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11 Editor’S Note 12 NATIONAL news 16 local news 20 opinion 24 highly likely 26 budtender q&a 28 patient profile 30 stoner owner 34 green goddess remedies 36 oregon’s green rush 40 strain of the month 44 randa shahin 45 joy contreras 46 jeanette horton 47 mary thomas & leiann stephens 48 Carrie soloman 49 zoe wilder 50 natalie raulin 51 lizet te coppinger 54 the initiative 58 Cannabis recipes 62 EDIBLE review 66 concentrate review 70 topical review 74 tannins & terpenes 78 STONEY BALONEY
AUG. 2019
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OREGON’S GREEN RUSH OWNER JANICE GROSSMAN OVERSEES A BUSTLING CANNABIS STORE IN EUGENE WITH DISTINCTIVE STYLING & SELECTION
Janice relied on Full Extract Cannabis Oil to battle a case of uterine cancer, which has been in remission nine years. Her son, Jared, is Oregon Green Rush’s managing director.
PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
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HOW EDEN LABS CEO AC BRADDOCK INNOVATED SEVERAL EXTRACTION TECHNOLOGIES AND KEPT THE PASSION TO CHANGE HER INDUSTRY.
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The Women’s Issue We are pleased this month to celebrate the achievements of Women in the Cannabis industry with this very special edition. Be sure to check out the other Leaf magzines online to see more profiles and exclusive stories! ART BY 8TH DAY CREATE for oregon leaf
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Editor’s Note The Cannabis Industry is brimming with feminine energy and talent, and it’s driving innovation and setting a positive example for how Cannabis is viewed. Our community is a diverse group that melts across all races and genders, and women deserve an equal place in the industry that should provide opportunity for all. 11 Ownership is statistically dominated by wealthy white men, and is trending further that way as legalization favors those with wealth over experience when balancing resources like licenses along equitable lines. MY GOAL FROM THE This issue affects people of color as BEGINNING OF THE significantly as women, but the core issue is the LEAF WAS TO SEE same. The plant was meant for everyone, and AND HELP SHAPE THE business opportunities should not be limited to those with money or based on gender or race. INDUSTRY IN SUCH A I’ve heard too many horror stories to share WAY THAT I WOULD of unreported sexual harassment, workplace FEEL COMFORTABLE violations, and general discomfort at situations WITH MY DAUGHTERS where women are treated incorrectly in the PARTICIPATING IN IT, industry. We as a community and industry need to recognize that Cannabis is no different from AND I AM POSITIVE AND the mainstream business world, and that the EXCITED FOR THE FUTURE same rules apply within the world of weed. OF THE AMAZING In order to make progress and make change, WOMEN IN WEED. we must hold Cannabis to a higher standard than any other business environment. My goal from the beginning of the Leaf was to see and help shape the Cannabis industry in such a way that I would feel comfortable with my daughters participating in it, and I am positive and excited for the future of the amazing women in weed. Over the last decade the Cannabis industry has gone from sexualized sales and misogyny to a growing industry with Women in every step in seed to sale, from CEOs to creatives, managers to activists, attorneys to growers and so much more. We are honored to highlight a few of the great many who are making positive change, and helping the community and industry grow in every sector. Please enjoy these profiles and the spotlights into the various forms of the industry, and make sure to ask for women owned products at your local dispensary. There’s more to support than most realize!
-Wes Abney
AUG. 2019
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west coast
WASHINGTON STATE’S CANNABIS TRACING SYSTEM UPDATE BREAKS DOWN; COSTS BUSINESSES THOUSANDS
EAST COAST
MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION MUST INCLUDE CANNABIS JUSTICE: BALTIMORE STATE’S ATTORNEY Declaring that “the debate over whether we should legalize marijuana is essentially over,” Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby traveled to Washington, D.C. to testify before Congress as part of the first-ever hearing to discuss Cannabis legalization. “The question is no longer if or even when we legalize marijuana nationally,” Mosby said. “The question policy makers must grapple with is: How should we legalize marijuana?” According to Mosby, any legislative proposal must make sure it “repairs the damage done by marijuana prohibition and creates opportunities for those communities most adversely impacted.” “I have seen first-hand the damage done by marijuana enforcement,” Mosby wrote. “Black people and their communities suffer the brunt of marijuana arrests despite studies showing that blacks and whites use marijuana at the same rate.” For those reasons, on January 29, Mosby’s office became one of the first in the country to decline to prosecute marijuana possession cases regardless of the weight involved, or the holder’s criminal history. Unfortunately, the courts denied her request to right these past wrongs. “So for now, members of our community are living with the scarlet letter of a criminal record for an offense the city no longer prosecutes,” Mosby wrote.
Washington state’s seed-to-sale marijuana traceability system has been shaky, at best. Past outages of the system have cost Cannabis businesses dearly, and now a planned update of the system has resulted in costly outages once again. The issue actually involved two separate outages, according to MJ Freeway, which provides the Leaf Data Systems software companies use to document the marijuana supply chain in Washington state. The outages stopped hundreds of retailers, processors and producers from conducting business-to-business transactions for a period of days in mid-July, reports Marijuana Business Daily. “People are losing their minds over what’s happening,” said Vicki Christopherson, executive director of the Washington Cannabusiness Association (WACA), before the outages were repaired. “People are losing hundreds of thousands of dollars in a business that they don’t have to lose.” A survey about the outages was conducted by a nonprofit, The Cannabis Alliance, and asked Cannabis business owners to estimate what the outage cost them. Respondents’ answers ranged from $1,000 to as much as $80,000. Eight of the businesses reported losing more than $25,000 in sales.
legalization
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THREE REPUBLICANS ARE BLOCKING FEDERAL CANNABIS LEGALIZATION With bipartisan support for Cannabis legalization finally here, we still have a problem. Unless the legislation can get past a small, conservative group of GOP senators, the bills won’t become law, according to Rolling Stone magazine. Senators like Tom Cotton, Republican of Arkansas, in 2017 claimed that voters don’t care about marijuana legalization. He was, of course, wrong then and even more wrong today in 2019. More than 60 percent of Americans now favor full legalization. Eleven states and D.C. have legalized adult use, and 36 more have some form of medical use. All that public support has finally started to translate into Cannabis-related legislation in Congress. But public, bipartisan support for legalization aren’t enough, according to Saphira Galoob, a Democratic Cannabis lobbyist. “We are still in a situation where the temperature within the Republican Party conference — within the leadership — is not yet signaling it’s okay,” she said. The three names continually listed by lobbyists, advocates and lawmakers as those blocking any federal Cannabis legalization are GOP Senators Mike Crapo of Idaho, Lindsay Graham of South Carolina, and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
aug. 2019
STUDY: WASHINGTON STATE #1 IN WORLD CANNABIS USE Washington is number one on the planet when it comes to cannabis consumption, and now there’s data to prove it, reports Leafly. A new study from the University of Puget Sound and the University of Washington indicates that the Puget Sound area, including Seattle, has the highest level of marijuana consumption in the world, beating even Amsterdam in that regard. “We are part of an international study ... with 60 to 80 other cities around the world,” lead researcher Dr. Daniel A. Burgard said. “And according to wastewater, the Puget Sound area has the highest Cannabis use per capita, even over Amsterdam.” Researchers conducted the study by analyzing sewage from a Western Washington city’s public wastewater from 2013 to 2016, looking for metabolites of THC. By measuring THC-COOH in thousands of samples of raw sewage, scientists aimed to track weed consumption levels and to try and determine if the legal I-502 market has displaced the black market. Washington began legal retail sales in August 2014, so researchers were very interested in learning how legalization affected Cannabis use. Consumption did go up with legalization, according to the results, “suggesting a doubling” in THC consumption among residents between 2013 and 2016.
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GOVERNOR BROWN SIGNS SB 420 EXPUNGEMENT BILL
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In a very positive and progressive move, Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed Senate Bill 420 on June 20, helping to erase outdated pot convictions for low level offenders. Despite being a seemingly obvious facet of Cannabis legalization, Measure 91 failed to reverse convictions imposed on people who possessed small amounts of weed before state laws changed. This means that many Oregonians still hold a mark on their record for possession of a controlled substance. On January 1, 2020, procedures MEASURE will be established for persons with 91 FAILED qualifying Cannabis convictions to file a TO REVERSE motion to request the court to set aside CONVICTIONS the conviction. Those qualifications are: IMPOSED ON the conviction occurred before July 1, PEOPLE WHO 2015 when Cannabis was legalized POSSESSED recreationally in Oregon, the individual SMALL AMOUNTS has complied with and fully performed OF WEED the sentencing of the court, and the BEFORE STATE conviction must qualify based on LAWS CHANGED. conduct described in ORS 475B.301. While we’d really like to see automatic expungement of any prior non-violent Cannabis convictions, this is certainly a step in the right direction.
MARKET WATCH
federal level
WYDEN & BLUMENAUER INTRODUCE STATE CANNABIS COMMERCE ACT Fresh off the heels of the passage of Senate Bill 582, Oregon Congressmen Earl Blumenauer and Ron Wyden have introduced a bill that would permanently protect all state-run Cannabis programs from federal interference, and allow for interstate Cannabis commerce between states with legal programs. This bill would take the current protections implemented in 2014 - stating that the Department of Justice cannot use taxpayer dollars to prevent states from implementing their own laws to regulate the use, distribution, and possession of Cannabis - and would make them permanent. “As more and more states legalize “AS MORE AND MORE STATES Cannabis, the gap between state LEGALIZE CANNABIS, THE GAP and federal laws will only grow more BETWEEN STATE AND FEDERAL confusing for both legal businesses and LAWS WILL ONLY GROW MORE consumers,” Wyden said. “The solution CONFUSING FOR BOTH LEGAL is clear - the federal government needs BUSINESSES AND CONSUMERS,” to end its senseless and out of touch WYDEN SAID. prohibition. As we fight for that ultimate goal, however, Congress can and should immediately act to protect the will of Oregonians and voters in other states from federal interference. And that should include interstate Cannabis commerce.” While the State Cannabis Commerce Act is only in its infancy, this will surely be an important piece of legislation to monitor as Blumenauer and Wyden work to achieve a major step in full-scale, nationwide Cannabis legality.
OREGON HAS A MASSIVE OVERSUPPLY OF CANNABIS, OR DOES IT?
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While there are speculative reports of Oregon housing a huge glut of excess Cannabis, on-the-ground operators are finding the market looks a bit different in reality. Cannabis producers are required to report the weight of each harvest immediately, upon doing so, this gives a false impression of the actual volume of Cannabis each harvest yields. The weight of a plant before it has been given a chance to dry is often three times that of its final cured weight. Between a regulation system that is anything but airtight, the fear factor of growers being sky high due to false reports of mass oversaturation, the annual summer drought, and the rising ticket of black market pounds, it is no wonder that many producers are choosing to grow ON-THE-GROUND outside of the OLCC system, with eyes OPERATORS ARE on greener pastures beyond Oregon FINDING THE borders. MARKET LOOKS Where just a year ago farms were A BIT DIFFERENT shuttering operations left and right, and IN REALITY. producer licenses were readily available in an absolute buyer’s market, today we’re seeing essentially every single cultivator with reasonably priced product - unable to meet current demand.
aug. 2019
STORIES by NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415
Lobbying Advocacy Regulatory Help Policy Updates Lobbying Wholesale Advocacy Reports Monthly Meetings Regulatory Help Access to Banking Policy Updates Wholesale Reports Monthly Meetings Access to Banking
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IN THE
OPINION
As Cannabis turns from a community into an industry, it is cannibalizing any remaining altruism in favor of profit and investor returns.
20 According to a study by Eaze, as of 2019 women make up 38% of Cannabis consumers. However, according to a study done by Oregon TV news station KGW, the number of women in leadership positions has been declining in Oregon since 2017. This comes to us as no surprise because as the Cannabis industry goes corporate, less and less women are filling those leadership positions - all the while more and more women become consumers of the plant. A stark contrast to what the Cannabis movement looked like before 2015 and pre-legalization.
a work environment occur. Erratic scheduling, low pay and the lack of upward career mobility leave Cannabis employees in a media-glorified, dead end job - usually lacking healthcare, benefits or sick time.
Programs like The Nu Leaf Project, headed by Jeannette Horton and her husband Jesce Horton, received funding from Prosper Portland, and are helping to level the playing field by providing resources and funding to women and people of color who are too often excluded from entering the ground floor of the Cannabis industry. Resistance and progress is happening, but not at the rate the status quo continues to keep women and women of color away from ownership.
The decline of women in leadership in Cannabis is a symptom of the systemic issue of patriarchy. Systemic racism and the prison industrial system continues to erode people of color and their voices from the Cannabis industry in Oregon and beyond. Where there is oppression, there is resistance, but the system as a whole needs to do better. The corporatization of Cannabis as an industry is patriarchy working to disempower the decades of established community, in favor of profit and patent ownership.
oregonlEAF.COM
As Cannabis turns from a community into an industry, it is cannibalizing any remaining altruism in favor of profit and investor returns. Here, the majority of women in the Oregon Cannabis space can be found as employees within the industry as budtenders, managers, growers, and voices within our expansive culture. After interviewing a few anonymous, female-identifying budtenders, the biggest complaints were the lack of organization within Cannabis companies. Inconsistent leadership causes the most frustration because it prevents women from moving up. Low wage jobs like budtending (which often start around twelve dollars or less an hour) often require much more than simply budtending, and is equivalent to high pressure sales in any other non-Cannabis industry. Low wages often create high turnover in budtending positions because you are paid like a cashier, but with the responsibilities of a lead salesperson equipped with a plethora of knowledge. The lack of human resources (HR) in most companies results in a decline of professionalism that ultimately hurts its employees when issues within
aug. 2019
Prior to legalization in 2015, women and women of color were instrumental to the passage of Measure 91. Our harrowing stories, and our children helped catapult Cannabis into the legal realm, but legalization did not safeguard or protect the women who made it happen in the first place.
In order to change the future, the Cannabis industry must begin putting people first again. So whenever possible, avoid corporate weed companies in favor of your local mom and pop shops because chances are, they are struggling to survive the corporate/patriarchal purge we are experiencing. As conscious consumers, our dollars have power. Even though you might love cheap ounce deals, skip corporate and invest in our locals working so hard to provide and succeed. I can’t begin to stress the importance of Oregon Cannabis consumers and our power to give money to who deserves it the most. Become a patron of a minority-owned business. Ask tough questions. Literally ask if the company is owned by local women or people of color. If not, find one that is. This radical way of thinking and spending puts money back into our communities that need it the most. Although the Oregon Cannabis industry is under major scrutiny, critical thinking and reflection is what’s needed to create a brighter and more inclusive future. Despite all growing pains, there is plenty of room for improvement as we continue forward towards greater equity - as long as we are conscious of our ongoing shortcomings.
STORY by SIMONE FISCHER @SIMONEFISCHERR
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Highlighting Cannabis pioneers who paved the way to greater herbal acceptance.
HOW THE OUTSPOKEN MUSIC ICON SHARES HER LOVE FOR CANNABIS WITH THE WORLD
RIHANNA
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A S O N E O F T H E WO R L D ’ S WEALTHIEST FEMALE M US IC I AN S , T H E M US ICAL P H E N O M K N OW N S I M P LY A S R I H A N N A L I K E LY N E E D S L I T T L E I N T R O D UC T I O N . In brief, she was born in Barbados, moved to the U.S. in 2005 as a signee with Def Jam Records, and scored a big hit with the song “SOS” in 2006, helping her burst onto the international R&B scene. And with it all she brought her unmistakable swagger and powerful self-confidence. Her sometimes controversial, but ultimately humanizing approach to celebrity, has won Rihanna adoration from fans and the media alike. Throughout it all, Rihanna has done celebrity her way – with little regard for what people think. Perhaps that’s why, even before it was legalized, Rihanna has been outspoken - or at the very least - never tried to hide her relationship with Cannabis. While many celebrities recoil from the public spotlight when it comes to consuming herb, she is often found smoking out in the open, and very often it’s on social media. The first time Rihanna made Cannabis related headlines was due to getting kicked out of a hotel in 2010 for setting off the smoke alarms in her suite due to smoking blunts. A year later,
aug. 2019
RIHANNA HAS BEEN SPOTTED IN THE PRESS USING PLENTY OF CANNABIS, OFTEN ROLLING BLUNTS DURING INTERVIEWS AND HER PHOTO OP’S...
“SHE’S OUT THERE TOASTING LIFE’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND SPECIAL MOMENTS LIKE SO MANY OF US DO, WITH CANNABIS MORE OFTEN THAN ALCOHOL.“
the cover of her album “Talk That Talk” featured her blowing out a massive puff of smoke, thus announcing to the world that Cannabis was an integral piece of her creativity, style and personality. But it wasn’t until social media outlets like Instagram became the modality by which we corrode our social structure that we truly found out how many blunts Rihanna actually smokes. Here, instances abound. There was the time that she rolled a blunt on her bodyguard’s head while seated on his shoulders in the audience at Coachella in 2012, and more recently at Coachella 2018 - minus the epic rolling performance. There’s also the widely publicized photo of her smoking yet another blunt dressed in renaissance garb, shot by Terry Richardson for CR Fashionbook. And while these photos are just the tip of the iceberg for this hyper-celebrity, what
truly makes following her on social media interesting is how casual she is about smoking given her stature in the world as an international celebrity. She’s out there toasting life’s accomplishments and special moments like so many of us do, with Cannabis more often than alcohol. At the end of the day, people love Rihanna because she’s authentically herself - and of course, the music that comes along with this embodiment. This is refreshing, because while Cannabis is more legal than it has ever been in America, the world as a whole is still catching up. An international celebrity like Rihanna is helping with that, but it’s also an insight into the fact that Cannabis gives us the opportunity to see our reality in a different light, a way to adjust our own perspectives and to be open to the moments as they come to us. That’s the freedom this herb provides, and perhaps that is what attracts celebrities like Rihanna to it. Thankfully, she’s not hiding it.
STORY by PACER STACKTRAIN
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BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOBBIES AND INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY? Almost everything I do revolves around or includes Cannabis in one way or another. Whether it’s getting outside for adventures, eating great food around town or staying in to chill, Cannabis always plays a major part in my life. I also love to cook and play with Cannabis, so I’m often crafting medicine for friends and family or teaching others how to do so. I recently flew to Florida to teach Australian Paleo Chef Pete Evans how to make Cannabis oil for a documentary. And I’m working on a female health focused product line, so stay tuned!
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BEKHOUGHTON TJ’s has long been a trusted retail brand in the Willamette Valley and Southern Oregon. And now with the grand opening of their new store on Powell Boulevard in Portland, their full breadth of products can finally be found in the state’s largest metropolis. Of course, a brand with the experience of TJ’s wants the best experience for their customers - and they’ve carried that all the way through to the budtenders they’ve chosen to employ.
can you describe what your First EXPERIENCE WITH Cannabis was like? I was 24 when I smoked Cannabis for the first time. I grew up in Australia believing Cannabis to be dangerous. It was only when my former partner returned home from Afghanistan in 2010 with severe trauma and military related injuries that I really started to investigate Cannabis as a medicine. I was desperate to find a safer, healthier approach to trauma management after seeing what the military’s pharmaceutical treatment did to him - leaving him numb, homicidal, suicidal and dissociative. We started growing, with some pretty laughable results at the beginning. Over time we found what worked and within two years we established a not-for-profit organization, ExService, advocating publicly and politically for veterans’ safe access to Cannabis. As a result, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs in Australia is now covering federallyapproved Cannabis medicines for several military conditions.
CONSUMING CANNABIS? I love nothing more than ripping bongs, but I couldn’t live without my homemade pessaries and Synergy Skin Worx 1:1 transdermal patches in the lead up to my cycle every month! WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE STRAINS, TERPENE EFFECTS AND PROFILES? Some of my faves include Dogwalker by DogHouse, Layer Cake by Ideal Farms, The Doctor by Geek Farms, and Tropicanna Cookies by Focus North. My favorite CBD dominant strains are Kween by Ideal Farms and Davina Obscura from Deep Creek. I’m fascinated by beta caryophyllene, so when I make my own medicines, I like to incorporate essential oils high in BCP such as black pepper and copaiba for that little extra antianxiety relief. HOW DO YOU FIND THE RIGHT STRAINS FOR A CUSTOMER? WHAT GOES INTO THE EDUCATION OF THE STAFF? I always start by asking questions and listening to what they’re after. But ultimately, I’m all about that sniff test y’all! If you don’t love what you smell, move along.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A BUDTENDER AND WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE JOB? I started budtending in July last year at Natural Wonders, WHAT MAKES YOUR SHOP’S APPROACH TO an independent, POC-owned CUSTOMER SERVICE DIFFERENT? and operated dispensary off I’m lucky to work with enormously Hawthorne. talented, knowledgeable and The owner, Jackson McCormick, compassionate Cannabis people. is extremely compassionate and We stock great brands, including patient focused. I was really our own TJ’s Gardens and Yerba impressed by the amount of time Buena, as well everyone there “NOTHING MAKES as many others took to educate ME PROUDER THAN that have been customers and around since the SEEING PEOPLE patients. Jackson medical days like was particular REALIZE CANNABIS IS Nelson & Co, about which farms MEDICINE.” Peak Extracts and he supported and Echo Electuary. worked with. We have My favorite part of a beautifully budtending is knowing designed store I help people help TJ’S ON POWELL that is modern, themselves - that I 7827 SE Powell Blvd, cozy and support patients to Portland, OR (503) 719-7140 welcoming. transition away from VisitTJs.com And of course, harmful pharmaceutical we do coffee! drugs and a lifetime We have been open for three of conventional treatment, and I months and I’ve absolutely loved watch proudly as they discover a getting to know our neighbors better and healthier way of life. and local community, and to be Both for themselves and their able to provide some of the best loved ones. Nothing makes me medicine in town at affordable prouder than seeing people realize prices. Cannabis is medicine. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE METHOD FOR
KNOW A GREAT BUDTENDER? NOMINATE THEM FOR BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH: THEPACKERSTACKTRAIN@GMAIL.COM
aug. 2019
INTERVIEW by PACER STACKTRAIN | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
PROFILE oregonlEAF.COM
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Trish Chingon has been an OMMP patient since 2011, but her history in Oregon runs deep. Before 2015 adult consumption legalization, Trish was an advocate for the Oregon medical program to increase access for patients across the state. After dealing with chronic pain stemming from endometriosis, she began to experiment with Cannabis as a viable, long-term treatment option. Once she found a Cannabis regimen that worked for her, she decided to drop opioids all together.
TRISH CHINGON Although Trish has been familiar with Cannabis throughout her life, she didn’t start using the plant intentionally until October of 2010. At that time, she was trying to kick a depleting opioid addiction due to multiple surgical operations caused by endometriosis. Simultaneously, her sister was dying of cancer and Trish wanted her to try Cannabis to see if it would give her any relief. “I have dealt with multiple surgeries because of the severity of my endometriosis, but before the medical program I was put on a cocktail of opiates to reduce the resulting chronic pain,” recalled Chingon. “I was finally detoxing from opiates in 2010, but I was still able to manage my chronic pain with Cannabis. In May of 2011, I finally got my first OMMP card and became a patient.” Endometriosis is an autoimmune disease that affects women, and often results in fertility issues, fibroid, extreme abdominal pain from cramping, and can often lead to surgery. After trying full extract Cannabis (aka FECO) and experiencing relief, she started giving the FECO to her sister in late stage cancer. “Initially, my family was against Cannabis because they were around during the times of reefer madness. It took them seeing my recovery through Cannabis before they were comfortable with giving it to my sister. Not only was my health improving, but I was a joy to be around again and I wasn’t so angry from dealing with ongoing pain. My sister died in 2011 from cancer, but I was able to make her passing as comfortable as I could with Cannabis treatments.”
Trish began using Cannabis medicinally four years before WHAT’S legalization in Oregon. It was difficult to advocate for WORKED Cannabis to her family and sister with cancer due to the FOR HER > MYRCENE AND stigma of prohibition. LINALOOL FOR Although the medical program had been around since PAIN RELIEF 2000, the plant’s legitimacy was constantly called into > EDIBLES AND question due to lack of research and legal prohibition. CONCENTRATES “In the beginning my family gave me a hard time because prohibition has influenced most folks a great deal,” said Chingon. “Once they saw how my health improved over time and I stopped pharmaceuticals, they started to ask questions - and now some use CBD and low doses of THC themselves. I also have been working in this industry since 2012 and am now a manager at Cannasource.” Trish’s advocacy of Cannabis led to a management position at a local dispensary in Portland. Hard earned and valuable experience make people like Trish a wonderful contribution to our community because she can help people who may be dealing with the same issues. As for medicating, Trish prefers edibles and concentrates to deal with chronic pain, but loves flower for elevating any activity. “I love Cannabis in all forms, but I use edibles and dabs for pain control and sleep, and flower to enhance any activity. Ken Estes’ Grand Daddy Purple strain is a favorite for pain and insomnia because of the high amounts of myrcene and linalool for pain. But I use limonene and pinene to elevate mood. And of course caryophyllene for wellness.”
“Once they saw how my health improved over time and I stopped pharmaceuticals, they started to ask questions - and now some use CBD and low doses of THC themselves.” apR. 2019 aug.
INTERVIEW by SIMONE FISCHER @SIMONEFISCHERR | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
TRISH CHINGON
STONER OWNER
ACBRADDOCK
CEO | EDEN LABS
oregonlEAF.COM
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AUG. 2019
How did Cannabis come into your life?
The quintessential teenage experience. Skipping school to try it out and then playing frisbee.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START EDEN LABS? Eden Labs was
Founded by Fritz Chess in 1994. He was inspired by wide variety of plant medicines and that knowledge base is constantly building. The number of botanicals he knows how to extract for varying components is staggering and exciting. I was inspired by what I saw him doing in 1999, as we shared a strong interest in bettering human health through naturally occuring medicinal plants and lifestyle choices. Because of this shared interest and the success in my career at the time, he asked me to come run the company in 2004. However, I loved the luxury Built Green project I was working on and declined, so I could have a couple more years to complete it. In the meantime, I actively advised Eden until 2008, when I took a more active role and then became a full partner and CEO in 2009. It’s been a wild ride since and with providing solutions for the hemp industry and further medical research, it’s not slowing down anytime soon.
WHY DO YOU CHOOSE TO FOCUS ON CO2 & ETHANOL EXTRACTION?
This is not a short answer, but this is industry history based on Eden’s 25 years in Cannabis extraction. First and foremost, Eden is an R&D company that works with many industries and solvents. Eden innovated CO2 technology for Cannabis and kava kava, installed the first commercial ethanol systems in the mid-90s and developed the first closed-loop systems. Around the time Colorado and Washington legalized for more than medical (I like to use conscious consumption or lifestyle use), we simply stopped promoting the fact that our CO2 systems could be used with co-solvents. Why? About 2011, it became perfectly clear to me that all concentrates were under attack from mainstream media and we were at a tipping point for the slow roll or fast track to medical legalization. At this time, the media was having a field day with “dirty and dangerous drug operations” that were exploding up and down the West Coast, from open blasting in the unregulated market. This was a significant problem because the media was lumping all concentrates into their frighteningly effective messaging. Concentrates were seen as “druggy” and so were the people who made and consumed them. On top of that, there were some greedy, uneducated early players who knew nothing about proper purging and didn’t care when provided proper post-processing techniques. So we asked ourselves, how on earth were we going to fast track legalization with that kind of propaganda and lack of desire for self-regulation from these bad players? How do we help create a pathway that is unquestionably safe in production and consumption? We used our experience in the production of nutraceuticals, food, biofuels, essential oils, etc, knowing that the industry would eventually need to establish a self-regulated platform for facilities from the viewpoint of fire departments, police, OSHA, etc. At the time, most of the unregulated industry just wasn’t ready to implement and/or could not afford these kinds of SOPs and facilities, so we provided immediate
alternatives that no one outside of the industry could argue against. And they tried, believe me, they tried. It was fun telling a fire department that CO2 is not explosive, you actually use it to put out fires. As far as ethanol goes, it has been utilized for thousands of years in medicinal use, and while it was unpopular for a number of years, we knew it would come back and come back it has! We also knew that building this industry would lead to the need for industrial scale systems, and both CO2 and ethanol are proven solutions for efficiencies in large scale production.
“MY FAVORITE PART IS KNOWING WE ARE HELPING SICK PEOPLE, HELPING CHANGE SOCIAL BIAS AND ADDING TO THE POLITICAL POWER OF THE WAVE OF CONSUMERS WHO WANT TO BUY FROM ORGANIC, SUSTAINABLE, MISSION DRIVEN, SMALL BUSINESS.”
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU BE A CANNABIS BUSINESS OWNER WHO CONSUMES THE PLANT?
It means I support and understand its use and potential. It means I can call BS on misinformation and disinformation on the plant and how it is produced and why. The underlying dedication to what I do stems from the science of one system treating another system. It stems from the desire to recreate our medical system. What we are doing in this industry is treating illness and promoting health and wellbeing through the endocannabinoid system, as well as curing political and social ills around prohibition and the mechanisms that create such horrible and destructive cultural biases.
HAS IT BEEN HARD TO BE A WOMAN IN THE INDUSTRY?
It’s complex. In some ways it’s easier because it is a health and wellness industry, and because social issues like sexism are constant topics. We went from an industry that was exclusively marketed to men, and in particular men under 30, to an industry that calls out companies that abuse the use of women and sex to sell what is essentially a health product. We had the highest number of women owned businesses and C Suite in any U.S. industry in 2014. The downside is the slide since from health and wellness based business to same old, same old business, and we have lost that momentum. It’s harder for women in business in any sector, period. An example - it was easier in the beginning of the regulated market because no one had access to funding. Entry into a craft industry is more accessible. Now there is a significant decline in women owned business because data says for every $58 million men get in funding, women get $1 million - according to the NY Times. It’s very difficult for anyone to compete with big business coming into the industry, but especially difficult for women and people of color.
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE AND FAVORITE PART ABOUT OWNING A CANNABIS BUSINESS? My favorite part is knowing we are helping sick people, helping change social bias and adding to the political power of the wave of consumers who want to buy from
organic, sustainable, mission driven, small business. I enjoy the political work I have done in NCIA, The Cannabis Alliance, Stewardship Partners, Women of Weed, etc. Being a part of political action and market development alleviates the frustration of watching bad regulation, stigma, racism, sexism and prohibition which is still very much alive and kicking.
WHAT KIND OF CHANGE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE FOR THE INDUSTRY OVERALL? We need to diversify. We need legal
pathways to medical, nutraceutical, food, building materials, textiles, etc. As Dr. Ethan Russo likes to point out, if you had to take one plant to a desert island, this would be the one that could sustain, clothe and shelter you. If we allow the molecularization of the plant to be the only pathway to legal use - and I mean legal personal use - we have failed on so many levels and as humans we will pay a significant and devastating price in this lost opportunity.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE STRAIN AND WAY TO CONSUME?
LOL. I don’t have any favorites for multiple reasons. The biggest reason is I am currently going through 45 concentrate entries from the Terpestival! I am not looking at strains, but rather combinations of terpenes and cannabinoids. I am making my way through them with my nose and other senses. It’s fantastic. I strongly believe we should be cultivating and extracting specific cultivars for our individual endocannabinoid needs. It’s a very personal journey that I am enjoying. As far as consumption, I was just gifted a Puffco Peak, which has been a delight. And I like full spectrum tinctures and vaping.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING IN YOUR FREE TIME?
Anything that consumes my awareness and is nature oriented, but especially yoga, gardening, surfing, skiing, music and spending time with my feisty as hell friends and colleagues. So good. All of it. E DE N LAB S . CO M
@ EDENLABS
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. Look for the Stoner Owner stamp when purchasing fine Cannabis, and let’s retake our culture and reshape a stigma by honoring those who grow, process and sell the best Cannabis possible.
INTERVIEW by WES ABNEY @BEARDEDLORAX | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
Celebrate Family in Life & Business! Proud to be One of the Many Family-Founded Herb Businesses in Oregon. Whole Plant Medicine - Whole Hearted passion.
Jon & Brie, co-founders on the farm 2014
Sun God Medicinals is a family owned, bioregional herbal company formally founded in the Summer of 2014. With a mission to blend & extract quality, healing herbs from Southern Oregon the company formulates with the health of the end user in mind. From ethically produced craft herbal teas, artisan tinctures, soothing topicals, and more, the Sun God Meds product line aims to help people ďŹ nd the right herbs, for the right symptoms!
www.sungodmedicinals.com
Oregon Made
Visit SunGodMeds.com to ďŹ nd a retailer near you!
@sungodmeds
Daytripinn.pink • @daytripinn Do not drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of marijuana. This product is not approved by the FDA to treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
shop review
GREEN GODDESS REMEDIES 5435 SW TAYLORS FERRY RD, PORTLAND | 10AM-8PM MON.-SAT, 12AM-7PM SUNDAYS | (503) 764-9000 | GREENGODDESSPDX.COM
STRAINS 4/5 Green Goddess is a vertically integrated
dispensary, bringing in-house and soil-grown, Clean Green Certified, indoor flowers to the shelves for its customers. The farm, which goes by the name of Nebadon Farms, is located less than an hour from the dispensary in Corbett, Oregon. In addition, Green Goddess stocks a few varieties of flowers from across the state. On our early July visit, we noted options from Pruf Cultivar in Portland, Trichome Farms in the Willamette Valley, and Otto’s OG Farm - which calls Southern Oregon home. Given their in-house farm is indoors, Trichome Farms grows a lot of their material in greenhouses, while Otto’s OG Farm is full-season sungrown. There’s an option for every preference.
EDIBLES
5/5 Gummies? Check. Chocolates? Check. Tinc-
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tures? Check. Hard candies? Check. Beverages? You betcha. Well stocked would be putting it lightly! Green Goddess carries an awesome array of delicious edibles for those looking to consume their ganja as food. Price points here are very reasonable, with most options ranging from $10-$20.
CONCENTRATES 3/5 The concentrates shelf at Green Goddess re-
flects a local consumership that clearly prefers cartridges to outright dabs. While there was a solid variety of options for on-the-go medication, we felt the dab options were a little limited and the shelf was devoid of solventless extracts. On the plus side here, the shop does carry whole plant extract - which we find is a surprisingly overlooked item for most dispensaries - and we found the price points to be approachable with full gram options starting at just $20.
ENVIRONMENT
oregonlEAF.COM
5/5 Hand built by the owner Sally Bishop, Green
Goddess Remedies is an adorable neighborhood storefront that truly exemplifies a classic Portland dispensary. Once a dive bar, Bishop purchased the building and spent nearly every penny she had on revitalizing the defunct outpost, transforming it into one of Portland’s first medical dispensaries, initially licensed by the OHA all the way back in 2013. The interior styling is eclectic and fun, and the space is clean and approachable both inside and out.
QUICK HIT 17/20 This quaint dispensary in Southwest Port-
land is a beautiful testament to what can be achieved with hard work and dedication.
aug. 2019
XJ-13
Nebadon Farms G13 HAZE X JACK HERER
AROMA 5/5 DENSITY 3/5 CURE 4/5 LOOKS 4/5 FLAVOR 4/5 EFFECT 5/5 TOTAL 25/30
XJ-13 is a classic strain long forgotten by many of the hype-chasing producers that exist today. Her terpene profile, when properly grown and cured like this lovely example from Green Goddess Remedies’ vertical grow, is a musty, funky, tropical, piney and haze-forward cultivar with amazing functionality. The effects creep up on you and envelope you in a smooth and relaxing, yet alert and creative high. I twisted up a roughly .6g joint and only made it about half way through before I was thoroughly medicated. The flavor translates very well with no leftover nutrient taste, indicating a proper flush. The smoke was smooth and minimally expansive in the lungs. Would definitely smoke again. $10/g, 17.1% THC, 0% CBD.
ONCE A DIVE BAR, OWNER SALLY BISHOP PURCHASED THE BUILDING AND SPENT NEARLY EVERY PENNY SHE HAD ON REVITALIZING THE DEFUNCT OUTPOST, TRANSFORMING IT INTO ONE OF PORTLAND’S FIRST MEDICAL DISPENSARIES.
Wyld
1:1POMEGRANATE GUMMIES TASTE 5/5 EFFECT 5/5 PKGNG 5/5 VALUE 4/5 TOTAL 19/20
THESE DELICIOUS real fruit gummies have a solid serving of both THC and CBD for a pronounced and balanced effect. I really enjoyed the pomegranate flavor, which didn’t hint at the Cannabis it contained, and loved the texture of the gummy. The packaging is super unique and would make a great gift, with the 10 gummies per package making it easy to share with friends or micro-dose for yourself. $22.50, 10-pack. (4.99mg THC + 6.47mg CBD per gummy)
REVIEWED by NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415 | PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
shop review
2644 RIVER RD, EUGENE, OR | 9AM-10PM MON.-SAT, 10AM-8PM SUNDAYS | (541) 653-8523 | OREGONSGREENRUSH.COM
OREGON'S GREEN RUSH FLOWER 4/5 Oregon’s Green Rush has an amazing selection
of top shelf flower, as well as other truly affordable and quality options. Here you will find lots of gardens local to the Eugene area, such as Tao Gardens, Herbal Dynamics and Gaia’s Ganja Garden. Their flower selection is displayed directly in front of you in a glass case, in smaller increments, as well as glass jars lining the shelves. Strains such as GG1, Satsuma Dream, Ice Cream Cake and MAC 2 were currently stocked, with prices ranging from $5-$15 per gram.
EDIBLES 5/5 The edible selection at Oregon’s Green Rush is
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quite expansive. Laurie Maryjane, Elbe’s Edibles, Herban Tribe and Wyld are just a few of the delicious options for those sweet tooths out there. Looking for something vegan or gluten free? They’ve got you covered there as well, with Titan Kind’s Full Spectrum Fruit Chews 2.0 coming in at $15 for 50mg. Additionally, you will find a vast amount of tinctures from Sun God Medicinals, Siskiyou, and Dr. Jolly’s for those searching for a more medicinally beneficial edible.
CONCENTRATES 4/5 If you’re looking for a cartridge, Oregon’s Green
Rush is well stocked. Happy Cabbage, Buddies, Shadowbox Farms and Ionic were all showcased with options ranging from $42/1000mg to $54/500mg. As well, you will find brands like Viola, Dr. Jolly’s, Bobsled Extracts, and Dab Tabs for those looking for the best price to quality ratio.
ENVIRONMENT
oregonlEAF.COM
5/5 Located on River Road in North Eugene’s
Santa Clara District, Oregon’s Green Rush provides a unique and comfortable shopping experience. Upon walking in, you enter their lovely waiting room that offers complimentary water, coffee and soft drinks. All around the dispensary you will find glass art, apparel and other smoking accessories, making Oregon’s Green Rush a one-stop shop. Overall, our expectations were exceeded by the knowledge and information that their friendly staff shared with us.
QUICK HIT 18/20 Just north of the Belt-line, I can easily say I
will be making my way back over to Oregon’s Green Rush the next time I am in the area. Keep an eye out for their upcoming events, in which they give back to their customers as well as the Eugene community.
Aug. 2019
OWNER JANICE GROSSMAN WITH HER SON, JARED, AND THE SHOP TEAM
PLATINUMCOOKIES SOLVENTLESSROSIN CART Processed by Happy Cabbage Farms Cultivated by Ten Four Farms
TASTE 3/5 EFFECT 4/5 PKGNG 4/5 VALUE 2/5 TOTAL 13/20
HAPPY CABBAGE AND TEN FOUR FARMS teamed up for this solventless rosin cartridge. The Platinum Cookies sample I picked up featured a reliable viscosity and beautiful, light golden hue. There was no terpene testing provided, but a distinct Cookies profile was present - with a meaty hit and strong pepper notes that slapped the back of my nasal passage. The gradual effects eased muscle tension while allowing me to maintain sharp mental focus. However, at $54 per half gram cartridge, I felt the flavor of their product was better represented in dabbable form. $54/500mg, 2.37mg THC & 0mg CBD per serving
Herbal Dynamics
SUPERSILVERHASHPLANT AROMA 3/5 DENSITY 5/5 CURE 5/5 LOOKS 4/5 FLAVOR 2/5 EFFECT 4/5 TOTAL 23/30
ALL AROUND THE DISPENSARY YOU WILL FIND GLASS ART, APPAREL AND OTHER SMOKING ACCESSORIES, MAKING OREGON’S GREEN RUSH A ONE-STOP SHOP.
THIS BUD has densely packed bracts that are home to a healthy scattering of trichomes. Like a warm headband, Super Silver Hash Plant produces a tingle around the temple, heavy eyelids, and a full night’s sleep. I consumed it before bed, and again during the day to a similar effect. The smoke had a little spiciness reminiscent of its Hash Plant lineage, and the exhale boasted a brief second of sweet, citrus flavor that quickly faded to an earthy finish. At $12 per gram and an admittedly effective potency, it should please most of those looking for a heavy hitter. $12/g, 30.21% THC, 0.09% CBD, 1.02% Terpenes
PRODUCT REVIEWS + PHOTOS by AMANDA DAY @TERPODACTYL_MEDIA
SHOP REVIEW by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST | SHOP PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
We grow the flavorful, sexy kind.
KEEP IT LOCAL. KEEP IT WICKED. KEEP IT KIND. CONCENTRATES • TOP SHELF FLOWER • WICKED STIXX PREROLLS WICKEDKIND.COM
#WICKEDKIND
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 the reach of children.
STRAIN OF THE MONTH oregonlEAF.COM
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APRICOT MOONSHINE paschalfarms
aug. 2019
PASCHALFARMS.COM @PASCHALFARMS
APRICOT MOONSHINE
“THE EFFECT WAS MAINLY CEREBRAL WITH A NICE CLEAN HIGH IN THE HEAD AND BEHIND THE EYES, INDICATIVE OF THE SATIVA ATTRIBUTES.”
15.7% THC 2.8% TERPENES
CULTIVATED BY PASCHAL FARMS FEATURES GIANT, CHUNKY AND DENSE FLOWERS. My nose was first met with a neutral, earthy and green scent. However, once squeezed, the Apricot Moonshine released a sweeter apricot, pine and lemon profile that was quite pleasing, reminiscent of Dutch Treat. When smoked out of a clean bong I got an interesting mix of sweet and savory flavors. My palate was met with a mix of sweet pine, earth, and a tinge of citrus. The flavor out of my bong wasn’t my favorite, so I decided to vape the Apricot Moonshine in my Volcano, which was a great idea and yielded a much better pine, funk and lemon flavor. I was reminded once again of Dutch Treat, with its balanced profile of sweet and savory when vaped at a lower temperature. The effect was mainly cerebral with a nice clean high in the head and behind the eyes, indicative of the sativa attributes. I enjoyed the effect the most out of all the aspects of this flower and found myself vaping the rest before I knew it. Paschal Farms is located outside of Portland, and has a great mission where they will donate one pound of produce to someone in need for each pound of flower they sell as a producer. Keep them in mind for your next philanthropy-focused purchase!
REVIEW by MATTHEW MEYERS @EARLMCDABSITY | PHOTO by NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415
THE WOMEN’S ISSUE
RANDA SHAHIN HO M EG R OWN A POT H ECA RY
C O - OWN E R & O P E R ATO R by SIMONE FISCHER @SIMONEFISCHERR
oregonlEAF.COM
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Randa Shahin has been the co-owner and operator of Homegrown Apothecary since opening the doors in 2014. HGA is a women and minority-owned dispensary focused on organic health and wellness, helping people navigate Cannabis holistically in combination with non-Cannabis herbs. Shahin is a humble pro that credits the hard work of her team for the business’ success. In an industry lacking diversity and original creativity, Shahin breathes new life into what a dispensary can be.
AUG. 2019
“My team is very small and we each have our strengths. I set the moral tone and image of what I wanted the company to hold.” Here, HGA has blossomed since legalization in 2015 and Shahin experiences regular growing pains of a successful business. The combination of Cannabis and a full herbal apothecary has been well-received by Portlanders, especially as people explore alternative treatment options. “Our growth rate has been quite significant this year and we need to start thinking outside the box to maximize our ability to help everyone. It is important for us to give people the focus, attention, and knowledge they deserve.” “We’ve had many other kinds of challenges in the past, but having a year where your main challenge is handling how fast you’re growing isn’t such a terrible challenge.“ Despite the progress Shahin and her team have made, she is constantly looking to the future to further improve and accommodate the community. HGA’s location is a darling shop complete with a “Our plan for growth hand-painted flower is to remain authentic sign on the building. Authenticity oozes and stay true to what from the welcoming we believe in.” environment Shahin has worked hard to provide the public. “At the end of the day our plan for growth is to remain authentic and stay true to what we believe in. We’ve maintained a philosophy that cares about the environment and sustainability, as well as providing an honest attempt to help people with alternative wellness through plants, Cannabis and non-Cannabis. This philosophy and authenticity resonates well with Portlanders. The support we get from our customer base is amazing and they in turn tell their friends. Word of mouth is the best marketing you can have and we have an overwhelming amount of that.”
by NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415
HOW DID YOU WIND UP AS THE HEAD OF A MAJOR WHOLESALE OPERATION IN ONE OF OUR COUNTRY’S FIRST RECREATIONALLY LEGAL STATES?
I was willing to get way out of my comfort zone in order to learn medical Cannabis. I left a cushy, boring job in medical sales in Las Vegas, to do something I had no experience in at the time: build a sales team for a Cannabis farm. I found as many allies as I could and asked as many questions as I could. As the market transitioned to recreational, an opportunity to lead The Sweet Life became available. From there I took over global operations of Urban Pharms and The Sweet Life.
WOULD YOU SAY THE CANNABIS SECTOR HAS MORE OR LESS WOMEN IN MANAGEMENT AND OWNERSHIP POSITIONS THAN OTHER INDUSTRIES? Fewer!
The problem is a dearth of traditional funding sources. Now that publicly traded companies are buying up what few independent companies are left, there’s even less room for women in management and ownership. Larger companies in this space are more likely to be run by men that trust and hire people that look like themselves.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT OF RUNNING A COMPLIANT, SUCCESSFUL WHOLESALE COMPANY? Without rules, we
joy
contreras THE SWEET LIFE DISTRIBUTION
PRESIDENT & CEO
If you’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting or interacting with Joy Contreras, you have probably gleaned that she is one smart cookie. President of The Sweet Life Distribution, a prolific wholesale business responsible for moving over 5% of Oregon’s product last year per BDS Analytics, Contreras is not only a logistics guru, a business-savvy opportunist and an amazing networker. She is also an incredibly grounded and relatable human being with strong morals and an even stronger love for her family. Immersing herself in the industry starting in 2015, Contreras not only helps run her business which is a business centered around helping uplift and support other businesses - she is one of a small handful of individuals that travels to lobby in Washington D.C. each year on behalf of the greater community.
wouldn’t be here, and state regulations are written to prevent diversion. But in many ways, these rules burden sales and efficiency, and cost resources. If we bring ten pounds of product to a retailer in Bend for them to look at - and they reject it - we’re prevented from selling that product to any other retailer before it returns to our warehouse. This is costly on many operational levels. Metrc, the seed-to-sale tracking system, can sometimes function as handcuffs.
WHO INSPIRES YOU? My team! If you like
working with The Sweet Life, it’s because of the brilliant group of individuals I get to call my team. They come from diverse backgrounds, they’re stylish and smart, hardworking and fun to be around. They truly make me want to be better.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER ASPIRING FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS? Be curious! When
in doubt, ask more questions. Take a look at yourself through a sobering lense to identify your strengths and weaknesses, and surround yourself with people who will challenge your “Surround yourself thoughts and ideas. with people who Remember, tenacity will challenge your outweighs talent - be thoughts and ideas.” tenacious AF!
PHOTOGRAPHY by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
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THE WOMEN’S ISSUE
JEANETTE HORTON
N U LEA F PROJ EC T
E X E C U T IVE D I R E C TO R by SIMONE FISCHER @SIMONEFISCHERR “NuLeaf Project PDX was started in 2018 to grow the local Cannabis market in a way that is inclusive of the communities most targeted by Cannabis prohibition,” Horton said. “Our goal is to build intergenerational wealth for people of color through the legal Cannabis industry. We do this today primarily by investing Cannabis tax revenue from the City of Portland into minority-owned Cannabis businesses via grants and zero-interest loans. We also get funding from Cannabis businesses who believe in this mission.” The corporatization of the Oregon Cannabis community has further removed people of color from the ground floor of the industry. Here, Horton works on fundraising to secure capital from the state and other companies who believe in her cause, and plans on throwing a fundraising gala to honor grantees and business partners.
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oregonlEAF.COM
“The capital gap in Cannabis is widening between white business owners - who traditionally have more access to capital through personal wealth and personal networks - and minority business owners who on average have 10% of the personal wealth of whites, and significantly less access to venture capital funding.”
Jeanette Horton is the enterprising co-founder and executive director of NuLeaf Project PDX. Nuleaf has already helped secure funding for businesses like Greenbox, a company that specializes in delivery and providing consumers with a curated Cannabis subscription box with different products from around the state. Horton created NuLeaf to help diversify the Cannabis industry by providing businesses with access to funding to ease prohibitive start-up costs.
AUG. 2019
“The capital gap in Cannabis is widening between white business owners - who traditionally have more access to capital through personal wealth and personal networks - and minority business owners who on average have 10% of the personal wealth of whites, and significantly less access to venture capital funding,” Horton said. “Data tells us that black founders receive less than 1% of VC funding. We can do much more than we think with micro-loans to minority-owned Cannabis businesses.” NuLeaf Project’s loans ranged from $15,000 to $30,000 in its first year. “We saw a high rate of return from these investments, including sustained sales growth, job creation, increased profitability, and new product lines introduced for the funded businesses,” Horton said. “The challenge we face is having access to enough capital to do more. There are many licensed Cannabis business owners of color right here in Oregon, and we need more financial resources to make an impact on more businesses.”
“Cannabis is not just a culture, a trend, or a new and exciting business opportunity. It is an agent of change. We are here today as changed women in proof of that very statement.”
MURAL BY THE EARWIG
by NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415
Mary Thomas + Leiann Stephens T H E DU B WHO LE SALE
CH I E F CA NN A BI S OFFICE R + CH I E F E X EC U T IVE OF F ICE R
These two forward thinking business women make up the executive arm of The Dub Wholesale, a dedicated full service Cannabis distribution company. Co-founded by Leiann Stephens in 2016, Mary Thomas stepped in to help rebuild and solidify the operation. Together, they’ve developed a people and quality focused business that uses an internal compass based on a love of the plant, not of the dollar, to guide its decisions and partnerships. “Cannabis is not just a culture, a trend, or a new and exciting business opportunity. It is an agent of change,” Stephens said. “We are here today as changed women in proof of that very statement. Our aim is never to lose sight of the plant.” No doubt this mentality is a rare thing in the booming Cannabis sector, and for that we tip our caps.
distribution, sales, storage and delivery/fulfillment in order to help them grow their reach.
ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT FEDERAL LEGALITY AFFECTING YOUR FUTURE VIABILITY? Of course, we are aware of the challenges that wholesale in the Cannabis industry may face. But like the craft beer industry, we know that as a distributor focused on one type of product, we can look ahead and know that if done correctly, we will be the ones driving movement across state lines once it is federally legal.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST HURDLE TO DATE?
Mary was the general manager and head of intake at a dispensary in SW Portland, and agreed to join the company as head of sales in January 2017. After the challenges our industry went through in late 2017, we faced a choice in early 2018 of either figuring out a way to stay in business or close. We felt that with the combination of our expertise in operations, logistics and retail, as well as industry knowledge and a shared vision of what we could build, we could move forward.
Access to reasonable banking. If we were a [traditional] wholesale operation, we would have the ability to access lines of credit and other normal business accounts, such as corporate credit cards at reasonable interest rates, etc. However, not having access has made us scrappy. We purposefully started small and have organically rebuilt the company, learning from mistakes and missteps, quickly fixing them and moving forward. We rely solely on the income we generate and by growing this way we have been able to create strong industry partnerships with quality brands, and we are all growing together. Bottom line, we took lemons and made lemonade.
WHAT SETS THE DUB APART FROM OTHER WHOLESALERS? From the beginning, we have
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER ASPIRING FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS?
HOW DID YOU TWO MEET AND WIND UP BECOMING BUSINESS PARTNERS?
been focused on working with quality, ethical and medically driven brands that share our values, focusing on providing education and quality products to the end user. We are passionate about developing solid partnerships with our vendors and providing efficient and cost saving services that include
You need to be prepared to make sacrifices and to develop a thick skin, because you will have critics and folks telling you that you can’t do this. Remain passionate about what you are creating and recognize that you will need to pivot on occasion.
PHOTOGRAPHY by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
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THE WOMEN’S ISSUE
carrie soloman
LEIF G O ODS
C EO + F O U N D E R by WILL FERGUSON/OREGON LEAF and have three additional products in the pipeline that are equally delicious, nostalgic and exciting. Finally, we have our inaugural product from 2014, one of the most potent topical balms on the market, under the brand Physic. We continue to use our original recipe to provide this 100% organic, plant-based topical that complements our edible line, many of which are also balanced with higher ratios of CBD for those seeking not just recreational antidotes to life, but also relief for their other ills.
WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES WITH HAVING TO CONSTANTLY ADAPT TO STATE LAW CHANGES AND NEW PACKAGING REQUIREMENTS?
Things are indeed often changing, and were particularly challenging in the earlier days of the recreational period we now get to enjoy. As a designer, I am able to alter our packaging with ease and swiftness as these new requirements arise, and because we print everything locally and in smaller batches, we are often able to avoid the treachery of large print runs that ultimately just get thrown away. In terms of larger rule changes, we always try to stay connected and communicate with our colleagues, partners, distributors and couriers to ensure that we are always following the rules as accurately as humanly possible.
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“Over time, we’ve continued to adjust, pivot and innovate in response to the sort of industry shifts and customer desires that we recognized at day one.”
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HOW DID LEIF GOODS GET ITS START?
Leif Goods was created out of necessity. About six years ago, as a medical marijuana card holder and chronic pain sufferer, my husband could not find a topical solution in any dispensary at the time that fit his needs. It was just after some new rules had arisen and our only preferred brand disappeared from the shelves. Out of the need for an extremely potent, non-greasy, great smelling balm, he crafted his unique formula and it worked! As a designer and brand builder, I put together a simple brand and we approached a handful of locations at that time, and were able to sell them into the market. Quickly thereafter, we expanded into edibles out of a desire to provide higher quality options, using full spectrum Cannabis oil to battle the usual options at that time that were poorly branded and tasted subpar.
AUG. 2019
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO COMBAT THE PATRIARCHAL STATE OF THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY? Over time, we’ve continued to adjust, pivot and innovate in response to the sort of industry shifts and customer desires that we recognized at day one. We have responded to needs in the market that were not yet fulfilled - expanding our edibles line and recently launching our sister brand in the hemp market, Greater Goods.
WHAT KIND OF EDIBLES DOES LEIF GOODS OFFER?
We offer our flagship line of organic, Fair Trade chocolate bars in a variety of flavors, including our classic Mint Hibiscus Bar, our fun Peanut Butter and Jelly Bar, our 20:1 High CBD Dark Chocolate Salted Bar (all three are vegan certified), as well as our latest release - our milk chocolate Coffee Crunch Bar. Our sub-brand, Junk Worldwide, has been a super popular growing line of fun confections, including the cult favorite Marshmallow Bon-Bons, which are a six pack of vegan marshmallows covered in dark chocolate and sprinkled with chocolate salt. We also offer two flavors of our Dynamites, which are carbonated popping sugar candy,
Fight to win, never back down, and uphold other women around you. Also, hire with diversity and inclusion, and speak out and speak up when needed.
WHERE DO YOU SEE THE INDUSTRY IN 5-10 YEARS?
I believe that we will see some form of legalization for Cannabis across the nation, however I imagine that states will still control their individual methods of regulation and infrastructure for a relatively long time. The public’s romance with hemp CBD will likely not wane anytime soon, and will work symbiotically with its Cannabis cousins to create an American culture that chooses cannabinoids over opioids, creating a wave of expectations [for] something natural versus chemical and preventative versus reactionary. Small companies will fight conglomerates. Ultimately, the industry will mimic the choices we have in craft beer, craft coffee and craft chocolate. Options for everyone.
PHOTOGRAPHY by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
by MORIAH LACHAPPEL @MLACHAPELL
Prior to the Cannabis industry, Zoe Wilder worked in publishing and communications at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) in Manhattan, a prominent
zoe wilder PR & COMMUNICATIONS
P U B L I C R E L AT I O N S , M E D I A & C O N S U LT I N G
Zoe Wilder is a PR and communications professional working with businesses, brands and public figures to cultivate success. She owns a public relations agency, collaborating with client partners across a variety of sectors, including Cannabis.
nonprofit lung health association responsible for the publication of peer-reviewed medical journals covering the topic. In fact, the ATS published some of the first favorable studies on Cannabis and lung health. Zoe holds a master’s degree in the field of social work (MSW) from Fordham University, where she studied harm reduction approaches for substance abuse and witnessed first-hand how Cannabis can improve the quality of life in people who suffer from mental health and medical issues. Her early experiences have informed her career, including her bachelor’s in English literature, where social good is at the core of her work. Born and raised in Atlanta, Zoe currently resides in Los Angeles and travels frequently, but lived in the Pacific Northwest for several years and represents and consults with brands in the region and beyond. Passionate about education and sociology, she focuses on causes such as environmental reform, sustainability, equity, and job creation throughout disproportionately impacted communities. Wilder acknowledges that “This is the plant she has a rare technology revolution. opportunity to not Every day we understand only witness, but support the evolving more about our industry relationship to nature and Cannabis and populations the role plants play in impacted by the war on drugs. wellness.” “This is the plant technology revolution,” says Wilder. “Every day we understand more about our relationship to nature and the role plants play in wellness, as well as helping to end the opioid crisis. We’re also revitalizing economies, especially in agrarian communities.” When asked about the challenges in marketing Cannabis, she said inconsistent access for various populations is among the many issues. “State and local regulations will continue to shape our approach. Everything is location dependent.” She believes personalization and customization are the future. “As time goes on, more people will access perfectly suited products for a variety of applications,” says Wilder. She knows that over time regulations will even out some, allowing consumers to experience the full benefit of the plant, and operators to conduct business more smoothly. But in the meantime, she and her team are helping clients navigate the challenges ahead of them - all the while having a positive impact on our planet.
PHOTOGRAPHY by KEASHA BROWN @KEASHABROWN_
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THE WOMEN’S ISSUE
natalie raulin
A R T I FAC T E X T R AC T S M ARKETING DIRECTOR R I V E R VA L L E Y R E M E D I E S BRANDING & PURCHASING by AMANDA DAY @TERPODACTYL_MEDIA
In 2016, as a chemistry major at Georgia Southern University, the War on Drugs came knocking on Natalie’s front door. Her life was uprooted and
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oregonlEAF.COM
What’s the biggest challenge of marketing in the Cannabis landscape? The packaging. It’s so wasteful! But we have to comply with OLCC rules and those aren’t always the best for the environment.
How can we tackle this issue while complying with OLCC regulations? Redistribute some of the incoming tax toward waste management and recycling! It might not be the solution to all of our problems, but it wouldn’t hurt either.
AUG. 2019
she set out in pursuit of a new, Cannabisfriendly home. Oregon wasn’t her first choice, but she found herself outside of Grants Pass working on a farm and quickly fell in love with this state. “I just felt really at home when I got to Southern Oregon,” she said in our interview. After the farm in Grants Pass, she secured a job at the River Valley Remedies (RVR) facility in Salem and quickly became an essential part of the team. They gave her the chance to put skills from previous marketing jobs at Lululemon and Kind Snacks to work, and she was tasked with branding their Eugene storefront. “A lot of people in the Cannabis community look down on that corporate background and assume that in transitioning from it, you’re automatically bringing negativity. But I‘m just trying to bring my skills and passion to an industry that I truly love.” At RVR Natalie puts community and education at the forefront of everything she does from attending educational industry meetings to planning her own. One of the first events she conceived was a workshop at RVR called “How to Make Your Own Tincture.” It was received so well by the community that the storefront made the events a monthly feature. I asked “I‘m just trying to bring my what inspired her to start the series. skills and passion to an industry that I truly love.” “ I saw a general lack of Cannabis education in the community and wanted to help fill that gap. The classes have kind of fallen off in the past months, but we plan on bringing them back soon.” Today, Natalie spends the majority of her time curating product at RVR and working with Artifact Extracts (a sister company to RVR) where she is in charge of everything from packaging to sales. There she works with owners and extractors to constantly improve practices and move the company in a mindful direction. “I work closely with the lead extractor to make sure we’re doing what we can to minimize our impact,” she explained. They’ve recently made more eco-friendly packaging choices and according to Natalie, are looking into PLA biodegradable packaging options. We’ll be looking forward to Natalie’s next innovations and what the team at Artifact has in store.
PHOTOGRAPHY by FINN TURNBULL @FONALDPHOTOGRAPHY
CAN NABE N D
F O U N D E R & C O - OWN E R Lizette Coppinger is the founder and co-owner of Cannabend, a Cannabis retail shop located off Highway 97 in Bend. Coppinger founded the networking group of i.Cannabis International after spending time serving as Vice-Chair of the Bend Chapter of Women Grow, a group seeking to “connect, educate and empower women who are leaders in the Cannabis industry.” by WILL FERGUSON/OREGON LEAF
WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS THE BEST WAY TO COMBAT THE PATRIARCHAL STATE OF THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY?
lizette coppinger HOW DID CANNABEND COME TO FRUITION?
that would allow a Cannabis business to operate. After My husband and I started growing while we many calls and working my way through many of the were going to college, 21 years ago. We built landlords’ concerns, I was able to change the mind of a our lives around Cannabis. In 2014, we both lovely couple who ended up leasing us the unit. That was found ourselves laid off and by then the inthe beginning of it all. We called our best friend who lived dustry was just starting to change. The timing in Portland at the time - who happened to also be laid off was right. We had a 24-plant medical bloom and asked him to join us in this adventure. room, so the next step we wanted to get involved in was retail. We wanted to control ARE YOU STILL SERVING MEDICAL PATIENTS? our own seed-to-sale market. In addition, the Always, as long as the law allows us to. thought of being able to provide the flower We still serve many of the medical patients that we that we grew, putting together a carefully personally served back in 2014. We have a close relationcurated selection of the best products we ship with many of them. I don’t get to budtend as often could find in the state, and being able to play anymore, but I do jump in when the store gets busy and we a role in the direction of have a customer waiting. the whole movement and Whenever I see one of our “Cannabis is not only my job - I live it and I industry, all made me want believe in it. The ideas and concepts I always medical patients from our medical to turn my passion into a dispensary days, it’s always such a incorporate into my projects are based on reality. The next challenge joyful greeting. We embrace the way community, education and culture.” was finding a retail spot you embrace a family member.
Education. Men are ahead in this field because it was always dominated by men. Men were the ones doing hard labor and were the ones out on the fields. Black market dealings were too dangerous for women, so it was another area also dominated by men. Women have always been given the safer, less strenuous job of trimming. If women want to combat the patriarchal state, then we need to diminish it by increasing our knowledge and experience in the field. If you are looking for a career in the Cannabis industry, open your mind to other opportunities aside from retail or trimming. Start growing your own plants. I also believe that women need to embrace and accept Cannabis in the same way that people have no shame embracing alcohol. If you use Cannabis, don’t hide it. Don’t be ashamed. If it’s something that helps you be a better mother, wife, friend, or simply helps your state of mind, share with others what it has done for you.
WHAT IDEAS AND CONCEPTS WOULD YOU LIKE TO PROMOTE FOR THE FUTURE?
Cannabis is not only my job - I live it and I believe in it. The ideas and concepts I always incorporate into my projects are based on community, education and culture. Cannabis is all about the community and it is that community that creates this culture. Cannabis is always evolving. Three years ago, I started running a networking and educational group called i.Cannabis International, after the Women Grow chapter was closed in Bend. Every month, we bring in experts to help us lead discussions on a variety of Cannabis topics like mold and mildew, soil and growing organic, among many others. These meetings are open to the public at no cost. It would be great if we had more of these community events to help the public and the consumers, and the industry as a whole. Through these meetings we build community and partnership, and as a result there is brand loyalty as well.
PHOTOGRAPHY by JOSH SONDERFELT @SONDERFELTLLC
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Consistent, reliable, knowledgeable, and friendly. Laurie + Mary Jane
Prompt, professional service at a very reasonable price. Botanica Portland
Exceptional customer service...prompt, reliable results. NW Kind
“THE IDEAL TESTING LAB PARTNER.” -Grown Rogue
“THE PINNACLE OF CANNABIS TESTING SERVICES.” -Edibology
“A COMMITMENT TO REAL SCIENCE.” -Siskiyou Sungrown
ORELAP ACCREDITED
1 0 0 % I N - H O U S E T E ST I N G
503-253-3511
greenleaflab.org PORTLAND
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For more information
AMY@INTHEINITIATIVE.COM ANGELE@INTHEINITIATIVE.COM
AUG. 2019
THE INITIATIVE Amy Margolis is the founder of The Initiative, a business accelerator for female enterpreneurs in the Oregon Cannabis industry. Margolis was a key advocate before and after legalization in Oregon, and helped protect businesses by staying compliant while they navigated new laws and regulations. Margolis started The Initiative because she was tired of seeing women pushed out of corporate Cannabis, often due to a lack of funding to weather the storm of prohibitive start-up costs. by SIMONE FISCHER @SIMONEFISCHERR “After many years of being an attorney in the space, I saw first-hand how women were being pushed out of the space and could not find funding to grow,” recalled Margolis. “So, in 2018, I started building out the program and reached into my network for support. We have brought together the most amazing group of educators, mentors and interested investors to ensure that the program is successful. We are just about to take our second class in September.” The Oregon Cannabis industry is guilty of feminist lip service, rarely putting their money where their mouth is. Margolis is looking to even the playing field by providing women with access to capital. Women don’t need any more empty promises or feminist virtue from our industry - we need money. “As more traditional capital comes into the space, I believe we will see fewer and fewer women founders and executives - especially as businesses are getting rapidly acquired,” Margolis said. “We all need to rise to the challenge of building an industry where equity and inclusivity are more than buzzwords.” The future of The Initiative looks bright. By 2022, Margolis hopes for expansion from the west to east coasts, even hopping the Atlantic for potential in the UK. “The Initiative plans to expand into California in early 2020 and we are in talks with a location in Boston, and some amazing women in London to run a small version of the program there,” Margolis said. “We will continue to expand alongside the industry and legalization. We also just launched our fund to help ensure that cohort businesses and other women and minority owned businesses are able to secure the capital they need.”
“We all need to rise to the challenge of building an industry where equity and inclusivity are more than buzzwords.”
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RECIPES
HIGH-DRATED!
THESE SUMMER DRINKS ARE INFUSED with the delightful strain Curious Jorge from Phresh Cannabis. The flavors of candy, citrus and banana from this Banana Kush-Loud Sour cross lend themselves to these refreshing summer libations. My new go-to with smoothie making is freezing all the fruit, even if it’s fresh, until solid. I put everything in the blender with the fruit still frozen, and get it into the glasses immediately. Skip the ice so it doesn’t get watered down, resulting in a frosty, creamy texture, with an uplifting high that relaxes the body and mind. #DontFearTheEdible
VEGAN ORANGE MANGO MADNESS Serves 2
1 ½ cups fresh or frozen mango chunks 1 small banana, sliced and frozen 1 cup coconut milk ½ cup orange juice 2 teaspoons canna-oil 1-2 tablespoons agave, optional
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*Blend ingredients on low to start, then crank up to medium high to finish.
RED ALL OVER
Serves 2
1 ½ cups fresh or frozen berries, sliced 1 cup seeded watermelon chunks 1 cup apple juice 2 teaspoons canna-oil 1-2 tablespoons agave, if needed *Blend ingredients on low to start, then crank up to medium high to finish.
PEACHY YET BLUE
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Serves 2
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries ½ cup vanilla ice cream/frozen yogurt ¼ cup milk, any kind 1 teaspoon canna-oil 1 cup peaches, peeled and sliced ½ cup vanilla ice cream/ frozen yogurt ¼ cup milk, any kind 1 teaspoon canna-oil
**MANGO, WHICH IS FULL OF THE TERPENE MYRCENE, IS KNOWN TO WORK IN CONCERT WITH THE MYRCENE IN SOME CANNABIS STRAINS TO ENHANCE YOUR HIGH!
aug. 2019
1. Place frozen blueberries, ice cream or yogurt, milk and canna-oil in the blender. Blend until smooth. Place into container and the freezer. 2. Place the frozen peaches, ice cream or frozen yogurt, milk and canna-oil in the blender. Blend until smooth. 3. Remove the blueberry mixture and take turns pouring the two different flavors into the glasses.
RECIPES by LAURIE WOLF | PHOTOS by BRUCE WOLF
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.
www.exoticblendzpdx.com For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children. Do not drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of marijuana.
EDIBLE OF THE MONTH
TASTE 5/5 EFFECT 4/5 PKGNG 4/5 VALUE 5/5 TOTAL 18/20
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P RODUCE D by EDI P U R E
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STRAWBERRYTATAS Strawberry Tatas were developed to help raise money for breast cancer research, prevention and treatment, with 10% of each product sale going to the the prestigious OHSU Knight Cancer Institute
aug. 2019
EdiPure is a new name for Oregonians, but by no means a newbie making Cannabis products. One of California’s most tenured brands, EdiPure has made expansions to Colorado, Arizona, and now to Oregon as well.
Their products are never batch-dosed and then blended, helping to avoid unintentional concentration due to inaccurate homogenization. Instead, each product is individually dosed for consistency and reliability. These delicious morsels of goodness are dusted in a bit of sour sugar that helps balance the sweetness of the real fruit used in every gummy. To cap it all off, these gummies are an 1:1 THC to CBD ratio, providing balanced effects to go with the delicious flavor. Edipure.com
REVIEW by NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415 | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
“ASK FOR SKUNK TRAIN AT YOUR FAVORITE DISPENSARY TODAY!”
Skunk Train Skunk Train Farm Farm “Locally Grown in McMinnville”
“Available in Singles or Packs”
“Premium Indoor Prerolls” WHOLESALE INFO AT
s k u n k tra i n fa r m @ g m a i l . c o m @ s k u n k tra i n fa r m D O N OT O P E R AT E A V E H I C L E O R M AC H I N E R Y U N D E R T H E I N F L U E N C E O F T H I S D R U G. FO R U S E O N LY BY A D U LT S 2 1 Y E A R S O F AG E A N D O L D E R . K E E P O U T O F T H E R E AC H O F C H I L D R E N .
DELISH FRESH ORGANIC GUMMIES
Natural flavors including Oregon Pear, Wild Strawberry, Georgia Peach, Raspberry Lemonade
Locally crafted in small batches in our own EdiPure Oregon kitchen daily
Gluten Free and handmade from scratch with real organic fruit extracts and natural coloring
Only from EdiPure ~ the original edible gummy brand since 2010 (We make delicious chocolates too!)
Ask your local dispensary about us or find us on leaflink.com/menu/edipure-4 edipure_oregon edipure_edibles
Keep out of reach of children. For use only by adults 21 years and older.
concentrate OF THE MONTH oregonlEAF.COM
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@ECHO_ELECTUARY ECHOELECTUARY.COM 79.3% THC, 4.8% TERPENES
ORANGESODATERPS ONTHEROCKS CULTIVATED by BENSON ELVIS | EX T RAC TE D by ECHO ELECTUARY
WHEN I OPENED UP THE GRAM CONTAINER, MY EYES WERE MET BY A BEAUTIFUL STACK OF TRANSLUCENT DIAMONDS PROTRUDING FROM A LAKE OF DELICIOUS SMELLING TERPENES.
The terpene profile met my nose with notes of sweet tangerine that pulled me in for another smell. When dabbing the Orange Soda at a low temperature on my e-nail, my tongue was met by a wonderful blend of again, sweet tangerine, plus a hint of funk on the finish. The exquisite flavor was followed by a smooth exhale thanks to the extraction masters at Echo Electuary. Being a cross of Mandarina and Sour Diesel, the Orange Soda packs an upward sativa wallop that made me quite talkative, while still providing some relief to my arms and shoulders. All Echo Electuary extracts are packaged in a beautiful hexagonal box full of relevant information and wonderful design, including strain lineage, top five terpene breakdowns with percentages, and a collectable Echo bee sticker. I appreciate that Echo Electuary prominently highlights the cultivators on their packaging — like in this collaboration with Benson Elvis - the expert Southern Oregon terp farmers we featured in the November 2018 Oregon Leaf Harvest Issue.
aug. 2019
BEING A CROSS OF MANDARINA AND SOUR DIESEL, THE ORANGE SODA PACKS AN UPWARD SATIVA WALLOP THAT MADE ME QUITE TALKATIVE, WHILE STILL PROVIDING SOME RELIEF TO MY ARMS AND SHOULDERS.
REVIEW by MATTHEW MEYERS @EARLMCDABSITY | PHOTO by NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415
TOPICAL OF THE MONTH
P RODUCE D by SUN GOD MEDICINALS
AJASALVE THE AJA SALVE FROM SUN GOD MEDICINALS INCORPORATES A HOLISTIC BLEND OF AROMATIC HEALING HERBS TO SYNERGIZE WITH THE CANNABIS AND MAXIMIZE THE MEDICINAL EFFECT.
This salve employs organic varieties of calendula, lavender and chamomile for soothing all-purpose relief. The herbs are infused into a blend of organic olive and coconut oil, which help the salve absorb quickly and naturally into the skin. I have chronic pain from scoliosis and found the salve to give fast acting relief. I also enjoyed its soothing effect for itchiness and dry skin! The Aja Salve comes in both hemp-based CBD and Cannabis-based THC versions to suit every customer. Sun God Medicinals also offers a wide line of other aromatic herbal infusions - both in topical and tincture form - to meet any need. @SUNGODMEDS | SUNGODMEDS.COM
THIS SALVE EMPLOYS ORGANIC VARIETIES OF CALENDULA, LAVENDER AND CHAMOMILE FOR SOOTHING ALLPURPOSE RELIEF.
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aug. 2019
REVIEW by MATTHEW MEYERS @EARLMCDABSITY | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
420 NE 60th Ave urbanfarmacypdx.com (503) 957-7832
Hours: Mon/Tues: 10:00AM - 9:00PM Weds - Sat: 10:00AM - 9:45PM Sun: 11:00AM - 7:00PM Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of marijuana. For use only by adults 21 years of age and older. Keep marijuana out of the reach of children.
dedicated to purity PRACTICING SUSTAINABLE GROWING EVERY DAY. FLOWER + PRE-ROLLS
socially conscious cannabis cultivation cascadehigh.com 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 the reach of children.
Roseway
Organics
7420 NE Sandy Blvd Portland, Oregon 503 477 4368
grass fed
vegan
free range
gmo free
@rosewayorganicspdx
tannins & terpenes
IT’S INCREDIBLY COMMON FOR OPPOSITES TO ATTRACT AND THIS PAIRING IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THAT.
3 Magnets brewed a big, complex and industrial strength beer with just enough sweet cherry to both balance the body and lighten the flavor, enticing you into another sip. Soon after, hefty body effects come on thanks to the massive 12+% ABV housed in the brew. On the other hand, the combination of the ultra light smoke from the properly flushed herb, the light floral profile of the cultivar, and the relatively mild effects of the strain, we found this MAC 2 from Tao Gardens to be the perfect complement to 3 Magnet’s behemoth of a brew.
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TANNINS
the cherry by 3 magnets brewing 12.3% ABV $3.99 at Green Zebra Grocery THIS BEER is nothing short of big! Toffee, dark chocolate, toasted nuts, coffee and cherry all mingle on the palate of this delicious Belgian style quad. A less commonly produced style here in the US, the quadrupel - or quad for short - is a brew inspired by the Trappist brewers of Belgium, known for its potency and bold flavor. Typically a dark creation that plays within the deep red and ruby brown end of the spectrum, quads are full bodied beers with a rich and malty palate. 3 Magnets Brewing’s addition of cherries to the brew makes the end result bright and rather approachable, given the underlying characteristics of the beer.
TERPENES
mac 2 by tao gardens Caps Miracle Male x Alien Cookies F2 $15/g at Oregon’s Green Rush
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THIS MAC 2 might be our favorite example of the wildly popular MAC line, bred by Capulator, that we’ve encountered yet. This exceptional flower was grown indoors in Southern Oregon in living soil by Tao Gardens, and we’ve not seen anyone else in Oregon with this particular pheno yet. The aroma is a lightly cheesy, sweet fruit, and the translation to the palate is a delicate and very enjoyable floral flavor. The effects are heady and mild, leaving me with an effortless smile as I tackled my evening chores.
*Oregon Leaf Disclaimer* Anytime you are mixing two substances of any kind, you need to be extra vigilant of the effects and plan accordingly. We strongly recommend conducting pairings with others in a safe and private space in small quantities. Always make sure you can get home safely without jeopardizing yourself or others.
aug. 2019
REVIEW by NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415 | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
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1735 LANCASTER DR NE, SALEM, OR THE ONLY DISPENSARY ON LANCASTER
STONEY BALONEy
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Party Injuries
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It happened in the co-ed dormitory at college. There I was chatting it up outside of someone’s room in the hallway, when I heard the words splattered out in a high pitch cheer. “Mikey!” It is one of my buddies who is twice my size. He comes charging down the hallway with what I think is going to be a loving bear hug. Which is indeed the case. Until midway through when he spontaneously decides to apply a World Wrestling Federation Standing Guillotine Drop, finished with a ripe, moist kiss on the cheek. My knee has never been the same. My girlfriend was floating the river with some friends. They came upon a 60-foot cliff ledge that people were climbing to and jumping from. What ensued for her, having had zero experience in this particular field of expertise, was an extremely painful seated landing that resulted in severe, dark purple bruises that led from the bottom of her feet, up the backs of her legs, to the cusp of her buttocks. She sat on an inflatable donut for two weeks. My childhood friend Brad disappeared at a Kenny Chesney concert, completely blacked out, and no one could find him anywhere. He was wearing an American flag bandana around his head, which made picking him out of the crowd difficult. His phone was going straight to voicemail. Then the show ended, and everyone was at the car ready to go home when suddenly he appeared like Charlton Heston as Moses returning from the mountain with the Ten Commandments in tow. He’d spent the entire set sitting cross-legged with his knees resting on the stage-right amplifier, so he could “really feel the bass.” His hearing has never been quite as acute. Please note that none of these episodes occurred while under the influence of Cannabis.
aug. 2019
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