Sensi Magazine-Denver/Boulder (February 2017)

D E N V E R // B O UL D E R

THE NEW NORMAL

02.2017

Studying CANNABIS at CU Boulder

COLORADO

W EEDING

Philip Wolf,

FAKE NEWS

LOVE STORY Cannabis Wedding Expo

OUT

Welcome to Pot 101

Culinary Classroom

GREEN

REVIVAL BRINGING

JOBS

BACK TO

TRINIDAD

contents.

ISSUE 2 // VOLUME 2 // 02.2017

30

Reigniting the Boom

34

Rocky Mountain Research Highs … and Lows

42

Cannabis Classroom 101

Coda Signature didn’t just create jobs in a rural Colorado border town, the gourmet edible maker returned jobs to the locals, too.

S PEC I A L R E P O R T

Colorado University scientists fight federal regulations

to study how cannabis interacts with humans.

CU BOULDER

FEATURES

28

New to cannabis? Making a return after a decades-long hiatus? Have you only been smoking buds because all the new fancy hashes, edibles,

and pens seem a little complicated? Well, consider

this your crash course in all things cannabis.

© DANIELLE WEBSTER

EVERY ISSUE

62

9 Editor’s Note 1 0 Sensi Buzz 16 NewsFeed

12

REAL VS. FAKE NEWS

22 EdibleCritic

COOKING CLASSES

62 CO I QA

PHILIP WOLF,

CANNABIS WEDDING EXPO

64 SensiScene

NEW YEAR’S EVE

Sensi Magazine is published monthly in Denver, CO, by Sensi Media Group LLC. © 2017 SENSI MEDIA GROUP LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

FEB RUA RY 2017

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mast sensi magazine

EXECUTIVE

FOLLOW US

Ron Kolb, CEO,

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RON.KOLB @ SENSIMAG.COM

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EDITORIAL Stephanie Wilson, EDITOR IN CHIEF

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Leland Rucker, SENIOR

EDITOR

LELAND.RUCKER @ SENSIMAG.COM

John Lehndorff, FOOD

EDITOR

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EDIBLE.CRITIC @ SENSIMAG.COM

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ART & DESIGN Jennifer Tyson, DESIGN

DIRECTOR

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FE BRUARY 2017

head.

editor’s

NOTE

ISSUE 2 VOLUME 2 02.2017

EDUCATION

A DV I SORY B OA R D 5700 Consulting // CONSULTING

IS

EVE RY THING .

Boss Tubes // GL ASS BiologicCBD // CBD OIL

One of the best signs I saw at the Women’s March last month was held

Cannabis Clean // CLEANING

by a boy about 12 years old. It read:

Cannabis Insurance Services // INSURANCE

WHAT DO WE WANT? EVIDENCE-BASED SCIENCE!

Concentrate Supply Co. //

WHEN DO WE WANT IT? AFTER PEER REVIEW!

RECREATIONAL CONCENTRATES

Contact High Communications //

Yes! In a world rife with “alternative facts”, evidence-based science is

PUBLIC RELATIONS

a weapon we can deploy against the spread of ignorance. Because an

Cohen Medical Centers // MEDICAL CENTERS

education teaches us that there is no such thing as an alternative fact;

Denver Custom Packaging // PACKAGING

there are just facts. Just ask Merriam-Webster dictionary. (And if you’re

EndoCanna // MEDICAL CONCENTRATES

not following the dictionary’s Twitter account, you are missing out on

ExtractCraft // AT-HOME EXTRACTION

one of the best feeds out there.)

Even as marijuana makes its way into the mainstream, finding re-

GreenHouse Payment Solutions // PAYMENT PROCESSING

search-based factual information about the plant can be a difficult task.

Grofax // HEMP

There are a number of reasons for that, from the lingering negative stereotypes drilled into people’s minds since the Reefer Madness era to

Jett Cannabis // CO2 EXTRACTION

limited scientific research on the subject. Official US policy, federal reg-

Lab Society // L AB EQUIPMENT

ulations, and DEA restrictions have all but prevented scientists from con-

Loopr // LUXURY MOBILE CONSUMPTION

ducting FDA-approved studies of the plant’s medicinal benefits since

LucidMood // TERPENES

the 1970s.

marQaha // SUBLINGUALS/SPRAYS

But where there’s a will, there’s a way. And the researchers at University

Mighty Fast Herbal Infuser //

of Colorado Boulder have the will and they have found a way, which Sensi

HOME EDIBLE MACHINE

Senior Editor Leland Rucker explains in this month’s Special Report. I

Mountain High Suckers // CBD EDIBLES

believe it is the best piece we’ve published in Sensi ’s short history, and

Neos // BHO VAPE PENS

once you read it I am confident you will agree.

Purple Monkey // TEAS

In each issue, we strive to provide you with articles that are entertain-

Rx CBD // CBD PET TREATS

ing, informative, and most importantly true. In the cannabis realm, it can be difficult to find sources of information you can trust. With this in mind,

Simply Pure // MEDICAL DISPENSARY

our editors compiled a list of their go-to sources and sites for this month’s

Steepfuze // CBD COFFEE

NewsFeed article. Elsewhere in the issue, you’ll find Pot 101, a primer

Terrapin Care Station //

on the modern marijuana landscape.

RECREATIONAL DISPENSARY

It’s a whole new world out there. Arm yourself with knowledge. And

The Clinic: The Bank Genetics // GENETICS Wana Brands // EDIBLES

M E DI A PA RT N E RS National Cannabis Industry Association Students for Sensible Drug Policy Women Grow

KIM SIDWELL © CANNABIS CAMERA

TinctureBelle // TOPICALS

spread the news.

Happy Reading,

Stephanie Wilson EDITOR IN CHIEF @ STEPHWILLL

FEB RUA RY 2017

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9

THE NE W N O R M A L

sensi

buzz

EDITOR ’S

CHOICE

Denver Restaurant Week F E B RUA RY 24 - M A RC H 5

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. If you’re into exploring the Mile High’s exploding dining scene, that is. Denver Restaurant Week—which lasts for 10 days in 2017—kicks off at the end of the month, but you’ll want to start planning your culinary tour now. This year, nearly 250 mouth-watering establishments are taking part in the Visit Denver program, offering special multicourse menus for either $25, $35, or $45 per person. Take advantage and dine on duck confit among the aspens at Beatrice and Woodsley, sink your teeth into the Wild West at The Fort in Morrison, or invite your taste buds to a symphony of flavors at Kevin Taylor’s at the Opera House. The options are nearly as endless as the menus are enticing. Insider tip: the best spots book up quick so make your reservations now. Head to DENVERRESTAURANTWEEK.COM to see the participating restaurants and browse the menus.

–STEPHANIE WILSON

Shell Shock!

LU C KY T U R T L E ’S CANNABIS-INFUSED TURTLE BUTTER SPREADS Coconut oil is everywhere these days, from beauty products to moisturizers to— of course—our foods. Why is it so popular?

Coconut oil is jam-packed with natural fat, and that’s a good thing: fat gives your body energy, aids in the absorption of certain vitamins, and it’s important for proper growth, development, and maintenance of good health, according to the FDA. It’s also a delicious medium for cannabis consumption.

LUCKY TURTLE makes infused natural nut

DOWN WHERE IT’S

WETTER

Love is in the air this month. And it turns out it’s in the water every month. Just

butter spreads that elevate any snack to gourmet status. They’re dairy-free and vegan,

ask Dr. Marah Hardt, author of Sex in the

to boot. Choose from four Turtle Butters

Sea: Our Intimate Connection with Sex-

varieties: coconut and peanut butter spread,

Changing Fish, Romantic Lobsters, Kinky Squid, and Other Salty Erotica of the Deep.

She’ll be at Tattered Cover in LoDo on Thursday, February 23, signing copies of

almond butter, hazelnut, and extra virgin coconut oil. Each pouch has 10 mg of THC, and the coconut and peanut butter variety

her widely celebrated book. Described as

also delivers 10 mg CBD. Spread that gooey

part science, part erotica, the tome con-

goodness on some pancakes in the morning,

nects the timeless topic of sex with the

whip some coconut oil into your waffles, or

issue of sustainable oceans. If you’re not intrigued yet, you should know that it was named a Best Book of 2016 by Amazon and the Best Book for National Reading

add some almond butter to your smoothies and take the “wake and bake” concept to a higher level. You can find Lucky Turtle

Month by OPRAH.COM. Warning: it may

products at select dispensaries around

stimulate more than just your intellect.

town, including Lightshade on Holly Street.

–RANDY ROBINSON

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{newsfeed}

by RANDY R O B IN S ON

SOLID SOURCES In the fake news era, where can you find the facts? Sensi editors weigh in on the sources and sites they trust for cannabis news.

In November 2016, Oxford Dictionary declared the term

not only because of their tried-

“post-truth” to be the word of the year. “Post-truth” refers to

and-true journalistic integrity

a style of politics based entirely on rhetoric and not at all on

but also because these outlets

facts (sound familiar?), though it’s since been extended to the

have names that may seem

realm of “fake news” and “alternative facts”, too.

not-so-legitimate at first glance.

What is this fake news, you ask? We used to think of fake

Trust us: these are legit.

news when scrolling through parody sites like The Onion, but the recent reality is anyone anywhere with even an in-

V ICE // Although VICE.COM, the original

kling of web design know-how can create a site that looks

site in the Vice Media empire, caters to

“newsy.” These fake news sites are helmed by amateurs

an edgy hipster crowd, the media

with little to no training in journalism, and they basically just

company spent the last few years

craft clickbait stories to generate website traffic and cash.

branching out to more grown-up en-

This fake news can proliferate insanely fast, as we learned

deavors. Content from Vice’s online sub-

during this last election cycle when social media feeds be-

sidiaries such as Vice News, Motherboard,

came deluged with bogus news articles ranging from Hillary

and Broadly sit on the cutting edge of report-

Clinton being a baby-eating satanist to Vice President Mike

ing, with plenty of fact-checking and solid sourcing.

Pence supporting electroshock therapy for gays. (In case it needs to be said, neither claim is true.)

Unfortunately, this fake news phenomenon extends to the cannabis community. Every week, a new weed-centered blog pops up. While some of these sites are totally legit, an alarming number of them are not.

What follows is a list of Sensi’ s favorite websites for cannabis news and investigative reporting. We’ve selected these

16

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In the digital realms where video is now king, Vice has trained its investigative lens on the cannabis

These fake news sites are helmed by amateurs with little to no training in journalism, and they basically just craft clickbait stories to generate website traffic—and cash.

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SITES TO AVOID

world for its Emmy-winning eponymous HBO series. On the

NATURAL NEWS

new Viceland television network, launched last year, the Weedi-

This site is notorious for new-age quackery. Very few of its posts contain credible sources, and its content appears more geared to selling untested “natural” health supplements than to providing solid, reliable news. Beware any claims that cannabis can instantly cure everything from cancer to world poverty.

WORLD NEWS DAILY REPORT

the marijuana industries. For a more intimate, personal understanding of how cannabis affects people’s lives, check out Weediquette’s web series at VICELAND.COM.

LEAF SCIENCE // It seems like every other day, there’s a new study claiming that cannabis can treat some disorder

World News Daily Report can be confusing, if only because it weaves real news stories in with the fake ones. This site has published a number of faux articles related to cannabis, including pieces with fearmongering headlines such as “Monsanto Creates First Genetically Modified Strain of Marijuana” and “Colorado: Pot Smoking Festival Turns into Orgy.”

and medicine surrounding cannabis. The writers excel at

WORLD TRUTH

breaking down complex concepts into easy-to-digest pieces

Pegging itself as an “alternative news” site, WORLD TRUTH.TV spews a whole lot of nonsense with poorly formatted center text. A recent article there claimed hemp—the non-psychoactive version of cannabis— is “renewable,” which it is not. No crop is truly renewable, sorry.

NATIONAL REPORT

National Report isn’t a fake news site, it’s a parody site, much like The Onion. And some of the articles are hilarious. Unfortunately, not everyone is in on the joke just yet, so when posts with titles like “Marijuana Kills!

Fatal Strain Claims First Victim” are published, some gullible folks share them as if the satire was real.

18

quette docuseries focuses entirely on cannabis patients and

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FEBRUARY 2017

or alleviate some disease. Given that most journalists aren’t trained in science, it’s easy for writers to mistranslate these groundbreaking discoveries when relaying dense information to a mass audience.

LEAFSCIENCE.COM is devoted to the science of technology

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Leland Says

When I first began writing about cannabis legalization in 2013, I had little knowledge about the subject, and I be-

gan reading voraciously—newspapers, books, histories,

blogs—and talking with anyone who would listen to my

questions as I tried to get a handle on what was happening here in Colorado.

I’m naturally suspicious of ideologues and/or report-

without getting bogged down in nerdy jargon or Latin names. Best of all, the site typically links directly to the peer-reviewed study it’s discussing—very helpful if you are trained in reading scientific literature.

ers who leave out the untidier aspects of their arguments

in favor of advocacy, no matter which side they’re on.

I’m always watching for writers/reporters whose knowl-

edge surpasses mine and who question things I hold true,

and the ones who can admit when their arguments are weak

and willing to explain why. Early on, I ran into the work of Jacob Sullum, a reporter whose interest in the subject

SM E L L TH E T RU T H [ SF GAT E ] // Smell the Truth ( BLOG.SFGATE.COM/SMELLTHETRUTH ) is a news blog attached to SF Gate, the online wing of the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper, which was founded way back in 1865.

Ironically enough, the Chronicle is owned by the Hearst Cor-

was as curious as mine but whose understanding was

poration, a media group with a tense relationship with can-

much deeper. I continue to find that curiosity and knowl-

nabis: the corporation’s founder Randolph Hearst spent much

edge in his work, which appears in Reason and Forbes

of the 1930s attacking cannabis during the infamous Reef-

magazines. His essays help challenge my basic beliefs and remind me that there are two sides to every story.

Dozens of online sites post cannabis news. Most

keep up with the latest headlines, but I’m seeking more than that, and several online publications and blogs stand out.

er Madness period. Today, Smell the Truth is one of the most up-to-date news sources for pot developments, especially if you’re looking for short-yet-informative posts. It’s pretty much manned entirely by writer Oscar Pascual, but he in-

Among the best are The Cannabist ( THECANNABIST.CO), the

cludes plenty of links to other credible sources—and only

Denver Post ’s online cannabis news outlet, and Leafly ( LEAFLY.

credible sources.

COM ), which used to offer mostly strain reviews but has beefed

up its news coverage in the last year. Both offer solid reporting and editorial comment as well as reviews of cannabis products.

Given that The Cannabist’s parent is a holding company trying to sell the newspaper, it’s almost miraculous that it even exists.

High Times, a publication I once bought for the huge, perfect

the Cannabist is held to the same journalistic standards as its hard-news parent. The brainchild of its former editor in chief Ricardo Baca, the first-ever marijuana editor at a ma-

nugs depicted on its cover, has improved its news coverage

jor news organization, the Cannabist launched the last week

significantly in the last few years.

of 2013 at the dawn of the post-prohibition world. It is fair-

The Drug Policy Alliance (DRUGPOLICY.ORG ) is an advocate

ly balanced in terms of coverage, and its reporters don’t shy

organization, but its news stories are more in-depth than most.

from industry scandals or news that cannabis use may car-

The MPP blog ( MPP.ORG ) comes from the Marijuana Policy Project, another organization that is heavily involved in the legalization movement. It keeps me up-to-date on national strategies. I also check in with the Marijuana Business Daily (MJBIZDAILY.COM ) and the NORML blog (BLOG.NORML.ORG ) for updates on cannabis issues.

ry some dangers. Last fall, it surpassed the iconic High Times in terms of web traffic, making the Cannabist the most visited cannabis-themed site in the world.

//

, which is Hebrew for “cannabis,” is a veri-

One final pet peeve: I detest almost all stories that try to use

table gold mine of breaking news in the marijuana world.

reports, research, and/or data to prove some insignificant point,

That’s because Israel was, and still is, the world leader in

especially about cannabis usage. Much of this is just clickbait or wishful thinking (“More teens are using pot this year than last year” or “Major crime down in states with legal pot”). People can and do use data to “prove” anything they want. Statistics aren’t facts. They are numbers interpreted by people. They don’t prove anything. Treat them as such.

–LEL AND RUCKER

20

THE CANNABIST // A division of the Denver Post,

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FEBRUARY 2017

medical cannabis research. The only downside to this site is that it’s written entirely in Hebrew. Sorry, gentiles, but you’ll probably have to rely on Google Translate’s less-than-desirable language algorithms to (barely) navigate this treasure trove of a blog.

{ ediblecritic }

by JOHN LEHNDORFF

GOT SKILLS? Time to send your hands and taste buds to training camp. One great class can elevate your food experience for the rest of your life.

When I’m chopping onions with my chef knife, I often don’t always glance down at my fingers. I’m looking for the next thing I’m going to slice or thinking about the next story I have to write. It scares people who watch me chop, but I don’t cut myself because my hands remember how to do it.

I didn’t master using knives from reading any of the great books on the subject or watching a video or seeing it demonstrated. I was working in a Boulder restaurant kitchen years ago, and the chef made me learn how to slice so I wouldn’t lose any fingers. He would yell at me if he saw me do it incorrectly. I shed some blood learning that dull knives are dangerous knives. Eventually, I instinctively curled my fingers and bumped the blade’s backside against my knuckles as a guide.

Because of that one skill set endlessly repeated, I have eaten healthier, cheaper, and more sustainably for decades. I use whole vegetables and meats and cook from scratch.

I don’t pay extra for someone else to cut up my cabbage unless I’m at a restaurant.

Over the years, my best “a-ha” culinary learning moments have been hands-on and often elbow-deep. The first time I pulled cheese curds from warm salty water, I finally understood mozzarella.

Cooking classes are a joy and perfect for dipping your toe (or maybe tongue) in a new area of food. I have taken and taught recreational cooking classes, but they tend to be more demonstration and less about hardcore skills acquisition.

Learning how to make cheese, butcher a chicken, pair wine with food, or craft popovers could lead to a profession in food and drink—or at least mind and taste bud expansion. Trust me: People like people who know how to bake pies. You also become connected with your tribe of like-minded maker-foodies who are interested in sustainable farming or making chocolate truffles.

There is one other good reason to pick up some kitchen skills: You can pass them hands-on-down to family and friends. My 22-year-old son knows how to shop, cook, and chop and has a good palate. That makes me pretty damn proud.

Colorado is a wonderland awash in stellar culinary learning opportunities including internships and experiences for families who want to know where food comes from.

Here are just some of the possibilities.

22

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FEBRUARY 2017

Fresh { Culinary } Learning Experiences INTERNSHIP WITH THE EARTH // FRUITIONFARMSDAIRY.COM Fruition Farms in Larkspur supplies several restaurants and offers volunteer on-farm internships in natural farming and sustainable practices.

WINE AND CHEESE // WINEANDWHEY.COM Schedule a fun class to make both red wine and mozzarella in one fun class with a follow-up visit to cork the bottles at Denver’s Wine & Whey.

A BET TER BUZZ // GROWINGGARDENS.ORG Make truly local honey after taking beekeeping classes in Boulder and planting a pollinator-friendly garden.

FARM-TO-TABLE COLLEGE // ESCOFFIER.EDU/ABOUT/FARM-TO-TABLE-EXPERIENCE Boulder’s Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts professional training includes time working on the farm.

JOHN LEHNDORFF can chiffonade fresh basil, flip eggs without a spatula, make baked Alaska, and grow Mirasol chilies on his patio.

He hosts Radio Nibbles on KGNU (88.5 FM, 1390 AM, KGNU.ORG ). Comments: EDIBLE.CRITIC@SENSIMAG.COM. FEB RUA RY 2017

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FARMING FOR FISH IN DENVER

8. Beyond knowing the lamb cuts and cooking techniques,

You say you want locally sourced fish and vegetables. How

you’ll learn about animal breeds and sustainable animal hus-

about homegrown? Aquaponics combines growing both to-

bandry. BOULDERBUTCHERYGUILD.COM

gether in a recirculating, soil-free, sustainable system. At Denver’s GROWHAUS, you can learn how to build a system for your

DRINKING WINE FOR A LIVING

home and harvest from it safely. COLORADOAQUAPONICS.COM

Tasting wine is serious business at Denver’s INTERNATIONAL WINE GUILD, a unique college-level vocational school

DO YOU KNOW YOUR NIGIRI FROM YOUR SASHIMI?

whose graduates become restaurant sommeliers or work

Anyone who has stood in line to get some uni at SUSHI DEN

in the wine industry. Major enthusiasts can even train to be

knows that the Denver eatery is on the map as one of the

a certified competition wine judge. The classes do involve a

nation’s top raw fish establishments.You can get schooled

lot of sipping (as well as spitting)—sometimes first thing in

by Sushi Den’s experts during an entertaining class on creat-

the morning. If you just want to whet your palate, the Guild

ing various styles of sushi. They also patiently answer all the

holds free open houses the third Monday of the month.

never dumb sushi and etiquette questions. The class group

INTERNATIONALWINEGUILD.COM

sits down for a sushi meal afterward. SUSHIDEN.NET/SLICED

24

BAKING LIKE GREAT BRIT

A LIT TLE LAMB FROM THE SHANK TO THE LOIN

Raise your spatula if you are a secret fan of PBS’s hugely pop-

It may not be for the squeamish, but basic butchery instruc-

ular The Great British Baking Show and the fierce tests that the

tion about the various tasty animals we like to eat is really

amateur bakers endure. If you want to know how to bake

useful. The BOULDER BUTCHERY GUILD provides small group

breads, cookies, or pies, local cooking schools offer plenty of

classes such as the Whole Lamb Butchery workshop on April

class options. However, if you want to ascend into pastry

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FEBRUARY 2017

geekdom and know crumpets from croissants, check out the

classes at the ART OF CHEESE in Longmont is amplified be-

pastry degree programs at Boulder’s AUGUSTE ESCOFFIER

cause the class space is located in Haystack Mountain Cheese‘s

SCHOOL OF CULINARY ARTS (ESCOFFIER.EDU), and at Denver’s

new creamery. The range of classes run from the relatively easy

ART INSTITUTE ( ARTINSTITUTES.EDU/DENVER) and JOHNSON AND

Feta and Queso Fresco to the more challenging Intro to Hard

WALES UNIVERSITY ( JWU.EDU/DENVER ).

Cheeses. Curd nerds can sign up for a three-day concentrated Cheesemaking Bootcamp to learn several cheesemaking styles.

LEARNING TO BE A CANNABIS COOK

Constant sampling of cheese is a required part of the curric-

The idea of actually cooking with cannabis can be a little intim-

ulum. THEARTOFCHEESE.COM

idating to the novice. The INTRODUCTORY COOKING WITH CANNABIS class with Chef Torrin Panico is a hands-on lesson

PARTING A CHICKEN

that focuses on methods of infusing cannabis into food and

Besides making magnificent artisan cold cuts from morta-

drink with attention toward taste and dosage. Because the

della to soppressata, IL PORCELLINO SALUMI in Denver offers

class takes place in a private industrial kitchen space in Den-

an immersion class in the whole chicken. The feet-on chick-

ver, attendees can sample the foods while making them. The

en butchery workshop is geared to home cooks who want

Advanced Cooking with Cannabis includes making a three-

to learn how to use the whole bird, make stock, and properly

course infused meal. COLORADOCANNABISTOURS.COM

roast it. You go home with two birds you’ve cut into parts. Il Porcellino also offers sausage-making seminars. SQUAREUP.

KNOW YOUR WAY AROUND KURDS

COM/STORE/IL-PORCELLINO-SALUMI

Anybody can buy a great piece of cheese and share it, but only

26

the committed and inquisitive get to say: “Try a chunk of my

BERRIES, BEDS, AND BOTANIC BOOT CAMP

aged cheddar.” The experience of hands-on cheesemaking

If you’ve finally decided to grow your own produce, there is

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FEBRUARY 2017

no better place to learn than the world-class DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS , especially if you are new to Colorado’s mercurial growing conditions. Upcoming classes range from Berries and Grapes for the Front Range (February 11) to Raised Bed Vegetables (March 7). Consider the in-depth New Gardener Boot Camp (February 25). The Gardens also offers Kundalini Yoga classes, but those do not involve fruits and vegetables. BOTANICGARDENS.ORG/CALENDAR

BENEFICIAL BACTERIA In the old days, almost everybody had something growing at home ranging from sourdough and wine to sauerkraut. Fermentation Station, the hands-on interactive 4-hour workshop at WILD GREEN YONDER in Denver, shows you how to safely make yogurt, kimchi, kombucha, tempeh, and other probiotic foods and beverages.

Plus: You get to taste examples. WILDGREENYONDER.WORDPRESS.COM

BRING THE FAMILY: GOAT FARM EDITION Give your kids a glimpse of the homestead life for a day at the GOAT CHEESE LADY ’s place. Milk a goat, make mozzarella and chevre, and have brunch on a five-acre goat farm in Penrose. THEGOATCHEESELADY.WORDPRESS.COM The award-winning AVALANCHE CHEESE COMPANY’S PAONIA FARM rents a comfy four-person cabin that is available on Airbnb. Guests can help with the chores by gathering eggs, feeding goats and chickens, and milking the goats.

AVALANCHECHEESE.COM

Buena Vista’s JUMPIN’ GOOD GOAT DAIRY offers cool farm and creamery tours providing a chance to help with the dairy goat herd during summer afternoon milkings. JUMPINGOODGOATS.COM 28

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reigniting the B

O

O

M

One EDIBLE COMPANY didn’t just create jobs in a small southern Colorado town, it RETURNED JOBS TO THE LOCALS, too.

by RANDY ROBINSON

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Trinidad, A SMALL COLORADO

After securing their culinary artiste, Grindeland and Cooke established a new infused chocolate company

TOWN JUST NORTH OF THE NEW MEXICO BOR- and named it “Coda Signature,” a reference to the end DER, ORIGINATED AS A BOOMING TRADE CENTER of a movement in classical music. In this case, Coda ON THE SANTA FE TRAIL. COAL WAS DISCOVERED H E R E I N T HE L AT E 18 0 0 s, A ND A T H R I V I N G

signifies the end of cannabis edibles’ humble beginnings and their evolution to a new, elevated form.

However, to create these mold-breaking chocolates,

MINING INDUSTRY BECAME THE SMALL TOWN’S they needed much more than just a kitchen. Coda ECONOMIC BEDROCK RIGHT UP UNTIL THE FINANC I A L C R A S H O F 20 0 8. A S J O B S M O V E D

needed a home, and they found it in Trinidad.

Returning Jobs & Restoring Hope

ELSEWHERE, SO TOO DID ITS RESIDENT S. IN

Before it became the headquarters of Coda Signa-

THE FIRST DECADE OF THE NEW MILLENNIUM,

ture, the 30,000-square-foot factory on Trinidad’s Con-

TRINIDAD TEETERED DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO

stitution Avenue was home to Danielson Designs.

Danielson manufactured fabrics, but its Trinidad lo-

BECOMING A DUSTY, DISTANT CHAPTER IN COL- cation couldn’t keep up with foreign competitors. As ORADO’S HISTORY BOOKS. Then, in 2014, the first recreational dispensary opened in the veritable ghost town. Seemingly overnight, Trin-

the company executed a painful series of downsizes, one-by-one loyal employees were let go. In 2014, Danielson laid off the last of its workers, and the plant closed its doors.

idad began to experience a green revival. Today, there

Nearly a year and a half passed before Coda made

are a dozen dispensaries, a number of grow facilities,

an offer on the building. The Danielson owners “were

and other cannabis-related businesses serving the

not keen on this building becoming a marijuana busi-

local population of just over 8,000 folks from all walks

ness,” says Gockley. “But they really respected what we

of life, as well as a steady stream of out-of-state visi-

were going to do.”

tors. The positive economic impact of the town’s new cannabis tax revenues can be seen throughout Trinidad, perhaps no where more so than the once-aban-

Coda crafts its gourmet truffles at its Trinidad factory.

doned downtown restored to its former aesthetic glory.

The Story of Coda Signature Just as Trinidad began to regain its economic footing, two entrepreneurs, Mark Grindeland and Elizabeth Cooke, noticed something about Colorado’s infused edibles market. Because cannabis tastes bitter, most of the edibles on the market tried to mask the flavor of cannabis extract. Grindeland and Cooke saw an opportunity to hoist cannabis edibles to new heights by using the distinct flavor of cannabis to create gourmet infused confections made with high-quality ingredients that taste and look unlike anything else available.

Danielson’s managers made one request before

To pull this off, they needed the best talent on their

agreeing to the sale of the old factory: they asked if

team. They found it in Lauren Gockley, a renowned

Coda would hire back some of the former Danielson

chocolatier trained at France’s l’École du Grand Choc-

employees, the most valued workers who were still in

olat. She had established herself at the top of her trade

Trinidad looking for work.“The owners basically said,

while working at Thomas Keller’s iconic Per Se restau-

‘Here’s a list. And do whatever you want. But talk to

rant in New York, and in 2011, she was named one of the

them. You’re gonna want to talk to them,’” says Brien

Top Ten Chocolatiers in North America by Dessert

Sauchelli, director of operations at Coda. “So that’s

Professional magazine.

what we did.”

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31

ble category at the 2016 High Times Colorado Cannabis Cup. The bite-sized truffles look like polished marbles, with an array of colorful, sparkling designs glistening beneath a glassy shine. Crystallization of the chocCoda Chocolate bars include Fire & Orange, Maple & Pecan, and Coffee & Donuts flavors.

da’s products, Gockley explains. “It’s what gives the chocolate that snap.”

They met with people like Kelly Santistevan, who

The truffles do indeed produce a sharp snap when

had worked at the Danielson plant for 20 years before

bitten. The chocolate filling oozes out from the shell

it shuttered operations. At his wife’s suggestion, he

and spills across the taste buds, revealing flavorful

had considered moving out of Trinidad as thousands

infusions like fresh lemon and juniper berries, Earl

of others had done before him. Although he had man-

Grey tea leaves and Colorado honey, caramel and Mal-

ufacturing experience, picking up and leaving his old

don salt crystals.

life behind wasn’t an easy call. “Where was I going to

Despite the class and sophistication that goes into

start again?” he recounts. “I didn’t want to walk away

the creation and presentation of Coda Signature’s

from my house. I was really close to paying it off. Coda

chocolates, the most popular edible isn’t a truffle. It’s

saved me from having to make that decision.”

Today, about half of Coda’s current employees came

a rather surprising flavor combination delivered as a chocolate bar.

from Danielson. When the employees first returned to

“Coffee and Doughnuts,” Gockley confesses with a

the factory, they found themselves in a familiar setting

chuckle. “That’s our best-seller.” And wouldn’t you

working in an entirely unfamiliar field. It was an op-

know it, if you give it a second to melt on your tongue,

portunity to learn some new skills. Blandina Medin,

it tastes exactly like a glazed donut dipped in fresh,

one of the last employees to be let go from Danielson,

hot coffee.

took a job at Coda and trained on-site under Gockley’s tutelage. Now she’s a sous chef in the new state-ofthe-art commercial kitchen.

But What About the Chocolate?

In the factory kitchen, a team of chefs work diligently to put together Coda’s epicurean edibles under Gockley’s gourmand guidance.

“Before Coda, I always made everything by hand,” Gockley says. “Mass producing the chocolates is a new thing for me.”

That doesn’t show, however. What’s most apparent is Gockley’s unrivaled artistry and attention to detail. Coda’s creations begin with highquality ingredients: ethically sourced South American cacao, whole spices, high-grade cannabis oil. The resulting Coda Signature lineup of truffles, chocolate bars, and hot chocolate is in a class by itself. The very first collection of chocolate truffles Coda released last spring took home first prize in the edi-

32

olate is the key to achieving the look and feel of Co-

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University of Colorado Boulder SCIENTISTS fight federal REGULATIONS to study how cannabis INTERACTS with humans.

34

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FEBRUARY 2017

ROCKY MOUNTAIN

RESEARCH ... AND

HIGHSLOWS

by LEL AND RUCKER

AS MORE AMERIC ANS VOTE FOR THE

legalization OF MEDICAL AND RECRE-

ATIONAL M A R I JUA N A, R E S E A R C H A N D S C I E N C E ON T H E P L A N T I S FA R B E H I N D THE C U RV E .

THE US GOVERNMENT BEGAN SUPPRESSING THE TRUTH ABOUT CANNABIS BEGINNING IN THE 1930s AND INSTITUTIONALIZED ITS LIES WITH THE PASSAGE OF THE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT IN 1971. TODAY, A PLANT THAT CAN LEGALLY BE USED AS MEDICINE IN 28 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA IS STILL CLASSIFIED ON A FEDERAL LEVEL AS HAVING “NO CURRENTLY ACCEPTED MEDICAL USE IN TREATMENT IN THE UNITED STATES,” AND FOR THE MOST PART, THE G OV E R N ME N T S T I L L PEDDLES WHAT WE LIKE TO CALL “FAKE NEWS” THESE DAYS ABOUT M A R I JUA N A’S DANG E R S. FEB RUA RY 2017

www.sensimag.com

35

As a result, states are enacting rules and regula-

cannabis genome can’t be underestimated. A genome

tions about cannabis, setting legal-THC-level limits

is a living thing’s genetic material, basically all of the

for drivers, and creating “standard dosages” for edibles

information needed for how an organism grows, lives,

without a hint of science to back them. The internet is

and passes itself on. Learning the basics of canna-

rife with tales of the horror of high-potency marijuana

bis and hemp plant structures can open up exciting

and even higher-potency concentrates, but there’s no

new possibilities for everything from food, textiles,

research to back up the claims. Though more seniors

paper, fabrics, and even fuel oil to developing canna-

than ever are using cannabis and anecdotal evidence

bis strains that negate side effects like the paranoia

continues to accumulate about its efficacy treating some

some users feel with THC.

ailments, there is no scientific literature on how or why cannabis might be good or bad for them.

Vergara is enthusiastic about the project’s potential, especially since the data they accumulate will be

Colorado wants answers to these questions and more.

available to anyone. Growers can especially benefit

Using tax money generated by cannabis sales, the Col-

by using genetic information to develop strains with

The brain is the special concern of CU’s Cannabis Observational Study on Mood , Inflammation and Cognition (COSMIC) scientists , who are gathering data on marijuana’s effects on the brain , its anti-inflammatory properties , and how it affects temperament , reasoning, perception , and understanding. orado Department of Public Health and Environment,

specific cannabinoid combinations for particular ap-

through pilot and research grants, is funding studies

plications. “With hemp, we can generate strains for

on using cannabis to treat, among other things, brain

better fiber to make houses or cars or clothing or

tumors, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease tremors, and post-

biodegradable plastic,” she says. “The medical com-

traumatic stress syndrome in veterans. The state au-

munity, which now uses opioids for birth delivery,

thorized $2.4 million in 2016 to continue to seek data

might be able to use cannabinoids instead. For the

and information about THC potency, concentrates, its

mom with an epileptic kid, we can find out which

effect on brains, and the possible public health impli-

strains work and how to make better drugs from

cations of retail marijuana.

particular strains. Recreational users can find out how

And, without much fanfare or publicity, scientists at the University of Colorado Boulder, a school that

The brain is the special concern of scientists at

infamously poured fish fertilizer on its quadrangle

CU’s Cannabis Observational Study on Mood, In-

to discourage a pro-cannabis 420 protest event just

flammation and Cognition (COSMIC). Led by Dr. Kent

four years ago, now accommodates studies on the

Hutchison, they are gathering data on marijuana’s

cutting edge of cannabis research.

One of the most vital is coming from the Cannabis Genomic Research Initiative (CGRI), part of CU’s

36

it’s affecting their brain.”

effects on the brain, its anti-inflammatory properties, and how it affects temperament, reasoning, perception, and understanding.

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology program, where

The cannabis research parallels what these scien-

scientists are working to create a high-density, ge-

tists have been already studying about tobacco and

netic model of the cannabis plant. The project is run

alcohol. After marijuana legalization began, Hutchi-

by Drs. Daniela Vergara and Nolan Kane, who have

son says he watched as parents of children with in-

already done similar work with chocolate, sunflow-

tractable seizure disorders moved to Colorado to find

ers, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, and brussels sprouts.

marijuana treatments after mainstream medicine

The significance of sequencing, or mapping, the

failed them. “ The problem is that all the evidence

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FEBRUARY 2017

over so many years was suggesting it was bad for

to a woman taking Rick Simpson oil”—a cannabis oil

your brain,” he says. “But everybody sees what’s hap-

used to treat cancer—“and it’s something that works

pening, which is that some forms are actually good

but it makes her high six hours a day, and it’s hard to

for your brain, at least for children with seizure dis-

do other things in her life. What research can tell us

orders, right?”

is how to minimize those side effects and maximize

Hutchison and his colleagues saw potential bene-

the benefits.”

fits as well as some possible harms from using mari-

Hutchison’s first attempt at a marijuana study in

juana. But there was a deeper reason for his interest,

2007 didn’t go well. He went through the labyrinthine

too. Hutchison had gotten into science to make a dif-

process of getting the necessary approvals from the

ference. Though he had done some solid research, he

Drug Enforcement Administration and National Insti-

didn’t feel it was something that might have an im-

tute on Drug Abuse, received the government-grown

pact on people’s lives. “Here’s a brand-new area where

cannabis, and began giving it to medical patients.

we haven’t done anything in terms of the complexity

They hated the research marijuana, which was in-

of the different cannabinoids in the plant and how they

ferior to and different from their usual medicines.

work together,” he says. “ This is what I’m focused on

“When you’re trying to study the facts on marijuana

right now.”

and mood and cognition, and people find it disgust-

Nobody in his lab is pushing a cannabis agenda.

ing, you’re not going to get good data,” Hutchison

“We try to be an honest broker, in terms of looking at

says. “It doesn’t generalize what people are using in

the potential benefits as well as the potential harms,”

the real world. So I basically said, ‘We’ll never do this

Hutchison says. As examples, he says that for cancer

again, and it’s a total waste of time and effort.’”

patients with symptoms of nausea and vomiting, MS

To conduct government-approved medical stud-

sufferers with pain and spasticity, or veterans with

ies of marijuana, researchers not only have to receive

PTSD trying to get off opioids, there are benefits of

approval from federal agencies including the DEA

cannabis use, but there are side effects, too. “You talk

and the FDA, they can only use marijuana that comes FEB RUA RY 2017

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37

from the outdoor farm at the Marijuana Research Proj-

involves federal laws and regulations themselves.

ect at the University of Mississippi in Oxford. Last fall,

In Colorado, more than 25,000 pounds of marijuana

Vergara and her CGRI colleagues released a study that

flower, 600–700,000 edible units, and high-potency

compared the chemical profiles of cannabis varieties

concentrates are sold every month. Anyone over 21,

available to consumers in Denver, Oakland, Sacramen-

including CU researchers, can purchase any of those

to, and Seattle to the federal varieties available to re-

products, but they can’t put them under their CU mi-

searchers. Not surprisingly, they found that federally

croscopes. Doing so would put the university at risk of

produced cannabis has significantly less genetic vari-

losing federal funding for research, education, out-

ation and diversity in strains and lower concentrations

reach, and capital projects. “I keep pointing out to peo-

of the six cannabinoids (chemical compounds) identi-

ple that this is ridiculous,” Hutchison says. “We can’t

fied by the National Institutes of Health. The legal mar-

do research on any of it. Nor can any other state uni-

ijuana they tested from the four different states had

versity across the country. [In Colorado] you can have

different percentages of THC and CBD, and had high-

marijuana in an elementary school for medical use,

HERE’S SOMETHING STUPID : IN COLORADO, MORE THAN 25,000 POUNDS OF FLOWER, 600–700,000 EDIBLE UNITS AND HIGH-POTENCY CONCENTRATES ARE SOLD EVERY MONTH. ANYONE OVER 21, INCLUDING THE RESEARCHERS, CAN PURCHASE ANY OF THOSE, BUT THEY CAN’T PUT THEM UNDER THEIR CU MICROSCOPES.

er concentrations of cannabinoids and higher THC and

but you can’t have it on campus. It makes no sense

CBD levels than the federal materials.

whatsoever.”

Vergara and her colleagues concluded that cannabis

Even more problematic: concentrates, shatters, dabs,

from the government will never compete with commer-

and edibles can’t be studied at all because the govern-

cial strains. “We must study the strains from Mississip-

ment doesn’t provide cannabis in those forms. “If I

pi, and those strains do not have the same cannabinoids

want to know what’s in a concentrate, our chemists

and the same potency, and they lack diversity,” Vergara

can’t look at the chemical composition. Our best neu-

says. “As scientists, we have to use strains that are not

roscientists want to know what CBD does in a pain

showing what the real world is using.”

model in animals, but we can’t touch it.”

That’s not all. The major roadblock to any research 38

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FEBRUARY 2017

CU researcher L. Cinnamon Bidwell, who is planning

FEB RUA RY 2017

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39

a study on the effects of high-THC concentrates on the

doesn’t leave much for this kind of general research.

brains of users, questions whether the federal govern-

“We can get money from private companies, but peo-

ment should even be involved in trying to keep up with

ple in the industry want results now, and that’s not

legal weed. “I’m not sure that the farm in Mississippi

what we’re going to bring them. If they don’t see a

should have to be responsible for matching all these

return on investment, they won’t give it.”

products, because things change so fast in the markets, anyway,” she says. “If the rules were different, we could

Rachel Thayer is studying the effects of cannabis on

leverage those markets and do it in a safe way within

seniors who have been longtime users. Her back-

the context of our labs.”

ground in how substances and their abuse affects

The restrictions have created enormous frustration

users’ brains led her to COSMIC. Studies up until now

for the scientists. Still, working with CU lawyers and

have been focused on the brains of younger people.

administrators, Hutchison developed a plan to do ob-

Thayer wants to find out why, if it’s detrimental to

servational studies without bringing the plant onto

young brains, seniors who have used cannabis all

school grounds. “ We’ve spent the last three years try-

their lives don’t seem to show those effects.

ing to work with the system,” Hutchison says. “ We’ve

“One of the things that is interesting in studying

gotten great support from the leadership here at CU.”

aging processes is that there is so much natural vari-

Since there can be no marijuana on the campus,

ability in how people age,” Thayer says. “ We don’t

the workaround involves the purchase of a medical

know what impacts ongoing health or problems as

van that enables researchers to bring the campus to

we age. We’re trying to capture some of that availabil-

the subject, Hutchison explains. “We drive the van to

ity and see how marijuana interacts and what differ-

your house, you take your bud or edible, you come

ences we might observe.”

down to the van, we draw your blood and do the test-

Bidwell’s study on concentrates has been approved

ing in the van, and when you’re done, you go back up

by the state and is scheduled to begin in April. “Stories

to the house.”

proliferate about how dangerous these new products

The CU administration hasn’t always been as ac-

are, but little science is available to tell us whether

commodating when it comes to cannabis. Beginning

that’s true or not,” says Bidwell, who will be using the

in the early 1990s, protests against the War on Drugs

van, too, along with concentrates from local dispen-

began happening in Boulder every year on April 20, and

saries. “We will be directly testing the hypothesis of

the first official 420 Smoke-Out was held at CU’s Far-

whether these higher potency things are so much

rand Field in 1999. The event consisted of people gath-

worse for people. Do we actually find that when we

ering on the campus quadrangle mid-afternoon. At

test it in a controlled setting? Is it as bad as the hy-

4: 20 pm, everyone would light up and then disperse.

perbole suggests? We don’t really know.”

The annual protest moved to Norlin Quad in 2007

Bidwell says researchers are hoping to get funding

and continued to grow in size until more than 10,000

for more studies on anxiety and mood, like whether

people were showing up from all over the area. I went

certain types of cannabinoids might offer short-term

to the 2009 and 2011 events, and by that time, they were

anxiety relief while others might offer longer-term

more media circus than protest, with TV stations pro-

help. “There might be different effects. We know that

moting the event in the days leading up, and airplanes

sometimes something that feels good short-term isn’t

and helicopters flying low enough to give the pilots and

necessarily the best thing for you long-term.”

photographers a contact high while police stood around the edges quietly observing the spectacle.

The other main hindrance to the CU research is

Still, researchers are confident they will get their work done. “We know that certain levels of alcohol are dangerous, but we don’t have those kinds of data

money. Scientists rely on grant funding, and the ge-

about marijuana,” says Bidwell. “Whatever your bi-

nome project still needs about $100,000 to complete

ases, it would be nice to have some scientific con-

its work. Most grant money goes for research on

sensus on these questions.”

specific diseases, which is good, Vergara says, but

40

Meanwhile, the studies continue. CU PhD student

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FE BRUARY 2017

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41

WELCOME TO CANNABIS 101

New to CANNABIS? Making a return after a decades-long hiatus?

Have you only been SMOKING BUDS because all the new FANCY HASHE S, EDIBLES, and PENS seem a little complicated? Well, consider this your CRASH COURSE in all things cannabis.

by RANDY ROBINSON

42

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FEBRUARY 2017

A N YON E ’S FIRST VISIT TO A DISPENSARY C AN BE

OV ERW HELMING .

S E L EC T I N G A N E L E VAT I N G P R O D U C T F R O M T H E M O D E R N O F F E R I N G S C A N B E L I K E TRYING TO SELEC T A DESSERT AT AN UPSCALE BAKERY WHEN YOU’VE ONLY EATEN TWINKIES Y O UR E N T I R E L I F E .

TOD AY, T H E R E A R E T E N S OF T HO US A N D S O F E X O T I C A L L Y ( A ND H U M O R O US LY ) N A M E D C A N N A B I S S T R A I N S, N E A R L Y A D O Z E N T Y P E S O F H AS H E S, A S MO R G AS B O R D O F N A M EBR AND EDIBLES, NOT TO MENTION ADHESIVE PATCHES, TINCTURES, VAPE PENS, INHALERS, L O T I O N S , B A L M S, A N D … A N D … A N D … YO U G E T T H E P I C T U R E .

W H E R E DO YOU S T A R T ? I F YO U ’ R E JUS T B E G I N N I N G TO D A B B L E I N C A N N A B I S , O R I F YOU’VE REFRAINED FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS (OR DECADES ), THEN START HERE.

H OW I S T H I S L EGA L AGAIN? Amendment 20

What’s the difference between a dispensary and a retail store?

Colorado’s voters approved Amendment 20 in 2000.

Both of these places sell cannabis and cannabis prod-

This bill created the state’s medical marijuana sys-

ucts. Anyone 21 or over can shop in a retail or “rec” store

tem. Any Colorado resident with a qualifying medi-

(“rec” is short for “recreational”). Only registered med-

cal issue— such as chronic pain, Crohn’s disease, or

ical marijuana patients may buy from a dispensary.

cancer— can apply for a special “med” card. All you need is a doctor to sign off on it.

Dispensaries tend to carry cannabis tailored for medical use. They also offer more potent products than retail stores, and at a lower cost, too.

Amendment 64 In 2012, Colorado made history by becoming the first

What is this “420” thing?

state to legalize cannabis for adult use. Amendment 64

“420” is a sacred number within the cannabis com-

says anyone within state lines who’s 21 or older can buy

munity. It’s often used as a code word in place of can-

cannabis for personal use. If you don’t have a med card,

nabis, but it also represents special times to get ele-

you may buy from only retail or “recreational” shops, which may be pricier than medical dispensaries.

vated. Some cannabis fans ritualistically smoke at 4: 20 pm every day, and April 20 (4/20) is officially the

But You Gotta Keep It Here

congregate in reserved spaces to light up with friends

Cannabis remains federally outlawed. It may be legal

and peers.

unofficial cannabis holiday, when consumers may

in Colorado, but once it crosses the state line, it becomes subject to the bordering state’s laws. Every state that

Where did 420 come from?

borders Colorado—Wyoming, Utah, Kansas, South Da-

No one knows. Some people claim they know, but no

kota, New Mexico, and Arizona— isn’t down.

one really does. It’s okay, though. We can have some mystery in our lives.

What’s in a name?

ican colloquialism, is legally defined in Colorado as

WHAT ’S IN A NAME? What’s the difference between “buds,” “flowers,” and “nugs”?

the pot that gets you high with THC over .3 percent.

Absolutely nothing. They all refer to the same thing:

Hemp, a type of Cannabis sativa with THC under .3

the smokeable part of the cannabis plant. Also known

percent, is the pot that doesn’t get you high.

as “weed,” “herb,” and “nuggets.”

Cannabis sativa is the proper name for the once-demonized plant with many benefits. Marijuana, a Mex-

FEB RUA RY 2017

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43

What are strains?

Chemists can also make fancier, purer concen-

Also known as cultivars, a strain is a certain kind of

trates. Carbon dioxide, butane, and propane can give

cannabis, the same way a chihuahua is a kind of dog.

us things like budder, wax, shatter, or honey oils.

We give names to particular types of plants produced for its desired traits.

Dabbing

Some cannabis strains may smell a certain way,

Dabbing is basically a way to vaporize concentrates

like fruit punch, grape, or even cheese. They’ll go by

in a highly efficient manner. It’s also a dance move

names like, “Mile High Purps,” “Grape Ape,” or “Blue

the kids do these days, but that’s a different subject

Cheese.” Others may taste a certain way when we

entirely.

smoke them, like berries, apples, or burnt wood.

To dab, you’ll need a device called a rig. The rig is a typical water pipe, except instead of a stem where

What’s all this about indica or sativa?

buds can be packed, it has a nail. Nails can be made

Just as strains describe a type of cannabis plant, the

of ceramics, glass, or titanium.

terms indica and sativa are just another classification.

Using a heat source, the nail is heated up and al-

Indica plants grow short and bushy, while sativas grow

lowed to cool for 10 seconds. Using a wand, which is

long and thin. Many indica plants will make a smoker

just a metal stick that holds the concentrate, dip the

feel relaxed, sluggish, and sedated. Sativas tend to pro-

concentrate onto the nail and inhale. This should near-

vide energy, focus, and an uplifting euphoria.

ly vaporize 100 percent of whatever touched the nail.

However, those descriptions aren’t terribly clear cut.

Some dab rigs may use blowtorches to heat the

Sativas and indicas can be cross-bred to produce hy-

nail. If you’d prefer to avoid flame sources, electric

brids, cannabis plants that blend the characteristics

and solar-powered nails are available, too.

of a sativa and an indica. Most commercially avail-

Why wait 10 seconds? If the nail is too hot, you’ll

able cannabis is some kind of hybrid, so this distinc-

fry the good stuff in the concentrate. Terpenes, which

tion may not always be helpful.

give cannabis its distinctive flavors, are especially fragile. If you give the nail 10 seconds to cool, you’ll get

CON SUMPTION JUNCTION What if I don’t want to smoke cannabis?

to enjoy the taste of the dab along with its elevating effects.

You’re in luck! Smoking is just one way to do it. There are a number of other ways to get cannabis into your brain and body.

Is dabbing dangerous? I heard it was like crack but for marijuana.

To be completely honest, we don’t know. Dabbing

Vaporizing

hasn’t been studied as extensively as cannabis smok-

A vaporizer heats up your buds without burning

ing has. The newest research says cannabis smoke

them. The good stuff—cannabinoids and terpenes—

is not dangerous, and so far no special regulations or

get boiled off into a vapor that you inhale. Since the

restrictions have been passed for dabbing.

bud isn’t combusted, you aren’t inhaling black ash.

As for dabbing being like “freebased cannabis,”

If your vaporizer features a temperature control,

this is a myth. Freebasing involves chemistry tricks

you can customize your experience. T HC, the can-

to make a molecule instantly absorb into cells. Dabs

nabinoid that gives us a buzz, vaporizes right around

are not freebased; furthermore, any pesticides or

314.6°F (157°C). CBD, the cannabinoid that takes the

fertilizers from the plant don’t get concentrated in

edge off the buzz, vaporizes around 320°F (160°C).

dabs, either. Most of those chemicals get filtered out during the purging and crystallization steps.

Hash/Concentrates Concentrates, also known as hash, are oily, waxy, or

too much, too soon. It’s easy to underestimate a dose

chunky bits extracted straight from the plant. If we

because such a small amount of concentrate is need-

press and roll the raw trichomes from the flowers,

ed to achieve the same level of elevation as you would

we get pressed or rolled hash, which is the most ba-

with buds.

sic of the concentrates.

44

The only confirmed danger with dabbing is doing

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Many INDICIA plants will make a smoker feel relaxed, sluggish, and sedated. SATIVAS tend to provide energy, focus, and an uplifting euphoria. { BUT, MOST COMMERCIALLY AVAIL ABLE CANNABIS IS SOME KIND OF HYBRID, SO THIS DIS TINC TION MAY NOT ALWAYS BE HELPFUL. }

© COURTESY OF WANA BRANDS

CAN’ T FIGHT THE FEELING Pot made me paranoid when I tried it in high school. Can I avoid that?

There’s no guarantee cannabis may not give you some side effects. Every person is different, and every strain is different, too. If you do get paranoid, just remember that you won’t die or go crazy. The effect is temporary.

You may want to try a different strain or product next time, too.

Just remember, always start low and go slow. Work

Edibles

your way up to higher amounts no matter what meth-

Eat your pot or drink it too! Edibles are food products

od of cannabis consumption you choose.

infused with cannabis extracts, and there are some delicious options out there. Sour gummies, chocolate bars, cookies, granolas, caramels, colas, coffees: marijuana-infused product brands have infused THC into

Okay,

all sorts of items. A standard serving contains 10 mg

I did too much.

THC, and the long-lasting effects can take up to two

What should I do now?

hours to hit.

First off: breathe. Slow, deep breaths. It’s gonna be okay.

No one has ever died from ingesting too much canna-

Topicals

bis. That said, taking too much can be a scary, over-

If you don’t want the elevating effects of cannabis but

whelming experience. So here’s what you can do:

do want the analgesic benefits, try topicals. These lotions, ointments, creams, or non-edible oils may or may

BLACK PEPPER

not contain THC, but they usually have other canna-

Eating a teaspoon or two of ground black pepper may

binoids (like CBD) and terpenes.

taper down the high. This hasn’t been scientifically

Topicals are meant for therapeutic or medicinal use,

proven, but some folks swear by it. There are even

such as soothing aches, pains, sore joints, or other

products like Peppernoids on the market made for

health issues close to the skin. Some people even use

this purpose.

topicals to treat skin conditions such as eczema.

WHOLE MILK Patches

If you had too many edibles, try drinking a glass or

Cannabis patches are topicals that you stick on your

two of whole milk. The fattier, the better.

body. Most patches contain some transdermal chemical to carry the cannabinoids through the skin and

HOT SHOWER OR BATH

into the bloodstream so you may feel the elevating

A hot shower or bath may tune things down as well.

effects of THC.

Feel free to combine all of these strategies. And enjoy the ride.

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E ND OCA NNA

P R O MOT ION A L F E AT URE

Excellent Extractions W I T H H I G H- Q UA L I T Y P R O D U C TS, E N D OC A N N A CO R N E R S O N E OF T H E FAST E ST- G R OW I N G C AT E G O R I E S OF C A N N A B I S. Cannabis concentrates have skyrocketed in pop­ ularity over the last few years—and that rise hasn’t

he discovered ways to increase the extracts’ levels of other cannabinoids and terpenes.

stopped. In 2016, retail sales of concentrates shot up

“All nine cannabinoids that labs test for, we have

by 125 percent from the previous year, accounting

plants that produce them,” says Mahon. Those can-

for nearly a third of all cannabis products sold. Con-

nabinoids include the two most prominent ones—

centrates go by many names and come in a multi-

THC and CBD—but also lesser known but equally

tude of forms, such as budders, waxes, shatters, live

beneficial compounds such as THCv, CBC, and CBN.

resins, and honey oils—and they’ve outpaced Col-

“We’re very interested in providing the full array of

orado’s world-famous edibles market for nearly two

medicine for people,” he adds.

years straight.

But cannabinoids aren’t the only things patients

With such a sharp spike in demand, it’s easy for

seek in high-quality extracts. Terpenes, the com-

a market to get saturated. As markets get satu-

pounds responsible for cannabis’s scents and fla-

rated, product quality can get muddy. That’s why

vors, can confer a number of health benefits, too.

Dustin Mahon founded EndoCanna, an off-shoot of

Because terpenes can lower the melting point of a

Better Concentrates, in 2012. Whereas Better Con-

wax or shatter, EndoCanna also designed non-stick

centrates created extracts from other companies’

glass containers for its terpene-rich products.

cannabis plants, EndoCanna’s products only use

In addition to dabbable concentrates, EndoCan-

plants grown, cultivated, and processed by Mahon’s

na offers its own line of clean vape cartridges.

team.

These cartridges use pure extract, so they carry

And while the vast majority of concentrates com-

the flavors from the plant they were pulled from.

panies focused solely on maximizing THC content,

“Our vape pens taste like you’re taking a dab,” Ma-

Mahon went an entirely different route: he sought

hon explains. “I’ve got customers who remove the oil

to improve the medicinal effects of these new, high-

from our cartridges just so they can take dabs of it.”

ly efficient methods of cannabis ingestion. To do this,

The Nine Detectable

Cannabinoids THC

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CBD

CBC

FE BRUARY 2017

CBN

CBG

THCv

CBDv

THCa

CBDa

P R O MOT ION A L F E AT URE

DEN V E R C USTOM PAC K AGI NG

The Whole Package S U STA I NA B L E , R E N E WA B L E , AN D CO N V E N I E N T: D E N V E R C U STO M PAC K AG I NG H AS I T A L L I N T HE B AG. As all the cannabis flowers, waxes, hashes, and edibles fly off dispensary shelves, that means the plastic bottles used to store these products have been flying off those same shelves, too. Unfortunately, most of those bottles end up someplace where they sit for practically an eternity, taking up valuable space on a planet that’s running out of room.

Rao Murukurthy, founder of Denver Custom Packaging, has a way around this. A decades-long veteran of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical bottle manufacturing, this mechanical engineer realized Colorado’s cannabis industry could use a new approach to its packaging. The solution? The Doob Cube.

All Doob Cubes can be recycled, as Denver Custom Packaging uses only recycled plastic for its products, ensuring sustainability and reuse.

DENVER CUSTOM PACKAGING USES ONLY RECYCLED PLASTIC FOR ITS PRODUCTS, ENSURING SUSTAINABILITY AND REUSE.

In addition to environmentally friendly materials, Murukurthy’s bottles are designed to diminish static, so kief ends up in the bowl rather than stuck to the sides of the container. The Doob Cube features a wide mouth, too, allowing better selectivity of particular buds. “That way you can reach in there and pick out your nugs instead of having to pour your weed out on a table,” says Murukurthy.

The Doob Cube is childproof but still simple enough for an adult to open, so parents or grandparents with chronic pain can access their medicine without any complications. “We designed them after doing surveying with actual cannabis patients who couldn’t get into some of the prescription-style bottles because they have arthritis,” says Murukurthy.

“We also asked the dispensaries what they were looking for. They wanted more surface area for the labels,” he adds. In response to the businesses, the Doob Cube provides ample space for labels and logos.

Best of all, Denver Custom Packaging’s bottles are manufactured to be air-tight, ensuring the cannabis’s freshness as well as locking in any scents best kept under wraps.

However, designs don’t end with the Doob Cube, as Denver Custom Packaging’s name is literal: they can customize bottles or containers based on their clients’ specific needs. “I’ve had companies bring me design ideas sketched out on napkins,” he says with a chuckle. Denver Custom Packaging’s services range from concept to molding to post-production customization. “We do it all.”

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GR E E N HOUSE PAY M E N T SOLU T IONS

P R O MOT ION A L F E AT URE

Show Me the Money GREENHOUSE PAYMENTS SOLUTIONS HAS THE ANSWER. It’s no secret that cannabis businesses are rak-

Although national banks are steering clear of the

ing in the dough right now. Colorado alone sold $1

cannabis industry due to fears regarding federal

billion worth of cannabis goods last year, and an-

regulations, state banks aren’t beholden to these

alysts expect the industry as a whole to hit the $50

same rules. Neither are some foreign banks. These

billion mark in less than a decade.

smaller banks will gladly open accounts for pot

However, because cannabis is still mired in a legal gray area, big national banks won’t touch the

with these institutions over many years.

industry’s money. In a digital world, only 5 percent

“Sometimes the banks will come to me with offers

of the world’s money is paper cash, yet paper cash

for services,” Mills says. These services go way be-

is the only form of payment most cannabis busi-

yond just opening accounts. Greenhouse Payment

nesses can use. How do businesses manage their

Solutions can connect cannabis businesses with

finances when they’re sitting on piles of paper mon-

armored trucks, vault storage, counter-top ATMs,

ey? Ask Greenhouse Payment Solutions.

traditional ATMs, and even special vending machines

Founded by Chris Mills in 2010, Greenhouse Payment Solutions specializes in handling the financial

that use fingerprints to verify a customer’s age and identity.

nuances for marijuana businesses such as dispen-

Greenhouse Payment Solutions operates in sev-

saries, retail stores, infused product manufacturers,

eral states besides Colorado where cannabis is legal.

and grow facilities. One of Greenhouse Payment’s

Because the laws and procedures are different in

most sought-after services is helping these busi-

each state, Mills tailors his assistance to each indi-

nesses convert to cashless operations—which is

vidual business in accordance with its local laws.

legal if done properly.

“We’re the middleman,” says Mills. “We talk to the business owner, then we find a product, or a service, or the best solution to their problem. We’re more of a consultant than anything.”

52

shops, and Mills has developed strong relationships

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S P E C I A L A D V I S O R Y B OA R D S E C T I O N

AS THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY GROWS, SO DO T H E N U M B E R OF NICHE EXPER TS WITHIN IT. FROM TOP-TIER DISPENSARIES AND EXTRACTION BRANDS TO EDIBLE MAKERS AND MAR-

5 Ways Cannabis Can Enhance Your Health in 2017

by Wana Brands DO YO U R N E W Y E A R’S R E S O LU T I O N S A L R E A DY F E E L L I K E A N C I E N T H I S TO RY? N O W I S

KETING S P E C I A L I STS, T H E S E

T HE PER F EC T TI M E TO RE FO C U S YO U R I N TE N TI O N S FO R 2017. H O W D O YOU WANT TO

CO M PA N I E S A R E I N C R E D I B L E

E N H A N C E YO U R L I F E T H I S Y E A R? C A N N A B I S M AY H E L P YOU R E AC H YO U R G OA L S. R E-

S O U R C E S O F I N S I D E R I N FO ABOUT THE TRENDS AND ISSUES DRIVING THIS THRIVING MARKETPLACE FO RWA R D. T H E S E N S I A DV I S O RY BOARD IS COMPRISED OF LEADERS FROM A VARIETY OF FIELDS WITHIN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY. EACH ISSUE, ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS SHARE S O M E OF THEIR KNOWLEDGE W I T H O U R R E A D E R S I N T H I S D E D I C AT E D S E C T I O N . THIS MONTH, WE HEAR FROM THE EXPERTS AT

Wana Brands AND marQaha .

S E A R C H S HO W S T H AT MO R E C A N N A B I S CO N S U M E R S A R E LO O K I N G TO T H E P L A N T AS A S U P P L E M E N T F O R T H E I R H E A LT H A N D W E L L N E S S R E G I M E N S . I N FA C T, A R E C E N T S T U DY F O U N D T H AT 9 I N 10 C O N S U M E R S U S E C A N N A B I S A S P A R T O F T H E I R W E L LN ES S R O U TI N E —A ND FO R G OOD RE AS O N. C A N N A B I S I S T H E U LT I M AT E TOOL TO HE L P YO U R E L A X A N D R E F O C U S O N W H AT ’ S I M P O R TA N T I N T H E C O M I N G Y E A R — N O T T O M E N T I O N T H E P L A N T ’ S M U C H B U Z Z E D -A B O U T H E A L I N G B E N E F I T S. F R O M M I N D F U LNESS AND SELF-CARE TO FITNESS GOALS AND CREATIVE ENERGY, CANNABIS IS CAPABLE O F E N H A N C I N G YO U R H E A LTH I N 2017.

HERE ARE FIVE SIMPLE WAYS CANNABIS CAN HELP :

1 } Reduce stress and anxiety. The saying goes “healthy mind, healthy life”— and canna-

bis can benefit your mental health in more ways than one. Active chemicals in marijuana act similarly to natural anti-anxiety compounds in the brain, alleviating stress and allowing for a relaxed state of mind, free of worry or fear.

2 } Set fitness goals and stick to them. Cannabis is quickly becoming a popular supple-

ment for athletes, and it can help you maintain your fitness regimen, too. Get going with strains potent in THCv—a lesser-known cannabinoid acknowledged for raising metabolism and providing a fat-burning boost without delivering the munchie effect.

3 } Kickstart creative energy. Marijuana is most often regarded as the key to greater creativFor a full list of our Advisory Board Members, turn to the masthead on page 9.

ity, enhancing the part of your brain that produces creative thoughts. Open your mind to the exponential opportunities that await in 2017. Consider taking up a new hobby or trying a new class.

Inspiration-inducing sativa strains in flower and edibles might help spark your next big idea.

4 } Cut down on pharmaceuticals. Cannabis is a natural analgesic. The active ingredients in marijuana calm the secretion of pain-signaling chemicals in your body. Before you grab the bottle of Advil or ibuprofen, consider a quick hit of cannabis. Kill the pain without psychoactive effect by reaching for CBD-specific strains and supplements. WanaCapsXR High CBD capsules are a great option.

5 } Enjoy meals more mindfully. Because marijuana heightens sensory perception, being

lifted can improve the flavor of your food. With the proper intentions, cannabis can assist in mindful eating. Slow down and use your high to enhance and appreciate the aroma, taste, and texture of your meal.

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S P E C I A L A D V I S O R Y B OA R D S E C T I O N

Tongue in Cheek

by Tim McDowell, Cofounder of marQaha

SUBLINGUAL AND BUCCAL CANNABIS PRODUCTS ARE ALL THE RAGE. Sublingual and buccal applications of cannabis are convenient for most people and essential for those with certain medical conditions. Sublingual is Latin for “under the tongue,” while buccal refers to “in the cheek.” Both offer quick absorption of cannabinoids into the bloodstream by diffusing through mucous membranes. Sublingual products offer advantages over consumable edibles at times and are a great entry into cannabis medicine for first-time patients or those that prefer low doses of cannabinoids.

Tinctures, sprays, and even non-carbonated liquids can be absorbed sublingually and through the buccal mucosal tissue. Compared to an edible, which is consumed and metabolized, sublingual onset is much quicker, more akin to smoking or vaporizing cannabis. The effects of cannabis through sublingual application can usually be felt within five to fifteen minutes, whereas cannabis edibles may take up to and over two hours for the full effects to be realized. This rapid onset allows for more precise dosing of cannabinoids.

Sublingual products are ideal for microdosing THC. Microdosing THC refers to consuming fewer than 5 mg of THC at a time, where the patient will realize the full effects quickly due to the rapid onset. Both allow a patient to safely determine the proper dose of the specific cannabinoid desired. By quickly identifying the proper dose, a patient is able to develop a scheduled regimen of dosing and begin to properly interact with the cannabis product early on. Accurate test results of a product’s cannabinoid profile and clear instructions of use are essential to achieving accurate, consistent dosing.

Dosages can be closely controlled through sublingual products. Tinctures can be measured with child-resistant droppers, preferably marked to show each .25 ml dose; sublingual sprays are formulated to achieve a measured microdose per spray; and liquids are accurately measured with a dose cup.

Another benefit of sublingual applications over consumed products is the effects felt by the individual. Sublingual intake allows patients to gradually build up their dose and find their tolerance in a safer and more controllable schedule. Individuals have the potential to experience a much stronger effect when consuming cannabis edibles, hence the well-known phrase “Start low, go slow.”

This increased effect is one reason why edibles have great medicinal qualities and provide relief from a wide range of symptoms. The stronger and longer lasting effects of edibles are due to metabolism in the liver. The liver transforms delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol into 11-hydroxy-delta-9-THC, which is more potent, crosses the blood-brain barrier more readily and is felt throughout the body for an extended period of time.

With accurate lab testing, proper packaging, and labeling, sublingual products are a great solution for maintaining consistent, accurate dosing throughout the day, and allowing patients an alternative to smoking or eating cannabis.

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BURNING LOVE

by STEPHANIE WILSON

© DANIELLE WEBSTER

Ah, it’s February, and romance is in the air.

So we asked

Philip

Wolf , CEO of Cultivating Spirits and cofounder and CEO of the Cannabis Wedding Expo (CANNABIS WEDDINGEXPO.COM )

to share

what he loves about cannabis and Colorado. Happening in Littleton on February 19, the expo gives a glimpse inside the sophisticated side of the cannabis world, showcasing the trendsetting venues, caterers, photographers, florists, and other event specialists who are happy to help elevate a special day.

Name // Philip Wolf Age // 31 Neighborhood // Frisco, CO Originally from // Houston, TX Coloradan since // 1993 Motto // You do you Hero // Nelson Mandela 62

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CURRENTLY Reading // Yoga & Ayurveda by David Frawley Binging // Snowboarding Loving // Yoga If you didn’t live in Colorado, you’d … // Be living in a third world country, exploring and working from abroad.

LOCAL HOT SPOTS Neighborhood // The Highlands Coffee Shop // Rocky Mountain Coffee Roasters, in Frisco Restaurant // Modis, in Breckenridge Brunch Spot // Linger Dive Bar // The Moose Jaw, in Frisco Dispensary // High Country Healing, in Silverthorne Edible // Anything created by Jessica Catalano Strain /Concentrate // Golden Goat Salon /Spa // Primal Therapeutics Boutique /Shopping // Sol Shine, in LoHi Hiking Trail // Mount of the Holy Cross Park // Walter Byron, in Frisco Ski Resort // Copper Local Getaway // Any and all mountain towns in Colorado. They all have their own unique charm.

Workout /Gy m // Meta Yoga Studios Go-To Place to Take Guests // A sunset over Lake Dillon Your Happy Place // My yoga mat E L E VAT E D TOPICS Sensi Mag // Who first introduced you to cannabis? How old were you?

Philip // Neighborhood friends in middle school

Q // Did your parents find out?

A // No Q // Whatcha call it? Cannabis, marijuana, pot, weed, devil’s lettuce …

A // Cannabis Q // What was the first dispensary you visited?

What did you buy?

A // My own dispensary, Colorado Cannabis Caregivers in Colorado Springs, 2009. I actually supplied a bunch of AK-47. If you grew up in the Springs area in the late 2000s, you remember that AK-47 strain.

Q // What’s your favorite way to elevate? Eat it, smoke it, vape it, dab it, or just rub some pot on it (aka a topical)?

A // I love the flower.

Q // How’s it make you feel?

A // It depends on the terpene profile, but whatever I smoke, depending on what activity I’m getting into, I want to make sure the strain has the proper terpene profile to make me in tune with my surroundings and have the cannabis consumed serve a greater purpose.

Q // Munchie style: Are you more of a savory or a sweet snacker?

A // Savory during the day and sweets at night.

Q // What’s your favorite thing to do after using cannabis?

A // If I’m using recreationally, I like to consume before a steep powder line or as I’m dancing my ass off at a great show.

Q // Pretend you’re high. (If you are high, carry on!)

What’s on your playlist?

A // It could be anything from Elephant Revival to Nas. I love all music that is expressional and has lyrical/musical depth to it.

Q // Can you roll a joint?

A // Of course. How big do you want it?

Q // Got any advice for anyone new to cannabis?

A // Educate yourself. Focus on how certain terpene profiles and THC percentages affect you.

Pay attention to the time of day you consume and how it makes you feel then and later in the day.

Don’t smoke to just “get high”, smoke with an intention for cannabis to serve you. If it doesn’t serve you at that moment then don’t consume.

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© PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIELLE WEBSTER

BRING ON 2017

sensi

SCENE

What: A Higher Society New Year’s Eve Where: City Hall, Downtown Denver When: December 31, 2016

Quixotic performance troupe hypnotized the Higher Society crowd.

With high-flying entertainment and a feel-good vibe permeating all three floors, City Hall brought Denver’s cannabis community together to ring in 2017.

Art came to life throughout City Hall.

Quixotic aerialists lifted the spirits of captive revellers.

The party was lit thanks to the creative community.

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