Cannabis Review Quarterly - 2022 - Four by repubnews

CR Q

CANNABIS REVIEW QUARTERLY WINTER 2022

four

2022

Wellness

Focused New Cannabis Line From Stevie Van Zandt

Year In

Review And The Road Ahead For Western MA

PRODUCT Previews

CHECK IT OUT

BROADEN YOUR

TASTE BUDS

EXPAND YOUR CANNABIS EXPERIENCE WITH HEKA

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CRQ WINTER 2022

We hope you are enjoying CRQ! Check out the current winter issue! Join us for future issues SOUGHT AFTER CONTENT Published quarterly, Cannabis Review Quarterly is the perfect resource to discover all that’s happening within the cannabis industry. CRQ is a sophisticated, informative publication that will keep you updated about the ever-changing cannabis space in our local communities, the region and the Massachusetts commonwealth.

EXCEPTIONAL AUDIENCE REACH

CRQ Magazine reaches an audience of more than 250,000 adults** through a combination of print and digital media platforms.

CR Q

four 2022

STAFF Publisher and CEO George Arwady garwady@repub.com

Advertising Director Mark A. French mfrench@repub.com

Advertising Sales Manager Michele Tingley mtingley@repub.com

Creative Design & Content Curation Michelle Johnson mjohnson@repub.com Curtis Panlilio cpanlilio@repub.com

Content Review Tiera Wright Ray Kelly Adam Stern

4 SEASONAL EDITIONS

TO REACH READERS ALL YEAR LONG PUBLICATION SCHEDULE CURRENT Winter Edition: January 2022 Spring Edition: April 2022 Summer Edition: July 2022 Fall Edition: October 2022 ** Sources: Nielsen Scarborough Research Study, Spring 2020; ComScore, Fall 2020

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO RESERVE YOUR AD IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF CRQ

Call 413.788.1250 or e-mail advertising@repub.com 4

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Cannabis Review Quarterly (CRQ) is published by The Republican. Our offices are at 1860 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103. All advertising is subject to the terms and conditions of the CRQ rate card, and all advertising submitted is subject to the approval of the Publisher. The Publisher reserves the right to cancel an advertising order or reject or edit any advertising copy or images. The Republican Co. shall not be liable for incorrect ad placement. Liability for failure to publish an ad shall not exceed a refund of or credit for the original price of the ad. Liability for an error will not exceed the cost of space for the section the error occupies. Credit will be allowed for the first insertion only. Advertisers should check ads upon publication. The contents of this publication are copyrighted 2022. The Republican Co. All rights reserved. No portion of CRQ may be reproduced in any form without the consent of the Publisher.

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Please Consume Responsibly. This product may cause impairment and may be habit forming. For use only by adults 21 years of age or older or persons holding a patient registration card. Keep out of the reach of children. This product has not been analyzed or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. There is limited information on the side effects of using this product, and there may be associated health risks. Marijuana use during pregnancy and breast-feeding may pose potential harms. It is against the law to drive or operate machinery when under the inﬂuence of this product. KEEP THIS PRODUCT AWAY FROM CHILDREN. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. The impairment effects of edible marijuana may be delayed by two hours or more. In case of accidental ingestion, contact poison control hotline 1-800-222-1222 or 9-1-1. This product may be illegal outside of MA.

CRQ WINTER 2022

TABLE OF

contents 4 Welcome to

Cannabis Review Quarterly or CRQ as we like to call it.

8 Product Previews

A look at popular and soon-toarrive products in the cannabis market.

18 Wellness Focused

New product line from Stevie Van Zandt and Canna Provisions focuses on taking charge of your own wellness.

24 For the Love of Weed

These days, candles aren’t the only things getting lit for couples who are willing to infuse a little cannabis into their romance this Valentine’s Day.

26 Year In Review and the Road Ahead

After three years of legal operation and five years after voters approved a referendum legalizing cannabis for recreational use, the challenge is more about standing out in an increasingly crowded marketplace.

28 How One Writer Quit Cigarettes With Cannabis

I was one of those very very wise people who began smoking tobacco cigarettes well long past the point of having known better not to. In order to better understand this curious turn of events, it’s worth zooming out to understand the context.

32 Broaden Your Tastebuds

Expand your cannabis experience with HEKA. When using cannabis, most consumers have a variety of desired outcomes. Whether that be for focus, energy, relaxation and so on, there are countless products or product types that you may search for when visiting your local dispensary.

37 Taste

Satisfy your tastebuds with a fun recipe from Canna Provisions for Infused Monster Cookies.

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38 Avoid the Afternoon Slump Has the 3 p.m. slump or mid afternoon shift in your work day altered your focus? If the answer is yes, then look no further.

41 Cannabis and You

Note to readers: Please consume responsibly. Cannabis and related products may cause impairment and may be habit forming. For use only by adults 21 years of age or older. Keep out of the reach of children. Products shown in this magazine have not been analyzed or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). There is limited information on the side effects of using these products, and there may be associated health risks. Marijuana used during pregnancy and breast-feeding may pose potential harms. It is against the law to drive or operate machinery when under the influence of this product. KEEP THESE PRODUCTS AWAY FROM CHILDREN. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. The effects of Edibles may be delayed by two hours or more. In case of accidental ingestion, contact poison control hotline 1-800-222-1222 or 9-1-1. This product may be illegal outside of MA.

We're not just a dispensary

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Please Consume Responsibly. This product may cause impairment and may be habit-forming. For use only by adults 21 years of age or older. Keep out of the reach of children.

CRQ WINTER 2022

STORY BY LAUREN E. LeBEL SUBMITTED PHOTOS

Product PREVIEWS

DOUBLE CARAMEL SEA SALT CHOCOLATE BAR COURTESY OF INSA PICTURED

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253 CARAMEL CHEWS

“Brand new from our new 253 Kosher Kitchen, Chef Danie has launched our 253 Caramel Chews,” said Sadiq. He described the chews as creamy with a sea salt flavor. They are made with real butter and vanilla extract, along with pink Himalayan sea salt. For 100mg, the cost is $25. Cannabis and sales tax not included.

CARAMEL CHEWS COURTESY OF 253

BOSTON BUD FACTORY Location in Holyoke

VISIT BOSTONBUDFACTORY.COM FOR MORE INFO

VAPE CARTRIDGES

253

Location in Turner Falls

VISIT 253FARMACY.COM FOR MORE INFO

CAKE CRASHER FLOWER

Yusef Sadiq, wholesale manager at 253 shared a few of their most recent product launches. Their first product is Cake Crasher Flower - “a indica-dominant hybrid strain made by crossing wedding cake with wedding crasher,” said Sadiq. “The result is a wedding-worthy strain that will help you relax and unwind your stress away.” This strain produces “euphoric effects” that leaves consumers feeling “hazy and creative,” added Sadiq. At 253, this is currently their highest testing strain. Depending on the quantity, pricing varies. One .8-gram pre-roll costs $12, 1 gram pre-packed is $15, 3.5 10

CANNABISREVIEWQUARTERLY.COM

grams pre-packed costs $50, and 7 grams pre-packed is $90. Cannabis and sales tax are not included.

253 CHOCOLATE BARS

Another recent product release is 253 Chocolate Bars. “Our chocolate bars are the first Kosher Edible in the state,” said Sadiq. “We sourced the finest Belgian Callebaut Chocolate to create a craft bar with a solid cocoa body and fine fruity notes.” With the initial bite, customers can expect an “intense cocoa,” as described by Sadiq, followed by “notes of toffee, red fruit, bitters, caramel, and vanilla in harmony depending on your choice of toppings.” Pricing is $25 for 100 mg. Cannabis and sales tax not included. Signature flavors include espresso bean, peanut butter crumble, mint cookie crunch and almond sea salt.

Frank Dailey of Boston Bud Factory said they recently launched some new vape cartridges. “Boston Bud Factory has both solvent free and solventless capabilities which allow us to make pure and natural plantbased products.” He continued, “Made with only terpenes and extract produced on site with our Solvent Free CO2 Extraction process, Boston Bud Factory vape cartridges will be some of the cleanest on the market.” Not only will the cartridges be clean, but because they are made on site, they are able to offer .5g cartridges starting at around $30 and 1g cartridges starting at around $60. “When you want the best quality products, at the best possible prices, you go straight to the factory: Boston Bud Factory.”

FRESH FLOWER ROSIN

The second product as explained by Dailey is Fresh Flower Rosin. This product is solventless and is made on site from fresh and properly cured cannabis. “Boston Bud Factory utilizes heat and pressure to produce a more concentrated and higher potency product,” said Dailey. Prices for this product will be set based on market prices and flower availability. Boston Bud Factory also has future plans to make bubble hash so that Hash Rosin can be produced on site.

CRQ WINTER 2022

LOVE Drops for arousal - An exquisite blend of five herbal aphrodisiacs and cannabis to boost arousal. Each Love Drop contains 2.5mg THC and 2.5mg CBD. BLISS Drops for happiness - A euphoric blend of three plant medicines and cannabis to promote extroverted happiness. Each Bliss Drop contains 5mg THC and 5mg CBD. GO Drops for energy - A powerful blend of cannabis, caffeine, and three plant medicines to promote energy. Each Go Drop contains 5mg THC and 5mg CBD. CHILL Drops for relaxation - A calming blend of high-CBD cannabis and plant medicine to promote relaxation. Each Chill Drop contains 5mg THC and 25mg CBD.

MOXEY’S MINTS COURTESY OF CANNABIS CONNECTION

EXTRACT SYRINGE

Last but certainly not least, Dailey shared that Boston Bud Factory will be offering an extract syringe. “Boston Bud Factory produces a high-quality solvent free CO2 extract and packages it in a syringe for home use. Extract can be used to make edibles at home, along with an endless variety of other products.”

CANNABIS CONNECTION Location in Westfield

VISIT CCOFWESTFIELD.COM FOR MORE INFO

MOXEY MINTS

Thomas Keenan, CEO of Cannabis Connection, expressed his excitement about a new product called Moxey Mints, which recently added three formulations. One of those formulations includes Mr. Moxey Artisan Mints from Revolutionary Clinics. Keenan said, “Mr. Moxey’s offers six formulations to tailor your experience to your specific mood. These artisanal mints enhance any occasion for those who have made the choice to live well. All of the mints are 20 serving. The six formulations are as follows: Relax Cinnamon - 5mg THC, full-spectrum indica extract, plus 12

CANNABISREVIEWQUARTERLY.COM

cinnamon, hops flowers and linden blossom. Cost is $25. Relief Ginger - 5mg CBD, 1mg THC and 5mg CBG, full-spectrum hybrid extract, plus ginger, chamomile and lemongrass. Cost is $25. Energize Peppermint - 5mg THC, full-spectrum sativa extract, plus peppermint, rosemary and green tea. Cost is $25. Balance Mint - 5mg CBD and 5mg THC, full-spectrum hybrid extract, plus peppermint, holy basil and lemon verbena. Cost is $30. Zen Mint - 25mg CBD and 1mg THC, full-spectrum hybrid extract, plus peppermint, damiana and lemon verbena. Cost is $30. Dream Lavender Mint - 2.5mg THC, 5mg CBD and 2.5mg CBN, full-spectrum indica extract, plus lavender, passion flower and valerian root. Cost is $30.

1906 DROPS

A second product now available at Cannabis Connection is 1906. “1906 offers a lineup of discreet, swallowable pills that combine moderately dosed cannabis with medicinal plants to help you boost every area of your life,” said Keenan. The drops are: GENIUS Drops for brainpower - An optimal blend of five plant medicines, caffeine, and cannabis to promote cognitive performance. Each Genius Drop contains 2.5mg THC and 2.5mg CBD.

MIDNIGHT Drops for sleep - A thoughtful blend of plant medicine and cannabis to promote sleep. Each Midnight Drop contains 5mg THC and 5mg CBD. The 1906 Drops come in two size options; they are the same price for each experience. Discovery Pouches are single servings and cost $3 each. Tins are 20 servings and cost $45 each.

CANNA PROVISIONS

Locations in Holyoke and Lee

VISIT CANNAPROVISIONS.COM FOR MORE INFO

NOW ENTERING MASSA-HUUE-SETTS HUUE PLANT-BASED VAPES When it comes to landing dehydrated Berkshires-grown cannabis for effect-forward convenience and hassle-free low-odor, controlled dosing of pure cannabis through proprietary all-flower pucks and fresh-sealed packaging for discreet usage and portability…your options have been slim for far too long.

Not anymore with the HUUE vaporizer, which is great for novice consumers or those that don’t smoke, and are looking for a zero-smoke, all vapor consumption device at the ready for when life requires a new HUUE to see through.

Choose from three effects-focused lines (think: GSD or Get Sh*t Done pucks), and an all-in-one gift set with device and pucks included. Find it exclusively at Canna Provisions Holyoke and the Berkshires. www.huue.co

BON BON VOYAGE

PlantJam/Cloud Creamery’s new hash-infused edible offering should be on shelves at Canna Provisions and other stores in time for Valentine’s Day. Plant Jam and Cloud Creamery founder David Yusefzadeh is not known for standing idly by when there is an opportunity to infuse a chef’s attention to detail in food products along with his love of cannabis. Yusefzadeh says partnering with companies which align with Plant Jam’s philosophy of being as close to the plant and natural conditions as possible is paramount. Which, he says is why he chose to partner with Local Roots out of Framingham to produce a range of hash infused edibles, including a line of bon bon style deliciousness that will be available in Q1 2022. “They share a passion for getting closer to the plant and true profiles and celebrating terpenes and effects and that they care about cannabis as we do about food.” Focused on pushing quality and being closer to hash based infusions means cleaner infusion methods and getting ahead of the trend of hash edibles which are more prevalent in developed legal cannabis markets. “That effect and flavor and richness in chocolate pairs really well with hash and we want to bring that chef, that skillset, with a new hash skillset to the Massachusetts market,” says Yusefzadeh. With chocolate being costly and the bottom line surrounding an all hash infusion, this premium product (using chocolate from a B-corp in South America to be in line with sustainable practice ideology of Plant Jam) should be available in time for Valentines day. Expect 12 to a box and three flavors in a variety box (different) of full

HUUE PLANT BASED VAPES COURTESY OF CANNA PROVISIONS

TREEWORKS TEAM COURTESY OF CANNA PROVISIONS

melt hash edibles in early 2022. www.plantjam.co

A HISTORIC HASH-ING IT OUT

Treeworks launching fresh frozen live hash rosin using 30 year old mother clone cut of Berkshires sun-grown Smash Hits exclusive strain - Chem 91. Courtesy of the in-house master hash rosin maker at Treeworks - the West Hatfield home to full-spectrum, plant forward, RSO-infused tinctures - some of the premiere concentrates on the market will have new goo in their ranks when the Smash Hits line begins to roll

out in early 2022. Expect the first run to feature standouts from the Smash Hits library: Wonka Bars, Stardawg Corey Cut, Tangieland, Urkle, and Chem 91. The latter being historic in its own right, being the first legal sun-grown Chem 91 for manufacturing into live hash rosin from the 30-year -old mother plant grown by the legendary Chemdog himself, Greg Krzanowski, and the rest of the Smash Hits cultivation team at Canna Provisions. “We had been searching for the partners for live rosin collaboraCRQ WINTER 2022

“This artisanal process yields a final product with a unique color and creamy flavor and is infused with bits of salted caramel sugar for a pleasant crunch.” Each chocolate bar contains 5mg of THC per piece and sells for $30.

PEANUT BUTTER CUPS

PEANUT BUTTER CUPS COURTESY OF INSA

tions in Western Mass., and as a local from the area who knew about Chemdog’s story and followed his personal brand, and we were aware of Smash Hits - but didn’t even think it was in the realm of possibility,” says MacKae Freeland, one of Treeworks founders. “Our hash rosin maker Nate has a friendship with Chem that developed the professional relationship with Treeworks, and that’s where the Smash Hits partnership took off. Chemdog strains are known to be great hashing strains for dabs, and the whole Smash Hits line is some of the best flower on the legal market here, so it was great timing with our plans for commercial manufacturing in Western Massachusetts.” Available at Canna Provisions stores in Holyoke and Lee.

INSA

Locations in Easthampton, Salem and Springfield

VISIT MYINSA.COM FOR MORE INFO

AWARD-WINNING CANNABIS INSA was recently named the most awarded brand in High Times Mag14

CANNABISREVIEWQUARTERLY.COM

“Drawing on the expertise of Master Chef Julian Rose to create high-quality, handmade cannabis-infused products, INSA launched Massachusetts’ first-ever chocolate peanut butter cup cannabis edible,” said Goldstein. “This indulgence combines the smooth taste of premium European chocolate with sultry salted peanut butter and top-cannabis extracts, completely free from fillers or other cheap ingredients, for a superior treat.” This product is available in packs of six pieces, with 35 percent Cacao, and 5 mg of THC per piece - 30 mg THC per pack costs $20. azine’s Cannabis Cup as a finalist in six categories, including two firstplace awards. Lewis Goldstein from INSA said, “INSA’s Clementine Sativa Vape earned top honors in the Sativa Vape category as an energizing sativa-dominant strain made by crossing tangie with lemon skunk.” He claimed it’s “loved by consumers” for its sweet taste and fragrant citrus aroma.

INSA’S CLEMENTINE VAPE

is available in 500mg and 1000mg cartridges, 500mg dart pods, and 350mg pens, and retails for $40 to $100 depending on the size.

INSA’S DOUBLE CARAMEL SEA SALT CHOCOLATE BAR

“earned first place in the Edibles: Chocolate Category,” said Goldstein. “This delicious creation, made with pure ivory chocolate sourced from Europe, is a top-seller at INSA’s dispensaries and other fine retailers.” He explained that the chocolate is caramelized during conching - a mixing process conducted at high heat, to bring out the natural color and flavor of salted caramel.

SEASONAL PRODUCTS

One approach that INSA is taking with their new product development includes the launch of special releases and seasonal products. According to Goldstein, these offerings “flew off the shelves when the fall and winter seasonals launched.” In case you missed it, INSA has something special lined up for Valentine’s Day. Their special offerings will include vapes, a pre-roll, and chocolate truffles.

INFUSED ROSE PETAL PRE-ROLLS

are “delicately wrapped in organic, fresh-picked, rose petals and packed with 1g of INSA’s high-quality flower and kief, all hand-selected by head grower Frank Golfieri,” said Goldstein. The pre-rolls cost $30.

RED VELVET CAKE TRUFFLES

On Valentine’s Day, INSA will also be offering “decadent truffles with rich red velvet ganache containing 5 mg servings of INSA’s premium cannabis wrapped in European chocolate,” said Goldstein. For a box containing six truffles, the cost is $20.

391 DAMON ROAD, NORTHAMPTON - NOW OPEN DAILY !

MASSIVE SELECTION  OVER 250 PRODUCTS TO CHOOSE FROM!

enlitecannabis.com PLEASE CONSUME RESPONSIBLY

CRQ WINTER 2022

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This product may cause impairment and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the innuence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 years of age or older. Keep out of the reach of children. Marijuana should not be used by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. This product has not been analyzed or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). There is limited information on the side eﬀects of using this product, and there may be associated health risks. Marijuana use during pregnancy and breast-feeding may pose potential harms. It is against the law to drive or operate machinery when under the innuence of this product. KEEP THIS PRODUCT AWAY FROM CHILDREN. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. The impairment eﬀects of Edibles may be delayed by two hours or more. In case of accidental ingestion, contact poison control hotline 1-800-222-1222 or 9-1-1. This product may be illegal outside of MA. del

can.” One product that just hit the shelves is HAVN Extracts. Kostanski said, “Their gummies are not only delicious, but they are also strain specific and vegan.” Some of the flavors as described by Kostanski include lemon - a 2021 Cannabis Cup winner that “will keep you moving,” strawberry and apple spice - “great for any social event,” and blackberry - useful for a “great night’s sleep.” She added, “With these, you get to tailor your edible journey to not only your flavor preference, but also your everyday needs.” HEKA also carries HAVN’s full spectrum vape carts. “Made with whole flower and solventless cannabis terpenes, these vapes are perfect for your on-the-go lifestyle,” said Kostanski. The effect driven gummies are $30.

NORTHEAST ALTERNATIVES VAPE COURTESY OF HEKA

COAST CANNABIS CO.

Expanding on the topic of edibles, more specifically for those looking for pain relief, Kostanski suggested Coast Cannabis Co. “Their Cranberry-Pomegranate gummies are the perfect 1:1:1 ratio of THC, CBD, and CBN to give you the perfect night sleep that you deserve,” she said. “Anyone looking for help with inflammation can give their tangerine gummies a try.” These gummies have equal parts THC, CBD, and CBG infused in them for a balanced and uplifting high. These full spectrum products are $30.

NORTHEAST ALTERNATIVES VAPE

HAVN EXTRACTS COURTESY OF HEKA

RED VELVET DART PODS AND CARTRIDGES.

Goldstein said, “Under the guidance of Chris Geoffrion at INSA’s lab, the team worked to take all the delicious sugary flavors of the red velvet cake and infuse them into 500 mg pods, retailing for $55.”

CANNABISREVIEWQUARTERLY.COM

HEKA

Locations in Westfield, Pittsfield and Palmer VISIT HEKAINC.COM FOR MORE INFO

HAVN EXTRACTS

Drew Kostanski, dispensary manager said, “Here at HEKA, we try our best to focus on small businesses and local companies as much as we

The third most recent product offered by HEKA is Northeast Alternatives new vape option. “Their Motiv8 Mandarin Cookies CBD: D8:D9 vape cart is claimed to be ‘the worry-free THC,’ said Kostanski. “Delta-8 is a cannabinoid made from marijuana derived Delta-9 THC that gives a less intense psychoactive experience while still intoxicating.” For those who prefer an alternative to vapes, HEKA also carries NEA’s Cannatini’s. “A full line of full spectrum gummies featuring RSO, CBD, and Delta-8 options,” said Kostanski. The vape costs $50 and the gummies cost $25. Also, stay tuned for the line of-in house HEKA flower that will be hitting the shelves soon.

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413-770-4bud (4283)

3235 Main Street Becket, MA 01223

www.rout8pub.com 413-623-6026

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Located in Canna Corner Dispensary Plaza American Cuisine and Thin Crust Sourdough Pizza

Your Neighborhhood dispensary!

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Massachusetts best in-house grown, hand-trimmed flower.

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ADULT USE CANNABIS DISPENSARY 253 MILLERS FALLS RD. TURNERS FALLS MA MON - SAT: 9 - 8 / SUN: 10 - 7 413 - 863 - 5765 ORDER ONLINE: 253FARMACY.COM : 253FARMACY.COM FIND US AT:

Please Consume Responsibly. This product may cause impairment and may be habit forming. For use only by adults 21 years of age or older. Keep out of the reach of children. This product has not been analyzed or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). There is limited information on the side effects of using this product, and there may be associated health risks. Marijuana use during pregnancy and breast-feeding may pose potential harms. It is against the law to drive or operate machinery when under the influence of this product. KEEP THIS PRODUCT AWAY FROM CHILDREN. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and impairment. The impairment effects of edibles may be delayed by two hours or more. In case of accidental ingestion, contact poison control hotline: 1-800-222-1222 or 9-1-1. This product may be illegal outside of MA.

CRQ WINTER 2022

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Located in the Route 8 Pub and Becket Liquors Plaza

Crazy-high standards of quality

STORY BY RAY KELLY PHOTO BY DON TREEGER

New Cannabis Product Line from Stevie Van Zandt and Canna Provisions

Wellness

FOCUSED

teven Van Zandt wears many bandanas: E Street Band guitarist, mobster on television’s “The Sopranos” and “Lilyhammer” and New York Times best-selling author. The Winthrop native, who turned 71 in November, recently added another entry to that already impressive resume — cannabis entrepreneur. Van Zandt signed an exclusive deal with Canna Provisions to carry his line of pre-rolls, Little Steven’s Underground Apothecary, and visited its Holyoke store back in November. “I love what Holyoke is doing with this part of town — it’s an artist-friendly part of town,” said Van Zandt, seated inside the 380 Dwight St. store. It neighbors other cannabis shops in 18

CANNABISREVIEWQUARTERLY.COM

what was once part of the vast paper mills that overlook the city’s industrial canals. He said he began Little Steven’s Underground Apothecary as a retailer of wellness products, including spices, teas and coffee, before making the jump into the cannabis industry. “It’s medicinal, as well as being fun,” Van Zandt said. “It’s high CBD and low THC.” He said he was drawn to Canna Provisions because of the reputation of its owners, Meg Sanders and Erik Williams. “Meg is a legend in the field,” Van Zandt said. “She is a pioneer, as is Erik.” Sanders said she appreciated Van Zandt’s interest in the medicinal aspects of cannabis, especially with

PHOTO BY NATE BLAIS

Cyber Criminals Target the Cannabis Industry Get into the Weeds of Your Insurance Policy to See if You’re Protected

By Aileen S. Berry, Esq., Professional Lines insurance specialist with Amwins Brokerage in West Palm Beach, FL, and Brian Savitch, Professional Lines insurance specialist with Worldwide Facilities (an Amwins company) in San Francisco, CA.

Protecting both patient and consumer data from hackers should be a top priority for companies operating in the cannabis sector. Both recreational and medicinal operations collect and store personally identifiable, protected health and payment information, as well as frequently handled NDA requirements around growing, extracting and other proprietary processes. As this data is subject to Federal regulations, including HIPAA, failure to protect it can lead to hefty fines and reputational harm. Regulatory bodies also require the tracking of cannabis from seed to sale, which creates the potential for a security breach in tracking software or systems for mobile ordering. Over the past year, cyberattacks have become more frequent in all business segments. As experts projected, cannabis is a growing target industry for hackers. Since navigating the cannabis regulatory landscape can be time consuming and costly, many companies have fallen behind in developing a comprehensive IT infrastructure and implementing the proper security controls to protect their systems and networks. This can lead to continued cyber security events.

Additionally, with the increased use of technology and more efficient processes, businesses across the distribution channel will need to address the potential for business interruption and loss of income due to a data breach – especially as the demand for cannabis products continues to increase. Cyber liability insurance is available to safeguard companies against the ongoing web of cyber security threats – from ransomware, phishing scams and social engineering to forensic and legal costs. Cyber insurance policies can also extend coverage to protect content and advertising produced on a company’s digital platforms as well as in print advertising. Trade name and copyright infringement, defamation, invasion of privacy and other intentional torts are prevalent media claims faced in the cannabis sector. Cyber liability coverage is not standardized across the insurance industry; therefore, each policy should be reviewed carefully to identify various exclusions and limitations. As a leading cyber liability wholesale broker, Amwins has the expertise, proprietary products and risk evaluation resources to place cyber coverage that meets your company’s unique needs.

Amwins understands that your business can be complex and evolutionary in nature. As the nation’s leading specialty insurance distributor, we deliver future-focused insurance solutions that keep you a step ahead of risks. Contact your insurance agent to learn how Amwins can help in securing unmatched coverage. Bring on the Future | amwins.com

CRQ WINTER 2022

PHOTO BY NATE BLAIS

ABOVE: CANNA PROVISIONS CEO MEG SANDERS ON THE LEFT AND MUSICIAN, ACTOR AND AUTHOR STEVEN VAN ZANDT ON RIGHT. PHOTO BY DON TREEGER

PHOTO BY NATE BLAIS

CANNABISREVIEWQUARTERLY.COM

the stress and anxiety caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. “We have seen brand new customers looking for relief from anxiety,” Sanders said, “and I am thrilled we were able to bring relief.” Van Zandt would like to see his cannabis line expand to include brownies, gummies and vapes. “We have a holiday lollipop coming out — flower power pops,” he said. Van Zandt’s entry into the cannabis market is the latest turn in a career that stretches back 50 years to first backing lifelong pal Bruce Springsteen in clubs along the Jersey Shore. He went on to launch a solo musical career, win two Screen Actors Guild awards for “The Sopranos,” receive repeated honors from the United Nations for his political activism, gain accolades for his philanthropy, successfully program two channels on SiriusXM satellite radio, and write

an acclaimed memoir, “Unrequited Infatuations.” Looking toward 2022, Van Zandt said he hopes to work with his band, The Disciples of Soul, unless Springsteen proceeds with an E Street Band tour. “If Bruce wants to go out and tour in 2022, I give Bruce priority,” he said. “Of course, it depends on the pandemic.” Van Zandt, last seen on screen in Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman,” does not rule out a return to acting. If the legalities can be ironed out, he said he wants to return to the role of ex-mobster Frank Tagliano in “Lilyhammer,” one of Netflix’s first series. “Back then I had to explain to people what Netflix and streaming was,” Van Zandt said. “We only did 24 shows. I’d love to go back and do more.”

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Love

STORY BY TIERA N. WRIGHT ISTOCK PHOTOS

FOR THE

hese days, candles aren’t the only things getting lit for couples who are willing to infuse a little cannabis into their romance this Valentine’s Day. As the cannabis industry continues to grow rapidly, concurrently, its usage and influence on everyday life has expanded and evolved. As explained in a 2018 article by Cannabis Now, “As part of this wave of mainstream acceptance, more people are discovering that cannabis can be used as a tool for enhanced communication and sensuality within an intimate relationship.” With musical accompaniment to jumpstart your senses, this Valentine’s Day you can enhance

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of weed your celebration from the comfort of your home. Who needs reservations when everything you need, including your partner is at home? Anything can happen behind closed doors whether you choose a multi-course catered dinner or try your hand at some homemade classics with a twist. While Valentine’s Day is often synonymous with red, couples looking to try something new are adding a dash of green. “Thanks to the growing social acceptance and legalization of cannabis, the number of adults trying it for the first time is skyrocketing. And an awful lot of us aren’t smoking it—we are eating and

drinking it,” said Amanda M. Faison in the Food & Wine article, “The Food & Wine Guide to Culinary Cannabis”. In Massachusetts, chefs Joseph Nelson and Patrick Mulcahy, known as The Mass Cannabis Chefs, coordinate and host “one of Massachusetts premier infused dinner parties.” Per their website, together, “Combining two of their favorite things, the Chefs bring to you a dining experience unlike any you’ve enjoyed before. Every month since Cannabis became recreationally legal in Massachusetts, they have put on high end gourmet dinner parties that have only grown as time

has gone by. Bringing years of experience in fine dining and food creation and mixing it with a passion for high end cannabis, they put out delectable meals that are sure to leave everyone

urges users to “practice self-care and treat yourself” with The Healing Rose CBD bath soaks. Alternatively, Theory Wellness’ “CBD Tinctures combine organic coconut oil with concentrat-

“Microdosing can be as satisfying as going all out, so don’t feel like you have to infuse all three courses in order to make it special.” full and satisfied.” As of December 2021, their ticketed dinners are still paused due to the ongoing pandemic, but they are offering catered private events/dinner parties for groups of 10 or more; for more information and updates, visit www.masscannabischefs. com. Alternatively, for the DIY crowd, homemade meals are a great way to go the extra mile (while showing off your culinary prowess) to impress and show your partner how much you love them. After determining you’d both like to explore greener pastures outside of vegetables and leafy greens, there are several cannabis-infused recipes at your disposal. Like with most things in life, when using cannabis in the kitchen, less is more. Explains Ashley Manta, in the Leafly article, “Cannabis-infused recipes for a romantic Valentine’s dinner”, “As always with edibles, start low and go slow! Microdosing can be as satisfying as going all out, so don’t feel like you have to infuse all three courses in order to make it special.” Incorporating cannabis into your recipes is as simple as using cannabutter, or cannabis-infused oils such as olive oil, coconut, and canola oil. With your appetite sated, you can end the evening with a nice bubble bath and/or couple’s massage. CBD infused products reign supreme in the pampering department, with the likes of bath bombs, salts, and oils. From face masks to bath bombs, lotions, and massage oils these CBD infused products help relieve stress and melt away any and all tension. Per their website, Canna Provisions in Holyoke

ed, full-spectrum CBD, providing a smooth, consistent, easy-to-dose experience”, producing a calm and relaxing effect for users. If you plan to propose on Valentine’s Day, or for couples ready to say, “I do” and take the next step, not just with cannabis, but in life— the cannabis industry is going to the chapel. Described as a “boutique wedding expo”

on their website, the Cannabis Wedding Expo is for couples who’d like to “Come shop and meet local cannabis brands and wedding service providers that can tastefully incorporate everything from discrete nods to cannabis to extravagant full service cannabis bars into your magical day!” Whether you’re celebrating occasions big or small, be it Valentine’s Day or your wedding day, cannabis can be as velvety, versatile, and aromatic as a bouquet of red roses. Sources: https://cannabisnow.com/make-cannabis-part-valentines-day/ https://www.foodandwine.com/news/ guide-culinary-cannabis https://www.masscannabischefs.com/ https://www.leafly.com/news/lifestyle/valentines-day-meal-marijuana-recipes https://www.cannabisweddingexpo.com/

CRQ WINTER 2022

STORY BY JIM KINNEY PHOTO BY DON TREEGER

YEAR

IN REVIEW

and the Road Ahead

hen the state’s first legal, adult use marijuana dispensaries opened back in November 2018, the challenge was managing the long lines. Now, after three years of legal operation and five years after voters approved a referendum legalizing cannabis for recreational use, the challenge is more about standing out in an increasingly crowded marketplace. Marijuana, the state Cannabis Control Commission said earlier in 2021, is a $1 billion-a-year business in Massachusetts. Packaging is important, said Matt Yee, CEO of Enlite Cannabis Dispensary, last month when he opened Enlite’s first location. The store, once Webster’s 26

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Fishhook restaurant, at 391 Damon Road, appealed to him because of its convenient location, another factor that didn’t enter into the calculation three years ago. But Yee, part of the restaurant-running Yee family, said location, customer service, marketing, packaging, all matter

now that marijuana business in Massachusetts has matured. Competitor 253 Farmacy in the Turners Falls section of Montague even touts kosher products, marijuana made under the supervision of a Texas rabbi who’s made a national name for himself accepting the industry.

...location, customer service, marketing, packaging, all matter now that marijuana business in Massachusetts has matured.

Enlite is Northampton’s eighth marijuana dispensary. The first, NETA, opened across town in 2018 and remains open today. Earlier in 2021, the state Cannabis Control Commission reported that the state has exceeded 165 marijuana retailers and now has three delivery businesses operating. Statewide, cumulative sales breached $2 billion in gross sales,

The online job-search site indeed.com listed 739 available jobs in the Massachusetts marijuana industry. coming less than three years after the first two recreational marijuana stores opened and less than one year since licensees surpassed the $1 billion mark. That $1 billion sales mark was Nov. 3, 2020. The online job-search site indeed. com listed 739 available jobs in the Massachusetts marijuana industry. In Springfield, potential marijuana business and city councilors are questioning the city’s procedures for picking licensees after an internal audit revealed errors during the review process. And marijuana retailers in Western Massachusetts can expect competition from outside the state in the coming months. Both New York and Connecticut have legalized although stores are not yet open in those states. Connecticut has also passed state law allowing for recreational marijuana. In December, the town Council in Enfield — just over the state line from Longmeadow and already a shopping destination for many Springfield-area residents — voted to allow the retail sale of cannabis. The move reversed a ban enacted by a previous council, one ousted in November’s election and replaced with candidates who’d run on repealing the ban.

253 FARMACY PHOTO BY NATE BLAIS

INSA PHOTO BY NATE BLAIS

CRQ WINTER 2022

“Smoke a lot of joints, it sure worked for me,” he says.

How one writer

QUIT

CIGARETTES with Cannabis

STORY BY DAN MCCARTHY @ACUTALPROOF PHOTOS BY NATE BLAIS & SUBMITTED

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was one of those very very wise people who began smoking tobacco cigarettes well long past the point of having known better not to. In order to better understand this curious turn of events, it’s worth zooming out to understand the context. I was stupid. That’s the context. At that time I already had embraced my quarter-life crisis, packed up my life into a batch of books and early 2000’s fashion choices, and skipped over to Florence, Italy with a song in my heart. The months-long Homeric inner and outer odyssey, mostly involving me indulging various demons of youth, began to slow as my finances dwindled beyond the point of no return. Soon I learned getting around paying for food was doable by bumming rich and toasted tar tamales that zapped my appetite, clipped from the extended paw of strangers and friends alike. One main source was the boyfriend of the woman who owned the apartment I lived in for some time. His charity of throwing me gratis smokes inspired a newfound appreciation for a pack of Gallouise heaters, local bread, and cheap bottles of red wine by the Arno River can do to a twentysomething drifter’s state of mind when living like a Renaissance bon vivant without a care in the world. And one who actively ignored just how poor he was slowly becoming (but who cares butts and wine at sunset in Tuscany is heaven). Which is all to say that’s how I got into cigarettes. Fast forward practically twenty-years-later and here, gentle reader, is where they say “it finally gets good”. And by good I mean COVID-19. Which is not good. But using the weird stretch of months early in 2020 before the sixweek shutdown of the adult-use cannabis industry by Governor Baker, when the timing of my recent life writing about the rise of legal weed in Massachusetts overlapped with my arrival in the land of working within it, I was able to begin my exit from cigarette addiction. It helped that I was, for the first time really, in surplus of access to legal and home-grown cannabis. Maybe it was the

The intent to feel good is always there with cannabis. This however, would be intentional in the sense I intended to drive a wedge through my brain and butts once and for all.

relocation to the gorgeous to the point of being terminally quaint at times in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts from the urban sprawl of Boston and Dorchester, my home for a decade. Or the fistfuls of some homegrown Black Lime Reserve cannabis, which had dried to the point of undesirability as a casual cannabis crop to enjoy by the farmer who grew it, but had minor cannabinoid and THC mood-altering value and - most importantly for me at the time - I could legally get in the volume I’d need to tweak my nicotine desire, if not destroy it altogether with some thoughtful, intent-driven consumption on my part. The intent to feel good is always there with cannabis. This however, would be intentional in the sense I intended to drive a wedge through my brain and butts once and for all. The world of packing pre-rolled cones with cannabis became my armor against any and all cravings for whatever it was I turned to cigarettes for. Sometimes it was legit calls for nicotine by the pleasure centers of my brain. Generally though, mine was more a psychological and ritualistic addiction. Finish a story on deadline? Time for a smoke. Some terrible email entering my morning inbox destroying my whole day (the IRS does that to you as a freelancer), well it’s buttskis time. Did I get laid? You get it, it was an act of ceremoCRQ WINTER 2022

ny...a sort of physical removal from my present place in the world to a smaller corner of my choosing to get a blast of brain-altering chemicals (just like my morning coffee and caffeine blast) to complement or contradict my mood and my levels of feeling good. Of course, my new environment working behind the scenes in weed was conducive to smoking a joint (or a part of a joint, or two joints) whenever there was even a passing sensation of the need for that cigarette escape, physical or chemical. I was surfing the early days of COVID (remember “flatten the curve”?....lol) by surfing the local spareroom residency of what would become my employers and their house in the Berkshires, and there is no finer lot to enjoy the spoils of cannabis culture than with those that have been a part of it for decades at both the retail and activist level. (Translation: They sell and have access to the best products). And I kept my process simple: I would smoke enough cannabis flower to give a charging irate Musk Ox a reason to contemplate why he was so miffed to begin with. In the process I’d create a pattern interrupt to rewire my brain to not only kick cigarettes but eliminate the desire altogether. Now, a reminder: I am no doctor. This isn’t to say my journey is a how-to on how you 30

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can follow suit. No no, anyone who has been a smoker and tried to quit can tell you what works for some (or many for that matter) doesn’t mean it’s the same for them. Especially with deadly, toxic, delicious in their own dark way, man-that-was-a-great-meal-gonna-duckoutside-for-a-sec-to-cap-it-off-properly, disgusting and inconvenient cigarettes.

grown stuff from Massachusetts, as well as the stellar Smash Hits line Canna Provisions began growing in early 2020 with Chemdog and the cultivation crew. Of course, some may say I merely replaced one vice with another but that isn’t quite right, and it also misses the point. The personal choice of using cannabis to reframe my brain’s relationship to the truly empty value proposition cigarettes really offer was one of economy. I was already using cannabis daily and for a variety of reasons, now I’ve just removed the useless addition of a grandfathered addiction to the cigarette ceremony, itself a relic from another time before I used and had access to endocannabinoid-system-nourishing cannabis as a responsible adult. I still know cigarettes are chemically treated and go directly to the pleasure centers of your brain once they no longer taste like the back of a Worcester school bus after a slushy winter. But they don’t offer anything to, say, a regulatory system like the endocannabinoid system. Nor do they bring natural plant based bioavailable terpenes and flavo-

My focused cannabis flower consumption in place of Camel Lights continued with the procurement of more gifted homegrown stuff from Massachusetts...

But it turns out that they aren’t the indefatigable nemesis one’s own oral fixation and need for ritual I believed. My focused cannabis flower consumption in place of Camel Lights continued with the procurement of more gifted home-

noids which work in concert with the full spectrum of compounds cannabis flower provides and has been providing for 3,000 years of human existence. Getting back to how I did it: Remember all those joints I rolled? That

was the key. Convenience. During the early spring 2020 shutdown in Massachusetts, I kept doing whatever my thing was then - something about constant pajama pants wearing and forgetting to shower, I don’t recall it was a weird slow blur - but instead of turning to a regular cigarette whenever the urge to smoke called, I just swapped it with cannabis which I’d be consuming anyway all day in various small doses and forms, but maintained my all-cannabis flower regiment thanks to those joints. Sure the stuff I had a surplus of was close to loose tobacco in harshness, a distant citrus-and-spice flavor profile, and the rest was burnt paper and occasionally skunk (not the good kind), but it wasn’t a Camel. It was cannabis. Throw in an array of exciting new edibles and other adult-use products, and smoking cigs suddenly was in my rear view. Come Independence Day that year, not only had that regiment knocked out all my cigarette smoking ways in one shot, but according to a small tracker I enacted the day I threw out my last

pack and said I was going for the long game, I have (at the time of writing) been a non-smoker for over 600 days, left over 7000 smokes for others, and

flower grown by industry legends. But if you’re still a defiant cigarette smoker, you probably aren’t even convinced because you’re focusing on the wrong

Throw in an array of exciting new edibles and other adult-use products, and smoking cigs suddenly was in my rear view.

kept nearly $5,000 in my own pocket that would have gone to the corporate ogres behind Big Tobacco. Instead, that money went right to cannabis. Especially after constant access to it locally, and an employee discount on Smash Hits cannabis which you should try if you’re into amazing

thing. Especially if you are thinking about a cigarette just from someone talking about smoking cigarettes. I don’t miss that.

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STORY BY LAUREN E. LeBEL PHOTOS BY NATE BLAIS

Broaden your

TASTE BUDS

Expand your cannabis experience

hen using cannabis, most consumers have a variety of desired outcomes. Whether that be for focus, energy, relaxation and so on, there are countless products or product types that you may search for when visiting your local dispensary.

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“a gift from the gods” Recreational and Medical Dispensary Why is it that all dispensaries look and feel the same? Here at HEKA, we believe there is a need to break away from the ordinary and set ourselves apart. HEKA has re-imagined what a premium cannabis shopping experience should be.

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Although you may stick to your favored products, perhaps there’s an alternative with the same outcome that you’ve never even thought of trying. To start off, the two leading types of weed are derived from two different species of the cannabis plant: cannabis indica and cannabis sativa. Both of these types vary based on the type of weed they come from, along with the effects that it has on an individual. While the style of consumption may also determine an individual’s experience, let’s learn more about these popular strains and their most common effects. Cannabis indica resembles a bush as “the buds tend to grow in clumps”. It produces large amounts of THC and lessened levels of CBD, however, “it is considered a strong weed.” When people use this style of weed, they often feel relaxed or sedated and prefer to hang out on the couch. Therefore, indicia is commonly used before bed to assist in sleep patterns or struggles (The Recovery Village). Sativa is another common cannabis that grows in tall, thin leaves. It is the opposite of indicia, as it has lower levels of THC and higher levels of CBD - with 34

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“more equal levels of both chemicals” (The Recovery Village). Sativa strains have more energizing effects that people tend to need throughout the day. For some, sativa may cause them to have more increased focus or creativity. Compared to the indicia strain “body high,” sativa can be considered more of a “head high”. Sativa tends to boost your mood and is often used by people who have depression, exhaustion and even ADHD, as it relieves some symptoms. Now that you are familiar with some of the strains, let’s look at some specific products. HEKA, a dispensary with locations in Westfield, Pittsfield and Palmer, shared some of their product alternatives fit to your desired outcome. Drew Kostanski, dispensary manager at HEKA said, “For those who still want to hang with friends and have a couple beers but are already dreading the hangover, we can recommend a sessionable Cantrip Seltzer.” She continued, “It’s a hangout without the hangover, giving you a nice, easy buzz with 3mg of THC and 2mg of CBD.” These seltzers provide a lower-dose option, with the same “buzzy” effect. Additionally, with its nano-tech process,

Sativa tends to boost your mood and is often used by people who have depression, exhaustion and even ADHD, as it relieves some symptoms.

CRQ WINTER 2022

you’ll experience a faster onset than most edibles, without having to sacrifice any of the fun. “You really get to customize your own cannabis experience because each can builds on the last, just like a beer with your buds would,” said Kostanski. These seltzers cost $5 per can and come in several different flavors. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, when smoking marijuana, “THC and other chemicals in the plant pass from the lungs into the bloodstream,” allowing for both the body and brain to feel an immediate rush or high. Oftentimes, the effects on a person include relaxation and a “pleasant euphoria” (National Institute on Drug Abuse). For those who are searching for a timely buzz but want to move away from smoking, Kostanski recommended trying sublingual edibles. “Sublingual is anything that sits under your tongue and dissolves immediately.” Typically, this comes in the form of tablets or strips. Kostanski said, the delivery system is a “fast-acting onset,” more along the same lines as smoking or vaping, but without the inhalation. “Because this is breaking down immediately through the permeable 36

CANNABISREVIEWQUARTERLY.COM

membranes under your tongue, you’re skipping the step where your body transforms the enzymes from Delta-9 into something even more psychoactive,” she explained. “In turn, this means you’re less likely to experience a bad edibles trip.” To hop on the sublingual bandwagon, HEKA suggests checking out Manna SpeedTabs or a tincture from Treeworks. The SpeedTabs retail at $30. Treeworks have varying sizes and effects, ranging between $10 to $80. While products and their purposes differ across dispensaries, these are a few examples of desired outcomes through different products and strains. To find a product more apt for you, visit your nearest HEKA location today! For additional information, visit HEKAinc.com. References https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/what-are-marijuana-effects https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/marijuana-addiction/related-topics/types-of-weed/

TASTE

RECIPE SUBMITTED BY CANNA PROVISIONS

SATISFY YOUR TASTE BUDS WITH

INFUSED MONSTER COOKIES

Looking for a surefire way for some DIY cannabis cooking fun? Take this recipe for the infused monster cookies out the next time the baking urge hits and you have some provisions from your local cannabis shop. By Kathleen Proper, HR Director Canna Provisions

INGREDIENTS: 1/4 cup butter, at room temp 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup packed brown sugar 1/4 cup cannabis infused oil 3 eggs 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 1/3 cups peanut butter 4 1/2 cups rolled oats 1/2 cup chocolate chips 1/2 cup M&Ms

HOW YOU’LL MAKE THEM • For your cannabis oil, you can use homemade oil, or RSO available as a disposable push-syringe at legal retail stores like Canna Provisions. • Combine butter and sugars and mix on medium speed until well-combined and no large chunks of butter remain. Add oil and mix until combined. Add eggs, vanilla, and baking soda and mix, scraping sides of bowl as needed. Add peanut butter and mix until no lumps or streaks remain. Stir in the oats, chocolate chips, and M&Ms. You may need to use a spoon for this part, depending on the mixer. • Spoon out heaping tablespoons of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment or silicone mat. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until edges are golden but the middles are still slightly wet. Cool on a baking sheet for about 10 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Notes: I use unsweetened natural peanut butter. If using activated ground flower or distillate, increase butter to 1/2 cup and omit oil. These cookies make great gifts and if you want to get fancy you can print labels like I did. Also, if you want my thoughts on making infused oil/butter, I have it all written out in the brownie recipe on my blog at empirestaterunner.com.

REMINDER: This kind of infusion is not exact science, just kitchen science. So always be careful, hydrate before you medicate, and remember to always go low and slow until you are familiar with your body and cannabis. And if it gets too intense or you feel uncomfortable, taking CBD and/or chewing black peppercorn helps reduce the psychoactive (“high”) effects of THC. It’s good to keep some around if you’re a new consumer! CRQ WINTER 2022

STORY BY LAUREN E. LeBEL ISTOCK, SUBMITTED & NATE BLAIS PHOTOS

Ways to avoid the

AFTERNOON SLUMP

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Has working from home got you feeling fatigued? Has the 3 p.m. slump or mid afternoon shift in your work day altered your focus? If the answer is yes, then look no further.

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While studies have shown that eating an apple during an afternoon slump is actually better for you than a 20 minute power nap, there are also a few plant based remedies to fight off the fatigue and improve your overall energy. Erik Williams, chief operating officer (COO) at Canna Provisions, with locations in Holyoke and Lee, said his role and daily tasks typically call for a shift in gears. Although there are many product types and strains to choose from for a desired outcome, Williams shared some of his preferences for an increase in energy, focus and creativity. One product that Williams enjoys is Little Steven’s Underground Apothecary high CBD cannabis pre rolls. This product is exclusive to Canna Provisions. Williams said he uses these pre rolls to get more focus. “They are not high on energy but they’re not low,” explained Williams. They are “good” in the aspect that they can assist him in completing his daily tasks. Around 3 p.m., Williams said he is either running around like crazy, or on the computer checking various emails. With hours of work ahead of him, Williams said he typically looks for a “smash hits strain” called Chem 91. Chem 91 is a pre roll that consists of “old school sativa.” Williams said, “I love Chem 91 in the afternoon because it’s long lasting.” He added that he doesn’t necessarily look at this

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NATE BLAIS PHOTO

product as a high but rather a focus or energy “enhancement.” Another energy product that Williams enjoys is Wana Sativa Gummies. The gummies are offered in about four or five different flavors. “Not that sugar is good, but this product is something “sweet” to consume in the afternoon,”” said Williams.

“Cannabis makes me more focused, energized and creative rather than anything else.” “If you’re looking for something to not smoke, try Treeworks daily drops,” he continued. Similar to other products, Williams said as the COO, he doesn’t use this product to get high, but instead to run the company properly. For a quick “pick me up,” Williams suggests 1906 Drops. He said he enjoys 1906 GO & Genius drops in particular, as they consist of 5mg of THC and CBD and are “fast acting.” Overall, Williams said, “Cannabis makes me more focused, energized and creative rather than anything else.” If you’re looking for a similar type of assistance to get through your work week, visit your local dispensary today! To learn more about these specific offerings at Canna Provisions, visit https://cannaprovisions.com/.

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Cannabis and

You Dispelling Common Misconceptions

STORY BY LAUREN E. LeBEL ISTOCK PHOTOS

he phrase “new year new me,” is often one that many will hear as each January rolls around. Oftentimes, people will create a new year’s resolution, pertaining to personal goals or even lifestyle changes to better oneself. In relation to health - both for the mind and body, there are a variety of ways to create a “healthy you.”

Working year round to assist in human health is the cannabis industry. For some, this world may seem vague or avoidable due to prior assumptions of weed/cannabis, however, once the truth is uncovered, there are a variety of health benefits that can assist in making this year your best yet. While there are risks with any medicinal substance, their primary goal is to improve your overall health. For instance, many consumers turn to cannabis use to assist in pain management. Although some may believe their CRQ WINTER 2022

pain will be cured entirely, evidence suggests that cannabis can treat less serious chronic pain such as managing neuropathic pain, chronic non-cancer and non-neuropathic pain (Edgewood Health Network).

In Massachusetts, various cannabis dispensaries offer products that can assist in pain as well. For instance, before or after working out, people may apply a topical or cream to a desired area that relaxes the muscles and prevents spasms and soreness, resulting in a higher performance. Evidently, cannabis is not always consumed orally, which some may assume. According to Edgewood Health Network, “Cannabis is appealing as a pain-management medication because it presents fewer side effects and has lower addiction potential when compared to opioids.” Additionally, medical marijuana usage reduces the number of opioid prescriptions, which is a national crisis today. On the topic of addiction, a myth you have heard or assumption you have made is that cannabis can be and/or is addictive. Not only is this false, but in fact, less than one percent of Americans smoke/use cannabis more than once a day. There is nothing in cannabis that is addictive, but rather can be considered as more of a habit for some (Cannabis: Facts, Myths and Mental Health).

Although cannabis research is relatively new and ongoing, there are some health conditions that cannabis has been proven to assist with. Some of those examples include rare forms of epilepsy, nausea and vomiting associated with cancer chemotherapy, along with appetite or weight loss associated with HIV/AIDS (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health).

While some may be reading this and thinking a medical condition is needed in order to use weed/cannabis, that is not entirely true. Cannabis has also been proven to assist with sleep problems. Through a variety of studies, cannabis use for people with PTSD have shown better sleep patterns and fewer disturbances (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health).

A popular myth that comes along CANNABISREVIEWQUARTERLY.COM

with any drug or alcohol use is that it has lasting impacts on your brain’s abilities- specifically memory loss. The truth is, when using cannabis, your cognitive functions may be impaired, but only while you are intoxicated. Therefore, once the drug wears off, you will not have any long lasting effects (Cannabis: Facts, Myths and Mental Health).

While other drugs may cause apathy and a lack of motivation, cannabis does not. In studies done on subjects, they were given high doses of cannabis over a seven day period. Results proved

partaking in your own cannabis use, make sure you know the facts- they’re important. References https://www.edgewoodhealthnetwork. com/resources/cannabis/medical-marijuana-facts-myths-dangers/ https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/cannabis-marijuana-and-cannabinoids-what-you-need-to-know https://www.muscleandfitness.com/workouts/ workout-tips/marijuana-affect-athletic-performance/ https://www.mhanational.org/sites/default/files/ Cannabis.pdf

Coinciding with fitness and overall health improvement, cannabis can reduce stress and anxiety. that there was no direct impact on their motivation nor their abilities (Cannabis: Facts, Myths and Mental Health).

Coinciding with fitness and overall health improvement, cannabis can reduce stress and anxiety. According to Muscle and Fitness’ website, cannabis use in athletes has improved their overall focus on the task at hand and calmed any nerves prior to their performance. As you embark on your 2022 journey, it’s crucial to complete research before making any major lifestyle changes. While there are many more ways that cannabis use can assist in your physical and mental health, these are some of the most common. Before

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Cannabis Review Quarterly - 2022 - Four

Articles inside

Avoid the

Year In Review and the Road Ahead

For the Love of Weed

Taste

Broaden Your Tastebuds