SUPER 8
The “new” cannabinoid, Delta-8
C O LO R A D O JUNE 2021
DIFFERENT SMOKES A queer-owned brand finds the beauty in everyone
RUFF LIFE
Prepare your pets for normalcy
LIFE AND TIMES
Vol. 2 of Jay-Z’s cannabis line
InstaTerrapin TerrapinCareStation TerrapinCareStation.com
Thank You! TO OUR INCREDIBLE FAMILY & COMMUNITY
FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO! TO OUR CUSTOMERS
I want to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU. I appreciate your support during these uncertain times while we work to keep our stores safe, clean, shelves stocked, and open. The Maggie’s Family has been humbled by the kindness you continue to show us, and more importantly, to each other.
TO OUR ASSOCIATES
I am astonished with your operational excellence and grateful for you, you are the real heroes in this story! Your commitment to Maggie’s Farm and our communities is absolutely inspiring. From our Support Staff to our Farmers and all of our Retail Associates working on the front lines, we couldn’t do what we do without you, THANK YOU. After 10 great years in business, we know we can get through any challenge together. Bill Conkling & Your Maggie’s Farm Family
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FEATURES
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Delta-8 Dawning
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Rolling With Pride
It’s the hottest cannabinoid since CBD. But is it really legal? That’s complicated. Stone Road is queer-run and designed for everyone.
DEPARTMENTS
17 EDITOR’S NOTE 18 THE BUZZ News, tips, and tidbits
WOMEN LEADING THE CHARGE Laura Toomey of
The Arcview Group and Evelyn Wang of Papa & Barkley talk about how to make diversity and inclusion more than mere buzz words. MIDCENTURY MOD Jay Z’s brand reimagines the work of photographer Slim Aarons. HOROSCOPES What the stars hold for you
to keep you in the loop LET IT GROW Community garden plots are still available across the Front Range. ACNE AWAY CBD can work wonders on the skin. DIASPORA PUB Entertainment journalist Dino Ray Ramos launches a new publication. THE SCENE HEAR ME ROAR Tiger King Hot happenings and hip cats come to Colorado. hangouts around town GREEN THUMB Michael WILDFLOWER HIKES Fisher has been Colorado is abloom. cultivating cannabis STOP STRESS NuLeaf for years. He shares his Naturals CBD will help. knowledge to ensure SUMMER TREATS Glampyou grow a smart, ing, shades, and a book successful crop.
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28 THE LIFE Contributing to your
health and happiness DOG DAYS How to start training pets for your return to work.
ON THE COVER
Stone Road is ushering in a new age of what the cannabis lifestyle looks like. PHOTO COURTESY OF KATE SWEENEY
72 THE END Pride is back this year, and there’s a lot to cheer about.
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ADVISORY BOARD
NATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD COUNCIL NCRMA Risk Management COLORADO Agricor Laboratories Testing Lab Aspen Cannabis Insurance Insurance Services Canyon Cultivation Microdosing Cartology Corporation Cartridge Filling Equipment + Hardware Colorado Cannabis Company THC Coffee Concentrate Supply Co. Recreational Concentrates Emerald Construction Construction Green Edge Trimmers Trimmers Higher Grade Boutique Cannabis Hybrid Payroll Staffing & HR Benefits Jupiter Research Inhalation Hardware Lab Society Extraction Expert + Lab Supplies marQaha Sublinguals + Beverages Monte Fiore Farms Recreational Cultivation Northern Standard History of Cannabis PotGuide Cannabis Culture Source CO Wholesale Consulting Terrapin Care Station Recreational Dispensary Toast Mindful Consumption Uleva Hemp Products Wana Brands Edibles Witlon Inc. Payroll Processing SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Accucanna LLC Desert Hot Springs: Dispensary EventHI Events Flourish Software Distribution Management Helmand Valley Growers Company Medical Infrastructure Specialist HUB International Insurance Hybrid Payroll / Ms. Mary Staffing Staffing & HR Benefits Ikänik Farms Cannabis Distribution Red Rock Fertility Fertility Doctor Wana Brands Edible Gummies Witlon Payroll
NEVADA Eden Water Technologies Water System Technologies Green Leaf Money Canna Business Finanacing GreenHouse Payment Solutions Payment Processing Ideal Business Partners Corporate Law & Finance Jupiter Research Inhalatation Hardware Matrix NV Premium Live Resin Red Rock Fertility Fertility Doctor Rokin Vapes Vape Technology This Stuff Is Good For You CBD Bath and Body NEW ENGLAND Corners Packaging Packaging Curaleaf Veterans Cannabis Project Flourish Software Seed to Sale Green Goddess Supply Personal Homegrown Biochamber GreenHouse Payment Solutions Payment Processing The Holistic Center Medical Marijuana Evaluations PotGuide Travel & Tourism Revolutionary Clinics Medical Dispensary Royal Gold Soil Tess Woods Public Relations Public Relations
MICHIGAN Aronoff Law (Craig Aronoff) Licensing Law Firm Cannabis Counsel Cannabis Law Firm Etz Chaim Attestations Grapp Lerash Michigan PLLC 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 Oh, Hello Branding Promotional Marketing Perry & Drummy Inc. Commercial Insurance Pure West Compassion Club Caregiver Connection & Network Rair Medical Flower Solutions by Dr. Dave West Michigan: Hemp CBD Helping Friendly Hemp Company Hemp Topicals NORTHERN CALIFORNIA 365 Recreational Cannabis Dispensary: Recreational, Santa Rosa Green Unicorn Farms CBD Hemp Flower Humboldt CCTV Smart Ag Tech Humboldt Patient Resource Center Dispensary: Humboldt Kushla Life Sciences Cannabis Formulation and Products Red Door Remedies Dispensary: Cloverdale Southern Humboldt Royal Cannabis Company Mixed Light Farming Sonoma Patient Group Dispensary: Santa Rosa Strictly Topical Inc./Sweet ReLeaf Pain Relief Topicals Superbad inc. Premium California Cannabis Uleva Hemp Products Vaper Tip Vape Supply & Consulting Wana Brands Edible Gummies
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EDITORIAL
Stephanie Wilson Co-Founder + Editor in Chief stephanie.wilson@sensimag.com Doug Schnitzspahn Executive Editor Tracy Ross Managing Editor, Michigan Emilie-Noelle Provost Managing Editor, New England Debbie Hall Managing Editor, Nevada Jenny Willden Managing Editor, NorCal Dawn Garcia Managing Editor, Southern California Robyn Griggs Lawrence Editor at Large Mona Van Joseph Contributor, Horoscopes 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 BRAND DEVELOPMENT
Richard Guerra Director of Global Reach Amanda Patrizi Deputy Director of Global Reach Tuva Hank Music Director, Sensi Presents Neil Willis Production Director MEDIA PARTNERS
Marijuana Business Daily Minority Cannabis Business Association National Cannabis Industry Association Students for Sensible Drug Policy
EXECUTIVE
Ron Kolb Founder ron@sensimag.com Stephanie Graziano CEO stephanie.graziano@sensimag.com Lou Ferris Vice President of Global Revenue Chris Foltz Vice President of Global Reach Jade Kolb Director of Project Management ADVERTISING
Nancy Reid Director, Team Building, Sensi East Joel Bergeson Director, Team Building, Sensi West PUBLISHING
Jamie Cooper Market Director, Michigan Abi Wright Market Director, Nevada Richard Guerra Market Director, New England Nancy Birnbaum Market Director, NorCal Diana Ramos Market Director, Oklahoma Rob Ball Market Director, S. California Angelique Kiss Market Director, S. California
MEDIA SALES
COLORADO Liana Cameris Media Sales Executive Tuva Hank Media Sales Executive Amanda Patrizi Media Sales Executive Tyler Tarr Media Sales Executive NEVADA Pam Hewitt Media Sales Executive NEW ENGLAND Jake Boynton Media Sales Executive MICHIGAN Kyle Miller Media Sales Executive Leah Stephens Media Sales Executive
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EDITOR’S NOTE
Magazine published monthly by Sensi Media Group LLC.
© 2021 Sensi Media Group. All rights reserved.
Walking into a Sensi Night and seeing all the smiling,
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unmasked faces milling about the cannabis-loving crowd—this is the post-pandemic moment I am looking forward to the most, the moment my brain will accept that we’re safely on the other side of one long, arduous journey. That’s when it will hit me that we—both “we” the collective and “we” Sensi—made it through. I am also excited to share that we are now planning for the first Sensi Nights in markets across the country—including here in our flagship home base of Colorado— since the pandemic-induced pause hit. The exact dates and details are coming soon to an inbox near you, so sign up for our newsletter now at sensimag.com to be among the first to know when and where. As for why? To celebrate, of course, to celebrate our community and the cannabis industry, to celebrate all the milestone moments we may have missed during our time away from each other, to celebrate being back. In September, Sensi magazine is coming back to print with our first-ever quarterly edition. We’ll still be producing monthly digital editions like the one you’re reading now, and you’ll be able to find them and other coverage of life from an elevated perspective on sensimag.com. But four times a year, starting in September, we’ll be releasing fresh limited-edition Sensi magazines that shine an artistic spotlight on our modern cannabis culture, and I couldn’t be more excited by the theme of our first edition: After the plague came the Renaissance. We are so ready for our Renaissance, and we’re not thinking of September’s magazines and events as just a return to “the new normal” we touted as our tagline before COVID-19 changed its connotation. We’re not just resuming print, we’re relaunching a brand. More than a magazine, Sensi is the voice of the modern cannabis lifestyle. Sure, Sensi is the cannabis lifestyle magazine that’s won the most awards in the U.S., but we’ve realized over the last 15 months that it’s so much more than that. Sensi is a community. And I am so looking forward to connecting with our community—in person, vaccinated, unmasked—again so very soon. Until then, enjoy this edition and the ones that will follow it. We made it for you.
Sensi is a community. And I am so looking forward to connecting with our community— in person, vaccinated, unmasked— again so very soon.
Best,
Stephanie Wilson @stephwilll
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Get Growing
There was a time when almost everyone kept a little garden. America was more rural than urban, and space wasn’t such a premium. These days, getting some fresh air and sunshine while playing in the dirt tending to a plant that will soon provide nourishment is a luxury that many people assume they can’t afford to enjoy. The luxury truly is priceless—there’s no cost for you to join a community garden today so you can start getting down and dirty sowing some seeds tomorrow. Citizen garden plots abound along the Front Range. Growing Gardens manages more than 500 plots in Boulder County, and there are more than 180 in the Denver Urban Gardens network alone. Most of them are open to the public. Plenty of summer remains to grow a bounty of crops, and some can still be started from seeds in June, including herbs, lettuces, and leafy greens like chard and kale. Get climate-appropriate seeds from local Colorado garden seed companies such as Lake Valley, Beyond Bounty Beyond Belief, and Broomfield’s Botanical Interests. A variety of vegetables can be planted in Colorado as late as July, including broccoli, brussels sprouts, beets, kale, and more. FInd out what to plant where (and when) on the Urban Farmer website, ufseeds.com. 18
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PHOTO BY ALMANI QHIZQ, UNSPLASH
Community garden plots are still available all around the Front Range.
CONTRIBUTORS
Dawn Garcia, Debbie Hall, Tracy Ross, Leland Rucker
BY THE NUMBERS
8 GRAMS The new daily purchase limits for concentrates like wax and shatter
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
BANISH BREAKOUTS
PHOTO COURTESY OF CLEARBALM
CBD and natural ingredients help heal acne-prone skin. CBD can work wonders on the skin, and its powerful compounds are featured in BalmLabs’ ClearBalm, formulated with six plant-based ingredients. The skincare line gently combats acne while reducing inflammation and redness and hydrating the skin. This plant-powered, science-driven three-step system for adult acne-prone skin doesn’t rely on stripping chemicals like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. The line was inspired by founder Sarah Waldock’s challenges with adult acne, which resurfaced in her 30s and 40s. Frustrated by existing lines for adult acne, she reached out to Dr. Robin Schaffran, a Beverly Hills–based dermatologist. Formulated by a team of North America’s leading skincare scientists, ClearBalm uses the hemp Sativa plant, Bixa Orellana Seed Extract, and natural AHAs derived from sugar cane, sugar maple, bilberry, and citrus fruit extracts. The three-step system includes Gentle Foam Cleanser, Power Elixir, and Serum Hydrator. ClearBalm products are cruelty-free with no synthetic dyes, fragrances, parabens, or PEGs.
21-1317 HOUSE BILL
The most sweeping regulatory bill in Colorado for the cannabis industry since legalization. It sailed through the state legislature in early June.
2
Diversity In Film + TV An award-winning journalist starts a new publication devoted to diaspora.
Award-winning entertainment journalist Dino Ray Ramos launched a new trade-adjacent online publication titled Diaspora (thediasporatimes.com) that is dedicated to amplifying marginalized voices in Hollywood. “I’ve been a journalist for two decades, and I have witnessed underrepresented voices in the newsroom and in Hollywood that haven’t prominently been heard in the way they deserve. I have used my voice in service to other publications and have been offered a ‘seat at the table’ throughout my career. But it’s time to change that in a major way. We are building that table now,” says Ramos. In the online publication, Ramos and his team tackle issues of casual racism in film and television, take hits at the entertainment industry, and demand those in positions of power step up and represent the many voices that make up viewing audiences. thediasporatimes.com
OUNCES How much cannabis you can have in your possession in Colorado thanks to a new law passed last month that doubled the former one-ounce limit
ClearBalm / thisisbalm.com/collections/clearbalm
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THE BUZZ
THE HILLS ARE ALIVE Wandering through an alpine meadow blanketed with wildflowers is a mood, and we want to be in it. The experts at Visit Colorado recommend these classic wildfower hikes. Expect to catch our best Julie Andrews impression on our Story real soon. Wildflower Creek Trail at Roxborough State Park Best blooms: Early May through June Rabbit Valley Recreation Area Best blooms: Late April through June
Tiger Trip Tips
Crested Butte Best blooms: July, which is when the mountain town hosts its annual Wildflower Festival. You should go if you’re into things like the most stunning scenery anywhere ever.
PHOTOS (FROM LEFT) COURTESY OF WILD ANIMAL SANCTUARY; BY STEPHANIE WILSON
In May, 50 exotic cats seized from Tiger King Park were relocated to Colorado. And you can go see them. The majority of the exotic animals seized this year by federal agents from a park made infamous by the Tiger King docu-series now reside at The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, Colorado. The 789-acre educational facility, which is open to the public, is about 30 miles northeast of Denver; the drive takes 45 minutes, and it’s worth taking time and again. Here are some tips for first-timers thinking of visiting the feline silver-screen stars: 1. Plan on being there awhile. It takes three to six hours to see the entire facility, so arrive at least four hours before closing (sunset). The Sanctuary stops taking visitors two hours before then. 2. Go later in the day. Animals are most active around dusk, especially in the summer. 3. Pretend it’s 2006 and print out directions to the sanctuary before you leave. Don’t rely on your GPS to guide you there; use the directions on the website—unless you want to check out some dead-end dirt roads, then by all means carry on. 4. Sure, a Lyft driver will be happy to drive you out there, but you’ll have a hell of a time getting back. Pretend it’s 2006 again, when rideshares didn’t exist. Out here, they pretty much don’t. 5. Bring layers. Bring binoculars if you have them. Leave your pups at home, even the service kind. No dogs allowed, just lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, mountain lions, wolves, bears, and other exotic animals. But not Joe Exotic. He’s not allowed, either. —Charlotte Brontë
I would always rather be happy than dignified.” J U N E 2021
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THE BUZZ
BILITIES BY STEPHANIE WILSON, EDITOR IN CHIEF
1 BONG CARTS. Did you hear the news? Bong carts are the new bar carts, and you totally need to get one.
2 OR YOU MAY ALREADY HAVE ONE if you have any piece of accent furniture on wheels where you store your stash in a decorative jar next to the water pipe you display like its a fine vase. It technically is a vase, at least as far as the dictionarians* at Merriam-Webster are concerned. 3 SENSI’S DICTIONARY OF CHOICE defines a vase as a “usually round vessel usually with greater height than width used chiefly... for holding flowers.” Sounds just like a bong, except for that “s” at the end. Bongs are for flower, singular; vases are for flowers, plural. Both will look great on the bar cart you’re about to transform into the hottest accent furniture trend of the century.
4 IF YOU HAVEN’T HIT A BONG SINCE COLLEGE, a) give it another whirl, but put some ice cubes in it first (gently, because: glass)—it’s a cool game changer; b) your bar cart could still use a refresh in prep for the roaring fun the 20s promise to provide. Despite what the name implies, bong carts aren’t just for bongs. Pipes, papers, grinders, stash jars, rolling trays, and other high-end accoutrements can mix and mingle with spirited accessories, books, and other objets d’art that you fancy.
5 YOU ALREADY HAVE A BONG CART, YOU SAY? Oh, you fancy! I like your style. And the world wants to see, so snap some pics, run them through a filter (I recommend “Food 1” on the free Photoshop camera app if you want to make your photos pop), and share using the #bongcart hashtag. Show the world what the cannabis lifestyle looks like from your eyes. *Side note: I have now known that “dictionarians” is a real word for as many seconds as its been since I finished typing it out, hit the space, and didn’t see a red squiggly line appear. So that’s fun.
FROM THE INSIDE OUT CBD pills for wellness
Stress is the silent killer. It’s that thing everyone allows into their lives every moment of every day, and without proper stress management, it can sneak up on you and put you at risk for a multitude of health problems. CBD and organic hemp are nature’s answer to stress relief. One company, NuLeaf Naturals, has created what it calls the world’s highest-quality cannabinoid wellness product line. While that claim is one that no self-respecting magazine would tout for reasons of journalistic integrity, the products seem to be genuinely unique and very high quality. Launched in 2014, NuLeaf Naturals began with the mission and intention of creating a product that would promote a healthy mind and body with its full-spectrum CBD oil. Created after ample research and development, the capsules and oils represent a new generation of cannabinoid wellness. CBD is something with which our endocannabinoid system is in sync, and each whole plant hemp extract NuLeaf product is highly concentrated in CBD and also contains a full spectrum of significant cannabinoids like CBC, CBG, and CBN. Made with USA-grown organic hemp. Committed to safety, quality, and consistency. Capsules and Oil Products range from $30-$400 NuLeafNaturals.com
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THE BUZZ
3 Things for Summer
PHOTOS COURTESY OF MICHIGAN DNR
Unrelated but universal
1. Government-Sanctioned Glamping The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has visitors to the Wolverine State covered with new, pimped-out lodging in its state parks. With the heat, humidity, and enormous cicada hatch here this summer, it might make sense to camp in something other than a mere tent, which the Michigan Department of Natural Resources appeared to recognize in its planning for summer 2021. So it went to work constructing or obtaining cottages, tiny homes, minicabins, A-frames, and safari tents in several state parks—all up for grabs to enhance your camping experience. Who wants to rough it, anyway? Dirt is just so dirty. Instead, get your hiking, fishing, canoeing, and cycling game on with a hefty side of after-activity comfort by booking your own pristine (at least in the pictures) lodging option. But hurry, they’re going fast—and won’t always look this pretty. J U N E 2021
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THE BUZZ
2. Dank Shades for Doing Disneyland with the Kids No one wants the kids to know they’re high, even when they’re survival smoking to make it through a day at Disney. The Glade Optics Prospect strikes the balance between “fast” sunglasses and ones that look good but fog up at all the wrong moments. The Zeiss lenses block any ability for nosy bystanders to see your pupils. And the antiscratch coating means you won’t ruin them when you inevitably drop them while standing in line for the log ride.
3. A Book To Last All Summer Great Circle by superstar writer Maggie Shipstead is the kind of novel you’ll want to binge read until your eyes bug out but can’t because it’s so long they’d dry up and fall out instead. That length (589 pages) is a good thing because this book is one of the best we’ve ever read. It tells the intertwined stories of an aviatrix in 1914 and an actress cast to play her a century later. But don’t be put off by the mostly female cast; both men and women are raving over it in reviews. Highbrow Kirkus Reviews says, “Shipstead reveals breathtaking range and skill, expertly juggling a multigenerational historical epic and a scandal-soaked Hollywood satire, with scenes playing out on land, at sea, and in the air.” And those scenes are packed with humor, longing, famous characters, adventure, disappearance, love, and death. I bought it on a Monday, started reading it on a Tuesday, and felt my family life start to fizzle that Wednesday, because I no longer cared about anything but reading this book.
GPS Hide + Seek
Coordinates: -109.743505, 38.178358 When you receive a satellite phone message from a friend with directions to an unmarked waterfall coordinates somewhere 80 miles into the Moab desert, you pack the truck and go. That’s how life works, if you’re doing it right. Are you? 26
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PHOTOS (ANTICLOCKWISE) COURTESY OF GLADE OPTICS; MAGGIE SHIPSTEAD; BY ANDRE VELEZ
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PHOTO BY CHARLES DELUVIO, UNSPLASH
Ruff Life
How to start training pets for your return to work. TEXT NATALIE RAGLAND, DVM, GUEST CONTRIBUTOR AT HONEST PAWS
PHOTO BY STEPHANIE WILSON
With quarantine restrictions lifted and more people getting vaccinated, many of us are returning to offices for work. This change affects not just us but our pets too. Natalie Ragland, a veterinarian and contributor to Honest Paws, shares insights and tips to help pet owners prepare their pets for life after the pandemic, shedding light on how pets are going to react when we stop working from home and go back to the office.
we realize. There are a few things we can do to make the shift easier. Here are a few tips that might help the transition for your pets, as well as decrease separation anxiety and unfavorable responses brought on by the change in company.
“If you have a pet, it’s time to prepare them for your return to normal— whatever that may look like postpandemic. And, according to some animal experts, it’s going to take time for them to adjust.”
2. Develop your routine. If you are given ample notice before returning to work, remember that most animals, including our pets, are creatures of habit. Pets know when you are due home and what time you usually leave each day. Reestablishing your routine a few days beforehand may be necessary. You can start by: • reestablishing walk times. • reinstituting normal feeding schedules. • leaving for the day and placing a camera in the house to monitor for any signs of separation anxiety.
1. Leave more often during the day as “D-day” approaches. As departure day approaches, leave your space more frequently. —CNN If you need to run an If you are like most errand or go for a walk, of the world, sheltering block out time away from in place took on a new the house to acclimate meaning because of the your pet to longer abCOVID-19 pandemic. sences. If you are going For pets, the extra time back to work in person with you has been welwithout much notice, comed. But, as we begin consider using a few vato trickle our way back cation half-days in order to working in our offices, to build in a daily routine the shock of absence may before implementing your original schedule. impact them more than
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THE LIFE
3. Look for signs of stress and anxiety. If your pet is more prone to being stressed out or anxious when you leave, watch out for such behavior as going to the bathroom in the house and destroying household items such as window blinds and furniture. Seeing these signs may warrant a call to a veterinarian or a tele-health appointment with a behavioral expert. If you are pressed for time as we are all these days, consider increasing your pet’s exercise to release stress hormones and increase endorphins, leading to longer napping times. 4. Consider in-home or daycare service. If you can arrange for someone to come to your home to either sit with your pet or walk your animal as needed, this may be the best option to start. Some local daycare centers for animals may offer inhome services and drop off and pick up. An even better option would be to have a relative or loved one come visit; coordinate the time when you will be out of the house so that there is some company when you exit.
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THE LIFE JUSTICE
Gender and Race Gaps in Cannabis
A candid conversation with two leaders-of-industry about how to make diversity and inclusion more than mere buzz words. TEXT DAWN GARCIA
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THE LIFE
PHOTO COURTESY OF PAPA & BARKLEY
JUSTICE
The cannabis industry hasn’t traditionally been known for being the most inclusive and diverse industry, but we wanted to get to the core of how change can happen. In order to investigate how the industry can open up to more women and people of color becoming owners, cultivators, and marketers, we spoke to two major players in the market: The Arcview Group and Papa & Barkley. Laura Toomey is chief of staff at The Arcview Group and her experience spans the cannabis, fashion, tech, and marketing industries among many. Evelyn Wang is the CEO of California-based cannabis wellness brand Papa & Barkley and her career spans over 15 years in senior management for major beauty brands included L’Oréal and Estee Lauder. Recently, the two joined forces to discuss gender and racial disparity in the industry and what the industry can do to support the evolving conversation. They met with Sensi to discuss unique perspectives on how to showcase efficacy in their brands, approach growth, and implement lasting change in the cannabis industry.
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THE LIFE JUSTICE
As the industry strives to include more women and people of color, what can brands do to create more opportunity? What insight can you offer to those who want to change the narrative? Laura Toomey: Research on this subject, especially as it pertains to the cannabis industry, can be challenging to navigate. That’s why The Arcview Group’s Women’s Inclusion Network partnered with NCIA to release the white papers, Building New Foundations in the Cannabis Industry: Creating Gender Parity through Ownership, Leadership, Boards, Pay Equity, Branding, and Capital, authored by 14 incredible women in the industry. The papers are focused on research, data, and personal stories and they’re accompanied by toolkits that allow readers to work towards implementing change. There is a very long road ahead to equality, but if you are looking for a place to start, I would suggest downloading the papers and beginning to research for yourself. They are free to access at arcviewgroup.com/ncia. Here’s a quote from the Gender Parity in the C-Suite white paper— authored by Christine
De La Rosa (The People’s Dispensary), Kelly Perez (kindColorado), and Elise Serbaroli (Strimo)— that might inspire you to rethink the way your current organization is structured and start making real change: “According to the latest gender-parity report from McKinsey & Co. and LeanIn.org, just 72 womxn for every 100 men are promoted and hired as managers. Only 58 Black womxn and 68 Latinas for every 100 entry-level men get promoted to the manager level, while 64 Black womxn and 57 Latinas for every 100 men are hired as managers. In fact, womxn of color, womxn with disabilities, lesbian and bisexual womxn report ‘by and large worse’ experiences on the job than womxn on average. Black womxn and womxn with disabilities overall say they have received less man— Laura Toomey, Chief of Staff ager support and less of The Arcview Group sponsorship than womxn in other groups.” Evelyn Wang: Surround yourself with a diverse team. Period. Change can’t happen without the right people around the table to surface their viewpoints and drive transformation from the inside out. Critical decisions about investments, products,
“I do not believe women should have to act like men in order to be successful. Women are incredible exactly as they are.”
campaigns, and key partnerships will reflect the team that had a voice in making them. As a member of an underrepresented group, you carry the dual-edged privilege and burden of representation and reLaura Toomey, chief of sponsibility. Once you staff at The Arcview get through the door, Group. you need to create deliberate pathways for those behind you to succeed. That is how you change the narrative. What are some of the most critical obstacles we need to overcome as women, industry influencers, and innovators? LT: Women in every industry face the same challenges with C-suite and board representation, pay equality, and access to capital—just to name a few. Not to be repetitive here, but the white papers mentioned above dig into many overarching issues. Personally, I have a hard time with how opinionated everyone is about the way a woman should act in the workplace—if they are authoritative it’s often perceived as “too bossy”, if they are introverted it can be perceived as “not confident enough”, if women ask for a raise they need to go into granular detail about the exact reasons J U N E 2021
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THE LIFE JUSTICE
Evelyn Wang, CEO of California-based cannabis wellness brand Papa & Barkley.
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why they deserve it. The list goes on and on. It’s belittling and creates a toxic work environment. I do not believe women should have to act like men in order to be successful. Women are incredible exactly as they are. Like their male colleagues, they should be given the space to grow confidently into their own unique sense of self. I have been in many situations where men have spoken down to me or treated me like I was not worthy to be contributing to the conversation. It definitely leaves a lasting impression. Men and women should take extra care, now and in the future, to mentor women and minorities. Empowering others with knowledge is invaluable. EW: Having the confidence to believe in your voice, direction, and perspective is the most difficult and critical obstacle to overcome. When you do not necessarily have a clear role model you identify with, you need to find your own path and realize it’s ok not to follow a traditional template of what leadership looks like. Personally, I’ve found more and more success as I’ve leaned into my own intuition of how to lead, influence, and innovate. Avoiding JUNE 2021
the desire to conform to traditional notions is something you have to actively work on. What can womenfounded brands do to gain more access to growth capital and brand visibility in a predominantly male dominated industry? LT: Join our Women’s Inclusion Network, for a start. We created the network to help address the inequalities in this industry by providing networking and educational opportunities. We have bi-weekly interactive mentorship workshops that teach women about financial modeling, investments, marketing, building the right team, and everything in between. Once a month, we host virtual happy hours and we have an active, private Slack channel for instantaneous member-to-member communication. We host pitch competitions for female founded companies, exclusive shopping opportunities that feature female founded brands. You’ll — Evelyn Wang, CEO of Papa & Barkley be connected with an incredible, supportive community of investors, operators, and employees at every level in their career journeys. And , yes, in case you were wondering, we do
“The most important thing for us is to continue to educate on the integrity of our process, why it creates a better product, and to scale the reach of that education both in California and beyond.”
allow men to join as well. We don’t believe that women should have to implement change alone. Everyone needs to contribute to the movement. As long as the men in our network also rally behind equality, they are more than welcome to join. It’s a tricky industry to navigate, and we don’t want any woman to feel like she needs to go it alone! EW: That is an interesting question because I see a split between women-founded and -owned brands versus women-operated brands. There are a lot of amazing women entrepreneurs in cannabis who are building uniquely positioned, creatively expressed, but oftentimes smaller scale brands. I have a lot of admiration for them. On the other hand, there are fewer women in my situation of being hired into leadership positions at already established, larger scale companies. These are two very different situations with different levels of access to growth capital. The truth of my situation is that I have access to a board that is well-versed and connected to the capital markets. My experience has been that of a hired operator rather than an entrepreneur.
THE LIFE JUSTICE
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THE LIFE JUSTICE
As an operator, I have learned the importance of ensuring you work with investors that share your vision and appreciate brand building. From that perspective, I would advise female entrepreneurs to seek out investors who have a track record and interest in investing in women-led brands. I know the value of investors who have an intuition and appreciation for your mission statement and product category. I would also say get comfortable telling your success story and asking for introductions to the people you want to meet. While I do not typically like to speak in generalizations, I will say that women tend to be less boastful. Men tend to go for it in terms of speaking to their successes! A humble and pragmatic model of leadership is better for organiza-
approach, and we believe it’s worth it because it keeps the full range of cannabinoids and terpenes intact, resulting in a more efficacious product. Our end products truly deliver on our mission to unlock the power of cannabis to improve Papa & Barkley is one of people’s lives. Every time the most trusted brands we have the opportunity in the industry. What do to educate someone and get them to consider a you, as a company, feel is most critical in terms natural cannabis-based solution to a wellness isof awareness in the cannabis community, sue, we have made anothespecially for those just er step in the journey to beginning to understand de-stigmatize this amazing plant. the healing aspects of The most important the plant? EW: We’ve stayed true thing for us is to continue to educate on the to innovation principles integrity of our process, of using a solvent-less why it creates a better whole-plant approach product—and to scale to our input materials because we know that the reach of that education both in California cannabinoids work best when they are present in and beyond. combination with each What’s on the horizon other. Our whole-plant for Papa & Barkley? infusion process is a How have you prepared difficult and expensive tional management and growing a company in a solid way, but a more boastful and aggressive style of leadership may be more effective for the short-term purpose of fundraising and access to capital.
for the world opening back up? EW: We’re on a journey to become a global best-in-class wellness brand powered by cannabis. We are preparing to scale in a way that holds true to what is authentic and purposeful. I have a vision of Papa & Barkley’s balm in every American medicine cabinet! As the world opens back up again, there is a wonderful sense of optimism and rejoining back into communities. We are evaluating what this means for how we evolve as an organization and interact with each other, our consumers, and our key partners. Health will continue to be a top-of-mind priority for the world and we intend to be there to support consumers’ wellness needs. To learn more about both brands, visit: thearcviewgroup.com, papaandbarkley.com
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THE LIFE IN STYLE
The Life and Times of Shawn Carter
PHOTO COURTESY OF MONOGRAM
A new campaign for Jay-Z’s Monogram cannabis brand reimagines the iconic photos of mid-20th-century American photographer Slim Aarons through a contemporary lens. This is a scene from the Life and Times of Shawn Carter, Volume Two. (Volume One, if you missed it, was that hard-knock life you heard Jay-Z —Carter’s public persona—rap about in a track that samples the famous line from the 1982 Annie movie.) It’s a good life, a high life, and the people depicted living it are good and high on cannabis. The image is the first installment of a threepart campaign for Jay Z’s (also known as HOV) new Monogram cannabis line, which launched this spring in California. The campaign is a modern take
on the legendary work of Slim Aarons, a midcentury photographer who built his fame by photographing “attractive people doing attractive things in attractive places,” as he famously described it. The photographs Aarons captured during the Rat Pack era have become synonymous with midcentury luxury, beauty, and leisure. Carter’s Monogram tapped legendary hip-hop photographer/ director Hype Williams to reimagine a series of Aaron’s most notable vignettes. Shot at the stunning Frank Sinatra House
in Palm Springs, the series has been cast with a diverse group of creative talents like Grammy nominee Chika, Ghetto Gastro, Curren$y, designer Aleali May, and model Slick Woods—all styled by High Snobiety fashion director Corey T. Stokes. The creatives are seen lounging on floats with Monogram product in hand, basking in outdoor opulence. The resulting imagery illustrates the dynamic, expanding landscape of modern luxury, and how it intersects with a new chapter in cannabis culture. “The percep-
tion around cannabis has shifted a lot since the 20th century. If you were to ask me and my peers how we’d define the good life today, weed would definitely be a part of it. Whether we’re smoking to inspire creativity or to celebrate an achievement, cannabis has a rightful place in modern-day culture,” says Williams. “HOV has a vision for the industry that he’s bringing to life through Monogram. His focus for this campaign was to showcase how beautifully cannabis fits into the good life today, and I am honored to be a part of it.” J U N E 2021
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THE LIFE
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mona Van Joseph is a professionally licensed intuitive reader in Las Vegas since 2002. Author, radio host, and columnist, she created the Dice Wisdom app and is available for phone and in-person sessions. mona.vegas
HOROSCOPE
JUNE HOROSCOPE What do the stars hold for you? TEXT MONA VAN JOSEPH
OCT. 23-NOV. 21 earned. You have created your reality; you can change SCORPIO Yes, you typically like to or recreate that reality. You Be the ultimate politician have a plan. However, this this month. Recognize peoare still the hero of your is the month to see what ple around you for the skills own story. presents itself while you foand benefits they present. cus on what gives you peace AUG. 23-SEPT. 22 This is the month to seek and purpose. What you need VIRGO value, not to be cheap or will be easily found. The thorn is out! Past pain is thrifty. You are establishing no longer a reflection of your your long-term goals now. JUNE 21-JULY 22 future. It’s time to act as NOV. 22-DEC. 21 CANCER though all things are openAvoid highly emotional peo- ing up for you to have the cli- SAGITTARIUS ple this month because they ents, personal relationships, Handle high-maintenance are just a toxic void that and good vibes you deserve. people on your own and shield them from the peoseeks attention. Detach ple they bother. You are a from anyone who tends to SEPT. 23-OCT. 22 leader. It’s time to step back dump emotional baggage on LIBRA you. Ask them, “So, how are You will ultimately become from people you have no you going to handle that?” so skilled at a creative proj- power to change. ect that other people will JULY 23-AUG. 22 want to learn from you. Let DEC. 22-JAN. 19 LEO nature inspire you even fur- CAPRICORN No one can take away what ther. You are creating your You are being guided toyou’ve ever learned or future with your expertise. ward your priorities, and MAY 21–JUNE 20
GEMINI
GEMINI, THIS IS THE MONTH TO SEE WHAT PRESENTS ITSELF WHILE YOU FOCUS ON WHAT GIVES YOU PEACE AND PURPOSE.
they may not align with tapped for a project where what you’re doing now. It’s your awesomeness is actualtime to let go of anything ly appreciated. that causes you pain. Things MAR. 21-APR. 19 are lining up for the outcome you desire. ARIES Be open and imagine some JAN. 20-FEB. 18 people as though they are AQUARIUS a slot machine that doesn’t When you realize that no pay off. It’s difficult for you one does what you do exto stay still, so transfer that actly the way you do it, you energy to finally tackle forare magic. It is time to enjoy gotten home projects. what you’ve created and allow the big rewards to mani- APR. 20-MAY 20 fest for you later this year. TAURUS Your actions and words repFEB. 19-MAR. 20 resent the truth. Step onto PISCES that soapbox with the right Do what you love, be with group and keep expressthe people you love, and de- ing your truth. Your writer’s cide your next step based on block is suddenly lifted, and that vibration. You will be words flow from you now. J U N E 2021
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The hottest cannabinoid to emerge since CBD, DELTA-8 THC gets you high and is being sold as a legal product made from hemp—even in nonlegal markets. But is it really legal? That’s complicated. TEXT ROBYN GRIGGS LAWRENCE
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JUNE 2021
DELTA-
DAWNING
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he deeper Flip Croft-Caderao and his sister-in-law, Kayla Croft, delved into writing their business plan, the more apparent it became: they would never have enough capital to establish and maintain a licensed cannabis business in California. Disappointed but determined, they refused to pivot from their dream. Instead, they sidestepped into hemp, a much more accessible commodity. They figured selling CBD and other nonpsychoactive cannabinoids would give them a good understanding of the plant and the cannabis business, and might even generate the capital they needed to migrate over to THC down the road. In early 2020, Croft and CroftCaderao launched Goodekind (goodekind.com) and sold a decent amount of The Notorious CBG Crumble and Hawaiian Haze hemp flower online. Then, last December, they added delta-8 THC gummies and vapes to the menu, and their business exploded. “Delta-8 freaking took off,” Croft-Caderao says. “Oh, gosh, it is crazy. It is definitely our top-selling product by a ridiculous amount.” Chances are good you’ve heard of delta-8 by now. Derived from hemp, it’s the hottest cannabinoid to hit the market since CBD, and its appeal lies in what it does that CBD doesn’t. Like its kissing cousin, delta-9 THC, delta-8 will get you high—just not nearly as high as you get from delta-9. And—for now, anyway—it’s legal (or legal enough) under the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill that allows hemp
“IT’S NOT AN INCREDIBLE HIGH OR ANYTHING, BUT IF I’M OUT AND ACTIVE AND JUST WANT SOMETHING TO GIVE ME A BIT OF A LIFT, I’LL PUFF ON A CART AND GET TO A NICE SPOT.” —One Reddit user describing their experience with delta-8
cultivation and production of hemp-based products. Entrepreneurs like Croft-Caderao saw a loophole in the Farm Bill’s definition of hemp-based products as having less than .3 percent delta-9 THC. The bill doesn’t address delta-8 THC, which is essentially degraded delta-9, because hemp has miniscule amounts of it—not nearly enough for commercial production. What lawmakers didn’t see coming was innovation born of desperation. Hemp entrepreneurs with a lot of product on their hands found a way to chemically synthesize delta-8 from CBD distillate, creating a new gray market that the feds are ignoring—for now—and states are just starting to address. Croft-Caderao sees delta-8 as a perfect blend of the hemp and cannabis industries. “It gets you high, but it’s also unregulated, so you can ship it to people and have an entire e-commerce platform,” he says. “It’s an entrepreneur’s dream.” LANGUAGE LESSON
THE NEW “IT” CANNABINOID By all accounts, delta-8 is fulfilling consumers’ dreams as well. It’s the fastest-growing segment of the hemp-derived product market, New Leaf Data Services reports, with U.S. sales of around $10 million last year. It’s getting a lot of attention—and that’s a little bit worrying for Erica Stark, executive director of the National Hemp Association, which is having a tough time coming up with a position on delta-8. “On the one hand, we’re still of the mindset that we literally spent years convincing legislators that hemp is not about getting high— and this is really undermining that message and, I think, providing some skepticism about what
“Delta” is a term used to describe a chemical reaction that requires heat as a catalyst in a process known as decarboxylation. The numbers that follow that designation show where the cannabinoids bond to the carbon chain.
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we say,” Stark says. “On the other hand, the CBD market has suffered with oversaturation. This is a way for farmers to find outlets for their biomass and hopefully recoup some of their losses, which might be a nice bridge until some of the markets even themselves out. We don’t want to shut the door on it or demonize it, but we don’t necessarily want to endorse some of the practices we’ve seen with products that are wildly unregulated and potentially harmful.” In June, the Hemp Industries Association announced its support for delta-8 based on legal advice that it was not a controlled substance under federal law. “Busi-
nesses, farmers, and consumers all deserve regulations that support the exploration of the hemp plant’s full potential,” says HIA Executive Director Jody McGinness. And of course, delta-8 has plenty of critics, both inside and outside the industry. The U.S. Hemp Authority, a third-party auditor for hemp and CBD businesses, refuses to certify delta-8 products. The U.S. Hemp Roundtable called marketing hemp products with any intoxicating value or euphoric effect “irresponsible.” The Roundtable is calling for delta-8 to be regulated like adult-use cannabis. Individual states are taking radically different and sometimes un-
predictable approaches to delta-8, just as they have with CBD and delta-9. A random consortium of states that are as far apart as could be on legalizing delta-9—Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Utah, and Vermont—have banned delta-8, and several more are threatening to. Florida, being Florida, is moving in the opposite direction, toward establishing a legal delta-8 marketplace. Texas legislators struck down a provision to make delta-8 illegal earlier this summer. U.S. Hemp Authority president Michelle Weintraub has not been
WILL I FAIL A DRUG TEST? When it comes down to it, THC is THC. Anything with THC in the name will show up as THC in a drug test and cause you to fail. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
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shy about how angry she is that delta-8 is muddying the waters of her “won’t get you high” industry. Stark, for her part, is annoyed because she never gets to talk about fiber and grain hemp, her passion, because delta-8 takes up everyone’s time and attention. “I love seeing farmers have opportunities,” she says. “But it does just suck all the oxygen out of the room.”
OFF TO A NICE SPOT Delta-8 delivers about half to three-quarters the high that delta-9 does, a space somewhere between THC and CBD, more body than head. It’s like drinking a Bud Light instead of a Long Island iced tea. Croft-Caderao says you get about 50 to 60 percent of what you’d get when you vape delta-9, but people are reporting they they’re not getting anxious or paranoid with the less-potent cannabinoid. “They’re saying, ‘I can smoke sativas again. I can enjoy myself without getting too high,’” he says. Reddit users describe delta-8 as a “productive buzz”—great for when you need help with anxiety or pain but can’t be intoxicated, and “like weed without the anxiety or introspective thoughts.” An occasional delta-8 smoker wrote: “It’s not an incredible high or anything, but if I’m out and active and just want something to give me a bit of a lift, I’ll puff on a cart and get to a nice spot.” That’s all good for users who have built up a little tolerance, but people trying THC of any kind for the first time (or the first time in a long time) generally have no idea how much to ingest. Because delta-8 is completely
“…THE CBD MARKET HAS SUFFERED WITH OVERSATURATION. THIS IS A WAY FOR FARMERS TO FIND OUTLETS FOR THEIR BIOMASS AND HOPEFULLY RECOUP SOME OF THEIR LOSSES, WHICH MIGHT BE A NICE BRIDGE UNTIL SOME OF THE MARKETS EVEN THEMSELVES OUT.” —Erica Stark, Executive Director of the National Hemp Association
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SO, HOW IS THIS LEGAL?
Here Comes Delta-10
In the new THC numbers game, delta-10 is up next. Another cannabinoid found only in trace amounts in hemp and cannabis, delta-10 THC is often mistaken for minor cannabinoids CBC and CBL. Like delta-8, it can be synthesized from CBD. Delta-10 has mild psychoactive effects but is said to be more uplifting and energizing than delta-8. Users say it’s more like a sativa, while delta-8 leans more indica.
unregulated, dosage is pretty much up to each user. Overdose stories are surfacing, surprisingly common among heavy delta-9 users who underestimate delta-8’s potency (or overestimate their own tolerance). This can be es-
pecially dangerous when it comes to edibles. Our bodies metabolize delta-8 the same way they metabolize delta-9, by turning it into 11-hydroxy THC, a compound that can be up to 10 times more potent than delta-8.
It’s not entirely clear that it is. The DEA released an Interim Final Rule, open for review until October, that states, “all synthetically derived tetrahydrocannabinols remain Schedule I controlled substances.” That appears to make delta-8, which is chemically synthesized, illegal. But the DEA hasn’t taken any action against companies selling delta-8, and a lot of companies are betting it never will. Stark says she asked Sean Mitchell, chief of intergovernmental affairs at the Drug Enforcement Administration, about delta-8 during a panel discussion, and he confirmed that any hemp product that is delta-9 compliant is federally legal. That’s just one guy from the DEA, though, and not a final ruling. In the end, Stark is as uncertain as everyone else about legality. “What’s our position?” she says. “I don’t know.” Croft-Caderao, for his part, expects the market to be regulated—if not outlawed—eventually, and he’s determined to make the most of this window of opportunity while it remains open. “This is the golden era right now,” he says. “This is something that gets you high that is unregulated and that is kind of unfettered.” He’s already plotting how to keep his business thriving if and when the feds crack down on delta-8. “Business owners like myself have to be thinking, OK, if this gets regulated, this is how I will be able to pivot and use the skills I’ve learned to enter the cannabis market,” he says. “That’s what I’m thinking about, because who knows how much time we have?” J U N E 2021
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PHOTO COURTESY OF RUTH FRUIT
DIFFERENT
SMOKES F O R
D I F F E R E N T
F O L X
Stone Road is queer-run and designed for everyone. TEXT STEPHANIE WILSON
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PHOTO COURTESY OF RUTH FRUIT
W
hen you feel good, you look good. Or is it when you look good, you feel good? Either way, looking good and feeling good are closely entwined, and both are at the root of the mission at Stone Road, a California cannabis brand that’s catching attention everywhere for its aesthetically curated Instagram feed featuring eye-catching, colorful, and as-inclusive-asthey-come brand images like the ones you see here—good-looking folx consuming pre-rolls that are making them feel good.
Those Stone Road pre-rolls are rather good looking as well; the joints are rolled by hand to ensure visual perfection. As a queer-led company, Stone Road is committed to harvesting and creating accessible, affordable cannabis products for every kind of smoker, so you can feel good about feeling good. Stone Road only rolls with the best buds—and never uses shake, filler, or distillate-sprayed weed. All premium, sungrown Stone Road flower is sourced from the brand’s 57-acre off-grid farm in Nevada City, California, about an hour northeast of Sacramento and two-and-a-half hours from San Francisco. Each joint is potent, pure, and hand-rolled with
love. Stone Road pre-rolls give off a strong “farm-to-table” cannabis vibe, which is by design. And Stone Road is reimagining what affordable cannabis can look like with its design-forward, sustainable packaging. The company is blazing a path for a new age of cannabis consumers in terms of what cannabis products can look, taste, and feel like. The company’s ethos is laid out on its website: “Cannabis is nature’s best unifier, bringing people together from every place, background, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and religion. It brings out your inner child, turns parties into sacred happenings, and expands your mind. It almost feels like a J U N E 2021
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MASS INCARCERATION IS AN LGBTQ ISSUE.
1in2
transgender prisoners is sexually abused. Sexual minorities are
3x
more likely to be incarcerated than the average American.
50%
PHOTO COURTESY OF LEX CORWIN
of homeless children identify as LGBTQ—half of all homeless people experience incarceration.
secret code—a secret that’s also not a secret at all.” It’s a lowkey highkey high, in Gen Z speak. The Stone Road website (stoneroad.org) features animated bunnies and butterflies crisscrossing the screen to remind visitors of the brand’s commitment to nature. “We founded Stone Road with the conviction that cannabis is one of the planet’s great natural gifts to humans, and that all people
should have access to the best of it,” it reads. “Ever since, we’ve been growing flowers to be one with hand-rolling joints as a gesture of love and friendship and bringing people from all walks of life together. So if you’re a human being, we’re here for you. We’re here for plants, too. And animals, of course.” It goes on to say: “We believe in what nature has given us. And we believe in you. In your power to
let go. To go on a journey and face your fears. To let your little seedling of an idea sprout. To dull pain and increase pleasure. To engage in emotional intensity. To open up shifts in perception. To enjoy the here and now as often as possible.” Founder and CEO Lex Corwin says this mindset served as the inspiration for the California brand’s ethos, which runs from the farm to the branding. “The main J U N E 2021
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worth of greenhouses on a rural 57-acre spread, the land remains 99 percent wild and untamed. All of our water is straight from an artesian well—460 feet deep at the ideal 6.4 pH, which allows us to water straight from the earth.” Sounds heavenly? If you want to experience the Stone Road magic IRL, farm tours are available from May through September. All Stone Road packaging is 99 percent recyclable and made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled goods. A new initiative takes the design even further into the planet-friendly realm: a rice protein isolate is now used to create the shrinkwrap material around the preroll packs. Reclaimed ocean plastic is used to create the child-resistant lids to the fully recycled glass jars that house Stone Road flower.
For the month of June, Stone Road will be donating 10 percent of all profits to the LGBTQ Fund, an organization that pays bail to secure the safety and liberty of LGBTQ folx that are disproportionately incarcerated in U.S. jails and immigration facilities. Corwin shares that he wants Stone Road to be a home for great design. “I want to sell lots of things that bring joy to the people and products that make their life easier—well-designed, well-made products that I think everyone can benefit from.”
PHOTOS (FROM TOP) COURTESY OF KATE SWEENEY; CLAUDIA MARIN
branding behind Stone Road is based on nature, minimalism, and inclusivity,” he writes. “A lot of inspiration comes from the farm and the gorgeous landscape that surrounds it.” The photography on all the packaging is done by two designers in New York, Santiago Carrasquilla and Alex Stikeleather, the lead designer for Snoop Dogg’s Leaf by Snoop line. Corwin dug the brand’s nature-inspired minimalism, so he recruited the designer to work her magic on his new brand, flying her out to California to capture the farm’s natural beauty for the packaging. All of the photos on Stone Road packaging were taken at the farm. “When you’re there, it feels like another world,” Corwin writes for Stone Road. “With only half an acre
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ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF MICHAEL FISHER
It’s Grow Time
Michael Fisher has been cultivating cannabis for years. He shares his knowledge to ensure you grow a smart, successful crop. TEXT TRACY ROSS
It’s May, when (this year) taxes were due, flowers bloom, and babies destined for birth next September are conceived—but most important, it’s the month cannabis connoisseurs in Michigan who want to grow their own can start thinking about planting, with the help of greenthumbed Detroit native and cannabis grower
Michael Fisher. Fisher, 39, does business and property development for the cannabis industry through his company Overgrow. The name harkens back to an online community he started following 20 years ago, during his first deep dive into indoor growing. “I spent thousands of hours there and got the opportunity J U N E 2021
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THE SCENE
to speak with some of the world’s best breeders,” says Fisher. Those included Bodhi, a breeder who’s been around many years and produces classic seeds like Goji OG and Mother’s Milk; and the recently deceased BOG (Bushy Older Grower), a “breeder’s breeder” who, Fisher says, released good work for decades to growers and breeders. Between his start and now, Fisher has grown or consulted with growers in the production of tens of thousands of pounds of cannabis. His expertise has gone from something he felt was stigmatized before legalization to one called “a serious business and you’re kicking ass” by people (some of whom he would describe as “the people who were most against it and conservative”) who now contract Fisher to help them build their businesses. Travel through Michigan—or Oregon, Washington, Colorado, California, Nevada, Florida, Oklahoma—and if you shop in a dispensary, there’s a good chance you’ve seen product from one of Fisher’s clients. But Michigan is where he took seeds out of a bag of weed at age 15, planted them, and grew his first producing
female. Every year since then, he’s continued to grow, even as a lot as changed. “The caregiver system isn’t just symbolic in Michigan,” he says. “People can get as much as they need. I believe everyone should be allowed to grow what they
want, but not everyone can; and for someone treating their cancer, they might need a high dose. That could be prohibitively expensive in a dispensary, but not when an adult can grow 12 of his or her own plants, plus 12 for five
others as a caregiver.” Fisher loves sharing his passion and wisdom for planting, growing, and harvesting cannabis, as he does in the following tips. Happy cultivation, everyone. May you always find, plant, and smoke the perfect breed. J U N E 2021
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Fighting for freedom is Join the revolution at norml.org
THE SCENE
Things to Know Before Starting Your Own Grow
after Memorial Day Weekend. Most plants start flowering around the end of the first week of August. They tend to grow taller as flowers form along the stems. Throughout the season, they will swell up and ripen until the resin glands mature and the plants are harvested— usually mid-October in this region, for most plants.
1. Not all seeds are created equal. Fisher’s favorites come from growers mentioned above—Bodhi (whose charitable work Fisher loves, in addition to his strains), and BOG (find his thoughts, if not him, on Instagram at @bogseeds), just as he supports DJ Short, another “living legend,” Fisher’s Quick Tips for Growing Michigan native, and Delectable Bud breeder of the heritage strain Blueberry; Keep it simple. and Happy Little Tree There are many ways Company, which has “good diversity of flavors to grow successfully. and good intention,” says Fisher. For more inspiration, check out greatlakesgenetics.com, or, if you want to go old school, keep an eye out for online auctions. 2. You can grow weed anywhere. “You can grow wonderful weed in a container, and a on deck, in the bushes, or in the woods,” says Fisher. “In Michigan, any adult can grow in a compliant, fenced-in area.” 3. It’s time to start planting. According to Fisher, in Michigan, people start their plants indoors at the beginning of May, and it’s safe to transfer them outdoors
Go with the one you’re drawn to and that isn’t too complicated. Check out YouTube and message boards like icmag. com. And don’t keep changing the game plan. Once you’ve had a couple of successful crops, make improvements slowly. Strain selection is important. Some are better suited for the outdoors and for any individual climate. In Colorado we have a shorter season, which can end cold and wet. Not all genetics are suited for this, but many are (such as Afghan Kush, which was bred to
be hardy and resistant to issues that plague some plants). Don’t overreact. If you see a problem or think you see a problem with your plants, do your research and get advice. It’s not uncommon for an inexperienced grower to do more damage with their solution than the problem would have. Airflow is crucial for the plant, both above it and below the soil. Pot plants don’t like waterlogged soil, and it’s good to prune and train for airflow through the canopy. Post harvest care is key. Learn how to recognize the ripeness of trichomes as they go from clear to cloudy to amber while slowly drying them for 10–14 days. Cure them by storing them in sealed containers in a dark, cool place. Properly storing can make or break your season. Stick with it for success. With goodquality soil and nutrients, and a sunny spot, you can grow your own cannabis. Do your research, use a light hand, and keep going when you make mistakes. J U N E 2021
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For info: Andy@montefiorefarms.com
ADVISORY BOARD NCRMA
Stay Safe Here’s what you need to know about budtender safety and OSHA compliance in a dispensary.
E
mployees are a company’s most valuable assets, thus requiring every business to have a safety program that aims to prevent injury and illness in its workers. In addition to the threat of personal injury, there are also financial reasons to keep employees safe, including direct costs such as lost time, replacing workers, increased workers’ compensation, and lost or damaged equipment. And then there are Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) violations, which can exceed $136,000. OSHA and state agencies enforcing occupation-safety standards have begun writing violations to cannabis businesses. The General Duty Clause of the Occupational Safety & Health Act of 1970 requires that, in addition to compliance with hazard-specific standards, all employers provide a work environment that is “free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause
death or serious physical harm.” The question is, how do dispensaries keep their budtenders safe and become OSHA compliant? The answer is to develop that program. The first step in developing a safety program is to identify a facility’s hazards. Then establish controls to prevent or mitigate them. While it is impossible to identify all hazards a dispensary may have, there are some basic safety plans that should be a part of every business. Hazardous Communication Plans protect workers from the hazards of chemicals. Identify and list all chemicals on site, ensuring chemical containers are labeled, and then keep all chemical-safety data sheets accessible to all employees. Training must be established to inform personnel about chemical hazards, especially training personnel who do special tasks such as cleaning chemicals. There must also be procedures to update and maintain the plan as new chemicals come on site.
Fire Prevention Plans must include a list of all major fire hazards, proper handling and storage procedures for hazardous materials, potential ignition sources and their control, and the type of fire-protection equipment necessary to control each major hazard. Emergency Action Plans must include at a minimum: procedures for reporting a fire or other emergencies (i.e., robberies and natural disasters); procedures for emergency evacuation, including the type of evacuation and exit route assignments; procedures to be followed by employees who remain to operate critical plant operations before they evacuate; procedures to account for all employees after evacuation; procedures to be followed by employees performing rescue or medical duties; and alarm systems maintenance and training. First Aid Plans should also be a part of every business and, at minimum, include adequate first aid supplies, a list of all local emergency numbers, and, in the absence of an infirmary, clinic, or hospital in proximity to the workplace that is used for treatment of all injured employees, a person or persons should be adequately trained to render first aid.
Category: Safety and Training Author: Alex Hearding is the Chief Risk Management Officer for the NCRMA, providing services including occupational safety and health training and risk management for the cannabis industry. To learn more about Hearding and the NCRMA, visit ncrma.net.
The Sensi Advisory Board comprises select industry leaders in a variety of fields, from education to cultivation. They are invited to share specialized insight in this dedicated section. For a full list of board members, see page 13.
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P R O M OT I O N A L F E AT U R E B O TA N AC O R A N D AG R I C O R L A B O R ATO R I E S
from known brands. That organic lettuce is the result of one of the greatest regulatory success stories in United States history—a collaboration between certifiers and government. Starting in 1990, everyone saw the need to standardize claims of “organic,” which was absurdly stamped on everything. Regulations were put in place; the industry thrived; people ate healthier food.
Are You Ingesting Poisons When Consuming Cannabis? To find out, look at the “mystery lettuce” in your BLT.
C
annabis purchased on the black market, either years ago or more recently in states that ban it, offers no assurance of the product’s potency or purity, nor of who produced, prepared, or distributed those products. That would be the equivalent of you
going into a grocery store, skipping the organic lettuce, and snapping up mystery greens from unmarked bins. You saved a buck, sure, but now what’s in your BLT? Few people take that risk. Instead, they pay tiny premiums to buy organic
What do organic regs have to do with cannabis? Today, cannabis is clearly on a similar glide path of regulations to those that brought consumer confidence to organic foods. Thing is, there is some resistance to the regulations and their costs. But should consumers be left in the dark as to what they are ingesting, inhaling, or applying to their skin? So, the next time you have that organic BLT—the one with its safe organic lettuce and certified humanely harvested bacon that you can enjoy with a clear mind—take a moment and think about demanding product safety and consistency from your favorite cannabis brands. Welcome product regulation, even if it costs slightly more; the purity and potency assurance are pennies on the dollar compared with the cost of using a product containing contaminants such as pesticides, salmonella, and E.coli. With commonsense regulations, the cannabis industry will see safer products and will blossom much as organic food has over the past 30-plus years.
Botanacor and Agricor Laboratories State-of-the-art cannabis and hemp testing facility agricorlabs.com J U N E 2021
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THE END
PLAN YOUR PRIDE
June 26–27 Schedule and details at denverpride.org.
Unite with Pride Come one, come all—grab your hubs or grab your love and head to a Pride Hub. Let’s all come together and celebrate love and life and the fact that we’re all loving life again after one hell of a year. If you’re vaccinated and more than ready to blow off some steam in the company of color-splashed mobs of loving, lovely people, Denver Pride invites you to come be proud in person on July 26 and 27. Saunter—or sprint—with your arms wide open into festivities that include the annual 5K strut 72
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through Cheeseman Park on Saturday. Afterward, dive on into the fun at the Pride Pool Party at the JCC Denver, or head to one of the Pride Hubs. What are Pride Hubs, you ask? They are local businesses that are partnering with Denver Pride to offer free admission and in-person entertainments such as rainbow-colored bubbles and storytime with drag queens on the Denver Museum of Nature & Science’s Boettcher Plaza. There’s so much to love about loving love.
PHOTO BY EVAN SEMON
Pride is back this year, and there’s a lot to cheer about.
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TWISTED SISTERS
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Sin City’s LGBTQ+ Fun Nunnery
Prepare your pets for normalcy
LIFE AND TIMES
Vol. 2 of Jay Z’s cannabis line
BRIDGING THE GAP
SUPER 8
Industry leaders on inclusion
The “new” cannabinoid, Delta-8
N E VA DA
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
JUSTICE
NEW ENGLAND
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Riqua Hailes takes on racism in drug law with Just Cannabis
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Prepare your pets for normalcy
TRAILBLAZERS
Two local cannapreneurs
DRAWING TALENT Dispensary label designs from local artists
THE PROUD FAMILY
Cannapreneur embraces her children’s identities
RUFF LIFE
Prepare your pets for normalcy
CONSCIOUS CAPITALISM
SUPER 8
Local cannapreneur gives back
The “new” cannabinoid, Delta-8
RUFF LIFE
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SHOOGIE DOWN
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Canna-friendly mocktails
The “new” cannabinoid, Delta-8
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DELTA-8 DAWNING
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Prepare your pets for normalcy
LIFE AND TIMES
Vol. 2 of Jay-Z’s cannabis line
DIFFERENT SMOKES
Meet the hottest new cannabinoid since CBD
A queer-owned brand finds the beauty in everyone
GROWING HOME New docuseries helps veterans access medical cannabis
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