August 2020
www.evercannabis.com
SEATTLE HEMPFEST GOES ONLINE CANNABIS UP, LIQUOR DOWN Less drinking reported in legal-use states.
COVID RESEARCHERS EXPLORE CBD
NFL CHANGES RULES
Cannabinoids have shown anti-inflammatory properties.
Policy change reflects larger cultural acceptance.
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The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
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Friday, August 7, 2020
The Spokesman-Review
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK
VOLUME 5 | ISSUE 8
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Kathleen Coleman DIRECTOR OF SALES
Dan Fritts
MANAGING EDITOR
Joe Butler
HEALTH & CULTURE EDITOR
Theresa Tanner
ART DIRECTOR, MARKETING
Anne Potter
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Chris Soprych
Evercannabis is a monthly supplement of The Spokesman-Review No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent of the
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Pressure to partake turned out mostly unmemorable By Joe Butler
MANAGING EDITOR
The end of summer traditionally means back to school, even though this has certainly been one of the strangest summers on record – and who knows what fall is going to be like? It’s also a time to remember past school moments, which a high school classmate recently did when she reminded me about how she offered me a puff on a pot pipe at a New Year’s party way back when. We were sharing lessons learned and observations that our lives have each taken all sorts of unexpected twists and turns but we’re still right back where we were back then, trying to be generally good people in a crazy world. People who knew the midto late ‘80s Joe aren’t terribly surprised when they hear that I’m still doing something in the communications/mass media/writing realm. It didn’t feel like it then, but I was later told that my peers thought “I made writing look easy.” I did know that I was able to
crank out a full page of mostly coherent and creative words at warp speed upon demand, a skill that has been mightily handy for the deadline-driven world of daily newspapering. But there are still some amused fellow Crusaders (my school’s mascot) when they hear that I’m currently the editor of one of Washington’s leading cannabis publications. “That’s kind of cool, but you??” I’m still a little amused by this particular twist and turn myself. I was never anti-pot or pro-pot in high school. It just wasn’t my thing, even though it was definitely around. At that time in the Seattle area, we were exposed to plenty of “just say no/winners don’t do drugs” messaging, and DARE was just beginning to be taught in the middle schools and grade schools. It hadn’t reached high schools or maybe our school opted out, but we all were pretty aware by then. I do remember that students busted by school staff for simple pot possession usually received a few day’s suspension, which most never minded much since it meant staying at home watching lousy TV, perhaps even consuming any remaining unconfiscated contraband. Lesson definitely
un-learned. I also remember the young entrepreneur whose locker was near mine who loved telling me how he would sell baggies of pencil shavings and oregano to his target market of gullible freshmen. But I never actually saw or smelled the real stuff until that party my senior year – truthfully I didn’t go to many parties, preferring to focus on cultivating my personal brand of being awkward, geeky, and perhaps a little creepy. I had also forgotten that pot was once offered to me then – she said I said no thanks but still hung out with the group while they smoked and laughed. So that was my first – and apparently forgettable – brush with pot-related peer pressure, which turned out to be nothing like the “better take this dangerous drug or we’ll beat you up and after that we’ll declare you uncool forever” threats we were warned so often we’d face as teens, especially from movies and very special after-school specials. More of a “that’s cool” vibe which I’ve since learned is much more common in this world for those who say just say no. What pot experiences did any of you run into in school?
EVERCANNABIS CONTRIBUTORS Linda Ball is a freelance journalist based in Washington State. Over 18 years, she has covered a wide variety of topics including environmental issues, city hall, arts and entertainment, education, human interest stories and now the rapidlychanging cannabis industry. Chelsea Cebara is a medicallycertified cannabis consultant and product developer. She teaches and speaks nationally on the intersection of cannabis with sexuality, relationships, and culture. Follow her on Twitter @ChelseaCebara. Tracy Damon is a Spokanebased freelancer who has been writing professionally for 20 years. She has been covering i502 issues since recreational cannabis became legal in Washington. Allison Hall has a degree in technology and has worked in the field for over 15 years. She has recently found that her true love lies in web site design, social media and marketing, freelance writing, and blogging. Leslie Kelly is a longtime food and wine writer who started her career at The SpokesmanReview in the 1990s. She and her husband are traveling the country in a cantankerous motor home, chronicling their adventures at spokesman.com/ blogs/going-mobile/. Rick Misterly is a Washington resident whose interest in cannabis dates back to the 1960s and has taken him around the world. He’s the cannabis and hashish curator for Green Barn Farms in Addy and writes the “Rick’s World of Hashish” blog. Kate A. Miner has a degree in visual anthropology, and has worked in marketing and advertising for many years. She writes, takes photos and teaches yoga. Theresa Tanner is the Health & Culture editor of EVERCANNABIS. Born and raised in Spokane, she enjoys good food and drink, pop culture podcasts, and relaxing at the lake. Dan Webster is a former Spokesman-Review staff writer who is a community producer for Spokane Public Radio and a blogger for Spokane7.com.
Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
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AUGUST TABLE OF CONTENTS
14
6
13
16
8 SUN CUP AWARDS
Industry honors outdoor growers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
HUT, HUT, HIKE
Professional football updates policy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
BUDDY BOY GETS BIGGER
Second Tier 3 license expands farm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
HEMPFEST GOES GREEN
Annual Seattle event will be online . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
BINGE BEHAVIOR DROPS
Study explores adult cannabis, drinking habits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
ON THE ROCKS
Infused beverage options are plentiful. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
FINDING THE CURE
Could CBD treat COVID-19?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
TO BE BLUNT
Advice for the cannabis inclined . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
HAIR-RAISING RESULTS
Luxurious CBD hair care products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
PRAISE FOR SALVATION
Topical salve relieves aches, itchy skin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
STRAIN OF THE MONTH
Akcademics by Driftboat Cannabis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
COVER: Cannabis enthusiasts won’t gather on Seattle’s waterfront this August as they did last year for Hempfest; COVID-19 has shifted the event’s 29th occurance online.
MARK GLADDING/SEATTLE HEMPFEST
Evercannabis, The Spokesman-Review and the Cowles Company don’t promote or endorse the use of cannabis products. We acknowledge that marijuana products remain illegal under federal laws. If adults age 21 or older choose to purchase or use them, we encourage them to consume sensibly and at their own risk in legal jurisdictions, in accordance with state and local laws. Some cannabis products have intoxicating effects and may be habit-forming. Consumption of marijuana also may be associated with health risks and impaired concentration, coordination, and judgment. Keep away from children. To learn more, visit the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board at www.liq.wa.gov.
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The Spokesman-Review
NEWS & BUSINESS Sun Cup 2020 Awards Best Full Term THC Sungrown Flower Winner: CannaSol Farms “Blackwater” Runners Up: CannaSol Farms “9lb Hammer Space Weed” and High Five Farms “Purple Punch” Best Light Deprivation THC Sungrown Flower Winner: CannaSol Farms “Lemon Meringue” Runners Up: Lazy Bee Gardens “Miracle Alien Cookies” and Lazy Bee Gardens “Powderhound” Best CBD Flower Winner: Buddy Boy Farm “Amazing Grace” Runners Ups: Lazy Bee Gardens “Sour Tsunami” and Puffin Farm “Dan Remy” Best Greenhouse Grown Flower Winner: Boggy Boon “Slurricane” Runners Up: Boggy Boon “Birthday Cake Gelato”and Buddy Boy Farm “Presidential Kush”
COURTESY WSIA
Last year’s Sun Cup Awards were presented in person at a private event in downtown Seattle on April 27, 2019. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 awards were presented via Facebook Live on June 21.
Sun Cup recognizes outdoor growers
Annual cannabis awards presented online By Kate A. Miner
EVERCANNABIS CORRESPONDENT
The Washington Sungrowers Industry Association is a trade association governed by and representing cannabis farmers and processors throughout Washington. Members are dedicated to supporting sustainably-farmed outdoor cannabis, and encourage environmental and economic policy through advocacy, education and research. For the last few years, the WSIA has also invited members to compete in the Sun Cup Invitational, which recognizes growers in 10 categories. Judges are chosen for having a strong reputation among their peers of staying current on product knowledge and methodologies, and
recognizing sungrown cannabis as a top-shelf product. Over 100 individuals applied to be judges this year, and 30 were selected. They included retail store buyers, managers, budtenders, writers, social media influencers, photographers and consumers. On average, judges had 18 years of consumption experience, with over 500 years of consumption experience combined. The entries for flower, concentrate and cartridges were fully blinded. Other categories such as infused joints and edibles were not blinded but included branding as part of the judging. Scoring was a on a scale of 1 to 10, and included packaging, appearance, fragrance, taste, smoothness, effect and overall impression. For flower and concentrate categories, judges chose from
a list of descriptors for fragrance and taste, like citrus, floral, pine and vanilla. This year’s awards were supposed to be held in Seattle at a private venue, but like many events, the physical gathering was cancelled, and awards were presented via Facebook Live on June 21. Proceeds from Sun Cup support WSIA’s mission and ongoing work representing cannabis farmers and processors throughout Washington. WSIA has a seat at the table on industry advisory boards to the WSLCB, including the Quality Assurance Advisory Group, Package & Labeling Advisory Group, Traceability Advisory Group, and the Cannabis Advisory Council. The association is also active in recent legislation regarding product labeling. WSIA encourages support through membership. To learn more, visit washingtonsungrowers.org.
Best Infused Joint Winner: Boggy Boon “Bigfoot” Runners Up: Puffin Farm “Big Bubba Dutch Trifecta” and Constellation Cannabis “Blueberry x Blueberry Solventless Hash Infused Joint” Best Solvent Free Concentrate Winner: Cascadia Cartel “Solventless Melonade” Runners Up: Constellation Cannabis “Gelato” and High Five Farms “Super Lemon Kush” Best THC Cartridge Winner: Puffin Farm “Extra Virgin Flower Oil Hindu Kush” Runners Up: Lazy Bee Gardens “Extra Virgin Flower Oil Tangie” and Lehua Brands “Haku CO2 Live Resin Berry White” Best CBD Cartridge Winner: Puffin Farm “Vital Roots 1:1 Hindu Kush” Runners Up: Lehua Brands “Haku Co2 Humidor 2:1 Critical Mass” and Lehua Brands “Haku Co2 Live Resin 4:1 Sour Tsunami” Best Dab Winner: Studhorse Mountain Xtracts “Golden Ticket #2” Runners Up: Cascadia Cartel “Live Resin Melonade” and Studhorse Mountain Xtracts “Super Silver Haze” Best Liquid Edible Winner: Lehua Brands “Mortimer’s Ginger Ale” Runners Up: Lehua Brands “Mortimer’s Root Beer” and Craft Elixers “Dank Chocolate Syrup” Best Solid Edible Winner: Green Revolution “Doozies; Mixed Flavors” Runners Up: Craft Elixirs “Lori’s Potato Chips; Roasted Garlic” and Craft Elixirs “Pioneer Squares; Watermelon Kiwi” Outstanding Cannabis Advocate Micah Sherman, owner of Raven Grass
Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
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NEWS & BUSINESS
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson scrambles during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff game in January in Green Bay, Wis.
NFL tackles cannabis reform Former players have lobbied league for years By Dan Webster
EVERCANNABIS CORRESPONDENT
Many of us who have been abiding by COVID-19 protocols, including wearing masks in public, have had to deal with a whole range of emotions: denial, anger, depression, etc. And not to make light of anyone’s situation, because the whole polarized political scene in the U.S. today is complicating all our lives, but even our escapist hobbies and entertainment – live music events, going to the cinema – may not be able to provide respite any time soon. For many, a favorite diversion typically
begins in mid-July when teams from the National Football League begin seasonal training camps. In 2019, for example, the Seattle Seahawks began their pre-season camp at Renton’s Virginia Mason Athletic Center for rookies on July 17 and July 24 for veterans. Like everything about this year, COVID-19 may delay or even cancel NFL camps, pre-season games, and possibly the entire season. As of the time of this writing in early July, the league has been looking at these factors on a day-to-day basis, and See NFL, 17
“Our priority is always going to be the health and safety. There is a long list of hurdles we have to get over and things we have to watch and check. We just continually seek out information to be informed.” DeMaurice Fitzgerald Smith Executive director of the NFL Players Association
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NEWS & BUSINESS
SPOTLIGHT:
Buddy Boy Farm expands with 2nd Tier 3 license By Tracey Damon
EVERCANNABIS CORRESPONDENT
COURTESY OF BUDDY BOY FARM
A look inside a Buddy Boy Farm greenhouse.
A view of Buddy Boy Farm’s outdoor grow in Eastern Washington.
Buddy Boy Farm is a big business in a tiny town, and it’s getting bigger. The cannabis grower and processor located west of Spokane near Reardan recently expanded with a second Tier 3 license, giving the company an additional 30,000 square feet. “We now have 12 greenhouses on this (first) license,” said General Manager Galadriel Walser. “Last year we bought a second Tier 3 license so we added an outdoor grow, and now we’re building more greenhouses. By the time we’re done, we will have 24.” Buddy Boy has been on the scene since the early days of legalization and was the ninth producer/processor in Washington to receive a state license. “My father Steve Walser has been a farmer for 40 years now, but didn’t grow cannabis. Well, way back in his hippie days he did, but not officially,” said Walser. “When cannabis became legal he decided why not try it?” So he dedicated a section of his 640-acre organic farm, known as Willow Wind Farms, to growing cannabis. “Our very first year we were just an outdoor grow because no one really knew what they were doing. We had tractors, we used our old potato planter to make rows in the dirt to plant these things. We had no idea what to expect.” After an unseasonably warm fall, they yielded “this huge crop.” Which is fitting, because Walser says her father always goes big. “At the very beginning you had to apply whether you wanted a 1, 2 or 3 (tier) license. My dad always was like, well, you might as well get the biggest option, and decided to go for the Tier 3 license,” she said. As the state’s cannabis industry got on its feet, many growers and processors struggled, including Buddy Boy. Walser says they all had to get creative to make ends meet and keep the business going. “One thing we’re really proud of: we don’t have investors. So we’ve always had to be very frugal. We’ve MacGyvered things together, out
of necessity.” And it worked. While other growers threw in the towel, Buddy Boy prospered. “The first year was really great because not too many people were able to get a crop off that year. Even the second year, there still wasn’t a ton of people in it (the business), but by the third and fourth year there were so many people in it that the prices plummeted,” said Walser. “People were going out of business left and right because they were selling for less than what it costs to grow.” As companies left the industry and licenses became available, Buddy Boy purchased a second Tier 3 license and expanded. Today the company grows about 25 strains of cannabis. Walser says some fan favorites include Jet Fuel, Presidential Kush, DJ Kush, and a high-CBD strain called Amazing Grace. The company’s newest product is a line of CBD lotions using Amazing Grace and a blend of herbs. Walser says even with the expansion, the staff is hustling to keep up with demand. She used to send out a menu to retail shops of what was available but says that’s no longer needed. Their products are being bought as soon as they are ready for market. “Even before COVID we started to see an uptick in sales, probably about five months before COVID,” she said. Buddy Boy has also increased staff to keep up with the size of the grow and demand. With 62 employees on board, they recently hit a milestone to be proud of. “We have just been able to get medical insurance here. That’s a very big deal. (Buddy Boy’s employees) are very important to us.” It’s also important to Walser to recognize how everyone at Buddy Boy has made the business a success, despite lean years, a lack of experience and entering a new industry that was also finding its footing. “I feel like we were puzzle pieces. It took a long time to figure out each other’s ways and all fit together and all find our place and our mesh. But we have and it works really well.” For more, visit www.buddyboyfarm.com
Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
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CANNABIS IN BRIEF
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kootenai receives more anti-drug funds COEUR d’ALENE – Kootenai County recently received federal funds to better focus on interstate drug activity. It is now part of the Idaho/Oregon High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, which also includes Ada and Bannock counties in southern Idaho as well as 11 Oregon counties and the Warm Springs Reservation. This designation by the U.S. Office of Nation-
al Drug Control Policy provides grants to federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies in a specific area to better coordinate activities and share information about illegal activity moving through the region, including cannabis. Idaho State Police Capt. John Kempf said Kootenai County has had the highest amounts of illegal drug seizures in the state in the
last few years, including methamphetamine from Mexico. He said the Interstate 90 corridor, which spans 100 miles of Idaho, sees a large amount of drug activity. Many of those arrested say they are bringing product purchased legally in Washington and Oregon to the East Coast to be resold for a higher margin. Source: Associated Press
Steves pushes legalization, equity SEATTLE – Northwest-based travel guru Rick Steves is sharing a message nationwide that increased legalization of cannabis can help fight larger issues of racism. Although he isn’t planning to travel in the next few months due to health concerns, Steves has been offering remote presentations to communities around the country, especially in the Midwest and the South. He calls it “preaching to voices outside the choir.” “I just like to confuse people with what they expect they’re going to be dealing with,” he said. “I always like to say that I’m a hard-working, churchgoing, kid-raising American. If I worked hard all day and want to go home and stare at the fireplace all day that’s my civil liberty.
And then I get a big round of applause.” Steves will also be a keynote presenter at the International Cannabis Business Symposium. He has concluded that the right for adults to have and use cannabis is really a civil liberty issue, which is why he’s been involved in cannabis advocacy issues for more than 20 years. He’s an active member of NORML and the Marijuana Policy Project. “I’m careful not to advocate smoking. I think anyone who wants to smoke marijuana responsibly as an adult should be able to do so,” he said, adding that the current prohibition is “racist and counterproductive and it’s just wrong.” Source: Leafly
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The Spokesm
GRE Seattle Hempfest goes online-only this year By Kate A. Miner
EVERCANNABIS CORRESPONDENT
Hempfest is an annual event that has taken place in Seattle each August since 1991. Founded as a “small gathering of stoners” by Vivian McPeak and Gary Cook, Hempfest has grown into a three-day political rally, concert, and arts and crafts fair, with attendance well over 100,000. This year, however, Hempfest must take a new approach. It’s one that organizers may not have expected but are embracing with the same conviction and fortitude that has made Hempfest one of the world’s largest gatherings to advocate for the decriminalization of marijuana. The organization announced in late May that the 29th iteration of the annual event, originally scheduled for Aug. 14-16, 2020, would move to Oct. 10-11 and also take place completely online. McPeak, the organization’s director, is a peace, social justice, and cannabis rights activist who is committed to working cooperatively with citizens and public officials to accomplish common goals. “When the COVID-19 pandemic surfaced in March, we were not immediately concerned,” Vivian explained. “Our event is in August, and in our naivete we assumed all would be fine by then. But as things progressed it became obvious that there was no way we could safely produce our event in the parks this year. So unfortunately, our event, as we’ve been producing it for the last 28 years, cannot happen.” Just short of three decades of non-stop advocacy, he and other organizers found themselves fighting to salvage the event. “The decision to not hold the event has put the organization in somewhat of a financial crisis. We have financial obligations we are unable to meet, and we have never defaulted on a financial obligation,” he said. “In order to subsist we must meet those obligations, and the best way to do that is for Hempfest to survive – creating alternative revenue streams as fast as we can.” Meeting these obligations will only be possible with the partnership and support
man-Review
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EEN RENAISSANCE LEFT: Musicians perform on the Seeley Black Stage, one of three stages featuring music and speakers, at the 2019 Seattle Hempfest. ABOVE: Hempfest executive director Vivian McPeak speaks at the 2019 event. PHOTOS BY MARK GLADDING/SEATTLE HEMPFEST
GREEN RENAISSANCE TOPICS
of the cannabis community. “By transitioning Hempfest online, we hope to make our mission more viable and powerful than ever before,” McPeak said. “An online event lends itself to a worldwide platform allowing for a greater and more diverse range of participation. It provides a multitude of possibilities, such as subsequent events, virtually and publicly (once public events are permitted again) and is helping us explore other avenues for relaying our message and mission.” The programming for the first virtual Hempfest will be similar to past festivals, with speakers and musical performances. “By moving everything online, we are no longer limited to the number of people who can attend, dates or times. Now anyone in the world can come to the event and view it at any time, so the capacity
for getting educational information out to people is much greater. Which is why we wanted a dynamic theme for Hempfest 2020.”
Hempfest 2020 – A rebirth?
McPeak calls this year’s theme “Green Renaissance.” “We are excited to present our theme to the world, a post-pandemic reset. A 2020 vision of a post-COVID future featuring many of the leading luminaries in various fields of the cannabis industry, including medicine, agriculture and science,” he said. “Our goal is to present cannabis as a catalyst in reimagining a just, healthy, sustainable global society based on public health, social justice, and environmental preservation. This global pandemic
has exposed glaring structural deficiencies that are compromising the current economic and environmental health and sustainability of humanity. Hempfest 2020 will present an overview on the role cannabis can play in a post-pandemic reset to aid humanity in forging a path into a more viable and sustainable future.” McPeak and the entire Hempfest community stand in solidarity with other regional and national events and businesses struggling to withstand this unprecedented health crisis. They encourage your support and your commitment to making our world a better place, and hope that you will join them as they work towards a better, and hopefully greener, future. For more information about Hempfest 2020 and how you to contribute or participate, visit hempfest.org.
Green Energy: Hemp biomass, biogas hemp ethanol, hemp carbon nanomaterial for high-power Green Economy: Recreational-use industry: CBD, hemp industry, medical cannabis, cannabis and banking, environmental best practices Green Construction: Hemp-crete, hemp bio-plastics, hemp fiber-board, etc., thermal insulation and vapor barriers Green Agriculture: Hemp-based foods and cooking, CBD, decentralization, cannabis permaculture, victory gardens, soil (heavy metal and radiation) remediation, greenbelt crop, “gateway crop,” regenerative “Agrihoods,” cannabis as insect repellent barriers, and carbon sequestration via hemp. Green Lifestyle: Responsible use, cannabis lounges, health and beauty, yoga, athletics, exercise, travel Green Justice: Gender and racial equity, continued cannabis reform, prisoner advocacy, criminal justice reform, criminal record expungement, re-entry assistance Green Medicine: Cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system, terpenes, the “entourage effect,” pain management, opioid addiction mitigation and reduction Green Media: Podcasts, magazines, websites, politics, and spirituality
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The Spokesman-Review
HEALTH & SCIENCE
Study: Cannabis use increases while strong alcohol use drops Binge drinking declines in legal-use states By Linda Ball
EVERCANNABIS CORRESPONDENT
Studies are showing that in states that allow legal adult use of cannabis, binge drinking of alcohol is decreasing. This is good news, at least from a health perspective, since binge drinking can have fatal consequences, most notably on college campuses. Binge drinking is defined as five or more drinks for men and four or more for women in a span of around two hours. As of January, 33 states have legalized medical cannabis while 11 states and Washington D.C., allow for recreational use among adults 21 and older. In a recent study from Oregon State University, the National College Health Assessment survey asked students to report on lifestyle actions and substance use including nicotine, binge drinking, illegal drugs, and use/misuse of prescription opioids, stimulants and sedatives. The study found that increased cannabis use had only a minor impact on other consumption choices with the exceptions being alcohol and sedatives. The NCHA study also reported that in states with legal recreational cannabis, there was a greater reduction in binge drinking among students 21 and over, compared with similar age peers in other states. This figure concurred with similar findings, including a 2018 report in Forbes that indicated that binge drinking was on the decline in states that have legalized recreational cannabis. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control also has published data that suggests that binge drinking isn’t just reserved for college-age people, but all ages of adults collectively sucked down 17 bil-
lion alcoholic beverages in 2015. Research from financial services firm Cowen, Inc. also reported binge drinking on the decline in states that have legal marijuana marketplaces. Specifically, in Washington and Colorado, two of the first states to legalize recreational/adult-use cannabis, binge drinking is less prominent. The analysts said that in legal recreational cannabis states, reported binge drinking sessions per month were -9 percent lower than the national average. The report also stated that people with access to legal marijuana are less eager to spend either all or a portion of their
budget on more alcohol, opting instead to spend it on what many considered a safer alternative, and that drinkers in “non-cannabis states average 7.4 drinks per binge, 12 percent higher than the 6.6 drinks per binge seen in adult-use cannabis states.” However, a study by the Distilled Spirits Council on the impact of retail marijuana on alcohol sales in Colorado, Washington and Oregon, said that there is no evidence that legalization has had any impact on alcohol sales. The study said that spirit sales were up across the board – up 7.6 percent in Colorado, 5.4 percent in Washington and 3.6
percent in Oregon. Beer sales declined -3.6 percent in Colorado, -2.3 percent in Washington and -3.6 percent in Oregon. Wine sales were up 3.2 percent in Colorado, down -3.1 percent in Washington and up 0.7 percent in Oregon. All told, in these three legal-use states, total alcoholic beverage sales were up 1.7 percent in Colorado, down -0.2 percent in Washington and down -0.5 percent in Oregon. Cowen predicted that as more states move into legalization on the medical or adult-use sides, binge drinking should drop even more, noting that beer sales are already declining nationally.
Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
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CULTURE & LIFESTYLE
BOTTOMS UP
Cannabis beverages are cool for summer By Linda Ball
EVERCANNABIS CORRESPONDENT
If you’re interested in cutting down on your alcohol intake, there are a number of Washington-made cannabis-infused beverages to try if you’d like something tasty to sip during social events … er, when social events are permitted again. Mirth Provisions (mirthprovisions. com) has several blends. Its line of natural sparkling tonics called Legal are a mix of bubbles, fruit and locally-sourced ingredients. At only 150 calories per bottle, it is available in pomegranate, lemon ginger, Rainier cherry, cranberry and espresso mocha. A high potency Medicinal version is also available. Mirth’s Giant herbal shots come in four unique experiences. Waking Giant is the sativa beverage, Gentle Giant is an
indica beverage, Jolly Giant is a hybrid and Mental Giant is 1:1 CBD/THC. Giant comes in eight flavors, Guarana, Rooibos, Hibiscus, Gingko Biloba, Alpha Pinene, Yerba Mate, Rhodiola Rosea and Beta-Caryophyllene. Lehua Brands (lehuabrands.com) also offers a few beverage lines to quench your thirst. Olala professes to bring the “Aloha spirit” to your cannabis-infused sodas. The winner of Best Beverage at the 2019 Terpe Festival, Olala comes in a range of flavors, from tropical fruits like mango, pineapple and guava to traditional soda favorites, like Orange Cream and Classic Cola. Olala is also available as infused sparkling water and terpene tonic water. How about a little something extra in your morning coffee? Lehua’s Andiamo cannabis coffee K-Cups are packed with European-roasted premium blend 100 percent Arabica beans, available with THC or THC/CBD blends in six-pack and three-pack boxes. The pods are recyclable, too!
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HEALTH & SCIENCE
Cannabis & COVID-19
Researchers explore benefits of CBD in prevention, treatment By Allison Hall
EVERCANNABIS CORRESPONDENT
As of mid-July, COVID-19 had topped 12 million confirmed cases, over 500,000 deaths, and was still gaining ground worldwide. The virus is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets that use ACE2, a protein located on the surface of many cell types, as an entry point. Basically, this protein acts as a doorway for the virus to enter your body. Researchers in a variety of subject areas have been racing to find a vaccine sooner rather than later, as well as exploring other medical options, like leveraging existing drugs and searching for other preventive measures, including asking what role that cannabis can play. Now that only a third of states have not legalized some form of cannabis, a question is being asked in scientific communities, as well some households: Can cannabis help fight COVID-19?
Previous research has shown that several cannabinoids, which are natural compounds in the plant, have demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties. One of the more common ones is CBD. These cannabinoids could potentially be expanded to treat or reduce lung inflammation from coronavirus. Unlike Tocilizumab, a prescription medication, CBD does not cause adverse effects like inflammation of the pancreas or raise triglyceride levels, and it also doesn’t affect behavior or emotions. Another positive of CBD is that it has already been approved in 2018 by the FDA for treatment of seizures in children over 2 years old as a safe alternative to other medications. Research currently underway is looking at utilizing different combinations of CBD to help develop preventative strategies against the virus. Examples could include a CBD-based mouthwash or a throat gargle that may decrease viral
entry of the coronavirus. Another benefit of a CBD-based treatment could be lowering anxiety caused by stress or fears of the virus. And cannabis terpenes, which are natural compounds found in the flower/bud of the cannabis plant, may act as antiviral agents. A recent study at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada, that has since submitted to a scientific journal for peer review, noted that cannabis could reduce the entry point of the virus, and may also help block proteins that allow entry into the body. One challenge, however, is that some in the scientific community in the U.S. are skeptical of cannabis research because some studies have been funded by industry and there are also complex federal rules surrounding use of the plant, even if individual states embrace it. Pathway Rx, Inc. and Swysh Inc,. worked in partnership with the University of Lethbridge on its study,
and other Canadian-based cannabis companies such as Curaleaf and Canopy Growth have also partnered with universities to conduct cannabis research. Keep in mind that industry in general has partnered and funded university research for many years, not only in healthcare, but in technology, engineering, and many other sectors. What does this all mean? It means that rumors of early cannabis research showing promise in being effective against the coronavirus have merit, but there is no strong evidence to support a full conclusion yet. To get to this point requires further exploration and research of how cannabis could treat or prevent COVID-19, including better cohesion between academia and industry in the U.S. Working to eliminate various restrictions in conducting cannabis research, including fear of breaking federal law or potential loss of funding, could accelerate these efforts.
Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
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Friday, August 7, 2020
LEARN & GROW
To Be Blunt:
Communication becomes key when couples differ on cannabis By Chelsea Cebara
EVERCANNABIS CORRESPONDENT
Warm greetings, readers! I’m Chelsea Cebara, a cannabis and relationship expert, and I’ve been invited to guide readers though some of the issues unique to the intersection of loving weed and being human. I’ve been a sex educator and relationship coach, and I made my name in the cannabis industry by developing the world’s first water-based THC lube, Velvet Swing. The stigma around cannabis is relaxing more each day, and it’s high time we talked openly about the challenges, passion and joy this plant can bring to our lives and relationships. Here’s a question I received recently: My husband and I have a tension point around my cannabis use. I use MJ for physical pain/mental health, but my husband generally thinks all drugs are bad – even though he knows marijuana provides me relief. He usually doesn’t say anything, but I can feel his disapproval when I consume. What can I do to convince him that medical marijuana is safe and effective? Before we start solving this problem, let me share some background, and ultimately useless, information. Human beings have had a relationship with the cannabis plant for over 12,000 years. Our earliest evidence of its use as a drug comes from burned resin found at the campsites of nomadic Yamnaya merchants, approximately 10,000 years ago. Since then, cannabis has been in the pharmacopoeia of every civilization. Its analgesic (pain-killing), anti-inflammatory, and mental health-supporting effects have been documented and used with a safety record nearly unparalleled in medical science: not a single fatality has ever been attributed to cannabis use alone, and its side effects are negligible. The current stigma attached to cannabis use is incredibly novel. It is the result
of a small number of racist bad actors who used positions of power to codify their prejudice and unethical business practices into law. We don’t have more peer-reviewed studies demonstrating the safety and effectiveness of cannabis because of its placement as Schedule 1 drug, the federal government’s most restrictive category for narcotics. Since studying Schedule 1 drugs requires a difficult-to-procure license and limits federal funding, cannabis prohibition has been stuck in a self-reinforcing loop: we can’t do rigorous studies unless it’s down-scheduled, and they won’t down-schedule without studies. You say your partner thinks all drugs are bad, but what we think of as a ‘drug’ is socially informed. Does your partner drink coffee? Is he aware that being in love alters your judgment more than
being drunk? Does he take medicines prescribed by a doctor? I’m going to assume that he doesn’t take equivalent exception to legal intoxicants or prescribed medicines. The reason for that is he likely sees these as useful whereas feeling good is merely fun. More on that later, but the point is that cannabis is one of humanity’s most ancient and trusted medicines, and that its vilification is recent, racist and unscientific. Why is this information useless? Because while it’s tempting to lay out all the facts and win with logic and reason, facts won’t always change minds, but empathy will. Your partner needs to see the connection between cannabis use and improved quality of life for his loved one. This is about communication, not cannabis. Invite him, at a time when you’re both feeling positive toward each other, to
communicate his feelings to you, and ask that afterwards he listen to your point of view with an open mind and in good faith. In this first conversation, your goal is to understand him, not change his mind. Empathy is bi-directional: start by seeing where your husband is coming from. Be curious rather than defensive. Take a break before things become tense; remain committed to having this conversation be a positive. You and your husband are not adversaries – you are a team trying to figure out the problem. The next time you talk you can dig into the nuts and bolts of his judgment. Get at the real “why” of his objection before rattling off statistics or citing studies. Be prepared to compromise. For example, if his concern is that you will be intoxicated in front of children, commit to never consuming when you have potential childcare responsibilities. If he doesn’t like smoke, offer to invest in a vaporizer or switch to tinctures. One branch of reasoning that clicks with many cannabis-negative folks is emphasizing use as medicinal rather than recreational, but this is, in my opinion, a risky dichotomy. Our medical system is soaked in Puritanical notions of morality – if something feels good, it’s morally bad, and therefore not medicine. Enjoyment is something you apologize for, compensate for, separate from daily experience. We party on the weekend, after work. Rest is laziness. Sexual health is different than regular health. Massage is poorly covered by insurance. It’s my hope that in the years to come we are able to broaden our conception of medicine to include what we all intuitively know: that pleasure is good for you. You might even say it’s medicine. To Be Blunt is an advice column. Questions about cannabis and relationships? Send queries to evercannabis@spokesman. com.
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The Spokesman-Review
CULTURE & LIFESTYLE
The hype with CBD hair care By Theresa Tanner
EVERCANNABIS WRITER
Is everyone feeling extra self-conscious about their hair these days? When stay-at-home orders due to COVID-19 came around in early spring, people wondered when they would be able to visit their salon or barbershop again. As the weeks rolled into months, we chuckled together at “home haircut fails” and other attempts to appear presentable for our co-workers on video conference calls. Salons re-opened as Washington counties entered Phase 2, but some remain apprehensive to venture out into communal spaces or worry that spiking cases could lead to a second round of lockdown. So, for now, the least we can do is pamper ourselves a bit with some at-
home treatments that will keep our locks healthy between haircuts. And nothing says luxury like CBD, right? The beauty industry has been incorporating hemp-derived CBD oil, the non-intoxicating component of cannabis plants, into its skin care products for awhile, so hair care products were inevitably next. But what does CBD actually do to your hair? “CBD oil has two general benefits for the skin, scalp, and hair,” Dr. Joshua Zeichner, Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research in the Department of Dermatology at The Mount Sinai Hospital, said in an interview with fashion website Fashionista earlier this year. “It is rich in natural oils that provide emollient benefits. It helps hydrate, protect, and soften the skin and hair. The molecule CBD itself
has anti-inflammatory effects, and has been shown to improve conditions like itchy skin, eczema and psoriasis.” So your scalp is likely to be the primary beneficiary of CBD treatments, but improving scalp health can lead to improved hair growth. Also, take note if hair products contain hemp-derived CBD oil or hemp seed oil. Hemp seed oil is extracted from industrial hemp seeds, which contain almost no CBD content. CBD oil is extracted from the flowers and leaves of cannabis plants, including hemp. Because hemp seed oil contains fiber, protein, vitamin E, and omega fatty acids, it has been used in beauty products for years, but it’s important to know what you’re paying for: if you want CBD, hemp seed oil isn’t it. Ready to treat yourself to a
long, relaxing scalp massage to improve your hair health? Here are a few CBD products that you can try. Prose Pre-Shampoo Scalp Mask, $38, 8.5 fl oz prose.com/products/customscalp-mask Talk about pampering! After completing a brief survey about your “unique hair needs and goals,” this custom hair care company will specifically formulate products to you; they even put your name on the label. One ingredient available and recommended for scalp soothing: CBD, obvs. Emera Nourishing CBD Scalp Therapy, $30, 2 fl oz emerahaircare.com/product/emera-nourishing-cbd-scalp-therapy See HAIR, 17
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UPCOMING EVENTS Aug. 13
Sept. 8-9
The Cannabis Alliance, Seattle. Monthly meeting of growers, retailers and other supporters of Washington’s cannabis system. The Alliance is also scheduling virtual happy hours for social interaction for members each Tuesday at 5 p.m. thecannabisalliance.us
Interchange, Renton. Organized by Marijuana Ventures, growers and retailers can connect at this formal business networking event at the Renton Pavilion. Spokane Interchange has been rescheduled for Oct. 27-28. marijuanaventure.com/interchange/
Aug. 23
Bowl In One, Quincy. Trade association WACA’s annual golf tourney includes a barbecue lunch, 18 holes, cart rental and entertainment. wacannabusiness.org
The Dope Show, Spokane. Comedians perform before and after partaking of locally purchased cannabis products at the Spokane Comedy Club. The crowd often loves it. www.spokanecomedyclub. com/events/24962
HAIR
Continued from 16 Great for anyone with an irritated, itchy scalp, this treatment soothes and calms, and it has a nice minty scent. There’s even a scalp massage tutorial video on the website (intended for professional stylists, but your partner or roommate could probably get the job done). Steam High Healing Hair & Scalp Oil, $ 38, 2 fl oz steamproducts.myshopify.com/ products/high-healing-hair-scalpoil The Los Angeles-based beauty brand
Sept. 18-19
Due to health concerns, some events may be canceled, postponed or moved online. Please check with event organizers to verify prior to attending.
recommends a pre-shampoo or overnight treatment with this scalp oil to heal your hair at the roots, decongest hair follicles and reduce frizz. Another highlight: Steam publishes certificate of analysis testing results for each product on their website under “Transparency.” Outré “Re-Up & Rescue” Duo, $66 usemehair.com/products/re-uprescue Combo includes two CBD-infused products – Instant Repair Mask (4 fl oz) and Hair Oil (2 fl oz) – for a double dose of TLC to restore damaged hair. And while your hair de-stresses for 30 minutes each week, you can take time to meditate or unplug to refresh your body and spirit as well.
NFL
Continued from 7 oddsmakers are hedging their bets whether a full or partial season will truly kick off as scheduled on Sept. 10. When or if players do report back, plan to see health restrictions on individual teams. DeMaurice Fitzgerald Smith, executive director of the NFL Players Association, said player health and safety is guiding the league, rather than team revenue or fan demands. “Our priority is always going to be the health and safety” he said in May. “There is a long list of hurdles we have to get over and things we have to watch and check. We just continually seek out information to be informed.” COVID-19 protocols, however, aren’t the only new thing that the NFL will be addressing this season, assuming a season happens. On March 15, the league and the players union ratified a 10-year labor agreement that also included a change in cannabis policies. According to the New York Times, NFL players who test positive for marijuana “will no longer be suspended.” Testing will be limited to the first two weeks of training camp, and the level of THC required to achieve a positive test “will be raised fourfold.” In relaxing its rule on cannabis usage, the NFL both reflected changes already instituted by professional baseball and basketball leagues and adheres to a larger cultural acceptance of cannabis as a recreational drug and medical aid. According to the Times, Major League Baseball in December relegated marijuana to the same category as alcohol. The National Hockey League requires no punishment for a positive test. National Basketball Association players face the harshest requirements: They are required to take four tests during the season, one positive leads to a drug program,
Friday, August 7, 2020
second involves a $25,000 fine and a third can lead to a five-game suspension. Regarding the NFL’s new policy, Paul Haagen, co-director of the Center for Sports Law and Policy at Duke University, told the Times, “There is a generalized sense that the fans don’t care about the issue, so it’s possible to appear progressive.” This isn’t to say that the league has approved all use of cannabis. Depending on the number of positive tests, players can be fined several weeks of salary. And some teams – the Green Bay Packers and Tennessee Titans – operate in states where cannabis use is still deemed illegal. Both the league and the players association will continue to study the effects of marijuana, which some experts have said is a suitable substitute for prescription opioids, the use of which in a number of cases have led to dangerous addictions. As Seattle Times columnist Larry Stone wrote in late 2019, “The recuperative benefits of marijuana aren’t definitive, but there are certainly strong indications that it helps the body deal with pain – and pro football players are in constant pain. It’s certainly a much better route to go than opioids, the prevalent means of pain management in the NFL. One need look no longer than the national opioid epidemic to see the dangers therein.” Which, to finish the argument, is something to which 10-year NFL veteran Jake Plummer can attest. The Boise native who now lives in Sandpoint discovered the benefits of cannabis, especially CBD, when he played for the Denver Broncos between 2003 and 2006. In a May interview with Fannbuzz. com, “The inflammation in my joints that stiffened up in the cold winter months was gone. The random headaches that would throb behind my eyes to the beat of my heart? Gone. I still eat gluten and sugar, I still enjoy a cold brew or two. The only thing different? CBD.”
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The Spokesman-Review
LEARN & GROW
SEEKING SALVATION Topical answers prayers from those with muscle pain By Leslie Kelly
EVERCANNABIS CORRESPONDENT
A bug bite was the inspiration for Verdelux founder’s Chris Lin’s quest to create Salvation, a soothing salve that brings big relief. The aptly-named topical containing equal parts THC and CBD has been a game changer for me, relaxing tight muscles and putting a whole lot more pep in my step. The product came five years after Lin’s Bellingham-based company launched its award-winning lineup of edibles back in 2014. My husband’s a big fan of those tasty treats, and while I’m not an edibles consumer, I’m constantly on the lookout for creams, rubs and salves that promise to make life more comfortable. I’ve tried a medicine cabinet’s worth of products that ultimately fall short on the promised relief. Icy Hot left me cold. Ben Gay enveloped me in a cloud of eucalyptus that announced my infirmity before I hobbled into the room. Aspercreme? Just didn’t cut it when I broke my shoulder, busted my foot, slipped and fell on the
sidewalk. (Yes, I’m certifiably clumsy.) I’m not sure exactly what nagging twinge was bugging me when my dear spouse brought me an especially welcome gift in the form of a jar of Salvation. Mind you, I didn’t even bother to open it for a while. By this time in my advancing years – turning 62 in September – I’ve become deeply skeptical. Still, when the offer of a shoulder rub after a day at the keyboard came along with the proviso to crack open the jar and give Salvation a try, I finally softened. Now, I wonder: Why’d I wait so long? Lin said he had spent time searching for relief, too. His source of pain was bug bites and when he tried over-the-counter treatments such as cortisone cream, it did little to calm the extreme reaction he suffered. So, he started to experiment. “I’m not a doctor, or a scientist, but I did a lot of research and tried about 1,000 versions before finding something that really worked,” said Lin. He invited friends to try his experiments, eventually settling on a combination of essential oils such as frankincense and myrrh in a base
PHOTO BY LESLIE KELLY
Verdelux topical Salvation contains organic coconut oil, beeswax, organic olive oil, essential oils and cannabis extract.
of organic coconut and olive oils. “I wanted it to be effective without the cannabis first, something that was family-friendly,” Lin said. He tried the non-cannabis version on his daughter’s eczema and after a week, it completely cleared up. “It hasn’t been an issue since,” he said. Since becoming a Salvation convert, I’ve started applying a dab on my creaky knees before going out on hikes and it’s made a huge difference. Feeling warmed up before walking out the door means I’m likely to last longer on the trail. On a recent trip to the North Cascades National Park, I logged 10 miles in one day! Granted, I was huffing and puffing up the 1,500-foot vertical gain to Pyramid Lake, but I made it. One of the best, most surprising uses I’ve come up with so far has to do with the aftermath of a rather energetic flossing session when my overworked gums started to throb. I rubbed a bit on my chin, just below my lower lip. The pain melted away. And I sawed lots of logs when my head hit the pillow, a bonus.
It might sound far-fetched and I’m not preaching the use of Salvation for anybody else. Just saying it works for me and I’m eternally grateful. Also, looking forward to trying a new product that Lin has in development, a version of Salvation that’s made from locally-sourced ingredients like cedar and spruce. How very PNW. In the meantime, I’m going to dip into another product in the Verdelux lineup, another topical called Mercy. This lotion has a whopping 200 mg of THC and another 200 mg of CBD in a 2-oz. tube. It took first prize for topicals in the 2019 High Times Cannabis Cup. That might explain why it’s been a challenge to find it. I’m not mad, though. I’m stocked up on Salvation for now, a product that comes at a price that might cause some sticker shock. Yet, even at $45, it’s worth it, especially if I can make a jar last a couple of months. Amen! To learn more, visit verdeluxchocolate. com/topicals.
“I’m not a doctor, or a scientist, but I did a lot of research and tried about 1,000 versions before finding something that really worked.” Chris Lin
Verdelux founder, on the quest that led to Salvation salve
Spokane, Wash. / Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
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Friday, August 7, 2020
STRAIN OF THE MONTH
By Rick Misterly
Akcademics
EVERCANNABIS CORRESPONDENT
When I began writing strain reviews for Evercannabis, my interest was primarily in certain varieties, especially strains I had tried in the past or legendary ones that I had only heard of. The next phase was to try new strains produced by growers whose growing practices I found in keeping with a philosophy along the lines of growing organic (although cannabis cannot receive an official organic certification, due to federal restrictions) and with sun light. Now when I go looking for something to review, I’m not looking for anything specific. Instead, I ask the budtender for their freshest flower. Whatever they have on hand will fulfill the intended purpose, and no one wants to get home and discover they bought a hard, dried-up bud. Recently, after walking into Herbal E Scents in Colville. I asked Julian, one of the budtenders, for his recommendation of freshest flower. He recommended Akcademics by Driftboat Cannabis, based upon his own use. Driftboat has been around since the beginning of legal weed in Washington, and Akcademics has been in its lineup from the start. Great choice! Appearance: Often when purchasing only a gram, you sometimes get whatever is at the bottom of the bucket; often, not great-looking little flowers. What I found here was two nearly identical, oblong clusters harvested in their prime. Fresh and nicely filled out with a moisture-perfect bounce, they appeared furry due to the dense frosting of protective trichomes. A medium green with some purple showing through, toned down to a paler showing from the psychoactive fuzz. Highly magnified, these fine, clear threads and globular growths reflected back the light from the microscope revealing inner worlds on a micro scale. Aroma: With the growing
Grown by: Driftboat Cannabis, Spokane
Valley
Purchased from: Herbal E Scents, Colville Hybrid: Afghani/Coastal Kush x Sour
Diesel
THC: 21.42% CBD: 0.2%
awareness of the benefits of terpenes, it is unfortunate that the extra cost of testing prevents some growers from listing these vital ingredients. By becoming tuned into the subtle effects of terpenes, users can direct their high to levels that plain old THC doesn’t provide. I would say that if the terpenes aren’t printed on the label, there probably wasn’t a test. I’ve become halfway decent in naming aromas and flavors, but to guess at what scent indicated a certain terpene would only be a guess. A deep, moist earthiness is upfront but is soon overpowered by a minty, herbal smell that transfers to the mouth with a slight numbing on the tip of the tongue. The beauty of this pleasant yet bitter menthol is that it stimulates hunger, not unlike a nice aperitif. In this case, Akcademics should work well in opening an invitation to excite the taste buds. The hits are smooth from an unhurried cure and the minty smoke permeates every oral pore leaving a noticeable signature on the tongue. Effects: True to its Central Asian origins, this weed comes on slowly and is so smooth that with a few easy tokes, you could almost think that you don’t feel much. Never fear! Trust that something is taking place which will soon transform your surroundings. An upbeat alertness is a bit of a surprise as the body and muscles lose a few degrees of tightness. Without urgent motivation it may seem perfectly fine to stay put, especially if you know your day is over. There is a reason that traditionally in Afghanistan, cannabis (charas) was smoked in the evening when the workday was over. The true Afghanica is where so many of the great hybrids have come from. If you are looking for something to relieve mental or physical tension while keeping a mind open to diverse thoughts, anything with strong Afghan roots will work. The Sour Diesel in this mix contributes a mind energizer while complementing the dreamy and creative heavy effects of Akcademics, as well.
PHOTO BY RICK MISTERLY
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The Spokesman-Review
