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THE ESSENTIAL ISSUE
#80
joint/counterjoint
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This month, The Leaf debates pharmaceutical pot.
ERIC KAYNE
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50 Connor Sheffield shop review
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ALEX WORKMAN
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Teenage NASCAR hopeful driven to fight for widespread access to Cannabis medicine.
82 Eddy Lepp | Cannthropology Oregon Leaf chats with Cannabis growing legend Eddy Lepp on the early days of his career, befriending Jack Herer, and founding The Multi-Denominational Ministry of Cannabis and Rastafari.
///////// story by bobby black photo by mg imaging
FEB. 2021
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EDITOR’S NOTE N AT I O N A L N E W S H I G H LY L I K E LY BUDTENDER Q&A R E A L I S T I C C O N S U LT I N G PA C I F I C G R O V E LUCKY LION #2 EQUITY ENTREPRENEUR WOMEN IN WEED GROWER PROFILE STRAIN OF THE MONTH THE ESSENTIAL ISSUE CONNOR’S COURAGE MOVING FOR THE PLANT T H E L O U N G E E V O LV E S SLEEP CANNABINOID JOINT/COUNTERJOINT EDIBLE REVIEW C O N C E N T R AT E R E V I E W A LT E R N AT I V E M E D I C I N E OFF THE SHELF REVIEWS VA L E N T I N E ’ S D AY R E C I P E S TA N N I N S & T E R P E N E S LEAF SHOTS CANNTHROPOLOGY STONEY BALONEY
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THE ESSENTIAL ISSUE
EDIBLE OF THE MONTH Fire Dept Cannabis presents a brand that offers good vibes and motivational energy with its splendid products.
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62 FEB. 2021
REVIEW by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
E S TA B L I S H E D 2 0 1 0
T H E E N L I G H T E N E D VO I C E
N O RT H W E S T L E A F / O R EG O N L E A F / A L AS KA L E A F / M A RY L A N D L E A F / CA L I F O R N I A L E A F /
A B O U T T H E C OV E R What is more essential than Cannabis? At the heart of our magazine this month is the utility knife-like nature of this miracle medicine. We looked to Massachusettsbased illustrator Mike Curato to bring to life our concept for a Swiss Army amalgamation of tools one might need for their Cannabis world. Curato is an illustrator and author of children’s books and is most well known for his Little Elliot series. “The cover artwork,” says Curato, “was drawn with pencil and paper and colored digitally (while perhaps having an edible).” His recently released debut young adult graphic novel “Flamer” has been met with critical acclaim. Learn more at mikecurato.com.
ART by MIKE CURATO @MIKE_CURATO
PUBLISHER
CONTRIBUTORS
WES ABNEY | FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
KELLY BJORK, ILLUSTRATION BOBBY BLACK, FEATURES JOSHUA BOULET, ILLUSTRATION TOM BOWERS, FEATURES TYLER CAMERON, PHOTOS MIKE CURATO, ILLUSTRATION AMANDA DAY, FEATURES STEVE ELLIOTT, NATIONAL NEWS DENNIS HEARNE, PHOTOS ERIC KAYNE, PHOTOS JEFF PORTERFIELD, DESIGN MIKE RICKER, FEATURES MEGHAN RIDLEY, EDITING ZACK RUSKIN, FEATURES O’HARA SHIPE, FEATURES PACER STACKTRAIN, FEATURES CHRIS VICARI, PHOTOS DAN VINKOVETSKY, FEATURES NATE WILLIAMS, FEATURES BRUCE & LAURIE WOLF, RECIPES BARRON WOLFE, FEATURES ALEX WORKMAN, PHOTOS + FEATURES
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Editor’s Note Thanks for picking up our first Essential Issue of the Leaf! 2020 WILL go down in history for a lot of reasons, but one shining moment is the day that San Francisco declared Cannabis as essential business during the first COVID shutdown. Out of all the highs and lows in my decade of Cannabis publishing, that was the first moment I truly believed Cannabis would become completely legal in my lifetime.
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To understand this sentiment, let me unpack the statement: Being deemed essential means that Cannabis is necessary for tax revenue, jobs, medicine and recreation. It also paves the way for the right to grow Cannabis as a constitutionally protected liberty – the right to pursue happiness and health, as intended by our forefaFROM MY DESK thers who crafted the laws that govern our great country. IN SEATTLE, POT IS STILL
ILLEGAL From my desk in Seattle, pot is still illegal to grow without a TO GROW commercial license. It’s also a felony to have more than 40 grams of flower in Washington state, and there are no protections for pa- WITHOUT A COMMERCIAL tients, parents, employees or drivers who choose to use Cannabis LICENSE. safely. To me, that is not legal – it’s simply regulated and taxed for the purpose of control, not part of an essential liberty that citizens intended when they voted for “legalization” without reading the fine print.
Having lived under the shadow of fake legalization for years, hearing that pot was being declared essential gave me hope that it would lead to people standing up for their rights – and working together to free our plant for all purposes and backyards. And since that sunny day in the Bay when dispensaries were allowed to reopen the Cannabis industry, we’ve seen huge growth and newfound acceptance, as well as five new states joining the recreational and medicinal movement to bring much needed relief to their citizens in the 2020 elections. Cannabis is essential to so many lives, in so many ways, that it really is the Swiss Army knife of plants. Even if you aren’t in pain or struggling, go smoke a fatty and you will likely feel better. And feeling better is essential to us emerging from the pandemic as a more grateful, connected and stoned society. I hope you enjoy our exploration of how Cannabis is essential, and how we see change that brings it closer to legal with each passing day. Thank you for reading and sharing our special plant!
-Wes Abney feb. 2021
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WARNINGS: 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.
OREGON SALES TOP $1 BILLION IN 2020
O
regon adult-use Cannabis sales soared in 2020, peaking despite a challenging summer of COVID-19 lockdowns and racial justice protests, reports the AP. The state’s marijuana merchants logged a record year of business, according to numbers from the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, which oversees Cannabis sales in the state. Total marijuana sales in Oregon jumped from $795 million to more than $1 billion – $1,110,520,723, to be precise – for the year 2020. Adult-use Cannabis sales skyrocketed in March when Gov. Kate Brown instituted a pandemic-related stay-at-home order and other restrictions. Sales numbers spiked 20 percent that month and stayed robust all year. In May, Cannabis sales in Oregon topped $100 million for the first time ever. Sales then topped $100 million in each of the three months that followed as well, peaking at $106 million in July. west coast
CALIFORNIA SEES NO RISE IN FREQUENCY OF CANNABIS USE BY YOUNG ADULTS POST-LEGALIZATION
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years passed between the federal legalization of hemp and the finalized federal regulations on the crop.
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medical marijuana bills were introduced by Neb. lawmakers in the January session.
MARYLAND CANNABIS WORKERS WILL RECEIVE COVID-19 VACCINE PRIORITY GOV. CUOMO
LEGALIZATION
NEW YORK EYES LEGAL CANNABIS
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ov. Andrew Cuomo has announced a proposal to legalize Cannabis for adult use in New York as part of the 2021 State of the State address he began on January 11. “IT WOULD HAVE A BIGGER New York would join 15 other states to IMPACT ON THE UPSTATE legalize adult-use marijuana, including ECONOMY THAN THE neighbors Massachusetts and New Jersey, CRAFT BEER INDUSTRY DOES,” and Vermont in the Northeast. “It would have a bigger impact on the upstate economy than the craft beer industry does,” said Allan Gandelman, president of the New York Cannabis Growers and Processors Association. “If this is done correctly, we will see a billion dollars in total revenue for the adult-use program in the first full year of operating in New York state.” According to Gandelman, the biggest factors will be the types and number of licenses was added, acreages allowed for cultivation and taxation levels.
sports
UFC’S KNOCKOUT BLOW FOR POSITIVE CANNABIS TESTS
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percent more Cannabis was bought by Americans in 2020 than in 2019.
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NEW HAMPSHIRE ADVOCATES CONTINUE LEGALIZATION EFFORT
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FC announced on January 14 a formal change to its anti-doping policy, making Cannabis OK for in-competition fighters, reports CBS Sports. The only time athletes would be punished for using Cannabis or cannabinoids would be if “additional evidence exists that an athlete used it intentionally for performanceenhancing purposes.” “While we want to continue to prevent athletes from competing under the influence of marijuana, we have learned that urinary levels of carboxy-THC are highly variable after out-of-competition use and have poor scientific correlation to in-competition impairment,” said UFC Senior Vice President Jeff Novitzky. “The bottom line is that in regard to marijuana, we care about what an athlete consumed the day of a fight, not days or weeks before a fight, which has often been the case in our historic positive THC cases,” Novizky said.
percent of all drug arrests between 2010 and 2018 in Indiana were for Cannabis possession.
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annabis workers in Maryland will be placed at the top of the list for COVID-19 vaccinations, alongside healthcare providers, reports Ganjapreneur. The move further underlines the “essential” designation that Cannabis businesses and employees received when the pandemic began last year. The Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission alerted the more than 130 licensed Cannabis companies across the state that their workers will be eligible for Phase 1A of the state’s tiered vaccine distribution plan, reports the Baltimore Business Journal.
annabis advocates are continuing their push to legalize adult-use marijuana in New Hampshire, but the effort faces a forbidding path in the GOP-controlled Legislature, reports The Center Square. A bipartisan bill filed in the N.H. House of Representatives in January would, if approved, legalize adult-use Cannabis for those 21-and-older and set up a system of regulation and taxation that would allow retail sales. “The battle continues,” said Rep. Rebecca McWilliams, a Democrat from Concord who is a primary sponsor of the bill. “We keep refining it and negotiating it and trying to come up with something that could potentially get to the two-thirds vote needed to override the governor’s veto.” Republican Gov. Chris Sununu is a firm opponent of legalization.
2,392 new Cannabis cultivation permits were issued by Oklahoma, surpassing California by 88 licenses.
$18.4m was the amount of money paid to Irwin Simon of Aphria, the highest-paid Cannabis CEO in Canada, in 2019.
By STEVE ELLIOTT, AUTHOR OF THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK OF MARIJUANA
oregonlEAF.COM
dult-use legalization in California isn’t associated with any increase in the frequency of Cannabis use by young adults, according to data published in the scientific journal Addictive Behaviors, reports NORML. Researchers with the University of California at San Diego examined Cannabis use patterns among 563 young adults (18-24) in California in the years immediately prior to and following enactment of legalization. “Contrary to our expectations, frequency of marijuana use did not change significantly after legalization and was stable throughout three years of observation,” the study’s authors wrote.
east coast
NATIONAL NEWS
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northwest
highly likely
Highly Likely highlights Cannabis pioneers who paved the way to greater herbal acceptance.
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Harrison ford Whether playing the cosmic smuggler-turned hero Han Solo, the intrepid archeologist Indiana Jones or the CIA patriot Jack Ryan, Harrison Ford is one of the most widely recognized actors on earth today. This true Hollywood icon is ranked #4 on the list of highest grossing actors of all time. He’s also, according to anecdotes from those who have spent time with him, a down-to-earth person who is still known as one of Hollywood’s most private actors.
oregonlEAF.COM
f
ORD’S PATH TO STARDOM WAS NEITHER DIRECT, NOR EASY.
For over a decade he took bit part after bit part in television and film. Here he toiled in obscurity, before all but abandoning acting to take on work as a selftaught professional carpenter to support his wife and two young sons in the mid to late ‘70s. It wasn’t until the late ‘70s that Ford finally found his footing in Hollywood, with a minor role in George Lucas’ “American Graffiti.” Of course, this paved the way for the actor’s entrance into perhaps his most iconic role: Han Solo. The rest, as they say, is history. While this column could take up the rest of this magazine talking about all of the acting accomplishments that Ford has made throughout his storied career – that’s not what we’re here for. Our real question: Did Harrison Ford smoke weed? While he’s never weighed in on the subject personally, many in his orbit over the years have revealed a penchant for the flowers of our favorite plant.
In her memoir “ The Princess Diaries ,” Carrie Fischer describes Ford as having access to a “brutal strength” Cannabis that caused her to “forget most of 1976.”
feb. 2021
TAKE CARRIE FISCHER (who played Princess Leia alongside
Ford in Star Wars) for example: In her memoir “The Princess Diaries,” Fischer describes Ford as having access to a “brutal strength” Cannabis that caused her to “forget most of 1976.” She also recalls a time “where at the onset it was all giggles and munchies and floating in a friendly haze – it suddenly became creepy and dark and scary … This was when I was about 19, while I was filming “Star Wars.”” During a joint photo-shoot/interview for GQ magazine and the British tabloid Ritz, the publisher David Litchfeild reportedly asked Ford why he was rolling his own cigarettes, to which Ford responded, “You want a toke of this allAmerican reefer?” The publisher responded, “Can you work on this stuff?” To which Ford said, “Nope. I can’t even admit it exists.” Then there was the time that talk show host Bill Maher outed Ford on his program in a segment about Cannabis legalization saying, “There are a lot of prominent people … I’m not going to mention any names – Harrison Ford, Ted Turner – who smoke a lot of pot and need to stand up!” While Ford has never admitted publicly to a love for consuming Cannabis, there are many more anecdotes from those who have worked with him through the years about it. From Greg Proops’ story of Ford vaporizing it out of a kitchen saucepan (while riding in a Jaguar through London during the filming of “The Phantom Menace”) to the alleged tales of Ford and Shia LaBeouf’s Dad Jeffery having a smoke-out on the set of “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.” While it’s true that Ford has never admitted publicly to a love for Cannabis, these stories from those around him certainly paint a picture of someone with a long relationship with the plant. Perhaps it says something about the unfortunate staying power of prohibition and its legacy that now, even with the tide turning on acceptance of this powerful salve for society’s woes, that some of our biggest celebrities still feel the need to stay in the dark about their use of Cannabis.
STORY by PACER STACKTRAIN for LEAF NATION
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interview
W H O ’ S YOU R FAVO R I T E B U D T E N D E R ? T E L L U S W H Y ! E M A I L N O M I N AT I O N S T O M A X @ O R L E A F . C O M
Sean Khuon-Paige OREGON LEAF BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING IN THE INDUSTRY?
I started here December 2019, but I moved here in June 2019. I live five minutes down the road and this was my local shop. I’m also a photographer, and so one day I walked in and asked if they needed any photography work done. And low and behold he was hiring for a budtender and I started the next week. I got lucky and I’m really happy with how everything turned out. “I JUST WANT TO EDUCATE PEOPLE A LITTLE MORE AND MAKE THEM FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE WHEN AROUND WEED.”
WHAT GOT YOU INTO USING CANNABIS? I didn’t smoke in
high school because I was a ‘good’ kid and I tried not to smoke weed because it was the devil’s lettuce, you know. I started smoking after I injured myself while active in the military. I blew out my knee and I had to stay at home for a couple months, so I thought ‘what the heck’ and gave it a try. And then I realized it was nowhere near what I was led to believe, and that it actually allowed me to be creative by calming down my ADHD.
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WHAT’S IT LIKE WORKING IN CANNABIS AFTER BEING IN THE MILITARY? It’s fucking awesome. I meet a LOT of people
who are veterans, or have family members that are in the military. There are so many of us trying to self-medicate with Cannabis, but that isn’t easy when Cannabis is still federally illegal. We don’t have to go to the VA or take a bunch of pills, so that’s definitely one of the coolest parts of my job. I love helping out fellow vets. There’s a community aspect to Cannabis that I didn’t think of until I started working here. It’s like, ‘Hey, we were both in the military and now we’re smoking too?’ How cool! It’s very rewarding. WHAT KIND OF IMPACT DO YOU WANT TO MAKE AS A BUDTENDER? I just want to end the stigma so badly. Sometimes
you can tell when someone is new to Cannabis, because they’re so shy and seem to be worried about it. They can’t order Cannabis like they would alcohol. I want there to be education behind it – I like talking about terpenes and cannabinoids. I just want to educate people a little more and make them feel more comfortable when around weed. I want to break the stigma that only lazy stoners smoke Cannabis.
oregonlEAF.COM
WHAT’S A CHANGE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN 2021 REGARDING CANNABIS? If we can get federal support for
SLICED PERFECTLY between Portland and Gresham, Ascend Dispensary is known for its invaluable service to the neighborhood and the regulars it sees on a daily basis. As an East Coast veteran breaking into the Cannabis industry, Sean Khuon-Paige was a regular turned budtender after finding his dream dispensary and learning more about what this magical plant has to offer. Between his photography and love for helping patients, Sean’s passion for Cannabis continues to grow every day at Ascend. We picked his brain to get some insight into his journey from Virginia to Portland, and how Cannabis aided that. Follow him on Instagram @seanthebudtender ASCEND DISPENSARY 13826 NE SANDY BLVD | (971) 279-4769 | 7:30A-9P | PDXASCEND.COM @PDX.ASCEND
FEB. 2021
Cannabis it would make such a difference. To have a figurehead that doesn’t just push it to the side and say, ‘Oh yeah, we’ll look into it’ – and instead destigmatizes it – could really go a long way and inspire a lot of change. Declassifying Cannabis from a Schedule I substance would establish national recognition that this plant can change peoples’ lives and make such a difference. People don’t have to smoke, but it would be great for people to know what the plant can do and what benefits it can bring. IF YOU HAD TO PICK ONE FAVORITE MUNCHIE FOOD AS YOUR GO-TO, WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE? If I HAD to pick, I would
get high and order Hat Yai. It’s a local Thai fried chicken place – they’re amazing! I highly recommend, it’s what I’d eat every time. How can you go wrong with that?
STORY & PHOTO by ALEX WORKMAN @WORKDUBS for OREGON LEAF
Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. For use only by adults 21 years of age and older. Keep out of reach of children.
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owner
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Justin Lipchitz Realistic
Consulting
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FEB. 2021
Mural by Gary Hirsch @ghirschart near Revolution Hall in Southeast Portland.
With a huge heart full of gold, Justin Lipchitz has been an absolute blessing to our community in more ways than we can count. Between operating his consultation company Realistic Consulting and progressively helping the Cannabis industry, to mentoring individuals involved with Oregon Handler’s Fund, it is clear that this passionate Stoner Owner has the utmost intentions to make our world a better place. Justin’s inspiring go-getter attitude is a constant reminder that if we stay focused, nothing is impossible. HOW DID YOU FIRST GET INVOLVED IN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY? I joined the
Cannabis industry in September 2015 as a budtender at Oregon’s Finest. I applied for a manager’s role, but they were only going to hire base level and allow people to prove themselves. In three weeks, I was the floor manager. In three months I was the store manager, and in eight to nine months I became the GM. I was lucky to find such an amazing shop and dynamic team. I get asked a lot how I moved up so quickly – I tell people it’s all about hard work and finding your place. Most owners/managers are so busy – find a way to help your team and the business! WHAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST ASPIRATIONS AND GOALS WITH YOUR COMPANY REALISTIC CONSULTING? I really want to help push the
industry forward and help businesses thrive. I have always worked for small businesses and Cannabis has a lot of those. Most people got into it for the love of this magical plant, as did I. I want those people to win! I also have a deep passion for social and economical justice, helping those who really need it. I also hope to be able to support a team of consultants, apprised of skilled Cannabis people. I want to support those who have supported me through my career.
“I have a deep passion for social and economical justice – helping those who really need it.”
HOW DO YOU FIND THAT HAVING A KNOWLEDGEABLE AND EDUCATED CONSULTANT IS ESSENTIAL TO SUCCESS IN OUR INDUSTRY? Consultant is a dirty
word in our industry. It’s usually a Fortune 500 executive who thinks Cannabis is just
like any other business. It’s not. Having a consultant with real hands-on experience in this industry is imperative to succeed. Cannabis is not any other product, dispensaries are not any other retail – our customers are different, as some use it medicinally and some just want to get stoned. New operators need help from people who have done it in real-time before them. There are so many easily made mistakes, whether that is process, hiring or compliance. Since Cannabis is new, so is all the work around it. MIND FILLING US IN ON YOUR INVOLVEMENT WITH OREGON HANDLER’S FUND? I am lucky
enough to be on the board for OHF. Raina, the founder, has lovingly titled me the ’Get Money Guy.’ My main focus is to mentor folx who come through the grant process. I want to help them to better understand the landscape of the industry, help them develop skills, supply training and just lend my support in their future in Cannabis. I also help with outreach and fundraising, trying to use my connections in the industry to do something great for it. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOBBIES AND INTERESTS ASIDE FROM CANNABIS? As I
was a chef for almost 15 years, food is a huge passion of mine. I love to cook, try new restaurants and support local chefs! This year, with COVID being a thing, I have played a ton of golf as well – not something I really did a lot, prior in my life. I also really love traveling and live music, which I haven’t been able to do too much of this year.
A Stoner Owner is a Cannabis business owner who has a relationship with the plant. We want to buy and smoke Cannabis from companies that care about their products, employees and the plant. You wouldn’t buy food from a restaurant where the cooks don’t eat in the kitchen, so why buy corporate weed grown by a company only concerned with profits? Stoner Owner approval means a company cares, and we love weed grown with care. Let’s retake our culture and reshape a stigma by honoring those who grow, process and sell the best Cannabis possible.
STORY by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST/OREGON LEAF | PHOTO by ALEX WORKMAN @WORKDUBS | REALISTIC.BIZ @REALISTIC_CONSULTING
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FEB. 2021
STORY by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST/OREGON LEAF | PHOTOS by ALEX WORKMAN @WORKDUBS
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pacific grove Get ready to feast your eyes on some of the most groundbreaking genetics Oregon has to offer. For our first-ever Essential Issue, our team was lucky enough to take a look behind the scenes at one of Portland’s most profoundly recognized grows: Pacific Grove.
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Co-owner Randy Hansen, Head Grower Jeremy Shay, and Co-owner Andrew Catt working with Royal Addiction, left, and One Night Stand, right.
grow tour
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pacific grove
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Continued from pg. 35
With a vision to build a better workplace than in their previous experience, owners Andrew Catt and Randy Hansen started Pacific Grove in 2016 with a very heartfelt mission in mind. They then set out to create an efficient and sustainable Cannabis production facility with a genuine team of people that positively add to the Cannabis industry as a whole. Let’s dive deep into where this company truly shines. Priding themselves on their ability to pick diverse strains and pheno hunt to perfection, Pacific Grove has a plethora of show-stopping genetics. While many in the industry are currently growing the same popular cultivars, Andrew and Randy make sure to go a step beyond to find genetics that no one else has. Many of the strains grown at Pacific Grove were new to us, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to experience these new innovative terpene profiles. After walking into the most mature bloom room, our jaws were dragging on the floor and our eyes were wide in amazement at the stunning plants we had encountered. On the first four tables they had One Night Stand (Wedding Cake x Frozen Margy), Royal Addiction #5 (Animal Mints bx1 #3 x Seed Junky OG #32), Tally Mon
FEB. 2021
Royal Addiction, above and below.
#13 (Papaya x (Banana OG x Dosido), and our personal favorite- Grape Octane(Grape Pie x High Octane OG). Each cultivar had its own breathtaking structure and enchanting smell, each complex and very different from the next. We almost couldn’t believe our eyes and noses when we faced the structure and terpene profile of the Royal Addiction – a plant that expressed OG characteristics – something rare to find these days. While many have put OG Kush on the sidelines for whatever reason, Pacific Grove has a wide variety of genetic offerings where OG strains are clearly the dominant phenotypic expression. Venturing into the mother and clone room, Andrew and Randy pridefully introduced us to some of their most recently cherished genetics. Grapercot Pie (Grape Octane OG #1 x Flavor Crystals), Dirty D (Chem-D x Orgy Kush),
and Ex-Wife (Ghost OG x Trophy Wife) were just a few of the divine strains that they showed us. You can expect to see those roll out over 2021 in addition to their new single-source solventless line later this fall. Make sure to be on the lookout for their in-house prerolls, which display the strain’s top three terpenes and offer a scannable QR code that takes you to their website. Once you have found a terpene profile that you enjoy, scan the QR code and their website will provide you with relative profiles to the strain you first appreciated. Keep an eye out for Pacific Grove products the next time you are at your local dispensary. These terpene hunters have put a lot of hard work, passion and joy into their craft, and they can’t wait for you to enjoy the fruits of their labor!
Priding themselves on their ability to pick diverse strains and pheno hunt to perfection, Pacific Grove has a plethora of showstopping genetics.
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Clockwise from left: a beautifully backlit One Night Stand, shining rows of Royal Addiction, and frosty Grape Octane flower dried and trimmed.
strains 40+
plants 2,000
employees 10
pounds harvested annually 800
Primary grow style Mixed Spectrum Lighting
Lighting HPS 1000 Watt & 315 CMH
Nutrients Athena & Power Si with organic supplements
Canopy size @pacificgrovepdx pacificgrovepdx.com
3,200 square feet
building size 9,000 square feet
Royal Addiction
STORY by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST/OREGON LEAF | PHOTOS by ALEX WORKMAN @WORKDUBS
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SHOP REVIEW
ENVIRONMENT & VIBE Oregon Cannabis meets Alice in Wonderland with the geometric design, catching consumers’ eyes with its walkaround black glass display cases encompassed by floor-to-ceiling, vertically striped black and white drapes, and complementary red chandeliers. Without a TV screen in sight, Lucky Lion elegantly displays its black and gold-trimmed menu against a dreamy wall made of real, flash-frozen roses intertwined with a bushy backdrop. This shop effortlessly creates an environment that makes it simple for consumers to shop for themselves, while budtenders are still convenient for any questions or concerns. The dispensary itself is located near a handful of other local businesses, including restaurants and a tattoo parlor, so there’s a little something for everyone – even if you don’t partake in Cannabis.
HISTORY & VALUES
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The company was established in 2015 as a Portlandbased garden, providing consumers across the state of Oregon with quality Cannabis flower at an accessible price. With a farm-to-dispensary mindset, they’re able to give the community consistently top-notch flower that they’ve cultivated to perfection over the years. Their hand-trimmed buds and solid genetic lineup offer reliable products that are available at every Lucky Lion dispensary. They also strive to provide other top shelf products from trustworthy companies, keeping pricing competitive so anyone in the neighborhood can enjoy Cannabis without breaking the bank – something that’s getting harder to come by these days. Lucky Lion chooses to work primarily with smaller, locally-owned companies when possible in order to maintain their grassroots-based values and principles.
PRODUCT SELECTION Lucky Lion’s in-house garden is the long-standing champion among the dispensary’s shelves with strains like Dogwalker #4, Lemon Tonic, Lion’s Gold, Gushers and Golden Pineapple. Alongside their top tier flower are various pre-rolls using b-buds from the same crops (and never trim). Lucky Lion has an eclectic array of edibles, extracts and other consumable goods that anyone in the neighborhood may need at a moment’s notice, such as Om Extract’s FECO or a Drops edible.
oregonlEAF.COM
BUDTENDERS & SPECIALS The budtenders here have the unique advantage of having Lucky Lion’s in-house flower readily available, so they know a thing or two about how each strain can help in different situations. With their expansive knowledge of Lucky Lion flower accompanied by their experience sampling other products in the dispensary, consumers can trust that these educated budtenders have their best interests in mind when shopping for their Cannabis needs. Not to mention they run deals every day, so people can save 10% on select items and categories.
LUCKY LION #2 14800 SE POWELL BLVD, PORTLAND OPEN 9AM-9:50PM DAILY | (503) 764-9089 LUCKYLIONPDX.COM @LUCKYLIONPDX
FEB. 2021
PORTLAND
NESTLED DEEP on the east side of Portland, this shop has become the top tier and convenient neighborhood stop for all Cannabis needs on the other side of 205. Most prominently featuring products from their in-house garden of the same name, Lucky Lion provides consumers with trusted materials they’re familiar with, providing the right education and the personal experience to match. Lucky Lion has dispensaries in both Portland and Eugene, and I was fortunate enough to tour Lucky Lion #2 – located off Powell Blvd in Portland.
LUCKY LION’S IN-HOUSE GARDEN IS THE LONGSTANDING CHAMPION AMONG THE DISPENSARY’S SHELVES
LUCKY # LION 2
Store Manager Austin Harris, left, with Elliott Budnick, Director of Retail
L UC KY L IO N
L UC KY L IO N
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DARK PURPLE HUES that smell and taste like citrus, with a smooth smoke that’s perfectly cured. This Cherry Pie x Tangie cross cultivated by Lucky Lion is packed full of citrus funk that leaves a consumer comfortably high without being glued to the couch. Perfect for any time, day or night. 18% THC
THIS BUBBA KUSH X ANIMAL MINTS cross grown and packaged by Lucky Lion checks all the heavy-hitting boxes with its smooth taste and sedating effects. Packed evenly inside an all-natural wrap, these one gram pre-rolls do the trick with their convenient and powerful high, making them perfect to consume in the evening or if you need to wind down in a hurry. 30.76% THC
REVIEW & PHOTOS by ALEX WORKMAN @WORKDUBS for OREGON LEAF
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TAKE A
GRATEFUL BREAK See if you can find all fifteen words!
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FEBRUARY PURPLE CANNABIS
BLUNT INHALE GRATEFUL
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Dispensaries: Contact us at gratefulgreenery@gmail.com
equity entrepreneur
36
The 73-year-old founder of Farmacy Berkeley tells Leaf Nation about her mission to help seniors better understand Cannabis.
Our new monthly Equity Entrepreneur feature highlights business operators and thought leaders who seek to build this industry in a way that sheds the prejudices of the past while reflecting on the rich diversity of the plant and the people who use it. Know someone who would be a great interview? Email tom@leafmagazines.com.
MAMA SUE TAYLOR F O U N D E R | FARMACY BE RK E LE Y TWELVE YEARS AGO, Sue Taylor’s son called her with some distressing news. He said he’d been attending classes at Oakland’s Oaksterdam University and was considering a career in Cannabis. Taylor, now 73, recalls reacting to what her son was telling her with grave concern. “I came home to save him from drugs,” she told California Leaf during a Zoom interview, “not to get into the Cannabis industry.”
T
he story of how Sue Taylor – a grandmother and former Catholic school principal – came to be the face of Berkeley’s first dispensary to be owned by a Black woman is one largely of determination. That’s because, in total, it was a 12-year process for The Farmacy Berkeley to open its doors. Long before Taylor had her own business, however, she was working at Oakland’s Harborside as a wellness consultant. It was there that she saw, first-hand, just what a difference Cannabis had the potential to make. “It wasn’t so much what I read as what I witnessed,” Taylor explained. “It was all the healing I saw when I was at Harborside that inspired me to pull all of my money out of my savings – every dime I had – and start a Cannabis business.” And there’s another, extremely personal, motivation that drives Taylor’s current efforts to educate and empower seniors about Cannabis. “I’ve never told this story before,” Taylor said. “But one of the major reasons why I continue to do this work, especially with elders, is because of my friend Sonia.” A close friend since childhood, Taylor shared that on Christmas morning seven or eight years ago, she found herself at Sonia’s hospital bedside. Distraught at seeing her dear friend connected to so many tubes and machines – as Sonia was in the late stages of pancreatic cancer – Taylor suggested that she might find relief in Cannabis. “She had all kinds of stuff dripping from IVs into her,” Taylor recalled. “And she looked at me and said, ‘No, Sue. I don’t want those drugs in my body.’ She had a morphine drip going into her when she said that. Then shortly after that, we lost her. She made a transition. I‘ve thought a lot about that, and how, if I had only known what I know now, she might still be here.” In honor of her late friend, Taylor has placed education at the
forefront of all her Cannabis-related efforts. Before health restrictions made such gatherings impossible, Taylor regularly hosted free educational seminars on Cannabis at The Farmacy – open to the entire community. While Taylor eagerly awaits the day when she can resume such in-person informational events, she continues to embrace her new identity as a public face in the legal Cannabis world. “My mission is to help to eliminate the stigma surrounding Cannabis,” she said. “And what better person than me? I’m the right demographic and I genuinely care. I don’t want to lose another person like my friend, Sonia, if there’s something I can do about it.” In a year marked by a health crisis, severe wildfires, and unprecedented political upheaval, somehow Taylor and Farmacy Berkeley were also forced to deal with a string of robberies that began over Memorial Day weekend, hitting a number of Cannabis establishments across the Bay Area and throughout California. Though Farmacy Berkeley – which features an upscale, Nordstrom’s-meets-Cannabis aesthetic – suffered substantial damages, the generous spirit which so clearly lives within Taylor was gifted back to her in the form of community members reaching out to offer support. “We were hit twice in one night,” Taylor said. “But do you know what the community did? They sent us their stimulus checks. People were giving us their stimulus checks
oregonlEAF.COM
“I want to leave a legacy that’s not about money, but about compassion and inspiration and making a difference.”
FEB. 2021
with notes saying they were sorry and apologizing for what happened.” According to Taylor, those who couldn’t afford to donate sent cards or asked if they could assist with any clean-up efforts. “That show of support was amazing,” she said. “And I can honestly say that we are now thriving.” In addition to her role with The Farmacy, Taylor is also the namesake behind the Mama Sue tincture line now available from Glass House Farms. Available from select dispensaries in California, Mama Sue’s low-potency formulas were initially conceived with older consumers in mind. Tailored to address specific ailments like sleep and pain, the line has apparently become a cross-generational hit with customers of all ages. Taylor says she’s excited by the prospects of where the Mama Sue line may go next, but as she continues to forge ahead, she’s reiterated that she’s always thinking about the reasons – and the people – that have placed her in this unique position. “I want to leave a legacy that’s not about money, but about compassion and inspiration and making a difference,” Taylor said. “I don’t care how old you are – I’m 73-years-old. I started a new business and I’m going to do more. I want to give inspiration to other people who will pick up my legacy and continue to carry this torch. If you see injustice, if you see something that needs to be corrected, well, Sue Taylor did it. I decided a long time ago to make this world a better place because I live, not just exist.”
FARMACYBERKELEY.COM
STORY by ZACK RUSKIN @ZACKRUSKIN for LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by FARMACY BERKELEY | FARMACYBERKELEY.COM
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profile
women in weed
ALIAVOLZ The history of the medical marijuana movement is paved with untold stories like the one author Alia Volz has now brought to light with her new memoir, “Home Baked.”
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In the book (out in paperback on April 20, 2021), Volz reveals and celebrates the work of her mother, Meridy, who for decades ran a beloved Bay Area brownie operation known as Sticky Fingers. Defying capture, Meridy and Volz’s father were also instrumental in providing Cannabis to HIV/AIDS patients and satiated their artistic tendencies by decorating each week’s brownie bag with a unique illustration. “Home Baked” serves as a worthy tribute to Volz’s parents, who are still with us, as well as to the larger bravery of those who risked prison to help others in need. FEB. 2021
What is your book about and what inspired you to write it? My folks had the first high-volume Cannabis
edibles business in San Francisco – probably the first in California – to operate at that size. It started in the 1970s. By the time I was born in 1977, they were distributing upwards of 10,000 brownies per month throughout the city, to all of these different subcultures and various neighborhoods in San Francisco. Then, when the AIDS crisis hit at the beginning of the 1980s, Sticky Fingers transitioned into being part of the dawn of the medical marijuana movement. In writing “Home Baked,” I had the opportunity to tell the story of the progression from party drug to palliative medicine, as we think of Cannabis now, through this very personal lens and through the AIDS crisis.
Now that we’re a few years into adult-use sales, we’re at risk of forgetting about the risky, largely untold story of Cannabis as it existed prior to Prop 215, and later, Prop 64. Was that part of your inspiration for writing this book? To ensure your mother’s legacy and work was recognized? To a
certain extent. I decided to bring this project to light in the lead up to the passing of Proposition 64, which legalized adult recreational use in California. One thing that I noticed was that in the conversations that were being had about Cannabis, at that time, there
in the group would design original packaging and it became like this underground comic. It was always some social commentary or a reflection on the politics of the day, or whatever was going on astrologically.
“Home Baked” is also in the process of being adapted for the screen. What can you say about the project?
The story has been optioned by [J.J. Abrams’ production company] Bad Robot for a television series. I’m actually working on developing the show with a co-writer that Bad Robot hired. I’m involved, though to what extent still remains to be seen as there are many people involved and so many variables. It hasn’t been sold to a network yet, but we’re getting ready to pitch.
What are some of the elements of your memoir you hope this potential series is able to capture? I feel
like there hasn’t really been a film or television series that encompasses both the wholesomeness and the community strength that is so evident – and always has been – in Cannabis culture with the seriousness of mind that it takes to run a successful cannabusiness. Especially in the days when it was illegal and involved extreme risk. We’ve had shows like “Weeds” and “High Maintenance” and a few others, but they all tend to focus on the silliness of the culture. Basically, the Cheech and Chong stoner stereotype: people who are so spaced out that they can barely tie their shoes and hilarity ensues. There is certainly an aspect of Cannabis culture that is fun-loving like that, sure, but in my experience, having grown up in that world, it took a lot of savvy and courage and determination – and a really keen business sense – to pull off a significant underground cannabusiness like the one that my folks had. My parents were hippies, but they were not space cadets. So, having grown up steeped in Cannabis culture, I’m really eager to see a show that acknowledges that people who are successful in this world have skills and talents that would also translate successfully to anything else. It’s a real business that takes real, serious-minded people to accomplish it, especially when it was new and it was trailblazing. That’s really important to me.
“In writing “Home Baked,” I had the opportunity to tell the story of the progression from party drug to palliative medicine, as we think of Cannabis now, through this very personal lens and through the AIDS crisis.” wasn’t a lot of attention being paid to the role of AIDS activism in bringing us the access that we now have to Cannabis. For me, that was really the incentive. I came into the project knowing that my family had a deep involvement in that history, but to be completely honest with you, I hadn’t realized when I began working on this book just how much of a pioneer my mom was. I had this great window into the Cannabis culture of the ‘70s and ‘80s, and the evolution of Cannabis culture and medical marijuana, and I knew that my mom played an important role. But I didn’t realize just how pioneering and how original the work she was doing was. Once I dug into the material and got into the research, I realized that nobody was really operating on the scale that she was back then. It’s interesting because my mom didn’t really think of herself as a pioneer. She was making her decisions on a daily basis and trying to do what she thought was right while also avoiding the law. I think she was just happy to get away with it, to be honest with you.
Tell me about the legacy of Sticky Fingers’ brownie bags! People actually collected them, right? Almost
all of the people involved with Sticky Fingers brownies back in the ‘70s, including my parents, were artists – so it became like an arts collective. Every week, somebody
I also want to emphasize that at least as far as Northern California Cannabis culture goes, or at least the culture that I’ve known – it’s always been very driven by strong, business-minded women. I feel like there is a stereotype or misconception that Cannabis is a man’s world that women are just starting to break into. We focus on new women in weed and how to empower women in cannabusiness, but in my experience, the growers and dealers have always largely been women. It goes back to the plants themselves, of course – we’re talking about a female plant, after all. I’d also emphasize that, because this business started during the 1970s, which was a time when it was not so easy for women to gain a foothold and to be taken seriously as businesswomen, Cannabis was an avenue for female-driven businesses. That’s important to look at as well. Then, of course, always with this story, to explore the gravity, the strength and the intense community power that revealed itself during the HIV/AIDS epidemic. I feel like that has yet to be represented in its fullness, in the context of a mass market television show.
The story of Sticky Fingers brownies and the Volz family’s adventures have been chronicled in newspapers and magazines around the world, and in spellbinding longform radio broadcasts on NPR’s Fresh Air and Snap Judgement. Meridy Volz
“I came into the project knowing that my family had a deep involvement in that history, but to be completely honest with you, I hadn’t realized when I began working on this book just how much of a pioneer my mom was.” @ALIAVOLZZZ ALIAVOLZ.COM
“Home Baked: My Mom, Marijuana, and the Stoning of San Francisco” by Alia Volz | $16.99; Mariner Books indiebound.org/book/9780358505020
STORY by ZACK RUSKIN @ZACKRUSKIN for LEAF NATION | PORTRAIT by DENNIS HEARNE @MRLUCKYSF, PHOTO COURTESY MERIDY VOLZ
grower profile
THE SOILKING
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THEY CALL HIM THE SOIL KING. A true Stoner Owner, Patrick King has felt a deep-rooted connection to Cannabis and cultivation since his youth. In addition to providing the soil, picks and shovels for the industry through his legendary Soil King Garden Center, King holds nearly every license type available in the California market, breeds his own genetics, sits on the Ganjier Council (featured in January’s Future Issue of California Leaf), and has launched his own web TV channel, Soil King TV. There’s a chance he started a new company while you were reading this. The King took a moment out of his busy schedule to share stories of his life in Cannabis and his thoughts on the industry.
FEB. 2021
PATRICK KING
YOU’VE SAID AGRICULTURE IS NOT ONLY A CALLING, IT’S IN YOUR BLOOD. WILL YOU SHARE A BIT ABOUT YOUR FAMILY HISTORY AND THE CONNECTION YOU FEEL TO THE SOIL?
Ever since my first memories when my hand hit the soil, touching the essence of Mother Earth, there was a spiritual connection that happened that I carried through my entire life. I always wondered why I was different ... I couldn’t figure it out until my family tree was exposed to me, laying me in the bloodline of John Chapman, AKA Johnny Appleseed. When I found this bit of information out, I felt like I belonged, had a calling, knew why my feet fit the shoes I was wearing. ... Before I knew about this bloodline, I was asked on many occasions, “If you could be one person in history, who would that person be?” I always said, “Johnny Appleseed!” His monetary contribution to the world was better than anyone’s. He touched the heart of children all over the world through his teachings. My legacy was laid generations before me to follow. Because of my openminded willingness, I was able to see the path and take the journey of a thousand miles with a single step. WHEN WE FIRST SPOKE, YOU TOLD ME THAT THE FIRST TIME YOU WERE IN HANDCUFFS WAS AT THE AGE OF 11, FOR GROWING WEED IN A PINE TREE IN YOUR BACKYARD. WHAT PATH LED YOU FROM THERE TO HERE? WHAT WOULD YOU TELL THAT 11-YEAR-OLD SOIL PRINCE TODAY? The struggles were real in my life
from childhood until now. From living alone, homeless under a house at the age of 12 and 13, dropping out of school, supporting myself, relying on myself, and being the only one to believe in myself ... I can tell you this, that 11-year-old boy believed in me from then till now, as my biggest supporter, fan, and the one to push me when I just wasn’t able to do it myself. I always talk about the relationship now that I have with that 11-year-old boy. He is so proud of me – doing backflips, smiling, while knowing we have accomplished something great on our journey so far. (Through) the years of the world being against us, we never gave up ... We are a team, and we are not done with the journey yet. SOIL, EQUIPMENT, PROCESSING, DISTRIBUTION – YOU HAVE A STAKE IN NEARLY EVERY SEGMENT OF THE INDUSTRY. WHERE DOES YOUR PASSION THRIVE? My mission statement is, “Changing
the world one plant at a time!” My fight has always been for clean, tested products that are human consumable. The Cannabis industry, and all of agriculture, has been poisoning
“WE MIGHT BE SMALL AS INDIVIDUALS, BUT WE ARE MASSIVE TOGETHER IN UNITY! WE ARE AN ARMY OF LOVING, CARING, GIVING PEOPLE WHO WILL FIGHT TO THE END FOR WHAT WE BELIEVE.”
us for many, many generations – selling us products while claiming they’re safe for consumption, knowing that it’s a lie. Even certifications like OMRI are a complete joke! Through the (Prop 215 medical) era, I fought for the testing of products, both in Cannabis and all other agriculture. How can you spray avid or harmful pesticides on your plant, then sell it as medicine? Not going to happen in my world – I’m going to call you out every time. Though I loved the 215 moment, it gave way for the manipulation of the words ‘medicinal patient.’ That label was thrown around too freely. People didn’t care. They only ran after the money and used all the hard work that movement did just to fill their pockets ... I knew that I was somewhat alone in my thinking, but I wasn’t willing to give up the fight, the mission, the will to do right and advocacy, pioneering and changing the world one plant at a time. Being a steward of Mother Earth is an honor and privilege that should be felt and respected by all.
YOU HOLD NEARLY EVERY TYPE OF CANNABIS LICENSE AVAILABLE IN CALIFORNIA. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE LEGAL MARKET AND WHERE IT IS HEADED? I play a part in and I
own just about every license in California, yes. I also own a slice of just about every part of the picks and shovels, from an international soil company, garden centers, genetics, fertilizers and amendments, processing tools, Cannabis distribution, manufacturing, sales, nursery, retail, remediation, cultivation and even events. I live and die for this industry. The most important and my favorite part of my life is storytelling – the culture of the small farmer is the last of the dying breed and their stories need to be told ... When legal Cannabis in California became a thing in 2018, it was a complete fiasco of corporate funny money flowing into our industry, raping and pillaging, greed, Ponzi schemes, liars and cheats … Valuations were through the roof. Small farmers knew that we had a race in front of us, and that if we just held on, we’d still
be standing when they collapsed … Pioneers are resilient! We’ve been through things that no other industry or people of industry in the world have ever experienced! Army helicopters chasing us through the mountains of the Emerald Triangle, dropping from ropes onto our patches, chasing us through the mountains with M16s, stripping our children and families away from us while throwing us in federal prisons with their drug war mentality! Even they can’t take us down! We are resilient! We are this industry! … We might be small as individuals, but we are massive together in unity! We are an army of loving, caring, giving people who will fight to the end for what we believe. Corporate Cannabis was set to fail, and it did ... their monopoly money valuations collapsed, and guess who’s still standing? The small farmers! Now that they realize they made that mistake of not keeping us as brand ambassadors, and (instead tried) to put us out of business, they are knocking on our doors trying to work with us today. My answer is always the same: You had your opportunity, and you shit all over it. WHAT DOES THE WORD INTEGRITY MEAN TO YOU AS IT PERTAINS TO CANNABIS?
I still believe in looking into somebody’s eyes, asking them a question, and believing in what they say. Their eyes can tell a lot. I believe in a handshake and a written agreement to back it up. In this world, you’re only as good as your word. Integrity means all that and more. It’s about team. It’s about community. It’s about culture. It’s about carrying your people when they’re not strong enough to carry themselves, and knowing that when you’re not strong enough, they carry you as well. I talk about integrity often. Integrity also comes with knowing how to raise your hand when you’re wrong and ask forgiveness. None of us get it right all the time, but if we don’t acknowledge our deficits, we repeat the action. I’ve made mistakes in my life and I own them – I’m responsible for them and I apologize for them. All that is integrity! IG: @THESOILKING | YOUTUBE: @THESOILKING
INTERVIEW by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS/LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by CHRIS VICARI
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STRAIN OF THE MONTH oregonlEAF.COM
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Latin for “Cultivate, Honor and Perfect,” Beavercreek-based producer Excolo Farms certainly lives up to their unique and classy name. Our team had the incredible opportunity of touring their spotless facility last year, and we can say that their company absolutely meets the expectations of this philosophy. We are all familiar with that fresh ground coffee aroma you are met with when walking into Starbucks. Now take that scent and combine it with some eye-opening, high-octane fuel, and you’ve got February’s Strain of the Month – Sticky Glue. Cracking open a jar of this funky flower will unquestionably have your entire house smelling of the most lovely, yet skunky, fragrances imaginable. This smell quite simply cannot be ignored, as it permeates your nostrils with notes of petrol in the most pleasurable way possible. Buds gleam with trichomes and have a charming contrast of an olive green colored leaf and marigold pistols. Created after the Sticky Icky, this “Half Baked” inspired strain name is beyond caked with glue-like heads. This flower certainly requires a grinder to break up due to its stickiness, but we aren’t complaining! Smoking this exceptional flower in a bowl, bong, papers or blunt will all yield the same flavor – a taste nearly identical to the gassy and earthy aroma I experienced earlier. After smoking a joint, we encountered a mouth-staining flavor that lasted all the way down to the very end. Producing a terpene profile that carries through is not an easy task, so for that and many other reasons, we tip our hats to Excolo’s cultivation team and the incredible terpenes Sticky Glue possesses. Effects are sedating, relaxing and soothing, making this the perfect strain to unwind with after a long day. Highly recommended to loosen your muscles up, take a load off and decrease your overall stress level, with this heavy-hitting and transforming cultivar, Excolo Farms is undoubtedly checking all of the boxes. Bag appeal, nose, flavor and smooth smoke were in abundance while enjoying their flower offerings. Make sure to be on the lookout for their Banana Punch, Brian Berry, Black Raspberry, and their new in-house crosses from tissue culture!
25% THC | HEAVY-HITTING, SEDATIVE STRAIN
feb. 2021
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO LOOSEN YOUR MUSCLES UP, TAKE A LOAD OFF AND DECREASE YOUR OVERALL STRESS LEVEL
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REVIEW by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST/OREGON LEAF | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
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Essential!
THE FUTURE ISSUE
ABOUT THE SPECIAL
Shortly after the COVID crisis careened into our lives like a flaming truck packed with irradiated skunk carcasses, something happened that no one could have predicted: Our fearful leaders declared the Cannabis industry essential to the survival of our society. Essential. That word carries weight. It shoulders everything it touches with necessary gravity.
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For those whose lives are impacted by the plant, it can be a matter of the quality of life, and even the difference between life and death. FEB. 2021
But what does it mean to be essential? And why does the Cannabis community – until recent years the green-clad parolee at the family dinner table – suddenly merit the classification from the same governmental bodies that once sought to destroy it? Let’s start with easily measurable metrics. In 2020, the estimated employment statistic for the adult-use Cannabis industry neared 300,000, according to a July report by MJ Biz Daily. That’s up from 211,000 in 2019. That same report models those stats to hit more than half a million legally employed, tax-paying workers in the Cannabis sector by 2024. It’s a staggering figure, when you consider it only accounts for legal-market states, and doesn’t take into account employment in the unregulated Cannabis market, which is exponentially greater, but much harder to track. That’s a lot of bills paid and people fed – something this country needs, desperately. For more easily identifiable proof of the indispensability of indica, look at the money. In its first year of adult-use, Cannabis hit $1billion in combined sales in Illinois, according to figures from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. And that’s on a base of only 82 licensed dispensaries. If that seems like a huge number, look at California during the same timespan. The state clocked more than $1 billion in Cannabis tax revenue alone, according to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, from total sales estimated to exceed $5 billion. That’s a lot of cabbage. But the concept of essentialism goes beyond mere money. For those whose lives are impacted by the plant, it can be a matter of the quality of life, and even the difference between life and death. In the following pages, we explore the concept of Cannabis essentialism by taking a close look at fine details in the fabric of the grand tapestry. We speak with a teenage racecar driver and NASCAR hopeful from Maryland whose life was literally saved by Cannabis, and who pushed for legislation that improved the lives of patients all over his home state. We share the stories of individuals and families pulling up stakes and moving across the country for the promise of a career and a paycheck in the legal market. We explore the past, present and future of public consumption and the concept of cannabinoids as medicine. In this, our first Essential Issue, we attempt to identify and define some of the ways in which Cannabis has become indispensable in all of our lives.
STORY by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS/LEAF NATION | PHOTO by ADOBE/WOLLERTZ
the ESSENTIAL issue
Connor’s Courage Three years ago, teenage racecar driver Connor Sheffield was in a sprint for his life. Plagued since early childhood with a progressive disease that rendered him unable to digest food, Sheffield approached his 13th birthday at a withered 74 pounds.
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But his is not a tragic story. The tale of 16-year-old Sheffield is one of a young man driven to win against overwhelming opposition. It’s a story of survival, of the strength of family, and of beating the odds. It has racecars, heroic budtenders, inspiring speeches – and more racecars. And at the center of it all is Cannabis.
oregonlEAF.COM
DRIVEN BY A DIAGNOSIS
Sheffield and his family spent his childhood struggling with the fact that he simply couldn’t eat. “We thought it was just normal,” said Tricia Sheffield, Connor’s mom. “You know, like someone has acid reflux or something. But as Connor got older, things just kept getting progressively worse.” Connor wasn’t thriving and despite their best efforts, the experts at esteemed medical facilities couldn’t offer hope. The doctors at Boston Children’s Hospital diagnosed him with Gastrointestinal Motility Pseudo Obstruction and Dysphagia, a progressive disease that has no cure or treatment plan. In and out of the hospital, he underwent several procedures and had to have portions of his bowels removed. He had to be put on a feeding tube and when that stopped working, he had to be fed intravenously. Sheffield couldn’t find hope. Then, at the age of nine, his parents suggested racing. “When I was younger, I played baseball, I played football, I was going to get into lacrosse,” Sheffield said.
FEB. 2021
“But because my medical conditions were getting worse and worse, I couldn’t perform. I couldn’t participate. We didn’t know that racing required a lot of strength and endurance – so we got into it, and then we found out.” In a life marked by fatigue and struggle, racing drove Sheffield forward. “I love the speed, the competition, the people you meet – everything,” said Sheffield. “I even love the stress that comes with it … There’s something about going to the track.” LIFE-SAVING MEDICINE
Though driving a racecar helped, hope sustains the mind, not the body. Racing, which was far more physically demanding than the Sheffields predicted it would be, started to take its toll. Connor considered quitting. “We thought that if he gave up on racing, that he would give up on himself,” Tricia said. It was then that a friend named Bobby Windsor directed them to his medical Cannabis dispensary in Perryville, Maryland – aptly named Nature’s Care and Wellness. “She had come to her wits end,” Windsor said of Tricia. “I just said, ‘You have to come in. You have to give it a try.’”
The Sheffields were doubtful. “At first I was against it,” Tricia said. “I didn’t think it was medicine – I thought it was a way to get high.” After Windsor’s urging and a little research, they paid a visit to the dispensary. “Connor was so sick that day, he could barely keep his head up,” Tricia said. “He was falling asleep at the table. They had someone who worked at the dispensary who also used Cannabis for (gastrointestinal) issues. They told me, ‘This is going to help him, and he’s going to get better.’ And I was like, ‘You can’t tell me that. Because he’s dying on me, and you can’t tell me that. We’ve been to hospitals and doctors all over, and they couldn’t help us. So how can you help us?’” The budtender answered their questions and the Sheffields procured a Cannabis tincture from Windsor’s shop. To hear the Sheffields and Windsor tell it, the change was miraculous. “After about 25 minutes of him taking it, he started pepping up,” Tricia said. “He was like a wilting flower and he just started coming to life. He told me he was hungry and wanted to eat.” Sheffield’s first solid meal in years was a cheeseburger. “I don’t want to say we saved his life, but it’s a good feeling,” Windsor said. “I cry every once in a while, thinking about it.”
Off the track, Connor strapped in for another contest. This time, he was fighting to allow Cannabis medicine in schools.
SURPASSING THE STIGMA
For the first month of Cannabis treatment, the Sheffields kept Connor’s medication a secret from everyone – including his doctors, for fear of backlash. “At 30 days, we brought him in and they were like, ‘Wow, he’s doing great,’” Tricia said. “And that’s when we decided to tell them that he was using medical Cannabis. They said, ‘Wow! Really? Well, whatever it is that you’re doing, we’re going to tell you to keep doing it.’” It was a turning point. “For the first three months or so, I didn’t want to believe that it was working,” Connor said. “But I felt the improvements and I saw the weight gain. And I went and saw my doctors, and then I saw them less and less, and now I only see them every six or seven months if I have issues.”
After a while, people stopped giving him sideeye at the track. The crowds and other racers have even been supportive, and Sheffield’s Crew Chief, Kris Reardon, says Connor has never been stronger. “People even secretly ask me about Cannabis and ask me how they can use it to help their medical condition,” Connor said. KEEPING CANNABIS IN THE SCHOOLS
Off the track, Connor strapped in for another contest. This time, he was fighting to allow Cannabis medicine in schools. “Whenever I felt as though I needed my medication, I would text my parents,” Connor said. “They would drive to school, take me out of class, and I’d need to walk off of school property completely, down the street, take my medication, walk back to the school, and walk back to class. It was a lot to THE WRECK THAT NEVER CAME do. It’s even a mouthful to explain.” After years of racing dirt sprint cars, Connor The situation was untenable. The Sheffields came on as a developmental driver on the CMI connected with Maryland State Senator Brian FeldMotorsports team in the NASCAR Advance Auto man, a former lawyer for the Department of Justice Part Weekly Series (late model cars). who sits on the Marijuana One would think that Cannabis could Legalization Work Group complicate Connor’s NASCAR dreams. for the State General Early on, the Sheffields recall a race Assembly. Sen. Feldman in Texas where they were forced to tape started working on MD over all of the logos for their primary HB331, a bill nicknamed sponsor, a dispensary. “Connor’s Courage,” “We just felt like people were just which would allow the waiting for Connor to wreck,” Tricia staff at public schools in said. “All eyes were on Connor that Maryland to adminisShown here racing for Mindbuzz ter Cannabis medicine weekend.” at Hickory Motor Speedway in Sept. Connor laughs, “I actually ended during the schoolday, as 2020, Connor was recently named up doing pretty well. They didn’t know they would with any other Cannabis Patient Advocate of the what to expect. They thought I was legal medicine. Year by Explore Maryland Cannabis. going to wreck people. They thought I “Finding a way to help was going to be high.” these kids out was the Ever since starting with Cannabis, Sheffield’s primary motive for getting into it,” Sen. Feldman strength and skills have improved significantly. said. “Connor is one of the kids to beat in the dirt Sen. Feldman introduced the Sheffields to Gil series,” Tricia said. “They come to try to beat ConGenn, a lobbyist whose office is covered with picnor. To have people look at him and think, ‘I hope tures of him rubbing elbows with the most powerful I can beat him tonight,’ that’s a great feeling.” U.S. politicians of the past 50 years.
“So I got the call from Tricia,” Genn said, “and she described Connor’s Courage, Connor’s Law, and she said, ‘We need help.’ I said, ‘It would be my honor.’” At the outset, school officials opposed the bill because they worried it would endanger their federal funding. They came up with excuses. “They said, ‘Aside from all of the Connor and Lobbyist liability issues … We have no idea Gil Genn helped pass and no training on how to give this Connor’s Law. medicine,’” Genn said. “They needed to have a task force to train on how to give drops of a tincture.” Genn said that during the hearing, he provided a list of the various medications school staffers were permitted to administer on school grounds. Then, Genn finished with a flourish – he brought in a bottle of simulated Cannabis tincture and stood there, cheekily explaining to a roomful of adults how to use a dropper. “I had people slapping their desks and laughing. It just blew them out of the water. That was the turning point, I think.” Sen. Feldman recalls another tide-shifting moment during the hearing, when a young epileptic Cannabis patient started having a seizure. “His mother put something under the child’s tongue and he calmed,” Sen. Feldman said. “It wasn’t about smoking, or pulling out a bong.” In the end, the bill passed both the House and Senate with nearly unanimous bipartisan support. “At heart, these kids had severe ailments,” Sen. Feldman said. “There was a way to help them go to school. And why would we not allow them access to something that was legal in our state?” Now, Connor and patients like him in Maryland have safe access to their essential medicine during school hours. And to think it all started with a family taking the advice of a budtender. “I am so glad that we did,” Tricia said. “I don’t know what would have happened to Connor, if I didn’t just forget what I’d been taught my whole life about Cannabis being horrible, and just try it. Because now, Connor’s surviving – and he’s thriving.”
STORY by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS/LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by ERIC KAYNE @PHOTOKAYNE & COURTESY SHEFFIELD FAMILY
the ESSENTIAL issue
uprooted ON THE MOVE FOR THE PLANT
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Whether searching for compassionate policy, seeking industry opportunity or fleeing persecution, Cannabis has people pulling up roots and planting new seeds all over the country. ORIGINALLY FROM Salt Lake City, Jenn Doe fled the archaic and prohibitive Cannabis laws of Utah to Washington to ply her trade as a grower and hash-maker. She thrived under the medical marijuana program and eventually won the High Times NorCal Cannabis Cup in 2014, becoming the only woman to win the award for solventless hash – made by her from plants she grew herself. The offers should have rolled in for a “The amount of money champion extract artist, and yet she felt it takes to have a stifled by the restrictions that had been business there, versus imposed on caregivers after recreational being a functioning legalization passed in 2012. caregiver business Jenn promptly moved to Massachuhere in Maine is setts for a year to grow and wash her changing significant, and it’s not flowers in peace, until the laws there policies nearly as saturated of changed as well. A business opportunity a market.” arose and once again, she wound up back in Washington working for Gavita Lighting. Upon their acquisition and the subsequent restructuring of the company, Utah to Washington she decided to again relocate – this time to the state of Maine. to Massachusetts to Why Maine? Jenn tells me, “I couldn’t do anything in the Washington to Maine Pacific Northwest without serious investment, due to the laws, or I would have to work for someone else – which I’d rather by Dan Vinkovetsky @dannydankoht not. The amount of money it takes to have a business there, versus being a functioning caregiver business here in Maine is significant, and it’s not nearly as saturated of a market.” As recreational legalization sometimes guts medical patient protections, Jenn finds the caregiver laws to be more reasonable for the mom n’ pops and small businesses, and the irony doesn’t escape her. She laughs as she tells me, “Each of my moves corresponds to the shift from medical to recreational. … All I know is I will continue to seek favorable conditions for farming and hashmaking on a boutique scale, because that’s who I am and that’s what I want to do!”
JENN DOE
FEB. 2021
industry opportunity
GIDDYUP Oklahoma to Colorado to California to Nevada to Oklahoma
by Bobby Black @bobbyblack420
AS THE founder of Emotek, Jayson “Giddyup” Emo is the mohawked marijuana mogul behind 2012’s groundbreaking OBE-DOS closed-loop butane extraction system that immediately became the industry standard. He’s also the co-creator of live resin – the wildly popular style of concentrate that has taken the market by storm (and that his machine made possible). Giddy originally hails from Oklahoma – a state that, just a few years ago, had some of the strictest pot laws in the nation. Over the past decade, Giddyup “When you move has moved from state to state to a new state with several times, always for reasons big plans, all that shit related to Cannabis. First, in 2010, typically goes out the he moved from Oklahoma City to window when you get Longmont, Colorado with the idea there,” he chuckles. of growing weed for dispensaries, but that plan didn’t quite pan out. “When you move to a new state with big plans, all that shit typically goes out the window when you get there,” he chuckles. Building on the success of his extractors, in 2015 he launched his own brand of concentrates: Giddyup Extracts. After having established himself as an industry leader in Colorado, Giddy set out to bring his equipment and expertise to other legal states. First, he spent a few years in Nevada setting up licensing deals and selling to that market. Then in 2017, he moved to Hollywood to consult in the California market, which he described as a nightmare. In 2018, Giddy moved back to Oklahoma and established a 20,000-square-foot greenhouse grow, followed by his own dispensary named Giddy’s OKC, which opened in January 2019. According to Giddy, states that are new to legalization are a smarter move for those seeking employment in the Cannabis industry.
industry opportunity
RYAN SMITH
CHECK OUT LEAF LIFE EPISODE #97 Cannabis MIGRATION ON ALL MAJOR PLATFORMS AND LEAFLIFEPODCAST.COM
California to Alaska by O’Hara Shipe @shipeshots
fleeing persecution
THE STADLERS Texas to Colorado
by Bobby Black @bobbyblack420
MIKE STADLER used to live in the small town of After returning home from Copperas Cove, Texas with his wife Sheena and the Denver Cannabis Cup their five-year-old son Kayden. An HVAC tech by in April 2014, they learned trade, Stadler sold weed on the side, as well as plainclothes police had growing a few plants for personal medicinal use. been snooping around Stadler also made an effort to set a good example their property. and help his community by starting a community vegetable garden in a vacant lot he called Grow Your Own. The garden was a hit around the neighborhood, but ended up drawing scrutiny from law enforcement. First, City Hall changed local ordinances forcing them to shut down the garden. Next, after returning home from the Denver Cannabis Cup in April 2014, they learned plainclothes police had been snooping around their property. Then police tried bullying Sheena into letting them search their home without a warrant. A few days later, eight cop cars returned, accompanied by Child Protective Services. Luckily, she was out shopping at the time. After being advised by their lawyer that they could likely lose custody of their son, the couple made a fast and fateful decision: They hurriedly packed a few bags, got in their car, and fled to Greely, Colorado. “I don’t regret it at all,” says Stadler of the move. “I don’t have sleepless nights anymore, where I’m worried about whether a noise I hear is the police at my door, or if I get pulled over that I’m going to go to jail.” Though CPS in Colorado was obligated to pay them a follow-up visit, Stadler had no trouble getting the accusations dismissed. “I told them the whole story and they said, ‘We’ve had other families move here for the same situation … if anybody calls from Texas with any more complaints, we’ll tell them to screw off because you live in Colorado now.”
FORMER PRO-SNOWBOARDER Ryan Smith has had his fair share of adversity to overcome. Whether it was the end of his athletic career or a tragic accident while firefighting, he has found ways to exemplify the Japanese proverb, “Fall down seven times, stand up eight.” But Cannabis has challenged the California-native in ways he never anticipated. “I am completely self-taught and I have made a lot of mistakes over the years,” says Smith. “You know, it’s kind of been just trial and error – and Nothing could have screwing up a lot.” prepared Smith His dedication to his craft paid off for what he would when he relocated in 2018 to take encounter on June 16, over the position of Lead Cultivator 2019, when a devasat Wasilla-based grow Scorpion tating fire engulfed Grass. “I always wanted to live in the farm in flames. Alaska, so when the opportunity came up, I jumped and haven’t looked back,” says Smith. But nothing could have prepared Smith for what he would encounter on June 16, 2019, when a devastating fire engulfed the farm in flames. With nothing left to do but watch as his hard work went up in a cloud of smoke, Smith says he felt the pangs of despair. The next day, the flames extinguished, Smith walked through the gardens to see if anything could be saved. It was in this devastation that Smith saw a small glimmer of hope. “I had to walk through [the garden] and take cuttings of some of the plants so we could save the genetics. And then I saw a piece of my favorite strain – Ice Cream Cake – literally growing out from underneath these old burned trusses from the roof. It was this real sentimental moment when I took that clone,” says Smith. The clone has since developed into one of Scorpion Grass’ signature strains, Attic Fire, and is the living representation of Smith’s moxie.
STORY by LEAF NATION CONTRIBUTORS | ICONS by THE NOUN PROJECT Air travel Olena Panasovska | Moving Luis Prado | Cannabis KonKapp | Fire Vladimir Belochkin
the ESSENTIAL issue
The evolution of socializing will include consumption in public meeting places.
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LOUNGING AROUNd T
he moment is seared into my memory. It was the mid-’90s and I was a bright-eyed 25-year-old in Amsterdam for the first time. I stepped into a “coffeeshop” and was immediately transported to a magical realm – one where I could order Cannabis from a menu and be treated like a customer instead of a criminal. Compared to what we went through back home to “score weed,” it all felt so … civilized.
FEB. 2021
I SAT DOWN and rolled myself a joint while watching people ride by on their bicycles outside, and I knew that things would never be the same. I couldn’t go back to the way things were in the United States without doing everything I could to change it. I vowed that one day we would see consumption lounges all over the world, so that everyone could know the true feeling of freedom. The first social consumption of Cannabis dates back to ancient times. Shamans of various tribes in Central Asia, India and the Middle East burned the flowers in rituals meant to induce a trancelike state. Hashish lounges have been a staple of Nepal and Afghanistan, as well as throughout the Middle East for centuries.
s
haring a pipe, bong or joint with others has been a natural way to mix and mingle for as long as people have been getting together in groups. There were even “tea pads” for legal smokers established in the United States during alcohol prohibition. Soon however, worldwide crackdowns on Cannabis put a serious damper on social use. Fear of arrest and prosecution drove users and providers underground, and for many years, anyone wishing to share their stash with others measured the risks and proceeded with extreme caution. It wasn’t until the early 1970s, when Dutch hippies tested their country’s newfound “tolerance” to soft drugs, did a scene emerge in which Cannabis was openly sold and smoked in designated areas. The coffeeshop culture thrived in Holland and over time, Amsterdam became a destination for anyone seeking to sample a new way of Cannabis and hashish consumption. In the ‘90s, the scene spread to Spain under the guise of nonprofit In late 2019, three members private social clubs deigned for of the The Leaf team had members only. Inevitably, as laws in the opportunity to visit the U.S. and Canada were reformed, Amsterdam and enjoy in lounges sprang up in North America, the historic Cannabis coffeshop culture. including the New Amsterdam Cafe Check out the rehashed trip down in Vancouver and the HotBox Lounge memory lane in the Dec. 2019 issue: & Shop in Toronto.
Cannabis consumption lounges have flourished around the world.
The HotBox Lounge & Shop in Toronto
tinyurl.com/leafgoestoamsterdam
The New Amsterdam Cafe in Vancouver, BC
The Summit Lounge in Worchester, Mass. ADAM GLANZMAN
Though how we share Cannabis has certainly changed due to COVID-19, our desire to socialize amongst like-minded compatriots will only increase over time.
IN 2009, The World Famous Cannabis Cafe, run by Executive Director of Oregon NORML Madeline Martinez, opened up in Portland, Ore. as the first state-authorized lounge for medical cardholders. Sadly, they closed their doors in 2016, but places like Flight Lounge and Kaleafa Social Club continue the tradition, welcoming private members to consume flowers and dabs to their hearts’ delight. Longtime California activist Richard Lee launched Coffeeshop Blue Sky in Oakland, even enduring a raid by Federal law enforcement in 2012, but which opened the door for places like Moe Greens, Bloom Room and Barbary Coast Dispensary. The passage of Colorado’s Amendment 64, also in 2012, brought about clubs such as iBAKE Denver and The Speakeasy Vape Lounge, which allow members to consume Cannabis but do not permit sales. Since then, many other spots nationwide have opened their doors to patients and customers yearning for connection. In Michigan, places like Vehicle City Social in Flint and D’Mirage in Detroit create safe spaces for Cannabis consumers to relax and enjoy their buds with friends. New England staples like Tetra Hydro Club in Wakefield, R.I. and Summit Lounge in Worcester, Mass. provide a respite from the bars and nightclubs. I even visited a unique spot in Las Vegas called NuWu on Native land, which is a dispensary with a smoking lounge attached. In states where Cannabis remains illegal, lounges tend to be movable “seshes” that shift from location to location and provide makeshift booths with Cannabis products, entertainment and consumption on site. Worldwide, along with the Netherlands and Spain, there are now social clubs in New Zealand, South Africa, France, Germany and elsewhere. They are all under attack in one form or another from authorities, and the precariousness of their existence is fragile. Though how we share Cannabis has certainly changed due to COVID-19, our desire to socialize amongst like-minded compatriots will only increase over time. As responsible Cannabis consumers, it’s our obligation to continue to change the laws and push to legalize social use and consumption lounges so that we can get together and enjoy our pot in peace.
STORY by DAN VINKOVETSKY @DANNYDANKOHT/LEAF NATION | ILLUSTRATION by KELLY BJORK @KELLY_BJORK
THE ESSENTIAL ISSUE oregonlEAF.COM
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CBN& sLEEP CURIO WELLNESS’ INNOVATIONS
THE CONCEPT of cannabinoid therapy continues to be one of the most invigorating and promising new frontiers on the legalized Cannabis landscape. The Cannabis plant has roughly 426 chemical entities (and more than 60 cannabinoid compounds) according to the National Institute for Health, and researchers have come to find that many of those compounds react in specific, powerful ways with our bodies’ endocannabinoid system. Many of those cannabinoids have well-known and researched effects. THC provides psychoactive effects, but also helps with gastrointestinal issues, muscle relaxation and other ailments. CBD reduces inflammation and battles anxiety.
Curio Wellness’ Good Night Tablets
feb. 2021
A large portion of the sleep-affected community has tremendous difficulty staying asleep and gaining the benefit of a full night’s rest. But THC and CBD are a small piece of the puzzle, and as research expands, scientists will further unlock the potential of the wealth of compounds in the Cannabis plant. In short, we’re going to start seeing more effect-based products hitting the market. Curio Wellness, out of Maryland, sees the potential. The company recently released a new product, dubbed Good Night Pulse Release Tablets, in order to help with a specific issue that impacts us all: sleep. In order to help people achieve and maintain a good night’s sleep, Curio Wellness’ Good Night Tablets combine THC with CBN, a lesser-known soporific cannabinoid that in recent years has gained popularity because of its focused sleep-inducing properties. To create a product that consumers could trust, Curio Wellness partnered with SleepScore Labs to conduct an observational sleep study with 35 certified Maryland medical Cannabis patients with self-described sleep disorders, clinically testing their new Good Night Tablets. Their formulation is a 2:1 THC:CBN ratio with each tablet containing 10mg THC and 5mg CBN. Participants completed a six-week comparative study, where for the first three weeks their sleep was monitored in accordance with their existing sleep routine, including any sleep aids they already used. In the second three weeks, patients replaced their routine with use of Good Night Tablets, according to the independent study protocol. Across all phases of the study, participants sleep was monitored via the SleepScore Max Device and the completion of self surveys via the SleepScore research app. Participants were also required to stop using any other Cannabis product within three hours of bedtime, to avoid clouding the data while trialing the Good Night product.
The results were successful – according to Curio Wellness, the study showed that when taking the Good Night Tablets, patients showed marked improvement in their objective sleep metrics, as well as participant’s subjective feedback indicating improvement in overall sleep quality. The fact that the study subjects were able to stay asleep through the night is something that Curio Wellness sees as a significant factor. A large portion of the sleep-affected community has tremendous difficulty staying asleep and gaining the benefit of a full night’s rest. Falling asleep may be difficult, but staying asleep is what prevents many people from reaching REM sleep and achieving a well-rested body. Curio’s Pulse Release Technology, which allows for targeted dosages at targeted times to interact with the patient’s system, ensures that several hours after ingestion, a second wave of effects enters the body to help keep the patient asleep. This means that by taking one dose, patients feel the initial drowsy effects to help enter a state of sleep, as well as a second targeted release of the cannabinoids several hours after ingestion to help you stay asleep – greatly increasing the probability of a patient sleeping through the entire night. Curio Wellness’ approach to clinical research and product development is refreshing in an industry where many companies simply seek to market products based on trends, not on what they can actually provide to patients and consumers. Everything with Cannabis is dose-dependent around an individual’s tolerance and tied to how the plant interacts with endocannabinoid systems, and we are at the beginning of the journey to unlock what this plant can do. CURIOWELLNESS.COM | @CURIO_WELLNESS
STORY by TAYLOR MARTIN & LEAF NATION CONTRIBUTORS | ILLUSTRATION by ADOBE/ARTINSPIRING + COURTESY CURIO
We are looking for farms to collaborate with in 2021! Offering negotiable terms based on our equal pay program for fresh frozen and trim! Please contact Us at sales@psoregon.com for more info!
JOINT/COUNTERJOINT
the ESSENTIAL issue
THIS MONTH, THE LEAF DEBATES...PHARMACEUTICAL POT
Counterjoint? Are you with Joint or the issue of on Where do you stand and style ale -sc cal pharmaceuti methods? d an g win gro s Cannabi #JointCointerjoint
Each month, we task two Leaf Nation contributors to debate both sides of a controversial subject. As with all debates, these are assigned positions that are being defended for the sake of an argument and education, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the writer, our staff, or our organization.
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oregonlEAF.COM
While the average stoner is drooling over the Weedmaps menu in legal states, big pharma has been plotting their profit-driven takeover of pot for the last 20 years.
Should we turn our natural plant over to the same big JOINT BY WES ABNEY pharma companies that poisoned our country for profit with opiates and massive overprescription of pills? I say no!
The future of Cannabis medicines will certainly involve science – so don’t take me for a “whole plant and nothing but the plant” type of activist. After all, I love getting scientifically processed and purged concentrates that are tested for harmful pesticides and chemicals, which produces a much tastier product than the open-blasted BHO of my Cannabis youth. But we must not let our quest for safer products lead to handing control of our plant over to either government regulators or big pharma. Cannabis has been consumed by humans for thousands of years, and many states are still fighting to have access to Cannabis medicine, let alone getting baked recreationally. While the average stoner is drooling over the Weedmaps menu in legal states, big pharma has been plotting their profit-driven takeover of pot for the last 20 years. Need proof? Google Sativex – GW Pharmaceuticals’ attempt to patent and control Cannabis medicine in the UK and beyond, with a terrible synthetic version of a tincture that can be made in any home kitchen. There’s also the Phylos BioScience betrayal of thousands of growers – who submitted their genetics to learn about their plants’ lineage – but later learned Phylos was harvesting information to submit patents and had ties to big pharma money. Their goal? To create genetically modified plants that can be grown with minimal human contact. Personally, I want to smoke GMO (Grandpa’s Mouth Odor) flower, not genetically modified garbage from a mega-grow. We’ve proven in the last decade that Cannabis provides incredible benefits naturally, whether by smoking the flower, vaporizing concentrates, eating edibles or extracts like FECO, or through topicals and transdermals. There are thousands of high-end products that are produced naturally, with love, by a human being paid to get their hands dirty as they grow our favorite plant. Do we need big pharma to change this? Absolutely not. We should free the plant for all people to grow and share, not regulate it further and take it out of the soil and the hands of farmers. You can make nearly every product necessary for a medicinal treatment in your kitchen, and anything you can’t is readily available from a focused, local craft producer. That is freedom – choosing our own medicine, who makes it, and with an intention to heal – not just profit.
FEB. 2021
COUNTERJOINT BY TOM BOWERS There’s a simple beauty in being able to plant a seed and grow your own medicine.
As homegrown, plant-based therapy, Cannabis provides safe, clean relief for millions of people. But not everyone can grow their own Cannabis plants. In fact, most people can’t – and those people rely on increasingly larger companies to produce their medicine. Cannabis continues to transform from homegrown medicine into large-scale industry, and as more and more consumers come to rely on its benefits for their lives, it’s a foregone conclusion that the modern pharmaceutical and medical industry will play a role in this growth. It’s already happening. While this development will bring its share of complicated downsides – these are the same people accountable for the opioid crisis, after all – there are upsides to the situation. When it comes to When it comes to medicine, a few indispensable traits come to medicine, a few mind: It needs to be clean. It needs to be consistent. It needs to be indispensable traits precisely dosed. It needs to be widely available. come to mind: It needs to The modern pharmaceutical industry already has the infrabe clean. It needs to be consistent. It needs to be structure, distribution channels, standards and processes to meet precisely dosed. It needs these criteria. Their labs are among the most clean, controlled to be widely available. environments on the planet – and they are accustomed to producing and distributing billions of precisely dialed doses of their medicines globally, with an efficiency so ingrained that it almost seems effortless. Imagine what that level of organization could do for bringing Cannabis medicine to people all over the globe... Sure, there are glaring downsides. In a bloodthirsty quest for shareholder value, the pharmaceutical industry will attempt to patent genetics and processes, seek to outlaw home cultivation, and will no doubt try to force their own, proprietary synthetic cannabinoid blends on the public. It’s like that person you work with who’s amazing at their job, but is also a complete asshole. We will have to learn to work with the modern medical industry before we get to where we’re going – that’s unavoidable. We need to be creative and unwavering in our fight for the plant and the rights of the people who rely on it, and at the same time, try to reap the benefits of infrastructure provided by a monolithic global capitalistic behemoth – without being destroyed in the process. Easy-peasy.
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A DEBATE by WES ABNEY @BEARDEDLORAX & TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS/LEAF NATION
www.exoticblendzpdx.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.
EDIBLE OF THE MONTH
1 SERVINGS / 50MG THC PER BITE
A brain blast of flavors.
FIRE DEPT. CANNABIS
Prepare to ‘light the fire within’ with Fire Dept. Cannabis’ Fruity Flavor Crispy Treat Bite! Made with intentions to drive, inspire and uplift, each product offered by Fire Dept. Cannabis includes a motivational quote to help pick up your spirits and bring you to the next level in life. We fully believe that with the help of Cannabis and Fire Dept.’s spectacular product line, you can truly become the healthiest and happiest version of yourself and live your best life.
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FIREDEPTCANNA.COM @FIREDEP T.CANNABIS
FRUITYFLAVOR
CRISPY TREAT BITE FEB. 2021
This nostalgic and appetizing treat comes jammed full of a 50mg serving of Buddies Liquid Diamonds. Don’t be fooled by the smaller size, as these mighty bite-sized snacks pack a serious punch when it comes to effects. Unlike other edibles infused with distillate or just THC, this 50mg full spectrum dosage feels stronger than average, so get ready to experience a whole new high and vibration. We recommend starting with half of the dosage, as 25mg was quite potent and provided a very high quality night of sleep. Biting into the delectable snack will send you through a brain blast of flavors, taking you right back to your first experience of eating Fruity Pebbles as a child. Let’s not kid ourselves – I think we can all openly admit we miss Saturday morning cartoons with a bowl of cereal. You can also relive your childhood years of fun with Fire Dept.’s other flavor options, including original rice crispy and chocolate! Handmade with love in small batches, Fire Dept. Cannabis offers the industry a multitude of high quality products at a price point that is affordable by all. In unsettled times, this company provides a fresh breath of air with its overall mantra. Their products remind us that when the going gets tough, we have to keep going ourselves and never give up. It’s a reminder that we can all wake up and try harder than the day before, and continue to be the change that you want to see in the world.
REVIEW by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST/OREGON LEAF | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
jolly tinctures CBD 10:1 • CBD Max • THC • Full Spectrum • CBD 1:1
541-508-2708 • jollyswholesale@gmail.com • @dr.jollys.bend • jollybend.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 reach of children.
High Quality Pre Rolls Available Statewide
www.pacificgrovepdx.com
concentrate OF THE MONTH
This month we’re getting into some Gelato 33 cured resin budder from Portlandarea producers Royal Ambrosia and Gold Heart Extracts.
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EXTRACTED BY
GOLD HEART EXTRACTS CULTIVATED BY
GELATO33
oregonlEAF.COM
ROYAL AMBROSIA
CURED RESIN BUDDER
Originally bred by Seed Junky Genetics, this cross of Sunset Sherbet and Thin Mint GSC offers a hefty head high and deep muscle relaxation without a fierce fogginess. This writer even finds a close friend in the strain while battling the many symptoms of migraines. Gold Heart Extracts cured resin budder is a surprisingly stable, dough-like extract with little-tono shift in solidity as ambient temperatures rise. The consistency is especially enjoyable to work with and easy to portion without any mess or tricky tools. The nose is mellow but provides sweet, earthy notes that carry well through to the exhale. At 70% THC, seasoned smokers may scoff – but an 8% terpene test result comes in to remind you of the entourage effect and reassure you of the product’s potency. There’s a little kick on the exhale, but overall, the cured resin budder brings a comfortable outcome. Prepare to nap like your life depends on it, or get lost in your latest pandemic project. It really can go either way here, folks.
A hefty head high and deep muscle relaxation without a fierce fogginess.
70% THC, 8.1% TERPENES | O G K U S H . W O R L D | @ G O L D H E A R T _ E X T R A C T S | @ R O YA L A M B R O S I A
FEB. 2021
REVIEW by AMANDA DAY @TERPODACTYL_MEDIA for OREGON LEAF | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
FULL LINE OF SINGLE-SOURCE CANNABIS PRODUCTS
Flower Rosin Edibles Pre-Rolls Cartridges
@ H I G H L A N DP ROVIS IONS HIGHLANDPROVISIONSCO.COM Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. For adults 21 years of age and older. Keep out of reach of children.
PHOTO BY @SONDERFELTLLC FOR LEAF NATION
affordable advertising available! email makani@leafmagazines.com FOLLOW ALONG: NWLEAF.COM | @OREGONLEAF | #OREGONLEAF
alternative medicine
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Brain Blend Lion’s Mane Tincture Immune Blend Chaga & Reishi Tincture With the constant tension and uncertainty that we all currently face, we can likely agree that we could all use a more natural and holistic way to replenish our bodies and take a load off these days. For our first-ever feature on Alternative Medicine, we seek to open your minds to the world of adaptogens and plantbased medicines that aim to help with mental clarity, relaxation and overall health.
HYPHAE WELLNESS
A
daptogens are natural herbal pharmaceuticals that work to prevent the negative consequences of stress in the human body. Reishi, Chaga, Turkey Tail, Cordyceps and Red Belted Conk are just a few of the adaptogenic mushrooms that are completely legal to cultivate and consume here in the U.S. In fact, some of these mushrooms, such as Lion’s Mane, have also become very popular to cook with due to their desirable taste. While these mushrooms do not contain the psychedelic effects that psilocybin mushrooms do, these contain numerous advantageous properties and health benefits that have proven to strengthen the functional capacity of those who consume them. Eugene, Ore.-based company Hyphae Wellness is solely dedicated and focused on developing functional mushroom products to help bring these types of incredible benefits to their customers, and have developed an enchanting line of mushroom tinctures geared to improve daily productivity and other functional capacities. •Promotes mental clarity, focus, and memory Their Brain Blend tincture •Cerebral and Nervous System Support contains a Lion’s Mane •Optimizes nervous and immune system mushroom extract, which has •Supports cognitive function been proven to promote nerve growth in the brain. It also contains Yerba Santa to assist with anti-inflammation, •Promotes antioxidant and immune support Ginkgo Biloba for increased •Improves blood flow blood flow to the brain, and •Supports healthy digestion Saffron for many beneficial mood-enhancing qualities. This tincture is an exceptional tool to help your mind recover after a stressful workday. Their Immune Blend tincture contains both Reishi and Chaga mushroom extract, allowing consumers to receive a clinical dose of essential antioxidants and extensive immune support. It also contains ginger and nettle leaf to help with digestive health. For anyone interested in improving the preventative steps they are taking to protect their general health, the Immune Blend is for you! Keep an eye on this column to continue learning about the groundbreaking alternative medicines that exist. We hope that Hyphae Wellness products can help you alleviate some stress and get you to that next level in life, both mentally and physically.
Brain Blend
oregonlEAF.COM
Immune Blend
An enchanting line of mushroom tinctures geared to improve daily productivity and other functional capacities. GETHYPHAE.COM | @HYPHAEWELLNESS feb. 2021
REVIEW by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST/OREGON LEAF | PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
$900 Indoor Medical 1/2 lbs now available *OPENING SOON* 11309 NE Holman St Portland, OR 97220 7420 NE Sandy Blvd Portland, OR (503) 477-4368 128 SE 12th Ave, Portland, OR 97214 (503) 462-7220 4124 SE 60th Ave Portland, OR 97206 (503) 388-7663 4618 Portland Rd NE #110 Salem, OR 97305 (503) 990-7664
PRE-ROLLS
off the shelf
Pre-rolls offer Oregon consumers convenience and a chance to try new flavors and strains without committing to a big ol’ jar of flower. Pre-rolls are also useful for those with arthritis who may have difficulty rolling their own, or just anyone in a hurry to feel better. We purchased three different packs from local companies that caught our eye to see how they match up.
CASCADIA PREMIUM CANNABIS
Wedding Crasher
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This four-pack of Wedding Crasher grown by Zen Pharm LLC was quite a smooth smoke. I appreciate that the joints weren’t packed too tight, as the density of a pre-roll can potentially affect how it smokes. Keep in mind that these are fairly hefty, weighing in at 0.875g per, so be sure that you are ready to get toasted! If not, you might want to clear your schedule out for the rest of the day. Luckily, I had some time on my hands – and spent the next hour messing with my guitar. $18-20 with tax 22.28% THC, 0.06% CBD | 4-pack, 0.875g/pre-roll cascadiapremium.com @cascadiapremium Cascadia Premium Cannabis is a wholesale operation that works with numerous farms throughout the state, and one of their specialities is the creation of pre-rolls. They offer an array of pre-roll products including singles, packs and hash infused.
oregonlEAF.COM
ROGUE RIVER FAMILY FARMS
Rogue River Family Farms is a Certified Kind producer located in Southern Oregon. During the summer, they are hard at work to ensure that their full-term plants are happy and healthy. If you are looking for a reliable product from an earth conscious farm, then look no further!
FEB. 2021
EXOTIC BLENDZ
Exotic Blendz has been in the pre-roll game for quite some time. They offer packs of both five and 10, whose effects are distinguished through packaging color – indicas in purple, hybrids in blue, and sativas in red. Perfect for those without the time or desire to sit through a larger-size joint.
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Blueberry Muffin
$20 with tax, 18.6% THC, 5-pack, 0.7g/pre-roll Rogueriverfamilyfarm.com @rogueriverfamilyfarms_llc
5-pack, $9-12 | 10-pack, $14-20 | 0.5g/pre-roll exoticblendzpdx.com @exoticblendzpdx
Rogue River Family Farms Cassette Classics is a call-out to the previous generations. The packaging emulates a cassette tape, producing a nostalgic feeling reminiscent of summers past. I got my hands on a pack of their sativa “Rock N Roll” pre-rolls, which are sealed in plastic to preserve freshness. After finishing the Pineapple Upside Down Cake joint, I felt a wave of energy paired with an overall uplifting feeling. Take note folks: Don’t smoke this one before bed! Jazz (indica) might be a better choice to end the night, while Mixtape (hybrid) will likely bring the balance.
As a fan of the more sedative and mellow effects of smoking, I was excited to be smoking on some Blueberry Muffin – one of the indica pre-roll packs Exotic Blendz offers. Grown by Conger Grow, the joint had very minimal run and a delightful sweet berry undertone as I smoked and fired up the ol’ Netflix, settling down to watch “Cobra Kai.” The pre-roll was a perfect choice for watching the show, as I felt relaxed without nodding off midway through. Highly recommended, especially as we are still stuck inside, glued to our TVs.
REVIEWS by MAKANI NELSON @CHOICENUG/OREGON LEAF | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS
cooking with Cannabis
R EC I P E S by LAU RIE WOLF | P HOTOS by B RUC E WOLF
hEARTS & flOWERS two servings
LOVEBERRY SMOOTHIE 2 cups strawberries, sliced, fresh or frozen 1 cup raspberries, fresh or frozen 1 small banana, peeled, sliced and frozen
¼ cup orange juice concentrate 1 ½ cups coconut milk 2 teaspoons canna-coconut oil Strawberries for garnish
1. Combine all the ingredients in a blender. Let ‘er rip. 2. Garnish with a strawberry. (Feel free to try using blueberries and peaches instead of strawberries and raspberries. You may use yogurt in exchange for some or all of the coconut milk).
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nine servings
CANNABIS CHOCOLATE BARK ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes 2 cups dark chocolate chips 3 tablespoons canna-butter or oil ½ cup chopped pecans ¼ cup chopped dried apricots
1. Place the coconut flakes in a small dry skillet over medium heat and toast until light golden brown. 2. In the top of a double boiler, over simmering water, melt the chips with the canna-butter or oil. Stir occasionally. 3. Place a piece of parchment on your work surface. Pour the chocolate onto the parchment, spreading it out to a 5x7-inch rectangle. 4. Sprinkle with the pecans, coconut and apricots. 5. Allow the chocolate to set. Store in an airtight container for up to one month.
nine servings
WHITE CHOC. BARK
oregonlEAF.COM
2 cups white chocolate chips or melts 3 tablespoons canna-butter or oil 1 cup granola ½ cup dried chopped cherries 1. In the top of a double boiler, over simmering water, melt the white chocolate with the canna-butter. Stir occasionally. 2. Place a piece of parchment on your work surface. Pour the chocolate onto the parchment, spreading it out to a 5x7-inch rectangle. Sprinkle with the granola and cherries. 3. Allow the chocolate to set. Store in an airtight container for up to one month.
feb. 2021
Well — it’s about to be Valentine’s Day. If you are not a chocolate fan, the smoothie recipe for two, or just you, is healthy and healing. I like to make my smoothies with THC and CBD. Currently, I need all the help I can get. If you are a chocolate fan and want to give some love to friends you can’t hang out with now, these two barks are fire. And with a bark there are no rules – add whatever toppings you like. The bark police have bigger fish to fry. Check out our link at recipes.laurieandmaryjane.com/lauries-famous-canna-butter, and know that the same rules apply for producing CBD.
#We a rA Ma sk #Dont FearT heEdi ble #EatYourCannabi s #CallYourParents # Comf orting Ca nna b is # WeWillSurvive
Ess The en tia ls!
Sales@QuantumOregon.com
QuantumOregon.com
Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of marijuana. For use by adults 21 or older. Keep out of the reach of children.
tannins & terpenes
T H E A RT OF PA I R I NG C A N N A BI S DREKKER BREWING CO. CHONK SUNDAE SOUR | 7.5% ABV ORGONE EXTRACTS WOOKIE COOKIES LIVE DIAMOND SAUCE
$18/gram — 75.3% THC, 4.3% Total Terpenes
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TANNINS
TERPENES
DREKKER BREWING CO. & ORGONE EXTRACTS
oregonlEAF.COM
C
ongratulations, you are holding a copy of Oregon Leaf’s first ever Essential Issue. The world has been a crazy place recently, but prayers have been answered – weed and alcohol have maintained their spot within the official classification of essential goods and services as mandated by state regulators. In some areas, dispensaries and liquor stores have been considered more crucial than therapy centers and doctors offices. As it feels more needed than ever, we have pulled together a sock-knocking pairing every enthusiast of inebriation should perk up and pay attention to. My mouth has been watering with anticipation to get my hands on these two products. First and foremost, as a Bendite I’m stoked to be reviewing a Central Oregon originator in the concentrate community since 2013: Orgone Extracts and their award-winning Wookie Cookies live diamond sauce. Coupled with a brew from one of the prolific sour beer producers in the country, if not the world – one that has the heady beer hype boys jumping – Drekker Brewing Co.’s Chonk Sundae Sour. Disclaimer: When dabbing and drinking, please be careful and go slow if you are not experienced. I find it best to smoke first and drink second, to let my body and mind ease into that warm safe feeling of being tipsy and high, but without falling off the proverbial cliff that can lead to the spins.
FEB. 2021
“Feelings of giggly, guilty pleasure filled my being.”
Upon my initial cold temp dab (as advised on the packaging), I quickly understood why this earthy meets sweet, fruity and floral, full-bodied terp profile just took second place in The Oregon Growers Cup BHO category. Owen Shirly is Orgone Extract’s real-life terp wizard extraction chemist, and a highly respected community member here in Bend for good reason – he is one of the best. Wookie Cookies (Cookies and Cream x Purple Wookie) is a strain brought from Las Vegas to Oregon and grown by Jon Herda at Rivergrown Cannabis. My Wookie Cookie dab gave me a strong elevated head high with a calm and relaxed body buzz, no anxious feelings – just mellow focused clarity. This strain had me singing Lil Uzi Vert songs in my head, feeling poised for anything. Owen has taken Jon’s light dep flower and whipped it into a glistening batch of universal energy infused sauce with 4.3% total terpenes and 75.3% THC – priced at a staggeringly impressive $18 per gram. The first sip of Drekker’s Chonk Sundae Sour with orange, peach and marshmallows drenched my tastebuds, sending a sweet tingly feeling of excitement through my body that I can only compare to the first drop of a massive rollercoaster. Feelings of giggly, guilty pleasure filled my being as I looked forward like a kid on Christmas to each sip that would follow. I’ve gotta say: I love this beer! It tastes like something queens and kings probably used to drink. To me, orange and peach tastes like mangoes – and the bitterness of the citrus eventually smothers the sweet creaminess of the marshmallows with the consistency of a melted smoothie. It’s rare that a beer’s colorful and animated brand design so concisely captures its flavor. If you’ve never tried a thick, fruit-packed beer like this – I promise it will change your perception of what is possible, and you might just get hooked! In Chonkers we trust. @ORGONEEXTRACTLAB | @DREKKERBREWING
Big shouts to Matt Duboi aka @radglass for lending us this American Juicy Ale Glass from his “Saturn Rings” collection - available for $200 - give him a follow on IG!
REVIEW by BARRON WOLFE @BARRON.WOLFE | PHOTOS by TYLER CAMERON @TERPCAM for OREGON LEAF
LEAF SHOTS
The purple from the Dosidos shows in the underside of the leaves and hints of purple can be seen in the buds hidden under the layer of trichomes. The stigmas range from yellow to deep orange, the sugar leaves have both vibrant lime greens to darker purples tipped with resin lines on the edges.
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The fan leaves are a dark muted purple on the top, with splashes of color along the center midribs and veins. The stem ranges from green to red in color, much like rhubarb. To create this image, first a branch was carefully selected for shape, plant structure and color – paying special attention to make sure there were no pests or diseases present on this sample. The branch is cut at the time of harvest, where I carefully examine the plant on all sides, then begin selectively removing leaves one by one. Leaving some leaves for aesthetics helps with the flow of the image, conveying the colors of the fade, but removing any that may obstruct from a clear portrayal or might distract from the subject. Off-camera strobe lighting is utilized for accuracy and control of colors. When asked about the backstory for Sweet Thang #7, Owner Tyler Rolen said, “I bought the seeds in 2017, and I bought two packs — pheno hunted them out — took about one year to get Sweet Thang #7 into production after our pheno hunt. The Lineage is Cherry Pie x DosiDos, and it’s an Archive Seed Bank genetic. The aroma is rotten cherries and cookie dough with floral notes.” The last batch tested 4.67% total terpenes, and before that over 5% terps – according to Chem History Lab test results. Visually it has a lot going on for it – very frosty and loaded with trichomes.
#LeafShots celebrates the high art of incredible Cannabis photography. Tag us for your chance to be published.
FEB. 2021
Sweet Thang #7 Rolen Stone Farms STORY & PHOTO by @RESINATED_LENS for OREGON LEAF | @ROLENSTONEFARMS / ROLENSTONEFARMS.COM
WWW.BEEHIVEEXTRACTS.COM
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cannthropology
WORLD OF Cannabis PRESENTS
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Lepp’s legendary garden circa 2003.
Eddy Lepp is a medical marijuana POW whose courage and compassion have secured him a place in Cannabis history.
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Reverence for the Reverend Born in Illinois in 1952, Charles “Eddy” Lepp was the son of a soldier who spent his childhood moving around before eventually settling in Reno. In 1968, he enlisted in the Army alongside his brother, and was shipped off to Vietnam. After returning home, he spent the next two decades struggling with addiction, depression and PTSD – self-medicating with drugs and alcohol and engaging in self-destructive behavior. But when his father got cancer in the 1980s, he decided to get clean; the only intoxicant he didn’t give up was Cannabis. “I used marijuana for years to keep from killing myself,” confesses Lepp. “I was using Cannabis to treat myself, but I didn’t realize that I was medicating because we didn’t have the information.” That information came after Lepp met Dennis Peron and his future hero/ mentor Jack Herer, and his life changed forever. “Back in the ‘80s I met Dennis and Jack, was very interested in what they were talking about, and got to be friends with them,” he recalls. “After that, I
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was kinda fucked, because you can’t be best friends with Dennis Peron and Jack Herer and not devote your life to marijuana.” After his father died in 1988, Lepp checked himself into the National Center for PTSD in Palo Alto, Calif. It was there that he met his future wife – a young woman named Linda Senti. With the help of Linda, the Center and Cannabis, he was finally able to get sober and begin to heal. “Cannabis was critically important in shaping my recovery and the man that I was going to become,” Lepp attests. “It allowed me to heal myself physically and mentally, and get back in touch with God as I understood him.” CALLED TO ACTION Eddy and Linda got married and eventually settled in Lake County, Calif. They became heavily involved in the legalization movement – helping to gather signatures for the Compassionate Use Act, then setting out to fulfill its promise by supplying medicine to patients … starting with Linda herself who, like Eddy’s father, had contracted cancer. In 1996, with Peron’s help, Lepp planted a garden of 132 plants for her – which he was arrested for later that year. When his case got to trial in 1998, he cited Prop 215 as his medical marijuana defense, and it worked – making him the first person ever acquitted under the aegis of the new law. At the time, few doctors were willing to recommend Cannabis, so the
Lepps began shuttling patients down to Dr. Tod Mikuriya’s office in San Francisco each week for recommendations. Then in 1999, they purchased a 25-acre farm in Upper Lake and began hosting mobile clinics – bringing doctors and patients together for consultations on their property. Within a year, the Lepps had registered a third of the approximately 100,000 legal Cannabis patients in the state. But many patients were unable to procure, afford or grow medicine for themselves, so once again the Lepps stepped up – offering to grow some plants for a few patients they knew. Over the next few years, it became six patients, then a dozen, then 30. That’s how Eddy’s Medicinal Gardens came to be.
In addition to the garden, Lepp also founded a religious ministry: The Multi-Denominational Ministry of Cannabis and Rastafari. Lepp with his late wife Linda, Dennis Peron, and Jack Herer.
JASON DUNLAP
THE HEALING FIELDS It was a simple idea: create a haven where patients could all grow their medicine in one secure, well-tended garden – reducing costs and avoiding countless possible thefts, busts and other calamities. Lepp charged $500 per 10-foot plot, from which patients received all of the Cannabis harvested. And for those who couldn’t afford a plot, medicine was often provided free of charge. In addition to the garden, Lepp also founded a religious ministry: The Multi-Denominational Ministry of Cannabis and Rastafari. Identifying strongly with both the Native American and Rastafari religions, he became an ordained minister in 2000, adopted the title of Reverend, and began providing spiritual support. Until that point, the farm had operated with relative impunity thanks to an understanding between Lepp Eddy’s Medicinal and the Sheriff’s Department. But that accord ended Gardens sign. one afternoon in 2002, when the Lake County Narcotics Task Force raided the farm – confiscating around 400 plants and arresting She started crying and said, ‘We can’t say no to any of them.’ four people. Surprisingly, they ended And we never did.” up being released the next day and The DEA raided the farm again on February 16, 2005 – “You can’t be best friends no charges were ever pursued. seizing another 6000 plants, re-arresting Lepp, and charging By 2003, the Ministry was servicing him with cultivation and possession with intent to distribute. with Dennis Peron and 100 patients and growing nearly He wasn’t released until two months later, on a $500,000 Jack Herer and not devote 10,000 plants. Lepp made no atbond (thanks in part to a $10,000 donation from comedian tempt to hide what he was doing – in Joe Rogan). your life to marijuana." fact, he actually sent a letter stating His lawyers planned a two-pronged For more on Eddie Lepp, listen - E D DY L E P P his intentions to local and state medical and religious use defense, both to Episode #9 of our podcast officials, but never received a reply. of which were ultimately rejected by at worldofCannabis.museum/ Emboldened by the lack of legal repercussions, they doubled the judge. Lepp was convicted in 2007, and after several unsuccessful podcast. down on their efforts – purchasing property across the road appeals, returned for sentencing in May 2008. and expanding their gardens up to 40 acres, which soon With the total charges against him, Lepp was facing an incredible contained nearly 4,000 plots and 30,000 plants. four life sentences, plus 40 years and $17 million in fines. Luckily, the Published originally on Unlike other outdoor grows, which were typically small and judge sentenced him to only the mandatory minimum of 10 years. worldofCannabis.museum secret, Eddy’s Gardens could be seen (and smelled) while He served eight and a half of those years before being released on and reprinted with permission. cruising down Highway 20, which now ran straight through parole in December 2016. While he was behind bars, both his beloved the middle of his farm. That summer, Lepp even invited High Linda and best friend Jack Herer passed away. Times magazine out, who then recognized the garden as the largest medical marijuana grow in the world – and Eddy RELEASE AND REVERENCE himself as their Freedom Fighter of the Year. Since his release, Lepp has mostly tried to stay out of trouble: spending his time creating art, hosting a podcast, and attending Cannabis events in CONVICTED FOR HIS CONVICTIONS California. Sadly, in October 2020, he announced that he too is now batUnfortunately, though, all of that attention brought about tling cancer, which has metastasized into his lungs and brain; his new wife their undoing. On August 18, 2004, the DEA swarmed their Sandra has created a GoFundMe page to help cover his medical costs. property, arresting Lepp and 14 residents and workers at Eddy Lepp is a modern-day marijuana martyr whose bravery, conviction gunpoint. It reportedly took authorities two days to chainsaw and sacrifices helped pave the way for the freedoms we enjoy today. down the 32,524 plants, which they valued at around $80 Regardless of whether he chooses to use the title or not, our reverence million. It was the largest medical crop seizure from an inditoward the reverend remains. vidual in U.S. history. “Linda said to me, ‘I just wish sometimes it wasn’t so overwhelming,’” Lepp remembers. “And I replied, “Well, I’ll do Eddy and his wife, Sandra. Donate to Eddy’s medical fund at GoFundMe.com/eddyleppneedsyou. whatever you want … you pick the first person we say no to.”
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et’s all raise our flutes of infused lemonade for a big cheer to those intrepid Dodge Caravanners who make up the backbone of America! You do it all, ladies. You keep the whole tribe in order like the Chief Executive Organizer of the Taylor family, bringing home the bacon, frying it up in a pan, and never letting dad forget he’s the man. You captain the crew with equestrian hands, directing the grocery-getter through the avenues and lanes, school zones and sports practices, rattling cat calls from the stands that urge the victories while softening the losses. And all with impeccable punctuality. You value the respect this earns amongst the other mothers with whom you chronicle scenes inside the home, reporting the events with an omniscient eye, desperately aware that these days will evaporate as quickly as your own youth. You are a conductor, orchestrating the chaos into a seamless symphony with the patience of a glacier – through teen shouting matches over clothes swapping and philosophical differences in social image managing. Then, when the evening wanes and the flurry settles into a mindful moment on the couch, a good glass of red and the guilty pleasure of a naughty reality show are a great way to calm the nerves while rubbing the aching dogs. “How do you do it all?” The audience insists to know your secret as these words echo in your thoughts. The purse lies before you on the coffee table. You unfasten the hinge that conceals your essentials. Where there used to be a prescription bottle that rattled like the tail of a diamondback, there is now a vape pen in its place. You push the button, sneak a toke, and the voices of the madding crowd saunter into oblivion, creating open space that will soon again be filled with the sunrise.
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