Oct. 2021 - Oregon Leaf

THE ENLIGHTENED VOICE

#88 | OCT. 2021

GROW TOUR

DERBY’S FARM >> PG. 20 STONER OWNER

NATURAL ROOTS EXTRACTS >> PG. 28 FEATURE

EXOTIC BLENDZ PRE-ROLLS >> PG. 48 SPOTLIGHT

WEEDMAPS' BIG TECH PUSH >>

PG. 52

F RE E / L E A F M AGA Z I N E S . COM

THE INSIDER ISSUE ROSE CITY CONFECTIONS IS BAKING UP GOODNESS

>> PG. 44

INDEPENDENT CANNABIS JOURNALISM SINCE 2010

COMMITTED TO THE ART OF CANNABIS

VAPORIZER L E A R N M O R E AT PA X .C O M

PAX DOES NOT PRODUCE, MANUFACTURE OR DISTRIBUTE CANNABIS. NOT FOR SALE TO MINORS. © 2021 PAX Labs, Inc. All Rights Reserved. PAX, X, ERA, ERA LIFE and ERA PRO are all trademarks of PAX Labs, Inc. US and International Patents Pending. Complete list of Patents and Trademarks: www.pax.com/intellectual-property-list

THE insider ISSUE

garden tour

INSIDE WEEDMAPS’ TECH PUSH HOW THE SITE CHANGED CANNABIS

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HALLOWEEN RECIPES GET SPOOKY STONED

76 A History of Rolling Papers Maybe you take those little paper packets for granted.

After all, they have always been there for you — ready to accept whatever you had lined up to roll up. But the long legacy of these tools, dating back to 8th century Spain, reveals how our community has been shaped by the humble items.

///////////// story by bobby black

OCT. 2021

feature

COURTESY OF WORLD OF CANNABIS MUSEUM

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BRUCE WOLF

SHOP REVIEW WILD WEST EMPORIUM

FLETCHER WOLD

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JUSTIN STEWART

Derby’s Farm | Newberg 13 15 18 20 26 28 30 32 34 36 40 44 48 52 58 62 66 70 74 76 78

EDITOR’S NOTE N AT I O N A L N E W S SHOP REVIEW GARDEN TOUR PAT I E N T P R O F I L E STONER OWNER EXTRACT ARTIST OTM BUDTENDER OTM A LT M E D C O R N E R H I G H LY L I K E LY STRAIN OF THE MONTH ROSE CITY CONFECTIONS EXOTIC BLENDZ WEEDMAPS C O N C E N T R AT E O T M EDIBLE OTM OFF THE SHELF TA N N I N S & T E R P E N E S CANNABIS RECIPES CANNTHROPOLOGY STONEY BALONEY

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FLETCHER WOLD

JOSEPH KRINGER Natural Roots Extracts

FLETCHER WOLD

stoner owner

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LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

#88

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OCTOBER 2021

issue

FULL LINE OF SINGLE-SOURCE CANNABIS PRODUCTS

LIVE ROSIN FLOWER EDIBLES PRE-ROLLS CARTRIDGES

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

HIGHLANDPROVISIONS.COM

THE INSIDER ISSUE

FEATURE

LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

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EXOTIC BLENDZ

48 oct. 2021

Oregon Leaf’s Max Early sparks it up with the team behind this innovative and prolific manufacturer of pre-rolls to get the scoop on their new machinery.

STORY by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST/OREGON LEAF | PHOTOS by FLETCHER WOLD @FWOLD_PHOTOGRAPHY

E S TA B L I S H E D 2 0 1 0

T H E E N L I G H T E N E D VO I C E

N O RT H W E S T L E A F / O R EG O N L E A F / A L AS KA L E A F / M A RY L A N D L E A F / CA L I F O R N I A L E A F /

A B O U T T H E C OV E R For Oregon Leaf’s first-ever Insider Issue, we were excited to tour grows, businesses, factories and facilities, which are all creating innovative product lines and changing the Cannabis industry. On the cover this month are the founders of Rose City Confections, which is among the state’s premier white label confection makers. Think you know about making edibles? These folks really know about edibles. A special thanks to Leaf Freelance Photographer Fletcher Wold, who diligently captured the fun personalities behind this operation, and contributed to the majority of this month’s feature stories.

PHOTO by FLETCHER WOLD @FWOLD_PHOTOGRAPHY

CONTRIBUTORS

WES ABNEY | FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

BOBBY BLACK, FEATURES JOSHUA BOULET, ILLUSTRATION TOM BOWERS, FEATURES JACKIE BRYANT, FEATURES AMANDA DAY, PHOTOS + FEATURES ALEX DUBS, PHOTOS + FEATURES EARLY, PRODUCTION WYATT EARLY, REVIEWS STEVE ELLIOTT, NATIONAL NEWS RYAN HERRON, REVIEWS BAXSEN PAINE. FEATURES JEFF PORTERFIELD, DESIGN MIKE RICKER, FEATURES MEGHAN RIDLEY, EDITING O’HARA SHIPE, FEATURES PACER STACKTRAIN, FEATURES JUSTIN STEWART, PHOTOS CHARLES TAGGART, PHOTOS JAMIE VICTOR, ILLUSTRATION DAN VINKOVETSKY, REVIEWS NATE WILLIAMS, FEATURES FLETCHER WOLD, PHOTOS BRUCE & LAURIE WOLF, RECIPES

WES@LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

CREATIVE DIRECTOR DANIEL BERMAN | VISUALS & DESIGN

DANIEL@BERMANPHOTOS.COM

STATE DIRECTOR MAX EARLY | AD SALES

MAX@LEAFMAGAZINES.COM 303-746-9067

SALES DIRECTOR MAKANI NELSON | AD SALES

MAKANI@LEAFMAGAZINES.COM 808-754-4182 We create independent, exclusive Cannabis journalism.

Please email us to discuss advertising in an upcoming edition of Oregon Leaf. We do not sell stories or coverage. We can offer design services and guidance on promoting your company’s medicinal, rec, commercial or industrial Cannabis business within our magazine and on our website, LeafMagazines.com.

For more information on advertising with Oregon Leaf, email max@leafmagazines.com or makani@leafmagazines.com.

CONNECT WITH OREGON LEAF!

Exclusive Cannabis Journalism @OREGONLEAF

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ABNEY

Editor’s Note Thanks for picking up the Insider Issue of the Leaf!

AS OUR Northeast Leaf Director Danny Danko recently tweeted, “I’ve been in the ‘Cannabis Space’ so long that when I got started, the ‘Cannabis Space’ was just a part of your home you didn’t talk about.”

While the beloved Mr. Danko started in Cannabis long before I did, I still remember that same feeling in 2010 – where working in the weed industry was less a talking point than a risk factor, and even working in publishing for pot was taboo.

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Fast forward to today and society is starting to get used to the idea of Cannabis as an industry with legitimate jobs, which allows us the chance to peel back the layers and highlight some of “WE SHOULD the insiders who are making the Cannabis industry a better NEVER TAKE place to be. With this issue we hope to show that the world of OUR FREEDOM Cannabis is much more than just “stoners growing weed” and FOR GRANTED, OR ASSUME offer a unique perspective on companies large and small that THAT THOSE are doing it right.

ON THE INSIDE

ARE ROLLING As those of us on the inside know, working in the Cannabis IN MONEY OR industry is often harder than taking a mainstream gig. I’ve LIVING THE met plenty of ex-professionals, and I don’t mean athletes, who SWEET LIFE.” left careers as lawyers, nurses, managers, executives and beyond for a chance to follow their passion. Most would say that they work much harder for less money and stability, but the thing they all have in common is their continued commitment to the plant.

Those working in the industry, especially the entrepreneurs and heritage members, have risked everything to make sure we have the opportunity to go to a store and buy a pre-roll. With that said, we should never take our freedom for granted, or assume that those on the inside are rolling in money or living the sweet life.

While there are many influencers on social media who would portray working in weed as a Hollywood dream, the Cannabis industry is really full of dedicated, resilient and strong-willed people who would again risk their freedom or security to defend a plant that helps so many lives.

People who work hard, stay late … all to have a chance to work with our plant. And that’s the way we like it – and what it means to really be an insider in our beloved Cannabis community.

-Wes Abney OCT. 2021

leafmagazines.com

PUBLISHER

WES

N O RT H E AS T L E A F

THE INSIDER ISSUE

DOT COM WE ARE ONE

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FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM @NWLEAF @OREGONLEAF @MARYLANDLEAF @CALIFORNIALEAFMAG @AKLEAFMAG @NORTHEASTLEAFMAG

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ew Jersey courts have expunged 362,000 low-level marijuana cases over the summer, clearing a massive amount of criminal records in just two months.

The state judiciary had estimated some 360,000 cases qualified for automatic expungement following the passage of marijuana legalization, reports NJ.com. That law did away with fines and penalties for possessing and selling small amounts of weed.

The judiciary began vacating and dismissing cases in July, and then expunged them.

That’s the final step that ultimately clears a person’s record.

About 125,000 to 150,000 marijuana expungements remain for the courts to complete automatically, said MaryAnn Spoto, a spokeswoman for the judiciary. People with Cannabis cases not automatically expunged in New Jersey can file a motion for review with the court.

NEBRASKA GROUP LAUNCHES 2022 MEDICAL INITIATIVES

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California marijuana companies had sued the state as of September 17, after having their provisional business licenses revoked.

OCT. 2021

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irginia Foxx, a North Carolina Congresswoman, holds a voting record showing she said “No” to federal Cannabis legalization. But that has not stopped her from investing in the pot industry and cashing in on marijuana stocks, reports Indy Week.

According to a report in Salon, Foxx, who wields power on the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform, has made at least six investments in Altria. Ever heard of them? Well, they’re “a leader in the burgeoning U.S. Can- FOXX IS A nabis industry” since MEMBER OF September of last year, THE U.S. HOUSE according to financial COMMITTEE ON disclosure reports.

OVERSIGHT The stock buys haAND REFORM. ven’t previously been reported, according to Salon. They likely make Foxx the largest holder of Cannabis-related stocks in Congress, according to market research firm Unusual Whales.

The stock trades are particularly notable for their timing: just a few months before the U.S. House of Representatives passed the the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment & Expungement Act (MORE) in December. Foxx voted “No” on the measure.

NIDA STUDY FINDS RISE IN COLLEGE POT CONSUMPTION STEEP DECLINE IN VA POT ARRESTS

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annabis arrests have plummeted some 90 percent in the Richmond, Virginia region since the state’s Cannabis legalization went into effect on July 1.

The law legalized adult (21+) possession of up to an ounce and the cultivation of four pot plants per household. During the first seven weeks of the law, police made only 25 marijuana-related arrests in central Virginia.

The area includes Richmond and the counties of Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico. For comparison, they made 257 pot arrests during the same seven-week period in 2020, reports the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

The numbers come from arrest data provided by law enforcement officials in those localities.

“A 90% reduction in marijuana arrests indicates that the public policy is performing as intended and in a manner that is consistent with post-legalization observations from other states,” said Jenn Michelle Pedini, Executive Director of Virginia NORML.

fun & weird

GARBAGE TRUCK CRASH REVEALS HIDDEN GROW

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crash involving a Michigan garbage truck has led to the discovery of an unlicensed marijuana grow operation. Early on the morning of Sept. 15, the driver of this garbage truck encountered a car that ran a red light.

The garbage truck swerved, but still hit the vehicle. The truck then ran over the median and struck what was thought to be an unoccupied building.

The out-of-control garbage truck knocked a big hole in one wall of the building.

Police responding to the accident quickly noticed that this building was anything but empty. In fact, what cops found were rows of Cannabis plants and grow lights inside the building. Police counted about 260 plants inside, reports WDIV. Police are investigating who is behind the unlicensed grow operation.

Marijuana is legal for adult use in Michigan, but large-scale cultivation requires a state-issued commercial growing license.

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months was the age of Michigan’s youngest medical Cannabis patient as of September.

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grams or more of Cannabis can get you a Level 6 felony charge in Indiana.

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pounds of marijuana was seized from 49 bags at the Nashville Airport on Sept. 16.

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Cannabis dispensaries are currently operating in Arizona, which launched recreational in 2020.

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arijuana use continued to rise among college students over the past five years, and remained at historically high levels among same-aged peers who were not in college in 2020, according to survey results from the 2020 Monitoring the Future (MTF) panel study.

The study is financed by the federal National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), which in the past has been a source of anti-pot misinformation.

According to the study, current levels represent the highest rate of marijuana use recorded since the 1980s.

The survey also found that marijuana vaping and nicotine vaping leveled off in 2020, after sharp increases reported every year since 2017 for both college students and same-aged respondents not in college.

Among college students specifically, there was also a significant increase in the annual use of hallucinogens.

Perhaps related was the substantial and significant drop in current alcohol use between 2019 and 2020.

“The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically changed the way that young people interact with one another and offers us an opportunity to examine whether drug taking behavior has shifted through these changes,” said NIDA Director Nora D. Volkow, M.D. “Moving forward, it will be critical to investigate how and when different substances are used among this young population, and the impact of these shifts over time.”

$25k

will be the cost of a medical marijuana license, the Watertown, South Dakota City Council decided.

By STEVE ELLIOTT, AUTHOR OF THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK OF MARIJUANA

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LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

2022 ballot campaign for medical Cannabis is underway in Nebraska, reports KLIN. Led by a coalition of families, patients and state senators, Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana wants to qualify a pair of initiatives ahead of the November election next year.

They must gather 250,000 signatures across the state before the July 7, 2022 deadline.

Crista Eggers, a mother of two, is leading the effort to organize a statewide signature drive. One of Eggers’ sons, six-year-old Colton, has severe intractable epilepsy.

With other families and patient advocates, Eggers helped build a grassroots movement to establish a MMJ program in Nebraska.

CONGRESSWOMAN OPPOSES POT LAWS, OWNS POT STOCKS

education

NATIONAL NEWS

NEW JERSEY EXPUNGED 362K POT CASES OVER THE SUMMER

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POTGRESS

POLITICS

LEGALIZATION

SHOP REVIEW

WILDWEST EMPORIUM Wild West Emporium is the epitome of a neighborhood shop. At first glance, it might seem like any other clean dispensary, but it didn’t take long talking with the owners and managers to see what makes this place stand out.

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peaking with Lucia Lewis about what makes the shop tick, she mentioned that they hire a diverse group of folks and then allow their abilities to shine. Walking through the door and seeing a familiar friendly face is one of their secrets to running the sort of shop that customers return to time and again. It’s the perfect place to pop in for a pre-roll or stop in to pick the budtender’s brain and see what’s new.

Customer service is clearly a priority for Wild West. “We want the customer to feel taken care of,” Lucia added. “We serve a lot of locals who have other options and we’ve turned them into loyal customers – I think it’s because we’re down to earth. We don’t strike that corporate vibe and people connect with that.”

With a little something for everyone, Manager Betsey walked me through the shelves of flower boasting over 40 options. There’s a wide variety of terpene and cannabinoid profiles, and the selection of jars is easy to lose oneself in while admiring the selection. Manager Ben made sure to mention the deals they offer.

“We’re always running new specials, monthly specials, daily specials,” he said. “I see people walk out of here with even more than they thought they were going to get.”

“We want to make sure we’re taking care of the customer either way,” added Betsey.

“We have people that are coming in for two dollars worth of weed and two hundred dollars, and we treat them the same – we just want to get everybody stoned! We’re not so much worried about our bottom line, as much as we want to make sure people get what they need.”

Beyond educational workshops for all of their customers, the shop is also focused on supporting the OMMP program and patients. As Lucia mentioned, they are ramping up a program to offer assistance and support for potential patients where the shops will help a few customers each month apply for their OMMP cards. Keep an eye out for more info, or mention it to the Wild West budtender the next time you stop in.

Everyone I spoke with mentioned the where-everybody-knows-yourname vibe that the shop has worked hard to cultivate. Lucia is humble about that, and offered that it is just her and her team’s approach to being a dependable neighborhood stop.

“It’s a simple plan if we can stick to it,” she said.

“Treat your employees well, get quality products, good prices, and offer great customer service.” From the familial atmosphere between the employees and the big smiles and bags leaving the dispensary, I’d say the plan is working.

OCT. 2021

OREGON CITY

WALKING THROUGH THE DOOR AND SEEING A FAMILIAR FRIENDLY FACE IS ONE OF THEIR SECRETS TO RUNNING THE SORT OF SHOP THAT CUSTOMERS RETURN TO TIME AND AGAIN.

19 WILD WEST EMPORIUM

222 MOLALLA AVE. OREGON CITY, OR OPEN 7AM-10PM DAILY WILDWESTEMPORIUMOREGON.COM @WILDWEST_EMPORIUM (503) 387-5117

TWO OTHER LOCATIONS: 6128 SE DUKE ST, PORTLAND 15350 NE SANDY BLVD, PORTLAND

Quantum Alchemy Strawberry Banana Live Resin

Extracted from their in-house garden, Quantum did an excellent job preserving the flower’s profile in this concentrate. Lightly colored and buttery smooth, the texture makes it a dream to scoop out onto the dabbing tool. The extract vaporizes nicely on quartz and wipes away clean. Flavors of tropical fruit are right up front and a sweet exhale accompanies it. The effect is upbeat and functional – ideal for dipping into now and again throughout a busy day.

78.2% THC

Quantum Oregon Apricot Octane Bred by Compound Genetics with some of their most renowned genetics, Apricot Octane is that perfect combo of fruit and gas. Those who dislike typical sour-orange profiles should give this batch cultivated by Quantum Oregon a shot. While there is a note of citrus, it lacks the sharp, eye-watering note that a bag of Tangie might have. Instead, you get a sweet and round fruitiness that isn’t quite apricot, but has a pleasant, fresh citrus flavor that carries through to the exhale. Breaking up the flower releases plenty of those gassy, fresh OG notes to accompany the citrus. Easy burning and flavorful, this flower performs well in a joint. The effect is a bit spacey and long-lasting, great for pre-gaming your return trip to the movie theater or zoning out in the passenger seat on a scenic car ride. 20.22% THC, .06% CBD

REVIEW by RYAN HERRON @THELOUD100 for OREGON LEAF | PHOTOS by FLETCHER WOLD @FWOLD_PHOTOGRAPHY

GARDEN tour

derby’s farm NEWBERG

LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

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STORY by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST/OREGON LEAF PHOTOS by FLETCHER WOLD @FWOLD_PHOTOGRAPHY

OCT. 2021

Positioned in the beautiful rolling hills of Newberg, Oregon, resides one of the cleanest grow facilities we have had the pleasure of checking out recently: Derby’s Farm. Director of Operations Noah Bustos and Director of Cultivation Jeromy Bruce first met here in Oregon through some mutual acquaintances at a party. After realizing their similarities and overall outlook on the importance of Cannabis and the power it holds, they formulated a business plan to get everything started up. They both shared a traditional ethos and goal: to grow the best Cannabis humanly possible, all the while building a culture and family for their employees and community. Together, they found an outside investment and began designing and creating their cultivation operation. Renovating and retrofitting older farm buildings, they built out their facility and even added a new building from the ground up. As Bruce has over 20 years of Cannabis production experience under his belt and an extensive background in plant horticulture and health, and Bustos provides knowledge on R&D, breeding, pheno hunts and SOP development – it’s no wonder why this grow stands out from the crowd. >>

GARDEN tour LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

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derby's farm Continued from previous page

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efore entering the first flowering room, we utilized the blue sticky mats with our shoes to ensure we were not bringing anything into the grow.

Cleanliness is next to godliness in their books, as there was not a speck of dust or dirt in sight.

This 2,000 square foot building showcased a 44 light room with HPS lighting, with a balanced canopy and obviously thriving plants. In this part of their operation, they had strains including White Runtz, Wedding Cake and Blueberry Muffins. Their Slurricane truly stole the show, as the leaves stacked with frosty trichomes made our jaws drop. The majority of the cultivars in this room came from local clone providers Archive Genetics and Kaprikorn Clones.

We then walked over to their other 5,500 square foot building that housed close to 5,125 plants in a total of three zones. With a perpetual cycle locked in, they are pulling down a crop every two to three weeks.

In the rooms on the ground floor, they use Pipp’s mobile vertical growing rack systems. After adding a scaffold into the mix, they are now working way more efficiently and saving massive amounts of time.

Down below, we enjoyed taking a look and smelling their Strawberry Pinecone x Mendo Breath and God’s Breath underneath Fluence LED lights. Their Grape Pie certainly stood out, as it looked exceptional and possessed all of the classic characteristics of this legendary strain.

The top row is utilized for lanky genetics such as Honey Wine, helping keep them a little shorter and more manageable.

In the room directly next door, we encountered vegetative plants getting ready to flip to be flowered. We were lucky enough to see their in-house creations, such as Zurple Ztarburst (Zkittlez x Purple Starburst) and Squozen Lemons (Mimosa x Zkittlez). Keep an eye out for some of these strains in about three months!

Wandering upstairs brought us to three identical rooms that took up 450 square feet each.

One room displayed a perfect crop of Vanilla Frosting, while the other exhibited a chunky version of UV that smelled like a fresh-squeezed glass of orange juice.

In a nutshell, Derby’s Farms operation is one of the nicest we have seen to date.

A few more notable factors about this company are their oversight of sustainability and teamwork. The drainage used/water run-off goes directly into their RO system, making up about 50% of their total water usage. They also have a roof collection system that feeds into their storage water tanks.

You can literally feel their desire to keep the earth clean and have a minimal carbon footprint.

ocT. 2021

Vertical Growing Rack System

Vanilla Frosting

Blueberry Muffin

On the day of our visit, we experienced their team all coming together for a pizza cookout. The amount of love and synchronicity felt between their staff was beyond apparent. As both Bustos and Bruce said, “Our team is our backbone! We must give credit to them; they do a wonderful job here at Derby’s Farm.” Indeed, they value their employees’ input and ideas, routinely having meetings to discuss progress and goals.

The forward-thinking style of this company when it comes to technology is the icing on the cake of their already stellar operation.

They’re equipped with environmental sensors, monitor all inputs strictly, and fine tune strains for optimization via their employment of advanced technologies.

As far as the future for Derby’s Farm, you can expect to see a sungrown organic operation, a greenhouse infrastructure, in-house bred strains and some pre-rolls very soon.

Rumor has it they also recently acquired a seed stock clone of 1969 Hells Angels Roadkill Skunk. Stay tuned!

Duct Tape

Deadhead OG

strains 20

plants 6,325

employees 11

You can literally feel their desire to keep the earth clean and have a minimal carbon footprint.

annual harvest 1.5 tons

primary grow style Drip Irrigation Coco + H2O Reclaim System

CANOPY SIZE 7,500 Sq. Feet

NUTRIENTS Growth Science Biostimulant Line

Wonder Dawg @DERBYS_FARM

STORY by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST/OREGON LEAF | PHOTOS by FLETCHER WOLD @FWOLD_PHOTOGRAPHY

leaflink.com/menu/grasse

GRASSECO

SMOKE_BIRI

THEGRASSE.COM

INFO@THEGRASSE.COMPANY

patient profile

“Cannabis is a medicine and I treat it as such.

I approach the plant, as a patient, by dosing HEAVILY and always with phenotype and terpene profiles in mind.”

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JOSHUA MUNN LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

Can you tell us a bit about yourself? I’m 34 years old and an official

Florida Man. It’s funny that most people in Oregon know me by my Instagram pseudonym: Weed Test Guy. This is where I do top shelf Cannabis reviews that, at times, hurt feelings. I’m most definitely a critic.

After doing more than a decade in prison in Florida for charges stemming from illegal firearms acquisition, I was released in 2015. I had a tough time gaining employment in Florida as a felon, even with five vocational trades under my belt.

After finally being given a chance, I had a successful career in uppermanagement with Dunkin Brands, and then with Men’s Wearhouse up until the start of 2020. I moved here from Florida in the Summer of 2018 with my fiance, Kara, and two dogs, Rufus and Ralph. Just before Covid took the world for a ride, I leaped to the Wild West that is recreational Cannabis with the mission to sponge and replicate.

After only two years in the recreational market, I have been able to amass a network of resources.

With an amazing team of all assets, we deliver the solution for just about any goal a CannaBiz may have through WTG Advisors Ltd, a subsidiary of Weed Test Guy Inc. @WEEDTESTGUY.OFFICIAL Not to mention interests in multiple WTGADVISORS.COM/SS Cannabis operations.

OCT. 2021

In what ways does Cannabis benefit your day-to-day life? Cannabis

is a medicine and I treat it as such. I approach the plant, as a patient, by dosing HEAVILY and always with phenotype and terpene profiles in mind. I have ADHD and Bi-Polar Disorder – as a result, for my specific needs, the different chemical characteristics of each phenotype act opposite to that of those without such mental health issues. A potent sativa will put me right to sleep. It balances out the chemical imbalances in my brain and helps me to function at full capacity and maximum productivity.

What can you tell us about your involvement with Cookies and Lemonnade? Mmmm ... in a nutshell: I support their business and

they support mine. The Oregon owners/operators are great guys and killer businessmen. I respect a person that’s about their business and pursuing goals. We were introduced through a very interesting series of events surrounding the very first Oregon Cookies drop.

What advice do you have for those who currently let their past define them? If you want to rise above your past, then you have to

put the past behind you. Sometimes in order to do that, you have to leave people behind. NEVER feel bad about outgrowing someone who doesn’t see greatness for themselves. Nobody will ever do for you what you will do for you. So don’t get into the habit of sacrificing your goals for those who don’t even have dreams. Surround yourself with people that you can learn from – people that always push you and motivate you to be better than the person you were yesterday.

Why does Cannabis hold such a special place in your heart? Other

than the medicinal ... community. Cannabis, when consumed, is able to bridge social and cultural divides. If humanity acted as more of a community, then the world would be a much better place. Smoke one and find out.

STORY by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST/OREGON LEAF | PHOTOS by FLETCHER WOLD @FWOLD_PHOTOGRAPHY

c i t o x c i E t o e x h t E d n e i h t F Find

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

stoner owner

“Culture is also really important to us. We’ve got a really strong team being developed at Natural Roots.”

LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

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OCT. 2021

JOSEPH KRINGER Natural Roots Extracts

WHEN DID YOU FIRST DECIDE THAT YOU WANTED TO ENTER THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY? I fell really deeply in love with Cannabis in 2004 at 18 years old. At that point, it was still pretty taboo and I believe there were only a handful of states that had pretty broad medical Cannabis programs. But I could see at that point that the tide was starting to shift around the topic, people were becoming more open about discussing the real value and benefits to Cannabis consumption for medical purposes. The legitimacy of Cannabis and an industry for it was starting to look real, so I’d regularly joke with my friends when we smoked – if it ever became legal, I would own a Cannabis business. Pretty amazing to think back on that and now be in the position I’m in with Natural Roots.

MEET JOSEPH KRINGER, Owner and Operator of the fabulous Natural Roots Extracts. This man of the family values his time at home with his incredibly supportive wife and amazing soonto-be one-year-old daughter, giving him a ton of motivation to create an incredible world for them. Attain more information about his past and how Natural Roots got their start in this month’s Stoner Owner!

NATURALROOTSEXTRACTIONS.COM @NATURALROOTSOR

WHY IS IT ESSENTIAL TO BE A CONNOISSEUR OF CANNABIS AS THE OWNER OF NATURAL ROOTS? This is something that I believe has proven to be essential to our success, and the success of many Cannabis brands. Not that it can’t be done, but I would imagine it would be much more difficult to create and sell a Cannabis product/brand without having some deep knowledge and passion behind it. From my early days consuming Cannabis, I was always drawn to the unique flavors and tastes, and later learned more about terpenes and the role they play in the effects.

Terpenes were something I wanted to be a big part of our brand, so the fact that our specialty is strain-specific Cannabis terpene extraction, really brought everything full circle for me. Going into this venture knowing a lot about Cannabis, specifically terpenes, has allowed me to get the company going and continue steering it in the right direction every day. It’s paid dividends in being able to identify quality material and farms to work with, along with understanding how our final products are produced and ensuring the quality is maintained all the way through to the customers’ consumption of it. Everything about Cannabis is constantly evolving, too – I never stop learning or discovering new things, which is one of the most exciting things about being a part of the industry.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE DRIVING FACTORS BEHIND NATURAL ROOTS AND ITS MISSION? One of the most significant driving forces behind Natural Roots is our core dedication to keeping everything we do, to be natural to the Cannabis plant.

We recognized early on that there are a lot of products out there that use additives and flavorings that are not natural to the plant.

That topic has gotten even more attention

in recent years and people are getting more curious about what’s in the products they’re consuming.

In our opinion, there’s no reason to modify something that’s already naturally perfect and exists the way it’s meant to be, just as it is.

So we focus on ensuring we represent the Cannabis plant to the fullest. The extracts we produce are from high quality, clean material, while preserving the terpene profiles throughout, just as they are in that strain, so that customers can feel assured they’re getting exactly the experience they expect to, every single time. Culture is also really important to us. We’ve got a really strong team being developed at Natural Roots. A group of people who match my passion for Cannabis, and the industry backed up by pride for our place within it. We’ve all been around Cannabis for a long time, so to be producing and selling a Cannabis product legally that we all believe in, is something we don’t take for granted. There’s a lot of people in the world who would kill to wake up and do what we are fortunate enough to do every single day.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE INTERESTED IN OWNING A CANNABIS BRAND? Know your product.

Live and breathe it every day and express that to others in everything you do. Establish a company mission and core values, and stick to them religiously. Don’t be afraid to adapt and change. I believe we’ve modified and evolved our packaging at least four times since we started and our current packaging looks absolutely nothing like the original, but for the better. Be receptive to constructive criticism and feedback – it could take you further than ignoring it. Take notes of what’s going on around you. We’re at a point where although this industry is still young, newcomers have an opportunity that we didn’t, and that’s to review some historical data on other Cannabis brands. What has worked, more importantly, what hasn’t. Lots of brands have come and gone just in our time here, so learning and understanding why they’ve failed, as well as why those that have been around for a while are still thriving – that information will give someone an edge when launching their brand. Lastly, stay persistent and determined when bringing something to market. You can hear ‘No’ 100 times, but all it takes is that one ‘Yes’ to snowball into more, and change the whole trajectory of the brand. We’ve heard a lot of ‘No’ since hitting the market, but those we are able to convince to try it, they’re immediately glad they did, and become instant fans.

A Stoner Owner is a Cannabis business owner who has a relationship with the plant. We want to buy and smoke Cannabis from companies that care about their products, employees and the plant. You wouldn’t buy food from a restaurant where the cooks don’t eat in the kitchen, so why buy corporate weed grown by a company only concerned with profits? Stoner Owner approval means a company cares, and we love weed grown with care.

Let’s retake our culture and reshape a stigma by honoring those who grow, process and sell the best Cannabis possible.

INTERVIEW by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST/OREGON LEAF | PHOTOS by FLETCHER WOLD @FWOLD_PHOTOGRAPHY

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JonFalcone HIGHER CULTURES

“I’m originally from Houston, Texas – where I first fell in love with Cannabis. I moved to Burlington, Vermont for my undergraduate degree, where I was able to cultivate Cannabis plants for the first time.

After finishing graduate school, I worked at an environmental, health and safety consulting firm, which gave me the tools to read, understand and adhere to applicable regulations. This training was of significant help in getting our lab approved and licensed by the OLCC and Josephine County.

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I moved to Oregon for the opportunity to work on this project with one of my best childhood friends after my compliance position, and through integrity and hard work, became the Laboratory Manager at Higher Cultures.”

How does your Master of Science in Wildlife Biology spill over into your role with Higher Cultures? The advantage that my

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research provided was the element of learning how to raise funding and design applicable scientific methods to execute on a project. My degree gave me the opportunity for my first extraction, of which was the ancient DNA of a small mammalian subspecies. This lends to my ability to acquire and digest scientific articles in peer reviewed journals. I’ve been able to lean on the essential oil, edible oil and perfume industries to find information needed in my production workflows.

What drives you to dial in different cultivars using specific methodologies?

The drive originally started once I tasted live resin for the first time. I was blown away by the intensity of the aromatic compounds and how they reflected the same olfactory properties found out in the fields at peak ripeness. My mission ever since has been focused on capturing as much flavor possible in every strain we cultivate. Being able to extract primarily fresh frozen material from our own farms has been a luxury, and allows us to truly accomplish craft at scale – without sacrificing quality for quantity due to the control of the input material. I’m currently most interested in determining which types of aromatics can be captured from different strains and how to not lose them to the extraction processes we utilize, best expressing their inherent characteristics.

OCT. 2021

Extract Artist of the Month “I’VE ALWAYS LOVED GEMS AND USED TO MAKE WIRE JEWELRY, THEREFORE, THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE GROWTH SPEED AND SHAPES OF THCA CRYSTALS HAS BEEN VERY SATISFYING.” How do you incorporate crystal morphology into your extraction process? Crystal habit (morphology) has been fascinating to me starting at a young age.

I’ve always loved gems and used to make wire jewelry, therefore, the ability to control the growth speed and shapes of THCa crystals has been very satisfying. I’ve leaned on the Journal of Crystal Engineering, and was able to design my own diamond miner and have it approved for use by the building safety department. When pumping out 2,000 gram batches in only seven days, I’ve learned how to tweak a certain strain’s crystallization to allow for faster growth, in the desired shapes without quality loss.

@jonnyfieldgoal

What are some of your top picks when it comes to strains this year?

This year I’m excited for Nigerian Silver and Garlicot Bubblegum. However, with 50+ strains being planted between our two farms, I won’t truly be able to determine my new favorites until they are extracted. I’m also excited to see how some of our staples – Super Lemon Haze and In The Pines – differ from season to season, and determine the environmental variables influencing the aromatic compounds from each season.

HIGHERCULTURES.COM @HIGHERCULTURES

STORY by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST/OREGON LEAF | PHOTO by TONY SIMONELLI @SIMONELLITONY

BUDTENDEr of the month

W H O ’ S Y O U R FAV O R I T E B U D T E N D E R ? T E L L U S W H Y ! E M A I L N O M I N A T I O N S T O M A X @ L E A F M A G A Z I N E S . C O M

MICHAEL ADAMSON

IN WHAT WAYS HAS CANNABIS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING YOUR OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE? Cannabis helps me move and

stretch. I also use it when I feel anxious around large groups of people. I could get through life without it, but at that point, I would just be surviving instead of living a quality life.

HOW HAVE YOU HELPED MAKE SURE THAT MEDICAL PATIENTS HAVE HAD ACCESS TO CANNABIS IN THE PAST? I would make a lot of

edibles and experiment with different processing methods to make the cannabinoids more bioavailable. A pickle is a lot more acceptable than a cloud of smoke when a patient lives in an apartment.

WHAT DRIVES YOU TO SHOW YOUR COMMUNITY THE BENEFITS OF CANNABIS? The destruction and

pain I still see when I look outside at people shooting up fentanyl and tweaking on meth. People that can’t live their life outside without anxiety attacks. When a customer brings me a marionberry pie to thank me for helping her husband get out of bed and live his life after chemo. This is why I do what I do.

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WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO EDUCATE YOURSELF AS A BUDTENDER? I feel like there are three types of

people helping you at a dispensary these days...

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Oregon Leaf Budtender of the Month “FROM A YOUNG AGE, I have always taken care of people,” says Budtender of the Month Michael Adamson. “I was raised in Sheridan, Oregon around the funeral industry. So I saw a lot of loss due to alcoholism and drug abuse. What affected me most was seeing the people left behind. Generations of families had no way to cope without doing more harm to themselves. In my 20s, after my grandmother passed away, I had a complete breakdown and hid from the world. Cannabis helped me socialize again and then I began selling it to afford my medicine. Although it was illegal at the time, I felt taking the risk to get it into the hands of people that needed it was more important. This was until I was robbed and had to rethink my future. I decided to go into caregiving. I worked for PCL for 11 years.”

“My specialty was crisis stabilization. I stayed with it for years, despite experiencing burnout, because I didn’t see any other opportunity to help people. Then October 2016 came and I started working at Greenridge Apothecary, a dispensary. This was the opportunity I was looking for. I loved learning about Cannabis and being surrounded by passionate people. Making people feel comfortable and creating a community GREEN RIDGE APOTHECARY was my first job. Matching people up with the medicine 106 NE 8TH ST, MCMINNVILLE, OR that takes away their suffering – helping a Marine vet sleep throughout the night or enticing a cancer GREENRIDGEAPOTHECARY.COM patient to eat. This was my calling as a healer. As I @GREENRIDGEAPOTHECARY get older, I would like to help more people. I love the (971) 261-2623 community I’ve formed in McMinnville – but I’d like to OPEN M-SAT. 9AM-9PM help change the taboos around Cannabis in places that need it.”

10AM-8PM SUN.

OCT. 2021

1. Weed Barista: They were just hired to take the money and hand the products out. They know very little about Cannabis and many of them don’t even use it. It’s just a retail job for them.

“MAKING PEOPLE FEEL COMFORTABLE AND CREATING A COMMUNITY WAS MY FIRST JOB.”

2. Budtender: They use Cannabis, they love Cannabis. They have some customer service skills. They know the differences between strains and can help match you with what you need if you can answer their questions, like – how do you want to feel, how much would you like to spend, how would you like to imbibe?

3. Cannabis Sommelier: This person has a mastery of customer service skills. They take their time to talk with you and even counsel if needed. They know the endocannabinoid system. They can read a terp profile and know what the high will be before even smelling the flower or concentrate. They have an understanding of all the products in the shop, because they have experimented with them or have anecdotal evidence from customers. They are reading research papers on new studies about cannabinoids. I think no matter what you do in life, you should be passionate about it and try to be the best to your abilities – educating yourself is the most important tool in doing that.

STORY by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST/OREGON LEAF | PHOTO by FLETCHER WOLD @FWOLD_PHOTOGRAPHY

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34

Floating Along THE POWER OF SENSORY DEPRIVATION TANKS

S

ensory deprivation or ‘float’ tanks have an abundance of physical health benefits, including increased endorphins, decreased blood pressure and overall body relaxation.

On the mental health side, these chambers offer many advantages, as they are known to lower anxiety, promote muscle relaxation and improve symptoms of depression.

These safe spaces are the perfect place to clear your mind and improve your level of concentration and focus.

Earlier this year, I embarked on a mystical adventure and took a look behind the scenes at Float Om Healing Center and Tranquility Tanks in Eugene, Oregon. As soon as I entered the building, a wave of tranquility and relaxation crashed over me as I took in my surroundings. After being greeted at the front desk, I walked down to the second room on the right, where I began my float session.

Approaching the sensory deprivation chamber, I grinned and embraced what was to come as 50mg of THC:CBD started to take hold. After shutting the door to the tank, it took a few minutes to settle in and to start working on removing my mind from the outside world.

Before this experience, I had floated on several occasions where Cannabis was not a part of the equation.

Although isolation tanks are enjoyable while being completely sober, it can sometimes be a bit harder to shut off your mind entirely. With the right amount of Cannabis consumption, this venture can take you to infinity and beyond.

Following getting comfortable, I familiarized myself with what appeared to be a giant black room that offered everything, yet nothing at the same time. This astral plane of existence was ever-expanding to the point where you had no idea if you were looking up, down, left or right. This feeling can be frightening initially, but once you embrace this empty yet immersive expanse, the magic all begins to unfold as your weightless body floats into a sea of space.

The water for most tanks gets kept at 93.5 degrees, which is skin-receptor neutral, meaning you lose the sensation of where your body ends and the water begins.

I couldn’t help but feel like the hand of a higher power cradled me throughout the float.

Through the assistance of Wim Hof’s breathing method, as silly as it may sound, I saw my soul escape my body and start dancing around colorfully and happily – vibrantly full of life. For those of you who have seen the recent movie “Soul,” the character I saw similarly resembled one of the souls in the great beyond.

I then heard the music start, which meant that my float was over. I was relieved to get out and back to my life, yet at the same time, still wishing I had a bit longer to continue with this astral soul projection. Upon opening the door back up, the room vibrated with a rush of colors and energies – and after having the opportunity to assess and evaluate my venture, I realized that I came out of this tank a lot more calm and relaxed than I originally started the day. For those looking for a unique way to nurture your mind, body and soul, sensory deprivation tanks just may be your ticket to the astral plane.

OCT. 2021

“I couldn’t help but feel like the hand of a higher power cradled me throughout the float.”

STORY by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST/LEAF NATION | FLOAT-OM-ISOLATION-TANKS.COM

Find your flower.

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

MAYA ANGELOU

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ICONIC POET & AUTHOR

Highly Likely highlights Cannabis pioneers who have paved the way to greater herbal acceptance.

IN HER 86 YEARS ON THE PLANET, there was very little that Maya Angelou did not accomplish.

The author, poet, playwright, actress, director, dancer, professor and civil rights activist was conferred over 50 honorary degrees throughout her lifetime. She was also a fan of Cannabis.

“The weed always had an intense and immediate effect. Before the cigarette was smoked down to roach length, I had to smother my giggles.”

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OCT. 2021

A

ngelou speaks freely about her use of Cannabis in her late teens and early 20s in the second installment of her autobiography (the first being the famous “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”) “Gather Together In My Name.” What’s interesting about these early accounts of using Cannabis – which would have been in the midto-late 1940s – is the positive light she paints of her experience, one which would have been quite taboo at the date of publication (1974), especially for such a respected author and poet.

Angelou writes of smoking Cannabis, which she was first introduced to as “grifa,” as such: “Smoking grass eased the strain for me. I made a connection at a restaurant nearby. People called it Mary Jane, hash, grass, gauge, weed, pot, and I had absolutely no fear of using it.” Angelou goes on to describe her experience, which sounds all-too familiar to any of us who have a special bond with this medicine.

“From a natural stiffness I melted into a grinning tolerance.

Walking on the streets became high adventure, eating my mother’s huge dinners an opulent entertainment, and playing with my son was side-cracking hilarity. For the first time, life amused me.”

If you’re one of the millions of people who have looked up to Angelou’s life and work over the years, this admission may come as a bit of a surprise. However, Angelou was truly a responsible user of Cannabis – something we can all look up to. Later in the chapter she notes, “…I disciplined myself. One joint on Sunday and one on the morning of my day off. The weed always had an intense and immediate effect. Before the cigarette was smoked down to roach length, I had to smother my giggles. Just to see the falling folds of the curtains or the sway of a chair was enough to bring me to audible laughter. After an hour the hysteria of the high would abate and I could trust myself in public.” To be sure, a heavy public stigma still remained regarding Cannabis use at the time. In fact, it was more equated to the use of cocaine or heroin back then.

While we know that Cannabis and these drugs have very little in common today, it is interesting to note that a truly successful person like Angelou chose to moderate her intake – yet another admirable admission from the icon.

Was Angelou’s creative genius directly influenced by Cannabis?

Maybe. But more likely, Cannabis (like it does for so many of us) was one of the many experiences and gateways that led to a greater appreciation for life’s simple pleasures – and to a different outlook on the world.

For that, we can all be thankful that Maya Angelou not only knows the plant well, but has shared her eloquent insights on such with the world.

STORY by PACER STACKTRAIN for LEAF NATION | PHOTO by ANDY COLWELL/PENN STATE NEWS

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Watch as the Winners from 2021 come to compete head to head in a challenge that will test their skills to the utmost. At stake are cash, prizes and a coveted spot in the Champs Glass Games “Hall of Flame”.

It’s time to go big or go home. Past winners include AKM, Justin Jeneke, Hurley, HEndy. Grimm, McMillieman & Noah, just to name a few.

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40

LEFTOVERS #2 & #11

oct. 2021

STRAIN OF THE MONTH

LUVLI, now 10 years into cultivating Cannabis for the recreational market, has been known to bring those full-flavored and funky strains to dispensary shelves. After catching a glimpse of the growing popularity of GMO, they knew they had to get out ahead of the trend and find something that hit that profile … but somehow stood out on its own. Enter: Leftovers.

This GMO x Biscotti Sundae cross was created by the renowned breeder, Cannarado.

B

C U LT I VAT E D b y L U V L I P D X

Well-trimmed buds fill the jar with pops of midnight purple and reflective trichomes.

B R E D b y CAN NARAD O

REVIEW by RYAN HERRON @THELOUD100 | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS | @LUVLIPDX

ringing these two opposite profiles together presented the potential for something bigger, or possibly, a musky mess with no real defining scent. But two years into the project produced a couple of winners: Leftovers #2 and Leftovers #11.

Both phenotypes have the same winning traits that make this flower jump off the shelf. Thumb length, well-trimmed buds fill the jar with pops of midnight purple and reflective trichomes.

Cracking the jar scents the air with an aroma that is funk forward and GMO leaning, with an amplified Cookie scent.

For the uninitiated, GMO tends to turn heads and noses with an earthy garlic and fuel focused profile.

Leftovers, on the other hand, possesses all of the pungency we expect out of a GMO cross, plus a delicately balanced sweetness.

Upon tearing into the buds, the #2 selection has more of the nosewrinkling funk, with an earthy sharp top note that’s reminiscent of a tomato vine in the summer heat.

Bright and vegetal, this profile leans toward those clean rainwater and garden-fresh scents that remind me of a good OG. And there’s just enough burnt rubber and aged garlic scent here to fulfill any funky craving.

One jar over, the #11 selection distinguishes itself with a sweeter, more buttery profile. Of course, the funk is there front and center – but there’s also a lingering dessert scent featuring shortbread with a hint of citrus. Where the other selection has those bright tart notes, this pheno catches my attention for being just a bit more subtle. Diving deeper, there are notes of creamy and cool Gelato.

The effects, while similar, differ a little.The #2 has that pronounced, heavy-behind-the-eyes relaxation that encourages sinking deep into the couch. Smoking a similar-sized joint of the #11 is a little more functional but not by much – perfect for kicking back and watching comedies, or just cracking jokes with friends in between bong rips. If there’s a winner to declare in this fight, it’s the customer that is lucky enough to find a jar of Leftovers on the dispensary’s shelf.

CONNECT WITH YOUR AUDIENCE Advertising starting at $300 per month email makani@orleaf.com for details on advertising your brand & company in the 2021 Harvest Issue of Oregon Leaf!

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THE INSIDER ISSUE

COVER STORY

44

ROSE CITY CONFECTIONS

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Going behind the scenes of this Oregon Cannabis Edible Maker

ocT. 2021

Matty Kimber and Christopher “Sleep” Tafoya are familiar with junk food. After touring with their band The Chicharones for years, they’ve constructed plenty of meals with the offerings from a truck stop.

Sleep admits his passion for touring was first booking the show and then figuring out where to get the local connoisseur-grade weed. The fun part was finishing the jar before you hit the next state border.

A

When they outgrew their last facilifter living off of chips ty, the guys spent a lot of time carefuland candy while ly planning and plotting the new spot touring, the guys put to facilitate workflow. their love of snacks and It's easy to geek out on the bags of Oregon's surplus of sugar and stacks of silicone molds, hash oil together. Their induction burners and convection company, Rose City Confections, is ovens – especially the premier white when one stage of labeler for popular production blends edible makers here seamlessly into the in Oregon, helping next – until you're the expanding edible down at the other market find its feet end of the facility and scale produclooking at packed tion. and wrapped goods They call themready for distribuselves a "solution tion. partner," tackling “If you can succeed "Oregon is like the issues large and in Oregon – a highly minor leagues,” says small. It's clear to see that though their facil- saturated and incredibly Matty, speaking to the unique market for ity looks like a modcompetitive, brandern-day Cannabis oriented market – you edibles in the state.

“It's an incredible Wonka factory, their can make it anywhere.” proving ground. If main gig is creative - M AT T Y K I M B E R you can succeed in problem solving.

Oregon – a highly "There are very few saturated and incredibly competitive, industries that change as dynamibrand-oriented market – you can cally as ours changes, which forces make it anywhere. That's why we're us constantly into problem-solving seeing brands that started here hitting mode,” says Matt. the ground running in other markets."

Some days they're crafting entirely The folks at RCC are doing more new products, the next they might than pouring and packing chocolate be reacting to changes in labeling bars – they're turning dreams into requirements or figuring out how to reality. quickly get packaging when their What started as an idea on the supplier unexpectedly experiences back of a cocktail napkin, will soon shipping delays. be produced, packaged and sent on "No two days are the same," its way to dispensaries all over the adds Christopher, showing me their state. In fact, there's a good chance latest surprise project – dropping the that the next incredible edible you ceiling and adding insulation to keep pick up at the dispensary was brought the production area at a cool 68 to you by these fun-loving stoners. degrees.

ROSECITYCONFECTIONS.COM @ROSECITYCONFECTIONS

STORY by RYAN HERRON @THELOUD100 for OREGON LEAF | PHOTOS by FLETCHER WOLD @FWOLD_PHOTOGRAPHY

PACIFIC GROVE

THE INSIDER ISSUE

F E AT U R E

48

EXOTICBLENDZ

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Meet the expert pre-roll manufacturers changing the joint game.

ocT. 2021

For a significant amount of time, Exotic Blendz has been admired and appreciated by the Oregon Cannabis industry for being a leader in the pre-roll game. Since 2018, this family-owned business has been working diligently, continuing to push its brand forward to what it has become today.

Utilizing 20 years of industry experience, Daniel, Ricardo, Will, Irvine and Rachael continue to find ways to reinvent the wheel, making their business as efficient as possible.

J

oin us as we take you Next, the joint goes into a snipper, behind the scenes of which clips the extra waste off at an their processing facility, exact angle. It then drops down a debuting their one-of-asmall shoot to an employee, ready to kind pre-roll machine: inspect each joint for quality control.

Prerolla.

The Prerolla can process 600 joints In a labor-intensive industry, Canin just one hour, making one machine nabis companies are constantly trying equivalent to the work of six people. to figure out ways to dial their busiDuring the process, you can peek nesses in as much as possible. At the on the side of the machine to see end of 2019, their team started realinformation, such as the time until izing that they were having bottleneck the tray is complete, the total number issues with production. After seeing of joints processed and fill height the amount of time spent twisting the measurement. This groundbreaking end of the pre-rolls after being filled machine has a 3% failure rate, in with Cannabis, Exotic Blendz colleccomparison to similar machines havtively came up with a solution to the ing closer to a 15-20% failure rate. problem.

When it comes to the “Cannabis companies bond that this close-knit Always thinking outside the box, Exotic are constantly trying to team of friends and figure out ways to dial family share, their love Blendz started spending time and resources their businesses in as is beyond apparent. working with specialized The amount of teammuch as possible.” engineers to create the work and synergy we prototype. With a massive focus on experienced was super refreshing. As the quality of the end product, they owners Daniel and Will naturally put decided on utilizing a laser precision it: “None of what we do would be component (patent pending), which possible without our amazing staff.” helps formulate the perfect pre-roll.

As far as the future goes for Exotic As each strain is different and has Blendz, be sure to keep a close eye on its own characteristics, the laser reads their Pure Blendz line, where they have the measurements of the contents, partnered with East Fork Cultivars to ensuring a twist-off tailored for each create a CBD focused preroll pack. unique cultivar.

In addition to their CBD line Pure To give an idea of how this revoBlendz, they are now offering single lutionary machine works, you start and double packs of pre-rolls for a by placing a customized tray of 100 convenient, on the go smoke. Their filled joints into the back end of the long awaited blunt packs are also now unit. As the laser scans the contents hitting the shelves. of each unit, the information is A little birdy told us they will be relayed to a finger gripper to make it expanding in California in early 2022 pull up the joint at a precise measure… stay tuned! ment. Based on the data provided, the finger gripper then twists the joint EXOTICBLENDZPDX.COM perfectly – every single time. @EXOTICBLENDZPDX

STORY by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST/OREGON LEAF | PHOTOS by FLETCHER WOLD @FWOLD_PHOTOGRAPHY

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WEEDMAPS

the INSIDER issue

F E AT U R E

How Data and Determination Are Driving the Future of Cannabis

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OCT. 2021

W

hen it comes to companies shaping the Cannabis industry, few, if any, loom larger than Weedmaps. Long known to consumers as a premier online destination for finding and ordering Cannabis products in available markets across the United States and Canada, the truth is that few likely know the true scope and depth of this tech business started by co-founders Justin Hartfield and Keith Hoerling back in 2008.

Over the course of 13 years, Weedmaps has drastically expanded both its workforce as well as its ambitions. Now boasting a staff of over 600, the company’s headquarters in Irvine, California is currently complemented by offices in Tucson, New York, Denver, Toronto and Barcelona. It is also the rare Cannabis-affiliated company to be publicly traded on the NASDAQ – another feather in the cap of a business that’s made a habit of leading by example.

In addition to constantly refining its offerings as a top-notch repository for consumers to find the products best suited for their needs, at a convenient location and for a reasonable price, Weedmaps has also become an indispensable resource to retailers – courtesy of its cutting-edge POS (point of sales) and ecommerce integration software.

Tasked with an ever-changing landscape of laws and regulations that vary not only by state, but sometimes by city, the mammoth task Weedmaps undertakes as its primary mission is to create technology solutions that universally lower the barrier to entry into the industry, be it a newbie consumer ready to make their first purchase or a past victim of the war on drugs now eager to start fresh with a legal Cannabis enterprise.

According to CEO Chris Beals, who started with the company as legal counsel and was promoted to his current role in 2019, the mission of Weedmaps is a twofold proposition.

“On one side,” he explained, “we’re the largest marketplace for Cannabis consumers to discover, learn about and find different Cannabis products, and to then be able to purchase and CEO CHRIS BEALS do online ordering from retailers. Then the other side of the business is what we call the ‘business in a box’ – which is this growing suite of stuff that’s like Salesforce meets Shopify for Cannabis businesses.”

The latter set of tools includes a wide array of innovations, including POS integration (like the ability for retailers to embed their menus in their websites), as well as all of the compliance requirements that come with such undertakings (think pop-up disclaimers, age verification and ID collection).

The company also offers its own POS system (WM Retail) available in Oklahoma and select other states, a wholesale exchange program (WM Exchange), and in August they launched an enhanced version of their iOS app with built-in ordering functionality.

>>

STORY by ZACK RUSKIN @ZACKRUSKIN for LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by JUSTIN L. STEWART @JUSTNLSTEWART

the INSIDER issue leafmagazines.com

54

WEEDMAPS How Data and Determination Are Driving the Future of Cannabis

Co n ti n u e d f ro m p re v io us p age

S

taying up-to-date on so many moving parts requires some serious in-house talent, which is why Beals estimates that over 40% of Weedmaps’ employees are currently focused on engineering, product and design.

Among them are principal engineer operations concerns meeting consumCharlie King and software engineer er expectations when it comes to the Warren Applebaum. While King made shopping experience. That’s where King what he terms “a full 180°” when he comes in. pivoted from doing government contract “Consumers generally expect a work to joining up with Weedmaps, certain level of service,” he explained.

Applebaum has been with the company “They expect to be able to buy things for nearly 12 of its 13-year existence. online and then pick them up in-store, Reflecting on Weedmaps’ evolution for example. Well, Cannabis has had to over his long tenure with the company, leapfrog into meeting those consumer Applebaum detailed how issues with expectations within an industry that’s listing medical-only dispensaries back highly regulated.” in 2008 – eight years before California Sure, it may seem simple to place an would approve Prop 64 – provided order via Weedmaps’ website or its app, an early lesson in how things in the but as King shared, the process behind Cannabis industry can often change on the scenes to make such a transaction a dime. possible is actually profoundly complex.

“Before the Obama Administration “There’s a lot to it. We have to prodecided that the federal government vide a compliant ordering system, make would not pursue cassure that you actually es against state-legal pick up the product, The mammoth medical marijuana and then ensure that task Weedmaps dispensaries,” Applebaum the data is reported to undertakes as its said, “it would be this run Metrc or whatever the primary mission is around where the DEA or compliance body may to create technology state and local authorities be. I think an average solutions that would shut down dispenconsumer might take a universally lower saries, only for them to lot of that for granted, the barrier to entry come back online like but the Cannabis indusinto the industry. weeks later. Trying to keep try has been forced to up with that gave us a mature very quickly on preview of what things some of these things to were going to look like down the line give that experience to consumers.” years later.”

Speaking with various members of Nowadays, as each new state comes the Weedmaps team, it’s abundantly online, Applebaum and his colleagues clear that the complex minefield of know to expect changes to these laws, compliance and geographically-specific and as a result, Weedmaps has heavily regulations that collectively define the invested in compliance and governlarger Cannabis industry in the U.S. ment relations teams, so that they can remains one of the company’s chief be aware of what those regulations areas of focus. are going to look like and bake those And no one arguably knows these elements into their applications to meet challenges better than Bridget Henregulatory constraints. nessey, who leads Weedmaps’ GovernAnother vital element to Weedmaps’ ment Relations and Policy team.

OCT. 2021

Irvine, CA HQ

Weedmaps VP of Government Relations Bridget Hennessey and Principal Engineer Charles King

Senior Engineer Warren Applebaum

“The work that we do on this team,” “I couldn’t have been happier with Hennessey shared, “is focused both the way that came together,” CEO Chris on opening new markets, while also Beals enthused when discussing the anmaking sure that current markets are nouncement. The result of six months of reflective of the community. We want to thoughtful conversation between the two ensure that people who were negatively parties, the partnership – announced in impacted by the war on drugs have a August – also ultimately required loopstake in these markets, so we spend a ing in some of the top brass at the NBA lot of our time advocating for social before becoming official. equity programs to be included in new The result, which will align Weedmaps legislation and ballot initiatives. Then with one of basketball’s most acclaimed we continue that work by making sure and influential players in a multi-year that we’re helping to educate people agreement, is reflective of the compaas an industry or market is coming to ny’s renewed desire to lead by example fruition and being implemented.” when it comes to making the Cannabis Given the relatively well defined industry a safer and more inclusive status of markets located on the West space.

Coast, Hennessy confirmed that much “There are so many people who of her team’s focus is now directed would love to reduce KD to just being towards the East Coast and other some stoner guy who plays basketball,” emerging industries in various pockets Beals added, “but we’re talking about of the country. a generational talent here. KD is at the With a timeline top of his game, so the for potential federal fact that he is now involved WEEDMAPS.COM in this makes it very hard legalization still a rather @WEEDMAPS murky prospect, she for people to get out their feels Weedmaps’ efforts stigma paint brushes to try to ensure states with and dismiss it.” current legal markets are diverse and Overall, this focus on normalization is easy-to-access has only become all the one shared across Weedmaps’ various more important. teams and leaders. Be it normalizing And that goes for those interested in the process of conducting Cannabis leading the charge as well. transactions in the retail space or nor“We’re getting to develop the industry malizing the very concept of the plant from the ground up,” Hennessey said. for the public at large, solutions based “And that means that everybody has on a hybrid of cutting-edge technology, an opportunity to be at the table from relentless advocacy and an internal the beginning. For women and for desire to constantly improve, have minorities, I think that makes it a really proven Weedmaps to be a vital facet interesting time to be in this industry of the push to bring Cannabis to the and I encourage people of all walks of mainstream. life to look into it and to try to see how “At the end of the day,” Beals noted, they can be involved.” “this is simply about enabling an open Even Weedmaps itself is stepping and robust legal Cannabis system where up its efforts to reach the public with there’s an opportunity for folks of all a message of de-stigmatization in the different backgrounds – including those form of a new partnership with NBA who are arrested for Cannabis crimes superstar Kevin Durant and his startup, – to come in and have opportunity to Thirty Five Ventures. thrive.”

STORY by ZACK RUSKIN @ZACKRUSKIN for LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by JUSTIN L. STEWART @JUSTNLSTEWART AND @ MIKE ROSATI @ROSATIPHOTOS

55

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Marijuana products may be purchased or possessed only by persons 21 or older. This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit-forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination and judgment.

Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children.

concentrate of the month LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

58

ZEN EXTRACTS STRAWBERRY GUAVA I T ’ S

A U T U M N .

As modern Oregonians, we know what lies ahead: bouts with seasonal depression and more existential dread. In an attempt to combat the aforementioned, we’re arming our autumn arsenal with some uplifting strains and summer flavors – starting with this Strawberry Guava from Lifestyle Farms and Zen Extracts.

This strain can soften the roughest of days. It’s like an alleviating salve on anxiety, bestowing a noticeable lift in spirit and retention of clarity that many sedative selections subdue.

If you’re looking for something to soothe your nerves, this cross of Strawberry Banana and Papaya just might be your ticket to serenity.

Without further adieu, let us introduce October’s triple-threat Concentrates of the Month – we told you we’re stocking up!

Zen Extracts has delivered this delicious profile in three different forms. The first is offered as a live resin that comes in at around 6.5% terpene content, with limonene, linalool and β-myrcene topping the chart. It’s a stable butter consistency with a bold butterscotch-yellow hue.

The nose is slightly acidic and brings some very gentle pine undertones, but undoubtedly presents sweet fruity freshness.

Next up, the Zen Extracts’ rosin pod: a palm-sized disposable device. It features a draw-activated heating system that appears to be regulated by the user’s strength of inhalation. Short, soft hits seem to do the rosin most justice. While it does offer slightly less flavor than its non-pod form, it’s an undeniably convenient and effective configuration.

Lastly – and in our case, most loved – we have the 90-120µ live rosin. This interpretation of Strawberry Guava offers the most enticing aroma of all three products.

Its piquant profile possesses a similar quality to strawberries: decidedly sweet with an alluring after zest.

Its consistency is not far from a flaky dough, with a light golden tinge. This rosin retains most of its sweetness during the dab, as the hashy flavor is delicate.

Overall, this Lifestyle Farms and Zen Extracts collaboration provides people with a well-rounded range of products – as well as an enlightening comparative experience for consumers seeking one cultivar in multiple forms, and a fine way to find some brightness when battling some seasonal blues.

OCT. 2021

“Zen Extracts has delivered this delicious profile in three different forms.”

C U LT I V A T E D B Y L I F E S T Y L E F A R M S

LI VE RE SI N TOTAL CANNABI NOI DS: 86.45% THC: 73.03% CBD: 0.21% TE RPE NE S: 6.581% ROSI N POD & LI VE ROSI N TOTAL CANNABI NOI DS: 81.17% THC: 68.69% CBD: 0.27% TE RPE NE S: 4.19%

ZENEXTRACTS.COM | @ZEN_EXTRACT LIFESTYLE-FARMS.COM | @LIFESTYLEFARMSCANNABIS

REVIEW by AMANDA DAY @TERPODACTYL_MEDIA for OREGON LEAF | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

EDIBLE OF THE MONTH

MELLOW VIBES KETTLE CORN POTCORN Let’s get it poppin’, y’all! Draw the curtains, get comfy and pop on your favorite movie – October’s Edible of the Month is the perfect snack to help you sink deep into the couch.

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“This is a salty and sugary snack that you can devour without feeling guilty!”

OCT. 2021

IN AN EDIBLE MARKET saturated with sugar, we were beyond stoked when we heard that Mellow Vibes released their gourmet Cannabis-infused potcorn on the recreational market.

This unique, gluten-free, salty and savory edible is free from preservatives, high-fructose corn syrup, as well as artificial flavors and colors. In fact, each bag consists of five simple ingredients: popcorn, sugar, safflower oil, salt and Cannabis extract.

This is a salty and sugary snack that you can devour without feeling guilty!

Mellow Vibes Kettle Corn is freshly popped and perfectly sweetened. After popping a few pieces into my mouth, I was instantly transported straight to the farmers market. This traditional favorite also happens to be vegan and dairy/ nut-free. Utilizing Magic Mushroom Popcorn, each kernel transforms into a mushroom-like piece of popcorn after being popped. The texture is airy yet crunchy, and provides a very satisfying flavor.

Beyond ideal for micro-dosing, each kernel contains approximately 0.66mg of THC. If you are like me with a massive tolerance, the entire 50mg bag will be a sufficient dosage to help you get off to sleep nicely and float away on a comfy cloud. Good luck trying to eat just one piece – this stuff is just that dang delicious!

Unlike other infused popcorns sprayed with Cannabis extract, Mellow Vibes takes pride in the amount of extensive research and development they put into perfecting this product.

Since saffron oil is non-allergenic and has a high heat point, it makes for an excellent selection for the infusion method. Because the popcorn is infused and not sprayed, it stays homogenized – making each piece that much more accurate.

Grab some of this small batch popcorn at your local dispensary ASAP! We highly recommend the other two flavors – white cheddar and jalapeno white cheddar – as well as their jellies, hard candies, crispy treats and elixirs!

MELLOWVIBES.COM @MELLOWVIBESEDIBLES 0.66MG THC/KERNEL 50MG THC/PKG REVIEW by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST/OREGON LEAF | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

THIS PRODUCT HAS INTOXICATING EFFECTS AND MAY BE HABIT FORMING. MARIJUANA CAN IMPAIR CONCENTRATION, COORDINATION, AND JUDGMENT. DO NOT OPERATE A VEHICLE OR MACHINERY UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THIS DRUG. THERE MAY BE HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH CONSUMPTION OF THIS PRODUCT. FOR USE ONLY BY ADULTS TWENTY-ONE YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER. KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.

MADE WITH FRESH FROZEN FLOWER. THE “LIVE” PRODUCT BRINGS FORTH THE TRUE CULTIVAR REPRESENTATION MADE WITH CERTIFIED KIND FLOWER ONLY CERTIFIED KIND CONCENTRATE IN OREGON SINGLE SOURCE. FROM SOIL TO OIL. PACKAGED IN SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING USING HEMP, RECYCLED MATERIALS, AND VEGETABLE INK

THEVERDANTLEAF

reviews

off the shelf

WANA STRAWBERRY LEMONADE 1:1 HYBRID

Making a splash with their new packaging redesign, Wana’s sour gummies are a must try. These strawberry lemonade 1:1 hybrid sour gummies taste fantastic, with a flavor not too sweet or too overpoweringly sour. This particular batch was made with full spectrum CO2 distillate from SugarTree Farms, and provided an upbeat and soothing effect. I wasn’t too in my head, and got a nice buzz in my body. Aside from being made with organic ingredients, they are also made with pectin – making them vegan friendly!

Expanding on their 1:1 sour gummies line-up, Wana also offers indica, sativa and 2:1 gummies in the just as enticing flavors of raspberry limeade, pomegranate blueberry and exotic yuzu. While dedicated to Oregon’s market, it is important to keep in mind that Wana is a national brand and as legalization continues to push forward, you can expect to have access to the Wana gummies all across the country! @WANABRANDS

GRÖN RASPBERRY PEARLS 1:1

I was extremely pleased to be able to check out Grön’s sugar-coated Pearls. Each little Pearl had just the right texture, right in between chewy and tender.

These Pearls also start off with a blast of tartness, then fade into sweet. It’s more or less a combination of the best of both worlds regarding taste and texture. Being that this is their Relax offering, the gummies brought on a calming sense of mind and warm body high. They were a perfect post-dinner treat to wind down the day in front of the TV. Grön’s Pearls line has numerous different flavors and cannabinoid combinations. If you are looking for more than just CBD, ask your local budtender for their 1:1:1 blackberry lemonade THC/CBD/CBN Harmony Pearls.

Due to the CBN, these are particularly effective for those with sleeping problems. Aside from their Pearls, Grön also makes infused artisanal chocolates and candy covered chocolate bites called Pips!

Overall, Grön has been a staple in the Oregon market for years and continues to uphold their high standards of quality products to this day.

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@GRON_EDIBLES

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MULE EXTRACTS 1:1 MULE KICKER MOUNTAIN BERRY

1 : 1 G UMMIES

AS OUR INDUSTRY continues to evolve, we learn more and more about the different cannabinoids in Cannabis and their effects. Arguably the most known cannabinoid, aside from THC, is CBD – and when you start getting these (and other) cannabinoids working together, you have the entourage effect. This is an understanding that other cannabinoids, like CBD, are more effective when including THC. Let’s take a look at different ratio gummies and put this idea to the test...

OCT. 2021

Mule Extract’s Mule Kickers have been dominating the edible market, so I was stoked to see that they offer a 1:1 full spectrum Mountain Berry Kicker. Made with gelatin, the gummy is very chewy and delicious.

I split it into two pieces and was delighted with the sweet berry flavor! My body felt a vibe when it started to kick in. I wasn’t necessarily tired, however, I did notice that this high came on a bit stronger than just a traditional Kicker without CBD. I was upbeat, but mellow. Beware of laughing fits. Mule Extracts is, at its heart, a conscious Cannabis processor. Their aim is to provide consumers products with quality inputs, including high grade oil. This method is achieved by using supercritical and subcritical CO2 extraction, then winterization – which preserves the most natural flavor profile of the plant. If you’re interested in more products from Mule Extracts, they also offer infused joints, infused syrups, vape carts and most recently, CBN infused gummies. Take the high road, take Mule Extracts! @TAKE_THEHIGHROAD

REVIEW by MAKANI NELSON @CHOICENUG/OREGON LEAF | PHOTO by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST

Rebel Roots Farms Rogue River, OR

“Purity, Quality, Consistency”

@rebelrootsfarms

www.rebelrootsfarms.com This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children.

tannins & terpenes

T H E A RT OF PA I R I NG C A N N A BI S

“Right out of the gate, this tincture impresses with its crystal-clear color and nearly non-existent smell.”

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70

GENESIS ORGANIC JUICE COLD PRESSED STRAWBERRY LEMONADE FARMER’S FRIEND EXTRACTS FULL SPECTRUM COCONUT OIL TINCTURE 1:1:1:1 (150mg CBN, 150mg CBG 150mg THC, and 150mg CBD)

OCT. 2021

G

enesis Organic Juice is an independent, family-owned operation out of Springfield, Oregon. They specialize in small batch, cold-pressed refreshments made from local fruits that are never pureed or concentrated.

This cold-pressed method finds fruit untouched by heat. As such, it retains the taste, color and nutritional value.

One sip into their Strawberry Lemonade and we’d say you’d be hard-pressed to find a more flavorful fruit juice. This modest, 12ml bottle packs in two and a half lemons and strawberries. With only agave and purified water as the remaining ingredients, it’s all the beautiful simplicity we’ve been looking for in this complicated world. And a perfect, pourable pairing for our next item.

Farmer’s Friend Extracts is a Portland-based producer pumping out a wide range of cannabinoid product options.

With a background in medical Cannabis, their focus is on providing “high-quality Cannabis products at an affordable price,” as well as “preserving the inherent diversity of the cannabinoids and terpenoids.”

They’ve teamed up with The CBD Apothecary to offer the addition of hemp-isolated compounds. The result of which are products like this full spectrum, 1:1:1:1 coconut oil tincture. Each bottle contains a whopping 150mg CBN, 150mg CBG, 150mg THC and 150mg CBD in a fractionated coconut oil carrier. It’s made with full spectrum Cannabis extract and CBN hemp isolate.

Right out of the gate, this tincture impresses with its crystal-clear color and nearly non-existent smell. It requires a minimal amount of mixer, as its flavor is just as light. For an even faster activation time, slipping some under the tongue or applying it topically offers a speedier experience!

Between the bold fruit flavors and countless calming cannabinoids, we’re claiming this as a new favorite and adding it to our regular wellness routine.

@FFEPDX @GENESISJUICE

REVIEW by AMANDA DAY @TERPODACTYL_MEDIA for OREGON LEAF | PHOTO by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST

Flower

Kief

Oil

First class experience without the first class price tag

3 Full Gram Infused Pre-Rolls We use only the finest Oregon cannabis to produce our infused 3 pack. Our pre-rolls are precisely made using state of the art equipment. Each pre-roll is hand inspected and then coated with the terpiest oil before they are dusted with top shelf kief.

Sales@QuantumOregon.com Find us on Leaflink Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. For use only by adults twenty-one years of age and older. Keep out of reach of children.

Potent. Tasty. Hella fun.

Gummiez, the newest way to get Hellavated.

Same hard hitting flavor explosion in an edible form.

Available in 4 flavors: Mango Dragon Water ‘yer Melon Strawberry Haze Raspberry Blitz

hellavated.com

cooking with Cannabis

R EC I P E S by LAU RIE WOLF | P HOTO by B RUC E WOLF

spooky sensations O

NCE AGAIN, IT’S HALLOWEEN. Be safe and have fun! Green matcha and white chocolate is an easy way to celebrate Cannabis and Halloween, the creepiest day of the year.

The warm cider is topped with a white chocolate ghost, which will melt slowly and infuse the drink with creaminess and stellar flavor. If you want a little more of a buzz, add a bit of your favorite infusion to the melting chocolate. Stir it in, that’s it. White chocolate and Cannabis are perfect together – one of my favorite foods to infuse. Growing up in New York, black and white cookies were in lots of bakeries. This Halloween, go with purple and orange frosting – so pretty. These recipes are made with coconut oil infused with the strain Durban Poison, which seemed fitting for this month. It’s an uplifting strain, providing lots of energy for your ghoulish, safely-distanced shenanigans.

For dosing I recommend 5mg THC per serving, unless you know otherwise.

74

4 servings

CANNABIS CIDER

Makes 1 dozen cookies

COOKIE MONSTERS

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1/3 cup butter, softened 2 tablespoons canna-butter, softened 1/2 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder pinch salt 1 cup powdered sugar 3-4 teaspoons any milk or cream 1 teaspoon almond extract food coloring, gel preferred

1. Heat oven to 340. In a medium bowl cream together the butters, sugar and extract.

2. Add in the dry ingredients, mixing until crumbly. Gather into a ball. Divide the dough into 12 pieces. Place each ball gently on a greased cookie sheet.

3. Bake until golden brown, about 11-15 minutes. Cool thoroughly.

4. In a small bowl, stir together the sugar, milk and extract. Remove all lumps. Divide into two, add orange food coloring to one, purple to the other. Drizzle or dip the cookies into the frosting. You be the artist, Happy Halloween!

OCT. 2021

1/3 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup heavy cream 4 teaspoons canna-oil 4 cups apple cider 1 cinnamon stick 3 whole cloves 2 ounces white chocolate mini chips

1. In a saucepan, heat the sugar, cream and canna-oil for 2-3 minutes, over low heat. Stir to mix well. Add the cider and the cinnamon stick and heat, stirring for 2 additional minutes.

2. In a small microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate in 10 second intervals. When melted, place the chocolate on parchment paper, forming it into simple ghost shapes. It’s easy, you really can’t go wrong. Dot the eyes with the chips and allow to harden.

8 servings

MATCHA POPCORN 4 ounces white chocolate, chopped 1-2 tablespoons canna-oil, or equivalent dose of your preferred infusion 3/4 teaspoon matcha green tea powder 8 cups popped popcorn

1. In a microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate in 10 second intervals. Stir between each interval. When almost fully melted, add the matcha and the oil. Stir and process for another 10 to 20 seconds.

2. Place the popcorn in a serving bowl and drizzle with the white chocolate. Toss well and allow to set for 30 minutes. Totally yummy.

#B oo #HappyHallow een #EatYourCannabi s #BeS afe #L essI sMore # BeKind | La uriea nd Ma ryJa ne.com

Rose City Confections is the cannabis industry’s best-kept secret. We’ve crafted the edibles you love for years; you just didn’t know us until now.

Rose City Confections, the makers of:

Capabilities:

Edibles & Drinkables

Concentrates

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WORLD OF Cannabis PRESENTS

Roll With It

PHOTO COURETSY OF BAMBU

76

A double-wide, unfiltered account of the history of rolling papers.

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ORIGINS IN ALCOY

Humanity has been smoking herbs for millennia, but it wasn’t until after Christopher Columbus brought tobacco home from the Americas in the 16th century that we began using rolled paper as a means to inhale.

“Columbus came back from the ‘New World’ to Spain with these kinds of rudimentary cigars wrapped in leaves and tied with string,” explains rolling paper mogul and historian Josh Kesselman. “They land in Seville, and the process of people smoking cigars in Europe begins.”

Though only aristocrats could afford cigars at the time, they’d often throw their butts away on the ground, where peasants would retrieve and re-roll the tobacco in used newspaper.

This practice eventually made its way to the nearby town of Alcoy, where its future fate would take root.

“Alcoy is the true birthplace of rolling paper,” asserts Kesselman.

Alcoy was founded in the 8th century by the Moors, who brought with them the art of papermaking they’d learned Alcoy, Spain—birthplace of rolling papers. from the Chinese (as well as

OCT. 2021

Left: The old Bambu factory in Barcelona.

Above: JOB promo poster by artist Alphonse Mucha (1869).

the Arabian Acacia gum that would later be used for the adhesive strips).

In 1154, Alcoy became the first city in the region to manufacture “mouldmade paper” – a machine-made paper renowned for its durability and surface texture – and over the next few centuries, established itself as the papermaking capital of Spain.

“The Alcoyanos take one look at those people smoking in newspaper and they know that’s not healthy, so they decide to make a special paper just for smoking,” says Kesselman. “That was really the world’s first rolling paper.”

It’s believed that a form of rolling paper was made in Alcoy as early as the 1500s. Those early versions were made from the recycled pulp of hemp and other textiles, and were sold as giant sheets that needed to be folded into squares and cut. It wasn’t until centuries later that they would be branded and take the forms we’re familiar with today. In fact, the practice of pre-cutting and packaging papers in a protective booklet didn’t come about until 1765, when it was introduced by a Dominican monk named Father Jaime Villanueva Estingo.

Remarkably, the first 10 trademarks ever filed in Spain were all for rolling papers; by 1850, there were around 50 brands registered. The first and oldest continuously branded rolling paper company in existence is Pay-Pay (pronounced pie-pie), founded in 1703.

Old-school Pay-Pay pack.

Another of Spain’s earliest manufacturers that are still in business today is Bambu. The company’s first factory opened in Alcoy in 1764, though originally it produced Bible paper; it wasn’t until the rise in popularity of cigarettes during the late 1800s that owner Rafael Abad Santonja switched to making rolling papers. The company premiered its trademark “Winking Spaniard” design Bambu’s in 1876 but didn’t officially establish the famous “Bambu” brand until 1907.

“Winking

THE FRENCH CONNECTION

Spaniard.”

More than mere consumers, the vipers, beatniks, and hippies embraced cannabis smoking as part of their cultural identity...and rolling papers were included in that zeitgeist.

Like Bambu, Zig-Zag adopted their own marketing mascot in 1879: an illustration of a French infantryman called a “Zouave” who became known as the “Zig-Zag Man,” aka “Captain Zig-Zag.” According to their lore, the original Captain Zig-Zag’s pipe was shattered during battle, forcing him to roll his tobacco in paper torn from a musket cartridge.

The new century brought with it other changes in the industry: Rizla’s introduction of flavored papers in 1906, the creation of king-size papers, the formation of a rolling paper manufacturing consortium in Alcoy called Papeleras Reunitas in 1934, and changes in ownership for many of the most popular brands (including Rizla, Pay-Pay, Bambu and others). At one point, Bambu’s factory in Alcoy was even dismantled and reestablished in Barcelona. But perhaps the most significant change in the 20th century would be the dramatic expansion of their customer base, thanks to a new demographic of smokers: potheads.

Though rolling papers were invented in Spain, it wasn’t long before France got into the game. During the 16th century, Napoleon’s soldiers returning from Spain brought the habit of smoking rolled tobacco home with them (though it wasn’t until 1830 that they began calling them “cigarettes.”)

Legend has it that, after encountering such Vintage a soldier in 1532, an enterprising Frenchman Zig-Zag booklets. named Alexandro Lacroix traded CANNABIS & THE COUNTERCULTURE a bottle of Champagne for the From the jazz age of the 1920s to the councavalryman’s rolling papers terculture of the 1960s and ‘70s, marijuana’s and began reproducing them popularity skyrocketed throughout the century. for himself and his family. In More than mere consumers, though, the vipers, 1736, his descendant François beatniks and hippies embraced Cannabis smokLacroix began mass-producing ing as part of their cultural identity – and rolling them as the Lacroix Rolling An antique papers were included in that zeitgeist. Soon, the Paper Company. It would be packet of Rizla+ papers.

Zig-Zag Man was popping up on numerous more than a century later counterculture posters and flyers – most famously before the company would switch to rice paper and change its in June 1966, when underground artists Stanley Cover of Cheech & Chong’s name: taking the French word for rice (riz), and abbreviating Mouse and Alton Kelly used the logo on a the family name Lacroix to La+ (“croix” is the French word for “Big Bambu” album (1972). handbill for a pair of concerts by Big Brother “cross”), becoming RizLa+. and the Holding Company (Janis Joplin’s band) at San Francisco’s Avalon In the 19th century, competition in the industry started to Ballroom. (Twenty years later, hip-hop icon Dr. Dre would do something heat up. First, in 1822, two brothers – René and Guillaume Zig-Zag Man concert poster similar for his debut album “The Chronic.”)

Bolloré – opened a paper mill on the banks of the Odet River

by Mouse & Kelly (1966).

Another famous example of artists incorporating rolling paper logos into in the town of Cascadec to produce rolling papers, calling their their projects were Cheech & Chong. The legendary comedy duo used Bambu’s branding twice: company OCB (“O” for Odet, “C” for Cascadec, and “B” for first in 1972, for their album “Big Bambú,” which looked like a Big Bambu pack and featured Bolloré). Next came Jean Bardou, a giant mock rolling paper inside; then again in 1978, for their first film “Up in Smoke,” whose whose company trademark promotional materials also utilized Bambu’s branding. was his initials “JB” separated One company that sprang out of Cannabis culture was E-Z Wider. by a small diamond shape. But Established in 1972, they were the first papers designed specifically for rolling when people kept mistaking the weed rather than tobacco. Founder Burton Rubin allegedly got the idea to diamond for an “O,” he went with create his “double-wide” papers in 1969 after watching some of his law it and changed the company’s school classmates connect two regular-sized papers to roll a larger joint. name to JOB in 1849.

INDUSTRY INNOVATIONS

The next breakthrough in packaging was “interleaving” – the method whereby papers are inserted into the booklet in a Jean Bardou criss cross manner – so that each one readies the next when it’s pulled out. Though Kesselman believes that the interleaving was actually created by Italian paper manufacturer Saul David Modiano years earlier, it was a Paris-based company that, in 1894, perfected and patented the horizontally-folded “z” shape method we’re familiar with today. This innovation was so popular that it not only won them a gold medal at the 1900 Universal Exposition in Paris, it also convinced founders Maurice and Jacques Braunstein to rename their company after it: Zig-Zag.

PAST AND PRESENT

The past few decades have ushered in yet more innovations in this centuries-old industry: the addition of built-in wire roach clips and tear-off filter tips attached to the booklet; the creation of clear, cellulose papers, and even 24k gold leaf paper. But the most successful innovation of the modern era is undoubtedly the vegan, natural, organic, unbleached hemp papers and cones from Kesselman’s flagship brand Raw – which, remarkably, are all produced using the traditional machinery and methods at the old Papeleras Reunitas factory in the city where it all started.

History, it seems, is still alive and well in Alcoy.

For more on the history of rolling papers, listen to Episode #15 of our podcast at worldofcannabis.museum/cannthropology.

Story and photos originally published on worldofcannabis.museum and reprinted with permission.

STO RY b y B O B BY B LAC K @ CAN N T H RO PO LO G Y for LEA F NAT IO N

I’LL SEE IT WHEN I BELIEVE IT

W

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LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

by Mike Ricker

hen you really put your mind to understanding the human psyche, you’ll see that it is easily manipulated.

There’s no denying the obvious, that if you reinforce a concept to curious individuals with the right degree of conviction, you are sure to make an impression. In fact, they may even become thoroughly convinced that what you’re pitching is going to improve their lives eternally. No matter how severely absurd something may be due to the limitations of logic and physics, the facts will not be recognized once their mind is made up. They will buy into your influence unconditionally, transforming into true zealots in pure defense of this information.

Information, it could be maintained, may ultimately be to blame for the eventual downfall of our species. Because as big brains can defy common sense, small brains act entirely upon common sense.

So, who is wiser, the man or the ant? But we’ve conquered the food chain, which allows us to live longer, so it’s ridiculous to argue, right? Wait, who conquered the food chain? The dude planted on a ripped sofa wiping Taco Bell fire sauce on his pants playing World of Warcraft?

Lewis and Clark don’t think so.

Anyway, as much as people think they dominate nature, the reality that we all face is that the bigger the brain, the more the insecurities will surface about who we are, what we’re doing and why we exist. And for people who crave certainty, this poses an existential conundrum. These people need to fill the gaps in their lives to feel complete, therefore, if you repeat something long enough … the illusion around truth is bound to take hold.

We are gullible creatures.

And yes, many still believe that Cannabis is for dirty hippies, too.

OCT. 2021

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