buys haAND REFORM. ven’t previously been reported, according to Salon. They likely make Foxx the largest holder of Cannabis-related stocks in Congress, according to market research firm Unusual Whales.

The stock trades are particularly notable for their timing: just a few months before the U.S. House of Representatives passed the the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment & Expungement Act (MORE) in December. Foxx voted “No” on the measure.

education

NIDA STUDY FINDS RISE IN COLLEGE POT CONSUMPTION STEEP DECLINE IN VA POT ARRESTS

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annabis arrests have plummeted some 90 percent in the Richmond, Virginia region since the state’s Cannabis legalization went into effect on July 1.

The law legalized adult (21+) possession of up to an ounce and the cultivation of four pot plants per household. During the first seven weeks of the law, police made only 25 marijuana-related arrests in central Virginia.

The area includes Richmond and the counties of Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico. For comparison, they made 257 pot arrests during the same seven-week period in 2020, reports the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

The numbers come from arrest data provided by law enforcement officials in those localities.

“A 90% reduction in marijuana arrests indicates that the public policy is performing as intended and in a manner that is consistent with post-legalization observations from other states,” said Jenn Michelle Pedini, Executive Director of Virginia NORML.

fun & weird

GARBAGE TRUCK CRASH REVEALS HIDDEN GROW

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crash involving a Michigan garbage truck has led to the discovery of an unlicensed marijuana grow operation. Early on the morning of Sept. 15, the driver of this garbage truck encountered a car that ran a red light.

The garbage truck swerved, but still hit the vehicle. The truck then ran over the median and struck what was thought to be an unoccupied building.

The out-of-control garbage truck knocked a big hole in one wall of the building.

Police responding to the accident quickly noticed that this building was anything but empty. In fact, what cops found were rows of Cannabis plants and grow lights inside the building. Police counted about 260 plants inside, reports WDIV. Police are investigating who is behind the unlicensed grow operation.

Marijuana is legal for adult use in Michigan, but large-scale cultivation requires a state-issued commercial growing license.

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months was the age of Michigan’s youngest medical Cannabis patient as of September.

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grams or more of Cannabis can get you a Level 6 felony charge in Indiana.

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pounds of marijuana was seized from 49 bags at the Nashville Airport on Sept. 16.

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Cannabis dispensaries are currently operating in Arizona, which launched recreational in 2020.

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arijuana use continued to rise among college students over the past five years, and remained at historically high levels among same-aged peers who were not in college in 2020, according to survey results from the 2020 Monitoring the Future (MTF) panel study.

The study is financed by the federal National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), which in the past has been a source of anti-pot misinformation.

According to the study, current levels represent the highest rate of marijuana use recorded since the 1980s.

The survey also found that marijuana vaping and nicotine vaping leveled off in 2020, after sharp increases reported every year since 2017 for both college students and same-aged respondents not in college.

Among college students specifically, there was also a significant increase in the annual use of hallucinogens.

Perhaps related was the substantial and significant drop in current alcohol use between 2019 and 2020.

“The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically changed the way that young people interact with one another and offers us an opportunity to examine whether drug taking behavior has shifted through these changes,” said NIDA Director Nora D. Volkow, M.D. “Moving forward, it will be critical to investigate how and when different substances are used among this young population, and the impact of these shifts over time.”

$25k

will be the cost of a medical marijuana license, the Watertown, South Dakota City Council decided.

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

Stem is your cannabis comfort zone, where there’s always a warm welcome and a ready recommendation, right in buzzing downtown Haverhill. We stock the broadest, most exciting variety of top-quality products in the region, and our sociable staff will help you discover the best cannabis experience for you.

So, if you’re ready to feel at home, soak in some eclectic tunes, and kick back with our brilliant budtenders, then join us. And no matter where you’re from, consider us your local joint.

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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

RETAIL REALITY CHECK

IN CONNECTICUT W

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hile marijuana enthusiasts and social equity advocates are generally content with Connecticut’s new recreational pot law, those who were counting on Cannabis cash to bail out the state and local governments are suddenly less satisfied.

A new estimate of potential tax revenue generated by Connecticut’s fledgling Cannabis industry pours cold water on the big money dreams of some supporters. The report, from the state’s nonpartisan fiscal office, estimates that legal weed will bring in approximately $73 million in tax revenue by the fifth year of sales. This is a major departure from previous estimates that had adultuse sales generating up to $180 million in taxes annually.

Connecticut became the fifth state to pass an adult-use bill in 2021 – joining New Jersey, New York, New Mexico and Virginia – when Gov. Ned Lamont signed legalization legislation into law on June 22.

As of July 1, 2021, it is legal to possess up to an ounce and a half of Cannabis in Connecticut. However, retail sales are not expected to begin until May 2022 at the earliest. Because of this delay, the new fiscal office estimate indicates that adult-use sales would bring in just $4.1 million in taxes for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022.

According to the estimate, the following year would bring in $26.3 million, the third year would generate $44.6 million, the fourth year would clear $71.2

million and the fifth year would see a total of $73.4 million in tax revenue.

In that fifth year of sales, $55.2 million in revenue would go to the state, with approximately $18 million going to municipalities.

Despite the lower-than-anticipated revenue estimates, Connecticut remains one of the more expensive adult-use states. Retail pot will be hit with the state’s standard sales tax, as well as a local tax levied by the town the dispensary is located in and, on top of that, an excise tax based on the potency of the pot.

Ultimately, Cannabis products sold in Connecticut will be subject to a 20 percent tax. While that’s on par with some other states in the region – Massachusetts and Vermont levy similar taxes – it could make black market marijuana more attractive to consumers.

When retail sales eventually begin and tax is collected, 60 percent of the revenue will go to social equity programs and reinvestment in communities disproportionately impacted by prohibition. Twenty-five percent is earmarked for a drug treatment/mental health fund and the remaining 15 percent will go toward funding the state’s legal pot program.

Unfortunately, a number of towns are considering opting out of retail sales before they’ve even begun, with some local governments having already passed outright bans or moratoriums on applications for dispensary licenses.

DISPENSARY ORDERED

TO PAY WORKERS

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Massachusetts dispensary has been ordered to pay nearly $300,000 in restitution and penalties after the attorney general’s Fair Labor Division found that it failed to appropriately compensate 282 employees.

According to an investigation by the state, Theory Wellness, Inc., which has locations in Chicopee, Bridgewater and Great Barrington, didn’t provide premium pay for its employees. State law requires certain retail businesses to pay 1.2 times the normal hourly rate when employees work on Sundays or certain holidays.

In addition to the $300,000 settlement, the state issued a citation to the company’s CEO Brandon Pollock and its CFO Nicholas Friedman.

While the premium pay requirement will end in 2023, it is currently in effect and the attorney general’s office is serious about enforcing it. The Fair Labor Division started investigating Theory Wellness after receiving a complaint in December 2020.

Theory Wellness cooperated with the investigation and is now complying with the premium pay law. The company will also pay the wages owed to employees who weren’t correctly compensated.

In a statement, Theory Wellness blamed “inadvertent payroll errors” for the missing money.

“The complexities of a Cannabis company are vast with a litany of traditional business-related resources, such as mainstream payroll providers that handle setting up pay rates, unwilling to provide services due to our classification federally,” the statement read.

“This audit has been an opportunity to correct our policies and reaffirm our commitment to our team members, who make Theory what it is today.”

These kinds of growing pains can be expected as Cannabis continues to be embraced as a legitimate industry.

OCT. 2021

Photo by Karolina Grabowska

BRAVE NEW JERSEYANS

ENDURE POT SMELL N ew Jersey officials appear to have buyer’s remorse after voters enthusiastically embraced Cannabis on Election Day 2020. While reports leading up to the opt out deadline of August 21 indicated that about half the state, or 240 towns, would ban the legal Cannabis industry, the official numbers were far worse.

In the wake of the deadline, roughly 400 towns – about 71 percent of the state – opted out of the new legal marijuana industry. Even worse, local governments didn’t need the support of residents to enact these bans, as city councils have the power to opt out of the marijuana market simply by passing an ordinance, which explains the alarming disparity between voter support for legal weed and the multitude of municipal bans.

And, as if things weren’t strange enough in the Garden State, residents in Readington are reportedly being terrorized by the smell of pot.

A building being used as a cultivation site for medical and adult-use Cannabis (it used to be a Walmart) is emitting an odor that has area residents whipped into a frenzy. “During the day it wafts through the air and it’s actually so intense it gives me a headache,” a local man said of the nearby pot production site.

“I came out to feed the cat, my legs started shaking, I went down on the ground, my head was hurting, your eyes go first, I went down on the ground and finally I could get up,” resident Lyle Armstrong said of his harrowing grappling match with the odor.

Photo by Jeff W

Some of the townsfolk have signed a petition to fight the smell.

Fortunately, for the good people of Readington, the cultivation company has agreed to install “huge filtration units that use charcoal.” Additionally, Mayor John Albanese says the town plans to make the parking lot smaller (for some reason) and add more trees and plantings.

The odor shall be defeated!

RETAIL APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED

IN NEW YORK Photo by Jan Zwarthoed

W

hile New York officials struggle to implement the state’s new adultuse Cannabis industry, retail sales are nonetheless on track to begin soon. The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe announced it is accepting applications for retail licenses from prospective cannabusinesses. This means the tribe could beat the state to the marijuana market by a year, as New York lawmakers don’t anticipate launching retail sales until sometime in 2022.

The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe adopted its own ordinance earlier this year that allows marijuana to be grown, processed and sold on tribal land. The ordinance also established a licensing process for recreational sales. While

an official start date for sales has not yet been announced, the application process will move quickly. Business hopefuls who have submitted a preclearance form can expect a status update just two weeks after applying.

The St. Regis Mohawks, whose territory is located in Northern New York near the Canadian border, first legalized recreational Cannabis through a community referendum in 2019. They hope to make the state’s first Cannabis sales as soon as possible.

“Unlike other tribal territories, the Tribe’s Adult Use Cannabis Ordinance provides eligible tribal members with the opportunity to help develop this new industry for the benefit of the community … Tribal licensing builds upon our business community’s history of keeping revenue in Akwesasne to support community programs and services,” Tribal Chief Michael Conners explained.

Things are not going as smoothly for the state. However, there has been some progress of late as new governor Kathy Hochul has already made two important appointments to regulatory bodies that will oversee recreational Cannabis. While there is still a great deal of work to be done before retail sales can begin, the appointments are a positive step after the program’s implementation stagnated under former governor Andrew Cuomo.

Regardless of when sales officially begin, the deadline to opt out of the Cannabis industry in New York is December 31, 2021. However, the delays to the rollout have prompted State Senator George Borrello to introduce a measure that would push the deadline back, giving jurisdictions an additional year to decide if they want to opt out of the industry.

STORIES by MIKE GIANAKOS @MIKEGEEZEEY

LOCAL NEWS

>> Continued from pg. 15

ANOTHER RETAIL RECORD IN

MAINE M

16 Photo by Crystal Weed Cannabis

aine has once again broken a retail record, as the state took in more than $10 million in recreational Cannabis sales in the month of August.

After an inauspicious start to retail sales, Maine’s marijuana market has steadily increased. The first month of legal sales, October 2020, brought in just over $1 million. However, the state has managed to set a new sales record each month since then.

According to the Office of Marijuana Policy, which oversees the adult-use industry in Maine, retail sales accounted for approximately $10.2 million in the month of August – that’s up from $9.4 million in July. It marks the first time Maine has hit the $10 million milestone. The state’s 133,969 Cannabis sales in August brought in about $1 million in tax revenue.

Maine has always relied heavily on summer tourism to bolster businesses and officials believe the surge in Cannabis sales over the last three months is largely due to Vacationland living up to its name.

When adult-use sales launched in October 2020, six licensed shops serviced the entire state. Consumers also faced limited supplies and high prices. Now, 53 adult-use shops are operational throughout the state. The increase in supply has helped to drop pot prices. And, Cannabis customers have more options than ever, as concentrates and new infused products have grabbed a larger share of sales.

Additionally, Mainers are embracing legal marijuana, as no jurisdiction has chosen to entirely opt out of the industry.

While recreational Cannabis sales are on the rise, the program is still dwarfed by the state’s medical marijuana sales, which topped $22 million in October 2020 alone. The medical pot program has helped Cannabis become Maine’s most valuable crop.

NEW JERSEY EXPUNGES HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF POT RECORDS LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

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ecreational Cannabis got off to a rocky start in New Jersey as 71 percent of towns in the state chose to opt out of the legal industry. But fortunately the expungement provision of the decriminalization bill signed into law earlier this year by Gov. Phil Murphy has been a success.

According to the state Judiciary, New Jersey has expunged more than 320,000 Cannabis-related cases since July 1, 2021, when the law went into effect. Those expungements have ultimately released around 1,200 people from probation.

While the program has provided relief for many eligible citizens, the state announced it has created a public education campaign designed to inform as many people as possible about expungement.

In addition to marijuana-related criminal records being expunged, the state is also dismissing certain Cannabis cases and rescinding weed-related failure to appear warrants.

“With our new Cannabis laws, we are turning the page on the failed War on Drugs and ensuring social justice here in New Jersey,” Gov. Murphy tweeted about the expungements.

Unfortunately, while social justice reform is off to a good start in the Garden State, the retail sales program is less encouraging. In addition to around 400 towns opting out of the legal pot industry, the Cannabis Regulatory Commission recently decided to bar the sale of edibles at retail marijuana shops.

According to New Jersey CannaBusiness Association President Edmund DeVeaux, “This is an opportunity for people to get used to the notion of legalized Cannabis without having to worry about the children or seniors and them accessing edibles, sweets, anything that contains THC, whether

oct. 2021

Photo by Elsa Olofsson

intentionally or accidentally.”

The state has yet to announce a start date for retail sales. Let’s just hope that there’s something left of New Jersey’s pot program by the time it’s ready to launch.

NEW HAMPSHIRE TO LET THE VOTERS DECIDE

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hree lawmakers in New Hampshire have filed official requests with the Office of Legislative Services to place legalization legislation on the ballot.

Marijuana-law reform has long faced an uphill battle in New Hampshire, as both the State Senate and Gov. Chris Sununu oppose legalization. While the House has introduced legislation to legalize marijuana every year since 2014, recreational Cannabis measures continue to die in the Senate.

That roadblock has forced pro-pot lawmakers to change strategy and attempt to put the question of legalization before the voters in the form of constitutional amendments.

The three amendments that have been filed offer different takes on reform.

Rep. Joshua Adjutant is proposing an end to the prohibition of Cannabis consumption, cultivation and sales for adults 18 and older. Rep. Andrew Prout’s measure would allow for possession, consumption and cultivation, but not sales. Finally, Rep. Renny Cushing went in a more conservative direction, as his initiative would only allow adults to possess pot for personal use.

It’s important to note that these Cannabis constitutional amendments must clear a high bar. First, to make the ballot, the measures must receive at least 60 percent of the vote in both chambers. The House could conceivably reach that supermajority threshold, but it will be far more difficult to accomplish in the GOP-controlled Senate.

Should the amendments advance through the legislature with 60 percent of the vote, they would be veto-proof and avoid landing on Gov. Sununu’s desk. But, for a measure to ultimately be enacted, it would have to receive a whopping 67 percent of the vote in the election. Fortunately, recent polling in

New Hampshire found that roughly 75 percent of residents support legalizing Cannabis – so the 67 percent threshold appears to be within reach.

Earlier this year, House committee members retained a legalization bill that would have established an adult-use program in New Hampshire. The decision effectively took legalization off the table for the rest of the year, as lawmakers cannot reconsider the bill until 2022.

A separate bill to allow home cultivation was also retained by the committee.

Lawmakers will again consider legalization when the legislature reconvenes next year. It is possible that the bill passes the House, Photo by Mike Von which has advanced similar reforms previously. However, most believe it will not get past the Senate (even if it did, the governor would almost certainly veto the bill).

If recreational marijuana again stalls in the legislature, lawmakers are prepared to hand the issue over to the voters of New Hampshire.

Rhode Island on the Verge S

top me if you’ve heard this one before, but … Rhode Island is close to passing a legalization bill. In fact, according to Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, lawmakers are “very close” to solving their pot problem.

Should legislators reach a deal on legal Cannabis, a special session could be convened this fall to take up the issue. This conceivably puts legalization in play for 2021.

The state is one of just two in the Northeast region that has failed to legalize marijuana. This year alone, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut have passed adult-use laws, joining Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont as legal pot states.

Rhode Island’s Senate approved a legalization measure earlier this year, but it stalled in the House before the legislative session adjourned.

Nonetheless, Ruggerio says lawmakers have been working on a compromise ever since.

“We’re hoping we can get Cannabis done. We’re very close. We’re making progress, but we’re not there at this point in time … There’s a couple stumbling blocks that they are addressing right now, and we’ll see how that shakes out,” Ruggerio explained.

Lawmakers have been attempting to craft legislation that reconciles legalization bills proposed by the House, Senate and Gov. Dan McKee. One of the main sticking points is a disagreement over who should oversee legal Cannabis in Rhode Island. While the governor and the House would tap the Department of Business Regulation to run the state’s pot program, the Senate is committed to a “separate commission” taking on the regulatory role.

Additionally, advocates claim that the state’s pot proposals don’t adequately address social equity. They’re hoping to see specific reforms that other states have included in legalization, like earmarking 50 percent of marijuana

Photo by Kindel Media

business licenses for qualified equity applicants.

Asked about the social equity element of the state’s legal pot plan, Rep. Karen Alzate said, “We can’t reverse the harm of the war on drugs, but we can start to repair it by passing automatic expungement and waiving all related fines, fees and court debt.”

Senator Ruggerio maintains that the marijuana measure passed by his chamber in June included “very strong social justice provisions.”

STORIES by MIKE GIANAKOS @MIKEGEEZEEY

Find your flavor Explore the many flavors of cannabis

Share your experience at weedmaps.com/strains

GLASS ART SPOTLIGHT

slate glass

20

LAYERED BALL

FLAMING BIRD

To watch him control the glowing glass within the fire is something to behold!

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s

oft spoken, humble and knowledgeable, Matt Slate of Slate Glass works with a torch as though he’s taming a fiery phoenix being born from the molten glass, while turning many smaller pieces into beautiful and functional pieces of art. We’ve seen him at several large Cannabis events doing live demonstrations of his work, as well as collaborations with other artists from Rhode Island up to Maine.

Matt started learning how to blow glass seven and a half years ago, paying someone 50 dollars a lesson – slowly investing his money until he had enough equipment to build and start his own studio. He’s been blowing glass ever since, earning quite the following of glass collectors who rave about the quality of his work.

He designs in his head, as he says he can’t draw, so being able to create this way is the only way he knows.

To watch him control the glowing glass within the fire is something to behold!

RIGS

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Matt finds it very fulfilling to be able to provide for his family with his glass artwork. He and his wife and daughter recently moved into a larger house, and have a newborn on the way he’s excited to meet and hold. You can find his pieces at many glass shops in the Northeast, as well as get ahold of him on Instagram @slateglass.

STORY & PHOTOS by CHARLES TAGGART @KINDBUD.PHOTOS for NORTHEAST LEAF

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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.

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BLACK DOG KUSH

OCT. 2021

STRAIN OF THE MONTH

NORTHEAST

AFTER MEETING MIGUEL,

grown by

PAUL’S BOUTIQUE “AS THE HEAD AND BODY HIGHS STARTED TO SETTLE IN, A DEEP CALM FILLED ME SO INTENSELY THAT I FELT LIKE I WAS PART OF THE SUNWARMED STONE I WAS SITTING ON.

20% Total THC

one of the head cultivators of Paul’s Boutique, and hearing about what a clean grow they have, I just had to stop by. During my visit, I caught up with the CEO, Shaw Dwight, who gave me a few samples of their strains to try from their eco-friendly greenhouse. After a morning of sampling, I decided that my favorite was the Black Dog Kush – a cross of Blackberry Kush and Emerald Headband.

Upon popping the top of the Black Dog Kush, a mixed aroma filled my senses with a sweet berry smell and a hint of earthy pine.

The flower boasted a purple tint over a deep green, covered in sparkling trichomes and fine orange hairs.

There were so many trichomes that I needed to break open the dense flower to see the color of the leaves – only to find even more trichomes inside.

Looking closely I could see a few amber gland heads, along with some clear ones.

A ratio of about 30/70, and in my book, that’s perfect!

The flowers broke up nicely with fingers and a grinder. I started off with a morning of casual puffing and enjoyed the taste immensely! There was a prevailing berry flavor with a mix of earthy pine, plus a hint of citrus on the back end.

Upon inhale, my back pain subsided and I felt the anxiety start to slip away with just two to three puffs. The effect was comfortable and relaxed, with an easy flow to the creative thoughts and not overly stoney.

I spent the afternoon getting a bit more serious: Rolling a fatty and puffing a few more bowls before hitting the trail for a hike. I savored the cerebral buzz combined with some relaxed heavier effects.

First the pain relief in the body and then a lightness – an almost childish energy – seemed to fill my entire being.

As the head and body highs started to settle in, a deep calm filled me so intensely that I felt like I was part of the sun-warmed stone I was sitting on. By the time I got back to the van, my back issues were still comfortably alleviated – even with a two mile hike over rough terrain.

I’d recommend Black Dog Kush to anyone new to Cannabis for its great taste and soothing pain relief, and also for the veteran smoker who enjoys sharing some great tasting Cannabis with friends. And during the fall pie season, Black Dog Kush provides a perfect complementary puff after dessert!

PAU L’S BOUTIQUE

8 CRIMSON DRIVE, WINDHAM, MAINE (207) 210-1993 PAULSBOUTIQUENURSERY.COM @PAULSBOUTIQUEOFMAINE

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

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the insider issue

COVER STORY

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LEGACY TO LEGAL Happy Munkey Co-Founders Ramon Reyes and Vladimir Bautista have been in the business of Cannabis since before it was strictly legal. Now they’re finding new success as New York becomes recreational, throwing events in inspiring spaces and continuing their mission of enabling safe access to Cannabis.

“We don’t do it for the clout, we do it for the culture!” It’s the Happy Munkey battle cry, a celebratory cheer and mission statement for a vision that has taken cofounders Ramon Reyes and Vladimir Bautista into the limelight as Cannabis entrepreneurs.

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appy Munkey calls itself a Cannabis lifestyle company and they recently scored their biggest achievement yet: hosting two Cannabis-friendly evenings in Manhattan for a major multimedia experience called Immersive Van Gogh.

The events, held in August 2021, were widely publicized, covered by the mainstream media, attended by over 900 people paying from $125 to $200 per ticket, and thanks to New York State’s Cannabis laws – considered the most progressive in the country right now – pretty much legal!

“Immersive Van Gogh was the most mainstream event we’ve ever done,” said Ramon, who is also Happy Munkey’s Chief Strategy Officer. “The underground art scene has always embraced Cannabis, it’s always gone together, but for the mainstream high end art world to embrace it publicly, that’s big!” Vlad, who serves as CEO, said, “It changed the perspective totally, and what happens in New York is not just going to change the city and state, but it’s going to change the country and the world!”

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Vladimir Bautista and Ramon Reyes in Washington Heights, New York, where they used to be arrested for consuming Cannabis.

Ramon and Vlad, both first-generation Americans whose families came from the Dominican Republic, met at George Washington High School in Washington Heights. Ramon took me to his childhood home in the heart of The Heights, where the genesis of their company began.

“This is my first little Happy Munkey experience right here,” said Ramon, sitting across from me at his mother’s dining room table. “My parents would leave for the DR and I would hang out with my friends right here and we would smoke weed.”

But it was a trip to the ‘coffeeshops’ of Amsterdam that gave Ramon a roadmap for a new business back in the city. “I was like, oh yeah, we need that shit back home!” Ramon remarked.

In 2017, Ramon created the Happy Munkey brand name. “I guess Happy Munkey’s been like my spirit animal,” he said. “I’ve always been into monkeys. I just said I’m going to make up an Instagram name and it’s going to be about weed and the culture, and it turned into me wanting to have an event, because I had already been bothering Vladimir for a year.”

On September 15, 2017, Ramon and Vlad hosted their first Happy Munkey event. “It was the first of its kind,” said Ramon. “I modeled it as an Amsterdam café, New York nightlife, VIP style underground speakeasy.” Held at a recording studio/event space in Hell’s Kitchen, that first event was an enormous success. “I was expecting maybe 100 people, not more,” said Ramon. “But a lot of people came unexpectedly, anywhere from 200-400 people came that day … people were curious! This is New York, nobody’s ever seen a dispensary here! Me being able to bring that spark here of the Amsterdam café, that was the thing for me, everything else was bonus.” And it was only the beginning!

“We started (hosting events) once a month, it went great,” said Vlad. “Then once a week, then seven days a week. And then we trademarked and patented the brand and went into podcasts, magazines, merchandise and apparel. It became a movement! Before us, I don’t think New York had representation or a voice for the world to see how the culture and the industry is different here … people from other places could tap into us and get an idea of how the Cannabis culture works here.”

Vlad also explained the meaning behind their slogan: We don’t do it for the clout, we do it for the culture. “Nowadays people do things for clout, for attention – that was never our intention.

Our intention is for the culture, to be the voice and the heart for the culture here in New York, and be a voice for them.”

When Cannabis was legalized in New York earlier this year, Happy Munkey emerged from the shadows to host a 4/20 party right across from the New York Stock Exchange at Bobby Van’s Steakhouse.

“When you think about it,” said Vlad, “doing a Cannabis event across the street from the stock exchange where they used to sell slaves, and to have politicians, doctors, lawyers, every walk of life, athletes, actors, smoking publicly – you can see the liberation and the freedom that people feel coming out of the Cannabis closet. People always assumed before now that Cannabis was

On March 31, 2021, former Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the Marihuana Regulation & Taxation Act (MRTA) legalizing adult-use Cannabis in New York State and, according to the newly formed Office of Cannabis Management, “A major focus of the MRTA is social and economic equity. The MRTA incentivizes participation in the new industry for individuals disproportionately impacted by Cannabis prohibition.”

G

for urban people and hippies, and now you see people smoking publicly. It changed the narrative and perspective and the stigma to see that this is a part of mainstream society right now, not like a taboo thing.”

Both Vlad and Ramon have over two decades “in the game” and those years have not come without a price. “It was tough,” said Vlad.

“They (police) used Cannabis to target and persecute neighborhoods like this, we thought it was normal growing up when we were consuming Cannabis, for everyone to get arrested at least one, two, three times a year.” Ramon told me he had been arrested 10 or 12 times on one block alone for consuming Cannabis, and that doesn’t count the five years probation and busts for one and two pounds of weed. “Breaking down the doors is always a good thing,” he said. “It’s always hard to be the first people to do anything. Equity hits home for real!”

oing forward in the legal market will present new challenges for Happy Munkey. “Now we have to move forward and focus more on the legal market that’s being rolled out here in New York,” said Vlad. “We want to make sure we play a major role in it and make sure we have a seat at the table. Not just for ourselves but for the culture, for the people of color and marginalized people like us that don’t come with the billion dollar market cap. We have to make sure we have entry points for other people from the legacy markets, small businesses – people that don’t have the advantages.”

Vlad and Ramon are now awaiting the formation of New York’s Cannabis Control IT WAS A TRIP TO Board, which will THE ‘COFFEESHOPS’ OF establish the rules and AMSTERDAM THAT GAVE regulations surroundRAMON A ROAD MAP ing Cannabis legalizaFOR A NEW BUSINESS tion and the granting of licenses – including BACK IN THE CITY. the Adult-Use On-Site “I WAS LIKE, OH YEAH, Consumption License WE NEED THAT SHIT – a logical choice for BACK HOME!” Happy Munkey.

“Nobody knows what licenses are going to come out first, so that’s still kind of up in the air … I wouldn’t want to predict anything as far as that goes,” said Ramon.

One thing that has remained consistent throughout Vlad and Ramon’s journey is their love of Cannabis. Vlad was named after Vladimir Lenin, a political revolutionary, by his father who escaped persecution in the DR in the 1960s. “But I’m a Cannabis revolutionary,” said Vlad. “I think it saved my life. If it wasn’t for the plant and me being able to use it to maintain myself the last 22 years, who knows where I would be. I might not have had the opportunity to make a positive impact on society, to be something proud for my neighborhood, for my people, for my parents. I believe that when it’s fully accessible to the world, it’s going to make the world a whole better place in every aspect.”

“I think the whole idea of the plant is what drives Happy Munkey,” said Ramon. “Happy Munkey is the plant, I feel like we coincide together because it’s the great equalizer. No matter what walk of life, race, age, gender, your preference of sex, it does not matter – if you love Cannabis, you love Happy Munkey!”

HAPPYMUNKEY.COM | @HAPPYMUNKEY_

STORY by GILBERT GJERSVIK for NORTHEAST LEAF | PORTRAITS by CALLA KESSLER @CALLAKESSLER | ADDITIONAL ART COURTESY HAPPY MUNKEY

EQUINOX FARM

the insider issue

PROFILE

Ted Dobson | horticulturalist, general manager & farmer-in-chief

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IN LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

a black market birthed by hippies and outlaws that matured into an industry run by businessmen and investors, one man who’s stood the test of time is Ted Dobson of Equinox Farm. Dobson has been cultivating natural, sungrown Cannabis in Western Massachusetts since the ‘80s, and today he’s the first legal outdoor farmer on the East Coast.

“I always had a fetish for greens,” Dobson tells me after a sip of his kombucha. At the moment, he is not talking about a fresh bowl pack, but mesclun and arugula. He is reflecting on his time as a young farmer in Berkshire County – it was 1980 and Ted had just returned home from studying Agroecology at U.C. Santa Cruz, where he learned the organic, “French intensive/biodiversity” farming method under Master Gardener Alan Chadwick.

Dobson bought some land and got to work, finding early success in the farm-to-table movement, selling less common salads and greens to restaurateurs in Boston and New York. He established himself as an influential figure in the Northeast culinary scene by applying what he learned out west to his new plot in the Berkshires.

EQUINOXFARMBERKSHIRES.COM

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Of course, Ted’s West Coast education “It was a dream of mine, but I didn’t extended beyond the classrooms and think it was possible,” he says of his gardens at UCSC, and he left the Goldinitial reluctance. But following a lot of en State with more than a degree. “I had research, legal advice (money), meetings met a number of Cannabis growers from with the Joint Committee on Marijuana Santa Cruz up through Mendocino and in Boston, a complicated caveat and Humboldt,” Dobson says. “And I moved cooperation from local officials, Dobson back home with a really interesting selecreceived approval to grow on the farm. tion of seeds.”

Ted met with local start-up Theory Ted planted those seeds in the rugged Wellness, as the two parties had somewoods between the Berkshires in Massathing the other was looking for. The chusetts and the Taconics in New York, young company had the capital Dobson employing the same techniques for his needed to prep Equinox for a compliant marijuana that he did for his greens. And marijuana grow. while the quality of the first harvest exOn the other hand, the Theory team ceeded what was readily available at the knew working with Ted could significantly time, it was difficult to grow in the region. reduce their carbon footprint as legaliza“The weed was used to such a dry tion increased demand. climate,” says Dobson. “I had mold and “Ted’s approach to farming really mildew issues with the California indica aligned with our goal of creating a more strains. I was fortunate to meet a guy in sustainable industry,” says Thomas WinConnecticut who had been growing satistanley, V.P. of Marketing at Theory. vas that had incredible mold and mildew And he’s right. Dobson’s farm doesn’t resistance … it just wasn’t very strong.” waste energy on grow lights or climate Dobson bred the strains and found control, and it doesn’t pollute the ecosysthe results to be hearty, potent flowers. tem with synthetic nutrients or pesticides At the time, high quality marijuana – organic farming enriches the soil and was in greater demand than lettuce or surrounding environment. baby greens. It was also Winstanley, a Berkshire the target of tough law County native, grew up “TED’S APPROACH enforcement measures unfamiliar with Dobson’s TO FARMING REALLY der then-President Ronald work. He says the team ALIGNED WITH OUR Reagan. Ted even averted jumped at the opportunity GOAL OF CREATING A prison in the late ‘80s with to work together. “Ted is MORE SUSTAINABLE the help of kind-hearted prolific,” he says.

INDUSTRY.” thieves that ransacked the The first fully licensed -THOMAS WINSTANLEY, V.P. grow days before a police grow at Equinox preOF MARKETING, THEORY. raid. The evidence still sented difficulties you threatened legal repercussions, but the don’t see at indoor facilities. Mother charges were eventually dropped. Still, Nature tested Dobson’s experience with he chose to downsize to avoid attention. heavy storms and pests, but experience Over the next 30 years, Dobson prevailed. continued to farm his greens for the October’s harvest surpassed expecrestaurants, and buds on a smaller tations and introduced natural, sustainscale. He maintained his favored strains, ably-grown Cannabis to the region for bred others, and traded harvests with the first time. like-minded folks in the area. In the early It is important to note that while the 2000s, he relocated from Great Barsoil and methods Ted uses are organic, rington to Sheffield with the help of the the FDA will not recognize Cannabis as Massachusetts Department of Agriculture organic due to federal prohibition. and the Sheffield Land Trust. Science The natural weed from Equinox is baland technology continued to advance, anced and uplifting. The wide spectrum but Ted stuck to the old-world organic of cannabinoids hits in a way sometimes methods he learned in Santa Cruz. lost with high-test indoor strains, and When Massachusetts voted to legalize rarely resorts in couch-lock. It’s the stuff in 2016, Dobson began researching the you can smoke any time, any place, but possibilities of attaining a license to grow some people say it’s best enjoyed under at Equinox. the sun – just like it was grown.

STORY by JON SCHMITT for NORTHEAST LEAF | PHOTO by TOMMY STEPHENS

the insider issue

HALEY KNAUB PROFILE

@BOBBLEHEADBAR @EARTHAIRORGANICS @ZEROGRAVITYCANNABIS @MAINEWOMENSCANNACONNECTION

Co-Founder | Earth Air Organics, Maine Women’s Cannabis Connection Director of Marketing | Zero Gravity Cannabis, Bobblehead Bar Edibles

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It was recently reported that women account for over 30 percent of the ownership and upper management in the Cannabis industry – substantially higher than most agricultural industries. As an example, the wine industry is only around eight percent women-owned (including upper management).

So, when I hear of women in the Cannabis industry hiring and helping other women, I want to meet them! A native of Portland, Maine, Haley Knaub attended Monmouth University – earning a business degree in marketing and management – before moving back to Maine and going into business with her fiancée and father with Earth Air Organics. She’s also Director of Marketing for two other Cannabis companies and a co-founder of the Maine Women’s Cannabis Connection.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO HELP CO-FOUND THE MAINE WOMEN’S CANNABIS CONNECTION, AND WHO DID YOU CO-FOUND IT WITH? After starting in the Cannabis industry and knowing this was my niche and my purpose, I wanted to find a way to give back. I think the world should definitely move towards for-profit, for-good companies. So even if you’re making a profit, you’re giving back in some way or doing some good with the proceeds you’re earning, power and influence you’re gaining, and the audience and following you’re building.

I knew that I also wanted to connect with other

women in the industry, so I decided to combine these two pursuits into one. Sue and Lee of @420oldfatlesbians inspired me to move forward with the group and officially formulate it as the Maine Women’s Cannabis Connection. They’ve been huge supporters of our events since day one. Hallie Mitchell, Taylor McElhinny and Heather Dadiego are the other amazing women behind this effort, and make up our board members. It’s amazing what we have been able to accomplish in just six months!

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE GOALS OF THE MAINE WOMEN’S CANNABIS CONNECTION? Our goals are to host regular in-person networking events, give back to the community, educate others on the benefits of Cannabis, highlight new Cannabis products and share patient success stories, and provide women connections and opportunities in the Cannabis industry. The future goal is to further expand the organization or idea outside of Maine.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO OTHER CANNABIS CAREGIVERS IN MAINE ABOUT SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY? Many Cannabis caregivers are lifelong residents of Maine who are hard-working individuals trying to make a living off of the land. They are community members who have experienced the benefits of Cannabis and want to share those benefits with others, especially those who are suffering.

We have a tight-knit community where most companies make an effort to give back and be socially responsible, yet there’s a stigma against Cannabis in some communities that must be overcome. The more we can promote the good things that we are doing, the better our future will be and the more others will want to join our community!

STORY & PHOTOS by CHARLES TAGGART @KINDBUD.PHOTOS for NORTHEAST LEAF

leafmagazines.com

GIVEN THE FEMALE FOCUS OF YOUR WORK, HOW MANY WOMEN WORK IN YOUR BUSINESSES? Earth Air is small with just the three of us right now, so one woman with 40 percent ownership. Zero Gravity also is a small business that’s mixed with some diverse employees, which is awesome. But then there’s Bobblehead Bar and Women’s Cannabis Connection – both are 100 percent women-owned and operated, so I couldn’t be prouder to stand alongside the other women running them and making headway in the Cannabis industry.

the insider issue

WEEDMAPS

F E AT U R E

How Data and Determination Are Driving the Future of Cannabis

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hen it comes to companies shaping the Cannabis industry, few, if any, loom larger than Weedmaps. Long known to consumers as a premier online destination for finding and ordering Cannabis products in available markets across the United States and Canada, the truth is that few likely know the true scope and depth of this tech business started by co-founders Justin Hartfield and Keith Hoerling back in 2008.

Over the course of 13 years, Weedmaps has drastically expanded both its workforce as well as its ambitions. Now boasting a staff of over 600, the company’s headquarters in Irvine, California is currently complemented by offices in Tucson, New York, Denver, Toronto and Barcelona. It is also the rare Cannabis-affiliated company to be publicly traded on the NASDAQ – another feather in the cap of a business that’s made a habit of leading by example.

In addition to constantly refining its offerings as a top-notch repository for consumers to find the products best suited for their needs, at a convenient location and for a reasonable price, Weedmaps has also become an indispensable resource to retailers – courtesy of its cutting-edge POS (point of sales) and ecommerce integration software.

Tasked with an ever-changing landscape of laws and regulations that vary not only by state, but sometimes by city, the mammoth task Weedmaps undertakes as its primary mission is to create technology solutions that universally lower the barrier to entry into the industry, be it a newbie consumer ready to make their first purchase or a past victim of the war on drugs now eager to start fresh with a legal Cannabis enterprise.

According to CEO Chris Beals, who started with the company as legal counsel and was promoted to his current role in 2019, the mission of Weedmaps is a twofold proposition.

“On one side,” he explained, “we’re the largest marketplace for Cannabis consumers to discover, learn about and find different Cannabis products, and to then be able to purchase and CEO CHRIS BEALS do online ordering from retailers. Then the other side of the business is what we call the ‘business in a box’ – which is this growing suite of stuff that’s like Salesforce meets Shopify for Cannabis businesses.”

The latter set of tools includes a wide array of innovations, including POS integration (like the ability for retailers to embed their menus in their websites), as well as all of the compliance requirements that come with such undertakings (think pop-up disclaimers, age verification and ID collection).

The company also offers its own POS system (WM Retail) available in Oklahoma and select other states, a wholesale exchange program (WM Exchange), and in August they launched an enhanced version of their iOS app with built-in ordering functionality.

>>

STORY by ZACK RUSKIN @ZACKRUSKIN for LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by JUSTIN L. STEWART @JUSTNLSTEWART

the insider issue

WEEDMAPS S How Data and Determination Are Driving the Future of Cannabis

Co n ti n ue d f ro m p re v io us p age

taying up-to-date on so many moving parts requires some serious in-house talent, which is why Beals estimates that over 40% of Weedmaps’ employees are currently focused on engineering, product and design.

LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

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Among them are principal engineer operations concerns meeting consumCharlie King and software engineer er expectations when it comes to the Warren Applebaum. While King made shopping experience. That’s where King what he terms “a full 180°” when he comes in. pivoted from doing government contract “Consumers generally expect a work to joining up with Weedmaps, certain level of service,” he explained.

Applebaum has been with the company “They expect to be able to buy things for nearly 12 of its 13-year existence. online and then pick them up in-store, Reflecting on Weedmaps’ evolution for example. Well, Cannabis has had to over his long tenure with the company, leapfrog into meeting those consumer Applebaum detailed how issues with expectations within an industry that’s listing medical-only dispensaries back highly regulated.” in 2008 – eight years before California Sure, it may seem simple to place an would approve Prop 64 – provided order via Weedmaps’ website or its app, an early lesson in how things in the but as King shared, the process behind Cannabis industry can often change on the scenes to make such a transaction a dime. possible is actually profoundly complex.

“Before the Obama Administration “There’s a lot to it. We have to prodecided that the federal government vide a compliant ordering system, make would not pursue cassure that you actually es against state-legal pick up the product, The mammoth medical marijuana and then ensure that task Weedmaps dispensaries,” Applebaum the data is reported to undertakes as its said, “it would be this run Metrc or whatever the primary mission is around where the DEA or compliance body may to create technology state and local authorities be. I think an average solutions that would shut down dispenconsumer might take a universally lower saries, only for them to lot of that for granted, the barrier to entry come back online like but the Cannabis indusinto the industry. weeks later. Trying to keep try has been forced to up with that gave us a mature very quickly on preview of what things some of these things to were going to look like down the line give that experience to consumers.” years later.”

Speaking with various members of Nowadays, as each new state comes the Weedmaps team, it’s abundantly online, Applebaum and his colleagues clear that the complex minefield of know to expect changes to these laws, compliance and geographically-specific and as a result, Weedmaps has heavily regulations that collectively define the invested in compliance and governlarger Cannabis industry in the U.S. ment relations teams, so that they can remains one of the company’s chief be aware of what those regulations areas of focus. are going to look like and bake those And no one arguably knows these elements into their applications to meet challenges better than Bridget Henregulatory constraints. nessey, who leads Weedmaps’ GovernAnother vital element to Weedmaps’ ment Relations and Policy team.

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Irvine, CA HQ

Weedmaps VP of Government Relations Bridget Hennessey and Principal Engineer Charles King

Senior Engineer Warren Applebaum “The work that we do on this team,” “I couldn’t have been happier with Hennessey shared, “is focused both the way that came together,” CEO Chris on opening new markets, while also Beals enthused when discussing the anmaking sure that current markets are nouncement. The result of six months of reflective of the community. We want to thoughtful conversation between the two ensure that people who were negatively parties, the partnership – announced in impacted by the war on drugs have a August – also ultimately required loopstake in these markets, so we spend a ing in some of the top brass at the NBA lot of our time advocating for social before becoming official. equity programs to be included in new The result, which will align Weedmaps legislation and ballot initiatives. Then with one of basketball’s most acclaimed we continue that work by making sure and influential players in a multi-year that we’re helping to educate people agreement, is reflective of the compaas an industry or market is coming to ny’s renewed desire to lead by example fruition and being implemented.” when it comes to making the Cannabis Given the relatively well defined industry a safer and more inclusive status of markets located on the West space.

Coast, Hennessy confirmed that much “There are so many people who of her team’s focus is now directed would love to reduce KD to just being towards the East Coast and other some stoner guy who plays basketball,” emerging industries in various pockets Beals added, “but we’re talking about of the country. a generational talent here. KD is at the With a timeline top of his game, so the for potential federal fact that he is now involved WEEDMAPS.COM in this makes it very hard legalization still a rather @WEEDMAPS murky prospect, she for people to get out their feels Weedmaps’ efforts stigma paint brushes to try to ensure states with and dismiss it.” current legal markets are diverse and Overall, this focus on normalization is easy-to-access has only become all the one shared across Weedmaps’ various more important. teams and leaders. Be it normalizing And that goes for those interested in the process of conducting Cannabis leading the charge as well. transactions in the retail space or nor“We’re getting to develop the industry malizing the very concept of the plant from the ground up,” Hennessey said. for the public at large, solutions based “And that means that everybody has on a hybrid of cutting-edge technology, an opportunity to be at the table from relentless advocacy and an internal the beginning. For women and for desire to constantly improve, have minorities, I think that makes it a really proven Weedmaps to be a vital facet interesting time to be in this industry of the push to bring Cannabis to the and I encourage people of all walks of mainstream. life to look into it and to try to see how “At the end of the day,” Beals noted, they can be involved.” “this is simply about enabling an open Even Weedmaps itself is stepping and robust legal Cannabis system where up its efforts to reach the public with there’s an opportunity for folks of all a message of de-stigmatization in the different backgrounds – including those form of a new partnership with NBA who are arrested for Cannabis crimes superstar Kevin Durant and his startup, – to come in and have opportunity to Thirty Five Ventures. thrive.”

STORY by ZACK RUSKIN @ZACKRUSKIN for LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by JUSTIN L. STEWART @JUSTNLSTEWART AND @ MIKE ROSATI @ROSATIPHOTOS

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Watch as the Winners from 2021 come to compete head to head in a challenge that will test their skills to the utmost. At stake are cash, prizes and a coveted spot in the Champs Glass Games “Hall of Flame”.

It’s time to go big or go home. Past winners include AKM, Justin Jeneke, Hurley, HEndy. Grimm, McMillieman & Noah, just to name a few.

alternative medicine corner LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

38

Floating Along THE POWER OF SENSORY DEPRIVATION TANKS

S

ensory deprivation or ‘float’ tanks have an abundance of physical health benefits, including increased endorphins, decreased blood pressure and overall body relaxation.

On the mental health side, these chambers offer many advantages, as they are known to lower anxiety, promote muscle relaxation and improve symptoms of depression.

These safe spaces are the perfect place to clear your mind and improve your level of concentration and focus.

Earlier this year, I embarked on a mystical adventure and took a look behind the scenes at Float Om Healing Center and Tranquility Tanks in Eugene, Oregon. As soon as I entered the building, a wave of tranquility and relaxation crashed over me as I took in my surroundings. After being greeted at the front desk, I walked down to the second room on the right, where I began my float session.

Approaching the sensory deprivation chamber, I grinned and embraced what was to come as 50mg of THC:CBD started to take hold. After shutting the door to the tank, it took a few minutes to settle in and to start working on removing my mind from the outside world.

Before this experience, I had floated on several occasions where Cannabis was not a part of the equation.

Although isolation tanks are enjoyable while being completely sober, it can sometimes be a bit harder to shut off your mind entirely. With the right amount of Cannabis consumption, this venture can take you to infinity and beyond.

Following getting comfortable, I familiarized myself with what appeared to be a giant black room that offered everything, yet nothing at the same time. This astral plane of existence was ever-expanding to the point where you had no idea if you were looking up, down, left or right. This feeling can be frightening initially, but once you embrace this empty yet immersive expanse, the magic all begins to unfold as your weightless body floats into a sea of space.

The water for most tanks gets kept at 93.5 degrees, which is skin-receptor neutral, meaning you lose the sensation of where your body ends and the water begins.

I couldn’t help but feel like the hand of a higher power cradled me throughout the float.

Through the assistance of Wim Hof’s breathing method, as silly as it may sound, I saw my soul escape my body and start dancing around colorfully and happily – vibrantly full of life. For those of you who have seen the recent movie “Soul,” the character I saw similarly resembled one of the souls in the great beyond.

I then heard the music start, which meant that my float was over. I was relieved to get out and back to my life, yet at the same time, still wishing I had a bit longer to continue with this astral soul projection. Upon opening the door back up, the room vibrated with a rush of colors and energies – and after having the opportunity to assess and evaluate my venture, I realized that I came out of this tank a lot more calm and relaxed than I originally started the day. For those looking for a unique way to nurture your mind, body and soul, sensory deprivation tanks just may be your ticket to the astral plane.

OCT. 2021

“I couldn’t help but feel like the hand of a higher power cradled me throughout the float.”

STORY by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST/LEAF NATION

Danny Danko teaches you everything you need to know to get growing now!

YOUR SOURCE FOR CULTIVATION INFO, INTERVIEWS, NEWS, ACTIVISM AND PRODUCT REVIEWS! Grow Bud Yourself podcast is available on all streaming platforms and whereever you get your podcasts!

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Jorge Cervantes, Kyle Kushman, Tommy Chong, Aaron from DNA Genetics, Jenn Doe, Milo/Big Buddha Seeds, Swerve/The Cali Connection, Ed Rosenthal, Chemdog, and Adam Dunn!

Growing your own marijuana can be both a liberating and political act.

Former HIGH TIMES Magazine Senior Cultivation Editor and author of the book “Cannabis: A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Marijuana” Dan Vinkovetsky (Formerly known as Danny Danko) and cohost former HT Editor-in-Chief Mike Gianakos provide news, activism reports and cannabis cultivation tips for connoisseurs, aficionados and medical patients alike. Bonus: Interviews with expert growers and professional seed breeders, ‘Strain of the Fortnight’ and ganja growing questions & answers.

concentrate of the month

SOUTHIE ADAMS X COOKIES WORCESTER

SLAPZ LIVE ROSIN “A golden honey yellow color is soaked with juicy terp puddles.”

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40

Hype has surrounded the Cookies brand and its founder Berner, who recently launched their first Massachusetts dispensary in Worcester. We decided to stop by and see what all of the buzz was about, as Cookies is known to carry some of the finest quality products in the game.

Cookies has pulled out all of the stops for the vibe of their dispensary. Their signature colors, blue and white, are represented throughout the building. The shop is highly staffed with security, which can be a little overwhelming and unwelcoming, but this is sure to be a destination where many people will shop.

Cookies has an awesome menu line-up with a lot of flavors that I’ve been wanting to try. One of those strains is Slapz (Runtz x Greasemonkey) by Exotic Genetix. Provided by local up and comers, Southie Adams, I made a mad dash for some live rosin 40-149u Slapz hash. As they say on their website, “Southie uses only ice water and agitation to extract the purest full-spectrum cannabinoids from your favorite strains. It’s fresh frozen solventless.”

OCT. 2021

A baby blue colored bag with the Cookies logo made me feel like I was receiving some official and authorized dank from the Cookies crew. Nova Farms/ Southie Adams packaging is some of my favorite, with their black, green and blue concentrate box that matches the Cookies lock bag. I enjoyed reading the story on the side of the box, complete with a message of good vibes and positivity, which is something new and creative for dispensary packaging.

Slapz live rosin tested at 82.5% THCA, which is a great potency level. A golden honey yellow color is soaked with juicy terp puddles. This live rosin has a gooey, pliable and moist texture – leaving you to mix and play around with it as you dose yourself with the perfect dab.

Overall, the most impressive aspect of this product were the strong medicinal qualities – leaving no question as to the potency and effectiveness of the strain. Definitely take a trip to the Cookies storefront in Worcester and check out their full line of offerings – a baby blue sea of dankness awaits.

COOKIESWORCESTER.COM @COOKIESWORCESTER SOUTHIEADAMS.COM @SOUTHIEADAMS

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

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cooking with cannabis

R EC I P E S b y LAU RIE WOLF | P HOTO b y B RUC E WOLF

spooky sensations O

NCE AGAIN, IT’S HALLOWEEN. Be safe and have fun! Green matcha and white chocolate is an easy way to celebrate Cannabis and Halloween, the creepiest day of the year.

The warm cider is topped with a white chocolate ghost, which will melt slowly and infuse the drink with creaminess and stellar flavor. If you want a little more of a buzz, add a bit of your favorite infusion to the melting chocolate. Stir it in, that’s it. White chocolate and Cannabis are perfect together – one of my favorite foods to infuse. Growing up in New York, black and white cookies were in lots of bakeries. This Halloween, go with purple and orange frosting – so pretty. These recipes are made with coconut oil infused with the strain Durban Poison, which seemed fitting for this month. It’s an uplifting strain, providing lots of energy for your ghoulish, safely-distanced shenanigans.

For dosing I recommend 5mg THC per serving, unless you know otherwise.

42

4 servings

CANNABIS CIDER

Makes 1 dozen cookies

COOKIE MONSTERS

LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

1/3 cup butter, softened 2 tablespoons canna-butter, softened 1/2 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder pinch salt 1 cup powdered sugar 3-4 teaspoons any milk or cream 1 teaspoon almond extract food coloring, gel preferred

1. Heat oven to 340. In a medium bowl cream together the butters, sugar and extract.

2. Add in the dry ingredients, mixing until crumbly. Gather into a ball. Divide the dough into 12 pieces. Place each ball gently on a greased cookie sheet.

3. Bake until golden brown, about 11-15 minutes. Cool thoroughly.

4. In a small bowl, stir together the sugar, milk and extract. Remove all lumps. Divide into two, add orange food coloring to one, purple to the other. Drizzle or dip the cookies into the frosting. You be the artist, Happy Halloween!

ocT. 2021

1/3 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup heavy cream 4 teaspoons canna-oil 4 cups apple cider 1 cinnamon stick 3 whole cloves 2 ounces white chocolate mini chips

1. In a saucepan, heat the sugar, cream and canna-oil for 2-3 minutes, over low heat. Stir to mix well. Add the cider and the cinnamon stick and heat, stirring for 2 additional minutes.

2. In a small microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate in 10 second intervals. When melted, place the chocolate on parchment paper, forming it into simple ghost shapes. It’s easy, you really can’t go wrong. Dot the eyes with the chips and allow to harden.

8 servings

MATCHA POPCORN 4 ounces white chocolate, chopped 1-2 tablespoons canna-oil, or equivalent dose of your preferred infusion 3/4 teaspoon matcha green tea powder 8 cups popped popcorn

1. In a microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate in 10 second intervals. Stir between each interval. When almost fully melted, add the matcha and the oil. Stir and process for another 10 to 20 seconds.

2. Place the popcorn in a serving bowl and drizzle with the white chocolate. Toss well and allow to set for 30 minutes. Totally yummy.

# Boo #HappyHallow een #EatYourCannabi s #BeS afe #L essI sMore # BeKind | La uriea nd Ma ryJa ne.com

topical of the month

43

EXTRA STRENGTH MENTHOLATED CBD INFUSED SALVE “After a long day of working and standing on my feet, this is exactly what I needed.”

The family behind Bud Suds are hot off their win at Terptown Throwdown 2021, taking first place and cementing themselves as a socially conscious community brand that utilizes only the best ingredients. Buzz Balm follows this electrifying trend, with components such as arnica, eucalyptus and menthol that supercharge the skin for a supreme level of healing and pain relief.

With a high dose of 500mg of CBD (cannabidiol), this topical was created for deep healing and “to target certain skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.” Simply apply directly to problem areas and feel invigorated – immediately.

After a long day of working and standing on my feet, this is exactly what I needed. I liberally coated my feet from heels to toes, with a light amount of rubbing. The product magically dissolves leaving little to no residue, and the smell is light and pleasant for a topical with such powerful ingredients.

The peppermint and menthol are the stars of the show and create a sensory experience that you can tell has been crafted by someone who really knows what they are doing – it just so happens that Amanda, the owner of Buds Suds, is a licensed esthetician and skin care guru.

I was able to see results after the first time using it, with my dry and cracked skin feeling smooth – and leaving me with an energized feeling overall!

Buds Suds also offers the same Buzz Balm that’s lavender and peppermint scented, with 300mg of CBD for a more subtle medicinal effect.

BUD SUDS 14 SCHOOL ST. WESTFIELD, MA BUDSUDSOAP.COM | @BUDSUDS | 413-642-5443

REVIEW & PHOTO by BAILEY JONSON @BAILEYANDTHEWORLD for NORTHEAST LEAF

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BUD SUDS BUZZ BALM

Cannthropology

WORLD OF Cannabis PRESENTS

Roll With It

PHOTO COURETSY OF BAMBU

44

A double-wide, unfiltered account of the history of rolling papers.

LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

ORIGINS IN ALCOY

Humanity has been smoking herbs for millennia, but it wasn’t until after Christopher Columbus brought tobacco home from the Americas in the 16th century that we began using rolled paper as a means to inhale.

“Columbus came back from the ‘New World’ to Spain with these kinds of rudimentary cigars wrapped in leaves and tied with string,” explains rolling paper mogul and historian Josh Kesselman. “They land in Seville, and the process of people smoking cigars in Europe begins.”

Though only aristocrats could afford cigars at the time, they’d often throw their butts away on the ground, where peasants would retrieve and re-roll the tobacco in used newspaper.

This practice eventually made its way to the nearby town of Alcoy, where its future fate would take root.

“Alcoy is the true birthplace of rolling paper,” asserts Kesselman.

Alcoy was founded in the 8th century by the Moors, who brought with them the art of papermaking they’d learned Alcoy, Spain—birthplace of rolling papers. from the Chinese (as well as

ocT. 2021

Left: The old Bambu factory in Barcelona.

Above: JOB promo poster by artist Alphonse Mucha (1869).

the Arabian Acacia gum that would later be used for the adhesive strips).

In 1154, Alcoy became the first city in the region to manufacture “mouldmade paper” – a machine-made paper renowned for its durability and surface texture – and over the next few centuries, established itself as the papermaking capital of Spain.

“The Alcoyanos take one look at those people smoking in newspaper and they know that’s not healthy, so they decide to make a special paper just for smoking,” says Kesselman. “That was really the world’s first rolling paper.”

It’s believed that a form of rolling paper was made in Alcoy as early as the 1500s. Those early versions were made from the recycled pulp of hemp and other textiles, and were sold as giant sheets that needed to be folded into squares and cut. It wasn’t until centuries later that they would be branded and take the forms we’re familiar with today. In fact, the practice of pre-cutting and packaging papers in a protective booklet didn’t come about until 1765, when it was introduced by a Dominican monk named Father Jaime Villanueva Estingo.

Remarkably, the first 10 trademarks ever filed in Spain were all for rolling papers; by 1850, there were around 50 brands registered. The first and oldest continuously branded rolling paper company in existence is Pay-Pay (pronounced pie-pie), founded in 1703.

Old-school Pay-Pay pack.

Another of Spain’s earliest manufacturers that are still in business today is Bambu. The company’s first factory opened in Alcoy in 1764, though originally it produced Bible paper; it wasn’t until the rise in popularity of cigarettes during the late 1800s that owner Rafael Abad Santonja switched to making rolling papers. The company premiered its trademark “Winking Spaniard” design Bambu’s in 1876 but didn’t officially establish the famous “Bambu” brand until 1907.

“Winking

THE FRENCH CONNECTION

Spaniard.”

More than mere consumers, the vipers, beatniks, and hippies embraced cannabis smoking as part of their cultural identity...and rolling papers were included in that zeitgeist.

Like Bambu, Zig-Zag adopted their own marketing mascot in 1879: an illustration of a French infantryman called a “Zouave” who became known as the “Zig-Zag Man,” aka “Captain Zig-Zag.” According to their lore, the original Captain Zig-Zag’s pipe was shattered during battle, forcing him to roll his tobacco in paper torn from a musket cartridge.

The new century brought with it other changes in the industry: Rizla’s introduction of flavored papers in 1906, the creation of king-size papers, the formation of a rolling paper manufacturing consortium in Alcoy called Papeleras Reunitas in 1934, and changes in ownership for many of the most popular brands (including Rizla, Pay-Pay, Bambu and others). At one point, Bambu’s factory in Alcoy was even dismantled and reestablished in Barcelona. But perhaps the most significant change in the 20th century would be the dramatic expansion of their customer base, thanks to a new demographic of smokers: potheads.

Though rolling papers were invented in Spain, it wasn’t long before France got into the game. During the 16th century, Napoleon’s soldiers returning from Spain brought the habit of smoking rolled tobacco home with them (though it wasn’t until 1830 that they began calling them “cigarettes.”)

Legend has it that, after encountering such Vintage a soldier in 1532, an enterprising Frenchman Zig-Zag booklets. named Alexandro Lacroix traded CANNABIS & THE COUNTERCULTURE a bottle of Champagne for the From the jazz age of the 1920s to the councavalryman’s rolling papers terculture of the 1960s and ‘70s, marijuana’s and began reproducing them popularity skyrocketed throughout the century. for himself and his family. In More than mere consumers, though, the vipers, 1736, his descendant François beatniks and hippies embraced Cannabis smokLacroix began mass-producing ing as part of their cultural identity – and rolling them as the Lacroix Rolling An antique papers were included in that zeitgeist. Soon, the Paper Company. It would be packet of Rizla+ papers.

Zig-Zag Man was popping up on numerous more than a century later counterculture posters and flyers – most famously before the company would switch to rice paper and change its in June 1966, when underground artists Stanley Cover of Cheech & Chong’s name: taking the French word for rice (riz), and abbreviating Mouse and Alton Kelly used the logo on a the family name Lacroix to La+ (“croix” is the French word for “Big Bambu” album (1972). handbill for a pair of concerts by Big Brother “cross”), becoming RizLa+. and the Holding Company (Janis Joplin’s band) at San Francisco’s Avalon In the 19th century, competition in the industry started to Ballroom. (Twenty years later, hip-hop icon Dr. Dre would do something heat up. First, in 1822, two brothers – René and Guillaume Zig-Zag Man concert poster similar for his debut album “The Chronic.”)

Bolloré – opened a paper mill on the banks of the Odet River

by Mouse & Kelly (1966).

Another famous example of artists incorporating rolling paper logos into in the town of Cascadec to produce rolling papers, calling their their projects were Cheech & Chong. The legendary comedy duo used Bambu’s branding twice: company OCB (“O” for Odet, “C” for Cascadec, and “B” for first in 1972, for their album “Big Bambú,” which looked like a Big Bambu pack and featured Bolloré). Next came Jean Bardou, a giant mock rolling paper inside; then again in 1978, for their first film “Up in Smoke,” whose whose company trademark promotional materials also utilized Bambu’s branding. was his initials “JB” separated One company that sprang out of Cannabis culture was E-Z Wider. by a small diamond shape. But Established in 1972, they were the first papers designed specifically for rolling when people kept mistaking the weed rather than tobacco. Founder Burton Rubin allegedly got the idea to diamond for an “O,” he went with create his “double-wide” papers in 1969 after watching some of his law it and changed the company’s school classmates connect two regular-sized papers to roll a larger joint. name to JOB in 1849.

INDUSTRY INNOVATIONS

The next breakthrough in packaging was “interleaving” – the method whereby papers are inserted into the booklet in a Jean Bardou criss cross manner – so that each one readies the next when it’s pulled out. Though Kesselman believes that the interleaving was actually created by Italian paper manufacturer Saul David Modiano years earlier, it was a Paris-based company that, in 1894, perfected and patented the horizontally-folded “z” shape method we’re familiar with today. This innovation was so popular that it not only won them a gold medal at the 1900 Universal Exposition in Paris, it also convinced founders Maurice and Jacques Braunstein to rename their company after it: Zig-Zag.

PAST AND PRESENT

The past few decades have ushered in yet more innovations in this centuries-old industry: the addition of built-in wire roach clips and tear-off filter tips attached to the booklet; the creation of clear, cellulose papers, and even 24k gold leaf paper. But the most successful innovation of the modern era is undoubtedly the vegan, natural, organic, unbleached hemp papers and cones from Kesselman’s flagship brand Raw – which, remarkably, are all produced using the traditional machinery and methods at the old Papeleras Reunitas factory in the city where it all started.

History, it seems, is still alive and well in Alcoy.

For more on the history of rolling papers, listen to Episode #15 of our podcast at worldofcannabis.museum/cannthropology.

Story and photos originally published on worldofcannabis.museum and reprinted with permission.

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

I’LL SEE IT WHEN I BELIEVE IT

W

46

LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

by Mike Ricker

hen you really put your mind to understanding the human psyche, you’ll see that it is easily manipulated.

There’s no denying the obvious, that if you reinforce a concept to curious individuals with the right degree of conviction, you are sure to make an impression. In fact, they may even become thoroughly convinced that what you’re pitching is going to improve their lives eternally. No matter how severely absurd something may be due to the limitations of logic and physics, the facts will not be recognized once their mind is made up. They will buy into your influence unconditionally, transforming into true zealots in pure defense of this information.

Information, it could be maintained, may ultimately be to blame for the eventual downfall of our species. Because as big brains can defy common sense, small brains act entirely upon common sense.

So, who is wiser, the man or the ant? But we’ve conquered the food chain, which allows us to live longer, so it’s ridiculous to argue, right? Wait, who conquered the food chain? The dude planted on a ripped sofa wiping Taco Bell fire sauce on his pants playing World of Warcraft?

Lewis and Clark don’t think so.

Anyway, as much as people think they dominate nature, the reality that we all face is that the bigger the brain, the more the insecurities will surface about who we are, what we’re doing and why we exist. And for people who crave certainty, this poses an existential conundrum. These people need to fill the gaps in their lives to feel complete, therefore, if you repeat something long enough … the illusion around truth is bound to take hold.

We are gullible creatures.

And yes, many still believe that Cannabis is for dirty hippies, too.

OCt. 2021

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