The Chronic Magazine (Jan. 2021) by The Chronic Magazine

THE BEST MEDICAL MARIJUANA RESOURCEÂ IN OKLAHOMA WWW.THEOKLAHOMACHRONIC.COM

CHRONIC CANNABIS CONSUMPTION

Marijuana and Mental Health A

Simply Bare: Canna-skincare

CONVERSATION

WITH

KOLTON

KROTTINGER

Plus a look at what's to come for cannabis in 2021

The Oklahoma Chronic Magazine

STAFF Therin Miller || Chief Operations Officer

Kayla Johnson || Editor Instagram: @ladyofhousej

Instagram: @oklahomachronicmagazine

Veronica Castillo || Writer

Melissa Hall || Canna Critic

Instagram: @v2_traveling_veg_canna_writer

Instagram: @okcannacritic

Dr. Pepper Hernandez || Writer Instagram: @dr.pepperhernandez

Rachel Klubeck || Cannabis Attorney / Writer

Chef Buz Deliere || Canna Chef Instagram: @medibles_ok

Chynna Pearson || Writer Instagram: @chynnathewriter

Instagram: @roklubeck

Terrisha Harris || Graphic Designer Instagram: @smoke_tree_cannabis

Philip Rodriguez || Writer Instagram: @wheretosmokeokc

CONTENTS CONTENTS O OK KL LA AH HO OM MA A

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2 20 02 21 1

MARIJUANA AND MENTAL HEALTH By Chynna Pearson

COUGHY TALK

By Kayla Johnson

HEALTHIER CANNABIS CONSUMPTION By Chynna Pearson

GROWING HOPE By Kayla Johnson

BIG PLAINS, BIG POTENTIAL by Carisa Rowe

SIMPLY BARE CANNASKINCARE By Kayla Johnson

FROM THE CHRONIC TEAM

MONTHLY RECIPE - CHEF BUZ

CHRONIC RECOVERY

Alright, 2021, let's take it nice and easy...we don't want any trouble, okay? After the insanity that can be summed up as '2020', I think we're all feeling a mixture of excitement over a new year, and nervous about the kind of year it'll be. After all, we were all so positive last go around... All humor aside for now, I hope the early weeks of 2021 bring health and goodness for you and yours. After the stress of last year bringing everyone down, we here at the Chronic are determined to llook ahead to what's likely to be the biggest year for legal cannabis in history. We have several big things lined up for the next eleven issues, and can't wait to continue to share the stories of Oklahoma cannabis.

By Carisa Rowe

WORLD OF CANNABINOIDS AND TERPENES

Exploring Alpha-Bisabolol 57

WHERE TO SMOKE IN OKLAHOMA The Pump

69 Be safe and be well! Have a story? Please let us know at theoklahomachronic@outlook.com!

Red Eye Stuffed Peppers

MONTHLY CANNABIS REVIEW Oreoz By 405 Phresh Harvest

CANNABIS SURVIVOR By Kayla Johnson

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MARIJUANA AND MENTAL HEALTH By Chynna Pearson

Mental health is just as important as physical health, even if we don’t often treat it that way. One of the most common reasons people use medical marijuana is their mental health. In my college town, a massive amount of students had their medical cards and used different methods of consumption to assist with their mental illnesses (usually anxiety and types of depression). Most, if not all, the people I spoke to about it had a consensus that it worked very well for them and expert research supported their personal findings. Using marijuana for mental health is just as helpful as it can be for physical health issues like pain and acne. Marijuana can be considered a natural, extremely versatile treatment for many illnesses. It’s time we treat mental health the way we do physical health and make more progress in treating illnesses we have known about for decades. For too long have we treated mental health with the same old medicines; it’s time to move forward and discover something new, something naturally occurring, and something easily affordable.

Cannabis has been studied for decades. Beginning in the 1940s, scientists began testing out and analyzing effects on the body. However, it wasn’t until the 1990s that we discovered the endocannabinoid system; a system that is composed of endocannabinoids, which are endogenous lipid-based retrograde neurotransmitters that bind to cannabinoid receptors, and cannabinoid receptor proteins that are expressed throughout the vertebrate central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. This system helps regulate our entire body and interacts with cannabis when it enters our system. Due to this, it makes sense that marijuana is so good at assisting with pain and mental health issues. A study by CannaCon found that marijuana can assist with depression, anxiety, seizures, schizophrenia, post traumatic stress disorder, sleep, stress, and overall cognitive ability. They say, “the age-old misconceptions regarding its use have hindered the image of cannabis.” CannaCon goes on to explain that using marijuana with depression with “regular use, you can drive the problem away gradually. OKLAHOMA CHRONIC

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A study also suggests the same and highlights the ability of cannabis to sharpen cognitive abilities. Thus, cannabis acts as a therapeutic medicine in the treatment and helps in clearing your mind to regain your mental health.” Further study also concludes that the anti-inflammatory properties in cannabis can strengthen the brain and the treatment of neuroinflammatory diseases like meningitis and sepsis. During this past year, mental health issues have become more and more common as we move through this unfortunate time. The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the nation’s mental health in unprecedented ways. Mental Health America reported, “In September 2020, the rate of moderate to severe anxiety peaked, with over 8 in 10 people who took an anxiety screen scoring with moderate to severe symptoms. Over 8 in 10 people who took a depression screen have scored with symptoms of moderate to severe depression consistently since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020.” The mass amounts of unnecessary deaths have left too many families with trauma and sadness, only to be compounded with the loss of a job and not being able to visit anyone. The National Institute of Mental Health claims that the United States has still yet to have real conversations about mental health and many adults often go untreated. It’s time for us to have the difficult conversations so we can grow as people and grow within ourselves. As previously stated, not only can marijuana help with more generalized mental health disorders, it can assist with disorders like insomnia, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer’s. The intense progress that has been made in the study of marijuana has changed so many people's lives. Marijuana has eased the pain of so many health issues that it is hard to believe it isn’t used by more people. When it was discovered that using medical marijuana to combat childhood epilepsy, children all over the world were able to have a much easier, less painful life than previously expected. OKLAHOMA CHRONIC

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Medical marijuana is often considered a better option for epilepsy and parkinsons than the previously prescribed medicines that usually had more side effects and were not as potent. For people who use marijuana for their mental health, it is often that they would use Indica based products rather than Sativa based products. As most of us know, Sativa’s are known to create a head high, focusing on amplifying alertness and energy; both can have negative effects on someone’s symptoms of anxiety. They can unfortunatly induce paranoia. Indica’s are known for putting you “in da couch.” The indica’s body high is usually for relaxation, pain relief, and calmness.

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This is due to the caryophyllene and myrcene terpenes that are commonly in Indica plants. Caryophyllene is a terpene that is naturally occurring in marijuana that is also in rosemary and clove oil, and in nature, it's most commonly found in cloves, black pepper, oregano, and cinnamon. Myrcene is found in mangoes, bay laurel leaves, thyme, and lemongrass. They both are found in hops and basil. Some may say that the distinction between indica and sativa is useless now, though. There has been so much cross breeding that it is hard to tell what is what anyway. Hybrids do tend to lean a certain way, it all may come down to the terpenes present in the plant rather than strain names. Something to think about when it comes to treating mental health with marijuana is that marijuana is not typically an addictive substance. The CDC says that it is possible and more common if you began using under the age of 18. It is more likely for a person using prescription medication to become addicted to their treatment. If you are thinking of using marijuana for your mental health, be sure to consult your doctor before trying anything you are unsure of. Your doctor may also be able to point you in your personal direction for the best healing. Lastly, your mental health does not define you; you can make a change, it is not impossible.

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Cole's family, an important pillar in his life, has been nothing but supportive of his cannabis usage, and it's become a household passion. "Now, pretty much everyone in my family uses THC in some form for themselves. My wife and I have younger kids that we only allow them to use infused gummies. Our daughter has severe ADHD, and we're still in the process of working with her doctors to bring her down from the prescription medications onto cannabis. We've seen firsthand how it helps her. Our younger boy has serious anxiety and depression. He's fifteen, he's not allowed to smoke, but we have gummies and tinctures he can use when he needs it. We keep it all monitored and under control, and it's been a great tool for us." Cole went on to describe his wife's experiences with the plant, and her own change of opinion. "My wife has suffered from anxiety and depression as well, but she's just realized in the last couple of years that she's been on prescriptions for nearly 16 years, and now, cannabis can help with a lot of the things that she's been treated by doctors for for so long. We definitely believe in it and we've seen those benefits firsthand. We even grow for ourselves at home now, our oldest son has a passion for horticulture and cannabis, and besides, it saves quite a bit to be able to grow some of it ourselves." Like many, seeing how the plant has benefited his health and that of his family was the push he needed to take his love of cannabis to the next level. Cole has been working in radio for the past two years, originally starting at IHeartRadio. However, when he decided to approach his bosses with the idea of a cannabis-based talk show on the air, he was quickly shutdown. "I could see that there was a really unique opportunity, and almost immediately, IHeartRadio turned it down, they weren't a fan of the idea of having cannabis on their airwaves. I could tell that we had two very different viewpoints on something important to me, and after that, I knew I needed to look elsewhere, and that's how I ended up at Hank FM. I finally decided to pitch my idea again, and unfortunately, they |Â 12 said yes," he laughed. OKLAHOMA CHRONIC

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"I honestly didn't expect them to agree with it so quickly, and I was a little surprised that they were on board just like that, so I had to figure out what I was doing as quickly as I could." Now, over two months later, Cole's show has already bloomed into more than he had imagined. "Already, we've been picked up by IHeart, Pandora, Spotify, and Amazon. I think the only one we're not on is Apple, and that's just because I haven't taken the time to get an Apple phone and get it on there," he joked." It's ironic to see it on IHeart, considering that they didn't want me to do anything related to cannabis, but now they picked it up after I left." While he's kept much of his focus so far on Oklahoma's cannabis industry and the people who've seen their life change after cannabis, he's also turned his attention to bigger, green fish, including landing an interview with the cannabis legend himself, Tommy Chong that will be available to listen to before this story comes out. "I made a great connection with someone I met who was representing Tommy's brand here in Oklahoma, and I took the chance to ask what it would take to get him on my show. The guy asked for my card, sent the information off, and I had it scheduled that day. It was just one of those moments that lines up perfectly, and I'm excited to try and bring other celebrities in. I'd love to get Seth Rogen." Part of what makes Oklahoma's cannabis industry so unique is the dedication and passion that people pour into whatever aspect of the industry they're involved in. We LOVE cannabis here, and that's evident in everything the state's industry has to offer, from the flower to the talkshows. Coughy Talk is just one example of how Oklahoma cannabis patients and enthusiasts are taking their love of the plant and turning it into ways to help continue to educate the public, something Cole says he'll continue to push for on his show as it continues to grow. "I'm honored that I get to play such a pivotal role in shedding light on cannabis and changing opinions on what it has to offer people, it's been a wild few months already, and I can't wait to see where we

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Healthier Cannabis Consumption By Chynna Pearson

As cannabis in Oklahoma continues to blossom and grow, consumers are becoming interested in the healthiest way to consume marijuana. Because there are so many different options for patients, it can be difficult to find which one method will be right for you and your specific illness. Patients can use a million different combustion methods, eat or drink edibles, and try a multitude of different tinctures or oils. All can be beneficial but it appears many are shying away from any type of combustive consumption. Why are people leaning toward edibles?

Research Behind Healthy Consumption

Marijuana becomes more available across America every year. Due to that many people are shying away from combustion when it comes to medicating. Of course, it is known that inhaling anything that carries carcinogens is not very healthy. It makes sense for someone who already is feeling ill not to want to potentially worsen their condition. According to Leafly, we should avoid combustion, even though it is thought that the risks of smoking cannabis are less than the risks of smoking tobacco since cigarettes contain other unnatural chemicals. However, if you do choose to smoke cannabis, it is recommended that you avoid inhaling deeply and holding the smoke in your lungs too long. These techniques lessen the amount of toxins that can be absorbed by your lungs.

A report from Healthline compared different ways to consume cannabis through combustion or vaping. They tried bongs, dabbing, vaping, joints, and blunts. As most people have probably heard bongs “filter out the bad stuff,” their research found that maybe a little bit is filtered but definitely not enough for it to actually change anything. For vaping, it seems to carry more of a risk of accidentally greening out but inhaling the vapor is still not good for long-term lung health. As for joints and blunts, it should be obvious but they are still inhaling smoke. Healthline says, if you had to choose between them you might as well choose joints. Blunts are usually made from emptied out tobacco products so they carry more chemicals. It is very common for people to smoke blunts as they are the typical form of smoking in various forms of media today. Music videos, movies, and social media platforms are flooded with people using combustion methods to medicate. At the end of the day, Healthline states you are left with these options: edibles, sublingual, tinctures, topicals, and suppositories. Each of those options are great in making the transition to healthier medicating. Already, the most common way out of those options is eating edibles. OKLAHOMA CHRONIC

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Edibles have endless options for what you could infuse. Due to the creation of cannabutter and cannabis oil, you can basically make anything an edible these days. The only issue with edibles is they take longer to kick in. This also brings the problem of accidentally over-medicating. To combat this, one just needs to be patient and wait for the product to digest before trying to eat another piece or taking another sip. A study on the effects of cannabis consumption on health was done by The National Center for Biotechnology Information which is part of the United States National Library of Medicine, a branch of the National Institutes of Health. They concluded that “the effects of cannabis consumption on health are also connected with the presence of toxic substances in the smoke, derived from the plant itself or from the tobacco consumed at the same time.” For now, cannabis can be consumed pretty healthily as long as there is no combustion. There are many more studies that have been done on this topic that echo the findings of the two mentioned above. Without combustion, there are plenty of ways to meditate without feeling too much of a change. A plus with edibles and the other methods is that you are able to keep the same dosage every time. There isn’t a real worry about overdoing it and, as long as the company who made the product is consistent and you eat a little bit before consuming.

Nature’s Key On Healthy Consumption

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When posed with the question of how to consume cannabis healthier, we looked to Nature’s Key to get a feel for what healthy consumption looks like. Nature’s Key “was founded in 2017 with one goal: To enhance one’s quality of life through cannabis-infused products. We know we won’t accomplish our goal alone, so we take the time to educate our vendors and consumers. We also strive to strengthen the network of growers, processors, and retailers in Oklahoma.

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We support our consumers, vendors, and network in becoming champions for medicinal cannabis and Nature’s Key products.” Nature’s Key believes that edibles are one of the healthiest ways to consume cannabis. Most of Nature’s Key products are strictly edibles. They feature a wide array of gummies, chocolates, and a variety of baked goods. A huge number of dispensaries around Oklahoma have Nature’s Key in their item lists. They have a key focus on education, inclusivity, consistency, integrity, and taking responsibility. Nature’s Key is incredibly devoted to their customers and “promise each consumer consistent dosing and verified potency with every product, every time.” Their devotion to consistency is one of the best things a company like this can focus on. No worries on dosage, each a piece of their artisan chocolate bars, and it’s the same every time. As the prior research told us, edibles are among one of the healthier ways to medicate. Nature’s Key says that when you begin using edibles it is recommended to start with a size anywhere from 2.5-5mg of THC. Beginning with a lower dose is suggested as you can always have more, but you can’t have less. It is important to experiment with different dosages until you find the experience that works effectively for you and your body. The Nature’s Key blog has additional information on their commitment to healthy cannabis consumption. You can even share your own story with them! Articles like “Benefits of Microdosing THC” and “Effects of THC on the Body” are great reads for anyone looking deeper into medicating with cannabis. OKLAHOMA CHRONIC

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Finding a freedom from anxiety Oklahoma's Cannabis Industry By Kayla Johnson If you ask most people who have joined the cannabis or hemp industry in some way, they’ll likely have a story to tell about how they found their way to the green brick road. For some, it was their health, or the health of a loved one that first brought them to cannabis and helped them discover their passion. Others may have taken the bud-based plunge after their first experience with the plant in a recreational setting. Some have supported it since their youth, while others have educated themselves more recently. Whatever their journey to where they are in the industry now, it’s likely been a difficult one, in any number of ways, and cannabis has most likely played an important role in helping them through those difficult times. Needless to say, passions for the plant run deep, and for many, their motivation to help people find help with cannabis like they did is a driving factor in their dive into the industry.

Kolton Krottinger is one such individual who’s taken that motivation and turned it into a growing, interwoven network of cannabis and mentalwellness focused ventures (including writing a #1 Best Seller on Amazon), despite experiencing severe lows just a few years earlier, including struggles with homelessness. He’s brought his passion from the Lone Star State, where he was the first veteran licensed to grow hemp in Texas, and found a way to dive into the Oklahoma cannabis industry that helps Oklahomans who may have found themselves in over their heads with their cannabis-based business due to any number of factors and are trying to get out of the industry. In addition to his work within the industry, he’s also created a group on various social media platforms, Anxiety Hackers, intent on supporting those with anxiety, and turned it into a global movement, with thousands of people worldwide working to help

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share tools and information to help people overcome their anxiety in what is now one of the largest anxietyfocused support groups. It was his search for continued relief from his own anxiety struggles that eventually brought him to cannabis, and now, his work to advocate for both cannabis and anxiety has been noticed across the country, potentially opening the door for what he hopes to be a nation-wide company and much more. For Krottinger, the pathway to his current work really began back in 2013. He had recently gotten out of the military, and unfortunately, like so many veterans, he faced the reality of living on the streets, ending up in a homeless shelter and struggling to overcome the severe anxiety, PTSD, depression, and more, mental health challenges that had been fueled by his experiences in the Navy. While no two stories are the same, chances are, you’ve met someone (or ARE someone) who has lived through similar experiences, and that realization, that it’s something similar to situations that many people struggle with, is part of what inspired Krottinger to start sharing information and tips about anxiety online. Before long, after seeing feedback in support of his advocacy for those suffering with severe anxiety, he took a chance and wrote a book,”The Truth about Anxiety”, and decided to selfpublish it on Amazon. Within twelve hours, his book was listed as a best seller, and as time went on, his online postings came together in a private support group on Facebook, Anxiety Hackers, and has since turned into a wide-ranging

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business venture focused on offering support for those with anxiety, with planners to help manage plans, thoughts, and to-do lists, meditation apps, and courses focused on helping those struggling to find a path to getting through it and managing the stressors of life on top of their anxiety and other challenges. As his organization continued to grow, a new weapon in the war against anxiety came onto Krottinger’s radar: CBD. As we’ve been able to learn more about hemp, it’s becoming apparent that CBD can be an incredible place to start if you’re looking for natural relief from your anxiety, and Krottinger learned that firsthand. Once he experienced it himself and found what a potent tool it could be for many, it became a core focus for him, and Krottinger became the first veteran in the state of Texas to become licensed to grow hemp in order to produce CBD products. It was an important step for Anxiety Hackers and Krottinger alike, and as his business became more successful, it was one that helped turn his attention towards what was happening here in the Sooner State with the medical cannabis program. Realizing the potential benefit that the right THC products could offer to the very people he aimed to help with Anxiety Hackers, Krottinger began the process of researching different opportunities to get involved in the medical market in Oklahoma if he were to relocate. While he found a booming industry was indeed in place, there was also something else he noticed: there were a number of people who had jumped into the industry and were now

struggling severely for one reason or another. Regular folks who had eagerly leaped into the industry with their savings, not realizing the commitment it would take or being hit with problem after problem, never able to get their feet under them, or more recently, impacted by the effects of the pandemic. With the realization of how many people there were that were in a similar situation, Krottinger’s decision was made. He committed to jumping into the industry, using his business experience and passion for the plant that he’d developed to help turn farms around in two birds, one stone situation; offer to turn business around and help earn back their investment, in exchange for ownership of the business once terms were met.

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It was ambitious, like most of Krottinger’s ventures thus far, and once he made the move from Texas to Oklahoma, he set to work on it, eager to build something in Oklahoma’s industry while helping people in the same effort. The opportunity Krottinger offers has been viewed as a lifeline by those who’ve taken him up on his offer; struggling with a business is hard enough, not knowing how you’ll right your ship simply makes it worse. Krottinger's passion for helping others is something that fuels his decision-making, and after he was able to help one business owner exit the industry, the momentum kicked in at record speed. Within thirty days, after starting with zero dollars towards the effort, he had helped nearly a half-dozen farm owners be able to step away from the industry without substantial damage to their pocketbook, and with each farm, Krottinger began to realize the opportunity before him. "I realized we could do so much with what we were beginning to build here, and so the goal shifted from simply trying to buy farms and businesses to really creating a community focused on cannabis, we could bring real jobs in and give people the opportunity to get out of some bad situations," he said. "In a few cases, we've been able to provide housing on a handful of farms for employees to live on-site, helping to reduce their costs of living with fewer bills, and hopefully reducing some of their stress, too." His most recent count has five outdoor grows, three indoor grows, two processors and two dispensaries now a part of his organization, and while he's mindful that that's twelve people and families that have been able to get out of a bad financial bind, he's eager to see that number increase.

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In addition to his focus on Oklahoma, each step is one closer owards what he hopes to be a national movement, fueled by the work he's doing here. "One day, I really hope to be seen as the Nike of cannabis; by that time, we'll be in any state that it's legal in, as we're working on expanding, and I want people to feel confident that they can walk into any dispensary where they see our product, anywhere in the country, and walk out with something that's safe and that will give them the relief and effects they're looking for." As passionate as he is about the growth if his business, Krottinger maintains a balance between eagerness to grow and determination to change the industry as we know it. "I don't like to compete. We do things so out of the box that we have no competitors. We're here to create a movement, and that's what we're going to do. So many get into this industry, they just want to start a farm, and they're focused on the money," he said. "I tell people that I'm not running to get rich, I'm running to escape, and I'm trying to do something bigger than myself. It's not about me, it's about Anxiety Hackers, and these grows, and how we can change peoples' lives." Like so many, Krottinger has seen his life change after becoming involved in the cannabis industry and credits overcoming his early struggles with anxiety and mental health with giving him the tools he needed to create something special. "If there's one thing I've learned, it's that what matters isn't what you do when things are going great, when you have your friends and support system around you. It's what you do when you've got nothing that counts.

You're gonna have bad days and hard times, and what you do when you've been to hell and back really matters. Resilience is so important, and it's probably the hardest lesson I had to learn myself." Krottinger's efforts haven't gone unnoticed outside of the industry; his moves to stake a claim in Oklahoma cannabis while throwing a muchneeded lifeline to those who need it has caught the attention of media giants and network producers interested in creating a show on the cannabis industry, to help shine a light on the work he's doing.

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Part of the appeal of his story is the fact that he's clawed his way back from the brink, proving that cannabis can be the missing link to help people create a better life for themselves and others. It's something many of us can relate to, and having the opportunity to share his story on a national platform opens the door for additional focus on anxiety and mental health, and the benefits cannabis has to offer for those who struggle with their mental health. "The biggest obstacle so far has been simply reminding people that it's okay to not be okay, that it's a battle every day, but the more you prepare for it, the better the outcome generally is. I hope to be able to continue to share that message, and show that cannabis is a big piece of the puzzle, and I'm really looking forward to seeing where we can take this next."

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Oklahoma Cannabis in 2021 You made it. You survived 2020 and have arrived in 2021, no doubt hopeful for renewed energy to tackle all the things that were overlooked while we were all collectively surviving. Last year was all about hunkering down and evaluating the tumultuous situation the world exists in. This year is about focused energy and manifesting opportunity. The cannabis industry slows for no man, or global pandemic, or political sideshow, or murder hornets, or Tiger Kings, or any of that. Cannabis in the United States still has a lot of potential for growth and Oklahoma is a proving ground for innovation and creativity across the industry. In order to remain wellness-focused and growthminded, patients and entrepreneurs alike should pay careful attention to the haze-filled horizon. While 2020 provided endless opportunity to scroll TikTok, get to workinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on our fitness, and try our hands at homemade bread, 2021 will be no sleeper.

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Canadian investors are the hottest trend in the U.S. cannabis market. With a legal adult-use market, Canada has nothing but goose-filled air and the opportunity to create wealth. Our northern neighbors are poised to expand investment opportunities across the United States and seem to be closely watching New York before fully raising the flood gates. New York, a medical state which has decriminalized cannabis, led by Governor Andrew Cuomo is on the verge of legalizing adult use. Cuomo has stated he is ready to sign a competent bill into law as soon as it is presented. Once New York goes live with their adult use cannabis market, it will be only a matter of time before we see Canadian investors clamoring to get a bite of that American pie. This provides endless opportunities for cannabis business owners and for cannabis aficionados to expand their investment portfolios. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not gonna lie, holding stock in an international weed firm sounds pretty swaggy.

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Federal laws are undergoing big changes but don’t get your hopes up for federal legalization just yet. Despite the fact that four of the five most populated cities in the United States will allow for adult use cannabis in 2021, neither the feds nor the legislative, judicial, or executive branches are going to be rocketing toward legalization this year. After that dumpster fire we all just survived, they’ve got bigger fish to fry – at least for now. What we can look to are the SAFE Banking Act and the STATES Act. The Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Act is a House of Representatives companion initiative to the STATES Act from the Senate. The SAFE Banking Act prohibits a federal banking regulator from penalizing a depository institution for providing banking services to a legitimate marijuana- or hemprelated business. This means that FDIC-insured banks would no longer be at risk of losing their federally-backed financial insurance for providing banking services to cannabis businesses. The language of the bill goes on to clarify that federal regulators could not use persuasive techniques or scare tactics to influence a banking institution, insurance agency, or mortgage company to avoid cannabis businesses. This is a pivotal move in legislative language as it provides some protections from cannabis discrimination. The Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States (STATES) Act is not only a mouthful but also a great measure to further empower states to govern their own cannabis industries. The STATES Act would eliminate federal jurisdiction for criminal and civil action wherein a competent and compliant state oversight committee is able to govern. This benefits cannabis business owners in several ways but namely in that the language of the bill specifically denotes cannabis business as federally-legal business when conducted

in a lawful manner within compliance of state laws, effectively eliminating 280E taxes and allowing cannabis businesses to realize more of their profits. By giving full governance to states over cannabis industry development, this act would make it much harder for federal agents to unnecessarily disrupt cannabis commerce. This bill also excludes hemp as a marijuana product, removing irrelevant burdens from the hemp industry. OKLAHOMA CHRONIC

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With major investment firms lurking and cannabis regulations easing by the day, corporations like Coca Cola, Constellation Brands, Novartis, and Miracle-Gro are looking for their opportunities to capitalize on cannabis. Novartis, a Swedish pharmaceutical company has partnered its generic line, Sandoz, with Tilray, a Canadian cannabis superpower. Tilray and Sandoz create and manufacture non-combustible cannabis products and while Novartis claims it isn’t focused on cannabis, it would be foolish to underestimate their power and influence. Constellation Brands holds labels you are familiar with like Modelo Especial, Svedka Vodka, and Casa Noble Tequila, among many other brands of libations, to include a craft beer called Funky Buddha. Constellation also holds a 40% stake in Canopy Growth, a cannabis mega hitter out of Canada. With brands like Funky Buddha and Canopy Growth under their belt, Constellation Brands has one heck of an upper hand and is certainly a company that cannabis industry eyes should be watching. Cannabis concentrates have been gaining steam (ha, pun) for some time now and 2021 can expect to keep that banger bead rollin’. Concentrates are high-dose cannabinoid products wherein the trichomes have pulled from the plant material and filtered so that they can be vaporized or ingested. These refined oils come in many forms these days but the most attention should be paid to solventless concentrates. These high-powered concentrates feature cannabinoids harvested in a variety of ways and then further refined to create a number of different textures and consumption experiences. Some collection methods are familiar to old weedheads, like bubble hash: using micron filter bags to “wash” ground flower through ice water and a series of fine mesh bags until the majority of plant material is filtered out leaving a mound of pure cannabinoids. Another popular concentrate is live resin. Live resin is created by taking live plant material or fresh frozen flower and applying

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intense pressure and low heat to squeeze all the sticky, cannabinoidcarrying trichomes off the plant, producing fragrant dabs that are heavenly when vaporized at a low temp. These evolutions in concentrate production mean that patients get access to stronger doses of medicine, which can mean needing to medicate less often. There’s no shortage of devices to help administer concentrates and a great head shop or your favorite dispensary can walk you through the wonderland of options. With Oklahoma as proving ground, residents and cannabis patients should expect to see massive changes in commerce and sweeping regulatory changes to match. The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority’s contract with Metrc has many cannabis business owners working double-time to get in compliance. For cultivators, Metrc presents many hurdles, none of which hits as hard as the financial obligation. Cultivators who are not already taking detailed inventory records should prepare themselves for a major overhaul as Metrc slides into power. Cultivators can expect increased inspector presence from the OMMA. Officials with the agency are discussing the necessary inspection criteria and growers are scrambling to address the inherent contamination risk. Best advice: keep a dozen tyvec suits and slip-on shoes handy for visitors. The last thing any grow needs is an inspector making their third stop of the day tracking spores and parasites into their facility. The OMMA will be keeping a much closer eye on testing facilities in the future and laboratories should be looking to streamline their standards of operating procedures in order to ensure that the chain of custody, timely evaluation, and accurate reporting are prioritized. After more than one snafu with inaccurate results, both the OMMA and Oklahoma patients are keeping a close eye out for any shenanigans. Stringent inventory will be a major concern for cannabis dispensaries across the state.

As the OMMA develops its tracking methods with Metrc, they will be searching for inconsistencies that are as simple as a broken dab container that didn’t get marked damaged in inventory. These follies can result in high fines and unnecessary scrutiny. I have heard rumor of secret shoppers within OMMA visiting dispensaries as patients to verify that the storefronts are accurately verifying licenses and not making illegal sales. As a dispensary owner, early 2021 is your window for advancing your staff’s knowledge so that your business shines under the watchful eye of the OMMA. Patients can expect minimal disruption in their OMMA experience. Standard processing for new patients is 3-21 days and returning patients can expect about the same. The OMMA seems dutifully concerned with the goings on of commercial entities and mostly only interested in individual patients on an as-needed basis. This bodes well for cannabis consumers in the state as they can expect an uninterrupted experience accessing their medicine. Well, patients can expect minimal disruption save for the possibility that Oklahoma embraces adult use cannabis in the very near future. Happy 4’21, everybody!

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Simply Bare: Canna-skincare By Kayla Johnson

Part of the immense appeal of cannabis and cannabis-infused products is the focus that a majority of growers and producers put on creating a product that promotes true wellness. Most of us have lived through a sales pitch or two for a product 'guaranteed' to change your life and your health. Very few things live up to the hype and promises that surround them, whether it's skincare or a multivitamin. For cannabis, however, and the products we make from it, the bar has been set incredibly high, and for the most part, what the industry here in Oklahoma is producing far exceeds that. People are finding natural products that actually work, and instead of viewing cannabis as only something to ingest, many are realizing the multitude of applications it really has to offer to benefit us, both inside and out. Amsa Whitekiller, the creator of Simply Bare, LLLC., is a key component to this wave of topical-product education. Her company's line of natural, cannabisinfused skincare products is among the first of its kind here in the state, and is the result of years of work beginning long before State Question 788.

"I actually began this whole process nearly eight years ago, 2013 was the exact year," said Whitekiller. "I actually started this out of my own needs. No matter what products I tried or used, my skin would break out and have horrible reactions, so I was forced to turn to the kitchen, to make natural products for my own skin." Like many, Whitekiller's creation was born out of necessity, and after years of perfecting what finally worked for her, she realized the opportunity she had to try and share it with others. By that time, rumors of a potential cannabis bill in Oklahoma had started to run rampant, and she knew she wanted to give the plant a chance in her own products. "Before this, I was in the car industry, doing sales, and I decided to just do it. I thought, 'maybe this is my shot', and I just jumped in when everyone else did. Initially, I wanted cannabis in these products for research, because I want to help show people all the ways we can use cannabis," she said. "There's a whole world of ways we can use cannabis in skincare, not just eating it or smoking it, OKLAHOMA CHRONIC

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or even pain topicals. There are a lot of properties that cannabis has that are exactly what you'd want in skincare, like anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory, and I knew the only way to prove it was to do it." While many pain-focused topicals are often created with only one aspect of cannabis, THC, Whitekiller's focus has been on understanding the benefit that the whole spectrum has to offer and utilizing as much of the plant as possible. "There are so many additional cannabinoids in the plant that are really beneficial to our system in a lot of different ways. Since our industry opened up, a lot of it has become so focused on THC only and how high we can get that I think to some degree, we've lost sight of what the entire plant can really give us. Now that we've more than established ourselves as a powerhouse for cannabis in the state, I think we need to get back to focusing more on the real medicine behind the plant, and treat the flower like a flower. People are trying my products and finding uses for them that I never would have imagined, and it works for them because we've put so much love and research into creating a product for their skin that benefits their wellness as a whole." Whitekiller's roots in Oklahoma are deep; she graduated from NSU with her business degree, her father lives in the state, as well as her in-laws. While she had the opportunity to move out to California to pursue her canna-skincare passion, there was a deciding factor that encouraged her to stay put. "I probably could have been successful out west, but what really made me want to stay here is the knowledge that in a lot of ways, Oklahoma has a LOT of work to do in regards to caring for the environment and the planet as a whole. It felt like a great idea to start here, because there are fewer places that

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need to have a change of heart as much as Oklahoma. We need to start listening to our bodies and our planet, and there aren't a lot of people pushing for that here in Oklahoma. Being environmentally focused is a core part of my business, and I hope to help encourage change from here outward." Though she's passionate about the plant and has a strong connection to Oklahoma's industry, Whitekiller also took a moment to acknowledge one of the industry's biggest weaknesses, both here at home and across the country: the plastic situation. "I think the biggest problem in this entire industry is plastic waste. Last month, we produced almost a billion in sales from what I read online, but I can only imagine how much of that is just trash now, plastic that is damaging our planet and not going away. We can't keep piling onto the problem and ignoring it, and that's part of why I've pushed to make my products biodegradable. My new packaging will be labeled with plantbased inks, and the entire package itself is FDA-approved, 100% recyclable. Biodegradable ingredients, sustainable packaging, that's my focus now." Whitekiller's drive to create healing skincare products with cannabis while minimizing her company's impact on the environment is admirable; it's the kind of mindset that is invaluable in this industry, and it's the kind of attitude that leads to much-needed change. In her own way, she's taken steps to push the industry to do better, in part by promoting drives for people to bring in old cannabis containers to be safely recycled. 'Doing' is better than simply talking about it, and Whitekiller is absolutely a 'do-er'. For her, the motivation is simple.

"My daughter Sophie is the single most important catalyst behind the brand. Really, without her thoughts and her ways, I wouldn't be here today. That's why I'm determined to bring change: I want to make safe skincare pproducts that are good for the planet and the future of our kids."

Her efforts haven't gone unnoticed: her products are available in over 35 dispensaries in the Tulsa area, along with twenty in Oklahoma City and counting. In addition to having THC and CBD infused products in stores here, her CBD products are also now available online for anyone in the country to try for themselves. If her work to promote a more sustainable industry wasn't enough, the feedback about her products by the people who have found relief from them says everything. "It's not just the cannabis that makes the product, it's the other essential oils working with the cannabis that makes it work. This is good for your body, it's real m medicine, and while not every store or patients is focused on the medicine aspect, the ones who are looking for that are enthusiastic about our point of view. We really push education along with our products, and I think that's what makes the difference. We're healing AND we're teaching." OKLAHOMA CHRONIC

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RED EYE STUFFED PEPPERS By Chef Buz @medibles_ok

"TWIST ONE UP AND LET’S GET COOKING" Welcome to a new year, all my cannachefs out there. Goodbye 2020 and hello to a new year full of possibilities. 2020 was a crazy one: we had the Tiger King, the Rona, a crazy election, murder hornets and a quarantine that led to a toilet paper shortage. Let's forget 2020 and start this new year off right by making some great infused foods. What better way to forget last year and get your vibes right for 2021 than with my Red Eye Stuffed Peppers. This meal can be made vegetarian, or with beef or lamb. Whatever your preference is, these peppers will keep your mood right and help you into the new year. So grab a bag of your favorite herbs, twist one up and let's get Cooking with a Buz!

INGREDIENTS Red Eye Stuffed Peppers 4 Bell Peppers 3 Tablespoons Onions, diced 2 Tablespoons Canna Olive Oil 1 Garlic clove, minced 1 lb. lean ground beef 1 teaspoon Salt and Black Pepper 1 Can Tomatoes, chopped 1 teaspoon Ground Coriander 1 Tablespoon Fresh Basil, chopped 2-3 Tablespoons Bread Crumbs ¾ Cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese ¼ Cup Shredded Provolone Cheese

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DIRECTIONS First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees, then cut a small portion off the top of the pepper and remove the stem, seeds and membrane, the white part inside. If you need, also cut a thin slice on the bottom so the pepper stands up. I like to save what parts of the pepper I cut to throw into the stuffing mix, so dice those little pieces up. Next, heat a pot of water to a boil and add the peppers for 2-3 minutes, then drain. Now saute the beef and drain the excess oil and put the beef in a bowl. Saute the onions and garlic in the canna olive oil for about 4-5 minutes, just until they are soft, then add the tomatoes, coriander and salt and pepper and simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing the mix to thicken slightly. Remove from heat and stir in the basil and the beef. Once the mix has cooled, add ¼ cup of Mozzarella cheese and mix. Stuff the peppers with the beef mix and place into a baking dish and cover with foil. Bake for about 10 minutes then remove and sprinkle remaining cheese and bread crumbs over top and bake, uncovered, for another 12-15 minutes, until peppers are tender and cheese is melted.

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Chronic Chronic Recovery Recovery How Weed Can Maximize Gains

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As a matter of fact, your body’s fat and muscle tissues even utilize your CB1 and CB2 receptors. Ingestion or inhalation of cannabinoid-containing medicine drives your ECS to regulate your immune system and inflammatory response, stimulate delivery of cannabinoids throughout your body’s biologic functions in order to maximize its ability to respond to physical, neurological, and psychological stimuli and reduce the perception of and longevity of physical pain and inflammation. With that information in mind, there are considerations for the effects that cannabis can have that some patients may find more or less desirable than pain management, endurance, or inflammation. One of the first considerations is how cannabis affects testosterone – the hormone we most often associate with muscle mass or gain. At the beginning of cannabis therapy, patients may expect to see a decrease in testosterone production, which could lead to reduced gains on muscle mass.

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The good news is that this temporary decrease in testosterone tends to normalize with regular use, almost as if correcting a nutrient deficiency for one of your vital biological functions might be a perfectly normal thing to your body. There is one important note here about cannabis use and testosterone: if you are a spermproducing reader and a habitual cannabis user, you should anticipate reduced sperm quality and quantity, which indicates that there may be a dysregulation of testosterone not evident through direct measurement.

Email us at: theoklahomachronic@outlook.com 405.310.0026

An additional consideration for athletic cannabis users is the effect of cannabis on individual appetite. As cannabis interacts with CB1 receptors, the ECS sends out signals for appetite regulation. As an athlete interested in packing on mass, this is an extraordinary benefit, particularly for individuals struggling with poor appetite. However, you have to seek out nutritious, satisfying snacks so that you can enhance your body’s wellness rather than pack on pounds all willy-nilly. Kimchi nacho fries are not going to be the best choice no matter how much that dank indica is telling you to indulge. This appetite effect is typically short-term, as chronic use may actually decrease appetite. Scientists have discovered appetite suppression in animals on a prolonged cannabis regimen. I have spent many hours considering the ways that cannabis improved my overall health and I understand now that by listening to my body’s call for nutrition over my addiction to food, the medicine was better able to heal my body and help me achieve the level of fitness I needed to chase my passion. For me, cannabis and recovery is a matter of pain management and inflammation management. The benefits of reduced joint and muscle swelling due to physical exertion are innumerable, however, cannabis could be inhibiting my muscle growth.

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Inflammation is necessary for muscle growth. Microtears from muscle exertion create tiny layers of scarring in the muscle tissue. With repetitive physical activity, these microtears begin to build on top of each other increasing overall muscle size and density. With the downregulation of CB1 receptor activity, cannabis may be stimulating too much inflammation reduction, resulting in smaller gains. There isn’t much research to this regard but it is a consideration that many may want to make while incorporating cannabis into their workouts. OKLAHOMA CHRONIC

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With that consideration in mind, there’s reason to skip the preworkout sesh. Cannabis can cost focus, delay reaction time, and stunt hand-eye coordination. These temporary side effects can be costly in the gym, leading to injury or poor results. Additionally, if you are seeking hypertrophy (increased muscle mass), you might need to abstain from partaking so that your body can go through the immune response necessary to drive muscle gains. This is an important consideration postworkout as the ingested cannabinoids will be delivered directly to the necessary inflammation or immune function. Even though the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis may negatively impact muscle growth, it is important to consider this benefit for chronic disease or chronic injury. It’s true that we are led to believe that inflammation is bad – and mostly it is – certain inflammation is necessary for muscle growth. It is when inflammation develops as a result of chronic disease or injury preventing the body from returning to homeostasis that we experience poor health. In this regard, the potential impact to muscle gain seems like a reasonable sacrifice. If you are an athlete who likes to go the extra mile or add the extra reps habitually, then you will benefit from the faster recovery possible with cannabis therapy.

Photo credit: Carisa Rowe

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Post-workout delayed onset muscle soreness is a major inhibitor to consistency. Dr Tishler feels that cannabis “will definitely make delayed onset muscle soreness—or DOMS—less unpleasant, which may lead to getting you back into the gym faster.” The National Academies of Sciences Engineering and Medicine released metaanalysis data confirming that cannabis reduces chronic pain, which would be present for hypercompetitive athletes or workers with physically demanding jobs. DOMS is categorized as acute pain, for which cannabis isn’t yet strongly indicated, however the anecdotal evidence of the benefits of cannabis for DOMS is hard to refute. Dr. Tishler advises that there are some smaller studies looking to prove the plants benefit for acute pain. All in all, a joint after leg day is roughly the equivalent pain relief as a dose of ibuprofen, but doctors are finally recognizing that cannabis can be as beneficial with less risk. Nonsteroidal ant-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), like ibuprofen and Tylenol carry a risk – one that is complicated during physical exertion. “People tend to think they can use over-the-counter medicine however they want, but they aren’t necessarily safe in all scenarios,” says Dr. Tishler. Taking NSAIDs when you are dehydrated increases your risk of developing rhabdomyolysis ( a condition where muscle breaks down into the bloodstream) or full-blown kidney failure. When you couple that risk with the increased risk for developing ulcers from NSAID use, cannabis is the clear winner for pain and inflammation treatment.

In my pursuit of health, I stumbled on a career that I am wildly passionate about and discovered a hidden athlete and a zeal for movement that I had never encountered before. I’d allowed poor health to develop into sickness. I was ignoring rampant inflammation all over my body and trying to nourish my various disease pathologies with an abominable diet. Cannabis therapy allowed my body to start dealing with inflammation. While it healed, I focused my mind on whole health and logical nutrition. Cannabis worked to suppress my appetite after I discovered how to use it to my best benefit. As I began a physically demanding career, cannabis addressed the pain that my evolving body was experiencing and enriched my wellness journey so that I could focus on developing my personal and professional goals. I am eager to see more scientific research to back up the multitude of experiential accounts extolling the many merits of cannabis.

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THE WORLD OF CANNABINOIDS AND TERPENES

Written by Dr. Pepper Hernandez, ND, PhD, BCHP, CNHP, CTC

ALPHA-BISABOLOL Terpenes, what are they, and what do they have to do with cannabis? Well, terpenes are aromatic compounds found in every plant, specifically in cannabis. We explore the cannabinoids, terpenes, cultivars, their effects, and each's potential healing abilities. There are hundreds of different terpenes and cannabinoid combinations in the cannabis plant. While each has its own benefits, together, they make up a potent combo. Terpenes and Cannabinoids are the most important determinants of a cannabis plant’s potential. Not only its taste and smell but its medicinal properties as well. When they come together in the molecular synergistic

Photo Credit: Kimberlee Kelly; Green Goddess Photography

Grower: Aloha Humboldt

effect, know as the outdated term the entourage effect, finding the right cultivar could save your life. At the very least, improve your state of being. I am in hopes this column can help you do just that. So let us get started and geek out together. In the cannabis plant, Alpha-bisabolol is a minor or secondary terpene. It’s found in much smaller amounts than primary terpenes—a group that includes potent terpenes such as Myrcene, Limonene & Linalool. Alpha-bisabolol shares many of their healing benefits, along with some significant medicinal properties of their own.

Understanding individual terpene characteristics can play a key factor in selecting the ideal strain for the body system. Whether inhaled, used aromatically or topically, Alpha-bisabolol proves to be a key component in the broad spectrum of terpenes and cannabinoids. It maximizes the therapeutic effects cannabis may provide. Alpha-bisabolol is also known as levomenol and bisabolol. It has a pleasant floral aroma that can be commonly found in German chamomile and the South American Candeia trees timber. This terpene is primarily used in the cosmetics industry, widely used in makeup, fragrances, and skincare products. Because it has a light, sweet scent, it’s often used in fragrances and adds a pleasing aroma to skin creams, lotions, and balms.

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Lately, this terpene has caught researchers' attention since it showed medical benefits, especially in cannabis. For hundreds of years, bisabolol has been used in cosmetics as a soothing and scent-enhancing agent. Still, the lack of research regarding this terpene's medicinal properties has limited its therapeutic applications. In 2009, two long-awaited studies completed in Korea and Brazil showed that bisabolol effectively reduced pain and inflammation. It’s actually cannabis terpenes that might be the next big skincare trend. It often goes unsaid that specific terpenes are expected to drive that trend, but if cannabis terpene-infused beauty products do take off, it’s a good bet that bisabolol will be one of them. Like some other cannabis compounds and terpenes, Alpha-bisabolol also appears to promote feelings of relaxation. That’s one reason many people claim chamomile tea can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. So, it seems Alpha-bisabolol can be useful for Photo Credit: Kimberlee Kelly; Green Goddess Photography

Grower: Aloha Humboldt

treating conditions such as: Depression Anxiety Insomnia

All information in this article is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources. Please check with your Cannabis Educated Primary Health Care Physician or Cannabis Therapy Consultant before beginning any new diet or lifestyle change. Dr. Pepper Hernandez ND, CTC, CNHP is a Naturopathic Nutritionist, Cannabis Therapy Consultant, the Founder, and Education Director of the Cannabis Holistic Institute.

ALPHA-BISABOLOL'S POTENTIAL EFFECTS INCLUDE: ANALGESIC ANTI-IRRITANT ANTIOXIDANT ANTIMICROBIAL ENCOURAGING RELAXATION DECREASING STRESS/ANXIETY PHYISICAL PAIN/SENSATION RELIEF ANTI-INFLAMATORY

To find out more about her private practice, educational programs, videos and other offerings you can and find her on the massive inter-webs, social platforms or at drpepperhernandez.com.

Go forth, Go Cannabis...

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Where To Smoke In Oklahoma

WORDS BY PHILIP RODRIGUEZ

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Setting a True Oklahoma Standard One of the most troubling things I’ve seen occur as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic is the exploitation of food service workers, as well as the disregard for their personal safety—from customers as well as managers and owners. Whether it’s been the recent report showing sexual harassment against food service workers is up all across the country (and tips are down, of course), or multiple workers at local restaurants and bars alleging everything from having to work when sick, to poor enforcement of mask mandates and distancing (I’ve heard numerous rumored allegations against The Collective, especially), food service workers are perhaps being hit the hardest of any essential workers besides emergency and medical workers. Thankfully, the famous Oklahoma Standard of watching out for our fellow humans does still apply to a large number of local restaurant and bar owners. Hailey McDermid, owner of The Pump, is one of those with a genuine love and empathy for her staff and her patrons. She and her staff recently made the decision to close for the rest of the winter season, in order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in public places, as well as keep themselves safe. On Monday, December 7th, I saddled up and headed to The Pump to enjoy their last night before the spring, as well as talk to Hailey about what motivated her decision, how her staff will be getting by, and how an OMMA cardholder such as herself will be passing her free-time.

I knew I wanted to check out the karaoke in the heated tent (I’ve long joked that I’m partially responsible for its existence). I stood in line and ordered a Coke, because I’d slammed some cranberry margaritas with my friend Gabs the weekend before and hadn’t yet fully recovered. Upon entering the tent I could tell that, although kept nice and toasty by a heater in the corner, the air was well-ventilated so it wouldn’t stagnate; a plus for avoiding both secondhand smoke as well as possible virus particles.

Despite feeling paranoid about the fact that I’d likely be in a smallish space with at least a couple-dozen other people,

The night was full of mixed emotions, as the staff and the night’s patrons took turns singing karaoke.

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HERB IS THE HEALING OF A NATION, ALCOHOL IS THE DESTRUCTION

Bob Marley

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Inside jokes abound from the bartenders, like when one sings “Part of That World” from The Little Mermaid and the staff—even those working—join in, screaming along with specific sections and howling with laughter. Hailey brings the house down with an especially poignant take on Skeeter Davis’ 1963 classic “The End of the World.” And maybe I was just too stoned from the joint I smoked a few minutes prior, but the air in the tent seemed to go still, and the cluster of people all seemed to hush their conversation. Becca Ginn, a longtime bartender at The Pump and Bunker Club, starts to cry, seemingly overwhelmed by the emotion of the night. Hailey, in the middle of her song, is humorously indignant: “Stop crying! Why are you crying? It’s not sad!” It embodies the entire spirit of the night: a bittersweet celebration of an event that does feel somewhat sad, but also vindicated in its concern for human kindness and empathy. And it’s not long after this moment that I meet with Hailey in a quiet spot in the back of the bar, to talk about the closure and she and her staff’s plans.

Phil Rodriguez: Seeing as how you’re the only bar I’m aware of at the moment that’s completely closing down, why did you feel compelled to close for the winter? What factors contributed to that decision? Hailey McDermid: “We really felt it was necessary for survival. We think that investing our ‘cash on hand’ into future rent payments, insurance, utilities, etc. will give us a stronger chance to weather what is shaping up to be a dark and scary winter for America sick with COVID-19. It feels like cutting off a limb to save the patient. It’s a safety and health decision first, with finance being a close second. We simply lose money every day we’re open in winter, and that’s a fact. We operate like any other seasonal retail... the first warm day in spring is our Black Friday. With COVID factored in. We just can’t see a path to survival unless we close.

PR: How did your staff feel about it when you told them? HM: “Our employees understand, and are being very compassionate with us right now. We are extremely transparent with them, big news almost always happens in person. They did not find out they lost their jobs on Twitter… Our first and foremost concern is for them, but we are a warrior breed, we work sick (remember when that was thing?!), we work Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day...all of them, we work through pain and abuse, drunks, violence, drama, trauma… we’ve seen it all. So it’s no surprise that we had no shortage of volunteers for virus detail. But it doesn’t feel right to let them sacrifice themselves to the party gods, not like this, not when we believe the better option is to weather the storm… They understand that we’re doing this to have a business, to have jobs to come back to work at in spring. They know we don’t have any last minute divine intervention or answers other than to shutter for a short time. But how do they feel about it? It sucks. We all hate it. We’re upset, angry, and everything else that goes along. Myself: I consume some locally-sourced kush, breathe, and try to accept the truth that there’s no way I alone can change the direction of this wind, I can only steer the ship in the best direction I know.

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But none of us are gravy with it. Not in the least. This feels like a F-5 tornado just keeps circling the planet, wave after wave with no way to stop it, we just wanna take shelter and not point fingers.” PR: How do you feel about rumors that several restaurant/bar owners in Oklahoma have kept their businesses open with little to no regard to mask mandates, employee safety, or occupancy limits? HM: “I don’t care to share my opinions or thoughts on those rumors publicly. Suffice to say that I hope these people are acting on a belief that they’re doing right by their customers and employees. And not out of greed, self-preservation at any cost, or righteous proclamations about “what’s really going on” by the people who ARE motivated by those things. If other owners and management want to do what they’re doing, I pray they have read and understand some science, math, historical evidence, and know the risk. I pray that their employees know the risk, and that there’s transparency between the two… “We’re all [Oklahomans] quickly moving into that realm where we personally know someone who has died. For me, my perspective changed when that happened. It definitely sucks to get told that you’re non-essential and you need to close. It’s worse to get singled out and let the other service and retail businesses throw caution to the wind… But people seem to get MORE upset over having a quarantine home haircut than tens of thousands of Oklahomans out of work who continue to get sicker… But for us, we aren’t asking to shed our masks and open 24 hours a day. What I would like to see, is our governor say masks are good, people should avoid crowds, listen to the doctors, stay at home and utilize pickup and delivery service. But instead they decided to do this.”

PR: Do you all have a set-in-stone date to reopen? HM: “No, but… our Black Friday is the first warm day in spring. Stay tuned to social media for home bar workshops with our staff and other fun live-stream fundraising events. Flash openings on surprise warm days. We are toying with the idea of selling baked goods, heat-and-eat casseroles and all the take-home beer n’ wine you want in the form of to-go orders placed anytime, then picked up or delivered during a 2 hour window every weekday afternoon.” PR: What will you be doing to keep yourself busy while the bar is closed? HM: “Oh man. I have so many projects! Welcome to another episode of ‘killing time with cannabis.’ I’m working up a Frankenstein machine to extract live rosin with some scrap steel plating, wire, and other goodies from a construction site dumpster and a 3 1/2 ton automotive jack to squeeze my six allotted plants of Hindu Kush, sans the trophy buds of course. Maybe I’ll build a Thai stick. Shout out to the very hard working cultivating industry in Oklahoma. We COVID drove to Washington this year where I was reminded we are growing and innovating on a very high level. Another reason to be a proud Oklahoman!” OKLAHOMA CHRONIC

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MONTHLY CANNABIS REVIEW

by Melissa Hall, M.Ed.

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OREOZ BY PHRESH HARVEST

By Melissa Hall, M.Ed.

Back on the hunt, and as we all gratefully said goodbye to 2020, we welcome 2021 with hope and good faith that it is far from a repeat of anything close to the last year. With the New Year comes the promise of something better. In honor of the New Year, I wanted something that surpassed better. I knew the first review of 2021 simply had to be supremely spectacular flower. The flower market in Oklahoma is extremely competitive. You will find experienced, highly trained Cultivators new and old from all over the country here in the Sooner State. Quality is on a steady incline and the exquisitely exotic flower has made a few rare appearances across the state, so I knew when I first saw the January review flower that this simply stunning grow was going to make a huge splash when it hit shelves, and did it ever. Oreoz by Phresh Harvest 405 is a beauty that packs a punch for sure. A creation of 3rd Coast Genetics and selected by Max Yields, this sweet treat is a cross of Cookies and Cream and Secret Weapon. She is indica dominant, but definitely has a twist of Sativa in her for sure. The cultivator of this unique strain is Phresh Harvest 405. The Chronic was lucky enough to get a sneak peek at this dank delight. I met the owner of Phresh Harvest at his grow; he goes by J Packs and he has made waves on the Oklahoma market with his first official flower drop. Let’s just say we can’t wait for the next run after seeing how amazing the Oreoz is.

J and his wife Chanel, who is the owner of Pharmer’s Daughter Edibles, run their grow and processing company themselves. Pharmer’s Daughters Edibles are Solventless rosin infused homemade fresh desserts with no preservatives and let me speak from experience, they are stellar. Pharmer’s Daughter is making waves as well on the edible shelf with a new approach to gourmet infused treats. The hardworking Cannacouple says their motto out on the “pharm” has always been “Everyday is a Monday, Rise and Grind.” “We really just want to do what we love and let the patients feel it thru our products.” J. said when describing what keeps the machine running at Phresh Harvest 405.

Now, back to the Oreoz, when I say stunning, I’m referring to the type of stunning that looks better in person than in photographs because photographs simply do not do it justice. Oreoz, like it’s confectionery namesake, has a black and white appearance, the black is more of a deep, deep purple. What makes you stop and look twice at this unique strain is its over-frosty appearance. Every tiny spot on this flower is covered with a crystal white blanket of thick, trichomes. It almost appears fuzzy, even in photos due to the overcrowded crystals that adorn the buds. In that vast sea of crystals, you will find those dark violet hues and flakes of fiery red-orange. This beauty queen has a nose in her too. The aroma is quite unique, with deep gassy undertones that are smoothed by a vanilla overtone, making Oreoz indeed smell like its cookie counterpart. The smell from the Cookies and Cream lineage is very present but the complex make-up of strains in Secret Weapon definitely rear up to show they are present as well. The amazingly smooth taste pairs with the nose, giving you that Cookies and Cream flavor with a dank and deep back up punch. You are almost able to taste the real Oreo flavor on the exhale. There is no guessing how this sugary delight got her name. This pretty girl has the effects to match the intensity of her beauty. Instantly, the effects go straight to your head. A bubbly calm ensues, followed by a deep, relaxing wave that shows the hybrid’s indica side. Couch lock is not a problem, although you shouldn’t get too far from the kitchen. The sativas in the Secret Weapon lineage keep you from melting away completely. This strain is great for pain, appetite loss for sure, insomnia, mild anxiety and depression, to name a few. OKLAHOMA CHRONIC

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We want to thank the fine folks over at Phresh Harvest 405 and Pharmer’s Daughter Edibles for giving us the exclusive on the Oreoz. If you come across it, snatch it up! This beauty won’t last long on any shelf. Oreoz is a winner winner, chicken dinner. Always remember to medicate responsibly and stay lit Oklahoma!

By Kayla Johnson

It's a wild thought, knowing that the younger generations right now are growing up in an unprecedented era of pro-cannabis attitudes that are a stark change from even just a few years ago. For them, this is likely just how it'll always be, but for patients and consumers who have lived through various decades of cannabis prohibition, it's a whole new world. Paula Thomas is one of those patients who's surprised but thrilled at the progress made. A native of Wetumka, Oklahoma, she's lived across the country, from Florida to California, and admits her cannaconsuming started a young age. "I started smoking in the early 70s as a teenager, went through a lot of the same problems as a lot of people back then. If you get caught at school, you get detention but get caught at home, and that's a more complicated matter."

Growing up with a single mom raising her, Thomas says that while it was pretty easy to sneak around to smoke, it was still fairly frowned upon. Despite this, she persisted. "I've always considered myself to be the 'green sheep'. Everyone in my family has always known I consume cannabis, it was just one of those things we didn't talk about." Even as an advocate from a young age for cannabis, Thomas admitted that the industry now has blown her away. "Compared to the 'brick weed' that was readily available in the '70s, the quality of today's cannabis is just mind-blowing, with so many strains! We have so much more knowledge about cannabinoids and terpenes, and we still have so much to learn." OKLAHOMA CHRONIC

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Now, as an adult, Thomas has become an even more staunch advocate for the plant and what it has to offer those seeking relief from long-lasting injuries.

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"I had a serious fall when I was 10, and messed up a disc in my lower back that has become an on-going issue. Additionally, a serious car accident as a young adult left me with broken bones that translated into serious osteoarthritis. I use cannabis for pain now, in addition to stress relief and my insomnia." Throughout her adult life, Thomas has dipped her toes into the industry. For a period of time, in the late 70s, she even had a headshop, and has been making beaded joint clips for several years. Upon hearing that her homestate was trying to join the canna-club, Thomas immediately put her passion to work, gathering signatures and promoting 788 as often as she could. Now that 788 was swept into law by a 57% approval, Thomas continues her work as an advocate, educating people on the benefits of cannabis, especially RSO, and continues to make her joint clips, selling them through her account on Instagram @thebeadedclip and at over 300 dispensaries across the state. It's been a thrill to see the change sweep across Oklahoma, and for Thomas, being able to share cannabis with her nowmore-receptive family has benefited their health, and her own wellbeing. "It's a huge relief, to not have to stress about the legality of it, and I really encourage people to take a chance and try it, even to start with CBD, and see what it has to offer firsthand." OKLAHOMA CHRONIC

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The Oklahoma Chronic Magazine Never Miss an Issue

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BY THE NUMBERS AS OF DECEMBER 2020 THERE IS STRENGTH IN NUMBERS

Growers

As of December 7th, there are 6,277 growers within our state

Processors Dispensaries

We have 1,221 licensed processors in the state We currently have 1,996 dispensary licenses with this great state

Transport Laboratory Waste Disposal

We now have 66 Transportation icenses We have 23 licensed labs We have 9 licensed waste disposal faclities

Approved Licenses: 365,464 Patients & 2,590 Caregivers Received Licenses: 391,018 Patient & 3,701 Caregivers OKLAHOMA CHRONIC

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