Cannabis With Class...
22 Pot + Belly
Can cannabis heal an ailing gut?
New research may soon offer an answer.
28 In the Sky with Diamonds
The other-worldly glow of Space Rocks represents a giant leap for the industry.
34 Get Psyched
Felicity Pharma is disrupting the psychedelics market, bringing female-focused healing to those who are suffering in silence.
NOTE
THE BUZZ News, tips, and tidbits to keep you in the loop
SWEET SUCCESS Cookies SF in NYC
FUNNER ONIONS Snoop Dogg’s newest edibles HOLIDAY HITS Our top stoner gifts for 2022 HOT STUFF Stay warm with this recipe for infused hot cocoa.
THROWBACK TO THE FUTURE New mural in Enid pays tribute to the ’80s.
CANNACON The national business convention is back in Oklahoma.
HEMP HOTEL A rst-ofits-kind Oklahoma City amenity is consumption friendly
16
THE LIFE
Contributing to your health and happiness
COMFORT FOOD Make your own infused soup with the LEVO extractor. Don’t have one? Maybe you can win one!
HIGH & DRY Exploring the newest semisobriety trend 40
THE SCENE
Hot happenings and hip hangouts around town
GET YOUR GLOW BACK A guide to winter skin care + cannabinoids.
WEED+ Pu -pu -pass the popcorn
HIGH SOCIETY Sensi’s Costumes and Cannabis Wonderland
“Growers tip of the day” Love Everybody
Carter Creek Cannabis, led by “Slim” and Icy Melts Solvent-less, led by “Senior”, are two of the finest brands to have emerged from the Oklahoma medical cannabis market. Our mission as a unified one, is “to improve the quality of people’s lives through the cannabis we grow and process”. This is why we focus on growing our cultivars as organically as possible and why Icy Melts only makes solvent-less infused products.
Making the cleanest cannabis products for the patients of Oklahoma is our number one priority. Our emphasis on clean medicine and the most exotic cultivars in our state has led us to meet some of the most talented breeders/pheno hunters in the world. Special thanks to Rasta from Beleaf Cannabis and Jay from Phresh Harvest for blessing us with our 2022 lineup of amazing breeder-cut genetics. Chimera #2 , Peanut Butter Cookies 44 F2, and Sherbert Cream Cakes, just to name a few. Dropping in dispensaries all over Oklahoma on 4-20-22.
Sales@highsandlowsbrokerage.com https://highsandlowsbrokerage.com/ @cartercreekcannabis & @icymeltssolventless leaflink.com/menu/icy-melts-solventless/
It’s more than just a statement. It’s been our way of life and how together, we’ve grown great cannabis for over 30 years.
EXECUTIVE
Ron Kolb Founder ron@sensimag.com
Stephanie Graziano CEO stephanie.graziano@sensimag.com
PUBLISHING
Jamie Cooper Market Director, Michigan
Richard Guerra Market Director, Massachusetts
Jake Boynton Market Director, Massachusetts Nancy Reid Market Director, National
EDITORIAL
Jen Bernstein Executive Editor
Elana Frankel National Contributor Dawn Garcia National Contributor
Debbie Hall National Contributor
Hudson Lindenberger National Contributor
Bonnie Pipkin National Contributor Matthew Solan National Contributor
Will Brendza Contributor, Colorado
Tracy Ross Contributor, Michigan Mike DiPaola Copy Editor
DESIGN
Jamie Ezra Mark Creative Director jamie@emagency.com
Rheya Tanner Art Director
Wendy Mak Designer Josh Clark Designer Andrew Ontko Designer
PRODUCTION
Jade Kolb Social Media / Global Recruiting
Neil Willis Production Director
Richard Guerra Digital Production
MEDIA SALES
COLORADO
Amy Sharp Media Sales Executive
Tyler Tarr Media Sales Executive
MICHIGAN
Will Oostendorp Media Sales Exec.
OKLAHOMA
Levi Clark Media Sales Executive
Leidy Torres Media Sales Exec.
ADVISORY BOARD
COLORADO
Concentrate Supply Co. Recreational Concentrates
marQaha Sublinguals + Beverages
Source CO Wholesale Consulting Witlon Inc. Payroll Processing
MICHIGAN
Arono Law (Craig Arono ) Licensing Law Firm
Grapp Lerash Accounting/CPA Services
Kush Design Studio Cannabis Facility Design & Build
MASSACHUSETTS
Corners Packaging Packaging
Green Goddess Supply
Personal Homegrown Biochamber
The Holistic Center
Medical Marijuana Evaluations
Revolutionary Clinics Medical Dispensary
Tess Woods Public Relations Public Relations
Vantage Builders Construction
if
FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
“If you haven’t got your health, you haven’t got anything.”
Whether or not you’ve seen The Princess Bride, the cult classic movie (and one of my favorites), I’m sure you’re familiar with this quote Well, these days no truer words could be written. How you feel, both your physical and mental game, is what matters most, and if there’s one New Year’s wish for 2023 that I have for all Sensi readers—it’s that you feel good. Health truly is wealth, and since taking care of ourselves is one of the most important aspects of our lives, we planned this winter edition with you in mind.
Like Sensi Media Group to infuse your newsfeed with more of our great cannabis lifestyle content.
TWITTER Follow @sensimag for need-to-know news and views from Sensi headquarters.
Maybe you’re one of the 20 million Americans suffering from chronic digestive issues, as Matthew Solan addresses in “Pot + Belly”? Or, perhaps as Bonnie Pipkin writes in “Get Psyched,” you’re looking for alternatives to pharmaceuticals like plant medicine to help treat women’s hormonal disorders?
If there’s one common connection among Sensi readers, it’s that we are already health aware. We know that cannabis is a healing plant known for its myriad uses—and we enjoy it in our daily lives. Instead of shoving pharmaceuticals down our throats we choose healthier alternatives. When the clock strikes midnight this New Year’s Eve, you better believe I’m gonna spark a big phatty instead of guzzling Champagne!
What I’m trying to say is, if you are already enlightened and have seen what cannabis can do for your health, you’re one of us—and I wish all of us good health for 2023 and beyond. Thank you all for a wonderful 2022, and here’s to an even better, more prosperous, and healthier new year!
We know that cannabis is a healing plant known for its myriad uses— and we enjoy it in our daily lives…. When the clock strikes midnight this New Year’s Eve, you better believe I’m gonna spark a big phatty instead of guzzling Champagne!
Pretty things, pretty places, pretty awesome people: nd it all on @sensimagazine
As you wish,
Jen Bernstein @nycjamgalCookies SF Gears Up NYC
Never in a million years did Melvin Rodriguez, general manager for the monumental new Cookies SF store in New York City, think that they would one day be opening a five-story retail and cultural cannabis center right across the street from Macy’s in Herald Square.
“We want to be the centerpiece of the legalization movement here and be just as corporate as Macy’s. We’ve been left in the dark for way too long, and it’s time for people to notice us, and see us as a multimillion dollar business,” says Melvin.
“We are pushing the limits and pushing the culture forward,” he says. “I’m excited to teach New York.”
Melvin, who was floor supervisor at the Cookies Hayward dispensary, was born and raised in NY and so passionate about weed that he packed two bags and headed west to learn as much as he could about the cannabis industry.
“One of my good friends opened Hayward and asked me if I wanted to work. Two years later I was named “Employee of the Year,” and now I’m here,” says Melvin. “I’m super grateful.” —Jen Bernstein 58 6th Ave, New York, NY 10001 / Cookiessf.com
HOLIDAY LIST KNOCKOUTS
By Executive Editor, Jen BernsteinAs adults, no one ever asks us what’s on our holiday wish lists. Why should kids have all the fun and get presents? Here are my top gift requests this season, if anyone is asking. Hint, hint! —JB
Diggin’ the D-O-G-G’s Weed-Infused O’s
It was almost love at rst bite when TSUMo Snacks brought their smorgasbord of savory snacks to weed’s biggest rap icon and ganja cannaseur, Snoop Dogg. “We delivered our full lineup,” says Caroline Yeh, a “ton of snacks,” which featured all ve of TSUMo’s salty and savory products. The feedback from Snoop was simple, “I’m more of a Funyuns guy,” he said. The team quickly got to work on Uncle Snoop’s cannabis-infused crispy avored rings and knew they had a hit the minute they hit the shelves.
Packing a powerful bow-wow-wow of 100mg per bag yippy-yay, Snoop’s Snazzle O’s garnered instant attention following their debut at one of the cannabis industry’s premiere expos, Hall of Flowers. Soon after, TSUMo’s small (but mighty) company excitedly watched as late night TV hosts Jimmy Fallon and Seth Myers shared their bite-sized news.
“It was shocking,” says Yeh. “Watching the global press pick up on it and seeing translations appear from all over like Croatia, Germany, and South America was overwhelming. That’s the impact of working with Snoop.”
We see a lot of gummies and the same old brownies and cookies ooding dispensary shelves, but there’s de nitely a market and place for creativity and taking chances with edibles. So if you’re on the lookout for some new, tasty, savory treats – the new-new can be found at participating dispensaries in California, such as MedMen.
“Fun is our core, and it’s one of our values. It’s part of our company and sometimes can get lost in cannabis,” says Yeh. “We’re bringing back the fun.” —JB tsumosnacks.com
1. Love the skin you’re in even more when you’re adorned with the beautifully embroidered delicates from Thistle and Spire. I’ve always imagined owning their Haze collection’s bodysuit with seductively sexy cannabis leaves, but their Monarch collection could be my latest flight of fancy. Choose the collection that speaks to you at thistleandspire.com and start your new year loving you.
2. Green Bee Botanicals Quench Moisturizer is pure luxury for your face. I could go through this THC & CBD, small-batch, rich and hydrating moisturizer from the women-owned company by the gallons. Greenbeebotanicals.com
3. Holy smokes, I mean, vapes! The new Pax Plus is a stunner. Not only does it look sleek and elegant, I’m sure it’s gonna produce a nice, clean hit that’s superior to any portable vaporizer on the scene.
Pax.com
FRESH START
Four fun ways to stay in the Sooner Spirit this winter
There’s no question the past three years have been a roller coaster, with shaky rules from the past as the only guardrails. We shall see what the new year brings — almost certainly more bumps, more twists and turns, more ups and downs. Whatever happens next, Oklahoma locals and tourists alike continue to enjoy Sooner culture in all its forms, even as they keep an eye on new developments in cannabis regulation. —Debbie Hall
1 Hot Stuff
Heat up the winter months with elevated “adult” hot cocoa. Temps remain cold in Oklahoma, with snow blanketing some regions of the state. So what better way to spend a cozy evening than to sip on hot cocoa infused with cannabis oil, cannabutter, or CBD oil?
It begins with making a cup of hot chocolate. It can be from a mix, even of the keto variety for those following that program, or dairy-free. Of course there is the old-school way to make a cup of hot cocoa for one: combine 1 oz unsweetened chocolate, ¼ cup white granulated sugar (or substitute), 1 cup milk, a pinch of salt, and ¼ tsp vanilla extract. Heat and blend ½ tsp melted cannabutter, cannabis oil, or CBD oil. To add an extra kick, mix in cannabis-infused milk, medicated chocolate, or a caramel edible.
Grön (eatgron.com) cannabis-infused chocolate with a Fairtrade certification is available in Oklahoma in six delicious flavors. Stargazer Edibles (stargazer.life/chocolate) is an Oklahoma-based company offering chocolates infused with THC using locally sourced ingredients.
2
Throwback to the Future
80s Pop Culture Mural revives the decade
Enid, Oklahoma, takes an alley back to the future with its 80s Pop Culture Mural. Completed in December 2020 by Enidbased artist Tox Murillo, it encapsulates the 1980s, featuring familiar cultural icons on a 14-foot-by-98-foot cement canvas. Arcade games exploded with PacMan and Ms. Pac-Man, while the Rubik’s Cube stumped many players. Michael Jackson dominated the charts and Tom Selleck captured the hearts of television viewers with “Magnum P.I.” Max Headroom introduced AI, while the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man and Slimer embodied spirits from “Ghostbusters.” Yoda smiles down as ET the Extra-Terrestrial points out to the street. Next for Murillo will be his 21-footby-50-foot cultural mural along historic Route 66 in downtown Yukon, Oklahoma.
80s Pop Culture Mural 612 N. Independence St. / Enid / visitenid.org
CannaCon
Comeback
The business of legalized cannabis hits Oklahoma. CannaCon returns to Oklahoma City to provide an interactive gathering of like-minded professionals uniting entrepreneurs, investors, experts, and pioneers to discuss the latest cannabis industry developments.
The next generation of consumer products and cannabis technology will in uence the current and future marketplace trends. Vendors and industry experts will showcase industry products and innovations. CannaCon creates the opportunity for attendees, vendors, and participants to strengthen partnerships, receive education, and continue community involvement within the cannabis industry.
With the legalization of medicinal cannabis in Oklahoma, the industry remains strong in the state. However, Oklahoma State Question 819, the Marijuana Legalization Initiative, was not on the ballot in Oklahoma as an initiated constitutional amendment on Nov. 8. CannaCon / March 31-April 1 / OKC Convention Center / 100 Mick Cornett Drive / cannacon.org/south/cannacon-okc-2023
4
OK’s First Hemp Hotel
Hemp Hotel, Oklahoma’s rst cannabis-friendly hotel, invites guests with all of the amenities, including a tness center, restaurant, bar, hookah lounge, and free parking. It is conveniently located four miles from downtown Oklahoma City (see the upcoming CannaCon), and is close to Chesapeake Arena, Bricktown neighborhood, National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, and Myriad Botanical Gardens.
Hemp Hotel 6101 N. Santa Fe Ave. Oklahoma City hemphotel.us
Comfort Food
A creamy cauli ower soup infused with love and cannabis.
TEXT STEPHANIE GRAZIANOComfy thoughts of warm gloves and sweaters, cozy nights with extra blankets, soothing candles and calming chai tea to light and delight the evening. Winter is when the hustle of life slows, leaving more time for
of year you will find me in the kitchen more often, baking fresh cookies for everyone or boiling up bowls of creamy soup to cut the winter chill.
This winter, my warming bowl of choice is a hearty, creamy cauliflower
PHOTO COURTESY OF JUSTIN GRAZIANOINGREDIENTS
Infused Creamy Cauli ower Soup
VEGAN / Makes 2 servings
2½ cups cauliflower, chopped
2 cloves garlic leeks
3 sprigs fresh thyme
¾ cup white beans
INSTRUCTIONS
1 yellow onion, chopped
3½ cups vegetable broth
3 tbps olive oil
2-4 tbps infused canna-oil (avocado/olive/MCT oil are great)
Salt and pepper to taste
Remove the ends and outer layer of leeks. Slice in half lengthwise and dice into a bowl of water. Swirl to wash.
Coat a large pot with olive oil. Add leeks, onion, and pinch of salt and sauté until browned, about 5 minutes.
Add garlic and thyme and sauté 30 more seconds.
Add cauliflower, broth, beans, salt, pepper, and canna-oil.
Simmer 15-20 mins until cauliflower is soft.
Remove thyme sprigs with a fork. Using a highpowered blender or in-pot immersion blender, blend soup in small batches. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
NOTES
The amount of canna-oil will depend on its potency and your tolerance. 2-4 tbsps is generally a good dose for two people.
HOW TO USE A LĒVO INFUSER
1. Fill the herb pod with cannabis (up to 14g in the LĒVO II and 1oz in the LĒVO C ). You can also include other herbs such as garlic or thyme to make a avored infusion.
2. Add the silicone lids and place the pod in the basin. Select Activate to decarb.
3. When the Activate cycle is complete, add the silicone stirrer to the basin and pour in your oil. (The LĒVO II holds up to 2 cups of oil or butter, while the LĒVO C holds 41⁄4 cups.)
4. Choose your infusion time and temperature for infusion. (Varies based on the oil, but we prefer low and slow for most infusions: 165°F for 6 hours is a good baseline.)
5. When complete, pour your infusion into a jar (or press the Dispense button on LĒVO II).
6. Use an herb press to squeeze every last drop of golden oil from the herb pods.
• HINT: Save your leftover infused cannabis (aka sludge) and add some to your recipe for extra potency and nutritional bene ts. Blend dried sludge into brownie and cake mixes, or add it to smoothies.
CALLING ALL CANNA-COOKS!
Got an awesome infused dish you want to tell the world about? Tell us about it for a chance to win a LĒVO home infuser and be featured in our upcoming 420 issue!
Here’s how you enter: 1. Follow @sensimag on Instagram.
2. Post a photo and description of your one-of-a-kind cannabis infusion. (No stealing from the internet—it has to be your recipe.)
3. Tag @sensimag and three friends in your post.
The contest runs through Valentine’s Day 2023, so don’t miss out!
soup full of fresh veggies and aromatics—and a dash of homemade cannabis oil for good measure.
I’ve been experimenting more with infused recipes these days, thanks to one of my top kitchen obsessions this year: my LĒVO home infusion machine, which simplifies the process of infusing
cannabis with whatever herbs and oils I’m cooking with. It’s the only patented herbal infusion machine on the market, with precise and customizable time and temperature controls, which means I can decarb without an oven. And because everything is done inside metal pods, there’s no more
straining, no extra accessories, and they’re completely dishwasher safe.
If you’re a fellow ganja gourmet, you know the possibilities for infused dishes are endless, and the LĒVO only makes it easier to infuse your favorite foods. I’m always on the lookout for new recipes, so if you have a
killer homemade infused dish, shout it out on Insta to @sensimag. One lucky chef will win their own LĒVO home infuser and have their recipe featured in the next issue of Sensi magazine. (See sidebar.)
Until then, I’m wishing you warm days and more quality time with those you love!
PHOTO COURTESY OF LEVOHigh & Dry
As alcohol falls further out of vogue, health-conscious Americans are embracing a new semi-sobriety trend known as “California sober.”
TEXT DAWN GARCIAIt’s safe to say the last two and a half years have been the strangest ever. As we navigated our way through a (still) confusing pandemic, more and more people stayed home, and during all that unstructured, uncertain time, many of us did more look inward—we reassessed every aspect
made a conscious choice to explore the newly legal— and healthy—alternative, cannabis. Thus a new trend has taken root in our lives that reified a term we’re all familiar with: moderation. Turns out people want more balance in their lives, and the reasoning is more mindful than intoxicating. This trend is about a new
Doctors and researchers alike are studying this newfound approach to a healthier “semi-sobriety.”
As cannabis regulations continue to be more thorough and less black market-esque, it’s time to take a closer look at why being California sober is catching on. California does tend to lead the way on health trends, and it’s a state devoted to longevity, mental and physical wellness, and it’s a staunch supporter of the many benefits of cannabis. Whether you are battling anxiety, feeling unsettled over the current political and financial uncertainties, or you simply want to be your best self and feel better (with more clarity), California sober is more than a growing trend. It’s an actual way of living that leads to a better quality of life.
To better understand the contrast between cannabis and alcohol, the hard data on the harmful effects of alcohol shines a rather stark light on the issue. There are nearly 385 alcohol-related deaths per day, and that 140,557 Americans die every year from the effects of alcohol? With numbers like that, it’s no wonder the general public is reconsidering whether or not to partake. According to The World Health Organization, excessive alcohol use is responsible for 7.1 percent of disease among males and 2.2 percent among females.
A CAN O’ CANNA
Cannabis beverages are California sobriety taken to its natural conclusion—social beverages that are spiked with THC and/or CBD instead of alcohol. Many are marketed as sodas, seltzers, or sparkling/tonic waters, but more booze-styled canna-concoctions such as wines and beers are growing more popular. While the cannabis beverage market is still pretty niche, its US value is estimated to reach $920 million by the end of 2023. Want to try one? Here are ve products to check out so you can tell your friends you were drinking cannabis before it was cool.
When compared to any other substance, cannabis is the least of the offenders. That’s not to say people don’t overdose on high levels of THC (yes, it can happen, but usually only when mixed with other substances), or get into car wrecks, or die in unforeseen accidents when under the influence of cannabis—because like any substance, you should never get behind the
wheel or do questionable things while high. It is to say that no matter what fear tactics anti-cannabis folks offer, cannabis is not a killer. It is far more beneficial than detrimental.
The truth is, choosing cannabis over alcohol doesn’t make you a stoner. It puts you among the 52 million Americans who partake. Does this mean you should head to California, learn to surf,
develop an undeniable love for Jack Johnson, and completely change your relationship to alcohol or other, more addictive substances? Sure, we’re all fans of healthier alternatives, but what you do is totally up to you. That said, if you are looking to cut back or cut out alcohol because hangovers aren’t as fun as they used to be, California sober might be the thing for you.
HIGHER VIBES: WATERMELON BASIL Wunder ndwunder.com BLUE RAZZ KEEF COLA Keef Brands keefbrands.com ¡PIÑA! SOFT DRINK, PINEAPPLE FLAVOR Mari y Juana drinkmj.com BLACK CHERRY FIZZ THC & SELTZER Wynk drinkwynk.com SAKA SPARK MIMOSA House of Saka houseofsaka.comAn estimated 20 million Americans suffer from chronic digestive diseases and disorders.
The list includes irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis), celiac disease (the body’s difficulty digesting gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley), lactose intolerance (trouble digesting the sugar in milk), and “leaky gut,” where the gut’s lining becomes damaged and cannot properly function. These symptoms can be debilitating: chronic stomach pain, cramping, bloating, constipation, nausea, and diarrhea. And finding relief is a constant struggle.
The gut is as complex and mysterious as the Milky Way. Inside it are billions of bacteria, nerves, and tissues, working alone and together to keep your digestion running smoothly. With such complexity, it’s probably no surprise that treating gut issues is difficult. Remedies
are often a matter of trial and error, and even the most successful ones don’t work for everyone.
Enter medical cannabis. Science is now looking at how cannabis may reduce pain and discomfort associated with digestive diseases and disorders. Most current research on gut health is based on people’s responses after taking cannabis: Did their symptoms improve? From this perspective, cannabis helps.
For example, a 2021 study published in the journal PLoS One found that people with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis who consumed cannabis cigarettes for eight weeks reported significant improvement of symptoms compared to those taking a placebo.
“Even though research remains in the initial stages, the results have been encouraging,” says Nicholas DiPatrizio, PhD, associate professor of biomedical sciences at the University of California, Riverside, and director of the school’s new Center for Cannabinoid Research.
These types of studies suggest a thumbs-up to cannabis for helping relieve gut issues. Still, they only show an association, not cause and effect. “Nor is it clear how much cannabis people consistently took and when and if any other variables might explain their reaction,” says DiPatrizio. “People may say cannabis works for their gut problems, and while that’s good news, it’s not nearly enough from a science perspective.”
From that science perspective, the question is not whether it works, but how it works. What mechanisms of cannabis are helping it get to the gut of gut health? The answer most likely lays in the endocannabinoid system.
THE KEY TO THE CORE
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) comprises a vast network of chemical signals and cellular receptors connected to the nervous system. More research is needed to fully understand this complex system, but what we do know is that it plays a huge role in homeostasis, regulating critical functions such as learning and memory, emotional processing, sleep, temperature control, pain management, inflammatory/immune response, and appetite.
The ECS has two primary types of receptors: CB1, found mostly in the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord), and CB2, located mostly in the peripheral nervous system (the rest of the body). These receptors can only be stimulated by a specific neurotransmitter called an endocannabinoid. The ECS is activated when endocannabinoids bind to CB1 or CB2 receptors in a process that DiPatrizio compares to “a key opening a lock.”
The cannabis plant, meanwhile, contains its own unique compounds called phytocannabinoids. There are at least 100 types of cannabinoids, each with a distinct molecular structure, the most common and well-known of which is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the one that causes that trademark intoxicating effect. More interesting to researchers, though, is that THC hijacks the ECS.
“THC interacts with your ECS by binding to CB1 and CB2 receptors, just like endocannabinoids,” says DiPatrizio. “It’s a second key that fits the same lock.”
And it may be just the key that cannabis-gut researchers have been looking for.
GUT CHECK
So far, research remains in the ground-floor phase, looking at the basic correlations between the ECS and the gut. “In other words, if you remove endocannabinoid binders, does it trigger gut problems?” says DiPatrizio. “If so, then the idea of introducing more of these binders like THC could, in theory, help the gut heal.”
DiPatrizio led a recent study, published in 2022 in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, that looked at how symptoms of leaky gut caused by obesity affect ECS. The research used mice engineered to be void of CB1 receptors in their intestinal lining, feeding them an obesity-inducing diet high in fats and sugars for eight weeks to examine how leaky their gut became.
These mice had far worse inflammation and compromised gut-barrier function compared to mice with their CB1 receptors intact. The results suggest that CB1 receptors in the gut lining are protective against diet-induced leaky gut. “These types of studies serve as the foundation to next identify if adding THC can activate these receptors when digestive issues exist and help treat them,” says DiPatrizio.
For sufferers of GI illnesses, this research offers plenty of reason to hope. But there are still many questions to explore with THC and gut health. Does THC work for some digestive disorders but not others? Is it possible that THC works for only certain symptoms? Maybe THC is not the only chemical in cannabis that can stimulate CB1 and CB2 receptors. And then there are the questions about appropriate amounts and whether it
GUT + INSTINCTS
Another way THC may impact gut health is related to the brain-gut axis—the two-way communication between the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and the central nervous system. The gut is referred to as the body’s “second brain,” because it produces many of the same neurotransmitters—serotonin, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid play a pivotal role in regulating mood. In fact, an estimated 90 percent of serotonin is made in the digestive tract.
What a ects the gut often a ects the brain and vice-versa—which is why stress can cause queasiness or an upset stomach. It may also explain why severe areups seen in irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, and chronic constipation tend to coincide with bouts of anxiety or depression.
According to DiPatrizio, cannabis may be able to leverage the brain-gut axis to treat both brains at once. “It could be that THC stimulates the brain in a way that directly reduces anxiety, stress, and depression related to digestive issues. By helping to treat the brain, you could, in e ect, treat problems in the gut.”
matters how THC is ingested—inhaled, applied topically, or eaten?
Most research focuses on the CB1 receptors, but other experts, including DiPatrizio, believe CB2 may also play an important role. “These receptors are critical to helping control our immune functioning, and it plays a role in managing intestinal inflammation, and pain in inflammatory bowel conditions,” he says. “Right now, the research approach is still at the preclinical phase in mice, and until we extend these experiments into double-blind placebo studies in humans can we definitively know the answer to these questions.”
One of the problems with medical cannabis is that it’s bound in
regulatory red tape, which makes it hard to study. It’s classified as a Schedule I substance because it is still considered a high risk for abuse and lacks sufficient evidence for medical use. Therefore, its use in clinical trials requires a special license issued by the Drug Enforcement Agency and many other approvals from researchers’ own institutions and outside agencies like the FDA. These barriers often discourage researchers and make grant funding difficult.
But the initial steps toward possibly using cannabis to treat gut problems already have been taken. Like the Milky Way, there is still much to explore—and the truth is out there.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Matthew Solan is a health, medical, and science writer in St. Petersburg, Florida (www.solanmedia.com).IN THE SKY WITH
Under the other-worldly glow of their one-of-a-kind Space Rocks, Vapor Oil Technology is making giant leaps for the future of cannabis. TEXT JEN
Remember when moon rocks burst onto the scene? Admittedly, we were all into the craze and amazed at these nuggets soaked in hash oil and rolled in kief. They got us baked. They got us really high. They virtually sent us to the moon.
But, just like Pink Floyd warned, we were cratering on the dark side of the moon rocks. A lot of people turn to them for their supposed potency, thinking that they’re getting the best possible flower. But that idea is pretty misleading, and some producers are using the extra coating to camouflage imperfections—mold, mites, or webs—that any dispensary would give a hard “no” to buying.
That’s why good guys on the cannabis scene, such as Chad Carey, president of Vapor Oil Technology, are shedding some light on moon rock products. “With good, terpene-rich strains the flower
completely shines through. You can’t hide good flower with this liquid THCA product,” he says.
Vapor Oil Technology’s coated flower, Space Rocks, shines through with more than good flower; each perfectly cured nug is coated in THCA crystals that shimmer and refract into dazzling rainbows when the light hits them just right.
Knowing that what’s offered on store shelves has been missing from the market, Carey hopes to share the knowledge. He points out that it’s a super viable aspect for growth, and hopes more cultivators and extractors join him in creating these unique experiences for cannabis consumers. “Seeing people’s faces light up when they see it for the first time is really awesome. They say, ‘Wow, what is that?’ and it’s that wow factor, that same feeling from when they took their first hit or dab, that really gets me excited.”
WITH DIAMONDS
MY GOD, IT’S FULL OF TERPS
Carey’s mission is a natural one, to bring the highest quality, freshest flower to dispensaries. And he believes that terpenes—the magical compounds that produce a strain’s unique flavor and aroma—are one of the key components ensuring that freshness. There’s just one small issue: Terpene preservation is a race against time.
The moment the cannabis plant is harvested, those precious terps start degrading. And they don’t stop degrading; the longer the flower sits, the more it loses its best qualities. Or, from a seller’s perspective, the longer a product sits unsold, the less satisfied its buyer will be. It’s always a disappointing experience to get home, smoke or vape flower, and feel … well, nothing.
Carey started thinking about ways to maximize the potential of his high quality flower on the shelf. From listening to and learning from growers, he discovered that strains with high terpene profiles help maintain the freshness of flower— in other words, terpenes are the natural preservative of cannabis.
For example, a 16% THC strain with 2 to 3% terpenes will ultimately provide an all-around better experience than a 20% THC strain with fewer terpenes, because while it may be a lower-potency flower, it maintains that potency for much longer. “There’s a lot of flower that doesn’t hit above 20% THC,” says Carey. “But by adding THCA to an already-high-terpene strain, we’re increasing the high for potency that also preserves for the effect.”
Carey’s aha moment led him to research how he could take terpene preservation even further. He wound up producing some really profound
results through self-study of his own use, thanks to his background as an extract artist. Carey has been extracting concentrates (with a focus on THCA) for 12 years—pulling it apart, analyzing hydrocarbon extracts, and separating it from the terpenes.
“With processing, we are able to treat each component and process them individually and optimally,” he says. “Terps are volatile and they get a lower temp technique, unlike higher temps of THCA. There are different parameters for different components to complete the processing in the most efficient way.”
Preservation of terps also means bigger yields. Reformulating to create high efficiency in the lab from the start, rather than deploying traditional distillation, soon paid dividends in the form of that beautiful crystallized THCA: micro-diamonds. The final product of Carey’s experimentation literally glistens with potency. The crystal coating is also the shining armor that keeps each Space Rock as fresh as the day it was cured. “It’s like a shell that preserves the flower inside,” says Carey. “It naturally creates a barrier against light degradation and has antimicrobial properties with their own huge benefits.”
And the high? Like nothing Carey and his friends had ever experienced before. Carey’s concentrates pack such a punch that consumers often tout that they need less to get high. Instead of five hits of traditional weed, maybe you just take two with Space Rocks. Overall Carey feels that less is more, especially since it’s less carcinogenic for the same end effect.
Space Rock products really are reaching a demographic of both flower and concentrate users. Carey says their products are the perfect
STAKING YOUR CLAIM
One of the things Carey has learned from creating unique extracts is the value of patents. He currently has two (Thin Film Oxidation of Crystallized Cannabis Products, and Herbage Having a Re ective Coating) and is submitting two more, and he believes all canna-business owners should use them to preserve their ideas. “Patents in cannabis are great business, especially for the little guy because it’s a protection for those who are non-corporate, and will help preserve the legacy market.”
“THERE’S A LOT OF FLOWER THAT DOESN’T HIT ABOVE 20% THC, BUT BY ADDING THCA TO AN ALREADYHIGH-TERPENE STRAIN, WE’RE INCREASING THE HIGH FOR POTENCY THAT ALSO PRESERVES FOR THE EFFECT.”
—Chad Carey, President, Vapor Oil Technology
bridge for traditional smokers who don’t want a dab rig, but are seeking a stronger, more elevated high that comes in the same manner as smoking flower.
Sammy, a store manager, raves about Space Rocks. “It’s really something different that a lot of our customers have never seen. Once they try it they continue to come back again and again for it.”
SMALL STEPS FOR MAN
From the minute he opens his eyes to the time that he’s winding down, Carey is eating and breathing passion for his business. Staying creative is important and envisioning new ideas and putting them into action informs his reality and personal motivation. Doing the hard work and going the extra mile has helped with his success. “My goal is to stay passionate about what we do, so we can keep playing and be in this game,” he says. “I wake up every morning and really take the time to talk and listen … and to answer those 100 calls. We work with good people and
doing the work is more rewarding than taking the easy route.”
Learning and growing the business along the way has naturally instilled in Carey a dedication to the preservation of the industry’s small business owners. Carey knows it’s so important to maintain relationships with original and smaller growers, and creates collabs and partnships with growers. Like Kai Cannabis in Adrian, MI, their first collab—who have great flowers, Space Rocks has been a model collaboration effort. While maneuvering through Michigan’s market changes and being part of the Michigan caregiver community, Vapor Oil Technology has always been self-funded and therefore tries to band together with other businesses trying to survive against the overproduction in big businesses—which has caused prices to bottom out.
Staying creative, innovative, and growth-minded has been his greatest weapon. Carey credits his company’s ability to bring new ideas to market quickly and shifting with
AN EXPANDING UNIVERSE
This isn’t the end of the discovery and product perfection for Carey—in fact, it’s only the beginning. Since perfecting his formulations, he feels he’s barely scratched the surface of what his extracts are capable of, and plans to create di erent coatings for di erent user experiences. There could be a sleep formulation, which helps patients get a better night’s rest, or an energy product that helps with that get-upand-go feeling. Not even the sky is the limit.
market trends as another tool for success. And here’s something that Carey said that we haven’t heard in awhile: “We are growing and hiring, rather than firing.” It’s clear as concentrates that Carey’s business outlook is on the right path.
Knowing that coated products have had a good growth rate in Michigan, Vapor Oil Technology wants to replicate their success in other markets. “Our Michigan buyers’ next orders are always larger than the one before. We know people like our products and are happy. If we can get to other states and find the like-minded people who share our same values—the ones who want to pick up the phone, talk, and share the same excitement … not just of the product, but for the people—we want to talk to you.”
Space Rocks will be coming to Arizona and Missouri at the beginning of 2023. “I’ve had great conversations with every dispensary we’ve talked to in these markets—and we can’t wait to blow their minds.”
Until then, Vapor Oil Technology’s latest product launch gives you the chance to do your own experimentation. Space Dust is nothing more and nothing less than pure THCA micro-diamond dust to DIY your own stash; sprinkle it on a bowl, add it to a blunt, or roll your favorite ower in it to make your own Space Rocks.
Olivia Mannix and her team at Felicity Pharma are disrupting the psychedelics market, bringing female-focused healing to those who have been su ering in silence.
TEXT BONNIE PIPKIN PHOTOGRAPHY KIM SIDWELL, CANNABISCAMERA.COMGET PSYCHED
GET PSYCHED GET PSYCHED
Since the advent of hormonal contraception in 1960, there has been little to no innovation in women’s health. And that isn’t just in reproductive matters; because early medicine didn’t recognize the impact of sex on health, women were historically underrepresented—if not outright excluded—in clinical trials for nearly every modern over-thecounter medication.
This patriarchal disinterest in women’s health has serious implications. Generations of women have endured monthly pain, discomfort, depression, anxiety, infertility, and long-term post-partum health issues, in shame and silence. In its study published in the journal Contemporary Clinical Trials, the Brigham and Women’s Hospital concluded that due to “potential sex-based differences in treatment responses and toxicities, adequate inclusion of females in clinical trials remains critical.”
Now, more than ever, we need to study women. We need be heard.
And yet, we continue not to be heard. It seems like every woman has a story of a doctor who outright dismissed her health concerns, choosing to write a prescription instead of really listening. Why isn’t there more of a conversation?
Enter Olivia Mannix: woman, entrepreneur, innovator, risk-taker, and advocate of plant medicines and research. She founded Felicity Pharma, the leading women’s health biotech company, to lead a distinctly female charge into a climate that has long neglected them.
“Biotech is very male dominated, and so is psychedelics,” says Mannix. “I have to always show up and work my tail off in a very competitive space.”
Felicity Pharma is taking on female mood disorders and sexual dysfunction with an integrated approach. “I am a healer and I want to help people,” Mannix says. “Psychedelics have a lot of potential. We are changing things and making female-specific drugs.”
She and her team are hard at
work on solutions with natural psychedelics, and these explorations are breaking boundaries for what we’ve come to expect for women and their treatment plans.
A DIFFERENT DEPRESSION
It is well known that women are disproportionately affected by mood disorders, with two to three times more diagnoses than men. It is less well known that there is one mood disorder that only affects women—one so intense that it leads 30% of its sufferers to attempt suicide.
That disorder is known as Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, or PMDD. A severe form of PMS, PMDD affects one in 20 women of reproductive age. With an estimated five million sufferers in the United States, it’s likely that you know someone who has it. That someone might even be you.
This was the case for one woman, whom we’ll call MJ. MJ has always had intense PMS. But whatever physiological symptoms she had
were vastly overshadowed by the emotional symptoms: MJ would, in her words, “reach the brink every month.” She felt nothing but hopelessness and despair until the moment her period began. Then, the feeling would completely disappear.
MJ recalls people trying to sympathize with her by sharing their own accounts of cramps and mood swings, and she would nod along. But she knew what she was feeling, and it was not “crabby.” Something more was happening.
Despite its evident links to hormone fluctuation, PMDD is treated as any other mood disorder, typically with antidepressants. MJ’s gynecologist prescribed Prozac, but it didn’t help. She tried to explain her symptoms to her psychiatrist, that she just knew it was tied to her period. But he could see no other treatment than antidepressants—since those weren’t working, he basically told her she would just have to white-knuckle through it, month after month, until menopause.
To MJ, this advice was nothing less than a death sentence.
MASK OFF
Modern medicine is obsessed with symptom management. Rather than working to end illness, medications are designed to mask illness by treating only the symptoms. Keeping the mask intact means staying on that medication for the rest of your life.
Holistic medicine, on the other hand, aims to reach the root of pain and disorder. This is the approach Felicity Pharma prefers, and it sees psychedelic medicine derived from psilocybin as the best way to get there.
MULTITUDES MULTITUDES THE MANY MULTITUDES OF MANNIX
Olivia Mannix entered the cannabis space in 2013 with her company Cannabrand, a full-service marketing agency and the rst ancillary cannabis brand. Long before the industry weas widely accepted, Cannabrand helped cannabis companies brand and position themselves. In 2019, Cannabrand created a subsidiary, Psilocybrand, to o er similar services the emerging psychedelics space.
As her company grew, so did her in uence. Mannix began speaking at cannabis and psychedelics trade shows and conferences, where her ambitions only grew. She was already a destigmatization pioneer in an otherwise male-dominated industry. But for Mannix, branding and marketing was the tip of the iceberg; what she wanted now was to directly contribute to the development of the naturally derived
medicines she spent the better part of a decade advocating for.
And it was when she was introduced to Geraldine “Gigi” Kuo, MD, a medical expert specializing in pain management and traumatic brain injury—with a particular interest in psychedelic pharma—that those plans would be set in motion.
Mannix and Kuo immediately clicked. “We are both go-getters and high energy and experts in our elds. It was an energetic t!” says Mannix.
Both saw the need for solutions in women’s healthcare; both were condent that psychedelics could help; and both realized their skill sets happened to complement each other perfectly. From there, Mannix and Kuo decided to go into business together, a dedicion that would soon begin to transform modern medicine.
Psilocybin is a serotonergic psychedelic that works in harmony with your biochemistry. It causes your neurons become malleable, giving you the ability to alter the fundamental beliefs and traumas that are otherwise immutable aspects of your identity. The idea is that, rather than concealing your illness, psychedelics reveal your true self for examination and change.
It is the single most effective method for getting to the true roots of mental disorder, and Mannix believes it will do more than heal—it will bring out the best in you. “It can make you realize how beautiful life really is and how lucky you are to be alive,” she says.
MJ finally discovered this for herself after doing her own research. She found other people with similar stories, many of whom reported that these alternative treatments were what actually worked. So, without the guidance of a doctor (hers had already given up) MJ sought these more natural treatments. She even tried microdosing, though she didn’t always get the levels right.
MJ, now 45 years old, says she didn’t think she would live this long.
CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION
We know more about PMDD now than when MJ was first diagnosed. But we are still missing the conversation about its most viable treatment. What if her doctor had told her about this breakthrough psychedelic treatment and had her sign up for a clinical trial? How many months of suffering would she have been spared if she knew she had more options?
Despite working against our natural systems and being unreliable in their effectiveness, antidepressants remain incredibly profitable, with the global antidepressant market set to earn $21.28 billion by 2025.
Felicity Pharma knows it must disrupt the antidepressant market to shift toward a more natural and beneficial solution for those in need. Step one of this shift is licensing its natural extract of psilocybin, which is currently in Phase IIa clinical trials. The first trial will be a single “megadose,” 25mg, which will take the patient on a six- to eighthour journey guided by at least two people—a therapist or psychiatrist will be one of them. Following these larger doses, Mannix and her team would like to make a smaller maintenance amount (a microdose) to extend and deepen the impact of the megadose.
Mannix has stood against the odds since the day she launched Cannabrand. As a woman who had to fight to be taken seriously, this push to deliver psychedelic medicine is not just business. This is personal.
Psylocybin is not the first powerful plant. Mannix knows it won’t be the last, and understands that by not fighting for better medicine and better information, women like MJ will continue to suffer needlessly.
Felicity Pharma is breaking down the barriers of women’s health. We will be heard.
WORTH A TRIAL
There are clinical trials happening right now to further develop and re ne this medicine, and they are speci cally seeking women and those with uteruses to participate. Similar trials have gotten extensive positive feedback from PMDD patients.
Learn more at clinicaltrials.gov
MANNIX HAS STOOD AGAINST THE ODDS SINCE THE DAY SHE LAUNCHED CANNABRAND. AS A WOMAN WHO HAD TO FIGHT TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY, THIS IS NOT JUST BUSINESS. THIS IS PERSONAL.
Get Your Glow Back
A guide to winter skin care + cannabinoids.
TEXT ELANA FRANKELIt’s that time: cold-weather, drops in temperature, precipitation, and wind. Brrr. Indoor heater? Dehydrating. Strengthen your skin’s barriers before the big freeze; boost your daily care routine; and break out of the seasonal cycle for skin that is healthy and hydrated.
“The skin is one of the largest organs of the body,” says Dr. Junella Chin, an integrative med-
ical cannabis physician. “It protects us against environmental damages and is a highly active structure in itself.” Our skin has its own endocannabinoid (EC) and immune systems. “So, as temperatures drop and the air gets frigid and dry (and your skin follows suit), the skin’s delicate homeostasis, from cell growth to moisture production and immune protection, can get out
of balance, leading to irritating conditions.”
CANNABINOID 101
“Cannabinoids standout in skincare products because of their anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties,” says Brittany Carbone, founder at TONIC. “While many cannabinoids share these benefits, understanding the difference between cannabinoids like CBD,
CBG, THC, and CBC help ensure you are providing your skin with targeted support where you need it most.”
CBD: CALM
A natural anti-inflammatory, CBD addresses inflammatory skin conditions, reducing redness and irritation, and calming down stressed-out skin. CBD also restores and strengthens the skin barrier, which is key
to locking in moisture, preventing damage, and smoothing out texture and tone. “CBD is gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin,” says Dr. Chin, “and can offer relief by reducing the symptoms of rosacea and eczema.”
CBG: DEEP
This mother of all cannabinoids can increase the process of lipogenesis, effectively increasing skin’s natural moisture levels and addressing dryness by spurring lipid (oil) production in the pores. Another effect: “During the winter months,” says Laurel (Lo) Friesen the founder, CEO and Chief Extractor of Heylo, “cannabis can help support the endocannabinoid system as daylight gets shorter. Cannabinoids like CBG, especially in combination with THC and CBD, can boost energy levels and help alleviate the winter blues.” Happy inside, happy outside.
CBC: SLOW
Brittany Carbone explains that this minor cannabinoid has been shown to slow down lipogenesis, making it a great solution for oily skin. CBC is also a powerful antibacterial that is effective in fighting acne-causing bacteria and preventing breakouts.
PRODUCT GUIDE
Green Bee Botanicals
Many skincare products fight winter dryness, “but only cannabis skincare works hand-in-glove with your endocannabinoid system,” says Green Bee Botanicals founder Bridget May. “In winter months when your skin gets extra dry, chapped, red or itchy, supplement the endocannabinoid system with cannabis serums, oils, eye creams, lip balms, and lotions. Cannabis skin care — especially when made with full-spectrum extracts to include as much of the plant as possible, including both CBD and THC — rebalances your skin naturally, and the relief is fast and effective.”
If you’re looking for an anti-inflammatory powerhouse, try Green Bee Botanical’s full-spectrum cannabis Renewing Serum. With 1:1 CBD to THC, this fast-acting moisturizer includes jojoba oil, which mimics our own skin oil
to quickly absorb and soothe all skin types, but especially dry ones. A true winter win.
consultant. “The rich yet light formula is super moisturizing and leaves a lovely glow.”
Heylo
Tonic Renewal Oil includes CBD, CBC, and hemp seed oil, along with rose hip, meadow foam seed, tamanu, and black seed. These ingredients work synergistically with cannabinoids by providing a diverse, balanced fatty-acid profi le.
Body Butter features CBD and CBG (along with a combination of shea, cocoa and mango butters. “I like to use TONIC’s Outer Space Body Butter after I apply lotion on chilly mornings,” says Kassia Graham, a cannabis
Dry skin can be exacerbated by an inflammatory response to dryness and the cold. Topical products, like Heylotion Body Budder, are used to moisturize or combat dry skin and prevent further inflammation. CBGeezus is an excellent strain to support energy and happiness during the winter months. CBGeezus, a 3:1 CBG:THC ratio product, offers these benefits without intoxication.
AGES AND STAGES
Risa Morimoto, founder of Modern Aging, focuses on products for winter and aging. “As we get older,” she says, “dry and drier skin is something to combat. CBD topicals like Commons salve or Planetarie’s topical salve (I love the pink grapefruit scent) help cracking and drier skin.”
Puff-Puff-Pass the Popcorn
Top hits for your next marijuana meh-movie marathon. TEXT
There are three categories of movies that pair nicely with marijuana. The first is the stoner film where weed plays a central role in the narrative arc, a genre pioneered by Cheech & Chong with Up In Smoke and followed by
their later spaced-out offerings. Other exemplars of the genre include Dazed and Confused, Pineapple Express, and Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle.
The second category is the visually or aurally arresting movie. 2001: A
MIKE DIPAOLASpace Odyssey set the standard in this genre. Since then the rise of the superhero film has exploded on screen with epic feasts for the eyes and ears. Any stop within the Marvel Cinematic or DC Extended Universes will do.
The third category, and the focus for today, is the “meh” movie—not great, not terrible, but can be delightfully enhanced by herbal elevation. Here a few “meh” movie recommendations to get the ball and the blunts rolling.
Hollow Man (2000)
Consider the oeuvre of director Paul Verhoeven. (Robocop and Starship Troopers, don’t count, since they are in fact great movies with or without a cheeba boost.)
But Hollow Man is not so great. Critic A.O. Scott wrote that the story “can’t even muster the intelligence to be pretentious or the bravado to be amusingly bad.” Ouch.
But with a little weed, the film is quite engrossing, if a bit gross. There is some decent CGI (considering it was made more than two decades ago), an engaging narrative, and you get to watch Kevin Bacon’s skeletal and circulatory systems appear and disappear before your eyes.
One might appreciate these virtues without getting high, but why chance it? Try Cerebro Haze if you can find it, as there won’t be very much cerebral activity on screen.
Metropolis (1927)
Cinephiles will disagree with the inclusion of this Fritz Lang classic in the not-so-great category because it is (now) considered one of the most influential fi lms ever made. But not everybody thought so at the time. H. G. Wells described it as “silly,” the Encyclopedia of Science Fiction said it was “trite” and “ludicrously simplistic,” and almost everybody agreed it was too long at 153 minutes.
It’s got robots, flying cars, class warfare, gorgeous Art Deco sets, and all manner of old-timey sci-fi gadgetry. Whatever, it is lit. And it is well-lit for the elevated viewer. Pair with Pink Boost Goddess, because why not?
La Belle et la Bête (1946)
Not a fan of black-andwhite moviemaking? Well expand your horizons, because we’re offering another one for consideration. Jean Cocteau’s “Beauty and the Beast” (as it translates from French) features costumes and sets that are artistic creations, inspired by the likes of Pierre Cardin for the former and Gustave Doré and Johannes Vermeer for the latter. Even the Beast looks pretty damn good.
“Love can make an ugly man beautiful,” according to the voice-over narration, and a little weed will make this lovely film sumptuous. The strain: American Beauty.
Viva Las Vegas (1964)
Of the 30-plus movies Elvis Presley starred in between 1956 and 1969, some regard Viva Las Vegas as his best. It did rack up his highest box-office receipts. But “good for an Elvis Presley movie” is a pretty low bar, and as cinema goes it’s still mostly meh.
The problem: the King essentially made one movie, a rather bland romantic musical, and starred in it 30-plus times. Viva doesn’t stray far from the formula: Our hero croons his way to Sin City and becomes entangled with a smoking-hot AnnMargret playing a pool manager (unconvincingly but who cares?).
It is wholesome, easygoing fun and if you haven’t seen it—or haven’t seen it under the influence—roll yourself a blunt fit for the King and settle in. And the strain? There happens to be an AK-47 x Skunk #1 hybrid called Elvis. Thankyouverymuch.
HIGH-CONCEPT CINEMA
We get it; sometimes you want to watch a movie that’s actually good—maybe something from one of those rst two categories we breezed over. Well, we’ve got pairings for those, too:
STONER: smoke along with their heroes on the screen. They pu , you pu . We recommend any OG Kush.
SPECTACLE: the energy is on the screen, so go with a relaxing indica-heavy smoke. May we suggest GG #4?
WONDERLAND
WHERE: FARMERS MARKET OKC
WHEN: OCT 29
PHOTOS: JEFF HOOTEN @CASEDGOD
Sensi’s Costumes and Cannabis Wonderland a Huge Hit
Bringing the Oklahoma cannabis community together in a big way, Sensi’s Costumes and Cannabis Wonderland activated 50 companies around Halloween – with 1,500 people coming out dressed up in the most epic of ways. Thank you so much to everyone who attended and brought so much energy to the night.
We have to send a BIG thank you to Country Cannabis, our presenting sponsor; Dime for sponsoring the after party with 88rec showcase; Kosmik and Redbird for sponsoring our VIP areas; and Hemphirenation & Flavrx for sponsoring the 1st and 2nd oors of the building.
ELIXIR BIOTHERAPEUTICS
@ELIXIRBIOTHERAPEUTICS / ELIXIRBIOTHERAPEUTICS.COMTell us about your business.
Elixir Biotherapeutics and its portfolio of innovative brands strive to transform the healthcare system and become a global leader in medical cannabis;
empowering patients and their healthcare providers to make informed, individualized healthcare decisions. We have powered innovation across the value chain—research, cultivation, production, and
ESSENTIAL FLOWERS
@ESSENTIALFLOWERSOKdistribution of multiple brands and products.
What makes your products stand out? Edibles, vaporizers, joints, and bongs are the traditional ways of consuming cannabis.
Elixir Biotherapeutics introduces new, discreet delivery methods to the industry, such as cannabis drinks, sublingual sprays, and dissolving tablets, so consumers have more options to suit their needs.
What is your mission? We are committed to advancing scientific understanding of the therapeutic potential of cannabis and develop innovative, pharmaceutical-grade technology to revolutionize the industry.
Tell us about your business/products.
Essential Flowers produces clean, hydroponically grown strains with distinct flavors such as Eagle Scout, Cookie Mac, Collision Kush, and Wedding Crasher. Some love the flower in its most natural form. Others prefer the convenience of strain-specific pre-rolls. Even the most veteran patients rave about our
in-house, single-source, small-batch live rosin! We are proud to cultivate a lineup of fantastic strains that are helping people.
What was your mission at the start of your company?
We are a family-owned-and-operated company that dreams of building something that would benefit our children as well as our
community. We have personally witnessed and experienced the healing powers of cannabis. Since 2019, we’ve shared our unique strains and passion for helping people by contributing quality medicine and peace of mind to our friends,
family, and fellow cannabis-loving community!
Where can people nd your products? Our products are available at dispensaries throughout Oklahoma, including The High Road in Choctaw, The Dankery in Tul-
sa, 66 Dispensary in Chandler, Rob-N-Sons in Shawnee, Big Cheef in Midwest City and Edmond, and more. We also keep our Instagram up to date with our latest product drops and new dispensaries, so be sure to follow us!
TEXOMA TUMBLEWEED
Texoma Tumbleweed was founded and started with one thing in mind, and that is to be able to deliver the highest quality products to the end consumer at an affordable price. Our mission was to become vertically integrated, to cut out the middle man, to keep prices affordable for the consumers.
Texoma Tumbleweed est. Aug.,2018
Tell us about your products.
We are avertically integrated, Grow/Processing and Dispensary business. We currently have 20 employees specializing in personally hunted genetics and produce bulk flower, concentrates, all flower pre-rolls, topical, edibles, and 1¢ RSO for cancer patients. Our services include consulting and facility design, and helping
growers get back into the profit margins by showing them how they can cut costs in certain areas, while increasing production/efficiency.
At Texoma Grow Supplies, we can offer the best pricing for equipment. Our employees at the grow store/ dispensary will always go out of their way to help patients with their home grows to keep them on the right track.
What sets your products apart?
We grow the cleanest, highest quality products, hydroponically cultivated in completely sterile conditions. We deliver direct farm-to-market to patients and statewide bulk distribution of all products, with delivery. We are also known for our exclusive strain, Bavarian Cream, which is a blend of Cookies/Cream and Grandpa’s Breath.
Where can people nd your products and services?
Texoma Tumbleweed was one of the first operators in the state. We have locations in Marietta and Durant, and are currently on Leafly and Weedmaps. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, and you can follow our cultivators on Instagram: @d.wreck420
@marley_barbie420
Describe your workplace culture. Everyone on the Texoma Tumbleweed team is committed to a very family oriented work environment, with every employee having a passion for delivering the highest quality possible. We like to give everyone their own opportunity to excel in this industry.
What made you want to start a company in this industry?
We wanted to be a unique presence in the market offering strains that no one else had. We want to meet the needs of every one of
our medical patients and offer them knowledge to end the stigma of cannabis. It’s not all about getting high; we’ve seen people beat addictions and cut their prescription medication use in half.
What three things do you want people to know about you?
1. Our team is small, but passionate and dedicated to the love of the plant. We strive to help out and reach as many patients as possible.
2. All genetics are hunted in house from seed, keeping our lineup unique to only that at Texoma Tumbleweed. All
cannabinoids are also tested in-house through the grow cycle to ensure the perfect harvest.
3. The team is dedicated to stay on top of modern equipment and technologies to bring the best quality experience to the consumer.
Describe your perfect customer. We love customers who spread the word of the quality products and services offered by Texoma Tumbleweed. We are here for one thing at the end of the day: to provide the best products to everyone at the best price.
What makes your business important to the community?
We provide a safe and honest way for people of the community to deal with the daily struggles. Texoma Tumbleweed is important to the community, providing jobs, and helping the community in as many ways as possible.
Does your business give back to your community?
We hold an annual toy drive through “Toys for Tots” for the less fortunate families in the area - We have donated daily profits from the
dispensary locations for families in need or during medical crisis .
We have held multiple classes and educational seminars at both dispensaries.
What are you looking forward to this year? We’re looking forward to our new lineup of flavors and products to the market. We personally hand-select all genetics and phenotypes, so we are super excited to see how our strains apart from everyone else in the industry.
We will be launching our newest series of led lighting as well.
We want to meet the needs of every one of our medical patients. It’s not all about getting high; we’ve seen people beat addictions and cut their prescription medication use in half.
Tell us about your business.
We have always been passionate about cannabis. From the smell, taste and obviously the effects of this miracle plant. Our mission is to search, find, and grow great genetics for patients looking for something they can enjoy consuming. We started construction of our ground up facility in 2021 and have been in production since May of 2022
What products do you o er? We are pleased and proud to offer quality indoor-grown flower and rosin products.
EXTRACTS
CARTER COUNTY EXTRACTS
@CARTERCOUNTYEXTRACTS CARTERCOUNTYEXTRACTS.COM
Where can people nd your products ? Check us out on Instagram for updated drop locations, strain updates and day to day facility photos. You can also reach us via our website for inquiries.
How does your business give back to your community? We plan on being involved in the local communities in Oklahoma. Our main focus will be on providing donations and supplies to charities focusing on children and families struggling to provide food or shelter. The health of Oklahoma families is very important to us.
2023 premium extracted cannabis crafted in our new lab.
What was your mission at the start of your company?
Tell us about your business/products
Carter County Extracts is located in Southern Oklahoma in Ardmore. We established our business at the beginning of SQ788. We chose the name Carter County Extracts because we are vertically integrated and dedicated to bringing the best medicine to Oklahoma
Where can people nd your products?
You can find us and our products at our dispensary, Southern Cannabis Co, located in Sulphur, Oklahoma.
What products do you o er?
Carter County Extracts offers premium flower, cannabis insurance and coming in the spring of
Ultimately, Carter County Extracts is about creating the best cannabis products. Flower is the starting point and foundation for exceptional cannabis extractions.
Carter County Extracts will produce some of the finest craft cannabis products in the state. The end goal is to create extracts that reflect the quality of the flower. To build on the success we have seen in our gardens.
Tell us about your business.
We opened in 2021, but are lifelong cannabis enthusiasts with a true appreciation for all the remedies the plant can provide. We saw the uprise of the cannabis market as an opportunity to grow a family owned and operated business in our home state.
What products do you o er?
We provide a variety of medical grade cannabis products. Right now we are expanding our operations and product line to include tinctures, topicals, edibles and concentrates. We are also in the process of creating our own inhouse genetics.
What was your mission at the start of your company?
Our mission is redefining remedies for healing. We want to offer our community healthier alternatives to improving health, wellness, self-awareness, conscientiousness, perspective, and or connection with nature. We focus
Tell us about your business.
It all started with a passion for the plant.
Our goal at The Plug Cannabis Company is to bring the highest quality, cleanest medicine possible to our patients, from seed to sale. We have seen firsthand that this plant can change lives, and our top priority is to bring out those medicinal properties that help someone get through their day.
There is no better feeling than the pride of seeing the medicinal effects this plant has on our patients. With the right genetics and a great team, we’ve been able to produce high quality
clean medicine that our patients can enjoy.
What products do you o er?
We have dedicated the last two years to perfecting our craft. As of right now, we offer premium flower prerolls, but in the coming months we will be launching a line of live rosin cartridges/ disposables, as well as RSO/ FECO. We produce all our own product in-house, with love for the patients and by the patients.
Where can people nd you and your products?
We’re based out of Guthrie, and our
products are available all around OKC. The best way to find us is following our drop list on Instagram.
How does your business give back to the community? We love to attend events, educate patients, and share our knowledge of the plant. We attend a lot of pop ups and charity events, as well as join others in our community in collaborative education sessions. Born and raised in Yukon, Oklahoma, we have sponsored the Yukon wrestling team and golf team. We take great pride in what we do and the products we produce.
on quality over quantity and patients over profits.
Where can people nd your products?
We post drop locations and photos of past and current projects on social media. You can find our products in your favorite local dispensaries, and if not, you can request a Third Eye
Cultivation representative come out and visit.
How does your business give back to your community?
Third Eye Cultivation is located on a beautiful 1600 acre farm that has a unique event center, where we will be hosting cannabis cup style events through the coming years.
Dime Industries is Sinking Roots into the Heart of Oklahoma
Soon Oklahoma will be able to enjoy more offerings from a community partner.
ducing two of their newer and popular products by year’s end. First up is the Concentrates line, featuring extracts crafted from top-shelf, hand-picked, premium flowers. Available in five different consistencies, they offer a premier dabbing/smoking experience loaded with fantastic terpene profiles. Diamonds, Crumble, Badder, Live Rosin, and Sugar all come in elegant one-gram packages offering high flavor and potency with each hit.
Dime Industries, the award-winning cannabis brand from California that arrived in late 2020, has decided to put down roots in Oklahoma. Known across the state for their fantastic lineup, including innovative hardware and flavorful strains, they have quickly become Sooner favorites. Dime Industries’ products offer exceptional taste, high terpene
profiles, and a memorable high.
The Industries’ first office and production facility in Oklahoma City, which will serve as state headquarters, is almost complete. Their team is made up entirely of dedicated ‘Cowboys & Sooners,’ passionate about their mission to bring the finest cannabis products to the state.
To celebrate their commitment to the Oklahoma market, they are intro-
If those aren’t enough, the team will also release a small supply of their popular Limited Edition strain, Pink Lemon Haze! Their Pink Lemon Haze 1000mg all-in-one vape device is perfect for a night out on the town or a get-together with friends. The Pink Kush x Super Lemon Haze live resin-infused distillate greets consumers with a sweet lemonade inhale, followed by traces of raspberry, strawberry, and vanilla on the exhale. The balanced hybrid strain produces energetic and lively notes with powerful body-focused effects. Each device has a pre-heat function and three heat settings, similar to their 4th Generation Battery. Additionally, Pink Lemon Haze has a USB-C charging port. While Dime Industries is known for its products, they also work tirelessly in the community. The fast-changing cannabis space inspires them to “Think Higher” in ways to serve the modern cannabis consumer. In Oklahoma their focus on community has led them to provide active support with winter coat drives, veteran support groups, and more. That’s what neighbors in the state do. They strive to make each other’s lives better.
Dime Industries Cannabis Brand dimeindustries.com
Sometimes a Smile Is Not that Far Away
Happy Labs Dispensary is bringing the happiness factor to Oklahoma City.
Cannabis users across Oklahoma City are finding reasons to smile these days. That’s because they have had the good fortune to discover Happy Labs Dispensary, one of the Sooner State’s newest and finest locations for all cannabis products. All it takes is just one visit to learn why they bring joy into each and every puff of product.
A fully vertical operation, the team at Happy Labs works hard to ensure that their products deliver a full array of THC levels and robust terpenes in every product. By offering some of the best flower in the state, they seek to bring relief and relaxation to all their patients. That process begins in their grow facility, where they devote time and effort to meticulously care for each plant, from seed to full maturity. Their high standards eliminate any plants that do not meet their expectations, an attention to detail that ensures every product they produce delivers precisely what it promises.
Their commitment to the community does not stop there. They ensure their products offer the best pricing in the city by continually updating their pricing and offering rotating specials. Otherwise, how could anyone be happy if they are getting overcharged?
That focus on delivering only the finest product flows through Straight Fire, their house brand. Grown in living soil, it provides a consistency not often found in many brands, and it can be
counted on to drop a great buzz every time. Alongside Straight Fire are many other high-quality brands they have sourced across the state. Jakes Jungle and Well Rooted are just two brands found inside their walls that boast superb genetics and are favorites of both staff and customers.
So, please do yourself a favor and swing by one of their three locations – 9110 N MacArthur Blvd, 6901 S May Ave, or 808 NW 6th St (their latest location near downtown) – and get your smile on.
Happy Labs Dispensary Cannabis Dispensary @happylabsdispensary
Have your cake and eat it, too.
À La Mode Farms produces some of the finest Craft Cannabis in Oklahoma.
Tulsa native Jimmy Conner, the founder of À La Mode Farms, set a high standard for his cannabis from the day he first planted in 2018, right after cannabis was legalized in Oklahoma. Using some of the most advanced agriculture techniques available, his fully hydroponic medical-grade facility has dug deep into the science behind cannabis to produce some of the finest craft-cannabis plants in the country.
At À La Mode Farms, they take great pride in their genetics being the best in Oklahoma. Unlike many others,
they don’t buy clones. Instead, they painstakingly search out the best genetics for every seed they plant. Their genetic testing locates unique plants that stand out from the rest, and when they find those genetic freaks with the qualities and features they want, they cultivate super-plants.
This genetic search, also called pheno hunting, allows them to look at pools of seed from particular strains where they can identify the exact trait they desire. The seed might stand out for an abundance of trichomes, the coloring of the flowers, the abundance of oils, or terpene profiles. They work
hard to choose the best traits from excellent strains. It’s not a simple process but one that pays dividends.
That’s part of the reason Conner has kept À La Mode Farms as a family operation that values quality over quantity, and they have no desire to become a large commercial grow facility. Every two weeks, flower is hand-harvested and trimmed to ensure the freshest buds go to market. By keeping their footprint small and rigorously focusing on maximizing terpenes and THC content, they ensure that their fans get only the best. The team at À La Mode Farms, dedicated to its pursuit of perfection, adhere to a demanding motto: “Great plants come from great people.”
Savvy customers will want to find dispensaries that carry À La Mode Farms flower for the simple reason that the best flower comes from the best genetics. And these folks know everything there is to know about their plants. Heck, they even grow them with classical music playing in the background to ensure they are relaxed and thriving. That’s dedication.
À La Mode Farms Cannabis Brand alamodefarms.com
Sun, THC, and Sand
Camp Laughing Grass Jamaican Getaway
TEXT JEN BERNSTEINSay goodbye to your winter blues and seasonal affective disorder, and trade up for vitamin THC at Camp Laughing Grass’s destination trip to Milbrooks Estate in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Paradise awaits! While the trip is slated for next February, 2024, in true stoner fashion we should all start saving and planning for this dream vacay now.
From the minute you arrive at Milbrooks you’ll be greeted with every weed accouterment you can imagine, from bongs to rolling papers to grinders. Laughing Grass will have everything you need at the ready, complete with a full cannabis bar featuring five or more strains to choose from.
“Just like an open bar with flower, joints, and
pre-rolls, you can select what you want and light up anywhere outside on the property,” says Trinity. “I can’t wait for our private shuttle to the beautiful beachfront where we’ve arranged for a cannabis smoking area. Just look for the Camp Laughing Grass sign of the little guy smoking weed.”
Taking weed hospitality to the next level on this vacation seems to be Laughing Grass’s mission. There’s two cannabis-infused dinners planned featuring local cuisine; poolside infused drinks and teas; excursions that include Bob Marley’s childhood home and a local greenhouse; and a turndown service that leaves a joint on your pillow. Did somebody say sweet dreams?