May 2024 - Northwest Leaf

40% off Legends & Private Reserve and 30% off all CBD PANDAMONIUM MONDAY

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30% off - Daily rotating deals in every category

Inspiring creativity one pu at a time

Introducing Caked up, a tantalizing hybrid born from the union of Double Baked Cake triple -crossed with Wedding Cake. This delightful strain o ers a sweet and creamy taste reminiscent of wedding cake fused with a fruity essence. With its balanced e ects and flavorful profile, Caked Up is perfect for enhancing mood, easing stress, and promoting relaxation. Whether you’re Celebrating a special occasion or simply unwinding after a long day, Caked Up is sure to satisfy both your taste buds and your soul.

NEW STRAIN

THE ENLIGHTENED VOICE

WES ABNEY CEO & FOUNDER wes@leafmagazines.com

MIKE RICKER OPERATING PARTNER ricker@leafmagazines.com | advertising sales

TOM BOWERS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER tom@leafmagazines.com

DANIEL BERMAN CREATIVE DIRECTOR daniel@leafmagazines.com

MEGHAN RIDLEY COPY EDITOR meghan@leafmagazines.com

ASHLEY HIRCHERT SOCIAL MEDIA LEAD ashley@leafmagazines.com

ABOUT THE COVER

For the launch of The Adventure Issue, we looked to graphic artist Dalton Bauder, who is known for his signature twist on the classic Choose Your Own Adventure books you probably remember from the back of a dusty old library shelf. "As an artist, I've always been attracted to the noisy, the colorful, and the illicit," he says. "I love using nostalgic tropes in my work. I hope you all enjoy this cover, it's a fun homage to many things that I, as well as all you other stoners, enjoy very much."

ILLUSTRATION BY DALTON BAUDER @SQUICHE FOR LEAF NATION

CONTRIBUTORS

WES ABNEY, FEATURES ADHDDEAD, FEATURES + PHOTOS DANIEL BERMAN, PHOTOS BOBBY BLACK, PRODUCTION JOSHUA BOULET, ILLUSTRATION TOM BOWERS, FEATURES AMANDA DAY, FEATURES EARLY, PRODUCTION MAX EARLY, FEATURES JOELY FISHER, ASSISTING MICHAEL GREENMAN, VIDEO MATT JACKSON, FEATURES + PHOTOS JESSE RAMIREZ, DESIGN MIKE RICKER, FEATURES MEGHAN RIDLEY, EDITING JOSH SPARROW, PHOTOS KELSEY STEVENS, PRODUCTION TERPENE TRANSIT, DISTRIBUTION JOJO “THEJOJOSNAPS” VALENTE, PHOTOS LENA WHITE, SALES + ASSISTING WIND HOME, PHOTOS BRUCE & LAURIE WOLF, RECIPES KATHERINE WOLF, FEATURES

We are creators of targeted, independent Cannabis journalism. Please email us to discuss advertising in the next issue of Northwest 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 ricker@leafmagazines.com to start advertising with Northwest Leaf!

Exclusive Cannabis Journalism CONNECT WITH NORTHWEST LEAF!

WES ABNEY

Editor’s Note

Thanks for picking up The Adventure Issue of the Leaf!

Buying weed was once an adventure … and that’s why we’re honoring the spirit of the classic “Choose Your Own Adventure” books on our cover this month. While a quest for the dank was unlikely to lead to wizards, interdimensional creatures or buxom vixens in need of cannabinoid therapy, there was always an element of uncertainty and fear when buying a bag of illegal pot.

Of my many attempts to buy weed in college, a few stand out – including a time when the transfer of cash for the bag through a car window went wrong. Once my cash hit their hands they gunned it, but my strong grip on the Ziplock tore the bag and left me with half the stash I expected. Sadly, that’s one of the better “bad buy” stories – because short ounces, half eighths and crispy BC bud were always on the menu when buying weed in a Jack in the Box parking lot.

"SHORT OUNCES, HALF EIGHTHS AND CRISPY BC BUD WERE ALWAYS ON THE MENU WHEN BUYING WEED IN A JACK IN THE BOX PARKING LOT."

I’ve always believed that if you criminalized cheeseburgers, there would be a serious, thugged-out version of Jack breaking legs for blabbing about where the Ultimate Munchies Box was acquired from. We can see this with the prohibition of alcohol, which quickly led to a violent black market that swayed public opinion to relegalize the hooch. The same factors pushed weed into that gray area of criminality before legalization – but it was never really that dangerous because in the end, stoners are generally peaceful folks.

But what was dangerous was the cops, who would happily arrest easily-targeted stoners, which made buying illegal weed doubly dangerous. Watch out for the cops? Check. Don’t get burned? Check. What’s next? Turn the page!

Today’s freshly-21 crop of young adults will likely never experience the agony of waiting in a parking lot or for a text back during a dry period. Even the weed on the black market today is packaged, acquired on the internet or through a friendly local, and priced competitively due to the huge amount of supply. Don’t buy weed on the black market though, because that doesn’t support the industry that has made such sacrifices to give us dispensaries full of tasty, terpy products. Take it from me: The last thing we want to do is find the last page of the book returning us to a world where weed is illegal again.

NORTHWEST LEAF / OREGON LEAF / ALASKA LEAF / MARYLAND LEAF / CALIFORNIA LEAF / NORTHEAST LEAF / UTAH LEAF

GARDEN STATE BANS HOMEGROWN WEED

Weed may be legal to buy in New Jersey, but the plant remains criminalized to grow for those without a commercial license.

The Garden State may sound like a great place to jump into the green rush … but those looking to grow their own medicine or share recreational Cannabis this summer will be breaking the law.

Adults 21 and older can go to dispensaries to buy weed grown legally, but having a plant in the backyard garden bed is still a felony.

“Lawmakers originally feared that homegrow would threaten the viability of the legal industry, which translates into greed for tax revenue...”

Lawmakers originally feared that homegrow would threaten the viability of the legal industry, which translates into greed for tax revenue and control over a plant that has evaded law enforcement for over a century. Senate President Nicholas Scutari (D) has indicated his potential support for allowing a “very, very slim amount of homegrow applicants” that would be limited to very sick or terminal patients – how compassionate! Giving patients the right to grow a plant as they’re dying is representative of why the people voted to legalize in the first place.

With over 100 dispensaries open in NJ, it’s clear that the homegrow market is not competing with the licensed and taxed market. With over $1 Billion in sales projected for 2024, it’s clear that money is flowing – mostly to the state and federal government in the form of taxes. NJ has seen limited Cannabis access in the last two years, and being paired with high prices has driven many consumers and patients to cross state lines or to purchase Cannabis from the traditional market.

Historically, there doesn’t seem to be a good argument for limiting homegrow.

COLORADO TO AUCTION CUSTOM STONER LICENSE PLATES

he politics of bumper stickers and license plates have reached progressive Colorado, where the state is taking the high road and auctioning stonerthemed, official license plates to support people with disabilities.

Hiding 420 or 710 in a custom license plate has always been risky, just like having a pro-Cannabis sticker on a car. But what passes for probable cause in some states is now a fundraiser in Colorado –complete with a new series of limited edition license plates. Featuring 10 iconic options like HASHISH, REEFER or the clean and bold 420, these plates are a relative bargain, with the DANK plate selling last year for less than $600.

With these new plates hitting the roads, Colorado law enforcement has been careful to remind drivers that while a bumper sticker proclaiming “Ass, Cash or Hash” might not be illegal, you should still wait to spark up the green until safely off the road.

COPS

CAN'T USE WEED SMELL TO SEARCH CARS IN MINNESOTA

Smelling like weed will no longer be a legal reason for cops to initiate a search warrant during traffic stops in Minnesota.

In a blow to the war on drugs and the ongoing effects of predatory law enforcement, cops will no longer be able to claim that they “smelled pot” as their reason to search a car. This is thanks to a Supreme Court ruling stating that “the odor of marijuana alone” is not enough to justify a search, which is important in legal states and has implications for the rest of the country. Although it is still illegal to smoke or consume Cannabis while driving or in a car, simply having the dank will not be a reason to lose constitutionally-protected freedoms against unwarranted search and seizure. The ruling is causing a review of pending cases and cops are adjusting to the new parameters – surely finding new reasons to justify pulling folks over.

FAMILY OF OREGON MAN KILLED IN EXTRACTION EXPLOSIONS SUES FOR $24 MILLION

TWhen alcohol was freed from prohibition there were no limits on homebrew, and today there’s little resistance from corporations or craft breweries against the right to homebrew.

From the Cannabis advocacy stance, any limitations on a patient's right to grow is a direct infringement on freedom and not conducive with “legalization” of a plant that is still criminal to cultivate.

With drug war propagandists like Scutari pushing a “holier than thou” regulatory process where the elites decide who can grow, they are surely creating the perfect conditions for black market Cannabis to continue to thrive in the back corner of the Garden State.

HAWAII

SENATE KILLS DECRIM'

a low blow for locals and tourists, the Hawaii Senate rejected a Cannabis decriminalization bill – just weeks after rejecting a legalization bill.

The push to legalize is ongoing in Hawaii, whose beautiful islands and tropical climate are perfect for the plant that helps so many lives. The state has long had an underground Cannabis scene, with locals taking a relaxed attitude towards getting high on island time. Unfortunately for the people and patients who continue to suffer under criminal statutes, the Senate has rejected all attempts to legalize or decriminalize Cannabis this year.

Senator Kurt Fevella (R) compared decriminalization of Cannabis to “going backwards,” stating that “we tell kids no vape, no tobacco … and then here we are with this bill.” While tobacco use kills 480,000 people annually in the U.S., there is no data to suggest that Cannabis has killed even a single individual. It’s important to note that the National Institute of Health found decreased use of tobacco products in states that legalized Cannabis for medical use.

he family of a young father who was killed in a 2021 explosion are suing for wrongful death in a suit that could have broad implications for the Cannabis industry. Furious Eldridge was only 24 and assembling a BHO extraction system in Oregon when a butane leak caused an explosion, leaving him covered in burns that would ultimately claim his life. The suit claims that the leak was noticed by the owner and other team members, and that owner Joseph Donahue (who has already been convicted of criminal negligent homicide) sent Eldridge in to “stop the leak” just before the explosion. He received three years probation for the accident, but now faces a wrongful death suit. While butane or other gas explosions are extremely rare in permitted, legal Cannabis extraction facilities, there is always a risk associated with the processing of the plant. States including Oregon have developed permits and standards for creating spark-proof rooms for extraction, but it appears that Donahue was not following these standards. When police responded to the fire they also found guns, pills, LSD and mushrooms onsite – suggesting that the company focus was not on safety and compliance. Eldridge leaves behind a young daughter.

“Senator Kurt Fevella (R) compared decriminalization of Cannabis to “going backwards,”

The study also noted that, “Following recreational Cannabis legalization, an overall increase in adolescent Cannabis use has not been observed, but the perceived risk of harm and disapproval of Cannabis use has decreased amongst adolescents.” So, legalization has decreased the perceived harms of Cannabis amongst youth and most adults – but not those sitting in the halls of power.

“Decriminalization is very different from legalization,” said Senator Tim Richards (who is correct in that it frees the plant and people from criminal laws, without regulations and taxation). “So I will be voting no.”

Furious Eldridge

DAVE “DAMIT” MESFORD

JAN. 1, 1962APR. 20, 2024

Our dear friend, fellow activist and pecan pie extraordinaire, Dave Mesford AKA Dave Damit, passed away on April 20, 2024. Dave’s journey through life was marked by his boundless energy, generosity and indomitable spirit, particularly during his courageous 3.5-year battle with aggressive bladder cancer.

WITH HIS GORGEOUS long dark curly hair, Dave knew everyone and everyone knew Dave. Dave’s passion for life extended into every corner of his community, where he often was found sharing a cannagar or fat joint! From his exceptional role as a Cannabis cultivator and breeder, to his invaluable contributions to Cannabis organizations like Seattle Hempfest Core and CannaCon business expo where he was a partial founder, his integral role in the national Cannabis movement and industry has been a pivotal facet of his life for the last two decades.

Dave touched many lives. His devotion to helping people and animals alike showcased the depth of his kindness and selflessness. If you ever received one of his pecan or strawberry rhubarb pies, count yourself one of the lucky ones.

Dave was a proud parent to Joey and Shelby, a wonderful brother, a beloved grandparent to Tyler and Jasper, and a dear friend, confidante and advocate for many people over the course of his unique life. Dave passed away peacefully, in the comfort of his home, surrounded by his family.

In keeping with his giving nature, we invite you to contribute to a fund set up to cover the costs associated with Dave’s medical bills and upcoming memorial service. Any amount you can afford will greatly help alleviate the financial burdens faced by his family during this challenging time.

Services celebrating his life will be announced on his Facebook page, and we hope to see many of you there, sharing stories and honoring this wonderful man.

Thank you for your kindness in remembering Dave.

“Dave touched many lives. His devotion to helping people and animals alike showcased the depth of his kindness and selflessness.”

SPARK AN

KIARA ADAMSKI

NORTHWEST LEAF BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH

DO YOU WANT TO SPEND THE REST OF YOUR LIFE IN THE WEED BIZ? I do, it’s a great industry to be in. There are always different ways to improve yourself and benefit from Cannabis. I love the fact that you’re always meeting new people and discovering new products. It’s just a great place to make a living.

IF THERE IS A LIFELONG CAREER IN CANNABIS, WHERE DO YOU ULTIMATELY SEE YOURSELF AS A PART OF IT? I really love budtending – learning about and focusing on the brands. I feel like if I got all caught up in the operating and ownership aspect of it, I would get distracted from my favorite element which is connecting with the customers and products. I appreciate the position I’m in now and have no desire to change it.

BUDTENDER FOR LIFE? Yeah! (giggles)

YOU GREW UP IN CALIFORNIA. WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST THAT KEEPS YOU HERE? I like the coast a lot – we get a little bit of everything in this little corner of the country. Olympia is a very connected community – the people here understand each other better than they do in California, in my opinion. I feel like everyone here respects nature as well as each other, and it’s a clean, friendly place to be.

The great outdoors has always been one of her favorite places to reflect. She loves to listen to music and create hip hop, which allows her to loosen up and dance like no one’s watching. It’s all about surrounding herself with friends and making memories for this California native. Follow Kiara on Instagram @kiaraadamski.

YOU’RE REALLY INTO MAKING MUSIC. WHO ARE YOU INTO RIGHT NOW? Dr. Dre, especially on sunny days when I’ve gotta roll the windows of the car down to get some wind in my hair. I just love his beats.

DID YOU KNOW WHAT ‘THE CHRONIC’ MEANT WHEN YOU FIRST HEARD THE ALBUM? No, no … that came later in life (laughs). It wasn’t until I was 18 or 19 when I made the connection that he was referring to weed. Chronic isn’t a word that is really used anymore.

WHAT’S GONNA BE THE NAME OF YOUR FIRST ALBUM? They would be sequences of an overall concept called The Articles. And the first one would be “The Articles: Kiara’s Kush.”

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SKUNK PROCESSORS

NANO CHILLZ

Fill the cooler with the hottest new edible to hit the market, but you’ll want to keep it cool, as these infused pops taste best when frozen.

FOR CHILDREN of the ‘80s and ‘90s, Otter Pops were the jam – with iconic character-based flavors like Sir Issac Lime and Alexander the Grape. The Leaf’s own Mike Ricker even had a segment on the radio called “All My Otter Pops,” so you know they’re still relevant. Naturally, we were stoked to hear that Skunk Processors was launching a new rosin-infused, adult version of these classic treats.

The Nano Chillz are nano emulsified for a fast onset of effects, which makes the cannabinoids more bioavailable. Infused with solventless hash rosin for full-spectrum effect, these 1:1 Chillz each have 10mg of THC and CBD per tube. Simply pop them in the freezer for a few hours and the adventure is ready to begin. We found it fun and nostalgic to pop a few tubes, biting and licking the frozen popsicle-like concoction. Our favorite flavor was the pink lemonade, which is both sweet and a little tart, and carries the hazy hash infusion well. Hard-hitting effects come on quickly, with the full spectrum hash delivering a powerful buzz that builds over the course of a few tubes.

With multiple flavors of Chillz including blue raspberry, orange and pineapple, there’s a flavor and buzz for any occasion. We enjoyed blending the frozen pineapple flavor into an infused mocktail, in our case a margarita, which could also easily be turned into an infused alcoholic beverage to turn the party up! With versatility and great flavor, the Nano Chillz are a fun way to fuel an adventure this summer.

Embrace the island lifestyle with the new Ohana extra-large tanker vapes that will keep the adventure going longer this summer.

LIFE’S A BEACH with a vape pen in the pocket – even if the view is more imaginative or on YouTube. It is truly magical to take a gentle puff on a brightly-colored pen and exhale a tropical breeze of terps that is completely ignored by passersby.

As a writer who used to sneak into the woods on hikes to smoke weed safely, it’s still a bit surreal to be passed by more fit hikers who have to push through my clouds of fruity vapor on the trail.

To celebrate the freedom and flavors that we so love, we’ve connected with a lineup of Ohana Premium Disposables by Agro Couture. These disposables have two full grams of Cannabis concentrate – half high-potency THC mixed with another gram of CBD-infused oil – that feels good and delivers more puffs over the lifetime of the disposable. This means less waste and more taste (which we love), especially when the flavors hit as hard as the Ohana blends.

Our first hit had to be Blue Hawaiian, which is both a color, a flavor, and a feeling that takes over when the sunglasses hit at the same time as effects. Simply pressing the little button and inhaling delivers a thick, warm cloud of blue-infused razzleberries, sending a calming wave of relaxation straight to the mind and body. We enjoyed the CBD with the high-THC concentrate balancing the effects for a more synergistic high.

OHANA PREMIUM DISPOSABLES

Next we hit the Lychee – reminiscent of a warm and heady candy melted into vapor form, with notes of strawberries and pears and a syrupy jelly. The all-in-one batteries have an easy on/off setting and three heat settings, giving the user hassle-free navigation between light sips of vapor or big fat clouds that fog the mind and room at the same time.

Saving the best for breakfast, we hit the POG (pineapple, orange, guava) in a fresh-squeezed tropical rush that brightened our senses and delivered a chillaxed sativa buzz. Bright and sweet, we enjoyed this in the morning before our lungs or mind are ready for fat dabs of rosin.

With two full grams of cannabinoid content and smooth, satisfying flavors, the Ohana lineup is ready to bring a flavored buzz to your next Cannabis-powered adventure.

SOUTH OF THE BORDER

DUE TO THE CRAZINESS OF THE WORLD and needing some spice, my husband Bruce and I decided to do a little traveling south of the border. We spent 10 weeks in Mexico, living on a tight budget and traveling by bus around the country. Great, illuminating trip – all good except for being stopped by four heavily-armed police checking our suitcases for drugs in an empty bus station at 1:00 a.m. That was scary. We had great food, I became a mezcal fan – and we even found some pretty tasty Cannabis on our travels. As for these three recipes, their tastiness comes from the Noble Farms’ strain Sunburn, a sativa dominant hybrid, quite uplifting and strong. Sometimes I get a little anxious from sativas, but Sunburn was a pleasure from start to finish. Laurie@Laurieandmaryjane.com

2 large ripe avocados, peeled and seeded

Juice of 2 medium limes

4-6 teaspoons canna oil

¼ cup chopped scallions

½ teaspoon kosher salt

1 small tomato, seeded and chopped

1. In a medium bowl, mash the avocados.

2. Add all the other ingredients and mix thoroughly.

Clockwise from lower-left: Guacamole, Chicken Fajitas and Stuffed Poblano Peppers.

1. In a medium bowl, combine the olive oil with the lime juice and spices. Add the chicken and marinate for an hour.

2. In a medium skillet, add the remaining olive oil. When hot, add the peppers and onion and saute until soft, about 7-9 minutes. Add the chicken, salt and pepper and saute until golden brown, 5-7 minutes.

3. Divide mixture between the tortillas and top with the salsa and cream.

SERVES 4-6

8 small or 4 large poblano chiles, sliced in half and seeded

4 teaspoons canna oil or butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 small onion, peeled and chopped

2 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped

1 pound lean ground turkey or beef

15 ounce can chili seasoned beans

1 tablespoon chili powder

salt and pepper

2/3 cup shredded cheddar

1. Heat oven to 340º. Place the peppers on a baking sheet.

2. In a medium skillet, heat the oils. Saute the onion and garlic for 5-7 minutes. Add the meat and saute until cooked through, 7-9 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Add the beans, chili powder and salt and pepper. Stir to combine and heat through.

4. Fill the peppers with the meat mixture. Sprinkle with the cheese and bake for 15-20 minutes.

SERVES 4-6 STUFFED

CHICKEN FAJITAS

4 teaspoons canna-oil or butter, melted

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 teaspoons lime juice

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon paprika

1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken

breasts, cut in small pieces

½ cup sliced peppers, any color

1 small onion, peeled and chopped

salt and pepper

½ cup salsa

4-8 tablespoons sour cream or Mexican crema

4-8 tortillas, corn or flour

“THE BUDS ARE SUBSTANTIAL IN SIZE, WITH A THICK LAYER OF TRICHOMES GLAZING THE FLOWER WITH THC JUST LIKE A DONUT.”

GLAZED DONUT GLAZED DONUT

GROWN BY CAPTAIN YETI

EMBRACE THE SWEET SUGARY RUSH OF THE GLAZED DONUT, A EUPHORIC AND HEADY WAY TO START A WAKE-AND-BAKE ADVENTURE.

Nothing goes together quite like donuts and Cannabis, except maybe a cup of coffee … which really has us wondering why cops haven’t legalized weed for themselves. We believe that Cannabis would probably help with PTSD and stress better than pharmaceuticals and alcohol, but that’s a different conversation. Luckily for us, these nuggets of Glazed Donut are ready to get you freshly baked at a local Cannabis retailer – where we celebrate the adventure of buying weed in a store and not gas station parking lots like ganja-seeking generations before us.

Opening a jar of bountiful nugs releases a fizzy, fruity jam aroma with an enticingly warm doughy flavor that gives us a baked goods trigger warning – tricking our senses into thinking a delicious donut was about to get munched. The buds are substantial in size, with a thick layer of trichomes glazing the flower with THC just like a donut. Snapping it open reveals a proper cure and a huge rush of cherries, berries and earthy, kushy gas. Loading a bowl coats fingers in sticky trichomes as the dense buds are broken down into a fluffy, layered bowl of fruity goodness. First hits are hashy and sweet, doubling down on the jammy berries with a sharp bite of lemony gas that coates the palate and brightens senses. The flower smokes super smooth, burning slow and easy with big hits and gentle exhales – allowing the effects to wrap around the mind and body in preparation for stoney liftoff.

The Glazed Donut is a unique hybrid that is heavy on the body but euphoric and uplifting mentally, making it perfect for adventures that push the body as the mind floats happily above. So load up your stoner travel bag with Glazed Donuts and some treats for when the munchies hit – it’s a surefire way to make the summer sunshine that much sweeter.

@CAPTAINYETI_WA 24% THC

Smoking Cannabis is oftentimes a social act, and modern Cannabis laws have made it antisocial – driving consumers home and into isolation. But with the continued emergence of Cannabis consumption lounges and other spaces that provide a group setting to enjoy the plant, we’re finding increasingly creative ways to come together from coast to coast. As Los Angeles and New York lead the charge for the opening of these spaces for us to gather around the ganja, the Leaf highly recommends breathing the fresh air of Cannabis freedom that these establishments have to offer.

the jet sesh

Founded by actor/advocate Woody Harrelson and OG partner Devon Wheeler, the model is a nouveau Amsterdam highlighted by a Holywater Conscious Cocktail Bar with a boutique Cannabis shop affixed to pick your elixir.

Priding themselves as the only official outdoor consumption lounge, here you’re enveloped by nature with a Balinese sanctuary feel. The Woods is the most intimate and personal of the four, miraculously hiding you from the madness of Santa Monica Boulevard outside – a vacation within your vacation.

Free-standing bungalows allow a languid hang while the smoke trails out the window and over the koi pond. This is exactly how Woody wanted it – a place where his personal values are elegantly reflected – where a sungrown, earth-driven, water-purified plant can be enjoyed and honored in a social, yet meditative setting.

Pleasure Med

PLEASUREMED.COM | @PLEASUREMEDLA

This is one of two with a kitchen and the food is the best in the biz. Developing a menu through a Michelin star chef who imparted his farm-to-table approach affords you seasonal tastes with the freshest ingredients. The atmosphere is light and airy in a bougie setting with first rate service, also featuring a quality selection of weed to consume upstairs in the restaurant assisted by the Cannabis flight attendants, or to purchase from the retail dispensary (as well as unusual, tasty cocktails in the foyer). You get exclusivity without the stuffiness – Gatsby vibes that are inclusive and open to everyone. It’s experience first here … and then the experience enhances the high.

OG Cannabis Cafe

CANNABIS.CAFE @OGCANNABISCAFE

This is where you come to let loose. It’s a multi-faceted operation that’s great for lunch on the ambient patio, or perfect for date night. With entertaining themed evenings, you can catch comedy, karaoke, or maybe an appearance by Cheech or a DJ set by B-Real. Officially the first to open before the pandemic, they’ve managed to combine everything a stoner may want, need and desire into one heck of a soiree. But like the others, there’s no skimping on atmosphere with good food (menu created by Chef to the Stars, Johah Johnson), great cocktails and high LA energy.

The

Artist Tree WeHo THEARTISTTREE.COM | @THEARTISTTREE

The name sets the tone: A two-story convergence of creativity fueled by the commingling of art and cannabinoids. You’ll enjoy a seasonal handcrafted Cannabis cocktail on the veranda with the city’s bustling buzz affording a backdrop that coalesces with the sweet sounds of music emitting from the walls. This art gallery marries colorful ideas of local artists while the Cannabis unlocks the boundaries of your perception with a context that feels idyllic, yet comfortably confined. There are multiple The Artist Tree retail spaces spread throughout Los Angeles and beyond, but none with the aroma and flair of this rare combination.

the jet sesh

THC NYC THCNYC.COM | @THCNYC

With five sprawling floors dedicated to the art, science and culture of our favorite plant, THC NYC or as many locals call it the “THC Museum,” is a great place to sesh and score a selfie in SoHo. With interactive exhibits during the day and a rotation of curated Cannabis culture events during the evening, there’s always something interesting available to enhance your seshing experience. This spot can feel like a playground for stoners on the exhibit floors, while providing an upscale lounge experience on their massive top floor.

Work 'N' Roll

WORKNROLL.NYC | @WORKNROLL.NYC

This Manhattan event and co-working space is similar to a WeWork during the day (smoking allowed), before hosting Cannabis events in the evening. Acting as an incubator for the local community, Work ‘n’ Roll hosts events from international brands like The Masters of Rosin to local industry coffee nights, or events raising funds for women in Cannabis. For those who start early, this versatile space is one of the earliest opening spots to sesh in the city.

TAYLOR WEINBERG

The Astor Club

@ASTORCLUBNYC

Hidden in a nondescript building downtown, The Astor Club is a nexus for the local and global Cannabis community. You never know who you’ll run into when you pull up. Between local connoisseurs you’re likely to find popular rappers, influencers, artists and industry players smoking on the highest of high-grade Cannabis while taking a respite from the bustling city outside.

Polanco Brothers

POLANCOBROTHERSCORP.COM

@POLANCOBROTHERS

One of the most beautiful and unique spots to smoke in NYC, this former cigar store and lounge has turned over a new leaf so to speak, with an upscale, impeccably designed dispensary and event/sesh space located in Midtown. High-end design details and materials make the space feel luxurious and exclusive as you are guided through to the speakeasy style event space and cigar vault. Polanco Brothers allows you to access and enjoy a piece of New York history in a way that very few ever get to experience.

I 420’D NY

For a few years now, friends have been telling me New York is the place to be for 4/20. Being a lifelong west coaster, the last time I smoked weed in NYC we had to order it from a bike messenger. So when the offer came in from the team at Northeast Leaf to check out what the Big Apple has to offer, I hopped on a plane to see if all the tales are true.

TO ANY of our readers who don’t already know, the policy as outlined by NYC.gov says adults can legally have up to three ounces of Cannabis and 24 grams of concentrated Cannabis for personal use. It also states you can smoke or vape “wherever smoking tobacco is allowed under smoke-free air laws.”

Pretty much everywhere you go you’ll find someone smoking weed and while it’s still illegal to smoke in a car (even if it’s parked), you can light up in front of a cop on 5th Avenue and nothing will happen.

Even the city’s own website declares that Cannabis is the second most used recreational drug in New York … after alcohol.

This year, the 4/20 celebrations spread out across Manhattan with Washington Square Park, The Billy’s competition in Hell’s Kitchen, Happy Munkey hosting musical act Sister Nancy on a 210-foot private yacht out in the East River, The New York Times covering a hash podcast in Chelsea, and Royal Queen Seeds counting down to 4:20 on a billboard in Times Square. Technically smoking at the crossroads of the world is a violation, since public parks and plazas are against the free-air act, but none of the park officers I saw around the city were giving out tickets.

Like so many Cannabis celebrations, a crowd of weed events have latched themselves together to create a 4/20 in New York that lasts an entire workweek.

On the 17th, things kicked off with the U.S. debut of Masters of Rosin. A well-known European competition with a single category, the Aloha Apothecary Sour BX4 from Karma Genetics I tried was a stellar second place winner. The next day, multiple events ramped up including Higher Empire with Doja Pak in the city and a party out in Long Island with Greendawg and Gotti where we tried some of their awesome Pistachio Milk flower.

“Famous as the city that never sleeps, New York sparks hash hole after hash hole, content to order Cuban food at 4:00

Famous as the city that never sleeps, New York sparks hash hole after hash hole, content to order Cuban food at 4:00 a.m., take a power nap, then roll another one. On the 19th, music loving stoners were treated to concerts from legends like Raekwon and Cypress Hill, who played in the city to prepare the vibes. The foodie crowd was served up private dinners from Florida brand NWO and the Billy Awards. Arranged by popular New York smoke spot The Astor Club and Archive, it was a special gathering of East and West Coast Avengers that really emphasized not only the size of our community, but how many of us made the trek out.

a.m.,

take a power nap, then roll another one.”

Anyone up early on the 20th squeezed into a beautiful spot in Chelsea for a live recording with Hot Dabs Podcast starring glass legend J.P. Toro. Stop and think about how this hash scene has gotten to the stage where The New York Times puts this event on their 4/20 event list. Just about 19 blocks south, Washington Square Park blossomed as the undeniable epicenter of the 4/20 in New York – part tourist attraction, part cultural movement, the area is a smoke-filled bazaar of organic chaos that’s very much on brand for the weed community.

Transformed into a mix of open-air market, smoke session and public display, the almost 10-acre park was packed with rings of various spectators, even spilling into a nearby block dubbed “hash alley.”

At the edge of it all, people who would normally be at the park stood next to New Yorkers who just wanted to witness what’s happening. Past them watched the canna-curious and the closet stoners, content to smoke near the crowd but not with it in case someone recognized them from work.

Just inside from there, the parked-all-day crowds filled every available space with blankets and hammocks, rolling joints to the rhythm of a drum circle. Finally beyond that was the inner layer, with colorful costumes and the hum of live music, and tables filled with an endless selection of clones, cuttings, drinks, edibles, mylars bags of every shape/color, and rosin jars galore.

After the explosive 4:20 countdown, I went to Terminal 5 in Hell’s Kitchen to witness three floors of people smoking up to the sounds of Larry June. As I looked around this humongous room, what struck me as I watched the crowd was how accepted the celebrations seemed. It was as if the city wasn’t just squishing stoners into some pre-approved corner (even though I did spend a good chunk of time at The Astor Club). We were all over Manhattan and beyond, having parties in fancy rooms, passing joints on the street, and giving East and West Coast creatives a valuable chance to connect.

Swallowing down four edibles, an espresso, and a bacon, egg and cheese, my day started up again at 10AM with High Grade Confirmed hosting two impressive showcases. It’s insane to think people could get up after four days of sessions, but thanks to some custom pieces from Toro Glass at the dab bar and the Tenco/WCA Black Zushi bucket Helios Hash brought, people piled into Work ’n’ Roll’s beautifully lit space on the twelfth floor.

Later, the party moved to a Warhol-esque gallery of sound/visual art exhibits and Cannabis immersive spaces in SOHO aptly named THC NYC. With four distinct floors to choose from, there was something for everyone – multiple live bands, mirrored hallways, light shows, rooms spraying terpenes, a costume contest, and Danny Danko giving cultivation advice on the third floor.

As I loaded up on pastrami from Katz’s deli for the trip home the next day, I just kept coming back to how many Cannabis-friendly spaces I saw; how free and open people smoked and yet I never witnessed anyone blowing it in someone’s face or being rude about smelling it. I told a friend of mine how people light up on the street and she replied, “You can do that on the West Coast.” But, and I know this sounds cliche – like the pizza and the bagels, it’s just different in New York.

Zephyr East

The Astor Club

Billy Awards

riding the cannabis

For anyone visiting California or if you’re a Golden State stoner looking for a cool adventure, may we suggest taking a trip up the Cannabis Trail. Winding through places like San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and Garberville, taking people on a journey through the important events, stories and faces that fought for your right to legally buy a joint.

Sol de Mendocino

Plant Shop Mendocino County

Harborside Oakland

The Bohemian Chemist Mendocino County

Elk Coast

The Redwoods Eureka

Hemp Connection Humboldt County

Rootd in the 510 Oakland

Huckleberry Hill Farm Humboldt County Elk Coast

cannabis trail

THE TRAIL TRAVERSES nine northern California counties, stopping at twenty different points of interest to tell the tale of a journey from secret pro-pot enclaves to adult-use Cannabis. Founder Brian Applegarth describes the project as “a curated trail of Cannabis farms, shops, lounges, and cultural experiences that together are a celebration of today while honoring what it took to get here.” It’s a story of human rights, patient’s rights, and a counterculture’s difficult and costly battle for legal weed.

In a 2019 article, Applegarth wrote about how he wanted to establish the trail after getting the chance to meet and hang out with legendary activists Pebbles Trippet and Dennis Peron. Through this connection he developed a unique appreciation for the rich, storied history Cannabis has had on the

“The Cannabis Trail wants to be considered amongst the likes of the Marin Cheese Trail and the Napa Wine Road drawing travelers, history buffs and more on a lazy river-style journey.”

West Coast. He believes it to be a “story that deserves to be preserved, enshrined, remembered, and celebrated.”

Applegarth and founding board member Zack Darling both bring extensive experience to the table. Brian is a Cannabis historian who sits on the board of the 420 Archive and is a member of the Sonoma County Tourism Marketing Committee. A self proclaimed “locally grown” resident of the Emerald Triangle, Zack was raised on a pot farm in Mendocino and has a unique understanding of the history, stories and legacies contained in this area.

in the trail to commemorate what they call “benchmark moments in the Cannabis legalization movement.” Applegarth told Leaf that eight of these have already been given interactive signs which invite visitors to take a deep dive via animated audio podcasts and short films made through their story initiative. This year they also launched a storyteller project to help project the narrative of farms and brands that highlight Indigenous cultivation and/or regenerative methods.

Like the Marin Cheese Trail or the Napa Wine Road, The Cannabis Trail offers a lazy river style adventure that caters to everyone from tourists, travelers, and history buffs alike. Their monument initiative is working to create ten permanent art installations at points

For anyone thinking about taking the Cannabis trail, Applegarth recommend you, “keep plans flexible and lose track of time. Get lost in the moment and settle into the full experience of each place. The Trail is a quilt of human stories…and culture is a key ingredient to the best kind of travel.”

Founder Brian Applegarth

Humboldt Cannabis Tours

Discover Blue Roots Cartridges

Small Batch Craftsmanship and Uncompromising Quality Control.

spannabis spannabis

Like the rushing of a global tide, the Cannabis community flooded this spring into Barcelona and nearby Cornellà De Llobregat for one of the largest Cannabis events on earth. This marked the twentieth year of the convention known as Spannabis. Crowds packed in breaking the previous record of 35,000 attendees, and the halls seemed ready to burst at the seams with excited faces. Held just outside of Barcelona proper, Spannabis somehow manages to pack an insane amount of things to see each day before commuting back into the city. There were plenty of incredible talks, heart-pounding music, and amazing sights from the convention floor showcasing what’s new in Cannabis worldwide.

So, What Did We See?

European legends Sensi Seeds announced the continuation of their “Breeding Ground” collaborative seed drops and along with returning hitters Fat Beans and Humboldt Seed Company, announced new exclusives with Champelli, Sherbinskis, and Serge Cannabis. Champelli told Leaf how the seeds for this project were sown after last year’s Spannabis when he was introduced to the Sensi crew through Smokenhagen. “It’s amazing to get to work with such an iconic brand with 40 years in the game,” he said.

For Serge, it was listening to feedback from the European community at his booth last year that led him to stop in Amsterdam and tour the Sensi Seeds Facility. This release with strains like Ghostbuzzters OG is just the tip of the iceberg. “There’s a lot of cool shit still to come from this,” he shares.

The pick-and-shovel crowd was out in full regalia as well. Tons of filter tip and grow equipment companies offered the chance to win items in exchange for punching a bag or spinning a wheel. The brand Grovebags decided to do something different and hosted a scavenger hunt throughout the grounds, with winners taking home a swag pack worth $300. The biggest prize winner of the day was undoubtedly Big Dank Energy, an American content creator who won the Focus V online contest and received a fully funded trip to Spannabis. He told Leaf how blown away he was at getting to meet and smoke with dabbers from so many different corners of the globe.

Across the convention hall, Eva Seeds had half-elves and halflings hocking packs of their Viejo Toby (GG4 x Conspiracy Kush) as well as a strain called Lost In Barcelona. At the Mills Nutrient booth, Bruno Rolls was giving sneak peeks at his new rosin-infused rolls. Talking with the European seed breeders, many said Americans were mainly looking for classic hits like Karma Genetics’ Sour D. We also heard more than a few of the competing hashmakers from the States asking about Grateful Seeds, who saw hits from their lineup winning at competitions happening all over the city, ZHead at Ego Clash.

“There were plenty of incredible talks, heart-pounding music, and amazing sights from the convention floor showcasing what’s new in Cannabis worldwide."

Another Round of Z Genetics are at the front of many conversations at Spannabis, and speaking with some of the US brands set up at the convention, we found that Europe is still clamoring for Z crosses. Scott from Wizard Treez reported that the drop of their Big Z (Zkittlez x Zangria) sold out in an afternoon. Over at the PowerzzzUp booth, Kenny Powers told us that the most popular pickups were undeniably their Z Cube crosses. Across at the Terphogz booth, Tony Mendo showed us sold-out signs for Zluntz, Zlurpee, Zquishie, and basically everything from the cupboard but the Znickerdoodles.

Another exciting part of the convention, the Spannabis Champions Cup, also saw a surprise occurrence as American brand Feeling Frosty collaborated with Weed You Social Club and CBD Scientist to enter a living-soil-grown Zkittlez, which won first place in the rosin category. Though the end of the alphabet continued to dominate both competition winners and biggest seed demands, it wasn’t just Zkittlez that people wanted. Purple City Genetics said tons of Europeans and Americans were picking up Moroccan Peaches, and at the booth for B.C.’s Gastown Genetics, they sold out early on their entire GG4 line of crosses.

We asked Bianca (AKA Lil’ Big Smoker), how they flew off the shelves before the Z stuff and she commented, “A lot of us spent the last couple years getting established and now that people have had a chance to try out the work, they’re coming back with a solid confidence in the menu.”

Don’t Say ‘Until Next Year’ Despite political pressure on the city’s social clubs and an overwhelming police presence in Barcelona during the week, there really is no way to cap the wellspring of stoners, plant advocates, growers, breeders, business-suit bongtokers, weed influencers, and brands returning to this city every year — and the crowd keeps getting bigger. As the organizers put it, in the face of a variety of hardships, “Spannabis 2024 has once more surpassed every expectation, filling the weekend in Barcelona with color and revindications.”

As the streets of the Gothic Quarter are now empty of 35,000 like-minded souls and Germany moves into the legalization limelight, keep a close watch on our Spanish comrades as Bilbao looks to host a second Spannabis this September, and Barcelona’s social clubs fight for acceptance.

Alien Labs’ Ted Lidie

Joint Extraordinaires Bruno Rolls & Edward Splifforhands

GREEN SCENEs

AUTHOR LAUREN YOSHIKO DISCUSSES HER INNOVATIVE TRAVEL GUIDE FOR TOKERS.

Lauren Yoshiko has always been on the cutting edge of Cannabis journalism. When her home state of Oregon legalized adult use in 2014, she wrote some of the very first articles about the new recreational Cannabis industry. Even before that, she was publishing strain reviews in Portland’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Willamette Week under the pseudonym "Mary Romano" (for fear of losing her day job, ironically).

AFTER YEARS on the ground covering how Cannabis and culture collide for outlets like Forbes, Thrillist and Rolling Stone, Lauren was approached in 2022 to take on the biggest adventure of her literary career so far – writing an entire book. It’d also be the first-ever book of its kind: a travel guide to legal Cannabis destinations across the United States.

“I was really lucky to actually get contacted by a publisher, Hardie Grant, who was interested in covering the new world of Cannabis but was definitely sensitive to doing it in a thoughtful way,” Lauren tells us. “More than just the splashiest spots or sheer quantity, they really wanted a quality curation of places that are doing unique things in ethical ways. And when they looked around at who was reporting on this space, they saw that I was pretty intentional with the people I wrote about and who I featured. So I was like, where do I sign? You're speaking my language.”

But just how did she tackle the challenge of curating the coolest, most creative places to consume from coast to coast?

Prefer to stay mentally stimulated when you’re stoned? You might want to check out one of Lauren’s favorite spots in the book: the THC Museum in New York (THC NYC), with multiple floors of experiences including music, light shows and multi-sensory elements.

While all of these green scenes are unique in their own ways, they do have one thing in common: most are small, locally-owned businesses with a focus on high-quality craft Cannabis and highly-curated experiences.

“It was really fun – lots of conversations and more than just business features – it was really wrapping my head around being somebody who loves weed in these different regions.”

“I was overwhelmed initially, but when I really sat down and thought about it, the people I've written about over the last 10 years all became sort of confidants for their regions,” she explains.

“It was awesome to tap the network and reach out to all these people and be like, ‘Hey, what’s your favorite spot in Boston? What are your favorite spots that you go to, person that lives in Phoenix?’ It was

PHOTO BY ZOE CHING

really fun – lots of conversations and more than just business features – it was really wrapping my head around being somebody who loves weed in these different regions.”

Green Scenes ended up spanning 15 states and 24 cities total, compiling 120 of the most interesting Cannabis-friendly sites and experiences. From places to stay like The Lexi (Las Vegas’s first consumption hotel with a sleek and sophisticated design) to shops such as Joint Rivers (a casino-inspired dispensary operating on Native-owned land in Washington), there’s a little something for every kind of adventure enthusiast.

Love to spoil yourself at the spa? Puff on a joint while you get your toes painted at Nomsternailz in Oregon, or participate in a relaxing Cacao and Kush ceremony at New Rituals wellness collective in California. More of a foodie? Visit the husband-and-wife-duo serving up Dope Dinners, inspired by the flavors of the Caribbean and Mediterranean in Massachusetts or sip on an infused Blue Dream Cosmic Slushie at Chi’Tiva in Illinois.

“As a consumer, I love this product and want it to be trustworthy and high quality. With this book, I wanted to highlight people with that same mentality that are craft-based, that care about how they grow, that are trying to be as least extractive as possible on the earth and maybe even leaving it a little happier than when they first arrived,” Lauren tells us. “It’s about: Who do I want to see thrive? Who do I want to see win? And who could use the help? I definitely seek out independent small-owned businesses that are doing things thoughtfully – because they are the ones really caring about that craft quality or one-on-one experiences.”

Has our Adventure Issue inspired you to take a trip somewhere totally new? Want to branch out in your own backyard? Either way, Lauren envisions you taking Green Scenes along for the ride.

“You could keep it at home on your coffee table and have it be something people flip through and learn a little bit at a time.

I also love the idea of people folding a page and taking it with them on their trip,” she says.

“Or flipping through before they go somewhere and being like, ‘OK, I'm going to a legal state, I know I'm gonna want to try some weed – these are the spots that I'm going to bookmark on my phone or take a screenshot of or check out the website.’ Then they can really build that into their trip in a fun way.”

@LAURENYOSHIKO @HARDIEGRANTBOOKS

Scenes is available now on Amazon and in booksellers nationwide.

JOINT RIVERS | WASHINGTON

Green

PHOTO BY WINONA GREY

ADVENTURE ACCESSORIES PRODUCT REVIEWS

pack + play

Rollie Boy has reimagined the joint case. Gone are the days of loose bats bumping into each other as you frolic with friends, thanks to attached covers that safely store four individual joints and swing open as needed. The hard-sided, water and smell-resistant receptacle even comes with a detachable match-strike that can be removed to fit a standard Bic lighter – so you’ll always be ready to roll up. Review by Terpodactyl Media @terpodactyl_media

Revelry Supply Co. The Rolling Kit

All the rolling necessities, ready to roll up with you to any hiking trail, travel day or team sesh. This kit comes complete with a tray, two-piece grinder and pack of papers – all of which are hemp-derived. There’s also a perfectly-sized pouch (so you never lose your lighter again) and two additional pockets to store all your sesh accessories. Metal hardware and leather accents paired with a waterproof zipper and lockable clasp make this portable pouch both durable and discreet. Review by Katherine Wolf @katadellic Rollie Boy Joint Case ROLLIEBOY.COM

Puffco Proxy Travel Bag PUFFCO.COM | @PUFFCO

The Puffco Proxy is an essential accessory to any adventure … and there’s no better way to hit it on the go than with the Proxy Travel Bag. This simple dab purse comes in black or desert (tan) and features a plethora of pockets, including slots for two hot knives, a secret stash pocket, and a concentrate jar storage pouch at the bottom. But the coolest part is the magnetic drop-down loading tray, which gives you a stable surface to load your dabs anywhere, anytime. Review by Bobby Black @thebobbyblack

Vessel Rover Case VESSELBRAND.COM | @VESSEL_BRAND

Designed for Vessel’s Craftsman, Expedition, Core and Vista Edge Series pens, this sophisticated and sleek case is versatile enough to accommodate all of your vape pen, charger and cartridge needs. It comes in several colors, including this premium, soft-touch “cognac” faux-leather option and several water-resistant nylon options. At just seven inches long and under four inches wide, it’s about the size of the average wallet and nearly as necessary. Review by Terpodactyl Media @terpodactyl_media

Suvo Labs Original Stash Bag

SUVOLABS.COM | @SUVOLABS

If you’re looking for versatility in all of your on-the-go needs, Suvo Labs has prepared the perfect product: The Original Stash Bag. Their 3X layered Carbon-Lock® fabric doesn’t let any smells seep through and its moisture-regulating technology means fresher bud in your bag. A protective padding offers the option to gallivant with glass in good hands, while a customizable combo lock secures the whole stash.

Review by Terpodactyl Media @terpodactyl_media

Weedgets Doob Tube Kit

WEEDGETS.COM | @WEEDGETSLLC

This is a Doob Tube unlike others. Its simple, smell-proof, watertight, “aircraftgrade aluminum” design holds a hidden feature. Inside, you’ll find the joint, cone, or blunt of your choice and with it, a reusable, removable filter. It’s composed of a washable, medical-grade silicone tip and charcoal filters to smooth out your smoke. The filters are crafted from “biodegradable and non-toxic materials,” so you can feel good about feeling good! Review by Terpodactyl Media @terpodactyl_media

Dime Bags The Outfit

DIMEBAGS.COM | @DIMEBAGS

If you want to look fresh and stay functional, meet “The Outfit” – the fanny pack your stoner uncle wished he had back in the ‘70s. There are seven compartments total (including a secret zippered pocket and main section with a three-digit combination lock) made with fully smell-proof, carbon-filter technology. Whether you’re wearing it to a concert, yoga class or trip to the museum, you can head to the function knowing your fire goodies are safe, secure and strapped on your body at all times! Review by Katherine Wolf @katadellic

Tightpac Coolpac

TIGHTPAC.COM | @TIGHTPAC

If simplicity suits you, try the Coolpac from Tightpac. This pill-shaped, 4.5-inch container is airtight, smell-proof, and just the right size for a nice nug, pair of joints, or some canna-candies. This company specializes in vacuum-sealed containers made for a multitude of uses, so you’ll find that all of their products are National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) Certified as foodsafe and set to store your flower without fear.

Review by Terpodactyl Media @terpodactyl_media

Staze The Day Tripper STAZE.CO | @STAZEFRESH

Whether you're getting ready for a local day trip or heading out on a longer adventure, Staze makes sure your flower stays fresh. There’s a main compartment for loose buds and a removable joint holder slot (made from the eco-friendly agave plant) that keeps your pre-rolls upright and organized. Crafted to be smell-proof, water-proof, UV-protected, lightweight and available in colorways inspired by the calming hues of nature, this is the perfect pick for any outdoor quest – or, simply a trip to your friend's couch to sesh. Review by Katherine Wolf @katadellic

JYARZ The All New JYARZ Classic JYARZ.COM | @JYARZ

If you’re out for a fierce flower adventure, this twist on a timeless classic will hold around three grams in a removable glass compartment. The All New JYARZ Classic offers TripleBlock™ technology that locks in freshness, smell and the elements – it’s even been tested “on the Colorado River under the most extreme conditions.” With a child-proof cap option also available, this one can come along on adventures with the whole family. Review by Terpodactyl Media @terpodactyl_media

UPCOMING EVENTS

"As

a kid I was obsessed with comic book art. That style of heavy exaggeration still influences my sculptural work today."

BIG TOM

Get ready to be taken on an intergalactic trip around the universe and straight through your nostalgic childhood memories with Big Tom's marvelous masterpieces … from Simpsons-themed neckwear and smokable pipes to creepy crea tions, Tom Howell provides artwork and glass pieces that people from every walk of life can enjoy.

GROWING UP on the East Coast, Big Tom was a ramblin’ man who followed his heart and the Grateful Dead all around the country, traveling from one concert to the next festival. During his journeys, he became fully immersed in the glass scene and fell in love with the energy that this medium holds.

After dealing with some legal issues in 1997, he needed to find a lawfully paying job – which coincidentally ended up being a pipe maker at the world-famous Jerome Baker Designs studio in Eugene, where he excelled at sculpting solid glass.

In 2003, Big Tom once again found himself on the wrong side of the law during the Operation Pipe Dreams raids — he needed to grow and evolve.

"I doubled down and continued blowing glass regardless," said Howell.

Inspired by cartoons and illustrations as a child, Big Tom has always had a knack for turning his wildest dreams into realities.

"I have always been pretty good at drawing, and as a kid I was obsessed with comic book art. That style of heavy exaggeration still influences my sculptural work today," said Howell.

Curious about Big Tom’s creations? Check out his Instagram page to check out pieces ranging from $100 up to a few grand.

With a Little Help From My Friends

THE SETUP

On August 28, 1964, The Beatles played the first of two sold-out shows at the Forest Hills Music Festival in Queens, New York. After the concert, they headed back to The Delmonico Hotel on Park Avenue near Central Park. There, throngs of overzealous fans restrained by barricades awaited them out front, while inside, police patrolled the lobby and corridors to prevent any incidents. Once in their suites on the sixth floor, the band was relaxing and enjoying some dinner with their manager Brian Epstein and personal assistant Neil Aspinall. Soon to join them was folk rock superstar Bob Dylan, who was being driven down from Woodstock by his road manager Victor Maymudes for the occasion. On the way, they’d stopped to pick up writer Al

It’s one of the most legendary seshes in history: the night that Bob Dylan got The Beatles stoned for the first time and changed the course of their career – and by extension, popular music – forever. Here’s how that historic encounter allegedly went down, as compiled from the various perspectives of those who were there.

Aronowitz – a mutual friend of Dylan and The Beatles – who had arranged the momentous meeting. Upon arriving at the hotel, Dylan’s posse was stopped by police, who – having no idea who they were – wouldn’t allow them into the elevator until Beatles’ road manager Mal Evans came down to escort them up.

McCARTNEY’S MEMORY

According to quotes compiled from his memoir “The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present” and different interviews he’s done over the years, here’s how McCartney remembers the meeting:

[Starr] came out of that back room looking a bit strange. He said, ‘I’ve just been with Bob, and he’s got some pot!’ And we said, ‘Oh, what is it like?’ And he said, ‘Well, the ceiling is sort of moving, coming down.’ And that was enough. We all ran into the back room, going, ‘Give us a bit, give us a bit!’ … And he gave us a puff on the joint.”

ALTERNATE ACCOUNTS

According to others in attendance, however, events unfolded a bit differently.

“We were in a hotel suite … and Bob Dylan turned up with his roadie. …We’d ordered drinks from room service – scotch and Coke and French wine were our thing back then – and Bob had disappeared into a back room… we thought maybe he’d gone to the toilet. But then Ringo

In his Beatles biography titled “The Love You Make: An Insider’s Story Of The Beatles,” Epstein’s assistant Peter Brown gives a more detailed account. According to Brown, after their introduction, Dylan was offered the drinks they had on hand, but only wanted cheap wine – which Evans was then asked to procure. They also offered Dylan and Aronowitz account. According to Brown,

Poster and ticket for the 1964 Forest Hills Music Festival.

some “purple hearts” [a type of upper], which they politely declined – instead, suggesting they all smoke some weed. Upon hearing Dylan’s offer, The Beatles all looked at each other, then at Epstein, who timidly admitted, “We’ve never smoked marijuana before.”

In reality, that wasn’t entirely true: The boys had actually tried smoking pot a few years earlier in 1960 but apparently didn’t get high from it, as George Harrison would later recount in “The Beatles Anthology”:

“We first got marijuana from an older drummer with another group in Liverpool. We didn’t actually try it until after we’d been to Hamburg. I remember we smoked it in the band room in a gig in Southport. … Everybody was saying, ‘This stuff isn’t doing anything.’ It was like that old joke where a party is going on, and two hippies are up floating on the ceiling, and one is saying to the other, ‘This stuff doesn’t work, man.’”

“We were smoking marijuana for breakfast,” Lennon once confessed. “Nobody could communicate with us; we were just glazed eyes, giggling all the time.”

Dylan and The Beatles.” “In addition to the fact that Bob was a sloppy roller to begin with, what Bob had started drinking had already gotten to him.”

Regardless, most seem to agree it was Dylan who lit the first joint, then handed it to Lennon, who declined – instead passing it on to his ‘royal taster’ Ringo. Unaware of stoner etiquette, Starr allegedly smoked the entire thing himself rather than passing it around the circle, prompting Maymudes to then roll everyone their own joints. They all began smoking, and before long, as Starr told Conan O’Brien in 2012, “We got high and laughed our asses off.”

“We thought, ‘Wow, this is pretty amazing, this stuff,’’’ McCartney’s memoir reads. “So it became part of our repertoire from then on.”

UNDER THE INFLUENCE

From that day forward, The Beatles began consuming Cannabis on an almost daily basis – using the expression “let’s have a larf” as a 420-like code for “let’s get high.”

In any case, Brown makes it clear that The Beatles’ lack of herbal experience took Dylan by surprise:

Dylan looked disbelievingly from face to face. “But what about your song?” he asked. “The one about getting high?”

The Beatles were stupefied. “Which song?” John managed to ask.

Dylan said, “You know …” and then he sang, “And when I touch you, I get high, I get high …”

John flushed with embarrassment. “Those aren’t the words,” he admitted. “The words are, ‘I can’t hide, I can’t hide, I can’t hide …’”

At that moment, Dylan no doubt realized it would now be his historic duty to get The Beatles high for the first time. Luckily, Maymudes had brought along a “sizable bag” of weed for just such a situation. Wary of the substantial police presence in the halls, though, Dylan suggested the group adjourn into one of the adjoining bedrooms.

THE SESH

When it comes to who rolled the joints, once again, accounts vary. According to some, it was Maymudes who did the rolling. According to beatlesbible.com, however, it was Dylan: “Aronowitz was unskilled in rolling joints, so asked Dylan to do the honours; Dylan wasn’t much better, and much of the grass ended up in a fruit bowl on the room service table.”

“Bob hovered unsteadily over the bowl as he stood at the table while he tried to lift the grass from the baggie with the fingertips of one hand so he could crush it into the leaf of rolling paper which he held in his other hand,” Aronowitz wrote in his book “Bob

“We expected something instantaneous, so we kept puffing away and saying, ‘It’s not working, is it?’” McCartney wrote in his memoir. “And suddenly, it was working. And we were giggling, laughing at each other.”

“I don’t remember much what we talked about,” Lennon later said in “The Beatles Anthology.” “We were smoking dope, drinking wine, and generally being rock ‘n’ rollers and having a laugh, you know, and surrealism. It was party time.”

Here’s how The Guardian’s Andrew Harrison set the scene: “Ringo Starr … collapsed in a giggling mess. Brian Epstein became so stoned he could only squeak, ‘I’m so high, I’m up on the ceiling.’ Paul McCartney believed he’d attained true mental clarity for the first time in his life and instructed Beatles’ roadie and major-domo Mal Evans to write down everything he said henceforth. Dylan, meanwhile, lost his cool and began answering the hotel phone by shouting, ‘This is Beatlemania here!’”

In the 1997 biography “Many Years From Now,” McCartney elaborates on his perceived pot-induced profundity, during which he repeatedly declared that he was “thinking for the first time, really thinking.”

“I’d been going through this thing of levels during the evening,” McCartney writes. “Mal gave me this little slip of paper in the morning, and written on it was, ‘There are seven levels!’ […] And we pissed ourselves laughing. I mean, ‘What the fuck’s that? What the fuck are the seven levels?’”

In his book “Another Side of Bob Dylan: A Personal History on the Road and Off the Tracks,” Maymudes reported that McCartney enjoyed the experience so much that “The following morning, Paul came up to me and hugged me for 10 minutes and said, ‘It was so great … it’s all your fault because I love this pot!’ He went into his thoughts on music while on it and how it made him feel. ‘It was just magical,’ he said.”

“The Beatles had gone beyond comprehension,” Lennon once confessed. “We were smoking marijuana for breakfast. We were well into marijuana, and nobody could communicate with us; we were just glazed eyes, giggling all the time.”

The band’s newfound love for the herb quickly manifested in their music – crediting both Dylan and marijuana as influences on their next record, “Rubber Soul,” with Lennon going as far as referring to it as their “pot album.” Their follow-up, 1966’s “Revolver,” included the song “Got to Get You Into My Life” – which McCartney eventually admitted was “entirely about pot.”

“This song is my ode to pot,” Paul said on BBC Radio in 2021. “What we had to get into our lives, it seems, was marijuana … it was something that entered our lives, and I thought it was a good idea to write a song. Only I’d know that I was talking about pot.”

Marijuana’s influence was even more blatant in their 1967 masterpiece “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” – with Ringo signing about “getting high with a little help” from his friends, and McCartney singing about how he “had a smoke” and “went into a dream” in “A Day in the Life.”

“Do you know what caused ‘Pepper?’” McCartney once told a reporter. “In one word: drugs. Pot. ‘Sgt. Pepper’ was a drug album.”

with a little help” from his friends, and McCartney singing about how he “had a smoke” and “went into remain a bit foggy, one thing appears crystal clear:

Though the exact details of their first sesh may remain a bit foggy, one thing appears crystal clear: Cannabis affected The Beatles in a profound way – infusing their music with introspective complexity and transforming the lads from Liverpool from mere pop performers into the revolutionary artists they were destined to become.

For our podcast & more Cannabis history content visit worldofcannabis.museum/cannthropology.

IF YOU’RE BAKED, just about anything tastes incredible. But there’s a big difference between the stoner who stares into a bowl of Fruit Loops like it’s the glowing briefcase in Pulp Fiction and the sadomasochist who invites the pungent pucker of pickle juice straight to the larynx. This is an extreme difference in personality profiles for sure … but then, it takes all types to make up the human clusterfuck called society.

The rest of us lie somewhere in between: down for taste-testing new items, so long as it doesn’t land us bending over the porcelain god with deep, convulsing regret. After all, we’re stoners – open-minded to new experiences driven by THC-induced curiosity.

By now everyone knows that you can drink the pickle juice when that’s all that’s left in the jar, correct? Yes, there may be some seasoning settled at the bottom of the pond, and it would require a cowboy palate for the true foodie to chug that baby deep into the gizzard – but some people have a penchant for painful challenges. Like shoving an entire package of Sour Worms into your mouth to dissolve without chewing. Or the Seven-Alarm challenge at Wing Dome where the ghost pepper-soaked buffalo sauce inspires the heart to race and the lips to swell. Or to dab an entire $10 gram of cotton-candy flavored distillate boof.

And I don’t know why dudes need to alpine their asses to the peak of Everest, but they’re out there doing it. I mean, it can’t be fun. I’m sure it hurts. And it ain’t free. In fact, you could buy a sailboat for the same amount of money that it takes just to get there. To each their own.

And drinking a jar of pickle juice is on the same level. Because as we sensation seekers will tell you, zest is the best. Sure, a sugar cookie is like mouth nookie, and coffee and toffee are awfully awesome – but the sour zip-zap of the vinegar jar brings the tickle from the pickle. And I’m fickle.