TASTE

from Cannabis Review Quarterly - 2021 - One

by repubnews

Find Your Feel Good with Your Five Senses

TASTE RECIPE SUBMITTED BY CANNA PROVISIONS

SATISFY YOUR TASTE BUDS WITH RANCH INFUSED OYSTER CRACKERS

How to make CEO Meg Sanders of Canna Provisions favorite cannabis dosed snack.

INGREDIENTS:

1 - 8oz box of Oyster Crackers (est. 224 individual ranch crackers) 1/4 cup coconut oil 1 tablespoon garlic salt 1 teaspoon dill weed 1 packet or 3 tbs of dried ranch mix 1 one-gram THC or CBD Distillate 90mg total active cannabinoids = roughly 2.5 mg dose per oyster cracker

HOW YOU’LL MAKE IT

• Measure 1/4 cup of coconut oil. Which you can get at any grocery store and while many oils work Meg loves how coconut oil works with the cannabis oil best for these.

• Next, add your THC or CBD distillate. Distillate is a very safe way to take an extraction out of the cannabis plant and use it to simply create this beautiful oil that retains the flavor and effects of its source material. It comes in 1 gram syringes but it’s sticky, so any issues getting it out just run it under hot water to loosen it up.

Important: Twist the cap/stopper off first, and if you didn’t want to use the entire thing you can screw back on and preserve your distillate.

• Once the distillate is out, blend into the coconut oil - if it’s not blending right just warm the oil slightly in the microwave but be sure to keep the temperature of the oil under 200 degrees (preserves the cannabinoids).

• Once your oil is nice and mixed with your distillate, add your 1 packet of ranch powder dressing or 3 tablespoons out of a large container. Then the garlic salt. Then the tablespoon of fresh dried dill weed.

• Stir and whisk until uniform and no chunks. It should be thick to coat the crackers. So whisk well!

• Once all that is mixed, add your oyster crackers! Gently fold with a big spoon to get them actively and evenly covered with the mix (tip: scrape from the bottom).

• If you want to really lock the flavor in, spread the coated crackers on a baking sheet one layer at a time. Bake in oven at 190 degrees for about 10 mins to soak into the cracker and it’s done! Note: the broken ones hold more of the oil and cover more so careful, those are the big ones and can pack more of a punch!

REMINDER: This kind of infusion is not exact science, just kitchen science. So always be careful, hydrate before you medicate, and remember to take one and see how you feel for an hour. You can always have another once you’ve given your body time to let the effects set in.

PRO TIP 1: Get a laser thermometer or just be sure to keep the heat under 200 degrees. Higher than that and THC turns into another cannabinoid CBN, which has sedative effects. Great for sleeping, but not so much for socializing. PRO TIP 2: Keep away from pets, as a couple of them can sometimes pop out of the bowl and fall on the floor! PRO TIP 3: OH NO! Feel like you’ve eaten enough to be in an uncomfortable sensation? Chewing whole peppercorns can reduce the effects of cannabis over-consumption. Keep some on hand!

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STORY BY LAUREN E. LeBEL PHOTOGRAPHED BY NATE BLAIS THEORY WELLNESS SHOWN HERE

HEALTH & SAFETY

DURINGCOVID

While COVID-19 continues to hang over the country, businesses work to stay afloat. In order to remain open, there are many restrictions that need to be followed. Protocols may vary, however, local dispensaries including INSA, NETA, Resinate and Theory are issuing many of the same policies for their staff and customers to follow.

INSA, with locations in Easthampton, Salem, and Springfield, have very similar COVID restrictions throughout their stores. Lewis Goldstein, chief marketing officer at INSA said, “At our dispensaries as well as our manufacturing facilities, all employees have to be temperature checked when entering.” Limited capacity is allowed indoors regarding the state limit. Plexiglass dividers have been installed between each area, specifically to divide all retail associates and customers. Goldstein said, this is executed to make sure that everyone is maintaining a six-foot distance, both inside and outside of the store.

INSA’s facilities are cleaned regularly throughout the day and night, including counters, doors, and any other touch points. Goldstein shared that there have been times when employees have tested positive, resulting in the closing of the dispensary for a deep clean. He assured that when this has happened, all proper precautions were taken. Goldstein went on to say, “We encourage online ordering so that we can process people and get them out as quickly as possible.” In both Salem and Easthampton, INSA offers an outdoor kiosk which is strictly weather dependent.

Similarly, NETA, along with its parent company Parallel, take all COVID precautions seriously and effectively. NETA has registered marijuana dispensaries in Brookline, Franklin, and Northampton. According to NETA, at the start of COVID-19, they created a task force to provide oversight and implement rigorous safeguards for the sole protection of their staff and customers. Currently, they still practice these strict protocols, including social distancing, mask wearing, and hand washing/sanitation. NETA uses glass partitions to minimize any close contact. At night, a third-party cleaning and sanitization service goes to all

NETA COUNTER AREA PHOTOGRAPHED BY NATE BLAIS

three locations, in addition to the rou- vice president of marketing, stated, can actually stretch the lines out a little tine daily environmental services clean- “Everything has changed.” He went on bit clearer and a little bit longer,” said ing. NETA abides by the state’s limits to say, everyone at Theory has been Winstanley. In Chicopee, this location on the number of customers allowed ensuring that social distancing is taking has a much larger footprint. The total in at one time. Additionally, they offer a place throughout lines—both indoors density of people allowed in the store reserve ahead model, meaning anyone and outdoors. High contact areas are is a lot higher than in Great Barrington. 21 years or older can purchase canna- being sanitized, such as doors, and Because of this, Theory has allowed inbis by ordering on their website. When even displays. Winstanley said, it’s not door shopping, along with the encourthe order is ready, they will be given a only important to protect the safety of agement of pre-orders as well. time in which they can come pick it up, his team, but also the consumers and The third Theory store is in Bridgesafely. NETA also offers a delivery ser- patients that are coming in to visit. water and is a medical cannabis dispenvice for its medical patients, only at the Currently, each of Theory’s loca- sary only. While they have the capacity Northampton and Brookline stores. to accommodate patients indoors, They are the only cannabis company in Massachusetts that offers delivery service— which has been quite busy “It’s not only important to protect this location doesn’t have the same sort of volume the others do as it’s solely medical. Winstanley said, the during the pandemic. Curbside pickup is also available for those who prefer this method. the safety of the team, but also the consumers recreational stores require more thoughtfulness in how they manage their queues. Matt Yee, director of retail operations at Resinate, explained the precautions and safety measures their and patients that are coming in to visit.” Pertaining to the day-to-day business, COVID has altered the usual happenings in a typical dispensaries are taking. Resinate has dispensary. Yee claimed, “Comtwo locations in Northampton and munication has hindered.” With Worcester. Yee said, both locations the wearing of face masks and have a limited capacity of 25 percent. tions are operating a little bit differently. glass barriers, it makes communication They are undergoing sanitation, along Winstanley said their Great Barrington between an employee and a customer with keeping staff and customers at a store which is a smaller store in terms much more difficult. The individual safe distance. Like INSA and NETA, of its footprint, has minimal in-store time and attention that customers typiResinate has glass partitions. Yee said, shopping and visitors are encouraged cally receive, can no longer be done in “Capacity is a hassle. We are cautious to place a pre-order. With pre-ordering its true fashion. of who we have in the stores.” To limit you can choose your pick-up window Goldstein agreed, “The biggest time spent inside, Resinate is offering time. There is also an outdoor tent thing it’s done is not allow us to have pre-orders and curbside pick-up. where folks can pick-up their orders. as much time educating and spending

At Theory, Thomas Winstanley, “The reason for us doing so is that we time with customers.” As a result, INSA

has created an online resource (askinsa.com), where consumers can email and ask questions that they would have previously done in-person or set up a video conference call with a cannabis expert.

NETA claimed their everyday life has certainly changed, like most, but they are pleased to have developed a plan that focuses on safety first. With this approach, it allows for a sense of protection over customers and employees. They stated, “We are so proud of our teams at our three NETA facilities for their work every day to keep our customers and each other safe. At Theory’s dispensaries, Winstanley believes that their business is constantly evolving. “Even before COVID, in the cannabis industry, things change so rapidly, for the most part.” As each location requires different measures to be taken, the staff is responsible for reimagining how the business can operate, with safety being paramount. In fact, Winstanley shared, “In the very near future, we’re going to be rolling out one of the first drive-thru pickup windows in the state.” This idea came from the question of how they can provide a healthier experience for people who visit. The drive-thru will be in Chicopee.

Winstanley said, “What will continue to be interesting going into the spring, is the number of vaccinations; and to see what is a new normal?” Right now, the “normal”, is putting up sneeze guards, plexiglass walls between customers, and sanitation. He believes this is going to stick around for a while, perhaps even to stay. Theory works closely with town officials from all locations, along with relying on state governments and municipalities to make the final call for how a business can truly operate. Goldstein added, when INSA employees feel comfortable, this will define when they go online, in store, and soon, they will be adding phone ordering. “The phone ordering will allow us to have that personal touch without it necessarily being in the store,” he said. They are waiting to see infection rates in the community before making any major decisions.

According to the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission’s website, “The Commission’s Amended Administrative Order Allowing Curbside Operations requires licensees to monitor and comply with all Commission-issued guidelines and bulletins. Consistent with 935 CMR 500.105(1)(r) and 935 CMR 501.105(1)(r), licensees must have and follow written operating procedures promoting workplace safety, which includes protocols addressing COVID-19 (Coronavirus).”

All licensee COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures must inform the Commission of any case of an employee testing positive for COVID-19. This must be done as soon as possible— no later than 24 hours after verification of illness.

While state regulations and mandates are constantly changing, it’s difficult for anyone to know what the future of COVID will look like. All remain hopeful that businesses and even everyday life will go back to normal, but it’s too soon to tell when that will be.

Further information regarding COVID-19’s effects on dispensaries can be found at the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission’s website.

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STORY BY JIM KINNEY PHOTOGRAPHED BY DON TREEGER

Why is this weed different

from all other weed?

At 253 Farmacy, the cannabis and cannabis products are kosher. The designation is granted by a Texas rabbi who made it his mission to certify cannabis products as fit for consumption by observant Jews following the death of his young son from brain cancer six years ago.

Meanwhile, 253 Farmacy co-CEO Seth Rutherford says the kosher certification is a signifier of quality, both in methods and in ingredients. He and his partners — two investors are Jewish — want to differentiate their product by going above and beyond the already exacting regulations of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission.

“We felt that it’s just another way to show how 253 does things up here,” he said of the kosher designation. “Quality, quality quality is what we are about.”

The shop was first certified as kosher in 2019, and the owners say they’ve been told they are the only such shop between Maine and Florida.

The certification is renewed every year. 253 Farmacy is the trade name for parent company 253 Organics, and it boasts on-site production and growing and local management. The shop describes itself as “deli style” in its online marketing.

The certification comes from Rabbi Yaakov Cohen of Whole Kosher Services in Houston, Texas. He wanted to dispel some misunderstandings.

“Kosher does not mean blessed by the rabbi,” Cohen said in a phone interview. “Kosher basically is a very specific set of laws that are brought down from the

five books of Moses covering a huge spectrum of food groups.”

That includes familiar prohibitions against mixing meat and dairy, and the use of products from non-kosher animals such as pigs and shellfish. Cohen said kosher certification also includes enforcing the complex

“Kosher gummies are made instead with fruit pectin, a vegetarian product.”

livestock slaughtering laws attributed to Moses.

But it can be hard for the average consumer to understand how those kosher rules apply to cannabis.

Cohen said gummies offer an easy-to-understand example. Kosher gummies can’t be made with gelatin, which is made from collagen — which often comes from pigs. Kosher gummies are made instead with fruit pectin, a vegetarian product.

Rutherford said he has to buy kosher ethanol for the lab, a solvent used to prepare extracts, because of rules governing alcohol.

He said all the ingredients and products required by kosher rules are more expensive and harder to get. But the kosher designation fits with the organic rules 253 Farmacy also follows.

“It’s like a farm-to-table thing,” he said.

Rutherford, of Amherst originally, and partner Christopher Gallant of Granby, built 253 Farmacy in the former Hallmark School of Photography building. Their renovations created retail space and indoor growing space and an outdoor ornamental, non-cannabis garden.

“We really want to have a nice Zen feeling,” he said.

Cohen said 40% to 60% of the products in an average grocery store are kosher.

“It says there are another pair of eyes on it,” he said. “People see it as a safer, healthier product.”

Companies that get kosher certifications generally see a boost in sales of about 15%, and not all customers buy kosher for religious reasons.

But Rabbi Shlomo Yaffe of Congregation B’nai Torah in Springfield might be here to harsh the mellow.

He said that while Judaism permits alcohol in moderation, the faith’s teachings frown upon intoxication.

“Jewish tradition takes a dim view against altering one’s state of consciousness by chemical means,” he said.

Cohen said he focuses on medicinal uses of cannabis. But he doesn’t limit his work to the medicinal side of the legal cannabis industry. He also provides certifications to what the state of Massachusetts calls “adult use,” or recreational products.

“I want to make these products more broadly available,” Cohen said. “Not everyone has access to medical

SETH RUTHERFORD IS THE CO-CEO OF 253 FARMACY IN TURNERS FALLS, A COMPANY THAT OFFERS KOSHER CERTIFICATION ON IT’S CANNABIS PRODUCTS.

(DON TREEGER / THE REPUBLICAN) marijuana. I want to take down barriers.”

Cohen said he’s not the only rabbi certifying kosher cannabis and cannabis products. He has certified 15 to 20 companies already, mostly in California and on the West Coast.

Another rabbi proposed a kosher cannabis project in Lynn in 2019. But that company, Essence Labs, isn’t open yet.

Cohen said cannabis oil helped his son during the boy’s illness. He and his wife were able to get it in California, but authorities intercepted a shipment meant for their home in Texas. Without the oil, Cohen said, his boy’s condition worsened. Cohen recently related the story in a “My Turn” column in Newsweek. 253 Farmacy touts the kosher certification in its marketing, Rutherford said.

And Yaffe said members of his congregation told him they saw those ads, and have asked him about it.

“They thought it was funny,” he said.

Companies that get kosher certifications generally see a boost in sales of about 15%, and not all customers buy kosher for religious reasons.

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