Dec. 2016 — Issue #78

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DEC. 2016 issue #78

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DEC. 2016

REHASHED

18

Oregon Leaf’s Danksgiving event

22 LEAF OPINION

Trump’s plans for pot cause concern

54 TASTY RECIPES Warm up with a few delicious dishes 11 12 14 18 20 22 24 26 30 36 44 50 54 58 62 66 68 70 74 78

20

Croptoberfest was an informative (and non-smoking) event last month in Yakima that brought together growers, vendors and consumers to learn more about the powers of hemp & Cannabis.

Photos by Danielle Halle

E D I TO R ’S N OT E N AT I O N A L N E W S E L E CT I O N R E S U LTS DANKSGIVING CROPTOBERFEST T R U M P ’S P L A N S POLITICIANS H I G H LY L I K E LY H O L I DAY G I F T G U I D E ACCESS REVIEW F E AT U R E P R O F I L E GARDEN PROFILE TASTY RECIPES DEVICE OF THE MONTH MOVIE REVIEW SIMONE FISCHER DR. SCOTT ROSE GROWTECH GUIDE YOUR BUDSHOT BEHIND THE STRAIN ON THE COVER Art by Joshua Boulet

CROPTOBERFEST

The talented Seattle artist created covers for our three editions.

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contents

Hope you were nice this year.

30

Photos by Daniel Berman

2016

GGUIIFDT E

NORTHWEST LEAF

the truth about the plant you thought you knew, IN every issue.

editor’s note

DEC. 2016 ISSUE #78

Voters across the country showed their support for Cannabis and it’s more important than ever for politicians to recognize that Contact editor Wes Abney to place an

advertisement or become a drop-off location to display our magazine. You can also feel free to just share feedback, send pitches, articles, story ideas and hot news tips. This is all our plant.

NWLeaf@gmail.com // 206-235-6721

FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Wes Abney

PHOTOGRAPHER & DESIGNER

Daniel Berman

CONTRIBUTORS OSCAR AVELLANEDA-CRUZ, PHOTOS JOSHUA BOULET, ILLUSTRATION STEVE ELLIOTT, NATIONAL NEWS SIMONE FISCHER, HEALTH PAUL GRZELAK, EDITING DANIELLE HALLE, PHOTOS JEDIDIAH HANEY, FEATURE MALINA LOPEZ, STYLING MATTHEW MEYERS, OPINION SEAN O’NEILL, ILLUSTRATION DR. SCANDERSON, GROWTECH DR. SCOTT D. ROSE, HEALTH ERIC SKELTON, DESIGN PACER STACKTRAIN, FEATURES BRANDON VOSIKA, ILLUSTRATION LAURIE & BRUCE WOLF, RECIPES

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nwleaf@gmail.com // (425) 219-6155 Please email or call us to discuss print and online advertising opportunities in an upcoming issue.

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Department of Corrections

No news is good news, but we want to hear from you if we didn’t get something accurate in a previous edition.

It is with a heavy heart that I write this following the election last month.

But not because of who won or lost (I felt the Bern), but for how our country has been divided by the process and the results. Waves of hatred and fear have risen from both sides of the aisle, and the result has not been pretty.

I truly believe the United States is the greatest country on Earth. But we have undeniable problems that are seemingly getting worse, and that doesn’t change with the president. Our biggest problem is our disconnect with our fellow bothers and sisters, our fellow citizens and our collective democracy at the core. For every person in the country who voted, there was a voice that chose not to be heard, and a vote that wasn’t cast.

I know many of us are feeling nervous, angry, scared or even happy about the election. Four years seems like a long time, but it really isn’t, and just three years from now we will all be listening to the pundits arguing about the next election. Let’s put all that aside and get real. Our country needs healing, and it will only come from brotherly love and by people living and leading by example. Do unto others as you would like to be treated should be the theme of 2017.

Our country is made up of people of every race, religion, creed and origin, and that is what makes it beautiful. We must remember that we all are human, with the same wants and needs and fears, and focus on Editor Wes Abney last month what makes us similar, not different. We must use that understanding to at Danksgiving in Portland make America and the world a better place and a safer place for all of us, Rehashed on pg. 22 whether we choose to grow a plant or make any other personal decision.

I urge everyone reading this to put aside the politics and remember what we have to be thankful for, and what we have to fight for that is within our control. We can’t change the president for another four years, but we can work hard to change the world we are all living in. Be kind, be strong, and have faith that as a people, we will work our way through this and be both better and wiser for it.

national

STEVE ELLIOTT is the editor behind tokesignals.com, an independent blog of Cannabis news and opinion.

Arizona Legalization Campaign addresses loss of PropOSITION 205 The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol (CRMLA) on Nov. 15 issued an official statement regarding the narrow defeat of Proposition 205 in Arizona.

Ballots are still being counted, but as of 8:10 a.m. on Nov. 15, the proposal to end marijuana prohibition in Arizona had received 1,158,655 votes in favor (48.23 percent) and 1,243,883 votes against (51.77 percent).

“We thank the more than 1 million Arizona voters who cast their ballots in favor of ending the failed policy of marijuana prohibition,” said CRMLA chairman J.P. Holyoak.

“We are disappointed the initiative came up short, but we are encouraged by the impressive amount of support

it received given this was the first time voters had considered such a proposal.

Fortunately, Arizona’s medical marijuana program remains strong and patients will be able to continue safely and legally obtaining marijuana through a regulated system.”

Some of the “No” votes on Prop 205 came from medical marijuana patients and dispensary owners, many of whom were concerned that state officials would “pull a Washington” on them by allowing recreational marijuana to subsume and replace the medical Cannabis market. P Patients in Washington saw their formerly thriving medical marijuana scene reduced to nothing within three and a half years after I-502 passed there.

Weed for Warriors Project Calls on VA to Stop Blocking Vet MMJ Access The Weed for Warriors Project, a nonprofit Warriors Project.

“Weed for Warriors Project should not dedicated to helping veterans find relief from service-related disabilities through need to remind the VA that two-thirds of medical marijuana, on Nov. 11 called our servicemen and women who return on the U.S. Department of Veterans home from deployments in the Middle East, and more than half of Affairs (VA) to finally stop “WE LOOK FORWARD older veterans suffer from blocking the legal, ethical TO THE VA FINALLY chronic pain,” Wyatt said. and responsible use of TAKING A COURAGEOUS, “There’s also about 2.7 medical marijuana and SENSIBLE, RESPONSIBLE million American veterans safer medical alternatives POSITION ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA” of the Iraq and Afghanistan for veterans. wars, and at least 20 “With eight of nine states voting in favor of responsible percent of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans marijuana reforms this past election, it who suffer from PTSD and/or depression.”

“We look forward to the VA finally taking is clear that more Americans than ever recognize that our nation’s drug policies a courageous, sensible and responsible are a failure,” said Brandon L. Wyatt, position on medical marijuana and national policy advisor for the Weed for comprehensive healthcare,” Wyatt said.

“AS A FORMER DOPE DEALER MYSELF, I CAN SAY WITH A FAIR DEGREE OF CONFIDENCE THAT SEVERELY RESTRICTING THE AVAILABILITY OF ‘LEGAL’ MARIJUANA (AND OTHERWISE JACKING THE PRICE WITH A 37 PERCENT EXCISE TAX) CREATES A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR BLACK MARKET DEALERS”

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Quoted — J.D. TUCCILLE, contributing editor, Reason.com, in response to law enforcement authorities overseeing the closure of hundreds of medical marijuana dispensaries across Washington state.

national

By WES ABNEY | ILLUSTRATION by BRANDON VOSIKA

Recreational

California The Adult Use of Marijuana Act passed with 58 percent of Californians voting in support. The hotly contested act regulates recreational Cannabis and only time will tell how it affects the state’s medical marijuana industry. Adults can now possess up to one ounce and six plants at home.

Nevada This bittersweet initiative passed allowing adults to possess up to one ounce of pot and only allows them to grow at home if they don’t live within 25 miles of a dispensary. There is also a 15 percent excise tax imposed to bring in new revenue. Clearly meant for tourism, the homegrow limitation will likely be challenged in coming years.

Maine Adults here will now be able to possess 2.5 ounces at home. The new law allows for six flowering and 12 vegetative plants per household and ensures that 40 percent of grower licenses go to small scale farms. Maine will be the first state to allow consumption and social clubs to open for adult use!

Massachusetts

This is the closest thing to true legalization passed this year. Adults can now enjoy one ounce in public, 10 ounces at home and the law allows for homegrown while limiting taxes to 5.75 percent.

Arizona The battle for legalization in AZ was hotly contested by prohibitionist groups pushing anti-pot ads with outright false claims and bad science. Unfortunately, it was enough for the measure to be narrowly defeated at the polls.

Prop 205 would have allowed for personal possession of an ounce and six plants at home. Pot advocates are already prepping there for a 2018 legalization push.

Green Party How Americans Voted for Cannabis

While the nation tore itself apart on social media over the Trump vs. Clinton showdown, many Americans voted for something far more important to lovers of Cannabis: medical and recreational legalization. Pot was on the ballot in nine states and, by and large, Americans showed widespread support for making Cannabis available. And luckily for our movement, these were Cannabis laws that will help promote understanding of this amazing plant. We put together this breakdown for people to understand the enormous changes coming to states all across the country and what actually happened at the polls.

Florida After a devastating loss in the last election, a whopping 78 per-

Medicinal

cent of voters in Florida approved the use of medical marijuana. The system will create producer, processor and retailer licenses as well as allowing patients to cultivate their own medicine!

Montana Out of all the states that have wrestled with MMJ, Montana has been the toughest battleground. After creating a system that was based on providers and caregivers and patients, the laws were repealed in 2012 with federal and local raids. This election rolls back the old laws, allowing patients to grow for themselves and provide for others, including options for retail locations.

North Dakota Another bittersweet victory in North Dakota will allow patients to have access starting in 30 days when the Department of Health begins to implement the new law. Patients will only be able to grow their own pot if they live outside a 40-mile range of a dispensary. Still, with some of the harshest laws in the country for pot, this marks a major victory for patient access!

Arkansas This Bible Belt state became the first to legalize medical use of Cannabis with a major victory for patients. The law is still extremely limited — only four to eight producers and 40 dispensaries licensed statewide — but it is a major victory over the current reign of prohibition.

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national

STEVE ELLIOTT is the editor behind tokesignals.com, an independent blog of Cannabis news and opinion. managing to raise substantial new revenues.

A recent Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) report found that Alaska, Colorado, Oregon and Washington have benefitted from a dramatic decrease in marijuana arrests and convictions, as well as increased tax revenues since the adult possession of marijuana became legal.

At the same time, these states did not experience increases in youth marijuana use or traffic fatalities.

“This is the most momentous Election Day in history for the movement to end marijuana prohibition,” said Rob Kampia, executive director of the Marijuana Policy Project.

“From Los Angeles to Boston, voters are casting their ballots in favor of sensible marijuana policy reforms. Today’s results are right in line with national polls showing record-high support for making marijuana legal.”

“Marijuana reform won big across America on Election Day – indeed, it’s safe to say that no other reform was approved by so many citizens on so many ballots this year,” said Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of the DPA. “But the prospect of Donald Trump as our next president concerns me deeply. The progress we’ve made … will be very much at risk when Donald Trump enters the White House.”

“It’s clear from the results tonight that legal marijuana is much more popular with voters than the president-elect and many U.S. senators and governors are,” said Tom Angell, executive director at Marijuana Majority.

“It’s time for more politicians to start respecting the will of the voters by treating marijuana policy as the important and mainstream issue it is.”

“Voters have spoken clearly in states across the country,” said National Cannabis Industry Association executive director Aaron Smith.

“More than 16 million voters, including in two of the three most populated states in the nation, chose legal, regulated Cannabis programs that promote safety, boost the economy, help sick patients and address social injustices.”

THIS IS THE MOST MOMENTOUS ELECTION DAY IN HISTORY FOR THE MOVEMENT TO END MARIJUANA PROHIBITION

Election 2016: Calif., Mass., Nev., AND Maine Legalize; Fla., Ark., ND Go Medical

Initiatives legalizing marijuana in one form or another were passed in seven states this election season.

It was the biggest day ever at the ballot box for

laws. Arizona voters, meanwhile, said no thanks bud. Election Day 2016 was a watershed moment to Measure 205, the flawed legalization initiative for the movement to end marijuana prohibition, appearing on the ballot there. with the results expected to accelerate efforts to Heading into the election, four states — legalize Cannabis in states across Alaska, Colorado, Oregon and “IT ’ S SAFE TO SAY the United States at the federal Washington — had already adopted THAT NO OTHER level and internationally. laws that legalize, regulate and tax REFORM WAS Voters in California, Nevada, marijuana for adult use, and 25 APPROVED BY SO Massachusetts and Maine on Nov. 8 MANY CITIZENS ON states had adopted comprehensive approved ballot initiatives to legalize, SO MANY BALLOTS” medical marijuana laws. regulate and tax marijuana for adult By shifting away from use. Initiatives legalizing medical marijuana were counterproductive marijuana arrests and approved in Florida, Arkansas and North Dakota, focusing instead on public health, states that while Montana voters passed a measure that have legalized marijuana are diminishing many would expand existing state medical marijuana of the worst harms of the War on Drugs, while

“IT’S CLEAR FROM THE RESULTS TONIGHT THAT LEGAL MARIJUANA IS MUCH MORE POPULAR WITH VOTERS THAN THE PRESIDENT-ELECT AND MANY U.S. SENATORS AND GOVERNORS ARE.” 16/DEC. 2016 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

Quoted texas lawmakers look to decriminalize New legislation would be a major change of pace for the remarkably weed-hating Lone Star State

a bill to reduce penalties for simple marijuana “This bill is about good government and possession was introduced in the Texas House of efficient use of resources,” Rep. Moody said.

Representatives on Nov. 15. HB 81, introduced “Arrests and criminal prosecutions of lowby Rep. Joe Moody (D-El Paso), would remove level marijuana cases distract law enforcement the current criminal penalties for possession of and prosecutors, leaving fewer resources for small amounts of marijuana and replace them violent crime.” with a civil citation and a fine.

“State penal statutes regarding the possession The decriminalization bill, which is co- of small amounts of marijuana are antiquated sponsored by Rep. Jason Isaac (R-Dripping and costly,” Sen. Rodríguez said.

Springs), would make possession of one ounce “The state and local governments expend or fewer of marijuana a nonmillions of dollars prosecuting “Arrests and criminal and criminal offense punishable incarcerating these prosecutions of by a fine of $250. Under nonviolent drug offenders. low-level marijuana current law, possession of two In addition, those convicted cases distract law ounces or less is a Class A often suffer collateral, enforcement and misdemeanor punishable by disproportionate consequences, prosecutors, leaving up to a $2,000 fine and 180 such as an inability to find fewer resources for days in jail. employment or access certain violent crime.”

This is the second time benefits, like student financial — Rep. Joe Moody Rep. Moody has introduced aid or housing assistance.” legislation to remove criminal penalties for “We commend Rep. Moody for introducing simple possession. Last session, this proposal meaningful legislation on the first day of the preearned the support of more than 40 co-sponsors filing period,” said Heather Fazio, spokesperson in the House and was approved by the House for Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy.

Criminal Jurisprudence Committee before the “His dedication to sensible policies in Texas is session closed. admirable, and we are proud to support HB 81,” Sen. José Rodríguez (D-El Paso) introduced Fazio said. “Imposing a civil penalty instead of a companion decriminalization bill, SB 170. criminal penalties makes good sense as it frees The Texas Association of Business and up resources that could be used in ways that dozens of grassroots advocacy organizations, better serve our communities.” including Texans for Accountable Government “No one deserves to have their lives derailed and the Texas Young Republicans Federation, due to a criminal conviction for possessing a supported the bill. substance that is safer than alcohol.”

“TRUMP’S NOMINATION OF SENATOR SESSIONS FOR THE POSITION OF ATTORNEY GENERAL SHOULD SEND A CHILL DOWN THE SPINE OF THE MAJORITY OF AMERICANS WHO SUPPORT MARIJUANA LAW REFORM” — ERIK ALTIERI (NORML Executive Director) on Donald Trump’s nomination of longtime marijuana law reform opponent Jeff Sessions for attorney general.

Quick Hits!

30 53 212

Percent increase in marijuana sales occur on the day before Thanksgiving each year (“Weed Wednesday”) according to a new report from Bloomberg News.

Percent of Denver voters passed Initiative 300, allowing public social marijuana use at permitting businesses like bars and cafés.

Million dollars in marijuana sales were reported in 2016’s second quarter in Washington, inching closer to total liquor sales during the same time period ($249 million).

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rehashed

DanksGiv

By WES ABNEY | PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN

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Nov. 19, 2016

I Service, Portland

ving

Oregon Leaf celebrated fall and Cannabis with dank giveaways and plenty of medicated Thanksgiving fun!

Danksgiving returned for a second helping this year in Portland with a whole new look and a ton of fun surprises for attendees. This year’s event was split into two portions: a general public session and a pot industry session.

Both events were three hours long and completely free to those who registered in advance. With over 300 attendees per session, the air at the venue was thick with smoky cheer as patrons celebrated the joy of Danksgiving.

Each attendee was given a gift bag filled with magazines, Kush Tourism guides, flower from Eco Firma Farms, Wild West Growers, and Troutman Farms, a half-gram EBlunt filled with distillate, medicated sugar from OCO, a 15mg Squib from Lunchbox Alchemy, and a 50mg Sensi Sweet juice. There was also a full dab bar from Lions Den, a rosin squishing station by Dark Horse Genetics, a CBD chill zone put on by Quill, and a ton of pie and snacks.

The industry portion was catered with a fully medicated meal, with six deep-fried infused turkeys provided by Skunk Train Farms and Ocean Grown Cannabis. Attendees also enjoyed medicated mini pumpkin pie bites from Laurie and MaryJane, and their medicated stuffing that was incredibly tasty. Also infused in the full Danksgiving meal were potatoes and mushrooms, and infused cranberry sauce. There was plenty of food and good cheer, and the celebration left everyone full of good food, Cannabis and the spirit of Danksgiving.

The only thing asked of attendees was to write what they were dankful for on one of three 10-foot-tall signs placed out front, where different colored sharpies and pens gave everyone the chance to be creative.

With the world and the Cannabis industry at large in transitioning times, plagued by uncertainty and confusion, Danksgiving was a great opportunity for people to come together, put aside politics, pick up a bowl or dab and give thanks. We hope to see everyone again next year and many more happy faces at the 2017 Danksgiving!

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rehashed

By JEDIDIAH HANEY | PHOTOS by DANIELLE HALLE for NORTHWEST LEAF

Nov. 19, 2016

I Yakima, WA

CROPTOBERFEST

The Third Annual Croptoberfest was a success last month in Yakima, Wash., educating attendees on the powers of hemp and all things Cannabis.

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SINCE CANNABIS AND HOPS ARE IN THE SAME PLANT FAMILY, THE EVENT MAKES A STATEMENT THAT YAKIMA WILL BE THE FUTURE EPICENTER OF CANNABIS PRODUCTION AND PROCESSING FOR THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST.

Y Emily Febles of the Washington State Department of Agriculture delivers her presentation beside Keynote Speaker Joy Beckerman.

Croptoberfest founder/organizer Jedidiah Haney

akima is known for its green apples, red cherries, lush wine and bountiful hops. In fact, the sunny weather and volcanic soil puts Yakima on the map because this is where 75 percent of the nation’s hops are farmed.

Since Cannabis and hops are in the same plant family, the event makes a statement that Yakima will be the future epicenter of Cannabis production and processing for the Pacific Northwest.

Currently, Yakima is where the Central Washington offices of the Washington State Department of Agriculture, the state’s official pesticide testing facility and the Industrial Hemp Research Pilot are located.

Croptoberfest has an educational overtone that highlights the trends in the Cannabis industry, and speakers created a dialogue with panelists on how to implement these trends.

This year’s Croptoberfest hosted over 20 speakers and nearly 500 attendees.

The keynote speaker was Joy Beckerman of Hemp Ace International. Beckerman spoke passionately about the group’s mission and the developing Industrial Hemp Research Pilot program.

“The state of Washington passed industrial hemp legislation in March of 2016,” Beckerman said, “and it’s time to prepare as the regulations are being drafted.”

Please visit www.evergreen.industries/ croptoberfest for more information.

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opinion

By WES ABNEY | PHOTOS by GAGE SKIDMORE

Legalization movement and Cannabis industry face uncertainty

DONALD TRUMP’S PLAN FOR POT? To answer this question, we need to look at a variety of statements, political positions and do a bit of guesswork. Please keep in mind that this is not a pro- or anti-Trump analysis, and that this is all conjecture until time answers all questions.

The progression of Cannabis laws has marched along at a rapid pace since Obama took office in 2008, and many credit his administration as being more tolerant to pot than previous administrations. But there are many ways to paint his picture of Cannabis policy. More medical Cannabis raids and federal charges were filed for pot under Obama than under Bush, but the growth in the MMJ industry during his time in office was 1,000 times that while under Bush.

The first states to legalize, Washington and Colorado, were also under Obama, with many more in the following years adding medical or recreational Cannabis programs. Regardless of whether Obama’s federal government was pro- or anti-Cannabis, the industry and movement has moved forward for the last eight years, and all eyes are now on the new administration.

Although his campaign was relatively light on the issue of Cannabis, Trump has made strong arguments about other issues that he feels are state rights (abortion was a headline example).

In fact, until Trump’s proposed attorney general was announced to be Jeff Sessions, who famously said that he liked the KKK until he heard they smoked pot, there wasn’t a lot for the pot industry to fear from the president-elect.

The Sessions announcement has created waves of anxiety and fear in the industry. We must not let this frightening sentiment dictate our industry.

Following policy trends and statements over

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the last year and a half, it stands to reason that policy to include fewer human rights, increased a Trump administration would allow individual private prisons, more restrictive sentencing and states to govern Cannabis laws as they see fit, rea potential revamping of the War on Drugs. All gardless of its attorney general. But don’t expect bad things for the American people. How will to see federal drug law reform under Trump, or this likely affect the pot industry? That’s a doua continuation of Obama’s historic pardoning of ble-edged sword. hundreds of non-violent drug offenders. Here’s For states that have legalized weed and are earnSessions on Obama’s pot stance: ing tax revenue from the proceeds, don’t expect a “I think one of [Obama’s] great failures, it’s obSessions/Trump administration to change a thing. vious to me, is his lax treatment in comments on As a state’s rights issue combined with the masmarijuana. It reverses 20 years almost of hostility sive amounts of taxable revenue, the sale of Canto drugs that began really when Nannabis will go on in the markets where Why is Cannabis cy Reagan started ‘Just Say No.’” it is regulated and legal. But states like Sessions has also swallowed the important to you? Montana that just reinvigorated a free Email 150-300 words reefer madness pill that Nacy Reagan to nwleaf@gmail.com market and patient-supplied medical pushed down the American mindsets Cannabis system, states that are just through programs like D.A.R.E. But this is no now pushing for MMJ, or patients in black market different than the head of the DEA saying that states trying to provide their own medicine had she believed heroin and Cannabis were equally better watch out. Because the black helicopters dangerous. could be circling, especially if Congress doesn’t re“We need grown-ups in charge in Washingnew the spending package that prevents funding ton saying marijuana is not the kind of thing that spent on Cannabis by law enforcement/DEA if ought to be legalized, it ought to be minimized, the state law is protected. that it is in fact a very real danger. You can see Expect a lot of blustering about this, both from the accidents, traffic deaths related to marijuana,” Trump and Sessions but also from the pot indusSessions said. “And you’ll see cocaine and heroin try. There will be many Chicken Littles. increase more than it would have, I think.”

Legalization isn’t going backwards, but we as Clearly the man is in complete denial about a country must be concerned about overall drug Cannabis. And denial is the right word, because policy, prison policy, sentencing reform and a host the scientific evidence is widely available and of other issues that this new administration is backed by the government’s own patent on Canhandling. And we also must continue to fight the nabis as a medicine. changes that legalization has already brought to So what does all this mean for pot? patient rights, such as heavy taxation and limitaFirst off, Sessions is not in place or confirmed tions on personal freedoms. Let’s make our counas attorney general. Yet. But he likely will be. And try better by fighting for drug and prison reform, if he is, we can expect America’s drug and prison and leave the partisan politics for the birds.

opInion

By MATTHEW MEYERS for NORTHWEST LEAF

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS

IS A HALFWAY HONEST

POLITICIAN It’s time for a bottom-up anti-corruption movement.

C

orruption is the number one enemy of democracy. How can a government represent the demos (people) when it’s sold to the highest bidder? Although the topic of corruption is a terrifying one, the silver lining is that it’s an issue that has and will bring us together. We witnessed this desire to break away from the corrupt status quo practices of Washington in the campaigns that both Sanders and Trump ran. Even though their desired direction was very different, both candidates raised awareness of how broken our political system is, especially when it comes to campaign finance. However, we are now learning that Trump probably won’t follow through on his claims of “draining the swamp.” There’s no guarantee that Bernie’s solution would have worked either. “So, in this age of insane polarization, I think a bottom-up anti-corruption movement would be a wonderful place to start finally progressing our society forward.

It’s important that this movement begins from the ground up; we cannot put our future in the hands of politicians already deeply involved in a corrupt system and trust that they will pass the necessary legislation to protect any chance of reclaiming our democracy. Groups like Represent.US have already started to spread the word, empowering people and communities to pass ballot measures like South Dakota’s Measure 22, which created a system of public funding for elections while restricting lobbying so at least we can hold any problematic leadership accountable judicially.

This issue is bigger than Cannabis, although we can see corruption’s influence in the language of

different states’ legalization legislation. Even if we set up the strictest system to control and regulate Cannabis to ensure an even playing field for participants and safe products for consumers, the largest and most capitalized players will still have better access to lawmakers.

Take Oregon’s new testing requirements: While strict pesticide testing was implemented, the state decided to no longer test for the powdery mildew (PM) that large and small producers have had problems dealing with. You can argue about if pesticides or PM are more dangerous to consume, but I see the influence of corruption. In my opinion, many large producers who have struggled with combatting PM organically are under enormous pressure to have a profitable harvest by investors who are new to the industry and demand returns for their contribution. They can’t afford to have a harvest contested by the new testing system, so lobbyists made sure that PM wouldn’t be tested for.

Like I said, I’m not sure what is better, because if PM were tested for we would probably have more chemicals in our Cannabis due to proactive combatting of PM throughout the plant’s life cycle.

It’s a complicated issue, but it’s important that these new rules and regulations are created with the interest of the people and not large donors.

This election has brought many important issues to light that have been suppressed for too long.

It’s important to remember that all of this racism, discrimination and judgment existed throughout our country before Trump; it was just (barely) below the surface. Now our leaders and their constituents are more honestly communicating their positions,

MAKE THE DECISION TO BE A PROGRESSIVE VOICE IN YOUR PERSONAL SPHERE OF INFLUENCE. THE ONLY WAY TO BATTLE FEAR IS WITH LOVE.

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which can be painful for those of us that wanted to believe that the U.S. is progressive. However, this is a necessary pain that we were bound to confront one day, and I think we are better equipped as a people to address these issues with the extent of communication tools we have access to. Remember to discuss what’s on your mind with family, friends and peers. In-person peer-to-peer debate is critical!

Not an online debate where you can spew your opinions from the comfort of your couch, but one where we actually come together and look each other in the eyes and try to find a solution. This will not be easy; most of us have forgotten what it’s like to communicate face to face.

3 Steps for a constructive debate: 1. Listen without judgment 2. Repeat what you heard the other person say 3. Respond We can’t wait for a federal candidate to inspire us to change; we all need to step up and become leaders in our communities. Change needs to come from the bottom up, starting with city representatives and local judges; we need young, passionate people willing to make a difference.

With our current technology, there has never been a better opportunity to reclaim our government for the people. We just need to build a community of leaders looking to progress the status quo, who can also utilize alternative ways of fundraising that don’t involve trading political favors for campaign contributions.

Even if you don’t want to run for office, make the decision to be a progressive voice in your personal sphere of influence! If you are fed up with racism and bigotry, then make sure to point out these behaviors to others when they take place, and try to avoid judgment because we all have ways we can improve.

But focus on being loving and supportive. There is only one way to battle fear, and that is with love.

highly likely

By PACER STACKTRAIN for NW LEAF

Column # 17

Highlighting amazing Cannabis pioneers who helped pave the way to greater herbal acceptance.

PETE DAVIDSON

SNL’S VOCAL CANNABIS ADVOCATE Pete Davidson is not a household name… yet. However, if you’re a fan of “Saturday Night Live,” you’ll probably recognize his face. At 20, Davidson was one of the youngest members to join the late-night sketch comedy show’s cast.

Davidson’s life story thus far is both fascinating and tragic. His father was a New York City firefighter who died in service during the 9/11 attacks. His father’s death had a profound effect on him, and eventually led him to start doing stand-up comedy at the age of 16. His boyish looks, deadpan delivery and NYC swagger made him a crowd favorite and lead to on-air gigs with outlets like MTV, Jimmy Kimmel and now, “Saturday Night Live.”

Davidson openly uses medical marijuana for the pain caused by his chronic medical condition: Crohn’s disease. After experimenting with prescription drugs for years, he tried Cannabis and found that it alleviated the pain, noting that, “I found that the things the doctors were prescribing me, and seeing all these doctors and trying new things, weed was the only thing that would help me eat.” In 2015, he told High Times magazine, “I wouldn’t be able to perform on ‘SNL’ if I couldn’t smoke weed.”

Since then, Davidson has become an outspoken advocate of the medicinal use of Cannabis, and has been a vocal opponent of the New York state medical program, which he sees as flawed and too difficult for patients to participate in. Davidson is also highly vocal about Cannabis user stereotypes, which he sees as outmoded and improper.

“I work really fucking hard and I take care of my shit and I need weed in order to do that,” said Davidson, who went on to note that Cannabis actually improves his comedic abilities; without Cannabis, he would be in too much pain to perform. Even his boss, “SNL” creator and producer Lorne Michaels, is aware of the situation, and said, “Pete’s really focused for someone who mostly talks about how much pot he smokes.”

Davidson performed in his first televised stand-up special (titled “SMD”) for Comedy Central on Oct. 29.

Davidson is also the youngest person we’ve profiled yet in our Highly Likely series. That’s a good thing, because we’ll need more of his generation to help shed the harmful stigma that’s been attached to this beneficial herb over the last century.

“ I WOULDN’T BE ABLE TO PERFORM ON ‘SNL’ IF I COULDN’T SMOKE WEED.”

26/dec. 2016 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

Thepacerstacktrain@gmail.com Instagram: @ThePacerStackTrain

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feature

By WES ABNEY | PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN | STYLING by MALINA LOPEZ

30/dec. 2016 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

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By WES ABNEY | PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN

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access

By WILL FERGUSON @710DENCIES | SHOP PHOTOS by @RESINATED_LENS | BUD PHOTO by @NORTHWESTGREENSPHOTO

archive portland Strains 4/5 ARCHIVE PORTLAND has many exclusive strains that can’t be found anywhere else around town.

RudeBoi OG, White Tahoe Cookies, One Star and Do-Si-Dos are some of the strains available in flower and seed form that are bred in-house.

Flower prices ranged from $10-15/g pre-tax.

Strains are kept in sealed mason jars that make for fresh, aromatic flower, day in and day out.

36/dec. 2016 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

Edibles 1/5 YOU’LL HAVE TO go elsewhere for your edible options, as Archive currently has no edibles shelved.

The shop owners have indicated that they prefer to do everything in-house and have not sourced an edible producer yet that meets their strict standards of quality.

Concentrates 4/5 THE SHOP carries a variety of solvent and

solventless extracts available for both medical and recreational consumers. Bubble Hash, Bubble Rosin and multiple flavors of BHO were seen on the shelves. One of the staples was the Sour Diesel Live Resin, which recently took third place in the High Times Cannabis Cup. Prices range from $20-60 for both half and full grams.

RUDEBOI OG BURNSIDE GARDEN COLLECTIVE

22.08%

THC

Spartan Analytics

RudeBoi OG #7 is a potent cross of Irene OG and

THE SCORE

Face Off OG bred by Archive Seed Bank. This strain aro m a has a slight purple hue to it that is complemented d en s it y by a sweet, shortbread-like terpene profile. The beautiful buds are loose and cu re airy and cured to perfection. The THE FLAVOR l o o ks WAS SWEET AND flavor was sweet and reminiscent f l avo r of cookie dough. The effects are REMINISCENT OF incredibly relaxing, as I found ef f ect t ota l 24/30 COOKIE DOUGH. myself melting into the couch a few minutes after smoking. I recommend this strain to patients and consumers looking for a sedative nighttime strain that does not induce anxiety. ($12/g)

Environment 4/5 ARCHIVE PORTLAND makes the most of their small space in SE Portland. The waiting room is lined with comfortable chairs to lounge in while waiting for the bud room to free up. The room itself is small in size, so everything is condensed to one station, making for an intimate but slow experience.

Overall 13/20

It's the first seedbankowned rec store in existence with a huge clone selection.

THIS IS is a great place to stop for exclusive

flowers and seeds from their in-house projects.

During my visit, I received an empty eighth container of what should have been White Tahoe Cookies, and my gram of One Star was undoubtedly another strain. It would be nice to see Archive improve their customer service and efficiency with patients and consumers.

ARCHIVE PORTLAND MED/REC 21+

10645 SE Henry St #B Portland, OR 97266 (503) 719-4229 ArchivePortland.net

dec. 2016 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

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STRAIN OF THE MONTH

By WES ABNEY | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN

L

ight up your holiday celebration with these sour, funky and beautiful Pink Cookies buds by Private Reserve.

The Cookies strain line has been renowned for years and led to many different crosses and varieties that we have had the pleasure of reviewing, and the Pink Cookie is hands down one of the best. Also known as Wedding Cake, this strain is a well-bred combination of Cherry Pie and Girl Scout Cookies. The end result is a hybrid that consistently tests at 25 percent THC, with effects that will leave you warm and potentially drooling.

The buds are rock-hard and huge, especially for a Cookies cross, and covered in a thick layer of frosty trichomes. The outside of the bud is covered in tones of purple and green, with light red hairs giving it a light pink color.

The cure is exceptionally well done, with a solid snap that reveals layers of dense bud matter and a light sticky feeling that leaves earthy Cannabis notes lingering from the fingers long after a bowl is smoked.

The smell is rich and warm, with a light crispness underneath the heavy earth and wood notes. Deliciously sour, this bud is best smoked through a water pipe for flavor and taste. Big strong bong hits reveal a subtle sweetness that finishes with a sour slam to the palate. The effects hit quick, with the time-warping, face-melting Cherry Pie portion oozing into the mind and body within minutes.

The GSC effects are felt around the 30-minute mark, with a rising happiness and euphoria that builds after the initial heady shock wears off. This flower’s effects linger for several hours, leaving slowly and with a harder comedown than lighter THC strains. Several bowls spaced over a few hours were perfect for rec or medical use throughout the day, although rec users should be careful with this if work is on the agenda!

We highly recommend checking out this delicious cut of Pink Cookies and more from Private Reserve, whose attention to quality and detail has led them to be a top shelf producer.

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( REC 21+)

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40/dec. 2016 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

PINK CO

BIG BONG HITS REVEAL A SUBTLE SWEETNESS THAT FINISHES WITH A SOUR SLAM TO THE PALATE.

OOKIES

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profile

By WES ABNEY | PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN

Ber ner BERNER, the music artist and founder of

44/DEC. 2016 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

Cookies clothing line, has a new project: The Have a Heart/Cookies/Piece of Mind glass shop superstore that opened in Seattle last month next door to the flagship retail marijuana shop Have a Heart Belltown.

A line formed for the Cookies store opening Nov. 19 in Seattle.

profile

By WES ABNEY | PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE GREEN RUSH AS SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN IN THE POT SCENE SINCE PRE-2007?

HOW DID YOU GET YOUR START IN MUSIC, AND WAS CANNABIS ALWAYS A BIG PART OF THAT AND YOUR LIFE? It’s always been present for me. Always loved the herb. Started playing with music in early 2000s; put out my first project in 2007. I always kinda preached it. At time I was working on a Cannabis club, and it did go hand in hand with my music.

People knew I was running a club, and it was cool to be a part of that, and it definitely influenced my music. At that time I was doing other stuff too, and being around during that time was like being a part of history. None of us were safe, all getting letters to shut down, and my boss said. “we aren’t shutting down shit.” It was like a roller coaster ride.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN THE CALIFORNIA MMJ MOVEMENT AND WHAT WAS THAT LIKE? We were harassed by the feds, the DEA. The California Highway Patrol would come in and literally rob us; take all the money from the safes and register and leave all the weed and leave no paperwork. It was weird shit — a trippy time.

We knew the feds were across the street from the shop, and we would send pizzas to the building and some of us had the balls to even go knock on the door and run away. It’s so different today, with all the new people jumping into the game now that it’s legal.

Ber ner

46/DEC. 2016 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

It’s cool. As a person that loves herb, I want everyone to have it and not be frowned upon, but at same time, it’s annoying as hell.

So many venture capitalists that don’t understand weed calling to pick my brain and I find myself explaining same shit over and over. It’s weird.

It’s a weird time. Everyone is trying to get in from every style of business, culture and age. I hope that more people who have been players since day one get to benefit; a lot of people are getting pushed out, and that, I don’t like.

other person in the beginning. It was cool, we were just making clothes, selling them out the house, experimenting, figuring out all the different ways to run a clothing line, the hard way, the real way. We just started doing it.

ARE YOU HAPPY WITH CALIFORNIA’S NEW LEGALIZATION? WHAT ABOUT THE CURRENT MEDICAL MARIJUANA SCENE?

WHAT WAS THAT EXPERIENCE LIKE? TO BUILD SOMETHING LITERALLY OUT OF YOUR GARAGE?

I like the way Prop 215 [the current MMJ law] was written. It left a lot of us with freedom, and we all got to ride that wave since ‘96. This new law could have been written better, but my attitude is that we have to deal with the cards we are dealt. Because nobody knows how this will all work out, especially with the new attorney general and national changes. I look at this with my gut feeling that we have been dealing with [the pot industry] before it was cool — ain’t nothing going to change that, and we will make the best out of it and try to avoid being put in jail for this.

We learned a lot of stuff and have gained a lot of knowledge. Learning things like not to press certain sizes or press so many at once, and packaging and customer service was a nightmare at first. I was a stoner and had people not getting packages, and ended up refunding a lot of orders.

I couldn’t get a grasp on it. I was trapping and rapping, and when my Instagram was filled with a lot of pissed off kids, I said, “refund everyone,” but I eventually figured out fulfillment, learning the hard way.

WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO START THE COOKIES BRAND? IS IT TRUE THAT YOU STARTED AS A TWO-MAN TEAM? I started making clothing in ‘09 to ‘11, and really made it because I had a big video at the time (a 2011 music video for “Yoko” featuring Chris Brown, Wiz Khalifi and Big Krit). I told myself I’m not gonna wear something I don’t own, and with the video getting that much exposure, I wanted to wear a brand I owned; that’s what makes things get started. At the time, Cookies was a strain we popped off, and felt like a cool name to run with. I didn’t think it would turn into this but I’m grateful! It was just me and one

YOU TALK ABOUT THE PAST STRUGGLES WITH SUCH A POSITIVE ATTITUDE. WHERE DID THAT COME FROM, AND WAS IT HARD AT TIMES TO KEEP GOING? My mom was a positive person and I got it from her — R.I.P. — and at the end of the day, life’s short. So if you believe in a project, it will happen and you will see it through. And if something bad is already done, there’s no reason to be negative, and I would rather learn the hard way ultimately ‘cause then you know you won’t do it again. It prepares you. I lost all my money and kept going broke trying for two years playing with Cookies clothing, and spent over $100,000 into the brand. After my mom died, I found my last draw: a random retirement account, and I

remember saying, “I’ll take this last bit of money into Cookies. If it makes it, I’m rocking it, and if it doesn’t, I’m done.” So I took the $19,000 and a different approach and that shit turned up.

I wouldn’t recommend to someone that keeps failing to keep going, but set a goal, put your foot down and rock wit it if you believe in it.

FROM THAT POINT ON IT HAS BEEN A GROWING COMPANY THAT OPENED A RETAIL STORE IN SAN FRANCISCO. WHAT WAS THAT LIKE AND HOW DID IT MAKE YOU FEEL? We opened the store last year in SanFran, it was super crazy — a three-day event. We had 1,000 kids a day in line with motorcycles running up the street. It was insane! It really opened up my eyes to what we have going on. I’m a humble dude. Before it opened, I was all stomach aches and worried about people showing, and when I heard people were camping I was blown away and humbled. People were camping out for my clothing line! So we brought them hot cocoa and pizza and prerolls. It was cool as hell man. And in the end, we did way more biz than we thought we would do. It’s been a success ever since.

women’s line is very important to me.

The name “cookies” appeals to women too, and we gotta step outside the box with all the new brands popping up.

Gotta stay on top of the game. If I stay comfortable, I’ll fall off.

WHAT WAS THE SEATTLE GRAND OPENING LIKE?

WHAT MADE YOU FOCUS ON WOMEN’S CLOTHING?

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE BRAND AND YOURSELF NOW THAT YOUR SECOND STORE IS OPEN AND A BIG SUCCESS?

I decided to expand to women’s ‘cause nobody focusing on that now. And we have a new theme and accessories and are catering to a whole new market. I never knew about clothes or water or music before I started any of my businesses, and I like to have a challenge. And girls love our line; they eat it up. We just dropped a colab that’s pink-focused and the small sizes all sold out super fast!

WHAT LED YOU TO SEATTLE AND THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST AND ACTUALLY WANTING TO OPEN UP A SHOP OUT HERE? I was shooting an episode of “Marijuana Mania” and I interviewed Ryan Kunkel [founder and co-owner of Have A Heart] nextdoor to his Belltown store [in the space that is now the current Have a Heart/Cookies/Piece of Mind store] and it was gonna be a bodega glass shop and juice bar and he had mentioned that he was gonna put signs up that say “legal weed” next door, explaining it was a cool way to drive traffic.

I told him I thought the best way to drive traffic to the dispensary was to put a Cookies store here.

He liked the idea and we jumped on it!

DO YOU LIKE THE RETAIL STORE EXPERIENCE? HOW DOES IT FIT IN WITH THE VIBE IN THE AREA?

I REMEMBER WALKING THROUGH THE PLACE WHEN IT WAS THE SHELL OF AN OLD NIGHTCLUB. WHAT WAS THE PROCESS LIKE TO BUILD AND CREATE THE NEW STORE?

We bring a lot of traffic to the street and compliment our neighbors, and we’ve been so successful we just grabbed our nextdoor neighbor to open a whole new store driven towards female consumers. You guys are actually the first to announce that, and that’s a big deal for me to be able to have two stores side by side. Launching a whole

I think we made the store happen in a month!

To be honest with you, it was intense. At times, I didn’t think it would happen in time. We had to get hats and socks made and custom cabinets and design the store, new floors in and paint it.

Ryan’s team were animals — got it done fast and did a killer job on the buildout.

I didn’t know what turnout would be, but that was the most surprising shit I’ve seen. It was a big deal for us. To get that amount of love was pretty amazing. I really appreciate everyone that came out from all over the world: Wyoming, Idaho, Wisconsin, Minneapolis, Cali or all over Washington — really, really cool to see. Plan on expanding and everyone that supports us is supporting people that really believe in this industry and movement.

My goals with the brand are to make it bigger than myself. Right now, it caters to my core audience. I want to make it as big as possible; expand as much as I can. Myself, I want to be successful enough to retire in Kauai. I want to write movies out there and pop off new brands. I like writing and things like that. That would be the end all goal for me.

I actually just dropped another album called “Prohibition 3” with B-Real, and have my four album dropping soon called “Packs on Christmas.” I also have a new high-end boutique flower and concentrate line called Exotic with the Jungle Boys that is gonna be in a few states soon, and our next Cookies clothing store will be in either New York or London. I’m all the way in on this and love it.

LAST QUESTION: I HEARD YOU PUFFING AND HAVE TO ASK, WHAT STRAIN ARE YOU SMOKING? WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE? I’m smoking on Lemonade right now — a Lemon Diesel cross from Oregon that has become really popular down here. It’s fire. But I will always love the Cookies. The high is powerful; I can smoke it any time of day. I love Cookies, which makes perfect sense to me!

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feature

By WES ABNEY | PHOTOS by OSCAR AVELLANEDA-CRUZ for ALASKA LEAF

BUD BROTHERS

Fuzzy Budz Owners Jamie & Troy Millhouse share some insights on their journey to becoming Anchorage’s first licensed producers.

50/dec. 2016 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

First things first. How did you come up with the name Fuzzy Budz?

My brother Troy’s nickname has been “Fuzzy” since he was born. He had about three fuzzy hairs for the first three years, and that was about it!

The nickname stuck and we thought it was a fun way to name the company.

Our other Cannabis brand is Alaska Green Light, and we are hoping to start the new green light district.

Congratulations on being the first licensed producer in Anchorage! How does it feel to finally get here?

It still blows my mind to be on Northern Lights and growing pot, legally. The reality still hasn’t set in.

It was a lot of work for you guys to get here.

How far along are you now?

It’s been a little over a month since we got plants in, [we] should have been going a long time ago, but we had so many delays with city. We’ve had setbacks in our zoning, in licensing … the city had to make a special ordinance for us to even start operating.

We basically got delayed because of how the state set things up, but the ordinance allows us to grow before starting retail. But we made it through, and now we’re coming up on three weeks into flower!

It’s great to hear that things are going well. But it wasn’t easy for you, or anyone trying to do this.

What was most surprising about the process?

It's been a battle, and it felt like taking one step forward and three back, but we never gave up. We have a strong team, and we were actually too fast for [the city], and we stayed on them and never gave them a break. We have thousands of hours on this. It started two years ago, and we kept on riding with it.

We stayed on it, and we are very driven people.

The most surprising part is that we’ve got easily a quarter million into the project, and ours is a small building, a 2,000 grow and a tiny retail. The whole process is very expensive; we thought we could do it for $100,000.

To keep fighting so hard for this shows how much you believe in Cannabis. What got you and your brother started in the industry?

I’ve wanted to grow weed since the ‘80s when it came up on the Anchorage ballot and failed. We have always smoked and enjoyed the plant. But what really did it for me was watching my mother battle cancer.

During the last two weeks of her life we got her to try a high-CBD strain, and when she smoked it she instantly got out of bed and had her pain level go all the way down to a four. She never took pharmaceuticals and was a tough woman, and to see her get comfort and quality of life at the end blew my mind.

How did that lead into or influence your plans for growing or producing?

We definitely want to grow high-CBD strains for people and offer a chance to help as well as sell highTHC recreational pot. Right now we have 17 strains growing and are narrowing it down to our favorite seven. All our strains right now are high-THC as we are prepping for the market.

We are going to have two retail stores on the overall

property because of the way the state set things up.

So our first one will be AK Fuzzy Budz retail, a small appointment-only store retail that's hooked onto the same building, a one-window little store for people who don't want to go into the large or busy stores.

I know a lot of doctors, lawyers, professionals or people needing advice and help who can discreetly get their stuff and leave with no fuss or muss. This spring we will have the other retail open, AK Green Light, which will be a full-scale retail store with every type of product available.

What surprises you about the green rush and what lessons have you learned?

My family has been in business and I was raised in business since ‘72, and my brother has the largest granite business in Anchorage. While everyone is talking about making money, I laugh inside.

This is about making a living and doing something you love and believe in to do. I have the coolest job in the world. I think a lot of these people have green eyes. We were gonna start with an 11,000-squarefoot building and my dad sat me down and said, “if I’d started big in my business, I wouldn't be here today.” So we slowed down and looked carefully at the market. Half the block is ours; we own the buildings and yet we still chose to go slow, and now we are outgrowing our first grow space, but in a good way.

What would you tell people working on their licenses or entering the industry?

Start small and within your means. Then, if something goes wrong and you have a crop failure, you will struggle but not go out of business.

The people with massive loans and payments are going to struggle then. Or, when price wars or other market changes come down the road, my best advice is: Don't give up. Keep rolling. Every setback, you’ve got to pick yourself up and do not stop. I talked to a couple guys getting discouraged and told them don't do that. Don't delay. And whenever you think you’re done, you’re not done.

What are your goals for producing, and what strains are you growing?

Our place is small, and there's not a plant I don't touch every single day, sometimes two to three times a day. You get big and those plants don't get love.

Our goals are to be consistent and grow the best strains we can grow; we have some beautiful plants.

My personal favorite strains are Gummy Bears, Blue Dream, Blue Angels, Critical Sensi Star, Vanilla Lush, Blackwater, Grease Monkey.

Those are my overall favorites; we will see about my brother’s favorites too. That's why we started with so many strains, to let the public tell us; the market will let us know.

DON’T GIVE UP. KEEP ROLLING. EVERY SETBACK, YOU’VE GOT TO PICK YOURSELF UP AND DO NOT STOP. When will you be fully licensed and able to sell?

We are hoping to be open by the third week of January, selling our own flower out of the retail store. We won’t have any other products, but there won’t be any available then anyways. I doubt we will have enough pot to sell any other stores, so it will be our strains, and top/middle/bottom shelf options for people. We have some great strains that we know how to grow, and are excited to have true top shelf available for people to try.

What do you think the next six months hold for the pot market, and how do you feel about the chance to get started?

I think it's going to be absolutely crazy, watching the two dispensaries open in Valdez and Fairbanks, and they are selling out and calling me all the time.

Fairbanks had 300 people in one day; the other one sold out in one day. I think the market is going to be very strong at first and everyone is gonna come in and want to buy pot. But we aren’t looking for just the one-time novelty buyers. We are looking for red wine drinkers, the ones who will come back and buy our stuff by name and want our top shelf.

Most of all, I'm just glad it's finally legal. The most exciting thing is we are the first ones doing it on Northern Lights, a very busy street, and it's crazy to me. I'm just excited about the future and growing, already getting ready to do blueprints on our 4K building, and I have a lot of options to expand.

We’re going to call it the Green Light District, and we are excited to share this with people.

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WARM UP recipes

By LAURIE WOLF for NORTHWEST LEAF | PHOTOS by BRUCE WOLF for NORTHWEST LEAF

SAVE ME SOUP I have recently fallen in love with tofu. It’s strange; I swore it would never happen. Last week I made this soup and used extra-firm tofu instead of the meat. Quite good on a chilly, rainy night.

1. In a large soup pot, heat the canna-oil.

Add the beef and sausage, sauté 7-9 minutes.

Drain off fat. Add the caraway seeds, marjoram, peppers, carrots and onion and sauté for 10-12 minutes. Add the garlic and the cabbage, cover, and cook an additional 10 minutes.

2. Add 6 cups of water along with the tomatoes, raisins, paprika, salt and pepper. Simmer for about 45 minutes. Serves 6.

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons canna oil 1 pound ground beef or turkey ½ pound Italian/turkey sausage 1 teaspoon caraway seeds 1 teaspoon dried marjoram 2 cups mixed chopped bell peppers 2 cups peeled and sliced carrots 1 medium onion, chopped 3 cloves minced garlic 3 cups coarsely chopped cabbage 6 cups water 28-ounce can diced fire-roasted tomatoes ½ cup raisins, optional 1-2 teaspoons smoked paprika 3 cups coarsely chopped green cabbage 1 teaspoon salt Freshly ground pepper to taste

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If you can, take some time this season to invite over a few friends and remember how fortunate we all are. Lucky to have a home and good company and beautiful food on our tables. Hopefully said food has been cooked with some wonderful cannabis, raising the bar even higher.

COZY MEALS HELP KEEP YOU HIGH AND HAPPY OVER THE HOLIDAYS.

SALMON IN FOIL 1. Heat oven to 340. Cut either parchment or foil into 14-inch length. Place the salmon in the center of the foil. Repeat with all the pieces. Top each piece of salmon with chili powder, pepper, salt, peas and carrots.

2. In a small bowl, combine the cilantro cannabutter and lime juice. Divide the butter mixture over the salmon. Top with the lime slices. Bring the edges of the foil up and crimp in a loose tent shape. Bake 15 minutes.

3. Carefully open the packets. Discard the lime slices. Place on a plate and spoon the salsa over each portion. Serves 4.

INGREDIENTS

CHICKEN PANZANELLA 1. Heat oven to 450. In a small pan, add one cup of olive oil and 12 cloves of garlic. Slowly confit the garlic till tender. In a skillet, pan sear the chicken pieces and place on a baking sheet until all pieces are seared.

2. Place in a 450 degree oven to roast. Cut up chunks of day-old bread and drizzle with olive oil and salt — about four cubes of bread per person. Place in oven to toast.

My favorite restaurant in Portland serves this chicken dish that I thought couldn’t get better.

Then, I added Cannabis. Honestly it doesn’t make it taste better, but it’s fun.

3. Once chicken is cooked through, remove from pan and keep warm. Discard oil from pan, adding 1-2 tablespoons of canna-oil. Add 1/3 cup of pitted oil-cured black olives, the confit garlic and 4 cups of chicken stock. Scrape the bottom of the pan to get all the crust. Taste, add salt and pepper and chopped parsley. Remove toasted bread and place on plates. Spoon the sauce over the warm croutons. Top with an arugula salad dressed with your favorite vinaigrette and warm roasted chicken. Done!

4 6-ounce pieces of skinless salmon 2 teaspoons chili powder 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper ½ teaspoon salt 2 cups frozen peas 1 cup shredded carrots ¼ cup chopped cilantro 4 tablespoons canna-butter or canna-oil 2 tablespoons lime juice ¾ cup salsa, mild to hot 12 thin lime slices

INGREDIENTS For the Chicken

1 cup good quality olive oil 12 garlic cloves, peeled 4 chicken breasts, boneless 4 chicken thighs, boneless 16 good size chunks of day-old bread, drizzled with olive oil and coarse salt 1/3 cup pitted black olives 4 cups chicken stock Salt Pepper Parsley

For the salad

1 bunch arugula, cleaned and dried on clean dishtowel. ¼ cup sherry vinegar ¾ cup olive oil 2 tablespoons canna-oil 1 tablespoon sugar 1 non-Teflon pan

dec. 2016 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

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DEVICE OF THE MONTH

PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN

OM

collab | JRed glass x Creep Glass

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OM IS A SACRED SOUND AND A SPIRITUAL ICON. THIS PART OF THE PIECE WAS DESIGNED BY JRED, WHO SAID THAT HE IS IN HIS ULTIMATE MANTRA WHILE BLOWING GLASS. THE PURPLE OM IS COMPLEMENTED BY THE COLORFUL FLAMES, CREATED BY CREEP GLASS. THE PIECE’S OWNER, BAILEY, SAID SHE WAS INSPIRED

BY THE OM SYMBOL AS A YOGA LOVER AND BECAUSE FIRE IS ARIE’S ELEMENT. dec. 2016 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

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NORTHWEST LEAF /NWLEAF @NWLEAF

Use Code ‘freeleaf’ for free shipping @seedsherenow

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Reviews

By STEVE ELLIOTT Editor, Tokesignals.com

DIRECTED by RORY ROONEY, 2016 // 86 MINUTES, $3.99 AMAZON VIDEO

BAKED IN BROOKLYN From corporate America to ganjaprenuer

If

you’d told me yesterday that one of my favorite movies of 2016 would be about a pill-gobbling pot dealer who doesn’t even like to smoke pot, I might have argued with you. Today, though, after screening “Baked In Brooklyn,” I’d have to admit you were right.

In the film, an impressive directorial debut for Rory Rooney, a newly unemployed college graduate named David Sharpiro decides to sell marijuana on the streets of Manhattan to makes end meet after losing his corporate cubicle job at a New York City consulting firm. Things get off to a quick start after Sharpiro (“The Big Bang Theory’s” Josh Brener) advertises his wares online, but that’s where the plot twists come in.

With a new beautiful, pot-smoking girlfriend (played by the stunning Alexandra Daddario) who is nonetheless skeptical of his new career, a rapid increase in clientele, and the growing threats of being caught or killed, David soon realizes he’s in way over his head. His roommates are equally skeptical of his plan, but let him go ahead with it.

But as David’s new pot-selling job takes over his life, his friends begin to resent him, and the fear of being beat up becomes all too real.

I was never bored for even one minute of this great film, and recommend it to anyone who wants to spend a fun hour and a half in the Big Apple.

DAVID SOON REALIZES HE’S IN WAY OVER HIS HEAD.

62/DEC. 2016 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

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TIME

health & science

By SIMONE FISCHER | Special Contributor

66/dec. 2016 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

TIPS & TRICKS FOR SURVIVING YOUR NEXT HOLIDAY PARTY

Cannabis is legal and the holidays have arrived. Festive parties are in abundance, and this year Mary Jane is here to celebrate (legally)! Cannabis is a wonderful aid during the holiday season, both in stressful situations or just when relaxing with family and friends. Before we begin diving into our Yuletide agendas, I think it’s important to rehash stoner party etiquette. Just stick to these traditionally unspoken rules....

1)Whether Knowyou’reyour limit staring down a Cannabis-laced

edible, dab or joint, know your limit. Imagine if you never set standards for your drunken self: You would eventually be dubbed a “sloppy drunk” and invitations might begin to drop off. The same goes for Cannabis — don’t be a fool. The highest maturity is required with any mind-altering substance. Go slow, and say no. There is no real shame in turning down a puff; the real regret comes later when you pass out on the couch and miss the entire party.

2) Designated driver or call a cab Do not put yourself or other people’s lives at risk.

Before any party, you should either designate a sober driver or plan on calling a cab. Technology has made it easier than ever to find a safe ride home.

Do not give Cannabis a bad reputation. Know your limits and take a taxi. The cost of a DUI in Oregon is over $10,000. Don’t be a cheap-ass: use Uber. Pay 30 bucks and save nearly $10,000. Safety pays off.

3) Have multiple Cannabis options Last year, I hosted a holiday party at my place in December. I invited people from within the Cannabis industry and non-stoner friends. At the time, I was almost exclusively smoking oil (BHO) and rosin. Most of my friends who arrived were heavy dabbers, but I really alienated my friends who only needed a few tokes off a joint to achieve an adequate high. The point is, don’t make the same mistake I did. Buy flower for the party if you don’t have any on hand, and pick up sharable (low-dose, no more than 15mg) edibles for those who opt for a smokeless form of Cannabis. I usually provide flower, dabs and edibles for friends, and it allows everyone to reach their desired level of comfort.

It’s not about what you alone want to smoke — reserve some consideration for your guests.

I personally prefer oil, but I won’t turn down high quality flower if I attend a gathering without dabs.

4) Remember the party supplies While on the subject of flower, have these supplies handy: a grinder, rolling papers, roll board, matches or a lighter. For dabbers who entertain: oil rig, enail, multiple dab tools, silicone mats, -tips and

alcohol wipes to clean the mouthpiece. Vape pens are a hit, so keep one around. To avoid any dab overdoses, I recommend guests should avoid dab and use a vape pen instead. I suggest keeping a couple of packs of pre-made cones for people who cannot (and should not) roll joints. They come in a variety of sizes complete with a filter. I keep a bong and pipe out for guests too. Or charge up your PAX for easy consumption. The PAX is super easy to use, and many of my “casual” Cannabis smokers love it. I keep all of my stoner supplies on a large wooden serving tray. It keeps everything together and looks cute when presenting to guests.

5) Protect the environment If someone was kind enough to invite you to their

home, don’t be an asshole and ash on their furniture or floor. Ask for an ashtray, or a cup to ash in.

You will look so classy and considerate. Both items seem to be in short supply these days. If you partake outside, don’t haphazardly throw away your roach — not only is it a fire hazard, you’ll look like a prick. Be mindful and properly dispose of your roach. I certainly do not want stoners to be labeled as serial litterers. If you’re smoking out of a pipe or bong, ash in a designated place or ask your host.

DO NOT ash into a garbage because the hot cherry could start a fire if not properly extinguished.

6) Swab your surface Much like fine China, many dabbers bring out their

fancy nails, bangers and glass to showcase and dab off of with friends and family. I personally have paid upwards of $130 for a quartz nail I naturally ended up breaking (R.I.P.). With that said, after you take a dab, swab the surface of the nail with a Q-tip to remove any remaining oil. Throw the Q-tip away in its designated spot once finished. This keeps the quartz nail looking pristine, while being able to taste nuances between each dab.

7) Keep hydrated No matter your tolerance, always drink water.

One of the most common side effects of Cannabis is cotton mouth. Nothing worse than trying to carry out a conversation while you secretly die inside as

your lips begin to chap and peel. Plus, your breath is more inclined to stink because of the lack of moisture. Just make sure you have water nearby for all issues listed above.

8) Have a safe space If you are new to Cannabis, or have a lower toler-

ance, find a place you can sit down and relax before you get too high. If you smoke weed and it starts to become uncomfortable, find your safe space. Hang out (with a glass of water) on the couch for a while and ride it out. Odds are, after an initial 30 minutes or so, you should come back down to Earth and probably snack on holiday treats and refreshments.

9) Use CBD to calm nerves Heading to a holiday party where you don’t know

anybody? Calm the mounting bout of social anxiety with a touch of CBD. CBD, or cannabidiol, is the non-psychoactive cannabinoid responsible for reducing inflammation, strengthening the immune system and calming anxiety. Roll up a high-CBD strain in a joint, or use a high CBD vape cartridge intermittently before or during the event. It should take the edge off without numbing your entire experience.

One of my favorite aspects of parties that include Cannabis is the lack of physical altercations.

Alcohol consumption has a funny way of escalating into unwanted violence, which is a total buzzkill.

Cannabis keeps those demons at bay. The worst thing that may happen is you have absolutely no leftovers to snack on the next day because all of your friends are stoners. I speak from experience.

Simone Fischer is a Portland OMMP patient and Cannabis advocate. She is a contributing editor at Ladybud Magazine and a graduate of women’s and gender studies from Portland State University.

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health & science

KRATOM

THE NEWEST TARGET OF THE WAR ON DRUGS

H

provisions of the Controlled Substances Act, this temporary ban ow crazy is the War on Drugs in America? would last for a period of at least two years, beginning a process Well, the Drug Enforcement Administraof permanent Schedule I status. tion (DEA) recently tried to fast track kraBY NORTHWEST LEAF The fact that kratom has become widely available and perceived tom, an herb native to Southeast Asia, to SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR as a recreational drug seemed to have offended the DEA. The DR. SCOTT D. ROSE Schedule I narcotic status and then changed explanation of its ban noted, “kratom had never been approved its mind. Kratom has been used widely for by the government for any use.” The DEA figures if a psychoaccenturies to ease pain, boost work performance, tive substance is not explicitly permitted, it should be prohibited. The reduce anxiety, diminish PTSD and wean people from opiate addiction.

DEA pointed to an increase in the number of calls to poison control cenIn recent years the herb has gained a following in the United States, sold by ters related to kratom as a justification for acting swiftly, without seeking online merchants and head shops as an herbal medicine, dietary supplement input from other government agencies, and with no opportunity for pubor legal high. Kratom has been in the crosshairs of the DEA since it anlic comment. In the emergency scheduling notice published in the Federal nounced in 2013 that there is no legitimate medical use for kratom. Kratom Register, the DEA cited a July 2016 report was almost labeled a Schedule I narcotic due to the temporary scheduling from the CDC that claimed kratom was “an provisions of the Controlled Substances Act. Public outcry from online peemerging public health threat.” According titions, social media groups, protests, researchers (who would be stopped to the CDC, kratom-related calls to poison in their tracks on continuing current and future research on kratom), and control centers rose from 26 calls in 2010 letters from 51 members of Congress forced an unprecedented action by to 263 in 2015 — a total of 660 calls over the DEA to reverse its decision to ban kratom, which is legal in the U.S., at a six-year period. In comparison, in 6 years, least for now. poison centers received 23,303 calls about At the end of August 2016, the DEA declared an emergency ban on caffeine and 66,300 calls about essential oils. kratom. The ban was to go into effect as early as the end of September In the 11th hour, the ban was dropped 2016, placing kratom into Schedule I narcotic status alongside heroin, (for now). The DEA’s spokesman, Melvin LSD, and yes, even Cannabis. According to the temporary scheduling

health & sci-

PUBLIC PRESSURE KEEPS THE HERB UNREGULATED FOR NOW, ENCOURAGING USERS AND RESEARCHERS SEEKING A SAFER ALTERNATIVE TO OPIOIDS

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Patterson, has responded to the public backlash that included a White House petition with over 135,000 signatures calling on the DEA to delay this “hasty decision.” Many thought that the intent was to ban the herb so Big Pharma could make it into a pharmaceutical pill. “I don’t see it being Schedule II [or higher] because that would be a drug that’s highly addictive. Kratom is at a point where it needs to be recognized as medicine,” Patterson told the Washington Post, seemingly contradicting his employer’s position.

“I want the kratom community to know that the DEA does hear them,” Patterson said.

“Our goal is to make sure this is available to all of them.” Patterson also said the reaction to the ban ‘‘was eye-opening for me personally.”

The DEA, which has a long “record of ignoring both science and public opinion,” has responded to an outcry by the public in an unprecedented act by reversing its decision, perhaps representing a cultural shift around access to such herbs. However, kratom advocates and researchers are cautious about how much they celebrate. The DEA could still put the substance on an emergency ban at a later time, or the agency could permanently schedule the plant, a process that can take a couple of years. Kratom is still on the DEA’s list of Drugs and Chemicals of Concern and is still illegal under local laws in Tennessee, Vermont, Wisconsin, Indiana, Arkansas and Alabama.

Public pressure keeps the herb unregulated for now, encouraging users and researchers who seek a safer alternative to opioids.

WHAT IS KRATOM? Kratom, or mitragyna speciosa (also known as ketum), is a tropical evergreen tree in the coffee family native to Southeast Asia in such countries as Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. Kratom is used in folk medicine as a stimulant (at low doses), sedative (at high doses), recreational drug, pain killer, medicine for diarrhea and treatment for opiate addiction.

Many people report that kratom is an effective treatment for arthritis, restless legs syndrome (RLS) and fibromyalgia.

In 1836, kratom was reportedly used as an opium substitute in Malaysia.

Kratom was also used as an opium substitute in Thailand in the 19th century. Rates of kratom use appears to be increasing among those who have been self-managing chronic pain with opioids, especially those purchased without a prescription. Many are cycling (but not quitting) their opiate use, thereby reducing opiate intake, trading the opiates for a less toxic substance.

There is evidence that the alkaloid compounds in kratom can have pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory and/or muscle relaxant effects, and might hold a key to developing powerful next-generation drugs that can treat pain but not cause some of the devas-

tating side effects of conventional painkillers including morphine, oxycodone or other opioids.

Data suggest that kratom is used predominantly by adults therapeutically, and a recent survey by the Pain News Network, which polled over 6,000 users, found that over 50 percent use it for acute and/or chronic pain, almost 15 percent for anxiety, 10 percent for opioid dependency and less than 2 percent for recreational use. The poll found that kratom was predominantly used for back/spinal pain, migraines and fibromyalgia. Remember that the effects are dose-dependent, having stimulant-like effects at low dose and opiate or sedating effects at higher doses.

Kratom can be taken in a number of ways. It’s a natural botanical herb that can be used in combination with other dietary supplements, steeped as tea, taken in powder form as a paste or mixed in food, or in capsule form. If taken in excess over long periods of time, kratom consumers may experience dependence similar to caffeine dependence. Stopping cold turkey is ill-advised; gradually taper use to stave off negative withdrawal effects. Kratom products are not recommended for use by minors or for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Dr. Scott D. Rose is a Naturopathic Acupuncturist in the Seattle, Washington area. dec. 2016 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

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growtech

THE VEGETATIVE STAGE M ON YOUR MARKS, GET SET...

the Cannabis plant’s life. ost people are connected with the Can During the vegetative period, significantly fewer functions, nabis plant through its dried and reactions and changes occur compared to the regenerative (flower) cured end form. In many ways, it

BY NORTHWEST LEAF phase. As a result, gardening practices are easily compartmentalwould seem that the further from the SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR ized accordingly. Plants in the more than 18 hours of light peend result we dive into the cultivation DR. SCANDERSON riod are, in general, building root mass or developing foliage and process, the less glamorous the content shoots; that’s it. The pace of growth is roughly consistent throughout becomes. People seem to react more to depending on the area the plant is prioritizing its energy for. There is the picture or discussions of late-flowering plants than they do a photo no accelerated stretch period, flower setting, or extreme changes in biomass of a spot on an early growing plant beaming with health and vigor. (comparatively), so a gardener need only provide support and focus on one So many products are designed to increase yields and density and there is function or process rather than many. Feeding schedules may be focused on almost a prejudice towards frost over everything. Any experienced gardener will supporting either the development of the rhizosphere (weeks one to three) or tell you that if you want all the flash and excitement of cultivating highly actufoliage and shoots (weeks two to three and beyond). Similarly, foliar feeding alized percentages of potential outcomes in your Cannabis garden, many of the with formulas that promote prolific root development can be very helpful for maximums and limitations for possible achievement for the round are created younger plants with smaller root masses to feed with. Foliar feeding is also an during the grow or vegetative phase. excellent way for all gardens to add in beneficial bacteria and other organic The newest forms of prohibition — wrapped up in highly deceptive “legalcompounds, and inoculates as preventative maintenance against pests and disization” ballot initiatives — put still more pressure on gardeners to overlook eases during the earlier stages when plants are usually more vulnerable. the high costs of gardening with quality as the apex priority. More and more The vegetative period is also where training the plant’s growth patterns to facilities are being set up to minimize veg times in favor of higher production, suit your growing space and methods is both easiest and most effective. Startpushing the grow portion of the process still further back out the egresses of ing training techniques while the plants are still very small saves quite a bit of valuable Cannabis growing knowledge. In response to the apparent marginaltime as smaller plants are easier to manipulate and have less going on. Training ization of information regarding the grow phase, this month’s Growtech will plants also stimulates root growth, which is an excellent complement to the focus on the benefits and features that makes this time such a pivotal period in

70/dec. 2016 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

first few weeks of veg.

When starting training in the first few weeks, I’ve always found more success using the very lowest form of stress training (VLST?) is best as it’s very easy to shock plants at a time when recovery may become impossible. A little bit can go a long way so long as it’s gently and consistent. Plants always respond best to gradual changes, so applying training techniques early and often through the early vegetative period sets the plants up for success when using more rigorous training in later veg and early flower.

Options for creating precisely the structure that maximizes your space are more plentiful during early and mid-vegetative stages. At a certain point in a plant’s untrained development, opportunities to create bends and shapes become more limited compared to the potential adverse impacts it may have on recovery time. By starting when all parts of the plant are completely flexible, the world is your oyster, so to speak.

Bending and shaping the main stem or dominant secondary shoots is both easy, fast and has little impact on the plant’s vigor and pace of development when performed properly. By selecting and manipulating each and every shoot, node and flower site, you help the plant direct energy and resources towards only the areas you ultimately are hoping to cultivate, which decreases time and increases the health of the plant.

Perhaps the most comforting characteristic of the vegetative period is that the timeframe is flexible. I can hear many recreational production managers cringe at such a maxim, just one of many scorching examples of how quality can fall by the wayside in favor of the almighty dollar, but in reality, if the plant’s health is the pinnacle of concern, this period should remain entirely flexible. It goes for as long as it needs to until the plants develop to the point they should be to initiate flower.

Again contributing towards a gardener’s ability to train and develop the best structure, the vegetative period accommodates error. Overtrained plants, broken stocks, pH lock out, nutrient deficiency and even overgrown plants can all be improved by simply adding more time to the vegetative period to allow for recovery or repair, and then pick up where you left off in the plant’s development. This is in stark contrast to the flower period, where mistakes cannot be taken back and every day is the single most important day of the plant’s life.

By training the plant early, you are preparing it to handle the more aggressive techniques that often become necessary for larger, more robust adolescents; similarly veg gives an excellent opportunity to apply progressive light treatment. During this flexible and forgiving stage, it’s a great time to match the plant’s

development, feeding and training schedule with the amount and type of light you are feeding from.

Many people enjoy the benefits of T5 lighting for clones and they can make a great solution for lighting vegetative plants as well. But issues arise for those who apply T5 lighting exclusively during veg when they attempt to flower the plants under HID lamps without accounting for significant transition. An alternative is to start with a small amount of T5 lighting, then slowly increase the number T5 lamps being used for full lighting until the maximum has been reached. When the plants begin the middle and later stages of veg, it’s a great time to start applying some HID lighting to them. Apply a low amount initially, slowly improving to full strength. Lighting progression should be completed entirely prior to initiating flower.

All of these areas of setting up and carrying out a healthy and effective vegetative period are combined harmoniously in an effort to set up the most important portion: a seamless transition into flower. Plants that reach their final stages of veg with extreme vigor, high integrity structure and balanced branching in the environment designated for them to finish in is the only way to start a flower round, in my book. Nothing can create a more significant leg up in flower than a perfect transition. When the only change the plant at this stage is exposed to is an increased dark period, your flower run is off to a

THE VEGETATIVE STAGE IS WHERE TRAINING THE PLANT’S GROWTH PATTERNS TO SUIT YOUR GROWING SPACE IS BOTH EASIEST AND MOST EFFECTIVE

stellar start. That means finishing stretch earlier and with less height improvement, faster and fuller flower set, and the ever so important early and aggressive onset of diamond-sprinkled, tightly packed clusters of trichomes making buds so frosty, uploading them online would violate the community usage policies and ultimately break the internet.

Perhaps known as the massively underrated step child of the famous and flashy “flower” period, the vegetative period is not to be overlooked. It’s where you have the opportunity to create graduating layers of your gardening style and gently introduce them to the plants.

It also allows your plants to respond, telling you what you did right and where your technique can improve. Creating the shape the plant will grow from and be supported by goes down in veg most effectively as well as adaptation to the style of nutrient delivery and intensity of light.

All these factors actualizing in a dynamic environment where timeframes are indefinite sets up the breath of potential for the plant’s life. It’s a period to be experienced, enjoyed and learned from. Happy Gardening!!!

Follow along

Instagram @DrScanderson_gT

Drop me a line

thegreengardengroup@gmail.com

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Photo: Vice, Marina Riker

budshot

PHOTO by @SPURSBROKEN | ROBERT R. SANDERS | PORTLAND

A potent hybrid originally engineered to combat the symptoms of fibromyalgia, it has a sweet and skunky aroma.

Available from Foster Buds (FosterBuds.com) and Glisan Buds (GlisanBuds.com)

74/DEC. 2016 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

GREEN DRAGON FARMS

MEDICINE WOMAN Got sweet garden/bud photos?

Share them with us and they might appear here next month! Email your top 2-3 not-taken-witha-phone-unless-they-were-superduper-steady high-resolution images to nwleaf@gmail.com along with the usual details on what’s being grown and who to credit (please see corner for the information to include with your email).

budshot

PHOTO by JAMIE COLSON

Got sweet garden/bud photos?

Share them with us and they might appear here next month!

Email your top 3-5 not-taken-with-a-phoneunless-they-were-superduper-steady highresolution images to nwleaf@gmail.com along with details on what’s being grown, what effects it is known for, how it helps and why you like to grow it, plus any photo credits.

GROWN BY DREAD MEDS

QUEEN

76/DEC. 2016 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

Euphoric & stimulating, this refreshingly earthy hybrid offers up a hint of grapefruit on the exhale.

Queen’s potent effects are great for quickly relieving stress and pain.

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This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination.

Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of reach of children.

BEHIND THE STRAIN

Drop me a line

thegreengardengroup@gmail.com

Watch a video

YouTube.com/DrScandersonGt

STAR DAWG

DegaussPress.com

BAG APPEAL & SMOKE REPORT Unlike most varieties I’ve worked with, the particular selection of Stardawg I was able to run has a unique quality of finishing with a medium lavender sheen and some darker pockets at the waist, setting off “high bag” alarms across the state. While much of the Stardawg is commonly minty green with orange hairs, smothered in trichomes and the “bang bang, pow pow” smell, this cut delivers the same giant spearshaped flowers, coated handsomely in crystals but with noticeable veins of lavender and burgundy.

Nothing holds a candle to the weapons-grade terp punch these blooms produce. Deep and penetrating smells of freshly greased rubber tires and tennis balls consume the senses when cracking the jars. It takes a second and third sniff to begin to decipher the acrid, Windex/ammonia smells of Chemdawg 4 when cultivated long enough to produce a sharp, yet comparatively appropriate background bedding for rubbery, nutty, gassy, almost overbearing opening scents. The flower’s smoke is refreshingly delicious.

Where my palate expected lots of sour, chemical, lung-expanding smoke, Stardawg delivers a warm, nutty smoke on inhale with mild lung expansion, making large single-point consummation points dangerously comfortable. While the inhale may be reminiscent of freshly laid asphalt, the grand performance is saved for the exhale, where nearly 100 percent of the almost fruity tennis balls and floor stripper flavor — that washes through your inner cheeks

BY NORTHWEST LEAF and tongue with a speed and ferocity — is unmatched by any SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR other cultivar I’ve experienced.

Sounds become more intense, scents provide new facets to their character

BREEDER: Top Dawg Seeds, JJ Edwards GENETICS: Chemdawg 4 x Tres Dawg LINEAGE: Perhaps one of the greatest accomplishments in the history of

DR. SCANDERSON

Cannabis breeding, Stardawg was a project that took years of selection to create.

In an effort to create the ultimate Chem line in seed form, JJ took and worked his Chemdawg D, backing it and stabilizing it into seed form, known as Tres Dawg. Remiss off the common intersexual traits, this line was an accomplishment in and of itself, but when worked into the Chemdawg 4 over the next several years, a genuine legendary seed form of Chemdawg was born, often being touted as some of the greatest Cannabis seeds ever made: Stardawg.

HOW IT GROWS

Flowers in 68-78 days

Not the fastest starter — but not the OGKB crawl pace in veg either — Stardawg takes an extra week or so to really get going, throwing dark three- and five-finger leaf sets as she goes. Responding very well to topping and training techniques, Stardawg has elongated full power side branches that are easily guided into the main canopy. She definitely appreciates some medium to heavy branch selection to clean out all the powerful side branches and focus development where the most abundant resources exist.

Stardawg is an absolute monster when given the proper training, feeding schedule and enough time to develop. She will transition into flower in 10-12 days, but even running her the full 78 days, I felt she could have been taken into the next week with ease. As such, plan your bloom round accordingly with the longest period of regenerative development being the hardening and ripening phases. A very sturdy support system will be needed as this lady is a beast when it comes to yield. Absolute chemical baby arms is what this lady wants to produce, so be sure you have the support to handle it or suffer from floppy buds and stem snaps.

78/dec. 2016 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF

EFFECTS This variety is not for the faint of heart, you must have at least your intermediate or better yet advanced Cannabis registration completed prior to sampling this medicine. Like slipping into a warm bath, a deep feeling of calm and relaxation washes over me almost instantly after exhale. An excited anticipation guides me through what often would be a heavy sleeper experience, keeping some functionality.

Sounds become more intense, scents provide new facets to their character, thoughts begin presenting themselves as an invitation for consideration while the true nature of the human spirit is allowed to fully arise. It’s that strong, long, amazing Chem you always wanted.

SUMMARY One of the best packs of seeds around, Stardawg reached legendary status some time ago and continues to ride the wave of years of intentional selection and breeding efforts right to the upper echelons of Cannabis folklore where it belongs. With many well-known phenotypes emerging from these packs (Corey Haim, Guava), Stardawg, for better or worse, has literally been the cornerstone of many other breeder’s projects and many of we farmers’ most elite grows.

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