Sensi Magazine - San Diego (January 2018)

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SAN DIEGO

THE NEW NORMAL

SPECIAL REPORT

San Diego’s Legalization Landscape Heading Up To Humboldt

HIGHER TECH

Road Trip Recommendations

The Lafayette

Historic Hipster Hotel

{PLUS}

Highly Resolved: Money Management Tips Hamilton in the Heights Coastal Caves & More!

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2 JANUARY 2018 San Diego

ISSUE 1 // VOLUME 1 // 1.2018

FEATURES 26

SP EC IAL R EP OR T

High Tech

Getting lifted is nothing new; people have been doing it for basically ever.

What’s changed with the advent of new technology is how they do it.

every issue 5 Editor’s Note 6 SensiBuzz 10 NewsFeed

LEGALIZATION LANDSCAPE

14 CrossRoads

ODE TO ENTREPRENEURS

18 TravelWell

HEADING TO HUMBOLDT

22 AroundTown

HIPSTER HOTEL

32 SensiScene

SHANGHAI NIGHTS

33 So SD

CAVES ON THE COAST

Sensi Magazine is published monthly by Sensi Media Group LLC. © 2018 SENSI MEDIA GROUP LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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sensi magazine ISSUE 1 VOLUME 1 1.2018

FOLLOW US

EXECUTIVE Ron Kolb

CEO, SENSI MEDIA GROUP

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PRESIDENT, SENSI MEDIA GROUP

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GENERAL MANAGER

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4 JANUARY 2018 San Diego

editor’s

NOTE

RESOLUTION FOR THE REVOLUTION Happy New Year! As of this month, the first licensed, legal sales of recreational cannabis are begin-

ning to take place all across California. It’s the dawn of a green new golden age in our glorious Golden State—a state with the sixth largest economy in the world that’s widely recognized as the epicenter of entertainment, progressive ideals, and cannabis cultivation in America. Make no mistake, the economic impact and cultural influence of what is about to happen here will reverberate around the nation, if not the globe. Which is why it’s no coincidence that this premiere issue of Sensi magazine’s new San Diego edition is also making its debut this month.

Watching this whirlwind of change around us, I’m frequently flabbergasted at how far this movement has come.

When I began my cannabis career back in 1994, there were no vape pens or dabs, no “patients” or budtenders, no legal states, and no such thing medical marijuana. In the eyes of the law, and of the public, all of us—every single person who used cannabis—were simply criminals. Back then, being a member of the marijuana movement meant living as an outlaw. With every byline, every photo shoot, every protest, and every harvest, we knowingly jeopardized our freedom—and we did so because we loved this plant and believed in its power to heal and enlighten.

One of the seven pillars of Sensi’s philosophy is Warrior’s Resolve, and we should never forget that it’s because of the warrior’s resolve of those outlaws—those journalists, activists, and growers—that legitimate patients now have access to their medicine, that cannabis is now the fastest growing industry in America, and that millions of people will no longer need to fear prison for enjoying the benefits of mother nature’s medicine. However, we must also recognize that in order to expand upon the progress we’ve made, we must evolve and adapt as counterculture becomes simply culture—as cannabis use becomes “the new normal.” That’s the mission of this magazine, and its one I’m proud to get behind.

I’m honored to be joining this amazing team and excited to be leading the editorial efforts for Sensi’s three new SoCal editions (Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego). Therefore, my New Year’s resolutions are as follows: to help you, the local cannabis community, continue to educate, advocate, and innovate, to welcome your contributions and suggestions, and to deliver you the most entertaining and informative content possible each and every month.

Yes, these are indeed historic times we live in, my friends…and as residents of Southern California, we have a front row seat to watch cannabis’s commercial and cultural revolution unfold. So light up, lean in, and enjoy the show.

Highest regards,

Bobby Black

So CA L ED I TOR @ BOBBYBLACK

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sensimag.com JANUARY 2018 5

THE NEW NORMAL

sensi

buzz

NOTABLE + QUOTABLE

“Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.”

—Benjamin Franklin

Improbable Heroes The people who brought us Golden Girls have joined forces with the illustrator of Super Golden Friends and created a new gang of elders for audiences to love. The Improbables is an animated graphic novel featuring five aging superheroes whose best defenders-of-justice days are probably behind them. Along with fighting contemporary crime, they now have to deal with their own bum knees and memory loss. Finally, a group of superheroes I can relate to.

You, too, can enjoy the twisted tales of life catching up to superpowers by downloading “Saving Las Vegas,” an ebook filled with an irreverent blend of comic-book sass, video, and dialogue or by watching the episodes online at theimprobables.tv.

HeadSPIN

Our Monthly Recommendation for your Musical Medication

ALBUM: Prophets of Rage (Fantasy Records, 2017) ARTIST:

Prophets of Rage // TOP TRACK: “Legalize Me”

The Justice League…Voltron…peanut butter and jelly—all good things made great when strong, separate parts came together to form a more powerful whole. That’s Prophets of Rage at its core: three-quarters of Rage Against the Machine, with the tag-team vocals of Public Enemy’s Chuck D and Cypress Hill’s B-Real (who play off of each other like they’d been side by side for years), accompanied by DJ Lord (Public Enemy) on the turntables. It’s a collab that really should’ve happened years ago, but still jumps off decades later. The members are older and wiser—and just as pissed off.

I popped on my ’phones, raised my fist in the air and raged through the next 40 minutes of the Prophets’ new self-titled album. In it, the group runs down the list of hot-button issues of our day, including our current president (“Hail to the Chief”), cannabis legalization (“Legalize Me”), and more. The music may not blaze any new pathways, but it doesn’t need to. These are straight-up RATM grooves with an updated message.

While it seems like everything in entertainment is getting remade and rebooted nowadays, Prophets of Rage have taken what they know best, tapped into the craziness of our current time, and unleashed that energy into a rallying cry for the next generation. Rage on!

JON PACELLA is a music aficionado and sales specialist at the famous Amoeba Music store in Hollywood. FB: jpacella, amoeba.com 6 JANUARY 2018 San Diego

SENSI CONCERT CALENDAR

Some of the top shows in and around San Diego this month.

JANUARY 6

Iron Maidens Brick by Brick

JANUARY 25

Metal Allegiance Tour (feat. members of

Reverend Horton Heat

Pantera, Anthrax, Megadeth, Testament, Mastodon, Sepultura and more) House of Blues–Anaheim

JANUARY 13

Jefferson Starship

JANUARY 13

The Observatory

Fates Warning Brick by Brick

JANUARY 26

Coach House Concert Hall JANUARY 26

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

The Romantics, Violent Femmes, Salt n Pepa

JANUARY 15

JANUARY 27

Belly Up Tavern

House of Blues–Anaheim

JANUARY 15

House of Blues

Honda Center

Kris Kristofferson L.A. Guns JANUARY 19

Little River Band Coach House Concert Hall JANUARY 20

G3 (Joe Satriani, John Petrucci and Uli Roth) Balboa Theater JANUARY 24

JANUARY 30

Shen Yun

California Center for the Arts (Escondido) JANUARY 31

Tower of Power

(50th Anniversary Tour) Belly Up Tavern

Yngwie Malmsteen The Observatory

Hamilton in the Heights Over the past few years, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s historical hip-hop hit Hamilton has grown into a full-blown phenomenon—nominated for 16 Tony awards and winning 11, and even being performed at the White House (for the previous administration, naturally). Now, for this month only, the record breaking musical is playing a limited engagement at the San Diego Civic Theater before taking its show on the road for a full nationwide tour. So if you’ve always dreamed of seeing this critically acclaimed Broadway smash but couldn’t make it out to the East Coast, what are you waiting for?

Matinee and evening shows are available January 6–28, and tickets start at a very reasonable $85. For tickets and info visit BroadwaySD.com

Cannabinoid Cocktail

SINCE OPENING ITS DOORS IN 2015, the upscale eatery Madison on Park has earned a reputation as one of University Heights’ hippest hotspots for modern Mediterranean cuisine.

This year, it’s also earned two awards from San Diego Magazine: one for Best Design, and the other for Best Cocktails—no surprise considering its inspired menu of unique cocktails, some of which include health-promoting ingredients unusual to alcoholic drinks such blue-green algae, activated charcoal, black lava salt, and more recently, cannabis oil.

Created by bar manager Danny Kuehner, the “Mr. Nice Guy” featured cocktail is a unique combination of mezcal, matcha, pineapple, coconut milk and lime—enhanced by 10 drops (10 mg) of HempMeds CBD Blue Label tincture.

Kuehner, who describes the drink as “tropical, citrus and herbaceous, with a rich mouth feel and a silky dryness,” says he chose to include CBD oil (which has low to no psychoactive effects) not only because of its “strong and unique flavor profile,” but also for its medicinal and “mood enhancing” properties.

The Mr. Nice Guy (no doubt named after the infamous pot smuggler with the same nickname) has been on the bar’s Original Cocktail menu since August, and according to Kuehner, has been extremely popular.

“People love it,” he says. “It’s brought cannabis users as well as curious non-cannabis users in.”

The drink has become so popular, in fact, that Madison is making the CBD oil addition a permanent option on its “Build Your Own Old Fashioned” menu (for an extra $5) and are considering creating more cannabis-infused cocktails in the future.

—For more info, visit madisononpark.com.

sensimag.com JANUARY 2018 7

sensi

buzz

THE NEW NORMAL

payment the day after your statement closes. Don’t wait for your due date. You can’t avoid the interest on previous purchases sitting on your card, but you can avoid additional interest on future purchases by implementing this strategy.

3

US E AUTOPAY. We all know that if we pay our bills late, there’s always a fee.

Plus, if you’re late more than once, your interest rate is likely to skyrocket. So avoid all of the penalties by putting all of your bills on auto pay. This will ensure you never miss a payment, and will force you to budget your money to maintain the necessary balance in the account. Banks already make money on your money; don't give them more money for nothing.

Resolution Solution 5 Tips for Better Money Management Making ends meet in today’s economy isn’t always easy, and getting your financial house in order can sometimes seem like an insurmountable task.

But by incorporating some small changes and simple habits into your life, you can learn to more effectively save money, manage debt and hold yourself fiscally accountable. Here are five quick tips to help you get started.

by A M B E R M E Y E R

1

TRAC K YOU R S PE N DI NG. For one month, use only one credit card. When you get your statement, go over it line by line, categorizing your purchases to see where your money is going. So often, people are shocked to learn how much they spend eating out. Spending $5 on a coffee might not seem like much, but doing so five days a week adds up to $100 a month. That’s $1,200 a year.

For a more complete picture, sign up for free personal finance app Mint. It takes a few minutes to set up, and once you connect all of your accounts, you can

8 JANUARY 2018 San Diego

easily analyze your spending habits, set goals, get bill reminders and monthly credit score updates, and even receive alerts when you’ve blown your monthly budget on lattes again.

2

PAY YOUR BAL ANCE WHEN YOUR STATEMENT CLOSES. If you have balances on your credit cards, you’re accruing interest every month. So you are essentially paying interest on the interest you already owe.

If you can’t pay off your balance every month, make at least the minimum

4

LI N K YOU R C H EC KI NG AN D SAVI NGS ACCOU NTS. Connecting the accounts allows you to set up overdraft protection, saving you costly fees if an automatic payment accidentally empties your account. Those overdraft charges add up quick.

Most banks allow you to set up auto transfers to savings. If yours does, set it up—it’s a great way to start an emergency fund or saving for a special purchase. Every time I swipe my Wells Fargo debit card, $1 is transferred from my checking into my savings. Just like the morning lattes, the small amounts add up quick. If you don’t trust yourself to not spend cash that’s just sitting there in your account doing nothing, get it out of there. Find a bank that will auto-transfer to an IRA instead. Keep your money working for you.

5

US E A DIG ITAL C ALE N DAR AN D RE M I N DE RS. Your phone has a calendar. Spend a half hour to add all of your bills to your calendar as recurring monthly events and set reminders so you’ll always know what bills are coming up and when they’ll be deducted from your account.

info @ herballyenhancedyoga.com

sensimag.com JANUARY 2018 9

{newsfeed}

by A.J. HERRINGTON

SAN DIEGO’S LEGALIZATION LANDSCAPE While the City of San Diego is finally beginning to embrace the profitable promise of cannabis commerce, the rest of the county is just saying no.

Councilmember Chris Ward in his office at city hall.

Since the passage of Proposition 64 in November 2016,

Board of Supervisors refused to begin implementation for

local governments across California have been scrambling

nearly 15 years—even under threat of legal action from

to prepare for the imminent implementation of recre-

the state. On the contrary, they fought it tooth and nail—

ational cannabis sales. Various municipalities have

going as far as filing a lawsuit against the state in 2005

handled this looming legality in very different, often

that aimed to overturn Prop 215 altogether. After that suit

contradictory ways—sometimes even within the same

was rejected in 2006, it took the board another four years

county. Such is the case with San Diego.

to finally approve rules for dispensaries in the county’s

San Diego County has been resistant to legalization from

unincorporated areas—but then used “sensitive uses”

the start. Though the passage of Proposition 215 legalized

zoning regulations that imposed strict distance require-

medical marijuana statewide back in 1996, the County

ments from facilities such as homes, schools, parks and

10 JANUARY 2018 San Diego

churches to sequester them into industrial ghettos.

Then last March, the Board of County Supervisors doubled down on prohibition when it used the authority

allowing testing labs as well as two cultivation and/or manufacturing facilities in each of the city’s nine districts.

granted under provision 26200 (a) of Prop 64 and voted to

The most prominent proponents of Option 2 were

outright ban all marijuana related businesses—medical or

representatives Barbara Bry of District 1 and Chris Ward

not—in all of their unincorporated areas (which, if you’re

of District 3. At the hearing, Councilmember Ward ex-

keeping track, is over 80 percent of the county). That

plained that he supported the plan because he believed he

includes not only farms and cultivation facilities, but

had a clear mandate from his voters to do so, and admon-

collectives, dispensaries, and labs as well. The ban

ished the council to respect the will of the voters as well.

contains a five-year sunset clause, meaning that the three

“Seventy-seven percent of my district voted for

dispensaries currently operating in these areas, as well as

Proposition 64,” he stated. “I think I have the support of

the two more that are in the process of obtaining their

my voters that feel very rational about the question. And

permits, are now all required to close their doors by 2022.

so I feel like I was very much empowered to lead on the

(The owners of these affected businesses have since filed

issue…and was happy to do so.”

a lawsuit against the county, alleging that the ban is

Ward also proposed an amendment setting a city-wide

unconstitutional.) As of today, the vast majority of the

cap of 40 licenses rather than two per district, pointing

county’s inland districts are almost entirely devoid of

out that district boundaries tend to change over time,

dispensaries. The great irony is that this ban does little to

which could potentially cause a conflict down the road,

stem the flow of cannabis—rather, it only forces patients

and that some districts have few, if any, suitable proper-

to get their medicine from delivery services and other

ties that would satisfy the “sensitive uses” zoning regula-

clandestine sources such as underground pop-up store-

tions, while other districts can easily accommodate quite a

fronts, a great many of whom conduct no product testing,

few more. After two and a half hours of testimony and

pay no taxes, and have little qualms about selling to

debate among city officials, citizens and business owners,

minors or unverified customers.

the council ended up passing Option 2 by a vote of 6–3,

Thankfully, the city of San Diego seems to be choosing a more sensible path. Sure, it took them until 2003 to begin establishing guidelines and issuing identification cards to

PHOTO BY A.J. HERRINGTON

permitting only cannabis testing laboratories; and Option 2,

essentially green-lighting a regulated cannabis supply chain within city limits.

What exactly do we mean by a cannabis supply chain?

patients and caregivers, and it took them until 2015 to begin

Well, the medical marijuana products currently available to

issuing dispensary licenses…but despite their slow start, the

San Diegans from the city’s 17 dispensaries and hundreds of

city is finally making significant progress. In December 2016,

delivery services all have to come from somewhere. Before

in response to Prop 64’s passage, the city council issued a

reaching the consumer, the cannabis has to be grown,

45-day moratorium on establishing new cannabis business-

harvested, processed, packaged, tested, and finally distribut-

es in order to give officials a chance to come up with the

ed. If the council had voted to reject Option 2, all of those

regulations necessary to manage the new industry. Then at a

products would have to be shipped in from other cities where

follow-up meeting held in January of last year, the council

they’re permitted, translating to a greater carbon footprint

resisted proposals supported by Mayor Kevin Faulconer and

and higher costs for the consumer, not to mention leaving a

Police Chief Shelley Zimmermann that would have banned

gaping hole for local black-market suppliers to fill. By allowing

cannabis businesses other than dispensaries in the city,

these facilities to operate within the city, officials greatly

instead extending the moratorium for another 10.5 months

diminished these potential problems and are able to exert

and directing their staff to return with a plan to permit and

more direct oversight over the entire process.

regulate commercial marijuana in the city. This past Septem-

Perhaps most importantly, it means that all of the jobs

ber, they did just that: presenting the council with two

and tax dollars generated by those facilities will benefit

options for adding non-retail marijuana businesses: Option 1,

San Diego and not some other city. And make no mistake;

sensimag.com JANUARY 2018 11

testing facilities, an educational and entertainment event space, and an extraction lab that will be used to produce a full line of cannabis products, including vape cartridges, topicals, beverages, and edibles. They’re even bringing in their own in-house chocolatier trained in France.

But what will truly set Releaf San Diego apart from other cannabis companies, Bowden claims, is its commitment to first-rate medical cannabis research. Situated in the heart of the city’s biotech industry, Releaf will also house a pharmaceutical-grade research laboratory, as well as the Advocacy Research Center, where scientists will have an opportunity to consult with patients in a comfortable atmosphere. Scientists from nearby UC San Diego and others in the biomedical industry will also be invited in to use the laboratory to study cannabis therapies for a myriad of maladies. Researchers in the fields of Parkinson’s disease, cancer, pain management, and Releaf San Diego (sign added digitally).

post-traumatic stress disorder have all reportedly already committed to work at the facility, which Bowden views as

passing Prop 64 in November 2016, voters here also

a “bridge between science and patient.”

“We need to put a new face on cannabis,” he declares.

approved a five percent local tax on recreational marijuana

“We want to be that new style of business that embraces

that’s set to jump up to eight percent in July of next year.

our incredible medical community.”

Combined with those of medical marijuana, it’s estimated

In all, it’s expected that the Center will employ approximate-

that total city tax revenues from cannabis businesses

ly 120 people—all of whom will be earning salaries above

could exceed $20,000,000 per year. That money is sorely

minimum wage. Bowden says that the ripple effect of jobs like

needed to help fund more police officers, neighborhood

these, coupled with the tax revenue the Center generates, will

services, or whatever else the council decides is a priority.

be just the kind of fiscal boost San Diego needs.

A regulated cannabis market would undoubtedly be a

“It’s going to be an ongoing collaborative effort be-

huge boon for San Diego’s economy, which could use

tween the public and private sector,” he notes, adding that

some invigoration—especially after the loss of the

though the new regulations are a good starting point,

Chargers football team to Los Angeles.

continued cooperation will be necessary to ensure that

One of the entrepreneurs eager to build that supply chain is Renny Bowden, managing partner of the new Releaf San Diego Research and Wellness Center that’s

they are implemented smoothly and that the city’s nascent cannabis industry is governed fairly.

With the passage of these new regulations, America’s

currently under construction in Sorrento Valley (Council-

Finest City has not only become the only one in the county to

woman Bry’s district). Bowden, who testified at the

allow the sale of recreational cannabis—it’s also become the

hearing, is investing around $3,000,000 and employing

largest city in all of California to allow all levels of cannabis

dozens of electricians, drywall contractors, and other

industry operations. In light of these developments, there’s

workers to completely renovate the otherwise nonde-

little doubt that San Diego now has the potential to become

script office building that will become the Center’s home.

a powerhouse of cannabis commerce. As for the rest of the

Once completed (sometime in early 2018, he estimates),

county, well…that’s an issue for another election.

Releaf will be a fully vertically integrated marijuana center, with an on-site dispensary, cultivation, manufacturing and 12 JANUARY 2018 San Diego

A.J. HERRINGTON is a San Diego-based freelance writer and photographer covering cannabis and the environment. You can find him at facebook.com/420A.J.Herrington and ajherrington.tumblr.com

PHOTOS BY REMY BOWDEN

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{crossroads}

by RICARDO BACA

ODE TO THE ENTREPRENEURS Here’s to the ones who dream Foolish as they may seem…

In Merriam-Webster speak, la-la land is “a euphoric

strive and overcome, crash and burn, fall and fall and fall,

dreamlike mental state detached from the harsher realities of

and keep getting up. There are sleepless nights, jaw-­

life.” And it’s hard to argue with that as a mindset, right?

clenching days, and a fair number of tears. They do it with

But when the film La La Land came out and reframed

families and health issues and funding problems and

the phrase as more of a tribute to the dreamers, to those

never enough time, and then one day they wake up to a

folks stepping out of their comfort zones on a daily basis

comment from the US Attorney General that is the

to make big things happen, I found myself thinking about

equivalent of a Hippies-Go-the-Fuck-Home sign.

how the countless entrepreneurs cautiously making their

The risks these dreamers take are very real. Operating as

way in the evolving world of legal cannabis are forced to

a cash-only enterprise is nerve-racking in a safety sense,

live and work in a kind of la-la land themselves.

and the compliance rules often seem designed specifically

The courage and commitment required to navigate this

to sabotage. Meanwhile, Internal Revenue Code Section

new cannabis frontier takes la-la land to a whole new

280E basically says that any business “trafficking in

level, though. These risk-takers are doing all the things an

controlled substances”—which on a federal level, marijua-

everyday entrepreneur would do, but they’re doing it in a

na still is, remember—cannot take any deductions.

uniquely semi-legal environment, often with their very livelihoods (and sometimes personal freedom) on the line.

In any realm, entrepreneurs push the planet forward.

They stimulate economic growth as they encourage change and create jobs. They innovate and revolutionize the way we do things. They further research and development, and they build foundations and legacies. And they do all of this while passionately pursuing their dreams.

Cannabis entrepreneurs aren’t just dreamers, though. Cannabis entrepreneurs are doers.

To succeed, dreamers have to do the work—and it’s hard work. They conceive and plan, hustle and scrape,

14 JANUARY 2018 San Diego

DRE A MERS

hustle + scrape, strive + overcome, crash + burn, FA LL + FA LL +

FALL and keep

getting

up.

RICARDO BACA is a veteran journalist and the founder and original editor in chief of The Cannabist. His content agency Grasslands works primarily with businesses and individuals in the cannabis and hemp industries on thought leadership and messaging via thoughtful and personalized content campaigns.

sensimag.com JANUARY 2018 15

Try running your non-cannabis business with that kind

poring over case law. Dreamers who fill rooms with easels

of restriction. Not a day goes by that someone some-

and paint and joints and joy, and dreamers who connect

where in the trade doesn’t wonder, “Is the government

us all for cocktails and elaborately conceived meals.

going to go after us and shut us down?” It’s a real concern,

These are the people I’ve met through my work in the

especially with an anti-industry Trump administration

industry, of course, but they’re also some of my closest

scrutinizing their every move with a magnifying glass.

friends—people whom I’ve known for a decade-plus who

And then there’s the stigma that persists in portraying

were previously lawyers and journalists. One of these

people in the biz as potheads with no ambition, stinky ston-

friends is the general counsel for an industry-leading

ers lying around in their parents’ basements with no jobs or

cannabis brand in Colorado, a mild-mannered gent who

future prospects, rather than the existing reality that

surprised himself when he ended up scoring a public-fac-

members of the cannabis community comprise some of

ing job for a large cannabis brand.

the most successful and ambitious people in this country.

But despite these incessant hurdles, there are hun-

Another is a former colleague who left journalism and Colorado behind as she moved to Oregon to grow

dreds of thousands of dreamers in the cannabis industry

CBD-rich hemp in that state’s regulated market, where

right now. Dreamers who get up at 5 a.m. to check CO2

she has hit every snag imaginable, including being kicked

levels, and dreamers who fall into bed at midnight still

out of a credit union, snubbed by neighbors, and turned

covered in dirt and stinking of fish emulsion. Dreamers

away by gardening centers that blatantly refused to sell

who investigate cleaner options for extraction and less

things like drip irrigation tape and nutrient-dosing

environmentally harsh nutrients. Dreamers who lobby for

equipment to “pot farmers.”

more leeway, and dreamers who spend endless hours

And then there’s me, a longtime reporter and editor

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who created what became an industry-leading cannabis

we also know that the payoff will propel us toward a

news site—only to leave it behind in favor of creating my

future where cannabis is accepted as a normal part of our

own marijuana-centric content agency. I’m a storyteller by

lives, and we celebrate the small and large victories—like

trade, and now my thought-leadership work with brands

the fact that 29 states and the District of Columbia

and executives provides me with the opportunity to tell

currently have legal marijuana in some form, with seven

A RE W E FO OL IS H ? NOT AT ALL.

ARE W E CRAZY ? PROBABLY. BUT WE AL SO KNOW THAT THE PAYOF F WILL PROPEL US TOWARD

A FUTURE WHERE C ANNABIS IS ACCEPTED AS A NORMAL PART OF OUR LIVES, AND WE CELEBRATE THE SMALL AND L ARGE VIC TORIES.

more of these compelling stories—ensuring that these

states and D.C. offering expansive legalization and some

cannabis entrepreneurs are properly connecting with their

states decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of

peers and their customers.

marijuana. So, here’s to the ones that dream, all right.

Are we foolish? Not at all. Are we crazy? Probably. But

We’re here because they did.

sensimag.com JANUARY 2018 17

{travelwell}

by B O B BY B L A C K

HEADING UP TO HUMBOLDT “It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men’s hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit.”

— ROBERT LOUIS S TEVENSON

California is home to some of the world’s most popular

general—than via the peaceful and picturesque Route

tourist destinations: from the historical culture of San

101, appropriately named the Redwood Highway. A few

Francisco to the winter and water sports of Lake Tahoe;

years ago, my wife and I made just such a sojourn as part

from the star-studded nightlife of Hollywood to the family

of an epic Pacific Coast odyssey from Los Angeles to

fun of Disneyland and Universal Studios. For us nature

Portland. For those wishing to take a similar road trip and

lovers, the Golden State also features some of the most

enjoy the wonders of Humboldt County for themselves,

jaw-dropping landscapes in the nation, including Yosemi-

allow me to recount some of the highlights:

te, Big Sur, and Joshua Tree—all of which, though quite

Driving up the 101, one of the first few towns you pass

beautiful, tend to be swarmed with sightseers during the

through is Garberville. Garberville is the site of the popular

nicer parts of the year. But if you’re looking for a more

Reggae on the River—a four-day music festival that takes

low-key getaway, one that’s a little quieter and less

place on the bank of the Eel River in early August each

crowded, you might consider venturing a bit further

year—as well as the short-lived Cannabis Film Festival. It’s

north—past all of that hubbub and up into the wonderful

also home to several quirky little roadside attractions,

wilds of Humboldt County.

including the One-Log House (a small home carved out of a

First and foremost, Humboldt is best known for its

single, giant hollowed-out log) and the 1,800-year-old

trees. Ok, yes—the smokable kind, too. Humboldt, along

Grandfather Tree, where, at the gift shop, you can pick up

with Medocino and Trinidad counties, comprise the

your very own live redwood burl. Up the road a ways is

legendary “Emerald Triangle”—the region long credited as

another unique souvenir shop called the Legend of Bigfoot,

producing some of the best cannabis in the world. The

where you’ll find all sorts of carved wooden treasures, as well

ones I’m referring to, however, are California’s official

as anything and everything related to the mythical Sas-

state trees, the fabled redwoods. Redwood trees aren’t

quatch of the sequoias. Garberville proper is a quaint little

just the oldest living organisms on the planet (up to 2,000

town filled with cozy places to rest your head or grab a bite

years), they’re also the tallest, reaching heights of up to

before heading up into Redwood State Park. For a hearty,

350 feet. There’s almost no better place to see these

home-style breakfast, make a pit stop at the Woodrose Café.

majestic beings—and no better way to see Humboldt, in

Or for slightly fancier fare, try Cecil’s New Orleans Bistro.

18 JANUARY 2018 San Diego

sensimag.com JANUARY 2018 19

A giant sequoia with candelabralike branches is the main attraction of Drive-Thru Tree Park, where travelers can drive through a tunnel carved into the tree’s trunk.

eats

ARCATA SCOOP // Arcata

FACEBOOK.COM/ARCATASCOOP

THE LIGHTHOUSE GRILL // Trinidad TRINIDADLIGHTHOUSEGRILL .COM

PASTA LUEGO // Arcata COCOPASTALUEGO.COM

CAFE BRIO // Arcata

CAFEBRIOARCATA.COM

WOODROSE CAFÉ // Garberville THEWOODROSECAFE.COM

MOONSTONE BEACH BAR & GRILL // Cambria MOONSTONEBEACH.COM

AT T RACT IONS GRANDFATHER TREE // ONE - LOG HOUSE // Garberville IMMORTAL TREE // PAUL BUNYAN STATUE // Redcrest SHRINE DRIVE - THRU TREE PARK // Myers Flat LIVING CHIMNE Y TREE // Phillipsville

From Garberville, it's just another 10 minutes or so up the road until you reach the entrance for the Avenue of The Giants, a scenic byway that runs parallel to the 101 for 31 miles, leading you through the 50,000-plus acres of old-growth redwood groves in Humboldt Redwoods State Park. These forests, among the most serene and majestic

AVENUE OF THE GIANTS LEGEND OF BIGFOOT GIF T SHOP // Garberville WORLD’S TALLEST TOTEM POLE //

City Center Road, McKinleyville

CONFUSION HILL // GRAVIT Y HOUSE REDWOOD SHOE HOUSE // Piercy

scenery in America, are an absolutely ideal spot for a hike, a picnic, some quiet meditation, or a relaxing smoke break—a sentiment shared by legendary director Oliver

along the route worth a photo op are the Eternal Tree

Stone, who happened to be enjoying a joint when we were

House, the Living Chimney Tree, and the Immortal Tree,

lucky enough to bump into him and his wife in the Found-

which is located directly across from the can’t-miss giant

er’s Grove. Just remember to be extra super careful with

statues of Paul Bun­yan and his blue ox Babe.

any matches or roaches. These trees are far too precious to risk starting a fire here.

With their impressive heights, it’s no surprise that the

While you can drive right along the shoreline for the majority of the Pacific Coast, the same cannot be said for Humboldt County. Here, the Pacific Coast Highway (Route

redwoods can be rather wide as well (up to 25 feet in

1) turns inland and is gobbled up by the 101, making the

diameter). Some are so wide, in fact, that you can drive a

shore a lot harder to access. But if you’re feeling extra

car through them, and naturally there are places where

adventurous, you might consider taking the long detour

you can do just that—namely, the Shrine Tree and the

off the main highway to explore the rugged Lost Coast,

Chandelier Tree. Some other famous tree attractions

including the small fishing hamlet of Shelter Cove (just

20 JANUARY 2018 San Diego

?

what? when?

WHERE

MADAKET CRUISES WHAT: Take in the sights of the coast on a historic vessel. Cruises include historical, eco/wildlife, sunset/cocktail, full moon or fireworks (4th of July only).

WHEN: Check website for tour times WHERE: Humboldt Harbor, Eureka HUMBOLDTBAYMARITIMEMUSEUM.COM/ MADAKETMAINPAGE

under an hour’s drive southwest of Garberville), where you can snap a few photos of the Cape Mendocino Lighthouse and take some sun on the secluded Black Sand Beach.

Further north, as the 101 snakes westward back towards the shore, you’ll find a number of great little towns that make up the county’s main population center: there’s the charming Victorian village of Ferndale; Eureka, an artist and artisan haven (and the seat of the county); and, on the other side of the bay from Eureka, Arcata, home to Humboldt State University and one of the oldest movie theaters in the country—not to mention a thriving glass art community, a few gourmet ice cream parlors,

ALE & SPIRITS TRAIL Humboldt Beer Tours WHAT: Drink your way up the redwood highway at some of the many breweries, distilleries and cider houses along the way.

WHEN: When you’re done driving for the day, of course.

WHERE: Along Route 101

and even an indoor skate park.

HUMBOLDTBEERTOURS.COM

chow down on some fresh, delicious seafood right on the

L ANTERN FLOATING CEREMONY WHAT: A 35-year-old peace ceremony that commemorates the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki with the ancient Japanese custom of floating lanterns on the lake.

WHEN: August 11, 2018 WHERE: Klopp Lake, at the Arcata Marsh CITYOFARCATA.ORG/365/L ANTERNFLOATING-CEREMONY

DICK TAYLOR CHOCOL ATE FACTORY TOURS WHAT: A 45-minute tour showing how its organic, fair-trade chocolate is made and packaged, plus a 15-minute tasting.

WHEN: Check website for tour times WHERE: Eureka DICKTAYLORCHOCOLATE.COM

RAMPART INDOOR SKATE PARK WHAT: 4,000 square feet of indoor wooden ramps, artwork, and music for skaters and BMX riders.

WHEN: Open year-round WHERE: Arcata

Head up a bit further, and you’ll have easier access to more beautiful beaches, including Moonstone Beach.

Known for its craggy outcroppings, tide pools, and hidden sea caves (accessible only at low tide), Moonstone is a popular destination for amateur rock climbers and surfers.

After working up an appetite spelunking or hanging ten, beach at the Moonstone Beach Bar & Grill.

Another 15 miles up the road in Trinidad is Agate Beach, named after the many smooth, colorful stones you’ll find in the tidal pools along its shore. It’s a remote spot that’s ideal for whale, sea lion, and bird watching, as well as beachcombing—but definitely not swimming, as its notoriously rough waters and riptides make it too dangerous. While in Trinidad, you have to stop at the Lighthouse Grill to try one of their trademark “mash cones”—a savory waffle cone stuffed with mashed potatoes and topped with your choice of beef, bacon, cheese, gravy, or veggies.

Beyond that, it’s just another two-hour drive through Prairie Creek Redwoods Park until you hit the northern county line. Where to go from there is entirely up to you: do you head back down to revisit your favorite spots and catch some of the attractions you missed? Grab a flight home from Arcata/Eureka airport? Or continue your adventure northward into Oregon? In the end, it’s not where you end up that matters, but the memories you made and lessons you learned along the way. Here’s hoping that your journey through Humboldt is enjoyable, enlightening, and elevated.

RAMPARTSKATEPARK.ORG sensimag.com JANUARY 2018 21

{aroundtown}

Lafayette Hotel 2223 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego 619.296.2101 lafayettehotelsd.com

by A . J . H E R R I N G T O N

HIPSTER HOTEL From historic Hollywood hideaway to hipster hotspot, The Lafayette Hotel is a Southern California landmark for the ages.

A.J. HERRINGTON is a San Diego-based freelance writer and photographer covering cannabis and the environment. You can find him at facebook.com/420A.J.Herrington and ajherrington.tumblr.com 22 JANUARY 2018 San Diego

During the 1950s, it was purchased by hotel magnate (and San Diego Chargers owner) Conrad Hilton, who made the unwise decision to “improve” the property by removing some of its buildings and painting over the richly colored brick of its Colonial façade. Those changes, coupled with the loss of traffic accompanying the decommissioning of US 80, caused a dramatic drop in occupancy. Through several more changes in ownership, pieces of the resort were sold off, planned to be official Olympic dimen-

conditions continued to deteriorate,

Interstate 8, US Route 80 (along El

sions, a construction error left it two

and the future of the once prominent

Cajon Boulevard) served as the main

inches short—a mistake later noticed by

hotel seemed bleak.

thoroughfare from the coast to all

San Diegan swimmer Florence Chad-

points east, bringing a steady stream of

wick, who used the pool to train for her

Lafayette was acquired by urban

traffic through San Diego. It was along

1950 crossing of the English Channel.

redevelopment firm JCG Development,

this bustling North Park thoroughfare

Another of the hotel’s big attrac-

who successfully petitioned to have the

that, in 1946, developer and auto

tions was its ballroom, The Mississip-

property listed on the National Register

dealer Larry Imig decided to build the

pi Room, whose bandstand features

of Historic Places. Using a combination of

sprawling resort that would eventually

a classic Birth of Venus-style clam-

investment capital and tax credits, the

come to be known as The Lafayette

shell backdrop. The ballroom gained

company was able to finance a $6 million

Hotel, Swim Club and Bungalows.

more mainstream notoriety in 1985

renovation in 2011. The much-needed

when a scene from Tom Cruise’s hit

makeover returned the Lafayette to its

bungalows, four restaurants, two

film Top Gun was shot there. But

former glory and helped to reinvigorate

dozen shops, a huge swimming pool, a

perhaps the most fascinating feature

the surrounding area of North Park,

ballroom, and its own nightclub, the

of the property is the Red Fox Room.

Lafayette was designed with the aim of

Originally built in 1560s as part of an

attracting upscale travelers and

inn in Surrey, England, the building

show-business types seeking an

was disassembled and shipped to

escape from Hollywood…and it worked.

California in the 1920s to become the

The new hotel quickly established itself

beach house of actress Marion

as a celebrity hotspot, throwing lavish

Davies. It was once again dismantled

parties that lured top name stars such

in 1956, and spent some years in

as Ava Gardner, Lana Turner, and Bob

storage before being rebuilt at the

Hope (who, it is rumored, was the

corner of El Cajon Boulevard as a

hotel’s very first guest).

piano bar and steakhouse and

Decades before the construction of

With more than 200 rooms, guest

The centerpiece of the resort has always been the Weissmuller Pool, designed by Olympic medalist and

That all changed in 2004 when the

eventually being incorporated as part of The Lafayette.

Sadly though, as the decades

Tarzan actor Johnny Weissmuller.

passed, The Lafayette fell further and

Interestingly, though, it was originally

further into decline and disrepair. sensimag.com JANUARY 2018 23

which just a year after the restoration was proclaimed one America’s hippest hipster neighborhoods by Forbes Magazine.

Today, the vintage hotel has become a cornerstone of the progressive and newly gentrified North Park. In 2016, the management installed state of the art digital in-room concierge devices, enabling guests to access all of the hotel’s services with the ease of a touch-screen tablet. It’s also received top ranking on the San Diego Tourism Authority’s list of most LGBT friendly hotels and was named one of the city’s best places to celebrate New Year’s Eve by several prominent news outlets. In fact, it’s become an ideal venue for an array of trendsetting events, including masquerade parties, burlesque brunches, “dive-in” movies, swanky poolside soirees, and, yes, even cannabis-related events such as the Soko Cannabis Ball and Fashion Show that took place there this past September (see below).

By embracing the glamour and glory of a bygone era, while also casting its gaze firmly toward the future, The Lafayette Hotel stands as seemingly timeless icon of San Diego cool— one that’s sure to endure for generations to come.

24 JANUARY 2018 San Diego

RUNWAY ON THE

{ BOULEVARD } The Soko Cannabis Ball and Fashion Show brings cannabis couture to North Park.

This past September, the retro-hip Lafayette Hotel hosted its first 420-themed event: the Soko Cannabis Ball and Fashion Show. Produced by premium cannabis brand Soko Cannabis Creations, the event effectively employed fun and fashion to help educate and entertain the more than 300 guests in attendance.

“It’s refreshing to be able to operate in a way where we are able to touch the people directly,” noted SCC’s product consultant Cam Chambers, “especially when it revolves around something we genuinely stand for and believe in.”

Title sponsors SCC were one of a dozen or so vendors on hand to showcase their wares, which included various clothing items and accessories, business services, portable vaporizes, and medicated edible and topical products. The red-carpeted runway show featured collections of swimwear and hip-hop inspired outfits (many of which were made with hemp) from eight local labels—including Alexandra Marie, Mirza, Designs by Tran, Shejiná Swimwear, and design duo Rachel Hammond and Paige Serrano, who debuted the Spring 2018 line for their new partnership “I Am Sublime”—a Bohemian-chic line of swimsuit cover-ups and “loose, flowy stuff” that’s perfect for poolside or the beach.

The show was organized by SCC owner Dave Soko (pictured top right), who said it had achieved his goal of helping to reframe the status of cannabis to one of class and connoisseurship.

“The Ball is an event that’s designed to elevate the industry into classy respect,” said Soko. “We need to move beyond the stigma of our prohibition past and continue the evolution of cannabis into the new normal.”

—For more, visit sokocanna.com

sensimag.com JANUARY 2018 25

26 JANUARY 2018 San Diego

V w AP w ove RW P ith n- E A se erfe out in v R w ns ct ev ap now ay e fo en or t o o f t r a h a i ze o f f en ra thl vi r t ers jo inin ete ng ha b y th g a s a to s t all ack at nd nd to ow pa ne e bi p s ck xt xe cy an yo s a bi rcis clis d t u t nd g m e, o ts w ake o g ho us r i e o ica an ho t ou t yo dies l l f in ike t o ur w es co t f bu it tiv ns ha yo zz h a al pic t e ur o . uo lev po n u s at c k ed et .

© VAPRWARE

HIGHER GET TING LIFTED is nothing new; people have been doing it for basically ever.

What’s changed with THE ADVENT OF

MODERN TECHNOLOGY is how they do it.

report T ( p he P i c f lo t u A X w re 3 er d an he VAP d re) O co d R nc oe I Z en s b E R t r ot at h es .

by LEL AND RUCKER

BAC K I N

© PAX /HAVAS F ORMUL A

TECH

S P EC I A L

the dark ages O F R I C H A R D N I X O N ’ S P R E S I D E N C Y, I D R O V E A N H O U R

T H R O U G H C H I C A G O S T R E E T S T O P I C K U P A F I V E - D O L L A R B A G O F, U H , S O M E T H I N G C O M BUSTIBLE. MY ONLY “ACCESSORIES” WERE A PACKAGE OF PAPERS, A BASIC CHEAP ROLLING MACHINE, AND A CLIP TO HOLD THE ROACH WHEN IT STARTED BURNING MY FINGERS. TO D AY, I C A N L E G A L L Y B U Y J O I N T S W R A P P E D I N R O S E P E T A L S A N D 24 - C A R A T G O L D I NS T E A D O F Z I G - Z A G S . B A S I C P R E R O L L S , S O L D AT E V E R Y D I S P E N S A R Y, H A V E P R E T T Y M U C H F O R C E D M Y F O R C E P S A N D O T H E R R O A C H C L I P S I N T O R E T I R E M E N T. T H O U G H T H E R E W E R E A FEW HEAD SHOPS I COULD VISIT IN THE EARLY 70s, THERE WASN’T WHAT YOU WOULD CALL A CANNABIS CONSUMER CULTURE. MOST OF US WHO USED MARIJUANA WERE JUST TRYING TO KEEP OURSELVES IN PRODUCT AND REMAIN AS INCONSPICUOUS AS WE POSSIBLY COULD UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES. WHEN BROWSING PRODUCTS AT THOSE HEAD SHOPS, WE WERE T H I N K I NG A N O N Y M I T Y, N O T S T YL E.

Consumers today have choices. There is THC-in-

your homegrown plants remotely, and another that can

fused water, coffee, and tea, as well as THC-infused

monitor your intake. Boxes arrive on your doorstep with

bath soaps and sublingual and transdermal patches to

the latest in cool accessories. Can late-night drone deliv-

deliver cannabis in ways we old hippies couldn’t even

eries of your favorite strain, when you run out on a lonely

have imagined. There are stealthy keychain pipes and

Sunday night, be that far off?

disposable vape pens for cocktail parties. High-end

What’s up for cannabis users now and in the future?

glass-blown bongs and water pipes created by famous

What can we expect as consumers become even more

glass blowers can cost thousands of dollars. Vaporizers,

erudite and demanding?

using terpenes and flavors and new technology, deliver every taste imaginable. Dabs and concentrates, once the

One thing all cannabis users, no matter what era they come from, are looking for is discretion. Though using

province of only those willing to use a blowtorch to get

it is legal for adults in eight states and Washington, D.C.

their buzz, are now consumed through portable e-nails

(and many of those states are supposed to regulate it

(no flame required) and high-end appliances. There’s an

like alcohol), no place has been able to figure out how

app tied to your mobile phone, that helps keep track of

to allow adults to consume it publicly. This has led to a sensimag.com JANUARY 2018 27

The biggest advances coming to vaporizers are all

huge market for more appliances and conveyances that don’t attract attention. And let’s face it, users that have

about temperature and dosage control. “Small, hand-

found ways to get around public consumption laws for

held products don’t have any temperature control,” says

decades are not likely to change.

Jeremy Green of Hmbldt, a California company that makes precision vaporizers. “Most use a nichrome wire

Vaporizers have become extremely popular, for two basic reasons. First, they create vapor instead of smoke,

wrapped around a wick or a ceramic. And when you

which doesn’t leave the distinctive odor of cannabis

inhale or give it power, it heats up as fast as it can.”

Green, who started working on vaporizers in 2013

in the area for the next few minutes. And they are an attractive alternative to smoking, which many people,

when they were being used to deliver tobacco, says,

whether baby boomer or millennial, simply detest. And

“It’s really simple to make a vaporizer cartridge to do tobacco, but much more difficult to make one that will vaporize cannabis, in my humble opinion.”

Unlike longtime users (like me) who pay little or no

PAX 3 vaporizer is elegant, extremely easy to use, and it fits in a purse or handbag without screaming “this is a cannabis device.”

attention to dosage, today’s consumers want to know exactly what they’re getting and exactly the dose they’re getting, Green says. THC and other cannabinoids vaporize well only at certain temperatures, and Hmbldt is developing pharmaceutical-grade products that give consumers control over their intake via precision instruments and components.

Go Fire is getting ready to release a vaporizer that draws on the Internet of Things, the technology that hooks vehicles and appliances to a network on the HighThere! is the Tinder app for tokers. Free on iOS and Android, HighThere! lets you find others in your area to smoke and socialize with.

© PAX /HAVAS F ORMUL A

Internet. The idea is to allow © WEED SCALE 2.40

medical patients to get pre-

for everyone like me for whom the perfume of cannabis is a big part of its attraction, there is someone out there who hates the odor and the concept of smoking from a bong or pipe.

Check your local head shop, and you’ll find literally

cise 2.5mg doses as well as being a portal for doctors to monitor patient success and collect data to help patients and doctors make corrections when necessary.

CEO Peter Calfee calls it a “Yelp meets Fitbit” approach, which will allow patients the advantage of consuming without fear as well as helping determine what dosages

dozens of models to choose from: table models that fill

and chemical profiles work for individuals. “Today, the

up plastic bags of vapor to pass around the room. Simple

doctor is almost as blind as the patient,” he says. “This

pen models with heating units that engage when a

will give patients access and track usage, the chemical

user takes a pull. Luxury, app-connected devices that

profile and efficacy in real time to help find products

turn basic bud into vapor. Today, options come in every

best suited to a specific need.”

shape and size; some you simply dispose of when the

Speaking of the Internet of Things, that home-grow

product is gone. Others have refillable or replaceable

app mentioned above is taking advantage of the same

cartridges and rechargeable batteries.

technology. Created for idiots like me who don’t know

28 JANUARY 2018 San Diego

anything about plants or growing, Cloudponics’ GroBox technology allows you and the company to monitor plants remotely. “Five years ago, this would have been impossible,” says CPO Nicholas Ruiz. “It’s the perfect storm of technology for AI devices.”

Ruiz says the company’s GroBox is fully contained and will soon include a camera inside the box and artificial-intelligence capabilities that will be able to detect nutrient deficiencies and correct them automatically, ensuring quality products. He says it’s especially appealing to seniors or anyone who gets a therapeutic benefit just from watching their plants and strains grow and mature. He says that the technology allows data to be gathered from all its users, which will ultimately employ AI to develop more data to keep track of every grow recipe and strain. “As more users sign on, we will improve.”

The clothing that vaporizes is the brainchild of a Denver company, Vaprwear, which designs, creates and sells hoodies and backpacks that include pockets that hold vaporizers and hook up with a tube that delivers doses of whatever vapor you prefer. Beyond just hiding your use when you’re in public, the clothing is a good item for athletes in training or medical patients who need a periodical dose of CBD, says CEO Tom Gruger.

Gruger’s background is in sporting goods, and he explains that the company has found that users can be anyone from millennials to seniors, especially consumers interested in the outdoors, the arts, and music. Both hoodies and backpacks are designed for outdoor concertgoers and summer festival enthusiasts. “There’s the health aspect, and the idea that you can’t smell it is huge,” says Gruger.

“You’re wearing a hoodie and nobody knows.”

He says there is a huge increase in the market for women, and the company is responding with new styles of hoodies and backpacks as well as basewear for skiers and snowboarders. Ultimately, Gruger sees benefits for the basic technology beyond cannabis use, for instance, team uniforms with inhalers for athletes with asthma.

And though the drone delivery might be a ways off, Canada and some states, like California, already have delivery service and apps to use those. Colorado representative Jonathan Singer’s bill to allow delivery faced significant opposition from law enforcement and other But the idea of people not driving to shops could become more appealing over time.

Meanwhile, with this bounty of choices, there are worse things in life than hav-

© VAPRWARE

lawmakers and didn’t pass earlier last year.

ing to go to a dispensary to pick up a quarter of Hell's Angel OG.

sensimag.com JANUARY 2018 29

Sensi Magazine sets a higher standard Named the 2017 Publication of the Year!

A DDITION AL WIN N ER S

Most Influential Individual Alexis Bortell

Nonprofit of the Year NORML

Best Flower in a Dispensary Mandarin Cookies

Cultivation Achievement Award Green Dot

Hope Award American Medical Refugee Foundation

Cannabis Business of the Year The Clinic

Best Edibles Coda Signature

Cannabis Woman of the Year Nichole West

Cannabis Executive of the Year Neil Demers

Best Medical Center Kind Love

Industry Organization of the Year Athletes for Care

Best Retail Center Diego Pellicer

Most Valuable Brand Mary’s Medicinals Activist of the Year Nurse Heather Advocate of the Year Eugene Monroe Political Industry Representative of the Year Vicente Sederberg

Most Innovative Product Quest Concentrate’s AeroInhaler Budtender of the Year Gladys Solis Manager of the Year Nick Jack Diego Pellicer

Best Extract Harmony Extracts Best Infused Product Evolab’s Angel Salve Best Hemp Product Nature’s Root Most Influential Media Source Leafly Educational Achievement of the Year Dr. Uma Dhanabalan

Lifetime Achievement Award Wanda James Best CBD Product Haleigh’s Hope 2017 Honorary Awards Mickey Martin Dr. William Eidelman 2017 Cannabis Business Award MVPs Jair Velleman Ted Daniels Josh Crosney Ashley Smither Shawn Honake

SHANGHAI N IGHTS

Š PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEE STONEHOUSE

What: Sensi MJBizCon After-Party Where: Enclave, Las Vegas When: November 16, 2017 Every November, L AS VEGAS becomes the center of the cannabis world for three days as professionals from around the country head to MJBizCon. Sensi hosted its annual after-party, bringing conference-goers together for an evening of comraderie and top-notch networking. More than 5,000 people RSVPd for the free event, drawn by the chance to celebrate the advancement of the cannabis business community among industry leaders.

32 JANUARY 2018 San Diego

sensi

SCENE

{soSD}

by B O B BY B L A C K

Caves on the Coast — Sculpted by wind and water erosion over the course of millions of years, the spectacular sea caves along San Diego’s 70-mile stretch of coastline are an attraction worth seeing.

From the tourist-friendly Sunny Jim Cave (named by Wizard of Oz author Frank Baum) up in La Jolla, to the forbidden, secret Sea Caves of Cabrillo National Monument (which are closed to the public) down by the southern tip of Point Loma, to the etched and graffitied walls of the rugged Rum Runner Cave under Sunset Cliffs (used by bootleggers from Mexico during prohibition), these hidden geological gems are a fantastic way to enjoy a quick adventure without having to leave town.

But be warned—the rock trails can be dark and treacherous in certain spots, so if you decide to go spelunking be sure to bring a flashlight, wear hiking shoes with good traction and watch your step. Oh…and even if you’re high, make sure the tide isn’t, or you’ll end up having to swim your way out.

For more info visit carevealed.com/cave-san-diego.php

sensimag.com JANUARY 2018 33

FLOWER

VAPE CARTRIDGES

TINCTURES

PRE-ROLLS

Outco quality products are available at your local finer dispensaries.

For additional information visit us at outco.com License #: MM-0002