Sensi Magazine—Pittsburgh (Summer 2020) by Sensi Magazine

I PITTSBURGH S U M M E R 2020

MADE FOR BLISS

The untold power of the endocannabinoid system

CBN FOR ZZZ

The little-known compound that helps you sleep

THE RISE OF THE ARTREPRENEUR

Find out why the local art scene is booming ‹‹‹ Jeff Jarzynka, owner of Zynka Gallery

Proud member of the Sensi PGH Advisory Board!

Locations:

5600 Forward Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217 22095 Perry Highway, Suite 301, Zelienople, PA 16063 200 Adios Drive, Suite 20, Washington, PA 15301

PITTSBURGH MADE

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THE FLOWERS IF YOU GO OUTSIDE

2 LEVELS OF OUTSIDE SEATING AND TAKEOUT OPTIONS AVAILABLE

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5500 Walnut Street, Shadyside

PITTSBURGH SENSI MAGAZINE SUMMER 2020

sensimediagroup @sensimagazine @sensimag

F E AT U R E S

CBN for Zzz

Body Made for Bliss

Don’t sleep on this lesserknown cannabinoid that may help you sleep.

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 36 THE SCENE Hot happenings and hip hangouts around town 10 THE BUZZ ARTREPRENEURS Three News, tips, and tidbits to keep you in the loop

CENTENNIEL CELEBRATION

An ode to 100 years of women’s suffrage HOT TAKE CBD infused workout clothing MARKETPLACE New hemp and CBD products to try COFFEE POT Get your CBD and your caffeine all in one stop.

major forces in the local art scene talk business.

NOT ON THE CALENDAR

What to do now that there’s nothing to do ON THE COVER

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

Pittsburgh’s art industry is booming thanks to business-savvy creatives like Jeff Jarzynka. PHOTO BY JULIE KAHLBAUGH

16 THE LIFE Contributing to your

health and happiness STRENGTH THROUGH FRAGILITY We follow a

mother’s MMJ journey. HOROSCOPE What the stars hold for you

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ADVISORY BOARD

AgraPharm LLC Pennsylvania Hemp Production All Life Advanced Care Centers Integrated Health Cresco Labs, LLC. Medical Marijuana Education & Advocacy Dobrá Tea Tea Room Glass Gone Wow Glass & Wellness Shop Greenhouse Payment Solutions Payment Processing Green Line Hydroponics Genetics: Clone Propagation Green Mill Supercritical Extraction Equipment Healthy Transformations with Heart Epidemiologist & Holistic Healer The Healthy Yinzer Personal Training Living Well CBD CBD Shop Maitri Medicinals Grower Metro Community Health Center Community Health Center

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Paint Monkey Painting Studio PittMoss, LLC Cannabis Nutrients Pittsburgh Brewing Company Brewing Company Shady Grove Local Bar Solevo Wellness Medical Dispensary Spectrum Family Practice Behavioral Health Terrapin Care Station Processor Valentis Security Security

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.

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 Rodney Burrell Managing Editor rodney.burrell@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 DESIGN

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

Gina Vensel Publisher gina.vensel@sensimag.com Matt Raymond Associate Publisher matt.raymond@sensimag.com B U S I N E S S /A D M I N

PHOTO BY JULIE KAHLBAUGH

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

EDITOR’S NOTE

“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

S E N S I M AG .C O M

—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, SUMMER 2020

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

Rodney Burrell, Stephanie Wilson

HOT TAKE

PHOTO COURTESY OF ACABADA

CBD-infused activewear is a thing; now what? Acabada is a lifestyle apparel brand that infuses 25 grams of CBD into activewear using a process called microencapsulation. The 99.9 percent pure CBD is said to be transdermally absorbed, reducing soreness, and aiding in recovery. The company says the CBD will last through 40 wash cycles.

BY THE NUMBERS

1982 The year CMU professor Scott Fahlman invented the emoticon

DEGREES The angle of the steepest street in the US, Canton Avenue in Beechview. Sorry Rialto

700 SETS “IN A WAY, I WAS BORN TWICE. I WAS BORN IN 1934 AND AGAIN IN 1955 WHEN I CAME TO PITTSBURGH. I AM THANKFUL TO SAY THAT I LIVED TWO LIVES.”

The number of public staircases in and around the city

80%

MARKETPLACE

Recovery, Relief & Rejuvenation Lord Jones High CBD Formula Body Oil Not only does Lord Jones sound like someone who wears a monocle on the daily, but this highly recommended recovery oil is infused with 100 milligrams of CBD and made from a combination of safflower, avocado, jojoba, soybean, and sunflower oils. The rollon applicator makes light work of muscle soreness, inflammation, and headaches. True Leaf Hemp Pet Chews Designed to help relax anxious dogs and help with joint pain, these chews contain hemp seeds and oil, chamomile, and lemon balm. All that’s next is a warm bath and Kenny G. Lucent Botanicals Calm CBD Mints Nobody likes you when you’re stressed, or when your breath smells like the fifth dimension. CBD mints offer the best of both worlds, with 10 milligrams of CBD and breath fresheners. It’s the most literal version of a chill pill we can come up with. Sunday Scaries YOLO Energy Shot While we cannot endorse or approve of the use of the word “YOLO” in any situation, this energy shot contains 50 milligrams of THC-free cannabidiol extract (CBD), vitamins B6 and B12, taurine, organic green coffee, 5-HTP, and ginseng, which gives you a jolt of energy without the caffeine jitters.

The percentage of the glass produced in the United States in 1920 that came from Pittsburgh

―Roberto Clemente, Pittsburgh Pirates athlete

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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.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE “GREEN VOICE” NEWSLETTER OR KEEP TRACK OF OUR “HALFWAY TO EARTHDAY” EVENTS

pittsburghearthday.org

HALF WAY EARTH DAY

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.

“Pittsburgh entered the core of my heart when I was a boy and cannot be torn out.” ―Andrew Carnegie, industrialist and philanthropist

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THE BUZZ

VOX POPULI

CAFÉ PHOTOS BY JULIE KAHLBAUGH

KATIE C’ETTA

Question: What have the arts done for Pittsburgh’s Culture?

ROBYNE PARRISH

DAVE TOOLE

WILLIAM GENERETT MARYA SEA KAMINSKI

Actor Baden

Actor, Director, and Writer Carnegie

Actor, Singer, and Songwriter Cranberry

VP of Community Engagement, Duquesne University, Fox Chapel

Artistic Director, Pittsburgh Public Theater, Pittsburgh

___________________

Arts and entertainment open doors for Pittsburgh, and the film industry brings so many exciting opportunities to the city. As a native, I’m proud to see the world of entertainment looking to us as a place of interest for more productions, which brings jobs, recognition, and pride to the city.

The arts community in Pittsburgh is one of the most talented and vibrant communities I’ve encountered in my travels through the country in regional theater as both actor and director. I’m always inspired by the tenacity and bravery of the Pittsburgh arts community.

Pittsburgh’s thriving arts scene is a core attribute to the increasingly energized feel of the city. I’ve found enormous opportunities to stretch my creative muscles both professionally and personally. There’s nothing like hearing echoes of live music coming from an event in Market Square.

Pittsburgh has an incredible arts scene that makes the city unique. Black arts haven’t always been appreciated here, but it is ingrained in our DNA. We wouldn’t be the same without jazz’s influence or the fact that August Wilson based his work on the experiences of African Americans in Pittsburgh.

It’s clear to me that the arts in this city connect us more deeply to one another. Theater does this every night—a play can transform us from a roomful of strangers to an audience of friends who have shared a good laugh or an extraordinary moment.

CAFÉ CBD

You can’t go anywhere in the US without hearing about CBD and its positive effects. And now communities have begun adopting creative ways to infuse CBD into peoples’ everyday lives. Two Pittsburgh cafés offer CBD lattes, and we’re slightly giddy at the prospect.

MOONBEAM CAFÉ, OAKMONT

THE LOVELIEST, SEWICKLEY

A retro-vibe spot with rustic tones and a Joan Jett personality, Moonbeam uses De Fer and Dark Moon Coffee Roasters. A clothing boutique is affixed to the café.

A very Baby Spice kinda place with lots of flowers, cream-colored furniture, and smiling staff. The café also doubles as a clothing boutique.

Bestsellers: Lavender Latte, Lunar Milk (Blueberry syr- Bestsellers: Rainbow Marshmallow Latte, Lavender up, steamed milk, whipped cream, and purple sprinkles) Honey Latte, Sea Salt Caramel Latte

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Strength through Fragility A mother’s journey to find health and happiness for her daughter leads to a life-changing relationship with cannabinoids. TEXT RODNEY BURRELL

RayAnn Moseley (above) suffered from debilitating seizures until CBD provided her hope.

Holley Moseley’s life began to crumble when the health of her daughter RayAnn began to rapidly deteriorate after years of debilitating seizures. Considered “medically

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fragile,” RayAnn required round-the-clock care. When traditional medicine failed, Holley turned to the medical marijuana community for answers, and what she discovered

would change her daughter’s life forever. Today, RayAnn is seizure free and living a full, happy life. “She has been seizure-free since October 2016 and is a healthy and

active teenager, at last,” says Holley. “The ability to remove any of the high-powered pharmaceuticals she has taken for years has always been a huge win for us.” Sto-

PHOTOS COURTESY HOLLEY MOSELEY

ries like RayAnn’s are not well known, but they can spark a fundamental shift in the perception of MMJ and cannabis in general. More MMJ beneficiaries should feel encouraged to step forward with their stories of celebration to further reinforce that cannabis is not the destructive drug it was labeled as in the 1920s, but instead a legitimate alternative and, in some cases, primary resource for accommodating or curing medical conditions. “Medical cannabis is not a panacea, but it could be the ray of hope you’ve been seeking for your child,” Moseley says. Holley Moseley sat down with Sensi to answer reader questions about MMJ, CBD-rich oil, and medical treatment for children.

body—also known as homeostasis. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a neuro-protectant and antioxidant that can help bring the body back into homeostasis. Does CBD-rich oil create a “high” like recreational marijuana does? No. CBD, or cannabidiol, is considered safe and non-toxic to humans and will not cause you to experience a euphoric effect or “high.” RayAnn takes Charlotte’s Web oil, which is high in CBD, but extremely low (<0.3%) in tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the compound in marijuana known for its psychoactive effects.

Should my doctor help navigate the process of treating my child with CBD-rich oil? I can’t stress enough the importance of having a What is the doctor involved in this endocannabinoid process with you from system? the very beginning. It’s This is the biological system composed of en- vital to secure a physidocannabinoids and can- cian you trust, who is both qualified and willnabinoid receptors that ing to work with you on are expressed throughthis treatment method. out the entire body: the brain, organs, connective tissues, glands, and How do I choose the right product? immune cells. Human For honest feedback on and animal bodies make endocannabinoids specific cannabis brands, check out reviews by naturally. Endocannareal users online, ask binoids help maintain your doctor for resourcoptimal balance in the

“The ability to remove any of the highpowered pharmaceuticals [RayAnn] has taken for years has always been a huge win for us.” —Holley Moseley

es, or consult with other families in your area. You can also call around to local medical cannabis companies or dispensaries and ask about their products. For instance, you might ask which formulas are known to be successful with your specific diagnosis. A good dispensary will be both knowledgeable and transparent. What method of delivery does my child need? Choosing the right delivery method of medical cannabis comes down to your diagnosis and what symptoms you are trying to treat. It’s important to consider what effects you are looking for, how quickly you need relief, and how long you want the effects to last. There are many different

Holley Moseley was fed up with traditional medicine and turned toward MMJ for an answer.

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Community is everything during a time like this. Give us a call, we are still here to answer any of your medical marijuana questions.

For more information on our events: @pennmmec | pammec.org | 412.904.4557 2112 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222

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THE LIFE

PHOTOS COURTESY HOLLEY MOSELEY

The Moseley family

types of delivery metha very slow and steady ods to choose from, such approach. The typical as vaporizing, smokprotocol for dosing with ing, edibles, tinctures, CBD-rich oil called for sprays, capsules, topius to increase the doscals, and transdermal age once every three patches. weeks but we went even slower. Her first dose How do I figure out the was 0.2 ml, which was right dose? barely anything. Work with your doctor or medical team to How much is this going find the right dosage. to cost? Before we even beUnfortunately, you gan, RayAnn’s doctors should expect to pay a had decided to collect hefty price for medical a baseline of data from cannabis. These prodher so we would have ucts can cost anywhere a reference point for from hundreds to thouany side effects (good sands of dollars a month, or bad) that occurred depending on the disduring her treatment. pensary, the product, When it was time to and the required dosage. start dosing her, we took And because insurance

“Medical cannabis is not a panacea, but it could be the ray of hope you’ve been seeking for your child.” —Holley Moseley

doesn’t cover medical cannabis, you’ll have to pay for it out of pocket. How long does it take to see results? I can speak only to RayAnn’s progress, but we noticed positive changes within a few days of treating her with Charlotte’s Web. She had more energy, she was walking better, and her hand-eye coordination was improving drastically. It took six months before we started to see big progress—like going weeks or months without a seizure, for instance. She was still having seizures occasionally, but they were always illness related.

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR PRODUCT Look for a detailed label indicating the strain name, strain type, and total number of cannabinoids present. Be sure the brand you choose offers a batch number, a manufacturer, and an expiration date. Find a brand that does not contain artificial additives, preservatives, corn syrup, trans fats, or GMOs. Find a product that has been tested (look for “label tested” on the label). The quality of cannabis products can vary depending on the conditions under which it was grown.

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THE LIFE

A B O U T T H E AU T H O R

Mona Van Joseph has been an intuitive since 2002. She is an author, columnist, and host of Psychic View Radio. She created dicewisdom.com, which also has a smartphone app. mona.vegas

HOROSCOPE

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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CBN FOR ZZZZZZZZZ

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ZZZZZZZZZ

Don’t sleep on this lesser-known cannabinoid that may help you sleep.

PHOTO BY NATA NYTIAGA, SHUTTERSTOCK

TEXT STEPHANIE WILSON

Sleep is a vital sign of health and well-being, and I’m an insomniac—have been for as long as I’ve been an adult. I’m also a magazine junkie, so every month I read another article about the importance of restful shut-eye and tips to help me achieve it. And I’ve tried them all, to no avail. I bought blackout curtains, a white noise machine, and an eye mask. Never much of a coffee drinker, I cut out any remaining caffeine (and became less aggro, but that’s a different story for another issue). I avoided electronics for an hour before getting into bed; I did nightly wind-down bedtime rituals; I only got into bed when it was time to sleep; I left my devices in the other room. I even got my dog a heated bed that she preferred over sleeping with me. I tried all these things, but sleep still evaded me. A brief period of reprieve followed my move to Colorado, as I began experimenting with cannabis as a sleep aid. If I smoked a little before bed, I’d fall asleep only to wake up an hour or so later when the effects had worn off. I tried edibles, which helped me fall asleep and stay asleep for hours. After a

few nights in a row of some solid sleep, I remember waking up feeling rested and thinking I had found my miracle cure. But then my tolerance started building, and 5 mg wasn’t doing the trick. Then 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, and next thing I’d be lying in the dark, high and paranoid all night long. Even if I got some decent sleep, I was waking up foggy. For so many people, cannabis works as an invaluable sleep aid with little to no side effects. That wasn’t the case with me. Enter CBD. A few years ago, CBD was nowhere; now it’s everywhere. Almost literally. Walk into a convenience store, and boom! CBD gummies by the register. CBD water in the refrigerator. Wander into Sephora, and CBD serums, body lotions, and moisturizers await. Drive down I-25 and you’ll see stores dedicated to the cannabinoid. Check my inbox, and you’ll be overwhelmed by a thousand unread emails from PR agencies and agents announcing the launch of a new CBD brand or the release of a first-of-its-kind cannabidiol product. And those are only from the last six months. It comes in all forms: topical pain creams and tinctures, water,

and wine. There’s infused water for pets, infused cereals for breakfast, suppository lubes for sex, and infused Flaming Hot Cheeto knockoffs for afternoon snacks. When it seems we’ve reached the CBD mania apex, someone somewhere thinks there’s another buck to be made off the craze, and CBD toothpicks, hair pomades, candles, workout gear, bedsheets, and pillows hit the already flooded marketplace. Ridiculous, ubiquitous. Since you’re reading Sensi, I’m going to assume I’m not telling you anything new. So far. But have you heard about CBN? Cannabinol, or CBN, is one of more than a hundred cannabinoids that have been identified in the cannabis plant. THC and CBD are the two that garner all the attention, and they are the most dominant. A lesser cannabinoid, CBN was actually the first one scientists discovered in the 1940s. It occurs in cannabis in much smaller doses until the plant ages and oxidizes, which causes THC to convert to CBN. And it’s about to get its turn in the spotlight. Since the FDA classified cannabis as a Schedule I drug in the same category as heroin during the 1970s, researchers have been prevented

MY ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE IS IN: CBN HELPS ME FALL ASLEEP, STAY ASLEEP, AND WAKE UP RESTED TIME AND AGAIN. I’M FEELING BETTER THAN I HAVE BASICALLY EVER. A WHOLE MONTH WITH FULL NIGHTS OF SLEEP FEELS LIKE A MIRACLE.

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Fighting for freedom is Join the revolution at norml.org

PHOTOS (FROM LEFT): COURTESY MINERAL / COURTESY PRISMATIC PLANTS

from studying the plant’s medicinal potential. While that’s changing, there’s a lot of catching up to do, so double-blind, controlled studies and clinical trials have yet to be completed. But anecdotal evidence is in, and CBN is being touted as an all-natural cure for insomnia by cannabis experts and outlets. So, when I saw emails with CBN in the subject line hit my inbox, I reached out and asked to try the product being pitched so I could offer my own anecdotal accounts of CBN as a cure for insomnia. Two months and a lot of full nights of sleep later, my anecdotal evidence is in: CBN helps me fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up rested time and again. I’ve incorporated the cannabinoid into my daily routine, and I’m feeling better than I have basically ever. It’s amazing what a little sleep can do. A whole month with full nights of sleep feels like a miracle. Don’t just believe me; try it yourself. Like every drug, CBN affects everybody differently. These two worked for me.

somnia relief, result from gentle full-flower extraction from organically grown Colorado hemp for a complete cannabinoid profile. Other beneficial ingredients include reishi mushrooms, oatstraw, and ashwagandha for positive mood and support of the nervous and immune systems; skullcap for stress and muscle-tension relief; and valerian root (a.k.a nature’s Valium), California poppy, and lavender for anxiety and insomnia relief. These pure, effective, safe ingredients are formulated to provide immediate relief and continually enhance health through long-term use.

PRISMATIC PLANTS GOOD NIGHT TINCTURE How they describe it: Formulated with CBN and calming adaptogens, this nighttime formula promotes deep sleep and boosts immunity during the body’s overnight repair mode. Its long-term effects include a return to a natural circadian rhythm, enhanced immunity, improved reproductive health, and more energy during the day. The tincture is made with an adaptogenic blend of CBD, CBN, medicinal mushrooms, and organic herbs. The CBD, for overall health and stress relief, and CBN for in-

MINERAL SLEEP TINCTURE How they describe it: For anxiety-induced insomnia. Because $160 for 60 servings / mineralhealth.co you deserve to feel good. Formulated for those suffering from night time anxiety and inflammation, Sleep is a blend of calming cannabinoids and terpenes associated with sedation to induce a deep, restorative sleep. High in CBD and naturally occurring CBN, coupled with soft aromatic notes of cedarwood, black pepper, and California pine, the Sleep formula is proven to help calm the mind and encourage deep, restorative sleep.

$70 for a month’s supply / prismaticplants.com

All Mineral products are organically grown on a small farm in Colorado that averages a limited run of only four harvests a year. No cannabinoid acting independently will express the benefit experienced when consuming the whole plant, so Mineral utilizes the hemp plant in its entirety— stalks, stems, and buds—maximizing the omega fatty acids and vitamins in their extraction process. To keep the product consistent, the brand identified formula-specific seeds from Oregon that produce plants with characteristics incumbent to accomplish the targeted benefits of the products. After sourcing the seeds from Oregon, Mineral supplies them to Waayb Organics in Longmont, Colorado, and Waayb leads the cultivation of the plants on an outdoor, seasonal, organic grow. After harvest, processing, and CO₂ extraction, the products go through testing for cannabinoid sequence, terpenes, pesticides, and quality. Editor’s note: With that much quality control, it’s no wonder GQ included Mineral on its “Best Stuff of 2019” list and that Neiman Marcus picked up the line for its stores.

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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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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Mia Tarducci, artist

Rise of the Artrepreneur Pittsburghâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s art market is booming. Three major forces in the industry tell us why. TEXT RODNEY BURRELL

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Art is a painfully vulnerable and intimate expression of the soul and mind that builds communities, sparks social change, and manipulates our sense of reality. In most cases, the impact of art cannot

be quantified by sales, money, or fame, which makes turning art into business a mountaintop many artists never attempt to climb. The ability to transform art into business is fascinating because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

more than a transactional sale. Most collectors or enthusiasts buy art because it speaks to them. It’s very meta. So, being able to navigate a world between creative mania, money, reality, and logistics can be a messy paradox for the creative mind, but some can find balance and perspective within the creative construct and begin to decode what it means to be in the art business. We sat down with three major forces in the Pittsburgh art scene, Mia Tarducci, Tara Faye Coleman, and Jeff Jarzynka. Each one is at a different point in their career, serving different aspects of the art community, but they collectively contribute to the functionality and infrastructure of Pittsburgh’s art growth.

a protest a passion—it’s just a translation and so it’s subjective and therefore always “good.” What was the main motivator to have a full-time art career? Because I have to. It’s really not an option. The need to create. It is like needing to breathe. What would you be doing if you weren’t an artist? I don’t want to know. I’d be someone else. What have been your top three challenges in being a full-time artist? People, space, and institutions. For how talented and creative the Pittsburgh scene is, the audience is lacking in opportunities to engage with it. Hope is in sight as individuals are starting to pay attention and

invest in brick and mortars to bridge that gap.

portant that platforms like this continue to search for and highlight the creatives who are producing and innovating in their backyard. When the artists and makers have exposure, it speaks for itself.

What’s the biggest mistake you see artists making as they try to transition from artist to businessperson? The issue is that it’s not a transition. As soon as What was the most you become an artist surreal moment of you are a business of one. The biggest pitfall your career so far? would be entrusting that To have to cut a ninefoot hole in the side of a to someone else’s care building as if the studio and potentially losing were birthing my paintcontrol of your vision ing on a windy day. and artistic voice. What have you learned about yourself after art become your career? The art of creating is innately empowering. Is Pittsburgh big enough for more artists to do this full time? The Pittsburgh art market is growing every day, but it’s im-

On a scale of one to 10, how much hustle does it take to run your business model? It has to be a 10. Art is passion—there is no middle ground. Three things that bring you the most happiness? I have four: Grace, Sophia, Sam, and Jack.

“[I create] because I have to. It’s not really an option. It is like needing to breathe.” —Mia Tarducci

Mia Tarducci

PHOTOS BY JULIE TALBAUGH

Artist

When did you discover you were good at art? I’m not sure I ever discovered that or not. The larger question might be, ‘what is good art?’ I think art is something that comes from the most human of places and compels the artist to create. Real art, as opposed to decor, is the act of interpreting an emotion, a concept, an idea, S U M M E R 2020

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THE SCENE

“I have a lot of people I’m a fan of, and there are a lot of people out there who inspire my practice. I’m in great company.” —Tara Coleman

Tara Coleman

work-life balance and Adrian Piper, Lisa Jones, a job that enables me and her ‘Combination Skin’ Tell us about your enough flexibility to ded- play, which has directly curating process. icate time to not only my influenced a piece I’m curMy process generally be- own practice but also my rently working on. I have gins with a concept, and curatorial projects. a lot of people I’m a fan of, from there, I work closeand there are a lot out there ly with artists in imagin- What’s the most valuable who inspiresmy practice. ing what the work looks thing you’ve learned? I’m in great company. like within the framing Be nice to people, be acof the concept, develop- countable for your fuck Is there enough room ing a body of work, or se- ups, communicate well, in Pittsburgh for lecting ready works that and put artists first. experienced and novice fit. Sometimes there are artists to flourish? specific artists I want to What do you want to Yes, if more established work with, so I build an accomplish as a creative? artists continue to build exhibition around their I want to one day be able and uplift them, and not work, or work with them to concentrate more fully act as gatekeepers. I’m in order to develop a on my practice and subgetting older, and I feel concept for one. stantiate myself enough to very strongly that my role build a solid platform to is to make space for othWhat have been your uplift artists who may not ers who are younger and biggest challenges in have the same resources less established than I am. regards to doing this or privilege as I do. full time? What makes you happy? A challenge is not being What’s your favorite Museums. My kids. Books. able to do it full time. type of performance art? Good coffee! Being a However, I’m very Most of my favorite works Black woman. Autonomy. fortunate to have a good are conceptual. I love And a good anime binge. Curator

Jeff Jarzynka Founder of Zynka Gallery

Why did you become an art agent? About eight years ago when my Dad was diagnosed with cancer, my siblings and I walked that journey with him, and my perspective on life was completely changed. A few months prior to his passing, I had left my job to ensure that my Dad had the care and comfort he needed. It was after his passing that I began to reshape my career as an art dealer. While I had enjoyed the creative aspects of my career up to that point, I had never felt fulfilled in what I was doing. I had this urge to do something else. The idea of opening a gallery had been gnawing at me for years. So, it was time. S U M M E R 2020

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THE SCENE

You started with pop up art shows; did you always know you would start a gallery one day? I did. Years prior to beginning with popup exhibitions, I had started to plan to open a gallery. After four years of promoting pop-ups, building a following and reputation with artists and patrons, I was encouraged to rethink a more permanent brick and mortar gallery space. But this time, for me, I needed to own the building in order to have more control.

to most, it’s not a necessity. We’re fortunate that we’ve built and continue to grow relationships with folks who do truly value art, and specifically the quality of art and artist that we represent. For them, art is a necessity, a fulfilling part of their lives. What do you love the most about art? The way it makes me think and feel. There’s nothing like encountering a piece for the first time that stops you dead in your tracks.

their gallery from others. They should know that it’s difficult, and dedication is required to be even moderately successful.

“We’re fortunate that we’ve built and continue to grow relationships with folks who truly value art… For them, art is a necessity, a fulfilling part of their lives.”

What should people What is the most difficult know before they decide part of owning a business to open an art gallery? in the art industry? On a basic level they The uncertainty of sales, should know something I guess. Art isn’t milk or about art and how to run bread, or in this town, a business. They should —Jeff Jarzynka apparel from one of our have an eye and a point of sports teams—meaning view that differentiates

What makes you happy? Helping artists develop and grow their practices while connecting patrons with something that enhances their lives. It’s also great to have people come to the gallery without any intention of making a purchase, and to provide a beautiful space where folks can take a break from their lives and just enjoy the art. I’m grateful for an amazing family, girlfriend, and group of friends who support me and my dream. Of course, a great meal, a rock concert, or glass of champagne has been known to put a smile on my face too.

S U M M E R 2020

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THE SCENE CALENDAR

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

PHOTO BY LOLOSTOCK, ADOBE STOCK

TEXT SENSI EDITORS

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;

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, S U M M E R 2020

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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 OT I O N A L F E AT U R E MAITRI MEDICINALS

A Health and Wellness Journey The founders of Maitri Medicinals have made community partnerships in their hometown a priority.

hen Pennsylvania legalized medical marijuana in 2016, Corinne Ogrodnik and Joseph Vesely, cannabis advocates founders of Maitri Medicinals, took the leap to join the industry in their home state. They partnered with fellow Pittsburgh native Jimil Wilson, who serves as the company’s CFO. And, instead of connecting with a national entity for start-up capital, they recruited a diverse group of nearly 200 Southwestern Pennsylvania investors. “From our funding approach to our community outreach programs, we are laser-focused on representing and serving our local communities across

all functions of the company,” says Ogrodnik, who discovered medical marijuana’s benefits in treating her own chronic neurological condition. “We believe strongly that the health of our patients and of our communities are deeply connected.” Maitri operates two dispensaries in Allegheny and Fayette Counties. Its community partnerships include everything from monthly medical marijuana certification clinics at the Yoga Garden in Uniontown to free veterans’ breakfasts catered by fellow women-owned business Black Radish Kitchen in Pittsburgh’s east end. A unique partnership emerged last fall when Dan Rugh, the owner of

Pittsburgh print house Commonwealth Press, expressed interest in learning more about Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program. Commonwealth was already printing all of Maitri’s marketing materials and apparel when both companies realized the relationship could go further. “Hard work like screen printing takes a daily toll on your body, especially after 18 years. Through multiple conversations with friends and family, I began to look into medical marijuana as a treatment for my arthritis,” Rugh says. “After a conversation with our friends at Maitri, I realized it could be an overall company benefit for the whole health of our employees.” Rugh and his wife, Maitri co-owner Shannon, decided to subsidize part of the cost of a medical marijuana card certification as part of the health-care benefits package the company offers its staff. Maitri and the nurse-physician team Medical Marijuana Specialists set up shop on-site at Commonwealth’s production facility to educate and certify eligible employees. “There are so many creative entrepreneurs and community organizations in both Uniontown and Pittsburgh who are hungry for more options in their health and wellness journeys,” says Rebekkah Ranallo, Maitri’s director of external affairs. “It’s an amazing privilege to be creating partnerships outside our dispensary walls with businesses like the Yoga Hive, Commonwealth Press, and Boom Concepts, companies that have been at it for years before us, building healthy, inclusive communities.”

“From our funding approach to our community outreach programs, we are laserfocused on representing and serving our local communities.” —Corinne Ogrodnik, co-founder, Maitri Medicinals

Maitri Medicinals Medical Marijuana Dispensary maitrimedicinals.com S U M M E R 2020

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TOKEATIVITY.COM/CONNECT

P R O M OT I O N A L F E AT U R E SOLEVO WELLNESS

marijuana. A key part of Solevo’s mission is to engage with the local communities where they are fortunate enough to have locations. With dispensary locations open in Squirrel Hill, the Cranberry area, and now in Washington, Solevo is focused on getting involved throughout the Greater Pittsburgh area. One such event partnership is Spin Your Wheels. Created by Jennifer Evashavik, a mother of an autistic child, Spin Your Wheels supports the special needs community in the Pittsburgh area through fundraising events. While this year’s event (originally scheduled for the Aspinwall Riverfront Park in April but rescheduled in light of COVID-19) did not take place, the Solevo team is already looking forward to 2021. The event will allow people the chance to work out and socialize alongside the river—while raising funds for Riding for the Handicapped of Western PA (RHWPA), a group that uses therapeutic horseback riding to advance the progress of disabled children. With spinning classes, yoga, and boxing, not to mention free massages and gift bags to take s one of the first medical is intelligently laid out and that their home, Spin Your Wheels is one more marijuana dispensaries needs and goals are understood. After reason to look forward to 2021. To to open in the state on the initial pharmacist consultation, the stay informed, you can follow Solevo February 15, 2018, Solevo patient then meets with a patient care on Facebook or Instagram, and sign up Wellness offers one of the most comconsultant to carefully select the prod- for the free email newsletter at www. prehensive lists of services of anyone in ucts that address the patient’s needs. solevowellness.com/newsletter/ with Pennsylvania. Founded by a consortium In addition to this patient-centered information on events, new medical of local physicians, pharmacists, and approach, Solevo offers a full lineup products, dispensary news, and more. other medical professionals, the compa- of educational programs for caregivers, Regardless of your condition, you ny is dedicated to providing its patients physicians, veterans, and pediatric should not have to suffer these days, with the best medical care possible. patients. Solevo has been accepting especially when there is relief being In keeping with this, Solevo does pediatric patients since day one, with offered at Solevo Wellness. things a bit differently. The moment a caregivers traveling across the state new patient walks into any one of its to visit with pediatric specialists. three locations (Squirrel Hill, Cranberry April is National Autism Month, Township, and Washington) they meet shining a spotlight on a condition that Solevo Wellness with a licensed pharmacist for a conis allowed under Pennsylvania’s list Medical Marijuana Dispensary sultation to ensure that their care plan of 23 approved conditions for medical solevowellness.com

Patient-Centered Care with a Conscience

For those in pain, relief can now be pronounced soh-lee-voh.

S U M M E R 2020

S E N S I M AG .C O M

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.

PITTSBURGH

SUMMER 2020