Oregon Leaf — Nov. 2018

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THE ENLIGHTENED VOICE

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the harvest issue

eightfull-seasonCannabisfarms attheirmostcriticalmoment FREE /OREGONLEAF.COM

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THE harvest issue oregonlEAF.COM

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11 Editor Note 14 Cannabis News 18 ommp opinion 20 highly likely 22 BUDTENDER 26 patient profile 30 STONER OWNER 34 redbarn dispensary 36 fireside dispensary 40 tannins & terpenes 44 strain of the month 48 the harvest issue special 50 rogue river family farms 52 grown rogue 56 MIllion elephants 58 ananda farms 60 benson elvis 62 sacred family farms 66 raw zen farms 68 conscious cultivators 70 Breeder Of The Month 74 thanksgiving recipes 78 edible reviews 82 concentrate reviews 86 Glass ART SHOWCASE

2 2 BUDTENDER

MARIUS BALAN THE VTH

MILLION ELEPHANTS

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HOW CANNABIS HELPS JIM DAVIS WORK THROUGH PTSD AND CHRONIC PAIN

NOV. 2018

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THANKSGIVING CANNABIS RECIPES


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THE harvest issue oregonlEAF.COM

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OREGON LEAF CONTENT COORDINATOR AJ AGUILAR TAKES IN THE SCENT OF APPLEGATE RIVER ROOTS. CHECK OUT OUR STRAIN OF THE MONTH REVIEW OF THEIR ROGUE VALLEY POISON.

NOV. 2018

PHOTO by NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415


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

WES FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Wes abneY | wes@NWleaf.com | 425-219-6155

CONTRIBUTORS

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Sarah Climaco Editor

Daniel bermaN | photography & design daniel@bermanphotos.com

Steve Elliott National News Will Ferguson Features

ART DIRECTOR

Simone Fischer Profiles

BRANDON PALMA | BRANDING & DESIGN brandon@eighthdaycreate.com

Matthew Meyers Opinion Makani Nelson Sales Chris Ryan Photography Pacer Stacktrain Features Nate Williams Production Laurie & Bruce Wolf Recipes

CONTENT DIRECTOR AJ AGUILAR | CONTENT & CURATION aj@eighthdaycreate.com

STATE DIRECTOR NATE WILLIAMS | ADVERTISING SALES nate@orleaf.com | 415-717-6985

We do not sell stories or coverage. We are happy to offer design services and guidance on promoting your company’s recreational, commercial or industrial Cannabis product or upcoming event. We are targeted and independent Cannabis journalism. Email or call to discuss advertising.

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Photo by Daniel Berman As golden hour approached, the Oregon Leaf crew made our way onto the beautiful property of Sacred Family Farms in Medford, southern Oregon. The light beamed through the splendorous bushes of Obama Kush to reveal the hard work of the dedicated grow team. Check out the fun profile of the farm by Editor Wes Abney and learn why they really love alpacas // Pg. 62-65

Editor’s Note Thanks for picking up The Harvest Issue of Oregon Leaf!

We’ve been publishing our harvest issues for many years now, but this was the first year I was able to experience the wonder and beauty of Southern Oregon full term Cannabis. Suffice to say, it was a life changing event! As a professional Cannabis writer, I’ve seen a lot of Cannabis in the last nine years. Seriously, like metric tons. Indoor, outdoor, greenhouse, autoflower… I thought I’d seen every expression of the plant possible. So, when I hopped on a plane from rainy Seattle to 75-degree Medford in midOctober, I was expecting terps, dabs and fun! But not to have my mind blown. The first farm we hit (after dabs, naturally) was Grown Rogue, and it was a transcendental experience. Walking amongst giant plants, some towering over 12-feet tall, was like transporting into a jungle of beautiful and exotic Cannabis plants. The environment is so perfect for growing in Southern Oregon, and the plants clearly love the environment and raw, beautiful sunshine. I’ve long been a fan of the effort farmers put from spring until fall to grow full-term Cannabis, the sacrifices and risks they face, and the natural expression of terpenes and flavors that the plant produces when exposed to the sun. Having seen outdoor Cannabis from California to Colorado and all over Washington, I was amazed to see how perfectly the plant fits into Oregon’s communities. Harnessing the elements, the farmers have worked with the plant and environment to produce some of the best Cannabis in the world. I encourage all our readers to flip through our scenic harvest special, read the stories of true farm life, and enjoy this magazine that we worked so hard to create. But I also challenge you to go next month and purchase sun-grown Cannabis and experience the plant in a natural form. Believe me when I say that while it might look different than indoor flowers, it’s no less beautiful and tastier than most of the commercial grade indoor Cannabis flooding the market. Our planet, societies and industries are all at a turning point decided by consumers. Do we want synthetic, harmful products for our bodies? Do we want hothouse pesticide sprayed tomatoes or organic fruits and veggies for our children? And what impact do we want our favorite recreational plant to have on the Earth? We vote and decide our future with our dollars, and I hope that everyone reading this gives outdoor Cannabis a try, because I know you won’t be disappointed. And the planet will thank us for it! As always, thank you for reading, and please enjoy our Harvest Issue while sampling the bounty of this year’s crop!

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THE PLANTS CLEARLY LOVE THE ENVIRONMENT AND RAW, BEAUTIFUL SUNSHINE.

NOV. 2018

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ON THE COVER

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national news

AROUND THE NATION

JOB MARKET

BY THE NUMBERS

New York Liquor Store Owners Want A Piece of the Action

95

cities and counties in Oregon have opted out of the state’s Cannabis Legalization law.

14

#1

Oregon’s rank in people failing drug test for weed.

19

oregonlEAF.COM

The age you have to be to purchase Cannabis in British Columbia, Canada

66%

of the American population supports legalizing Cannabis.

NOV. 2018

MEDICAL CANNABIS HEADED TO ARIZONA SUPREME COURT \An Arizona court recently ruled that much of what medical Cannabis dispensaries sell in the state is illegal. As a result of the nonsensical ruling, patients with legitimate medical marijuana authorizations could face prison sentences, reports NPR. One patient’s felony conviction exposed the loophole. Patient Rodney Jones, a medical marijuana cardholder, went to prison for having Cannabis oil he’d purchased THE CASE AFFIRMED at a dispensary. Jones’ conviction was recently THE WAY CANNABIS HAS upheld by Arizona’s second-highest court. ALWAYS BEEN TREATED Under the court’s logic, many of the state’s IN THIS COUNTY BY MY 180,000 medical marijuana patients are committing felonies. The legal dispute centers OFFICE, WHICH IS THAT around whether Arizona’s Medical Marijuana IT’S A NARCOTIC DRUG. Act, first approved by voters as a ballot measure in 2010, includes Cannabis extracts and concentrates. Sheila Polk, a prosecutor and weed-hater who is one of Arizona’s staunchest foes of Cannabis, says extracts aren’t covered. It’s her office that went after Rodney Jones. “The case affirmed the way Cannabis has always been treated in this county by my office, which is that it’s a narcotic drug,” Polk said. According to law professor Rob Mikos of Vanderbilt University, Arizona is a cautionary tale about the possible backlash of using ballot initiatives to legalize marijuana reform. “You’re opening the door to those opponents to sort of revisit the issue and exploit those gaps,” Mikos said. A bill aimed at fixing the problem in Arizona earlier this year never got a hearing.

LAWMAKERS IN NEW York are drafting a bill to legalize recreational Cannabis. And that has a group of wine and liquor store owners campaigning for the right to stock their shelves with weed once it’s legal. Organizers of The Last Store on Main Street (LSMS), whose most recent battle before this one was to keep wine out of grocery stores, said their effort is motivated in part by the fear of losing business, reports SILive.com. A recent study concluded a reduction in the nation’s overall alcohol consumption from 2006 to 2015 was directly related to the increased availability of Cannabis. “We have employees, and if sales go down we’d have to let people go,” said John Ha, owner of City Wine Cellar in New Springville, N.Y., a member of the coalition. “The question going forward will be, who will get the right to sell the stuff,” said LSMS spokesman Austin Finan. “We already have to follow rules and regulations, so marijuana is a natural fit.”

BY STEVE ELLIOTT / TOKESIGNALS.COM


POLITICS

Utah Lawmaker Tries Cannabis on Camera UTAH STATE SENATOR Jim Dabakis wanted to try Cannabis before his constituents vote on a measure legalizing medical use of the herb — so he drove to neighboring Nevada to try it out for himself. Dabakis, a Democrat, said if nobody else in the legislature had ever used weed, he “decided to come to Las Vegas and see what the whole folderol is about.” “I wanted to have at least one Utah state senator that actually has tried Cannabis before we had this big debate,” Sen. Dabakis said. Dabakis tried half a piece of Cannabis-infused candy on camera in a Facebook video, after discussing the tax money Nevada has raised. He said the candy was a tangerine-flavored gummy bear. “I wouldn’t recommend it as sheer candy,” he said. “It’s a little bit bitter.”

DATA

Oregon Ranks #1 In People Failing Drug Tests for Weed DRUG TESTING INDEX, reports oregonlive.com. not only that, but this is the third year in a row that the state has taken top honors. The index is compiled from more than 10 million drug tests administered in workplaces across the U.S. A chart-topping 4.64 percent of Oregon’s drug tests in 2017 were positive for marijuana. That’s up from 2016’s 4.5 percent and 2015’s 3.43 percent. Can Oregon set a new record next year? Other states with legal weed are further down the list. Massachusetts came in at a respectable third, with 3.56 percent of tests coming back as positive. Washington state came in sixth, with 3.18 percent. Nevada and Colorado were eighth and tenth, respectively; both were just under 3 percent. “At least anecdotally. More firms are reporting trouble finding workers who can pass a drug test,” Oregon economists told Willamette Week earlier this year.

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POLITICS

TRENDS

NATION

Oregon Still Has 95 Cities and Counties Where Cannabis Sales Are Illegal CANNABIS IS NOW LEGAL TO GROW, sell, buy and consume everywhere in Oregon, right? Wrong. There are still 95 cities and counties in the state that have opted out of parts of Oregon’s marijuana legalization law, reports OregonLive.com. Cities and counties where 55 percent or more of those voting opposed legalization are allowed to ban parts of the law within their borders. Other cities and counties could also ban parts of the law but are then required to put it to a vote. That means some Oregon citizens will be voting this month on whether or not to maintain current laws which ban “producers, processors, wholesalers, and/ or retailers” of Cannabis. Baker County, for instance, with a population of 16,000, is one of the localities that bans weed sales, along with commercial production and processing. The cities of Canby and Central Point, Oregon, with populations of 17,000 and 18,000, respectively, have the same bans in place. None of them are required to hold an election on the question since more than 55 percent of residents voted against legalization.

NOV. 2018

AMERICAN SUPPORT FOR LEGALIZATION REACHES RECORD HIGH

WASHINGTON STATE WILL 'REEVALUATE' MARIJUANA EDIBLES WASHINGTON STATE REGULATORS ARE REEVALUATING cannabis edibles, and could ban production of fruit chews, colorful chocolates, and other candies which “might appeal to children,” reports The Seattle Times. Some Cannabis-infused candies could start disappearing from pot shop shelves across the state early next year. The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board announced during an October meeting that it will “reevaluate” all edible marijuana products. The move is part of an effort to cut back on edibles that could be appealing to children. Washington already has rules banning products that are “especially appealing to children.” But the board seems to have received complaints from some unhappy people claiming that candies currently sold in the state’s pot shops could entice youngsters, according to WSLCB spokesman Brian Smith. When the board investigated the complaints, “they too had concerns,” Smith said. The agency could strip approval from some candies already on store shelves, according to the presentation.

TWO-THIRDS OF AMERICANS are now in favor of cannabis legalization, according to a new survey. Gallup has recorded majority support for legalization three years in a row now. The most recent figure marks an all-time record in the last 50 years of polling Americans about marijuana, reports The Independent. According to the latest Gallup poll, 66 percent of Americans surveyed support legalizing Cannabis. That’s up two percentage points from 2017. Just 12 percent of Americans supported legal weed back in 1969, the first year Gallup asked the question. Seventy-five percent of selfidentified Democrats support legalization. Republicans lag with 53 percent favoring. Seventy-one percent of independents want to legalize. The largest increase was seen among Americans 55 and older, with 59 percent support legalization. Last year, 50 percent of this age group had expressed support.


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OPINION

OMMPCHANGES

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MEDICAL POSSESSION LIMITREDUCED FROM 24OUNCES TO 1 OUNCE by MATTHEW MEYERS

oregonlEAF.COM

Why DID this happen?

The exact numbers are still not released but, we know that OLCC data analysts discovered a significant enough number of patients buying large amounts of flower (still within their 24oz daily limit) that it was assumed it could only be going to the black market. The OLCC quickly imposed a temporary six-month flower limit of 1oz for patients, which is now the same limit as any non-cardholder. The OLCC has been cryptic about precisely what happened to prompt the sudden decrease in purchase limits, but they must have deemed it quite excessive to take such drastic action and reduce the purchase limit for patients 24-fold. I strongly encourage the OLCC to practice transparency and share more details about what happened, so we can all judge what excessive is. Let’s not forget that these patients were still within their daily purchase limits and not breaking any state laws. The justification would be based on how many patients were buying their limit every day. If there were over 100 patients buying their limit each day it might warrant a blanket response (.001% of the patient population by the way) but I highly doubt it was even that many.

NOV. 2018

The OLCC has been relentlessly subverting the OMMP system over the last three years because they see it as competitive to the recreational system they preside over. The truth is, OMMP has been around since 98’ and the OLCC adult-use system would not be here or functioning without the framework laid by OMMP patients and producers.

for them! We cannot afford to ignore what is happening politically in this country right now, if we don’t use our vote we will eventually lose it.

Takeaways?

The biggest takeaway from this sudden new medical limit for me is the demonstration of power that the OLCC posses. They have proven they can What happens next? and will make drastic modifications to rules without The new limit is temporary and will only last until proper discretion and public comment. December 27, 2018 but according to an interview There will always be outliers in any group; the by Kathleen Mclaughlin with Mark Pettinger (OLCC majority of the group should not be punished spokesperson) published in the Bend Bulletin, because of actions outliers take, they should be “A probable path is us making a addressed on a case-to-case permanent rule change based on what “NOW IS THE TIME basis. Overall it feels like we’ve discovered.” I predict the new TO SPEAK UP, WE ARE an opportunistic move by IN THE MIDDLE OF medical limit will be placed at 4oz OLCC against the OMMP (20oz less than it was before) but only ONE OF THE BIGGEST program. It might not always time and the decisions made by the MIDTERM ELECTIONS” be intentional but the OLCC OLCC will tell. and the state stand to gain Now is the time to speak up, we are in the each time a patient decides not to renew their card. middle of one of the biggest mid-term elections Less patients means more tax revenue for the state. in a long time. Make sure your incumbent and Medical Cannabis patients wait once again while new potential leaders understand that Cannabis the fate of their access to medicine is weighed is a vital part of America’s future before you vote against capitalistic profit of the state.

PHOTO BY DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS


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highly likely #40 oregonlEAF.COM

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Highlighting Cannabis pioneers who paved the way to greater herbal acceptance.

DR. LESTER GRINSPOON

D

r. Lester Grinspoon is an associate professor of psychology emeritus at Harvard Medical School. Our subject for this month’s column is possibly one of the most important contributors to the normalization of Cannabis in America in the 20th and 21st centuries. Long before Cannabis was ever conceived of being legal in the United States, he was talking about the benefits of this herb to humankind. He’s an expert on the history of Cannabis, and the author of Marihuana Reconsidered a book first published in 1971 that turned the notion of Cannabis as a harmful substance on its ear. Grinspoon’s work in researching medical ‘marihuana’ in the 1960s was a direct result of personal experience: his son was diagnosed with cancer at age 10 and went through a rigorous and toxic chemotherapy process. The child’s nausea became so tremendous at this time that Grinspoon and his wife were looking for any method possible to help aid their son. In his research, Grinspoon found anecdotal evidence supporting Cannabis for nausea related to chemotherapy. He tried the approach with his son before treatments and found that not only did Cannabis help alleviate symptoms of nausea, but that it actually helped his son feel better through the process. His first inkling as to the beneficial nature of this herb in medical application was “how remarkably FOLLOW ALONG:

NOV. 2018

non-toxic this drug was.” Indeed, in the annals the attention of one of the world’s biggest [jerks]. of pharmacopeia – when comparing Cannabis It’s a red badge of courage.” Despite this fact, to virtually any drug in the realm of toxicity to the Grinspoon was likely blacklisted for his findings human body – Cannabis always wins. and writings on Cannabis, as he never was granted Grinspoon cites the draconian drug laws of the full professorship at Harvard and remains an early 1900s with Cannabis’ criminalization, but associate professor emeritus to this day, despite also the under-educated physicians of that time calls from alumni and editorial boards for this with only looking at Cannabis as an Asperin-like status to be fully granted. alternative, rather than “I personally think it’s understanding its myriad a kind of blessing, which LONG BEFORE effects on other maladies that we’re going to realize as a humans encounter. As for the CANNABIS WAS country at some point,” he culprit today? Dr. Grinspoon told Cannabiz in 2013 as EVER CONCEIVED primarily blames the legalization was beginning pharmaceutical and alcohol OF BEING LEGAL IN to take hold in Colorado industries for the illegality and Washington. Here, more THE UNITED STATES, than five years later – the tide of Cannabis but also notes that the federal government to turn on the view DR. GRINSPOON WAS continues – with its reliance on money of Cannabis as a helpful, not from the prison industrial TALKING ABOUT THE harmful substance. He cites complex, DEA, and even the exponential expansion of BENEFITS OF THIS local law enforcement that the number of conditions that is preventing Cannabis from is used for today HERB TO HUMANKIND. Cannabis becoming legal nationwide. as truly remarkable. Richard Nixon particularly However, without a hated Grinspoon’s book Marihuana Reconsidered, researcher and scientist like Grinspoon being railing against him in the oval office on tapes willing to stick his neck out for the cause, it is released later. When Grinspoon heard the tapes unlikely that we’d be where we are today in terms at age 89 he laughed. “Imagine that,” he said to of legalization. For that, we all owe Dr. Lester The Boston Globe, laughing uproariously. “I got Grinspoon a special thanks.

Marijuana-Uses.com RxMarijuana.com By PACER STACKTRAIN / OREGON LEAF


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BUDTENDER OF T HE MONTH

WHAT WAS YOUR First EXPERIENCE WITH CANNABIS? My first experience with Cannabis was at the age of 15. It was a typical first timer experience, where I ended up with my face buried into all of my favorite junk food. I can’t remember exactly how many pizza rolls I ate that night, but I am sure it was an embarrassing amount. My older sister did her best to try and Macgyver a pipe out of an Altoid mints can. She always took good care of me.

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MARIUS BALAN By PACER STACKTRAIN

The Vth is one of the most wellcurated and designed Cannabis boutiques we’ve found outside of Portland. That attention to detail carries through their product

oregonlEAF.COM

selection – they carry many of the excellent top-tier flower, oil and edible vendors in Oregon as well as their own farm’s offerings. Marius Balan is a budtender who truly takes pride in his position – helping customers find what they need to have the best experience possible.

for people with dealing with the same condition or high anxiety in general.Limonene is another terpene that I love because of its unique way of stimulating the mind without a racey high. How do you find the right strains for a customer? I start by reading body language. Every customer is unique, and I think it is important to match their vibe/energy and make them feel as comfortable as possible. I focus on this step to ensure that they feel safe and comfortable enough to communicate exactly what kind of experience they are searching for. Customer service is always key, but especially when people have their guard up or don’t exactly know what they are looking for. That is something that’s unique to a dispensary experience.

How long have you been a budtender? What’s your favorite part of THE JOB? I have been budtending for roughly two years. My favorite part about being a budtender is being in a position to provide both education and medicinal alternatives to members of my community who need it. Two of the things that light me up in life are Cannabis How do you feel about the current “MY FAVORITE and fitness. testing requirements by the OLCC? WAY TO CONSUME I do have a lot of faith in So, I really enjoy sharing with others how these two worlds can Oregon testing standards. CANNABIS IS blend together seamlessly. With legal Cannabis being ALWAYS AND During my first two weeks at so new, I believe Oregon has The Vth we had a new customer done a good job keeping FOREVER GOING come in that was dealing with consumer Cannabis clean TO BE A CLASSIC serious P.T.S.D. He was really and thoroughly tested. That struggling and had heard how being said, potency testing DOOBIE TO PASS Cannabis can help with the only tells part of the story in AROUND WITH disorder. We decided together relation to a strains’ particular SOME GOOD that a balanced CBD:THC strain effects. I believe that the was what he should try. After that minor cannabinoids and FRIENDS.” day he kept coming back. Every terpenes found in Cannabis time I saw him again he seemed have as much, if not more to to have more life in his eyes. His life, like so many do with strain-specific effects. Education about these others, was changed for the better. Encounters like cannabinoids is key and I think people would greatly these give me goosebumps. benefit from viewing the bigger picture and realizing the significance of the entourage effect when What’s your favorite method of consumption? searching for quality medicine My favorite way to consume Cannabis is always and forever going to be a classic doobie to pass around What makes your shop’s approach with some good friends. I love the social ritual of to customer service different? sharing a joint. When I’m at home alone my bong What makes us different is the team that we have. (lit with hemp wick) has become one of the We all respect and enjoy each other and that helps necessities for me when putting a flame to flower. us give better service. We’re only a crew of six and everyone uses Cannabis medicinally, so helping What are some of your favorite cannabis strains? Favorite customers make the right choice is personally crucial effects and terpene profiles? to everyone. Some strains I’m loving right now are Yerba Buena’s Silverhawk (sativa), Yerba Buena’s Blue Dragon What are some of your hobbies/interests Desert Frost (CBD), and The Vth farms personal outside the Cannabis industry? strain Zookies (indica hybrid). The cerebral uplifting My goal every day is to be a better athlete than I sativa increases my focus and enhances my mind was the day before. Fitness is an integral part of my to muscle connection, the CBD helps with recovery life, I boxed competitively for five years. And it still and reducing inflammation. This pairing maximizes plays a big role in my workouts. Up until recently, I the efficiency of my workouts. The indica haven’t given much attention to social provides a way for me to take the edge media. I have recently started to use my off at the end of a long day and helps me Instagram platform as a tool to share to get a good night sleep. Like everyone some of my experiences, my workouts, else, I am still learning more and more my energy, and my love for fitness and THE vTH about terpenes. That being said, as 1234 SW Baseline St. Cannabis. I want to connect with others someone who suffers from epilepsy, I’ve who share my interests and passions Hillsboro, Oregon. (503) 747-7877 found that strains with myrcene are great follow my journey, @mariusb100.

GOT A FAVORITE BUDTENDER? TELL US WHY! THEPACKERSTACKTRAIN@GMAIL.COM

NOV. 2018

PHOTO by CHRIS RYAN @CANNABIS.PHOTO


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patient profile

JIM DAVIS

oregonlEAF.COM

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“Getting to sleep is a chore because of PTSD and my pain. So, I look for indica-dominant strains for evenings. During the day, I have so much to do, I like hybrids, but not too sativa.” NOV. 2018

PHOTO by CHRIS RYAN @CANNABIS.PHOTO


PROFILE by SIMONE FISCHER

Cannabis for PTSD & chronic pain JIM DAVIS IS A LONG-TIME OMMP PATIENT AND OREGONIAN WHO OBTAINED HIS FIRST CARD IN 1999, SHORTLY AFTER THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED IN OREGON. DAVIS DEALS WITH CHRONIC PAIN AND PTSD AND HE BELIEVES CANNABIS CONTINUES TO HELP IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF HIS LIFE DESPITE SUSTAINED INJURIES. AS A CONSCIOUS USER OF CANNABIS, DAVIS WARMLY OPENS UP ABOUT HIS PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THE PLANT.

When was the first time you smoked weed, and how has your relationship with the plant evolved? Age 17 — 1988. The classic story of a best friend’s older brother giving us a bud and a pop can to smoke it. The connection was a gradual one –probably around 1995 or 1996. I knew it helped, but the stigma [on Cannabis] was so prevalent – that I put it in the same category as alcohol. That [Cannabis] it was just a release, like a drink after a hard day. Finding good friends in the growing community was the pivotal point.

What Cannabis strains or cannabinoids/terpenes provide the best relief in your experience? For me, getting to sleep is a chore because of PTSD and my pain. So, I look for indica-dominant strains for evenings. During the day, I have so much to do I like hybrids, but not too sativa. Nowadays, I’m all over the road. With so many choices, it’s hard to stay with one strain, which is the cool part of an open market. My favorites are Raymond “Odie Diesel” Bowsers work for THC and Adam Jacques for CBD and CBD ratio strains. I use Jon Hudnall’s Starkiller most nights and Mike Cawleys Dr. Who. River Song is also a new fav. I’m a flower guy through and through. I do enjoy capsules for a consistent dosage, but because of my pace, I usually use a basic pipe and good flower. I like to be able to adjust on the fly, and some days are worse than others. With PTSD, I have found that I have to stay away from heavy limonene terpenes because they add to my anxiety. Jack the Ripper used to send me down the street screaming. So, start with indica or an Indica dominant strain. I build up my tolerance and then start adding sativas, if indicas are too heavy. Adding CBD to a regime is important. For me, stress adds a layer of physical pain CBD will shore up and calm that. I tell people to play with the amounts to find that sweet spot. CBD ratio strains can be tricky to find at a dispensary, but a CBD edible with your THC flower is an easy option. What are some challenges in the industry? A lot of times we try a strain, have a bad experience and write it off. It’s a learning curve. I know people that use a website’s description as gospel – it’s not. Each of us is different, and I have found that my needs change. Sometimes it’s a stressful time or a season. Also, stigma. I struggle with the whole stoner clique identity. Because I deal with the public, I feel that I need to be an example for our community. But when I meet people outside of our industry, I don’t want to be a stereotype. I’ve had people actually say that they assumed I would be super high all the time. Which opens a dialogue about how it is medicine, and that wouldn’t be any different than abusing other substances or prescriptions. I feel that we are being watched and how we steward this is really important. That said, I do love to get baked, but once my work is done.

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Why do you use medical Cannabis? Chronic pain and PTSD. I was diagnosed with PTSD in 1998-99, but I didn’t know what it meant. I just knew it was bad and I thought I was crazy and broken. I look back and think I abused Cannabis during that phase as a numbing blanket. I knew it helped, but I looked at it like some do alcohol. Then, around 2001-ish I started seeing a change. I sought out strains that allowed me to function but not be a zombie. Then I went through a phase of using anything with Northern Lights, Durban or Diesel. I would have avoided that in the past, but it was working for me. I could be productive and manage. That period had me searching out and growing 1Pineapples, Blue Buddha, Trinity, Cookies, Kush and Dogshit. It’s really funny looking back, but I might have my times mixed up – it’s been a while. I deal with back, shoulder and leg injuries that are relentless with pain. The burns left a lot of scars and blood vessel damage, so blood will pool without enough circulation. I had an operation to remove the major vein [in my leg] that was damaged to let the others pick up the slack, but it didn’t really help. Instead, the blood builds up and creates more pain through constant pressure on incredibly tender tissue. Pants drive me nuts, so I wear shorts year-round. I figure if I have to live with it, you can put up with seeing it. Also, I hope that it helps someone. Scars show that you survived a trauma and is a great way to share with people how they can not only survive but thrive.



F I N D Y O U R A R T I F A C T: Portland

Kaleafa (All locations) Chalice (All locations) Americanna PDX Foster Buds Uplift Botanicals Archive Local Herb Collective La Cannasseur Lifted NW Pure Green Oregon Bud Company Gro Hi Station

Eugene

River Valley Remedies Sweet Tree Farms Terpene Station Grasslands Green Health Greener Side Tracktown Collective Jamaica Joels Buds LLC Higher Ground Green Therapy Apothecaria

Springfield & Veneta

Hi Cascade- Springfield Deeproots Cannabis Cannabis LLC Oregon's Herbal Remedies Hi Cascade- Veneta

Corvallis & Surrounding Valley Salem & Independence

High Quality Mr. Nice Guy- Corvallis Mr Nice Guy- Lebanon Cannabros- Newburg Cannabros- Sheridan Ocean Grown Dispensary Four Seasons Otis Collective Green Cross- Brownville Going Green Grand Rhonde

THC Recreation Station Livewell Oregon Bud Company Healing Green Oregon Bud Company- Keizer

Pendleton

Bend

Substance Market Miracle Greens Cannabend Tokyo Starfish Plantae Jenny Jenny's Higher Elevation

Southern Oregon

Coastal Shops

Coastal Cannabinoids Oregon Coast Dispensary Medication Station House of Dank Arboretum Coastal Highways Hi Cascade- Depoe Bay Hi Cascade- Waldport

Mt. Hood & Dalles

High Mountain Rec Forward Cannabis Gorge Green Cross Redbarn Dispensary Mt. Hood Canna Co Kush Market House of Leaves- Ashland House of Leaves- Medford T alent Health Club Green Oaks

Kind Leaf Pendleton Cannabis Co.

*For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children. It is illegal to drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of marijuana.


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NICHOLAS &ELIZABETH MAHMOOD GREEN SOURCE GARDENS | JACKSONVILLE, OR

NOV. 2018

PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS


Nicholas & Elizabeth Mahmood own Green Source Gardens with several other family members, living and working on their land to grow Cannabis and sustainable food crops. We spoke with Nicholas about what drives him to grow mindfully in Southern Oregon, his views on Cannabis, food production and how to help save the planet.

Stoner Owner highlights individuals who have developed their love for Cannabis into a thriving business. This monthly column celebrates owners who love and actually consume the plant, giving them real insight into the industry’s true roots and culture.

THE harvest issue

“WE HAVE TO CHANGE OUR WHOLE MINDSET AND PARADIGM TO LOOK AT THE EARTH AS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS CARE AND ATTENTION RIGHT NOW.”

Q&A by WES ABNEY @BEARDEDLORAX

when did you first begin using Cannabis? In college, I started connecting with Cannabis in relationship to nature. I would spend time in the mountains skiing under the influence of Cannabis and had a lot of really amazing breakthroughs. Being in the natural world under the guidance of Cannabis has helped me connect to the earth, to tune in. What inspired Green Source Gardens? It was a really basic, common sense choice from a farmer’s perspective of how to make farming work as a small-scale farm. I think in a lot of ways my love and passion for what Cannabis gave me was at the foundation, but also the realistic logistics of finances starts to play a role in what crop to grow as a farmer to pursue as a living. Growing veggies and providing food for the community is fulfilling and enriching and everyone should try it and understand why the food system is so messed up, but there was no way for us to make it in farming without a lot of money.

What is your favorite strain and way to consume? I smoke joints, our focus is flower and we sell flower. So, we really cater to providing full-term outdoor Cannabis that hasn’t been tainted by artificial lights or heats or chemicals and is rather completely freed in the ecological symbiotic relationship with nature. That said, I don’t believe in picking favorites, because it’s a misguided cultural desire when the truth is everything is special and should be seen as special. I like it all and that’s real honesty, but I gravitate towards more of what people call indica varieties. In a perfect world, how would you handle consumption for your workplace? I believe that everybody should be capable of making the decision of how the plant is affecting their conscious being, and if somebody says they don’t work well on Cannabis then I don’t want them high. But I’ve found that people who are passionate about Cannabis do really well consuming while working, and I encourage people to do what feels good, as long as their performance at work is meeting what it’s supposed to. I think it’s perfectly fine.

G R E E N S OU RC EGAR DE N S . CO M @ GREENSOU RCEGARDENS

What are your goals for the future of the company and the industry in general? Create an example of real artisan and real craft and help define that for people. We don’t believe that craft can scale up. Our goal is to stay small and do a really good job at a craft scale. We focus on 100 percent outdoor, and we think that’s where the best Cannabis is. And, we need to realize that the industry is doing damage driven by capitalism which seeks to capitalize on natural resources. We have to change our whole mindset and paradigm to look at the Earth as something that needs care and attention right now. Our goals should be to remediate the damage done and incorporate production into remediation practices – not through greenhouses or light dep or lights or killing soil. Any plant can be grown in a way that is detrimental to the planet. given all the challenges, What inspires you? We got involved in this business because we understand the power of the platform to help people understand the options available as consumers and to be conscious of what they put in their bodies. We want to educate people on how to be discerning amongst Cannabis options, and all options they buy at a store. People need to be very discerning of what they put money into. By giving corporations money, we give them the power that we hate. What do you enjoy doing in your free time? We spend our time on the farm, so for us, we look forward to when there’s nobody on the farm with us, without the stress and anxiety of the business component. So we can take care of the garden and not be in the “figuring it all out” game. We’ve only left the farm together to go to industry events, and other than that we never leave the farm. Our vacations are the alone time on the land.

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How does GSg live up to the term family farm? We are truly a family farm, not just Cannabisoriented but homestead oriented. Cannabis is the crop we use to pay our bills, but we grow all kinds of crops in concert with Cannabis. We make more money off these crops by eating them than by taking the energy to put them to market. So, we are able to function on a very low overhead. Through learning to work with the natural resources on the farm, and the alchemy of production, without spending money at a store that is going to sell you stuff they say you can’t do it without. We don’t hire a crew to do our farming, my wife and I are the farmers and we do every step. I don’t believe you can call yourself craft if you’re not the one out in the field doing the work. If you pay people to follow standard operating procedures, I don’t think you’re craft anymore, you’re commercial.

What does it mean to you to be a Cannabis business owner that consumes the plant? To me, it’s hard to own a Cannabis company if you don’t smoke, and you can figure out the goals of their involvement and it’s generally economic and nothing more. It’s hard for me to trust that somebody who doesn’t consume is truly an artisan producer. Looking at the heart and soul of Cannabis, the companies that should stand out are the people who stand for and believe in Cannabis.




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RED BARN DISPENSARY REVIEW by WILL FERGUSON @710TENDENCIES 1069 N OLD PACIFIC HWY, MYRTLE CREEK, OR / REDBARNDISPENSARY.COM / 10A TO 9P DAILY / (541) 860-7676

NOV. 2018

PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS


THE BUDTENDERS WERE EAGER TO SHOW US THE VARIETY OF STRAINS, MAKING US FEEL LIKE WE WERE TRULY GETTING AN EDUCATED OPINION. STRAIN 5/5

Red Barn Dispensary has a wide variety of strains available for very reasonable prices. Located in Myrtle Creek, Oregon, Red Barn is a convenient, quick, stop off of I-5 when traveling. The open layout makes it easy for first-time customers to navigate. Edibles, strains and concentrates are proudly displayed in a lit up display case. Forbidden Fruit, G Krush, and Stardawg are just some of the elite strains that Red barn has shelved. Prices range from $6$12 a gram depending on quality and intake price.

EDIBLES

4/5

The edible selection at Red Barn Dispensary has a wide selection with numerous options from OM Extracts, Orchid Essentials and various other companies. Loud Lolliez, Periodic and Smokiez edibles were just a few of the companies found at Red Barn Dispensary. Prices range from $3-$50 dollars depending on edible and size.

by NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415

TRIPLECROWNOG

Triple Crown OG from Red Barn Dispensary is an OG Kush variant that has a rather light, gassy smell to it. The buds are dense and on the smaller side, however, the terpene profile is potent and in your face. Breaking down these buds reveals TASTE 5/5 a skunk like profile that VALUE 4/5 is reminiscent of an early EFFECT 5/5 chem varietal. No grinder LABEL 3/5 is necessary to break down TOTAL 17/20 these buds. The smoke is smooth and strong, as I coughed after each inhale. Each joint burned to a clean white ash signaling a complete flush of nutrients. The effects were relaxing, and sedative, as a few hits of a joint made me want to pass out for a few hours.

CONCENTRATES 4/5

The concentrate selection at Red Barn Dispensary was huge as numerous cases displayed products from OM Extracts, Buddies, and Queen B Labs. Prices range from $15-$91 depending on quality and quantity. High THC and high CBD were available to keep the variety accessible to all palates.

ENVIRONMENT 5/5

Red Barn Dispensary had a very open vibe and space. From the moment we walked in we felt at home. Numerous displays of chronic flower and delicious morsels filled the dispensary as we perused each product and display. The budtenders were eager to show us the variety of strains offered, making us feel like we were truly getting an educated opinion.

QUICK HIT The layout at Red Barn dispensary is one of the best we have come across. As soon as you enter the dispensary you are greeted with an open, easy to navigate layout, that features a variety of products on sale and regularly available.

18/20

RASPBERRYDARK CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES CROP CIRCLE

$20/2PK- 50MG THC

The crew at Crop Circle Chocolates recently teamed up with Redbarn’s in-house grow to create these awesome Wedding Cake infused Raspberry Dark Chocolate Truffles. Solventless kiefTASTE 5/5 VALUE 4/5 based concentrate, high EFFECT 4/5 quality dark chocolate, and LABEL 5/5 an incredible raspberry TOTAL 18/20 truffle filling make these edibles a must-try for anyone looking for a potent, tasty, and affordable option at the dispensary.

NOV. 2018


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FIRESIDE DISPENSARY REVIEW by WILL FERGUSON @710TENDENCIES 4149 S PACIFIC HWY #A, MEDFORD, OR / MON.-SAT. 10A-8P | SUN. 12P-7P / (541) 897-4420

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NOV. 2018

PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS


THE WELL-ORGANIZED MEDICINE ROOM AND FRIENDLY STAFF MAKE FOR A SUPERB EXPERIENCE STRAIN 5/5

Fireside has one of the most extensive selections of quality flower we’ve ever seen. With plasma screens that illuminate the flower menu, each strain is well represented in a lit-up display case which allows customers to get an up-close look at individual strains. Benson Elvis, Deep Creek Gardens, Urban Canna and Evans Creek Farms are just a few of the licensed producers that grace Fireside’s shelves. This variety of indoor and outdoor flower, prices range from $6-$12 per gram before tax.

EDIBLES

4/5

The edible selection at Fireside is also rather large, with options for everyone. Lunchbox Alchemy, Wana Brands and Crop Circle Chocolate are just a few of the brands that you can find on the shelves. Echo Electuary’s medicated honey is another popular item, as they offer multiple dose options that are consistently effective. Prices range from $6-$50 depending on edible and dosage. Dirty Arm Farm’s Adabinol Cannabis Syrup is available in most dosages, which is a rarity as most dispensaries are sold out.

CONCENTRATES 4/5

The concentrate selection at Fireside was equally impressive. Echo Electuary, White Label Extracts and Dirty Arm Farm are a few of the extractors that can be found at Fireside. Nug run, live resin and shatter are available in prices ranging from $12.50 to $56 — generous pricing compared to most dispensaries. Many of these products don’t generally make it south, so it’s refreshing to see a dispensary with a current selection of concentrates and extracts.

ENVIRONMENT 5/5

Upon entrance, a long hallway leads customers to the check-in desk. The waiting room has complimentary coffee, tea and water for each customer. The menu is neatly displayed on plasma screen TV’s, and glass display cases. The staff is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable which makes getting a recommendation a breeze.

QUICK HIT Fireside is incredibly spacious, and the design was well thought out. The layout at Fireside is one of the most well-constructed we’ve seen at a dispensary. The well-organized medicine room and friendly staff make for a truly superb and easy experience that has the consumer coming back for more.

18/20

SUPADURBAN DEEP CREEK GARDENS

24.71% THC / 0.05% CBD / TESTED BY CHEMHISTORY

Supa Durban is a potent cross of Durban Poison and Super Silver Haze F3 bred by Dynasty Genetics. Grown organically at Deep Creek Gardens, the Dynasty powered farm, this strain boasts a tropical piney terpene profile that invades the AROMA 5/5 nostrils immediately. The DENSITY 4/5 buds are on the smaller size CURE 5/5 but are rather dense with LOOKS 3/5 trichomes covering every FLAVOR 5/5 calyx. I smoked a few joints EFFECT 5/5 of the Supa Durban and TOTAL 28/30 was super impressed with the smooth and flavorful smoke. It seemed as if each hit had more flavor than the last as the joint burned pure white ash until the last hit. The high is very cerebral and uplifting, perfect for those needing a boost during the daytime. Dynasty genetics continually breeds flavorful and unique strains that play on the effects and flavor profiles of old favorites, the Supa Durban is no exception.

TIMBERWOLF #5SUPERSAUCE EXTRACT

PROCESSED BY WHITE LABEL EXTRACTS / GROWN BY BENSON ELVIS 67.67% THC

The strain Timber Wolf is a unique cross of Animal Cookies and Chemdawg bred by South Fork Seeds. The extract is packaged in a glass container as the consistency is considered “sugar sauce” making it easier for consumers to scoop up dabs. A scoop or shovel-shaped dabber is recommended to prevent the terpenes from running off. I took a few dabs off my Jred Diamond Knot and enjoyed the piney, TASTE 4/5 earthy mix of flavors. VALUE 4/5 PACKAGING 4/5 The smoke is a little EFFECT 4/5 expansive because TOTAL 16/20 of the high terpene percentage but it still finishes with a smooth clean flavor. For me, the effect was cerebral and uplifting, making it a great strain to smoke before being active or in the daytime. I would recommend this product to consumers looking for more potent flavor experiences.

NOV. 2018


2018 Harvest Flavors

Sundae Driver Banana Punch Chocolate Hashberry Gelato Lemon Tree 9# Hammer ‘96 Trainwreck Tahoe OG

Garlic Cookies Blueberry Muffins Nitro Cookies Dog Cookies Blue Cookies Banana OG Cherry Deathstvr C-Land Forbidden Fruit And More....... Gelato #45 For Orders/Pre-Orders Please Contact Mendo Breath Nick Ford (541)213-0997 Cherry Pie millionelephantsfarm1@gmail.com


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rehashed

by WES ABNEY @BEARDEDLORAX

TANNINS & TERPENES Ore go n Le a f h o s te d a n i g h t o f com m u n i ty - b u i l d i n g , Ca n n a b i s e d u ca t i o n a nd reve l ry i n Po r t l a nd Se p t . 2 9 , 2 0 1 8

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annins and Terpenes returned as a live event last month in Portland, featuring Cannabis derived terpenes infused into cocktails, beers and cider for a unique cocktail hour experience. Beginning as an issue of the magazine in 2013, the concept behind the event and the magazine have been largely mirrored to destigmatize the use of Cannabis through education about the flavors that come from terpenes in the plant, and display how they can interact in many tasty and drinkable ways! Presented by Dab Society, the event featured six terpene infused drinks, served in flights over three hours, with each having a specific pairing of terpenes. Cannabis-derived terpenes are different from fruit-based concoctions because they are truly representative of what is in the plant. The idea for this version of the event came from Cascadia Gardens, whose terpenes are truly extraordinary and make for a great pairing opportunity. We developed drinks with their legendary terpenes like The Jack Margarita and a Candy (Cinex cross) Sangria, which teased taste buds while delivering a terpy infused buzz. New to this event were the pairings provided by Xylem Cider Works and Labrewatory, two renowned Portland-based companies pushing the edge of brewing with terpenes. Xylem developed a unique cider infused with Blueberry Cheesecake Cannabis derived terpenes, alongside a second drink infused with fruit-based terpenes from True Terpenes. Xylem serves up terpene infused cider seven days a week in Portland and is definitely worth stopping in for a taste. Labrewatory infused a classic IPA with Sour Diesel Cannabis derived terpenes, for a rich, piney and delicious beer that was a first for our event, and their company. The most surprising part for attendees was how strong the effects of the terpenes were. Although terpenes are non-intoxicating in a psychoactive form, they are the basis for the effects we associate with Cannabis strains, and those were certainly felt through the drinks served. The Sativa dominant terpenes caused a strong burst of chatty energy, while the hybrids mellowed the mood. The final GDP cocktail served by master barman Jack Sanders was a perfect calming and relaxing nightcap to end an amazing evening.

A special thanks to all the sponsors who supported the event, and to the Leaf Nation team that made it possible. If Tannins and Terpenes round two is something you are interested in attending this spring, visit TanninsandTerpenes.com to join our mailing list and get advance ticket information!

NOV. 2018

PHOTOS by CHRIS BURDICK @ECHOGERMANIUM





THIS TIER 2 LICENSED FARM GROWS COMPLETELY ORGANIC AND FEATURES MANY STRAINS THAT MOST DISPENSARIES HAVE NEVER HEARD OF

GROWN BY

APPLEGATE RIVER ROOTS @APPLEGATERIVERROOTS

ROGUE VALLEY POISON R OGUE VALLEY POISON is a self-bred strain grown by the crew at Applegate River Roots. This Tier 2 licensed farm grows completely organic and features many strains that most dispensaries have never heard of/seen on their shelves. This Rogue Valley Poison has a very tight bud structure complemented by a sweet, gassy profile. I smoked this strain out of a clean bong and was impressed by the smooth, sweet tasting smoke. Each hit was smooth and non-expansive as the taste was sweet piney notes complimented by an earthy funk. The effects are rather balanced, with each hit offering a combination of relaxing and active effects. Each bowl burned to a completely white ash signaling a complete flush of nutrients. Applegate River Roots implements an all organic grow style that has each strain growing to its genetic potential.

REVIEW by WILL FERGUSON @710DENCIES


STRAIN OF THE MONTH

PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN

NOV. 2018




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ROGUE RIVER FAMILY FARMS

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GROWN ROGUE

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MILLION ELEPHANTS

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benson elvis

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ananda farms

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raw zen farms

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conscious cultivators


the harvest issue BY NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415

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in mid-October. The trees are ablaze with fall colors, the air is crisp and cool, and the full-term Cannabis crops are in full bloom. HERE IS NO PLACE IN THE WORLD QUITE LIKE OREGON

Since legalization in Oregon, growers have been able to step out of the shadows of illegality and into the light of legitimacy. This has spelled major changes in the widespread growing communities across Oregon. Previously, most grows were relegated to remote areas, up dirt roads and far from the prying eyes of nosy neighbors and the long arm of the law.

eightbeautiful, full-season Cannabisfarms attheirmost criticalmoment. PROFILESBYOREGONLEAF | PHOTOSBYDANIELBERMAN

Today while cruising I-5 and the surrounding highways, one can easily spot greenhouses, raised beds, colas poking out above recently constructed 8-foot fencing and acres of hemp growing roadside. You’re catching wafts of herb at every turn. This is a far cry from how all growers conducted themselves even a mere decade ago. Within the massive expanse of wilderness and uninhabited space in Southern Oregon is a near ideal climate for Cannabis production. There is still plenty of illicit cultivation not far from legitimate operations. While Ganja’s acceptance in the mainstream continues to spread, the future of craft Cannabis remains an uncertain one. Farmers’ cultivation techniques, strain selections and partnerships are dictated by consumer demand just as much as they are by goals of financial success. Currently, cultivators must be strategic, efficient, and careful to ensure they stay growing year to year. This year, the Oregon Leaf team had the pleasure of touring eight unique full-season farms, all working to balance the market’s demand for high quality at a low price, all while distinguishing themselves from the rest. These may look like large-scale operations, but each one is focused on craft and on obtaining the highest quality product possible utilizing the most challenging grow style there is: producing a single crop per year. Join us as we explore these amazing gardens in this gorgeous annual feature.

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THE harvest issue

@ROGUERIVERFAMILYFARMS_LLC ROGUERIVERFAMILYFARM.COM

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FOUNDED 2017 22 STRAINS 3,850 PLANTS 5 EMPLOYEES

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Rogue River Family Farms NOV. 2018

PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS


FARMHAND Gustav Helbig GARDEN MANAGER Hunter Liles OWNER Cole Driver with his wife OPERATIONS MANAGER Astrea Driver and farmdogs Porter + Odin

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in the foothills of the Siskiyou Mountains outside of Wimer, Oregon lies the beautiful Rogue River Family Farms. Offering a unique microclimate, the 110-acre property sits at 1,500 feet of elevation and is surrounded by foothills on three sides. There is more natural airflow than valley floor counterparts, with the particular way the property is situated on a sloping hillside at a slight elevation. This airflow mimics the action of fans in an indoor or greenhouse setup and helps keep moisture levels down, minimizing the possibility of mold or powdery mildew. The farm sources its water from a fresh stream stemming from the mountainside above the property with no one above to pollute it. The property actually includes two meadows, both with their own water rights. The real estate, vacant and unused for nearly two decades, was overlooked as property after property was swooped up post-legalization in Oregon. In early 2017, Rogue River Family Farms owner and founder Cole Driver discovered the property and knew right away it was a gem. “I couldn’t think of a more perfect property for us to have found to grow with,” Driver said as we stood atop the hill on the south side of the farm overlooking the garden. The veteran team of growers originally from Texas had spent years in California’s medical market growing in Lake County and in Humboldt. But when they were faced with high six figures to low seven figures hurdles to level up to the recreational market, the team opted to head north in favor of Oregon’s less expensive and easier-to-navigate recreational system. “Our previous farms were more spread out, we had to worry about water supply, and were completely off-grid. Rogue River Family Farms has full power, plenty of water and a great centralized location,” Driver said. The crew utilizes a flood irrigation style for watering and nutrients. They use a standard 1/4” tubing direct into 20-gallon pots, filter-free, so they can run true organics without worrying about build up or stoppage. In addition to running organics, using essential-oil-based foliar sprays and natural predators for pest management and preventative care, they also utilize the sun instead of electricity to grow their plants. Rogue River Family Farms goes a step further in their efforts towards sustainability by utilizing an 80 amp solar trailer to power their 46 cameras during Oregon’s sunny months. The flowers grown here, all 3850 planted this season, were healthy, coated in trichomes, and each expressed unique and tantalizing terpene profiles, beckoning us as we walked the garden. Driver and his staff selected 22 strains to grow this year, ranging from classics like 9# Hammer and Sunset Sherbet to rare and unique genetics like Jack’s Grapes and Black Domina. Impressively, the entire 40,000 square foot canopy is managed by a small staff of only five. Driver is the sole founder and owner and currently handles the companies’ sales and overall direction while his wife Astrea Driver is the compliance and operations manager. Hunter Liles, Gustav Helbig, and Uncle Mike manage almost all of the plant work and farm maintenance. With the team’s second harvest at this property likely complete by the time you read this, keep an eye out for drops of A-grade flowers and extract collaborations with Natural Roots, Botanical Laboratories, Dab Factory and Mana Extracts on shelves early next year at finer dispensaries across the state. ESTLED IN A PRISTINE MEADOW

THE harvest issue

BY NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415


THE harvest issue

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grown rogue ITH ROOTS DATING BACK TO MEDICAL CANNABIS,

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Grown Rogue has maintained their love for outdoor Cannabis while transitioning into the recreational space, expanding the company while staying true to their core values. Founded by Obie and Sarah Strickler, Grown Rogue began as a medical Cannabis grow in Grants Pass in 2006 with 15 hand dug holes. “A labor of love,” Obie said. Learning to grow Cannabis medicinally and at a small scale, the husband and wife team evolved their techniques and business to stay viable for the last 12 years. Today the company has 40 employees across their whole organization, and Grown Rogue delivers Cannabis flower, concentrates, cartridges, pre-rolls and edibles statewide. This year’s outdoor crop was planted in early June, we took a journey amongst the giants in early October just days before their harvest. “It’s magical to walk through a field of flowering Cannabis plants. It’s a feeling that can’t be conceived. A vibe that the plants produce, and seeing this many plants puts into scale is hard to put into words,” Sarah said. “Another season is here, another harvest, and everything feels like it’s

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such a team effort,” Sarah said. “We are all excited and really proud, and our team is the best.” Grown Rogue’s five-acre property has parceled their canopy on a hillside that faces the afternoon sunlight, where 305 massive plants sit in individual boxes, all stretching and stacking towards the natural light that is so prevalent in Southern Oregon. The boxes are laid out in rows, each one containing a specific strain, and all linking together to form a massive canopy that beckons with beautiful colors and smells. Entering the rows in a duck walk, Obie led us through the jungle of terpenes, pointing out favorites and pinching colas as the smells of dozens of strains filled the air. Standing up to full height in between a row of plants, the lowest trestle netting is nearly a foot above his head, with taller plants reaching 12 feet or more into the air. Each plant will yield roughly four pounds of finished flower, and the strains are all carefully selected for the environment and expected values for flower or oil. The plants thrive in the sun and have wildly expressive terpene profiles, and Obie is quick to extoll the values Continues pg. 54 >> of sun-grown Cannabis to us.

PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS


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OWNERS Obie & Sarah Strickler

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PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS


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utdoor, in my opinion, is the only way to grow. The flower has a superior taste and terpenes and the quality is better. Indoor looks better in a jar, that’s it,” Obie said. “My happy place is in the outdoor farms. In my opinion, the sun produces a superior quality plant.” Walking among the giant trees lazily waving in the sunlight, it’s hard to disagree with that logic. “They’re [plants] in the sun! Who doesn’t love to be in the sun? I love seeing the butterflies that come in and bless the garden, that’s my favorite part,” Sarah added excitedly. “Totally natural, and nothing gets wasted.” The garden is extremely efficient in addition to being clean green certified. A team of only five runs the grow we toured and another that is slightly larger, keeping costs down and using the natural resources that Southern Oregon provides. With intense and vibrant sunlight and warm weather late into October, it felt like shorts and sunblock weather while Portland was turning to rain and clouds. “In Oregon, the answer is not how much can you grow, it’s how much you can sell based on good relationships and creating opportunities that you are passionate about. Having values like Clean Green Certification and Phylos certified genetics, and truly loving the plants while being efficient is the key. When you sell it for $350 a pound you have to be efficient!” While the company has transformed beyond a small medical grow to a scaled and professionally managed commercial operation, the values remain and are what make Grown Rogue so special. As heads of the company, Obie and Sarah truly care about the plant and the planet, building a company that they want to benefit their children and the greater community. “I do hope that the evolution of Cannabis comes back to sun-grown,” Obie said. “It’s not where the industry is today, but I think and hope that it will become the driving force of future legal Cannabis. It’s an important component of this planet’s health, and sun-grown Cannabis is ultimately how this entire industry got started.”


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milllion elephants oregonlEAF.COM

BY WES ABNEY @BEARDEDLORAX

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of Humboldt County to the beauty of Sam’s Valley in Jackson County, Oregon, two brothers have continued to live their dream as Cannabis growers with hands in the dirt. Located on a beautiful inclusive 26-acre property, the Million Elephants property is pristine as working Cannabis farm. Complete with a home where the family lives on site, the farm includes a farm with captive deer, goats, and over 1,000 Cannabis plants. Settled in a valley below the house, looking out over the field of Cannabis is breathtaking and inspiring at the same time. ROM THE FERTILE HILLS

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Jason and Jacob Roberts began growing in Humboldt County, California in 1997. They would spend nearly half their year there off the grid, isolated and living the life of the underground farmer. After many years of growing and learning the ways of outdoor Cannabis, they decided to head north to Southern Oregon and enter the legal recreational market with Jason’s wife, Joy. Joy is from Laos, the land of a million elephants, where the farm’s namesake comes from. Combining their passion for sun-grown Cannabis with their hard work lifestyle, they have carved out a pristine farm and lifestyle centered around the sun, dirt and plants. “I would say that you can’t beat the sun,” Jacob said passionately. “The sun is what gives us life!”

Row after row of beautiful trees lean toward the mid-October light, which is bright and intensely warm, with temperatures in the mid-70s. Pinching and squeezing the fat colas leaves sticky fingers and flavors of strains mixing together in a terpy entourage, filling the mind with millions of strain flavors. The plants dance in the wind, the giant frosty colas heavily waving in circles as the wind tugs at their density as the heavily weighted plants lean towards the harvest sun. Unlike many of the outdoor soil to oil gardens prevalent in Southern Oregon, most the Cannabis will be sold as sun-grown flower that is destined to be smoked. “There’s a big demand for quality outdoor flower this year,” Jacob explained. “We have 20 strains across the farm, with my favorites being garlic cookies and death star cherry cookies. I love going into dispensaries and getting positive feedback on the flower, it makes me feel really good and gives us the kick in the butt to do it all over again.” With just the three sets of hands working the farm daily, there is a lot of work to be done, and a never-ending process of growing, harvesting and selling their Cannabis. PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS


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CO FOUNDERS & LIFE PARTNERS Joy and Jason Roberts, pictured with brother Jacob.

SAN FERNANDO OG

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This year’s crop will be cured and stored in a custom-built building for hanging and drying, with massive HVAC and dehumidifier systems ensuring the flower gets perfect after-harvest treatment. “It’s for the people,” Jason explained. “We don’t try to get the most [money] for it, because we want the stores happy and most importantly the customer happy. That’s what makes us happy. It takes a lot of time and we hand trim everything, and the biggest part is the drying that leads to quality.” From the mountain days with no space or electricity to a modern farm complete with resident farm animals, the family behind Million Elephants has come a long way. With over 2,500 pounds coming down this season, there is a lot to trim. The flower will last the team until late spring or summer when they will be starting the next crop and beginning the process over again. “The recreational market is tough and a lot of work, but we love it. I’m having a great time and enjoying it, life is peaceful now and we feel blessed to be here,” Jacob said. “The more I grow outdoors the more I want to be out of the city and enjoy the country. It’s nice to be able to wake up and be at work.”

MENDO BREATH

@MILLION_ELEPHANTS_CO

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FOUNDED 2016 20 STRAINS 1,000 PLANTS 4 EMPLOYEES

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OWNER ERIK LEIB

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LEMON DIESEL

PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS


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ananda farms A

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ANANDAFARMSCANNABIS.COM @ANANDA.FARMS

BY WES ABNEY @BEARDEDLORAX

TANGIE

to go to companies that will represent the flower properly, and finding the right partnerships is key to surviving in the marketplace.” During his first year in business, much of the crop went to flower, but Ananda Farms has transitioned in the turbulent wholesale marketplace towards sending product to be processed into concentrates. Companies like Funk Extracts, Dirty Arm Farms and Fat Packs take the material to process into concentrates, bound for shelves of dispensaries statewide. Delivering high terpene and pesticide-free material produces the best concentrates, and the Ananda Farms collabs are in high demand by the time they reach consumers, all powered initially by the sun. For Leib, what matters most is the quality, which he makes clear. “I smoke all of this and try all of it myself. And the ones that keep going back in the dirt are the ones I grow and smoke myself,” he said. “What matters most is that it’s received well, and the positive feedback that comes when people try the product can lead people to see that sun-grown and greenhouse Cannabis can compete with indoor Cannabis.” Walking towards a row of from seed plants that he is phenotype hunting with to find the best expression of a strain, it’s clear that the love for Cannabis is present at Ananda Farms. All over the farm are test plants and new strains, alongside the proven producers in the high reaching rows. The more varieties of strains the more work it generally takes to manage a farm, especially with the canopy stretching between greenhouses and the full term plants. With a small team of only two full-time and two part-time employees, Leib has his hands in the dirt and on every plant and keeps the operation efficient. Trimming, curing and storage happen in a series of containers and small buildings onsite, all well suited for the job at hand without being overly developed. While it may be smaller than some large-scale outdoor producers, Ananda Farms plans to stay that way in a market that is doing the opposite. “I’ve been here a long time and I want to get old here,” he said seriously. “I understand the value of taking care of the land and wanting to live in the community here, that’s the difference.”

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has found a symbiotic balance with the soil, climate and region in which he lives and farms. Leib moved to Williams County, an unincorporated county in Southern Oregon in 1999, settling permanently with his house minutes from the future grow site in 2006. He started working at a local herb farm and tincture company and spent 11 years managing the farm component. While working with herbs on the clock, he also began growing medicinally in 2001. Fast forward to 2015, and Ananda Farms was born as a Tier 1 license. “I love Williams,” owner Erik Leib said proudly. “We’re growing the best strains in the best place in the best soil. It’s tilth, terrar and terpenes!” The 11-acre scenic property was once a wild wolf refuge, the only hints remaining the border fences with the razor wire pointed in, not out. It seems fitting that the refuge for the majestic, misunderstood animals lives on as a haven for a historically misunderstood plant. Sitting in the shadow of the Grayback Mountain range in the heart of the Siskiyou range, Ananda Farms has a unique microclimate and fertile native soils that have worked perfectly for cultivating Cannabis. “It’s so lush and peaceful here, and we’re building into the native soil so that what’s growing here is unique to the location. We cleared the land and logged it and are composting it down, amending the native soil and testing the soil the whole time to balance the minerals. It’s building biology and letting it do its thing,” he said. Testing the soil is a semi-annual process for the farm to ensure that the microbiology is healthy for growth. Looking around the rows of tall, evenly space plants this effort is evidenced by the heavy presence of other plants, like cover crops, that coexist with the Cannabis. The grasses and small plants mix well with the 25 strains growing onsite. The wide-open basin sits halfway up a large hillside, receiving direct natural light that has driven plants well over 10-feet in height. “Our method of low fertilization and mineral balancing means no products are added in to affect the flavors. It’s all natural and a representation of the plant and how it’s grown,” he said passionately. “We invest in the soil and the plants and the strains, and while we don’t have a ton of output what we do put out is going to be good. I want it NANDA FARMS OWNER ERIK LEIB


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benson elvis

@BENSON.ELVIS

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FOUNDED 2014 50+ STRAINS 1,950 PLANTS 5 EMPLOYEES

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BY NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415

It

WAS A CRISP OCTOBER MORNING

as we wound our way up the gravel mountainside road towards our destination, the Benson Elvis gardens high in the Siskiyou Mountains outside of Jacksonville, Oregon in the Applegate Valley. After a mile or so of switchbacks, we were stopped in our tracks as we rounded a bend and gained an incredible view to the south, and below us sat a large greenhouse and row after row of Cannabis plants, all glowing in the morning sun. After taking a moment to soak in the view, we continued down towards the gardens. As

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we approached the farm, we were first greeted by the five dogs and cat that live on-site. Owner Noah Levine was collecting eggs from the farm’s chickens when we arrived. After welcoming us, Levine introduced us to his lead farmer Matt and his wife Liv and began familiarizing us with his operation. “I’m self-funded, just rolling profits from the medical days into what you see here,” he said. Benson Elvis is a large farm, boasting two OLCC Tier 2 Outdoor licenses on 200 acres, which allows Levine and crew to grow up to 80,000 square feet of flowering canopy between the two licenses. The two licenses are separated by about a 1/2 mile, both sitting at around 3,000 feet of elevation. The property is off-grid and has no running water or power.

Levine’s operation in Oregon was established in early 2014 after he relocated from Shasta County, California. The immense financial hurdles, poorly established initial regulations and minimal aboveboard competition in Oregon at the time were all factors in the decision. At the farm’s elevation, it gets very cold at night, stimulating the Cannabis plants’ natural stress responses and aiding in the production of terpenes. Terpene production is largely governed by abiotic factors such as temperature, humidity and lumens, and intensities in any area can either catalyze or inhibit development. Originally established in California where a majority of the Cannabis industries’ new genetics PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS


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BLOOD ORANGE TANGIE

HIGH-CBD Mendo Montage x Harlequin

OWNERS Noah & Liv Levine with son, Asher.

SYNCHRONICITY IRENE OG X MENDO BREATH

ranging from almost-black-purple to lime green with splashes of orange and yellow as fan leaves displayed the maturing plants’ age. The flowers were coated in gleaming trichomes and even the slightest rub of a stem produced heavenly aromas. Despite a staggering Instagram following, amazing genetics and an elite property, each season is a challenge to stay afloat and growing. With competition in the marketplace growing daily and the wholesale cost down significantly, growers are challenged more than ever to be efficient and innovative with their operations. “Surviving is the new killing it,” Levine says with a laugh. Through years of cultivation experience in

California’s medical market, Levine has stayed learning and has continued to revised farm practices to their current standard of a fully organic and minimalist regimen. The crew uses native soil with a couple of organic amendments and compost teas only. “Our goal is to change people’s minds about sun-grown,” Levine said. “We don’t answer to anybody, except quality.” This past season, the brand made significant headway by developing partnerships with several of Oregon’s top hydrocarbon processors, including White Label Extracts and Echo Electuary. Keep an eye out by winter for this season’s flowers and extract collaborations.

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are born, Benson Elvis has a Rolodex of flavors that reads like a cultivator’s Christmas wish list; Purple Champagne from Dungeon’s Vault Genetics, Road Dawg by Karma Genetics, Cherry Chem #1 from South Fork Seeds, the MAC from Capulator, Greasy Monkey by Exotic Genetics, Blood Orange Tangie bred by Crockett and selected and gifted by Southern Humboldt Concentrates, and more. This season, the team at Benson Elvis is growing 36 strains and 52 total phenotypes. In addition, they’re hunting through 650 unique phenos from 33 new strains in their greenhouse.Between the elevation, varied genetics, native soil, and time of year, the flowers Levine showed us as we toured his gardens were absolutely wild. We saw a rainbow of colors


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SACREd FLOWER FARMS NOV. 2018

PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS


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COFOUNDERS Mark Simpkins, Bill Frost and Brett Seder

BY WES ABNEY @BEARDEDLORAX

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fertile grounds are filled with a unique blend of organic Alpaca manure, cover crops like comfrey and 17 different strains in native soil just minutes from downtown Medford, Oregon. A true urban farm by definition, the farm sits next to an industrial hemp crop and a neighborhood that has grown accustomed to Cannabis cultivation. With a small team of owners and workers, the Sacred Flower family has worked hard on their third season in the dirt, growing full term Cannabis without pesticides, commercial nutrients or massive overhead. “It goes to the idea of flowers feeding flowers,” said Mark Simpkins, co-founder and master gardener on site. “We use natural amendments and alpaca poop, and the only thing we brought in was earthworm castings and heavy mulch to protect the soil.” Growing in natural soil is how crops have been produced for millennia, but Cannabis growers have traditionally foregone the bounty provided by nature, opting instead for synthetic soils and nutrients. Sacred Flower has chosen to work with the earth and the quality topsoil provided by Southern Oregon, adding to the rich topsoil with natural fermentations from plants grown onsite that provide vital nutrients to the Cannabis and positively amend the dirt. “I believe it’s a super clean way to grow with nature, and the end result is so much better when you’re working with the ecological system the way it was designed to work. We pump the plants full of natural ferments from Korean Natural Farming (KNF) techniques and our own fertilizers, and the plants thrive in them,” Simpkins explained. “In the end we have a quality product that is free of pesticides or chemicals.” Continues next pg >>

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BLACK CHERRY CHEESECAKE COOKIES

ACRED FLOWER FARMS’


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SACRED FLOWER FARMS << Continued from previous page

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the beds of strains shows the variety of genetics, with plants in every color of fall. Deep purples and bright yellows and greens mix in with the thick colas that burst with natural flavors and terpenes. Strains like Black Cherry Cheesecake Cookies ooze with creamy, earthy-dank sugar and leave fingers sticky after a squeeze. The Cannabis strains are clearly thriving, all while coexisting with other plants, and dependent on the friendly family of alpacas on site. With the majority of the crop destined to be dried and cured as smokable flower, the purity is what drives the value of the brand and product. “The goal is to provide people with the cleanest flower on the market and let them know the way we’re growing, through KNF and Dragonfly Earth Medicine certified products is to be in tune with mother nature,” cofounder Bill Frost said passionately. “If you’re putting a product in your body it should be as clean as possible. This is medicine at its purest form first.” While the products grown and sold from the farm are destined for the recreational marketplace, the team behind the plants hope that consumers value sun-grown Cannabis, and those that seek to grow it in as natural format as possible. “We believe in setting a small footprint, [without] pesticides and to be as sustainable as possible,” Frost explained. “We’re not an Ikea footprint. It’s an organic controlled chaos. We believe mother nature had a reason for how we should grow.” ALKING THROUGH

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TANG BREATH

PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS


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ALPACAS FUELS THE FARM

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THE BLACK @SACRED.FLOWER.FARMS SACREDFLOWERFARMS.COM

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INSPECTING FINISHED INSANE IN THE MEMBRANE

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raw zen farms

OWNERS Matthew & Kayla Leonard with some of their Forbidden Fruit.

BY WES ABNEY @BEARDEDLORAX

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pioneering with a dream of growing Cannabis, Matthew and Kayla Leonard are raising a family on their Cannabis farm. Their journey with Cannabis began in Issaquah, Washington in the medical Cannabis industry, where Matthew operated Eastside Greenlight, a collective garden-style dispensary in the pre-legalization era. Passionate about growing and sourcing the best Cannabis possible, he used his skill set to craft a quality dispensary that focused on patients and craft Cannabis. Along with many of the early Cannabis businesses in Washington, he found himself displaced from the retail marketplace in the transition from medical to recreational Cannabis and made the move with his wife and daughter to Southern Oregon. Putting every resource and ounce of energy into the move, the family Invited for settled onto a beautiful homestead with a house and Cannabis grow onsite, a thriving vegetable garden and a grazing land for Wagyu cattle that spread around the property. Growing pesticide-free in the native soil, the family uses little more than fishbone and IKE MODERN HOMESTEADERS

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worm castings to feed the already fertile ground. On the cusp of their second harvest, they sat the Oregon Leaf team down over a harvest dinner to talk about their passion for Cannabis, and the journey that led them to the harvest. “It certainly took us to our limits to be here now, but we just don’t quit,” Matthew said. “We are passionate about our craft and survive based on our quality and cleanliness.” From the vegetables that feed the family to the plants that support them, the mantra of family farm permeates through the Leonard’s household. “We’re trying to live the family farm life here. Our daughter goes to a Montessori in the neighborhood with many Cannabis families present, and this is our community. It was wine here, and now it’s weed in this community” Kayla said. “We would love for our children to carry this on someday if that’s what they dinner are passionate about, and our daughters know that it is our medicine and our plant.” The couple met when Matthew was operating his dispensary where Kayla was a patient, and they bonded over a common love for the plant. Their wedding, shortly before the

recreational transition disrupted the business, included a Cannabis-infused cake. Moving south to Oregon was the last option, but a positive change that has brought blessings to the family. “We never planned on leaving the Washington industry, it was a big part of our relationship and passion,” Kayla explained. “Our new life is awesome. It’s a lot different, but we can grow exactly how we want to, as natural as we want with complete control over the product we grow. It’s proof that you can’t give up! You have to keep pushing and know that when you are working with your passion it will happen eventually.” The passion for quality is evident on the farm. Raw Zen’s mantra is respecting the rawness of Cannabis, keeping pesticides from touching the plant, and caring about the product that people will consume. Almost all the flower this year is fresh frozen and destined for a handful of concentrate companies, where the purity of the product will lead to top shelf and clean concentrates. “Being a shop owner was amazing,” Matthew says smiling. “My love has always been to grow and be on the farm — Maybe I grow more strains than is good for me, but I love it! I have to pheno hunt and continue to select and find the best strains to grow. Despite the hardships of this journey, I’m really happy.”

PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS


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@RAWZENFARM RAWZENFARMS.COM

FOUNDED 2017 30+ STRAINS 300+ PLANTS 3 EMPLOYEES

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The Applegate Valley shows off its colors

CHERRY PIE

DOSIDO

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conscious cultivators C BY WILL FERGUSON @710DENCIES

is one of the last few medical farms operating out of Willamette Valley, Oregon. The 48-plant OMMP farm features a variety of full-season cultivars that are completely mold and mildew resistant. The plants were enduring moisture from the rainfall that day, however, not one leaf or bud showed any signs of powdery mildew (PM) or mold. The strains are developed and bred for resistance, smell and taste in many different microclimates throughout the west coast and beyond. Joshua Stroud, owner of Conscious Cultivators, has been breeding Cannabis for over 15 years and has mastered the art of growing in the Willamette Valley. His family got the property to provide access to higher quality Cannabis for their elders, Joshua said, utilizing his strains for their medicine and well-being. Joshua has been breeding Cannabis since 1995, when he lived in Humboldt County, California. At that time, his mother received one of the first medical cards in California, which allowed Josh to cultivate and breed without fear of prosecution. Joshua credits the innovation and continued support of his father to get the farm and the team where they are today. Joshua works with other cultivators throughout the world to enhance their own genetics with his breeding stock. Each strain grown and bred is completely sun grown. This gives the strains a natural, sun-kissed terpene profile that can only be replicated by the sun. “I’m tempted to see the diversity,” Stroud said, as he has worked with many elite strains and made them even stronger and more resistant. It was incredible to see most strains uncovered and enduring the morning rains, yet no signs of disease or deficiency. Josh has bred many common variants to be mold resistant such as Dog Walker and Blue Cheese crosses. It will be exciting to watch Conscious Cultivators shift to the recreational market, as many of their strains and flower will surely be sought after by full season growers and smokers.

oregonlEAF.COM

ONSCIOUS CULTIVATORS

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PURPLE ELEPHANT

PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS


OMMP GARDEN - 47 STRAINS - 48 PLANTS - 8 PATIENTS

SOUR CHERRY U-DUB

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@CONSCIOUSCULTIVATORS FB/CONSCIOUSCULTIVATORS

STINKY PINK (PINK BURMESE X MAZARI HASH PLANT)

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GARDENERS April Sutherby, Angela Stroud, and Moon

BREEDER Joshua Stroud

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LEAD GARDENER Tanner Johansen


breeder of the month

Peter Butsch

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Photo by PETE ALPORT @PETE_ALPORT


THE harvest issue

Co-owner of Massive Seeds and Roganja By SIMONE FISCHER @SIMONEFISCHERR

When did you start growing Cannabis and when did you transition to breeding exclusively? I started growing my own Cannabis the summer of 1987, after watching my Dad tend to his Ganja patches every summer since 1975. Breeding and growing Cannabis go hand in hand for us. What defines authentic/quality Cannabis breeding? Quality Cannabis breeding for Massive Seeds means having a large population of phenotypes (female and male) to choose from and selecting for the high, nose and taste, appearance and vigor. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to grow and select from a full acre of Cannabis at our farm Roganja located in the Rogue Valley. [This requires] growing cultivars in their natural outdoor environment so you can see and select their true genetic expression (phenotype) in a specific terroir and spending the time and energy to lock down desired traits over multiple filial generations. [Which combines] intuitive breeding skills with newly available science, like terpene profiles, from labs and genotyping from Phylos Bioscience. What is your biggest critique of the current Cannabis breeding scene in 2018? The consumer looks at two main things when they purchase Cannabis, strain name and potency. This forces many breeders to work only with hype or name brand strains or to focus solely on potency which further bottlenecks the gene pool. It’s easy to call people out for pollen chucking but good to remember that many famous and favorite strains came from random crosses, accidents and even bag seed - think OG, Gorilla Glue #4, Chemdog, and Girl Scout Cookies. Exotic and special cultivars have a mysterious way of manifesting themselves in our gardens and it’s up to the breeder to recognize and capture in seed or clone form.

What is your least favorite aspect of breeding? Waiting a full year to see the outcome of our breeding projects. The stress of bringing male pollen into a garden of sensimilla. What do you look for in ideal Cannabis genetics? Personally, I want something that makes me feel great, smells and tastes delicious, and is pretty to look at. I like energizing sativas, like our Yuki Dog that tastes like diesel fuel and goes well with sport activities like surfing and snowboarding. I also like strains that are beautiful to grow like our Pineapple Pomegranate with her pink pistils and exotic coloration.

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What are some cultivars you have created? Some of our heirloom strains include Rogue Valley Wreck, Pineapple Pomegranate, Lemon Pineapple, Dads Durban, Elfstone, and Rogue Blue Cheese. We are also attempting to stabilize some classics into seed form through backcrossing of the original progeny. These include Jack Herer, Thin Mint GSC, Chem91, Purple Hindu Kush, Durban Poison and OG Kush. We have some brand-new tasty flavors from our 2017 “Gas Project” just now curing at Roganja like Playboi OG, Yuki Dog, Dog Jog, Summer Sunset OG, Chem 541, and Purple Lemon Chem.

“WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GROW AND SELECT FROM A FULL ACRE OF CANNABIS AT OUR FARM ROGANJA LOCATED IN THE ROGUE VALLEY.”


Ar

@FarOutFarmsOregon

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Our full line up of owers + distillates now available at

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


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


RECIPES

by laurie wolf Photos By Bruce wolf

Stoned, Stuffed.

THESE CANNABIS-INFUSED THANKSGIVING SIDE DISHES ADD A LITTLE EXTRA LOVE TO YOUR MEAL, TURNING YOUR ADULTS-ONLY DINNER INTO SOMETHING NO ONE WILL FORGET. REMEMBER: DON’T DRIVE OR OPERATE HEAVY MACHINERY. WE RECOMMEND TAKING A LITTLE WALK AFTERWARD AND JUST ENJOYING THE HOLIDAZE.

74 MAC AND CHEESE BRUSSEL SPROUT PECAN STIRFRY

Brussel sprouts have become fashionable. And for good reason. So many ways to prepare them that allow their somewhat cabbage-like flavor to shine through. Years ago, they were boiled beyond recognition and tasted awful. When treated properly they are a fantastic vegetable. Give them another chance. This is a refreshing salad that can be served hot or at room temp. Add some cooked bacon and chicken and you have a lovely onebowl Cannabis-infused meal.

oregonlEAF.COM

2 tablespoons olive oil 1 lb. shredded brussel sprouts, bottoms removed 1/2 cup pecan pieces 1/3 cup cooked chestnuts, chopped 4 teaspoons canna-olive oil Juice of ½ Lemon Pinch Salt & Pepper

In a large skillet heat the olive oil. When hot add the brussel sprouts and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes. Remove to a bowl. Add the pecans to the pan and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add the chestnuts and cook an additional 3 minutes. Combine the brussel sprouts, pecans, and chestnuts in a bowl. Add canna-olive oil, lemon juice, and salt and pepper and toss before serving.

NOV. 2018

One of the contenders for the best comfort food. Hard to beat a good mac and cheese with a crunchy topping. Everyone wants a piece with crust. This is just what the doctor ordered. Also delicious with a mix of cheeses, try Gouda and Swiss – totally yummy.

8 ounces elbow macaroni 4 tablespoons butter 4 teaspoons canna-butter 1 tablespoon flour 1 cup milk 1 cup half and half 1/2 teaspoon salt Pinch black pepper 2 cups good quality medium-sharp shredded Cheddar cheese 1/2 cup Cheddar crackers 1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs

All dishes serve 4

CAULIFLOWER WITH CUMIN

(if you happen to live in Oregon the cheese crackers by Laurie and MaryJane are a great infused replacement for the breadcrumbs.

A fantastic way to prepare the under-loved cauliflower. In the last year or two, it has begun to get the attention it deserves. Roasting this vegetable is magical, and with Cannabis and cumin - perfection. And it looks so cool prepared this way! I worked with the strain Gorilla Glue from Eco Firma Farm. A lovely smoking and infusing strain, I highly recommend it. If you have cauliflower leftover you can turn this into a soup. Puree in the blender with some hot vegetable broth and some half-and-half.

Pre-heat oven to 340° F. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to al dente package directions. Rinse with cold water, toss with a teaspoon of oil and set aside.

1 medium head cauliflower, sliced in 4 2 tablespoons olive oil 4 teaspoons canna-olive oil 2 teaspoons cumin 1 teaspoon cumin seeds Pinch Salt & Pepper

In a medium saucepan melt the butters. Add the flour and cook on low, and stir 3-4 min. Add the milk and half and half and stir till smooth and starting to thicken. Stir in the salt and pepper and the cheese. In a small bowl or ramekin, mix the breadcrumbs and remaining cheddar. Bake mixture until melted and starting to turn golden brown.

Pre-heat oven to 340° F. Lay the slices of cauliflower on a baking sheet with sides. Brush with the oils and sprinkle with the cumin, salt and pepper. Roast the cauliflower until golden and tender, about 25-30 minutes.





REVIEWS

TANGOS

78

“THESE VEGAN, ORGANIC CONFECTIONS HAVE BECOME INSANELY POPULAR WITH CUSTOMERS IN OREGON.”

BY LUNCHBOX ALCHEMY

A

REVIEW by PACER STACKTRAIN

hh gummies, the form of Cannabis edible that all of

oregonlEAF.COM

us seem to crave. Lunchbox Alchemy is no stranger to this confection, of course - as their Squibs have been on the market since before statewide recreational legalization took hold. With their latest offering, however, Lunchbox Alchemy has upped their game with Tangos. These 10 packs of gummy goodness are some of the most delectable and fun edibles that we’ve consumed yet. First, let’s talk about the serious sweet and sourness of these little goodies. These really are some of the most sour and tangy confections I’ve ever consumed – for some they may be a bit too sour) but for this

NOV. 2018

reviewer – I found them to be addictively delicious. So much so, that I’d actually eat these if they weren’t infused with Cannabis. They also come in a great flavor lineup with Key Lime, Blood Orange, Green Apple, Raspberry and Strawberry in each packet. All of these are infused with Lunchbox’s full spectrum Cannabis oil. There are really only two drawbacks I found; one, they tend to fuse together a bit in the heat. The second drawback I encountered was a more unevenly distributed experience with one of the packets, meaning that dosing was a bit off. With that said, these vegan, organic confections have become insanely popular with customers in Oregon. Yes, the people have spoken, and the people love Tangos by Lunchbox Alchemy!

PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS


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U R B A N _ P H A R M S

EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTION COURTESY OF hello@sweetlifedistro.com

SWEET LIFE



REVIEWS

By WILL FERGUSON @710DENCIES

Banana Split is a terpene-rich fusion of

Tangie and Banana Sherbet that highlights sweet banana flavors with acidic, tart, orange to create a unique taste that lingers on the palette. These diamonds from Funk Extracts are covered in a serum that is reminiscent of sorbet ice cream. The THCA-A boulders are rather large and can be found swimming amongst a pool of citrus terpenes. The boulders are easy to break up and portion into any size dab. The hits were expansive, however, each dab I took was gradually smoother than the last. The flavor is an even split between Banana Sherbet and Tangie, with each strain being the highlighted flavor depending on temperature. The effects are uplifting and cerebral regardless of which strain dominates the flavor profile. I would recommend this strain to patients and consumers that suffer from appetite loss, pain and anxiety as it relaxes the body and frees it from stress.

oregonlEAF.COM

82

“SWIMMING AMONGST A POOL OF CITRUS TERPENES”

VALUE

4/5

TASTE

4/5

EFFECT

5/5

PACKAGING

5/5

TOTAL

18/20

BANANA SPLIT P ROC E S S E D BY

G ROWN BY

B R E D BY

FUNK EXTRACTS

POSEIDON’S ELEMENT

CROCKETT FAMILY FARMS

NOV. 2018

Photos by CHRIS RYAN @CANNABIS.PHOTO



P R E- R O L L PR ODU CTS

Organically Cultivated By:

MINDFULLY SELECTED STRAINS FOR ANY MOMENT OF YOUR DAY ORGANIC, ECO-FRIENDLY, RECYCLABLE AND SUSTAINABLE PRODUCED THROUGH A SHARED COMMITMENT TO REGENERATIVE FARMING PRACTICES BONDED BY A MISSION TO HEAL THE MIND AND BODY

AVA I L A B L E AT:

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SACRE DFLOWER FAR M S .CO M

B A I L E YA N D M U R P H Y. C O M


420 NE 60th Ave urbanfarmacypdx.com (503) 957-7832

Hours: Mon/Tues: 10:00AM - 9:00PM Weds - Sat: 10:00AM - 9:45PM Sun: 11:00AM - 7:00PM Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of marijuana. For use only by adults 21 years of age and older. Keep marijuana out of the reach of children.


glass art

86

WATER BUFFALO GLASS @WATERBUFFALOGLASS was crafted from clear, fume and Northstar Glass’ Purple Lilac. The elegant piece of glass stands at a respectable 10.25” inches tall, has a 14mm joint, and was constructed over the course of about two hours. Melting since 2010, Water Buffalo Glass currently operates out of a private studio in North Portland where he fashions custom pieces for consumers worldwide. His unique works can be found at most any of the Mary Jane’s House of Glass locations across the Northwest.

oregonlEAF.COM

This gorgeous cut-lip, can-style rig

[ PRESENTING PARTNER ]

NOV. 2018

STORY & PHOTO by NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415




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