The Chronic Magazine - November 2021 by The Chronic Magazine

TOP SHELF NEWS, RESOURCE & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

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HIGH BUYING WEED WITH

THC-O & IS IT SAFE?

THC IS KILLING YOUR HIGH

LEADING THE WAY

cannabis

A NOIT

RRU C

ADMINISTR ENT

EXCLUSIVE!

L E G A A TI O LIZ

Our Staff Therin Miller Chief Operations Officer

Instagram | @oklahomachronicmagazine

Veronica Castillo Writer

Instagram | @v2_traveling_veg_canna_writer

From the Chronic Team November is here and there is a lot to be

Melissa Hall Canna Critic

thankful for. As we look back over the past

Instagram | @okcannacritic

year and are preparing to head into the last quarter of 2021 We are thankful for

Dr. Pepper Hernandez Writer

Instagram | @dr.pepperhernandez

YOU; our readers. We are also thankful for family, friends and cannabis to tolerate those we can't be around for very long. We

Liquids

are also thankful for those family members

Chef Buz Deliere Canna Chef

or friends we don't see often and that are

Instagram | @medibles_ok

always willing to sneak out of a family

Carisa Rowe Writer

dinner for a quick joint that is sure to help us through.

Instagram | @groovygrower

Have a thankful mindset and heart this

Chynna Pearson

month and focus on the good stuff or the

Instagram | @chynnathewriter

green stuff.

Writer

Terrisha Harris Graphic Designer

Instagram | @smoke_tree_cannabis

Have a story? Please let us know at theoklahomachronic@outlook.com

Philip Rodriguez Writer

Instagram | @wheretosmokeokc

www.thechronicmagazine.com

Tatiana Melendez Writer

Instagram | @_tatiana.me

Sloane Simon Writer

Instagram | @sloaney_11

The Chronic Magazine. Top Shelf News, Resource & Lifestyle Magazine

CONTENTS

THE CHRONIC | NOVEMBER 2021

CELEBRATING FRIENDSGIVING Thanksgiving is an American “Holiday” Based on Taking and No Thanks Given

BUYING WEED WITH HIGH THC by Carisa Rowe

FOUR REASONS TO GIVE THANKS FOR A RECONCILIATION by Higher Accounting

WILL THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION HOLD TRUE TO CANNABIS LEGALIZATION? by Sloane Simon

FOUR "C" CAKE - CHEF BUZ This month's recipe is a quick and easy dish that will make you feel like a gourmet chef and eat like one too.

28 28 24

THE WORST 'WHAT IF?' Why Cannabis Businesses Fail

EXCLUSIVE!

HOW DOES CANNABIS FIT INTO FAMILY GATHERINGS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

32 32

44 44

WOMAN LEADING THE WAY IN CANNABIS by Tatiana Melendez

WOMEN IN CANNABIS For decades, people have typically associated marijuana with men. Most of our stereotypes about “stoners” focus on young men as well. However, today, women are in leadership positions at every level of the cannabis industry, from CEOs of mega-companies to cultivators taking cannabis from plant to product.

What is THC-O & is it safe

HOW CBD RETAILERS SURVIVE? If the CBD company isn’t well established, then what? Will they have to give up and close up shop?

WORLD OF CANNABINOIDS AND TERPENES

HOW CAN CBD RETAILERS SURVIVE? What can CBD retailers do to survive in a world full of THC?

WHERE TO SMOKE: USA! Smokin U-S-AAAAA

10 10

25 25

49 49

PHARMER’S DAUGHTER EDIBLES Monthly Cannabis Review

SURVIVOR After waking from the coma, story of Lindsey Miller

THE CHRONIC

by Vee Castillo

CELEBRATING FRIENDSGIVING Because Thanksgiving is an American “Holiday” Based on Taking and No Thanks Given

“A poll of 2,000 Americans – aged 18–38 – found 68 percent say celebrating Friendsgiving is their preferred method of engaging in the autumnal celebration.”- The New York Post

hanksgiving Day is a national holiday in the United States. History.com says that the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Native Americans shared an autumn harvest feast that is now acknowledged as Thanksgiving. Their story goes something like: “In November 1621, after the Pilgrims’ first corn harvest proved successful, Governor William Bradford organized a celebratory feast and invited a group of the fledgling colony’s Native American allies, including the Wampanoag chief Massasoit.” But is this accurate? AMERICA’S HISTORY HAS BEEN ROOTED IN TAKING WITH NO THANKS GIVEN

The one thing we know about America is that their version of the truth is always inflated with misconceptions- at the very least. I wasn’t there but, Insider.com’s reports of the past seem more accurate, based on America’s deep, dark, and hideous soul. Their version of events for the celebration of Thanksgiving does support an alliance between English settlers and the Wampanoag; however, as we know, colonizers came to America and the Caribbean, to steal and kill. Though there was an alliance, Insider reports: “Massasoit, the sachem, or paramount chief, of the Wampanoag, proved to be a crucial ally to the English settlers in the years after the establishment of Plymouth. He set up an exclusive trade pact with the newcomers and allied with them against the French and other local tribes like the Narragansett and the Massachusetts. But the alliance became strained over time.Thousands of English colonists poured into the region throughout the 17th century. According to "Historic Contact: Indian People and Colonists in Today's Northeastern United States," authorities in Plymouth began asserting control over "most aspects of Wampanoag life," as settlers increasingly ate up more land.” 7

NOVEMBER ISSUE thechronicmagazine.com

Potawatomi.org states that Thanksgiving had nothing to do with the above, but instead, everything to do with the Dakota War of 1862, and I must say, this too sounds in line with America’s twisted soul:

Is any holiday in America not elevated by capitalism and over spending? Is there any part of America that wasn’t invaded by, tortured by, and infected with disease by colonizers?

“The formation of Thanksgiving as an official United States’ holiday, did not begin until November 1863 during the Civil War. President Abraham Lincoln officially established the holiday as a way to improve relations between northern and southern states as well as the U.S. and tribal nations. Just a year prior, a mass execution took place of Dakota tribal members. Corrupt federal agents kept the Dakota-Sioux from receiving food and provisions. Finally at the brink of death from starvation, members of the tribe fought back, resulting in the Dakota War of 1862. In the end, President Lincoln ordered 38 Dakota men to die from hanging, and he felt that Thanksgiving offered an opportunity to bridge the hard feelings amongst Natives and the federal government.”

WHAT IS FRIENDSGIVING?

Do we really think that America has a nice history of white/english people being open and welcoming to black and brown people?

They say that friendsgiving took over the Millennial generation. Millennials aren’t here for America’s false accounts of unity. Friendsgiving is a happy medium between wanting to celebrate abundance and giving thanks, but not wanting to celebrate it on a day based on, and celebrated in-brutality. This day, rooted in love, has no formal date of celebration. Many celebrate the week/weekend before the actual “holiday”, others have thrown away the actual “holiday” and only celebrate Friendsgiving, be it on the date of the actual “holiday” or any date near it, and others have thrown both of these away in the month of November and enjoy feasts with friends whenever they want.

FRIENDSGIVING, A FORM OF MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT?

For many, going home for the ‘“holidays” is stressful a heck. Many suffer from conditions like: anxiety, depression, OCD, S.A.D, and so on. Many families are similar, full blown judgement and opinions no one asked for, begin to fly across the table. That is stressful to so many and so, Thanksgiving becomes an obstacle. The easier, non triggered approach is to still celebrate love and appreciation, with friends. Study Finds (.org), says that 7 in 10 Americans prefer Friendsgiving over Thanksgiving because they want to avoid family fatigue. In a Thanksgiving survey by Sabra, they found that 58% of young Americans dread the thought of family Thanksgiving celebrations because of all the personal questions that will come their way. IN CLOSING

As the culture in America continues to shift, as truths continue to surface, as traditions rooted in brutality die, celebrations like Friendsgiving will take over and become a new tradition.

It’s a weird celebration anyway. America, celebrating “thanks” since the 1600’s. Which means celebrations were being had during slavery. And instead of thanking enslaved people for their contributions to build America, and not gathering up to unleash a massacre on the ones doing the enslaving, America passed law after law, leading to more oppression. In the Huff Post, Writer and descendant from the Black Indian tribe of Florida, Nicole Breedlove titles her article: “Happy National Genocide Day (Thanksgiving) Day!”. In this article, Nicole shares lessons by William B. Newell, a Penobscot Indian and former chairman of the Anthropology Department at the University of Connecticut. Mr. Newell, who states that in 1637 when the dead body of the white man was found on a boat : “Gathered in this place of meeting, they were attacked by mercenaries and English and Dutch. The Indians were ordered from the building and as they came forth were shot down, The rest were burned alive in the building. The very next day the governor declared a Thanksgiving Day. For the next 100 years, every Thanksgiving Day ordained by a Governor was in honor of the bloody victory, thanking God that the battle had been won.” Because of Thanksgiving’s origins, present day, many of the conversations at the dinner table lead to emotional brutality; it’s no wonder the culture is shifting. Nicole closes with the perfect ending to her piece and therefore, I’ll quote it for this ending: “So when you sit down to dinner this year, look at your family, serve the food and tell each other what you are most thankful for, think about the origins of Thanksgiving. Think about the countless Native Americans who lost their lives so you can carve a turkey and get the best deals on Black Friday. Say a prayer for them, especially the children, who died simply because of the color of their skin.”

thechronicmagazine.com

NOVEMBER ISSUE 8

BUYING WEED WITH HIGH THC IS KILLING YOUR HIGH! by Carisa Rowe

nce upon a time in the not too distant past (and in many American states still), cannabis consumers had little choice in offerings. In the days of prohibition, there was little variety available at the plug’s house, if any.

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Stoners would spend weeks, months, or even years searching for a dealer that had a consistent supply of dank. Back in the day, the cannabis industry motto might as well have been

You get what you get, and you don’t throw a fit.

Tokers were grateful for any shwag they could score and unlikely to demand to know the THC content of their purchase. “Back in the day” was a long time ago and in this era of legal weed, discerning cannabis consumers want to get the most bang for their buck. The common belief is that THC content works like alcohol content – a higher THC percentage will get you higher the same way high proof spirits get you more intoxicated. The proof of this misconception can be observed on dispensary shelves everywhere. High THC flower dominates the offerings despite budtenders divulging tips about tastier, more effective buds with lower “psychoactive content”.

TaTo understand why, consider the cost of cannabis for the average consumer. Top shelf flowers still fetch up to $20 per gram in high end markets. Many cannabis consumers believe that more THC, the psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis, will equate to a more potent high. This myth persists because we measure alcohol and pharmaceuticals in the same manner. Higher percentage alcohol content by volume, or the spirit’s proof means that less of the particular spirit will create the desired effect. For pharmaceuticals, particularly anxiety or pain medication, a higher number of microor milligrams in a particular dosage can mean more effective relief.

thechronicmagazine.com

NOVEMBER ISSUE 10

Buying weed based on high THC numbers is an outdated, and proven false, train of thought for cannabis consumers. This is particularly important information for those seeking to fine tune the therapeutic benefits of their administration regimen. The first thing to make note of is this: tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has absolutely no bearing on how “good” any cannabis product is, whether it be flower, concentrates, or edibles. Researchers at University of Colorado at Boulder’s Institute of Cognitive Science studied 121 participants in study to evaluate the experiential and measurable effects of THC content. Study participants were divided into two groups, those favoring flowers and those favoring concentrates. 11

NOVEMBER ISSUE thechronicmagazine.com

In the flower group, participants received doses of dried cured flower which had been tested to contain either 16% THC or 24% THC. The participants who selected concentrates were administered doses measured to contain either 70% THC by volume or 90% THC by volume. Researchers recorded data regarding the efficacy of the dosages at three intervals. THC concentration levels were recorded prior to administration, immediately following, and at the one hour post mark. Additional measurements included intoxication and impairment, cognitive function, mood, and energy levels. Researchers were surprised by the findings which were subsequently published in JAMA Psychiatry.

The results reflected that even though concentrated users had elevated THC in their blood, they weren’t any “more high”. ll the patients, interestingly, reflected the same perception of their own impairment. Patients also matched closely when measured for balance and cognitive impairment. Researchers expected to find elevated concentrations of THC based on which product was administered. They were not expecting everyone to be high on the same level, and measurably so. All the patients, interestingly, reflected the same perception of their own impairment. Patients also matched closely when measured for balance and cognitive impairment.

Researchers expected to find elevated concentrations of THC based on which product was administered. They were not expecting everyone to be high on the same level, and measurably so. Old school stoners, shrewd budtenders, and industry pros would be unsurprised by these findings. The myth of THC potency is easily disproved with the opportunity to compare really good cannabis against itself. Weed Heads that have been toking for the last 40 years or so almost never ask for the THC content of their flower, instead opting for aroma, texture, and visual appeal ahead of “potency”. Budtenders and other industry professionals choose their weed the same way.

This can be challenging in markets where cannabis is prepacked or where deli-style sniffing is not available. Cannabis, like food, relies on the nose. A pleasant smelling nug of ganja is an answer to a craving in the human endocannabinoid system, a complex cell signaling system that metabolizes cannabinoids into vital “nutrients” for this complex biologic function. Food cravings are a distinct indicator of the body’s nutritional demands. By making smart choices when answering food cravings, individuals increase their overall health. By learning how to use the nose to choose their flower, users can maximize the potential therapeutic effect of their cannabis.

Terpenes and the entourage effect are like molecular hype men for the main act, which are the cannabinoids in this weird analogy. Terpenes are components of the essential oils found in plants. Terpenes such as myrcene give mangoes their strong taste while linalool is responsible for the common sensation of calm that is associated with the scent of lavender. Both of these terpenes, and dozens more, are present in cannabis. The cocktail of terpenes in the plant is responsible for the aroma that faithful potheads love. Individual weed preferences vary though, much like individual food preferences.

The therapeutic effect of cannabis does not rest solely on the shoulders of THC. Unlike pharmaceutical interventions, cannabis is a naturally evolved nutrient that exists to serve one purpose: nourish the endocannabinoid system. A prime example of this can be measured during an epileptic seizure. At the onset of the event, during the prodrome and aura stages, the central nervous system signals the endocannabinoid system to deliver cannabinoids to act as lubricants along the neural pathways that are about to experience epileptic trauma. This protective effort is believed to reduce the intensity of the ictal stage and mitigate damage caused by the seizure. In the post-ictal stage, recovery can be drastically reduced by the administration of cannabis therapy. With more than one hundred cannabinoids working together to harmoniously nourish the body, choosing the right medicine can feel like a daunting task. Limited research about cannabis can make it hard to understand why a user should choose a CBG-rich varietal over THC content if dementia runs in the family. This task is even more daunting when a consumer just wants to get stoned and not consider terpenes or the entourage effect.

Some users want a bright citrusy aroma and depend on weed matching that scent profile to feel refreshing, like a glass of freshly squeezed OJ. Stoners looking for spicy notes on their bud are likely seeking caryophyllene, a terpene that can activate the endocannabinoid system and stimulate anti-inflammatory effects. Interestingly, foods that contain caryophyllenes, such as black pepper, clove, and cinnamon, are all recorded to have provided anti-inflammatory benefits as part of the natural diet or when introduced as supplements. The combination of terpenes in a given varietal is responsible for what is known as “the entourage effect”. Much like combining ingredients to create the perfect sauce, or like using a mood stabilizer in conjunction with an antidepressant, terpenes bring balance to the medicine. The psychoactive compound THC acts as a potentiator for cannabinoids to affect their specialized biologic functions. By relaxing the central nervous system, THC increases the efficacy of antiinflammatory CBD, stress mitigating CBN, and dozens of other cannabinoids. The entourage effect, caused by a unique cocktail of terpenes, is the most likely culprit for the perception of “high-ness”. A well-crafted drink with fresh mixers and clean ice delivers a finer experience than a shot of the same vodka straight. Spaghetti sauce made from scratch heals the soul in a way that jarred sauce never could. A straight shot or jarred marinara serve a purpose: they are efficient and affordable. High THC may seem like a costconscious move, but connoisseurs and informed patients both know that high THC percentages do not equate to a better high. thechronicmagazine.com

NOVEMBER ISSUE 12

chronicmagazine.com

NOVEMBER ISSUE 9

TO BE THANKFUL FOR.. FOUR REASONS TO GIVE THANKS FOR A RECONCILIATION by Higher Accounting

At any given moment you can be confident that you “know your numbers” and can make sound financial decisions.

o many reasons to give thanks this season. Although we may have

not returned to normal with the gathering of family and friends, we sure can be thankful for our health and loved ones that have survived the pandemic. This was a time where we could reset and rebuild our goals and our everyday lives. As we still are surviving this pandemic, we have had time to determine that our finances must survive it as well. Yes, you can thank your accountant as well for keeping you prepared all year long. The almighty reconciliation is what keeps you on track in so many ways. With accounts reconciled, you can stay on top of your finances and keep them current and accurate. At any given moment you can be confident that you “know your numbers” and can make sound financial decisions.

Finding mistakes when they first occur, One great way to keep your account in the black is to balance/reconcile your bank makes account and credit card statements. Not only will you catch your own recording errors, but resolving you may find that you are still being charged for that Hulu account you canceled a few them months back or have been double charged for a bill payment. easier in Keeping up with the current month gives you time to correct transaction errors and take the long the appropriate action. The reconciliation process is very detailed work but is well worth run. it in the end. Let’s discuss the four main accounts that you should keep reconciled for your cannabis business. Not only in business, but keeping this account reconciled will help you in your personal life as well. Maybe we double recorded a transaction or forgot to record one.

thechronicmagazine.com

NOVEMBER ISSUE 14

Keeping your bank and credit card accounts current will also prepare you for tax time. Basically, you are verifying your receipts and totals monthly. When December hits, you only have one month of records to complete and you are ready to send your documents off to the tax person. Can we say, well done! Keeping bank and credit cards balanced and up to date will keep money in your pocket both personally and for your business. If all else is lost, check your banking statements! Make sure that all charges are verified and legitimate. We tend to overlook the items with small dollar values, but they can add up. An additional $5 in missed transactions a month will add up to $60 a year.

Before anything else, make sure you are filing complete and timely compliance returns to your state agency. Keep your reporting as accurate as you can, and it will keep your business going. The consequence of violating regulations can include but not limited to fines that can be in the tens of thousands of dollars, the cause of business closures or slowdowns, and/or criminal charges.

To know your actual balance of your funding accounts can also save you money in unexpected fees. If you have miscalculated your balance, you may run the risk of over drafting your account. Depending on your bank, the fees can be huge. Just the timing of transactions can greatly affect your balance.

That can be the deal breaker or the life saver in an audit depending on if you have back up or not. As a checkpoint to your reports, you should periodically check your numbers against your actual physical count of inventory. They should match. If they don’t do some digging. It’s time to get your glasses on and find out what is missing and why. Why would you have discrepancies? There are Many things that can cause a discrepancy between physical counts and inventory reporting. Missing purchase invoices will understate your inventory and double entry of the same invoices will do just the opposite. Incorrect sales receipts.

A matter of a few hours difference between a withdrawal and a deposit can end up costing hundreds in fees. Some banks may also charge minimum balance fees if your minimum balance falls below a certain dollar amount. To have the true total and balance to your accounts, you can time your transactions accordingly to avoid the extra banking fees. Right next to having the money and the knowhow to run your business, compliance also ensures that your company can make money in the first place. Without compliance, you are not legal to be operating and that will definitely put a stop to any potential income. There are many levels of compliance whether it be maintaining a building is up to code or withholding taxes from an employee, you will find yourself contemplating if what you are doing is enough to pass the test. Two accounts for your focus of reconciliation will play a major role in your business maintaining a good status with compliance and regulation. 15

NOVEMBER ISSUE thechronicmagazine.com

A part of compliance in reporting is making sure you can back up those numbers. A critical part of recon and auditing is having the backup to validate your numbers. It’s one thing to say you have x amount, but it’s another to have proof of x amounts.

Sometimes we make errors and end up listing the wrong items and/or quantities on our sales receipt. If there is no difference in prices of the items, you may not catch the error until you do a recon. #1 most common error is typing and keying errors. Do you have that fat finger that always ends up adding a digit? Don’t worry, we all do. A recon will fix that right up! Do you want to triple check your inventory? Do you manage your inventory through a Point of Sale (POS) or an inventory tracking system? Then you should already be familiar with reconciling your on-hand inventory against your data system. If not, you very well should be. Most software comes with training tutorials and a help desk.

Utilize the free tools that they provide you to manage your system. At minimum you should be doing a physical count every 30 days at the end of the month. Since your reports go from beginning of the month to the end, you should do your count at the end to provide the most up to date and current inventory data possible. Idealistically you would want to track weekly, even daily depending on your volume and movement structure. Maintaining a process and establishing standard operating procedures will deter theft because it shows that you care about your inventory and you track its movement. If you do happen to employ the one that doesn't seem to care about your policies, tracking what, where, and when products went missing will become a lot easier. It also decreases your risk of shrinkage by stopping the theft at the beginning stages when it is small. Many discrepancies that you will find when reconciling your reports are the same or similar kinds of errors you will find when reconciling your inventory system. The fourth account that you should keep reconciled is your cash account. This is especially true in the cannabis industry, which mainly deals in cash. With large amounts of cash flow in and out, it becomes necessary to reconcile regularly.

You must maintain a cash log. Record all ins and outs. Cash is the area in which money laundering occurs and is one of the first places an auditor will look for discrepancies. You must be able to track where your dollars are going. Since the cash account is the most common and vulnerable to lose and risk, it should be your priority for your recon list. Large amounts of cash can also present the temptation of theft. Having cash controls in place will detour most thieves and if not, will help sift them out. If you don’t track how much money you should have, then you will never know when it is missing. To utilize cannabis banking is by far the easiest and most secure way to track your money. However, if you must have cash, please keep it reconciled. This may sound like a lot of work and that is because it is. The reconciliation process is tedious work and can take some time to accomplish. However, it will benefit you more than the time invested. You will deter theft, save on fees, and have overall confidence in your finances and inventory. With all the money you save in discrepancies you can hire someone to do it for you! If you have investors, it is a mustdo. Having asset accounts current will give you both a piece of mind. When you are on top of your inventory and cash control, you are protecting your dollars.

WILL THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION HOLD TRUE TO

Legalization

SLOANE SIMON

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n July, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) released draft legislation that could possibly legalize cannabis at a federal level. With over 60% of Americans

supporting the legalization of cannabis and 37 states currently having already legalized cannabis, whether medicinal or recreational, cannabis is still listed as a Schedule I drug alongside heroin and is federally illegal. So, with many states, and the majority of the American People, already on board with cannabis legalization, what is taking Biden and the rest of the administration so long to push legalization through? To better understand some of the hesitations, a bit of history on President Biden and Vice President Harris is necessary. Both were rather vocally once on the wrong side of the war on drugs. In the late ’80s and early ’90s, then-Senator Biden was very critical of former President Bush’s laws, pushing for stricter, harsher penalties for cannabis crimes. And while VP Harris was the district attorney in San Francisco, she oversaw more than 1900 cannabisrelated convictions. Thankfully, both have evolved in their thinking towards cannabis and the current federal laws around it. Biden has spoken out over current conviction laws, that no one should be incarcerated for drug use alone. However, ironically, Biden promptly fired or demoted White House staff that had admitted to prior cannabis usage. There is some belief that Biden’s reluctance to federally legalize cannabis stems from the era in which he grew up. Biden was born six years after the release of Reefer Madness, a propaganda movie used to create panic and terror over the use of cannabis and the “negative” outcomes it produces. Again, Biden was also a huge proponent in the War on Drugs from the Reagan and Bush administrations in the ’80s and ’90s. So, it is very possible that his feet dragging could simply be because of outdated thoughts and ideas. On the flip side, Harris has been lead or co-sponsor on several cannabis legalizations acts, including the MORE Act which is one of the most comprehensive Cannabis legalization bills to go through the House. However, the bill ultimately failed to make it out of the Senate. It has also been widely reported that VP Harris has admitted to smoking cannabis herself. Because of this admission, many in the political realm felt Harris as Vice President would be the best and most efficient option to help push federal legalization through. This past July, Senators Chuck Schumer, Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) presented the draft bill, Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act. This bill does present much like the MORE Act, only slightly revised, and is the first cannabis legalization bill sponsored by a Senate Majority Leader. The bill proposes removing federal penalties for cannabis, expunging prior convictions for nonviolent cannabis offenders, and earmarking funding for restorative justice programs.

The bill would also work to establish tax rates for cannabis products, and formally allow each state to vote on legalization. In states where cannabis has already been legalized, it would create a big win mostly in banking and transportation. Opening up the availability for banking for cannabis related companies would help to better regulate sales and cannabis taxes. Transportation would also become less of a hassle for legalized states. However, states that currently have cannabis as an illegal entity can choose to continue to do so. With that being said, though, if cannabis is no longer being federally prohibited, these states must allow for transportation through their state without penalty. Those states would also miss out on any tax revenue opportunities presented by legalizing cannabis. Many advocates feel that this could lead to a potential legalization by that state’s government if the draft bill were to be signed into law. Unfortunately, it is still an uphill climb to get this draft signed into law. Democrats currently hold charge of Congress but would still require 10 Republican senators as well as all the Democrat constituents to pass a cannabis legalization bill as things stand currently. There are, however, thirty-four Senate seats up for election in 2022, with twenty of those currently being held by Republicans. Flip some of those, the odds increase. The Biden Administration is also less than supportive and encouraging.

Press Secretary Jen Psaki has stated on Biden’s behalf that he is supportive of leaving recreational legalization up to each separate state’s government, while allowing for medicinal cannabis legalization. Biden is also supportive of the decriminalization of cannabis and expungement of prior cannabis convictions, as well as moving cannabis to a Schedule II drug. The rescheduling would allow for more research into cannabis as well. Though he does show support to a large majority of the proposal, when it comes to federal recreational legalization, he continues to balk at the idea. But our world is ever changing. Our views as a joint collective have shifted greatly towards cannabis, even more significantly over the last twenty years. More and more states are considering some form of legalization if they are not already there. Oklahoma currently has two new petitions being presented on recreational legalization and a restructuring of the current medical governing body. With notable leaders, such as Senate Majority Leader Schumer, Attorney General Merrick Garland, our nation’s highest court, the Supreme Court, Vice President Harris and President Biden all voicing support for legalization of cannabis, we can only assume it will be a matter of time. Now, whether or not this current administration can get it together enough to agree to terms and pass it as law, is a different question. thechronicmagazine.com

NOVEMBER ISSUE

ORDER YOURS TODAY!

COOKINGWITHABUZ.COM

Four

Chef

TWIST ONE UP AND LET’S GET COOKING

Cake

Buz

Good day, my canna chefs, and welcome back, it’s Thanksgiving time and my favorite holiday of the year for sure. From succulent turkey breast, cranberry sauce, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and all the sweets, I love it all! This year's recipe will be one of my dessert favorites, it goes back to my earliest memories and is a nice change from the traditional pumpkin pie. This Canna Cherry Chocolate Cosmic Cake is a quick and delicious way to get medicated this Thanksgiving and a sure tongue twister. We’ll just call it the 4 “C” Cake for short, so grab a bag of your favorite herb, twist one up and let's get cooking with a Buz!

@medibles_ok

INGREDIENTS:

ICING:

1 tbsp baking powder

¼ cup unsalted butter

¾ cup cocoa powder

¼ cup CannaButter

1 ½ cup granulated sugar

¼ cup shortening

1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour

⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

½ tsp salt

2 cups confectioners sugar

1 21 oz. can of Cherry Pie Filling

2 tbsp milk

3 eggs

1 cup hot fudge topping

1 2 3 1 tsp vanilla extract

S T E P

with a

COOKING

BUZ

Preheat to 350 degrees and grease and flour a 9”x13” pan. Then sift the cocoa and flour and mix with the sugar, salt and baking powder in a mixing bowl, now whisk in the eggs and cherry pie filling, mix together until well blended and add to the pan.

S T E P

Bake for about 30-40 minutes then remove from the oven and let cool. Time to make the icing, cream the butter and shortening together, sift the confectioners sugar and cocoa powder and add to the creamed butter mixture.

S T E P

Now start adding the milk 1 tablespoon at a time and mix smooth before adding the next. Then all you need to do is to add the vanilla extract and hot fudge topping and mix until smooth. Once the cake is cooled add the icing and you’re all done, you’re 4 “C” Cake is ready for serving, enjoy!

thechronicmagazine.com

NOVEMBER ISSUE 22

The Worst “What If”

Why Cannabis Businesses Fail by Carisa Rowe

aking the choice to launch a small business is one of the most exciting and terrifying times in an early-stage entrepreneur’s life. There are innumerable “what ifs”; imaginary situations that develop into fantasies about inconceivable success and nightmares about failure. The number of considerations for success can be daunting but many U.S. workers are eager to change their professional trajectories. Business ownership provides an alluring autonomy for industrious folks willing to step up to the unique challenges of building one’s own empire. Business ownership is a numbers game. The Small Business Administration reflects that 20% of new businesses fail before their first anniversary. By year five, 50% of the companies had closed permanently with only a third remaining in business at the ten-year mark.

Success rates in small business ownership are bleak but the promise of personal and professional freedom coupled with a sense of financial control make the gamble worth the risk. Entrepreneurs interested in joining the cannabis industry have big visions, too – visions that range from community wellness to legislative and punitive reform, to wealth and notoriety. Definitive statistics regarding the success and failure rate of cannabis business in the United States are unavailable as new markets open with every legislative session. The most comparable infrastructure and staffing model to the cannabis industry may be food and beverage. Both industries provide a service-based consumer model with massive overhead, including expirable goods, stringent regulatory oversight, and market fluctuations that are often dependent on mother nature. thechronicmagazine.com

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The food and beverage industry offers insight into the risks of building a brand in a heavily saturated, highly competitive, mood-driven market. Industrialists wanting a cut of cannabis should bear in mind that 60% of new restaurants close within one year and 80% shutter their doors by year five. These great risks pale in comparison to chasing passion. As legal cannabis markets launch across the country, fervent ganjapreneurs stake their claim for a little piece of the “pot”, as it were. Normal corporate considerations are at play, of course. A successful business is a well-defined one and those companies that realize their dreams understand the value of a solid business plan and structure, to protect all invested parties. Winning teams have strong, fully funded financial forecasts with reinvestment into the company, the marketplace, and the workforce. Businesses with loyal customers have taken advantage of their location by investing in their communities and evolving to provide services and goods based on consumer demand. By getting the combination of these factors just right, or dialing them in quickly, there is great reward to be had. In cannabusiness, these things are just the beginning. Cannabis business owners have contingencies in addition to the rigors of launching a traditional business. Location is key in all business, but this consideration carries much weight in this industry where consumers must feel at ease coming to shop. Hard to access parking lots or storefronts in lowly populated commercial districts do not have reliable natural traffic. Dispensaries must be visible from the roadway and maintain curb appeal to draw in shoppers. Stores in neighborhoods with high crime will struggle to draw in shoppers due to the stigma of criminality that lingers around cannabis use. The saturation of storefronts in a particular commercial district creates even steeper competition for clientele. 25

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Back-end businesses such as processing companies and cultivators must consider local ordinances, permits, and regulations when choosing to set up shop at a particular location. Delivery drivers, salespeople, and industry peers will need to be able to come and go from the business with relative ease, to keep the wheels of the machine turning. The relative distance to the nearest supply house and the abundance of resources on site will have an impact on the success of the location. All too often in the excitement of building a new business, entrepreneurs overlook these important factors as they move through start-up decisions, particularly when in pursuit of affordability or a “good deal”. Businesses who idealize a location’s potential or the practicality of amenities often find themselves struggling to realize all the potential they’d imagine. For a vast majority of business owners, particularly in the highly competitive cannabis market, an ill-fated location creates innumerable hurdles that lead to low profitability and, ultimately, closure. Among the major issues affecting the longevity of a business is the matter of tax liability. In all manner of commerce and service, The Man must receive its due. In cannabis commerce, The Man is backed up by an aggressive tax code enacted during the Reagan administration. Tax code 280e came into existence after an astute drug trafficker filed deductions on his taxes for “ordinary and necessary business expenses” such as mileage, a scale, packaging materials, long distance phone charges, and a small amount of rent for using his home office to conduct operations. The following year, the IRS had enacted this infamous tax code preventing Jeffrey Edmondson from receiving tax breaks for his business expenses related to illegal drug sales.

From 1982 forward, only the cost of goods sold could be deducted as a business expense when filing taxes. In legal markets, states’ rights supersede the Schedule I status of cannabis and provide some protections for the conduct of cannabis but there is no haven from tax code 280e. For businesses unable to claim costs of goods sold (COGS), the effective tax rate is roughly 70%. For companies with poor financial structuring or improperly informed bookkeepers and accountants, outstanding taxes become an insuperable financial problem that outlasts the business. New businesses struggle with brand identity, often undergoing many evolutions before settling on a final vision. In the hyper-competitive cannabis market, brands must put in extra effort to stand out from their peers. Logos must be professional, not too gimmicky, and easy to read. The color palette, the look and feel of packaging, and the overall vibe that a company wants to convey are all reliant on the logo to entice consumers to the brand. High quality design and printing carry extra value in the consumer’s subconscious mind. Neglecting image has caused many brands to fall behind the pack, leaving them positioned as low value and relegating their product to bottom shelf status. Another component of brand identity that can determine success is the company’s “voice”.

Brands must establish an identity that is true to their values and work ethic. Companies who haven’t yet established a voice and reputation for strong communication will be early on the chopping block as natural attrition balances the market. Entrepreneurs often get so caught up in getting to the next stage in the process of building a company that they forget to establish a community to support their empire. Businesses need consumers who return and who recommend the product or service to their peers. For consumers to come back and bring their friends, they must trust the company and believe that the company is invested in them. As a successful brand, companies should be explaining their products, pointing people to more resources, and inviting engagement. Storefronts, laboratories, and grows who are not investing in their roles as community leaders have been feeling their profitability and loyalty wane. Together with brand identity, company culture ranks among the most important factors for success. Entrepreneurships should invest in the success of their team members with sufficient pay and benefits, competent training, and an atmosphere that is fun and rewarding.

Companies gain much loyalty from employees who are empowered to do their jobs, able to meet their financial needs, and encouraged to have a good time at work. Employee loyalty breeds customer loyalty and sales growth by fostering trust. There is little marketing that beats a good reputation and employee experience is tantamount to customer experience when potential clients are choosing new services or products. Companies who neglect to show gratitude for the efforts of their staffs are watching good help leave for greener pastures and take paying customers with them. Companies with strong leadership, a healthy company culture, happy employees, and loyal customers but still fail due to compliance issues. Cannabis entrepreneurs should expect hurdles that would make an Olympian think twice. Outside of normal business regulations and licenses, cannabis companies must also register with multiple oversight agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Agency, the state’s pharmaceutical oversight agency, the state’s cannabis oversight agency, an inventory tracking service, local municipalities, and more depending on what is produced and what is used to produce it.

Cannabis businesses are subject to enhanced scrutiny from the IRS, the ATF, and the FBI resulting in expenses that can be hard to forecast. Local municipalities are quick to hop on the gravy train, enacting ordinances that require excessive building modifications that can stymie progress in buildout or expansion. The regulations are constantly evolving and the process to compliance is often confusing with minimal guidance. Small mistakes can cause entire investments to collapse, even leading to imprisonment for would-be tycoons. There’s never just one reason for the closure of a business. A business is the manifestation of a million dreams. It is one hundred “what if” moments and ten answers every time. Plenty of businesses will answer the question correctly every time and still never achieve success. Thankfully, brave entrepreneurs are undeterred knowing the cards stacked against them. For cannabis magnates in the making, the “what if” is irresistible. After all, “what if” is just another way to express hope and all the fear, risk, and determination it takes to keep hope alive. thechronicmagazine.com

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HOW DOES CANNABIS FIT INTO FAMILY GATHERINGS THIS

SEASON

by Chynna Pearson

he holidays are coming fast!

Thanksgiving and Christmas are around the corner followed shortly by the New Year... 2021 has passed us by in a flash. It’s almost hard to believe that 2022 is coming so soon. On top of that, there is lots of stress. Visiting family and having to provide gifts for so many people means some of us need to figure out how we can get cannabis mixed into our family events. This situation could be due to emotional pain, physical pain, or simply the need to relax, whatever your choice there are ways to fit cannabis in without feeling like the family stoner. Cannabis has evolved and it’s time for the way some of us view cannabis to evolve with it. Cannabis is no longer something that you have to buy from a 18-yearold in a hoodie dealing behind the library. No more dime bags full of

Now, we have tons of states that allow for restaurants to allow cannabis smoking and even serve THC infused drinks and foods. Some cannabis stores even look like they’re owned by Apple. We have truly come a long way. (Personally, I can’t wait to see how far we can go in the next 60 years. I’d like to see my grandkids casually and safely using cannabis in the way we always wanted to.) There are a lot of different ways to get cannabis to fit into family gatherings too. These do depend on how legal the state you live in is so choose whichever fits your situation and family most. You may even need to mix them up a little to suit things perfectly. Here are a few options:

OPTION 1:

To integrate cannabis into a family gathering

There are no more

can be as simple as bringing out a THC salve and letting whoever

movies like Reefer Madness or those commercials where teens are deflated into

This method will open up the floor for more talk

stems and seeds.

the couch.

wants to try some.

about cannabis and it’s many different uses.

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From this, the conversation might open up to some people wanting to try edibles or other types of cannabis consumption. If you came prepared, this is when you offer some of your edibles. (I recommend getting low doses if some of your family wants some. It’s never fun to be scared or paranoid after eating a cookie.) Then as your time with your family continues when you go outside to smoke a bowl or a joint, your family will be much more accepting and will likely have

OPTION 2: If you want to just go for it, since your family already knows that you use cannabis, bring a THC infused wine or something else that feels classy and fancy for the family to try. This is a really amazing way to get cannabis into the conversation. By showing your family that cannabis isn’t just THC infused candy bars or something else that seems just as ridiculous to them, you can begin to use cannabis in peace. Do not try to force anyone to try the wine either, let them come on their own and then start explaining it as they get more comfortable with the idea of cannabis being infused into alcohol.

constructive questions that you can answer with

(For some this combination may not be the best idea, but one glass of wine shouldn’t be too much for anyone to handle.) If your family is less into wines, try out some fancy chocolates or even THC crystals that have no flavor but infuse THC into

knowledge.

whatever drink you like. Continue reading to p. 31 thechronicmagazine.com

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If people ask about what happened outside, tell them and let them know that Once you’re finished, come back in and change

OPTION 3:

clothes and act like it is

If you’d rather not let people know that you

For this, if you feel comfortable enough,

It may even lead to one of them reaching out

partake in cannabis and want to tell them at a different time, you can always simply

it may be a good idea to either have websites saved or bring a magazine or

and wanting to try a salve for their arthritis or even an edible to try to sleep more soundly.

bring edibles and microdose yourself as needed. With this

two that are all about cannabis and how to use it safely.

method, you may relax enough to begin talking about cannabis

Although the conversation about

and it’s uses with the family. By hiding that you have cannabis

cannabis may be uncomfortable to you, it may be

with you it can be difficult to begin to talk about cannabis

beneficial in the long run to have explained cannabis to your

without examples.

family.

just a regular part of life, like having a cigarette on the porch.

the family around you that this isn’t a big deal and doesn’t have to be treated as one, especially since

you act normal.

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If they were worried you’d

pretend everyone is okay

be something akin to drunk

with it. For example, just

or completely goofy and

pack a bowl or roll a joint in your room and walk outside with it.

unreasonable, you’ll have proved them wrong. This method straight up proves

Once you’re finished,

that what you are doing is

come back in and change clothes and act like it is

more for medicine and

just a regular part of life,

relaxation than for

like having a cigarette on

partying.

the porch.

may have. If you choose to do any of these things, I wish you all the luck.

As cannabis is no longer a party drug and has transitioned itself into being considered a medicine, it is time cannabis can be as acceptable as bringing in a bottle of wine or Hennesy to

This one may sound like a joke but seriously just

answering any questions they

This way tells

when you come back in,

BONUS (BALLSY) OPTION:

everything is fine and begin

a party.

As time goes on, we can only hope that one day cannabis is just as fine to bring to places as any alcohol. It’s up to us to begin this transition so future generations can be comfortable in comparison to us.

Fast forward to the 1900s. Ever heard of Mary Rathbun? Known as “Brownie Mary," she was a hospital volunteer in the late 1950s and early 1990s who baked special brownies for patients suffering from HIV/AIDS. She had noted that cannabis seemed to ease the pain for the patients in the San Francisco bay area. One of her famous sayings was:

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by Tatiana Melendez

Medical marijuana has been legalized in most states, and recreational cannabis legislation was significant in 2019. By the end of the year, even the federal government was making recommendations about de-scheduling marijuana. Still waiting for that, may I add. All in all, the rise of the cannabis industry has been remarkable. Still, another fantastic story is embedded in the green wave: much of the industry’s

associated marijuana with men. Most of our stereotypes about “stoners” focus on young men as well. If we think about the realities of the black market, we often associate that with men too. However, that does not mean women were not involved in the black market or had never touched cannabis before legalization. More or less, it was considered less socially acceptable in some circles, and these attitudes could have contributed to the initial invisibility of women in the cannabis movement.

recently conducted a survey measuring diversity and inclusion. Jennifer Whetzel of Lady Jane Branding founded the study. The organization’s mission is to tell the stories of women and individual women’s stories with

Also, the study asks hard questions with the hope of understanding women’s work histories

When and if they legalize it, I’ll sell my brownie recipe to Betty Crocker or Duncan Hines and take the profits and buy an old Victorian for my kids with AIDS.

However, today, women are in leadership positions at every level of the cannabis industry, from CEOs of mega-companies to cultivators taking cannabis from plant to product. Women grow cannabis, make medicines, own their farms, and operate their dispensaries. Some women are also producing and directing documentaries to fight the stigma of cannabis and its consumers. But before all of this happened, women had begun experimenting with the plant way way back in the day.

success is being driven by women! For decades, people have typically

speaking out about cannabis now than ever before. The Women in Cannabis Study (WICS)

data.

WOMEN LEADING THE WAY IN CANNABIS here’s no doubt that the cannabis industry has been growing by leaps and bounds.

More women are

Sounds like a sweet lady. Now, zoom to the 2000s, and you have Hannah Deacon. Hannah is an award-winning medical cannabis campaigner. She ran a campaign in 2017 and 2018 with the lobby group “End Our Pain,” which resulted in her son Alfie Dingley receiving the first legal National Health Service (NHS) prescription for medical cannabis.

Research proves women’s

His doctors received a permanent schedule one

involvement with cannabis advocacy harkens back to a tradition of caretaking. Women in many

license in June of 2018, which enabled them to prescribe medical

indigenous communities acted as healers. Before the advent of modern medicine, they would use traditional

cannabis legally for Alfie.

knowledge of plants to help people with all kinds of ailments. For many cultures, this kind of traditional

campaign for fair access to medical cannabis treatments on the NHS.

knowledge involved cannabis too. So it may be little wonder that we see more women taking up cannabis to

She is also the Executive Director of The Medical

assist with conditions that disproportionately affect them, such as anxiety and depression.

cannabis Clinicians society and Director of Maple Tree Consultancy.

Hannah now continues to

and professional trajectories and reveals their roadblocks to success, including their experiences with bullying, harassment, discrimination, and disrespect. More questions in the survey seek to identify women and non-binary participants as groups and individuals and amplify inclusivity for underserved or overlooked voices in an industry estimated to be worth $10billion. It focuses on gender expression, race and ethnicity, sexuality, and whether women are nondisabled or have the support and means to thrive in the cannabis industry. Here is the link if you are interested in the results: www.womenincannabis.study

Another study recently published by Marijuana Business Daily attempts to analyze the economic impact of the marijuana industry on women and minorities.

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The findings of the study are an interesting reflection on the U.S. business environment and how scientific innovation trickles down to various subgroups in our society. This leads us to believe the industry is shifting away

Whether it has more to do with traditional knowledge, an innate desire to care for others, or just good business sense, there’s no doubt that women have made their mark in the cannabis industry. What is more, is that there is little doubt they will continue to do so.

from a “dark basement bro” vibe and more into a bright, transparent, women-led professional vibe.

as well as businesses that address the needs of a growing, newly legal industry. As the cannabis industry grows, it will undoubtedly continue to be led by innovative and insightful women.

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Already, women-led brands are helping to create products that cater to women’s concerns and needs,

THE WORLD OF CANNABINOIDS AND TERPENES

What is THC-O & is it safe? Written by Dr. Pepper Hernandez ND, Ph.D., CTC, CNHP, NHC

Board Certified and Award-Winning Holistic Health Practitioner

THC-O acetate is a cannabinoid obtained from the hemp plant. In a really inexpensive way. It's synthesized to change its chemical structure which alters its effect on the body. Our endocannabinoid system is not meant to have this one cannabinol alone. This means that unlike other cannabinoids like cannabinol (CBD) THC-O can not be extracted from hemp. It has to be altered in order to be created. Which is bad news from a health perspective. The isolates are not as good as the whole plant, THC-O is so far removed from its natural state. It all starts from tetrahydrocannabinol acid (THCA), which is the raw precursor to THC. THC that hasn't been decarboxylated, or "activated", by heat is referred to as THCA. To convert THCA to THCO, it is mixed with sulfuric acid and acetic anhydride, then heated in a regulated manner to significantly modify the cannabinoid's molecular makeup, resulting in THC-O. THC-O is not just psychoactive, but it's also a psychedelic cannabinoid. We do not know much about the results of inhaling or consuming this cannabinoid. Because it is new to the market and may not have the chance to learn as it will very quickly be pulled from the shelves. According to cannabis users & what lab results we could find, THC-O can be 300 percent stronger than regular THC and last 30 times longer. Yes, you read that correctly, it lasts up to 30 times longer. That may sound nice to a few of you but the larger problem here is that a possible result, it has the ability to trigger cannabinoid receptors in the brain in a way that conventional THC cannot.

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We need to think of “oversaturation” as in over saturating the CB1 & CB2 receptor cells. As many of you know (CHS) Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome is a set of symptoms caused by chronic and heavy cannabis use. It is characterized by cyclic episodes of nausea and vomiting. While these episodes generally last 24-48 hours, the symptoms tend to be very severe and can lead to dehydration. I personally believe users who over saturate their system can have these effects which means we could see more people with these issues when using the wrong products, isolated, high amounts of concentrates that the body doesn't fully understand. The reason I was prompted to inform readers about the dangers of THC-O not only came from hours of research, listening to speakers on the subject over these last few weeks but also the

Patient Advisory

latest email sent out to all the OMMA Patients. This advisory should be a warning. In no way do I suggest anyone try these products. They may be

We are starting to see a rise in the number of medical marijuana products that contain THC analogs, including THC-O-acetate. This manufactured THC compound is NOT a medical marijuana

extremely dangerous. Always use organic flowers, real, raw, and go slow. Whole plants only. Skip the synthetic isolated compounds.

product and has been shown to be very harmful when added to other THC-containing products, causing side effects such as seizures, difficulty speaking, and vomiting. Reports of these dangerous side effects are increasing, which is why our QA lab, Metis, is diligently monitoring this substance and other THC analogs. Metis has confirmed the presence of this chemical compound in a concentrate by the name of Platinum OG Sugar (BA#-POG-062421). If you’ve had negative health outcomes after using a medical marijuana product purchased from a licensed dispensary, please immediately contact a medical provider or the Oklahoma Center for Poison and Drug Control (800-222-1222). When purchasing a medical marijuana product from a licensed dispensary, we strongly encourage you to always ask to see the Certificates of Analysis (COAs) and examine the lab test results so you can ensure you’re taking a safe product home. If the dispensary refuses to show you the product’s COAs, we suggest you purchase a product from another dispensary that will. In the event, a dispensary refuses to provide you with a product’s COAs, please contact the OMMA Call Center (405-522-6662) or email OMMACompliance@ok.gov

Not all cannabis cultivars are alike, and as organic farmers continue to breed their specific genetics, users need to know what the cannabinoid profile is. Knowing the flower they are testing can bring positive experiences, the best experience and outcome, and an educated decision on what will be best for their medical issue and or aliment. Please check with your cannabis therapy consultant for more guidance. 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.

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...

HOW CAN

CBD

RETAILERS SURVIVE?

by Chynna Pearson

hen people think of medical remedies for pain that don't involve opioids, there are not many options to choose from and most will immediately think of medical marijuana before CBD. Due to this, what can CBD retailers do to survive in a world full of THC? There are about

35 states that have some type of cannabis available for medical use or have decriminalized cannabis in certain amounts. The rest of those states only have the option for CBD as it is federally legal. It would be obviously easier to survive as a CBD store in states where cannabis is still criminalized as there are no other options. In other states, CBD stores have to have different and unique strategies to gain customers and make profits. It’s almost comparable to a locally owned grocery store trying to compete with a Target and a Walmart coming into town. To some, it may seem like a useless effort but that is far from the truth. Not only is CBD different from many medical marijuana products, but CBD is also still a necessary medication for many people who do not like treating their ailments with THC-infused products or opioids. Before we fully dive in, let’s understand what CBD is and what its effects are on the body. CBD stands for Cannabidiol. Cannabidiol is a part of the cannabis plant that is not psychoactive or addictive. It is also the first cannabisrelated drug that has been approved by the FDA. CBD is specifically used for treating a lot of different issues within the human body. The Harvard Health School has said that it is good at, “The reduction of anxiety, insomnia, reducing chronic pain and inflammation, and helping treat addiction.” Each of these things CBD The reduction of anxiety, can assist with are all insomnia, reducing tough problems that sometimes only chronic pain and specific drugs and inflammation, and helping supplements can help with. With all treat addiction. these uses for CBD there is a strong market for its products even if the market is small. According to Hemp Industry Daily, the unfortunate side effect of the pandemic was that many CBD stores were going to have to close down while the CBD market was still holding tight to its market shares. “As one would expect, the most established brands are best positioned to survive market contraction. Brightfield predicts that survivors will be companies such as Longrunning CBD brands that have already established brand loyalty, Multistate MJ operators that can leverage capital and ‘vast dispensary and retail distribution networks,’ Supplement brands that already have connections in retail and experience marketing nutraceuticals, Consumer packaged goods (CPG) behemoths such as Anheuser-Busch and Unilever, which are ‘ready to join the competition as soon as a pathway is cleared’ by U.S. health regulators, Canadian MJ operators because of their “tremendous cannabis infrastructure and connections, legitimacy, and investor dollars, Pharmaceutical companies.

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Brightfield predicts more pharmaceutical-grade CBD producers may seek approval to join the market, and Scrappy disruptors.” It was predicted in 2020 that some newcomers into the CBD industry will have made tremendous headway over the course of months and some have even been picked up by larger retail chains and thus have found the spotlight. If the CBD company isn’t well established, then what? Will they have to give up and close up shop? Not necessarily. Let’s take a look at the company i+i Botanicals, founded by Jennifer Culpepper and Selam Kelati in 2019. Culpepper has said that, “Our biggest challenge is to find our positioning and where we differentiate ourselves from other brands. How do you differentiate your CBD in a tincture?” she said. “We think of ourselves as a skin-care or self-care company that uses CBD as an ingredient. That’s what sets us apart.”

This concept Culpepper is talking about has actually been proven to work by research and experience. Many of us are still unaware that the CBD market is less populated by those suffering from extreme pain and it is now looked at as more of a multivitamin and supplement.

CBD stores that are still trying to make it work in a town flooded with THC also should look into the CBD for pets area as well.

Due to this change in viewpoint, the CBD retailers didn’t have as hard of a year as it was predicted. CBD has become a wellness trend and less associated with THC and cannabis, think about it along the same lines as meditation, acupuncture, and veganism.

Pets are a huge soft spot in our hearts so appealing to them is a great way to get people into a store. Lastly, the best part of selling CBD is that you can sell it online. This is the biggest advantage that a CBD retailer as compared to the THC industry. CBD can be ordered and delivered anywhere in the country and it is not flagged by the post office for illicit substances. This means that CBD stores can send out samples to anyone who wants one and if someone really enjoys that specific CBD store they don’t have to stop purchasing when they move away.

Additionally, the growth of big retail companies has ended up fueling the growth of smaller companies too because lots of people are looking to cut out the middleman and simply purchase their CBD from smaller, locally owned stores. Marketing a store locally always makes a big difference in consumership and popularity as we are all drawing away from big names and looking to support the area we live in.

CBD for pets has become a huge area as more people are realizing that their pets can benefit from natural supplements too! Old dogs and cats have been moving like puppies and kittens with the implementation of CBD into their diet.

Hopefully, this article has given some insight into the world of CBD and how retailers can survive in a THC-dominated world. Not only is CBD non-psychoactive but CBD is federally legal and is available everywhere, online and in person. If your CBD store can benefit from opening an online element, be sure to check out options to get that setup! It’s the best advantage you’ve got!

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e k o m S o T e r e Wh

LA Finest Dispensary, Art Gallery, and Restaurant Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Los Angeles has a reputation worldwide for its food, its nightlife, its art, and its energy; it’s more than understandable why local businesses would want to emulate that energy. One such business, a multi-level experience on Northwest Expressway called LA Finest, is doing exactly that. By combining multiple vibrant and beautiful experiences of the creative arts, the owners have created a virtual paradise for cannabis patients to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and slow their roll. As explained on their website, LA Finest is “proud to offer the first cannabis dispensary and art gallery experience in Oklahoma City,” and they do exactly that from the moment you walk in the door or onto the patio. The inside of the attached dispensary, as well as the lounge, are well-decorated with various paintings and artwork in various styles: everything from portraits of hip-hop icon Nipsey Hussle, to outdoor murals featuring Marilyn Monroe and Jimi Hendrix, adorn the walls. You truly feel like you’re in a unique outdoor/indoor art gallery setting; the art is a vibrant part of the setting and not just decoration. It’s a post-retrograde kind of Thursday night when I decide to stop by for a visit (that energy was dicey there for a while, wasn’t it?), a crisp Autumn evening with a cloudless sky, and a full moon. I visit immediately after work and meet up with my friend Christa, just a couple of hours before they close for the evening at midnight. 41

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|Smokin' U-S-AAAAA

There’s a decent amount of people there for a Thursday evening, but it’s not crowded by any means. The most attractive seating area—the private cabanas with their own fire-pits and privacy curtains— is wide open, with only a few other booths taken. I take a seat and wait for my friend to arrive, taking dabs of my current favorite live hash rosin and a recent pickup: Gary Payton by Cicada Labs, grown by Snaxland (I was lucky enough to snag one from their drop that sold out at Tegridy and The Dab ‘N’ Go within a matter of hours). Once she arrives, we spark up some flowers she has packed into a King Palm, and I spark up a joint of Jealousy, a terpy heavy-hitter from those geniuses at Phresh Harvest. Music is always an integral part of the experience, and LA Finest had an excellent playlist of some of the bestproduced modern hip-hop from recent years. When you’re sitting around a fire pit, in a private cabana, puffing on a giant blunt and laughing with your friends, songs by Russ or Young Thug just seem to hit that much harder. Between the music, the refined and eye-catching decor, the vibrant art, and the lip-smacking food on offer, you really do feel like you’ve been transported to a patio hangout in Los Angeles. It’s a comforting feeling to see all of these great smoking lounges popping up in Oklahoma City; it seems that finally, local folks have figured out that we want public places to smoke our cannabis with our friends. LA Finest is an excellent new addition to the lineup and one I highly recommend.

|Smokin' U-S-AAAAA

The Summit Lounge Worcester, Massachusetts

Founded in 2017, The Summit Lounge is a member’s only cannabis lounge which bills itself as “a welcoming space for members of all walks of life to come socialize around common interests and passions”.

The indoor décor is modern and fun, yet still comfy and almost kitschy in a way, but far from being ugly or tacky.

And from what I can find, not only are they the best cannabis lounge on the East Coast, they might be the only one (Absolutely shocking, considering Massachusetts and New York have legalized it. What gives, guys?). Located about an hour west of Boston in Worcester (pronounced “Wooster” for you Okies and Californians), and billed as “the Amsterdam Experience,” the lounge comes complete with an on-site gourmet cafe serving coffee, tea, and “Summit Shakes.” The Fall shake menu looks nothing short of stellar, with features such as the “Pumpkin Pie’d” (vanilla ice cream blended with pumpkin, topped with a cream-cheese frosting rim and just about every pumpkin-spice confection available from Twinkies to Twix), or the “Peanut Butter Breath” (Chocolate ice cream blended with peanut butter, topped with a peanut butter rim and just about anything Reese’s-related that’s ever existed).

Repurposed antique glassware bongs that are available for use seem to be a perfect encapsulation of the vibe of the club and its decorations: something stylish, but in a very much functional and fun way. Exclusivity is an important part of the membership at The Summit Lounge; there’s an intensive application process that involves signing off on all of the club’s terms and conditions, and a one-onone interview with a staff member. It’s for this reason that, despite being very curious as to what exactly goes on at the club’s “Dildos and Donuts” event (just one of many different and wild events they have for members, from what I can tell), there’s no way to find out without being a member of the club. Perhaps one day I can travel in-person and apply for membership, if only just for the chance to try one of their incredible milkshakes. A man can dream!

Moe Greens San Francisco, California

In San Francisco, Moe Green’s Dispensary and Delivery has a high reputation for powerful buds in cool and stylish digs. Their cannabis lounge, simply called “Moe’s Greens,” is a perfect embodiment of that classic, cool, simultaneously modern and retro style that could only be found in an urban center like San Francisco. And if you’re looking for what could be the most uniquely-decorated space to smoke cannabis on the Western seaboard, you might just find it here.

The lounge is divided into three separate spaces: a larger lounge area where only vaping, edibles, and other non-smoking activities are allowed, a small smoking lounge with booths and tables, and a dab lounge full of bangers and heady glass. The decor is wild: huge, kitschy golden chandeliers, green upholstery that evokes limes or avocados with its color, and the front desk look almost more like a swanky hotel than a cannabis lounge. Cannabis is recreationally legal in California, so Moe Greens Lounge is open to all. Sounds like yet another fantastic reason to visit San Francisco if you ask me. thechronicmagazine.com

NOVEMBER ISSUE 42

MONTHLY CANNABIS REVIEW

by Melissa Hall, M.Ed.

CHURRO CAKE By Melissa Hall, M.Ed.

ack on the hunt again, with crisp November mornings and foliage galore, Fall is in full swing.

Of course we cannot conceptualize November at all without being Thankful. November reminds us to Give Thanks and also to be thankful for all we have. So with that pleasant, warm and familiar Thanksgiving ambiance all around us in November, I knew this months review just had to be an exceptionally Thankful infused dessert. Only one name came to mind when I thought about the Best of the Best of infused, gourmet Desserts. A recent High Times First Place Cannabis Cup winner for Edibles: Gummies category for their Rozin Bites, which are also amazing. Pharmer’s Daughter Edibles is no new name to the infused edibles and dessert game. Using only Rosin to infuse all of their goodies, Pharmer’s Daughter Edibles has also built quite the solid reputation for making the most potent desserts around, not to mention a reputation for impeccable consistency and providing the highest quality Rosin infused products on the market. Cannabis is a family affair for Chanel, the owner of PDE and the wife of Phresh Harvest Grass Roots Cultivation’s owner. The #phreshphamily is a crowd favorite among patients and non-patients alike. The Chronic was excited to get an exclusive interview and look into Chanel’s, the owner and operator of Pharmer’s Daughter Edibles, kitchen. All of her edibles are handcrafted with that true small-batch exquisite quality with Unbelievable attention to detail. She also uses no preservatives at all in any of her remarkable confections. This self-taught Chef gives her Mom much credit for being such an amazing cook and a great example to her growing up. Surprising The Chronic Magazine with a show-stopping 3 layer, 3000 mg Churro Cake. With infused, moist cinnamon and sugar cake layers infused caramel and infused cinnamon and sugar cream cheese icing with crispy churro pieces resting on top of the masterpiece. I can only describe this one as simply Heavenly. You do not want to stop eating this cake, but the milligrams quickly remind you to take it easy. Did I mention how delicious The 3000 mg, 3 layer Churro cake was? The cake, on flavor alone, was a perfect 10, on effect alone was a solid 20. This masterpiece was not for beginners. The full spectrum difference, as I call it, was into full swing within the first bites of the decadent delight. The good news, you can get all of the flavors by Pharmer’s Daughter Edibles in small, individual-sized, and lower milligrams. Ask your favorite dispo to carry Pharmer’s Daughter Edibles, if they don’t already have them available. It is no surprise that this woman charged edible company motto is “to provide quality while bringing back true handcrafted edibles.” I’m always asked this question so it seemed to be a fitting time to answer it. What is it about Rosin-infused edibles that make them so different when compared to distillate-infused edibles?

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The cannabis plant actually has over 100 cannabinoids, as well as an array of terpenes, the compounds responsible for scents and flavors. If you are satisfied with a typical edible high, distillates will do the job. However, if you are more interested in a smoke-free experience of the full plant, hash rosin may better fit your aesthetics. Live Rosin comes from a recently developed extraction process, which, unlike other extraction methods, does not use any solvents or chemical processes. That means that you won’t have to worry about the trace residue of a process in your edible. To isolate the plant’s natural components, rosin extraction relies on physical forces—cold, heat, agitation, and pressure—to yield a cleaner product and consumption experience. The live rosin process starts by freezing the plant immediately after harvest, which helps to preserve the trichomes that contain cannabinoids and terpenes. Next, the plant material is placed in an ice-water bath and gently agitated to separate the trichomes from the rest of the plant material. The trichomes are filtered out, creating water hash (aka bubble hash or ice hash), which is then turned into gooey, potent live rosin using heat and pressure. The result of this process means that the cannabis plant is fully expressed, with the strain’s complete suite of cannabinoids and terpenes. This makes the live rosin experience less generic, and more specific to the cultivar from which it came. All of what you’d get from smoking cannabis flower is preserved in the live rosin, which is the key ingredient in all of Pharmer’s Daughter Edibles. This full-spectrum experience is definitely what contributes to the potency and purity of the products. No matter what your taste is in sweets, you’re sure to find a new favorite in one of Pharmer’s Daughter Edibles' many selections. If you’re lucky enough to come across any of these tasty treats, Do not pass them by! Or if you would like anything custom made simply contact Chanel and her awesome team over at Pharmer’s Daughter Edibles. We want to thank them so much for allowing us a sneak peek into that awesome kitchen and for The Amazing Churro Cake. Always remember to medicate responsibly, and Stay Lit America.

CANNABIS CANNABIS SURVIVOR SURVIVOR

BY SLOANE SIMON

ince transitioning from my job out of the grow to a

new dispensary out in Choctaw, Oklahoma, known as the Lettuce Bar (check us out on Insta @the_lettuce_bar), I have had the opportunity to meet and interact with several cannabis patients and hear their stories. One day in early October, a new patient came in, and my assumptions got the best of me. Being out in Choctaw, not far from Tinker Air Force Base, we have a large percentage of veteran patients. Those patients receive a discount, so honestly, I was trying to hook her up. Lindsey came in and was asking questions about different strains we have, some of our concentrates, etc., so when I came from behind the counter and noticed she had a prosthesis on her left leg, I, incorrectly, assumed that she may have been a veteran. Thus opened our conversation for what had happened, and the trauma that her body had been through since 2014. Lindsey, almost nonchalantly, started to tell me her story of what had happened. She had gone in to deliver her second child after a normal, healthy pregnancy.

NOVEMBER ISSUE thechronicmagazine.com

While in labor, one of the nurses went to check how dilated she was, and inadvertently infected Lindsey with Strep A. Lindsey remembers labor going well, but then that evening, her and her newborn baby girl started having symptoms of infection. Of course, with a newborn, any sign of infection is troubling, so it is somewhat safe to think that the staff was much more concerned about a new baby. Tests were run and antibiotics administered to baby Paisley, and she went home from the hospital healthy. Meanwhile, Lindsey was having excruciating headaches and abdominal pain. Despite her daughter testing positive for Group A Strep, two days into increased blood pressure, headaches, and abdominal pain, there had yet to be bloodwork done to determine what was wrong with Lindsey. After two days, Lindsey was finally transferred to OU Medical Center, where, within thirty minutes of arrival, a diagnosis was received. By this point, Lindsey was experiencing sepsis, an infection in her blood, and was needing an emergency hysterectomy to remove the source of the infection.

Lindsey was under the knife within an hour of being transferred in order to literally save her life. Due to the sepsis, her body was beginning to fail her. After surgery, Lindsey was placed in a medically induced coma for three weeks in order to help her body rest and heal. During this three week time, she was off and on life support, with more bad days than good. After waking from the coma, the repercussions of the sepsis became the focus. Lindsey had necrosis, or tissue death, all over her hands and feet. In fact, her doctor expected her to lose both hands as well as both feet. The sepsis also caused her kidney function to stop. Because of the decreased kidney function, Lindsey was 23 years old with a newborn and two-year-old son at home, doing dialysis three days a week. Lindsey spent two months in the ICU, followed by another two months in a regular room at OU Med. So, after giving birth, Lindsey was finally home, 4 months after her initial entrance to the hospital. However, one month later, she was back in for an amputation of her right leg, just below the knee. Because of all of the necrotic tissue due to the sepsis, Because of all of the necrotic tissue due to the sepsis, Lindsey’s leg ended up developing gangrene.

So, the leg had to go, as well as all of the toes on her left foot and partial index and thumb on her left hand. On top of the amputation, Lindsey also has severe arthritis in her remaining ankle, causing pain that requires steroid injections every three months for joint degeneration.

For three and a half years, Lindsey would go to dialysis three times a week, for three hours a day. Her kidney function suffered terribly from sepsis and organ failure. Dialysis was a must to keep her alive. Lindsey’s older brother went to get tested to see if they would be a match for him to give her one of his kidneys. Turns out, he was a perfect match. Thanks to her brother’s generosity, Lindsey received a new kidney and was able to discontinue dialysis. A shocking benefit from the dialysis is that it was also helping with her adrenal gland function. Once dialysis ended, so did the adrenal gland. One week after her transplant, her energy levels crashed and her blood pressure would drop unexplainably. Doctor determined the issue and started her on 5mg a day of steroids to help boost her energy levels. Now that we’ve covered the physical results of the infection and ensuing hospital stays, let’s talk about the mental.

Since all of this occurred, Lindsey has dealt with panic attacks, bouts of depression, and even suicidal thoughts. “I wanted to have three kids, we had talked about having three, and that choice was taken away from me.” Due to the hysterectomy, Lindsey and her husband weren’t given the option to have more. The hysterectomy was necessary to save her life so she could be there to help raise her kids. Lindsey initially took the prescribed pain pills to help manage her pain, but like many people prescribed opiates, addiction reared its ugly head. She remembers a time or two when she did come close to overdosing, but thankfully, she no longer takes any kind of pain medication and uses cannabis to manage the discomfort she does have.

In a relationship, especially one that goes through a traumatic event such as this, it’s hard on both partners. While Lindsey was suffering with her depression and at times contemplating suicide, “I just wanted out,” Lindsey’s husband was also dealing with his own mental breakdown. This young couple with their lives ahead of them went in one day to deliver their healthy baby girl, and came home months later with a mom that barely made it out alive, dealing with a new way of life, all while raising a twoyear-old and a newborn. It was a lot, and the difficulty is understandable. But the resilience in this young family is amazing. Yes, things are less than easy, but Lindsey is here to raise her kids, to show them what it means to overcome adversity.

Since then, she has been medicating daily to help with the stress and anxiety. It helps her to calm down on the days when she’s a little more on edge, it eases the pain when the arthritis gets to be too much, when the thoughts are overwhelming, it quiets her mind.

Cannabis has played a huge role in helping Lindsey through day to day life. She has experienced joint pain, anxiety, and depression since this all began. In fact, cannabis is her only form of medication outside of the anti-rejection medication and steroids for her kidney transplant. Though she admits to using cannabis for around 8 years, it wasn’t until a trip around five years ago to Colorado that she got her first taste of medical grade cannabis.

Lindsey’s two favorite terpenes to look for are beta-caryophyllene and alphapinene. The beta-caryophyllene is often used to help relieve anxiety and pain; while alpha-pinene has antiinflammatory properties that are very helpful for arthritis pain.

About a year after everything occurred, her husband began researching the medicinal benefits of cannabis and began growing their own. “We’re researchers, well, he is,” she laughed when telling me about her husband learning to grow their own cannabis. And, like most people that use cannabis for truly medicinal purposes, they both agree that terpenes are much more important than the THC level.

We discussed the future of cannabis, and the way people view it in small town Oklahoma.

thechronicmagazine.com

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Initially, Lindsey was a little worried to let other parents know that she used cannabis. In fact, we laughed over the fact that so many people are more “accepting” to opiate usage than they were cannabis in the small towns we came from because, prior to legalization of medicinal cannabis, the opiate was at least legally prescribed. Insert giant eye roll here over the continuing opiate crisis in this country. Like most cannabis consumers, Lindsey feels people should be more open to cannabis as a true medicinal alternative to the chemicals we are prescribed for anything and everything.

The benefits cannabis provides far outweighs any negatives. It is not an addictive substance; you cannot overdose from it. The sooner legalization occurs across the board, the quicker more research can be done to show the benefits behind cannabis. In response to her favorite strain,

Me too, Lindsey, me too.

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BY THE NUMBERS AS OF OCTOBER 2021 THERE IS STRENGTH IN NUMBERS

Growers

As of October 6th, there are 8,970 growers within our state

Processors Dispensaries

We have 1,588 licensed processors in the state We currently have 2,439 dispensary licenses with this great state

Transport Laboratory Waste Disposal

We now have 99 Transportation Licenses We have 27 licensed labs We have 9 licensed waste disposal faclities

Active Licenses: 381,429 Patients & 2,015 Caregivers

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NOVEMBER ISSUE 54

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The Chronic Magazine - November 2021

Articles inside

Cannabis Survivor

Monthly Cannabis Review

Where To Smoke: USA

How can CBD retailers survive?

What is THC-O & is it safe?

WOMEN IN CANNABIS

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

The Worst “What If”

Four "C" Cake

Will The Current Administration Hold True to Cannabis Legalization

TO BE THANKFUL FOR..

BUYING WEED

Celebrating Friendsgiving