THE TANNINS & TERPENES ISSUE
PREMIUM TECHNOLOGY
HIGHES T STANDARDS
WES ABNEY CEO & FOUNDER wes@leafmagazines.com
MIKE RICKER OPERATING PARTNER ricker@leafmagazines.com
TOM BOWERS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER tom@leafmagazines.com
DANIEL BERMAN CREATIVE DIRECTOR daniel@leafmagazines.com
AMANDA LOPEZ STATE CONTENT DIRECTOR amanda@leafmagazines.com
MAKANI NELSON STATE SALES DIRECTOR makani@leafmagazines.com (808) 754-4182
KAYL WOHL COPY EDITOR kayl@leafmagazines.com
ABOUT THE COVER
The Tannins and Terpenes Issue is all about drenching our senses in vibrant new flavor variations. Terpodactyl Media @terpodactyl_media took on the task of styling and photographing some scrumptious Purple Pop Rocks by Stamps Agriculture @stamps_ag alongside Kin Euphorics’ @kineuphorics Adaptogenic Lightwave Beverage. Both bud and beverage have bold, bubbly personalities, making them fast, fizzy friends. But you can read more about that from writer Ryan Herron @theloud100 on page 28.
PHOTO & STYLING BY TERPODACTYL MEDIA @TERPODACTYL_MEDIA
CONTRIBUTORS
WES ABNEY, FEATURES + NEWS
BOBBY BLACK, DESIGN + FEATURES
JOSHUA BOULET, ILLUSTRATION
TOM BOWERS, FEATURES
RYAN HERRON, FEATURES REX HILSINGER, FEATURES + PHOTOS
MATT JACKSON, FEATURES
YVONNA MONTI, PHOTOS
JAMIE OWENS, FEATURES
JESSE RAMIREZ, DESIGN
MIKE RICKER, FEATURES
SARAH SANDOVAL, SALES
TONY SIMONELLI, PHOTOS
SHANNON SWEENEY, FEATURES + PHOTOS
TERPODACTYL MEDIA, FEATURES + PHOTOS
BRUCE WOLF, PHOTOS
LAURIE WOLF, RECIPES
We are creators of targeted, independent Cannabis journalism. Please email us to discuss advertising in an upcoming issue of Oregon Leaf. We do not sell stories or coverage. We can offer design services and guidance on promoting your company’s recreational, commercial or industrial Cannabis business, product or event within our magazine and on our website, leafmagazines.com. Email makani@leafmagazines.com to learn more about our range of affordable print and digital advertising options to help support Oregon Leaf, the state’s longest-running Cannabis magazine!
Thanks for picking up The Tannins & Terpenes Issue of the Leaf! This issue celebrates the art of pairing Cannabis with wines, cocktails and nonalcoholic beverages, as nothing satisfies quite like a big hit and a fresh sip to wash it down.
Cottonmouth is a common occurrence after smoking or eating Cannabis, which is why we’ve sought out refreshing ways to quench the palate since our first T&T issue in 2010. Back then, people didn’t understand that Cannabis had different strains, flavor profiles and effects, so we highlighted this variety through wine pairings. Over the last decade-plus, we’ve expanded into a wide range of product combinations and pairings, from energy drinks and cartridges to smoothie beers and edibles.
Today, it is well known that Cannabis comes with a variety of flavors, effects and looks, and we celebrate the opportunity to pair local craft products together. While I recently celebrated 18 months of sobriety from alcohol, and firmly believe that Cannabis is safer than alcohol, I still find it both apropos and invigorating to pair the two together. Folks who choose to use Cannabis before cocktails will likely consume less booze, drink more water and have a lessened hangover experience from Cannabis’s neuroprotectant Cannabinoids. There is strong evidence that if choosing to consume alcohol, a low dose, one-to-one edible could be the secret to a hangover-free experience.
“CANNABIS IS TRULY THE ONLY DRUG THAT CAN BE CONSUMED DAILY WITHOUT FEAR OF TOXICITY OR OVERDOSE.”
Throughout my lifetime, I was told that weed causes cancer and hurts the brain’s ability to develop, only to see science and anecdotal patient testimonies prove time and again that the opposite is in fact true. Cannabis protects the brain, stabilizes our endocannabinoid system, which regulates many functions, including our immune system, and is patented by Big Pharma for anti-cancerous and anti-tumorigenic properties.
Meanwhile, the theory that a glass of wine a day is good for the heart has been disproven, and regulatory bodies now advise that adults limit themselves to one to two drinks per day (or less), with EU guidelines pushing for just two to three drinks per week. This is a far cry from the Americanized view of drinking, which pairs booze with every day of the week, with football on Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, and drinkers left to concoct their own reasoning, like Taco Tuesday (margaritas, duh).
But I see a time when our collective view of alcohol shifts to view it as a hard drug to be consumed sparingly and in times of celebration or difficulty, with the go-to daily sip being an infused Cannabis drink or CBD for those seeking more relaxation than intoxication. Cannabis is truly the only drug that can be consumed daily without fear of toxicity or overdose, with benefits that build over time as the endocannabinoid system improves in health. With this in mind, please consider Cannabis for your 5 p.m. ritual or whenever the mood strikes you, and think twice before your next happ y hour. Pouring out the Bud Light and smoking bud is not only safer, it’s probably cheaper in this inflationary economy.
SIX SOCIAL EQUITY SMOKING LOUNGES
COMING TO VEGAS, SOFTENING SIN CITY VIBE
"...a prospective applicant [must] have had an immediate family member convicted of a Cannabis crime and that they live in an area “significantly impacted by poverty and high arrest rates."
Las Vegas, a city long synonymous with vice and gambling, is issuing six social equity licenses for consumption lounges, which will give stoners a safe place to use Cannabis without fear of harassment or criminal issues.
The social equity licenses were issued originally to applicants deemed not qualified, based on restrictions that include criteria from the Cannabis Control Board and Cannabis Advisory Commission’s Social Equity subcommittee. The criteria require that a prospective applicant have had an immediate family member convicted of a Cannabis crime and that they live in an area “significantly impacted by poverty and high arrest rates,” based on study data.
18
The percentage drop in teenagers aged 12-17 who report having ever tried marijuana, between 2014 and 2023, according to the latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service.
SHOULD NJ COPS FIRED FOR WEED GET JOBS BACK? JERSEY CITY MAYOR SAYS
CNO!
77
The number of legal Cannabis retail stores in Vermont, which legalized in 2022, and now has reached $128 million in annual sales, more than $40m stronger than forecast.
1,500
Once the licensing process begins, applicants must undergo a “suitability investigation” and clear many other regulatory hurdles before a lounge can be established and operated. Unfortunately for Vegas visitors and residents, this process can take many months or years, so it will be some time before these licenses are ready to serve dabs and infused drinks.
CARLSBAD BREAKS BAD WITH NEW CANNABIS SMOKING BAN IN APARTMENTS, CONDOS
The beach buzz in Carlsbad, Calif. is set to be a little less hazy as a new city ordinance bans smoking or vaping of Cannabis and nicotine in buildings zoned as multifamily residential, aka the places where most people live.
The push comes from advocates whining about cigarettes killing people and Cannabis smoke being annoying, but this is America, where we have the right to die high and slow while consuming processed foods, forever chemicals and microplastics that are not historically regulated in consumers’ best interests.
"this is America, where we have the right to die high and slow while consuming processed foods, forever chemicals and microplastics that are not historically regulated in consumers’ best interests."
Local resident and “Karen” Katrina Preece told the City Council that “this is a painful and alarming health hazard,” referring to people smoking on their own property. Carlsbad is one of 84 California counties that have banned smoking in homes or on decks and patios, proving that California is the ultimate in high-tax, low-freedom legalization — aka NIMBY legal. In a twist of progressive policies, there is now pushback not for freedom of choice and property rights, or the disproportionate effect on renters and low-income families who deserve the choice to smoke, but because the law could affect property owners and police officers who refuse to enforce the law.
We salute Will Creagan, chairman of Southwest Equity Partners, who wrote to the city: “So you pass an ordinance and then tell the property managers, ‘You need to enforce this’ ... good luck. This is another clear case of government overreach.” The new smoking ban will not affect single-family homes and will go into effect on January 1, 2025.
annabis legalization comes with so many difficult questions, including whether cops, doctors, truck drivers and others with professional licenses should be able to use Cannabis off-duty. When viewed through the lens that Cannabis is safer than alcohol, it seems clear that we should prefer cops blowing off steam and PTSD via a plant-based medicine, as opposed to drinking to deal with the emotional stress of a dangerous and important job.
Fighting for cops to have the right to party, lawyer Michael Rubas is both running for mayor and accusing the current Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop of firing cops for using weed off-duty, in a “ruse done solely to bring attention to him and to assist his gubernatorial campaign to the detriment of Jersey City employees, as well as taxpayers who are now footing the bill of hundreds of thousands of dollars in back pay awards and attorney fees.”
"This dispute stems from a wrongful termination suit filed by one of the cops fired for the use of Cannabis while off duty."
This dispute stems from a wrongful termination suit filed by one of the cops fired for the use of Cannabis while off duty. Several cops have been fired in Jersey City for testing positive for Cannabis during random drug screenings, using the conflict between federal law and firearm restrictions as justification for the firings. In a twist unique to New Jersey, the 2021 law that legalized Cannabis allows cops to use Cannabis if they are not on duty, setting the table for a showdown between state and federal law.
Jersey City has lost its court cases against three cops to date, but the choice to not rehire them has come from the top, with the decisions causing a “little revolt,” according to an email sent by Mayor Fulop.
A spokesperson for the mayor, Kimberly WallaceScalcione, said in a statement that the suit is “silly” and that “most people would agree with the administration that police officers should not be coming to work stoned.”
The minimum distance in feet mandated between a gaming establishment and a legal Cannabis business under rules imposed by the Nevada legislature.
The number of illegal, unlicensed Cannabis products seized during a sting operation conduced in the Los Angeles Toy District last month in California at the behest of Governor Gavin Newsom and the Unified Cannabis Enforcement Taskforce, which announced it has also recovered more than $120 million in illegal Cannabis since January 2024. $
2.2m
“THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S OVER-TAXATION OF CANNABIS COMPANIES IS NOT JUST STIFLING THEIR GROWTH; IT’S ALSO COSTING THE U.S. ECONOMY VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM AN INDUSTRY THAT IS READY TO THRIVE."
As with all legal challenges to current standards and limits on Cannabis, this case could have national implications as it sets up a direct challenge between state and federal law. As the suit states, “This constitutional right to possess and consume regulated Cannabis is granted to all New Jersey citizens, including Jersey City Police Officers.” Whether that interpretation is correct, it seems most Americans agree that cops are safer stoned than drunk, on or off duty.
-Investor & wealth manager Ross Gerber, who will be speaking at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in October. Gerber has boldly come out against federal prohibition of Cannabis, claiming that it is hurting the overall U.S. economy during a time of economic uncertainty, and notes that laws criminalizing Cannabis are outdated and hurting more than just the Cannabis industry. Read more on our website at LeafMagazines.com
DFO
DFO is an annual three-day celebration of functional glass art in Oregon. Originally conceptualized in 2009 as the first-ever public competition for glass artists creating borosilicate smokeware, DFO has grown to become one of the largest community gatherings in the world for artists, art enthusiasts and lovers of flameworking culture in general. Despite changing locations and taking different forms and formats over the last 15 years, the event always maintains the same fiery DNA and rebellious spirit.
NORTHSTAR GLASSWORKS,
one of the originators and the main facilitator since 2018, hosted this year’s festivities in Portland. The 2024 program featured an exhibition-heavy schedule stacked with a selection of premier glass artists demonstrating their signature techniques. Some of the main events in the lineup included a three-day functional glass piece demo from AKM, Cap’n Crunk and Coyle; a shot glass competition judged via people’s choice voting; a tie-dye competition; giveaways; and an assortment of other activities taking place across the multi-day schedule.
Regardless of how attendees choose to spend their time, it’s hard to walk around DFO without getting distracted by an array of interesting sights, sounds and smells. A wide menagerie of vendors is set up in every nook and cranny of the bazaar. Predictably, there’s a large assortment of glass, glass accessories and glass art for sale, but the sheer quality and magnitude of the work on display are completely mesmerizing. It feels surreal, wondrous and a little bit like walking around a kaleidoscopic, borosilicate-faceted museum. Food vendors, craftspeople and even a variety of local farmers and processors are stationed at individualized booths, cheerfully showcasing and discussing their wares. The passion for sharing their craft is palpable, and the unifying factor across every person and brand is a genuine love for glass and the DFO community.
artist create living, breathing art right in front of a captivated audience is an experience that’s hard to describe. Those in attendance might explain it as a rush of excitement and a perceptible feeling of magic in the air.
As the demonstrations crescendo and the artists make progress on their pieces, it feels akin to being in a crowd watching an Olympic sporting event: bated breath, tangible tension, a collective gasp and widening of eyes as the last support gets disconnected, and the rush of applause when a piece makes it safely into the kiln. The experience is communal and transcendent — it goes beyond the physical realm and becomes an interconnected emotional catharsis felt by everybody in the room.
degenerate flame off
aug. 2-4, 2024 | portland
Glassblowing demonstrations are one of the main draws for DFO, and it’s no surprise why. Witnessing an
Glass is a fusion of science and art, and it’s amazing to see how many different methods the artists employ to bring their visions to life — from fuming to wig wags to sculptural design.
Lea Littleleaf, aka Indigenous Glass, one of the artists selected to demonstrate this year, explains, “Glass is alchemy; glass is magic. It holds energy. The pursuit of glass is one of depth and translating beauty from the world around us into art. There are so many beautiful things, and to be able to translate that into glass is a privilege. It’s not about competing for the limited money there is out there; it’s about pouring love into each and every piece.”
The cultural impact of DFO cannot be understated. For the past 15 years, it has provided a platform for artists to showcase their work, but even more than that, it has offered an environment for the glass community to grow closer and form connections. DFO became a home for degenerates, artists and individuals who may feel like misfits in other segments of their lives. It’s a refuge where people are safe, celebrated and surrounded by like-minded people. It makes sense that the event was monikered “Degenerate Family Reunion” last year — getting to see old friends and spend time together in a world that moves too fast and doesn’t always allow for that space is an invaluable experience that should be celebrated. The fact that it’s all taking place within this curated universe of functional glass art and positive vibes makes for an unparalleled adventure.
Cannabis and glass culture are closely intertwined, and we at Oregon Leaf are incredibly appreciative of the opportunity to be involved with such a prestigious event as Degenerate Flame Off. A colossal amount of appreciation goes to Northstar, the sponsors and the volunteers who made this year’s celebration possible.
“Glass is alchemy; glass is magic. It holds energy... It’s not about competing for the limited money there is out there; it’s about pouring love into each and every piece.”
-LEA LITTLELEAF | INDIGENOUS GLASS
SHOT GLASS COMPETITION
Winner
Johnston Glass @johnstonglass with Gary the Snail from Spongebob sculptural shot glass
Windstar x Stephan Peirce Glass @windstar_glass x @stephan_peirce
Brien 9 Fingers x Fire Fox Glass @brien9fingers x @firefoxglass
Ra Glass @ra_glass
Big Tom Glass @bigtomglass
Trenton Nuzum @trentonglassworks
Relic Glassworks @relic_glassworks
Cam Tower @c_tower_studios
Shaggy @glassartbyshaggy
Hezakiah @hezakiah1984
Sponsors
VIP SPONSOR
Mellow Mood @mellowmoodpipe
Main Circle @sleek___, @original_gongster @elimunster, @fritglass, @_powerpat, @wook.wear, @haapsglass
Moodmats @moodmats
Heady Broker @heady_broker
EXECUTIVE
Champs Tradeshow @champstradeshows Puffco @puffco | MotoGFX @motogfx
Mary Jane’s Glass Station @maryjaneshouseofglass
Potland @potland.pdx
Heady Swabs @headyswabs
Urban Elixirs @urbanelixirs
Holy Hashish @holyhashish
G and Friends @dabwithg, @loscoolerboyz, @joejoetheflorist420, @capitalhighhats, @pushin_gs710, @badbunnie.420x
GOLD
Oregon Leaf @oregonleaf
Echo Electuary @echo_electuary
White Label Extracts @white_label_extracts_
Heady Hawaii @headyhawaii
Headlife @headlife_shop
Madhatter Glass Works @madhattergw
Mattitude Mats @matsbymattitude
Kasher @mykasher
Headies Quarters @headiesquarters JoeJo Entertainment @joejoentertainment_
Big Terpz @big_terpz
Packlife @packlife_atlanta 4myhead @4myhead
Demo Artists
AKM @pipemaker
Asa Meyer @asa_glass
Big Tom Glass @bigtomglass
Blossom Glass Art @blossom_glass
Blueberry @blueberry503
Bob Snodgrass @bobsnodgrass1998
Boro Farm Glass @borofarm
Cam Tower @c_tower_studios
Cap’n Crunk @crunklestein
Chris Carlson @carlsonjones
Coyle @coylecondenser
Darby Holm @darbyholmglass
E.Bitten @e_bittenglass
Ewok Glass @ewokglass
Flexer Jones @flexerjones
Four Winds Flameworks @fourwindsflameworks
Fumegazi @fumegazi
Gasp @gasp.one
Gong @original_gongster
Grampa Facets @grampafacets
Harold Ludeman @haroldludemanglass
Hoodrattshit @hoodrattshit
Indigenous Glass @indigenousglass
Jason Walker @jasonwalkerglassart
JD Maplesden @jdmaplesdenglass
John Dillinger @therealdillinger
Josh McDaniel @mcmilleman
J Worth Glass @jworthit
Katy Wright @katywrightglass
Kid Glass @kidglass
Les Moor @les_moor
Mama’s Glass @mamasglass
Marina Glass @mar.ina.glass
Maxxswell @maxxswell
Mia Shea @miasheaglass
Mike Luna @mikelunaglass
Mina Glass @mina.glass.sk8
Nathan Belmont @nate.belmont
Northern Waters Glass @northernwatersglass
Phil Siegel @philsiegelglass
Portland Dabber @portland.dabber
Psychedelic Sasquatch @psychedelicsasquatch
Quest Glass @questglass
Rad Glass @radglass
RA Glass @ra_glass
Scott Moan @scomomoanet
Shurlokholm @shurlokholm
Strottle @strottle_gang
Whitney Harmon Glass @whitneyharmonglass_
Windstar Glass @windstar_glass
Legends of Hashish Legends of Hashish
Co-Organizer
In the early 2000s, before Cannabis cups overflowed and hash competitions were still few and far between, Marcus “Bubble Man” Richardson, the creator of the Bubble Bag, and “Skunkman Sam,” the legendary American breeder also known as “Sam the Skunkman,” seshed over a high idea one day in Amsterdam. “We were discussing how cool it would be to have a special dinner f or hashish aficionados,” Richardson shares. “We could hand pick the top hash lovers… almost like putting everyone into giant bubble bags and filtering everyone out but the 90u people.”
THE FIRST Legends of Hashish was born in 2003, with the original Amsterdam event focusing on a small dinner setting and a select group of invitees. It would continue in Amsterdam for about 10 iterations, eventually migrating to Vancouver, Canada, and Barcelona, Spain. It wasn’t until November 2021 that the U.S. would see this sesh landing in Los Angeles.
But just up the coast, things continued to heat up in the PNW hash community — so much so that Richardson and U.S. co-organizer Addison DeMoura, co-founder of Steep Hill Labs and managing partner at 800Lbs. Mantra and Pyramid Pipeline, decided to see if any Legends were lurking in Portland.
“The 97-degree weather and sun-beaten black asphalt didn’t deter dabbers from firing up torches, terps too tempting to seek the comfort of the interior airconditioning.”
Legends of Hashish, Portland edition, took place on Thursday, Aug. 1 at the Redd East Event Space on Salmon Street — a flexible, indoor-outdoor, industrial-chic event center you may recognize from the last two Oregon Leaf Bowls. In recent years, it’s been one of Portland’s only venues situated for legal adult consumption events.
For Legends, it offered a spacious location for roughly 100 folks to gather from not just the PNW but coast to coast.
aug. 1, 2024 | portland
winners
MELT
1st Place
Dammit Bobby @dammit__bobby_ “Sunshine Daydream”
2nd // Constellation Cannabis @constellationcannabis_wa “Superboof”
3rd // Hugh Hashner @hugh.hashner
“Detroit Muscle”
DRY SIFT 1st Place
Wolverine Dabs @wolverinedabs
“Fog Melted Strawberries”
2nd // Wolverine Dabs
“MVF Gush Mints”
ROSIN
1st Place
Black Market Hash @blackmarket_hash
“Shishka 36”
SPONSORS
800Lbs. Mantra @800lbsmantra Canna
@cannacanadaofficial Canna Brand Solutions
@cannabrandsolutions SC Filtration
@sambocreeckfiltration
Calyx Containers
@calyxcontainers
Mothership Glass @mothership_glass
Moodmats @moodmats Glob Mops @globmops
Rosin Reactor @rosinreactor
Focus V @focus.v
Banger Basket @bangerbasket
Tuff Tethers @tufftethers
Trap Slaps @trapslapspdx
2nd // Oregrown @oregrowninc
“Candied Papaya”
3rd // Cannabis Fine @cannabis.fine “Honey Lime”
GLASS BLOWER’S CHOICE
Haaps Glass Bubble Mama @bubble.mama “Lamp” rosin
Scott Deppe of Mothership Glass
Cannabis Fine “Honey Lime” rosin @cannabis.fine
Gong Glass
Constellation Cannabis “Superboof” melt @constellationcannabis_wa
Power Pat
Dammit Bobby “Sunshine Daydream” melt @dammit__bobby_
Darby Holm
The atmosphere was intimate. Friends and friendly competition gathered around 12 round tables to dine and dive into the 26 melt, rosin and dry sift entries from 18 producers. The 97-degree weather and sun-beaten black asphalt didn’t deter dabbers from firing up torches — the terps were too tempting to seek the comfort of the interior air conditioning. But the heat and “hash drops” — of which there were several every hour — meant people eventually found their way into the air conditioning. Inside, they were met with more amenities like a lounge area, food, espresso and equipment demonstrations. Despite Richardson’s unfortunate absence (due to issues at the border), DeMoura dashed around the event like a superhost, dabbing with guests and handing out goodies at the Hash Bar. Awards were announced on Instagram Live on August 5. The reprieve gave judges a chance to sift through the samples and score accordingly, awarding first-place titles to Dammit Bobby, Wolverine Dabs and Black Market Hash. Among those judges, a panel of glassblowers, including Haaps Glass, Scott Deppe of Mothership Glass, Gong Glass, Power Pat and Darby Holm, offered their expert opinions and presented five winners with five custom pieces as trophies.
Sheesh @sheesh.static
Cali Plates @caliplates._official
Black Market Hash @blackmarket_hash “Shishka 36” rosin
Pr
>> NESTLED in the small town of Sumpter sits Sumpter Nugget, the most rootin’ and tootin’ dispensary-cafe combo this side of the Mississippi. Customers might feel like they’re walking up to an old Western saloon, but this veteran-owned Recreational Bud & Grub has a lot more in stock than just sarsaparilla. The history of Sumpter Nugget dates way back to the ’70s when it originally operated as a Western-themed restaurant. After being closed and shuttered for over a decade, the location was purchased in 2017 and updated into the rustic consortium that stands today.
STRIKINGGOLD
“...THERE’S NO WAITING, AND THERE’S NO RUSHING. IT FEELS COMFORTABLE AND IT FEELS LIKE FAMILY FOR A LOT OF FOLKS…”
THE DISPENSARY SIDE of the business carries a broad assortment of Cannabis flower, ranging from exclusive, topshelf cultivars to $50 ounce deals. While flower is the shop’s highest-volume sale item, it also carries an array of edibles, topicals, extracts, pre-rolls and disposable vapes to meet various customer needs. Sumpter Nugget hosts its own in-house brands, Bad Rabbit Farms and Bad Rabbit Solventless, which are grown and processed locally. The store has a Nugget Rewards program, which allows patrons to tally up points on purchases to earn non-Cannabis-related items like pipes, lighters and clothes. It also has a Nuggateers Club, where anyone who presents a keychain, shirt or other Sumpter Nugget merchandise can receive a discount at checkout.
For shoppers looking to rustle up some grub, the cafe next door serves a cure for the munchies. The location is a bona fide eating establishment, featuring a diverse mix of food options from mouthwatering breakfast platters to tacos and hot sandwiches. In addition, it sells CBD coffee and seltzers, along with an extensive
collection of other hemp-based cannabinoid products that visitors can purchase to take home or consume right there in the restaurant. Having a receipt from the dispensary qualifies for a 10% discount or a free coffee, so it’s not uncommon to see guests dropping in for a bite or quick cup of joe before hitting the trail.
While the town of Sumpter has a tight-knit population of just over 200 people, Sumpter Nugget pulls in a large variety of clientele from near and far. Tourism in the area is a significant draw, but the business also has a sizable population of repeat shoppers.
Owner Jenny Long credits the strength of the customer service, the selection of flower options and the store layout as key reasons why consumers return to their establishment over others in the area. “We have a wide floor plan and easy-toview display cases with all the products laid out,” she says.
“Our budtenders greet customers as soon as they walk in, so there’s no waiting, and there’s no rushing. It feels comfortable and it feels like family for a lot of folks, so that’s why they enjoy coming here.”
GREEN QUEEN
QUEEN FARMS
“ANGELO, YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE TO MUTE YOURSELF. I CAN’T HEAR THE QUESTIONS,” Derek Deems half-yells to Angelo Medaglia, who until a minute ago was sitting in the office for our scheduled interview but has since been pulled from his post to quickly solve some pressing issue elsewhere on the farm. “Sorry about that. Back in the day, there was one big harvest, and you really looked forward to that. But now, it’s just kind of crazy all the time.”
STARTING IN the traditional market, the founders of Green Queen Farm already know the quality benchmark they can hit. Now, they’re focused on achieving that at scale. With five massive greenhouses all needing their attention and no outside investment to keep them afloat if a round or two wasn’t up to snuff, the crew keeps their heads down and steers the ship through boom and bust markets.
It has been a long journey to dial in the greenhouses. Though climate-controlled, they’re still very much affected by the changing environment outside. After spending years making minute adjustments, the crew at Green Queen has perfected the process, producing the kind of flower that brought home a handful of awards last year. “We’ve always aimed to bridge the gap between indoor quality and greenhouse scalability,” says Angelo, just now returning from resolving the issue of the day.
The farm is in a state of perpetual harvest. Every couple of weeks, another round comes down while the last batch is curing and the harvest before that is being trimmed, and so on. Nearly a year of hard work went into the jar of Gush Mintz in front of me, with hardly any downtime to shift direction. Everything needs to overlap perfectly for this small crew to take the plants down during the ideal window and get them promptly to the market.
Angelo explains the buzz of chasing good weed: “Every run, it seems like our quality just gets a notch higher. And that’s what we’re really aiming for — great quality for a good price.” Derek jumps in to make sure we don’t miss the good part: “Our goal as a farm is to provide quality that doesn’t break the bank. We can come in at a price tier below indoor but have something that smokes like indoor.” Knowing his audience, he adds, “We can get weed connois -
“OUR GOAL AS A FARM IS TO PROVIDE QUALITY THAT DOESN’T BREAK THE BANK.”
seurs excited, and they can still walk out of the dispensary with an ounce.”
When I ask what the crew looks forward to, we get right into their growing strain bank.
“We’re always evolving, and a big part of that is keeping a fresh menu of new strains. Right now, I’m making calls to friends around the region, figuring out what we want to add to the stable for next season,” Angelo says.
They’ve locked in some heaters for this next harvest. “Peanut Butter Breath is a farm favorite, so we kept a close eye on it this round,” says Derek. Angelo makes sure to mention, “White Chocolate Chip is new to us this year. Great daytime weed. We’ve done one run of it so far, and it was super frosty with a really unique nose. We all liked it on the first pass. This next round looks even better.”
Even after a short time with the founders of Green Queen, it’s apparent that these guys are all-in on Oregon Cannabis. Representing the legacy of Oregon farms from the Rogue Valley, they are putting in long days of problem-solving to ensure we can all have a generous jar of something dank to roll up and share with our fellow partners in crime.
@GREENQUEENFARMS
TASTEOFSEPTEMBER
I WAS WEED SHOPPING at my favorite Electric Lettuce, the retro dispensary chain around Portland, OR that checks all my Cannabis boxes and makes me feel like an (over 21) kid again! The budtenders know their stuff and turned me on to a new, euphoric strain called Dark Rainbow that is relaxing, fun and tastes amazing. Kind of a citrussy vibe, with a hint of sweetness and a peppery, earthy finish. This strain has now surpassed my old favorite, Forbidden Fruit — because this is fire. In a couple of weeks, I am going to have a small dinner party, and we are going to do some terpene pairings. I’m desperate to use my new tabletop bong and create some interesting flavor combos. And right now, fruits and vegetables are bursting with flavor — this is going to be fun. At the end of the day, it’s all about the terpenes. Laurie@Laurieandmaryjane.com
Limonene is the prominent terpene in Dark Rainbow. It’s found in the rind of citrus fruit, so between the orange and lemon, this salad is a perfect intro to terpene pairing.
GRIDDLED PEACHES WITH PIZAZZ
Caryophyllene is the spicy terpene. The cinnamon and black pepper call out this terpene with a musky, funky warmth, and the combo of flavors is divine.
4 ripe peaches, halved and pitted
4 teaspoons cannabutter (5mg THC) or 20mg THC distillate, which would be added to the honey instead
1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
2 tablespoons hot honey
About 20 raspberries
1. In a medium skillet, melt the cannabutter. When melted, add the sugar and cinnamon and stir to distribute.
2. Cook the peach halves for 6-8 minutes, until golden and tender.
3. Place the peach halves on a plate, sprinkle with the black pepper and drizzle with honey. Top with the raspberries and serve. If you wanted to top this with a scoop of ice cream, I would not blame you.
MANGO MAGIC
With its main terpene being myrcene, this simple mango dessert is refreshing, super tasty and marries beautifully with the myrcene in the Dark Rainbow strain. Perfect together.
3 cups frozen mango chunks
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
4 teaspoons cannabutter (5mg per teaspoon) or distillate
1/2 cup thick Greek yogurt (I used vanilla, but it’s your call)
1. In the bowl of a food processor or blender, puree the mango with the lime juice and infusion until smooth.
2. Scoop the mango into a glass, alternating with the yogurt. That’s the show, so easy.
ORANGE & AVOCADO SALAD
4 cups salad greens, washed and dabbed dry
1 large navel orange, peeled and cut in slices
1 medium avocado, peeled and cut in thin wedges
1/2 cup seedless grapes
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/3 cup olive oil
4 teaspoons canna-oil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Zest of the lemon
1. In a large bowl combine the greens, orange, avocado, grapes and tomatoes.
2. In small bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients.
3. Toss dressing with greens and serve immediately.
NO LONGER JUST AN OPTION for the friends of Bill W. or our saintly designated drivers, the mocktail revolution has shown us that a night out doesn’t have to contain booze. Recently, the “No Proof” section of some menus has grown from a dusty bottle of kombucha to a full page of shaken, stirred and bottled options. Kin Euphorics catches the trend with perfect timing and leads the category with fun and functional drinks that do more than look good on social media. We’re pairing this sober-curious beverage with another newfound favorite for a double dose of calming energy. The Purple Pop Rocks from Stamps Ag offers a complementary profile that marries two sophisticated, snob-free flavors.
The Terpenes
A prolific bean popper and pheno hunter, Stamps frequently sifts through packs of seeds with names that will be on everyone’s find-it list when the word gets out. The selection of Purple Pop Rocks, bred by StarFire Genetix, receives high marks in the candy-gas category for its exaggerated clean and fresh profile that hides a rich, gelato-leaning base note under an eyebrow-lifting, diesel-forward top note. Additional soapy river water and amped-up orchard fruit flavors round out the profile. Breaking down the buds is made slightly more difficult because of the intense stickiness of the herb, but the quick-rolling joints more than make up for the extra elbow grease applied to the grinder.
The Tannins We chose Kin Euphorics’ Lightwave to pair with this supreme PPR. The adaptogenic soda’s notes of sarsaparilla, vanilla and oak, with a pop of smoked sea salt, give it a sophisticated vibe that makes it a good match for the fresh and juicy profile of the Purple Pop Rocks. Kin has done an incredible job tapping into the happy-hour crowd and creating perfectly picnicable bevies for all times of the day. So, we’re suggesting this one tag along for the next afternoon when the responsibilities have been settled or at least postponed. Once you’ve cleared some space for yourself, it’s time to indulge and knock “chill for hours” off of your to-do list. Light up a joint with a friend and break out a couple of Lightwaves. We sipped ours from the can like heathens, but a wine glass or tumbler with ice would likely be more fitting.
The Pairing
Dressed up or down, Kin Euphorics’ Lightwave makes a tasty match for Stamp’s Purple Pop Rocks. The combo puts us at ease and sets the mood to calm, cool and collected. If your party-animal days are starting to look more like Sleepytime Tea Bear nights, we’ve found the pair that lets us feel indulgent and still get up at a decent hour to tackle the outstanding items on that to-do list.
“DRESSED UP OR DOWN, KIN EUPHORICS’ LIGHTWAVE MAKES A TASTY MATCH FOR STAMP’S PURPLE POP ROCKS. THE COMBO PUTS US AT EASE AND SETS THE MOOD TO CALM, COOL AND COLLECTED.”
Summer is slowly winding down, and so are we. As Oregonians, we’re built for the fall season and always look forward to stocking our cupboards with cozy items to cuddle up with. We’ve picked a pairing that presents a laid-back level of sophistication — whether you’re sailing through an end-of-summer soirée or soaking up fresh fall smells and simple relaxation.
SERRA “QUALITY DRUGS”
The Tannins Riverblend Rigberry Cider is an unfiltered blend of Jonagold apples and Asian pears, co-fermented with a purée of blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and marionberries from Rigberry Garden in Eugene.
Opening the bottle releases a burst of carbon dioxide, a byproduct of ongoing fermentation. The amber liquid may have more sediment than usual, with bits of spent yeast and fruit that enhance the charm of this ancient technique. Naturally fermented with native yeasts, this cider offers a gentle experience. It’s supremely sippable with an effervescent, light-bodied mouthfeel and a complex flavor profile of apricot, elderberry, tart cherry and savory yeast that complements the berry mix.
The Terpenes
Quality Drugs Wildberry Tea with Chamomile Gumdrops is a soft and chewy delight from the folks at Groundworks in Portland. Each sugar-coated candy is bite-sized, serving a bright berry flavor with a floral chamomile compliment.
These are free from any taste of the “Cannabis extract, artificially derived CBN hemp extract, or CBD isolate derived from hemp,” used to make them. Yet, our eyelids quickly confirmed that these are working with some reliable relaxation. With only 2.5mg THC, 2.5mg CBD and 2.5mg CBN per gumdrop, these are a low-dose luxury allowing consumption at any rate that suits the mood. The pack of 20 is perfect for settling in and munching your way through a movie, this magazine or wherever your leisure leads you.
The Pairing
CIDER
“We must admit that these gumdrops are a fruity fit for snacking alongside cider.”
As always, we caution anyone when mixing substances to do so responsibly. But, we must admit that these gumdrops are a fruity fit for snacking alongside cider. The low dose of THC, CBD and CBN set the scene for a serene sipping experience, softly slowing down the evening to a perfectly peaceful pace.
PUFF COFFEE SUMATRA GOPALA & B.A. BOTANICALS HONEY BANANAS ROSIN
“The beans have a sweet smell that sails bright and constant over the top, while a steamroller of earthy notes fans out into hints of leather, chocolate and Cannabis.”
Puff Coffee Sumatra Gopala
Created by Stumptown founder Duane Sorenson, Puff Coffee describes this Sumatra Gopala as having a sweet yet smoky flavor that’s “kindred to the Pacific Northwest.” The beans have a sweet smell that sails bright and constant over the top, while a steamroller of earthy notes fans out into hints of leather, chocolate and Cannabis. Once brewed, the smell is a mix of cinnamon and cocoa with something sugary sitting on the top like pie crust. When it comes to flavor, you’ll taste that smoky earthiness head-on with sweeter notes rising until they’re almost lost. Adding milk rolls everything into a bundle of flavor that marries both sides.
B.A. Botanicals
Honey Bananas Rosin
It’s hard to argue with the fact that Honey Bananas (Honey Boo Boo x Strawnana) has become a must-have staple in any hash smokers stash. BA Botanicals has produced a wonderful living soil batch from the cut that Heads That Roll wowed the Ego Clash with in 2018. This rosin is a 70-119u mix of first and second wash, with a mashed banana consistency and a gorgeous golden color, especially when the light hits it. The standalone flavor is very floral, with a sweetness that develops over time instead of tasting straight candy notes embedded in the flavor, making each exhale a pure delight. 3.2mg THC | 2.2mg CBD
The Pairing
Back-to-back, the dab brings up the heavier flavors in the brew, pushing that smokiness all the way up until the bright notes just barely peak over the fence. While taking over most of the flavor, you can also appreciate all the subtle notes in the low end as it accordions out onto your tongue. Adding some coffee creamer brings out brightness on the entire picture. Either way you choose to serve it, the end result is an enhancement of the bolder flavors that will dissipate into whispers of that Honey Bananas flavor.
TASTY & LOCAL
Altitude Mountain Mule
CBD Zero Proof Cocktail
Elevate your chill game with an Altitude Mountain Mule, where nootropics and 20 mg of CBD meet spicy ginger and zesty lime in a zero-proof, nonalcoholic, sparkling white tea sipper. This mule is your ride to a relaxed vegan vibe without the hangover, delivering bold flavors that dance on your tongue while keeping your mind as clear as a mountain stream with additives like cordyceps and L-theanine. It’s the perfect pour for those who like to keep it mindful yet flavorful. altitudebev.com | @altitudebev
Rogue Pineapple Guava CBD Recreational Seltzer Water
Let your taste buds take a tropical vacay with Rogue’s CBD Pineapple Guava seltzer. Bursting with juicy pineapple and guava, this vibrant sip packs 30 mg of CBD and other goodies to make you glow (like apple cider vinegar) into every fizzy bubble, making the ultimate tropical treasure. Light, bright and just 30 calories, it’s like sunshine in a can — perfect for keeping you cool, calm and oh-so-collected, all while giving you that island shine, no passport required. rogue.com/shop/cbd @RogueAles
Ablis CBD Strawberry Mojito
Who needs a bartender when you’ve got the father-and-son duo mixing it up at Ablis! This sassy, alcohol-free twist on a classic cocktail combines the sweetness of ripe fruit with a Mojito kick, all infused with a cool 50 mg of CBD. Naturally sweetened with cane sugar and ready to refresh with strawberry, lime and mint, it’s the ultimate chill-out companion whether you’re soaking up the sun or winding down after a wild day. Sip back, relax and let the Mojito moments roll. ablis.shop | @abliscbd
Boneyard Elixir
Grape CBD Soda
Take a nostalgic trip down memory lane with a can of grape soda, now with a grown-up twist — 25 mg of CBD! This fizzy, fun drink brings all the bold grape goodness you loved as a kid, now paired with just a little caffeine and the calm, cool power of CBD. It’s your go-to when craving something sweet, bubbly and just a little rebellious, perfect for kicking back and letting your inner child run wild. boneyardelixir.com @boneyardelixir
Oregon Leaf takes a sip of some of the best CBD beverages available at your local grocer.
Copa Essence Wildberry
CBD Sparkling Water
This zero-calorie, zero-sugar, zero-guilt sparkling water is bursting with wild berry flavor and a splash of 25 mg of hempderived CBD. It’s the kind of drink that makes you feel good just by looking at it — clean, crisp and packed with all the refreshing vibes you need to get through the day. Sip it solo, pair it with a workout or enjoy it whenever you need a lightly carbonated pick-me-up. copacbd.com | @copabevco
Tropink Pineapple Yuzu Lime
CBD Functional Beverage
Dive into a wave of this woman-owned tropical bliss. Tropink Pineapple Yuzu Lime is where sweet pineapple meets the exotic zing of yuzu and the bright pop of lime, all boosted by 30 mg of craft-hemp-derived CBD. This functional beverage isn’t just about flavor; it’s about fueling your day with the good stuff. With just 20 calories and ingredients like real fruit juice and monk fruit sweetener, your indulgence is in the clear. tropinkdrink.com | @tropinkdrink
Zentopia Watermelon
Chill CBD Sparkling Water
Splash into some serenity with Zentopia
Watermelon Chill, a sparkling water that’s as crisp as it gets. With 50 mg of broad-spectrum CBD, zero calories and no sweeteners, it’s all about that juicy watermelon flavor without the extras.
Perfect for any time you need a little oomph in your hydration, this drink is your highway to a lush life trickling with tranquility. zentopia.com | @drinkzentopia
UNCORKING CHEMISTRY UNCORKING CHEMISTRY
The Parallels Between Wine & Cannabis
WINE AND CANNABIS , which are two of nature’s most controversial and celebrated creations, share a surprising number of chemical similarities. At first glance, these might seem like entirely different worlds — wine, with its centuries-old traditions, and Cannabis, with its new-age renaissance. However, a deeper dive into their chemistry reveals that they are more alike than one might think. From terpenes and flavonoids to anthocyanins and phenolic compounds, both wine and Cannabis are driven by the same molecules that shape their flavors, aromas, overall effect and experience. Let’s take a closer look.
TERPENES | The Aromatic Architects
Terpenes are the unsung heroes in both wine and Cannabis, responsible for the aromatic profiles that make each wine or strain unique. These volatile organic compounds (VOCs) not only influence the scent and taste but also contribute to the effects and experiences associated with consumption.
In wine, terpenes like linalool, which offers floral and citrus notes, and geraniol, known for its rosy scent, play a crucial role in defining the bouquet of the wine. These compounds are essential in creating the distinct aromatic identity of each varietal, from the bright citrus of a Sauvignon Blanc to the complex florals of a Riesling.
Cannabis is also rich in terpenes, with myrcene, limonene and pinene being some of the most common. Myrcene imparts earthy, musky notes and is often associated with the sedative effects of certain strains. Limonene, on the other hand, provides a bright citrus aroma, which is linked to mood enhancement. Pinene, with its fresh piney scent, is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties. The combination of these terpenes in both wine and Cannabis creates the nuanced aromas and flavors that connoisseurs of both can appreciate.
FLAVONOIDS | Nature’s Wellness Boosters
Flavonoids are another class of compounds that wine and Cannabis have in common, contributing to color and potential health benefits. Quercetin, one of the most abundant flavonoids in both plants, is a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. In wine, quercetin not only contributes to bitterness and astringency but also enhances the wine’s overall stability and aging potential. It’s found in higher concentrations in red wines, where it works alongside tannins to create a robust and complex flavor profile. Cannabis also contains quercetin, which contributes to the plant’s antioxidant defenses during its growth stage and may have potential therapeutic benefits for consumers. This compound is part of what makes Cannabis such a versatile and potentially health-promoting plant, with effects that go beyond just its psychoactive components.
ANTHOCYANINS | The Colorful Chemists
Anthocyanins are the pigments responsible for the rich red, purple and blue hues found in many fruits and flowers, including wine grapes and Cannabis. In wine, anthocyanins are most prominent in red varieties, where they not only provide color but also contribute to the wine’s flavor and antioxidant properties. As wine ages, anthocyanins and tannins can undergo condensation reactions. These reactions contribute to the deepening and evolution of the wine’s color over time, as well as to the softening of tannins, leading to a smoother mouthfeel.
Similarly, in Cannabis, anthocyanins are responsible for the striking purple and pink colors seen in certain strains, especially under cooler growing conditions. While their role in Cannabis is less about taste and more about visual appeal, anthocyanins still contribute to the plant’s overall ability to tolerate environmental stressors.
THE INFLUENCE OF TERROIR
PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS | The Backbone of Complexity
Phenolic compounds, including tannins, resveratrol and lignans, are critical to the structure and complexity of both wine and Cannabis.
In wine, tannins are responsible for the astringency and mouthfeel, particularly in red wines. They bind to proteins and other compounds in the mouth, creating a dry sensation that is a hallmark of many red wines. Tannins also play a vital role in the aging process, allowing wines to develop more complex flavors over time.
Cannabis contains a variety of phenolic compounds as well, including tannins, which contribute to the plant’s bitterness and astringency. Resveratrol, famous for its presence in red wine, is also found in Cannabis, where it may offer similar antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. These compounds are part of what gives both wine and Cannabis their complexity and depth of flavor.
Terroir — the unique combination of soil, climate and geography that influences the growth of plants — is a concept deeply embedded in winemaking. The terroir of a vineyard can dramatically alter the flavor and aroma profile of the wine produced, with even small changes in soil composition or weather patterns leading to noticeable differences in the final product.
In outdoor Cannabis cultivation, terroir is becoming increasingly recognized as a significant factor in determining the quality and characteristics of the plant. Just as a vineyard in Western Maryland produces a wine distinct
from one in Southern California, Cannabis grown in different regions will exhibit unique traits influenced by local terroir.
The chemical parallels between wine and Cannabis are more than just a curiosity; they offer a deeper appreciation for the complexity and artistry involved in cultivating, processing and enjoying these products. Whether it’s the aromatic terpenes, health-promoting flavonoids or the influence of terroir, the connections between these two ancient plants are profound and multifaceted. So, the next time you sip a glass or sit down for your sesh, consider the shared chemistry that makes each experience so unique and enjoyable.
Max Caswell
Max Caswell has a simple mantra: “To be or not to be…” To be means putting his heart and soul into a design that represents function and form. Not to be would mean succumbing to trends and sublimating what works
for other artists.
MAX, a native of Tennessee, started his journey in borosilicate art in 2015 in the renowned glass art hub of Bellingham, Washington. Interning and mixing with some of the greatest artists in the world, he was able to hone his craft rapidly. In 2017, Max continued his journey by teaming up with Hamm in Eugene, Oregon, where borosilicate glass art thrives.
From there, Max further solidified his skills while working with arguably the premier functional scientific glass artist of our current culture, Hamm Glassworks. You can see in his designs, current and past, that he strives for a level of perfection that challenges all. This set was designed to celebrate the pairing of bourbon, Cannabis and this year’s Tannins and Terpenes issue.
THE PAIRING
While it is considered one of the true American spirits, bourbon must meet certain standards to bear the title.
This much sought-after spirit must have a mash distilled from a minimum of 51% corn and aged in charred new oak barrels.
A high percentage of corn and the vanillin compounds extracted from the charred oak during aging tend to give bourbon notes of caramel, vanilla, dried fruit and spice. These tannins and terpenes are what Fire Bros. took into serious consideration when they matched these amazing profiles with their Apple Banana Candy strain.
This strain is a great yielder with a pungent smell that sticks to everything it touches. Sweet notes of honeysuckle flowers mixed with dense notes of hibiscus hit first.
Once you consume this magical flower, the old-school hints of Diesel and Northern Lights are unmistakable.
The effects come on almost immediately!
The warning, “Do not operate motorized vehicles,” was written for this class of Cannabis.
Sit back and enjoy the flavors, and the exceptional high, and maybe pair it with your favorite bourbon.
@Maxxswell | 1000ml Decanter, 12.5” tall, $2,500
Titan of Terps
When it comes to Cannabis industry bona fides, Trichome Technologies founder Kenneth “K” Morrow’s resume is as impressive as they come. Over the past three decades, he’s developed sophisticated grow systems and hash-making techniques and bred numerous award-winning cultivars that have graced the covers, centerfolds and calendars of High Times and the many other Cannabis publications around the world that he’s contributed to. High Times even ranked his garden number one in their top grow rooms of all time in June 1999. But perhaps his most historic accomplishment is becoming the first person on record to extract and isolate terpenes from Cannabis.
A 13-year-old Kenny posing incognito with his Hydro Pot plant.
SEEDS OF SUCCESS
Ken Morrow spent his entire youth around agriculture: first, growing up in Napa Valley, where his parents taught him how to garden; then later in Winters, where he worked at agricultural packing plants. So it’s no surprise that, after first trying marijuana at age 11, his thoughts almost immediately turned to cultivation.
“My friend Richie and I would smoke in his car in front of his house, and every time we’d clean the weed, we’d throw the seeds out the window,” he reminisces. “Well, one of those seeds sprouted in his front yard, and I asked him if I could have it.”
Predictably, the plant died, but Morrow’s lifelong fascination with Cannabis was born. He started reading High Times cover to cover every month, and in 1977, he ordered an all-in-one grow kit called the Hydro Pot from one of the magazine’s ads.
“It was basically a busboy tray with a lava rock, a fish aquarium aerator and a little bit of Miracle-Gro,” he recalls. “That’s the only hydroponic system I ever purchased — I hand-built all of them after that.”
CULTIVATION CAREER
Over the next two decades, Morrow continued to develop his cultivation skills, teaching himself to build complex hydroponic and aeroponic systems despite having no training in horticulture. However, he made up for his lack of formal education through the friendships he forged with the community’s most respected luminaries, including Robert Connell Clarke, Skunkman Sam, Mel Frank, Jorge Cervantes and Ed Rosenthal. And thanks to family connections in the Emerald Triangle, he also gained access to a wealth of rare landraces and heirloom genetics. Eventually, his hard work paid off: With Rosenthal’s help, Morrow’s plants and gardens were soon gracing HT’s pages — including covers and centerfolds — on a regular basis. Of course, growing was still highly illegal back then, so to protect his identity, he was referred to in print as “K.”
TRICHOME TECHNOLOGIES
Morrow wanted to be known as more than a mere letter, though — he wanted to be a brand. So, in 1994, he conceptualized his own Cannabis research and development company called Trichome Technologies. Under Trichome Tech, he continued experimenting with various cultivation techniques and bred over 200 different varietals, including award-winning strains like Ultraviolet (aka Purple Kush) and G-13.
After the passage of Prop 215 in 1996, K became a top supplier for the new dispensaries emerging in the Bay Area, such as Berkeley Patients Group and Patient ID Center. That same year, through his friendship with Rosenthal, K had the remarkable distinction of becoming the first Cannabis grower ever interviewed (albeit in shadow with his voice altered) on “60 Minutes” as part of Morley Safer’s marijuana segment “American Enterprise” (which also featured the 1995 Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam).
HASHING IT OUT
In addition to growing and breeding, Morrow also delved heavily into hash making — using his abundance of trim and shake to make water hash using the technique outlined in Skunkman’s infamous “Sadu Sam’s Secret” pamphlet (see our July 2024 issue). Morrow quickly built on that basic technique: upscaling it to a 32-gallon drum and cooling it using a titanium chiller and producing “ice hash” as early as 1995 (years before the Ice-O-Lator or Bubble Bags). As proof of this claim, Morrow notes that in 1997, he became the second grower ever (Mel Frank being the first) to have their flower and hashish tested at the nation’s only government-sanctioned Cannabis lab at the University of Mississippi — one sample of which was his water hash, which tested at 68% THC.
In April 2000, K penned his first article for HT entitled “Trichome Technologies’ Guide to Making Hash,” in which he outlined his at-home methods for making handrubbed, dry sieve and ice hash — marking the first time that the water hash method was published in the mag. That same year, he also wrote the first article ever published on butane hash extraction in Red Eye Magazine, wherein he detailed the method of “open blasting” using PVC pipe. Of course, he quickly developed methods to upscale that process significantly, producing large quantities of BHO nearly a decade before the dab revolution hit the mainstream Cannabis community. It was these efforts that would soon lead to his most monumental discovery.
TAPPING THE TERPS
In 1996, K had the remarkable distinction of being the first cannabis grower ever interviewed by Morley Safer on “60 Minutes.”
“I went to eliminate the captured moisture, which was in the form of ice, and when I melted the ice with hot water, I was hit in the face with the aromatics of Cannabis terpenes,” he says. “I thought, ‘Wow — obviously I shouldn’t be flushing this down the sink!’”
Thus, in 2012, he became the first person to extract and isolate terpenes from Cannabis. K began collecting the ice between runs and putting it all into graduated cylinders, where it would then melt and separate into a thin layer of purified essence oil atop the water. To maximize his terpene output, K started extracting from fresh plant material rather than dried — at least a year before Colorado concentrate makers Giddyup and Kind Bill came up with their first live resin.
Morrow wanted to get his liquid terpenes (aka “separate”) tested to find out exactly what he had, but the few Cannabis labs around at the time didn’t have the capabilities to do a complete analysis. So K contacted Rick Doblin at MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies), who recommended he call Dr. Paul Daley, Sasha Shulgin’s research assistant. Dr. Daley, in turn, invited him to Shulgin’s chemistry lab in Lafayette, California — aka “The Farm.”
In his quest to produce cleaner concentrates, K did some research and learned that he could better expel his solvents by utilizing a vacuum drying oven, then purchased one from Chinese laboratory equipment manufacturer Across International. The oven worked great at purging the ethanol and water, but there was a problem: the water that evaporated during the process kept contaminating the vacuum pump, causing him to waste valuable pump oil. K needed a way to prevent condensation from getting into the pump; luckily, Across recommended an accessory called a cold trap separator designed for that very purpose. After ordering and installing the device (and some other parts recommended by their technician), he saw excellent results — it captured all of the moisture, thus preserving the integrity of his oil. But while emptying the trap, he made an unexpected discovery.
“I went to The Farm, and I was there with [Sasha] and Paul Daley … just the three of us doing some of the very first GCMS [gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer] and HPLC [high-performance liquid chromatography] quantification and testing of my separate,” he remembers fondly. The result? Over 100 different terpenes, only half of which they could even identify — more terpenes than had ever been recorded before.
PATENTS & POSERS
K knew he’d stumbled into something big, so rather than write an article to share his new technique as he had in the past, he decided instead to protect his discovery by patenting his methodology.
“My first thought was to teach myself how to write and file a patent application,” he says. “But patents are very expensive, so I also had to get investors and lawyers.”
Filed in 2017, his patent has since been granted in Europe, Canada and Mexico but is still pending in America — held up by a slow, costly bureaucracy and a less-than-cooperative examiner. In the meantime, other companies have since entered the market selling isolated terpenes at exorbitant prices — isolates that Morrow claims don’t even come close to the purity and potency achieved by his low-temperature extraction method.
“I separate the terpenes in liquid form with no heat applied, as opposed to the others, which are steam distillates or hydrocarbon extracts,” he explains. “So the resulting isolate is a superior essence oil of pure terpenes as opposed to a syrupy essential oil that’s a mixture of both cannabinoids and terpenes.”
To clarify, if you’re doing a CO2 or hydrocarbon extraction, you inevitably accidentally reclaim some of those terpenes when you purge the solvent back out of the concentrate. And with steam distillation — where water vapor is percolated through the plant material — the resulting extraction is a “hydrosol,” which contains mostly the water-soluble aspects of the plant’s essence. It’s these hydrosols that producers were allegedly selling as “pure terpenes.”
“[Customers] thought all they were getting was terpenes when it wasn’t,” he says. “Yes, it contains terpenes, but in minimal percentages — the majority of a hydrosol is water. So to be selling hydrosols for $10 a drop is disingenuous.”
Morrow was so indignant about this practice that in August 2018, he wrote an article for HT entitled “The Great Terpene Swindle,” breaking down the different extraction methods and exposing the truth about the Cannabis terpene industry.
RECENT PROJECTS
In 2016, Morrow released his first book, the highly acclaimed “Marijuana Horticulture Fundamentals.” Last fall, he filed more terpene-related patents and is currently working on developing equipment to separate cannabinoids and terpenes from biomass on a commercial scale, cementing his status as one of the most respected and sought-after Cannabis consultants in the world and a true titan of terps.
For more Cannabis history content, and to listen to our Cannthropology podcast, please visit worldofcannabis.museum/cannthropology.
THERE’S ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with being nice. Because niceness is something that is severely lacking in today’s self-gratification society. Back around the 1950s, the postman knew every household member by name, and the milkman was a friendly gentleman with a white smile and straight hat. These iconic staples represented the bright American standard that exemplified a high regard for your fellow countryman.
Business deals were ensured with a firm handshake.
Pleasantries shared in that idyllic time were sweet and simple, epitomizing small-town ideals and reinforcing a sense of pride in being the war winners of the world. The greater collective understood that the classic depiction of the Norman Rockwell archetype — be it a boy fishing with his dog or the president caught in a moment of prayer — was what to strive for. Simplicity equated to contentment in the post-WWII era, and conformity was sold as the key to success.
So, what happened?
Well, things changed. Quite dramatically, in fact. Now, too much niceness leads to suspicion. And when received genuinely from a stranger in proximity, the apathydar gets territorial and the creepdar begins to peak.
But what’s so scary about being super friendly? Why do we apply a negative label to the spirited man who offers unsolicited waves simply for a reciprocated smile?
In essence, there really is nothing to fear. We’ve just been manipulated by the controlled narrative to live in terror.
So, relax. He’s probably just baked anyway.