Sensi Magazine—Metro Maryland (Summer 2020) by Sensi Magazine

I M E T R O M A RY L A N D S U M M E R 2020

WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING

Does THC inhibit your dreams?

Medical cannabis products can only be used by a qualifying patient in the state of Maryland. Consumption of medical cannabis may impair your ability to drive a car or operate machinery. Please use extreme caution. Additionally, there may be health risks associated with cannabis use, especially during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Accidental consumption of cannabis by children or animals may result in severe adverse reactions. Keep cannabis out of the reach of children and animals. All content intended to be viewed by medical cannabis patients 18 years of age or older.

CANNABIS DISPENSARIES

Why Curaleaf? • MD’S LOWEST PRICES • AN AMAZING SELECTION • A FIRST-VISIT DISCOUNT • A KIND, CARING STAFF • PERSONALIZED EDUCATION

EXPERIENCE CANNABIS WITH CONFIDENCE. LOCATIONS Curaleaf Reisterstown 11722 Reisterstown Rd. Reisterstown MD 21136

Curaleaf Gaithersburg 811 Russell Ave Gaithersburg MD 20879

Curaleaf Takoma 6309 New Hampshire Ave Takoma Park MD 20912

Curaleaf Airpark 8355 Snouffer School Rd Gaithersburg MD 20879

Must be 18 years or older to view content. Medical cannabis is for qualifying patient use only.

METRO MARYLAND SENSI MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020

sensimediagroup @sensimagazine @sensimag

F E AT U R E S

Remedy for a Dream

Body Made for Bliss

Is THC inhibiting our ability to dream at night?

Did you know you have an endocannabinoid system? You do. So why haven’t you heard about it?

D E PA R T M E N T S

9 EDITOR’S NOTE 22 THE LIFE Contributing to your health and happiness 12 THE BUZZ STAY STRONG How to News, tips, and tidbits to keep you in the loop

CENTENNIEL CELEBRATION

An ode to 100 years of women’s suffrage PURE APPINESS The app to lift your spirits GROWING POPULARITY

Why houseplant sales have spiked in the US FARMERS MARKETS Your summer shopping list PRODUCTS CBD skincare to scrub and savor SIGNS OF THE SIGNS

Zodiac-themed wall art DOWNWARD DOG Fitness fashion for Fido

keep fit during the garbage fire that is 2020 WELLNESS The future of medicine is plant-based. HOROSCOPE What the stars hold for you

44 THE SCENE Hot happenings and hip

hangouts around town BRAND YOU Expert Robyn Graham on why everyone needs a personal brand NOT ON THE CALENDAR

What to do now that there’s nothing to do

ON THE COVER

Why do we dream less when we use cannabis often—and dream so much more when we stop? PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY JOSH CLARK ORIGINAL PHOTOS BY KRAKEN IMAGES, ADOBE STOCK

52 THE END A poet and climate change activist reflects on the power of making a difference.

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ADVISORY BOARD

Charm City Medicus Responsible Healing Columbia Care Educational Dispensary Comfort Keepers Coordinated In-Home Care Curaleaf Veterans Cannabis Project Dr. Z Green Therapy Total Wellness Addiction Medicine Embrace CBD Wellness Center CBD Education & Quality Control Georgetown Hemp CBD Quality Assurance Expert Green Matters, LLC Supply Chain Green Point Wellness Cannabis Wellness Greenhouse Payment Solutions Payment Processing Grow West Integrated Cannabis Company Kannavis Cannabinoid Experts

Matthew L Mintz, MD, LLC Physician Melting Point Extracts Extraction Expert Pain Arthritis Relief Center Natural Pain Relief Peake Releaf Maryland’s Medical Dispensary Remedy Columbia Cannabis Culture Shulman Rogers Cannabis Law Starbuds Community Wellness WOW Wellness Health and Wellness

FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA FAC E B O O K Like Sensi Media Group for the parties, topics, and happenings we’re obsessed with right now.

TWITTER Follow @sensimag to stay up-to-date on the latest news from Sensi cities.

I N S TAG R A M @sensimagazine is home to exclusive photos and content.

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EXECUTIVE

Ron Kolb Founder, CEO ron@sensimag.com Stephanie Wilson Co-Founder, Editor in Chief stephanie@sensimag.com Mike Mansbridge President mike@sensimag.com Fran Heitkamp Chief Operating Officer fran@sensimag.com Lou Ferris VP of Global Revenue lou@sensimag.com Chris Foltz Director of Global Reach chris@sensimag.com Jade Kolb Director of Project Management jade.kolb@sensimag.com Kristan Toth Head of People kristan.toth@sensimag.com EDITORIAL

Doug Schnitzspahn Executive Editor doug.schnitzspahn@sensimag.com Leland Rucker Senior Editor leland.rucker@sensimag.com Robyn Griggs Lawrence Editor at Large robyn.lawrence@sensimag.com Helen Olsson Copy Chief Melissa Howsam Senior Copy Editor Meryl Howsam, Bevin Wallace Copy Editors Jenny Willden, Julie Raque, Mona Van Joseph Contributing Writers DESIGN

Jamie Ezra Mark Creative Director jamie@emagency.com Rheya Tanner Art Director Wendy Mak, Kiara Lopez, Josh Clark, Jason Jones Designers PUBLISHING

Elizabeth Sheldon Publisher elizabeth.sheldon@sensimag.com Samantha Cunningham Associate Publisher samantha.cunningham@sensimag.com Gwen Ross Associate Publisher gwen.ross@sensimag.com B U S I N E S S /A D M I N

Amber Orvik Administrative Director amber.orvik@sensimag.com Andre Velez Marketing Director andre.velez@sensimag.com Neil Willis Production Manager neil.willis@sensimag.com Hector Irizarry Distribution distribution@sensimag.com

E D I TO R ’ S N OT E

“The new normal” is the tagline we at Sensi

have been using since our inception; it appeared on every cover prior to our redesign in December 2019—roughly 200 magazines emblazoned with the phrase. We used it to highlight cannabis’s transition into the mainstream, and during the early days of COVID-19, we watched it become the official catchphrase of the pandemic. “The New Normal.” How else could you describe it? With that, I welcome you to Sensi’s new new normal, which looks a great deal different than some five months and a lifetime ago. Way back then, we were printing local magazines in 14 markets across the country, with a 15th (Metro Maryland) slated to launch April. Our creative team was in the midst of sending those editions to print when COVID-19 started to pick up steam. After some hard conversations with our leadership team, we made the call to hit pause for a variety of reasons, namely that our points of distribution were not going to be distributing during a global pandemic. We were optimistic that we’d be back by June. Then we thought we’d return in July. I’m writing this on August 7 as those refreshed April editions work their way to being published in the next few days, if all goes as planned. Little these days is going as planned, for better and for worse. But if there’s a silver lining to this chaos, it may be that it’s forced us to slow down and examine our lives— to really consider the why and how behind it. It provided a chance to stop the constant doing and start thinking about whether those are the right goals to be aiming for at all. It allowed us to examine our business piece by piece, strip down to the basics and rebuild using the lessons we stumbled our way through. We’re guided by one mission: to serve our readers and communities by focusing on connection—to information, to each other, to businesses and brands that meet your needs. That’s why, for the first time in Sensi’s history, we won’t be printing magazines. Going all-digital this month helps us increase our reach without compromising the quality our readers expect. We hope to return to print in the not-too-distant future—perhaps no one more than me. I believe in the power of print. But I also believe in evolution, and the way people consume information is changing. By limiting ourselves to print, we were limiting our impact. But now, with a fresh digital strategy that entails both dynamic local content as well as fully designed digital magazines created by the award-winning team at Em Agency, we’ve got the best of both worlds, and I’m excited to introduce you to the first phase of Sensi’s new digital universe. We’re almost ready to take the scaffolding off Phase 2, so be sure to check back and see what we’ve got planned in order to continue to bring our new normal into the new-new normal of the world. Thank you for being here with us as we rebuild—better than we were before.

M E D I A PA R T N E R S

Marijuana Business Daily Minority Cannabis Business Association National Cannabis Industry Association Students for Sensible Drug Policy

Stephanie Wilson @stephwilll S U M M E R 2020

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—Nineteenth Amendment of the US Constitution

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all yet had been omitted from the political process. Also obvious: the best way to celebrate this centennial, regardless of gender, is to exercise your right to influence politics by casting a ballot in November in what will be This month marks the 100th anniversary one of the most important elections of women gaining the right to vote. of our lifetimes. Check your voter registration status now—right now. On August 26, 1920, the 19th Amend- ultimately effective, and—imporGo on, we’ll wait, it takes a minute tantly—nonviolent Civil Rights and ment was ratified into law after a on usa.gov/confirm-voter-registration. anti-war movements. long, arduous battle led by some Then text that web address to your To this day, the only right women incredibly badass women who came friends, post it on your socials, to embrace the denigrating “suffrag- are guaranteed equally under the US ette” nickname bestowed upon them Constitution is the right to vote. In fact, share it so much it gets redundant. Volunteer for voter registration by men aghast at the idea of women women were not even included in the participating in the political process. Constitution until the 19th Amendment. drives. Help get people to the polls. Be vocal and denounce any false The ratification of that equalThe suffragettes and their male rights amendment led to the largest statements about voter fraud assocounterparts, collectively known as suffragists (aka people who advocate single one-day increase of potential ciated with mail-in ballots. And then vote like your life depends upon it. for the extension of the right to vote, voters in the history of the United States. Which, duh, obviously: wom- Because this time, more so than ever especially to women), crafted a poen make up half the population and before, lives do depend on it. litical movement that was powerful, S U M M E R 2 02 0

ILLUSTRATION BY MARY LONG, ADOBE STOCK / CONSTITUTION IMAGE BY ANDREA IZZOTTI, ADOBE STOCK

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.

Celebrating a Big Win

C O N T R I B U TO R S

Robyn Griggs Lawrence, John Lehndorff, Stephanie Wilson

COME ON, GET APPY

Going through something? We all experience moments when we could use some support. Some of those moments are life-changing, while others are a part of everyday life. If you need to get it off your chest, you need to get Happy, the app. Described by Vice as “like Uber but for ‘Happy Givers,’” Happy connects you to one of more than 2,000 trained listeners who aren’t there to offer advice or give feedback. They’re just there to support you and make you feel heard. They’ll give you the space to speak openly, anonymously, for as long as you’d like. For every individual caller referred by the American Heart Association through May 31, 2021, Happy will donate a free first-time call valued at $24 to the American Heart Association’s Support Network, for a minimum donation of $50,000. So download the App now. Call, get support, and be happy. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play happythemovement.com

BY THE NUMBERS

108,455 PATIENTS The number of Maryland medical cannabis patients

30 DAYS Only Plants

The number of days for medical card approval, down from 45

DISPENSARIES

PHOTO (TOP RIGHT) BY RONSTIK, ADOBE STOCK

The number of dispensaries now open in Maryland

ISSUES The number problems that have been found with Maryland’s vaping products

Understand

Houseplant sales are on the rise, and researchers believe millennials are to thank for the recent boom in the bloom economy. It’s 18- to 34-year-olds who now occupy 29 percent of all gardening households, according to the annual National Gardening Survey. One theory about all of the houseplant hype is that it’s a new form of self-care. Tending to plants helps those who live in urban jungles or those who are overwhelmed with technology to feel more connected to nature. In the age of social media, millennials are said to have surpassed Generation X and baby boomers as the loneliest generation, according to a poll by YouGov. Owning a plant gives people an opportunity to nurture, providing a sense of fulfillment and purpose without the extra costs of caring for a pet. There could also be new additions to the plant culture craze with cannabis plants. According to the National Gardening Survey, 33 million households (27 percent) say it should be legal to grow for personal use, and 19 million households (15 percent) say they would grow cannabis if it were legal to do so. As the trend continues to grow, perhaps the use of having indoor plants to help boost wellness won’t just be a short-lived fad, but, rather, a new lifestyle for those dealing with stress and anxiety. S U M M E R 2020

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www.remedycolumbia.com | info@remedycolumbia.com Medical cannabis products are to be used by qualified patients only.

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THE BUZZ

PHOTO CREDITS (FROM TOP): ELENATHEWISE, ADOBE STOCK / BRENT HOFACKER, ADOBE STOCK

Tastes Like Summer Farmers markets are an essential way to create community among like-minded food lovers…and even among chefs. And sustainably oriented chefs and farmers have developed a nice symbiotic relationship that is great for us shoppers and diners. Some of the heirloom and organic greens, beans, and veggies we find at the market are only available because restaurants and natural food stores created a demand. “If you can make it a habit of coming to the market every week, you will learn so much, even if you don’t buy anything,” shares chef and restaurateur Dakota Soifer. “Talk to the farmers, ask lots of questions.” Trust and relationship means you might try a new vegetable like kohlrabi with cooking instructions from an expert. If you ask the farmers to show you how to prepare certain items of produce, they tend to advise keeping things simple to allow the taste of the crop to shine. They might also suggest alternative tweaks like cold smoking eggplant or quick pickling fruits like peaches and melons—both in season this month in the region. They also know the answer to the big question: How much basil does it really take to get a ‘packed cup’ for pesto?” All this flavor and freshness comes with a price tag. Produce is almost always more expensive at a farmers market. It is worth it because it is fundamentally better for you—higher quality, fresher stuff, “I grill the wedges of watermelon with a little olive you know where it comes from and how it was grown. As the chef oil, salt, and pepper. I place a round of Cana de reminds us, “It’s great that supermarkets have organic kale available to Cabra (tangy, creamy goat’s milk cheese) on one everyone, but sometimes, smaller is better.” half and top it with another wedge of melon, then Expert Tip: Ask farmers if they have any marked-down No. 2 small or bruised produce serve on a salad of arugula mixed with baby letyou can use in cooking. tuces. I drizzle a little super high quality balsamic Find Your Local Farmer’s Market: marylandfma.org/markets/ Pick Your Own: Find a farm near you at pickyourown.org vinegar on top.” —Chef Jim Smailer

SUPER EASY GRILLED WATERMELON WHAT’S IN SEASON? SALAD Ripe and ready to eat near you Apples (select early varieties) Asian Pears Blueberries Cantaloupes Cucumbers Eggplant Nectarines Peaches Plums Peppers Raspberries Summer squash Sweet Corn Tomatoes Watermelon

S U M M E R 2020

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THE BUZZ

BILITIES BY STEPHANIE WILSON, EDITOR IN CHIEF

1 IN CASE YOU MISSED THE IRONY of all the Great Gatsbythemed New Year’s Eve parties thrown to welcome in the second coming of the Roaring 20s, let me remind you how that decade ended: not much worse than this one is starting.

2 IN CASE YOU NEED A REMINDER: whatever you’re feeling is valid. There is no right or wrong way to process what we’re going through right now. There is a right way to interact with others right now, though: with care, through a mask, and from a distance.

3 IN CASE YOU’RE FEELING LIKE GOING OUT in public without a mask: stop watching Fox News, you’re being brainwashed. Be a good human, you’re better than that.

4 IN CASE YOU NEED A PICK-ME-UP: pick up a bouquet of blooms the next time you’re at the grocery store. Yes, funds are tight and flowers may seem like a frivolous purchase, but a $6 bouquet can brighten up rooms and moods alike. A 2018 study from the University of North Florida’s Department of Public Health finds that living with flowers “significantly alleviates daily stresses.” And we’re all a little bit stressed right now. Or we’re in denial, which is a stressful state to be in. Flowers will help. Pro tip: for the best flowers at the lowest prices, look for wholesale florists open to the public in your area. 5 IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Denver’s mayor reversed his decision to leave recreational cannabis dispensaries and liquor stores off the list of essential businesses just three hours after the city’s stay-athome order was issued in March. Denverites were clear: flowers— the kind ones with THC—are definitely essential.

PRODUCT ROUNDUP

CLEANSE THE SKIN YOU’RE IN

We sloughed, slathered, and swiped a season’s worth of herbal products to uncover your new go-tos.

BROAD SPECTRUM CBD OIL The Healing Rose’s hemp-derived CBD oil is the perfect addition to your morning routine or a great way to end the day. The Healing Rose provides transparency through third-party testing on every batch. $80 for 1,200 mg /thehealingroseco.com

SISAL BATH BRUSH Use Baudelaire’s sisal bath brush on dry skin before a shower to promote healthier circulation and stimulate new skin cells while brushing away the old ones. $10 / baudelairesoaps.com

DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE OIL Badger’s deep tissue massage oil has warming, enlivening ingredients such as ginger and cayenne. $18 / badgerbalm.com

JAVA JOLT BODY SCRUB Showering with the scent of coffee and mint from Boston-based Organic Bath Co.’s Java Jolt is enough to wake you up. Who needs coffee in a cup?

Remind me again / the day will $10–$27 / organicbath.co come / when I look amazed / at the CLEANSE + FORTIFY BOTANICAL TONIC waste of sorry salt / when I had no Maine Medicinals’ gentle yet powerful tonic includes a little detox love from dandelion and more than this / to cry about. nettle along with strengthening Reishi mush—Excerpt from “How to Survive This” by native Marylander Barbara Kingsolver from her forthcoming poetry book, How To Fly (In 10,000 Easy Lessons), coming in September

rooms and lemon balm. $26 / mainemedicinals.com

S U M M E R 2020

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Cannabis use is for certified patients only 18+

THE BUZZ

Signs of the Signs With three tear-out prints of each zodiac sign and other astrological charts, Instant Wall Art: Astrological Designs will fill your home—and the homes of your compatible friends—with good vibes. $19 at Barnes and Noble

Instant Wall Art: Astrological Designs $19 at Barnes and Noble

DOWNWARD DOG Yoga-inspired dog wear is finally here. How did our pooches live without this apparel? If only they could tell us. Alas, we’ll just have to trust they are able to move freely and comfortably during zoomies thanks to a new line from Pet Life. The collection features state-of-the-art materials that are antimicrobial, quick-drying, and breathable. The collection includes stretchy dog T-shirts, polos, full-body gear, tank tops, and hoodies. “It took years to develop this collection after studying what the leading activewear manufacturers are doing in the human space,” says Joseph Braha of Pet Life. “We understand the yoga fashion market very well and how dog yoga is becoming a larger trend.” With breathable four-way stretch fabric, the Eboneflow dog yoga T-shirt worn here starts at $43. shop.petlife.com

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PHOTOS BY JACOB LUND, ADOBE STOCK

Stay Strong

And change your mindset, because you should have fun with it. If you’ve been stuck in a fitness rut and the thought of Yes, 2020 is a total dumpster fire— tapping it back on a bike and it’s not over yet. Keep going. one more time makes you want to reach for TEXT STEPHANIE WILSON the Sauvignon blanc well before noon, mix it up. Take a Zoomba class via Well, that just happened. vard Health Publishing Zoom. Learn how to do a remind us in “Starting What, exactly, you ask? proper squat. Challenge to Exercise,” a special All of it. We’re living your roommate to a game health report from the through some strange of Pickleball—and then medical school. “To be times right now, and learn how to play yoursuccessful, [exercise] those times are guaranshould be something you self. Whatever works, just teed to get stranger the as long as you do. do as routinely as eatcloser to election day By making exercise ing, sleeping, and taking we get. It’s been hard. It your habit now, you’ll be may get harder before the your morning shower,” setting yourself up for a the report begins. pendulum swings in the strong start to whatever It can be more diffiother direction. comes next on multiple cult to maintain a rouAs you move through levels. Researchers at the tine during the frenzy this new world, just reUniversity of Texas at of current reality, when member to help yourself. Austin have found that routines are a distant Which isn’t always the exercising regularly is memory. Stress, uncereasiest thing to do, no linked to better eating tainty, slashed budgets, matter how disciplined habits. In a 2019 study you are when there’s not a unstructured free time, published in the Internaand unlimited access to global pandemic altering your typical routine. Since what’s in your fridge: each tional Journal of Obesity, scientists found that there is a global pandemic of these alone can throw sedentary participants happening, we’ve rounded even the most well-inwho took up exercise tentioned plan off track. up some tips and expert showed an increased It’s far too easy to skip advice about how to help yourself stay as healthy as the morning run you had preference for lean meats and vegetables planned in favor of curlyou can right now. What and a decreased interest it all boils down to is making up in a cliché while wearing a “Namastay in ing a plan and then makBed” t-shirt. Which is toing some moves. tally fine, as long as you Plan on Sticking to a Plan don’t blow a year of effort by doing utterly nothing Exercise shouldn’t be at all. Stay strong. And something you do only plan ahead. Get out your when you want to drop those 10 extra pounds or calendar now, and map out your fitness schedule prepare for the charity 10K, the editors of Har- for the month.

in fried foods, sodas, and other unhealthy options. “The process of becoming physically active can influence dietary behavior,” says Molly Bray, corresponding author of the paper and chair of the Nutritional Sciences department at UT Austin and a pediatrics faculty member at Dell Medical School. “One of the reasons that we need to promote exercise is for the healthy habits it can create in other areas. That combination is very powerful.” Drink More Water Staying hydrated helps your mind stay alert, keeps cravings at bay, and helps ward off headaches that inevitably greet you the morning after a night of over-indulgence. It is also key to keeping healthy in such pandemic-laced world. That goes double if you’ve got to hop a flight right now. The Aerospace Medical Association suggests drinking eight ounces of water for every hour you’re in the air to prevent dehydration. “Staying hydrated helps ward off infections, especially when traveling by air,” explains cleaning and organizing expert Donna Smallin Kuper. “Low humidity inside the cabin creates the perfect storm for cold and flu-like viruses. … Staying hydratS U M M E R 2020

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THE LIFE

PHOTO BY JACOB LUND, ADOBE STOCK

ed helps counteract the effects of jet lag, so you’ll feel better when you arrive at your destination.” Reward Yourself “Meeting your exercise goals, even short-term ones, is cause for celebration,” that Harvard special report reminds us. “Whether your reward is small or large, make sure it’s something that’s meaningful and enjoyable. Avoid rewards you might regret soon after, such as eating an ice cream cone if your ultimate goal is losing weight.” Consider instead upgrading to Spotify Premium so you’ll have limitless tunes to motivate your workouts. If you are overindulging on the sweets, don’t be too hard on yourself. Researchers from Deakin University in Australia looked into whether a short-term binge on carbs—perma-vacation (a.k.a. “furloughed indefinitely”) and drowning your woes in vats of whatever indulgence is still in your budget—is as detrimental to your health as chronic overeating for months at a time. The conclusion: your body can adapt to short periods of overindulgence, so if a nice hazy IPA is your thing, yield to your desire and pour another glass. Just don’t do it every day

until we’re on the other side of this crazy storm. Think Wilde (Oscar Wilde, that is): “Everything in moderation, including moderation.” If you’re tempted to down that third glass of cab or slice of pepperoni, gently remind yourself that comfort food sure feels comforting in the moment. What isn’t comforting, however, is wearing pants that are a bit too snug. To give you some perspective, it takes

six months to take off the weight people tend to pack on over the course of the 40 or so days between Thanksgiving and New Years. COVID’s already been around for four times that length, and it shows no signs of abating.

Fitness On Demand If COVID’s taught us anything, it’s that you don’t need to go work out, you just need to work out. And thanks to these apps, you can do that wherever you are. We’ve rounded up the best programs that offer a variety of workouts, class types, and perky instructors there to guide you, to keep you motivated, and to keep you coming back for more. Break a sweat.

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Peleton Digital

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You don’t have to own a Peloton Bike to tap into the energy this top fitness brand delivers during live and on-demand classes led by industry-leading fitness buffs. Take classes anywhere, anytime, on any equipment or none at all. The lineup includes cycling as well as strength, bootcamp, running, yoga, and medi-

tation. Or you can even hit the pavement and explore the outdoors with the audio-only running classes.

DanceBody LIVE

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Dance fitness for everybody, from anywhere. With daily live classes streamed directly from DanceBody’s NYC studios, on-demand cardio and sculpt workouts, and rentable programs, DanceBody gets your body moving in new ways and working muscles you didn’t know existed.

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Unlimited access to thousands of live and on-demand classes—boot camp, dance, cycling, yoga, sculpt, and more—with guided programs for all levels and new classes every day. Whether you’re a seasoned ballerina or a fresh newbie, you’ll get a killer dance-inspired workout. Most of its clients are non-dancers, proving you don’t have to be a dancer to look like one.

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THE LIFE WELLNESS

Only Natural Medicineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s future is plant-based. TEXT JULIE RAQUE

The evolution of medicine dates back thousands of years and spans many continents and belief systems. From ancient Ayurvedic medicine to the most modern developments in pharmaceuticals, medicine 26

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has changed and shifted drastically over the past 5,000 years. With the mass availability of information, humans have become educated in the world of medicine and empowered to choose the practices to which

they wish to subscribe. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve relied primarily on Western medicine and pharmaceuticals, but we can expect plant-based remedies to play a role in health trends in the year to come as people incorporate holistic healing

practices into their daily regimens as preventative and retroactive measures. People will look to the root cause of disease, not just symptoms. Often when people fall ill, they look to treat

THE LIFE WELLNESS

what they consider the worst part of their illness—the symptoms they’re experiencing— as quickly as possible. People are starting to understand that they need to solve the root cause of a disease rather than superficial symptoms. With information readily accessible, people can understand why they may be feeling a certain way and what they can do to prevent an illness moving forward. More than ever, people are looking toward how active they are, vitamins and minerals, nutrients, and diet to uncover what’s causing their symptoms. They will, in turn, be invested in learning about how different plant-based

remedies address both symptoms and root causes, and how these can lead them on a path to better health and wellness overall. People will look to natural remedies before pharmaceuticals. Botanic remedies have been providing relief for thousands of years. While the pharmaceutical industry has focused on isolating, synthesizing, and patenting specific chemicals and molecular compounds, alternative remedies employ natural treatments stemming from the plant kingdom. People now understand the harm an antibiotic can do to your gut flora, digestive sys-

tem, and kidneys, especially if it is interacting with another antibiotic in your system. Many will look to herbs, spices, fruits, and vegetables to ease symptoms and issues such as anxiety, sleeplessness, mood swings, and adrenal fatigue before reaching for the medicine cabinet. Consumers will experiment with different methods. There are less invasive ways to treat things like pain and sore muscles than popping Ibuprofen or acetaminophen, including cannabinoid-based topicals, lotions, tinctures, and inhalants. Over-thecounter pain relievers

can interact adversely with your kidneys and liver, a difficult trade-off for someone looking to alleviate a headache. Topicals allow you to target a certain area and reapply as necessary, making them a more appropriate treatment for acute pain. People will look toward other cultures. More people are looking to ancient Eastern and Ayurvedic principles to figure out why they may be feeling the way they are and how to treat it. Both ancient Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine practices utilize plants in their healing strategies and emphasize balance between mind, body, and spirit.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Julie Raque is vice president of marketing for The Root of It All, which makes cannabis-based remedies, and Cannabistry, a leading cannabis research and development organization. She has helped launch highly valued pharmaceutical products, including Harvoni.

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AUGUST HOROSCOPE What do the stars hold for you? TEXT MONA VAN JOSEPH

laxing into the feminine viLEO bration) will benefit you in Stress is caused by your ex- many ways. Allow yourself pectations of other people to be recognized for your this month. If you just accept uniqueness. the fact that you’ll have to do all the work without resent- OCT. 23–NOV. 21 ing or expecting anything, SCORPIO everything will be fine. No other sign has the ability to get as deep into a soul AUG. 23–SEPT. 22 like you. You will experience VIRGO some epiphany-like insights No coasting, you will miss this month. The most draout on a major opportunity. matic of which will be your Follow up with anything that intimate connection to the secures your future comknowledge of the Universe. fort. Awareness to detail will avoid any misunderstandNOV. 22–DEC. 21 ings with those who will con- SAGITTARIUS tribute to your success. You’ve been working hard and feeling unappreciated. The isSEPT. 23–OCT. 22 sue is not the work you’re proLIBRA ducing; it’s that your heart is Be prepared to get attention not in it. That’s why you’re not from people you don’t know getting the acclaim and recnow. The vibration of conognition you want. It’s not the necting with women (and re- place; it’s you. JULY 23–AUG. 22

DEC. 22–JAN. 19

CAPRICORN

August calls for joyful seriousness of the things important to you. It doesn’t matter if you’re building tables for squirrels or changing the world. A casual awareness for your love of life draws more loving. JAN. 20–FEB. 18

AQUARIUS

A happy did-the-work breakthrough month for you! That project or idea is ready to go full fledge out there right now. What’s so cool is that you get to do this in a relaxed, “I know it’ll be fabulous” vibration…and it will! FEB. 19–MARCH 20

PISCES

So last month was sort of sucky because you had to resolve to honor your worth

LEO, IF YOU JUST ACCEPT THE FACT THAT YOU’LL HAVE TO DO ALL THE WORK WITHOUT RESENTING OR EXPECTING ANYTHING, EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE.

and dump what wasn’t working. A sign from the Universe this month validates why you had to set this new standard.

thing. The Universe is speaking to you. MAY 21–JUNE 20

GEMINI

Do not allow yourself to MARCH 21–APRIL 19 be short-changed, comproARIES mised, or cheapened. Stay Be aware that you are always strong in your worth and connected to spiritual purauthenticity. The right oppose and guidance. Take noth- portunity is about to presing for granted and be delight- ent itself. fully ready when coincidence JUNE 21–JULY 22 prompts you to action.

CANCER

APRIL 20–MAY 20

TAURUS

As soon as you relax into your direct connection with Spirit, everything shifts for you. You do not need (or want) to do things the way anyone else does some-

This is not an action month. What is meant for you will just come to you. No chasing after what you want. It’s a time of concentrating on what brings you a sense of peace, harmony, and contentment.

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REMEDY FOR A DREAM Is THC inhibiting our dreams? TEXT LELAND RUCKER

ORIGINAL PHOTO BY PIXEL-SHOT / ADOBE STOCK

was at home in bed, surrounded by friends, when I began singing “The Tattooed Lady,” an old novelty song from my childhood. I wouldn’t stop, even when begged, and finally they all started trying to strangle me. That’s when I awoke, sweating and uneasy, kicking my legs and sending my covers in all directions. It wasn’t until I settled down that I realized it had just been a dream. It wasn’t the first time. Over many years, whenever I stop using cannabis for more than a week, the crazy dreams return. I’ve partied

with famous people, traveled to distant landscapes, been suffocated by my friends, and transcended time and place, all within my own head and bed. It’s almost as much fun as, well, getting elevated. But I’ve always wondered why this happens. Why are dreams more intense when I stop using cannabis, or do they just seem to be that way? Does cannabis inhibit dreaming, or do you just remember your dreams better when you’re unelevated? And is any of this necessarily good or bad for you? I’m hardly the only one. Type “marijuana and dreams” into any

search engine, and you’ll find many examples of cannabis users who have experienced the same kinds of vivid dreams when they stop. I decided to try and find out more about it. That’s not as easy as it may seem. All cannabis research is limited because of the usual reasons: The process to get the permits required by the federal government to study cannabis is challenging to say the least, and scientists whose studies are approved have to use only government-produced marijuana grown at the University of Mississippi. That marijuana has

This article was originally published in the July 2018 edition of Sensi Denver/Boulder.

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been shown to be little more than old ditch weed, nothing like the legal cannabis people are growing and using across the US. Beyond that, it’s also challenging to know what affect cannabis use has on dreams because we don’t know very much about sleep cycles and what part dreams play in our lives and well-being. THE IMPORTANCE OF (TANGERINE) DREAMS Sleep scientists generally characterize slumber as occurring in three basic phases, or stages: light sleep, deep sleep, and REM sleep. We spend our snoozing hours moving through these phases, with an average cycle lasting about 90 to 110 minutes, although it’s different for everybody. Each cycle apparently fulfills some kind of physiological or neurological function, although beyond their restorative roles, we don’t really know what those functions are. Some believe that dreams have meaning for our waking lives; others try to learn to explore and control them. We can dream during any of the sleep stages, but we dream more and are most likely to remember dreams we have while in the REM stage, the one characterized by rapid eye movement, a slight rise in respiration rate, and increased brain activity. We are less likely to remember dreams we have in the deep-sleep stage, when we’re gen-

erally harder to wake, than we are ones we have while in REM. Early studies on the effect of cannabis on dreams measured brain waves and eye movement and suggested that cannabis use somehow inhibits the REM portion of sleep, which in turn suppresses dreams. Discontinuing cannabis use lets your body catch up,

so to speak, with what many call an “REM rebound.” While your body catches up on REM sleep, the reasoning goes, it’s also catching up on dreams, which makes them more vivid and memorable. As I began to look deeper, I noticed that most of this preliminary research is from 40 to 50 years ago. Often cited is a 1975 study that, for

EARLY STUDIES SUGGEST THAT CANNABIS USE SOMEHOW INHIBITS THE REM STAGE OF SLEEP, WHICH IN TURN SUPRESSES DREAMS.

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instance, noted changes in rapid eye movements and shorter REM periods of sleep in longtime cannabis users. But that study tested only seven people, hardly enough to produce enough data to draw any serious conclusions. And there’s another thing. Many people, including some scientists, suggest that cannabis users don’t dream, and—at least in my case—I know that isn’t true. Just last week, I wound up in a room with former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, but just before I could start peppering him with questions about his quaint stance on cannabis, I woke up. SWEET (BLUE) DREAMS Dr. Timothy Roehrs is director of research at the Henry Ford Sleep Disorders and Research Center in Detroit and a professor at the Wayne State School of Medicine. He spoke about the frustration of trying to mount sleep studies using cannabis and corroborated that most studies on cannabis and sleep date back to the 1970s and 1980s. Only limited research has been done in the 21st century. “We’ve been wanting to administer THC in the sleep lab and haven’t been able to do that,” he says. “To properly study it, you need to give a measured dose of

THC to a participant over a prospective number of days. Right now, it’s terribly difficult to get measured doses of THC. We’re left with anecdotal information, and you never know for sure what dose was being used and being taken on a given set of nights.” While he hasn’t been able to properly study the effects of cannabis on sleep, Roehrs has conducted many studies on the effects of alcohol on sleep, which confirm the REM rebound effect that causes people to “catch up” on dreams. During REM sleep, he says, one is more likely to wake and report having dreams. In those early sleep studies on cannabis and dreams, the marijuana seemed to suppress REM sleep much like alcohol does. Roehrs isn’t so sure it’s that easy. “What that means is that you have increased amounts of REM sleep also fragmented with brief and rapid awakenings. If I take you and put you in the sleep lab, and I awaken you out of REM sleep by shaking you vigorously, that rapid arousal from sleep gives you a sense of being present in the dream,” he says. “Those are the vivid images that are likely what is happening with discontinuing marijuana.” Roehrs cautions that he isn’t suggesting that this is anything

more than speculation on his or anyone else’s part. We really don’t know what significance REM dreaming or suppression might have on our well-being. Still, this makes more sense to me than the theory that cannabis use stops people from dreaming. For instance, he says, common antidepressant drugs used by many Americans suppress REM sleep while they normalize mood. “And, unlike marijuana, these antidepressants continue to suppress REM sleep, and you get this REM insomnia-like experience,” he explains. “When people who were taking antidepressants stop, they can have REM rebound. Not only do we not know if it might be bad for you, if you have mild depression, dreaming might improve your mood. But we don’t know these things.” If you’re one who doesn’t like the crazy dreams, this isn’t much solace. But since I kind of enjoy them, until we find out more about the subject, I’m satisfied. Meanwhile, I’m still trying to get back into that dream with Jeff Sessions. S U M M E R 2020

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lis s b BODY MADE FOR

Do you know you have an endocannabinoid system? You do. Your self is full of cellular receptors that bind with the active ingredients in cannabis known as cannabinoids. So why have we just now started to hear about it? TEXT LELAND RUCKER PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS JOSH CLARK

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ne thing I’ve noticed over the years, when talking with my cannabis-using friends, is that they are more likely to say it makes them feel “normal” rather than “stoned.” I generally answer that “it keeps me balanced” or something

ORIGINAL PHOTO BY CHARLIE, ADOBE STOCK

s along those lines. I would never say that about other mind-altering substances (alcohol, for instance), and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at least one reason millions of us keep coming back for more. But why do so many people who use cannabis feel that way? A couple of years ago, I began reading about

something called the endocannabinoid system, a regulating procedure within the body that works in much the same way cannabis does. My bs detector turned bright red. Yeah, right. Even for an advocate, that seemed a little too much to swallow, a little too good to be true.

There is much evidence that cannabis, or whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in cannabis, has been used to treat symptoms of human illnesses, disorders, and diseases in many cultures for centuries and that it was a standard pharmaceutical product in the United States. Today, after decades of lies

This article was originally published in Sensi Denver/Boulder August 2017 edition

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FREEDA MICHAUX, ADOBE STOCK

from the government and popular culture’s continuing depiction of marijuana users as inept “stoners,” we’re finding that ordinary people are using cannabis for pain, arthritis, and muscle relief and—surprise—just to relax. But why? Cannabinoids are chemical compounds found in cannabis plants, more than a hundred different ones so far. For the most part, no other plant accumulates them quite like cannabis, and these cannabinoids provide the plant with everything from pest resistance to relief from the sun’s UV rays. The most recognized are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), known for its psychoactive properties, and cannabidiol (CBD), recognized for its medical applications. “Many people have tried THC and CBD. Those are called phytocannabinoids,” says biochemist Samantha Miller, founder of Pure Analytics, a cannabis testing facility in California. Scientists have also discovered cannabinoids that are produced naturally in the body. Called endocannabinoids, they have structures similar to phytocannabinoids. Raphael Mechoulam, William Devane, and Dr. Lumir Hanus found the first endocannabinoid and called it anandamide after the Sanskrit word for bliss, in 1992, and later found another, called 2-arachidonoylglycero, or 2-AG. So far, so good. In 1988, scientists found receptors in all mammals that respond to cannabinoids, CB-1 receptors found in the brain and CB-2 receptors found throughout the body. These endocannabinoids hook up with these receptors. In biochemistry, it’s called the “lock-and-key” model, where the cannabinoid molecules act like

this natural architecture to interact with cannabinoids,” Miller says. “You find these all over the body, in the nervous system, the immune system, everywhere. The endocannabinoids control and influence a lot of different things, like sleep, appetite, anxiety, addiction, the cardiovascular system, immune system—everything to do with quality of life.” Perry Solomon is the former chief medical officer at HelloMD, a popular wellness website with a growing number of patients using cannabis. He describes the endocannabinoid system as a feedback mechanism that helps keep the body in equilibrium. “When you get excessive stimulation, pain, emotions, or bad experiences, chemicals are released that can overwhelm the body,” he says. “Endocannabinoids are a way to keep the body in balance.” There are literally thousands of —Perry Solomon, HelloMD research papers and studies around the world on cannabinoids. But cannabis research remains a somewhat arcane branch of science in the United States, which, under the “keys” that fit into the CB receptor auspices of the National Institute of Drug Abuse, until recently would “locks.” When the CB receptor is fund only projects that were aimed “unlocked” by a particular cannaat the abuse side of the equation. binoid, it changes its shape, and US researchers still encounter how it changes shape determines how it regulates cell signaling (how bureaucratic hassles, lack of adequate study product, and the fact cells communicate within themthat cannabis remains a Schedule selves and how they communicate I drug, which by definition means with other cells). From a chemical standpoint, THC is structurally it has no medical purpose. “Consimilar to anandamide, and CBD is ventional medicine traditionally has concentrated on opioids,” says comparable to 2-AG. THC “unDr. Selma Holden, a physician and locks” the CB-1 receptor in almost assistant clinical professor at the the same way anandamide does, and CBD “unlocks” the CB-2 recep- University of New England. But even US scientists and doctors are tor much like 2-AG. beginning to recognize that some“The reason we interact with cannabis so strongly is that we have thing’s going on.

“WHEN YOU GET EXCESSIVE STIMULATION, PAIN, EMOTIONS, OR BAD EXPERIENCES, CHEMICALS ARE RELEASED THAT CAN OVERWHELM THE BODY. ENDOCANNABINOIDS ARE A WAY TO KEEP THE BODY IN BALANCE."

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“Historically, people just thought cannabis was something that got you high and concentrated on the THC. Because of medical-marijuana efforts and a little increase in evidence, they’re starting to come around,” she explains. “And more patients are turning to their medical doctors and saying, ‘this stuff works for me.’” As recently as 2017, the University of Vermont was the only medical school in the country with an accredited course on the endocannabinoid system in its curriculum. “The people who should know about it aren’t taught it in medical school,” says Solomon, and he understands some doctors’ initial reluctance to deal with the endocannabinoid system. “Until doctors come out and become familiar with what’s involved in the system, there’s a hesitancy.” Oncologists, who already know it helps relieve the nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, are among the leading edge of physicians beginning to take cannabis seriously, and other specialists are looking into cannabinoid alternatives, Solomon says. “A recent National Academies of Science study found that cannabinoids are being used to treat chronic pain in adults, and it does work,” he says. “So anesthesiologists are saying, ‘Maybe this is something we should look at.’” Holden says that some of the most exciting research today concerns cannabinoids’ anti-inflammatory qualities. “When you think of it, a lot of diseases, not all of them, have an inflammation component,” she says. “In dementia, in asthma, it’s all inflammation. That’s what’s interesting about the endocannabinoid system. It’s influencing these inflammation markers.”

“WE CAN'T FALL TOO MUCH INTO THE BELIEF SYSTEM THAT HAVING AN ALTERED STATE OF CONSCIOUSNESS IS BAD." —Dr. Selma Holden, University of New England

Much of the research is being done at the behest of drug companies eager to create new products from cannabinoids and able to afford the expensive re-search needed for approval. GW Pharmaceuticals has developed a couple of cannabidiol products to combat epilepsy, and its Epidiolex was approved by the FDA in 2018 for the treatment of seizures—the first cannabis plant-derived medicine ever approved by the FDA. Arizona company Insys Therapeutics recently received preliminary DEA approval for a synthetic cannabis drug called Syndros. (The company also contributed to the successful effort to stop a marijuana legalization initiative in that state last year.) Much of the emphasis on cannabis healing these days is concentrated around CBD and marketed for its non-psychoactive effects. Hold-

en cautions that if someone is using cannabis for a chronic condition like back pain or Crohn’s disease, the feeling of elevation can be an important part of the therapy, too. “We can’t fall too much into the belief system that having an altered state of consciousness is bad.” And that gets us back to where we began. That altered state of consciousness that has offered me and so many people a feeling of relaxation, of being in a place where they can be creative and focused or as a way to deal with common maladies. “Our brains are ideally suited for cannabis,” Chris Kilham, an author and ethnobiologist who studies plant-based remedies as the Medicine Hunter on Fox News, told me. “There’s no substance other than water that has the health benefits and continued significance of those benefits.” S U M M E R 2020

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MORE INFO

Robyn Graham Personal Branding Strategist robyngrahamphotography.com

A Brand New You

Expert Robyn Graham shares why everyone needs a personal brand. TEXT JENNY WILLDEN

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but how do you stand out? Show why you’re the expert, why you’re the goto, why you do that work What makes up a better than anybody else. personal brand? People are also finding A personal brand intheir next employee cludes a logo, mission through LinkedIn and sostatement, branded cial media sites. Recruitphotography, and your ers won’t stop on a person content. You have to who has a gray head prioritize those based and no profile pic. Just on what your audience having that professional values. A logo is very headshot shows you care important because it about quality and want makes you instantly to represent yourself for recognizable, but the logo is not going to build advancement—not just the like, know, and trust the day-to-day grind. If you can’t afford a factor. If you have a set budget and are looking to professional headshot, I offer a free e-book build a personal brand, start with visual content that helps you use your smartphone to take betthrough professional photography. People will ter headshots at home. get to see your personality first-hand and how you How do you start building your brand? work in your business. Even if you can’t afford Identify your niche first. You need to know who a full-blown photoyou’re serving. Combine shoot, you should get a professional headshot. Your eyes and smile are gateways to your soul. As for your mission statement, it lets people know What is personal who you are and why you branding? It’s that infusion of your do what you do. This will inspire them to want to personality into your business so people online work with you. can immediately get to Who needs personal know you, like you, and trust you. Before, people branding? would decide in person if Everyone needs a personal brand. I say this they liked you, but since Instagram and LinkedIn because even if you’re corporate, you have a hit the scene, business personal brand. You may people now meet online work for someone else, for the first time, and

PHOTOS BY ROBYN GRAHAM PHOTOGRPAHY

Personal branding expert and photographer Robyn Graham didn’t always help people craft their public personas. But after growing tired of her job in pharmaceuticals, her husband suggested she pursue her love of photography, and she jumped at the chance. After launching her photography business (robyngrahamphotography.com) Graham quickly honed in on personal branding and now works exclusively in this space. She calls the career her “second phase” and uses lessons learned along the way to help others through her podcast, named The Second Phase. “I’ve learned from so many mistakes,” Graham says, “and I can help people not make those same mistakes and brand their business from the getgo.” We asked Graham all about personal branding.

how you’re perceived in that space matters.

your values, vision, and passion to help identify your niche. Once you’ve done that, you can start identifying your ideal client. Then use your mission statement to connect with your audience and get them to trust you. Branded photography is used to get your personality out there. People don’t buy products and services; they buy personality. That’s why big brands use people in their ads to represent their brands. It helps you connect with the products, which converts to sales. How do you find your audience? Once you’ve identified your niche and audience, find out where they hang out. For me, LinkedIn is an incredible tool because I want to work with

SATISFIED CLIENT This area life coach’s personal brand looks friendly and open to fresh conversations.

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THE SCENE

PHOTOS BY ROBYN GRAHAM PHOTOGRAPHY

professionals. I do get business from Instagram, but LinkedIn is where my ideal clients are. From the real world to online, find where your best potential clients are and connect with them there. In the age of social media, do people still need personal websites? If you have a business, even if it’s a service industry, you need a website. People need to be able to find you, they want to see you, and they want to know what your “why” is before they call or email you. Even one page of who you are and what you do is critical. A website adds credibility to your brand. Often people just have an Instagram and Facebook

page, but to me, that’s not representing you as professionally as a website. What else do people need to build their personal brand? An email list. This allows you to touch base with your audience anytime you want. Whether you’re running a special or have an update to your business, having that touch point is powerful for a personal brand. Social media may not work or a company could fold, prior to our call and but your subscriber list is give them, in a nutshell, always yours. an idea of what I think would benefit them. How do people work with I also offer a one-hour you on brand building? strategy session where I do a free 15-minute I tell you how you can strategy call. I ask them do the least to grow the to send me their website most. You get a recordand social media links ing of that session and

SATISFIED CLIENT The personal brand of this client, a fashion stylist for Worth New York, is sleek and inviting.

then I type up recommendations. My brand insider program is a customized package that includes a website, photography, copy, and a logo. I have a studio just outside Philly, but I also come into the city and I have clients all over.

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THE SCENE CALENDAR

Empty Calendar What to do when there’s nothing to do.

The dog days of summer are upon us. In our modern lexicon, that popular term has dual meanings: 1) the period between early July and early September when the hot sultry weather of summer occurs in the Northern Hemisphere; 48

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2) a period of stagnation or inactivity. In 2020, the dog days of summer were mauled by the pandemic, which continues to force people around the globe to endure lengthy periods of inactivity. But just because travel dreams were

dashed this year doesn’t mean you can’t take your mind to new places. Here are some quick suggestions about ways to fill the long days ahead. Get Lost in a Good Book Because your brain can’t take any. more. Netflix.

And you can’t take any more…well, anything. As the Book of Disquiet author Fernando Pessoa wrote, “Literature is the most agreeable way of ignoring life.” Not much of a reader? No problem. Trevor Noah, Jamie Lee Curtis,

PHOTO BY LOLOSTOCK, ADOBE STOCK

TEXT SENSI EDITORS

THE SCENE CALENDAR

PHOTO CREDITS (FROM TOP): SOMEMEANS, ADOBE STOCK / ALFA27, ADOBE STOCK

Mariah Carey, Kevin Bacon, Alicia Silverstone, James McAvoy, and so many other leading performers can do the reading. All you’ve got to do is listen, which you can do while going about your day. Or while not going anywhere: your call. A 2018 University College London study showed that listening to audiobooks is more emotionally engaging than watching TV and movies—findings consistent across all demographics regardless of the genre. Audible is your go-to source for premium offerings available on demand

If you haven’t already done the Audible free trial, what better time than now to take advantage of the deal: 60-day free trial plus two free audiobooks, then $14.95 for one credit per month, good for any book regardless of price, and you can cancel anytime . Got a library card? Download the Libby app, which allows you to borrow and read ebooks and audiobooks from your local public library for free. Don’t have a library card? Well now you have something else to do right now when there’s not a whole lot to do.

Make (Bad?) Art The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City may be temporarily closed (as of press time), but its website, moma.org, invites you to experience the world through its artistic lens. Take in the Virtual Views by exploring NYC architecture online. Listen to hours of art-inspired music on summer playlists curated by MoMa staffers. From artists’ musical inspirations to cinema soundtracks to the “alien” sounds of the avant-garde, the museum’s Spotify playlists include one dedicated

to the music of Miró; The “Rosanne Cash, the River, and the Thread” includes some thoughts the singer-songwriter shared about weaving, making art, and writing music—and made a playlist to accompany the exhibition. The set featuring songs about and inspired by works of art sets the perfect soundtrack to an afternoon spent engrossed in any of the museum’s free online courses, including “Fashion as Design” and “Postwar Abstract Painting,” taught through online portal Coursera (coursera.org/moma).

QUARANTINE LISTENING PARTY Our editor in chief Stephanie Wilson ranks the seven novels she “read” during shutdown.

7. Trust Exercise by Susan Choi 6. Men Without Women by Huraki Murakami 5. Writers & Lovers by Lily King 4. Normal People by Sally Rooney 3. Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeld 2. All Adults Here by Emma Straub 1. Weather by Jenny Offill

“We have art so that we shall not die of reality.” —Friedrich Nietzsche

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P R O M O T I O N A L F E AT U R E G R E E N H O U S E PAY M E N T S O L U T I O N S

having cannabis businesses. It’s all nice and dandy that things are getting discussed in Washington and all. But the banks still need direction.” He thinks that medical cannabis will be legalized in all 50 states before banks make any real decisions. “The general business community is pushing their elected representatives, telling them that this is coming and asking them, ‘Do you want to regulate this or not?’” GreenHouse has now opened two new banking solutions for the industry, both designed to avoid the mistakes Mills sees with other banking solutions. It makes it easy for the customer to use, it’s inexpensive for merchants to operate, and it won’t be shut down. “Those are our parameters,” he says. One is styled after a Google Pay app, where a user will be able to pay either online or use a credit card at dispensaries. “Both use bank accounts, but we won’t charge for the bank account, unlike some other “People banks,” he says. “So we will see how want to it goes. People want to pay with their pay with cards or their phones. People don’t their cards carry around cash anymore.” The new products have been a or their long time coming, Mills says, but he phones. believes in staying prudent. “People People come and go in the payment and banking side of this business, and we don’t carry have been here almost 11 years now,” around he lack of banking in the the Senate, so the banking issue is a he says. “We are here for the long cannabis industry is as long way from resolution. cash difficult for a cannabis Chris Mills, CEO of GreenHouse Pay- term and not just to make money. We anymore.” try to stay cutting edge and have solubusiness owner to deal ment Solutions, says that the conun—Chris Mills, CEO of tions that no one else has. Honesty, with as it is easy for everyone to drum continues to confound bankers GreenHouse Payment understand: Businesses need banks. and bank-service providers, especially integrity, and service are at the heart Solutions Nobody wants to tote around garbage with so many CBD companies looking of GreenHouse Payment Solutions.” bags of cash. for guidance now. “The FDIC has not Last fall, Congress passed the put in place any kind of information Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking to the regulators,” he says. “The big Act of 2019 (SAFE), which would give banks that look at it and who have the GreenHouse Payment Solutions cannabusinesses access to banking. formula about percentage of assets Cannabis Business Finance But the bill faces an uncertain future in and bank money on hand can facilitate greenhousepaymentsolutions.com

Getting to the Heart of a Tough Issue

GreenHouse Payment Solutions offers banking aid for cannabis businesses.

S U M M E R 2020

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THE END

New Volunteers TEXT KATY GURIN

PHOTO BY TRADOL, ADOBE STOCK

In the sun, we circled after speaking to our senator’s staff. We’d given them a list—four steps to transition from fossil fuels— and received no promises for action. Why then, I wondered, were we so giddy? As we spoke of the hard work ahead, why did we feel relief? Before that day, alone in an office, I’d plotted the rise of the future sea, thinking this is the arc of my story: since my birth we’d burned more fossil fuels than all years prior, the decades left to stop this burning were the span of my career, and all I could do on my own was switch out my lightbulbs and mourn. But on that day, each of us felt—I’m sure of it— that as we composed our letter we’d summoned a new sense of possibility, and in delivering it together: power.

M E T R O M A RY L A N D

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