THE ENLIGHTENED VOICE
F R E E / L E A F N AT I O N M D . C O M
ISSUE #10 | OCTOBER 2019
INDEPENDENT CANNABIS JOURNALISM SINCE 2010
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oct. 2019 leafnationmd.com
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7 Editor’S Note 9 NATIONAL news 12 hemp column 14 legal column 16 highly likely 18 budtender q&a 19 patient profile 22 HEALTH FOR LIFE 24 strain of the month 28 CBD PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS 36 SPOOKED & STONED RECIPES 38 CHARMED HEMP HASH ROSIN 40 FRACTAL FARMS 42 ON THE ROAD: DENVER 44 DYSCO’S CORNER 46 stoney baloney
HEMP
PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
E S TA B L I S H E D 2 0 1 0
T H E E N L I G H T E N E D VO I C E
WES ON THE COVER The Hemp Issue Hemp in this country has a storied history, and since the beginning of the United States, hemp has played an important role as a textile and food source. Explore this issue for some of our favorite hemp-based products! art by brandon palma @8thdaycreate
CONTRIBUTORS
FOUNDER & EDITOR
Alaina Dorsey, writing
WES ABNEY Wes@nwleaf.com 206-235-6721
Ally Dull, writing Wyatt Early, photography Steve Elliott, writing Lizzy Layne, design Taylor Martin, writing Matthew Newton, writing Jeff Porterfield, design Mike Rothman, writing Pacer Stacktrain, writing Laurie Wolf, writing Bruce Wolf, photography
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wyatt early Wyatt@LeafNationMD.com 410-961-8779 We do not sell stories or coverage. We are happy to offer design services and guidance on promoting your company’s recreational, commercial or industrial Cannabis product or upcoming event. We are targeted and independent Cannabis journalism. Email or call to discuss advertising.
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ABNEY
Editor’s Note Thanks for picking up The Maryland Leaf Hemp Issue! Hemp is going to save the planet - that’s no exaggeration. It is a wonder plant that can provide everything from food to fiber to fuel, medicine to building materials, and so much more. Everything a petrochemical touches in our society for convenience items, we could be making with a renewable resource and healing the WE ARE AT earth, instead of poisoning it with carbon A TURNING emissions and more waste. POINT AS A The Pacific Northwest has been the epicenter for a rapidly expanding hemp SOCIETY AND A industry that is changing the face of this SPECIES AS WE industrial plant. REALIZE THAT When we first began covering hemp WE CANNOT farms in 2016, there were about 30 across CONTINUE the region. Last year that number was TO LIVE IN in the hundreds, and this year there are DESTRUCTIVE easily thousands of different hemp farms PATTERNS FOR across the country, ranging from backyard OUR PLANET, OR producers to massive agricultural setups. PEOPLE. Much like the Cannabis boom, hemp is spreading across the country and the impact is being felt worldwide. We are at a turning point as a society and a species as we realize that we cannot continue to live in destructive patterns for our planet, or people. Hemp and CBD wellness are big drivers of this, as we bring healing to our planet, and I feel honored to play a part in spreading awareness of the plant and the people doing amazing things with it. Check out our stories inside this issue for new ways to use hemp, and even live in it! Thank you for reading and enjoy this new issue of the Leaf!
-Wes Abney oct. 2019
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CANNABIS 2.0: WASHINGTON STATE CONSIDERS OVERHAUL OF CANNABIS INDUSTRY RULES
legalization
WISCONSIN DEMOCRATS TAKE ANOTHER TRY AT LEGALIZING CANNABIS Almost the entire upper Midwest has either legalized weed or at least medical marijuana, but Wisconsin sticks out like a sore thumb. The state will be an “island of prohibition very soon,” said Rep. Melissa Sargent (D-Madison). Rep. Sargent is trying to change that by writing four bills which would legalize Cannabis for medical and recreational purposes, reports Madison.com. “Prohibition hasn’t worked for farmers who are unable to tap into a multi-billion dollar industry, nor for those sitting in prison for nonviolent pot-related charges,” Sargent said. “Plain and simple, I think the most dangerous thing about Cannabis in Wisconsin is that it is illegal,” Rep. Sargent said.
BUSINESS
WHY THE EVERGREEN STATE HAS BEEN PLAGUED BY WEED THEFTS
9
EAST COAST
MARYLAND CULTIVATORS DRAMATICALLY ADDING CANNABIS PRODUCTION CAPACITY Maryland’s medical marijuana industry is dramatically expanding, with cultivators across the state adding major capacity to meet the demands of patients flooding the market, and to potentially supply a recreational Cannabis market in the future. Industry analysts had estimated Maryland’s marijuana market would gross $60 million in sales by its third year. But by the end of 2017, their very first year, gross sales surpassed $96 million. And that’s before edible products had even been allowed by lawmakers (now they are). Three new growers are entering the market alongside 15 businesses that got the initial cultivation licenses three years ago. Regulators are expected to approve another four growing licenses, bringing the total to 22 growers in the state. Maryland’s successful and stable medical marijuana industry could buttress arguments that the state is ready to embrace recreational legalization, according to some observers. Brian Lopez, chairman of the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission, said he believes growers are adding capacity in anticipation of “adult use coming.” Regulators note there’s still plenty of room for growth in Maryland’s medical Cannabis market, with 82 dispensaries opening across the state in less than two years.
By STEVE ELLIOTT, AUTHOR OF THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK OF MARIJUANA
oct. 2019
leafnationmd.com
An expensive series of Cannabis thefts have been occurring in Washington State, and growers aren’t just unhappy with the thieves themselves - they are also pointing fingers at the Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB). The agency is tasked with overseeing the state’s recreational Cannabis program, and some growers who have lost their market-ready crops to thieves say the LCB has been far too free in sharing insider information about the growers. Washington has strict reporting requirements for Cannabis industry participants, with an emphasis on growers. Growers, however, understandably want (and, due to ripoffs, actually need) to keep a low profile. When it becomes public knowledge that you are growing hundreds of marijuana plants worth thousands of dollars, bad things can and do happen. But the LCB requires grow sites to submit their addresses, along with extensive other data. Growers are required to provide much more information to the state than other businesses, including exactly how many plants they grow and harvest and how much inventory is on hand. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to view such data from a ripoff point of view. After all, if you can determine a particular grow site - with an address - has a crop ready for harvest, that is information upon which thieves are certainly happy to act. That’s probably a big reason why licensed Cannabis growers, especially smaller craft growers, are being hit so often. And unfortunately, crop thefts don’t seem to be a particularly high priority among law enforcement. While many growers are filing police reports, The Stranger reports that “no arrests have been made in any of the cases.”
Seven years after Washington state voters legalized recreational Cannabis, and five years after the state launched its retail market, officials are looking at overhauling rules for the industry. Plans call for boosting minority ownership of marijuana businesses, allowing home deliveries, and letting the smallest growers increase the size of their operations, reports Q13 FOX. Rick Garza, director of the Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board, along with members of the LCB, are calling it “Cannabis 2.0.” According to Garza, the agency has “been so challenged with the issues of the day, we haven’t been looking out long-term to determine what the future looks like.” The board is considering abandoning the state’s unwieldy seed-to-sale Cannabis tracking program, which has repeatedly succumbed to software issues, sometimes causing retail operations thousands of dollars. Under a proposed new system, businesses would report The board is considering their transactions to the LCB and then be audited. abandoning the state’s unwieldy Another proposal examines whether to allow seed-to-sale Cannabis tracking Cannabis to be exported out of state, as Oregon program, which has repeatedly lawmakers did this year, in the event the federal succumbed to software issues, government approves it. sometimes causing retail The board has proposed two new bills for the operations thousands of dollars. next session of the Washington Legislature in January 2020. The first would create a social equity program to encourage greater ownership of Cannabis businesses by minorities, women, and military veterans. Washington currently isn’t issuing any more Cannabis retail licenses, but 11 of the 500+ retail license holders have surrendered their licenses, according to Garza. Under the LCB proposal, these could be reissued to minority participants, or new licenses could be granted if cities or counties agree to increase the number of pot shops they’ll allow. Businesses would be eligible if they are owed by a woman, minority or veteran, or if a majority of its ownership group are a protected class under Washington state anti-discrimination laws. Another proposal would allow Tier 1 producers, currently limited to 2,000 square feet, to sell medicinal Cannabis directly to the state’s 36,000 registered medical marijuana patients. Patients often have a difficult time finding Cannabis free of pesticides and heavy metals in retail stores. Tier 1 growers could sell to patients onsite under the proposal, with other growers at farmers market style locations, or by delivery, according to Garza. Tier 1 growers could also expand to 5,000 square feet under the proposal, then possibly to 8,000 square feet. Many of the smallest growers are struggling because of their legally limited size.
national news
West Coast
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CANNABIS MEGACORP HARVEST HEALTH TAKES OVER SECOND MARYLAND DISPENSARY
EAST COAST
MARYLAND MEDICAL CANNABIS COMMISSION DIRECTOR RESIGNS The executive director of the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission, which regulates the state’s marijuana industry, is resigning, reports the Baltimore Business Journal. Joy A. Strand, after serving 21 months as head of the 16-member board, announced in September that she will resign effective October 1. Strand has been on medical leave since August 12, according to Will Tilburg, who will now serve as the commission’s acting Executive Director. Strand joined the commission on December 1, 2017, the day medical marijuana sales began in Maryland. She oversaw huge growth during her almost two years as Executive Director. The statewide registered patient count has now grown to more than 100,000, including nearly 300 minors and nearly 400 hospice patients. Retail sales in Maryland have grown to $178 million overall, including more than $86 million since the beginning of 2019.
National Cannabis company Harvest Health & Recreation Inc., which already operates one dispensary in Maryland, will be operating a second shop in the state under a new deal, reports the Baltimore Business Journal. Harvest signed an agreement on Sept. 9, 2019 to take over operation of the Your Farmacy medical Cannabis dispensary in Lutherville-Timonium. Harvest’s first dispensary, already in operation, is in Rockville. The company also operates a Cannabis growing and processing facility in Hancock. Your Farmacy’s 3,000 square foot dispensary will become a Harvest House of Cannabis store, pending approval by regulators at the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission. Harvest, based in Tempe, Arizona, now operates 210 Cannabis facilities across the nation, including about 130 retail stores. The company employs more than 1,700 people across 18 states and territories, with revenue of $47 million in 2018 and a market capitalization of $1.4 billion, according to Yahoo Finance.
national news
EAST COAST
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WEST COAST
NEW STUDY SUGGESTS CALIFORNIA’S GROWING CANNABIS BLACK MARKET DWARFS LEGAL SALES
41 BALES OF MARIJUANA FOUND ON SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST In something of a flashback to the 1970s, 41 bales of Cannabis were discovered on the Southern California coast on September 14, reports KCRA 3. A report of a beached boat came in just before dawn, and deputies found a 35-foot panga boat on the shore below Pacific Coast Highway Malibu and Point Mugu, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators found 577 pounds of marijuana floating in the water and on the beach, as well as 37 large containers filled with gasoline in the boat.
By STEVE ELLIOTT, AUTHOR OF THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK OF MARIJUANA
oct. 2019
leafnationmd.com
WEST COAST
California kicked off legal weed sales on January 1, 2018. Initial projections were that the Golden State would bring in $643 million in pot revenue in its first year of recreational sales. But when the numbers were tallied, the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration had collected only $345.2 million in 2018. Data from Arcview and BDS Analytics show that legal spending actually declined in California in 2018, from $3 billion (all for medical Cannabis) in 2017 to $2.5 billion in 2018, reports The Motley Fool. What on earth happened? Experts point to the state’s onerous taxation of legal Cannabis, the highest in the nation. Cannabis users are being asked to pay state tax, sales tax, a weed excise tax, and a wholesale tax on either leaves or flower. That can add up to an effective 45 percent tax rate. Since extensive laboratory testing and other regulatory costs are also built into Cannabis pricing in California, that means big differences in per gram prices between legal and black market weed. It doesn’t take Einstein to figure out that illicit dealers are easily able to underprice the legal shops. Another factor is that despite the state legalizing weed, cities have the option of refusing Cannabis shops. Of California’s 482 cities, just 89 places (only 18.5 percent) allow Cannabis retailers. That means black market dealers have the upper hand in the other 82.5 percent of cities in the Golden State, simply by default.
expert OPINION
Hemp BY JERRY WHITING
LeBlancCNE.com/podcast
IN THE MAINSTREAM
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After the Farm Bill was signed into law last December, industrial hemp has catapulted into farmers’ fields and into mainstream conversations all over the country. Hemp is legal at the federal level, and hemp and CBD are popping up everywhere you look. How big is hemp in 2019? VoteHemp reports over 17,000 licensed hemp farmers will grow at least a quarter million acres, the bulk of which is destined for CBD extraction. While many Cannabis farmers have switched to hemp, most of this year’s hemp farmers are new to the plant. Many have never even seen a pot plant, let alone grown acres of it. AND IT’S NOT JUST FARMERS that have jumped on the bandwagon. CBD products - good, bad and other - are available in stores and online. Many have found relief from hemp products and are quick to tell friends, family and anyone else who’ll listen. To their surprise and delight ordinary folks, non-pot smokers, are turning to hemp instead of prescription drugs. You can’t tell them hemp is bad, and by association, many are reconsidering Cannabis as well. Once again, hemp is the ice breaker for much larger discussions about total legalization, amnesty for non-violent marijuana prisoners, and access to Cannabis as well as hemp. All of this is astonishing because seven years ago, when Washington and Colorado legalized recreational Cannabis, it was a huge deal. We’re talking walk-in dispensaries for adults over 21, nonresidents included and all without a doctor’s authorization, unlike medical marijuana. Fast forward to 2019, and 11 states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational Cannabis, THE GOOD NEWS IS and hemp is no longer THAT MORE PEOPLE WILL Schedule 1 (the DEA) but GROW HEMP FOR FOOD Schedule 5 (the FDA). How far we’ve come. AND FIBER IN 2021 But when we look a little closer not everything is coming up roses. I’m the last person to put a pin in the balloon, but the hemp market is far from mature.
oct. 2019
In fact, the same loose rules and regulations that allow anyone to jump into the hemp business have sown the seeds of chaotic changes yet to come. Far too many people have jumped into the hemp game with dreams of getting rich. Yes, those that started first made good money. But their success attracted new entrants. The pioneers came from Cannabis, whereas the newbies have a steep learning curve. Making mistakes and losing money are part of the risk. A huge 2019 hemp harvest will bump up against last year’s crop, much of which is still unsold. This is true for plant material (biomass) as well as distillate and isolate. As popular as hemp is, so far the supply of ingredients is greater than the products being sold. When supply is greater than demand the prices go down. Those farmers who penciled in $50 a pound for biomass based on last year’s prices may find prices closer to $15-20 a pound this year. Many new farmers bought “questionable” seeds - regular not feminized, low germination rate, prone to go over the legal limit of 0.3% delta-9-THC, etc. I predict a flood of biomass this year of wildly uneven quality and variable prices to match. The good news is that more people will grow hemp for food and fiber in 2021. Fiber will break out first because growing it is easier, and while the processing infrastructure doesn’t exist now, it’s cheaper to build than a food ecosystem. Those that take a long view on the future and potential of industrial hemp are those that will finish the race. 2018 may have been the year The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (a.k.a. The Farm Bill) was signed, but looking back we’ll all agree that 2019 was The Year of Hemp. There’s no turning back the clock or putting the tractor back in the barn. Yep, we’ve turned the corner on hemp.
PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
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Cell - 301-762-7900 Email - david@potomac.legal
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Hemp growing in Corvallis, Oregon
THEFUTUREOF HEMPIN MARYLAND
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When President Trump signed the 2018 Farm Bill into law, few could have realized the broad ramifications that it would have on marijuana laws nationwide. The Farm Bill, set by the federal government, dictates agricultural farm subsidies, crop insurance, and nutritional priorities. However, this year’s bill contained some surprises. Thanks to Senator Mitch McConnell, this year’s Farm Bill created a brand new process for legally growing and selling hemp, a close relative to marijuana. This, in turn, has created a difficult situation for law enforcement who may not be able to distinguish between the illegal Schedule I narcotic marijuana, and the now legal hemp. Hemp is defined in the new Farm Bill as Cannabis with one key difference - hemp cannot contain more than 0.3 percent THC (the compound in the plant responsible for psychoactive effects). By definition and design, hemp cannot make one feel “high” because it lacks any significant amount of THC. However, for decades federal law did not differentiate hemp from other Cannabis plants, which were effectively made
illegal in 1937 under the Marihuana Tax Act, and Hemp can have up to .3% of THC in the plant. formally made illegal in 1970 under the Controlled Marijuana has decidedly more THC than that. Substances Act. Regardless, Maryland’s forensic crime labs, Past legislation permitted the cultivation, like many others across the country, do not processing, and distribution of hemp for limited currently have the equipment to distinguish purposes. These pilot programs, created to study between low and high levels of THC. This means hemp, were approved by both the U.S. Department that functionally hemp (lawful) and marijuana of Agriculture (USDA) and the various (unlawful) will be indistinguishable state departments of agriculture. This given the limits of their current lab also allowed small-scale expansion equipment. of hemp cultivation for limited One big myth that exists about purposes. The recent 2018 Farm the Farm Bill is that cannabidiol Bill permits hemp cultivation broadly or CBD - a non-intoxicating rather than on a limited basis. It also compound found in Cannabis - is explicitly allows the transfer of hemplegalized. While it is true that the derived products across state lines Farm Bill removes hemp-derived Hemp cannot contain for commercial or other purposes. products from its Schedule I status, Additionally, it puts no restrictions on more than 0.3 percent the legislation does not legalize the sale, transport, or possession of THC (the compound in CBD generally. hemp-derived products, so long as As discussed last month, CBD the plant responsible those items are produced in a manner generally remains a Schedule I for psychoactive consistent with the law. substance under federal law. effects). The Farm Bill ensures that any MARYLAND’S HEMP STATUTE cannabinoid that is derived from This past legislative session, Maryland created a hemp will be legal, if and only if that hemp is new definition of marijuana that excluded hemp. produced in a manner consistent with the Farm When read in conjunction with the new 2018 Farm Bill, associated federal regulations, associated Bill, this means that hemp can now be grown, state regulations, and by a licensed grower. All processed and distributed in Maryland, provided other cannabinoids, produced in any other setting that it is done under the process outlined in the law. remain a Schedule I substance under federal law This also means that at a traffic stop or anywhere and are thus illegal. This prohibition, of course, else marijuana is allegedly identified, Maryland law does not apply to the pharmaceutical-grade enforcement will now need to distinguish between CBD products that have been approved by the marijuana and hemp during the stop and seizure. FDA, which currently includes only one drug: GW However, this may not be currently possible. Pharmaceutical Epidiolex.
Since 2008, Mike Rothman has counseled clients regarding Cannabis laws and regulations as the founder and principal of the Medical Cannabis Law Group and the Law Office of Mike Rothman in Rockville, Maryland. Mr. Rothman has testified on Cannabis laws and regulations before the Maryland House of Delegates, taught classes, and lobbied the federal government on behalf of patients and businesses. Mr. Rothman’s Law Office focuses on criminal defense, including use of the medical Cannabis defense.
oct. 2019
COLUMN by MIKE ROTHMAN, ATTORNEY & PRINCIPAL | MEDICAL CANNABIS LAW GROUP | PHOTOS by @BERMANPHOTOS
highly likely
H i g h l i g h t i n g Ca n n a b i s p i o n e e rs w h o p a ve d t h e wa y t o g re a t e r h e r b a l a c ce p ta n ce .
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ANDYCOHEN
TALK SHOW HOST & CANNABIS ENTHUSIAST
leafnationmd.com
AS THE HOST OF WATCH WHAT HAPPENS LIVE, ANDY COHEN IS A RECOGNIZABLE CELEBRITY FOR ANYONE WHO HAS EVER BEEN INTERESTED IN, WELL – A CELEBRITY. THAT’S BECAUSE HIS PROGRAM IS A POP-CULTURE LATE NIGHT TALK SHOW WITH A PENCHANT FOR GETTING THE INSIDE SCOOP ON CELEBRITIES FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE. But talk show host isn’t his only job - he has held virtually every position imaginable in the entertainment industry throughout his lengthy career. Cohen started his career in journalism working for CBS News as a producer for shows like 48 Hours and CBS This Morning. On his way up he has worked as everything from show host to game-show host to actor to touring comedian, eventually becoming an executive producer on various television programs. Most recently, Cohen became Vice President at the Bravo Network. Cohen’s affable persona is hard to miss. He’s an energetic person, who always seems to have the ability to be ‘on’ in any situation.
oct. 2019
WHILE COHEN DOESN’T LIKE TO BE HIGH ON CAMERA, HE DID NOTE IN AN INTERVIEW THAT HE WAS ONCE CAUGHT DOING SO.
This personality stamina has obviously helped him immensely through his entertainment career. He’s also been a longtime Cannabis user, and has often talked about his love for the plant unabashedly. He often discusses it on his feature program Watch What Happens Live, though he does note that he doesn’t perform while high on the show. On the program, he once confided to John Mayer that he’d smoked with Willie Nelson, Snoop Dogg, and Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead. While Cohen doesn’t like to be high on camera, he did note in an interview that he was once caught doing so. The incident occurred when he was invited to throw out the first pitch at a St. Louis (where Cohen grew up) Cardinals game. He said that af-
terwards, he’d consumed an edible and that later in the game a camera crew approached him. “I forgot that they were going to be pulling me into the broadcast booth. They came to get me and I was like - oh shit,” he told the interviewer. In May of this year, Andy had his first child. He told Howard Stern on his XM Radio show (a network where Cohen also hosts) that fatherhood has led him to giving up Cannabis for the time being. “No, not since the baby,” Cohen told Stern. “I don’t feel comfortable. It’s not the time for that.” Whether Andy Cohen currently consumes Cannabis or not isn’t the issue at hand though. By being so open about his Cannabis usage throughout his career, this performer and executive has helped to pave the way for a more normalized perspective on the herb that we all love so dearly.
By PACER STACKTRAIN for LEAF NATION
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BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH
GOT A FAVORITE BUDTENDER? TELL US WHY! WYATT@LEAFNATIONMD.COM
NARISSA BOODOO DID YOU HAVE A BACKGROUND IN CANNABIS BEFORE BECOMING A BUDTENDER?
Since the industry is so new, the only experience I had was with black market Cannabis. However, I have always used it as medicine to help with things like anxiety and appetite. I recently looked back in my journal to the first time I ever smoked Cannabis. I remember thinking to myself that I finally felt comfortable in my own skin.
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WHEN DID YOU BECOME A BUDTENDER, AND WHAT WAS THE PROCESS LIKE?
“I RECENTLY LOOKED BACK IN MY JOURNAL TO THE FIRST TIME I EVER SMOKED CANNABIS. I REMEMBER THINKING TO MYSELF THAT I FINALLY FELT COMFORTABLE IN MY OWN SKIN.”
MAGGIE’S
3317 Keswick Road Baltimore, MD (443) 973-6974
oct. 2019
I became a budtender in December 2018 before Maggie’s opened. It was a little odd because I knew that we had a medical program, but I didn’t know that dispensaries were opening so soon. I wasn’t sure if I was qualified for the position since it was so new, so I just went for it and applied. The training was extensive - around two weeks of 9-5, running over everything from the history of Cannabis to the scientific processes of extraction. We also took an online, nationally accredited Cannabis nursing course with The Cannabis Institute.
WHAT DO YOU FIND REWARDING ABOUT THE JOB?
Everything is rewarding about working in this industry with patients. My father did federal time for Cannabis, so seeing the generational change in regulation is rewarding. It was less than ten years ago that my father wasn’t around, and it’s rewarding to see how far we have come. Also, educating people who are very sick, and helping them find exactly the right products to alleviate their ailments. Lastly, Baltimore has been hit hard by the opioid crisis, and seeing people use Cannabis to help with substance abuse is awesome.
DO YOU THINK MEDICAL CANNABIS HAS CHANGED THE PUBLIC’S VIEW ON CANNABIS AS A WHOLE?
I think that medical Cannabis has definitely helped to release the stigma surrounding
Cannabis. It has taken away a criminal element. For example, now you see people using Cannabis that you would never expect. People are beginning to understand that Cannabis can help many people in many ways. There are also a lot less arrests happening due to medical Cannabis being in Maryland.
HOW HAVE YOU SEEN MAGGIE’S GROW SINCE ITS OPENING?
Being with Maggie’s since it first opened, I have seen a ton of change in the depth and quality of products. Also, the way we operate has changed. We were one of the first dispensaries to open, but over this year our connection with patients has continued to grow. It starts to become second nature, and you even remember the patients that only come in once every few months.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE CONSUMPTION METHOD? COMPANIES YOU ENJOY?
I prefer good old bud. I get the best therapeutic feeling from flower and it is also one of the most affordable ways to medicate. I wouldn’t promote blunt smoking to others, but that has always been the way I have enjoyed smoking. Something about getting home at the end of a long day and rolling up a blunt - it’s the perfect ritual. I love Sour Gorilla from Curio Wellness and other heavy indica strains. I also started dabbing over the past six months, which is totally new to my medicating routine.
ARE THERE ANY TRENDS IN THE MEDICAL CANNABIS MARKET YOU SEE RIGHT NOW THAT YOU ENJOY? DISLIKE? There is always a balance of good and bad in everything, and generally I am just super grateful to be a part of this program. One trend I see is a heavy focus on potency of Cannabis, and less attention to other things like terpenes. I would like to see a pricing system where potency didn’t determine if a product was more or less expensive.
STORY & PHOTO by WYATT EARLY @ERRLYWYATT/MARYLAND LEAF
cannabis for an active lifestyle For Tommy Scott, a lifetime of athletics, intense workouts and yoga eventually resulted in immense lower back pain that would become crippling to his active lifestyle. “I tweaked my back during a yoga class and during the following few weeks afterwards, the injury festered and just got worse and worse. It eventually got to the point where it was interfering with not only my workouts but my job as well.” After consulting his primary care physician about the pain and spasms, he tried various medications and muscle relaxers, and went through x-rays and physical therapy!
“I’ve always been an athlete. I love to work out and do yoga, I love to snowboard, I’m always doing something active and these were all things that the pain was preventing me from enjoying. The Cannabis really helps with the pain, I can just relax and it gets me comfortable,” said Scott. The pain relief is certainly a game changer for the physical aspects of Tommy’s life, but the Cannabis helps with mental facets of his life as well. “I work as a computer programmer, and Cannabis helps me with my work,” he said. “Sitting in a chair for hours on end obviously takes a toll on my lower back, so Cannabis helps with alleviating the pain, but it also helps me zone in and focus. When I smoke and I tune into something, I can really focus and get it done. Coding is really tedious work, but Cannabis definitely helps me stay on track.” The benefits of medicinal Cannabis stem far and wide, and finding the right medicine for you is what makes it all work. Tommy learned this first-hand through a great experience with his local dispensary, Kannavis, located in Frederick, MD. “I just couldn’t do the muscle relaxers, they didn’t help me. They would make “Kannavis is my main go-to. They’ve got a great staff that’s super me so tired and I just wasn’t productive. Not to mention they seemed to affect me helpful,” he said. With the staff’s help Tommy has really found out what’s well into the next day, so it was a cycle of just not getting things done effectively most effective for him and when to use it. and I hated it.” After the failed medications and physical “I love the Verano G6 in the mornings, and I therapy, Scott turned to medicinal Cannabis for relief. love the Verano White Harmony CBD to help me “I got a recommendation through Leafly, went to see recover from a long day. I’ve always been more of a I JUST COULDN’T DO THE the doctor, and explained my situation. She suggested sativa person, but the more strains I hear about and MUSCLE RELAXERS, THEY that THC/CBD products might benefit my ailments,” try, the easier it gets for me to select my personal said Scott. Since the doctors visit and getting his medical favorites.” DIDN’T HELP ME. THEY card, Tommy uses Cannabis daily for relief. Cannabis is quickly becoming more accepted WOULD MAKE ME SO “Whether it be transdermal rubs, 1:1 THC/CBD across the United States as an alternative to TIRED AND I JUST WASN’T pharmaceuticals — and for good reason. products, tinctures or even some high percentage THCa buds, the Cannabis really helps relax my back and Tommy is just one of many who’ve tried Cannabis PRODUCTIVE. NOT TO alleviate the pain.” as an option for chronic pain with great success. MENTION THEY SEEMED With pain free days, thanks to the Cannabis, Tommy Whether for physical pain, like the patient from this is back to living a highly active lifestyle - working out article, or for mental ailments, Cannabis is a safe TO AFFECT ME WELL daily without dreading the pain that would follow the and natural medicine that can be a great alternative INTO THE NEXT DAY.” next day. for patients of all types to try.
STORY by MATT NEWTON @JIMMYNEWTRONNN for MARYLAND LEAF | PHOTO by WYATT EARLY @ERRLYWYATT
PATIENT OF THE MONTH
Tommy Scott
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NOT YOUR MOTHER’S MARIJUANA. How this woman-owned dispensary led the medical charge and is now becoming a top destination for cannabis connoisseurs.
4801 Dorsey Hall Drive, Suite 110 Ellicott City, MD 21042
Clean & Friendly Atmosphere.
Owners Gina Dubbé and Dr. Leslie Apgar.
Greenhouse Wellness boasts some of the most knowledgeable wellness consultants in the industry.
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SHOP REVIEW
HEALTH WHITE MARSH, MD
FOR LIFE W leafnationmd.com
22
hen I envisioned Health for Life, I imagined a one stop shop of everything holistic, deep in the heart of White Marsh. But as I made my way to the dispensary, I drove along a scenic road that led me to something much greater than just a typical storefront. I was greeted by a huge plot of land with wide open spaces and beautiful greenery surrounding, making me want to stop and smell the roses. Which is pretty ironic, seeing as how the building was once a florist and they have the enormous greenhouse attached to prove it. Although I soon found that it wasn’t used for growing Cannabis products, I was delighted to learn that it may be utilized as a community garden in the future. As if the location wasn’t seemingly perfect already, parking was a breeze due to the array of spaces and accessibility. I passed the pleased faces of patients exiting on my way to the front door, but before I could even ring the doorbell, I was greeted by a friendly staff member eager to lead me inside. Harmoniously fresh describes exactly what I felt once I stepped inside. To me it resembled a cabin, with stunning wooden decor and whopping windows that angle the sun and shade simultaneously, a cool breeze circulating, and plenty of plants. In addition to the scenery, the waiting room provided everything I could think of. A plethora of seating, an ATM if I needed cash, water to drink, info on everything Cannabis, soothing music, and a flat screen television with all the pricing and products to look over until it was my turn to go into the showroom. Not being able to see anything from the waiting area allowed for thrill and mystery to set in, making the wait even more exciting. After sitting
briefly in anticipation, it was time to unveil the beauty. I stepped into a cozy room, oozing with eccentricity and a calm atmosphere. The spacious chamber included a consultation room for extra privacy if I needed it, easily accessible bathrooms, and an information table with seating. Tying the room together are four counters, two for concentrates only and two simply for flower, making it much easier to navigate while shopping the wide range of products they carry. From edible treats like Curio’s Chews, savory sativas from Verano, down to the most crystal clear shatter from the processor MPX, there isn’t a product line that doesn’t hold a space on their shelves. They also feature interactive deals like putt putt for a pre-roll, teardrop/triple point Tuesdays, MPX Wednesdays, and patient appreciation Fridays a deal every day for everyone. Not only do they offer a variety of products at sweet prices, they’re also going green through their grassroots efforts in the community. From recycling patient materials, to being the very first dispensary to do a patient sign-up drive, to having a private chef cook up some CBD-infused delectables for newcomers to try, they offer a more hands-on approach to educating and growing the Cannabis community. As you may have already realized, detecting a problem at Health for Life is seemingly impossible. There was a friendly face at every step in the process to answer my questions, deals at every turn for products so good I wanted to buy them all, and a tranquil territory that is a true testament to the brand they’re building. All in all, I left feeling like I was ready for my next experience with them to begin.
4741 RIDGE ROAD, WHITE MARSH, MD 21236 | (410) 525-7100 | MONDAY-SATURDAY 9AM-9PM, SUNDAY 10AM-6PM
oct. 2019
FLOWER
5/5
Their shelves are stocked with every brand of flower you can think of, from prestigious brands like Curio to sultry Sunmed prerolls. Everything you need is here. EDIBLES
5/5
What do you like? Chews? Tablets? Elixirs? You name it, they have it all and then some. CONCENTRATE
5/5 On top of a wide array shatters, wax, and sugars from top of the line processor MPX, there are vape cartridges, RSO oils, and other fun products at prices that won’t break the bank. ENVIRONMENT
5/5 Health for Life promotes a calm, natural, free-flowing atmosphere. From the lovely location, to the warm staff guiding you along the way, to the endless products they offer, I was able to shop in an almost meditative state.
OVERALL SCORE:
20/20
Product REVIEw 3rd DIMENSION LIVE RESIN SUGAR by MPX 7.223% terpenes / 90.48% total cannabinoid content This sweet, spicy and citrusy extract left my palate glistening with flavor. MPX is known for their top quality extracts and this is a perfect example. From the shining diamonds to the juicy terpenes, this strain is beautiful, tasty, and extremely therapeutic. The high level of b-caryophyllene (over 3%) reduced my inflammation immediately. STORY by BRIA PRICE | PHOTOS by WYATT EARLY @ERRLYWYATT
HEALTHFORLIFEDISPENSARIES.COM
STRAIN OF THE MONTH
THE COMBINATION OF LOW THC, DECENT CBD AND A LARGE CHUNK OF MYRCENE AND PINENE REALLY MAKES THIS FLOWER STAND OUT AS A VIGOROUS DAYTIME PAIN RELIEVER.
grown by
CULTA
CULTA’S ITERATION OF WILLIE’S RESERVE MANGO IS AN AMAZING PRODUCT!\
leafnationmd.com
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It contains 14.1% CBDa with 9.7% THCa, a close but not quite 1:1 ratio, with a terpene bouquet of 3.74% total terpene concentration! That is huge, but such quality has become a standard for Culta flower, as they have consistently pumped out some of the most terpene-rich fire in Maryland. This profile contains a whopping 55% total concentration of myrcene, making it a strong sedating and pain relieving chemovar. Coming in at 2.08% myrcene, this Mango cultivar is tempered by .62% b + a-pinene, .18% limonene, and .12% caryophyllene/linalool. The combination of low THC, decent CBD and a large chunk of myrcene and pinene, really makes this flower stand out as a vigorous daytime pain reliever. Myrcene is known to be a bit drowsy and sedative of a high, but typically the couch locked phenomena is due to a synergy of high THC concentration with myrcene. Pinene as an acetylcholinesterase helps clear the fog of a high and maintain focus, which when combined with low THC, allows for potent pain relief while still remaining perfectly cognizant throughout your day. The little 1:1 squirt of linalool and caryophyllene really rounds out the mental health aspects of my day. I was able to go about my whole day absolutely medicated but very conscious, energized, and in a calm and relaxed mood. Props to Culta for producing such quality medicine and thank you Maryland for continuing to learn and grow with us as we develop some of the best Cannabis medicine and culture America has to offer!
WILLIE’S RESE oct. 2019
ERVE MANGO REVIEW by TAYLOR MARTIN | PHOTO by WYATT EARLY @ERRLYWYATT/MARYLAND LEAF
CULTA.IO
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OFFICES IN POTOMAC/ROCKVILLE, FREDERICK & OCEAN CITY NORML LEGAL COMMITTEE - Lifetime member- since 1997 REPRESENTING THE ACCUSED, DISPENSARIES, GROWERS & GLASS SHOPS SINCE 1988
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1636 Reisterstown Road • Pikesville, MD • 443-313-8724 • For qualified patients 18+
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SAINT JANE 500MG CBD LUXURY BEAUTY SERUM StJaneBeauty.com
Skincare
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CBD PRODUCT I was immediately impressed (and suspicious) of the opulent packaging. In my experience, the best product packaging is often a cover-up for a shit product. Lipstick on a pig if you will. But, I am a huge advocate for Cannabis skincare and I was curious to see how well this product performed. The feel of the serum is silky and absorbs quickly into the skin, leaving you with a clean glow. SJ’s contains active ingredients like sea buckthorn, calendula, CBD and rosehip boost radiance, while pomegranate and helichrysum deliver rich antioxidants. My skin was left feeling supple without becoming greasy. Nevertheless, I am a fan of this product, but the only downfall I could find is that it’s cost-prohibitive at a whopping $125 for one ounce of “luxury” CBD. -SIMONE FISCHER
leafnationmd.com
HIGH SOCIETY HAIRCARE BOMB SHAMPOO + LOUD CONDITIONER HighSocietyHaircare.com
NEW DAY REJUVENATING NIGHT CREAM 200MG CBD, 50ML NewDay-Wellness.com
High Society Haircare’s mission is to utilize CBD to help beautify and fortify hair while cutting down on frizz with a “no bad stuff, no bad days” attitude. Perfect for hair of all types, beards included, and a whole line of skin/body care products coming this fall, High Society Haircare delivers skin and hair wellness with an extra dose of good vibes. -WES ABNEY
EXTREME TERPZ TATTOO CARE ExtremeTerpzCBD.com
Tattoos and Cannabis go hand in hand. From pre-ink sesh to recovery, the plant has you covered. Extreme Terpz Tattoo Care is perfect for the healing process, combining organic healing oils with CBD isolate to preserve color and cut down on pain with fresh ink! -WES ABNEY
ocT. 2019
DELTA BOTANICAL RELIEF SERUM DeltaCBD.com
This skin serum is a revolutionary product from Delta Botanicals, combining the power of CBD with the science of skin care. Screwing the lid off reveals a rolling metal ball, allowing for easy application with no mess. I used this serum in an attempt to clear up rough and bumpy patches on my arms. Two days after applying the serum once daily, the patches were clearing up and my skin was feeling as smooth as ever. This product has wonderful applications in targeting chronic acne and recurring dermatitis. -WYATT EARLY
As a skincare fiend, I am obsessed with Cannabis beauty products. The New Day Night Cream boasts 200 mg of CBD in every jar, and although I’m not a huge fan of the bland packaging and plastic container, I do love the consistency of this product. It’s thick and luxuriously creamy - making it the perfect candidate for night creams. As the season moves into fall and winter, my skin dries up faster in the cold than in the heat of the summer. After cleansing, I applied the cream (which feels more like a moisturizing mask), leaving my skin feeling like velvet. The next morning was hectic and I had to skip my skin regimen, but the product worked so well, I didn’t need to moisturize the next day. In my experience, it gave me 24-hour moisture, which I loved. The smell is mild and nearly unnoticeable, and the CBD helped reduce inflammation stemming from a hormonal breakout. -SIMONE FISCHER
&
Pain Inflammation EXTREME TERPZ EXTREME SALVE ExtremeTerpzCBD.com
In extreme need for CBD pain relief? Look no further than the Extreme Terpz all-purpose salve, which is perfect for pain, inflammation, or any other topical application with the full benefit of CBD and natural terpenes. -WES ABNEY
FAIRWINDS FLOW TISSUE & JOINT GEL AND FLOW ROLL ON FairwindsCBD.com
Fairwinds Flow is renowned for its ability to penetrate the skin and deliver targeted pain and inflammation relief with fast acting effects. Available as a gel, cream or a roll on, Flow combines essential oils and a Fairwinds exclusive ingredient, Canna Vera from Cannabis lipids to provide support and wellness for all topical applications. -WES ABNEY
SUZI’S EASY ROLL ON PEPPERMINT HEMP OIL SuzisLavender.com This sleek little bottle of hemp oil is infused
with peppermint and makes for a perfect travel-sized topical pain reliever. The product is simple but effective, and contains only three ingredients - full spectrum (a must when talking about CBD products) hemp oil, coconut MCT oil, and organic peppermint. After applying some to my tendinitis-ridden elbow following a workout, it only took a few moments for the peppermint’s cooling effects to kick in. Backed by a solid dose of CBD, the normal post-workout flare-up that would occur was halted in its tracks. -NATE WILLIAMS
COLORADO CURES HEMPHREEZE MUSCLE FREEZE PAIN RELIEF GEL CBDplusUSA.com
Neck pain is no stranger to anyone spending long hours in the office, and this gel is the perfect remedy. After applying the gel, my neck and back pain immediately vanished due to the gel’s strong cooling agent. Hours after application, my pain was still gone despite the cooling effect having gone away. Each pump is nearly 5 mg of CBD, so I found myself using between two and three pumps to reach my desired dosage. -WYATT EARLY
CBD PLUS USA MUSCLE & JOINT CAPSULES CBDplusUSA.com
At 25 mg CBD per capsule, I take two of these every day as soon as I wake up, and experience all-day relief from my muscle and joint pain. Along with CBD, you can find other dietary supplements in this capsule like glucosamine, cat’s claw, curcumin, white willow and more. I found these were a great way to take in dietary supplements already in my diet, while adding CBD into the mix. -WYATT EARLY
REVIEWS by LEAF NATION CONTRIBUTORS | PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
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Focus POT-O-COFFEE WAKE N BAKE DARK ROAST COFFEE Isodiol.com
I often already put CBD tinctures in my coffee and tea in the morning, but it’s not so easy to know exactly how many milligrams is going in each cup. There also comes the issue of whether or not your CBD tincture is water soluble. These k-cups made it easy to know exactly how many milligrams of CBD is in each cup. Another benefit to these is that the taste is not altered in any way from regular coffee. The flavor was rich and dark, and I really enjoyed making these to wake up each morning. I felt energized from the caffeine, but any anxiety or jitters were alleviated by the CBD. -WYATT EARLY
ocT. 2019
LIGHTHEARTED FARMER CBD + CBG TINCTURE TheLightheartedFarmer.com
Boasting 2000+ mg of hemp extract, Lighthearted Farmers has combined a hefty amount of CBG and CBD to create an extremely effective and overall balanced product. After opening up the lovely gold bottle and taking half a dropper full, I felt my level of concentration greatly increase. CBG offers benefits to the brain, bladder and bowels, making this an ideal way to stay sharp for those aging - or anyone for that matter. -MAX EARLY
NASADOL FAIRWAY FOCUS BiospectrumCBD.com Perfect for
on-the-go usage, Nasadol’s Fairway Focus is a sleek and convenient way to stay alert while efficiently getting your daily dose of CBD. Being that this product is used nasally, you are able to take much smaller doses than oral routes, with the same if not greater effects. Pharmaceutical grade CBD is blended into their saline-based suspension using patent pending proprietary technology to create this revolutionary product. I personally use Fairway Focus before every meeting to stay engaged and keep a clear head! -MAX EARLY
ENTANGLED BIOME ENERGY + IMMUNITY TINCTURE EntangledBiome.com While most CBD
products typically tend to offer calming and relaxing properties, Entangled Biome’s Energy and Immunity Tincture leaves you with an uplifting and energetic effect. Their combination of Organic Chaga, Reishi, Cordycep mushrooms and full spectrum hemp oil work in synergy to provide an astounding amount of health benefits. With their treatment pump dispenser, you are assured the same dosage each time (4 mg), eliminating the guess work of dropper tubes. Find this tincture alongside a wide variety of topicals, bath products, pet products and more at their lovely shop located in Eugene, OR! -MAX EARLY
Anxiety NANA’S LEMONADE 25 MG CBD + 10 MG FRUIT CHEWS NanasSecret.com
Nothing brightens a day better than lemonade and a piece of candy, which is why we chose to include the Nana’s Secret Fruit Chews and Strawberry Lemonade in our anxiety/depression category. Nana’s Secret products are made with love and combined with CBD to deliver happy vibes with a sweet taste. -WES ABNEY
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MAUI CBD KAVA AKALA MauiCBD.com
For the last 3,000 years, Kava has been used by many in the Pacific Islands for its numerous positive benefits. Maui CBD has taken this incredible root and combined it with full spectrum CBD oil and MCT oil from coconuts, all grown organically on their beyond organic permaculture farm located in Hawaii. This formula works together to offer a perfect way to relax, rejuvenate, and stay balanced. -MAX EARLY
EXTREME TERPZ EXTREME CARAMELS 100 MG/5 PACK ExtremeTerpzCBD.com
Another fantastic offering from Extreme Terpz are their blueberry flavored Extreme Caramels! These delectable morsels melt away in your mouth, leaving you wanting more, all the while melting away anxiety with a solid 20 mg dosage of full spectrum oil per caramel. The blueberry flavor puts a unique twist on this classic sweet and buttery treat! -WES ABNEY
DELTA BOTANICALS HEMP OIL SUPPLEMENTS CBD GUMMIES DeltaCBD.com What better way to combat
anxiety and depression than with delicious and effective CBD gummies? Delta Botanicals uses no corn syrup in producing these gummies, and the flavor and consistency reflect that in clean, natural flavors. At 300 mg hemp oil per 30 gummies, these make it easy to get a significant dose off of just a few. I used these throughout my entire day, and found them very effective for treating ongoing anxiety. -WYATT EARLY
CENTRAL OREGON CBD PREMIUM HEMP OIL CBDcentralOregon.com
My first time trying Central Oregon CBD’s products was earlier this year in Redmond at the THC Fair. Dealing with general anxiety my entire life, large crowds can often overwhelm me, throwing my anxiety into overdrive. After taking a 100 mg capsule provided to me by owner Tim Fratto, I felt all stress and worries start to melt away. Their full spectrum products are created using natural processes, and are additionally activated and purified to help enter the endocannabinoid system quickly. -MAX EARLY
REVIEWS by LEAF NATION CONTRIBUTORS | PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
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CHARMED HEMP ROSIN TINCTURE CharmedHemp.com
Charmed Hemp delivers a truly unique product in their Rosin Tincture. Sourcing high grade hemp flower, the company presses it into rosin using heat and pressure to create a solvent free concentrate that is blended into the tincture. High in CBD and natural, full spectrum terpenes, this lightly sweet tincture is perfect as a pre-adventure tool for preventing aches, pains and anxiety. -WES ABNEY
leafnationmd.com
MT. MARATHON MUSCLE SALVE RenewCBDStore.com
After long sessions at the gym, I often find myself sore and depleted. With 907 EMU’s Mt. Marathon Extra Strength Muscle Salve, I feel a total sense of rejuvenation. With an easy application method, I am able to directly target wherever I am feeling soreness. While other salves only offer immediate pain relief via cooling agents, 907 EMU has packed 250mg of CBD into this incredible formula to provide long lasting pain relief. -MAX EARLY
ocT. 2019
FAIRWINDS DIGESTIFY CBD TINCTURE FairwindsCBD.com
Recovering from a late night spicy food mistake? Fighting heartburn or a stomach condition? Digestify is a proven blend of essential oils and full spectrum CBD and terpenes to clear nausea and calm the digestive system. -WES ABNEY
TOPICAL WAY MUSCLE CREAM TopicalWay.com
Topical Way is a time tested, organic natural remedy that is safe for all ages and the environment while delivering comfort and relief for injuries, ailments and pain relief. -WES ABNEY
NANA’S SECRET COMFORT PATCH NanasSecret.com
Nana’s Secret Comfort Patches are the perfect way to discreetly handle pain all day in a targeted delivery system. Apply the patch to where it hurts, or along a heavy blood flow area like the underside of the wrist, for relief that goes right into the bloodstream and quick, effective results. -WES ABNEY
HEMPIRE FULL SPECTRUM SALVE Hempire-Co.com
Hempire is an Alaskan born company providing CBD relief all over the country, with quality products like their Full Spectrum Salve. Made with 1,000 mg of full spectrum CBD with emu and coconut oil, beeswax and vitamin E, this salve is useful for everything from burns to daily aches and pains. -WES ABNEY
CHARMED HEMP CBD BATH BOMB CharmedHemp.com
Shoutout to Francesco and his team at Charmed Hemp for another locally made, high quality CBD product. After running around all day with magazines, my back, neck, and feet can feel the consequences. I threw a 100 mg CBD bath bomb into a nice hot bath, and let my worries soak away. After about 20 minutes in the bath, I got out feeling rejuvenated and pain free. My skin felt soft as well, which was a nice surprise for my usually irritable skin. -WYATT EARLY
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Sleep FAIRWINDS DEEP SLEEP FairwindsCBD.com
Fairwinds Deep Sleep tincture blends proven herbal compounds with CBD and CBG oil to deliver restful relief without habit forming compounds found in over-the-counter sleep aids. An all natural night’s sleep is only a dropper away with Fairwinds Deep Sleep tincture. -WES ABNEY
COLORADO CURES GSC CBD + TERPENES 1G VAPE CARTRIDGE CBDplusUsa.com
TERPIN STATION CBN TINCTURE TerpinStation.com
These vape cartridges were the perfect way to get a large dose of CBD quickly, which was perfect for bedtime. At 432 mg of CBD and 23 mg of CBG, it was easy to intake a significant dosage quickly. My main qualifying condition is trouble sleeping, and this cartridge combined with my daily smoking regimen helped me fall asleep fast. Cannabis derived terpenes give this pen a natural and clean flavor. We sampled GSC, but these are also available in Banana Kush, Super Sour Diesel and Blue Dream. -WYATT EARLY
CBN is a wonderful cannabinoid beneficial for sleep and pain, all without the addictive qualities of opiates or over-thecounter sleep supplements. The CBN tincture by Terpin Station is a natural sleep aid that can also help alleviate pain and deliver sleepy vibes at the end of a long day. Naturally derived from hemp and produced in Baltimore, this CBN tincture is a perfect way to ensure a dreamy night’s sleep. -WES ABNEY
SACRED FLOWER FARMS NIGHTY NITE ROLL ON SacredFlowerFarmsCBD.com
This easy application roll-on from Sacred Flower Farms is a must have for your night side table! With a sensational combination of full spectrum CBD, MCT, chamomile, ginger, lavender, ashwagandha, mandarin, sandalwood, and moringa oil, this product really comes in clutch to help me unwind and relax after a long day at work. -MAX EARLY
HEMP KETTLE TEA CO. NIGHT BLEND W/ HEMP HempKettleTea.com
As a big fan of nighttime teas, I was really excited to see a tea with some similar ingredients to the ones I already drink. Everything in the tea mixture is organic, including ingredients like valerian root, which is known for helping with sleep. Each bag contains 1000mg of CBD rich hemp, and such a high number gave me confidence I could get a significant dosage with a small amount of tea. I was able to sleep through the night uninterrupted, and the taste with some honey added was sweet and enjoyable. Tea ball or reusable tea bag is needed to use this tea! -WYATT EARLY
REVIEWS by LEAF NATION CONTRIBUTORS | PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
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Furry Friends SUN GOD MEDICINALS CBD AJA PET OIL SunGodMeds.com
When your furry friend is in pain or distress, you want a product that brings relief rather than uncertainty. The CBD Aja Pet Oil comes with a comforting supply of information to ensure appropriate dosing and organic origins. Their product starts with USDA certified organic hemp and uses a whole plant extraction process for full spectrum benefits. St. John’s Wort and skullcap are added for a complementary effect aimed at inflammation, pain and anxiety. The included oral applicator made accurate measurement and administration easily doable by mouth or treat, although my pup enjoyed the olive oil-based tincture all by itself! -AMANDA DAY
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ACE PET TINCTURE CannabisACE.com
ACE’s pet oil is designed to help all pets feel more vibrant, achieve wellness, and may treat many types of illnesses such as joint pain, inflammation, neurological disorders and anxiety. It is also especially useful as a preventative measure against future disorders. -WES ABNEY
ocT. 2019
FAIRWINDS COMPANION FULL SPECTRUM CBD OIL FairwindsCBD.com
Fairwinds believes that our furry friends deserve a happy and healthy life, and their Companion CBD is perfect for a variety of purposes - with a pet tasty beef flavor. From pain to stress to anxiety, treat your puppy well with a dose of the Companion tincture. -WES ABNEY
REVIEWS by LEAF NATION CONTRIBUTORS | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
Silver Mountain Hemp Guitars MORRIS BEEGLE BELIEVES ROCK ‘N’ ROLL CAN SAVE THE WORLD, ESPECIALLY WHEN THAT ROCK ‘N’ ROLL IS MADE FROM HEMP. THAT’S WHY HE STARTED SILVER MOUNTAIN HEMP GUITARS, A COMPANY THAT SPECIALIZES IN HEMP-CRAFTED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND EQUIPMENT.
Based in Fort Collins, Colo., Silver Mountain creates special order guitars and ukuleles, along with guitar speaker cabinets, guitar picks, straps and volume knobs, all either partially or completely made from hemp fiber. For Beegle, the musical instrument company is a way to merge his past with his present and build a new future. After a long career on the distribution side of the music industry, Beegle entered the hemp industry when Cannabis legalization appeared on the horizon in Colorado. “Everyone has a different entry point to this plant,” he said. “A lot of it is through the medical side or the recreational side, and a lot of people have gone to jail for this plant, when they shouldn’t.” Though he didn’t jump into the industry until until 2012, Beegle’s path to Cannabis sativa began back in the 1990s, the same way it started for so many people - when he read “The Emperor Wears No Clothes,” by Jack Herer. “It’s been a huge part of human history, with building materials, and clothes, and rope,” Beegle said. “It’s been a part of society for a long time, and a lot of that information had been buried and hidden away by the government. The Jack Herer book opened up a lot about this plant, and what it can do.” For Beegle, the hemp plant can
35 do quite a bit. He’s currently building a number of companies in the hemp space, including the Colorado Hemp Company and NoCo Hemp Expo, along with Silver Mountain. Replacing modern conventional materials with hemp isn’t just a business move for him - it’s a call to action coming directly from the environment. “The industrial revolution introduced us to the world of synthetics, and now, over a hundred years later, we’re realizing what these synthetics are doing to the rivers we fish in, and our soils,” he said. “There’s toxic shit everywhere. You can walk along the beaches and see these micro-plastics everywhere. And the fish are eating that, and we’re eating the fish.” The way Beegle sees it, the future of manufacturing will rely on bio-plastics from hempcorn composites rather than the petroleum-based plastics humans have been using for decades. That’s not just one possible future, either. He says it’s the only possible future. “We’re here for a finite period of time, and our species is destroying the home that we’ve been given,” Beegle said. “We’re fortunate to be here, and we’re destroying it. We’re shitting where we sleep, and instead we should be better stewards of the Earth.” Making hemp-composite electric guitars and ukuleles alone may not spark the revolution, but for Beegle, SIlver Mountain is just one piece of a larger mission to replace everything possible
with hemp and other renewable, sustainable resources. “The guitar thing is more of a novelty than anything,” he said. “But you can make pretty much anything out of hemp, and that’s something that we should take seriously as we move forward with society.” Beegle’s guitars could become more of a novelty, and they’re certainly continuing the conversation. He has a waiting list for his made-to-order guitars and ukuleles, which use U.S. grown hemp. His guitar speaker cabinets, picks, guitar straps, and volume knobs are all readily available. “It’s still small and boutique, but we’re dialing in the supply chain, which has been work,” he said. Once everything is dialed-in, he plans to carry actual inventory of guitars and ukuleles and fill orders immediately as they come. For now, his company currently offers pre-orders on electric guitars in an SG-style, Telecaster style and Les Paul Jr. body style, with a Stratocaster-body style on the way. Prices range from $2000-$3000. Ukuleles range from $200-$225, and speaker cabinets range from $1000-$2250. Think about it - a guitar player could pick up one of his guitars, a strap, some picks, and one of his speaker cabinets paired with ToneTubby Hemp Cone and Cannabis Rex speakers. That’s probably as close as anyone has ever gotten to an all-hemp rig. “With climate change, and all of this, I don’t think our species is going to be around much longer,” he said. “I think that we need to make a change.”
New & Cool SWEET SKINS
The Emperor may wear no clothes, but you do. The ladies at Sweet Skins hand-make their hemp-blended clothing lines in Eugene, Oregon. Their product lineup is fairly extensive, ranging from outerwear to underwear and everywhere in between. They even offer baby clothes and a range of hemp and non-hemp accessories. See more at SweetSkins.com
ROLKAZ COLLECTIVE SKATEBOARDS
If rock ‘n’ roll is going to save the world, they’ll need some help from the skaters. Slovenia-based Rolkaz Collective makes hemp composite resin-pressed skate decks and wheels. Decks cost around $100, and wheel sets are in the $40 range, available via their Website, Rolkaz.co.
INTERVIEW by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS | PHOTOS by @BACKSTAGEFLASH
RECIPES
HALLOWEEN
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ocT. 2019
SPOOK UP YOUR OCTOBER! DEM CANNA-BONES The pirate head and the crossbones are lying on a bed of crumbled brownies. The white chocolate and salty pretzels are a fantastic flavor pairing, and everyone gets four. Makes 24 bones, six servings
24 pretzel sticks 48 mini marshmallows 10 ounces vanilla melts or chips 2 tablespoons canna-butter ½ teaspoon vanilla extract 1. Place pretzels and marshmallows on your work surface. Stick a marshmallow on the ends of each pretzel.
GROWN-UPS DESERVE TO CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN. In fact, I think it helps us stay young. You can be anyone you want to be. And you can be pretty darn high, as long as there is no driving or operating of heavy machinery. Keeping things mellow, we used the 1:1 strain Bliss Berry from our friends at East Fork Cultivars. This candy reminiscent strain smells sweet, with aromas of berries and the tropics.
2. Place the melts in a microwave safe bowl along with the canna-butter. Heat the melts on 50% power in thirty-second intervals. The melts may not appear melted, but they may be. Stir to check. Continue melting at twenty-second intervals until fully melted. 3. Using a fork or tweezers fully immerse the pretzels in the melted chocolate. Tap off excess chocolate and place the “bones” on parchment to set. With any remaining chocolate, pour onto parchment, using a cookie cutter or free hand to cut out a pirate shape. And give that face some eyes. It’s only fair.
MICRO-MUG CAKE If you haven’t tried making a mug cake you should get on this. It’s the perfect way to take care of and infuse the oh-so special you. Serves 1
CANNABIS CORN BALLS Makes eight, four inch balls
You can make your own popcorn or buy already popped. No cheddar popcorn this time. Making this recipe with caramel corn and a hit of sea salt will be a mind blower, in the best way possible. 2 tablespoons coconut oil or butter 2 tablespoons canna-oil or butter 1½ cups candy corn 1 10 oz. bag marshmallows 6 cups popped popcorn 1. In a large skillet melt the oils or butters. Add a half cup of the candy corn and melt with the marshmallow. When that candy corn is melted, add the next half along with the cereal. Stir well and remove from the heat. 2. Stir remaining candy corn into the cooling treats. The mixture will be hot, so wait until it cools a bit. With damp hands, form the mixture into balls about the size of lemons. Allow to set for at least an hour.
1 tablespoon plus two teaspoons butter 1 teaspoon canna-butter 2 tablespoons milk 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 egg yolk 2 tablespoons white sugar ¼ cup all purpose flour ½ teaspoon baking powder 2 tablespoons sprinkles, any size or color Pinch salt Optional sprinkles for garnish 1. In an 8 or 10 oz. microwave safe mug or ramekin, melt the butters. Allow to cool for one minute. Stir in the milk, vanilla and egg yolk, mixing well. 2. Add the dry ingredients, including the two tablespoons of sprinkles, until just mixed. 3. Microwave on high for 60 seconds. Check for doneness. You may need an extra 20 seconds if the cake appears unset in the center. That said, the cake should appear moist when done. 4. Sprinkle with remaining sprinkles if desired.
RECIPES by LAURIE WOLF | PHOTOS by BRUCE WOLF
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concentrate OF THE MONTH
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HEMP ROSIN leafnationmd.com
EXTRACTED BY CHARMED HEMP
“THE FLAVOR IS CLEAN AND TERPY IN THE WAYS THAT MY FAVORITE MEDICAL ROSIN DABS ARE, BUT WITH A SLIGHTLY LONGER AFTERTASTE THAT LINGERS PLEASANTLY AFTER THE EXHALATION.” This month’s extract of the month has us stepping outside of the medical Cannabis market to explore one of my favorite medicines and top tier smoking products: rosin. But not just any rosin - quality, locally pressed, hemp rosin from Baltimore’s Charmed Hemp dispensary in Fells Point! Francesco at Charmed Hemp pays special attention to sourcing the highest quality CBD flower from the best growers around the world, even going as far as Switzerland to find the kind of quality we as medical patients have come to expect. His shop is a quaint and cozy spot in Fells Point that is stocked with a plethora of hemp smoking products, oozing with those delicious Cannabis smells we know and love. In his back room is his rosin press where he presses all of his best flowers into some fresh and CBD-rich hemp rosin! I cannot express how amazing it is to take a dab of this stuff. The flavor is clean and terpy in the ways that my favorite medical rosin dabs are, but
oct. 2019
with a slightly longer aftertaste that lingers pleasantly after the exhalation. I experimented with mixing my hemp rosin with some THC-based dabs and I don’t think I will ever dab just THC again! Combining hemp rosin with other THC dabs made the come-up way smoother and more manageable, and also left my head far more clear than I would normally associate with dabbing. Clearly Charmed Hemp knows what they are doing with their Cannabis products, and as more and more patients learn the value of a quality entourage effect, we will see more artisan and craft people like Francesco popping up. Overall, the hemp rosin from Charmed Hemp is the definition of a quality, locally processed product that provides amazing pain, anxiety, gastrointestinal, and neurological relief - either by itself or in conjunction with your medical products. It is truly a standalone product, as well as an essential additive to any Cannabis regimen.
REVIEW by TAYLOR MARTIN for MARYLAND LEAF | PHOTO by WYATT EARLY @ERRLYWYATT
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garden of the month
40 THIS TEAM IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ONE OF THE HEALTHIEST LOOKING HEMP CROPS IN MARYLAND, AS WELL AS SOME OF MARYLAND’S MOST COMPASSIONATELY PRICED MEDICAL CERTIFICATIONS, BEST EDUCATION/ADVOCACY WORK, AND FINEST SESHES.
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ecember 18, 2018 ushered in the beginning of a new era in American industry with the legalization of industrial hemp. Hemp has federally been defined as Cannabis with less than .3% delta-9-THC, opening up the wide world of commercial agriculture to this amazingly useful plant. For the first time since WWII the American farmer is allowed to cultivate this crop on whatever scale they can manage, opening product markets ranging from biofuel to plastic to building materials to food. This is of course regulated state by state and Maryland’s hemp pilot program makes our state one of the increasing number of states to issue licenses to aspiring hemp farmers this year! This issue we explore one of the larger and more vibrant hemp farms in Maryland, Fractal Farms - an amazing balance of advocacy, dedication, love and authentic Cannabis ethics. Before I go too deep into the farm, it is
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CHARLES LICHTENSTEIN important to mention the wild west nature of the budding Cannabis industry, both the medical and hemp sides of the market. The regulatory landscape of the medical Cannabis world is hindersome at best, and given that most of the hemp market grows for CBD and the FDA has yet to even issue clear regulations on CBD products, a wild west atmosphere has cropped up as all kinds of characters flock to the new green rush during the time of loose regulations and industry disorganization. The ownership team of Elizabeth Cutlip, Charles Lichtenstein and Andrew Mak are some of the finest, genuine Cannabis people in Maryland’s Cannabis industry, doing great things for both the medical Cannabis and industrial hemp communities. This team is responsible for one of the healthiest looking hemp crops in Maryland, as well as some of Maryland’s most compassionately priced medical certifications, best education/ advocacy work, and finest seshes. Their team owns Holistic Wellness, one of the
most informative, compassionate and fairly priced medical Cannabis providers in the state. With offices located adjacent to Hi-Tide and Your Farmacy dispensaries, they have been working to provide access to quality medicinal products, knowledge and treatment strategies at an affordable price, all with the patient’s lifestyle and needs at the forefront of their minds. It was a little challenging to find their farm as their field is masked by a border of “security corn” - making it look like nothing but your average cornfield from the road. A simple but effective security tactic that would have had us fooled had we not already had the address in hand and instructions for where to drive. Our tour started out with a golf cart drive, up the middle of the field, which before even getting 20 feet away, already showed exactly what type of farmers the Fractal Farm group have become. Again, this is a plant that requires so much love and care to really achieve its full potential, so the fact that the health of these plants was visible at such a distance
demonstrates that these fine humans were putting in the time it takes to manage such a versatile crop. Naturally, we delved in deeper into their methods and philosophy, but the Cannabis was speaking for itself with everything from its coloring to size to bud distribution. We drove the length of the field, stopping periodically to get out and smell the flowers and examine the different phenos in the field. Some were taller than me while others barely went past my knee, illustrating the diversity of their F1 gene pool and highlighting the fact that this is the first time Maryland has tried to breed Cannabis as an agricultural crop in generations, and the stable genetic lines we need for our particular environment simply haven’t been established yet. Andrew, Cultivation Director, will be the first to admit that most people have never done this before, and those who say they have are usually full of you know what. One of the big challenges for the farm was just learning the ins and outs of farming as opposed to indoor growing. Initially they had to fire some of their first consultants after they caught them going behind the team’s back to steal proprietary knowledge to sell to the neighboring farm. When confronted and subsequently fired, this shady group of “consultants” and their co-conspiring farmer partner arranged to shut off Fractal Farm’s water supply in what amounted to a blatant extortion attempt. After losing 10 thousand plants and having to file for an emergency EPA intervention, the team was able to get seeds in the ground Everything on the farm adheres to organic standards and the field was cultivated with living soil and organic compost teas, and sourced soil from a deep earth mine located in the center of a meteor crater!! What I am trying to say is that they imported space dirt to mix into their living dirt, fortified with organic natural nutrients.The plants were watered from one of Maryland’s purest aquifers and the pests were kept at bay with a minimal application of the safe and friendly BT (Bacillus thuringiensis), a natural insect controlling soil bacteria. Besides the occasional crop dusting of organic fish compost teas, which also aides in pest control as well as fertilizes the plants, the plants were left to spread their roots to their delight with nothing more than regular water, attention and love. And this is where the rest of the company comes into play. Fractal Farms refinished the old farm house to be a group house, and currently employs 24/7 around the clock staff, comprised of mostly veterans and Cannabis activists/patients who are not only employed, but housed by the farm. Charles, Operations Director, is out at the field every morning to sing to his plants, and such lighthearted love and affection is embodied by the staff as they move about the various farm chores. I even caught some workers on break using their free time to sit in the field and just look at the plants. Set to harvest sometime in mid-October, the team didn’t want to count their chickens before they hatched - but 30 acres of hemp plants is well worth the time and investment if you can deliver. Fractal Farms has positioned themselves as leaders in Cannabis industry/culture, and built an example for the hemp industry to follow. If even a third of Maryland’s industry follows the same path, then we will surely develop one of the most exceptional hemp industries in the whole country! STORY by TAYLOR MARTIN for MARYLAND LEAF | PHOTOS by WYATT EARLY @ERRLYWYATT
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FRACTAL.FARM
on the road with jonah tacoma
DENVER Jessica stopped suddenly as we hustled through the Denver International Airport, the look of terror in her eyes told me it was something big. “The camera bag!” she finally exclaimed.
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I let out a groan. We were in Denver to link up with some friends throwing a local event while snagging coverage of the drought that was gripping Colorado’s legal market. The previous year’s crop had failed
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to meet demand and shops were left scrambling to keep the shelves full. By now our camera, which had been left at the security line along with our car keys, was somewhere in the SeaTac lost and found… If we were lucky. ocT. 2019
Jonah Tacoma is the man behind Dabstars, an international Cannabis promotion company with roots way back in the medical world. This monthly column documents Tacoma’s travels and adventures around the globe, spreading the message of Cannabis activism. Learn more and follow along at Dabstars.com
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T H E CO N N OI S SE U R CU P WAS SE T TO B EG I N L ATE R T HAT DAY I N A 6 , 0 0 0 S Q UAR E F O OT C H U RC H , R EC E N T LY R E N OVATE D I N TO A M AN S IO N S T Y LE B & B . T H E R E WAS S O M E T H I NG AL L U R I NG AB OU T T H ROWI NG D OWN I N T H E H OUSE O F T H E LO R D AN D W E W E R E B OT H E X C I T E D F O R T H E DAY ’ S F E ST IVI T I E S , I N S P I TE O F T H E SE T BAC K .
A 30 minute Uber ride across town landed us at Ian Scarfini’s apartment. I had met Ian half a decade ago, a young homeless skater on the streets of Denver who suffered from debilitating seizures. In spite of his circumstances, Ian’s personality and die hard optimism instantly set him apart from the rest and we had quickly adopted him as a member of the crew. Ian met us in the parking lot “You made it!” He shouted, a big smile on his face. I cracked a jar of good Washington indoor bud on the way up the elevator, letting the smell fill up the tiny space. Ian’s eyes bugged out of his head when he heard how little we paid for it, producing some mids that were circulating locally. “The drought in Denver is crazy right now.” He exclaimed as if in explanation.
Ian’s apartment was an explosion door as Jayson fumbled I cracked a jar of of fabrics and colors. A Singer with the door code. Several good Washington sewing machine was the focal point indoor bud on the way attempts later he was on the of the living room, surrounded by phone with the landlord. up the elevator, letting case after case of “Scarfinis” in “I have good news and the smell fill up the various states of production. bad news,” he explained as tiny space. Ian’s eyes The Scarfini was Ian’s brain child, he returned. Jayson turned to a hand sewn stylized bandana with bugged out of his head me. “The good news is this is when he heard how a small stash pocket hidden inside. your B&B for the night.” little we paid for it, He had used the idea to lift himself I looked at Jessica who was producing some mids up off the streets, sewing and grinning ear to ear. selling hundreds upon hundreds of “The bad news is we can’t that were circulating his tiny creations. do the event here, but he has locally. We passed the day dabbing and another property down the exchanging war stories before heading out as a street that we can use.” trio for the cup. The taxi dropped us off in front The landlord had gotten wind of the size of a giant Spanish style Catholic church and I of the event and had decided his newly looked up quizzically at the monolithic stained renovated church mansion was out of the glass windows, as Jayson Vezzoso, the promoter, question. In spite of the hitch, the party went yelled a hello from down the street. on without one. The man behind Denver’s Bongathon and It was a celebration of Denver’s the Connoisseur Cup, Jayson was a longtime burgeoning weed scene and we smoked industry friend and our host for the weekend. and dabbed long into the night. Cannabis “What’s up my brother!” I shouted, greeting him was a homegrown revolution, one that had with a hug. forever changed the midwest for the better. We fell in line behind his tiny procession, As the party began to wind down we said filling our arms with food and other preparations our goodbyes and I pulled Jessica into a being brought in for the event. waiting cab. “There’s something I always The procession stopped abruptly at the front wanted to do in a church,” I said grinning...
STORY by JONAH TACOMA @DABSTARS2.0 for LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by JESS LARUE @JESSICALARUE_420
DYSCO’S CORNER
musings from a parent & cannabis consumer
44 I SAW THE BLUE LIGHTS CIRCLE UP BEHIND ME IN THE DISTANCE. “FUCK,” I THOUGHT. “ROLLERS,” I HEARD DAN AKROYD SAY IN MY HEAD AS I AUTOMATICALLY JAMMED ON MY BRAKES, THOUGH I KNEW I WASN’T SPEEDING.
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ne of the many ways my use of medical Cannabis benefits society is that I no longer speed. Unfortunately now, sometimes I also find myself driving way under the speed limit. I’ll be driving happily along I-68, admiring the beautiful countryside Maryland has to offer, which often leads to me trying to remember geography lessons from middle school - something about how Maryland’s outdoors offers almost everything these great United States have to offer. And suddenly I realize I’m in full grandma mode with cars whizzing by me, middle-aged moms laying on their horns, and teenaged kids giving me the finger. So, now I always use cruise control to make sure I’m driving the appropriate speed. I no longer worry about getting pulled over for speeding like I used to every time I see blue lights in my mirror. However, it still took a couple beats for me to relax in the realization that the lights could not legally be coming for me.
It makes me wonder how many of us are out there who want to join the medical revolution but are perhaps justifiably afraid of being targeted in the future. oct. 2019
Garcia, my lapdog and constant companion, had been enjoying his never-ending nap on my lap as we drove west, but my abrupt braking had momentarily “stop-shorted” him into consciousness. I had been running my fingers through his long hair to calm us both, but they kept getting snagged in some sort of enormous hairy knot. It was very distracting. However, I just had him groomed. His silky blonde locks should have been streaming through my fingers like water for what those groomers charge. My fingers worked to free one of the foreign objects from its hairy web. No luck. It was like he had little unsharpened burrs stuck to his face, on his back, and on his belly. I realized that’s probably why he’d been rolling around on the ground with such enthusiasm over the past couple days. I felt terrible. How could he have gotten burrs in his hair since yesterday? He spent the entirety of his 10 non-napping minutes pooping on the sidewalk next to our yard. Where did the burrs come from? Does Maryland’s geography even include burrs? When I pulled over to examine the burrs stuck in Gracia’s hair, I realized that they weren’t burrs. They were buds. Medical marijuana buds. I admit, my first thought was not about poor Garcia’s comfort. I was too busy estimating how much money I’d lost in that tangled mess. While considering whether I could damage my lungs by smoking dog hair, I realized that if buds were tangled up in Garcia’s hair, it was most likely because I dropped them directly on him while attempting to fill a bowl without disturbing him during one of his naps. As I sat there trying to untangle the weed from Garcia’s coat, I remembered the time my husband got pulled over on the way to DelFest in Cumberland, MD five years ago. I was already at the bluegrass festival with our kids when he called to say that he was getting pulled over a few miles before the exit for the campgrounds. He later told me that he sat there for forty five minutes while they searched his car with a canine unit. Obviously, my husband was clean as a whistle, and eventually the police released him to join the rest of us law abiding citizens who simply enjoy camping and music festivals. However, remembering him telling me how serious the police were in their search, I looked down at my snoozing pooch and realized that if I got pulled over by a canine unit at that point, I could actually get arrested. I had inadvertently turned Garcia into a drug mule. He might love me, but I’m pretty sure Garcia would give me up to the canine cops in an instant, without even realizing his betrayal. Counting the buds, I wondered what amounted to a distribution charge. I wasn’t willing to risk finding out. I dug my embroidery scissors out of my bag and started snipping the buds out of Garcia’s hair. I paused once more to consider the downsides to inhaling carboxylated dog hair before tossing what I estimated to be about a solid eighth of prime bud out my car window before getting back on 68. It makes me wonder how many of us are out there who want to join the medical revolution but are perhaps justifiably afraid of being targeted in the future.Trust me, I’m not an activist. I just feel that my medicine deserves the same respect as any other I have been prescribed by licensed physicians. That being said, just to be on the safe side, I’ve decided to keep Garcia’s hair shaved extremely short until the rest of the world comes around.
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STONEY BALONEy
46
The Roaring 20’s
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Cannabis got cheated. About a hundred years ago, prohibition was passed “to cure the ill society” by eliminating liquid courage and other sinful excesses, making the 1920s the decade where wetting the whistle got replaced by the crossword puzzle and Charlie Chaplin. Being an alcoholic must have sucked. Being a stoner would have been worse. Because, although they couldn’t make liquor go away, they sure put the kibosh to marihuana by labeling it as a poison. What a bunch of assholes. But you know what they also couldn’t make go away? The weirdos who loved the madness of reefer. Maybe they loved ragtime and jazz music and Kerouac along the way, and trippy tapestries and Hendrix and Cheech and Chong and Half Baked and Harold and Kumar and Tame Impala. Maybe they loved a lot of things about the way it makes us feel healthy and happy. We love it. And love is a powerful phenomenon. You can’t kill love. Because it will survive (just as the cockroach survives) and evolve into something indistinguishable. After all, it is a weed. And if there is sun and water...it will grow. The freaks flags are flapping in the wind and inmates are the new CEOs of the asylum. This is the beginning of the globally recognized, legally empowered culture of Cannabis where anything goes as long as you’ve got an open heart. Everyone’s welcome. Be prepared to be blown away. It’ll mend your untethered sail. Cheaters don’t win in the long run. Sometimes a hundred years. 2020 is the year of vision. We’re gonna dance the Charleston.
oct. 2019
More episodes at stoney-baloney.com