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OCT. 2016 issue #76
FEATURES rehashed The Gateway Show lets you see what happens when comics get high. ////////////////// pg. 24
The Green Angels Anchorage group donates Cannabis to veterans and those who truly need it. /////////////////// pg. 30
fall cannacooking Laurie and Bruce Wolf share three fave Cannabis-infused dishes to try this season. //////////////////// pg. 52
Book review Medical Marijuana Guide Book explores entry-level Cannabis. /////////////// pg. 58
growtech guide Dr. Scanderson explains how redundant systems can help your grow. ////////////// pg. 76
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OCT. 2016
FALL RECIPES
36 GARDEN PROFILE Canna Organix in Sequim, Wash.
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Warm up and ease into the season with delicious baked apples. Re cipes by La u rie Wo l f | P h o t o by B r u c e Wo l f
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E D I TO R ’S N OT E N AT I O N A L N E W S WA PESTICIDES O R E G O N PAT I E N TS P R I S O N D I S PATC H H I G H LY L I K E LY STONED COMEDIANS OMD MIXER REHASHED GREEN ANGELS PROFILE CANNA ORGANIX CENTERFOLD THEOREM CANNABIS S E AT T L E C A N N A B I S C O . TASTY RECIPES C O N C E N T R AT E S BOOK REVIEW ALASKAN GROW VICTORY GARDENS SIMONE FISCHER DR. SCOTT D. ROSE B U D S H OT F E AT U R E GROWTECH GUIDE BEHIND THE STRAIN Photo by Daniel Berman Ewok by Northwest Grown Cannabis
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contents Founding members Darby Andrews, Adele Tara and Don “DC” McKenzie after a meeting held at Alaska Glass Gardens.
THE GREE N ANGELS
Anchorage group makes it their mission to give away Cannabis for free to people who need it. From Oct. 2016 Alaska Leaf | Photo by Daniel Berman
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NORTHWEST LEAF
the truth about the plant you thought you knew, IN every issue.
editor’s note
OCT. 2016 ISSUE #76
This has been a year of change and we cannot forget that patient’s lives are truly at stake. we are heading into fall, the season of harvest, a time meant for reflection and
celebration on the year past. And what a year it has been. No state has wrestled harder with legalization than Washington, and nowhere has a group lost as badly as the patients here, myself included. It is extremely disheartening to drive past empty storefronts that once contained vibrant collectives. But that is the nature of the harvest season, and good or bad, it is upon us as a reminder of the year past. Those of us still working for patient rights must focus on the national movement and making small changes CANNABIS in our local community, one person or patient at a time. This PATIENTS DO month features a story on the Alaska Green Angels, a group that NOT DESERVE TO meets monthly in Anchorage to provide medicine and compassion BE TREATED AS to patients in need of both. This is the kind of action we need in SECOND-CLASS Washington, where sharing Cannabis remains a felony. CITIZENS... We must overcome by using kindness and compassion. We must overgrow this year, and we must join together to ensure that our rights are restored. Cannabis patients do not deserve to be treated as second-class citizens, and we must not forget them! So pay it forward by continuing to grow Cannabis and sharing it with those who need it. This is the most powerful weapon we have in the War on Drugs, which is a war on our freedom and right to be happy. Above all, we must strive to be exactly that: We must be happy. Cannabis is the most amazing plant in the world, and it works as a medicine in so many ways, especially in elevating mood and sharing wellbeing. As Bob Marley said, “herb is the healing of the nation,” and we must share in that with positivity this fall. Remember to share Cannabis with those around you; it just might be the healing they need.
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
OSCAR AVELLANEDA-CRUZ, PHOTOS STEVE ELLIOTT, NATIONAL NEWS SIMONE FISCHER, HEALTH PAUL GRZELAK, EDITING DANIELLE HALLE, PHOTOS KORI MARIE, PRODUCTION TYLER J. MARKWART, FEATURES BOB MONTOYA, PHOTOS MATTHEW MEYERS, FEATURES SEAN O’NEIILL, ILLUSTRATION DR. SCOTT D. ROSE, HEALTH DR. SCANDERSON, GROWTECH ERIC SKELTON, DESIGN PACER STACKTRAIN, FEATURES BRANDON VOSIKA, ILLUSTRATION 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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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.
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national
STEVE ELLIOTT is the editor behind tokesignals.com, an independent blog of Cannabis news and opinion
new report: think of the children when branding edibles
Findings from the University of Washington School of Law’s Cannabis Law and Policy Project have arrived.
When Washington legalized recreational marijuana - Color is a key factor in children’s food choices, in 2012, a primary concern was how to ensure it with red, orange, yellow and green foods preferred. was kept out of the reach of children. - Food in novel shapes such as stars or animals is While skunky-smelling buds of dried marijuana more appealing to children than food cut into slices are not likely to appeal to children, Cannabis- or sticks. infused edibles such as brownies, cookies and - Children like foods that smell sweet, fruity or candies could. And with edibles making up a sizable like candy. and growing segment of the pot - Taste, rather than smell, is a market, states are grappling with more useful deterrent for children. THE REPORT how to regulate those products to - Odor alone is unlikely to deter INVOLVED LOOKING most effectively protect children. children. AT RESEARCH ON A new report from the - Cartoon and other promotional WHAT PHYSICAL University of Washington School characters powerfully influence ELEMENTS OF FOOD of Law’s Cannabis Law and Policy APPEAL TO children’s food preferences. CHILDREN Project furthers those efforts by - Advertising influences food identifying the factors that make and beverage choices among food attractive to children. Commissioned by children aged 2 to 11, but there is less evidence that the state Liquor and Cannabis Board, the report teens are swayed by food advertising. involved looking at research on what physical Sam Méndez, executive director of the Cannabis elements of food appeal to children and the role Law and Policy Project, said while the research that marketing and branding play. focused on children’s food preferences generally, Among the report’s findings: the findings are applicable to how children might
approach Cannabis-infused edibles. “There is scant research of testing children with Cannabis-infused edibles, and for good ethical reasons,” Méndez said. “So we looked at research on regular food products — but the same factors that make particular foods appealing to children, such as taste, color and packaging, would likely also apply to edibles.” The report also looked at Cannabis packaging and labeling regulations in various states. Most states require edibles to be sold in child-resistant, opaque packaging. Washington introduced rules in 2014 prohibiting recreational Cannabis stores from selling gummy bears, lollipops and cotton candy infused with Cannabis, and also prohibits Cannabis products that require cooking or baking. Méndez said Cannabis-infused edibles are sometimes packaged in less-regulated states to look like popular candy or food brands — for example, Pot Tarts that have the same cartoonish typeface and blue background as Kellogg’s well-known toaster pastries. “In some states where there’s medical marijuana Cannabis but not a strong hand in regulation, you get products that would be very attractive to children, and that’s seen as a hazard,” Méndez said. “We review all edible products and packaging to ensure they are not especially appealing to children,” said Liquor and Cannabis Board director Rick Garza. “This new study will help further that important responsibility.” The report, Méndez said, underscores the complex set of determinants that drives children’s food preferences. “Of these factors we looked at, no one factor was clearly indicative of a danger to children,” he said. So if you have a food that’s shaped as a bear, that doesn’t automatically make it attractive to kids, especially if it smells or tastes bad. “It’s more of a multifactor test, and you need to factor in all of these things that can help give you an idea about whether a food could be more attractive to children,” Méndez said.
Children like foods that smell sweet, fruity or like candy. 12/ocT. 2016 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF
Quoted “GOVERNOR DUCEY SUGGESTED WE CHECK OUR FACTS ABOUT MARIJUANA AND ALCOHOL, AND WE WERE HAPPY TO OBLIGE:
Marijuana Lifer Craig Frazier Granted Clemency by President Obama President Barack Obama on Aug. 30 commuted the sentences of 111 people incarcerated in federal prison, almost all for drug offenses. While many of the commutations were for victims of the disparity in sentencing between crack and powder cocaine, at least one marijuana lifer, Craig Frazier, was granted a sentence commutation. Frazier had a clemency petition filed more than a year ago, according
to activist Cheri Sicard of the Marijuana Lifer Project. “Getting news of clemency for those serving life for marijuana never gets old,” Sicard said. “I am thrilled for Craig and his family.” Frazier had been incarcerated since 2005 on a charge of conspiracy to distribute marijuana, and had been sentenced to 40 years for the nonviolent offense. He will now serve eight years parole.
2016 IN EDIBLES: YEAR OF THE GUMMY Consumers are exploring edible marijuana: candies, mints, chocolate bars, teas and (of course) brownies. Edible weed’s popularity is due to a number of factors, including the extended high, the inconspicuous method of consumption and the lack of smoke. Besides that, many pot treats are downright yummy. More and more edible Cannabis brands are hiring gourmet chefs to craft their cupcakes, cookies, sodas and other treats.
Chocolate edibles have ruled the market since legal recreational Cannabis sales began nearly three years ago. But in 2016, chocolates lost the No. 1 spot to gummies, according to data firm BDS Analytics’ GreenEdge market research database. Meanwhile, other edibles categories shifted in terms of their popularity with consumers. Hard candy has fallen to 8 percent of sales, while drinks stand steady at 6 percent.
MARIJUANA IS LESS TOXIC, LESS ADDICTIVE AND LESS LIKELY TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH AGGRESSIVE OR VIOLENT BEHAVIOR.” — J.P. HOLYOAK (chair of the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol) in response to Arizona Governor Doug Ducey’s statement: “I would check your facts when you say something is not addictive, that something’s safer than alcohol.”
Quick Hits! 6.5 3 61
Billion dollars in medical and recreational marijuana sales are expected in California by 2020 if Cannabis legalization laws are passed this November (according to Arcview Group study). Percent lower body mass index (BMI) has been found in Cannabis users compared to non-users, according to University of Miami researchers.
Percent of Oregon voters believe legalizing Cannabis has been a positive development in the state (30% stated they feel it’s had a negative impact) according to a new poll released by DHM Research.
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national
STEVE ELLIOTT is the editor behind tokesignals.com, an independent blog of Cannabis news and opinion
Two Washington State Agencies Partner To Expedite Testing For Illegal Pesticides Why the Washington state Liquor and Cannabis Board is teaming up with the Washington state Department of Agriculture More than two years after
legal marijuana sales began in the state, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) and the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) on Sept. 15 announced that they have an agreement in place that will allow the two agencies to work together to test for illegal pesticides on marijuana. The WSLCB will pay for the specialized equipment necessary to test for pesticides and two WSDA employees who will be dedicated to carrying out pesticide tests. This agreement is for pesticide enforcement, random testing and testing when illegal pesticides are suspected, according to the agencies. “This agreement will significantly expand the state’s ability to test for pesticides,” said WSLCB director Rick Garza. “Testing for pesticides is a complex and costly process.” “Labs need specialized equipment and highly trained staff to carry out the tests,” Garza said. “This agreement will satisfy those obstacles. It will send a strong message to any producer applying illegal pesticides that they will be caught and face significant penalties, including possible cancellation of the license.” Under the terms of the agreement, the WSDA will analyze an average of 75 samples per month covering a spectrum of 100 or more pesticides. The turnaround time for analytical results will be 15-30 calendar days, which could become problematic if tainted products reach the shelves of I-502 recreational marijuana retailers. The agencies estimate only half of the samples will be analyzed for a “broad spectrum of 100 or more pesticides, as determined by WSLCB with WSDA input.” The other half of the samples will be analyzed for one specific pesticide only, as requested by WSLCB. While analysis of Cannabis concentrates like butane hash oil (BHO) is included, analysis of marijuana-infused products like edibles is not. Heavy metals analysis won’t be a part of any of the tests. The Liquor and Cannabis Board will provide dried Cannabis, “free of pesticides,” for the Department of
Agriculture to use in method validation and for use as quality control and quality assurance samples. “WSDA may use previously tested samples for quality control, quality assurance and method validation,” the agencies announced. Twice a year, the two agencies will create a list of “priority compounds.” The Department of Agriculture will create a screening list of pesticides that includes “as many of the priority compounds as practicable for a multi-residue method.” The WSDA will provide the Liquor and Cannabis Board with a list of compounds that will be included in the screening method. “This screen will be over 100 pesticides,” the agencies announced, presumably leaving the remaining 230 pesticides unscreened. The WSDA is responsible for regulating pesticides used and distributed in Washington. Currently, marijuana growers may use any of the 330 pesticides that WSDA has determined are allowed for use on marijuana, as long as all applicable label directions are followed. The list of allowed pesticides is available on the WSDA’s “Pesticide and Fertilizer Use on Marijuana in Washington” webpage. The list is also available by using the Washington State University Pesticide Information Center Online (PICOL) database. “This new agreement will increase consumer protection in the emerging marijuana retail industry,” WSDA director Derek Sandison said. “WSDA is pleased to partner with WSLCB to ensure that pesticide use in Washington’s marijuana production follows all applicable laws and regulations.” The WSDA will bill the WSLCB for the initial setup costs for equipment and services under the agreement, to the tune of a cool $1,115,000. The WSLCB will pay this money upfront to the WSDA, before any services are performed, according to both agencies. The annual cost of services under the agreement after the first fiscal year is $300,000 — if they choose to continue the services. The agreement begins this fall.
THE AGREEMENT IS FOR PESTICIDE ENFORCEMENT, RANDOM TESTING AND TESTING WHEN ILLEGAL PESTICIDES ARE SUSPECTED.
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opInion
By OREGON LEAF STAFF
WHEN MONEY MEETS POWER
California is heading down a similar track, with their legalization set to strip away medical rights...
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the state had green tinted eyes. THE patients are losing out. Its been said that that the root of all evil is money, and no group of people knows that better than the patients of Oregon’s medical Cannabis program. If legalization has left you with a bad taste in your mouth, you aren’t alone. Ask yourself: Why do patients have to lose for recreational systems to succeed? Why should patients have to lose? Why should we have to regulate a plant that we all agreed was legal to grow and share? If the goal is to regulate Cannabis like alcohol, why is alcohol given such an easy regulatory ride? The point is profit. States do not profit off patients healing themselves with their own medicine, and that goes against the first commandment of legalization. Legalization must make money. There has not been a single state to set up a regulatory scheme for recreational marijuana without that commandment front and center. Washington ferociously tore apart its medical system and replaced it with a system run by the Liquor and Cannabis Control Board, and Cannabis is taxed on average at 46 percent statewide. Washington patients are given a break on sales tax, but not the 37 percent excise or “sin” tax applied to all Cannabis sales. California is heading down a similar track, with potential legalization set to limit medical rights in the name of progress. How else could a state like Washington get away with a 46 percent tax? The simple answer is greed. The beginning of the end of the golden days for the OMMP was when the state allowed medical dispensaries to start selling recreational pot. Suddenly dispensaries that catered to a boutique group of patients began seeing 100-1,000 percent growth, with major sales numbers fueling a new wave of investment. But that growth was directed towards recreational customers, and patient needs have been put on the back-burner as legalization pushes forward. By the time taxation began, dispensaries were dependent Why else would a state system restrict out-of-state patients while on the new flow of cash and opening it up for out of state investment? The time following legalwill do anything to continue ization has seen new limits placed on patient growing, the ability to the revenue, including standing process concentrates or extracts, limits on consumption and events, and idle while the patients they an overall commercialization of what was once grassroots growers and built businesses on are slowly patient-only dispensaries. gentrified out of the system While the start of adult sales in a system with no tax seemed positive meant to serve them. at the start, nobody could have predicted the massive shift away from medical patients. By the time taxation began dispensaries were dependent on the new flow of cash and would do anything to protect the revenue, including standing idle while the patients they built businesses on were slowly gentrified out of the system meant to serve them. Selling recreational pot under the system meant to provide medicine has been the biggest failure of the OMMP since its creation. A once thriving, compassionate system has now been replaced by a money-hungry machine, driven by regulators and fueled by out-of-state investments and local businesses hoping to cash in. To be clear, this would have been fine if the systems between medical and recreational had been kept separate, but they aren’t. And combined they are dominated by one factor alone: money. As the rest of the country wrestles with legalization, states like Oregon need to set a positive example by putting patients first, not profits.
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PRISONER UPDATE
NEWS FROM THE FRONT LINES
PRISON OUTREACH Taking a moment to highlight Prisoners of the War on Drugs
All Hallows’ Eve is now creeping upon us, and while you may be out
there portraying a groovy ghoulie or a scrumptious nugget, please be reminded that there are real monsters out there: the kind with the power to strip you of your basic freedom and rights or even your life over your choice to utilize a beneficial plant. The real boogie-men we should fear run our current criminal and prison systems. This month we would like to highlight POW (Prisoner of the War on Drugs) John Knock (johnknock.com), who is serving a life sentence for pot. Each day John sits behind bars, his health quickly deteriorates. His recent rejection of clemency did not help his emotional or physical condition. He is serving two life sentences plus 20 years as a nonviolent first-time offender. The sentence he has already served and keeping him incarcerated — especially when marijuana is quickly being legalized across the nation — is what one might consider cruel and unusual punishment. Tragic cases like John Knocks’ make one wonder if this is America, the “land of the free?” On a more positive note, 73-year-old THE REAL Craig Frazier — who in 2005 was served a de BOOGIE-MEN facto life sentence of 40 years — is due to be released this December via clemency as granted WE SHOULD by President Obama. He even received a handFEAR RUN written letter directly from the POTUS himself. For more details about his upcoming release, OUR CURRENT please visit: tinyurl.com/craig-frazier. CRIMINAL News such as that from Craig gives people AND PRISON like John Knock and Craig Cesal hope. Visit tinyurl.com/craig-cesal to learn more about SYSTEMS. Craig Cesal, who has served 15 years of his life sentence for Cannabis. Writing to a POW is a very easy and important way to show your support in ending the War on Drugs. Addresses for these and other POWs can be found on the above, and many other web sites. A few months ago, MMJ POW Jerry Duval went missing. Jerry’s co-defendant and son, recently released POW Jeremy Duval, finally found out his dad’s disappearance is due to his serving 60 days of his federal sentence for Cannabis manufacturing on lockdown because he refused to stand for count. Jerry was released and put back into solitary confinement again. His family does not know why. Jerry is not allowed to communicate with his family or the outside world until he is out of the SHU (Solitary Housing Unit) on Oct. 3. Jerry has had both a kidney and a pancreas transplant and lives with glaucoma and severe neuropathy. Jeremy and his family are worried he is not being properly cared for on lockdown. Jerry has also been suffering from a brain infection. Jerry can receive mail! To cheer Jerry up, please send him a card to at: Gerald Lee Duval #10717-050, FMC DEVENS, Federal Medical Center, P.O. BOX 879, Ayer, MA, 01432. To learn more about solitary confinement and hear about Jerry Duval as told by his son, listen to the VOW radio show: tinyurl.com/vowradio-voices.
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Reporting by
KRISTEN FLOR / Mindi Griffiths / Miggy 420 Becca Nichols / Danielle Vitale-O’Brien for Northwest Leaf, Oregon Leaf & Alaska Leaf
NORTHWEST NEWS PORTLAND, OR
For decades, Paul Stanford has fought many battles — both in and out of court — on behalf of himself and Cannabis consumers, but no one could have foreseen the battle he now faces. Paul now fights for the right to use his own name! According to a June 10 report from Salem News, Paul received a certified letter from S.M.A.A.R.T. — the corporation he owns a majority of — informing him he was fired without calling a shareholder or board of directors meeting. To add insult to injury, Adira, a Canadian/Israeli petroleum and natural gas company who gained the majority of shares of Empowered Medical Clinics (previously THCF), was granted a temporary restraining order against Paul by a Multnomah County court to prevent him from accessing his bank accounts and offices. They also want Paul to stop using the name THCF, as well as his very own name. Paul has not been compensated in any way for his losses. It is unknown the extent of which this takeover will affect employees and patients. If history is any indication, Paul Stanford will not be held down by this setback. In a social media post, Paul simply states, “We shall overcome.” For complete details, please visit: tinyurl.com/paulstanford.
TALK TO THE HAND CAMPAIGN NATIONWIDE The #TalkToThe6630507Hand anti-propaganda campaign from creator Amy Dawn Bourlon-Hilterbran is a grassroots movement focused on spreading the word about U.S. Patent No. 6630507, which proves Cannabis is medicinal and nontoxic, has been studied for decades and should be removed immediately from the Controlled Substances Act. The campaign includes writing the patent number on your hand, then taking a picture of it and uploading it to social media using the hashtag #6630507. Thousands of pictures of hands have been tagged, including one from Willie Nelson! The campaign includes trying to bring attention to plant prisoners and defendants. For more information, please visit their site at 6630507.com. You can also listen to the VOW radio show for more details: tinyurl.com/vowradio-hand.
BEAVERTON, OR
Washington County deputies seized 240 Cannabis plants from the home of 60-year-old Tuyen Ngo. According to reports, gardening is Ngo’s hobby and he was unaware of the four-plant limit. Ngo was cited for unlawful possession of marijuana and unlawful manufacture of marijuana. Police allowed Ngo to choose four of the plants to keep as allowed by law. Ngo now faces five years in prison and a $125,000 fine for manufacturing and one year in prison along with a $6,250 fine for the possession charge.
NO VICTIM = NO CRIME =
NOT GUILTY. NO ONE SHOULD BE CAGED FOR CANNABIS!
Marine veteran Lewandowski OKLAHOMA Marine veteran Kristoffer Lewandowski is facing sentencing on Oct. 19 in Comanche County, Okla., for growing six Cannabis plants. Kristoffer is a husband and father of three who was honorably discharged from the Marines and is disabled due to severe PTSD. He served three tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. He now faces five years in prison for growing less than an ounce of Cannabis to treat his PTSD and help him discontinue his use of the harmful pharmaceuticals that were prescribed by his doctors. Visit: tinyurl.com/lewandowski1. ocT. 2016 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF
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highly likely
By PACER STACKTRAIN for NW LEAF
Column # 15
Highlighting amazing Cannabis pioneers who helped pave the way to greater herbal acceptance.
GRAMMY-NOMINATED CANNABIS ADVOCATE
Alt-country Cannabis supporter
RYAN ADAMS
Cannabis. “I eat clean, I run every day at home and Sure, he’s considered to be alt-country royalty (and weed helps a lot.” Then, in an issue of Uncut magain many circles, a songwriting genius), but Adams is zine, Adams talked about how Cannabis helps him also a producer, label owner, poet and painter. He’s cope with the disease. “I had Ménière’s disease all my whole life, but I never understood what was happenalso an unlikely Cannabis advocate. Adams, along with the band Whiskeytown helped ing to my body or me on stage.” Ménière’s disease can cause one’s pioneer the East Coast alt-country sound bones to ache, acute headaches and seof the late ‘90s. After Whiskeytown broke “WHEN I QUIT DRINKING vere pain in the inner ear. At one point, it up, Adams embarked on his own solo AND DOING DRUGS AND became so severe for Adams that he had career, crafting over 15 solo albums (and ALL THAT STUFF, I NEVER to step away from music. “I was sick in bed much more unreleased material) to date. CUT OUT WEED FROM for six months.” But then a friend brought He’s been nominated for five Grammys, and won many other accolades from the MY LIFE. BUT I’M ALSO by some edibles and it was his first little bit of relief. “I immediately felt a little betmusic industry over his solo career. NOT A STONER.” ter, I had an appetite again and I He’s also been no stranger to controversy over his career. A cursory glance of news stories slept really deeply that night.” As he got betconcerning Adams paints a portrait of a career rid- ter, so did the joy of playing guitar and then dled with spats with the press, fellow musicians and his songwriting. “More and more it liberated me, audience. This is especially true prior to 2006, when I made a point of smoking pot — at first Adams quit drinking heavily and using illicit drugs like it was vaporizing — every day, and not cocaine and heroin. The turnaround was due to a di- getting baked at all, just take a hit or agnosis of Ménière’s disease, which affects balance two to bring everything down, and and hearing in the middle ear and can cause verti- an hour later go into my world. Dude, it fucking saved my ass.” go-like symptoms. More recent interviews reveal a In a recent interview with The New York Times, Adams said he has kept the disease’s effect at bay with more amicable Ryan Adams. “When
It seems there’s just not much that Ryan Adams can’t do.
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I quit drinking and doing drugs and all that stuff, I never cut out weed from my life. But I’m also not like a stoner. I actually have it really easy. I was lucky. I have some friends who got sober and it’s a daily struggle for them. I just don’t have that. It was gone. I was done with it and it went away,” Adams said in an interview with Salon. In his own witty way, Adams has become somewhat of an advocate for Cannabis. Take this tweet from May, 2014: “If only Marijuana occurred naturally in the wild...like Pharmaceutical Drugs, Robotussin, Coors Light or PeptoAbysmal.THEN it would be ok.” “I’ll go in with a couple bros at seven o’clock and just jam. We would, like, smoke a bowl and drink some tea — and the words came free-flowing out of me,” Adams said in his most recent Rolling Stone interview. “It gives me chills just talking about it.” Artists like Ryan Adams only come along so often, and often burn out before they’ve reached their true potential. Thanks to Cannabis and a positive attitude, fans can hopefully count on more wonderful music from Ryan Adams for years to come.
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REHASHED
By TYLER J. MARKWART | PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN
September 3, 2016
I Jai Thai, Capitol Hill | Seattle | $10
COMEDIANS
In Clubs Getting High
T
he Gateway Show is a new concept for standup comedy that could only be conceived of on the West Coast.
settled back into Seattle for an extra-packed weekend coinciding with the PAX convention. At the back of the dimly lit Jai Thai restaurant in Seattle, an eclectic Capitol Hill crowd was packed shoulder to shoulder, eagerly waiting for the show to begin. Rick Taylor, Anica Cihla, Unlike other comedy shows, The Gateway Show Whitmer Thomas, Erin Lennox and Billy Wayne works best in states where Cannabis is legalized Davis were the comedians for the night. Each because the comedians get stoned during the comedian had the crowd laughing and at a show and return to the stage. Some of the comefew points some people were even seen crying dians smoke weed often, others don’t, from laughter, including myself. which makes each show a unique and The Gateway Show makes for a IF YOU NEED A all-together hysterical experience. great night out on the town. It takes LAUGH AND DON’T place at Jai Thai, a delicious Thai Billy Anderson is the host of The Gateway Show and he does a WANT TO SPEND A restaurant that covers both vegans fantastic job at getting the crowd TON OF MONEY, THE and omnivores so everyone will have settled in for a night of weed-centric option to eat. The Capitol Hill GATEWAY SHOW an jokes. The show starts off like any restaurant is within walking distance of SHOULD BE ON THE the new Capitol Hill subway station, so other comedy set; the comedians go on stage and tell jokes. Except at TOP OF YOUR LIST. you can fully enjoy the show and not The Gateway Show, each comedian worry about parking or a DUI. gets a set of sober jokes and then half-way If you need a laugh and don’t want to spend through, the comedians go get really stoned. a ton of money, this should be on the top of After consuming Cannabis in various forms, your list of things to do in Seattle. The Gateway the comedians then head back on stage to Show would definitely be a fun date or chance tell jokes again, which usually ensues in some to hang out with friends and have a drink and hilarious antics. a dab (outside). Just sit back, laugh and have The Gateway Show has traveled up and fun - but remember there’s no smoking or Candown the West Coast for the summer and nabis use allowed in the show or restaurant.
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Erin Lennox performs post-sesh with some help from fellow stoned-comic Anica Cihla.
Learn more about these amazing stoned comedy nights and upcoming events on Facebook and GatewayShow.com
REHASHED
Connecting the industry By WES ABNEY | PHOTOS by OMD
The mood was high at the Online Marijuana Design mixer last month, with Cannabis business owners and local celebrities alike mingling in Seattle’s tallest tower.
In spite of the 24/7 pace of the industry, especially heading into croptober, the mixer was a great way for companies to blow off a little steam and to come together in fun and entrepreneurial spirit. Over 100 companies were represented in the Columbia Tower Club, sharing drinks, delicious appetizers and conversation. For Jared Mirsky, owner of OMD and creator of the event, bringing business owners together is what drives him to host the event. “I think an event like this needs to exist for Cannabis businesses because there just isn’t one, and the opportunity doesn’t often exist for business owners and decision makers to really talk,” he said. “The quality of people has always been where it needs to be, looking to attract and throw an event where business owners can coexist with other business owners and really create beautiful engagement and potentially transactions. It’s always an amazing thing.” The third annual event this year was sponsored by Leafly, Print West, Headset, The Evergreen Market and Leaf Nation. Dozens more companies came from the Northwest and guests flew in from all over the country to enjoy the networking and the views. Companies at the show included Montel Williams’ new Cannabis venture, Cheryl Shuman (the president and CEO of Leafly), Greg James from Marijuana Venture and James Zachadoni of DOPE magazine, not to mention dozens of producer/processors and retailers like Top Shelf and CO2 Organics.
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September 1, 2016
I Columbia Tower, Seattle | OnlineMarijuanaDesign.com
The best part of the event was the attitude of camaraderie, something that is often missing from the Cannabis industry. “What we want to do for our clients is create an environment where they can lean on and network with like-minded business people,” Mirsky said. “When I look at competitors, with respect to Cannabis, there’s gonna be competition, but there’s also room for partnership, and OMD grew because we knew that building relationships was key to success not only for business but for the industry as a whole.” But rather than just thinking of the event as an opportunity for drama, Mirsky said it actually makes solid sense. “I figure get everyone in a room, create a good environment with a fun vibe and a few drinks and everyone has a good time.” In years past, the Columbia Tower staff had to resort to flipping lights on and off to clear out the guests, and this round was no different. The volume and quality of conversation carried late into the night, and nobody left the party without learning something or taking a new contact home for business. “I love being able to connect people. That’s what’s made us valuable to our clients. I just want to help, to see people succeed, to see people grow. And I know everything will come around full circle.”
THE OPPORTUNITY DOESN’T OFTEN EXIST FOR BUSINESS OWNERS AND DECISION MAKERS TO REALLY TALK...
Check out Online Marijuana Design on social media for more photos of the event and to get more information about the next OMD mixer!
DON’T MISS THE WORLD’S BIGGEST MARIJUANA MARKETPLACE! November 9-10, 2016 • Renton Pavilion • Renton, WA
INTERCHANGE
FALL 1̔ 6
Interchange is the only show of its kind, where growers and vendors meet
retailers and buyers one-on-one for a series of meetings over two days. • 50 of the top retail stores in the NW will be there to meet potential vendors. • The event is Nov 9-10 in Renton, WA (5 minutes from SeaTac International Airport) • Business only. No consumers. • Wholesale buyers and jobbers will be there to purchase entire crops. • Each vendor will get 20+ half hour meetings with buyers over a two day period.
If you’re a grower or processor, you don’t want to miss this unique event!
Featuring –
Uncle Ike’s Main Street Marijuana Dockside Cannabis Shade’s Greenery Greenside Cannabis City Evergreen Market Bellevue Marijuana
For information: sales@marijuanaventure.com or 425-656-3621 (Melanie or Brandon)
feature
By WES ABNEY | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN
Founding members Darby Andrews, Adele Tara and Don “DC” McKenzie after a meeting held at Alaska Glass Gardens.
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THE GRE
Giving away Cannabis to help people who truly need it is the mission of this Anchorage group.
E N A NGELS
feature
By WES ABNEY | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN
Continued from pg. 30
T H E G R E E N A NGEL S Giving away Cannabis to help people who truly need it is the mission of this Anchorage group.
A
laska has been blessed with a group of angels dedicated to providing medicine at no cost to the sick and poor. Alaska Green Angels works to help veterans, patients over 65, patients with severe or terminal illnesses or anyone who has been let out of the hospital in the last 72 hours. Founded by Adele Tara, Darby Andrews and Don "DC" McKenzie, the mission statement of the Angels embodies the best parts of the Cannabis community and humanitarian aid. “The Alaska Green Angels Network (AGA) are dedicated to supporting Alaskan Medicinal Cannabis. Through monthly donations of flowers and edibles to vetted members, and horticultural education, our mission is to ensure that no one suffers needlessly; if we can help we will, free of charge. The first of its kind in Alaska, AGA is a legal charity; however we do not accept monetary donations at this time. We do accept donations of high-grade Cannabis, or trimmings suitable for edibles.” Anyone in need will find Cannabis donated at no cost, along with a healthy dose of love and support. On the night we stopped in, patients were talking about a variety of options and issues that face their daily lives, giving us a glimpse into the network of Alaskans dedicated to helping with a healing plant
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The group holds monthly meetings at Alaska Glass break [in the recreational system] we're doing what Gardens, a fun and friendly glass store with a great we are good at. We used to know all of the angels, selection of local glass and scientific glass. There but that was a long time ago. There's well over 800 could be no better location for patients and sup- members now,” Tara said. porters to gather, immerse in Cannabis culture and The group sits informally, sharing extremely pershare their stories in a community forum. Discus- sonal stories of health and battles, of victory and sions range over topics like pain contracts, patient loss, of support and true care. Gathered in a looprights, benefits of getting an ing circle with a variety of seats authorization, patient gun even a couple outdoor lawn “if we’re not here for each other, and rights, parenting issues, tolerchairs, a fellowship of patients nobody else will be. We support ance for medicine, strain types meet to support each other and benefits and a wide range emotionally and with medicine. each other, this medicine, this of fellowship support for the The forum is open, and patients plant, this flower, this beautiful different members. take turns speaking in a natu“We all get by with a little ral, conversational form. Somecreation, whether Mother Nature help from our friends,” Tara times an individual will speak or God or whatever you believe, said with a smile. at length about a specific story that brings us together,” said Cissy “An angel in need turn to or issue, and other times the angels indeed, and often our pitch raises as the conversation Buck, a retired Air Force police former patients become angels bounces back and forth. officer and first-time attendee. through deed, giving back to “This group has done a lot for the rest of the members.” me. Nobody in town stepped While Tara used to know every single angel by forward except them to get me patches with only name, the group has grown beyond expectations, CBD in them, no THC,” said Regina Manteufel, proving how essential this group’s service really is. who uses the patches to combat kidney cancer. “Since the state doesn't even give patients a tax Manteufel is a frequent speaker at meetings, shar-
The meetings help members know they are not alone and that their experiences matter.
police officer and first-time attendee. Buck said she ing her personal stories of Cannabis use with inforsuffers from a rare disease called Ehlers-Danlos mation gathered through research. “A lot of these syndrome that causes collagen depletion and joint patients can't afford to go to a nutritionist or a nadislocation. A hard cough can be enough to cause turopath, so I help with advice on supplements, as her ribs to dislocate, and she is unable to use tradiwell as correct dosing of THC and CBD.” tional pain medication for her consistent daily pain. The saying “it takes a village” applies perfectly to But Cannabis has been a major blessing in her life, the Green Angels, with everyone pitching in what allowing her to brave her condithey can. Some members dotion, and care for her children. nate flower, others advice and For Tara and the rest of the “It's life. There’s no sorry with still others like Andrews are Green Angels, the answer is sim- it,” Buck said. known for making delicious “That’s what I tell my support edibles like his “Gigglebursts.” ple: Create a separate medical group members. Never say sorry The value of each donation is Cannabis system that provides for what you can’t help. It’s not equal whether time or medisomething you control; you live cine, and certainly the companfor patients, tax-free, without with it and it does not run you. ionship is a form of medicine discrimination. But until that My daughter does have EDS, that uplifts anyone who comes day comes, they will continue to and if her condition escalates, into contact with this group. I will treat her with Cannabis. “To have people with similar share their own medicine, homeThat’s what we teach her. We're complications and life stories grown, from heart to heart. taking stigma out that its a bad and rely on the same medical plant, its a medicine, just like care and handling it themselves would be in the medicine cabinet.” as opposed to relying on other people, it’s a very Though she once arrested military members and good support system, especially when we can’t trust civilians alike for Cannabis, Buck now realizes the our medical providers. It tells us that we know better plant is not what many Americans believe it to be. than they do,” said Cissy Buck, a retired Air Force
“This shows what a close-knit community this is. We're willing to bend over backwards, ‘cause if we’re not here for each other, nobody else will be. We support each other, this medicine, this plant, this flower, this beautiful creation, whether Mother Nature or God or whatever you believe, that brings us together,” Buck said. Luckily for members of the group, access to medicine has been facilitated. But the gray and black market can be a scary place to look for medicine, which is where the vast majority of patients have been forced to source Cannabis. Alaska has left medical patients to fend for themselves, unable to purchase from medical stores, which is a major driver for the Angels. The situation has caused many potential MMJ patients to turn back to pharmaceuticals, or forced them to take legal risks to attain their medicine. But mainly the laws make patients feel like second-class citizens. “That’s the theme you seem to hear. Patients feel guilty for being sick; they feel conditioned to feel bad for being sick and asking for help,” said Lindsey Bartels, 25, who suffers a rare form of myalgia called Arachnoiditis. “To have it validated, to know I'm disabled, now I can accept it and be empowered because no one can help me but me. This group and the community helped because you need guidance to help you deal with your issues.” For Tara and the rest of the Green Angels, the answer is simple: Create a separate medical Cannabis system that provides for patients, tax-free, without discrimination. But until that day comes, they will continue to share their own medicine, homegrown, from heart to heart. “The Alaskan medical marijuana patient has been overlooked and ignored ... has been getting screwed over and forgotten for decades, and even more so since legalization. We cannot allow patient needs to be put second to those of recreational users,” Tara said tearfully. “We must respect our elders, the sick. This new legalization has everyone focused on profits and business, but that isn't what is important.” By turning her frustration with the state and lawmakers for their approach with medical Cannabis into positive energy, Tara has diffused the War on Drugs with the most powerful weapon available: compassion. Tara is the type of woman who gives far more than she asks for from the world, along with her partners Andrews and McKenzie. All three are amazing people and advocates, and all three are deserving of the title Green Angel.
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This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug.There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of the reach of children.
FEATURE
By TYLER J. MARKWART for NORTHWEST LEAF | PHOTOS by DANIELLE HALLE for NORTHWEST LEAF
CANNA ORGANIX How a team of hardworking, positive-thinking people is raising the bar for production and sustainability in the foothills of the Olympic Mountains. Tucked away in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, and along the shores of the Strait of Juan de Fuca is a small town called Sequim. This quaint waterfront town is where the Canna Organix team has decided to call home, and they couldn’t have chosen a more perfect location. With great growing conditions, easy access to the I-5 corridor and a supportive community, Canna Organix is able to grow some phenomenally beautiful Cannabis for the recreational market in Western Washington.
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GROWING BEYOND THE STATUS QUO
There are five owners in total at Canna Organix, two of whom are investors, and then the core of the team, which consists of Wendy Bentley, Tim Humiston, and Steve Olson. Each team member generally focuses on a different part of the business, yet everyone ebbed and flowed throughout the farm as needed. Grow manager Humiston, takes care of the overall planning for crop production and researches new techniques that can be implemented to increase sustainability, saving time and money for the business. Sales manager Olson is generally out delivering those beautifully grown and manicured buds to different recreational stores across the state. Business manager Bentley keeps the team in check and the day-to-day operations flowing smoothly. Under these three, a team of 22 employees keeps the farm looking beautiful every day. Canna Organix has built a team of very hardworking people whose energy and passion is reflected in the quality of their product. Walking through the
indoor facility and the hoop houses, there is such a positive energy from everyone working and the plants that are growing that it is really hard to not smile while you are in there. The team has worked hard this year and the plants are reflecting those inputs with dense nugs, amazing terpene profiles and beautiful shades of fall colors in their fan leaves. When asked about their business model, Bentley stated, “we do things differently, not for the sake of being different, but more for the pursuit of finding better ways. We are all about growth, not just growing plants, but cultivating ourselves, our business and the community around us.” Canna Organix is able to produce phenomenal quality Cannabis throughout the year by keeping everything as simple as possible. Their hoop houses are not elaborately over-engineered, but brilliantly designed to be simplistic, yet operating with an efficient function. Airflow through the plants is optimized by wrapping a wire fence around the plants instead of placing the trellis on top of the plants. This gives the middle of the plants a nice open space to breathe and still lets light get to the buds on the outside of the fencing. Light deprivation is also used to promote flowering earlier than if the plants were just left under the sun. Light deprivation also helps to avoid any damage from those massive wind gusts that come during the months of October and November in Washington state. Producing grade-A Cannabis isn’t the only thing that the Canna Organix crew is good at doing. They also have stepped up and purchased an array of different tools to create a variety of different concentrates in-house. Look for their new line of CannaWhoopAss products, which is a natural terpene distillate that can be dabbed, eaten or smoked on top of a bowl and is extremely potent. Humiston also mentioned that they would be producing a line of rosin using a new technique that will increase yield and retain more of the natural terpene profile of the plant in the end product. So you can expect some more high-quality solventless concentrates to hit the shelves in the near future. Canna Organix has really raised the bar for production, processing and sustainability within the Washington state Cannabis industry. By creating a positive working environment for their employees, Bentley, Humiston and Olson have provided the groundwork for their team to operate a farm that is productive, efficient and consistently produces high-quality Cannabis. You can find a variety of Canna Organix products in retail Cannabis stores across Western Washington as well as in Ellensburg. If your favorite retailer isn’t currently carrying them, ask to put them on the wait list because you won’t be disappointed when it comes through.
“WE ARE ALL ABOUT GROWTH, NOT JUST GROWING PLANTS, BUT CULTIVATING OURSELVES, OUR BUSINESS AND THE COMMUNITY AROUND US.”
“WE DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY.”
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NORTHWEST LEAF
STRAIN OF THE MONTH By WES ABNEY | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN
O
nly in the world of Cannabis can comparing a strain to a short, hairy creature from Star Wars be an honor, but an honor it is for this unique and stinky strain that looks just like its parental heritage. The buds are squat, rock solid and well formed, with a tight trim job and a thick coating of frosty trichomes that sit like a THC jacket on the surface of the flower. Each bud is covered in thick red hairs, but this isn’t a bad sign. Just like the furry Star Wars critters the strain is named for, the red hairs are a good thing and the flower is dominated by thick patches of crystals covering dense layers of bright green underbud. Breaking off chunks of a fat nug feels like a never-ending process, with the dense bud formation fluffing to fill a surprising volume. The inside of the bud along the stem is almost white with crystals, and has pleasant stickiness that feels light on the fingers. Preparing this flower is a pleasant experience, like pulling a fresh lemon meringue pie from the oven. The hard part is resisting a nibble of the exquisite buds. Bred by Alien Genetics and winner of the 2013 Seattle High Times Cannabis Cup, this hairy and frosty strain has plump buds that ooze with a vibrant lemon and warm rich fall tones of earth and leaves. An indica-dominant strain that finishes quickly with heavy yields, this hybrid cross of Tahoe Alien and Albert Walker is a coveted strain and Northwest Grown’s program has it producing at the highest level possible. Smoking the Ewok releases thick clouds of a sweet and mellow smoke that carries through the lemon-pine flavors. The high has a fast and cerebral-dominant onset that is great for daytime activities and creative environments. A definite mood-elevator, this strain is great for stress and functional relaxation. An overall happy strain, there is really no wrong way to get down with the Ewok, but we recommend a sunny fall afternoon with a warm latte to fully experience this strain.
AVAILABLE FROM
( REC 21+)
THEOREM (KENMORE) | SEATTLE TONICS (SEATTLE) KALELAFA (OAK HARBOR) | SATORI (BELLINGHAM)
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EWO
OK
THE TIER 2 GARDEN HAS FLOWER AVAILABLE IN 40 RECREATIONAL STORES AND PRODUCES GREAT STRAINS LIKE PURPLE JOLLY RANCHER, ORANGE KUSH AND SUPER SILVER HAZE.
23.9% THC GROWN BY @NORTHWESTGROWNCANNABIS
STILL HAND TRIMMING?
TrimBud
.com
DRY OR WET. TWISTER DIAMOND DEALER
RENT OR BUY. 425-998-7724 | www.trimbud.com TrimBud.com is owned and operated by NWGS LLC. Authorized Twister dealer.
.com
access
By WES ABNEY & KORI MARIE | PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
Enjoy views of Lake Washington from the parking lot.
theorem Kenmore Strains 4/5 BRIGHT WHITE display cases gleam with Cannabis products stuffed into every available space. Everything is colorcoded and organized on different shelves depending on the price. Flowers range from $10 to $17, with great brands like Top Shelf, Private Reserve and Sky High bringing topshelf fire. We really liked their eye-catching periodic table for prerolls, which makes picking out the right joint a breeze. While the prices are overall a little high, the great selection and customer service really drives this store’s value.
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Edibles 4/5 WE REALLY enjoyed the displays in the store, with edibles laid out in an easy-to-understand way. While we only found one edible on the shelf for less than $10, we did find a nice selection of edibles in the $30-50 range of 100mg options. We saw Zoots options at $35, Fairwinds tinctures for $40 and 420 bars by Evergreen Herbal at the 100mg dose for $40. This store is a great option for higher-dosed edibles that are fairly priced!
Concentrates 4/5 THE EXTRACTS SELECTION is focused on quality brands and top-shelf oil. We saw several high-CBD options as well, including dabbable BHO from Suncliff and SIC. Half-grams of the best products start at $30, with several quality full-gram options in the $45 to $50 range. Dabbers on a budget should not look here, but those seeking top-shelf options from reputable companies will find a lot of quality choices and tasty dabs here!
Concentrates galore
OMRITA RX CBD Cartridge By fairwinds 34.6% CBD manufacturing 2.6% THC
CHOCOLATE
Alien Asshat
Turtle Bites
By sky high gardens 29% THC | 0.21% CBD
By HONU 100mg THC
HARD NOT TO EAT THE WHOLE BAG IN ONE SITTING.
These delicious little bites
THE SCORE
are a real treat for edibles. val u e Each piece is layered tas t e with caramel and milk chocolate, with a piece of ef f ect salted pretzel delicately l ab el s placed in the very center. Salty, sweet t otal : 18/20 and sure to medicate, it was very hard not to eat the whole bag in one sitting. The best part is that these are small enough that if you are looking for a 50mg+ dose, the eating experience is pleasurable and hard to stop. We definitely recommend trying these delicious bites out! ($40, 10-pack)
Environment 5/5 THE INTIMATE and boutique-style dispensary makes everyone feel comfortable, whether looking for medical or recreational pot. The budtenders are knowledgable and friendly, with a medically trained staff that focuses on meeting patient needs as best as possible. The store also focuses on local outreach and charity support; this isn’t simply some greedy, turn-and-burn recreational store. The team at Theorem really cares about their Cannabis and their customers, and we appreciated the vibes and environment at the store.
THE SCORE FROSTED IN THC, This sour and funky strain is ALIEN ASSHAT a rom a as special as the IS A SMOKER’S name suggests. de n s ity DELIGHT. Light green and cure frosted in THC, l ooks Alien Asshat is a smoker’s delight. fl avor We loved the packaging that Sky e ffe ct High uses, with quality glass and tota l : 25.5/30 easy-to-read labels. The glass
keeps the bud fresh and preserves the quality cure and smell of this top-shelf flower. After a few big tokes, you might swear that you are in fact wearing an Alien Asshat, or was it just THC sending you to the moon? ($58, 3.5g)
Overall 17/20 THIS CLEAN and well-lit dispensary is laid out in a consumer-friendly way that invites new and repeat customers alike. With great customer service that is helpful and insightful, we recommend this shop for anyone looking for a good experience. Located in Kenmore with onsite parking and lots of fun things to do nearby, we definitely recommend checking out this shop whether you are local to the area or passing through!
Filled with golden EACH PUFF amber oil, this cartridge OF VAPOR is perfect for medicinal RELEASES A patients or recreational SWEET AND users seeking a mellow EARTHY FLAVOR and relaxing buzz. Fairwinds specializes in high CBD percentages, and this tasty Blue Dream blend doesn’t disappoint. The oil is thick and golden, and doesn’t look or taste like it has been cut with any outside chemicals. Each puff of vapor releases a sweet and earthy flavor with light cough and no residual flavor taste on the palate. The effects are mellow for the head but great for the body and work well at relieving stress and anxiety. Great for day THE SCORE or night use, we recommend va lu e this product ta st e and others from Fairwinds ef f ec t Manufacturing. la b els ($45, 0.5g) t ota l: 19/20
THEOREM CANNABIS REC 21+
6323 Bothell Way NE Kenmore, WA 98028 (425) 406-6797 TheoremCannabis.com
We really liked their eye-catching periodic table for prerolls, which makes picking out the right joint a breeze.
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$25 $25 Eighths Eighths $25 $25 Gram Gram Concen Concen $5 $5 Joints Joints $5 $5 Edibles Edibles
http://greencolla http://greencolla
This product has intoxicating eects and may be habit forming. M Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the inuence of this drug. For use only by adults twenty-one and
s ntrates ntrates
arcannabis.com arcannabis.com
Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. older. Keep out of the reach of children.
10422 Pacific Ave. Tacoma, WA 98444 8:30am To 11:30pm 7 Days a Week
access
By WES ABNEY & KORI MARIE | PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
Identical display cases line the room.
SEATTLE CANNABIS CO. SODO Strains 4/5 THE STRAIN SELECTION here is diverse
in both price and variety, with a little something for everyone. Grams range from $10-18, eighths start at $33 and ounce specials vary between producers. We liked the Hawaiian Dutch by Subdued Excitement, on special for $40 an eighth, and the indoor and outdoor options for Green Crack and other strains. Those on the go will love the preroll selection, which features dozens of strains and growers with raw or oil-infused options, all at fair prices.
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Edibles 5/5 WE FOUND a cultivated selection of edible options ranging from cocktail spikers and edible personal lubricant to fairly priced 1:1 CBD/THC chocolates. We really liked seeing sprays, transdermal patches, tinctures and topicals like bath soaks and lip balm on the menu, as well as the adult option, which shows both a medicinal and holistic recreational approach to the plant. For those with a sweet tooth, there is every form of candy, drop, chocolate or drink on the market; too many brands to list, all at fair prices.
Concentrates 5/5 WITH A wide variety of brands and types of concentrates here, it’s easy to get lost in the dabs. Starting with cartridges, we found quality options in CO2 and distillate, both high-THC and high-CBD. For those enjoying dabs, we saw flavored and raw distillate, CO2 in dabbable form and even Candyland PHO processed by Take:10. For those that prefer BHO, we saw live resin, sugar wax and shatter. With grams starting at $26, the hardest part about buying oil here is trying to decide between the flavors!
BLONDIE BARS
CHARLOTTE’S WEB
CBD Wax
produced by green light baked goods
10mg per bar | 2 pack Eating this delicious edible takes
THE SCORE
va lue e ffec t ta ste la be l tota l: 20/20
us back to the days of medical Cannabis, when Green Light Edibles produced some of the best-tasting products with the highest test results on the market. The new dosage is the state’s fault, but the Blondies haven’t changed since we reviewed them in 2014. Tasty and soft with flaky cookie crumbles mixed with brownie bites, these are delicious. And for the average recreational user, at two 10mg servings for $10, this really isn’t a bad deal. So pick up a Blondies and enjoy it, and remember that blondes always have more fun! Pro tip: add some frosting or vanilla ice cream to this tasty treat for an extra-special experience! ($10, 2-pk)
processed by NORTHWEST CANNABIS SOLUTIONS
PRESIDENTIAL Kush
70.8% CBD | 1.3% THC
By fifty fold farms 20% THC
use Cannabis. With over 70 percent CBD in the oil, this concentrate has proven medicinal and recreational effects. We tried dabbing this at a low temperature and found a sweet and lightly anise-flavored THE SCORE vapor that has a soothing effect va l ue upon exhale, with e ffect relaxation starting ta s te in the back of the l a be l neck and working tota l : 19/20 down. This calming and relaxing oil leaves the body and mind in complete sedation, with a long-lasting effect. The container itself is extremely convenient because it allows the user to get every last drop of dabbable oil out, and it is reusable too! With little to no psychoactive THC per dab, this is a great option for people looking for medicine, or those wanting to try their first concentrated Cannabis experience. ($52/g)
The award-winning sativa-dominant
THE SCORE
a rom a strain is an absolute de n s ity treat to smoke and taste. The effects are cure quick to hit hard and l ooks the light fresh smoke fl avor drips of lemon and e ffe ct OG flavor. The flower tota l : 27/30 is a perfect 10 in looks, with bright light green leaves that dance with purple tips, all coated in a thick layer of luminescent THC crystals. This bud literally screams, “smoke me!” The structure is wellbalanced and the cure is on-point making for a top-shelf flower from a top-shelf producer — you could even say these beautiful buds have a certain presidential quality to them. ($32, 2g)
Environment 5/5 THE ENVIRONMENT is both professional and intimate, perfect for a quick lunch break trip or a leisurely tourist walkthrough. This fits the SoDo area perfectly, which is a transition area for people passing through for work, travel or pleasure. We like the open floor layout with beautiful art displayed throughout the storefront, and the friendly staff who work hard to make sure that people find the right strains and products to fit their medical or recreational needs. With a medically certified budtender on-site at all times, the store is pushing to serve both markets to the best of their ability, and we appreciated the overall attention to detail and Cannabis.
This sweet and golden oil is a great way to
Overall 19/20 WHEN WRITER Tyler J. Markwart reviewed this store a year and a half ago, he was critical but positive, noting that the store had a lot of potential it had yet to live up to. Our trip out this month shows the hard work and evolution Seattle Cannabis Co has gone through, focusing on expanding inventory and having top-shelf product for consumers. The end result is a wellbalanced shop that has been in business long enough to work out the kinks, and to have a refined inventory and approach that meets the needs of patients, new recreational users and connoisseurs alike!
Sniff test jars are on the counters.
Visit their glass shop next door.
SEATTLE CANNABIS CO. REC 21+
3230 1st Avenue South Seattle, WA 98134 (206) 294-5839 SeattleCannabis.Co
Our trip out this month shows the hard work and evolution Seattle Cannabis Co. has gone through, focusing on expanding inventory and having top-shelf product for consumers. ocT. 2016 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF
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recipes
By LAURIE WOLF for NORTHWEST LEAF | PHOTOS by BRUCE WOLF for NORTHWEST LEAF
Fall is in the air. And so is Cannabis! Prepare these easy and tasty recipes and you will be able to experience some of the amazing flavors that this wonderful season has to offer!
FALL FAVES HARVEST COOKIES Heat oven to 340
1. Spray baking sheets with the spray. 2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the butters
and sugars and beat till mixed. Beat in the eggs 1 at a time and add the vanilla. 3. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Add the flour mixture to the butter, beating till mixed. Add the oatmeal, cranberries and nuts, then mix. 4. Place the cookies by heaping tablespoons, at least 2 inches apart. 5. Bake for 9-12 min. Cool on baking trays.
INGREDIENTS
Makes 36 cookies
*
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Baking spray ½ cup butter, room temperature ¼ cup canna-butter, room temperature 1 cup brown sugar 2 large eggs 1 tablespoon vanilla 1 cup flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon cinnamon ¼ teaspoon nutmeg ¼ teaspoon salt Pinch clove Two 2/3 cups oatmeal, old fashioned 1 cup dried cranberries 1 cup chopped walnuts
BAKED APPLE Heat oven to 340 1. Place the cored apples on a baking sheet with sides. Brush the exposed part of the apple with the lemon juice. 2. In a small bowl, combine the dates, oatmeal, maple syrup, butters and cinnamon. 3. Divide the mixture between the 2 apple halves. Bake until golden brown and bubbling.
INGREDIENTS
Serves 2
1 apple, cut horizontally and cored Lemon juice 4 pitted dates, chopped 2/3 cup oatmeal 4 tablespoons dark maple syrup 2 tablespoons butter 2 teaspoons canna-butter Pinch cinnamon
*
SQUASHED 1. In a medium soup pot, heat the butters. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until the onions are soft, 7-9 minutes. 2. Add the squash and carrot and stir to coat. Add the broth and simmer until tender, 3540 minutes. Add the spices and simmer for 15 minutes. 4. Heat the remaining oil in a small sauté pan. When the oil is hot, add the jalapeño slices and scallion, then sauté for about 2 minutes until browned and soft. Drain on paper towels. 5. Divide the soup between 4 bowls. Top with the garnish and serve.
INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons butter 1 tablespoon canna-butter ½ cup chopped onion 2 cloves minced garlic 5 cups butternut squash, cubed medium carrot, sliced 5 cups vegetable or chicken broth ½ teaspoon sage Pinch of cayenne 2 grinds of nutmeg Salt and pepper to taste 2 tablespoons oil Jalapeño slices 4 scallions, cut in thirds
Serves 4
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*
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concentrates
By WES ABNEY | PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
THCA CRYSTALLINE
97.61% THCA
R
aw THCA is nonpsycho- THE RAWEST FORM OF THC IS than a fat dab. We found the best active and interacts with KNOWN AS THCA, THE ACID FORM results for flavor and effect involve the body very differently OF THE CANNABANOID WE KNOW dipping a sappy concentrate (rosin, BHO or CO2) into the than normal THC. It AND LOVE, BUT IT HAS VASTLY crystalline, making a double-layworks medicinally for inflammation A pure white concentrate DIFFERENT EFFECTS AND USES and pain, has anti-epileptic properties ered dab that delivers both flavor FROM REGULAR THC. that appears like a crystal or and potency. and is effective for stress and anxiety. It is also safe to give to patients who have Dabbing this results in what can only be diamond, this fluffy, lighterdescribed as a “Cannabis upper,” with heavy and mental sensitivity to THC and seek a form that than-air substance packs a instant sativa-like effects. won’t cause psychoactivity. huge medicinal and Vaporizing is the secBut comparing this high to others in the world of dabbing wouldn’t do the product jusond, more fun way to take recreational punch. tice, because the effects are unique to this form THCA. The concentrate can THE SCORE It is ingested in two be dabbed alone, and is best of oil. The high starts right behind the eyes and Value main ways: orally ignites cerebral activity, increasing thinking and dabbed at a higher temtaste perature when consumed as elevating mood. The body high follows quickalone or combined ef f ect ly, with energy reaching out to the limbs and compared to normal BHO. with other increasing energy circulation. Alone, the acid has little to labels cannabinoids, and no flavor, with a light and airy A perfect go-anywhere do-anything high, just total: 19/20 be sure to have plans and something to do bevapor that feels like inhaling vaporizing it. fore smoking this! ($150, 0.5g | www.OleumLabs.com) an essence of Cannabis rather
Processed by Oleum Extracts
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Tested by Analytical 360
AVITAS PURE, PREMIUM CANNABIS OIL CLEANER. SAFER. TASTIER. Extracted with natural, food-grade CO2. No additives or flavorings. Ever.
IT FEELS GOOD TO FEEL GOOD ASK FOR AVITAS. AVAIL ABLE AT FINE CANNABIS RETAILERS. AV I TASAG.CO M
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.
higher learning
By STEVE ELLIOTT Editor, Tokesignals.com
THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA GUIDEBOOK By DAVID DOWNS, 2016, 192 PAGES, $29.95
AMERICA’S FIRST HOW-TO GUIDE FOR PATIENTS AND CAREGIVERS
W
David Downs
hether you just got autho- dicinal Cannabis use, and discusses in detail the rized and are wondering what science behind weed’s surge in popularity as a the heck is your next step, or are medicine and health supplement. The book’s pracwondering how to get a doctor’s rec- ticality comes in how it pairs information about ommendation for medical marijuana, medical marijuana use with the laws around the ‘The Medical Marijuana Guidebook,’ nation, state by state, and helpfully points readers toward resources for more assistance. by San Francisco Cannabis expert David While the tragedy of Washington Downs, can be just as helpful as its name IT’S A CONCISE, implies. state patients’ loss of safe access — PROFESSIONAL, due to both the writing and impleThanks to the rapid spread of medical MAINSTREAM mentation of recreational legalization marijuana laws and the proliferation of research, Americans now have a major “HOW-TO” GUIDE TO measure I-502 being botched — can be conveyed in a couple of paranew treatment option for many condiLEGALLY ACESSING hardly graphs, Downs makes a game attempt tions. This book is a concise, professionAND USING to do so in understated, calm language, al, mainstream “how-to” guide to legally CANNABIS perhaps a little too calmly for some of accessing and using Cannabis medically. While it’s arguable if this is really the those directly affected. MEDICALY. Nevertheless, he does at least men“first” how-to guide for medicinal Cannabis patients, it certainly must be considered one tion the tightening of access and increased of the most practical. With gorgeous photos, il- scrutiny that came to patients with the implelustrations, footnotes and references aplenty, this mentation of recreational legalization and acwell-researched information answers just about any knowledges that things have become more difkey question about the use, legality and varieties of ficult for patients as a result. Perhaps that’s the best we can hope for, from a “mainstream” and medical marijuana. Downs describes each state’s laws regarding me- broadly based guide like this one.
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THE BOOK’S PRACTICALITY COMES IN HOW IT PAIRS INFORMATION ABOUT MEDICAL MARIJUANA USE WITH THE LAWS AROUND THE NATION, STATE BY STATE.
Central Washington’s
F s i b e a s t n ival n a C
2016
November 5th 10am-6pm rd
52 N 3 St Yakima, WA 98901
Join us for a day of education about cannabis agriculture. The future is bright for industrial hemp production in Washington State. We aim to explore the industrial hemp topic in three distinct panels: Cultivation, Processing, and Industrialization.
Hosted by: Keynote Speaker:
Joy Beckerman Principal of Hemp Ace International
www.evergreen.industries/croptoberfest
feature
Inside the community-minded Cannabis farm in Kasilof, Alaska 62/ocT. 2016 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF
STORY BY EDITOR WES ABNEY // PHOTOS BY OSCAR AVELLANEDA-CRUZ
GREATLAND
GANJA
feature
GREATLAND
GANJA
Co-owner Arther Abel and crewmembers.
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STORY BY EDITOR WES ABNEY // PHOTOS BY OSCAR AVELLANEDA-CRUZ
For anyone who thinks that outdoor Cannabis can't be grown in Alaska, let the first recreational harvest in Alaskan history be a lesson for the record books. Even in The Last Frontier, with shifting weather patterns and notoriously cold spring and fall patterns, the plants at Greatland Ganja did beautifully in their Kasilof greenhouses. Coming from a family of growers with roots in the wild Yukon, this farm is the newest iteration of a family business in Alaska. “The funnest part is that my family and I can now grow legally and provide and make a living doing it,” co-owner Leif Abel remarked. “It's just a gift and the fact that we have license on the wall to do this is amazing. We love this.” Abel grew up with his brother and parents in the Yukon interior. “My dad was growing greenhouse plants since I was a kid, and now we get to carry that legacy on as second-generation growers.” Together, Seymour Abel and his sons Leif and Arthur applied for their license earlier in 2016 and became the second approved cultivator in the Alaskan recreational market, and the first to successfully crop. Their plants went into the dirt late, and they were unsure at one point if they would even have a harvest this year; Leif is the first to admit how lucky they got. While they are the first company to crop, he also knows how important it is for other producers to come online, and for producers to work fairly with retailers in the beginning of the industry. “We may have the first harvest, but we won't be the only product at opening, and that's better for the marketplace. We need a healthy market to survive. Some people are already looking cutthroat and it's ridiculous; it's too small a pool. We are all on the same team, and part of that has been working so hard on how we present ourselves to government and people, and if we hadn't worked together, we wouldn't be here.” While they won't be the only product on the market, they will bring over 100 pounds of flower to the market this winter. Strains like Northern Lights, Deep Sleep and a Jack the Ripper pheno called Space Rip were all curing at time of press, with more plants in the greenhouses at the back of the property, which has a lot of room to grow in. For Leif, the good feeling about the property has built up from the first day he took a tour of the grounds. “Walking through here I saw the biggest and juiciest blackberries that I have seen in my life in the Kenai and got really excited, although it was
a ton of work to clear those out,” Leif explained with a laugh. “I knew right then it was a perfect spot to grow Cannabis.” Each of the four main greenhouses is divided by a center row for workers to walk through. The plants are grown in raised mounds of organic soil blend, sitting on top of the regular dirt of the area. As the plants mature, they are watered and fed according to the growers program, and in the end, all that's left is a mound of dirt, ready to be tilled and rested before use next spring. This is the epitome of sustainable and budget-friendly growing, and a model Leif plans to expand on. “We want to expand the outdoor more and first because it's critical. To me it's about lowering cost to produce. This shouldn't cost as much as unregulated market, and people who can't produce for reasonable prices won't be able to compete,” Leif said, especially when it comes to taxes. “In five years, it will definitely be about competing on price, and if the taxes aren't lowered by then, our industry will be having serious problems with sustainability and profitability.” Walking in, everything becomes business. Guests are asked to swap their shoes for crocs, put on a white lab coat, and are told which areas are OK to enter and touch. The inside is maintained as a clean room to protect the genetics of the mothers and clones and the soon-to-be-lit-up flowering room. The flow of the facility has purpose, with a lovely clone room and lots of space for storage and staff. The initial property that is being grown on is only a slice of what the company owns. With several acres on two lots surrounding a beautiful sunlit patch of earth, the farm will double in outdoor canopy each season for the next several years. This allows them to gain exponential growth in crop potential without investing in the overhead of building new indoor grow spaces. The team is perfectly happy with their indoor room, which will keep Cannabis on the shelves throughout the winter.
Co-owner Leif Abel
But with the expected crops of next summer, future winters will mainly be spent curing, packaging and delivering the bounty of the summer harvest. The trimming and curing room has a warm earthy smell filled with competing flavors of Cannabis —a friendly vibe is evident as the trimmers laugh and dance to music while gently snipping buds. After trimming, the flowers are cured on a wood rack made from local cedar, which helps to absorb moisture and impart a more natural cure than on metal racks. Top-shelf flowers and colas will be packaged into glass jars after curing, and the remaining quality buds will be packaged as grams, eighths, quarters and more. The facility doesn’t plan to do any processing for themselves this year, but they will work with producers to process their trim and “littles,” the small buds that are perfect for making concentrates. Greatland Ganja is focused on finishing out this season, which includes an uncertain timeline for retail stores opening. But that's the best part of having a family group to support in all aspects of the business, including the emotional weight and stress of starting a new business in a new industry. The team is a big family, both in practice and purpose. “Some people say to never go into business with family, but I don't buy that. I want to trust and love who I'm working with.” | GreatlandGanja.com
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feature
VICTORY GARDENS
FUCKING INCREDIBLE
This garden keeps PTSD and chronic pain at bay. Sleep without nightmares is the best attribute of both strains. FUCKING INCREDIBLE
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STORY & PHOTOS by BOB MONTOYA for NORTHWEST LEAF A semi-regular column exploring how growers are crafting strains with the goal of helping specific needs, not necessarily obtaining the highest yields.
Fall is in the air. For outdoor growers, it is a stressful time. There is a fine line between a successful harvest and a powdery mildew invasion with the cooler wet temperatures of September-October in the Pacific Northwest. This garden is 100 percent organic. Preventative measures taken all year long ensure a minimum of risk from pests or disease. Gardening this way allows the family to consume raw leaf in smoothies and put bags of leaf in the freezer for the lean months ahead. When I say organic, I mean sun, water and earth. Part of the earth is wormy compost, a decade old and key to the nutrient production for the entire season. A deep hole is made with post hole diggers. A couple feet down and a heaping shovel full of the compost is dropped in, then the top is widened out to 30 inches and organic potting soil goes in with a mix of alpaca dung. The dung is special for the indicas, whose genetics reach back to the Hindu Kush Mountains where the animals are the main source of nutrients for the indica landrace Cannabis. Rainwater is collected (shh, don’t tell) and PH is allowed to settle. Companion plants offer something tastier than Cannabis to the leaf munchers; squash is good, or even green beans. Mint growing in the bed will deter spider mites and offer a cover aroma for the pesky “skunk.” This year’s innovation was baby red potatoes between the beds, which pulled double duty as a tasty alternative, and feeding the clan. Platinum OG is a cross of Master Kush and OG Kush. It is indica-dominant and good for pain and sleep relief. It smells like skunky pine and works quickly when combusted. First in the head, then that warm hug that dissolves the pain and worry. It is a beautiful plant, reaching 6 feet by 6 feet. Its dark jade-colored leaves and purple stems are a joy to behold all season long. Fucking Incredible is 100 percent indica. Its breeding is not well known, but it is almost 26 years old here in the U.S. It has a 20 percent THC potential, making it one of the “higher” indicas. It smells spicy like pepper when cured, more like pine in flower. Fucking Incredible is for when all else is finished. Complicated tasks and long projects are best left undone when this strain is combusted. This is a Veteran Soldier’s Victory Garden. It keeps PTSD and chronic pain at bay. Sleep without nightmares is the best attribute of both of these strains.
‘‘
PLATINUM OG
Vi ctory gard ens, also called war gardens or food gardens for defense, were vegetable, fruit and herb gardens planted at private residences and public parks in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia and Germany during World War I and World War II. Victory Gardens were used along with Rationing Stamps and Cards to reduce pressure on the public food supply. Besides aiding the war effort, (indirectly), these gardens were also considered a civil “morale booster” in that gardeners could feel empowered by their contribution of labor and rewarded by the produce grown. This made victory gardens a part of daily life on the home front. Courtesy Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
PLATINUM OG
A VETERAN SOLDIER’S VICTORY GARDEN 100% Indica FI
Bob Montoya is a Cannabis photographer, veteran and well-seasoned grower hailing from Olympia.
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health & science
PATIENT PROFILE:
LAUREN VANCE Using Cannabis to treat a variety of health conditions shows the power of this amazing, natural medicine
M
y favorite subjects to write about are women and weed. When I wrote my first story for Oregon Leaf, I spoke about using Cannabis to treat what I thought was endometriosis (it was actually adenomyosis), while freeing myself from pharmaceutical drugs use. I’m getting back to my original roots this month, and I bring you a beautiful story about pain and eventual healing through Cannabis. Lauren Vance is an Oregon medical marijuana patient who uses Cannabis to treat polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis and irritable bowl syndrome (IBS). I was inspired by Vance’s appreciation for life and all living things around her, despite dealing with multiple autoimmune conditions. PCOS is a hormonal disorder responsible for cysts found on the ovaries, cystic acne and menstrual irregularity. Over 200,000 cases are reported in the U.S. per year according to Mayo Clinic data, and the condition still remains a mystery for the medical community. PCOS is incurable and currently treated with birth control to regulate periods and help ease flare-ups. It isn’t uncommon for women who have PCOS to also be diagnosed with endometriosis and IBS. Endometriosis is another autoimmune disease causing serious pain during menstruation. Endometrial cells are found outside the uterus causing painful lesions that STORY & often require surgical removal. PHOTO IBS is another issue often compounded with by cases of PCOS and endometriosis. IBS can SIMONE FISCHER cause major gastrointestinal pain, accompanied with bouts of diarrhea and constipation. You can
“I WANT TO EMPOWER OTHER WOMEN AND TELL THEM YOU DON’T NEED TO BE ON OPIATES.”
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already imagine the amount of pain women like Vance experience on a day-to-day basis. Vance’s calm demeanor and steady character have been instrumental, given the extent of her health conditions. I had the honor of hosting Vance in my home over tea and her from-scratch bone broth soup (it was fucking delicious). She greeted with a bright smile and gave me a comforting hug. It felt relieving to connect with a woman who shares similar pain and physical limitations due to the nature of our demons. I spoke with Vance about dealing with her health issues and how Cannabis helps improve the quality of her life. We ate, caught up, smoked some weed and began the interview.
What condition(s) do you deal with on a regular basis? I am currently diagnosed with PCOS, endometriosis and IBS. My mom is a certified nurse practitioner who specializes in gynecology. My mother guided most of my issues after I turned 12 and started my period. I always felt unique, but I was dealing with a more masculine body type (narrow hips, extra body hair) and debilitating periods. Mom put me on birth control because it makes your body think you’re pregnant because you’re not ovulating. It helps control your hormones and ease the pain around periods. Through ages 14-25, I was on birth control pills. I have now been off of them for four years, and it brought up a lot my symptoms. Birth control masks everything, but doesn’t really address the issue. I deal with cystic acne on my chin, things like that. It’s hormonal and ongoing.
How to do you go about caring for yourself? After dealing with all of this, I started looking into healing myself. I originally was a pescetarian (fish only, no other meat products). But I was eating tons of carbs, which didn’t help my inflammation. I have been off gluten for three years; I went complete paleo a year ago. I was still dealing with bad gastro symptoms, and working 50-65 hours a week didn’t help. Along with a paleo diet, I use full-extract Cannabis oil smoothies to help my issues. I find that the strain Dawgwalker specifically helps me. It helps my migraines. Since I’ve been on this antiinflammatory diet, I have not dealt with migraines. Using salves help around my abdomen/pelvic area has been key to easing the pain. In combination with a hot, medicate bath works best in my
experience. I try to utilize Cannabis in all forms for holistic treatment of PCOS, endo and IBS. I use Estrodim and methylated B; it helps with stress. So much of my issues are stress-related. I recommend Cannabis, exercise and spending time in nature. Hiking, being close to rivers and oceans, returning to that. I think people forget about the comfort of the forest and how we are always getting back to nature. Getting away from the city and pollution does wonders for your system. I try to treat myself as holistically as possible. It takes more work, but I don’t have to rely on Big Pharma. Also! I use a lot of bone broths and soups! It’s super good for you and packed full of nutrients and gentle on a sensitive GI tract.
Do you feel like you successfully manage your pain without the use of opioids/opiates?
Having a bath using medicated bath soaks is an amazing experience. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Even when you’re busy, the most important person is you! Enjoy your full-extract smoothies in the evening when you’re already home and ready to unwind. CBD in the morning, full-extract in the evening. For working women especially, I would recommend this if you deal with issues like me. Really though, I would recommend this for all women! Self-care is so important and we all need it! I think the CBD helps my anxiety, and helps reduce inflammation caused by IBS. Anybody can use it to help pain and inflammation. Fall is upon us, and CrockPots will be more in season than ever! Go out of your way to connect with local farmers. People [shouldn’t] divorce themselves from the very people who grow their food and life source. Having a close relationship with your gynecologist and naturopath is very important when dealing with these issues. Self-medication isn’t what I am trying to promote. Maintaining a quality of life is important. Be good to you and heal yourself, but create a balance.
“I TRY TO TREAT MYSELF AS HOLISTICALLY AS POSSIBLE. IT TAKES MORE WORK, BUT I DON’T HAVE TO RELY ON BIG PHARMA.”
I want to empower other women and tell them you don’t need to be on opiates. Cramp bark herb helps with cramping and reduces ibuprofen use. Salves and fullextract oil smoothies are key. I use Cannabis edibles religiously. It’s so easy and cost-effective to make smoothies using fresh or frozen fruit. Add as much full-extract Cannabis oil as needed (whatever your dose is), blend, and in minutes you have a palatable drink. The fruit masks the flavor of the oil, making it easy to down. I also supplement with a lot of other herbs. Cannabis is one of those. I don’t only eat Cannabis, but I do smoke and dab Cannabis concentrates. I find smoking — or dabbing — is the fastest way to relieve pain, but edibles are long-term.
Any advice for working women trying to manage pain related to these issues? Finding moments in the day for yourself, and utilizing CBD! I use CBD honey in my tea on a daily basis. CBD is antianxiety and inflammatory. Remembering to tell yourself you love yourself. I recommend people Crock-Pot meals! Especially for women on the go.
What’s your favorite smoothie recipe that uses full-extract cannabis oil? A solid recipe I would recommend is my tropical blend of fruit: mango, pineapple, peaches and strawberry. Use pure pear juice to blend it. Add almond butter, then your full-extract Cannabis oil once you begin blending. It’s so sweet you can barely notice the “green “ Cannabis flavor. I believe honey (or cinnamon) covers up the green taste. Bananas work too. I use chocolate to cover the full-extract flavor, hence why homemade brownies were originally so popular. But for health, I suggest smoothies over brownies. Raw cacao, bananas for potassium. Be careful of peels that can be inflammatory, so peal your produce. It helps you work less. Peels are harder for the body to digest.
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
THCV
A POTENT, RARE AND PROMISING CANNABINOID
T
THCV, the activation temperature is 428 degrees Fahrenheit. That is a he Cannabis plant produces over 400 chemical lot hotter than THC, and as a result, more complex to prepare! The compounds, including about 111 compounds vaporizer temperature will need to be turned up. Decarboxylation in named phytocannabinoids that have not yet been BY NORTHWEST LEAF the oven of flower and trim for tincture and edible prep will need to detected in any other plant. These phytocannabiSPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR be performed at higher temperatures to take advantage of the THCV DR. SCOTT D. ROSE noids include familiar compounds such as tetrahypresent (240 Fahrenheit). When combusting or smoking flower, most drocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), but lighters have a flame heat of 500+ degrees, well beyond the activation you might not have heard of tetrahydrocannabivarin, or temperature of THCVA or THCV. And with the superheating required THCV, which has gained fame due to its high potency, rarity and promisfor consuming concentrates, THCV activation is not an issue. ing medicinal value. The cannabinoid compounds like THC, CBD and THCV bind to specific Only certain strains of Cannabis contain THCV in appreciable amounts. receptors in the body named cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors. When canBreeders have developed strains that contain higher levels of THCV for medinabinoid receptors are stimulated, a variety of physiologic processes ensue. CB1 cal patients looking for a particular type of relief or for recreational users chasing receptors are predominantly present in the nervous system, connective tissues, a specific high. glands and organs, while CB2 receptors are by and large found in the immune THCV is a homologue of THC, which means they belong to a series of comsystem and its associated structures like white blood cells and the spleen. THCV pounds that are only very slightly different from each other. In this case, THCV has affects the same receptors in the brain as THC, and many report it produces a a propyl (3-carbon) side chain instead of a pentyl (5-carbon) group on the molecule, much different high. THCV is psychoactive, and causes a reported psychedelic, which makes it produce very different effects from THC. Their chemical structure clear-headed effect. THCV at low doses has been shown to interfere with the is nearly identical, but the biochemical process involved in their creation is quite physiological action of THC at the CB1 receptor due to having a similar strucdifferent. Unlike THC, THCV doesn’t begin as a cannabigerolic acid (CBGA). ture as THC and blocking its ability to bind. However, THCV acts as a CB1 Instead of combining with olivetolic acid to create CBGA, the geranyl phosphate agonist at higher doses where binding to the receptor occurs and the receptor is joins forces with divarinolic acid, which has two fewer carbon molecules. The result stimulated instead of inhibited. is cannabigerovarin acid (CBGVA). Once CBGVA is created, the process continInterestingly, a study published in November 2015 in the Journal of Psychoues the same as it does for THC. CBGVA is broken down to THCVA by the pharmacology seems to show that THCV works against THC to dampen the enzyme THCV synthase. At that point, THCVA can be decarboxylated with heat high. While the sample size was small, the results showed that combining doses or UV light to create THCV, or in other words become activated. of THCV with THC overwhelmingly resulted in a high that felt “less intense” The activation of THC occurs at a temperature of 314 degrees Fahrenheit. For
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compared to THC alone. The study used single agents and not the complex chemistry found in the whole plant. THCV also seemed to protect against other common effects of THC, including memory impairment and increased heart rate. Information about the dosing and action of THCV on the cannabinoid receptors is increasing and will be helpful to utilize the power of this cannabinoid to its fullest extent. THCV may offer a similar sort of benefit to medicinal users as CBD in modulating the psychoactive effects of Cannabis and tailoring use to the patient’s desired needs. Because of its inhibitory action on the CB1 cannabinoid receptors, THCV is being studied for its use as an appetite suppressant. Obesity is a severe health problem in the modernized world, especially in the U.S., and understanding the central nervous mechanisms underlying food-seeking behavior are at the forefront of medical research in this field. Cannabinoid receptors have proven an efficient target to suppress hunger and weight gain by their pharmacological inactivation. For example, the anorectic anti-obesity drug rimonabant functions by inhibiting CB1 receptors, though it was withdrawn from the worldwide market in 2009 due to frequent reports of severe depression and suicidal thoughts. THCV may be a better way to aid in fighting obesity as it blocks the rewarding sensations we experience when eating often unhealthy comfort foods. A conclusion of one research study from 2009 states that “THCV is a novel compound with hypophagic (appetite-lowering) properties and a potential treatment for obesity.” Cannabis that can inhibit the munchies... hmm... THCV produces therapeutic metabolic effects, and its strongest effects are exerted on plasma glucose and insulin levels. Based on the data of E. T. Wargent, et. al., published in the May 2013 Journal of Nutrition and Diabetes, “it can be suggested that THCV may be useful for the treatment of metabolic syndrome and/or type 2 diabetes, either alone or in combination with existing treatments.” Given the reported benefits of CBD in type 1 diabetes, a CBD/ THCV combination may be beneficial for different types of diabetes mellitus. GW Pharmaceuticals is
You may believe THCV is the proverbial needle-in-a-haystack cannabinoid, but don’t lose hope.
studying a plant-derived tetrahydrocannabivarin (as GWP42004) for type 2 diabetes in addition to metformin, a popular drug for treating type 2 diabetes. THCV may actually interact with a different cannabinoid receptor than CBD, THC and other cannabinoids. Its unique mechanism of action makes it a potentially useful cannabinoid for treating various neurological disorders from schizophrenia to Alzheimer’s disease. Again, much attention has been paid to THC and its binding to the CB1 receptors in the central nervous system and its subsequent results. THC has been shown at high levels to induce anxiety and panic in some individuals, most notably with sativa strains in general. These may indeed be sativa strains lacking appreciable levels of THCV. THCV has been found to reduce or even block panic attacks and, as a result, can be highly effective in the management of PTSD and other mental disorders involving anxiety or stress. THCV doesn’t appear to suppress emotions, only the ability to panic, associated with the fight or flight response. THCV has also been shown to reduce tremors associated with diseases such as Parkinson’s, along with ailments associated with motor control like ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Promising research also demonstrates a reduction of brain lesions associated with Parkinson’s. THCV stimulates bone cell growth and has potential in the treatment of osteoporosis and similar ailments, and it also has anti-convulsive properties. It seems to raise the seizure threshold for those with epilepsy. As a result, those who take THCV experience fewer seizures. THCV has shown benefit for the treatment of addiction to just about anything. Imagine: a Schedule I drug may just turn out to be the key to curing drug and alcohol addiction!
High-THCV strains are out there, and some breeders have started to focus on the production of more of them (more strains like TGA Genetics’ Jack the Ripper would be great additions). THCV traditionally is most prominent in African sativa landraces like Durban Poison and the Haze strains. Southeast Asian sativa varieties are known to have high THCV content, namely Thai, Cambodian and Vietnamese. Dutch Treat and Skunk #1 also have significant THCV content. If a strain has one of these four strains in its lineage, it’ll probably have some THCV. Strains bred specifically for high THCV content include Doug’s Varin and Willie Nelson, but they aren’t very common. Pineapple Purps is one of the highest THCV strains out there, but again hard to find. Pineapple Purps’ breeders claim it has a THC to THCV ratio of 3:1. An article in the American Journal of Botany found that of 157 different strains analyzed from around the world — whether sativa, indica or ditch weed — all contained some measureable amount of THCV. THCV is an important cannabinoid lending to the complex chemistry of the Cannabis plant. It could work wonders for addicts, for those with bone disorders, for obesity and diabetes — which often go hand in hand — or for people who suffer from epilepsy or other neurological disorders. One can expect soaring, creative highs and psychedelic experiences from bud containing higher levels of THCV. You may believe THCV is the proverbial needle-in-a-haystack cannabinoid, but don’t lose hope. As more research is done on THCV, you can expect to see breeders and scientists alike focusing on this cannabinoid. In the near future you may see a “High THCV” label on the dispensary shelves.
THCV has gained fame due to its high potency, rarity and promising medicinal value.
Dr. Scott D. Rose has written about Cannabis and health for years in the pages of Northwest
Leaf and Oregon Leaf. He is an acupuncturist with a pain resolution clinic in Seattle.
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BUDSHOT
PHOTO by @RESINATED_LENS
IRENE KUSH
TIGARD FARMS
The Purps x Bubba Kush
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Got sweet garden/bud photos?
Share them with us and they might appear here next month! Email your top 3-5 not-taken-witha-phone-unless-they-were-super-duper-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).
REDUNDANCY REDUNDANCY REDUNDANCY (AND ITS IMPORTANCE
O
WHEN GARDENING)
nce you have mastered the basics of gardening, you nology described in past articles and demonstrate a few areas of your can utilize your skill in several directions. In garden that can easily have a redundant system included. most instances, they all bear the same characCrops can fail when your garden’s environmental conditions are BY NORTHWEST LEAF teristic of forming a relationship with the plant not properly dialed in. Start with the primary balancing act any SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR and focusing attention on a garden with reliable indoor gardener is tasked with: providing sufficient amounts of DR. SCANDERSON results. No matter if you are a crop manager of a PAR lighting (and also providing a mechanism to remove the inlarge Cannabis farm or a private grower running a credible amounts of heat such lights generate), accounting for the small number of lights, the pain of believing you are doing everything large amount of moisture transpiring plants create (especially during correctly and having circumstances beyond your control cause catastrophic cooler nighttime temperatures) and balancing the primary cooling mechcrop failure is universal. It’s only the breadth and number of people the impact anism intrinsic dehumidification properties with the need to support a vapor waves reach that is different. pressure deficit. Using two or even three devices to balance heat evacuation As someone responsible for the performance of plants for the benefit of and humidity management is not uncommon. These devices often depend many other people, I have become acutely sensitive to areas that seem to be beon one another to function properly; one variable falls out of range and the yond my control. In each instance, I try to imagine a set of circumstances — no system may not be able to read the trigger point to support a healthy climate. matter how unreasonable — that could prevent or at least mitigate the impact It’s no surprise that many of the top-level lighting companies are starting of these catastrophic events. to integrate high temperature override systems into their lamp and ballast One solution is employing redundancy in your gardens in areas most likely packages where the lamp can sense when heat exceeds desirable levels and to cause crop failure. In this month’s Growtech, we will build on some techwill respond by automatically dimming the lamp’s output to a lower wattage,
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thereby reducing heat output. There are solutions for individuals who don’t use this particular lamp brand, however. Including a redundant climate control system in your garden can be a round-saving measure. With multiple systems working interdependently to create a safe environment, it’s no surprise that many different things can upset this balance and cause the climate to launch out of range. A redundant climate control system can be as simple as a single high-powered exhaust fan and port combined with a well-placed single or multiple hole passive, treated intake port. Without adding in a second cooling unit, an auxiliary intake and exhaust is an outstanding alternative, especially in areas that support tempered outdoor weather climates. With a redundant open intake and exhaust, you can account for any system failures with your a/c unit, your d/h unit and if you’re in the PNW, usually your humidifier as well. It also can help support systems in which the garden runs at ideal climate almost all the time save the two to four weeks over the summer months where temperatures in the PNW exceed 82 degrees Fahrenheit and the system can no longer provide adequate cooling. Should your HVAC system pop a fuse, bust a hose, need new coolant or the like, one can usually avoid completely interrupting a flower cycle by dimming or turning off several lamps to decrease the overall heat load and cool using the open venting during the repair. In the dark periods, the system can be used to evacuate humidity that so often builds up with a powerful air exchange. Even systems that suffer from humidifier failure can usually increase the moisture level in their gardens by pulling in the cool moist PNW evening air. During those rare summer months that test a slightly undersized cooling system, an open evacuation air flow — even if the outside air is a bit on the warmer side — will support cooling of a heat load buildup. It’s this buildup that so often makes a garden run at ideal climate during the first half of the lights-on period, but then as the delta rises, the system can only support an environment in which heat slowly builds until the climate is out of range in the latter half of the lights-on period. It’s easy to see how a redundant climate control system can support holding steady in spite of multiple climate control device failures, but more often than not, it’s the electricity rather than the mechanics of these devices that fails. If you haven’t splurged on the costly endeavor of installing a generator capable of running a garden, a cessation or decrease of your power source can cause issues. Even in these circumstances, having a few redun-
MANY REDUNDANT TECHNIQUES CAN BE EASILY EMPLOYED AND SET INTO PLACE AT THE BEGINNING OF A PLAN FOR LITTLE OR NO COST. dant systems can be round-saving. If you happen to be one of the rare birds that chooses a hydroponic growing method that relies heavily on electricity to aerate a mixture, you are particularly susceptible to crop failure, even under short, intermittent power failures. I was recently faced with a suddenly corrupt power run from my main panel (it seemed as though I had lost one of the legs of 120 amps that made up the 240-amp power service). As a result, I could only run those devices that pulled less than 0.25 amps and only through certain receptacles. Because I had already installed a redundant gravity-fed Venturi air injector (described in NW Leaf ’s 9/16 issue) I was able to power a simple impeller pump to feed the system’s reservoir and sufficiently oxygenate the system during the full 2+ days it took to diagnose the issue and then run a new line from the main panel. This prevented a catastrophic failure of the plants sitting in stagnant water for extended periods of time. Regardless of the system that you run, water is a key component to any grow. Many gardeners who use horizontal lighting and have efficiency and quality in mind turn to a ScrOG (screen of green) technique to manage the support and training of plants. These systems are incredibly efficient and relatively fast to learn how to maximize. One of the very few disadvantages of these systems is that once the plant grows into and is trained through the screen, it’s often locked in place for the remainder of the grow. This issue can arise if you employ drip lines for irrigation. Lose a pump in a system like this and — depending on the variety and medium — it may become imperative to provide alternative source water to keep the medium from drying out. A well-organized ScrOG garden that employs
EMPLOY REDUNDANCY IN YOUR GARDENS IN AREAS MOST LIKELY TO CAUSE CROP FAILURE.
propagation tables may have several plants that cannot be accessed without a redundant watering system. It’s imperative for any systems that rely on electricity and/or a device to move water to the plant’s medium that a completely manual irrigation system be available. This can be anything from a water can with a properly sized wand, a redundant nutrient tank installed above the drip lines so gravity does the pumping or choosing irrigation systems like Blumats that use gravity and the passive pressure created through moisture differential in the medium to irrigate your plants. Although some of these systems may seem only necessary for people charged with large gardens and great amounts of responsibilities, many redundant techniques can be easily employed and set into place at the beginning of a plan for little or no cost. You don’t need to be a full-time farmer to enjoy the benefits of mitigating the painful and very time-consuming alternative of just grinning and bearing it while plants — that have consumed many resources in hopes of delivering on their ultimate purpose — feebly degenerate into termination status. Consider those areas of the garden that are most crucial and then examine how those needs are currently met, then consider devising another system that would be equally as effective at servicing that result should the current method suddenly become unavailable. Happy gardening!!!
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BEHIND THE STRAIN
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GORILLA GLUE 4 #
BAG APPEAL & SMOKE REPORT This is another jump out off the shelf type of bloomS, which is all the more impressive since it isn’t purple. Caked-on cakes of cakey trichomes demolish any chance of the plant’s color to come through. It’s simply a blond, sandy, white mess of resin covering all parts of the pointy blooms. What I admire perhaps more than anything about this plant is in spite of it being so committed to creating frost, it’s not at all at the cost of the smell. Living up fully and truly to its name, these are some of the stickiest blooms when properly dried and cured up. What a pure delight it is to see a strain rise to the top with this terpene profile. Gorilla Glue #4 has the pungent smell of old school Diesel and minty Fuel combined with an epically greasy and metallic finish that pries the pupils wide open. An earlier harvest window yields sweeter, more chocolate smells, but stretch her bloom period towards the later half of the harvest window and the sour takes over.
EFFECTS
Flowers in 55-65 days
Sour, dark chocolate and menthol flavors translate into mild lung expansion, making large single doses almost too easy. A sour, gassy, burnt rubber exhale leaves an immediate BY NORTHWEST LEAF tongue-tingling, head-wringing feeling that only the most SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR potent meds deliver. The instant change in head state is generously complemented by a relaxing body effect. DR. SCANDERSON Comfortable and alert without a noticeable spike in appetite, BREEDER: The Creator Josie Whales the Glue leaves its users happy, euphoric and in a creative state. Unless multiple doses are indulged, one can expect the GENETICS: Chem’s Sister x Sour Dubb x Chocolate Diesel body effect not to interfere with the uplifting cerebral impact. Use caution; like most meds that test in the mid 20s for THC, indulgence LINEAGE: A crazy love triangle of lesbian self’d crosses or so the story goes, it took one can spell narcosis quickly and unexpectedly to those that continue to entry into the 2014 Los Angeles Cannabis Cup and a previously unknown cultivar rocketed delight in the flavors the Glue delivers. into stardom with a first place victory. Since then, she has held her own, repeating victories at several other cups and taken prestigious parentage to several epic crosses.
HOW IT GROWS Gorilla Glue is one of the very fastest-rooting plants, dropping numbs in four to seven days! Fast and vigorous in veg, she likes to drink a lot and isn’t very nutrient-sensitive. She will take off fast and start stretching and throwing side branches almost immediately, so training and topping is a must to maximize yields in a horizontally lit garden. I found she ran best when branch selection was aggressive. In bloom you can expect a 100 percent or more stretch, and if your branch selection was sound, the need for support will still be fairly high. If you missed on branch selection, watch out for chaotic stretching branching. Either way, support and heavy training is most beneficial in the first three weeks of bloom. This plant is not an easy one to shape and shows more of her Diesel heritage in this department. Get the stretch right, and you’re home free to watch as unbelievable amounts of resin frost every part of the very high calyx-to-leaf ratio. She will develop medium to large spear-shaped blooms that are so calyx-heavy that one can look forward to an easy trim job. Like most of the frost monsters, she benefits from higher levels of phosphorus and potassium as well magnesium after stretch especially.
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Sour, gassy, burnt rubber exhale leaves an immediate tongue-tingling, head-wringing feeling.
SUMMARY While perhaps not the best choice for the inexperienced gardener, Gorilla Glue #4 consistently delivers medium to high yields of blooms of the frostiest nature. The Glue has an unmistakable smell that would carry the plant with or without the insane amount of respect it demands from all those who see the properly run dried flowers she produces. Without a doubt my favorite cup winner since Super Silver Haze, I’d suggest getting the Gorilla Glue #4 into the rotation immediately.
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