OREGON LEAF THE PATIENT’S VOICE SINCE 2010
nwleaf.com
august 2014
DEGENERATE FLAME-OFF
FREE
GLASSBLOWERS COMPETE FOR GLORY IN EUGENE
YES, INDUSTRIAL HEMP HOW A PORTLAND MAN PLANS TO FIGHT
SLEEPING IN H E A LT H & S C I E N C E
HIGH THERE! THANKS FOR READING
4 MEDICATED RECIPES TO TRY 2 PORTLAND DISPENSARIES TO EXPLORE
ISSUE #2
1 GREAT GUIDE TO DWC GROWS 0 REASONS TO BUY LEGAL POT (Okay, almost zero.)
OREGON LEAF
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contents
AUGUST 2014
MEDICATED FRIED CHICKEN RECIPE
22
38
46
PROFILE
26
Cook i n g w i t h m a r i j u a n a h a s co m e a l o ng w ay fr o m b a ki ng i t i nto br o w ni es o r s ma s hi ng bi ts of bud i n -b e t w e e n g l o b s o f p ea n u t b u t t e r a nd c r a c ker s — no w yo u c an w i el d a ny number o f i nter e stin g m a r iju a n a p r ecu r s o r s , o i l , b u t t e r, f l o ur, and ghee, to ma ke al l fo ur o f o ur ta s ty s ummer r ec i pe s.
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The Emerald Empire
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Strain of The Month
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Degenerate Flame-Off
38
An honest discussion
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Portland access review
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Health and Science
22
Portland access review
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Grow Tech
Rehashing Hempfest in Eugene
Extended photo essay coverage
Divine Kind’s well-polished service
Oregon’s Finest’s unprecedented layout
20
A beautiful Dogwalker OG, up-close
OMMP leader talks to dispensaries
Dr. Rose explains how to sleep better Dr. Scanderson on Deep Water Culture
EDITOR’S NOTE......................7 NATIONAL NEWS......................8 LA SHUTDOWN...........................10 EUGENE HEMPFEST...................14 GLASSBLOWING.......................16 DOGWALKER OG........................24 TASTY RECIPES..........................26 DISPENSARY OWNERS...............38 HEALTH & SCIENCE.....................40 PASSIONFLOWER...................42 DEEP WATER CULTURE ...............44 BEHIND THE STRAIN..................46
COVER PHOTO by Daniel Berman
Contents Photos by Contributors On the cover: See centerfold
Wide selection Friendly, knowledgeable staff 100% locally owned
6850 N. Interstate Ave Portland, OR 97217 || 503-285-4768
contents
Worth waiting for? Erik Benavente checks that customers are over 21 as a steady flow of traffic filed through a few hours after opening. Pot was priced at $60 for two grams and $110 for four grams.
WASHINGTON’S LEGAL POT ARRIVES, DISAPPOINTS. Main Street Marijuana in Vancouver opened up to the general public on July 8, joining about a dozen other recreational pot stores across the state. Many ran out of product a few days later. Read more of our opening day coverage at issuu.com/nwleaf >> August 2014 Northwest Leaf Photo by Daniel Berman
OREGON LEAF
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editor’s note
AUGUST 2014
Thank you for checking out the 2 nd issue of oregon leaf! This month’s issue is packed with the stories that you need to know...
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ontributor Steve Elliott takes us into the cause of Rick Rutherford, an Oregon resident who wants to grow industrial Hemp, but government bureaucracy has slowed his mission down. There is also great coverage of a Cannabis farmers market being shut down in Los Angeles, and of the issues facing people trying to become authorized patients in Illinois. Check out news, and stay up to date on the MMJ cause — we’re fortunate to have the access we do in Oregon! This issue’s access section takes readers into two very professional Portland area dispensaries, Oregon’s Finest and Divine Kind. Both are unique in their own way, but they have one thing in common: taking care of patients! Check them out on pages 20-23. If you are into loud and stinky strains, you will love our strain of the month — Dog
Walker OG, tested at 27.5% THC — yum. We also present a little gourmet cooking in our recipes section, along with a presentation of different types of Cannabis infused cooking products. Ask your local dispensary for cooking oils or butters, and head home to try something new. Cooking your own medicine is an empowering experience, and I encourage everyone to give it a try. Dr. Rose also weighs in on the benefits of a good night’s rest, Dr. Scanderson dives into deep water culture systems in Growtech, and there’s a the in-depth guide on Double Barrel OG Kush on the inside cover page to sink your teeth into. Overall, this is one great issue, and I hope you enjoy it and share with family and friends. As always, thanks for reading Oregon Leaf.
WES ABNEY, EDITOR
Contact oregon Leaf editor Wes Abney to discuss advertising or displaying our magazine in a new location. We want to hear from you! Feel free to send submissions, share news tips, your take on a story or one we should hear.
Phone 206-235-6721 Email nwleaf@gmail.com
JACOB THOM Oregon Director of Sales
Oregonleafsales@gmail.com 503-516-5934
founder & editor-in-chief
Wes Abney photographer & designer
the truth about the plant you thought you knew, IN every issue.
Daniel Berman contributors JEREMY BRONSON STEVE ELLIOTT KIRK ERICSON MALINA LOPEZ TYLER J. MARKWART LEAH NASH DR. SCANDERSON DR. SCOTT D. ROSE DENNIS WISE
Department of Corrections
A July 2014 story on Janice Patten (From the Brink) ended early in error. To read the entire story head over to www.issuu.com/nwleaf/docs/OregonLeafJuly2014/20
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national
STEVE ELLIOTT is the editor behind tokesignals.com, an independent blog of Cannabis news and opinion
Oregon man wants to grow industrial hemp but officials keep dragging their feet
LET IT GROW A
griculture officials in Oregon have been The rule writing process has been tortuously slow working for months on rules for inas officials labor over licensing fees and rules. dustrial hemp production, with a goal The farm bill approved by Congress earlier this of having them finished in time for a year allows states where industrial hemp is legal spring 2015 planting. But one man from Portland -- including Oregon -- to permit hemp producdoesn’t want to wait. tion by universities and state agriculture departRick Rutherford, 47, has some land in Dufur, ments. Sixteen states allow hemp cultivation. and he doesn’t want to wait, according to a July 17 Oregon State University, which would be the article in The Oregonian. Rutherford said he sees best research facility in the state to grow hemp, big potential for industrial hemp. Last month he isn’t interested, and state Agriculture Department applied to the Oregon Department of Agriculture officials claim the agency lacks land and expertise requesting permission to grow hemp on his land in in hemp production. Wasco County, an hour and a half east of Portland. Rutherford asked Oregon to designate him as “Time is of the essence as plantan extension of the Department of This year, Congress Agriculture, allowing him to cultiing seeds needs to be underway within authorized 16 states vate hemp under the farm bill. He the next couple of weeks to conduct a where industrial viable outdoor research pilot program said he wants to learn which type hemp is legal to in Oregon,” wrote Courtney Moran, a of hemp grows best in Oregon. begin permitted Portland lawyer, in a letter accompanyHemp, a nonintoxicating cousin hemp production ing Rutherford’s application. of marijuana, is grown for its fiber and research at “I think it will be kind of fun to do,” state agricultural and seeds. Many hemp strains of departments and Rutherford said. “I have been itching Cannabis have insignificant levels universities. That to do this for a long time.” of THC. Canada and the Europeincludes Oregon. State officials said they aren’t ready an Union limit hemp’s THC level to start issuing hemp-growing licenses. to less than 0.3 percent.
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I think it will be kind of fun to do. I have been itching to do this for a long time. Rick Rutherford, 47, of Portland.
In July, U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Portland) and U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Beaverton) sent a letter urging the establishment of a pilot hemp cultivation project this summer to Katy Corba, who directs the Oregon Department of Agriculture. U.S. retailers already sell more than $300 million worth of products using hemp fiber and seeds each year, the rep’s letter notes. All that hemp must be imported. The letter encouraged the Oregon officials to follow the lead of Colorado and Kentucky in devising a program that “would allow Oregon farmers to demonstrate the viability of this crop for Oregon agriculture.” Oregon’s Agriculture Department isn’t ready to set up a hemp program, said Lindsay Eng, director of market access and certification. Officials haven’t figured how to levy “reasonable fees” that would pay the staff overseeing the program. Eng estimated that hemp licenses could cost $5,000 each, based on 20 farmers signing up to grow hemp, she said. Eng said that while the regulations aren’t yet in place to issue a license to Rutherford, the rules committee hopes to finish its work in time for spring. Portrait by Robert Delahanty; Hemp: Creative Commons
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Legal pot is booming all across Colorado ski towns
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ourists are responsible for up to 90 per“When combined, total resident and visitor cent of recreational marijuana sales in demand is estimated to be approximately ... some Colorado ski resort towns, accord130.3 metric tons in 2014. ing to a new analysis from the state. Those visi“This is a substantially higher value than retors are infusing tens of millions of dollars into ported in previous estimates,” the study notes. the Mile High marijuana economy. So far this fiscal year, Colorado has collectFrom Aspen to Breckenridge to Telluride, ed $34.8 million in marijuana taxes and fees. tourists are flocking to recreational pot stores. Recreational marijuana sales began Jan. 1. The study was prepared for state marijuana According to the study, recreational and regulators by the Marijuana Policy medical marijuana stores will Smoking pot in public Group, which is a collaboration beprobably sell only about 77 remains illegal as is tween private consultants and the metric tons of weed this year, using marijuana on University of Colorado-Boulder with the rest sold illegally. Only any federal land, like Business Research Division. It says a small amount is grown by most of Colorado’s ski areas, owned by the that about 9 percent of Colorado people for their own use, the U.S. Forest Service. residents are using Cannabis once study said. per month. Taxes on medical marijuana According to the study released July 16, 22 are significantly lower in Colorado than on percent of users consume about 70 percent of the recreational weed, and residents with a qualimarijuana sold in Colorado. The study defines a fying medical condition can get on the state’s “heavy marijuana user” as someone consuming 1 “red card” registry for $15. But tourists can’t gram or more a day at least 21 days monthly. get those cards. Colorado residents will consume about 121.4 “While many Colorado residents have metric tons of weed in a year, while tourists will medical marijuana cards allowing them to buy nearly 9 metric tons, according to the study. purchase at a lower tax rate and at a greatEarlier this year, state tax officials estimated the er number of locations, out-of-state visitors market at just 91 metric tons, and a separate must purchase from retail marijuana vendors. study released last year estimated it at just 64 Preliminary revenue and sales data from metric tons. the Department of Revenue indicate that for One million grams are in a metric ton. Acsome counties, 90 percent of all retail sales are cording to the study, the average joint contains likely to be from out-of-state visitors.” about half a gram (these guys must roll-pinners). Colorado’s ski resorts have been a bit skitA significant amount of the Cannabis sold in tish about the marijuana boom, taking pains Colorado is in either Cannabis-infused edibles to remind both residents and tourists that or hash oil, which contains concentrated THC. smoking pot in public is still illegal. “This analysis suggests that the Colorado marIt’s also illegal to use marijuana on federal ijuana market is larger than previously thought,” land, and the U.S. Forest Service owns most according to the study. of the land in the state’s ski areas.
Quoted
Quick Hits!
18 44 16 25 23 2.6 121 1,300
Thousands of dollars found in a car by police in St. John Parish, Lousiana, along with 120 lbs. of pot. 60 percent of the money goes back to the police. Percentage of recreational Cannabis users in Colorado that are out-of-state pot tourists, according to a new study by the Marijuana Policy Group.
Number of people caught in Denver International Airport trying to leave with Cannabis. Users were asked to destroy the pot but did not face charges. Number of dollars those caught with less than an ounce of Cannabis will be charged for possession under new Washington, D.C. laws. Number of states in the U.S. that have legalized possession of marijuana for medicinal use. Just two states currently allow recreational use. Dollar amount in billions in estimates of the value of the Cannabis industry, up from just $1.5 billion last year. That’s a lot of green!
Metric tons of pot used by folks in Colorado every year, or about 9 percent of the state’s population, according to a recently released study.
Number of plants found in a purported illegal grow in Colorado following a raid. No charges have been filed as the state works out what is exactly illegal or not under all of the new laws.
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“WE ANTICIPATED BEING IN GOOD SHAPE FOR SEVEN TO 10 DAYS.”
-Brian Budz, the owner of recreational marijuana store New Vansterdam in Vancouver, WA. Budz told The Oregonian his store ran out of pot in 3 days, selling briskly the Friday, Saturday and Sunday the week it opened. The first legal pot store to open in Seattle, Cannabis City, ran out in just 48 hours.
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STEVE ELLIOTT is the editor behind tokesignals.com, an independent blog of Cannabis news and opinion
California
California Heritage Market attracted lots of patients during a shortly lived launch on July 4.
FARMER’S MARKET TOLD TO SHUTDOWN Los Angeles officials argued farmer-to-consumer Cannabis sales were a violation of the city ’s dispensary ordinance
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os Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer “a nuisance” to the residents of the neighborhood. was granted a restraining order July 16 to “It also fails, we allege, to comply with basic city shut down a medical marijuana farmers land use laws,” Feuer claimed. “And they couldn’t market that had launched in the Boyle get a permit if they tried. So for many reasons Heights section of Los Angeles at the beginning -- from the violation of Prop D to the impact of the month. Feuer brushed off arguments for the on the community to the failure to comply facility as he hailed it a “so-called farmers market.” with city land use law -- we allege that this The city attorney claimed the California Heritage isn’t a use that should be allowed to continue.” Market held by West Coast A hearing is scheduled for August 6 Collective, a medical dispensary for a permanent ruling on the legality of The city attorney in East L.A., violates Proposition California Heritage Market. is going to waste D, the voter-approved ordinance The three-day launch of the market, resources on one of that restricts the number of which only allowed patients with the 134 [dispensaries] medical marijuana dispensaries doctor’s authorizations, took place that his own website allowed in Los Angeles, reports during the July 4th weekend. Thousands lists as being allowed KPCC public radio station. Feuer of patients came to a warehouse, drawn to operate legally.” also claimed the event constitutes by the promise of lower prices and
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farmer-to-consumer Cannabis sales. About 25 vendors offered marijuana products and supplies; the line of attendees stretched for blocks. David Welch, an attorney for West Coast Collective, said he was “shocked and disappointed” by the city attorney’s action. According to Welch, the market allowed growers to sell directly to the collective’s patients, helping reduce prices. “There’s hundreds in the city today,” Welch said of the area’s dispensaries. “Yet the city attorney is going to waste resources on one of the 134 that his own website [lists as being] allowed to operate. Until the judge decides that this is an improper way of operating, my clients have no intent of ceasing.” PHOTO COURTESY KCRW
national
STEVE ELLIOTT is the editor behind tokesignals.com, an independent blog of Cannabis news and opinion
‘‘
Illinois
[Patients ] are at a loss to find physicians willing to help -Tami Jacobi Chief Executive, Good Intentions Medical Marijuana Service
Qualified patients left with nowhere to turn as doctors refuse to be involved in state’s medical program. >> Only five of the 294 offices contacted in a recent survey said their physicians would sign a recommendation
Now
that medical marijuana has come to Illinois, how can qualified patients get authorized to legally use it? That can be a problem when physicians willing to certify patients for the state’s Medical Cannabis Pilot Program are scarce, according to a new study. In a weeklong study conducted by DePaul University students, 294 physician offices were contacted from a list provided on the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation’s physician profile search, and asked whether their practitioners would be certifying patients for the medical use of marijuana in Illinois. Of the 294 offices contacted, 157 offices reported that they would not see medical marijuana patients. One hundred and thirty-two of the offices expressed that they were not sure what their physicians would be doing to help patients in the future.
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The offices ranged from small family practices with one physician to large hospitals with hundreds of physicians practicing in one field. Half of the physicians contacted were primary-care physicians, while half were specialists in the fields of gastroenterology, ophthalmology, oncology, neurology, pain management, infectious disease and rheumatology. Despite the variety of physicians contacted as part of the study, the results yielded an overwhelming answer of “no” to patients seeking medical marijuana recommendations.
A shortage of knowledge Many offices had shockingly little information, having no idea that medical marijuana is even legal in Illinois, although the pilot program has been in effect since Jan. 1. In total, only five offices of the
294 contacted confirmed that their physicians were willing to sign Illinois Medical Marijuana Recommendations. Tammy Jacobi, chief executive of Chicago’s first medical marijuana business, Good Intentions Medical Marijuana Services, expressed her concerns for patients in Illinois. “The lack of physician involvement in any state’s medical marijuana program is and should be a serious concern,” she said. “Physicians are the gatekeepers for successful state programs and although there are many people suffering from the debilitating conditions which would, by Illinois law, qualify them for the program, they are at a loss to find physicians willing to help.” Medical marijuana should be available for authorized patients in Illinois beginning in early 2015, according to state officials.
rehashed
By WES ABNEY | PHOTOS by JEREMY BRONSON for OREGON LEAF
Eugene, OR July 18-20, 2014
Art by African Ash Glass
The annual event helps spreads information about legalization and the reasons why the U.S. should let people grow hemp without hassle...
Stephanie Bishop speaks out against prison labor and the drug war.
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EMERALD EMPIRE HEMPFEST
rehashed
By WES ABNEY | PHOTOS by JEREMY BRONSON for OREGON LEAF
Eugene, OR June 27-29, 2014
DEGENERATE FLAME-OFF GLASSBLOWERS COMPETE FOR GLORY IN EUGENE
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he sixth annual Degenerate Flame Off people who might not have ever heard of him. was a huge success, helping bring a Saturday was the competition day, with 18 counterculture industry into the light lampworkers given eight hours to complete a piece of day and to award those with the best of their choosing. skills behind the torch. By not having specific rules for the type of piece, The three-day event June 27-29 was held in creativity abounded and some really distinctive Eugene at Cornerstone Glass, a sprawling facility art was created in a short time. Several artists had that was packed with booths and attendees. pieces break during the process. The competition Dozens of booths sold glass blowing supplies stayed friendly despite the high stakes, and by and equipment, various types of glass Sunday, electricity was in the air as art and other cultural products. Many people awaited the results. Saturday was the food trucks were there, as was a beer The people’s choice experience was competition day when garden and plenty of places to sit by far the most entertaining part, with 18 lampworkers were given eight hours to down and take a toke. a line over an hour long at one point to complete a new piece The first day of the event featured see the pieces created by the artists. The of their choosing — demonstrations from several artists, line filtered through the room where in any manner or style. including some special techniques the competition had been, allowing that are not always shared with other attendees the opportunity to look at lampworkers, let alone the public. But it all tied into each piece. When they walked out of the room, a the vibe of the event, which was about sharing the crew with tablets took down attendees’ votes, and love of glass art. marked them off to ensure that no double voting “This event is for the people,” explained Chris occurred. By the time everyone voted, the sun was Dragovich, a Washington glass artist who made the burning at about 80 degrees and everyone was ready trip down to Eugene for the weekend. to hear the winners. “It’s more of a gathering than an expo; it’s The artist Burtoni won the People’s Choice much more community-based. For the artists, the Award with a beautiful glass peacock, and he also ego goes away for the weekend and everyone gets won the overall judges award. The artist Salt won together for a good time without any drama.” the Technical and Creative Award with his glass One of the coolest parts of the event were person standing with a classic rebellious stance the strolling vendors. Unlike most trade shows with a peace sign tossed high in the air. Other where sales outside of booths are forbidden, DFO cool pieces that didn’t win awards included glass encourages vendors to bring glass down and share ponies by ACE and a zen garden piece by Chad G. it. The result is that everywhere you look, you see Mark your calendar for next year’s event! nationally known artists standing together, glass cases open with tens of thousands of dollars worth You can check out more of our photo coverage of glass, all offered to attendees at direct prices. online at nwleaf.com and head on over to the DFO For Chris, the ability to sell a couple pieces of paid for the trip, allowing him to spread his work to new website, cornerstoneglass.com/dfo for all the results.
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Burtoni works on his design that would earn him a People’s Choice Award and Overall Judge’s Award.
ABOVE: Glass artists Ryno and ACE compete. LEFT: Glass artists Merc and Bishop compete.
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access
By WES ABNEY | PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN
SMOOTH OPERATORS From the design to the staff, Divine Kind in Southwest Portland creates a well-polished experience worth checking out
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alking through the frosted glass windows into the bright and open budroom of Divine Kind feels like waltzing into a swanky boutique, but instead of jewelry or clothes, what’s behind glass here is top-quality medicine. You won’t find high-pressure sales or markedup prices here. The focus is on the medicine, with friendly staff waiting behind a series of display cases showing off the strains and other products. The feeling is professional and comfortable. For the owners, the husband and wife team of Daniel and Kari Francisco, the vibe is exactly how they designed it to be. “I wanted patients to have a medical experience with a resort spa-like feel,” Daniel explained. “We
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fit in this community, and patients and locals The flower selection is solid, and that comes down alike feel comfortable with what we are doing.” to good relationships with the growers producing In one corner of the open bud room a sethe medicine. Divine Kind lays claim to being the lection of 420 Wax Worx candles are available first licensed dispensary to make all growers taxed for purchase alongside clothes and othindependent-contractors, with 1099s to er accessories. Across the other side is a DIVINE KIND prove it — paying them like vendors in comfortable nook with seating for pa- www.divinekindpdx.com any other business. tients to take a break or wait if a line has 8601 SW Terwilliger Blvd. “We only work with vendors we bePortland, OR 97209 formed to see the medicine available. lieve in, and who believe in what we are One of the most distinctive features (503) 889 -0929 doing,” Daniel said. “We have a sign of Divine Kind is how it has chosen to on the front door the that says ‘Locally display medicine. It is balanced by sativa domiowned, locally grown’ and we stick to that.” nance to one end and indica dominance at the While the system is running smoothly now, it other, 50/50 hybrids meeting in the middle. By wasn’t easy when the dispensary opened. following the display, patients can pick based on “It was hard at first. When we opened we only effects to find medicine ideal for their condition. had five strains on the shelf, and we had grown
four of them,” Kari said with a laugh. “There was tons of resistance to it at first. But we stuck with it, and now we get to create more business, more revenue for the state, help growers become real businesses, and ultimately create jobs. That’s our pitch to the growers.” The diligence has paid off. By working only with growers who are aboveboard and legal, the shop stays in compliance and avoids bad medicine from unscrupulous vendors. When we stopped in, 23 strains of flower were on the shelf ranging in price from $8 to $12 per gram. One of the best-looking strains was the Sweet Pink Grapefruit, which was bursting with sour citrus fla-
vors. A distinctive Blue Dream phenotype was also on the shelf, which led with sour flavors and finished with a sweet taste. We also liked the Oregon Diesel, a strain grown by a local veteran. It has a heavy chem smell with woodsy notes, and released a deep sweet skunk smell when the nug was snapped open. The selection of concentrates was also impressive. Twelve varieties competed for our attention, ranging from solventless to BHO, with some tasty PHO available as well. The P-Funk PHO by Lunchbox Alchemy was gorgeous, with tangy citrus notes and a creative and clear-minded high. The same vendor also had a perfect five-star Sour D X Green Crack
By following the display, patients can pick based on effects to find the medicine ideal for them.
option that was as light as parchment paper and packed with flavor. In the edibles department, Divine Kind has a solid selection ranging from gummies to a variety of baked goods. The Coma Treats Orange Kush Honey Pistachio Cookie has 225 mg of THC per cookie and a distinctive flavor and taste, all for $9. The Oreo Truffle also looked sinful in the caloric department, with tons of chocolate flavor and 183 mg of THC per truffle. Overall, this is one quality dispensary, with knowledgeable staff who enjoy their work of helping patients. “This is the most fun I have ever had at a job,” said Hunter Barendrick, a budtender. “It’s how everyone feels here — Doing something to help patients and learning about Cannabis. I would do it even if it wasn’t my job!”
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access
By WES ABNEY | PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN
NORTHWEST VIBES
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Exploring Oregon’s Finest, a West Portland dispensary where patients can connect medicine to growers
regon’s Finest offers patients an experience built smoothly around the growers and gardening techniques that supply the top-shelf medicine available in the collective. Instead of listing medicine by strain type or test results, the high-definition menus group everything based on what garden the medicine actually has been produced from. It’s a different approach, and one that has been immensely helpful for patients who are picky about their medicine. “We want to give back to the growers and connect patients to the best medicine possible,” said Megan Marchetti, manager at the dispensary. “That’s why we don’t use the term budtender. In-
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stead we have grower reps who help connect the produced. Pesticides and nutrients are listed, as is two together.” the method of growing (hydro or coco, for examWhen growers bring in a strain to be offered ple) before the medicine is harvested and brought to patients, they must fill out a three-part inforin. This transparency encourages confidence and mation sheet, providing the quantitative allows for patients with special medical test results from a third-party facility, OREGON’S needs to avoid unwanted nutrients or and listing information such as canna- FINEST chemicals. binoid profiles and terpene percentages. Info@ofmeds.com “It’s not like we are asking for the 1327 NW Kearney St. The second step is a qualitative form, secret to a growers sauce,” Megan said, filled out by the grower and a patient, Portland, OR 97209 “but we want to have transparency and who lists the effects of the strain from (971) 254-4765 provide the most information possible their actual personal experience. This alto patients — especially patients who lows for real descriptions of the medicine, and a have serious allergies or are very sick. They deserve different perspective from the test results that are to know everything about their medicine.” required at every collective. In the third and final Once cleared through a protective security door, step, the grower details how the medicine was patients will get a glimpse of what might happen
if a hipster coffee shop collided with a log cabin. Overlooking the room stocked full of medicine is a large wooden backsplash hanging high behind the counters. Corrugated metallic panels frame close-up bud shots produced in-house. Hints of Northwest roots are sprinkled about. The result is a friendly atmosphere, with a vibe of exclusivity, that is still comfortable. And that’s where the similarities to any other easygoing dispensaries end. One of the shop’s three bud stations is designed to be ADA-accessible, with a special lower counter created after consulting with a patient who specialized in their construction. And at the rest of the bud
Owner Troy Moore wanted patients to feel comfortable stations, no counters get in the way. Instead, patients enough to look can get their own up-close view of the jars, looking at all the strains. through every strain available at the dispensary on shelves shining brightly in two corners of the shop. “I feel like patients at most collectives are often too shy or nervous to ask budtenders to pull out every single strain from behind a counter. And that’s assuming the person working is friendly,” Owner Troy Moore said. “I wanted people to feel comfortable enough to look at every strain we have available, and pick what is best for their needs. We built this space to promote the grower, and the best way to do that is to focus on the medicine.”
Patients will get a glimpse of what might happen if a hipster coffee shop collided with a log cabin.
A grower himself, Troy is focused on what makes good medicine for patients. It also allows him to have a different take on setting up a dispensary. This is not their original location, but for Oregon’s Finest, a move allowed for the opportunity to recreate a business that was already open and successful. Their new home features a great selection of tested and tasty looking edibles, and a variety of high-quality flower strains from different gardens. Patients can sometimes try the same strain from multiple gardens to determine which works best for their condition. “At one point we had three different Girl Scout Cookies on the shelf at once,” Troy said. “But instead of being redundant or competing with each other, the strains highlighted the differences between growers. The patients love the choice of grower and strain.”
Owner Troy Moore wanted patients to feel comfortable enough to look at all the strains.
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OREGON LEAF
STRAIN OF THE MONTH By WES ABNEY | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN
The old school “triple-bag it”
warning definitely applies to this flower. And even that precaution might not be enough to contain the heavy and penetrating aroma that oozes out of the Dog Walker OG like a radioactive chemical.
The smell is dominated by sour fruit smells
mixing with chemy fuel tastes and a skunky garlic tone that quickly spreads through a room. To say this strain has a complex palate is to not give it enough credit. When smoked, a woodsy fruit taste comes out from behind the heavier green tones, with a lemony finish upon exhale. Flowering in 60-63 days and grown in coco with Cutting Edge nutrients, the flush on the flower is solid and the smoke is smooth and easy.
As for effects, be prepared to clear your
schedule! Even experienced budtenders express warnings for this strain. Although it is by nature a hybrid (produced by a cross between Albert Walker OG and Chem Dog) the effects are heavy and couch-locking. This heavy hitter is great for stress, though it isn’t best for daytime as it tends to make users drowsy. It is perfect for insomnia or restlessness, and for heavy pain days.
We found that the strain worked well either
through a bong or rolled up, with a solid cure that makes the nugs easy for any patient to use. Check out the Dog Walker OG at Urban Farmacy, and ask for other strains grown by the master grower OneEye on the top shelf !
Available From Urban Farmacy
420 NE 60th St. Portland, OR 97213 (503) 957-7832 www.urbanfarmacyprc.com Test Results by Sunrise Analytical
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>> The Dog Walker OG is perfect for helping with insomnia or restlessness, and for heavy pain days.
Grown by OneEye
27.5% THC // 7.8% total terpenes passes microbial test
DOG WALKER OG
recipes
By MALINA LOPEZ for OREGON LEAF | PHOTO by DENNIS WISE for OREGON LEAF
* *
MARIJUANA GHEE
MARIJUANA BUTTER
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MARIJUANA FLOUR
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TASTY SUMMER RECIPES
MARIJUANA COOKING OIL
YUMMY!
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THESE RECIPES RELY ON MEDICATED INGREDIENTS
you can find at many dispensaries, but they’re not hard to make from scratch if you have the time. Get the most out of this beautiful weather with a wonderful medicated meal. You’ll definitely be glad to have more than just bud in your bowl...
FOUR GREAT RECIPES P. 28-35
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recipes
By MALINA LOPEZ for OREGON LEAF | PHOTO by DENNIS WISE for OREGON LEAF
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SALAD DRESSING Combine all ingredients with a whisk, should be foamy and smooth. Refrigerate.
INGREDIENTS 4TBS marijuana cooking oil 1/3 cup champagne vinegar 1TBS dijon mustard Salt and pepper to taste 1TBS lemon juice 2TBS honey
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recipes
By MALINA LOPEZ for OREGON LEAF | PHOTO by DENNIS WISE for OREGON LEAF
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TOFU CURRY Saute veggies in coconut butter 8min or until soft, add coconut milk and broth and curry paste, discard lemon grass before serving. Simmer until done 12 min. then add the tofu at the end. Do not boil. Serve with a lime wedge and chopped cilantro. Salt and pepper to taste.
INGREDIENTS
3TBS Coconut weed butter 1 small onion chopped 1 large garlic clove chopped fine 1 lemongrass stalk, 4-5 slices 4 shitake mushrooms sliced 1/2 cup firm tofu diced 1/2 cup green peas in pod 2TBS green curry paste salt and pepper to taste 1 can 14 oz. coconut milk 1/2 cup veggie broth
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recipes
By MALINA LOPEZ for OREGON LEAF | PHOTO by DENNIS WISE for OREGON LEAF
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FRIED CHICKEN Marinate the chicken in buttermilk overnight. Mix flour, salt, pepper and paprika together. Dredge the the drained chicken in flour mixture. Heat oil to very hot, about 350 F째. Fry chicken until golden 12 minutes or so, bake 325 F째 on a cookie sheet with wire rack for 25 minutes. Try adding a dab of honey.
INGREDIENTS 3 drum sticks 3 wings 1C weed flour salt and pepper to taste 1TBS Smoked Paprika 1 cup butter milk 4-6 cups canola oil to fry
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recipes
By MALINA LOPEZ for OREGON LEAF | PHOTO by DENNIS WISE for OREGON LEAF
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CARAMEL SAUCE Combine the sugar and 4TBS of room temperature water in a 2-qt. sauce pan over medium heat. Without stirring, cook the mixture until dark amber color, swirling the pan carefully while cooking about 20 minutes. Reduce heat to low, then slowly add cream and butter. Cook the mixture until smooth. Let cool and add to ice cream, brownies...
INGREDIENTS 1c sugar
1/2 c heavy cream 2TBS Weed Ghee
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health & science
By WES ABNEY | PHOTOS by LEAH NASH for OREGON LEAF
Saturday June 28, 2014
LEADERSHIP FROM THE TOP Dispensary owners and point persons in the medical Cannabis world had a rare opportunity to ask the head of the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program about best business practices
A
groundbreaking meeting of dispensary owners, stakeholders and the director of the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program gathered June at the Rivers Edge Cafe in Southwest Portland for an event hosted by Canna-Daddy’s, the dispensary, and designed to build trust, compliance and plans for the future of medical Cannabis. Dozens of business owners and persons responsible for site (PRFs) at dispensaries joined for delicious food, insightful questions and just a hint of controversy because much of the Oregon dispensary law went under the microscope. Patients from the businesses were joined by Tom Burns, the director of the OMMP, whose engaging and open attitude provided a welcome change to typical bureaucratic meetings.
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The day started with people mingling in the conference room of the Black Box -- as the building is called -- which had spacious rooms and a professional environment. After introductions and connections were made, the group gathered in the lecture room, where Brad Zusman, the Rivers Edge’s owner, addressed the group about why he had the vision to put it all together. “The goal of this event is to create safety for patients and for businesses, and for owners to realize that you are vulnerable if you don’t have ways to reach out and get your questions answered,” Brad explained. “I think everyone here has come to some form of agreement that we need to come together. This isn’t about money or ego, it’s about bringing people together who can help dictate where the in-
dustry is going, and to make sure it is done in a positive way with integrity.” Once the introductions were complete, the group launched into a Socratic-style seminar, with Brad as the MC keeping the flow going. Over the next hour, owners raised concerns about a variety of topics, and then discussed what Tom Burns should be asked when he and his staff arrived. A major source of concern was the potential legalization movement in Oregon, and how it would affect the current medical system. It was invigorating to watch stakeholders working to answer each others’ questions, even when disagreements arose about which direction the industry should go.
Tom Burns, Director of OMMP, at podium, answered questions in a friendly environment that allowed for honest feedback and discussion.
After intense debate for an hour, the group broke for a lunch catered by Rivers Edge Cafe, before gathering again for the main attraction. Tom, sitting in a room full of license holders his organization is responsible for, readied himself for a two-hour forum for questions. He took a seat to applause, and looked up eagerly at the crowd with a friendly, jovial spirit. “First and foremost, I want to remind everyone that our goal is to help you meet the letter of law, meet all the rules, and address any issues that you might have. We want to make sure that the public is safe, and that the patients are safe,” Tom explained. “It is also important to remember that the OMMP and the law is not perfect. We will work hand in hand to fix bad rules, and we are going to reopen rules again in the future, and I encourage all you to be active in making those changes. You guys know best, if you like something or don’t, then you need to be in Salem lobbying to make change.” Over the next two hours, topics including the testing of Cannabis, who is responsible for testing, issues of compliance with zoning or new laws, card holder issues, medible questions and security worries. One issue that surprised many attendees was the arbitrary rules over selling seeds at dispensaries. “There is no provision currently in the law for the sale of seeds. It may be silly, but it is the letter of the law. My suggestion is do not sell them,” Tom said, showing empathy toward embattled dispensary owners wanting to provide every possible product to their patients. “Step back, remember, what are we doing here? We’re protecting public interests and the patients.” Another issue of major contention was the lackluster regulations for testing companies. Currently, anyone with a machine for testing can enter the
‘‘
This isn’t about money or ego, it’s about bringing people together who can help dictate where the industry is going, and to make sure it is done in a positive way with integrity. -Brad Zusman Owner, Rivers Edge Cafe, which held the meeting
marketplace, without any accreditation or scientific background. Many accusations have arisen about “pay for results” companies offering high tests for premium costs. Many are concerned about integrity in the chain of custody between growers and dispensaries obtaining medicine. “The law is very clear on the custody of medicine in that the PRF must ensure that the medicine is tested. This means that the dispensary is ultimately responsible for testing the medicine. As for the test companies themselves, what we want to make sure is that we don’t have unscrupulous testers offering cheap guaranteed results,” Tom said. “The law will need to be changed to reflect this. Remember, part of this is that we [OMMP] are still learning. You guys need to step in and help us.” By giving the dispensaries responsibility, Tom was able to empower the people present. The two hours were filled with spirited discussions, thoughtful responses and polite clapping when someone made a good point. Alongside Tom were three of staff members, who are doing inspections on dispensaries, which had many places nervous. As questions shifted toward compliance, Tom immediately jumped in to quell fears. “We don’t want to be looked at as Gestapo coming to enforce and shut you down.,” Tom said. “We want to help you succeed, meet the
Brad Zusman organized the event letter of the law, and if you need changes then to make recommendations. Remember that 11 months ago none of this existed. This is a learning experience for both of us.” Overall the experience was refreshing, and helped answer questions of those who are pioneers in the industry. At the end, everyone gave Brad a big round of applause, and he ended the day with a goodbye challenge. “I want to be able to welcome you back, and use the space, and do this again. I hope I can count on all of you for support in the future!” The answer was a resounding yes.
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health & science
THE SCIENCE of SLEEP The proper number of hours of quality sleep
exercise and many rituals when they are having problems sleeping. Throughout evolution, our sleep patterns have changed, but our need for sleep hasn’t. Sleep is characterized by an altered state of consciousness, relatively inhibited sensory activity and inhibition of nearly all voluntary muscles. However, a lot of business occurs in the body during sleep. When the body is asleep, it is in more of an anabolic state, or a rebuilding and repairing state. During the wakeful phase, the catabolic or breakdown state predominates. Degeneration of the body is when breakdown is occurring at a faster rate than the body can rebuild and repair. At this fundamental level, one can see that sleep hygiene is critical. When studying the physiology of brain activity during sleep, two major categories exist for the stages of sleep -- rapid eye movement (REM) and nonrapid eye movement (nREM). There are three nREM stages and they represent a progression of incrementally deepAn industry has evolved to deal with er levels of sleep as identified by certain sleep disorders. Pharmaceuticals either brain wave activities, response to stimuli help you get to sleep, keep you asleep, and the movement of the eyes. or do both. When one is faced with REM sleep is characterized by rapid eye movement and is brief. REM is actubeing offered a prescription, remember ally a heightened state of the brain with that your body is usually not suffering vital signs and oxygen consumption by from a deficiency of that medication. the brain found to be higher than when someone is awake. Sleep occurs in cy-
is essential for good health. Many chronic diseases and mood disorders, including depression, are related to sleep insufficiency, or lack of sleep. Sleep insufficiency can be caused by many factors, including our fast-paced culture, use of technologies, or insomnia or sleep apnea. Accidents and people having difficulty performing routine tasks increase with lack of sleep. Insufficient sleep has become a public health epidemic in the U.S. with high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and cancer all associated. In the U.S., 62 percent of people experience sleep problems several nights per week and 40 percent have chronic sleep problems. Some research points to more than nine hours as being what we need as adults, but more than 30 percent are getting less than six hours nightly. People use medications, herbal supplements,
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Getting a good night’s rest is about more than just having a nice bed. Your body’s own chemistry can affect how you sleep in so many ways.
BY OREGON LEAF SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR SCOTT D. ROSE
cles from light to heavy nREM 1-3 with shorter spikes of REM measured in minutes; four to five or more times per night is ideal. REM sleep is crucial because it is during REM sleep where the most vivid and memorable dreams occur, and without it, people lose their ability to solve complex tasks while awake. Mammals are not intended to be nocturnal creatures. Humans are mammals responding to the cycle of day and night -- the circadian rhythm. We are meant to be wakeful during daylight. Our endocrine systems are responsible for many processes in the body and it’s the primary responder to the circadian rhythm. Since the invention of the light bulb, we have been able to extend our wakeful hours. Light pollution is an advent of modern society. Even the light emitted from a digital alarm clock on the nightstand might be enough to negatively affect your body. Light through a window, a night light, laptops and other devices can cause problems, too. The appropriate amount of time spent in bed is a critical factor that’s different for everyone. Generally, if you’re tired during the day, stay in bed longer. If you’re not sleeping well, staying in bed perhaps only seven hours can “sleep train” your pattern. An industry has evolved to deal with sleep disorders. Pharmaceuticals either help you get to sleep, keep you asleep, or do both. When one is faced with being offered a prescription, remem-
ber that your body is usually not suffering from a deficiency of that medication. These medications can have side effects, the most common being prolonged drowsiness the next day, confusion and forgetfulness. Other common side effects of prescribed sleep medications include dry mouth, constipation, headaches, muscle aches, dizziness and unsteadiness. Other considerations before taking a pharmaceutical sleep aid are drug dependence, withdrawal symptoms, rebound insomnia, drug interactions and a buildup of tolerance. Many over-the-counter medications exist, too. These can be effective when used sparingly. OTC sleep aids contain the antihistamines diphenhydramine and doxylamine. These chemicals also are found in products that treat hay fever and common cold symptoms. OTC sleep aids are meant to be used for short-term insomnia only. Sleep experts advise against the use of OTC sleep aids because of side effects, questionable effectiveness and a lack of information about their safety over the long term. Check with your doctor before using these products because they should not be used in combination with health conditions such as glaucoma, enlarged prostate, diseases of the lung or with certain medications. Alternative medicine has much to offer with sleep insufficiency. Many herbal supplements can be found over the counter. Three commonly used herbs are valerian, chamomile and passion flower. Valerian needs to be taken for several weeks for peak effectiveness and seems to help those who are withdrawing from sleeping medications. Chamomile is easily taken as a tea before bed, but must be steeped covered because the active sleepy ingredient leaves in the steam. The pollen found in chamomile preparations can cause allergic reactions. If you are allergic to ragweed, you might not be able to use chamomile. Passion flower is used for sleep problems and anxiety. This herb is milder and is often combined with other herbs. These herbs promote relaxation in the nervous system. Most people with sleep insufficiency are in sympathetic dominance. In the autonomic branch of the central nervous system, the portion that controls factors that we do not need to think about, including breathing and heart rate, two halves exist -- the sympathetic and the parasympathetic. The sympathetic turns processes up, such as heart rate and muscle tone, and the parasympathetic does the opposite. The sympathetic is the “fight or flight” response so often used in our response to stress. Techniques can be learned through biofeedback to help create a balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic. Muscle
Tips & tricks for promoting good sleep patterns and daytime alertness Avoid stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine late in the day or entirely if you can help it. Avoid alcohol because nREM3 or REM are compromised. Avoid eating food before bed, especially spicy or fatty foods.
tension is monitored electronically and the individual can then consciously influence the muscle tension patterns. Chinese medicine offers a different philosophy on insomnia and sleep disorders. The disturbance is on a shen, or spirit level. The shen is said to not be anchored in the heart blood and is up wandering. Treatment strategies are to nourish or affect the heart blood with an herbal prescription and to anchor the shen with acupuncture. Acupuncture is an excellent way to balance the nervous system and to promote more parasympathetic activity. During an acupuncture treatment, an individual is needled, which might be slightly stressful, and then asked not to move for upward of 30 minutes, creating a relaxation phase. We are all designed with the fight or flight response, but we also are designed to rest afterward. Exercise promotes better sleep hygiene. Vigorous exercise should be performed in the morning or afternoon -- not in the evening. Walking versus running is more beneficial in the evening, for example. One study found that participants who exercised in the afternoon reported fewer
Light pollution is an advent of modern society. Even light emitted from an alarm clock on the nightstand might be enough to negatively affect your body. Light through a window, a night light, laptops and other devices can cause problems with sleep, too.
Use your bed for sleep and sex only. Don’t use it as an office or for the TV. Develop regular bedtime & wake times, avoid naps. Get adequate exposure to natural light. Regular vigorous morning or afternoon exercise can help sleep, but don’t exercise before bed. Keep your room comfortable and have a comfortable bed. Keep the bedroom dark.
sleep disruptions than those who hit the gym in the morning. It might not be as simple as increased energy output to increase sleepiness at night. Research has shows a relationship between sleep and exercise. It seems sleeping badly tended to shorten the next day’s workout, while a full-length exercise session did not, in most cases, produce more and better sleep that night. This information is important for those with sleep insufficiency who are exercising (and those who are not should be!) to not get discouraged. It might take a while, but regular exercise has been shown to help. Yoga is a form of exercise that strengthens both body and mind. Certain styles of yoga are perfect for promoting better sleep patterns. We live in an age of chronic degenerative disease and sleep is a fundamental determinant of health. We can’t live without it. Intractable, or untreatable insomnia, leads to death. So many repairing and rebuilding mechanisms are at work while we sleep that promoting more restful and optimal sleep patterns is key to reversing the degenerative process. Even if it’s just a few nights of poor sleep, sleep insufficiency warrants correction. Check sleepfoundation.org for other techniques to achieve better sleep. And get rested.
Dr. Scott D. Rose is a naturopathic
physician, acupuncturist specialized in combining naturopathic medicine and Chinese medicine to treat a variety of complaints. www.msih.biz
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health & science A BOTANICAL MONOGRAPH
THE SECRET POWER OF passionflower
BY NORTHWEST LEAF SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR SCOTT D. ROSE
Description It is a perennial climbing vine, long and trailing, possessing many tendrils. The whitish/purple flower resembles the crown of thorns worn by Jesus during the crucif ixion and through folklore this is where passionflower receives its name. The fleshy fruit is an oval yellowish berry about the size of a hen’s egg.
Parts used:
Above-ground parts, flowers, leaves and stems.
Active constituents:
The active constituent of a methanol extract was identified as a benzoflavone. These are of the class flavonoids. Flavonoids are found in cereal grains and herbs. The structure of the benzoflavone is similar to that of the benzodiazepine class of sleep medications.
Side effects & toxicity:
Passiflora Incarnata is native to the tropical & subtropical parts of the Americas, and grown throughout Europe. PHOTO BY FLICKR/TISWANGO
Drug interactions:
Don’t take if you’re already taking prescription medication for anxiety or depression because excessive sleepiness has been reported.
Passionflower is generally considered to be nontoxic when used in moderation. When taking too much, depression of the nervous system can occur, causing fatigue and mental fogginess.
Dosage:
When using in an herbal tea for acute stress and anxiety, drink 2 to 4 cups per day for a week, then reduce the dosage or take less often. For muscle tension and anxiety, take 30 to 60 drops (1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon) of tincture twice a day or up to every two to three hours, depending on your response. Start with a smaller dose and increase amount, frequency as needed. Take 2 capsules 3x/day for insomnia.
Medicinal uses:
Contraindications:
Passionflower is generally considered to be nontoxic when used in moderation. Avoid use in pregnancy. Passionflower is a known uterine stimulant.
Historical uses:
Passionflower was used traditionally in the Americas and later in Europe as a calming herb for anxiety, insomnia, seizures and hysteria. The Aztecs reportedly used passionflower as a sedative and pain reliever.
Passionflower might increase levels of a chemical called gamma aminobu- Passionflower is often combined with valerian, lemon balm tyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA lowers the activity of some brain or other calming herbs for effects relaxing on body & mind. cells, making you feel more relaxed. One study of 36 people with generalized anxiety disorder found that passionflower was as effective as the drug functions the way many pharmaceutical sedatives do. Benzoflavone binds oxazepam (Serax) for treating symptoms. Patients who were given passionflower to and inhibits the aromatase enzymes, thus preventing the oxidation of before surgery had less anxiety, but recovered from anesthesia just as quickly, than testosterone to the production of estrogen.Benzoflavone also significantly those given placebo. Passionflower can be such a potent herbal remedy because it reduces symptoms of withdrawal from, and addiction and dependence on, calms muscle tension and twitching without affecting respiratory rates or mental benzodiazepines, alcohol, morphine, nicotine and Cannabis.
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Passion flower tea recipe: www.tinyurl.com/passiontea
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OREGON LEAF THE STORIES that matter to you are the ones that matter to us.
celebrating our 2nd month in oregon after 4 years in washington
FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF
nwleaf.com
growtech
By SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR DR. SCANDERSON for OREGON LEAF
Into The Deep >>
Deep Water Culture growing IS POWERFUL AND AMAZINGLY EFFICIENT — IF YOU CAN get everything dialed-in ...
P
medium used what so ever. Please let me start by ushing the boundaries of plant genetics saying that these systems can be very difficult to can take many forms. Indoor gardening get dialed in. I do not recommend them for newer is constantly trying to improve upon its growers for a variety of reasons that will hopefully accolades in order to make up for its shortcomings. become obvious throughout this piece. Namely, it is always subject to the inferior light Now that I’ve offered sufficient disclaimer, spectrum of human-made lamp technology. buckle up, because this is growing in the fast lane. There are however, several areas that the The environment that a properly dialed in Deep indoor gardener can leverage that aren’t as readily Water Culture (DWC) system provides is so or practically available to outdoor growing incredibly ideal for plant growth and development environments.The ability to control the environment every biological function the plant carries out is including supplementation with C02 is certainly one exaggerated and the results can be astounding. area, utilizing specialized growing techniques such This article is in NO WAY trying to suggest as Low Stress Training (LST), FIM’ing, Topping, that DWC improves on what nature provides, and Scrog, to maximize the efficacy of horizontally rather, I consider it a redesigned lit gardens is another. Yet environment — separate from another is the growing questions? Never hesitate to email nature — that can achieve similar medium and system itself. me at thegreengardengroup@gmail.com. but also fantastic growing results. Hydroponic gardening See a wide range of useful growing videos DWC systems really focus on was first designed for and tips at Youtube.com/DrScandersonGt maximizing one of the few pillars agricultural food production that every gardener’s success rests in arid environments. The on but is often accomplished invisibly: getting opulent amounts of water necessary to properly oxygen to the roots. The nutrient solution is treated feed and nourish soils for food production simply with an air stone and air pump that is constantly isn’t available in these environments. Hydroponic infusing oxygen into the solution. feeding uses water considerably more efficiently The roots love this environment. The direct and in combination with mineral based fertilizer, and constant contact with the nutrient solution does so in a comparably much smaller root space. combined with it’s highly oxygenated state makes The evolution of the various types of hydroponic nutrient uptake and plant growth rates accelerate gardening has taken many, many stages of considerably. No other system gives the amount of advancement. One of the most exciting and control over oxygen availability to the root zone. impressive results come from a style of hydroponic This results is such superior nutrient uptake that growing known as Deep Water Culture. plants grow and in fact thrive in very low nutrient In these systems, the roots are suspended directly concentrations. With absolutely no medium the into the nutrient solution with no additional
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root are able to grow to a more dense mass. In combination with chelated nutrients, DWC allows a phenomenal amount of lush growth in the canopy from an extremely small space (relative to containers) in the root zone. DWC systems elaborately enhance the root zone’s natural capacity to function through its own design. By keeping nutrient levels extremely low (300-400 average) you can avoid many of the issues that gardening with highly concentrated synthetic nutrients can create. You also have complete and direct control over exactly what the plant has access to as you create the medium with whatever nutrient solution that you mix and fill the bucket with.
Why it works With this level of control it’s much easier to adjust the temperature of the medium as well. A crispy cool medium not only provides higher levels of dissolved oxygen and strong pathogenic resistance but allows the canopy to grow and thrive in a wider variety of temperatures and conditions. The comparative results to traditional container mediums can look like improved yields by 20 to 50 percent, shorter flower times by one to two weeks, faster veg. times by 30 to 40 percent and all the accelerated growth rates associated with attaining these results. This can be both a great thing and the characteristic that makes DWC growing
temperature. Anything above 72-73 degrees F° will create some pretty comfortable conditions for aerobic bacteria and other fungal infestations that can destroy root systems. Using preventatives such as H2O2, hypochlorous acid or other root zone optimizers is a wise choice as the adversity of the conditions increase. Adding a perpetual cycle of frozen water bottles can take a degree or three out of your nutrient solution’s temps, helpful if you’re floating right on the border of the danger zone.
Deep Water Culture systems
maximize the oxygen getting to your plant’s roots. DWCs generally use a small net pot, filled with a rock medium and fitted into the lid of a bucket which holds the plant’s stalk and acts as an anchor the roots grow out of and are suspend from. The roots grow out of the net pot in a short period of time from transplant and a cool, oxygen rich nutrient solution is there to greet them.
tHE “LESS IS MORE” PRINCIPLE
difficult to master. If you don’t know what the plant needs and when it needs it, you have no medium with residual food or “as of yet”unavailable nutrients to compensate for any errors. You will learn about nutrient deficiency very quickly as a result. Also because the roots are suspended directly in solution they are more nutrient sensitive and will burn faster and more easily if nutrient concentrations get too high and will lock up faster if pH falls out of line. With fewer days in flower, having every aspect of the garden dialed in each day becomes even more critical. If the initial mix of nutrients is too high, plants will continue on their super high rates of growth as long as they can. In turn, the plants will consume more of the water in the solution than the nutrients, which increases the concentration further and creates a domino effect. If you are not able to catch this within a few hours to a day, your plants may burn, lock up or both, and if that happens during flower on what may be a 55-day cycle you may lose a substantial amount in the results department. Another area highly prone to cause problems in DWC is mechanical failure. Unlike almost every other hydroponic system, adding in redundancy for electrical or mechanical pump failure can be a challenge. If the air pump fails, the roots become suspended in stagnant water and in a few hours will become starved for oxygen, and at risk of aerobic bacterial blooms. DWC systems are generally prone to bacterial root infections because most systems have the bucket with the nutrient solution being pounded by high-intensity discharge lighting. It’s imperative that you monitor your solution’s
Sink or swim Always start with one site at a time, leave room for learning. Don’t convert your entire garden to a new growing style.
Synthetic Nutrients (salt-based) work better in Deep Water Culture systems. Stay away from any organic nutrients and supplements containing organic amendments.
Use only base nutrients and a bloom booster. Start out at 25% of the recommended
nutrient concentrations and consider working your way up to 50%.
Water temps are key. Keep them as low as you can or around 65 degrees F °.
When it comes to Oxygen, the more the better. Lots of air, lots of diffusers (air stones).
DON’T draw the air you are oxygenating your buckets with from inside your C0 2 rich growing environment.
Let me make this as clear as I can. The overwhelming reason one goes through all the effort, utilizes all the resources and ultimately takes all the risks associated with cultivating in “The Deep” is to take advantage of the environment created for the root zone. This means that the “less is more” principle is amplified to a major degree. If you choose to garden using a DWC system, let the system do the work and focus on keeping the nutrient concentrations low and the pH in range. Which type of mineral based supplement you choose, assuming you adhere to the rest of the suggestions is less important in deep water cultivation provided it’s of high quality and you choose a nutrient line suitable for DWC. Lots of growers talk about grams per watt as an ultimate measure of skill in the garden and, to a large extent, I agree. There is a clear and divisive line between those growers who are able to pull north of 1-1.25 gpw and those that do not. But often overlooked in these “efficiency” measures is what it took to arrive at these total grams. Let us not forget the reason hydroponic gardening was invented in the first place. In sealed rooms where transpired moisture is collected and recycled, DWC systems are more environmentally friendly than their organic counterparts from a water conservation perspective and are more efficient. DWC system excel at production efficiency and can not only crush 1.25 gpw yields but can do so using about at 0.01 gpg (gallons per gram). To put that in perspective, the analogous room using high capacity container medium would use roughly 25 times that amount of water to produce the same result and require approximately four times the amount of fertilizer If you dig tinkering, taking readings, making small adjustments and seeing big differences in a short period of time, growing this way might be something you will excel at and come to truly enjoy.
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BEHIND THE STRAIN
BY OREGON LEAF SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR DR. SCANDERSON
Drop me a line
thegreengardengroup@gmail.com
Watch a video
Youtube.com/DrScandersonGt
Double barrel og kush BAG APPEAL & SMOKE REPORT Densely stacked golf balls of pale green calyxes,
complete with plenty of bright orange hairs have that overall “sandy” look from the generous helping of medium sized disco balls that scatter the blooms through out. With a proper 45+ day cure, a delightfully light yet potent scent of fresh lemon chiffon cream pie and pine needles invades the senses. The Devastation pheno hits high on the marks for lemon on citrus lemon cream OG’s almost completely devoid of the ghastly kushy, fuelly flavors that some OG’s are so well known for. Gigantic lung expansion and an immediate head change solidifies the wake of grateful patients that OG kush garners.
HOW IT GROWS like most elite og kush’S these are not easy to grow —
Like a quad-shot of espresso minus the heart attacks. I’m centered and ready to take on the day — or night. LINEAGE
Name says it all
on this one. Dank House goes out on a limb with an F1 hybrid and ends up with a super champion. This strain sounds like the entire elite OG arsenal combined, and it is. Gene collectors lucky enough to secure these STFO beans can expect a nice variety of POTENT OG pheno’s. From tall fox tailing super sour and pine nut smelling to medium height, more classic golf ball shaped flowers, wreaking of kerosene and pine sol that both yield handsomely for Elite OG’s. The Devastation pheno is more of a White fire leaning pheno that prioritize trichome production and stretch over yield, tipping the scales for THC, testing consistently over 21%, each one is simply a matter of the gardener’s preference.
GENETICS: WHITEFIRE #2 (RASKALS FIRE OG X THE WHITE) X RASKALS OG KUSH (FIRE OG X SFV OG)
PHENOTYPE: DEVESTATION // FLOWER TIME: 52-55 DAYS
46/aug. 2014 FACEBOOK.COM/NWLEAF
they absolutely demand high levels of calcium and magnesium in veg and early flower but nutrient sensitive to higher salt environments. These girls are sensitive to heat but also grow best with lots of light. Early training and pruning is a must if getting any sort of substantial yield is a priority. 45-50 days of veg build a nice wide base that will hold the weight and account for the vicious stretch they are capable of. Run veg for 60 days + and you can expect pak-a-plant-plus results. Vegging for this long requires advanced experience in height mitigation as these ladies will more than double in size during the first 2 weeks of flower. When dialed in, she responds so very quickly to super cropping they can be some of the most exciting plants to work with. These OG’s like the nitrogen well into flower and show very little natural resistance to mold so clean environments, best practices and plenty of air movement is a must if you’re gardening in the PNW.
EFFECTS My head has reached, the stratosphere, contact
mission control. The definition of heady must have been created from this medication. Like drinking a quadruple shot of espresso minus and jitters or heart rate the world is now clear and I’m feeling centered, inspired and ready to take on the day, or night. Thoughts come racing in to which I categorize, create action item list for and get started. First up on the list, RE-TASTE!