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N E VA DA JUNE 2021
THE PROUD FAMILY
Cannapreneur embraces her children’s identities
TWISTED SISTERS
Sin City’s LGBTQ+ Fun Nunnery
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FEATURES
30
38
True Colors
How one family-owned CBD brand embraces relief, acceptance, and Pride.
Delta-8 Dawning
The hottest cannabinoid since CBD
DEPARTMENTS
15 EDITOR’S NOTE 24 THE LIFE Contributing to your health and happiness 16 THE BUZZ SUMMER SIPPERS These News, tips, and tidbits to keep you in the loop MARCH ON Northern Nevada and Las Vegas are primed to support the LGTBQ+ community with Pride. BEHIND THE LENS
Photographer Hollie Cardinal captures the essence of her subjects. THE GREEN TUX Classy attire for the cannabis lifestyle and beyond RAINBOW RODEO This film looks at LGBTQ+ cowboys. LATER, ZITS! Fight acne with CBD.
cocktails will help you enjoy warm days and cool nights. MIDCENTURY MOD Jay Z’s brand reimagines the work of photographer Slim Aarons. JUNE HOROSCOPE What do the stars hold?
46 THE SCENE Hot happenings and hip
hangouts around town SHE’S GOTTA HABIT Meet Las Vegas’ Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. WE DO Las Vegas celebrates its wedding legacy.
ON THE COVER
Cannabis and CBD trailblazer Krista Whitley stands proud with her children, Bella and Kai Castellarin. PHOTO BY PAUL AND LISA OF PAUL’S LAS VEGAS PHOTOGRAPHY
54 THE END The LGBTQ Center of Southern Nevada embraces the past, present, and future.
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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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Fighting for freedom is Join the revolution at norml.org
M
EDITOR’S NOTE
Magazine published monthly by Sensi Media Group LLC.
© 2021 Sensi Media Group. All rights reserved.
Martin Luther King Jr. famously said, “no one is free
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until we are all free.” This is true for all people, including those who identify as LGBTQIA. This month, we reflect on the many contributions of the LGBTQIA community now and across the centuries. We reflect on equality, “the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities” and on pride, “qualities that are widely admired.” The Gay Liberation movement is marked with the raid at the gay/transgender bar Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, on June 28, 1969. The Stonewall Riots, also called the Stonewall Uprising, was started by a black transgender woman named Marsha P. Johnson. Raids were common then, but patrons protested and resisted arrest. Protests and clashes with law enforcement in the bar’s neighborhood lasted six days. The road to LGBTQIA equality has been bumpy but progress is being made. Joe Biden’s administration now includes Dr. Rachel Levine as Assistant Secretary for Health at the US Department of Health and Human Services, in bipartisan confirmation by the Senate. Levine is the first openly transgender, Senate-confirmed federal official in United States history. On the other hand, the road to equality is a long one. We still have far to go. According to federal data disclosed by the FBI, hate crimes based on sexual orientation represent 16.7 percent of hate crimes, the highest percentage after race and religion. The report also shows an uptick in gender identity–based hate crimes, rising from 2.2 percent in 2018 to 2.7 percent in 2019. The movement for equality continues today, and we stand by everyone who identifies as LGBTQIA. We thank all who identify as LGBTQIA for being part of the Sensi community. We thank you, our readers, for supporting equality. We hope Sensi magazine makes you think, explore, and talk to others. Sensi stands with pride as part of the movement toward equality for all.
We thank you, our readers, for supporting equality. The movement continues today, and we stand by everyone who identifies as LGBTQIA.
Yours in the new normal, I N S TAG R A M Pretty things, pretty places, pretty awesome people: find it all on @sensimagazine
Debbie Hall debbie.hall@sensimag.com
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Stand together and celebrate equality. Since the Stonewall Riots in 1969—started at a gay/transgender bar in downtown Manhattan and led by Black transgender activists Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera—members of the LGBTQIA community and allies across the US have stood together to demand equality and equal rights. Now the movement is celebrated during Pride Month in festivals all over the country and across the world. The Northern Nevada Pride parade and festival (northernnevadapride.org) will take place in downtown Reno on July 24. Following the parade, the free, family-friendly festival will be held at Wingfield Park with food, crafts, educational services, nonprofits, live music, and entertainment. Las Vegas Pride (lasvegaspride.org) returns with the Pride Parade in downtown Las Vegas on October 8, and the Pride Festival continues the celebration at Craig Ranch Regional Park on October 9. 16
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PHOTO BY EDUARDO PASTOR
Pride 2021
CONTRIBUTOR
Debbie Hall
BY THE NUMBERS
Lavish Support
Luxury reseller supports PRIDE
4,132 MILES make The Nile the longest river in the world.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
BANISH BREAKOUTS
PHOTO COURTESY OF CLEARBALM
CBD and natural ingredients help heal acne-prone skin. CBD can work wonders on the skin. The 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 3-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 3-step system includes Gentle Foam Cleanser, Power Elixir, and Serum Hydrator. ClearBalm products are cruelty-free with no synthetic dyes, fragrances, parabens, or PEGs. ClearBalm / thisisbalm.com/collections/clearbalm
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Las Vegas luxury reseller, consignment, and pawn shop Max Pawn is showing its PRIDE. Max Pawn owner and former Las Vegas City Councilman Michael Mack will be joining The LGBTQ+ Community Center of Southern Nevada as a member of the board of directors. To show support, Max Pawn will donate a portion of proceeds throughout the month of June to The Center. Max Pawn / 6040 W. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas maxpawn.com
POUNDS
How much the Chewbacca costume weighs
10K TASTE
Equality means BUDS more than passing laws. The struggle is really won in the hearts and minds of the MINUTES community, where it really counts.” Number on the average human tongue
7
it takes to hard boil an egg
—Barbara Gittings, LGTBQIA activist
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THE BUZZ
VOX POPULI
Question: How do you advocate for equality?
DONALD CONTURSI
MELISSA SKIPWORTH JOHN DUNIA
LESLIE LAGUARDIA
Las Vegas President of President Lip Smacking Foodie Tours
Henderson Realtor, Coldwell Banker Premier Realty, entrepreneur
Henderson Publicist at LaGuardia Media and Public Relations
___________________
___________________
Through my tours, especially the Chinatown and Arts District ones, I hope to promote cultures and artists who don’t often get the limelight they deserve.
It’s important to me to be fair to all for many reasons. The relationships I develop without bias or stereotypes open my world to limitless possibilities.
Henderson Author of The Shame Doctor
___________________
We all should advocate for equality in work, thought, and cooperation. Triumph does not rest on the heels of prejudice and discrimination.
___________________
IF I WAIT FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO VALIDATE MY EXISTENCE, IT WILL MEAN THAT I’M SHORTCHANGING MYSELF.”
When I am speaking to my friends and family, or engaging with an advocacy organization, the most important way to be an advocate is speaking up. By raising our voices, we can spread awareness —Zanele Muholi, and break down barriers. South African activist and artist
EYE FOR BEAUTY
PHOTOS COURTESY OF HOLLIE CARDINAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Photographer artistically freezes moments in time. Photos capture moments in time—a vision of beauty, the joy on someone’s face, and memories. It is more than a job says Hollie Cardinal, owner and operator of Hollie Cardinal Photography. She feels honored to be a part of people’s lives for any occasion. A mother of five, including two with special needs, she began to incorporate creativity and using her arts education when she took up photography, serving as the house photographer at the Peppermill and The House of Blues. Cardinal loved it. “There is no one right way to take a photograph,” she explains. “It is about capturing the essence of the subject while making it enjoyable for people. I want everyone to see what I am seeing through my photos.” She also developed her eye for photography working for WTS Events, a live events company provides staging, production, audio/visual, staff, and other production needs. Las Vegas is the “wedding capital of the world,” wedding photography was deemed an essential service, and Cardinal is grateful to have been able to offer her gifts to many people during the pandemic. Along with continuing her thriving photography business in 2021, Cardinal is now the Events Director for the Las Vegas Wedding Chamber of Commerce. The chamber has been holding live events since restrictions lifted in Nevada, including networking events for the wedding industry. Cardinal also fills in at Smash Booth & SB Interactive Photo Studios. And her photos have been featured in several issues of Sensi magazine, including the March 2021 cover. Hollie Cardinal Photography / holliecardinalphotography.mypixieset.com HollieCardinalPhotography
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THE BUZZ
LOCAL COMPANY
Dressed to Connect
PHOTOS COURTESY OF P3 EVENTS, KRISTIN ELIZABETH IMAGES, AND FRIAR TUX, ALVIN MAHMUDOV
Where classy tuxedos set the mood. How about attending a Weeding instead of a wedding? This is just one of the fun aspects of Friar Tux, a go-to tux and wedding provider in Southern Nevada. In the “wedding capital of the world,” a classy tux in the perfect color creates excitement. Attending a quinceañera or a prom? The right tux is an essential part of the event. “We can provide the green tuxedo and the shoot to showcase a classy cannabis wedding,” says Cindy Adair, general manager of Friar Tux. The company offers special tuxes for engagement photos, the rehearsal dinner, and a second tuxedo coat for the wedding reception. Along with tuxedos other items are offered, including shirts, shoes, ties, socks, vests, and accessories for rent or sale in a vast array of colors. Its online company, Stitch and Tie, can ship these items anywhere in the US. The big trend, according to Adair, is a shorter pant length, especially the crop pant length with no socks. Tuxedos are available from a 3T (toddler) to Big and Tall (size 70 jacket). Friar Tux can fit women as well, and they do carry one tuxedo specially designed for women. Minor alterations can be made for other tuxes with a short coat to fit. Since some couples spontaneously decide to tie the knot, Friar Tux offers same-day service locally. Friar Tux / various locations / friartux.com
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Growin g the Industr y.
Upcoming shows are: Oklahoma City, OK May 27-28 Detroit MI, June 25-26 Chicago IL, August 6-7 Biloxi MS, September 17-18
Shop, Learn, and Network at the Nations Leading Cannabis Conference and Expo. Tickets at CannaCon.org
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.
PHOTO BY DANIEL LLOYD BLUNK-FERNÁNDEZ
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.
Giddyap Cowboys and Cowgirls Documentary kicks up rainbowcolored rodeos.
Despite its reputation for nightlife on the glittering Strip, its glitzy resorts, and neon lights, Nevada is famous for rougher, outdoor living too, including cowboys, cowgirls, and rodeos. Reno’s first gay rodeo is the subject of a new film documentary, Rainbow Rodeo, produced by three University of Nevada, Reno students. The film showcases the rodeo’s history from 1976 to 1984. Journalism students Emily MacDiarmid, Carly Sauvageau, and Bree Zender interviewed participants and historians to learn about this rodeo before the resurgence of the Nevada Gay Rodeo Association in 1992. The first Reno gay rodeo, organized by local activist Phil Ragsdale, was held on October 2, 1976. More than 125 people participated, with winners crowned as “King of the Cowboys,” “Queen of the Cowgirls,” and “Miss Dusty Spurs” (for participants in Drag). Ragsdale’s rodeo became an annual event and fundraiser, soon attracting tens of thousands of spectators until, due to misinformation and fear surrounding HIV, the rodeo closed because of financial difficulties. One of Rainbow Rodeo’s filmmakers, Zender, grew up in a rural community identifying as bisexual. She loved rodeos and was thrilled to be part of the documentary as a way to cherish her roots and accept herself. Co-director MacDiarmid grew up in Reno and wanted to showcase the history of her hometown. Rainbow Rodeo can be viewed at youtube.com/ rainbowrodeo. Save the date for The Big Horn Rodeo produced by Nevada Gay Rodeo (ngra.com) to be held in Las Vegas September 18-19. J U N E 2021
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Day or Night Enjoy these cocktails with flavor and flare. TEXT DEBBIE HALL Summer is here with triple-digit daytime temps and warm nights that encourage everyone to enjoy the evening hours. Whether a morning person, ready for a mimosa, or a night owl who loves sipping cocktails on the patio, these recipes are perfect for toasting the new season. Lucky Day Tequila & Mezcal House offers an endless selection of rare mezcals, small-batch tequilas, and signature cocktails complemented by house-made tortilla chips, salsa fresca, and guacamole flights. Indulge in a specialty cocktail to the zeal of Latin rhythms played late and loud. Lucky Day Tequila & Mezcal House / 516 Fremont St. (Las Vegas) / luckydaydtlv.com
Pepino Cariño INGREDIENTS
1 ounce mezcal 1 ounce scotch 1 ounce house sour ½ ounce agave ¼ ounce egg white
3 muddled basil leaves 2 muddled cucumber slices Garnish: Cucumber skin ribbon
INSTRUCTIONS
Combine all ingredients except garnish and shake. Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with cucumber ribbon.
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PHOTO COURTESY OF ANTHONY MAIR
Serves: 1
PHOTOS (FROM TOP) COURTESY OF MTO CAFÉ, HUSSONG’S MEXICAN CANTINA
Locally owned MTO Café offers fresh, made-toorder comfort food for breakfast and lunch. With locations downtown and in Summerlin, MTO Café’s varied menu pleases nearly everyone. Indulge in this favorite brunch cocktail redux. MTO Café / Various Locations / mtocafe.com
The Megamosa Serves: 6
ING REDIENTS
1½ quarts fresh orange juice 2 cups raspberry purée 2 bottles Champagne
Garnish: Pineapple wedges, orange slices, and strawberries
INSTRUCTIONS
In a pitcher, combine the fresh orange juice and raspberry puree. Add champagne and stir gently. Pour into flute glasses and top with fresh-cut pineapple wedges, orange slices, and strawberries.
Hussong’s Mexican Cantina is the “Home of the Original Margarita.” With two locations in Las Vegas, this famed Ensenada bar puts a tasty twist on Baja Mexican food and strong margaritas. Enjoy the romantic glow of this upgrade to the classic margarita. Hussong’s Mexican Cantina / Shoppes at Mandalay Place / hussongslasvegas.com / Boca Park Fashions / hussongsbocapark.com
The Romance Margarita Serves: 2
INGREDIENTS
1½ ounces Hornito blanco or repo tequila 1 ounce banana liquor 2 ounces strawberry puree 2 ounces sweet and sour mix 2 ounces lemonade
1 ounce Grand Marnier Crushed ice Garnish including 2 cherries, 1 orange slice, 2 lime wedges Optional rim salt
INSTRUCTIONS
Put ice in the cup, add the tequila, banana liquor, puree, sweet and sour mix, lemonade, and the Grand Mariner. Shake and pour into a margarita glass (with salted rim, if desired). Add garnishes to the top of the cocktail. J U N E 2021
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Want a sample of our work? You’re reading it. Em Agency is proud to be the creative force behind Sensi’s award-winning visual style. We build brands we believe in—the brand you believe in can be next. emagency.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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Q: Which U.S. President Asked Congress To Decriminalize Cannabis?
A: Jimmy Carter
Within first six months of taking office, President Jimmy Carter was candid about cannabis. During a 1977 address to Congress, he asked they abolish federal penalties for possession. If we know this much about cannabis, imagine what we know to Lift Your Business.
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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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Fearless How one family-owned CBD brand embraces relief, acceptance, and Pride. TEXT DEBBIE HALL
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PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAUL AND LISA OF PAUL’S LAS VEGAS PHOTOGRAPHY
s HEALING
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arents naturally want to share their knowledge, experience, and goals with their children—along with love, respect, and support. What better way to share than to start a business together? The co-founders of the Bella CBD lifestyle brand include an entrepreneurial mother, Krista Whitley, her 13-year-old daughter, Bella Castellarin (who came out as part of the LGBTQI community when she was 9), and her 11-year-old son, Kai Castellarin, who is a trans boy. THC and CBD industry trailblazer Krista has always loved blazing her own journey and not working any 9-to-5 J.O.B. “Once I discovered what entrepreneurs did, I understood the freedoms. Entrepreneurs can impact change more swiftly,” she explains. “I realized that if I want to be part of the change in the world, the best way was to lead by creating.” But the business also had very personal inspiration. As a loving mom, Krista wanted to alleviate her daughter Bella’s lifelong suffering with extreme eczema. Nothing seemed to work for Bella who was prescribed steroids that offered only short-term relief. Krista was determined to find an all-natural, plant-based solution. With the help of dermatologists and other professionals, she started developing solutions in her kitchen, learning about ingredients, their sources, their chemistry, and how they are absorbed and affect skin to promote healing. J U N E 2021
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Krista tested every product in her bathroom cabinet on her own skin as well as on Bella’s skin. She would document what was an irritant and what helped heal. With Krista’s northwest Pacific farming roots, she explored natural and organic ingredients. “Every Bella CBD product is a marriage of good chemistry, good old-fashioned farming, and common sense,” she explains. The Bella brand is woman-led, woman-owned, woman-focused, and proud supporters of the LGBTQI community. More importantly, Krista always planned to involve her children and mentor them as they learned how to own and operate a business. She involved them in the process from the beginning. She could not imagine either child working in a cubicle in an office for 30 years. “When you are being raised by a mom who is an entrepreneur in the THC and CBD industry, they are probably being raised a differently than other families,” she admits. As a result of the pandemic and schooling at home, the two children become more involved, taking leadership in the company. At the ripe old age of 13, Bella stepped in as CEO. As a 7th grader, she can already eloquently educate adults on the benefits of CBD-infused products. Kai serves as COO, has learned how to code, works on the website, and directs all shipping and fulfillment. Bella embraced being mentored by her mother. “I decided to become an entrepreneur to help other people like me who are struggling to feel beautiful in their own skin,” she says. “I wanted to create a solution and do good in
the world. Like my mom told me, I can impact change, which is tremendously fulfilling.” Because she’s young, many people don’t take Bella seriously, underestimating her knowledge and abilities. Yet Bella can discuss CBD’s benefits for conditions aside from eczema, including symptoms of perimenopause, menopause, and hormonal changes. Many are shocked that a teenager can intelligently discuss sexual wellness and incorporate CBD into their intimate lifestyles. She believes that knowledge is power, and that young adults should be educated about all aspects of sexuality and changes to that can be expected throughout females’ lives. “I am insulted when people speak to children in baby voices and dumb down important information,” Bella says. Kai has been applying labels and wrapping packages since he was very young. “My biggest challenge today as a young entrepreneur is that I don’t know what I don’t know. I am thankful for the mentors and advisors in my life who guide me. I can figure it out sometimes, but other times I need help from others,” says Kai. “Working in the CBD industry is very exciting with emerging markets around the world,” he says. In fact, Bella CBD was one of the first brands to be marketed in Japan and Singapore. Bella and Kai have grown and thrived surrounded by love and support. “My parents always made a conscious effort to be supportive of living my truth. I was always surrounded by people who were already out, including my two gay uncles and my mother’s lesbian
friends,” explains Bella. It was a natural progression, she says. Over a meal at a casual chain restaurant, 9-year-old Bella told her mother that she had a crush on a girl. It was not dramatic or confrontational, she explains, more an opportunity to open a conversation. Her mother explained that it was okay for Bella to develop crushes on girls and, as she grew older, to explore her feelings. Bella knew she was loved and accepted by her family. Today Bella identifies as questioning and Queer, and her family continues to love and support her without any judgment. “Their father and I did not grow up around openly gay people. I was raised in a small, conservative town. Their dad was homophobic,” says Krista. “Today we are transparent with our kids about what we used to think and believe, and that we can change on our own journey towards acceptance. When they are faced with homophobia or transphobia, they understand it as a closed-minded attitude, that its fear of people who are different from them.” She acknowledges that although the kids have an accepting environment at home, “they will be faced with people who don’t share our beliefs or acceptance,” adds Krista. When Kai attends trans groups with his family, many adult participants cry over the support and acceptance given to everyone by his family. As he is taught about the history and movement of trans rights, including the Stonewall riots, Kai is learning about how cruelly trans people can be treated. He also understands why J U N E 2021
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Bella CBD lifestyle brand line shopmiabella.com
his family’s unwavering support moves trans people to tears. While Kai came out to the public in the last year, he has lived as a boy since kindergarten. “All people deserve respect and be met with love and understanding. I am lucky to live in Las Vegas, where my school and our community have been overwhelmingly positive and supportive,” says Kai. Sadly, he does hear about other kids transitioning with fractured families and school administrators who do not acknowledge transgender. Kai points to gender-assigned public restrooms as an issue needing attention. Although many countries offer gender-neutral restrooms, in the US it is still unusual. Kai asks if bathrooms really need to be assigned a gender, and, as he stated, if a woman has a problem with a transgender woman using a public restroom because that woman is scared of the transgender woman, it is not because of transgender women but predatory men. Both kids grew up attending Las Vegas Medical Marijuana Association and Women Grow events. They have marched in Pride parades and have been encouraged by both parents to live authentically, to be fearless in sharing their stories to inspire others. Bella is always candid about her authenticity, including her eczema and being a questioning Queer woman. She is not interested in proselytizing or “converting” anyone but in educating and informing while living her own truth. An artist, she is also working on getting accepted into the Las Vegas Arts Academy. Her ultimate
goal is to attend an arts university in Milan and then work for a cutting-edge animation company such as Pixar. In fact, she is studying Italian in preparation. Kai plans to continue learning coding and website design toward a potential career in technology—one tht will feed his entrepreneurial spirit. He wants to leave a legacy, living his best life and making the world a better place for others. The family takes pride in their CBD products, knowing there are many on the market that haven’t gone to the lengths that
Bella brand has with its ingredients. Bella ingredients are tested and the products are cruelty-free, vegan, natural, and organic. Most importantly, the family genuinely believes in the products for their benefits, not for their profits. It’s no wonder that over the last decade Bella has won awards for innovation, medical efficacy, quality, and diversity. The brand represents the best of Nevada on so many levels.
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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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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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“…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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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
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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Sin Sity Sisters The Nunnery 900 E. Karen Ave., Ste A-218, Las Vegas sinsitysisters.org
Out Performing
Watch for these inspirational Sisters.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF SIN SITY SISTERS
TEXT DEBBIE HALL
Holy Order Sin Sity Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Inc. ascribes to a different order, one that combines fun with charity, community outreach, ministry, social activism, sex-positive education, and disease prevention. They preach a ministry of presence at events, parades, galas— anywhere they are needed to spread the word. Bold colors, enormous headdresses, gigantic bling, and expressive makeup convey their message as fabulous performance art. The order’s “church” is The Nunnery at The Orleans in Commercial Center, a space that includes a LGTBQAI+ art gallery and hosts events, such as Project Nunway. Sister Loosy Lust Bea Lady Sister of Sexual Craving founded the order of Sin Sity Sisters for personal reasons. Sister Loosy has been living with AIDS for 30 years and was forced to quit working in a lucrative profession in 2003. Sister Loosy quickly learned that in order to be eligible to receive
services, one must be 200 to 300 percent below the poverty level. In 2005, Sister Loosy founded the order of Sin Sity Sisters with six other sisters, inspired by the original order of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence in San Francisco. Each founding Sister characterizes one of the seven deadly sins: pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony, and sloth, each represented by a symbol and a color. The Sin Sity Sisters’s space has been in The Orleans for five years and, in the past, has partnered with many artists. “We are performance artists, and our looks and manners are what attracts people to us,” explains Sister Loosy. “This is our way of
bringing our mission to people.” While events were on hold during the pandemic, the Sisters kept the work going through their digital presence. National Coming Out Day is Oct. 11, and the Sisters look forward to presenting the show Outrageous, an LGTBQAI+ art gallery show during the month of October.
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S THE SCENE
HIGH SOCIETY
Shindig Celebrates “I Do” The Las Vegas Wedding Chamber of Commerce (weddingchamber. vegas), in partnership with the Clark County Clerk’s Office, celebrated its 5th anniversary with an over-the-top party on Level 108 at The Strat Hotel Casino, Skypod. Clark County Clerk Lynn Goya, along with the chamber’s board of directors, welcomed the members and their guests to the mixer. Austin Powers tribute artist John Di Domenico “misbehaved” as he partied with the guests and announced raffle winners. Exhilaration topped the evening with the Thrill Rides.
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LAS VEGAS WEDDING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 5TH ANNIVERSAY PARTY WHERE: THE STRAT HOTEL, CASINO, SKYPOD WHEN: APRIL 27, 2021 PHOTOS: ANA STUDIOS PHOTOGRAPHY
THE SCENE HIGH SOCIETY
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ADVISORY BOARD NCRMA
Stay Safe Here’s what you need to know about budtender safety and OSHA compliance in a dispensary.
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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 11.
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P R O M OT I O N A L F E AT U R E H I G H L I T E S TA F F I N G
the ground floor now and be running a department within a year.
Highlite Staffing Find the perfect employee for the job.
H
ighlite Staffing is the dreamchild of entrepreneur and CEO Christi McAdams, an active license holder in the cannabis space since 2014. McAdams founded Highlite Staffing with insights from her own businesses, which have included two cannabis production labs, a distribution company, and three cannabis support licenses. Highlite Staffing provides temporary and permanent placement of cannabis-trained and state-approved staff in thirteen states—and growing. They help businesses fill positions in cultivation, production lab/kitchen, and dispensary. We caught up with McAdams to discuss Highlite Staffing’s expansion and her perspective on the future of cannabis.
What inspired you to launch Highlite Staffing? Back in 2013, when I decided to pursue a career in the cannabis industry, I did everything I could to immerse myself. I attended conventions, took workshops, read articles, and joined every networking group within a 6-hour radius of me. After several months, still no one would hire me—not even when I offered to work for free to gain experience. So I decided to start my own company. Now, after running several of my own cannabis businesses, I’ve realized there is a need for a company that connects employers with qualified and ambitious job seekers looking to break into the industry. Cannabis is the fastest growing industry with many opportunities for smart folks to start at
What are the biggest challenges for cannabis-business staffing? Each market is unique with its own compliance and regulations, so we must make sure that our employees are qualified before hiring them and sending them on assignment. Many applicants do not understand the processes required to become qualified to work in cannabis. That’s because this is a priviledged industry. Employees must meet annual training standards, pass a background checks, and be approved for a state-issued agent card. It’s a frustrating process working with job boards like Indeed that don’t understand the uniqueness of our industry and take down our job boards when we have more opportunity for job seekers than any other industry out there. What is in the future for Highlite Staffing? We are expanding into new markets across the United States to provide temporary staff for cultivation facilities, production labs, and dispensaries. Where do you see the cannabis industry going? Global. I recently collaborated on a networking group, the Global Cannabis Industry Networking Group, where diplomats and ambassadors from each of the legal countries will sit on monthly panels to discuss cannabis on a global level. To learn more about Highlite Staffing, visit their website at highlightstaffing.com.
Highlite Staffing Cannabis Staffing Agency highlitestaffing.com J U N E 2021
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THE END
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The Center 401 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas thecenterlv.org
Building Acceptance Renovating and repairing the rainbow landscape.
A building can be much more than a brick-and-mortar structure. It can be a beacon of hope, acceptance, and a safe haven. The LGBTQ Center of Southern Nevada, also known as The Center, continues to shine its light for everyone in the LGBTQIA+ community. In 1976 the structure in the downtown neighborhood was surrounded by middle-class and upscale residences, located blocks from family-owned and operated motels on Fremont Street. The retail space served multiple purposes, finally becoming a home improvement center until it closed in the 2000s. The building stood deserted until The Center purchased it in 2012 and held its grand opening on April 6, 2013. Founded in 1992, The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of 54
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Southern Nevada nonprofit first met in Community Counseling Center before purchasing a small former dental office in the same retail area. Eventually, the center moved to Commercial Center but, due to the overwhelming need, outgrew its 6,000-square-foot storefront. Through strategic planning, The Center was able to expand to its current location to help the growing community. The 16,000-square-foot facility with a 4,000-square-foot courtyard required a $4 million renovation and now includes state-ofthe-art meeting, convention, and performance spaces, the David Parks LGBTQ library, and the David Bohnett Cybercenteran enhanced computer lab. The Center hosts social, spiritual, religious gatherings, and offers support
groups and free testing for STDs (including HIV) available through a partnership with the Southern Nevada Health District. A commercial kitchen was added and The Jolt Coffee Co. now serves The Jolt Coffees, Pistachio Lattes, and Caramel Monkey Frappes. They also serve Grown-Up Grilled Cheese with three kinds of cheese, bacon, avocado, and grilled onions on toasted multigrain bread—pure nirvana. During the pandemic, The Center helped distribute food and holiday meals. It carried out programs to assist the surrounding neighborhoods, including pet food and care. The Center continues to grow its program offerings to serve its mission to be a hub for the LGBTQIA+ community and allies—for equality, courage, faith, and love.
PHOTO BY DEBBIE HALL
TEXT DEBBIE HALL
Eva Littman, MD, F.A.C.O.G.
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SUPER 8
The “new” cannabinoid, Delta-8
NIGHT AND DAY
Cocktails for every occasion
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Vol. 2 of Jay Z’s cannabis line
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Industry leaders on inclusion
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Riqua Hailes takes on racism in drug law with Just Cannabis
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DRAWING TALENT Dispensary label designs from local artists
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Cannapreneur embraces her children’s identities
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JUNE 2021
DELTA-8 DAWNING
RUFF LIFE
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
SEE ALL THE JUNE EDITIONS NOW AVAILABLE!