Sensi Spark Pennsylvania December 2021 by Sensi Magazine

VIBES OF VEGAS

Recapping MJBiz Con in photos

S PA R K P E N N S Y LVA N I A DECEMBER 2021

CONTAINING THE TROPICS Houseplants to make the winter a little warmer

HO HO…OH NO!

Last-minute gift guide

SPARK SENSI MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2021

sensimediagroup @sensimagazine @sensimag

FEATURE

Thriving in Vegas

Sensi took the Strip by storm during MJBizCon. Here’s a roundup of everything that went down and photos from everything you might have missed.

DEPARTMENTS

11 EDITOR’S NOTE 36 THE SCENE Hot happenings and hip hangouts around town 12 THE BUZZ SENSI’S LAST-MINUTE GIFT News, tips, and tidbits to keep you in the loop HAPPY HOLIDAYS! There’s more than one way to celebrate the season. TASTE SUCCESS Platinum expands from a garage to a national presence. RAISE UP THE RYE Toast the holidays with Redemption.

16 THE LIFE Contributing to your

health and happiness PIE IN THE SKY This infused pie crust recipe will elevate your dessert game.

GUIDE Gifts so good

they’ll think you spent a year planning them.

40 THE END Skydance Bridge celebrates the state bird and the history of Oklahoma.

ON THE COVER

Make your winter warmer with tropical houseplants. See page 19. PHOTO VIA ADOBE STOCK

CONTAINING THE TROPICS

Baby it’s cold outside, but these easy-breezy houseplants can add an instant island vibe to your home no matter what’s happening out there.

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ADVISORY BOARD

NATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD 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

MICHIGAN Aronoff Law (Craig Aronoff) Licensing Law Firm Cannabis Counsel Cannabis Law Firm Etz Chaim Attestations Grapp Lerash Accounting/CPA Services Great Lakes Natural Remedies Lakeshore: Provisioning Center Kush Design Studio Cannabis Facility Design & Build MRB Solutions Human Resources Northern Specialty Health Upper Peninsula: Provisioning Center 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 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

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA 365 Recreational Cannabis Dispensary: Recreational, Santa Rosa Green Unicorn Farms CBD Hemp Flower Humboldt Grow Tech Smart Ag Tech 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 Uleva Hemp Products Vaper Tip Vape Supply & Consulting Wana Brands Edible Gummies 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

NEW ENGLAND Corners Packaging Packaging Green Goddess Supply Personal Homegrown Biochamber The Holistic Center Medical Marijuana Evaluations Revolutionary Clinics Medical Dispensary Royal Gold Soil Tess Woods Public Relations Public Relations Vantage Builders Construction

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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, Spark Jenny Willden Managing Editor, California Will Brendza Managing Editor, Colorado Robyn Griggs Lawrence Editor at Large Radha Marcum Copy Editor Bevin Wallace Copy Editor

EXECUTIVE

Ron Kolb Founder ron@sensimag.com Stephanie Graziano CEO stephanie.graziano@sensimag.com ADVERTISING

Toni Tardif National Sales Director Jade Kolb Director Sales Operations and Global Recruiting PUBLISHING

Jamie Cooper Market Director, Michigan Richard Guerra Market Director, New England

DESIGN

Nancy Birnbaum Market Director, NorCal

Jamie Ezra Mark Creative Director jamie@emagency.com Rheya Tanner Art Director Wendy Mak Designer Josh Clark Designer

Diana Ramos Market Director, Oklahoma

BRAND DEVELOPMENT

Richard Guerra Director of Global Reach Amanda Patrizi Director of Marketing Neil Willis Production Director MEDIA PARTNERS

Marijuana Business Daily Minority Cannabis Business Association National Cannabis Industry Association Students for Sensible Drug Policy

Nancy Reid Market Director, Florida MEDIA SALES

COLORADO Liana Cameris Media Sales Executive Amanda Patrizi Media Sales Executive Tyler Tarr Media Sales Executive FLORIDA Anthony Mckenzie Media Sales Executive NEVADA Pam Hewitt Media Sales Executive NEW ENGLAND Jake Boynton Media Sales Executive MICHIGAN Eric Lutey Media Sales Executive Kyle Miller Media Sales Executive Leah Stephens Media Sales Executive

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Magazine published monthly by Sensi Media Group LLC.

Holiday advertising began on October 31, and

FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

FAC E B O O K 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.

very few people objected—except for those who argue that the season has become a commercialized study in overindulgence. What I believe: 2021 had just as much (if not more) uncertainty than 2020, so why not look for reasons to be joyful? For those looking to help out in the community, there are still drives to collect toys, food, clothing, and personal hygiene items. After all, a growing number of families need help this year due to many circumstances caused or exacerbated by the pandemic. Sure, we all want to feel good, but we also want to extend our care to so many who have not fully recovered from 2020. What can we do? Along with volunteering and spreading cheer (regardless of how you celebrate), we can work collectively to become kinder, gentler, and more thoughtful. We can embrace differences in opinions without going to war—even if it is just a war of words. We can work toward justice and equality for everyone. We can accept others and embrace diversity—peace on earth and goodwill toward men, women, and genderfluid. Concerned about gifting this year? Yes, supply-chain issues are thwarting our usual shopping habits, but what is a gift, after all? The most valuable present anyone can give to another person is time and attention. So, offer to talk over a cup of coffee, make a friend lunch, enjoy some music together, and just be with one another. You don’t need a lot of cash to invest your time, effort, and energy to make a difference with the people around you. However you choose to celebrate (or not) the season, be kind to yourself, your family, and the people you meet along the way. Understand that many are overworked, stressed, and worried about the future. A smile can go a long way, and a pleasant word can make someone’s day. Thank you for sharing in the joy of Sensi magazine. I wish you all the best that life has to offer now and in the coming year!

Along with volunteering and spreading cheer (regardless of how you celebrate), we can work collectively to become kinder, gentler, and more thoughtful.

Peace, 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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PHOTOS (FROM TOP) BY VICTOR BALLESTEROS; HAROLD DORWIN

Las Palas NATIONAL

Diverse Celebrations Embracing holidays for all Kwanzaa, observed from December 26 to January 1, celebrates African culture and community. Activities are focused around the Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles) celebrating creativity, purpose, and collective work. Communities come together with meals, music, dance, and contin12

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ued celebration of cultural values. The Jewish festival of Hanukkah is an eight-night celebration commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the Maccabean Revolt. It begins on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar, and will be honored this year November 28 to

Kwanzaa

CONTRIBUTOR

Debbie Hall

BY THE NUMBERS

PHOTOS (CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT) BY DIANA POLEKHINA; COURTESY OF PLATINUM; FREESTOCKS

Hanukkah

December 6. Celebrations include meals of traditional foods, the lighting of the menorah, and eight nights of games and gifts. Las Posadas, a Mexican holiday celebrated December 16 to 24, honors the journey of Joseph and Mary as they made their way from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Festivals include a small child dressed as an angel leading a procession of children visiting homes. Each stop includes scripture readings and songs with a mass service performed at the end of the day. Traditionally, the children also break open piñatas full of candy and toys. Celebrated in Canada, the United Kingdom, and other European countries, Boxing Day takes place on December 26. It began as a day for employers to give their staff presents (in boxes). Modern Boxing Day activities include sporting events (top-tier international football leagues competing), shopping, and a day off work. In some countries, Boxing Day is also celebrated as Saint Stephen’s Day, a religious holiday honoring the first Christian martyr. Boxing Day

18 YEARS

OKLAHOMA, NEVADA, FLORIDA

TASTE SUCCESS Platinum expands from a garage to a national presence.

The number of years the voiceover actors for Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Wayne Allwine and Russi Taylor, were married to each other until his passing in 2009

1 IN

649,740 The odds of getting a royal flush

100 ACRES

Area covered by genetically identical quaking aspens in Utah, the largest known living organism

Since starting as cultivators in 2010, father Cody Sadler and his son George have grown their company, recently branching out with Platinum (PV) high-quality flower, vapes, and edibles. Funded initially by selling a pair of dirt bikes, the enterprise started with just six plants growing in their garage. The business has grown from delivery-only to retail and production, with operations in four states— Michigan, California, Oklahoma, and Arizona. Platinum Gummy Coins are crafted using meticulous German candy-making techniques, creating a delightfully chewy experience. Purchase reusable tins of 10 gummies that contain 10 mg of THC in California, and 10 mg and 20 mg of THC in Oklahoma. Platinum Vape cartridges extract top-quality cannabis oil from a pesticide-free, high-potency cannabis flower harvest. Platinum’s THC-infused Sea Salt and 75% Dark Chocolate Bar complements any holiday dessert with a decadent twist, perfect for melting or sprinkling. All of the company’s cannabis-infused chocolates are palate-driven creations combining the sophistication of fine chocolate with cannabis expertise. Platinum / houseofplatinum.com

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THE BUZZ

BILITIES BY STEPHANIE WILSON, EDITOR IN CHIEF

1 CANNABIS is America’s fifth most valuable crop, earning more for farmers than cotton or rice, according to a new report from Leafly Holdings, Inc.

2 A NEW STUDY FROM HEADSET, a Seattle-based cannabis research firm, found that Gen Z is the fastest-growing segment of the cannabis-buying public, with a sales surge of 127 percent in 2020.

3 MASSACHUSETTS RECREATIONAL SALES have surpassed $2 billion in less than three years since the first legal sale there.

4 ONE IN FOUR ADULTS in the US. currently smokes cannabis— or at least has tried it in the last 12 months, according to a study by yougov.org.

5 SIXTY-FOUR PERCENT OF CANNABIS CONSUMERS believe that if more people embraced the herb, the world would be “a better place.” So says that same yougov.org study.

PHOTO BY MEGAN RAINWATER

6 POINT IS, people like pot. And I like alliterations. That’s all.

“You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.” —Kahlil Gibran, author, writer, poet, visual artist, philosopher

Raise up the Rye Toast the holidays with Redemption.

Just in time for the holidays, whiskey brand Redemption has launched a new libation finished in authentic Cognac casks—perfect for gift giving and holiday entertaining. Redemption Cognac Cask Finish’s mixes French luxury with pre-Prohibition-inspired, rye-forward whiskey, a truly decadent whiskey experience. Founded in 2010 after two industry vets serendipitously discovered a small cache of rye whiskey barrels that perfectly expressed this classic American spirit, Redemption Whiskey set out to lead the rye revival, helping return rye whiskey to pre-Prohibition prominence.

Holiday Spritz Serves 1

INGREDIENTS

1½ ounces Redemption Bourbon 2 ounces Stone Batch ½ teaspoon Allspice Dram ¼ ounces Bergamot ½ ounces Blackcurrant

½ ounces Pineau Des Charentes (grape aperitif) Ice Cider Lemon oils

INSTRUCTIONS

Mix all ingredients, except cider, in a shaker with ice. Strain over highball glass with ice. Top with cider and garnish with lemon oils. D EC E M B E R 2021

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This infused pie crust recipe will elevate your dessert game. 16

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PHOTO BY BRENT HOFACKER VIA ADOBE STOCK

Pie in the Sky

According to the experts at San Diego’s March and Ash cannabis dispensary, cannabis is an extremely versatile plant, and one easy way to unlock its powerful effects is baking with cannabutter. Butter that has been infused with cannabis flower, also called “cannabutter,” is a simple do-it-yourself way to prepare edibles at home. Cannabutter has many uses in cooking, including cookies, sandwiches, desserts, and pasta. Read on for a recipe to make your own cannabutter, which can then be incorporated into a pie crust recipe for the holidays … or really any time that’s appropriate for pie, which is the same as saying any time at all.

Cannabutter

Makes about 16 servings / Recipe from March and Ash / marchandash.com

INGREDIENTS

10 grams flower

1 cup unsalted butter

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat the oven to 245°F. Place 10 grams of flower on a parchment-lined oven tray. Bake for 40 minutes. Rake the flower after 15 minutes to ensure even heating. Coarsely grind baked bud into a slow cooker set to low (under 200°F). Add the unsalted butter, stirring the mixture every 15 minutes. Cook for 3 hours on low. Allow to cool for a few minutes, and strain into jar or container using cheesecloth and a funnel. Refrigerate until ready to use in recipe. Potency The exact potency of made-at-home cannabutter will depend on many factors. No two batches will be exactly the same. You may want to test your final product by spreading ¼ teaspoon on some toast and wait two to three hours to see how that batch affects you. Use that as a dosage barometer and increase or decrease the amount used in each recipe as desired.

Cannabutter Pie Crust Makes 1 pie crust

INGREDIENTS

2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt 2⁄3 cup cannabutter (see

recipe above) 5–7 tablespoons cold water 1 egg white

PHOTOS (FROM TOP) BY ALONA, 2GREENEYES VIA ADOBE STOCK

INSTRUCTIONS

Combine flour and cannabutter into a mixing bowl. Use a knife to cut the cannabutter into the flour. Add salt and water, mixing until a dough forms. If not using immediately, wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 24 hours. If ready to make your pie, roll out dough on a flat surface, between two pieces of lightly floured parchment paper. Shape into a 9-inch pie pan, leaving a half inch of dough overhanging. Pinch overhang around edge of the pan and brush the dough with the egg white. Let chill in the freezer for 30 minutes. Fill your pie with your favorite filling: pumpkin, apple, pecan, or even a refreshing fruit blend—baker’s choice. Bake according to pie recipe instructions D EC E M B E R 2021

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THE LIFE GARDEN

Containing the Tropics PHOTO BY NEW AFRICA, ADOBE STOCK

Baby it’s cold outside, but these easy-breezy houseplants can add an instant island vibe to your home no matter what’s happening out there. TEXT DIANE BLACKFORD

Your dreams for a Caribbean getaway this year get dashed by a pandemic that closed the country’s borders, too? While it’s not quite the same as frolicking on sugary soft beaches flanked by palm trees and lapped by shimmering turquoise waters, I’ve done my best to turn my apartment into a tropical oasis with

palm trees and verdant foliage growing out of every available space. You can do the same, and I highly encourage it. Plants provide oxygen, clean the air, and are shown to elevate levels of happiness. Not to mention if you get enough of them growing, you’ll raise the humidity in your place—something everyone needs. Trust me,

your hair, skin, sinuses, too can grow some palm and more will thank you trees a mile high. for adding more moisture Everyone can be a to the air. tropical gardener, and My apartment’s large thanks to the housesouthern-facing windows plant-crazed millennials deserve a lot of credit for demanding more—and helping to transform an more exotic—greenery empty apartment into to grow in their homes, a lush landscape, no it’s easier than ever to doubt. But even if your cultivate a true island place rarely sees any divibe indoors—even in rect sunlight at all, you the coldest of climates. D EC E M B E R 2021

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THE LIFE GARDEN

PHOTOS VIA ADOBE STOCK

(Fun fact: the fifth-coldest temp this country has ever recorded was in Maybell, Colorado, when it dipped to -61°F on February 1, 1985. As I write this, it’s 14 degrees outside and the temps are falling into the single digits tomorrow, making Denver one of the coldest places in the country right now.) “It may be a little tricky at times, but adding that special warmth and color to your home definitely can be done,” confirms Andrea Haywood, a certified master gardener from South Florida. While Jack Frost is not a friend to most greenery native to climates where temperatures hover above 75°F, we’ve rounded up some of the easiest tropical plants that you can

grow indoors all year long. You can find these varieties and others like them at your local garden center, where the staff can

help you pick out the right its uncanny resemblance type for your home’s light to the feathered creature and offer tips to help you with the same name. care for the tropical trans- The unusual shape of its plant. So take your green flowers makes the plant thumbs out of your gloves a superb conversation and get growing on your starter that adds a welown tropical paradise. come burst of color to any household where it Bird of Paradise (above) blooms, which doesn’t happen without a TON This colorful plant species got its moniker from of natural sunlight. But even without the namesake flower, the large plant adds a ton of tropical flair to any room, thanks to its glossy leaves fanning out. Bromeliad (left) There are over 3,000 species within this standout family of tropical plants. Most have bold leaves that are often colorful, but many bromeliads’ most distinguishing characteristic is an exotic flower spike. Given the long-lasting blooms D EC E M B E R 2021

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P R O M O T I O N A L F E AT U R E N AT I O N A L C A N N A B I S R I S K M A N AG E M E N T A S S O C I AT I O N

Risk Management What you don’t know can hurt you. “A common cannabis industry myth is that by having insurance, you are properly managing your risks, when in reality, insurance is only a small part of the risk management framework.” —NCRMA Chairman Rocco Petrilli 22

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very business owner knows about risk; it is a constant presence in their lives. The specter of risk drives critical business decisions, from funding and hiring to liability coverage. Nowhere is this more evident than in the fast-changing and continually evolving cannabis industry. Cannabis is one of the most highly scrutinized industries in the country, so operators owe it to themselves to ensure that they have properly protected their investment. That’s where the National Cannabis Risk Management Association (NCRMA) comes in. As the nation’s only dedicated risk management association focused solely on cannabis, NCRMA brings a level of expertise to its members that enables long-term sustainability and success. It provides the education, support, and ex-

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pertise necessary to mitigate potential threats and help cannabis industry professionals keep their businesses safe, compliant, and thriving. NCRMA lives its mission statement: making our members better through education, support, and expertise. “Our level of expertise spans from seed to the consumer with a team of consultants bringing a combined 75 years of experience in property and liability, risk, cannabis operations, occupational safety, compliance, and agriculture,” says NCRMA Chief Risk Management Officer Alex Hearding. “This culmination of experience and expertise allows us to offer one-ofa-kind tools and cannabis-specific solutions designed to improve overall business results, optimize daily operational efficiencies, decrease unnecessary expenses, and increase

the bottom line.” Through the use of the NCRMA’s proprietary cloudbased platform, CRP2 (Cannabis Risk Prevention Platform), its consultants are equipped to quickly identify potential threats through a scorecard and detailed report. These results allow the NCRMA to address risks in a holistic manner and create customized solutions that minimize the potential for business interruptions. Recognizing the explosive growth in the cannabis industry, NCRMA has regional offices and vetted service partners across the country, which work directly with NCRMA members to provide knowledge, proficiency, and support—and much more. NCRMA’s Chronic Risk podcast offers detailed insights from cannabis industry leaders. Through its innovative association-owned captive model, NCRMA has a network of Appointed Brokers who offer insurance products and coverages. Then, there is NCRM Academy—an online learning platform that provides members access to over 30 different courses on all aspects of cannabis operations. All of this combined ensures that your business is prepared and your risks addressed. “A common cannabis industry myth is that by having insurance, you are properly managing your risks. In reality, insurance is only a small part of the risk management framework,” says NCRMA Chairman Rocco Petrilli. “Having a firm grasp over risk management is vital to the success of any business.”

National Cannabis Risk Management Association The nation’s only cannabis risk management association ncrma.net

THE LIFE GARDEN

Dracaena Marginata (below) Often called the dragon tree, the spiky houseplant is native to Africa. The tricolor cultivar, also known as the rainbow plant, adds an instant island vibe to any household with its pink, cream, and yellow stripes on narrow, green leaves. Hibiscus (left) Huge, dramatic blooms up to eight inches in and ornamental foliage, among the easiest to grow, diameter add terrific you may assume these and you can find varietsplashes of color (albeare high-maintenance ies in all shapes and sizes it short-lived) to this houseplants, but you’d be with different preferences shrub. It needs plenty of mistaken. They tend to be for light and heat. water and well-drained

soil to survive, and it needs lots of sunlight to bloom, which it can do from late spring through fall in the right conditions. You can find versions with flowers in a dizzying array of colors, making it easy to match your home’s color palette. If you don’t have bright, direct sunlight, don’t let that stop you from adding this stunner to your collection. Keep it indoors during the winter then move it to the balcony or porch when it warms up outside to enjoy its seasonal blooms.

PHOTOS VIA ADOBE STOCK

EDITOR’S CHOICE: PONYTAIL PALM The cascading curls flowing from the top of this plant just make it seem like all sorts of bubbly fun. It’s technically a succulent, not a palm tree, but we won’t tell if you don’t. A native of the dry desert states of eastern Mexico, it does well in low humidity, and its bulbous base stores water like a camel’s hump, making it a good choice for people who tend to neglect their plants.

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Fighting for freedom is Join the revolution at norml.org

P R O M OT I O N A L F E AT U R E BLAZE DELIVERY

Enhanced Experience The delivery-based cannabis market is here to stay—and Blaze is making it all easier.

he massive rise in delivery-based business during the pandemic has transformed how customers interact with their favorite brands across the United States and the world. Consumers now expect everything from alcohol to toiletries to be available at their doorstep. As legalization spreads across the country, that expectation of seamless delivery is extending into the cannabis industry. Currently, 14 states permit regulated cannabis deliveries, but that number is expected to rise over the next few years. For most dispensaries, however, the idea of quickly implementing online

Blaze’s software addresses backend logistics and the tracking and managing of drivers. It also creates a delivery service that will pass each state’s regulatory status, avoiding legal headaches. Designed by industry veterans, the delivery software integrates directly with a store’s POS system to allow accurate inventory tracking. It features signature capture and ID verification, and it provides delivery drivers with a complete manifest and inventory ledger. To enhance the consumer’s experience, the Blaze Delivery app easily captures customer signatures, verifies IDs, and tenders orders—customers can even pay ahead. Plus, it offers the ability for drivers to communicate securely with dispatch or with the customer for last minute changes. A recent report from Uber showed that delivery revenue grew 103% in 2020, a number that is expected to continue to rise moving forward. There is no reason why cannabis businesses cannot get in on that trend and expand too. They just need the proper framework in place to make it happen.

purchasing and delivery is daunting, to say the least, if not downright impossible to navigate safely, efficiently, and legally. That’s where Blaze can step in, offering state-of-the-art delivery software and POS systems designed to provide seamless solutions to cannabis purveyors. “We feel that delivery is going to be a key piece for retailers who are looking to grow their businesses,” says Chris Violas, the CEO of Blaze. “We think it’s here to stay and we’re doubling down on that market by continuing to develop new features BLAZE Delivery to streamline and scale delivery Delivery POS Systems operations.” blaze.me D EC E M B E R 2021

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NOT DOWN AND OUT BUT

THRIV IN LAS VEGAS T

he Las Vegas cannabis vibe was off the charts during the week-long 10th annual MJBizCon, the largest cannabis trade show in the industry. Sensi had a prominent presence during the convention, including hosting one of the hottest parties, Sensi’s Sunset Soirée at The Strat. Guests enjoyed the Las Vegas sunset 108 floors above the Strip with unlimited cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, thrill rides, and an all-around

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excellent networking experience. The next evening, the sold-out Zodiac Party rocked the entire night as partygoers celebrated. Down the street, Sapphire Las Vegas, the world’s largest gentlemen’s club and adult entertainment complex, hosted an evening filled with unforgettable 4-20–inspired décor and entertainment with an open bar. Platinum recording artist and rap sensation Mike Jones, infamous for anthems like “Still Tippin” and “Back Then,” performed as

guests reveled in cannabis couture. During the day, Daymond John—co-star of ABC’s Shark Tank and founder/CEO of Fubu— amped up attendees as the keynote speaker of MJBiz, while over 1,000 cannabis industry suppliers made deals on the expo floor. MJ Unpacked brought together passionate cannabis retailers, THC CPG brands, and accredited investors. It was quite the week for all who attended! Sensi Media Group looks forward to 2022.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF STAFF OF SENSI MAGAZINE

TEXT DEBBIE HALL

VING D EC E M B E R 2021

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF STAFF OF SENSI MAGAZINE

MJ BIZ, MJ UNPACKED WHERE: LAS VEGAS CONVENTION CENTER WHEN: OCT. 19-22, 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

PHOTOS COURTESY OF STAFF OF SENSI MAGAZINE

MJ BIZ, MJ UNPACKED WHERE: LAS VEGAS CONVENTION CENTER WHEN: OCT. 19-22, 2021

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF STAFF OF SENSI MAGAZINE

SENSI’S SUNSET SOIRÉE AT THE STRAT, AFTERPARTY AT MEOW WOLF, ZODIAC PARTY WHERE: THE STRAT, THE SPACE ON INDUSTRY, SAPPHIRE LAS VEGAS, AREA15, MANDALAY BAY RESORT AND CASINO WHEN: OCT. 19-22, 2021

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dispensary grade Beyond Full S pectrum

thehelpingfriendlysalve.com 34

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF STAFF OF SENSI MAGAZINE; PHOTO OF MIKE JONES BY CHUCK SICUSO/SAPPHIRE LAS VEGAS

SENSI’S SUNSET SOIRÉE AT THE STRAT, AFTERPARTY AT MEOW WOLF, ZODIAC PARTY WHERE: THE STRAT, THE SPACE ON INDUSTRY, SAPPHIRE LAS VEGAS, AREA15, MANDALAY BAY RESORT AND CASINO WHEN: OCT. 19-22, 2021

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The Last-Minute Gift Guide Gifts so good they’ll think you spent a year planning them.

Bearbrick Aroma Ornament, $110 2. Hannah Candle in His and Hannah, $85 each 3. Wary Meyers Hippie Hollow Candle, $36

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF NORDSTROM

Is the thought of holiday panic shopping for the people in your life who deserve a lil token (tokin’) of appreciation from you this year getting you down? Don’t fret my pet. A recent study found that a moderate amount of procrastination can actually enhance creativity, providing the procrastinator extra time to generate novel ideas. So you weren’t waiting until the last minute—you’ve been waiting for inspiration to strike. And here it is. If you missed Sensi’s 2021 Holiday Gift Guide last month (or if you missed the window to order the items on it for arrival before, like, Martin Luther King Jr. Day), you’re still golden in our book. If it wasn’t for the last minute, nothing would ever get done. Or so we’ve heard. So we’ve packed our Last-Minute Gift Guide with all the thoughtful goodies you can give (or hope to receive).

PHOTOS: 4 BY EMMA ANZELONE; 7 COURTESY OF JACOB MAY

4. Kanha Nano Sugar Plum gummies, $18 5. Pet Releaf Edibites CBD Soft Chews, $28 Use the code PAWLIDAYSPR30 for 30% off site-wide and free shipping. 6. Koan Cannabis Cordials, $30/3 7. Sanctuary Dab Tabs, $40 8. Glass Distractions Cobalt Cup Set, $340 9. Unity Hemp Beverage Six Pack, $42

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10. Simon Miller Scrambler Chelsea Boot, $540 11. Higher Standards x Revelry Companion bag, $55 12. The Skateroom x Andy Warhol Campbell’s Soup Colored Skateboard Deck, $220

13. Ashish Sequin Flared Drawstring Trouser, $2,059 14. RopaNa Wellness Beanie, $24 15. Nike Blazer Mid ’77, $100

PHOTOS 10, 12, 13, 15 COURTESY OF NORDSTROM

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16. LuxeRolls Luxe Rose Heart Cannon, $25 17. Invincibowl + Invincipole, $30, $45 18. Suprette Missing Clipper Lighter, $10 19. Purejuana Cannabis-Infused Soluble Powder, 10-shot box starting at $19

20. GanjaGold Blue Pocket Tarantula, $42 21. F. Miller x JAM Earth Burners, $98 22. LuxePak StashPak, $20 23. Stone Road Roll-Your-Own Pouch, $50

18 PHOTOS: 17 BY JEFF HOUKA; 20 BY KEVIN ENGBERG; 21 COURTESY OF NORDSTROM

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Skydance Bridge Oklahoma City

Shining High

Skydance Bridge celebrates the state bird and history of Oklahoma.

Oklahoma’s state bird, the scissor-tailed flycatcher, shines brightly in the night as part of the Skydance Bridge, an artwork that is also a pedestrian bridge in Oklahoma City. The 380-foot-long, 192-foot-tall, and 20-foot-wide pedestrian bridge holds a 197-foottall sculpture and is made from 412 tons of steel. Illuminated by LED lights from dark until sunrise, the bridge’s light colors change to commemorate special events and holidays. Opened to enthusiastic walkers and art lovers on April 23, 2012, the bridge was the result of a competition begun in 2008 when the mayor of Oklahoma City announced an open competition to design a pedestrian bridge for the city’s downtown. The bridge 40

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had to span a recently relocated highway, connect the north and south of a city park, and serve as an Oklahoma City icon. SkyBridge Design, LLC created the winning bridge. Inspired by the state bird, architects Hans and Torrey Butzer developed the double-winged structure as a sculptural landmark as well as to join portions of Oklahoma City’s Scissortail Park. The bridge’s location was chosen as part of the Core to Shore initiative, connecting downtown Oklahoma City to the shore of the Oklahoma River. It spans over Interstate 40. In June 2019, city leaders approved an $840,000 repair project to replace the wood deck with a composite fiberglass deck.

PHOTO BY RAYCHEL SANNER

TEXT DEBBIE HALL

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VIBES OF VEGAS

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CALIFORNIA

NEW ENGLAND

DECEMBER 2021

WOKE, NOT WASTED All about the buzz-free buzz

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Last-minute gift guide

WOKE, NOT WASTED All the buzz around buzz-free alcohol

GREEN YANKEES Local sustainable cannabis practices that are painting the town

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WOKE, NOT WASTED All about the buzz-free buzz

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C O LO R A D O

MICHIGAN

DECEMBER 2021

VIBES OF VEGAS

Recapping MJBiz Con in photos

HO HO…OH NO!

Last-minute gift guide

SOBER SIPS The buzz around buzz-free alcohol

GARDEN OF WEEDEN Area growers use back-to-nature regenerative practices

SEE ALL THE DECEMBER EDITIONS NOW AVAILABLE!

Sensi Spark Pennsylvania December 2021

Articles inside

THE LIFE

EDITOR’S NOTE