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REHASHED
Boro Derby 2016, Spokane
28 ACCESS REVIEW
High End Market Place, Vancouver
32 TASTY RECIPES Three comforting fall dishes to try
THE HARVEST ISSUE ABOVE | A drone’s-eye view of the beautiful site of East Fork Cultivars in Illinois Valley, OR.
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contents
THE HARVEST ISSUE
field day Head Grower Jerry Torcott stands amid Jack’s Girl produced by Marijuana Business Company, a recreational producer/processor in beautiful Leavenworth, Wash.
Photos by Daniel Berman
46
NORTHWEST LEAF
the truth about the plant you thought you knew, IN every issue.
editor’s note
NOV. 2016 ISSUE #77
This month’s issue features our biggest Harvest Issue to date, with 18 uninterrupted pages the harvest is hitting across the West Coast with beautiful plants being grown in
Washington, Oregon, California and beyond. This is our favorite issue of the year, with big beautiful plants and stories from the farmers who spend most of a year to produce them. This is real farming, hands in the dirt, rain or shine, from March to October, and we are honored to share it with you! We toured farms for nearly two weeks, learning about different approaches and techniques and meeting the salt-of-the-Earth people who spend the majority of their year with hands in the dirt. It really is a special thing to see giant plants growing in different climates, all with the natural energy of the sun. As our country wrestles with legalization, our industry AS OUR COUNTRY WRESTLES WITH LEGALIZATION, OUR INDUSTRY AND and consumers need to make an ethical and moral decision to support sun-grown Cannabis, especially in CONSUMERS NEED TO MAKE AN ETHICAL AND MORAL DECISION TO states like Arizona or Nevada, where growing indoors is SUPPORT SUN-GROWN CANNABIS. extremely expensive, environmentally unsustainable and locks away plants in an artificial environment. Don’t get me wrong. I love fire indoor, and there will always be room for niche producers to create great indoor products. But some day our federal government is going to stop their butchering of our civil liberties and legalize Cannabis, allowing inter-state transport of Cannabis, and that will be the day large-scale indoor dies. Just like we have a massive corn belt that runs through the heart of our country, we will some day have massive weed farms on a scale that doesn’t yet exist. Our harvest issue is a preview of the pioneers developing these techniques, and preparing for the future of Cannabis growing. I hope you enjoy our journey through these farms, and when recreational outdoor starts to hit the market this month, give some local outdoor a try!
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
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Daniel Berman
CONTRIBUTORS
Wes and Kori Marie
MICHAEL DYRLAND, PHOTOS STEVE ELLIOTT, NATIONAL NEWS SIMONE FISCHER, HEALTH PAUL GRZELAK, EDITING KORI MARIE, PRODUCTION MATTHEW MEYERS, FEATURES NORTHWEST GREENS, PHOTOS SEAN O’NEIILL, ILLUSTRATION RESINATED LENS, PHOTOS DR. SCOTT D. ROSE, HEALTH DR. SCANDERSON, GROWTECH ERIC SKELTON, PRODUCTION PACER STACKTRAIN, FEATURES SAMUEL WILSON, PHOTOS LAURIE & BRUCE WOLF, RECIPES
ADVERTISING nwleaf@gmail.com // (206) 235-6721 Please email or call us to discuss print and online advertising opportunities in an upcoming issue. We do not sell stories or coverage. We are happy to offer design services with Kush Creative Group and can provide guidance on the best approaches for promoting any medical, recreational, commercial or industrial product and pursuit. We are targeted.
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national
STEVE ELLIOTT is the editor behind tokesignals.com, an independent blog of Cannabis news and opinion.
poll: 60% of Americans Support Legal Marijuana Legalization Brings fewer Arrests and No Increase in Youth Use or Traffic Fatalities Good news from the Drug Policy Alliance.
The results represent the most positive response in Gallup’s four-decade history of asking about Cannabis.
A new survey from Gallup finds that support for candidates included — would do themselves a big ending marijuana prohibition continues to grow favor to take note of the clear trend and then vocally nationally, with 60 percent of Americans now on support legislation catering to the growing majority board. The number is up from 58 percent last year, of Americans who support modernizing failed and 50 percent in 2011. marijuana policies.” The news comes as voters in five states begin “Three out of five Americans are ready to end to vote on ballot initiatives to regulate and tax prohibition and adopt a more sensible marijuana Cannabis for adult use. Early voting began in policy,” said Mason Tvert, dir. of communications of October in Massachusetts, Nevada, the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP). Arizona, California and Maine. “Support for making marijuana legal “THREE OUT OF The new survey result is a record increased among all age groups, from FIVE AMERICANS ARE READY TO high in Gallup’s 47-year history of college freshmen to senior citizens. END PROHIBITION asking about Cannabis. It follows a “Over the past four years, this increase AND ADOPT A separate Pew poll in October that in public support nationwide has MORE SENSIBLE found 57 percent of Americans support manifested itself in major state-level MARIJUANA POLICY.” legalization, up from 53 percent last year. policy changes,” Tvert said. “Four states “The topline number obviously and our nation’s capital have voted to bodes well for the marijuana measures on state make marijuana legal for adults, and five more could do ballots next month,” said Tom Angell, chairman of the same in just a few weeks.” the pro-legalization group Marijuana Majority. “In several states where ballot measures aren’t an “But what gives me even more hope are the option, legislatures are taking a closer look at this demographic breakdowns showing just how issue than ever before,” Tvert said. “When it comes strongly young people support ending prohibition. to ending marijuana prohibition, the writing is not “It’s more clear than ever that legalization is the just on the wall, but also on state ballots and bills future,” he said. “More politicians — presidential throughout the country.”
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In 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first two U.S. states — and the first two jurisdictions in the world — to approve ending marijuana prohibition and start legally regulating marijuana production, distribution and sales. In the 2014 election, Alaska and Oregon followed suit, while Washington D.C. passed a more limited measure that legalized possession and home cultivation of marijuana (but did not address its taxation and sale due to D.C. law). A new report by the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) brings good news for the states considering legalization at the ballot, and the broader marijuana legalization movement. Since the adult possession of marijuana became legal, there has “MARIJUANA been a dramatic decrease PROHIBITION in marijuana arrests and HAS BEEN A COSTLY convictions, as well as FAILURE...” increased tax revenues. During the same period, despite the dire predictions of alarmists, these states did not experience increases in youth marijuana use or traffic fatalities. “Marijuana prohibition has been a costly failure — to individuals, communities, and the entire country,” said Joy Haviland, staff attorney at the DPA. “States that have chosen to legalize marijuana under state law should be praised for developing a smarter, more responsible approach to marijuana.”
Quoted
Punitive Approach to Drugs Fails to Protect Human Rights, Life, Health in Asia Phillipines President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs has resulted in the deaths of at least 4,000 people.
sanctioned murder, and an estimated 700,000 need for governments to promote and protect people have been required to surrender to the the right to life as ministers of the Association authorities for suspected drug involvement. President Duterte’s flagrant disregard for of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met in Singapore in October to agree on a new regional ensuring the rule of law and due process has drawn international condemnation and a warning 10-year plan on drugs. Drug control in many ASEAN countries from the chief prosecutor of the International has exacted a very high human cost through Criminal Court. The escalating situation in the Philippines is of draconian measures that have blindly focused grave concern, and was the primary on eradicating the illicit drug focus of the ministerial meeting. trade. Such approaches have also DRUG CONTROL “For decades, ASEAN has failed to reduce the scale of the IN MANY ASEAN COUNTRIES HAS imposed a punitive and repressive drug market. EXACTED A VERY approach that has only served The unrealistic ASEAN target HIGH HUMAN to increase the stigma and of creating a “drug-free” region COST THROUGH dehumanization of people who by 2015 was not met. ASEAN DRACONIAN MEASURES. use drugs, without improving needs to re-evaluate its approach the health and welfare of the and revise its response to drugrelated problems in ways that will improve, communities in the region,” said Anand and not undermine, the health, security and Chabungbam, coordinator of the Asian Network of People who Use Drugs. development of all members of society. “This region has some of the world’s highest The most pressing situation in the region today is the Philippines. President Rodrigo rates of HIV and viral hepatitis amongst people Duterte’s war on drugs has led to the unlawful who inject drugs, and governments must support killings of more than 4,000 people in the the provision of harm reduction measures that campaign’s first three months in acts of state- have been emphatically proven to save lives.”
“PROPOSITION 64 WILL BRING LEGAL JUSTICE AND JOB TRAINING TO COMMUNITIES OF COLOR THAT HAVE BEEN CYNICALLY TARGETED BY THE FAILED WAR ON MARIJUANA.” — ARTURO S. RODRIGUEZ (United Farm Workers of America president) officially endorsing Proposition 64, California’s Adult Use of Marijuana Act
civil society groups highlighted the urgent
Quick Hits! 2 160 500
million dollars were donated by billionaire casino owner Sheldon Adelson to fight against legalizing recreational marijuana in Nevada, making him the biggest donor to the “Protect Nevada’s Children” PAC. million dollars in recreational marijuana sales have been made in Oregon so far in 2016.
dollars is the average difference in price between a wholesale pound of medical marijuana in Washington and the less expensive recreational product.
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national
STEVE ELLIOTT is the editor behind tokesignals.com, an independent blog of Cannabis news and opinion.
Epilepsy Foundation Endorses Florida Medical Marijuana Amendment 2 In a first for either organization, the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida (EFOF) and National Epilepsy Foundation (NEF) have endorsed Amendment 2, “Use of Marijuana for Debilitating Medical Conditions.” NEF and EFOF have long called for expanded research on medical marijuana and access to it as a treatment option for epilepsy, but this is the first time EFOF has specifically endorsed a state medical marijuana initiative. “Important medical decisions, such as treatments and medications, should be made by the licensed physicians who know their patients best,” said Karen Egozi, CEO of EFOF, which serves an estimated 400,000 Floridians suffering from epilepsy. “That’s why the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida, along with the National Epilepsy Foundation, supports Amendment 2. “Florida’s epilepsy patients should have available whatever treatment options that their doctors recommend, including medical marijuana,” Egozi said. In a letter to EFOF, Philip Gattone, president and CEO of the National Epilepsy Foundation, wrote that his foundation supports Amendment 2, “so Florida residents living with epilepsy and uncontrolled seizures can gain safe, legal access to medical [marijuana] as a treatment option.” United for Care campaign manager Ben Pollara, responded by saying, “this campaign has always been THIS IS THE about the notion that medical decisions are best made FIRST TIME between doctors and patients — not politicians,” before adding that “the epilepsy foundations support Amendment EFOF HAS 2 for that same reason, and we are proud to stand with ENDORSED them and the 400,000 Floridians living with epilepsy and A STATE uncontrollable seizures. Medical marijuana may not be the MEDICAL right treatment for all with this condition, but doctors and MARIJUANA patients should have the option; after this election, they INITIATIVE. finally will.”
“IT’S INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATING AND DISAPPOINTING THAT DESPITE BROAD BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL SUPPORT, A HANDFUL OF OUT-OF-TOUCH LAWMAKERS PUT POLITICS OVER THE WELL-BEING OF AMERICA’S WOUNDED WARRIORS. OUR VETERANS DESERVE BETTER.”
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Police Chief Accused of Stealing Pro-Marijuana Campaign Signs Upland, California has a ban in place on medical marijuana dispensaries. But a group in the
town is backing a petition that got more than 7,000 signatures in 90 days for Measure U, which would allow a few dispensaries in Upland. The only problem is, the city’s police chief was allegedly captured on video removing campaign signs supporting Measure U all over the city — and being assisted by his wife. The advocates, members of Regulate Upland, a pro-dispensary group, say that the same day they put up their campaign signs in September, they were taken down by Police Chief Brian Johnson (not the AC/DC vocalist, mind you) and his wife. “We look at the move, the maneuver, as his way of trying to help fight against it,” said Measure U advocate Stephen Dunn of the chief’s indefensible actions, reports Kacey Montoya at KTLA. The measure, which qualified for November’s ballot, would allow up to three medical Cannabis dispensaries to operate legally in the city. The incident happened the weekend of Sept. 24, the first week political signs were allowed to be posted, Dunn said. He said Upland mayor Ray Musser admitted in a council meeting in October that 12 to 14 of the signs were removed; the mayor claimed the reason was they were on city property. But Dunn said all the signs removed were definitely not on the public right of way. He said city officials actually removed more than 80 signs. The video shows a woman get out of a dark sedan with a California Exempt license plate and remove a “Yes On Measure U” sign, then get back in the car. Volunteers said the driver was Chief Johnson. “It’s a code enforcement infraction, and it’s odd for the chief himself to actually be out removing signs,” said Dunn, who used to be finance director and city manager of Upland. He said he knows they spent millions of dollars fighting to keep medical marijuana dispensaries out of town. “There’s a certain belief by certain city leaders that they can eradicate marijuana from this community,” Dunn said, “and we’re simply saying, ‘no you can’t.’ ”
Quoted — CONGRESSMAN EARL BLUMENAUER in response to Congress blocking his Veterans Equal Access provision to make it easier for qualified veterans to access state-legal medical marijuana.
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rehashed
By WES ABNEY | PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN
Robinhood x Byron Beres vs. Domer x Nate Dizzle
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Sept. 30-Oct.2
I Domer’s Studio, Spokane | EvergreenStateProject.org
Boom Felazi vs. Crondo619
Participants
JOP! & Sligner Hoobs & Hops CJ Freestone & Herb C J-Red & Seath Justin Jenick & Boom Felazi Domer & Nate Dizzle Doc & McDoogle Robinhood & Byron Beres Brando & Rosie Works Team Mothership | Team Hand Made Crondo619 & OGBadgerGlass
BORO DERBY 2016 Start your engines! It’s the 4th Annual Boro Derby, an action-packed event featuring top glass artists racing their glass art cars down a pinewood derby track, all to raise money for The Evergreen State Project and support great organizations like the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and Agape Home Women’s & Children’s Shelter.
And the winner is... Team Hand Made
rehashed
PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN
Oct.19-29
Bagel Beats
Ethan Windy
OVER A WEEK OF GLASS ARTISTS MAKING PIECES TOGETHER AND SHOWING THEM OFF FOR YOU
SEATTLE
PIPEMASTERS
COLLAB 22/nov. 2016 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF
I 7 Point Studios, Seattle | GlassPipeMasters.org
Cam Tower looks over his collab
Glass legend Bob Snodgrass works on a piece
highly likely
By PACER STACKTRAIN for NW LEAF
Column # 16
Highlighting amazing Cannabis pioneers who helped pave the way to greater herbal acceptance.
Woody Harrelson A CANNABIS ADVOCATE, FOREVER IN THE SPOTLIGHT Woody Harrelson is one of the very lucky actors who have successfully made the transition from the small screen to cinema. He got his start on the award-winning ‘80s sitcom “Cheers” as Woody Boyd, a bar-back with a good-natured, naïve personality — affable, calm and laid back. You know, some of the traits that make up a stereotypical Cannabis user. While the ‘80s might not have been the right time to present a character on network television that openly enjoys the herb (especially on a show that glorified alcohol use), Woody Harrelson was the perfect fit to play a role that skirted around the issue. In real life, Harrelson has been a proponent and consumer of Cannabis. In 2001, he came out of the weed closet to a large crowd at Seattle’s Hempfest, saying, “I recently decided to stop smoking,
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but I thought more about it and decided I didn’t throughout his career for environmental issues, animal rights and other worthy causes. want to be a quitter!” Harrelson currently serves on the advisory board From being arrested in Kentucky for planting hemp seeds, to collaborating with Ziggy Marley on for NORML. He’s gone on record saying that he’s the cultivation anthem “Wild and Free,” to appear- an avid Cannabis enthusiast, and he recently tried to open up one of the first medical dising in countless documentaries celein his current home state of brating normalization and legalization “I THINK I SHOULD pensaries Hawaii. Though Harrelson’s dispensa(2010’s “Hempsters: Plant the Seed” is HAVE THE FREEDOM ry failed, he is doing other great things a highlight) Woody has been outspoken for Hawaii through his Simple Organon Cannabis issues long before it TO DO WHATEVER THE ic Living organization, where one can was mainstream. find out more about eating a raw diet, In a 2008 interview with HELL I WANT TO DO...” better personal farming practices and Esquire magazine, Harrelson said, “marijuana’s about marijuana. how to live in a more environmentally sustainable That’s consensual, victimless crime. That’s way. For a primer on Harrelson’s philosophy, check saying, I think I should have the freedom to out the documentary “Go Further.” From “True Detective” to “Natural Born Killers,” do whatever the hell I want to do if I’m living in a so-called free coun- Woody Harrelson has been an A-list American cetry, as long as I’m not hurting lebrity for most of his adult life. More importantly someone else. That’s free- for us, he’s also been a loud voice for legalization dom. If I’m gonna hit myself and normalization of a plant that can cause so in the head with a hammer, much healing in our world. Here’s to more peoso be it. That’s freedom.” ple listening to his words in this ever so important Harrelson has also fought election year.
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access
By WILL FERGUSON @710DENCIES | SHOP PHOTOS by @BERMANPHOTOS | BUD PHOTOS by @NORTHWESTGREENSPHOTO
HIGH END MARKET PLACE Strains 3/5 HIGH END MARKET PLACE showcases a large selection of pre-packaged flowers from a variety of different vendors. Skörd, Heavenly Buds, Solstice and Rainier Acres are just a few of the recreational farms that had product on the shelf. Prices ranged from $10-15/g, tax included. Deals on larger quantities were also available. Per Washington law, all Cannabis products must come pre-packaged and sealed and therefore cannot be tampered with inside the store.
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Edibles 5/5 A GREAT SELECTION featuring products from producers all around the state. Brownie Bites, Legal Tonic and Groovy Chews were just a few of the edibles offered. A wide variety of dosages are available, ranging from 10mg to 100mg of activated THC. High End Market Place regularly shelves edibles from producers like Green Labs, Fairwinds and Oakor.
Concentrates 5/5 THIS WAS IMPRESSIVE. Refine Seattle (X-Tracted Labs), Dutch Hustle and Skörd were just a few of the concentrate producers on the shelf. Prices ranged from $30 to $80 for full and half grams of rosin, live resin, bubble hash and CO2 distillate. All concentrates were hanging from display racks behind the sales counter, which isn’t exactly ideal for some of the temperaturesensitive extracts.
21.12%
THC 0.01%
CBD
ARCATA TRAINWRECK
23.5%
THC 0.19%
CBD
GROWN by RAINIER ACRES
This phenotype of the classic Trainwreck strain THE SCORE has a very distinctive, cheesy aroma to it. arom a The buds are rather small and fluffy but have d en sity dense trichome coverage. No grinder was necessary, as the nugs were so c ure ENERGETIC dry, we could easily break them l o oks up with our fingers. The joint AND f l avor burned quickly, unevenly and was EUPHORIC harsh on the throat. The effects ef f e ct t ota l 18/30 are energetic and euphoric as Trainwreck tends to be a good daytime smoke. Their curing techniques evidently need some work; Cannabis this dry does not tend to smoke very well. ($15/g)
GROWN by HEAVENLY BUDS
Jack the Ripper is a classic TGA strain that
THE SCORE
crosses Jack’s Cleaner with Space Queen. This a r o ma pheno grown by Heavenly Buds has a wonderful den si t y citrus aroma that is reminiscent of lemon-scented all-purpose cleaner and ripe Asian pears. The cure buds are dense and rather dry, making it easy to lo o ks break down by hand. The smoke f lavo r was smooth, however, the joints did HAS A ef f ec t not burn a clean white ash and kept WONDERFUL having to be re-lit. It would’ve been t ota l 23.5/30 CITRUS AROMA nice to see this grower take more time in flushing their flowers to ensure a clean product by the time it reaches consumers’ lungs. ($15/g)
Environment 5/5
Overall 18/20
THE VIBE is warm and welcoming at
LOCATED ON Broadway Street in downtown Vancouver, High End Market Place is a convenient stop, especially when traveling on I-5. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable and patient with each consumer, confidently answering any questions from consumers or patients.
this house-turned-recreational-shop. The waiting area is well-lit and tidy, with a spacious bud room set up invitingly like a gallery. There are glass pieces on display, flip book menus of flower, and concentrate and edibles are situated at each station, allowing consumers to choose by price, strain or producer.
JACK THE RIPPER
There are glass pieces on display, flip book menus of flower, and concentrate and edibles are situated at each station... HIGH END MARKET PLACE MED / REC 21+
1906 Broadway St, Vancouver, WA 98663 (360) 695-3612 HighEndMarketPlace.com
nov. 2016 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF
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edibles
By WES ABNEY | PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN
By seagoat cannabis
CHOCOLATES Seagoat Cannabis isn’t just infusing Cannabis
THE SCORE
into chocolate — they’re putting quality first. ta s te It’s a simple formula, but the rec va l ue marketplace is full of people who cut corners e ffe ct on their ingredients. That doesn’t fly at l a be l Seagoat, where a master chocolatier heads tota l 19/20 the production team using imported fair trade and single-origin Venezuelan chocolate. We tried the 61 percent dark chocolate mint squares (10mg THC) and the chocolate caramel bonbons. The squares were decadent with a light texture and a satisfying snap when bitten in half. The chocolate is dairy- and gluten-free and infused with CO2, and the only flavors are those of light mint and delicious dark chocolate. The only problem? Kinda hard to stop eating these dank treats, even when the upcoming high is looming. Try the squares in milk chocolate, white chocolate or regular dark chocolate form. The Chocolate Bonbons are another delicious treat from Seagoat. Each piece of candy is hand-painted and the artisan detail and pride is evident in the candy. The bonbons have a crisp but light outer shell that breaks lightly when bitten to reveal a delicious caramel interior. The caramel oozes onto the palate and melds with the chocolate for a delicious bite. These are great one- or two-bite edibles and perfect as a treat any time of day. ($35, 10 pk)
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By The Greenery
CLOUD BARS There is something simply comforting about THE SCORE a granola bar that other snacks just don’t ta st e deliver. Perhaps it’s the simple goodness va lu e when compared to most snacks, infused or not, that seem to dominate our society today. ef f ec t la b el We love having healthy options to review, t ota l 18/20 and enjoyed getting to munch on these tasty little bites. Each Cloud Bite is about 20 percent of the size of a normal granola bar, making them the perfect 10mg snack. Enough that you get to enjoy actually eating the bite, but not such a large item that it feels like you are overeating to get high. We found that four to five of these spaced over an hour or so is perfect, and will turn any activity into a fun adventure. The bars are made with rolled oats and brown rice cereal, along with chocolate chips, peanut butter, sugar and honey. Once infused, the taste is spectacular, with a light mouthfeel and a consistency that melts away into the mouth. The taste is minimally processed and feels so much healthier than the average brownie! ($35, 10 pk)
Comfort Food
recipes
By LAURIE WOLF for NORTHWEST LEAF | PHOTOS by BRUCE WOLF for NORTHWEST LEAF
Fall is the time for comfort food, and the local harvest brings foods that pair beautifully with the rustic earthy hint of Cannabis. The fall bounty is a perfect time to check out your local farmer’s market. “Cooking with Cannabis” was a joy to write. As I became increasingly familiar with this amazing herb, I found that Cannabis acts as a flavoring agent, mood enhancer and medicine. You can always adjust the amount of Cannabis in your dish to either increase or decrease its strength. The potency of the plant will vary, so you need to keep that in mind when you are infusing. In many of the recipes in the book, you can use oil or butter.
EASY CHOCOLATE PUDDING 1. In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, whisk together milk and canna-butter until cannabutter is melted and milk is warmed. 2. In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar, cocoa, cornstarch and salt. 3. Gradually stir the hot milk mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring constantly until smooth. 4. Allow the mixture to simmer gently until thickened. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Chill before serving.
INGREDIENTS 1 cup sugar 2/3 cup cocoa ¼ cup cornstarch ¼ teaspoon salt 4 cups milk 2 tablespoons canna-butter 1 tablespoon vanilla
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Serves 6
*
ARUGULA SALAD with
Serves 6
AVOCADO & WARM BACON VINAIGRETTE A bacon vinaigrette is a great way to enhance a salad. The flavor enrobes the whole thing. So good, you can drizzle this dressing on fish or chicken. Bacon is so good.
1. 2.
Cook the bacon until crisp and remove to paper towels to drain. Chop bacon and set aside. Do not clean the pan; you need that bacon fat! 3. Heat the pan over medium heat and add the shallots and garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add the sugar and cook until it dissolves, a minute or 2. 4. Scrape the contents of the pan into the blender along with the balsamic vinegar, orange juice, mustard and oils. Blend well. 5. In a small bowl, toss the greens with the shrimp, onion, tomatoes and avocado. Add the dressing and toss again. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
INGREDIENTS
4 strips bacon 1 large shallot, peeled and minced 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 tablespoons brown sugar 6 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 3 tablespoons orange juice 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 2/3 cup olive oil Salt and pepper
4 teaspoons canna-olive oil 8 large handfuls mixed fall greens, with arugula, rinsed & patted dry 18 large cooked shrimp, cut in pieces if desired 1 red onion, peeled/sliced 20 grape tomatoes, sliced 1 avocado, peeled and cut, tossed with lemon juice
ROAST CHICKEN Once I tasted the combination of chicken and smoked paprika, I was hooked. The earthy notes from the Cannabis and smoked paprika are also great together. So this chicken with paprika and Cannabis proves to be a fantastic combination.
1. Place the chicken on your work surface. Rub with olive oil and season with salt and pepper all over. Place in a roasting pan. 2. Place half the carrot, onion and orange inside of the cavity and place the rest in the pan with the head of garlic. 3. Roast the chicken for 90 minutes, or until the juices from the thigh area run clear. Place the chicken on a serving plate. 4. Heat canna-butter in the pan on the stove over medium heat. When hot, add the flour, stirring constantly. After 2 minutes, add the chicken stock and smoked paprika and cook for 4-5 minutes, until the sauce thickens. 5. Taste for salt and pepper. Pour into gravy boat or serving vessel of choice. 6. Carve the chicken into serving pieces.
INGREDIENTS
*
1 roasting chicken 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 large carrot, peeled and sliced in pieces 1 medium onion, peeled and cut in pieces 1 orange, cut in wedges 1 head garlic, top removed 2 tablespoons canna-butter 2 tablespoons flour 2 cups chicken stock Smoked paprika Salt and pepper
CHEF’S NOTES:
Roast chicken is one of the foods you really need to know how to cook. It’s versatile, provides great leftover options and has such great taste. And when the meat is all gone, let there be soup. Save the bones to make a wonderful stock.
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reviews
By STEVE ELLIOTT Editor, Tokesignals.com
MARIJUANA EDIBLES 40 EASY AND DELICIOUS CANNABIS-INFUSED DESSERTS
If By L AURIE & MARYJANE, 2016 // 127 PAGES, $14.95
you’re ready to put the baked back into baked goods, this slim (but fattening) volume is a fun place to get your sugar high on with 40 tantalizing recipes. It allows you to go beyond the basics by mastering the most popular infusion methods. Once you have quality extracts, this book contains helpful tips for quick ways to ingest them and for controlling dosages, especially important if you aren’t accustomed to the effects of edibles, which tend to be deeper and of longer duration than smoking highs. When you eat anything infused with Cannabis, the cannabinoids must first be digested in the stomach and then enter the liver before they are metabolized and absorbed into the bloodstream. This dazzling variety of delectable desserts, tasty treats and candy confections neatly demystifies the process of cooking with Cannabis. I can’t decide on my favorite recipe, but I’ve narrowed it down to chocolate malt cookies, coconut almond macaroons, salted caramel cashew bars and brown butter elephant ears. I know!! As the book points out, cooking with Cannabis can be a very gratifying thing, especially when done with care and attention to detail. And they’re correct; you’ll be the hit of the next party when you show up with a batch of delicious, sweet edibles. In addition to writing for this magazine, Laurie & Mary Jane is a Cannabis edibles maker based in Oregon with a great recipe blog to check out: “Don’t Fear the Edible.”
THIS DAZZLING VARIETY OF DELECTABLE DESSERTS, TASTY TREATS AND CANDY CONFECTIONS NEATLY DEMYSTIFIES THE PROCESS OF COOKING WITH CANNABIS.
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NORTHWEST LEAF
STRAIN OF THE MONTH By KORI MARIE & WES ABNEY | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN
L
ike little boulders of dense THC in three different natural states, these moon rocks will take you to space and back! Although this could be considered a Strain and Concentrate of the Month combined all in one, we don’t mind the opportunity to blast off. Caviar is traditionally made in a multi-step process, with the first being to take a dense and solid strain with small to medium sized nugs and roll them in oil, usually BHO but sometimes FECO or CO2. This leaves the bud with a sticky coating of oil, which is then carefully rolled in kief or solventless bubble hash. The grade of the finished caviar depends greatly on the quality of the products it is made from, and how it is cured before smoking. Luckily for us and smokers everywhere, the team at Dynamic Harvest did a great job developing their caviar. Each tight nugget of AK-47 is rolled in CO2 and then dusted and rolled in a light blond kief. When we opened a container, we found the kief was nicely dried and melded to the bud, and that breaking pieces of the bud open held the layered integrity together. We liked snapping the buds in half to load in a bowl, leaving the kief side up, which allows the hash to bubble and melt into the flower as the bowl is first fired up. Smoking a bowl of caviar is different than regular flower. To start, you want to use the lighter’s flame on as small a section of the overall bowl as possible, allowing the kief and oil to melt and slowly combust. Once the bowl is cherrying, deep tokes can be taken, with a small bowl lasting five minutes or longer with continuous puffing. The smoke from this caviar was light and sweet in the lungs but heavy on exhale as the threeway THC combo goes to work. This is a heavy high, hitting body and mind equally and quickly, and lasts for several hours. We enjoyed smoking bowls before chilling to a movie or before a nice relaxing autumn walk. But be warned; a little goes a long way, which also explains the elevated price per gram, but trust us when we say it’s worth it. A lot of love (plus kief and oil) goes into this product.
AVAILABLE FROM
( REC 21+)
GREENSIDE | THE KUSHERY | EMERALD HAZE EUPHONIUM | THEOREM | MARY JANE | WHITE RABBIT
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TRIFOR
WE LIKED SNAPPING THE BUDS IN HALF TO LOAD IN A BOWL, LEAVING THE KEIF SIDE UP, WHICH ALLOWS THE HASH TO BUBBLE AND MELT INTO THE FLOWER AS THE BOWL IS FIRST FIRED UP.
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10422 Pacific Ave. Tacoma, WA 98444 8:30am To 11:30pm 7 Days a Week
JOYRIDE
OUTDOOR CANNABIS
By eDITOR wes abney & northwest leaf staff Photos by Daniel Berman & Contributors
THE HARVEST ISSUE 46/nov. 2016 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF
KUSHES-N-CREAM
A C R O S S O R E G O N & W AS H I N G TO N
Over the next 16 pages, see how talented outdoor growers like Green Source Gardens (left) and Phoenix Rising Farm (above) are upholding the tradition of growing great Cannabis on the West Coast.
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THE HARVEST ISSUE Okanogan Natural Farms Salmon Creek Sinsemilla Painted Stump Farms Othello, WA Photos by Daniel Berman Deep in the heart of Eastern Washington is a bright green oasis of Cannabis farms surrounded by endless miles of little hills and farms of every type imaginable. The large strip of dry and sun-warmed land contains 16 total Cannabis production licenses, the project of Tom Buggia, who saw the potential business model in providing a home for producers. His dream has come to fruition, with the 15 plots paying $15,000 in rent monthly, and supporting over 100 jobs on the property. We visited Weedbush Lovers on the property, touring their Tier 3 outdoor, which was a true gem in the middle of an overall epic grow. For farm manager and all-purpose master gardener Richard Dingum, the 300 or more days of sunlight and a fun working environment has made for an epic harvest. “We get these nice dry days that our 3,885 plants have loved,” Dingum said. “We already harvested three crops of light-dep, that is drying now, and our full term is just now finishing from when it was planted in May.” A mix of greenhouses and open-air trellises roam the property, with every inch of space used. The empty greenhouses from the light-dep crops are being used to cure, and once the harvest is done, they will be outfitted with supplemental lights and put back into production. Inside a portable, a dozen or so local workers trim, package and roll up to 2,000 joints a day — no small task, and one that won’t end soon. “We’ll have harvested at least 3,000 pounds from this farm alone this season,” Dingum said proudly. “It has been great to use the sun and the Earth, and it’s been a great harvest season.” The team ran 60 strains this year including a solid row of high CBD AC/DC and Purple AC/DC. They grew large and turned a dark purple, with a sweet terpy smell and beautiful stacked colas. They also grew PBBSSS, Northern Lights and Salmon Creek Sensimilla. The goal was to provide medicine for patients in the new system as well as quality highTHC options for rec users, and above all to be as sustainable as possible.
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hanging up some ac/dc
home to 15+ recreational producer-processors
painted stump farms grow manager jordan cooper
la soda
renee & richard
salmon creek sinsemilla
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THE HARVEST ISSUE Cascade Growers
Methow Valley, WA By kORI MARIE | Photos by Daniel Berman
Our trip to this farm in Twisp was via the Cascade Loop, a winding, turning road through lush mountains that cross rivers, bridges and miles of railroad tracks. This time of year, the leaves are orchestrating their grand finale, coloring the roadside with bursts of reds, orange and vibrant yellow. The wind carries the sweet and earthy scents that lead us to a quaint acre lot with million-dollar views. Cascade Growers’ 7-foot Cannabis plants overlook a grand valley filled with rolling hills and meadows. Rows upon rows of tree-like plants fill the lot, each section tended to by hardworking farmers eager to see the outcome of their labors. They are hand-watered and touched every day to ensure proper nutrient levels and to ward off potential parasites. The team strives to maintain top quality product through the entire growing process. “It’s always a day in paradise. When you get here in the morning and those terpenes hit your nose, it really is our own piece of heaven,” said one of the growers, Dominic, smiling ear to ear. With sticky fingers and smiling eyes, the crew bustles through the day’s work. Keeping a watchful eye on their field, strains like Agent Orange, Green Crack and Sour Diesel grow without pesticides or harsh chemicals and are flushed thoroughly to produce a clean-burning product every time. High-CBD strains like Ace of Spaces and Sour Tsunami are also grown with care, adding medicinal values to an already top-of-the-line outdoor flower. “We are so excited,” grower Terri Byrd said, “to be able to offer such a large variety to people and can’t wait to get out there.”
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TERRI, DOMINIC, SUSAN, KYLE AND RICHARD
SOUR DIESEL
ACE OF SPADES
Black Diamond, agent orange, chernoybyl, OG Green Crack, sour tsunami & MORE
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THE HARVEST ISSUE Greenzone Selah, WA
By WES ABNEY | Photos by Daniel Berman
Driving through the windy roads of Eastern Washington led us to Greenzone Farms just outside Yakima in a valley known for agricultural values and a history of pioneers. We were greeted by the whinny of horses as we pulled into the property, which sits on the bottom of a ridge that was part of the original stagecoach trail that passes over the mountain pass to Seattle. Today, the wagon trains are long gone, but owner Paris Thorp is pioneering in his own way — with Cannabis. “It is such a relief to have that license on the wall. I’ve been fighting to grow for 30 years, and now it is finally happening,” Thorp said. “This has been a lot of work, seven days a week, but this, I love. How could you not?” Thorp has always had a connection with the plant, one that cost him over a decade ago when his garden in Snohomish County was raided and he spent five years on the run and fighting the charges. Today he sells his pot to recreational dispensaries in the same county, like White Rabbit in the North Lynnwood area, where he is renowned for having bud that carries such a strong odor it can overpower the packaging and stink up a dispensary. “Half our crop outdoor this year is DJ Short Blueberry, which is what stunk up the dispensary the last time we dropped a batch off,” Thorp said proudly. “This is craft gardening: no chemicals, just bat guano, Alaska fish fertilizer and flushing with berry sweet and molasses.” Other strains in the Tier 2 garden include an original Purple Kush, which has big buds oozing a sour funky smell, and Blue Moon Rocks, which is a sweet and sharp-smelling flower with a hint of fermented pine that sticks to the fingers after pinching a fat bud. The crop this year is expected to be 500+ pounds from 312 total plants, and the goal next year is to double that as Thorp and his team work to expand the garden and the reach of the brand. Above all, the biggest victory this year has been the ability to grow plants without fear, and to finally get the opportunity to harvest a plant he once faced prison time for. “I put plants in cages, not people,” he said with a smile. Look for Greenzone Cannabis at White Rabbit, Margie’s Pot Shop in Bingen, Roselyn Herbs and more to come!
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owner paris thorp
grandaddy purp
medi haze & blue moon rocks
Blue Moon Rocks, Querkles, Permafrost & Plushberry
dj short blueberry
THE HARVEST ISSUE Marijuana Business Company Leavenworth, WA
By kORI MARIE | Photos by Daniel Berman
The trip out to this farm was breathtakingly beautiful during the harvest season, when trees burst with color and the promise of fresh Cannabis plants reach peak maturity just over the horizon in the Wenatchee fork. Marijuana Business Company utilizes every possible bit of their acre parcel, caretaking over 2,000 plants beautifully arranged in neatly organized rows. The moisture in the air magnified the sweet aroma of the field, tingling the nose with different terpene profiles for every row walked past. The pride in each individual strain by head grower Jerry is evident. He grew Cannabis for decades and now finally has the chance to produce top quality outdoor bud without fear of prosecution. “It’s all very liberating, to be standing in my field [of legal weed] and have a helicopter fly over and not have a worry in the world they are coming to lock me up,” he explained, noting previous run-ins with law enforcement. “This is Cannabis paradise!” With flagship strain Jack’s Girl, the farm has produced well this harvest. Jack’s Girl clearly likes the outdoor environment, testing at 30 percent THC. “We were excited to see the outcome of the plants in this valley, and the sun hits the field just right throughout the day, it really worked perfectly” said Joe, the CEO of the company. “After all we went through to finally open this farm, and still battling permits at the county level, harvesting this Cannabis is a major victory for our team!” All the strains produced this season have done well, without mold or bug issues that have plagued Western Washington outdoor growers. Big bushes of Jack’s Dragon Girl, Blue Ghost and Chocolate Covered Strawberry add splashes of bright purples, reds and orange to the field of Cannabis.
joey, joe, jerry, Chris and allisON
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black haze
head grower jerry turcott with jack’s girl and jack’s dragon girl
chocolate-covered strawberries
joey trimming up some plum
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THE HARVEST ISSUE Ocean Grown Cannabis McMinville, OR
By WES ABNEY | photos by @resinated_lens
The term “Cannabis refugee” applies to no man better than Martin Nickerson, who left Washington’s bad laws for Oregon in a move reminiscent of the Oregon Trail. Marty, as he’s known to friends and customers alike, once faced 14 felonies in Washington state for operating a patient collective, and endured multiple raids and court decisions over a 4-year period. After years of living with the felonies hanging over his head, the case was dropped, and he was left a free man without a place to do what he loved: growing and sharing Cannabis. Luckily, he has found solace in McMinnville, Ore., where his dispensary, medical and rec grows are all coming together in a beautiful vertical integration model. This season he was able to use the patient grower status to have outdoor plants on the property of his dispensary, and we took a trip out to see how the plants did. “We have great sunlight with a long period of direct light and the plants have loved it,” Nickerson said, watering plants while three dogs circled and barked while running around him. “It has been amazing to grow outdoors here for patients and provide the Cannabis for Ocean Grown Cannabis Company.” Through his moving process, the team at Skunk Train Farms was able to grow strains in Oregon they had once produced in Washington, and the results have been amazing. With nearly a dozen strains testing at 20 percent THC — like our Strain of the Month, Candyland — it’s easy to see that both the team and the plants have liked the Oregon growing climate. “I couldn’t be happier with the results,” he said. “We are ready for a break. It’s been a long and hard growing season.” Marty and his longterm girlfriend Sara Sutton have worked seven days a week to get the dispensary and garden running smoothly, and lived on-site through the season to protect the plants and maximize efficiency. If anyone deserves a break from the harvest, it’s these two. “I couldn’t have done this without her help, or the rest of the team,” Nickerson said humbly. “The only breaks we have taken have been to fish or hunt, and then it’s right back to the harvest.” Top-producing strains this year included Sinarious, a high-CBD strain with killer flavor and looks. The Canna-Tsu also did well, along with high-THC options like Bruce Banner #3, Candyland, GDP and Snoop’s Dream. The Black did extremely well, with beautiful light green leaves that center around dark purple buds that were swollen with trichomes and terps. “What a difference a state makes,” he said with a laugh. “I am extremely thankful to be here in Oregon, getting the opportunity to do what I once faced felonies for.”
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sirious black
Sweet roots
canna tsu
marty
candy land
sirious black
albert walker
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THE HARVEST ISSUE Wild West Growers Eugene, OR
By WES ABNEY | photos by daniel berman
The modern days of Cannabis production are alive and well in Eugene where just around the corner from an Autozone and Starbucks, a massive Cannabis growing and processing facility rests in the urban core. Turning into the facility that houses Wild West feels like any other corporate park inside the city. But this place is special. The three large buildings house the more than 50 employees that it takes to keep the operation running, from seed to sale and everything in between. The first building is all administration and business, but walking over to the second is all bud. A massive curing, trimming and packaging operation is taking place, with hundreds of pounds of herb hanging from giant racks in a room with 25-foot plus ceilings. It is surreal walking through rows of drying Cannabis plants, gently wicking off moisture and developing the full terpene and smell profile that users will go crazy for in a matter of weeks. All the trim and little buds are taken to the third building, which houses a full commercial kitchen and a processing lab. Wild West is known for their edibles, especially their CO2, which comes in delicious sap or the rare CO2 shatter. The team makes dozens of products, all of which started with the plants in the dirt this spring. “This whole property used to be a glue factory,” Jimbo Jensen said, showing us around the outdoor field. “We have done some improvements and taken this to the next level of production, clearing an entire field of trees and brush to do our outdoor this year.” They have multiple licenses stacked on the property, allowing them to grow thousands of plants. One acre lot was purely full-term outdoor, with giant plants dancing in the sun. Across the lot were several light-deprived greenhouses. With a bumper crop this year, the team at Wild West is ready to start taking products to hundreds of stores statewide!
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trainwreck sitting pretty
GM Fish Wynder chats with Emilio Rios
the crew trims up one of 40 strains
co-owner jim jensen
ryan martella working hard
del cautrell hangs blue widow
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THE HARVEST ISSUE Rebel Spirit Cannabis Company Eugene, OR
By WES ABNEY | photos by daniel berman
Rebel Spirit’s first harvest has been a massive success, with over 700 pounds grown from more than 1300 plants. Diane Downey and Chris Bechler started out with uncertainty in the marketplace and a financial limitation that was aggravated by the delays in the recreational implementation, but they made it through and are ready to take their first products to market. “We began with an open field and the season has been a blur of labor and frustration and anxiety. We’re still working hard and everybody’s exhausted, but we get to step back this week and see a barn and greenhouse full of beautiful weed,” Bechler said excitedly. “To go from planting to harvest has been really enriching. Getting to see the industry and a plant that has been suppressed for so long to now come out of the dark ages and getting its true light.” The duo has been passionate about Cannabis and activism since a family member died in prison while serving time for a pot arrest. That legacy drove them to push their finances and mental and physical strength to the limit, all to honor him. From that pain, their name, “Rebel Spirit,” was born. “The way he died was sad and not very glorious, so to give him new life and a different way to be remembered is exciting,” Downey said. “Cannabis being legal federally is inevitable. There are a lot of uses other than a drug or medically that have been suppressed, and the people have paid the price for it. Of course, corps will come in and certainly are waiting on sidelines, but there will always be that craft and those people able to keep it healthy.” They started with close to 50 strains, pheno-hunting and experimenting to see what strains worked best in the climate. Solid producers this year included: OGK, a tasty Sherbet with immense terps and flavor; a quality Gorilla Glue that adapted well to the greenhouse environment; and a signature strain Thunderbird Rose, a cross between Blueberry Cheesecake and OGK. “We’re done narrowing down to 12 strains now, with some great strains and phenomenal results. Part of it is hard work, part of it is luck, and we’re really happy.” Today the farm has 13 full-time employees and roughly 30 different trimmers pitching in to help. As the harvest cures, the team is getting ready for their indoor flowering portion for the winter, and to prep greenhouses waiting for next season. “Growing outside, you have the sun, and we are lucky to have land and soil and sun,” Bechler said. “Why would you grow anywhere else?”
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golden lemons + gorilla glue
skywalker
THE HARVEST ISSUE
East Fork Cultivars Illinois Valley, OR
Set against the vivid backdrop of incredible wilderness, not far from the California border, is the Illinois Valley and a beautiful grow operated by East Fork Cultivars. EFC is building its reputation cultivating high-CBD strains like OG 78 and Harle-Tsu. Business partners Jo Perkins and Aaron Howard, along with head grower Ben Cooper, and Joel Fischer and Nathan Howard on the business side, form a tight-knit team who hope their hard work this year (their first on the property) will pay off with their 27 strains ultimately carried in retail shops around the state. “Part of our mission is to emphasize the importance of making ecological choices and showing they work as well as the high-impact, resource-intensive methods that are often the norm within this industry,” Aaron said. Ben and Aaron have a background in organic agriculture and they place a strong emphasis on using what’s on-site — think native soil, cover cropping and compost teas. The three full-time growers expect to produce 700 pounds of Cannabis this year and 2,000 to 3,000 pounds next year. The Illinois Valley where they grow is known for this kind of thing. “Growing here has been a major part of the culture and the economy for a long time,” Howard said, walking down the long rows of nearly cropready plants like Ringo’s Gift. Fog began to roll over the farm. Not soon after, we heard gun shots. The neighbors we had been warned about made it clear it was time for our drone to come back down to Earth.
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Photos by Daniel Berman | Drone photo by Michael Dyrland
jo, aaron and ben are great farmers
specializing in high-cbd strains like pineapple-tsu
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THE HARVEST ISSUE
Phoenix Rising Farm
Applegate Valley, OR Summer swan trims up kushes-n-cream
ALPACA AND GOATS KEEP FARM GROUNDS FERTILE
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Photos by Daniel Berman Built in 2015, this Clean Green Certified farm makes for a stunning landscape. Getting here requires real work. After driving down a dusty road for miles, madrone trees blurring by, you drive further, eventually descending upon this stunner. A two-story barn beckons. The Siskiyou Mountains hover in the treelined hillside. The goats and alpacas have arrived to greet us. They contribute in their own way to a striking and healthfully-minded farm that produces the highest quality of natural Cannabis. Phoenix Rising Farm has five fulltimers growing 21 different strains, all outside. Owner Casey Branham takes us on a tour of the grow, past the pond and the tank systems, all the while making sure the property is humming with efficiency. A bevy of trimmers are standing over automated Trim Pro machines and jamming out to music, paying attention to work through a bin of Kushes-N-Cream. Multiple rooms inside the custom-built barn are set up, awaiting the newest crop of Chem 4 OG, Royal Chem, Chem 91 and Doc Trinity, along with other specialty strains Branham plans to test out. All the plants look happy and enjoying the late October sunshine. The teamwork will be worth it as they harvest what they expect to be around 1,000 pounds of Cannabis.
chem 4 OG
kushes-n-cream
owner casey branham helps grow 21 strains
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health & science
B A G L N A I N D C N IF E
BY NORTHWEST LEAF CONTRIBUTOR SIMONE FISCHER
PATIENTS ARE BEING FORCED TO LOOK TO THEIR GROWER (IF THEY’RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE ONE) OR BUY FULLY TAXED CANNABIS IN LIMITED AMOUNTS.
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Legal Cannabis has swept most of Oregon. Dispensaries are filing away for Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Control Board licenses, relinquishing their previous medical status. Oregon has collected more than $40 million in taxes thanks to regulating all this adult-use Cannabis, produced entirely by medical growers. Here come the growing pains. If a dispensary becomes an OLCC recreational Cannabis dispensary, they can still serve the medical patients’ needs without a tax burden. But the catch is, there’s no recreational weed on the market. If a medical dispensary decides to stay medical, they cannot cash in on recreational users. Tough times are ahead for the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program and all who use it. Draconian regulation under recreational Cannabis has arguably continued to push people into the medical program. Medical patients are currently allotted up to five grams of oil per day, 100 milligrams of THC in edibles and over a pound of weed (though few patients can afford to buy over an ounce). The legal market allows 7 grams of flower per day and only 1 gram of oil. All rec edibles are capped at 15 milligrams, not usually enough for medical users. Cannabis was legalized July 1, 2015 and the number of medical patients in Oregon continues to climb. There are currently over 68,000 patients in Oregon. The largest demographic of people holding cards are aged 55-64, making up 23.6 percent of the patient population. Only 1.9 percent (approximately 1,334 patients) of patients are younger than 21 years of age, according to the OMMP’s July 2016 stats. Young people aren’t trying to exploit the system; most medical users are middle-aged. Oregonians continue to utilize the medical program at a steady rate. Instead of the original $250 (grower included) patient cost, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) now charges OMMP growers an additional $200 per patient. The OHA now receives $450 per patient if the patient is luckily enough to find a grower. The worst part is card return times are slower than ever. Patients and growers are operating at a higher cost, and the process trudges along as if
moving through sticky tar. If the state continues to tack on additional fees, you’d hope the paperwork process would go faster. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case. In Oregon, the OHA requires every OMMP patient to bring their medical card and valid ID to dispensaries. Official postage stamps and copies of our approved paperwork naturally doesn’t work (thanks bureaucrats), only that cheap paper card will do. Even though patients already paid the money in advance, the state says processing should take three to six weeks. But some patients have waited up to four months before they received any sort of official paperwork back. This has been an issue for patients long before Measure 91 was passed. Under HB 3460 (the bill that originally allowed medical dispensaries to exist), patients had to provide the official OMMP card and valid ID. The only difference was back then, your paperwork was on time. There weren’t as many patients in the program and applications were approved on time. In light of mounting complaints, the OHA finally gave patients a temporary 30-day pass that allows approved patients to purchase from dispensaries until their official card arrives in the mail. The problem is, the card never arrives on time, and the state does not offer extensions on temporary passes. So if your temporary expires before your new OMMP card arrives, you’re out of luck. Despite the increased amount of money that the OHA now pulls in from medical marijuana patients and growers, the medical marijuana program refuses to hire additional personnel to increase efficiency and ensure patients receive their paper-
work in a timely fashion. The state is failing its medical patients. This puts dispensaries in a terrible position and at odds against OMMP patients, the very people who helped legitimize the Cannabis movement in Oregon. Patients are being forced to look to their grower (if they’re lucky enough to have one), or buy fully taxed Cannabis in limited amounts. Not all patients are able or wealthy enough to make a trip to a dispensary every day for meds! Whispers of patient-driven class action lawsuits have been considered, but nothing has materialized. Most patients do not have the time or financial means to pursue the state in court. They are entirely at the mercy of the glacial efficiency of the OHA. As a current medical marijuana cardholder, my card eventually expires after the first of the year. In order to (hopefully) ensure my card will be renewed in time, I am planning on resubmitting my application in November: a full three months before I expire. Close friends around me warn it isn’t enough time. Although I would love to resubmit my paperwork now, the $450 fee stifles my progress. I don’t qualify for any reduced rates. Granted, it’s a privilege to obtain Cannabis access in Oregon, and unlike Washington, we still have a functioning medical program. When M91 was passed, it was written so medical marijuana would not be touched. The future of medical Cannabis is uncertain. It exists for now, but without sustained and committed patient advocacy, it could dissolve just as easily as it did up in Washington.
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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growtech
WHY SO SALTY? THE BENEFITS OF USING SALT-BASED FORMULAS IN YOUR GARDEN
L
ike so many words that have morphed into jarthis month’s Growtech, we will explore the benefits of running mingon in the wild world of Cannabis, organieral-based nutrients and perhaps reveal why so many of us choose cally grown Cannabis has become synonyto run salt-based formulas in our gardens. BY NORTHWEST LEAF mous with top shelf gear, or so it would seem. Now, before I sign up to get every sentiment of how “nonSPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR The best Cannabis farming practices involve heady” the ideas in this article are, I want to clarify that the conDR. SCANDERSON integrating our growing style and techniques cepts included here are intended for consideration after agriculto work in harmony with the local environment tural techniques (that haven’t been used for over 3,000 years) have and resources to create regenerative results. not panned out. Many of the most reputable gardeners in the industry Yet in spite of the pervasive eco-friendly, organic, no-till-or-death attiactively choose another method, and my hope is that in taking this positude that seems to dominate the upper echelons of what is considered most tion, some of the hidden benefits may be revealed and your own gardening desirable by many, lots of growers still rely heavily on mineral-based nutrient style will improve by some degree. formulas. The largest distributors of nutrients are far and away mineral or Using mineral-based nutrient formulas or those with chelated elements salt-based formulas and much of what I have often heard is “some of the has become popular in hydroponic food production. Prior to the proliferbest weed I’ve ever had” is grown in a salty mix of nutrients. The number of ation of aquaponic farming techniques — before people like Max Meyers “connoisseurs” who profess to being able to easily distinguish organically run of Nor Cal Aquaponics had a chance to make a difference — hydroponic Cannabis from that “chemmy bullshit,” but then regularly puff away on saltfarming techniques allowed deeply impoverished communities to suddenly grown gear, seems to multiply as quickly as extraction artists on Instagram. In have bountiful food harvests. In spite of heavy limitations for essential re-
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MINERAL-BASED NUTRIENT FORMULA IS ATTRACTIVE FROM A PRODUCTION STANDPOINT. TO START WITH: THERE IS NO START-UP TIME. sources such as water, soil, sphagnum or a diverse array of raw organic compounds, hydroponic growing methods allowed for year-round harvests in almost any area and seemed to circumnavigate many of the limitations traditional agricultural practices ran into. Mineral-based nutrient formula is attractive from a production standpoint. To start with: there is no start-up time. In lieu of having all the resources available from the moment you have access to the site, a synthetic nutrient program becomes ready to use with no down time to procure, cultivate and source the best local amendments. Mineral-based formulas also frequently produce very fast-growing plants and heavy yields. Perhaps equally as important is the consistency with which the feeding regime can be applied, so results can be quickly replicated in many circumstances. Mineral-based nutrient programs can be very easy to apply with what is usually the most effective formulas: those with the fewest inputs. Having a diverse array of nutrient sources, biologicals and supplements is usually unnecessary or counterproductive in most hydroponic gardens. The more medium that is removed throughout the various methods of hydroponic gardening, the fewer number of nutrients are needed as the list of those nutrients and supplements that become toxic or dangerous to apply increases. This results in even greater consistency as fewer variables are used to begin with, which also reduces nutrient costs. Several companies further assist farmers who choose mineral-based formulas by offering both a liquid formula
as well as the exact same nutrient in dry powdered formula. You have to mix the dry formula yourself, but this saves money compared to liquid nutrients. The combination of hydroponic gardening and mineral-based nutrient programs is often described as unforgiving and volatile. While more often than not, this is 100 percent accurate, the flip side of the coin is that when you become proficient at spotting the early signs of an issue, correcting it can often be almost immediate when using the readily available chelated micro and macro nutrients. Monitoring and creating boundaries and controls can all be a part of applying a mineral-based formula that suit many gardeners. To that end, when running hydroponic gardens, cleanliness is exponentially more important because you generally won’t have an omnipresent population of beneficial bacteria and microbes assisting in the resistance to pests and disease. If keeping a hospital-like environment in your gardens sounds appealing, you may find mineral-based formulas also carry great ease of pest prevention. With an emphasis on hospital-like protocol and practices, keeping Cannabis-attacking bugs away is relatively easy when running a hydroponic garden with a synthetic nutrient program. The lack of organic elements in your grow space will almost eliminate the threat of normal parasites. Furthermore, fermentation, decomposition and deterioration are minimal, which reduces risks of anaerobic bacterial blooms and accidental cultivation of harmful pathogens. This makes cleaning reservoirs, drip lines,
MONITORING AND CREATING BOUNDARIES AND CONTROLS CAN BE A PART OF APPLYING A MINERAL-BASED FORMULA THAT SUITS MANY GARDENERS
propagation trays and the like (maintaining the hospital-like standard) a reasonable task as many mineral formulas run “clean,” or without creating build-up or sludge. A production manager may find the availability of synthetic nutrients appealing. The world-wide availability of many of today’s most popular products makes recreating consistency and predictive outcomes an easy charge anywhere. Included in that universal distribution is the ability to replace missed, overlooked or destroyed components to your feeding schedule again with next to no down time. Lastly and perhaps most importantly, once a farmer chooses to integrate a non-organic element into their feeding program, a large world of flexibility opens up. Due to the nature of organic farming, the highest and most practical application involves a careful selection of ingredients, excluding many. A mineral-based feeding program allows the gardener to choose to integrate or leave out any amount of organic elements to the application schedule as a compliment to the existing feeding program. Some feeding programs include an integration of synthetic and organic elements, sometimes in the same bottle. Even as a DWC gardener, I have developed a period-specific foliar feeding program that combines mostly organic compounds and formulas with some non-organic elements and is applied religiously throughout the plant’s entire growing cycle. As such, finding your particular style and self-expression in caring for your plants becomes flexible. Where organic compounds, enzymes and sugars are generally completely toxic to a water culture system, integrating some of the most beneficial components of organic gardening is still possible due to the flexibility that both methods provide. I hope that by reading this, you have gained just a little bit more understanding of why with so many flavors out there, some still choose to be salty. If you have questions on specific mineral-based feeding programs, feel free to drop me a line at DrScanderson@protonmail.com and as always, Happy Gardening!!!
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KUSH DREAMS BAG APPEAL & SMOKE REPORT It’s no surprise that the prettiest plant I run also has the best bag appeal. Deep purple buds with streaks of bright orange hairs and the indication of a lime green fade towards the inner bloom make a nearly flawless canvas for resin glands that are unusually short and stocky with swollen heads. The shape of these glands provide both the unmistakable look of the frostiest of strains while still allowing the colors to be visible rather than displaying an overall “sandy” look. All of this in bulbous blooms usually reserved only for the most indica-influenced varieties. The sweet smell of dark red currants and caramel twisted with an unmistakable tart and carbonated tingle gives these finished blooms the smell of Dr Pepper soda. The smoke is earthier than expected on the inhale, showing a bit more of the OG influence but with almost no lung expansion, making thunder-lungin’ half-gram bong rips delightfully comfortable. All the berry flavor smacks your mouth up on the exhale providing an array of red wine and berries interrupted by a spicy dank incense experience that carries through and finishes the flavor.
BREEDER: DNA Genetics GENETICS: Captain Krypt OG x Blue Dream
LINEAGE: One of the first branded offshoots that now make up the full DNA family, the DNA “Limited” line represented a reasonably small number of crosses that DNA released for the first time as a limited edition release, never to be remade again. Most of the crosses included a male Captain Krypt OG Kush plant. At the time, BY NORTHWEST LEAF there was very little to no information about this particular OG so it was a real test SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR If there was any mistake about the parents of the cultivar, of the market niche these two breeders have carved out for themselves. DR. SCANDERSON it is demonstrated perhaps most clearly in its uppy, nearly Like just about everything that DNA releases, those that missed the opportunity bouncy effects it imparts. Kush Dreams brings a clear, smiley, to acquire these seeds are left fending for the cuts that produced some amazing good feels sorta medicine to the table. To coin a phrase from varieties of Cannabis. Kush Dreams is no exception and has remained a staple in my Cornbread Ricky when commenting on this selection, “what’s lineup since its discovery. Everyone I’ve shared her with has overwhelmingly amazing wrong with being happy?” experiences growing her as well. The Blue Dream used is definitely not the Santa Cruz Blue Dream cut that I most typically see but rather one I believe to have Afghan influence that goes fade-to-blackpurple in just about any temperature.
EFFECTS
HOW IT GROWS
Flowers in 63-70 days
A healthy rooter, Kush Dreams is pretty easy to grow and establishes a well-balanced structure with minimal topping and training. She continues to add lateral branching almost in perfect proportion to her height with just a slight lean towards vertical growth. A flexible feeder, she drinks often and does well with medium to heavier feeding schedules. Her structure sets up a manageable stretch where she will improve by 50-75 percent while setting up copious flower sites and growing some of longest petioles I have ever seen on a plant. Complete flower and those long petioles offer a nice guide on which leaves to remove. A moderate to strong hand at thinning and site pruning will focus her energies to produce what are still the prettiest blooms I grow. Starting her purple fade as early as the late 20s in temps as high as 80 at night, a fireworks display of color and resin gland development begins early and aggressively. As frosted white hairs turn bright orange against deep purple leaves and rainbow calyxes, Kush Dreams swells into a heavy producer developing thick, dense, elongated, golf ball-shaped kolas reminiscent of an oversized Bubba OG.
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The sweet smell of dark red currants and caramel twisted with an unmistakable tart and carbonated tingle gives these finished blooms the smell of Dr Pepper soda.
SUMMARY Absolutely one of the most beautiful selections of Cannabis I have ever had the pleasure of growing, Kush Dreams is a very special plant. A newer, perhaps more refined, absolutely more designer looking take on the ever so popular Blue Dream, this is a cut I have shared liberally with the Cannabis community in hopes that many growers can enjoy her results and many patients may benefit from her values.
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Warning: This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Smoking can be hazardous to your health. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgement. Do not operate a vehicle or heavy machinery while under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with the consumption of this product. Not for use by woman who are pregnant or breast feeding. This product is infused with marijuana or active compounds of marijuana. For use by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of reach of children.