CALIFORNIA SUMMER 2022 DOWN “TheEARTHTOSoilKing” shares the wisdom he’s harvested from years of creating fertile ground. BE IT EVER HUMBOLDTSO Travel California’s Weed Country in style FREE MINDYOUR A new therapy that’s as easy as breathing
Who's Jane? The Queen of Green. As always, 20% OFF entire purchase for first time guests! 2074 Armory Drive Santa Rosa, CA 95401 JANEdispensary.com | @janedispensarycalifornia C10 0000861 LIC
@getispirewww.getispire.com|@ispire FLAVOR PRESERVE YOUR TERPS INDUCTION HEATING TECH PRECISE HEATING TEMPSHANDHELD & RECHARGEABLE PORTABILITY SAFETY CONTROL
s p a r x c o n c e n t r a t e s c o m s p a r x c a n n a b i s c o m @ s p a r x c o n c e n t r a t e s @ s p a r x c a n n a b i s
@sensimagazinesensimediagroup@sensimag 38 CALIFORNIA SENSISUMMERMAGAZINE2022 FEATURES 30 Free Your Mind Breathwork is the latest trend to get people off pharmaceuticals and in touch with their bodies. 38 Follow the Dopamine Meow Wolf is here to help alter your state of consciousness through immersive art. 44 Top Shelf California’s hottest dispensaries DEPARTMENTS 11 PUBLISHER’S NOTE 12 THE BUZZ News, tips, and tidbits to keep you in the loop RUNNER’S HIGH Your body produces elevating enzymes while you’re on the go. TRIFECTA Art+Tech+ House = Artechouse Miami SUMMER READING Books to while away your summer afternoons VACAY VIBES How to put your brain in “Do Not Disturb” mode while you’re away HIGH ART dispensaryoncompassionateCelebratingcan-nabisinanewmuralaSanFranciscowall 20 THE LIFE Contributing to your health and happiness THE REAL DIRT Patrick King aka “Soil King” shares the wisdom he’s gained from years as a man of the earth. EMERALD IN THE ROUGH The good folks at Humboldt Social help tourists discover California’s Weed Country. 50 THE END Lady Buds elevates the stories of women in cannabis as the industry faces a drop in female executive roles. ON THE COVER Elevated enlightenment from Patrick King, aka “The Soil King.” SUMMER 2022 SENSIMAG.COM 7
LOVE, LOYALTY, AND EXCELLENCE IN CANNABIS BLISS BOMBS BATH FIZZES* PANACEA HEALING SALVE* Bliss Bombs Bath Fizzes soothe away aches and pain, and a stressful Family Owned Small Batch Sustainably Produced Premium Craft Cannabis And Cannabis Products. day. Over 30mg of THC infused in delightfully fragranced bath bomb make an excellent gift. You deserve the bliss. GUSH MINTS | * MAC 1 | RUNTZ | * LUCY LAVENDER * BRRR BERRY OG | * SLURRICANE | JELLY BREATH | M1-OG * WINNER AT FEAST OF FLOWERS 2020 Panacea Healing Salve is a pleasant smelling potent topical with over 260mg of THC per ounce, a proprietary blend of essential oils, injuries, chronic pain, and deep seated trauma.oyalCompound Full Spectrum Cannabis Oil syringes, a more pure form of Rick Simpson Oil. The oil container is a graduated syringe for oral use only, as an alternative treatment option to help severe illness like many kinds of cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and epilepsy, as well as a preventative and immune booster said to prevent viral infection such as COVID-19. ROYAL COMPOUND FULL SPECTRUM CANNABIS OIL LCA18-0001962 ww w. s o hu m r o yal. c o m #sohum@sohumroyalroyal
EXECUTIVE Ron Kolb ron@sensimag.comFounder Stephanie Graziano stephanie.graziano@sensimag.comCEO ADVERTISING Toni Tardif National Sales Director Jade Kolb Social Media / Global Recruiting PUBLISHING Jamie Cooper Market Director, Michigan Richard Guerra Market Director, Massachusetts Nancy Reid Market Director, Florida EDITORIAL Stephanie Wilson Co-Founder + Editor in Chief stephanie.wilson@sensimag.com Doug Schnitzspahn Executive Editor Tracy Ross Managing Editor, Michigan Debbie Hall Managing Editor, Spark Jenny Willden Managing Editor, California Will Brendza Managing Editor, Colorado Radha Marcum Copy Editor Bevin Wallace Copy Editor DESIGN Jamie Ezra Mark Creative Director jamie@emagency.com Rheya Tanner Art Director Wendy Mak Designer Josh Clark Designer Miguel Martinez Designer PRODUCTION Neil Willis Production Director Richard Guerra Digital Production MEDIA SALES CALIFORNIANancyBirnbaum Media Sales Exec. COLORADONancySeidel Media Sales Executive Amy Sharp Media Sales Executive Tyler Tarr Media Sales Executive AnthonyFLORIDA Mckenzie Media Sales Exec. JakeMASSACHUSETTSBoyntonMedia Sales Exec. EricMICHIGANLutey Media Sales Executive Kyle Miller Media Sales Executive Will Oostendorp Media Sales Exec. Leah Stephens Media Sales Exec. OKLAHOMALeviClarkMedia Sales Executive Samantha Grigsby Media Sales Exec. PUERTO RICO Piper Emory Media Sales Executive ADVISORYNATIONAL BOARD NCRMA Risk Management ADVISORY BOARD ColoradoCOLORADOCannabis Company THC Co ee Concentrate Supply Co. Recreational Concentrates Higher Grade Boutique Cannabis Lab Society Extraction Expert + Lab Supplies marQaha Sublinguals + Beverages Monte Fiore Farms Recreational Cultivation Source CO Wholesale Consulting Terrapin Care Station Recreational Dispensary Uleva Hemp Products Witlon Inc. Payroll Processing MICHIGAN Arono Law (Craig Arono ) Licensing Law Firm Cannabis Counsel Cannabis Law Firm Etz Chaim Attestations Grapp Lerash Accounting/CPA Services Great Lakes Natural Remedies Lakeshore: Provisioning Center Kush Design Studio Cannabis Facility Design & Build MRB Solutions Human Resources Northern Specialty Health Upper Peninsula: Provisioning Center Pure West Compassion Club Caregiver Connection & Network Rair Medical Flower Solutions by Dr. Dave West Michigan: Hemp CBD Helping Friendly Hemp Company Hemp Topicals CornersMASSACHUSETTSPackaging Packaging Green Goddess Supply Personal Homegrown Biochamber The Holistic Center Medical Marijuana Evaluations Revolutionary Clinics Medical Dispensary Royal Gold Soil Tess Woods Public Relations Public Relations Vantage Builders Construction CALIFORNIARedDoorRemedies Dispensary: Cloverdale Uleva Hemp Products Witlon Payroll SUMMER 2022 SENSIMAG.COM 9
visit www.theemeraldcup.com for the full list
stephanie.graziano@sensimag.com SUMMER 2022 SENSIMAG.COM 11
PUBLISHER’S NOTE A
One disturbing trend in the cannabis industry, however, is a falloff in the number of women and people of color who serve in executive positions. We are proud to be heading in the opposite direction. There is a plurality of women in our top-level positions, and we see women as thought leaders in the business and drivers in dismissing tired old stereotypes about cannabis—and we intend to lead the way in bringing more women and people of color into important roles in the industry. We must prove that this industry can set an example that all should follow.
We are also in the midst of an exciting revival of our brand and there are many bold changes afoot here at Sensi. In these new summer print issues of our magazine in all markets, you will see a renewed focus in support of brands who represent the roots of this industry. We are celebrating people like Patrick King, who was incarcerated for his belief in cannabis, but now stands at the forefront of a renaissance. King, along with others know the potential cannabis has to heal those suffering from chronic pain to combat-induced PTSD, and we advocate for him and his vision for the healthy cultivation of the plant. This is the future. Sensi is committed to connecting you with the important voices in our community and to celebrating the value they bring to our everyday lives.
GrowInnovateListenLead Sensi will continue to be a leader in building our community and serving you at the highest level. We look forward to bringing you along on this journey. We want Sensi to be the leader as the wellmedicine,nationentireopensitsarmstocannabistheindustryandinnovationsinthescience,asasnewimportantusesfortheplant.
At the Cannabis Business Awards June 2022 in Miami, Sensi had the honor of winning “Most Influential Media Source” and we couldn’t be prouder. Ever since we launched in 2016, we have been working both to reimagine the perception of cannabis culture and keep a finger on the pulse of trends and new directions in the industry. We want Sensi to be the leader as the entire nation opens its arms to cannabis medicine, the industry, and innovations in science, as well as new important uses for the plant.
Magazine published monthly by Sensi Media Group LLC. © 2022 Sensi Media Group. All rights reserved. SOCIALFINDUSONMEDIA somenewsofnewsfeedGroupLikeFACEBOOKSensiMediatoinfuseyourwithmoreourgreatcannabislifestylecontent.TWITTERFollow@sensimagforneed-to-knowandviewsfromSensiheadquarters.INSTAGRAMPrettythings,prettyplaces,prettyawe-people:nditallon@sensimagazine.
Runner’s High
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Research from Wayne State University School of Medicine summarizes nearly two decades of work on the topic and confirms that it’s not endorphins but rather endocannabinoids that are the star of the show. “We found that exercise consistently boosted endocannabinoid levels across studies,” says Hilary A. Marusak, a neuroscientist at the university. “The effects were most consistent for a chemical messenger known as anandamide—the so-called ‘bliss’ molecule, which was named, in part, for its positive effects on mood.”
And it turns out you don’t need to go running to experience runner’s high. Running, swimming, weightlifting, and cycling are all shown to deliver a boost in endocannabinoids. What matters most is the level of intensity. Push yourself hard enough, and your body rewards you by flooding your system with cannabis-like molecules of bliss.
With exercise, your body produces its own cannabis-like molecules of bliss. So, by now you’re probably familiar with cannabinoids—they’re the compounds in the cannabis plant that are responsible for its effects. THC is the one responsible for the psychoactive “high.” CBD is the one with all sorts of medicinal benefits. And those are just two of more than 128 phytocannabinoids (“phyto” meaning “produced by a plant”) in marijuana. But did you know that our body produces its own cannabinoids as well? Called endocannabinoids (“endo” meaning “of the body”), these tiny molecules of lipids circulate in the brain and body, working on receptors to cause a variety of effects, maintaining balance in the brain and body in a process called homeostasis. If you’ve ever experienced the elusive buzzy, euphoric I-can-do-anything feeling at the end of hard exercise known as the runner’s high, you have your endocannabinoids—not your endorphins—to thank.
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An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green
An author locks down with friends, lovers, and rivals and lives to write ction about it.
Reminder: Dogs are the best.
Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam If you booked an Airbnb in the middle of nowhere this summer, you may want to skip this book. It’ll hit a bit too close to home, and you didn’t travel all that way to be feeling unsettled all week after you’ve nished it in one day because it’s too good to hit pause.
Squeeze Me by Carl Hiassen
A literal lol modern metaphor involving a giant snake eating the ultra-wealthy denizens of Palm Beach.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas Tears were running down our faces just 10 minutes into this YA novel about a teenage girl grappling with the very adult topics of racism, police brutality, and privilege
$33 BILLION The accordingrevenueexpectedfromsalesofmarijuanabytheendof2022,toanewstudybyMJBiz
CONTRIBUTORS
TEAMLABBYPHOTOSLEFT
Libby is the free library app that makes borrowing a book (digital or audio) way easier than baking a pie. A library card and a few taps of your ngers are all you need to access your local institution’s digital catalog. Here are some suggestions from our recent Libby history.
Debbie Wilson
The Friend by Sigrid Nunez
The power of a post: An out-of-this-world tale involving aliens, social media, and collective consciousness wrapped up in a witty narrative that had us laughing out loud while walking the dog.
Artechouse Miami
BY NUMBERSTHE $4.6 BILLION Sales of CBD products in the US in 2020. By 2026, this market is expected to grow to 16 billion dollars in value.
cannabiswhichconsumeAmericanscannabisinsomeformaccordingtoMRI-Simmons’ndingsfromitsNationalCannabisStudy,capturesthefullspectrumofuseacrosstheUS.
Hall, Stephanie
Art + Tech + House = Artechouse, which calls itself “the nation’s rst innovative art space for art and technology.” The art incubator is supporting and working with experiential, tech-driven art, merging art, science, and technology to stimulate the senses.
26 PERCENT of
Our Country Friends by Gary Shteyngart
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The Incendiaries by R.O. Kwon What would you do if your college girlfriend joined a cult and blew up your life?
SUMMERPLAYLIST
You have until August 31 to check out “Renewal 2121,” an Artechouse original production created in collaboration with artists from around the globe—including visual designer Yuya Takeda, scenery from Design Foundry, and music by Mario Hammer and the Lonely Robot. Together, the artists utilize the power of creative technology to transport experiential-art-goers to an imagined future 100 years from now where they traverse through a cyberpunk cityscape, an interactive market, a busy data center, and a taiko drum experience to nd nature blooming in the most unexpected places.
Stay home Grow your own Autoflower-Optimized Protocol Super Simple Process Discreet - Looks Like Furniture! Save Money - Grow It Yourself Complete System No StateSmellCompliant / Child Lock If you can water a houseplant, you can grow 1/4 pound in AS LITTLE AS 60 days ! www.greengoddesssupply.com 14 CALIFORNIA SUMMER 2022
—David McCullough, author, narrator, popular historian, and lecturer
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Fact is, you can’t relax on command, even when you want to. Given the ironclad grip stress and digital demands have on you 24/7, your brain’s wheels are still spinning long after you’ve turned on your “out-of-o ce” auto reply. That’s because stress activates the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), your ight-or- ght nervous response, and we can get hooked on the adrenaline that fuels it. While it’s helpful when you’re juggling meetings and to-do lists and all the things that make up your everyday life, it also makes it di cult to relax, even when you’re lying on a beach towel on the rst day of your long-overdue getaway this summer. Science says cannabis may help with that. A 2018 study published in the Journal of A ective Disorders suggests smoking cannabis can signi cantly reduce short-term levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. It may also contribute to worse overall feelings of depression over time, so, you know, everything in moderation. If you’re feeling blue, one pu of something high in CBD and low in THC is optimal for reducing symptoms of depression. For anxiety, the researchers found that two pu s of any type of cannabis will do you good. And if you’re so stressed, you can hear the knots in your back grinding against each other when you roll your shoulders (same, dude, same), pack yourself a big ol’ bowl of Harlequin, Sour Tsunami, or Cannatonic and go to town. Study participants reported the largest reductions in stress after taking 10 pu s or more of a CBD-dominant strain. But before you do, take a moment to try to relax so the bliss-inducing cannabinoids aren’t doing all the heavy lifting. Take some big, deep breaths, pull your shoulders out of your ears, let your muscles relax. The antidote to your SNS is your PNS, your parasympathetic nervous system, which, fueled by the release of beta-endorphins, can create a relaxation response in the body and mind. You can help it along by acting relaxed, even if you don’t feel it quite yet. Lead with your body, and your mind will follow—to someplace more mellow. Enjoy your stay.
An ode to the audiobook All the good intentions in the world don’t make it easier to nd the time to get lost in the books on your summer reading list. So let someone read to you; they’ll do it with more in ection than the voice in your head will, anyway. And, no, it’s not “cheating.” In a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, brain scans show that listening to a book stimulates the same cognitive and emotional areas of the brain as reading does. So, you can leave your guilt next to the stack of hardcovers on your nightstand, grab your headphones, and get lost in a good read while you go about your day. Climb the mountain so you can see the world, not so the world can see you.”
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Summer Reading
VACATION-MINDED How to put your brain on “away.”
WWW.DESERTUNDERGROUND.COM@THEDESERTUNDERGROUNDDU_Team@desertunderground “What sets us apart is not a single strain or formula, but rather, a mode of thinking and problem-solving attitude. At the end of the day, it’s our people and consistency that provide the competitive advantage in the market”President, Ethan Woods Space to gr o w “We take pride in our craft, because growing the finest cannabis isn’t our job, it’s our duty and privilege”. FAMILY BRANDSOF Insuring the Dreamers START A QUOTE AT TRICHOMERISK.COM We're talking to you: the independently owned cannabis businesses working to change the face of the industry, the small business owners who've put their life savings into pursuing their passion, to anyone and everyone on a quest to make their cannabis industry dreams a reality. We exist to make sure YOU are covered. Insurance Crafted for Cannabis 16 CALIFORNIA SUMMER 2022
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Flore Dispensary / 258 Noe St. / San Francisco. / oredispensary.com
Flore Dispensary’s new mural retells the story of compassionate cannabis in a playful illustration that depicts the relationship between legacy Humboldt growers, cannabis coops in San Francisco, and the patients who bene ted from the use of medicinal cannabis. Without a single image of cannabis, the mural re ects the impact that Proposition 215 had on the Humboldt and San Francisco communities during the AIDS crisis.
HIGH IN THE SKY
The location of this mural has historical signi cance at the roots of cannabis legalization. In that location, Mary Jane Rathbun and Dennis Peron planned the Compassionate Use Act of 1996. The founder of Flore Dispensary, Terrance Alan, owned one of the rst cannabis coops named CHAMP.
“The new mural is a gift to the community and a gesture of love and hope for the future,” says Alan. Flore Dispensary serves the LGBTQ+ community in the Castro District and o ers carefully curated cannabis to recreational use customers and medical patients.
A 17-by-37-foot mural was unveiled at 4:20 p.m. on April 20 over Flore Dispensary as part of the cannabis dispensary’s grand opening and 420 celebration. Hanging over the Noe and Beaver Street minipark and community garden the newest addition on the Cannabis Trail will serve as its rst stop. The work of art was designed and developed by Dave Van Patten, a California-based comic illustrator and muralist.
A new cannabis trail mural above Flore Dispensary building serves as a tribute to the region’s long history of compassionate cannabis.
The words “growth,” “community,” and “future” are displayed on the left side of the design, which depicts Humboldt. The words “equality,” “compassion,” and “healing” to the right, represent San Francisco.
Enjoy delicious lattes with BlendJet blenders. Why wait on delivery service or even go to a brick-and-mortar shop to satisfy the desire for a tasty blended co ee? BlendJet, makers of the original portable blender, has launched an e ortless way to make a variety of healthy, cafe-quality blended co ee drinks in seconds using a BlendJet blender. Available in vanilla, caramel, chai, matcha, mocha, and cinnamon-dolce, a BlendJet JetPack Latte is available for everyone’s tastes.
Like a bit of color with that co ee? Three special editions of BlendJets, in partnership with the iconic brand Lisa Frank, will add that burst of color with original designs. All of the great features of BlendJet 2 are now available in this colorful new collection. The three iconic designs, complete with color-shifting rainbow iridescent jars, deliver vivid shades in rainbow fade, rainbow leopard, and tie-dye wherever the BlendJet goes—from the kitchen countertop to the mountaintop.
The BlendJet 2 portable blender delivers game-changing technology to fresh smoothies, shakes, or mixed drinks and quickly recharges using any USB port. It provides a powerful performance on the go with its patented TurboJet technology that easily blends through ice, frozen fruit, and more in 20 seconds at. So whether in the mood to whip up a quick smoothie, shake, or frozen latte, the BlendJet 2 is ready for culinary convenience. BlendJet / blendjet.com
Java Buzz?
Sparx Cannabis produces high-quality resin products to offer customers at a reasonable cost. Sparx, a brand based out of Monterey, California, is involved in many aspects of the cannabis industry, including cultivation, distribution, and manufacturing. This has allowed them to spend the past few years perfecting their processes to ensure the best quality products go out every time. Its most recent product launch has been a line of live resin products, including creamy badders, terpene-rich sugars, and crystal diamond sauce.
Sparx Cannabis lifestyle and cultivation sparxcannabis.com
—Chandler Halpern, CEO of Sparx
Sparx only uses full-plant fresh frozen material to ensure its products give the user the best representation of the strain profile and experience. This is so important because the quality of the final concentrate is hugely based on the material used in production. Soon to be dropping are Sparx cartridges, which will be filled entirely with live resin HTE (high terpene extract) to ensure an extremely flavorful and full spectrum experience with no additional additives. Sparx is family-owned and operated, and one thing that stands out is the genuine care that the team at Sparx Labs has for the safety and cleanliness of their products and facility, benefiting employees and customers. The team also brings years of combined experience.
Affordable Prices
Chandler Halpern, CEO of Sparx, moved from Florida to California for the cannabis recreational market opportunities.“Cannabishas always had some major roles in my life growing up and I was definitely eager to come to experience the legal market,” he explains. Sparx is highly proud of the quality of extracts being put out, especially for pricing. This is a high-shelf brand but with affordable prices to give the opportunity for all to smoke at that next“Welevel.want everyone to be able to consume like a connoisseur.”
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“Wetotoeveryonewantbeableconsumelikeaconnoisseur.”
PROMOTIONAL FEATURE SPARX
SWING HIGH Break par at the Sensi on the Green Golf Scramble. Plan an afternoon of golf, barbecue, and mixing it up at the second annual Sensi on the Green Golf Scramble to be held at the Northwood Golf Course in Monte Rio, California, on Aug. 5. The day begins at the beautiful nine-hole course in the Redwoods followed by a barbecue awards dinner and mixer. It’s the perfect way to share a sunny California day with other enthusiasts. Check sensimag.com/events for details and registration/sponsor links.
HiBnb Hosts offer cannabis-friendly hotels, cannabis-related events, activities, adventures, and other cannabis-friendly accommodations. Its comprehensive 420-friendly Airbnb-style listings allow hosts to share their personal cannabis with guests. PrettyVisitorsdope!can search listings based on the accommodation type, amenities, or the cannabis experience. HiBnb hosts love the cannabis lifestyle, and they want to share that love. Newbies and canna-pro will discover the perfect place to explore. Locations are available in select areas in the US and Canada. A bonus for those traveling to Canada is that guests can order online and have their cannabis order shipped straight to the accommodations.
Cannabis-friendly rentals, events, and activities are just a click away at HiBnb. Welcome to HiBnb, the platform that focuses on providing accommodations, adventures, experiences, and community around all things cannabis travel. Founder Elizabeth Becker developed this game-changer for cannabis tourism, which has become an economic driver on the California market.
Elevate Travel
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HiBnb / hibnb.us
Patrick King has been in the business since the beginning. Like so many who are now at the center of the industry, he was once incarcerated for his involvement in cannabis. Like so many others, he has shucked off those negative stereotypes to become a leader, not just in this industry, but in a larger movement toward health and wellness, and away from traditional business and agricultural structures. More than cannabis itself, King has always been fascinated by and in tune to that which grows cannabis—good soil. An instrumental voice in California’s legalization movement and coveted speaker in the industry and beyond, King is the founder of The Soil King, a marketing,remediation,ing,distribution,turalincludinglegalservicesbusinessCalifornia-basedthatprovidesdowntheentirecannabissupplychainsoils,agricul-products,genetics,manufactur-transportation,retail,cultivation,packagingand
The king of soil spreads seeds of wisdom when it comes to cannabis, real organic agriculture, and listening to the child within. TEXT DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN
20 CALIFORNIA SUMMER 2022
The Real Dirt
PHOTOGRAPHYVICARICHRISBYPHOTO
LEARN MORE Soil King / soilking.com Instagram @thesoilking more. He took the time to share a lifetime of wisdom with Sensi. I was born for a purpose. That purpose is being a steward of the planet and building a platform to help educate about the planet. I’ve never grown a plant, but I have grown healthy soil that produced a plant. People always laughed at me. I have a garden center and I quit carrying all bottle nutrients. And people laughed and told me I was stupid. They said that’s the stuff that sells. I just said that’s not my future; that’s not the future of this world. Today, I have a complete team, an army of likeminded stewards of the environment right alongside me who are teaching me as I’m teaching them. If I went to a vineyard, took a leaf sample, and tested it for nants—heavycontami-metals, herbicides, pesticides—they would pop significantly. You could never apply any of that on a cannabis farm because regulation and testing in cannabis has set the bar so high that the rest of agriculture has yet to meet it. Now, everybody says that’s bad, but as a guy who has knowledge of this stuff, I love the bar being set that high. The planet needs cannabis because cannabis has set the bar so high. Cannabis is not just medicinal to us as humans; it’s medicinal to the planet. We have this world of commercial agriculture destroying the planet quickly with unhealthy poison. These commercial guys were just growing, growing, growing. Then all of a sudden, there’s this little circle in the middle—us—and now we’re growing. Now, I see all these massive companies—even totheytalkingganics.andwhatingScotts—areMonsanto,allnowturn-backwardstowardwewerescreamingcomingoutwithor-Now,they’reallthelanguagethattolduswewerecrazyevendiscussbackthen.
I always talk about this 12-year-old boy who’s inside of me. He’s been the only one in my life who told me I can; I will. He’s proud of me. I check in with him all the time and he reminds me that we’ve come a long way. We did this together and he’s never quit on me and I never quit on him. Your biofilm, the good enzymes your gut holds— it’s all the same enzymes the soil generates. When I’m digging in the forest on the big island, Hawaii, and I come across this certain smell and it feels so rich and so pure, I take a pinch of it and I put it in my cheek like it’s tobacco. I’m feeding my whole body and my soul with that. That’s my hospital; that’s the pharmacy; that’s everything you really need to keep yourself healthy. People think I’m crazy— but, as soon as I get that certain scent and I feel it, it goes right in my cheek.
A lot of times what I did yesterday or the day before is different from what I know now. That’s evolving. That’s being humble and understanding that we’re not perfect. We’re just striving to do good things. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. I’m just happy for the journey. I don’t look down the road.
“Regulationandtestingincannabishassetthebarsohighthattherestofagriculturehasyettomeetit.…Theplanetneedscannabisbecausecannabishassetthebarsohigh.Cannabisisnotjustmedicinaltousashumans;it’smedicinaltotheplanet.
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There’s no segregation in agriculture. As long as you cultivate soil and you’re growing a living soil, you’re producing all the enzymes, fungal bacteria, and you’re feeding your soul. I’m not always right.
You hear people say all the time that cannabis is not addictive. Everything is addictive. I know lots of people who have to have it every morning, every day, no matter what.
V oda Concentrates, based in Colorado, harnesses the power of water, the essential source of life, for its premium products. Inspired by and extracted with water, solventless cannabis concentrates are created from premium strains with the broadest cannabinoid profiles.
Their highest-potency solventless product, THC-A, consistently tests at 95–99 percent total cannabinoids. Clients that use concentrates for uses other than recreational purposes or with a high tolerance will appreciate the potency.
Rosin, using hand-picked strains, combines heat and pressure to produce a solventless hash oil. Every strain is hand-picked to ensure it’s as fresh as possible for the perfect result. Rosin has many forms, and each strain reacts naturally, and the variety of strains makes every experience different.
Voda Concentrate is a minority-owned brand by Nate Wilson, who has been in the cannabis industry since 2013, helping to launch a series of quality brands. He also operates a manufacture facility in Colorado where it produces multiple products. All products are available in dispensaries throughout Colorado and California.
PROMOTIONAL FEATURE VODA CONCENTRATES
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Concentrates
vodaconcentrates.com@vodaconcentrates
Voda Concentrates
Voda solventless cannabis features concentrates extracted from premium strains with the broadest cannabinoid profiles.
Voda Concentrates focuses on extracting quality fresh-frozen marijuana buds to produce pure resin-heavy hash, which leads to very potent and terpene-rich rosin. Its team consists of a dedicated and passionate group of individuals offering years of combined experience in Colorado’s cannabis landscape. They are driven to provide a premium product that perfectly exemplifies all of the desired qualities found in fresh cannabis plants.
ofPowerWater
The first form—hard, stable chunks of THC-A with high potency—is combined with a very fluid oil, high in the plant’s natural live terpene profile, achieving the perfect balance. Tri-Pod is not the average pod or cartridge but a disposable device that encompasses innovation. The pod is not straight rosin; Voda instead uses solventless terpene oil, which preserves the terpene’s taste. Its device technology increases the fluidity of the oil, which lets it yield a larger and more potent draw, making it more affordable for the market.
Ice Sauce allows consumers to enjoy high cannabinoids and full terpenes together in a complete bond.
Enter EmeraldtheTriangle Humboldt County is to weed what Napa is to wine, and the good people at Humboldt Social are here to elevate your California cannacation. TEXT STEPHANIE WILSON VILLAGOMEZLEONBYPHOTO THE LIFE TRAVEL 24 CALIFORNIA SUMMER 2022
coast along Highway 101. It’s a long drive, but you’ll see once you get there that it’s totally worth it.
This region known as the Emerald Triangle— Trinity, Mendocino, and Humboldt counties—is to high-grade cannabis what the Napa Valley is to wine: a tentpole of the Northern California economy. By some estimates, this marijuana trifecta produced between 40 and 60 percent of all the pot consumed in America before legalization began to spread state by state.
VILLAGOMEZLEONRICHARDS,MADELINEHYLAND,DREWLEFT:TOPFROMCLOCKWISEPHOTOS
Humboldt Bay Social Club brings visitors together under a shared appreciation of the good things in life.
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While lumber mills and salmon canneries used to fuel the local economy, today, cannabis is the mainstay, largely on the cultivation side of things. But as interest in cannabis tourism continues to rise worldwide, Humboldt County is poised to step out of the traditional market and into the spotlight to claim the title of marijuana mecca. CNBC estimates that cannabis accounts for two-thirds of the local economy, with about 20 percent of the local population making a living in cultivation across a network of small cities, farms, and tiny agriculture-centric villages.
All it will take for the notoriously tightlipped community that housed the largest concentration of black-market grows for the last half-century to rightfully claim its title as the world’s most sacred holy land is a little more hospitality. It’s All Happening The dramatic cultural shift in conversation away from illegal grows to mainstream marketing campaigns declaring Humboldt to be America’s cannabis heartland is already underway, with local tourism boards launching nationwide campaigns spreading the good word far and wide. Closer to home, a host of fresh cannabis-centric properties and activities cater to a higher class of traveler. We’re not talking about 420-friendly Airbnbs or
Wanna canna getaway?
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smoking tours catering to heavy-lidded stoners, but rather nuanced establishments that match the sensibilities of discretionary thecannabisheartlandpilgrimagetravelerslyknowtopoor-qualityclichéchaincializedaswithjustnia’sverywhotravelers—travelersaren’tgonnatakethelongtriptoCalifor-remoteNorthCoasttogethighonabusblackenedwindowsitrollsfromcommer-indoorgrowtodispensarysellingmerchtogowithpre-rollsconsumerswhodon’tanybetterandreal-don’tcareeither.Cannabis-seekingwhomaketheuptotheofAmericandososeekingprofound.Theycome
The people behind Humboldt Social are all about the details. Their aesthetic is inspired by the history and beauty of the North Coast, with an emphasis on reclaimed materials, vintage furnishings, and lots of natural light. The resulting spaces are welcoming low-key retreats that invite travelers and locals alike to enjoy an elevated way of life. Founded by husbandand-wife duo Jon and Amy O’Connor, this new hospitality group—which now consists of boutique hotels, waterfront cabins, and the Social Nature cannabis brand—is in the business of normalization. At any of the venues in Comfort and cannabis go hand-in-hand at Scotia Lodge.
to get a taste of the local culture, to get a glimpse behind the redwood curtain, and to hear crazy firsthand stories about what’s it’s been like to have a hand in shaping modern cannabis culture from the very people responsible for creating the genetics of some of the world’s top strains. The people who heard the government’s demand to just say no and replied no way. The people who risked their lives and their freedom to bring us access of what they refer to simply as the plant. The travelers who come to Humboldt for the cannabis come seeking more than the surface-level experience. They come to get immersed in the details.
Humboldt Social Is Here Enter Humboldt Social. This boutique hospitality company friendly to cannabis “creates unique lodging, dining and event spaces that welcome visitors as family. We are boutique lodging with two very different locations: Scotia, nestled in the redwoods, and Humboldt Bay Social Club, on the beach. We also curate authentic, integrated travel experiences that reflect the richness of our region. We are passionate about introducing our guests to Humboldt’s most unique resources—our redwoods, beaches, cannabis farms, and creative community.”
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Over the years Desert Underground has cultivated some of the highest quality cannabis flower in California. When it comes to assortment, they zig where others zag. Consider their Wedding Cake. When they know their cut is the bomb they will continue to grow it, even if the market is flooded with Wedding Cake. Other brands may think purple is great, but the Desert Underground team knows sometimes green can be better. Their motto is “shut up and smoke it,” said in the nicest way possible. These cultivators and connoisseurs foster an inclusive culture focused on continuous improvement. With full control of their cultivation, sales, marketing, and distribution, there are no middlemen needed. They believe it takes a dedicated team to conquer the dream and their team is solid. The passion and desire to be the best farm-to-consumer brand motivates them to keep moving forward, to keep getting better. They value each and every customer, and understand that people want to do business with people who care. They believe that being the best cannabis brand begins with providing the best customer service. Their premium eighth is tagged “For Experienced Stoners,” an extremely important message that encapsulates their product strategy. Experienced stoners look for quality, consistency, and innovation at a killer price point. The Underground has worked hard to put their brand out there, and they stand behind their product accordingly. They may not always hit it right, but they have a hell of a lot of fun growing what their people love best. Ask any employee at Desert Underground and they will tell you that growing the finest cannabis is not only their job, it’s their duty and privilege.
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In a Leagueof Their Own Desert Underground’s unique cannabis experiences are shifting the cannabis landscape. Desert Underground is a genuine and passionate cannabis company looking to elevate the industry. They’ve set a new standard for quality by enhancing the cannabis experience through innovation, while maintaining the craft and artistry of traditional methods. This has allowed them to create their own category of elevated cannabis experiences, rooted in their respect for their plants, processes, and people – all while building a community along the way.
Desert Underground Cannabis Brand desertunderground.com
PROMOTIONAL FEATURE DESERT UNDERGROUND
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While you’ve no doubt seen the proliferation of CBD massages on spa menus, THC had yet to make an appearance at any American day spa until HS partnered with Nicole Fryer, co-founder of Social Spas. “I’m the first day spa in the country to be able to have THC activation,” Nicole tells Sensi. She had been interested in creating THC massages for a while, but after speaking with a woman at the department of health, she realized that the state was adamant about topicals being a type of consumption. She couldn’t offer the service unless she had a social-consumption license, which at the time seemed out of reach. Then Humboldt Social approached. “They were like, ‘we’re gonna do this spa thing,’” she says. “And I was like, ‘cool. Let’s do it.’” And so they did. And they’re the first to have done it. Which is almost as amazing as a THC massage. Seriously, you gotta get one. When is the best time to go? Now. You should go right now. Think about it: You’ll be taking a trip to explore America’s cannabis heartland at a pivotal time in our nation’s history, as marijuana prohibition comes to a stuttering end. While you’re there, be among the very first to have a THC-activated massage. You can tour cannabis farms where legendary strains came to be and meet the legacy cultivators and former outlaws who helped shape the culture of cannabis in America. Stay at a cannabis-friendly hotel where you can inhale nature’s bounty out in the open surrounded by stunning scenery and other pioneering travelers like andYouHumboldtthem:don’tyourself—althoughexpecttoomanyofyoudon’tcometoforthecrowds.cometohangoutrelax. humboldt-social.com
HS’s portfolio, consuming cannabis is as normal as drinking wine. This is how it should be. After all, at wineries in Napa, people don’t think twice about raising toasts until their lips are purple. The O’Connors wanted to afford cannabis consumers the same sense of freedom to indulge in the region’s bounties in whatever ways they like. Spark a joint while soaking in a clawfoot tub in the open-air bathhouse at Oyster Beach and watch the storm roll in over the water. Enjoy the food-truck-inspired fare at Jetty restaurant, tucked inside the clubhouse at HS’s boutique hotel property, Social Club. Light up with your friends while sitting around a firepit at Papa & Barkley Social’s smoking lounge in Eureka. If that revs up your appetite, satiate yourself and raise a glass of high seltzer at Pig & Leaf, the on-site food truck. Hit your vape pen in the designated smoking area at the cannabis-friendly Scotia Lodge before deep-diving into a redwood forest bath on the Avenue of Giants. Or don’t—you do whatever makes you most comfortable.Whichofcourse means booking a THC-activated massage at the Papa & Barley Social Day Spa.
Papa and Barkley’s Social spa melds THC and TLC.
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“S ince age six I had horrible chronic migraines,” Lindsay Balgooyen tells me. “I pretty much lived my entire life with a migraine.” Admittedly, I’m not expecting this. My interest in the idea of breathwork started when I interviewed comedian and psychedelics expert Shane Mauss last year. He described an intense, mind-altering experience, one that seemed more of a consciousness expansion than healing. Considering the impressive resume of substances he’s experimented with, I took stock in his words, but never considered the curative properties of my own breathing.
Working with medical cannabis patients for years, I’m used to hearing about chronic pain, but there’s something beneath her words that belies how much of a struggle it was for her, how defining the experience was. Balgooyen’s journey overcoming the constant illness led her to seek a number of treatment options outside of traditional Western medicine, from acupuncture to physical therapy to massage. It wasn’t until a 2015 trip to Southeast Asia that it all clicked, though.
While assisting at a yoga retreat in India, Balgooyen had made plans to head to Thailand toward the end of her trip for a new type of modality she was previously unfamiliar with. “I did my first session and it absolutely blew me away,” she says. “My entire body felt like it was paralyzed, I couldn’t move anything and just felt like my body was filled with cement.”
Breathwork is the latest trend to get people o pharmaceuticals and in touch with their bodies.
“I grew up in Michigan in not exactly a progressive town and when I was 17 I had been on 50 different drugs,” Balgooyen says. “So I decided I was done with that.”
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was natural. “There’s a ton of different healers up there and it’s a pretty spiritual town,” she says. Once a week, she’d bring together friends and people who had heard the buzz for three hour sessions as part of a longer course, and soon students became apostles. “It just takes one session because it’s such a crazy, profound experience,” she says “It kind of becomes addicting.”
After another year of building through word of mouth in Steamboat, Balgooyen decided it was time to take the next big leap and work in Boulder, Colorado, a liberal bastion of alternative medicine and a town where collaborators would be bountiful. Soon, she was incorporating other modalities into her practice, particularly sound healing. Having some experience with the chanting and music of kirtan vis-a-vis Deb Browne, my spiritually woke mom, I can start picturing us in a session together. “The sound Practices like yoga incorporatedhaveanintensefocusonbreathingformillenia,usingthebodytodotheheavyliftingthatsubstancescouldn’t.
Balgooyen notes that this isn’t uncommon, but one of the reasons guided sessions are recommended for beginners before branching out on their own. “My whole body was in pain,” she says. The process of circular breathing, she tells me, can lead to cramps and tightness, but she describes it as “energy moving” through your body and hitting “blockages” along the way. I’m a skeptic at heart, but it reminds me of a Tai Chi teacher I once had who would have us tense our muscles to lead the way to relaxation. Balogooyen says that once she worked through the pain in her first session, she experienced a release like nothing else she had felt before and was hooked. “That day I found a monthlong training and signed up for it. Within a week, my headaches went away
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When I finally get the nerve to steer the conversation toward Mauss’ hallucinatory experience, it doesn’t come as a surprise to her. “It’s definitely common,” she says. “I’ve had a lot of people who have had a lot of experience with psychedelics who have said it’s much more profound.” How can that be possible, though? I’ve been conditioned to think of substances such as psilocybin and LSD as incredibly powerful. Balgooyen believes that, unlike an outside substance, your body is designed to do the work and can readily integrate that experience into its own framework. “If you have a cut, it naturally heals,” she says, sagely. “We don’t have to think about it.”
alone is so powerful,” Balgooyen says, as I nod.
“It starts off really relaxed, then it builds and gets pretty intense, then it starts to calm down and it gets very meditative,” she says.
That’s the breakthrough moment, the “Aha!” that ties it all together for me. Practices like yoga have incorporated an intense focus on breathing for millenia, using the body to do the heavy lifting that substances couldn’t. Not everyone had access to the hallucinogens that scientists are now increasingly focused on as alternative treatments for PTSD and addiction.
I’m curious about what science has to say on the matter, though. We take tens of thousands of breaths each day, so there has to be some study on how such a simple act can have such a profound effect. Instead, Balgooyen directs me north, to the brain. “The beta brain state is similar to hypnosis, which allows you to pretty quickly drop into that deep meditative state right above sleep, that usually we’re just passing through really quickly while falling asleep. [Scientists] know that we have to be in that beta state to access our subconscious mind, where we hold so many thoughts, and the beliefs that are running our lives, a lot of times not to our advantage.”
Balgooyen is busy, leaving for Bali the next morning, but she tells me about a busy summer that includes rafting and water therapy. “You wear a snorkel and face down while somebody holds you and it allows you to get even deeper,” she says. “Water is one of the highest vibrations we have access to and it also brings up a lot of stuff from the womb so it’s pretty cool.” Don’t be surprised if you see me there.
At festivals, it started with Nibumbu, a Neotribal band that has spent the last two-and-a-half years incorporating shamanic drumming into breathwork, creating an immersive experience. Now, she’s teaming up with Brian Dickinson, founder of Sonic Alchemy, to bring similar concepts to smaller settings, with gongs, singing bowls, flutes, and “other trinkets” adding to the journey.
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Experienced payment professionals at Paybotic provide solutions suitable for every type of legal high-risk business. Cannabis laws and regulations are constantly changing. Paybotic provides cannabis merchants guidance and relief with its customized payment solutions. More than just a business, they are a team of professionals committed to their clients’ success in every facet of the cannabis industry, from retail dispensaries to ancillary businesses.
This team of experienced payment pros has developed and strengthened a domestic and international partners network that delivers solutions for every type of high-risk legal business. For debit-card processing, ACH processing, check service, or any other payment option, Paybotic customizes payment solutions for high-risk transactions that best suit a client’s exact needs. They take pride in providing expert customer service, while finding the best fit for cannabis payment processing.
Paybotic has worked hard to build a reputation for quality pricing practice because, above all, these professionals nurture and value strategic long-term relationships with their merchants. Paybotic Cannabis Payment Solutions paybotic.com
PROMOTIONAL FEATURE PAYBOTIC
Merchant Advocate
All businesses have unique needs and Paybotic is a unique and complete solution provider. Its extensive network of partnerships – including Millers Mutual Insurance, Accountabis Advisers, and in-house expertise –ensures they can find a program that suits any growing business’s needs quickly and efficiently.
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Smart Safe, an end-to-end cash storage and banking solution built for the cannabis industry, is an innovative, cost-effective way to deposit cash. Smart Safes protect cash from internal and external theft while simplifying cash processing, utilizing the latest and most secure hardware and proprietary software to streamline in-store cash handling. Smart Safe technology is designed to protect and secure deposits, improve reconciliation, and increase cash visibility for cannabis retail businesses, such as dispensaries and delivery services. Paybotic will soon be launching a Text2Pay platform using ReachPay technology designed explicitly for dispensaries and their customers. This innovation combines the technology and experience of Everyware’s pay-by-text with Paybotic’s extensive knowledge of the cannabis industry. This easy-to-use and secure payment platform will complement all currently accepted payment solutions. This simple payment option for the cannabis industry gives merchants and their customers access to funds faster than ever. Text2Pay will provide dispensaries with instant approval without the burden of receiving funds, and with approved transactions guaranteed against insufficient funds.
Meow Wolf is here to help alter your state of consciousness through immersive art TEXT STEPHANIE WILSON
My mind is blown. I’m on the ground floor of a threestory space that’s both biological and cosmic, larger than life, ethereal— and somehow swampy, too. Everything is alive. The walls breathe color and sound. It’s an ineffable phantasmagorical landscape that seems to exist outside time and space. Not only are there sculptures all around, the room itself is a sculpture, floor to ceiling, visceral and vast. It feels like a sentient being. I’m also on mushrooms. CALIFORNIA
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I’m a balloon floating in the sky. I’m spinning in space. And my face must show it, because while I whirl in place with my eyes upward trying to make sense of this complex, maximalist jungle, a costumed character known here as a “creative operator” arrives playing a guitar. He begins to circumnavigate me, singing something. I don’t catch the lyrics at first, but as he gets closer his message is clear: “You are Indeed,safe.”Iam.
This is not some alien abduction. This is opening day at Meow Wolf’s new Convergence Station in Denver. More than an art show, it’s an emotional odyssey delivered through lights, sound, and visuals, summoning deep wells of emotion, vibrant hallucinatory patterns, and an every-day-is-a-trip vibe in a building awash with technicolor and joy. You’re meant to get a little lost in it all. I did. I separated from my friends within minutes (only kinda-sorta on purpose). They were here to solve the mystery of the exhibition’s narrative, which has something to do with four alien worlds joined together during a cosmic event. The bigger mystery to me was how the artists all collaborated to make these universes come alive.
“People often ask, ‘Should I go on mushrooms? Should I go on weed?’ But it’s already mind-blowing on its own,” says artist Andi Todoro. “You don’t really need to be on anything to feel like you might be on something when you’re in there.”
All I need to know is that I’m in Numina, one of four multidimensional universes inside the 90,000-square-foot Convergence Station in downtown Denver, close to Mile High Stadium, and, yes, I’m safe. The creative operator keeps reminding me. As he circles me, I spin in place with my head tilted back, jaw slightly dropped, eyebrows raised, eyes wide, trying to process the enormity and complexity of this sentient universe the Meow Wolf artists somehow created—in the middle of a pandemic.
Now where was I? Oh, right. In the midst of an immersive art world at Meow Wolf, traversing
ALTERED STATE TRIPTYCH
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AWE IMMERSION Today, when we talk about psychedelics, we’re talking about a mental health movement. And after two years and colossal cultural changes—after seasons of isolation— taking mushrooms to facilitate positive changes to one’s mindset feels like a power move. It’s not a new one, nor is it the only means of accomplishing it. Contemplative practices have similar, albeit substance-free, effects. ASCs have been part of the human cognitive repertoire for at least 100,000 years, and these transcendent states can be achieved any number of ways: through psychedelics, meditation, or breathing exercises (like holotropic breath work). Other methods include ecstatic dance, ritual drumming, fasting, and selfflagellation, which deactivate the brain’s default settings. Oh, and so can Meow Wolf. But drugs offer a shortcut, promising “transcendence on demand,” as the late British neurologist Oliver Sacks noted in “Altered States,” his 2012 essay on self-experiments in chemistry published by The New Yorker—and the ability of art to transport us to other realms is outstanding.Viewingextraordinary works of art can be a catalyst to experience awe. A 2012 Stanford study found that encounters with perceptual vastness triggers a self-negating, time-dilating sense of awe. “Experiences of awe bring people into the present moment, and being in the present moment underlies awe’s capacity to adjust time perception, influence decisions, and make life feel a little more satisfying than it would otherwise,” the study’s authors concluded.
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three routes to altered states of consciousness (ASC) at once: on drugs, immersed in art, and in awe. Oh my. While “on drugs” has such a negative connotation, psychedelic drugs are shedding that rep. We’re in a psychedelic renaissance, a time when people are increasingly turning to them not for recreation, but for healing. More and more studies are confirming what hippies and creative types have been saying for decades: psychedelic drugs have a way of shaking us out of our ordinary concerns and pointing our attention toward something higher, perhaps even greater versions of ourselves and others.
OTHER LOCATIONS
House of Eternal Return, Santa Fe, est. 2016. A mind-bending explorable art experience housed in an old bowling alley, the 20,000-square-foot exhibit changed the very notion of what immersive art can be. It’s funky, raw, real, and really fun to explore.
Coming Soon to Texas. In May, Meow Wolf announced its universe is expanding to Texas, where two new locations are in the works. Meow Wolf’s portal in Grapevine Mills, part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, is set to open next year, with another immersive spot coming to Houston’s Fifth Ward neighborhood and historic district in 2024.
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EXPERIENCE THE AWE
Three years in the making with art from 300 creatives (including over 110 from Colorado), this four-story maximalist playground features interactive exhibits interconnected through vertical travel and secret passageways. General admission is $45 ($35 for locals); make your reservations in advance to secure your entry date and time. It’s a family-friendly attraction, so mentally prepare to mingle with all ages. Or look for tickets to the Adulti-Verse, Meow Wolf’s adults-only evenings reserved for a 21-plus crowd. meowwolf.com/visit/denver
Omega Mart, Las Vegas, est. 2021. Set inside Area15, an entertainment district a few minutes o the Strip, this location is a surreal supermarket where you can discover portals leading to unexpected landscapes.
“That’spossible.all that meditation or doing some kinds of drugs is getting to you: that place where you can see things newly from a different perspective, to jumpstart things you take for granted all the time.”
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The portraits offer a lens through which we see Todaro’s experience painting them in the middle of a construction zone amid a pandemic. Think: donning the full protective gear of a construction worker every day while submitting to pee tests to ensure you’re not under the influence of any mind-altering substances, not even a beer. Constantly bombarded by a cacophony of screeching noise, endless concrete dust, suffocating fumes, and erratic temperatures making it unbearably hot or freezing took a toll. “There were so many variables, and I didn’t know how to handle them all at the same time,” she says. “I might get sick at any moment, I’m so frustrated with the lighting, I can’t seem to pull this thing out of me. I’m under so much pressure, and I don’t even know how to start… I absolutely had a mental breakdown during it.”
So, yes, I am on mushrooms and they are augmenting my experience of the flow here in the Convergence Station. But I don’t have to be. This place is constructed to tap into creativity—the convergence. To make you safe in the best way
BACON FLOW Denver-based multimedia artist Andi Todaro’s work appears in Meow Wolf’s original location in Santa Fe, as well as its latest outpost in Denver. Her installation, Bacon Faces, is an 1,800-squarefoot mural depicting raw portrait paintings in the distinct, distorted style of British figurative painter Francis Bacon. The macabre depictions resemble figures you’d expect to meet in a fever dream—all distorted faces appearing on the edge of dissolution. Todaro’s interpretations are made all the more ominous by her discomforting palette marked by blood/organ reds and metallic browns—inspired by the colors of raw bacon, she says, “for the Meow Wolf twist.”
Todaro says the work is probably better because of it. “I just started painting, and I didn’t stop until it was done. Every ounce of how I was feeling ended up in those brush strokes. It’s like it actually flowed out of me,” she says. She was experiencing the elusive and rewarding “flow”—a kind of intense focus and clarity where you forget yourself, lose track of time, and feel like you’re part of somethingWhilebigger.inthe flow, the brain releases a highly potent cocktail
Experiencing awe puts you on a readily accessible path to self-transcendent experiences, or STEs, which include mindfulness and flow as well as peak and mystical experiences. These are the sorts of things that make the judgy voice in your head calm down and you feel more absorbed in whatever it is you are doing, and awe is the easiest way to get there.
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SO YES, I AM
of neurochemicals like endorphins, norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, and anandamide, aka the “bliss molecule” cannabinoid that’s similar to THC. These pleasure-inducing, performance-enhancing molecules combine forces to amp up focus, block out noise, boost imaginative possibilities, and improve our ability to link ideas together in new ways.
Our choices for the best California dispensaries give you more than solid, smart service.
Papa & Barkley and Humboldt Social, inside Papa & Barkley’s headquarters in South Eureka, hosts a community experience with a spacious dispensary, tasting room, day spa, and restaurant (see page 24). Its cannabis concierge welcomes guests into the light- and greenery-filled space and helps each guest find the products that meet their wellness needs.
TO P S H E L F
One of California’s leading brands in cannabis wellness has been making products in Eureka since 2016. Papa and Barkley’s cannabis wellness products include tinctures, chocolates, balms, and skincare. Meanwhille, Social Nature is Humboldt Social’s own line of cannabis products that create a full spectrum of experiences. Papa and Barkley Social carries product lines from three of Humboldt’s women-led farms— Sunrise Mountain Farm, Emerald Queen Farm, and Dewpoint. These three farms represent the best of Humboldt’s sun-grown, family-farmed craft cannabis.
TEXT DEBBIE HALL W hen it came to choosing our favorite dispensaries in the Golden State we considered several factors including guality products, knowledgeable staff, and a safe, comfortable environment. Below are the top selections of Sensi California.
At Rose Mary Jane, farm-to-table is a way of life and the dispensary offers the highest quality product, grown naturally by trusted producers. Rose Mary Jane is a unique cannabis retailer whose experience, selection, and advocacy leadership are shaped by its mission to promote fairness, justice, gender inclusiveness, and equity. In Lake Merritt, Oakland, the new location features a first-of-itskind cannabis beverage bar and garden. The company is focused on creating gender-inclusive spaces, easy-to-navigate, and operated by team members passionate about making all experiences outstanding. Rose Mary Jane is committed to social equity, including supporting freedom for cannabis prisoners, partnering with local nonprofits, and providing purpose-driven career opportunities for team members. It views the cannabis industry as a force for good when legalization, expungement, and equity are prioritized. Rose Mary Jane also supports the fight for the freedom of cannabis prisoners through its partnerships with the Last Prisoner Project and the Women’s Prison Association. rosemaryjane.com PAPA & BARKLEY SOCIAL / SOUTH EUREKA
A top recommender says: “They have a friendly, knowledgeable staff with nice, higher-end cannabis flower, concentrates, edibles, and pre-rolls. They also offer excellent spa amenities with options like THC and CBD with infused, hot stone massage. Plus, the food truck
ROSE MARY JANE / OAKLAND
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James Bond Cash GlobalEmployeesPurchaseComplianceInventoryLoyalty/MarketingDrawerOrderSettings Help THC Oil (Indica Blend) CannabisTagsBrandsCategories Cannabisness DirectJennifer BLAZE (Leo D) HOLD CHECKOUT Stats Search for products Inventory: Items in Your Cart (4) 1g $45.00 $40.00 1/8th Subtotal: $125.00 Tax: $0.00 Total: $125.00 Skywalker OG Vape Pens Super Blue Dream 1/8th Super Blue Dream Qty: 1.0 units $40.00 Qty: 05/10/2021, 7:57 PM 547 (Walk-in) CONNOISSEUR PURE CONNOISSEUR PURE CONNOISSEUR PURE CONNOISSEUR PURE CONNOISSEUR PURE CONNOISSEUR PUREWE ARE THE MOST SINGLE-STRAIN-INFUSED PRODUCT AVAILABLE House extracted Kief | Strain-Specific No Synthetic Additives | Consistent Quality Vertically Integrated You could find us on: LeafLink | Weedmaps | Nabis Marketplace 46 CALIFORNIA SUMMER 2022
THE WOODS / WEST HOLLYWOOD
Actor and activist Woody Harrelson’s new cannabis dispensary is now open in West Hollywood, offering an elevation of the retail cannabis experience with plans to include a consumption lounge in its backyard garden. The Woods is a unique experience, offering an organic, elegant atmosphere where customers can shop for the highest quality natural cannabis products. The space is made of two distinct halves: one side is the freestanding neighborhood bar; the dispensary occupies the other. Each side was designed to appeal to different customers and both offer a fun time and a chance to share each other’s experiences. Porthole windows provide a passageway between the two businesses—and break barriers.
Cofounders Harrelson and Wheeler first visualized the project when they visited the location, which once housed Schoos’ work studio. Experts designed a space that showcases everything the duo admired most about the legacy cannabis industry: nature, wellness, culture, and community. thewoodsweho.com
The Woods honors the heirloom and legacy cannabis market, a vibe that infuses the entire state of California. It also reflects its founder’s values, opening an inclusive platform for its community and celebrating cannabis culture in this, its first location. The dispensary also has plans to expand with a consumption lounge, event space, and neighborhood bar later this year.
offers excellent food. I recommend the Bulgogi beef lettuce wraps.” papaandbarkleysocial.com/dispensary.
A top recommender says: “I have good things to say about my experience here and with the Wyllow brand! It’s women owned. I went to their grand opening a couple of weeks ago. It’s a cute dispensary with outstanding aesthetics!
WYLLOWWOODS;THEOFCOURTESYLEFTFROMPHOTOS SUMMER 2022 SENSIMAG.COM 47
The Woods showcases an elevation of the retail cannabis experience designed for every kind of cannabis devotee. Collaborators include Harrelson, comedian Bill Maher, Erba Markets founders Devon Wheeler and Jay Handal, and designer Thomas Schoos.
WYLLOW / LOS ANGELES
The Los Angeles-based bi-cultural, woman-owned cannabis brand, Wyllow, offers a premium selection of rare cultivars. Wyllow also transforms how people get to know cannabis products through its visionary and immersive new dispensary experience. In addition to Wyllow products, its dispensary and delivery menu includes edibles, flower, concentrates, tinctures, vapes, and topicals. And the California brands featured here are hand-selected with the conscious cannabis connoisseur in mind. The staff at Wyllow guides customers towards curated cannabis offerings that meet adult-use or medical needs.
@MCBA.ORGMINORITYCANNABIS.ORG @MINCANNBUSASSOC@MINORITYCANNABIS JOIN THE MOVEMENT FOR AN CANNABISEQUITABLEINDUSTRY.BECOMEAMEMBERTODAY! BROAD SPECTRUM CBD DIFFERENCE the All Flowerkist™ Signature CBD-Enhanced Skincare products include optimal levels of only the highest-quality, broad-spectrum, hemp-delivered CBD, tested and verified by Dabur Research Foundation to be effective and contain 0% THC. 48 CALIFORNIA SUMMER 2022
The crew has excellent knowledge about cannabis. I told them what I was looking for and how I consume cannabis. They brought out options I should check out. I took them all, including their flower. All great products! I will definitely come again and have been telling my cannabis connoisseur friends to check this dispensary out.” shopwyllow.com SPARC / SONOMA Sparc first opened in 1998 when California passed Proposition 215, making medical cannabis available to those with a doctor’s recommendation. The first Sparc retail facility opened in San Francisco (and is still open). The new Sonoma dispensary is focused on its customers and being part of establishing the cannabis tourism industry in the valley. Sparc cultivates cannabis at its biodynamic-certified farm and manufactures and distributes its cannabis products at its headquarters in Santa Rosa. Along with offering its own portfolio of brands—Besito, Farm Direct, and Marigold—Sparc Sonoma carries Sonoma County’s own Garden Society, a line of edibles and prerolls, and Santa Rosa’s CannaCraft products, featuring Care By Design and Absolute Xtracts.
A top recommender says: “What a wonderful and pleasant dispensary experience. I loved being able to walk through the products at my own pace and the selection and presentation exceeded my expectations. There are lots of options and detailed information including specific terpene content and the farmer who grew the product. I tried the Blood Orange Punch from Alpenglow Farms and it blew me away. Really impressive.” solful.com
The Solful team is committed to understanding the processes and practices that go into creating the things they sell—so they possess a deeper understanding of the products they sell. They believe in those products and feature local craft cannabis farms dedicated to sustainable practices. The knowledgeable staff always advises and shares information. Its mission is to make a positive difference in people’s lives, and serve Sonoma County and neighboring towns like Santa Rosa (with a new location opened on 4/20), Petaluma, Marin, and Healdsburg.
Constructed in 1908, the building housing the new dispensary, housed former businesses including Sonoma Grove resort and restaurant, known for its traditional Italian cuisine and proximity to the hot springs. The dispensary will display a plaque to commemorate the location’s role in the Sonoma Valley’s history. sparc.co SOLFUL / SEBASTOPOL Solful posits itself as as an important part of the community in Sonoma County, encouraging health and wellness with its products, services, and education. With the experience of Northern California cultivation and experience behind it, the staff of Solful has encountered thousands of different strains and products. Solful partners with producers dedicated to safety, efficacy, consistency, and ethical considerations.
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The dispensary also offers a complimentary copy of Solful Field Guide to Getting the Most Out of Cannabis!
THE END 50 CALIFORNIA SUMMER 2022
ingDon’tnewershipencethinking—butprogressive,innovative,andforwardthepres-ofwomeninlead-rolesinthisbravespaceisdecreasing.letthatdisconcert-factdiminishtherole
of women in the industry, however. They are executives, inersoutmakercannabisandmanufacturers,cultivators,retailers,commentatorsintheworld,andfilm-ChrisJ.Russosettodocumentachiev-inallthosecareersheraward-winning
film Lady Buds, which is currently airing on the STARZ network and can be streamed on services including andwomenprisedAppleTV+,Amazon,andiTunes.“Iwaspleasantlysur-bythenumberofentrepreneurswomeninleadership roles in the cannabis industry,” says Russo. “But that was back in 2017, since then, things have changed quite a bit. When I envisioned the film, it was important to me to include diverse voices that spoke to different areas of cannabis history in order for the film to include the LGBTQ history of cannabis activism and highlight the barriers to entry for marginalized communities who were impacted by the War on Drugs.”
RUSSOC.J.OFCOURTESYPHOTO Grass Ceiling?
“It’s greatly disappointing that the numbers of women in cannabis are declining,” says Russo. “But I hope my film shows that women have been the backbone of the cannabis industry for decades and inspires women entrepreneurs to reach for their dreams despite the challenges.” ladybudsmovie.com
To make the film, Russo headed to Women In Cannabis networking events and farmers markets and conducted over 100 interviews with mothers, businesswomen, and elders, hoping to bring these diverse stories to a broad audience. Russo wants to create real change, too, with an impact campaign of cannabis panels and events that focus on cannabis policy running alongside screenings of the film.
The lm Lady Buds elevates the stories of women in cannabis at the same time the industry is experiencing a disturbing drop of women in executive roles. DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN
Cannabis is booming, and the industry posits itself as
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Who's Jane? The Queen of Green. As always, 20% OFF entire purchase for first time guests! 2074 Armory Drive Santa Rosa, CA 95401 JANEdispensary.com | @janedispensarycalifornia C10 0000861 LIC
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