June 2023 - Oregon Leaf

HIGHLIGHTING THE PEOPLE AND COMPANIES CHANGING THE CANNABIS LANDSCAPE

THE IMPACT ISSUE

WES ABNEY CEO & FOUNDER wes@leafmagazines.com

MIKE RICKER OPERATING PARTNER ricker@leafmagazines.com

TOM BOWERS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER tom@leafmagazines.com

DANIEL BERMAN CREATIVE DIRECTOR daniel@leafmagazines.com

AMANDA DAY STATE CONTENT DIRECTOR amanda@leafmagazines.com

MAKANI NELSON STATE SALES DIRECTOR makani@leafmagazines.com (808) 754-4182

MEGHAN RIDLEY COPY EDITOR meghan@leafmagazines.com

ABOUT THE COVER

We are pleased to present the Leaf’s first AI-assisted photo illustration, crafted by the inimitable mind of Pete Gibson. Gibson’s surreal and creative works have become well-known in the Cannabis-fueled Instagram community, where it caught the eye of Leaf contributor Matt Jackson who connected him with the team. Leaf Creative Director Daniel Berman @bermanphotos and COO Tom Bowers @cannabombtom, worked with Pete over one intense week (ahead of its debut at the Oregon Leaf Bowl) to morph the piece and dial in the cover designs to fully capture the Impact Issue’s heart and soul: the peopleandbusinesses makingchangeinourever-evolvingindustry.

ILLUSTRATION BY PETE GIBSON @PETE.GIBBY | PETEGIBSONCREATIVE.COM

CONTRIBUTORS

BOBBY BLACK, DESIGN + FEATURES

JOSHUA BOULET, ILLUSTRATION

TOM BOWERS, FEATURES

TYLER CAMERON, PHOTOS

AMANDA DAY, FEATURES + PHOTOS

STEVE ELLIOTT, NATIONAL NEWS

PETE GIBSON, ILLUSTRATION

RYAN HERRON, FEATURES

MATT JACKSON, FEATURES

JESSE RAMIREZ, DESIGN

MIKE RICKER, FEATURES

MEGHAN RIDLEY, EDITING

MIKE ROSATI, PHOTOS

RYAN SANETEL, FEATURES

TONY SIMONELLI, PHOTOS

DIANA THOMPSON, PHOTOS

NATE WILLIAMS, FEATURES

BRUCE & LAURIE WOLF, RECIPES

We are creators of targeted, independent Cannabis journalism. Please email us to discuss advertising in an upcoming issue of Oregon Leaf. We do not sell stories or coverage. We can offer design services and guidance on promoting your company’s recreational, commercial or industrial Cannabis business, product or event within our magazine and on our website, leafmagazines.com. Email makani@leafmagazines.com to learn more about our range of affordable print and digital advertising options to help support Oregon Leaf, the state’s longest-running Cannabis magazine!

CONNECT W I T H OREGON LEAF!

WES ABNEY

Editor’s Note

Thanks for picking up The Impact Issue of the Leaf!

We’ve decided to honor the people, organizations and trends that are having an impact on the Cannabis industry and culture, which touches all of our lives in an environment that’s constantly shifting. Just as the Earth developed its rich layers of minerals and water from countless impacts during the Late Heavy Bombardment, so has the weed world been shaped by those who have had an impact – changing the landscape for the future betterment of the Cannabis community.

This month also marks the thirteenth anniversary of the Leaf in print, which began printing in June 2010 with Northwest Leaf and hasn’t missed a month yet. I was only 22 years old when I decided to take my journalism skills and apply them to Cannabis – at a time when the biggest impact weed had on lives was the slamming of a cell door. But I’d had a taste of the injustice, having been arrested for a small amount of pot myself, and seen the impact firsthand of a friend who beat all odds through the healing powers of the plant. I knew in my heart that people could heal themselves with Cannabis instead of pharmaceuticals, and that the most dangerous thing about weed were the laws making it illegal – so I set out to tell a story that has lasted for over a decade.

Along the way the Leaf has distributed millions of copies for free, now across 13 states and with a much bigger team than when it all began. I’m blessed to have been joined on this journey by a team of Leafers who care just as much about Cannabis journalism as I do, and many more who have helped along the way. We’ve told stories about patients healed through Cannabis, and those whose last days were improved by the plant. We’ve seen hundreds of companies come and go, high hopes become failed dreams, and witnessed the weed rising from the ashes as the green rush crested.

Today the industry is once again full of people who care about the plant and those who need it, largely because we are the only ones left. Everyone looking to get rich quickly either did or failed, and those who hoped for nothing more than a chance to grow legally are once again at the forefront of the cultural movement that is Cannabis. And just like the early Earth, it’s the sum of those who’ve had an impact that have built the layers we stand on today. This issue honors a lot of those people, but being the nature of a list, doesn’t include many of the wonderful contributors to our amazing movement – we’d probably need a whole year’s worth of issues for that.

With that spirit in mind, I hope you enjoy our first Impact Issue. And if you have a nomination for a future list, please shoot us an email or DM on social!

NORTHWEST LEAF / OREGON LEAF / ALASKA LEAF / MARYLAND LEAF / CALIFORNIA LEAF / NORTHEAST LEAF

“TODAY THE INDUSTRY IS ONCE AGAIN FULL OF PEOPLE WHO CARE ABOUT THE PLANT AND THOSE WHO NEED IT, LARGELY BECAUSE WE ARE THE ONLY ONES LEFT.”

POST-ACCIDENT MARIJUANA TEST POSITIVITY REACHES RECORD

LEGALIZATION HEADS TO FLORIDA SUPREME COURT

ATTORNEY GENERAL Ashley Moody in May formally submitted a proposed adult-use marijuana ballot initiative to the Florida Supreme Court. AG Moody signaled she will argue the proposal doesn’t meet legal requirements to go before voters in 2024. The political committee Smart & Safe Florida is sponsoring the proposed constitutional amendment. The group has far exceeded the 222,881 petition signatures needed to trigger a crucial Supreme Court review. The Supreme Court reviews issues such as whether proposed constitutional amendments are limited to single subjects and whether the proposed ballot language is clear.

MONTCLAIR: JERSEY’S CANNABIS CAPITAL?

MONTCLAIR, N.J. , has granted four more licenses to Cannabis businesses – moving the city closer to becoming the “marijuana capital of New Jersey.”

In May, the town council awarded two more recreational licenses – bringing the total to three with Ascend, which opened last fall.

The percentage of employees in the general U.S. workforce testing positive for marijuana following an on-the-job accident increased to its highest level in 25 years in 2022, according to a new analysis released in May by Quest Diagnostics, a provider of diagnostic information services.

In 2022, post-accident marijuana positivity of urine drug tests in the general U.S. workforce was 7.3%, compared to 6.7% in 2021. The new peak follows a steady increase in post-accident marijuana positivity every year from 2012 to 2022. In that 10-year timeframe, postaccident marijuana positivity increased 204.2%. From 2002 to 2009, post-accident marijuana positivity declined.

"The new peak follows a steady increase in postaccident marijuana positivity every year from 2012 to 2022."

CANNABIS PROVIDES SIGNIFICANT HEALTH HELP

THE USE of medical marijuana is associated with “significant improvements” in quality of life for people with conditions like chronic pain and insomnia. Those effects are “largely sustained” over time, according to a new study published in May by the American Medical Association (AMA). Researchers carried out a retrospective case series analysis that involved 3,148 people in Australia. Patients were prescribed medical Cannabis for the treatment of certain eligible conditions. For all eight wellbeing indicators that were tested, marijuana appeared to help. Adverse side effects were “rarely serious,” according to the study.

These increases in post-accident marijuana positivity correspond with legalization of marijuana in certain states. In 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize for adult use. Since then, 19 additional states and the District of Columbia have followed, while 38 states (plus DC) have legalized medical use. Either kind of use remains illegal under federal law.

"Intoxicating Cannabis products, including marijuana, can have a major impact on safety at work and have been proven to slow reaction time, impact memory and impair skills essential to driving. State legalization of the drug creates new challenges for employers," said Katie Mueller, a senior program manager at the National Safety Council focusing on Cannabis safety. "The Quest data provides compelling evidence that increased use of Cannabis products by employees can contribute to greater risk for injuries in the workplace. It is imperative employers take the proper steps to create and maintain a policy that addresses Cannabis use, build a safety-focused culture and educate the workforce to keep all workers safe on and off the job."

MINNESOTA ONE STEP CLOSER TO LEGALIZATION

LEGAL ADULT-USE CANNABIS is almost certainly coming to Minnesota, with lawmakers signing off in May on a final version of the bill. The conference committee agreed on a state tax of 10% on top of sales taxes – with 80% going to the state mainly to fund the Office of Cannabis Management and 20% going to local governments. Residents may possess up to two pounds in their home, and two ounces everywhere else.

N.M. ADDS INSOMNIA AS QUALIFYING CONDITION

INSOMNIA will soon be a qualifying condition to obtain medical marijuana in New Mexico. “From a health equity perspective, medical Cannabis can offer a legal alternative to the expensive medications sometimes utilized by those suffering with insomnia,” announced the state’s medical marijuana program. The Department of Health’s Medical Cannabis Program will allow the condition to qualify for enrollment starting in June.

One went to two Montclair entrepreneurs, George Marable and Eric Payne. They plan to open Night Owl at the site of the former DLV Lounge on Bloomfield Avenue. Marable owned the iconic jazz venue, which closed in December after 50 years. The second recreational license was granted to Kush Connections. Licenses for cultivation and manufacturing were granted by the council in April. Both of these businesses, Genuine Grow and TLEHL, will share space at 154 Pine Street, currently under renovation.

normalization

MICHIGAN MOVES TO END PRE-EMPLOYMENT TESTING FOR GOV. WORKERS

Michigan officials are proposing to end preemployment drug testing for marijuana for most government job applicants, while also giving people who’ve already been penalized over positive THC tests an opportunity to have the sanction retroactively rescinded.

The Michigan Civil Service Commission released the proposed amendments to the government’s employment code in May, opening a public comment period on the two policies.

“Michigan voters legalized marijuana’s medicinal use in 2008 and recreational use by adults in 2018.”

“Michigan voters legalized marijuana’s medicinal use in 2008 and recreational use by adults in 2018,” John Gnodtke, the state’s personnel director, wrote in a memo.

“In light of these changes, commissioners have requested circulation for public comment of potential regulation amendments to end the pre-employmenttesting requirement for marijuana for classified employees hired into non-test-designated positions.”

$202m

of those between 18 and 30 say federal marijuana policies keep them from applying for jobs.

of the Earth’s population uses marijuana, according to the U.S. Government.

is the amount of growth in Florida’s medical marijuana patient count in the past two years.

71%

adult-use Cannabis outlets were operating in Pennsylvania in January 2023.

of Cannabis was sold in Missouri during the first weekend of legalization in 2023.

$13m

of adult-use marijuana was sold in Montana during the first year of the program.

For those who choose to stand out, be di erent, and create their own path

2nd Annual AWARDS PARTY

The cool weather brought a chill air to an even cooler crowd as the 2023 Oregon Leaf Bowl’s festivities kicked off in Portland.

At what is beginning to feel like an annual “family” reunion, both friends and friendly competition alike were in abundance for the tangibly terpy and sizeable step up from last year’s

Competitors and connoisseurs gathered in the Redd on Salmon—SE Portland’s intriguing industrial hall and plaza. The 30,000 combined square feet of indoor and outdoor space provided ample room to roam, reconnect, sip and smoke – none of which were in short supply. Inside, free alcoholic beverages flowed while folks outside explored the booths and a healthy heap of each other’s head stashes. Some friends formed dab tables, while others opted to step into smoke circles, browse the vendors, watch some

The VW bus photo booth.

Attendees peruse the vendors' wares in the 420-friendly outdoor area.

The stoke is real for the PDX Organics crew, who won first place for Best Traditional Pre-Roll and second place for Best Indoor Flower - Citrus/Sap.

live glassblowing, grab a bite at the Nacheaux food truck, or take in the performers. One moment, a magical unicorn in skates may have rolled by … or was there a man on stilts in the sky?

This year’s Bowl competition brought a barrage of new products and producers, along with some familiar faces. The team tells us that included a notable number of rosin entries – something that stands out from last year. Trophies in a host of concentrate, extract, edible, topical and flower categories were awarded by Leaf Magazines CEO/ Founder Wes Abney, Operating Partner Mike Ricker, and Leaf Bowl Competition Director Bobby Black in front of the main hall’s audience. Individuals and whole teams took the stage to acknowledge another year’s hard work and labor of love. Keep reading to check out the full list of 2023 Leaf Bowl champions in each category.

A special thank you goes out to all of our contestants, vendors, and sponsors...and congratulations to each and every winner!

The Leaf magazine crew takes a bow after another successful Leaf Bowl event.

Rebecca Palmer of Aerial Muse as the Unicorn Roller Girl with friend.

Above: Chilling at the Apis Extractions booth.

One moment, a magical unicorn in skates may have rolled by … or was there a man on stilts in the sky?

Echo Electuary were among the night's biggest winners with two first place and two second place awards.

Live glassblowing by artist Paul Rangel, courtesy of Degenerate Flame Off.

Stilt performer Jon Dutch bubbles up with excitement.

The Crop Shop team heads to the stage to accept their award for Runner-Up Best Indoor Flower - Purps / Desserts.

The Winberry crew took home the award for Best Botanical/Flavored Distillate Cartridge.

Leaf Bowl's trophy girl & intake assistant Joely Fisher.

Jim Davis & Ryley McCorquodale of Real Eve, who pretty much swept the Mixed Light/Greenhouse Flower category.

Suzie from Yamba Junk gleefully accepts the award for Best Candy/ Chocolate.

True Care Farms took home four trophies in the Sungrown Flower category.

Leaf contributor Matt Jackson (left) and Flower Mill partner/Sales VP Brent Stevens with a dabbing unicorn.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS!

FLOWER - LIGHT DEP

FUEL / OG / CHEM

Gary's Wedding from The Plant (174)

WINNER

GMO from The Plant (170)

RUNNER-UP

OPEN CATEGORY

Wedding Cake from The Plant (266)

WINNER

London Pound Mintz from The Plant (193)

RUNNER-UP

FLOWER - MIXED-LIGHT / GREENHOUSE

CBD RICH

Mayra's Medicine from Bald Peak Farm / Chalice Farms (178)

WINNER

FUEL / OG / CHEM

Chem-Lato from Real Eve (188)

WINNER

Sunday Driver from Epoch Farms / Oregon Cannabis Collective (160)

RUNNER-UP

PURPS / DESSERTS

Sherb Cake from Real Eve (192)

WINNER

Slapz from Epoch Farms / Oregon

Cannabis Collective (159)

RUNNER-UP

CITRUS / SAP

Super Boof from Real Eve (185)

WINNER

EXOTIC FRUIT

Blueberry Octane from Bald Peak Farm / Chalice Farms (178)

WINNER

Gold Dropz #1 from Juicy Farms (167)

RUNNER-UP

OPEN CATEGORY

Hash Burger from Real Eve (199)

WINNER

Gary Satan from Verdant Leaf (194)

RUNNER-UP

FLOWER - SUNGROWN

CBD RICH

In The Pine from ERB / Foggy Mountain Refinery (168)

WINNER

FUEL / OG / CHEM

Ice Cream Cake from WM Ranch (168)

WINNER

Gary Payton from Left Coast Standard (184)

RUNNER-UP

PURPS / DESSERTS Trop Cherry from WM Ranch (186)

WINNER

Strawberry Float from TrueCare Farms (180)

RUNNER-UP

CITRUS / SAP

Orange Blossom from Left Coast Standard (187)

WINNER

MLK (Master Lemon Kush) from TrueCare Farms (183)

RUNNER-UP

EXOTIC FRUIT

Juicy Fruit from Left Coast Standard (172)

WINNER

Tropical Runtz from TrueCare Farms (170)

RUNNER-UP

OPEN CATEGORY

Greasy Runtz from TrueCare Farms (180)

WINNER

Face Value from WM Ranch (178)

RUNNER-UP

FLOWER - INDOOR

FUEL / OG / CHEM

Garlic Budder from Green Clover Farms (214)

WINNER

Grape Stank from Siren Canna (202)

RUNNER-UP

PURPS / DESSERTS

Sherbert from Slims / Conception Nursery (206)

WINNER

Runtz OG from The Crop Shop (202)

RUNNER-UP

CITRUS / SAP

Grape Stank from LUVLI (213)

WINNER

The Juice from PDX Organics (196)

RUNNER-UP

EXOTIC FRUIT

Tropicana Cherry from Verdant Leaf (218)

WINNER

Super Buff Cherry from Earl Baker (208)

RUNNER-UP

OPEN CATEGORY

Biscotti Pie from High Noon Cultivation (215)

WINNER

Moonbow 112 from Archive (207)

RUNNER-UP

PRE-ROLLS

TRADITIONAL

The Juice 1g PreRoll from PDX Organics (178)

WINNER

Point Break x Trophy Wife PreRoll from Trip / Oregon Cannabis Collective (177)

RUNNER-UP

INFUSED

Sparkle Donkey Infused PreRoll from ERB (190)

WINNER

Grape Gasoline Rosin-Infused Preroll from Kaprikorn / Happy Cabbage (185)

RUNNER-UP

CONCENTRATES / EXTRACTS

BUDDER / BADDER

Z Live Budder from Echo Electuary (204)

WINNER

Lemon Apricot Jam Live Resin from NW

Kind (179)

RUNNER-UP

CRUMBLE / SUGAR

Guava Pie Live Resin Sugar Sauce from Capital Cannabis (169)

WINNER

Wonderdawg from Self Made Farms / Sunshine (167)

RUNNER-UP

DIAMONDS & SAUCE

Donny Burger Live Resin Terp Slush from Willamette Valley Alchemy / Retreats Edibles (198)

WINNER

Orange Spritz Cookies from Legacy Cannabis Dabs / Herban Renewal / Self Made (189)

RUNNER-UP

PULL ‘N’ SNAP / SHATTER

Donny Burger Pull n Snap from Echo Electuary / Eugreen Farms (187)

WINNER

Flower, Pre-Roll, Concentrate & Edible scores shown are out of 250 maximum points. Topicals, Cartridges, and RSO/FECO are out of a 200 point maximum.

Topical Runtz Shatter from Sunshine (174)

RUNNER-UP

SOLVENTLESS - ROSIN

Citrus Funk Hash Rosin from Verdant Leaf (216)

WINNER

Sour Z Live Hash Rosin from Echo Electuary (215)

RUNNER-UP

SOLVENTLESS - FULL MELT

Poon Tang Pie #5 from Fuji Melt / Treasure Valley Cannabis (199)

WINNER

GMO from Covert Extraction / Epoch Farms (161)

RUNNER-UP

SOLVENTLESS - TRADITIONAL HASH

Strawberry Cooler Traditional Hash from Bonsai Farms (164)

WINNER

El Trop-O Traditional Hash from Bonsai Farms (159)

RUNNER-UP

FECO / RSO - HIGH THC

Banana Punch from Dr. Jolly's (155)

WINNER

House Blend from Dr. Jolly's (151)

RUNNER-UP

FECO / RSO - HIGH ALTERNATIVE CANNABINOIDS

CBG-Rich Rollins FECO2 from Farmer's Friend Extracts / Kerby Kush Farms (148)

WINNER

VAPE CARTRIDGES

ALTERNATIVE CANNABINOIDS

CBG-Rich MAC 1 from Farmer's Friend Extracts / Siren Cannabis (132)

WINNER

Piña F4 Live Resin CBD from Higher Cultures / Indigo Gardens (110)

RUNNER-UP

CO2

Tiger Moon from Farmer's Friend Extracts / Siren Cannabis (151)

WINNER

Lemon Cherry Rntz 1g Cured Resin from Natural Roots Extractions / His & Her Grow (147)

RUNNER-UP

DISTILLATE - FLAVORED/BOTANICAL

Tropical Trainwreck from Winberry (147)

WINNER

Maui Wowie from Self Made / Punch Bowl (134)

RUNNER-UP

DISTILLATE - CANNABIS TERPS ONLY

Greasy Runtz from High Latitude Extracts (151)

WINNER

LIVE RESIN

Sangiovese from NW Kind (163)

WINNER

Zkittlez Live Nectar All-In-One Cart from Echo Electuary (160)

RUNNER-UP

SOLVENTLESS

Strawberry Guava Live Rosin Shorty from Sand Castle Hash Co. (149)

WINNER

Lemon Lava from Happy Cabbage (138)

RUNNER-UP

EDIBLES

ALTERNATIVE CANNABINOIDS

Moonlight Serenade 1:1:1 Marionberry

Sleep Syrup from Crown B Alchemy (132)

WINNER

Sour Blackberry 1:1 CBN Gummies Multipack from Smokiez / TREQQ (125)

RUNNER-UP

BAKED GOODS

Live Resin Brownie Batter Bites from Sublime Brands / Consensus Oregon (149)

WINNER

Hybrid Fruit Blast Cannabis Crispy Bites from Vibes / Meraki Gardens (128)

RUNNER-UP

CANDY/CHOCOLATE

Mango & Peach Yamba Floss Cotton Candy from Yamba Junk (141)

WINNER

Green Apple & Watermelon Yamba Floss Cotton Candy from Yamba Junk (132)

RUNNER-UP

DRINKS / TINCTURES

Bruce Banner Green Apple Cannabull from Crown B Alchemy (150)

WINNER

Citrus Chamomile Live-Resin Tincture from Medicine Farms (133)

RUNNER-UP

GUMMIES

Carefree Strawberry Jellies 10pk from Nelson & Co. Organics (148)

WINNER

Garcia Berry Hand Picked 100mg Gummies from Avitas / Garcia Hand Picked (147)

RUNNER-UP

SAVORY/OTHER SNACKS

Kettle Corn Potcorn from Mellow Vibes (139)

WINNER

Lemon Kush 54 Honey from 54 Green Acres (137)

RUNNER-UP

CAPSULES/ TABLETS

Terple Solventless Rosin Capsules 10pk from Willamette Valley Alchemy / Retreats Edibles (146)

WINNER

TOPICALS

TRANSDERMALS

Relief Roller from Medicine Farm Botanicals (116)

WINNER

CBD ONLY

Turmeric Honey Carrot Soap from Bud & Lather (122)

WINNER

600mg CBD Muscle Rub from Mule Extracts (85)

RUNNER-UP

CREAMS / LOTIONS

Dragon's Blend Hemp Balm from Medicine Farm Botanicals (123)

WINNER

Cannabis-Infused Topical Oil from Empower Bodycare & Mellow Vibes (119)

RUNNER-UP

For the complete list of entries and judges' scores head over to our website at LeafMagazines.com

Jesce Horton, the owner of LOWD –a premium indoor flower producer in Portland – feels our pain and has taken it upon himself to create his ideal delivery service with sights set firmly on the connoisseur.

OWTLET, as it is aptly named, aims to provide customers with the opportunity to “smoke like a grower.”

Horton explains that their goal is to offer the freshest, nicest and most premium strains, along with a sense of exclusivity – even going as far as giving OWTLET direct access to LOWD’s temperature-controlled cure room, allowing them to cherry-pick the best flower without it undergoing excessive packaging, handling, or sitting around at the dispensary. This farm-to-door approach marries the efficiency of oldschool pizza delivery with the quality of meeting with the plug you worked hard to get connected with.

Let’s be real though: OWTLET is much more professional than the classic market

hook-up. They show up on time, packing branded UV-protected jars filled to the brim with a half zip of hand-picked dank. Enticing strains such as Double Stack, Han Solo Burger, Gary Poppins, MAC One and the classic Georgia Pie are all on deck and delivered without the “five minutes away” text that could potentially take hours.

Beyond just offering premium products, OWTLET aims to provide a personal touch that is often lacking in traditional delivery services. Customers can call the shop and have a conversation with knowledgeable individuals who have been involved directly in the cultivation process. This allows for a more intimate experience where customers can discuss strains and get recommendations from someone who truly works with the plant.

They’re not stopping at speedy delivery and high-quality herb though … OWTLET has exciting plans for brand expansion and collaborations. They are actively searching out new flavors and phenos, breeding their own plants and partnering with other innovative parties. Collaborations with Trap Private Kitchen and Carmelo Anthony are already in the works – showcasing their commitment to growth and community in the industry.

OWTLET is bringing back that oldschool vibe of buying premium weed directly from a trusted grower, but with a modern twist. With their commitment to freshness, top-tier quality and personalized service, smoking like a grower is just a phone call away.

We take pride in searching out the best herb here in Oregon, but occasionally we just want to sit on the couch and have it brought directly to our door.

OWTLET OWTLET

“Horton explains that their goal is to offer the freshest, nicest and most premium strains, along with a sense of exclusivity.”

GEORGIA PIE

BAPPLE FRITZ

HOLY WATER

FUJI MELT POONTANG PIE

FUJI MELT POONTANG PIE

120U WATER HASH

120U WATER HASH

67.5% THC | 0.275% CBD

5.20% Terpenes | @fuji_melt

PoonTang Pie is a Trop Cookies x (Grape Pie x Papaya) cross grown by Bonafide Cannabis and ice-water extracted by the folks at Fuji Melt. It features the fruity fumes that you’d imagine logging a lineage like that while relying heavily on its Trop and Papaya predecessors, with an emphasis on the latter.

You’ll find a pack of peach gummies waiting inside this freshly-popped jar – or at least that’s what your senses will tell you until a powerful cheesy-melon aroma of pure papaya joins the palate. A Trop-like tang lingers long after your olfactory organs have nurtured their Haribo nostalgia. It complements the push of papaya that plays through the last exhale and sticks to the tongue like a sip of freshly-squeezed juice. This melt, like most, is best kept in the freezer and should stay a light blonde, sand-like texture until your next sesh.

For the sake of science, we explored the PoonTang Pie #5 scooped straight out of the jar and, subsequently, with a gentle finger pressing through a piece of parchment. Both offered exceptionally smooth experiences and a marvelous melt. But the gently-pressed preparation made way for an even better melt and more accessible flavor.

A post-dab peek into the banger for a final assessment finds only the slightest golden-brown remnants – solidifying a solid melt score and smooth sailing for your lungs.

SUMMER INFUSIONS SUMMER INFUSIONS

June is here – and since it’s not yet too hot to turn on the oven – it’s a wonderful time to bake this delectable crostata with the first local cherries of the season. Yum. The “all season” mozzarella and tomato is as pretty as it is delicious. And since Pet Appreciation Week is the first week in June, you should hook your pooch up with these CBD biscuits! They have tamed some pretty hyper pups … a nice way to say “I love you.” I infused the crostata and the olive oil with the strain Sunburn, a delicious smoking and tasting strain from Noble Farms. The CBD is from East Fork Cultivars, a superb flower that’s grown with a lot of love.

CANNABIS CHERRY CROSTATA

SERVES 9 | 5MG THC/SERVING

This flaky crust pairs beautifully with the sweet and tart cherry filling. A crostata is a free form pie, and it’s forgiving and fun to make. You can pick your fruit seasonally, or go with frozen. Another favorite of mine is peach and blueberry.

DAMN GOOD CBD DOG BISCUITS

40 BISCUITS | 2 PER SERVING | 5MG CBD PER SERVING

1 cup pumpkin or sweet potato puree

½ cup peanut butter

2 large eggs

2½ cups oats

¼ cup grated or shredded carrot

3 1/3 teaspoons CBD infused coconut oil

¼ cup water

Optional ingredients: chopped bacon, grated cheese, liver powder, grated apple

1. Heat oven to 340º. Line a baking sheet with parchment.

2. In the bowl of a food processor, combine all the ingredients. Pulse until mixed, but still a bit chunky.

3. Press the dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Alternatively, scoop the mixture into 40 portions.

4. Bake as a whole for 30-35 minutes, cutting into 40 portions while still warm. If baking in individual treats, bake for about 9-11 minutes. Most dogs seem to like them crunchy.

This is a good starting dose for most dogs, regardless of their size. If your dog requires a stronger dose, keep the recipe the same but add more CBD oil. As I suggest for people, start with a low dose and work your way up.

5. If you have a dog with no teeth (like my five-pound rescue named Bisou), either bake them for a shorter time, or crumble and serve.

1¾ cups all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons sugar

½ teaspoon cinnamon

12 tablespoons cold butter, divided

1½ tablespoons cold canna-butter

5 tablespoons ice water

1 pound cherries, pitted (frozen works too)

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon cornstarch

2 tablespoons orange juice

2 teaspoons lemon juice

pinch of salt

zest of one orange

coarse sugar

1. In a food processor, combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon and salt. Add 8 tablespoons of the unsalted butter along with the canna-butter and pulse until pea-sized crumbs form.

2. Add ice water and pulse until the dough comes together. Wrap and chill for an hour.

3. In another bowl, combine the cherries, sugar, cornstarch, orange and lemon juice. Toss with the orange rind.

4. Heat oven to 340º. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a circle, ⅛ of an inch thick. Place the fruit on the crust, leaving a 1½ inch border. Fold the crust up around the fruit, and dot with the remaining butter and coarse sugar.

5. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the crust has browned and the fruit is bubbling.

6. Once cooled, slice into nine pieces and serve.

SERVES 3

FRESH MOZZARELLA WITH CANNABIS DRIZZLE

9 slices good quality fresh mozzarella cheese

6 basil leaves, shredded

2 strips bacon, cooked until crisp and chopped

2 tablespoons toasted walnuts

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon Cannabis olive oil

1 clove garlic, minced coarse black pepper

1. Layer the mozzarella slices on a small plate. Sprinkle with the basil, bacon and walnuts. Combine the two oils with the garlic and drizzle with the oil.

2. Serve with crusty bread.

This use of mozzarella does not require a perfectly ripe tomato, so it has no season. I make this as a starter year round and everyone loves it. If mozzarella only speaks to you when combined with tomato, during the cold months roast cherry tomatoes in olive oil and add them to the rest. Tasty!

creamy, menthol kick

Cultivated by MacKenzie Grown

Gelato 47 Gelato 47

MacKenzie Grown’s Gelato 47 (also known as Mochi Gelato) is a salute to where it all began here in Oregon: the medical community. It’s a community that’s been immensely impacted by the shifting canna-landscape. While the Oregon Health Authority’s July 2022 “Medical Marijuana Statistical Snapshot” showed 19,453 cardholding patients (a number down from prelegalization’s 72,000-plus), it’s clear in day-to-day conversations with consumers and budtenders alike: “Medicinal” use as most define it has not slowed down, it’s merely being mixed-in and taxed.

TRAVIS AND CHAMELLE MACKENZIE are on a mission to build back a bit of the OMMP community and the patient-oriented care that came with it – starting from the ground up again with a family-owned-and-operated garden and medical dispensary. MacKenzie Grown is located in Eugene, in one of the state’s top three concentrations of OMMP cardholders: Lane County. At the time of this piece, MacKenzie Grown is the only licensed OMMP dispensary (operating) in the entire state of Oregon.

Their single-source flower, including this Gelato 47, is grown by the owners themselves with organic, no-till methods that they’ve been using since well before those growing terms came in and out of style. There’s a smooth heartiness to this flower’s flavor and the timeless Sherbet x Thin Mint GSC combination offers a creamy, menthol kick to the nostrils. The smoke sings to a wider array of notes, so don’t be surprised when a slightly meaty, savory spark tickles your tongue. There’s a deeply soothing sense waiting inside these dark, dense, purple and green buds. This writer found it balanced a chaotic mind and mended the mountains of tension building in the back and shoulders. Maybe it was the one-on-one, pick-up appointment in the shop’s cozy, carefullycurated atmosphere. Maybe we could taste the love poured into this plant. Either way, we can tell it’s Cannabis cultivated with intention and a passion that has persisted through thick and thin.

HIGHLIGHTING THE PEOPLE AND COMPANIES CHANGING THE CANNABIS LANDSCAPE

dr. amanda reiman

CHIEF KNOWLEDGE OFFICER

NEW FRONTIER DATA/FOUNDER | PERSONAL PLANTS

Northern California-based social ethnobotanist Amanda Reiman, PhD MSW, has been a Cannabis patient, advocate and educator for decades while pioneering the study of the therapeutic value of plants, earning her PhD from UC Berkeley. Dr. Reiman was the first to explore the use of marijuana as a substitute for alcohol and other drugs. Her groundbreaking work in the field of psychoactive plants and social science led to her founding of Personal Plants in 2020, with an emphasis on mindful consumption and a healthy lifestyle. mypersonalplants.com | @personalplants | @dr.amandareiman

stephanie landa

FOUNDER & PRESIDENT | FREEDOM GROW

Sen. Chuck Schumer

U.S. SENATOR

ed rosenthal

A lifelong pot pioneer and activist, Ed Rosenthal’s massive contributions to Cannabis cultivation knowledge helped “Overgrow the Government.” Ed’s books, first published in 1981, and his grow column in High Times in the 1980s and ‘90s, enlightened many thousands of prospective pot farmers. As Tommy Chong said, “Ed holds the distinction of turning more people onto pot than Cheech and Chong.” Ed’s arrest and trials in the early 2000s galvanized the movement and he continues to release new grow books – with his recently revised “Cannabis Grower’s Handbook” being the definitive Cannabis cultivation guide. edrosenthal.com

@edrosenthal420

tom angell

PUBLISHER & EDITOR | MARIJUANA MOMENT

As the creator and curator of the Marijuana Moment website and daily email newsletter, Tom Angell provides vital up-to-the-minute information for the Cannabis culture and industry.

A 20-year veteran in the marijuana law reform movement, Tom has his finger on the pulse of pot policy and politics – and always links primary source documents. Politico called Marijuana Moment “One of the nation’s leading trackers of developments and news in the Cannabis industry,” largely due to Tom and his team’s timely, unique and unbiased approach to reefer reportage. marijuanamoment.net @marijuanamoment | @thisistomangell

A longtime supporter of Cannabis law reform, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is the highest-ranking pot proponent in Washington. He recently labeled federal legalization a top priority and joined Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Cory Booker, D-N.J., to introduce the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act – a measure to decriminalize and deschedule marijuana. Chuck has also been a speaker at the NYC Cannabis Parade for the last three years, saying, “I’m proud to be the first Senate Majority Leader ever to say it's time to end the federal prohibition on Cannabis and bring justice to so many Americans whose lives have been ruined by the War on Drugs.” schumer.senate.gov @senschumer

Stephanie Landa knows firsthand the price paid by those who fell into the hands of law enforcement during the height of pot prohibition. It was during her five-year stint in federal prison for Cannabis cultivation when she learned the importance of money for prisoners to purchase essentials such as socks, stamps, clean drinking water, medicines, etc. She’s now the founder and current president of Freedom Grow Forever, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization that works directly on prisoner outreach to help them maintain their dignity while incarcerated and most importantly, regain their freedom. freedomgrow.org @letfreedomgrow

robert "baby boi" jeffrey

PRESIDENT | MASSCANN

evan nison

FOUNDER & PRESIDENT

NISON CO.

Evan got his start in Cannabis law reform early on as a student in Ithaca, New York in 2008. He’s been active and effective ever since as the youngest member of the NORML National Board of Directors. In 2012 he founded Nison Co., and the PR and SEO agency has since become an industry stalwart –representing some of the biggest brands in bud. Marijuana Venture included Evan in their “40 under 40” and The Observer listed Nison Co. at the top of their “Cannabis PR Power List.” nisonco.com @nisoncopr | @nis022

Robert’s activism began as a volunteer at the Boston Freedom Rally, getting an inside look at local legalization efforts and events. As a medical marijuana patient, cultivator and educator, he became a member and then the director of MassCann – the decades-old nonprofit organization that puts on the rally. He was recently voted in as President of the embattled org and pledges to continue the fight, saying, “I’m hopeful that all the work done today will bring a better tomorrow for the community.”masscann.org | @robert_babyboi_jeffrey

jeremy silva FOUNDER | BUILD A SOIL

Over a decade ago, Jeremy Silva started Build A Soil in his Colorado garage with the dream of providing the best growing mediums and natural fertilizers, as well as educating people on the benefits of cultivating Cannabis in living soil. Since then, Build A Soil has become a mainstay in the “back to the future” growing movement that promotes no-till farming, cover crops, oxygenated compost teas and many more sustainable products and natural techniques. buildasoil.com | @buildasoil

“THE GURU OF GANJA"

CHRISTIAN PEACOCK

BY DANNY DANKO @DANNYDANKOHT | TOM BOWERS @CANNABOMBTOM | KATHERINE WOLF @KATADELLIC | BOBBY BLACK @THEBOBBYBLACK | MATT JACKSON @ACTIONMATTJACKSON | AMANDA DAY @TERPODACTYL_MEDIA | MIKE RICKER @RICKERDJ

THE IMPACT List

HIGHLIGHTING THE PEOPLE AND COMPANIES CHANGING THE CANNABIS LANDSCAPE

Eugene Monroe

FORMER NFL PLAYER | FOUNDER OF HEART COMMUNITY

Chosen as the eighth overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, Eugene Monroe had a brief but eventful, seven-season career as an offensive tackle for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Baltimore Ravens. He was the first active player to publicly challenge league policy on Cannabis for pain relief and brain injury treatment in March of 2016, and also championed the plant as an alternative to highly addictive opioids. Monroe was also named chairman of the "Yes on 4" campaign that legalized Cannabis for recreational use in Maryland and formed Heart Community Capital to “build the leading Black-owned MSO.” heartcommunity.com | @eugenegreenmonroe

luke scarmazzo ADVOCATE

As a young father who was sentenced to 22 years under the Kingpin Statute for operating a state-legal Cannabis dispensary in Modesto, Calif., Luke Scarmazzo immediately became a lightning rod for the emancipation and legalization movement. The Cannabis advocate worked from within the system to fight to end the harassment and imprisonment of people for the plant, and advocacy group The Weldon Project (run by Scarmazzo’s former prison mate Weldon Angelos) worked with the White House on commutation of his sentence. After more than 14 years in prison, Scarmazzo was finally freed and has since rejoined his family. He and Angelos’ Project Mission Green continue to fight for the rights of Cannabis consumers and for the emancipation of Cannabis prisoners. @lukescarmazzo

weldon angelos

FOUNDER | THE WELDON PROJECT & PROJECT MISSION GREEN

Advocate Weldon Angelos embodies the concept of impact, both in how he benefited from powerful people who advocated for him, and how he then passed along the power of that advocacy in his work for others. The music producer was sentenced to a mandatory minimum sentence of 55 years after a confidential informant testified that he possessed a weapon in the commission of a Cannabis sale – serving 13 years before pressure from his friend Snoop Dogg, other celebrities and high-powered politicians, led to a commutation of the remainder of his sentence. These days he’s a tireless advocate for law reform and clemency for Cannabis prisoners, founding both The Weldon Project and Project Mission Green. projectmissiongreen.org | theweldonproject.org | @weldonangelos

brian "box" brown

CARTOONIST & ILLUSTRATOR | LEGALIZATION NATION

Brian “Box” Brown wondered why legal Cannabis in his native Pennsylvania didn’t hold up to the stuff he found in his travels among other “legal” states. He decided to use his background in visual arts to create a relevant and sometimes scathing comic strip that depicts the pitfalls of over-regulation and consolidation in the licenced industry. Box speaks truth directly to power, simplifying complex topics into easy-to-digest cartoons. His Legalization Nation strip is now syndicated by Hearst Media’s King Features. boxbrown.com | @boxbrown

fred "fab

brathwaite DIRECTOR AND PRODUCER GRASS IS GREENER DOCUMENTARY

Iconic hip-hop elder statesman, first host of Yo! MTV Raps, video director and Cannabis advocate, Fred Brathwaite has been at the cusp of major movements since the late 1970s. Better known as Fab 5 Freddy, he recently teamed up with pot prisoner Bernard Noble and Curaleaf to create the social equity brand B Noble – drawing attention to the disproportionate impact of the drug war on minorities. His documentary film “Grass is Greener” further articulates the injustice and brutality of prohibition on disadvantaged communities. fab5freddy.com | @fab5freddy

Julio Zenil

EDITOR, REVISTA CÁÑAMO MÉXICO | EVENT PRODUCER, EXPOWEED MÉXICO

Julio Zenil has been at the forefront of Cannabis legalization efforts in Mexico for many years and organized the first Million Marijuana March there 23 years ago. As the editor of Revista CÁÑAMO México and producer of the Expoweed México event, he educates the Spanish-speaking public and politicians on the medicinal and spiritual benefits of marijuana, as well as the excessive negative effects of global prohibition on the Americas. He’s also the founder of Museo del Cáñamo y la Marihuana de México and proprietor of Cañamo Shop – a Cannabis museum and hemp store in Mexico City. canamo.mx | @juleszengram

jackie bryant

HOST, THE PLANT LADY PODCAST | MANAGING EDITOR, SAN DIEGO MAGAZINE

Based in California, Jackie Bryant is an acclaimed journalist, the managing editor of San Diego Magazine and host of The Plant Lady – a podcast about modern Cannabis culture. Bryant's bylines include The New York Times, Harper’s Bazaar, Forbes, and Cannabitch, her very own newsletter with more than 2,000 subscribers. A frequent panel speaker, moderator and judge at conferences and events – her unique voice touches every aspect of the industry. jackiebryantwriting.com | @jacqbry

Garyn Angel FOUNDER & CEO | MAGICAL BRANDS

A thought leader and entrepreneur in the Cannabis industry, Garyn Angel created Magical Brands to transform the way people perceive and use the healing flower. His first development, the Magical Butter machine, streamlines the extraction process and allows consumers to create their own infused Cannabis edibles. Their Magical Gummy Maker transforms extracts into delicious, easy-to-dose Cannabis gummies. The newest arrival, Magical Grow, is an AI-powered smart garden designed to simplify the process of cultivation. Altogether, Garyn Angel’s vision and innovation revolutionized home growing and processing for everyone. magicalbutter.com | @magicalbutter | @garynangel

5 freddy"

UNICORN POOP ROSIN

CROSS: GMO x SOPHISTICATED LADY

CULTIVATOR: FOCUS NORTH

PROCESSOR: FOCUS NORTH

BREEDER: THUG PUG

BALANCED HYBRID

THC: 70.59% CBD: 0.17%

EFFECTS: EUPHORIA, BODY HIGH, HAPPY

PHOTO: TOM MIDAK

SEE WHAT’S AVAILABLE IN YOUR AREA BY VISITING TOPCROPCANNABIS.COM/BESTDABS

THE IMPACT List

HIGHLIGHTING THE PEOPLE AND COMPANIES CHANGING THE CANNABIS LANDSCAPE

cannabis marketing association

INDUSTRY TRADE GROUP

Founded by Lisa Buffo in 2016, the Cannabis Marketing Association is an industry trade group with a mission to bring a positive perception to, and authentic understanding of, Cannabis and its consumers around the world. By supporting industry professionals through career resources, educational events and networking opportunities, the CMA has contributed to more approachable and informative marketing in the Cannabis space. thecannabismarketingassociation.com @cannamarketing

ricardo baca

JOURNALIST | FOUNDER, GRASSLANDS

Ricardo Baca is one of the most widely respected ganja journalists in the game. As a 20-year industry veteran, he was appointed as the first-ever Cannabis editor of The Denver Post in 2013 and founded the news vertical The Cannabist before launching Grasslands in 2016. This “journalism-minded” marketing and PR agency based in Denver empowers brands in highly regulated industries, from Cannabis to psychedelics and spirits – earning him a spot on Fortune’s 7 Most Powerful People in America’s Marijuana Industry and Marketer of the Year by AdCann. mygrasslands.com | @bruvs

40 tons

CANNABIS ACTIVISTS | SOCIAL JUSTICE REFORM

In 2013, Corvain Cooper was sentenced to life in prison for a nonviolent Cannabis offense while states across the nation began to decriminalize possession and personal use. He received a “winning lottery ticket” on the last day of Donald Trump's presidency in 2021: clemency.

After his release, Cooper, along with his team, Loriel and Anthony Alegrete, started 40 Tons with the sole purpose of fighting for social justice and diversity in Cannabis. In addition to their CPG line in California, New York and other states, the brand puts on career conferences, offers educational programs and mentorship, and has set up a foundation to help provide second chances for those who have been impacted by the War on Drugs to work in the legal industry. 40tons.co | @40tonsbrand

nba ATHLETIC LEAGUE

The National Basketball Association recently announced a revolutionary move allowing players to promote and invest in Cannabis companies – one that we can only hope other sporting leagues will soon follow. With Cannabis removed from the league’s drug testing program, players will no longer be penalized for personal use and will also be able to promote and invest in Cannabis companies. Talk about a slam dunk for stoners. nba.com | @nba

women employed in cannabis

FOUNDER | KYRA REED

Founded by Kyra Reed in 2017, Women

Employed in Cannabis is a safe place for all women working with the plant to participate in the mission of creating a fair, just and equitable industry. With a Facebook Group to share resources and support as well as virtual networking events, in-person meetups, and “Women’s Lounges” at Cannabis conferences across the country, WEIC is working to create a more inclusive industry for the next generation of women in weed. womenemployedincannabis.com

rick simpson

MEDICINAL CANNABIS ADVOCATE | FULL EXTRACT CANNABIS OIL

Rick Simpson is the man who first made the extraordinary claim that super-potent, whole-plant Cannabis oil could actually shrink tumors and cure cancer. Though not a doctor or scientist, the humble Canadian engineer began producing the full-spectrum extract Cannabis oil (FECO) that eventually came to be known as “Rick Simpson Oil” (RSO) or “Phoenix Tears” in 2001 – at first, to treat his own skin cancer, then later to supply to thousands of other patients free of charge. For this, he was convicted and forced to flee North America and live in exile in Croatia. It’s not an exaggeration to say that everyone who’s used Cannabis oil to treat their cancer in the past two decades owes Rick Simpson a debt of gratitude.phoenixtears.ca | @ricksimpsonoil

champs trade shows

CANNABIS INDUSTRY EVENTS

CHAMPS was the first trade show of its kind in the Cannabis industry, paving the way for modern-day events like Hall of Flowers (also mentioned on this list) and our very own Leaf Bowls! Since 1999, CHAMPS has been hosting annual trade shows in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Denver, Orlando and Chicago – bringing together some of the most innovative brands, manufacturers, distributors and artists in the space. champstradeshows.com @champstradeshows

EMILY EIZEN

ADOBE STOCK

THE IMPACT List

HIGHLIGHTING THE PEOPLE AND COMPANIES CHANGING THE CANNABIS LANDSCAPE

the emerald cup

GROUNDBREAKING CANNABIS EVENT

Nowadays referred to as the “Academy Awards of Cannabis,” the Emerald Cup started in 2004 as an underground sungrown Cannabis competition among the Emerald Triangle’s outlaw farmers. Run by founder Tim Blake and his daughter Taylor, the Emerald Cup has continued to set the standard for modern-day Cannabis competitions by enlisting the industry's top experts as judges, establishing terpene profile-based judging subcategories, and honoring sustainable farming practices and legacy cultivators. theemeraldcup.com | @theemeraldcup

ana willey OWNER | CAM

In 2018, Anna Willey moved her brand CAM from Colorado to California. Since then she's worked to cement the name and in 2022-23, she became the largest female Cannabis producer in the country when she activated a 2,000-light facility in Sacramento. In May, the company went multi-state by expanding into 30 Pharmacann stores in Colorado – where they first started. Her firm stance that price shouldn’t keep someone from access to quality is why the M in CAM still stands for Medicine. camdispensary.com | @camstr007

laganja estranja

ADVOCATE & ENTERTAINER

Laganja Estranja

is a transgender advocate for Cannabis use and LGBTQ rights. As a professional choreographer and dancer, she believes Cannabis motivates and challenges your creativity. Since first gaining national attention as a contestant on “RuPaul's Drag Race” in 2014, she's gone on to have appearances on “Bong Appetit,” “Now This” and “Getting High with Doug.” She's also created education and outreach with her medicated dance classes, her World of Wonder show “Puff Puff Sessions,” and as co-host of the Twitch streaming series “Misters & Marys with Adam Ill.” laganjaestranja.com

last prisoner project

DRUG REFORM ACTIVISTS

The Last Prisoner Project was founded in 2019 by drug policy reform activist Steve DeAngelo, Cannabis entrepreneur Andrew DeAngelo, and music industry veteran Dean Raise. The organization was born out of the belief that no one should remain incarcerated for Cannabis offenses and focuses on three core criminal justice reform initiatives: release, record clearance and reentry support. LPP has given micro grants to over 300 constituents, matched over 80 with pro-bono attorneys through its Cannabis Justice Initiative, and been involved in freeing over 70 Cannabis prisoners nationwide. lastprisonerproject.org

@lastprisonerproject

jimi devine

JOURNALIST | FOUNDER, TRANS BAY CHALLENGE

Bringing both the hype and the heat via bylines in every major pot publication and weed website, journalist Jimi Devine has emerged as one of the most popular and prolific voices in marijuana media in the past several years. In addition to his editorial endeavors, Jimi is also the man behind one of Northern California’s hottest new happenings: the Trans Bay Challenge – a one-day connoisseur Cannabis competition/party launched in the fall of 2019 and designed to determine the best bud in the Bay. jimidevine.com | @thejimidevine

grassroots california

CLOTHING BRAND | DESIGNERS

When it comes to the headiest of hats, there’s no topping the team over at Grassroots California. Founded by former real estate financier Ryan "Ruga" Connolly in 2008 as a passion project born out of his love for music, fashion and weed, the Denver-headquartered company quickly became renowned for their high-quality, custom-embroidered ball cap designs – including countless celebrity collabs and limited artist editions. Today, what began as a mere backpack trap on the Venice Beach boardwalk is a multi-million-dollar streetwear brand in 300 stores worldwide. grassrootscalifornia.com | @grassrootscalifornia

@laganjaestranja

Ali Jamalian

OWNER, SUNSET CONNECT | CHAIRMAN, SAN FRANCISCO

CANNABIS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

Successful businessman, equity operator, Owner of Sunset Connect, Chairman of the San Francisco Cannabis Oversight Committee, and former plug for half of SF – these are all ways to describe Ali Jamalian. With 20+ years of experience, Ali is a rallying force for Bay Area Cannabis producers, dispensary owners and industry personalities alike. This year he helped gain national attention for the plight of Bay Area shop owners and dispensary workers who have seen a dangerous rise in armed robberies. sunsetconnect.co | @jahmillion415

cannabis media council

CANNABIS MEDIA/PR

Just formed in September 2022, the Cannabis Media Council is a nonprofit group comprised of an impressive roster of media, marketing and PR professionals from prominent publications, organizations and corporations whose mission is to foster a positive public perception towards Cannabis. Their inaugural campaign, entitled “I’m High Right Now,” targets older Americans with the message that contrary to the myths of harm, Cannabis can actually improve their daily lives. cannabismediacouncil.com | @cannabismediacouncil

NICK MALLOY

ALEXANDER FOSCHI

JON SAMS

THE IMPACT List

HIGHLIGHTING THE PEOPLE AND COMPANIES CHANGING THE CANNABIS LANDSCAPE montell williams

TALK SHOW HOST | CANNABIS ADVOCATE

Famous for his daytime talk show, Montel Williams gives a voice to Cannabis patients all over the country. After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1999, doctors suggested Cannabis for pain in 2001. Williams has said it was the medicinal use of Cannabis, not traditional medications, that allowed him to continue the show until 2008. Since then, he's spoken on behalf of patients in front of state legislatures, created his own brand of products, and started the informational show "Let's Be Blunt." letsbebluntmontel.com | @montel_williams

origins council

CANNABIS ADVOCATES

In 2019, this Northern California-based nonprofit advocacy group was created to help promote legacy Cannabis farmers and the areas they live in. Key to their mission is establishing a nationally and internationally recognized map for regions that have a long history of producing Cannabis. They’ve developed partnerships in Massachusetts, Maine, Oregon and Vermont, as well as a regional council made up of six different counties in California. In 2023, they partnered with scientists, researchers and the Cannabis Equity Policy Council to launch a two-year study surrounding legacy Cannabis in California. originscouncil.org | @originscouncil

thc nyc

ART GALLERY

hall of flowers

CANNABIS B2B EVENT

Started in 2018, Hall of Flowers is a business-to-business event focused on presenting the latest offerings and innovations from the Cannabis industry. Over two days vendors present at their booths, interacting directly with dispensary purchasers and industry professionals, while the surrounding spaces are made into comfortable lounges to take meetings and sample products. In 2022, they opened up second-day attendance to budtenders. Since launching in Northern California, it's expanded to include shows in Las Vegas and Toronto.

hallofflowers.com | @hall_of_flowers

mary pryor

CO-FOUNDER, CANNACLUSIVE | OWNER, SHEBA BABY!

spannabis

INTERNATIONAL CANNABIS TRADE SHOW

The largest Cannabis gathering in Europe, Spannabis is held yea rly in the city of Barcelona. Twenty-five thousand people attended in 2023, traveling from over 50 different countries and uniting a worldwide passion for the plant. While the show has live music, food vend ors, on-site tattooing and tons of prize wheels, there are also hall s full of nutrient companies, accessory brands and seed vendors from around the globe. It's estimated this year's event had an over 8 million euro fiscal impact on the city. spannabis.es | @spannabisbcn

alice reis

FOUNDER & CEO | GIRLS IN GREEN COMUNICAÇÕES

Alice Reis is the Brazilian Founder and CEO of Girls in Green Comunicações, one-half of Wooksauce Winery, and Content Manager at Weedmaps. Reis brings a background and passion for psychology and harm reduction –“the biggest pillar of Girls In Green” – to the Cannabis space, all while casually crushing the concentrate scene from Cali to Spain. Her skills and perspective (from gardening to drug policy) have been gathered around the globe as one of a small group of women paddling and pressing their way to hash history. @aliiiiiice

@girlsingreen710 | @wooksaucewinery

The House of Cannabis is the first-ever immersive Cannabis experience and art gallery. It’s a multi-level, “transportive, multi-sensory journey” stretched out over 10 exhibits. In this revolutionary look at Cannabis, viewers can find a new perspective of the plant through exhibits like Kandid Kush’s “microverse” of macro photography, educational works about the War on Drugs, or even peruse the plants in a real indoor grow. Overall, the concept is a significant step for Cannabis art and the continued normalization of the plant. thcnyc.com | @thcnyc

Mary Pryor is a “multihyphenate” making waves in the digital strategy, marketing and business side of Cannabis and hemp. Her portfolio includes New York brands like Tricolla Farms and Tonic CBD, and her very own Sheba baby! brand. Pryor has poured years into making space for more all-around inclusivity in Cannabis – as a co-founder of Cannaclusive, she helped create a network for accountability, outreach and advocacy. InclusiveBase is a tool for “collaboration and communication” that allows the community to find Cannabis-related products and services through a categorized and searchable database.

@iammarypryor | @cannaclusive

The Hashish Inn

CANNABIS PODCAST

When it comes to community education and connection, social media and podcasts have become an invaluable tool. Shoragim Amir of The Hashish Inn has embraced this concept to create a unique community of hash heads looking to talk terps and techniques.

Episode One aired in 2019 featuring Oregon’s Pua Extractions and since then, the show has only continued to cater to some of the finest and freshest events, companies and individuals on the scene. It’s even picked up Rosin Evolution as a main sponsor, with others rolling in to support.

thehashishinn.com | @thehashishinn

THE IMPACT List

HIGHLIGHTING THE PEOPLE AND COMPANIES CHANGING THE CANNABIS LANDSCAPE

bubbleman

CREATOR, FRESH HEADIES LTD. | HASH CHURCH

After some time looking for a “safe, compact and portable trichome extraction kit,” Fresh Headies Ltd. was born. Here, Marcus Richardson made his name and mark in the world of water extraction with the invention of the “first three-bag multitasking filtration kit”

– earning him the name Bubbleman. In the early 2000s, Richardson and Skunkman Sam dreamed up an exclusive, invitation-only hash event spanning four countries and 21 years later, Legends of Hashish was born. In 2014, Richardson began building what would become a staple in concentration education and community building: Hash Church. The web series made it to its fourth iteration (“Hash Church 4.0”) after almost 10 years and has boasted experts from fields far and wide. @bcbubbleman

Mila "Hash Queen" Jansen

INVENTOR,

THE POLLINATOR

This royalty of the revolution didn’t just pave a path for women in hash – she led the march in modernizing mechanical separation methods with her invention of the Pollinator in 1994 – a move that would take timely, traditional hash techniques into a new era of dry sift automation. Some even say Jansen jump started the beloved coffee shop culture Amsterdam is so famous for when her fashion studio-turned-teahouse started attracting an atmosphere of global ganja visitors sharing hash from far and wide over cups of tea. These days, she’s keeping her crown polished by producing more equipment for mechanical separation methods and organizing events like DabA-Doo. All hail the queen! pollinator.nl | @milahashqueen

humboldt seed company

SEED PRODUCERS

Humboldt Seed Company has produced regular, feminized and auto-flowering seeds since 2001, with origins in breeding for patients under California’s Prop. 215. Today, they’ve established themselves as the state’s largest seed provider, with a global reach spanning multiple U.S. states, Spain, Canada, Jamaica, South Africa, Colombia, France, Portugal, Greece, the UK, Malta and Thailand. The team also dedicates their time to making an impact in the world around them with endeavors like the Nature Rights Council, the company’s environmental nonprofit arm that’s led by Humboldt’s Indigenous youth. humboldtseedcompany.com @thehumboldtseedcompany

ellen komp

ADVOCATE & AUTHOR | DEPUTY DIRECTOR, CALIFORNIA NORML

Activist, author, advisor and all-around leader, Ellen Komp currently serves as the Deputy Director of California NORML. In the early ‘90s, Komp held rallies for hemp advocacy in LA that ran 20,000 strong. In the late ‘90s, she began her era as Deputy Director of Community Outreach and Communications at the Drug Policy Alliance. She’s authored articles in multiple major Cannabis publications and put out her own book, "Tokin' Women: A 4,000-Year Herstory.” Komp was even acting editor on the ninth edition of the legendary book, "The Emperor Wears No Clothes" by Jack Herer. canorml.org

mj bizcon CANNABIS BUSINESS EVENT

MJ BizCon is entering its twelfth year influencing the business side of Cannabis as the top industry trade show around the globe. It’s held annually at the Las Vegas Convention Center, so companies can flex their latest concepts and network with over 1,400 exhibitors, 100 speakers, and “more than 30,000 Cannabis executives from around the world.” It’s a place to make moves and stay up to date on the latest industry innovations, and an undeniably momentous mechanism for moving forward. mjzbizconference.com | @mjbizdaily

MIKE ROSATI

CEO NAT PENNINGTON

MARIA CAVALI

THE IMPACT List

HIGHLIGHTING THE PEOPLE AND COMPANIES CHANGING THE CANNABIS LANDSCAPE

woody harrelson ACTOR, ADVOCATE OWNER, THE WOODS

Few pro-Cannabis advocates have the star power of Woody Harrelson. Many of us remember when he first came out in the ‘90s as a pot smoker, alienating much of his weed-hating audience and cementing the fandom of the rest of us. In the years since, the Oscar-nominated actor has fought alongside small farmers in the Emerald Triangle, spoken out on the need for clemency for prisoners, and even entered the business space in 2022 with The Woods, his own dispensary and consumption lounge in West Hollywood. thewoodsweho.com | @woodyharrelson

you, the reader

Thank you, our beloved reader, for you are taking the time to educate yourself about the plant that we all love. You deserve credit for becoming an enlightened stoner, and hopefully you share the good news about our plant the way you share tasty strains from your favorite dispensary. We can change the world, one person and toke at a time, for as the Lorax said, "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.”

leafmagazines.com

greg james

FOUNDER | MARIJUANA VENTURE

From a career making big bucks in software, James found himself in Seattle with an idea to show the Cannabis industry a professional approach to doing business. Taking from his experiences in software, he launched Marijuana Venture to publish on the expanding business world of Cannabis, and started Interchange – an event which allows speed networking between brands and retailers in multiple states. marijuanaventure.com | @mjventure

dragonfly earth medicine

CANNABIS GROWING STANDARDS

The team at Dragonfly Earth Medicine long ago established their authority in the Canna-certificate scene. A “DEM Pure” commitment goes deeper than superficial certifications to examine a producer’s full practices – right down to their inputs, treatment of employees and pricing ethics. They offer a holistic approach to preserving the integrity of Cannabis medicine while acting as a steward of the earth. When you see a DEM Pure certification, you can rest easy knowing the producers have rallied around regenerative practices and earthbased formulas. DragonflyEarthMedicine.com | @dragonflyearthmedicine

honorable mentions cap 'n crunch

CEREAL AFICIONADO

This Merchant Marine of Marijuana secured his place in the Stoney Cereal Hall of Fame when he added Crunch Berries to the already phenomenal peanut butter bonanza.

the cannabis alliance

INDUSTRY GROUP

A trade organization with an eye on highlighting the best of Washington’s Cannabis community, and a focus on bettering policy through collective efforts – the Cannabis Alliance has worked for years to make the Washington industry a better place for businesses and consumers alike. thecannabisalliance.us | @thecannabisalliance

matthew mcconaughey as david wooderson in dazed and confused

FILM ICON This was potentially the turning point for all adolescents back in the day who discovered that even though possession could get you in trouble with Mom and the Fuzz, having a joint on hand when in the presence of an older, seasoned stoner would make you cooler.

elliot

lewis

FOUNDER & CEO | CATALYST CANNABIS

Elliot Lewis is the man behind one of California’s most prolific and fastest growing retail empires. He opened the first Catalyst location in 2017 in his hometown of Long Beach, Calif. – which is now up to 18 stores and counting. Much of Lewis’ notoriety comes from his outspoken approach to business ownership, his “bring-the-fight-to-their-door” mentality, relentless hustle and impassioned persona, earning him the reputation of a force to be reckoned with in the ever-evolving California market. catalyst-cannabis.com | @catalyst_ceo

COO & O-OWNER | THE GREEN JAR

A tireless advocate for the plant and legalization, Stuart is a single mom running two retail locations, while also finding time to serve on the Alaska Marijuana Control Board as an advisor and advocating for the Alaska Cannabis industry through AMIA. Her stores – the Green Jar locations – are also the official Intake Partner for the Alaska Leaf Bowl! thegreenjarak.com | @greenjar_ak

shaggy

STONER DETECTIVE

The biggest mystery of the machine was that he kept his stash in the dash. With his wake-and-bake regimen and Scooby gobbling down CBD snacks, there’s no wonder they were the ones catching the ghosts.

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THE IMPACT List

HIGHLIGHTING THE PEOPLE AND COMPANIES CHANGING THE CANNABIS LANDSCAPE

dennis peron

MEDICAL CANNABIS ADVOCATE | (1946-2018)

Known as the “Father of Medical Marijuana,” Dennis Peron was a passionate advocate for the people and the plant. After experiencing Cannabis in Vietnam during his time in the Air Force, he decided to smuggle some back and begin a career. This legend led the way to medical legalization in California when he saw the benefits of Cannabis use surrounding him in a community coping with AIDS. It was his persistence in the early days of campaigning that pushed the 1996 Compassionate Use Act (also known as Prop 215) into fruition and with it, the nation’s very first public dispensary: the San Francisco Cannabis Buyers Club.

alaska marijuana industry association

PRESIDENT | LACY WILCOX

As President of the Alaska Marijuana Industry Association –a collective of Cannabis businesses that work together for the betterment of the industry – Wilcox works around the clock on everything from legislative or municipal changes in regulations, to running a network of canna-businesses that are unifying to better the industry as a whole. She’s also a partner at Top Hat Alaska, an award-winning CO2 processor. alaskamia.org thcalaska.com | @thcalaska

Doctors Knox

ENDOCANNABINOID SPECIALISTS

frenchy cannoli

HASH

INNOVATOR & ADVOCATE (1956-2021)

Frenchy Cannoli was born in Nice, France but left at a young age to explore the world. On the road to becoming a hashstorian and master hashishin, he lived nomadically from “Morocco to Mexico, to Nepal, Pakistan, and India,” taking in the historic hashish techniques of many cultures. Cannoli dedicated his life to teaching students from far and wide the philosophy of his craft. His workshops (“Lost Art of the Hashishin”), brand (Very Special Olde Press), videos, writings and presence on this earth left a mark on the minds and methods of many hash makers. @frenchycannoli

This family of doctors is a pioneering force in Endocannabinology. With a diverse background in medicine (including Emergency, Anesthesia, Family, Integrative and Preventive), the talented Dr. Rachel, Dr. Jessica, Dr. David and Dr. Janice have been breathing hope into the healthcare scene. The Knox Docs are knocking down barriers in healthcare with endeavors like Pivotal EDU and The Association for Cannabis Health and Equity Medicine – a brainchild of Drs. Janice, Jessica and Rachel Knox, alongside Dr. Ogadinma "Oga" Obie – aimed at “serving the needs of BIPOC healers and health and medical professionals in the advancement of health equity.” doctorsknox.com

rep. earl blumenauer

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, OREGON

Rep. Earl Blumenauer has been a force in plant politics since 1973 when he first voted in Oregon to decriminalize possession in small quantities. Since then, he has been stirring up and supporting movements like Cannabis research (The Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act), banking access (The SAFE Banking Act), veterans' access to Cannabis (The Veterans Equal Access Act), and much more. Recently, along with Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, Rep. Don Young and Rep. Jared Polis, the congressman announced his founding and co-chair position in the Congressional Cannabis Caucus – a bipartisan Cannabis workgroup focused on research, veteran access and Cannabis business needs. blumenauer.house.gov

DANIEL BERMAN

CARY NEWMAN

O'HARA SHIPE

Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. For use only by adults 21 years of age and older. Keep out of the reach of children.

Our products feel different because they are made differently. We specialize in lipid infusions of cannabis. Inspired by a traditional herbalist method of steeping herbs in fats or oils, our proprietary process produces a sparkling-clear, golden-colored infusion that is mild tasting and highly bioavailable without using unhealthy solvents or gimmicky tech. This pure process captures the exceptional phytochemical diversity of Oregon’s best regeneratively-grown cannabis, preserving a full spectrum of naturally-occuring cannabinoids and terpenes.

Luminous Botanicals is proud to be the world's first Sun+Earth Certified manufacturer. Sun+Earth certifies cannabis that is grown under the sun, in the soil of mother earth, without chemicals, by fairly-paid farmers.

HIGH SIGNS

Sign language brought medical marijuana growers Angela and Jared Panks together. Now, this creative couple

Cannabis community communicate.

FATE IS A CURIOUS THING … some people go their entire lives without ever truly finding their place in the world, while others are fortunate enough to have the universe show them a sign early on to point them in the direction of their destiny. Such seems to be the case with Jared Panks.

Jared grew up the son of a guerilla marijuana grower in southern Oregon – smoking by 13 and growing by 16. Besides weed, Jared’s other teenage hobby was playing hockey, which he learned by playing with several local adults, one of whom happened to be deaf. As the two that differed from the rest of the group, they formed a bond, and his new friend began teaching him some basic sign language. Little did he realize at the time how much learning the ASL alphabet would soon change the trajectory of his life – thanks to an unexpected encounter with a girl named Angela, who would eventually become his wife.

HEEDING THE SIGNS

Angela had quite a bit in common with Jared: She’d also grown up in southern Oregon, had started smoking weed around the

same age (sneaking joints at a hippie party in Keno near Klamath Falls), and also had family members who were guerilla growers – not only her dad, but uncle and grandfather as well. But there was one big difference between Angela and Jared (and, in fact, most of the other kids in their area) – Angela was born deaf.

As it happened, the two teens ended up in the same church youth group but never officially met until one fateful afternoon when the group went out wakeboarding and Angela started having trouble.

“I went in the water trying to wakeboard, and I was struggling, trying to get up,” Angela recalls. “People were trying to yell at me to tell me what to do, but I couldn’t hear them.”

Seeing her start to panic and realizing her situation, Jared instinctively sprang into action.

“I jumped out, swam over to her, and started finger spelling everything that she needed to do, trying to communicate for the first time while I was treading water,” he explains.

“Thanks to his help, I was able to get onto the board … and after that, I had a crush on him,” Angela confesses.

Since the two teenagers were in relationships with other people, nothing came of the encounter and they continued on separate paths – Angela later got married and had kids, while Jared studied to become a firefighter paramedic in Salem. But the experience in the lake never left him.

“It gave me a different perspective on life,” he reflects. “I remember praying, and God putting that image in my mind of being in the lake interpreting for Angela because she needed it. I started thinking about how useful it would be in emergency services, so that became my second language.”

Just two months into his classes, Jared used his knowledge to help paramedics save the life of the infant of a deaf couple who’d accidentally ingested heroin. He took it as another sign from above. “After that, I was like, ‘OK, I hear you, God.’”

LOVE CONNECTION

Fast forward to 2013: Angela was divorced and single for two years, and Jared was working for the forest service in California. Having never forgotten that girl in the lake, Jared

is developing their own new sign language specifically to help the

TONY SIMONELLI

“There's no sign language for regenerative farming or Cannabis or natural sciences. So we decided to build a foundation and create our own language."

HOW

TO SIGN

looked her up on Facebook and sent her a friend request.

“I wasn’t looking for a relationship. After my divorce, I didn’t trust anybody – I just wanted to be on my own,” explains Angela. “So when I got his friend request, I almost deleted it … but I thought he looked familiar, so I said ‘fuck it’ and I accepted it. As soon as I did, he sent me a message saying, ‘Do you remember me from back in the day?’ And I was like, ‘Oh yeah.’”

“I told her that I went to college and studied sign language and how she’d changed my life,” Jared says. “Then we FaceTimed, and as soon as we started talking again, she just fell in love with me right there.”

HOME GROWN OREGONICX

By this point, both of them had been separately working on Cannabis farms for several years: Jared, running his dad’s grow after his debilitating spinal surgery in 2006, and Angela helping at a farm as part of the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program since 2005. Eventually, Angela started a medical grow of her own on her one-acre property in Grants Pass — supplying Cannabis just to herself and her deaf friend Brandy at first, then later selling to local dispensaries. After the couple got together, they expanded their cultivation efforts, started driving to dispensaries all around the state together soliciting business, and building their own sustainable medical Cannabis brand: Home Grown ORegonicX. Sadly, that dream ended for them in 2015 with the passage of Measure 91, legalizing recreational adult use.

“Rec killed that opportunity for us,” Jared laments. “We were in 70 stores all over Oregon, and then they suddenly closed our access to sell legally to those stores. There’s no justice for the medical farmer.”

says Jared. “It’s about the need, and giving people opportunities to live a better life.”

“Deaf people come from all over the country to learn and do hands-on farming here because they want to learn, and they trust us,” Angela adds proudly.

DEAFINING CANNABIS

This caring couple now devotes their lives to educating deaf people about Cannabis and regenerative agriculture – not only on their farm, but online as well. In February 2020, they started a Facebook group for deaf growers called Deafining Cannabis where they answer questions, offer advice and post educational videos. It was this name and concept that they adopted for their latest and most impactful project yet: developing their own Cannabis-related signs.

“We’d go to different Cannabis events and we’d see that there were no interpreters, so I would interpret for Angela and our team,” Jared explains. “But we’d lose our train of thought since I had to fingerspell so many words because there were no signs for those words.”

its own name – one that’s more positive.”

To determine what that sign should be, they launched the “Three Words Project” – walking around at Cannabis events with a video camera asking prominent people in the Cannabis industry/community what three words best defined Cannabis for them.

“A lot of people would say community, love, inspiration, healing, mission – it was all about coming from the heart,” Angela says. “So when we were thinking of the word to appropriately represent the inspiration behind Cannabis, it’s a letter ‘C’ tracing the outline of your heart, because a lot of it comes from love.”

DEAFINING.ORG

“We wanted to do educational videos for our deaf community, but how can you when you don’t have language?” Angela asks. “There’s no sign language for regenerative farming or Cannabis or natural sciences. So we decided to build a foundation and create our own language.”

Without the ability to legally sell to dispensaries, they did the only thing they could do: scale down their grow (from 80 to 48, and now just 12 plants) and provide medicine only for themselves and their patients in the deaf community, even though it meant operating at a loss.

FB.COM/HOMEGROWNORX ANGELA IN THEIR GARDEN.

In developing their new sign language for our culture, they naturally started with the most obvious word: Cannabis. There were already two signs for marijuana in ASL, but both had derogatory drug connotations to them – so the Panks decided to come up with a better one.

The couple has since developed signs for sativa, indica, hybrid, terpenes, extract, cannabinoids, endocannabinoid system and mycelium, as well as starting a nonprofit and website – Deafining – planning to eventually use their many hours of footage to produce a documentary and educational video series. They also hope to someday revive their Cannabis business in the modern legal market using the new 60-acre plot they purchased five years ago, so they can once again provide their dank medicine to the masses. Unfortunately, though, all of these projects require funding – which has been in short supply lately.

“Money’s been a struggle,” Jared reiterates. “We’re making it work, but it’s crucial for us to find sponsorships and do some fundraising to help with it.”

“We’ve kept going and providing for our patients because it’s not about the money,”

“We really wanted to create a sign that represents Cannabis well – gives it its own identity,

SIGNING ON STAGE AT THE EMERALD CUP.

PLEASE VISIT LEAFMAGAZINES.COM FOR MORE SIGNING EXAMPLES AND VIDEOS OF THE DUO AT WORK.

HOW TO SIGN " TERPENES " 1 2 3 4 5 STORY

by BOBBY BLACK

Rico“Phone Homie” Valderrama

In 45 years, Rico accomplished more with his brand than many dream of accomplishing in a lifetime. Born Rico Valderrama, he was often known to his friends and fans as “Phone Homie.” He traveled the world meeting and sharing his love for the plant and this industry.

AT A 2012 CONCERT in Amsterdam, Ghostface Killah was performing with the Wu Tang Clan. Rico was in the crowd and was offered a chance to get on stage. He pushed forward, enamored with excitement. Once on stage, Ghostface asked him his name, to which he quickly replied “Phone Homie.” It was the birth of his brand and soon, became a lifestyle that will live on as his legacy.

The mainstream media’s anti-Cannabis spin in regard to Rico’s cause of death felt typical. But friends and family who were present at the hospital said that his condition was complicated due to side effects of Covid-19 and over a year with ECMO treatments – a form of life support used only in critical situations

involving the lungs and heart.

“I remember visiting him in the hospital and there were 21 IV drugs hooked together running into him at the same time and it was like that for months,” explained Brian Schottenham, a close friend and New York local who spoke with us about his late friend. “The meds and treatments are what truly burned out his liver, not the Cannabis use,” he added.

But before his illness, Valderrama had the presence to change the energy of entire halls

holding thousands of people and he brought that home with him. That’s because his biggest accomplishment was not his brand, but his children. “He was the greatest dad, and everyone around him could feel the love he gave his kids,” shared Franco, a close friend of Rico’s.

Rico had the power to push the positivity of any room and replaced any pessimism present with new opportunities and a comedic change of subject. At every turn, he was a booming voice of fun and comedy with a dab cough that echoed through canyons. He will be forever missed and remembered for his passion and presence in the community. @phonehomie

“He was the greatest dad, and everyone around him could feel the love he gave his kids,” shares Franco, a close friend of Rico’s.

Rico on the Slab Hour podcast.

Holding an award at the 2018 High Times Cannabis Cup.

WE ARE PREOCCUPIED WITH SEX. Since each of us first exited the womb, the genitalia has drawn our fascination by the irreversible magnetism that’s built into our DNA.

But as the system of indoctrination has been designed to control our natural urges through guilt and shame, there is still no proven method of turning off the salacious thoughts that occupy much of our attention – no matter how hard we try. Because like any animal with the propensity to propagate its lineage, the compulsion to unveil the object of our reproductive options hiding behind those undergarments is undeniable. And make no mistake about it, were we armed with the intensity of a dog or a bear’s ability to determine the signals of varying bodily scents, we would probably be sniffing each other’s backsides, too.

Thank God for perfume and cologne.

But then again, those are a creation for the modern age, as our innate senses seek to gauge one’s virility by taking stock of the current state of natural bacteria that we foolishly wash away and subsequently mask with these pheromones of other mammals.

They call this evolution.

Hence, the mind and body will negotiate, often subliminally, to direct our senses to determine what we favor the most based on our biological needs. Just as the nose knows when it dips into a jar of finely-cured Cannabis bud or a saucer of freshly-pressed rosin, the subconscious directs our senses to the favored terpenes to best stimulate the body’s endocannabinoid receptors. They are females, the givers of life, and their sensuous allure is only a different manifestation of what instinctively draws us to the loins…

We want to see the flowers in full blossom. It satisfies our voyeurism.

Because we are naughty.