NORTHWEST LEAF THE PATIENT’S VOICE
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October 2011 Issue #16
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Mon.-Fri. 10:30-7 p.m. Saturday: 12-6 p.m. Sunday: 12 - 6 p.m. SeattleAlt@yahoo.com
NORTHWEST LEAF Table of Contents — Oct. 2011
For advertising call founder Wes Abney at (206) 235-6721 nwleaf@gmail.com
(24) ^PORTLANDIA: We traveled to Hempstalk for a fun glance at what Portlanders are up to in this medical marijuana world.
NEW: SEATTLE CROSS (P.14) MEDICAL MARIJUANA 101 (P.18) A DROP WILL DO YA (P.30) The Cross dispensaries are known for their excellent locations, which feature friendly dispensaries and a selection of medicine to rival any other access points. We liked what we saw on our recent visit.
The things you know and the things you don’t can put a damper on your experiences as a patient. We want to ensure that you have a better time, by learning how to act and speak within access points. It’s up to all of us to know the rules & regs.
Photography & Layout by Daniel Berman/Northwest Leaf
REVIEWED (P.28)
ON THE COVER:
Pumpkin by Austin Leno
Northwest Leaf commissioned Austin to create this beautiful piece for our cover. See more @ masterpumpkinsculptor.com
Wes Abney takes a look at new devices and products hitting the market, letting you, the patient, know what’s good in an industry crowded with maybes -- our page of reviews are a must-view for the next thing you just gotta have, and trust us, we know you want good stuff.
TASTY TREATS (P.27)
We found some tasty treats that you will have as fun making in the privacy of your home as you will enjoying them later. But don’t take our word for it, as Levar Burton would say. So get your baking on today!
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Longtime Northwest Leaf contributor writes about how tinctures, or alcohol extracts of cannabis, are a great alternative to other ingestion methods without losing any of the great effects.
LOCAL NEWS...............6 NATIONAL NEWS..........8 SEATTLE CROSS..........14 DEVICEOFMONTH.......16 MMJ 101 GUIDE.........18 STRAINOFMONTH.......22 REVIEWED.................28 DR. ROSE..................30
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Edib REE le for New or Joint Mem bers
National
UP IN SMOKE >>Feds defy Bill of Rights and say no guns for 16 states’s lawful medical marijuana patients
Licensed gun dealers cannot sell a gun or ammunition to anyone that indicates on the paperwork that they are using a controlled substance, or if the dealer has a “reasonable cause to believe” that the person uses drugs.
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he Second Amendment is at the heart of Federal acknowledgement that guns can’t be sold to medical marijuana patients.
The issue hinges on Federal law making it illegal to possess a gun if he or she is “an unlawful user of, or addicted to” marijuana or other controlled substances. Medical marijuana patients are included in that definition, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. “There are no exceptions in federal law for marijuana purportedly used for medicinal purposes, even if such use is sanctioned by state law,” said the letter by Arthur Herbert, PHOTO BY FLICKR/KURTXIO
the ATF’s assistant director for enforcement programs and services, dated in the latter part of last month. Gun dealers can’t sell a gun to someone who answers “yes” when a required form asks whether the buyer is a controlled substance user — and last week’s letter also says that licensed dealers can’t sell a gun or ammunition if they have “reasonable cause to believe” the buyer is using a controlled substance,” reported ABC News. That includes if the buyer talks
about drug use, having a medical marijuana card or a recent drug conviction, ATF spokesman Drew Wade said Sept. 28. The gun issue has been to court in a handful of the 16 states with medical marijuana laws. Pro-marijuana and gun groups said the move is tantamount to rescinding the gun rights for the thousands of people licensed to use medical marijuana. Obama could take heat too after appearing to contradict a 2009 Department of Justice memo that said his administration would not pursue prosecution of individual medical marijuana users who obey state laws. It’s also an issue for gun dealers who now play confusing dual roles behind the counter.
“Their business is to be merchants, not to be cops. Unfortunately, the federal licensing scheme complicates that,” said Gary Marbut of the Montana Shooting Sports Association. “It sounds as if the ATF is expecting them to drift further into the cop role.” People who are prescribed any other kind of medicine are not held to this same unfair, unconstitutional standard. And frankly, neither should we. If this kind of disgrace bothers you then please go contact your representative and let them know that your rights as an American and as a medical marijuana user are not mutually-exclusive.
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National
A few of these might have gone missing following an arrest in Texas
k c i Qu ts! Hi WA Democrats Vote
When brownies disappear >>Did a Texas police officer blab after gobbling up the evidence? By Northwest Leaf Staff | Photo by Flickr/Joconnell
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ost arrest cases have a familiar his buddies, the cops got on their in-car computers pattern to them. A suspect does and started squawking about how stoned they were.” something against the law, then The transcripts of their car to car chats are insightful. the police find out and put them “So HIGH…Good munchies,” typed one officer at into custody. But in Houston, 2:44 a.m., his comrade quipping that stuff should be the suspect was the arresting officer, according to open by the time shift ends and “we’re off.” a report in The Houston Press. The bizarre case of Their police report notes that Hill, who was found poor police judgement begins in holding “a very large bag of weed,” told the parking lot of a large, squat them he was a weed dealer and that he’d suburban apartment complex. taken delivery of his supply earlier that Atleast three police officers day. Shrooms, paraphernalia and more responded to reports of burning weed were ultimately discovered. Hill was the officer typed at 2:44am marijuana, the smell of which charged with multiple felonies for the weed was reportedly apparent from the and shrooms — but the cops, who have parking lot. “Officers knocked on the door to the unit not been named, have not been disciplined. Internal rented by 19-year-old Nicholas Charles Hill and were Affairs said the officers were drug tested, but they invited to come in,” the Press reported this month. remain uncharged and free, unlike Mr. Hill — his But what the police report omitted, Hill’s lawyers already tarnished rapsheet ever-growing. say, was the stunning accusation that officers on the If it was anyone besides the boys in blue, scene ate his tray of pot brownies — right after seizing any civilian in any city in this country, the suspects the baked goods. Through his attorney, Hill says that would be booked and charged with the crimes that after “eating the brownies and arresting him and two of befall so many. It is, after all, the familiar pattern.
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So HIGH… Good munchies,
In late September, Washington state Democrats voted to endorse Initiative 502, the new movement to legalize marijuana with distribution and sales becoming the domain of the State Liquor Control Board. The Democrats voted 75-43 to put their weight behind the initiative, writing that 1000s of Washington citizens are arrested, prosecuted and convicted for simple marijuana possession each year, wasting millions of dollars in police, court and jail resources, SeattlePI.com wrote. The legalization of marijuana could be a huge benefit to the state’s dwindling coffers. In backing the initiative, the Democrat’s resolution said that legalization would yield the state $215 million annually, with about a third, $80 million, going to the state’s general fund and the remaining $135 million to be used for substance abuse control. I-502 is popular with many local liberal politicians, such as Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes, who also backed the move to regulate Seattle area dispensaries way back in August.
Got a news tip for us?
Email nwleaf@gmail.com
We are shocked, outraged and really hurt all at the same time. 8
-JoAnne Leppanen, exec. dir. Rhode Island Patient Advocacy Coalition, after Rhode Island governor Lincoln Chafee scrapped a plan for state-run dispensaries, citing federal law. Patients must rely on growing their own.
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National
k c i Qu ts! Hi
The U.S. Mexico border is a hotbed of drug activity
>>Troops trudge through marijuana
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Record-setting Border Bust >>1,110 bundles of bud valued at $22.6 million dollars seized in California
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bout an hours’ drive north of the “This is U.S.-Mexico border, a record was broken in California. Federal definitely exceptional” officials said they seized some 14 tons of marijuana, valued at close to $23 million on Sept. 28. “Agents found the marijuana in 1,100 bundles concealed inside an American-driven tractor-trailer,” Reuters reported. It’s a bust marked as the largest checkpoint cannabis seizure ever in So Cal and one of the biggest ever. “This is definitely exceptional,” said border patrol spokesman Jonathan
Creiglow. Agents are said to have discovered the cannabis stashed in wooden crates after a canine team honed in on the trailer and agents scanned it for drugs, Reuters reported. California sits alongside one of the most heavily trafficked routes for Mexican drug cartels smuggling everything from marijuana and cocaine to heroin and meth into the United States. Border patrol officials said the 35-year-old driver of the tractor-trailer is in DEA custody.
Canadian Justice
>> Our northern neighbors approved longer prison sentences for cannabis growers than child molestors
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anada is tougher on marijuana growers than child molesters thanks to new criminal sentencing guidelines. Under the new laws, those growing more than 201 plants will receive sentences of at least a year and a half. The government’s new legislation imposes just a one-year mandatory minimum for sexually assaulting a child, luring a child via the Internet or involving a child in bestiality, Canadian press reported. All three of these offenses carry lighter automatic sentences than those for people running medium-sized growops in rental property or on someone else’s land, reported TheProvince.com. A Canadian convicted of exposing themselves to a child would receive a minimum 90-day
PHOTO BY FLICKR/QUINNANYA 10
sentence, “half the term of a man convicted of growing six pot plants in his own home.” The new marijuana legislation will increase the proportion of pot criminals in B.C. jails from less than five percent to around 30 percent, at a cost of $60k to $70k per inmate annually, said Neil Boyd, a criminologist at Simon Fraser University. “If you want to get tough on crime, that’s fine. But don’t sell it as increasing public safety,” said Stacey Hannem, chairman of policy review at the Canadian Criminal Justice Assoc. “That’s just not true.”
he military newspaper Stars and Stripes reported late last month that soldiers in Afghanistan experienced some unusual conditions in an area known for its burdenous surprises. The mission of Company C and the rest of their artillery and ground combat support was to cut off enemy access and supply routes. The soldiers were to be helicoptered in behind enemy lines, surprising with an attack that doesn’t allow for enemy support or quick escape. Their biggest problem? Terrible weather conditions that whipped sand into the “A heavy air and caked earthy scent the soldiers wafted into like ‘powdered the cabin.” donuts’ destroyed visibility. The soldiers landed about a quarter-mile away from their intended landing zone. And they found themselves in some unusually dank territory: old marijuana fields aplenty When their helicopter landed, the newspaper reports, “a heavy earthy scent wafted through the cabin.” The soldiers adjusted their night-vision goggles and realized they were up to their elbows in a massive old-growth marijuana plantation. “Sir, are you sure we didn’t land in Guatemala?” asked a seargent to his company commander, who led the assault as they prepared to move out. Loaded down with their gear, and supplies, the soldiers had to avoid marijuana plants towering over as they trudged onward through the soggy soil.
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Access
The friendly and approachable staff pose together
Seattle Cross >>Capitol Hill is known for its clubs, shopping and now — a great collective experience, with a lot to like at the newest Cross to open up in Seattle. Story by Wes Abney // Photos by Daniel Berman
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veryone loves some good ol’ sticky cotton candy. It’s contagious and compulsive good time food, and the taste is akin to sugar coated clouds. Which is exactly how I’d describe Seattle Cross’s delicious and exclusive strain by the same sticky name.v It’s one of their private strains and it’s definitely worth a trip just to experience. The well-developed buds are coated with trichromes and are densely balanced for their size.
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The smell is hauntingly sweet with a pronounced pungent bite. Hits are extremely smooth. There is very little expansion with the smoke and it leaves as sweet as it enters. The resulting high is energetic, with a mellow heady feeling complimented by a strong feeling of bodily relaxation. Cotton Candy is just one of the great top shelf strains available at Seattle Cross. With everything going for $10 or less, there’s a strain for every need available. This
convenient and friendly collective garden is located on the eastern end of Capital Hill, only minutes from the 520 Montlake exit. Inside, patients are privilege to a great selection of strains with a friendly and knowledgeable staff. Just ask David Thesenvitz, manager and chief budtender. “We strive to know all our patients personally, down to their ailments and individual preferences for medicine,” he said. “It’s how we provide the best possible customer
service.” Behind the marble -covered bud bar, three large plasma TV’s display the current menu and daily specials. They also have a digital micro camera, useful for patients hoping to view a specific piece of medicine up close on the plasma screen. An up-close look is important. In fact, it’s vital in screening for mold or other problems with the buds. “We are very careful to check over any medicine that comes in,” “New strains come in every day, and only the best are accepted,” he said enthusiastically. Other top strains include Blue Dream, Perma Frost and the elusive Hawaiian strain Pop’s Pineapple.
^ a quick sniff of the coffee helps refresh your sense of smell around the samples.
Casey Smith, budtender and strain connoisseur described The Pineapple’s effects in simplistic but realistic terms. “It has a soaring head high that gives way to a long lasting relaxation and strong body high.” In addition to a wide variety of strains, Seattle Cross has other options for patients to medicate with. Their PC double dose brownies are a great value. They’re also extremely potent. “The brownies are always moist and fresh with a great chocolate taste,” Casey said. “But I do always warn patients - you definitely need a glass of milk to go with it,” he said jokingly.
“ We strive to
know all of our patients personally, down to their ailments and preferences for medicine.
-David Thesenvitz, Manager Seattle Cross’ hash-infused THC suckers are great for discrete medicating. Available in multiple flavors, the peach flavor is one of our faves. Also on the shelf are Green Lady soda. The triple medicated beverages come in a large 16 ounce bottle in six cool flavors. “At $12, the soda’s are a great value,” Casey said. “They have a lasting medicated feeling plus the bottle has multiple servings.” For the last year, Casey has been
making his own quality brand of tinctures. His vegetable-based glycerin tinctures and alcohol tinctures are both highly potent. “The alcohol tinctures have a quicker onset and may feel more potent. I soak the medicine in the rum for five months and by the end the buds have completely transformed.” I tried his 50/50 blend of the two types, which had a sweet light rum taste with a pleasant glycerin aftertaste. The alcohol base allowed the sensation to hit quickly, while the glycerin base maintained the body high for several hours. Both types are definitely worth trying, and free tastings are always available inside the Collective. You
just have to ask a nice budtender. For those in search of clones, the collective has 15-20 options depending on season. It’s best to call ahead and check for a specific option. They also carry TGA seeds for those into a certain strain. So the next time you get the craving for a great strain, sucker, or a tasty tincture, Seattle Cross will cure your sweet tooth. After all, everyone likes cotton candy.
Seattle Cross 2315 E. John St. 206-387-4367 Seattlecross.com Seattlecross2@gmail.com 15
DEVICE OF THE MONTH
Review by Wes Abney Photo by Daniel Berman
Tracey from The Hashford Compassion Club tries the E-Joint
A New Use For Hash Oil >>This E-Joint is the best way to medicate with subtlety
T $120, available from:
The Hashford Compassion Club 11220 Pacific Ave. S. Tacoma, WA 98444 (253) 212-1593
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he benefits of vaporizing are well known, but for most active people the time/energy needed isn’t worth it. Even the highest end plug-in vape’s can take 5-10 minutes to heat up and fill a bag. When time is of the essence, the E-Joint is a great option. With the new E-Joint, you can medicate quickly and on the go. There’s no scent, and the vapor disperses immediately, leaving no evidence of medicine behind. Unlike traditional vape’s, there’s also zero wait time: the second the button is pressed, vapor is ready to be enjoyed. This discrete and self contained unit looks and feels like a normal electronic cigarette, but it’s whats inside that counts. Instead of
a nicotine and flavor based solution for those trying to quit smoking cigarettes, these models are filled with a combination of a vegetable based glycerin tincture and hash oil solution, along with a flavor of your choice. The 31 different flavors add a nice twist, and include tastes like strawberry, berry cream, mint, tobacco, and natural. The natural has a very nice, clean taste, and leaves your mouth feeling clean. It’s possible to take large inhales with the E-Joint because the vapor is so smooth. The tastes in other flavors like strawberry or banana are
complimentary and tingle the senses without being overwhelming. Overall, there isn’t a bad choice in the group. Each purchase of an E-Joint comes with a full bottle of medicated solution, which will last anywhere from a week (for constant daily use) to several months. They’re the perfect option for those who are tired of the coughing and after effects of traditional medicating, and come in a a variety of strengths for the heavy user. For new patients, it’s a good introduction to medicating, without the stress of traditional medicine!
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Patients Medical marijuana patients have a responsibility to describe themselves and their medication in a professional, respectable manner.
MMJ OUR ESSENTIAL PRIMER ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA TERMS, LAW & ETIQUETTE
By Wes Abney
Hello new patient. We’ll be shedding some light into how this whole medical marijuana thing works in Washington. Since SB-5073 hit in January , many patients and dispensary owners have been confused about how the changes affect them. For most access points, the bill changed the definition for their business without changing the business itself. This is thanks to section 403, which redefined dispensaries as “collective gardens.” We have put together a guide outlining medical marijuana terminology, etiquette, and procedures for use of medicine with the new laws. It is important to note this code of conduct, because patients are still vulnerable to attempted prosecution and legal issues when confronted by law enforcement. So what else should you know?
It’s medicine. Not dope, chronic, dro, pot or herb You’re medicated. Not high, stoned, baked or toasted Infused foods are medibles. Not just a pot brownie.
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{ Terminology} << It’s not dope anymore!
You have a medical recommendation. Not a green card You visit an access point, collective garden.
Not a store or dispensary
You ask for a medicine’s weight in grams. Not as a dub/zip or O.
Patients use medicating devices.
Not pipes, bongs or bubblers.
You may leave access points with medicine. Not a sack, bag or stash.
You can roll your medicine. Not called a blunt or joint. Growing plants are called clones. Not shoots, starts or starters,
Remember, patients and advocates have been fighting for over a decade to have medical marijuana viewed as a protected and respected form of medicine. Don’t undermine the movement and industry by using slang, and avoid telling everyone about your new recommendation! We know you’re excited, but this is news to keep quiet.
{Access Point Etiquette} >>How to stay on everyone’s good side
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hen you first arrive at an access point you’ll need to be verified. If you have never been to the specific location before, the access point is responsible for verifying that you are actually a patient. This protects them, and you, and it is in your best interest as a patient to only go to places that properly verify. Keep in mind though that most places only verify your status Monday through Friday in regular business hours. The process involves presenting a copy of your medical recommendation and state ID to the secretary/door monitor, who will personally call your doctors office and confirm that you are a patient. You will also be asked to fill out a membership packet by the access point, which makes you a part of their organization. Be sure to read
over everything you sign, and if you have any questions it is important to ask. Each access point has different paperwork, so don’t assume anything is standard. Once inside, there may still be a waiting period before getting your medicine. Make an appointment ahead of time or prepare to be patient. Always wait to be invited/ escorted into a back medicine room. Security is tight at most locations, and it is inappropriate to barge into a back room and can set security systems off. Just like any other business, wait your turn and be respectful to both staff and other patients alike. Now that you have chosen your medicine and acquired it, it important to be discrete when
leaving an access point. Always keep your medicine out of sight from the general public, and do not medicate near a location (or in public areas ever). Remember that your medicine is for you only. If you plan to drive away, store your medicine in a secure place, preferably the trunk. This will help protect you in the event of a law enforcement encounter. Don’t forget to support medical marijuana and get behind initiatives you believe in — it is up to all of us to create the world and future we want to be patients in. Lastly, be safe, be smart and when accessing your medicine you will be able to enjoy the privilege of medical marijuana in the great State of Washington.
{Law Enforcement & You} >>Remember: don’t medicate in public
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here are a few simple rules and guidelines for how and when to medicate, and following them will protect your right and access to medicine. And that’s what we all want. Here’s rule number on regarding the use of medical marijuana- if it’s outside private property, it can still be viewed as illegal. This includes medicating at a friends rented apartment, a hotel room, your car, or a campsite. Anywhere that isn’t owned by you is technically not legal for medicating. With that in mind, if you do choose to medicate in an area outside your own home, you must be extremely
careful and mindful of what’s going on around you. There have been many raids and arrests that started with a neighbor smelling — you guessed it — “marijuana odor.” The next rule regards MMJ and it’s relation to driving. Under state DUI law, medical patients are still prosecutable for driving while medicated. At no time should you ever smoke and operate a motor vehicle, or smoke inside your vehicle. Seriously. Don’t ever do it. The third and perhaps most important rule is regarding your
recommendation. It outlines the amount of both dry medicine and plants you are allowed to have as a patient. Although some doctors will have different interpretations of personal limits, law enforcement has a basic set. 15 plants per patient, and up to 24 ounces of dry medicine at any one time. If you go over these limits, law enforcement can and would love to prosecute you under their draconian drug laws. Don’t give them the opportunity- stay within the legal limits.
Security will be tight anywhere you go, so, it is definitely not appropriate to barge into a back budroom and set off some alarms.
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Patients
RAIDED >>The serious allegations of Joe Amendolare began at 1 p.m. with drug task force agents swarming his house & intimidating his family
STORY BY WES ABNEY | PHOTOS COURTESY AMENDOLARE FAMILY
^ Despite being under the legal limit, this is Joeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office after agents allegedly searched for illict money, excess cannabis at the house. His family was traumatized.
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Imagine this scenario. You’re in a foreign country legally, respecting all local laws and codes. Suddenly, your family’s peaceful afternoon is shattered. Armed soldiers storm your house, kicking in doors and pointing automatic weapons at your family. “Where’s the fucking money,” they scream, pinning you to the ground. Well, that “foreign country” has turned out to be Chelan County, Washington, says patient Joe Amendolare. And that the laws meant to protect him as a patient and citizen, the laws he was in 100% compliance with, were now being used to intimidate him and his family. September 14, 2011. It’s a day he’ll never forget. Joe was just arriving home, where his wife and several friends were managing their business and relaxing. He has run a collective garden for the last two years. Along with a storefront location, he also operates a small grow in his home. Only 45 plants, with four sets of MMJ authorizations posted onsite, including one on the front door. Joe was in full compliance with the law. In fact, a representative from the Sheriffs office had been to his house only months before. The peace officer was allowed to tour the grow, count the plants, and agreed that everything was fully legal. So he was surprised, and fearful, when two SWAT units and a group of patrol cars came whipping towards as he pulled into his driveway. “As soon as I saw the officers coming, I stepped out of the car and put my hands in the air. I loudly exclaimed that we were ‘legal and not hostile,’ repeating this phrase over and over as they approached me,” he said with urgency. “My wife stepped outside when she heard the commotion and both of us were immediately put at gunpoint.” Dressed in full riot gear, the officers handcuffed Joe and immediately moved towards his wife and house. “At this point, things were very hectic. All I remember yelling was ‘Don’t kick in my door or throw a flashbang, my twoyear-old daughter is just inside.’ They went inside cautiously and brought my screaming daughter outside — at gunpoint.” This is atrocious. Joe and his wife, Tamara, were told by the supervising officer that there was a warrant to search the premise. They were not shown it. At this point, a neighbor friend called the family attorney, who arrived in minutes. As his attorney stood watching, Joe was stripped of his cellphone and civil rights and shoved into the back of a squad car. His attorney was also denied access to the search warrant, Joe said on the phone. “The officers then proceeded to tear my home
The information in this story was provided to Northwest Leaf by Joe Amendolare in Sept. We have chosen to take him at his word, since Chelan officials were unable to confirm any part of his allegations, and at press time, had not returned multiple calls seeking comment
“
At this point, things were very hectic. All I remember yelling was ‘Don’t kick in my door or throw a flashbang, my two-year-old is just inside.
apart, room by room. My wife and attorney were not allowed to view the search,which is a protected right. Although they went through drawers and cabinets — taking my licensed concealed weapons and $45 dollars — they did not touch any of the medicine. All 45 plants from that day are still at my house.” At one point during the search, the tactical team came back outside frustrated with a lack of findings. Joe said the agents seemed to be looking for large amounts of drugs, money and an illegal grow. None of which was at the house. “At that point an officer pointed an AR-15 at my wife, who was holding my screaming daughter and said ‘Where’s the fucking money.” Joe was later taken to the local jail, where he spent one night before being released. He maintains to this day that he has never been told “you’re under arrest.” He faces a charge of felony manufacturing of a controlled substance, a broad term under the old RCW 69.51A. With the newly signed SB5073, patients cannot be charged with manufacturing for growing their own medicine — but this happened anyway, Joe is still having to endure this painful process. He had an arraignment on Wednesday, Sept. 28, where the prosecution failed to turn over their discovery. In legal terminology, a discovery is the physical case behind the charges, which includes a copy of the evidence being brought against him. To this date, the prosecution still hasn’t turned over the discovery. He has received a copy of the seizure report, which doesn’t contain a single gram, stem, or plant in it - but contains his two legal and licensed weapons. Now, as the court case battles on, Joe has worked to pick up the pieces of his life. His daughter is in therapy from the traumatic event. She has been having psychological issues and recurring flashbacks to the event. “Nobody can wear black around her or she will have screaming fits,” Joe said. “She’s scared of the dark now and has to have someone in the room with her to sleep. The trauma changed her.” Daily activities like church and the grocery store are an ordeal. Constantly looking over his shoulder, he is unable to live the normal life he fought for over these last two years. The local community has supported his cause from the beginning. He gives back constantly. The collective just finished a food drive where they donated 10,000 pounds of food to help the needy this winter. You can contact Joe at chccollective@ gmail.com for support & info on this awful case. “The country needs to see that we are dealing with children, and sick families who need protection, not violence,” Joe following his arraignment. “We will stay strong, and we will not give up.”
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STRAIN MONTH OF THE
Very heavy Indica effects with a pungent Sour Diesel aroma.
Blue Diesel Great for sleep aid & pain relief
Has a sweet taste with a tangy Diesel finish and a very clean, smooth smoke. Lung-expanding smoke and High CBD count provided a suitable body buzz that helped this reviewer’s lower back pain all through the night. Try this bud for relief from chronic pain and help sleeping at night. It’s a great flavor that might become your favorite!
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T H C
AVAILABLE FROM: Conscious Care Cooperative 14032 Aurora Ave. N. Suite C www.medicalmarijuana.coop (206) 257-4816
Photo by Daniel Berman// Northwest Leaf
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ReHash
These young activists from Portland said it was their first time attending Hempstalk. For one dollar, people could ride in an official golf cart for the mile entry into woodsy Kelley Point park.
Cannabis Field Trip: Portland >> We checked out beautiful, sunny Hempstalk, the Portland marijuana and hemp protestival now in its 6th year. By Wes Abney // Photos by Daniel Berman
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ll aboard the Hempstalk Express!” the driver said. vendor booths. They stretched into different directions, offering brightly colored glassware Laughing, my 2 journalistic partners and I and delicious smelling food. Frozen in the moment, I paused to take in the overall situation jumped aboard a golf cart fit for seven. It was and smiled. This was becoming a pretty good day, and it could only get better. Sunday, the second day of the festival, and about 85 The air was filled with the warm smell of cannabis, the sun was out, and people were degrees out. Sitting in the rearmost seat, I was nervous for coming together to celebrate God’s gift of marijuana and hemp. As the events founder Paul the ride to begin. Sweat dripped down my forehead. Stanford describes it, “Hempstalk is about the many uses of industrial hemp fiber, oil, protein, All I knew was that the park was a mile fuel and medicine.” Hemp is truly an amazing material and source of away, over a combination of paved and inspiration for so many. We were left questioning why it is so vilified. There were dirt trails, and that my red wagon stacked While there, I ran into quite a few signature gatherers for the no visible cops, high with copies of the Northwest Leaf 2012 Oregon Cannabis Act. Their mission is similar to organizations and no problems like Sensible Washington. It would provide a liquor store model of was in jeopardy. It was well worth the — lending a risk, I would learn. legalization, the tax revenue likely exceeding many millions. Holding with one hand on the cart and The act would also allow cultivation of hemp for industrial use, real sense of the other on my wagon, we took off on a reducing our dependency on foreign markets. You can find out more on security and journey of ahem, hemptastic proportions. the Act at cannabistaxact.org. independence. Driving through the meandering woods, Along with the commonplace clothing and food vendors, I ran into the isolation from the outside world several new products worth checking out. One such product was the Mo really set in. Hempstalk is held in Kelley Point Park. tThe Greens Wak & Mow handheld electric trimmer. It looks like a miniature weed wacker with thousands of peaceful patients and activists alike all come an adjustable trimming length. With 8 hours of batter life and a light weight design, it’s a together for one weekend. Law enforcement was out of cool and affordable break from the mundane art of trimming. More at mogreens.com. sight and out of our minds. Later in the afernoon while eating a giant ball of french fries in the Rogue Ales beer garden, Unlike Seattle Hempfest, where attendees battle the city the unique vibe of this event really set in. It’s all the best characteristics from our beloved along with crowds getting in, there’s only a sandy staging Seattle festival with a special Portland twist. This year’s lineup featured music from artists area for the shuttles and a sign pointing into Hempstalk. like Los Marijuanos, State of Jefferson, and The Syndicate. Keynote speakers held court in As we jumped off the shuttle and started walking down a hemposium, a hemp fashion show, and even the beer garden featuring Hemp Ale. With the main path, we reached a fork and took left. It wasn’t more than 100 craft and food vendors, Hempstalk had quite a impressive turnout. for another hundred yards that we rounded a curve and By the end of it all, I’d met a ton of new people, seen dozens of cool new products, and had a the festival was suddenly upon us. great experience. I was also exhausted. But you should be after a great day, right? Bordering the Columbia River, a giant main stage I’d highly recommend the event to anyone in search of a Cannabis field trip. It’s as easy dominated a huge field, surrounded by rows and rows of as taking the Hempstalk Express and exploring Portlandia. What do you say? All aboard!
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More info at hempstalk.org
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Tasty Melt first 4 ingredients in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring 5 minutes or until mixture is smooth. Transfer chocolate mixture to a large bowl. Place the bowl into a larger bowl filled with ice and water. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating at low speed with an electric mixer. Increase speed to mediumhigh, and beat 5 minutes or until frosting is cool, thick, and spreadable. Stir in 1 tablespoon vanilla.
3 cups miniature marshmallows 3/4 cup Canna-butter, cut up 3/4 cup evaporated milk 6 oz. unsweet. chocolate 6 cups powdered sugar 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Monstrously Medicated Chocolate Frosting
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Pumpkin Destruction(Recipe Bread Below) 2 eggs 4 ounces cream cheese 1/3 cup Canna-butter 1 1/4 cups white sugar 1 cup canned pumpkin 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp. baking soda 1/4 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp. ground cloves 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 1 9x5x3 inch loaf pan. Put softened cheese, butter, and sugar in mixing bowl. Cream together well. Beat in eggs one at a time until blended. Mix in pumpkin. 2) In another bowl combine flour, soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and walnuts. Stir until thoroughly mixed. Pour all at once over batter. Stir just enough to moisten. Turn into greased 9x5x3 inch loaf pan. 3) Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 60-70 minutes until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pan. Remove to rack to finish cooling.
Pumpkin bread photo by Flickr.com/awhiskandspoon
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Reviewed
Try adding the oil to fettucine or bread and see how great it is!
Chronic Sticky Icky Peanut Butter Cups >>$10, 2 servings, THCO Ballard (206) 829-9435
These “sticky icky peanut butter cups” are exactly that. A delicious combination of peanut butter and chocolate, both medicated, these cups make a great treat. The medicated effects are very strong, and ensure a great body high that lasts for several hours. Beyond the taste, the packaging of the product is extremely professional. The foil wrapper is heat sealed, and there’s complete ingredients and caloric information on the back side. This product embodies everything good about the MMJ industry, and is definitely worth checking out! Our industry needs more professionalism and these are certainly the right direction. We can’t have, if we want respect. handwrapped plastic-covered brownies floating around Collective Gardens anymore. It has to be as informative and as safe as any other food off the shelf. These are that product. For a tasty treat, find Chronic Cups at the THCO in Ballard, or your favorite access point. Enjoy the sticky icky!
^ WhiteWidow Olive Oil >> $40, The Joint Seattle, (206) 283-3333
This White Widow infused olive oil is an extremely versatile addition to any patients kitchen. It’s also potent, with 1.5 grams of medication per ounce of oil. I picked up this bottle at the Joint, and immediately went home to do some cooking. The first item I medicated was a fettucini entree, which turned out great. The oil mixed well with the pasta, and left zero after taste — something lesser oils do a lot. The effects, however, were pronounced and made for a great meal. I also made a medicated German chocolate cake, which calls for quite a bit of oil. The cake batter mixed well, and the oil didn’t affect the baking process. You do have to be careful to try recipes out more than once. Just because a certain amount did not work the first time doesn’t mean it won’t the next. Once done, this cake tasted great and had only a light olive oil cannabis taste. It was in short, delicious. Overall, this oil is a great value for patients who want to regulate their dosage and have a variety of meals to medicate. It’s about time you tried a different way of medicating, now you can make your own medibles! Drop by The Joint (down in the U-district in Seattle) for a look!
Pack-A-Punch Bars >> $10, The Joint Seattle, (206) 283-3333 This delicious twist on the old school cookies and cream bar is a delight for the tastebuds. The consistency of the bar is creamy, with just the right amount of crunch from the cookie bits. There is a light taste of cannabis that compliments the overall taste. The medicated effects come on quick, with a long lasting and comfortable body high. Enjoy this bar for an afternoon break with a cup of coffee, or as a dessert at the end of a long night! You can find these bars at the Joint, or ask for them at your favorite access points.
28 Text by Wes Abney // Photos by Daniel Berman Got a suggestion for Reviewed? Email us at nwleaf@gmail.com
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Health
A DROP WILL DO YA’ >>Forget about smoking. Tinctures are a healthier and more potent way to medicate with cannabis. By Dr. Scott D. Rose, Special Contributor
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here is strong medical opposition to the smoking of medication. Tinctures are great alternatives for patients who prefer not to smoke Medical Marijuana. Fluid extracts of Cannabis, better known as tinctures, offer a superior delivery route. Consuming Cannabis through ingestion (orally, by mouth), makes a lot of sense to reduce long-term harm from smoking. Absorbing the active compounds of Cannabis by mouth (instead of the lungs) gives some suffers of chronic ailments more relief or a different kind of relief than simply smoking or vaporizing it. Many herbs have traditionally been administered in tincture form. When Cannabis is used in this way, it is very effective and appropriate. Between 1850 and 1942 there were more than 350 medicinal products in the U.S. containing Cannabis. These medicines were made illegal due to the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937, but the pharmaceutical industry continued to use them in prescription and over-the-counter medicines until 1942. That’s when the American Medical Association gave up its fight for the continued medicinal use of Cannabis as medicine. One reason why Cannabis medicines fell from favor was due to the difficulty in the regulation of dose. Tinctures are more consistent; the reproducibility of effects can be more easily achieved with them. Regulation of dose within a certain batch of tincture is achieved through ample experimentation — dialing in the right dose for effect. That dose will be consistent throughout that same batch, without degradation. Alcohol based tinctures preserve very well and maintain activity for years. When using an alcohol-based Cannabis tincture,
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the effects can be felt rather rapidly. Absorption is through the the arterial system under the tongue and the stomach wall rather than the intestines. Compare that to edibles, which are absorbed through the intestines and take longer for peak effects. The use of an alcohol tincture may be the best of both worlds: rapid onset, but with a longer window of therapy and more CBD delivery. That means better anti-inflammatory action, muscle spasm relief and pain relief like with edible products. Plant-based “vegetable” glycerin (not animal based glycerin used for making soap!) is an alcohol-free method to extract the active compounds from Cannabis. A liquid glycerin tincture is very easy to titrate, and is sweet tasting. A patient can increase a few drops at a time under the tongue (drinking water after each does!) to ensure you get just the relief needed. Tinctures are easy to make and very inexpensive. They are cost effective because prized, often very expensive buds are not necessary. The trim, or what is normally tossed after harvest, is used to make highly potent, effective medicine. There are
Many herbs have traditionally been administered in tincture form. When Cannabis is used in this way, it is very effective and appropriate.
many methods of making tinctures. Some use heat, others rely on ice, both, or none of the above. But the common thread is that most methods require time. A potent tincture takes a good six weeks of sitting in a dark spot with periodic agitation to reach its full potential. Which alcohol to use is for debate. Any alcohol or liquor like vodka, brandy or tequila will do, but many recommend the 190 proof - 95% alcohol Everclear. This high percentage of alcohol means only 5% water concentration in the mix and a much harsher burn under the tongue for most people. A delivery route that burns with every dose may develop a negative association. Therefore, I tend to recommend the lower proof liquors, or a glycerin tincture, if administering directly under the tongue is your preferred method. Cannabis tinctures may be used topically on the skin, very effectively dropped directly under the tongue or in a hot cup of tea. Adding tincture to hot water and allowing to stand a moment or two will dissipate off any unsavory flavors. While dosage varies between each patient, generally a typical dose is anywhere from three to four drops to to two full droppers. Always use caution when medicating! Begin with a small portion and increase accordingly until you reach the desired effect — remember, you can always take more. Due to the opposition of smoking medicine, tinctures are really a superior delivery route. They reduce the harm while effectively delivering the active components of the medicine. And of course, further shifts the paradigm from the mere “smoking of pot” to the recognition of Cannabis as the important medicine it is.
Most tinctures are available for a $20-$30 donation. Look for one made from your favorite strain.
A full dropper of OG Kush Cannabis tincture will deliver a body buzz that lasts for hours
PHOTO BY RADREEFRULES.COM
Try small drops initially. Under the tongue is preferred for quickest bodily absorption, but adding Cannabis tincture to a cup of hot tea does wonders on our crisp Northwest nights.
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