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EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, November 24, 2017
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, November 24, 2017
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What’s Inside
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WIDER SELECTION Greater competition forces shift at Green Star
HEAVY READING Enjoy our picks for best bud books
GIFT GUIDE Cannabis for every budget
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SEASON’S GREETINGS Twitter users share why they love winter
AIR QUALITY Spokane Clean Air proposes new rules
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BACK TO BASICS Switching vendors frustrates growers
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Interested in being a FREE EVERCANNABIS distribution location? Please contact 509.459.5095 or evercannabis@ spokesman.com
Marijuana and marijuana-infused products are legal for Washington residents 21 years and older. It has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. It can impair concentration, coordination and judgment. There may be health risks associated with consumption.
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EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, November 24, 2017
Editor’s Note GIVE THE GIFT OF GREEN W elcome to our very special holiday issue! How and why is this issue more special from every other issue we’ve created? Simple! It’s all about the magic of holiday marketing! I’m not supposed to say nuthin,’ (shh!!) but there are some eeeevil marketing techniques that are used extra well this time of year that get people extra sentimental, which retailers hope can lead to consumers opening their wallets a little wider. Since the relatively new legal cannabis marketplace is trying to claim its own place at the big kids’ Christmas marketing table, companies looking for fun ideas should take note. It starts with getting people to chuckle a little about something ridiculous, say Santa riding through the snow on an electric razor. Soon, you’re getting sniffly about that kid secretly making an iPhone movie when the family think he’s messing around on his phone. Before you know it you’re driving off to the dealership to get that new car for your spouse, and making sure they put a big ribbon on it just like that guy on TV. Why does this work well? Maybe we’re collectively more prone to feel nostalgic about the whole ‘magic of Christmas,’ message even if some people’s holidays never have measured up to this ideal fantasy. Or maybe we’re so distracted with fulfilling our to-do lists that we’re extra vulnerable to messaging that subtly can slip in and whisper that we’re rotten if we don’t buy big fat diamond rings or that summer sausage gift pack. Or maybe there really are some great deals to be encountered, and there’s nothing wrong with making people smile big when you choose a gift wisely and thoughtfully for them. The cannabis industry already has some natural advantages in that there are so many products
Spokane County Location 3 Miles from WA / ID border I-90 Liberty Lake Exit #276
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for any taste, interest, price range and way of enjoying it, from a simple pipe, a package of edibles or a few pre-rolls for a few bucks to higher-end item like glassware that costs more than mortgage payments. Even if you don’t feel comfortable picking out flower or concentrate for someone, you can still find all sorts of accessories they might enjoy like lighters, ashtrays, papers, clips, or dab tools. Plus, because Washington marijuana retailers can’t sell gift cards, you’ll have to do the shopping yourself – or maybe invite your pal to come to the store with you for a mini-shopping spree. So that’s our very special suggestion to our retailer friends, who are eager to help their customers have a green Christmas. Joe Butler, Managing Editor
Yes, our professional budtenders make the difference! The Leafly List # 4 and # 14 Best Dispensaries in Washington State Fall 2017!
Warning: This product has intoxicating effects & may be habit forming.. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, & judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 years & older. Keep out of reach of children.
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, November 24, 2017
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EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, November 24, 2017
EVERCANNABIS VOLUME 2
ISSUE 7
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review
GREEN STAR CANNABIS Shifting focus
Proud member of
www.evercannabis.com Free Digital Archives Online evercannabis@spokesman.com 509.459.5095 DIRECTOR, SALES & MARKETING Kathleen Coleman PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Dan Fritts MANAGING EDITOR Joe Butler CREATIVE DIRECTOR Anne Potter GRAPHIC DESIGNER Trish Merryman
Amanda Choquette, assistant manager at Green Star Cannabis, stocks inventory for the holiday season. Above and opposite photos by Kim Miller, PictureMyProperty.net
SALES LEAD Wes Ward LOCAL CONTRIBUTORS Sarah Bain Terry Bain Lizzi Moss Dan Webster THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW EDITORIAL TEAM Jim Camden Kip Hill Dan Pelle Chad Sokol
THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW www.spokesman.com news@spokesman.com 509.459.5400
By JOE BUTLER EVERCANNABIS Writer Shoppers at Green Star Cannabis this fall and winter will experience something new: a selection of items that are less expensive, intended especially for shoppers who may not want to pay more for something that’s higher quality. And, for current and future customers who prefer premium prices for premium quality, they can still find these items at the store on Division Street, just north of downtown Spokane. It’s a bit of a switch for owner Sam Calvert, who recently decided to expand his offerings and modify his business plan after tracking local and state sales data, along with keeping an eye on the increasing number of shops in the Spokane area. “I can stand on top of the mountain and scream that we have the best quality, but not everyone wants to hear this,” he said. “People are saying, ‘We want you to meet our price point.’”
Calvert recently rearranged his shop to create separate price areas for different needs and budgets. He knows it’s not going to be easy to ask the growers he works with to accept lower prices, or for some lower-grade products to meet the shop’s high quality standards. But he feels that this is the best way to give more customers more of what they want, whether it’s the age 4060 shoppers who make larger purchases, or the age 21-29 market, which represents about 70 percent of local cannabis shoppers and collectively don’t spend as much per item. “Visit stores on Friday evenings, and you see people lined up ready to get what they need to party all weekend,” Calvert said. “They want the cheapest beer and the cheapest bud.” Whatever your interests and budget, he wants people to know that there’s something for everyone at Green Star. The shop offers an extensive selection of local cannabis
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, November 24, 2017
flower, concentrates and edibles, plus a variety of accessories, from ashtrays to papers. It features a large selection of glass products in all price ranges. He prefers to work with local indoor, smaller-sized farms that hand-trim their product. He’s also proud of the shop’s knowledgeable budtenders, most who have been working there for years. “We have the lowest turnover in the state,” he said. Green Star also has three certified medical consultants, including Calvert, who are trained in assisting authorized medical patients in choosing the proper product for their health needs and how to navigate the state medical database. Shoppers with their medical cards can browse a large selection of CBD products, which contain less THC and more pain-relieving properties. The shop opened three years ago. Then, and now, the focus has been on quality. “The first thing I do with every sample that comes in is scope it for anything, including powdery mildew, or mites, dead or alive,” he said. If he’s satisfied, he’ll give it to his staff to sample, and they’ll apply similar rigorous standards. About 80 percent of material submitted is declined. “If everything checks out, I’ll place an order,” Calvert said. “Because of this, I’m proud to say that we only work with exceptional growers and carry the best product. That’s our customers saying this, not me saying this.” While this philosophy has created many loyal customers, it has also created challenges for the North Division shop in an increasingly competitive climate. Calvert and another retailer were part of a city committee which helped create the framework for the cannabis market once the product became legal to buy and sell. At the time, based on his research and data from the state’s Office of Financial Management, the group concluded that 18 shops in the greater Spokane area would be the most optimal and sustainable. This included eight in the City of Spokane, three in Spokane Valley and seven anywhere else in the county.
GREEN STAR CANNABIS 1403 N. Division Suite A, Spokane www.greenstarcan.com
Today, there are 35 shops in the county, along with a new one that may be opening soon across the street from Green Star. “I really have no choice but to change my business model,” he said. Green Star also has worked hard to maintain a good relationship with the Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board and has even hosted training for their officers. While he can’t fault local customers for knowing what they want, he does criticize the City of Spokane for approving so many licenses. It may be good for the tax base and customer choice, but puts more pressure on retailers. Calvert isn’t necessarily excited about the shift to lower-cost products, but is willing to see if it can help. “Everybody wants in here, because they know we really put each product through the wringer,” he said.
Sam Calvert, owner of Green Star Cannabis, stands at the shop’s Medical counter, where certified medical consultants can assist patients and navigate the state’s medical database. Photo by Trish Merryman/EVERCANNABIS
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EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, November 24, 2017
KETTLE FALLS FIVE: Rhonda Lee Firestack-Harvey, left, Jason Zucker, Rolland Gregg and Michelle Gregg stand with Larry Harvey outside the Thomas S. Foley United States Courthouse on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015, in Spokane. A federal judge will decide whether the criminal case against the Kettle Falls Five will be dismissed.
U.S. lacks authority
Photo by Dan Pelle/The Spokesman-Review
By JIM CAMDEN The Spokesman-Review The convictions of four Washington residents for growing marijuana near Kettle Falls may soon be erased after federal prosecutors in Spokane say they shouldn’t have spent money on the trial and can’t continue to spend any on the appeal. More than two years after prosecutors twice convinced a federal judge they had the authority to try the medical marijuana growers who came to be known as the Kettle Falls Five, they now agree with defense attorneys that they did not. “The law changed,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl Hicks said in late October. “The United States follows the law and we really can’t comment further. It’s still an active case.” Hicks told the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in mid-October that its recent rulings on other medical marijuana cases have convinced him that after Congress cut off federal funding in 2014 for prosecuting medical marijuana patients in states where the drug was legal, the U.S. attorney’s office in Spokane didn’t have the authority to spend money on the 2015 trial. They also aren’t authorized now to spend money on the appeal. “This really feels like vindication,” said Phil Telfeyan, an attorney for Washington, D.C.based Equal Justice Under Law, who represents defendant Rolland Gregg and plans to file a
“Wow! Unbelievable,” said Frank Cikutovich, a Spokane attorney who represents Jason Zucker, a defendant who took a plea deal on the eve of the trial and pleaded guilty.
The federal government charged them with growing and trafficking in marijuana, and added firearms charges that would have extended their sentences. The defendants argued they had the number of plants allowed under state law, and the guns were used for hunting.
Zucker’s plea agreement contains a provision that anything that happens in the appeal of the other defendants would apply to him, so if their convictions are voided, his should be, also, Cikutovich said.
After Congress added that provision to the budget bill in 2014, attorneys for the Kettle Falls Five moved for a dismissal, but Hicks argued against it and U.S. District Judge Thomas Rice agreed with Hicks.
As part of a federal budget deal in December 2014, Congress cut off funds for federal prosecution of people who are growing and using medical marijuana in states where that is legal, providing they are following state laws. The Kettle Falls Five case was mentioned in a letter from the bill’s sponsors to then-Attorney General Eric Holder as a reason for cutting off the funds, Telfeyan said. That restriction has been renewed in every budget since.
Larry Harvey, who was suffering from terminal pancreatic cancer, was later dismissed from the case about a week before the trial. Zucker, who had a previous felony conviction and was facing extensive jail time, took a plea deal just before the trial started.
motion for dismissal.
At the time, Rhonda Firestack-Harvey, her husband Larry Harvey, their son Rolland Gregg, his wife Michelle Gregg, and Zucker, a family friend, were awaiting trial on charges from a 2011 raid on the Harveys’ farm outside of Kettle Falls. Although all had recommendations from medical professionals to use marijuana for various conditions, local law enforcement and the Drug Enforcement Administration seized marijuana plants from the property as well as some firearms.
Rice would not allow any reference to the fact that Washington had legalized medical marijuana during the trial. After five days of testimony, the jury convicted Firestack-Harvey and the Greggs of growing between 50 and 100 marijuana plants but found them not guilty on the other charges. At the time, state law allowed a medical marijuana patient to grow up to 15 plants, and the government said they seized about 75 plants, which would be within the limit under state law for five people. In sentencing Zucker to 16 months in July 2015, Rice rejected the idea of a medical marijuana defense. “There is no such thing as medical
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, November 24, 2017
Proudly serving the GU and Downtown area for over three years. marijuana. There is no such thing in federal law,� the judge was quoted as saying in The Spokesman-Review account of that hearing. Before the other three were sentenced later that year, defense attorneys again argued that Rice shouldn’t jail them because Congress had cut off federal funds for medical marijuana prosecutions in states where it is legal. Prosecutors argued against that, and Rice sentenced Rolland Gregg to 33 months in prison, and Firestack-Harvey and Michelle Gregg to 13 months each. But he allowed them to remain free on bond pending the appeal. In a recent brief for the appeal, defense attorneys cited a 2016 case in which the 9th Circuit ruled the budget restriction prohibits the Justice Department from spending money to prosecute medical marijuana cases if the person is following state law, even if the arrest was made before the budget passed in 2014. A 2017 ruling by the appeals court said that prohibition extends to spending
federal money on an appeal of a medical marijuana conviction in a state where the drug is legal. Because of those two new rulings, Hicks told the 9th Circuit the Kettle Falls case should go back to Rice for further proceedings. “The purpose of this motion is to acknowledge that the United States was not authorized to spend money on the prosecution of the defendants after December of 2014 because the defendants strictly complied with the Washington State medical marijuana laws,â€? Hicks wrote. Telfeyan said he’ll ask for the convictions to be dismissed based on those appeals court rulings. The ďŹ nal decision will be up to the judge, but unless Congress changes its mind and reinstates federal money for medical marijuana prosecutions, federal prosecutors won’t be arguing against it.
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EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, November 24, 2017
Higher End Gifts Terpco Rosin & Icewax | $66 (1g)
The Herbalizer | $499
These solventless concentrates are clean and green, which means they are not made with butane or propane. Terpco Icewax is a truly unique product made by blending frozen cannabis, ice and water, then gently agitating to remove trichome heads, or crystals, from plant matter. The result is a cannabis concentrate that truly represents the plant’s essence. Their rosin is made by applying heat and pressure to terpene-rich cannabis ... or better yet, to their freshly-processed icebox.
High-end vaporizer for the high-end high. Give the gift of the “world’s most technologically advanced desktop vaporizer.” The Herbalizer is versatile, easy to use and fast. Vaporizing herbs, or vapor therapy, is safer and more effective than smoking. The Verbalizer is a luxury vape that your special someone will be thankful to have for years to come.
MagicalButter Machine | $175.95 Infuse your own butter, oil, grain alcohol, lotions and more with the MB2E MagicalButter machine. The folks who make this device say it is the “world’s first countertop Botanical Extractor, designed for creating fantastic recipes.” MagicalButter makes it a cinch to make your own herbal butters, oils, tinctures, soups, sauces, salad dressings, skin care products, pet medicines ... the only limit is your imagination.
Fire Bros MGK & White Walker | $105 (.25 ounce)
Cannarillo by Leira | $105 (4.5g)
Give The Fire Bros MGK & White Walker flower to that someone special and they will definitely feel the love. This specialty product is sourced from small, unique, high-quality yields. The nuggets are top-cut, so everything in the jar is only from the top of the plant. These flowers are pesticide free and pesticide tested, Clean Green certified and come in a stunning glass packaging. Fire Bros products make a classy, gorgeous gift for the classy, gorgeous person in your life.
A 4-inch cannabis cigar, Cannarillo is packed with 4g of top-quality flower, “caressed with .5g of pressed rosin” and wrapped in real cannabis leaves. The bud is sourced from Gold Leaf Gardens and is some of the most beautiful and flavorful luxury bud in the state. This is the first all-cannabis cigar in any legal market and only available in Washington. The Cannarillo burns for around 45 minutes to an hour, so be sure to light it right after dinner.
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, November 24, 2017
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Gifts of Reading 4 3
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1. Cannabis Cookbook: A complete marijuana cookbook to prepare the best cannabis recipes and cannabis extracts by Gary Keller and Grace Moore
4. What’s wrong with my Marijuana Plant?: A Cannabis Grower’s Visual Guide to Easy Diagnosis and Organic Remedies by David Deardorff and Kathryn Wadsworth
This cookbook takes the reader from breakfast through dessert, with memorable and easy-to-read dishes including breakfast burritos and Oreo weed brownies (a classic!). There is something for every palate from vegetarian to hearty meat eaters. It’s a great starter cookbook for those who want to explore their culinary craft with a new ingredient.
The authors cover everything from how to care for a sick plant to managing the temperature of the plants and how to properly prune them. With lots of pictures, it takes readers through step-by-step instructions on identifying a wide variety of problems with plants.
2. Marijuana Horticulture: The Indoor/Outdoor Medical Grower’s Bible by Jorge Cervantes This definitive guide is in its fifth updated edition and includes more than 1,100 photographs and illustrations. It covers everything from greenhouse growing to oil making, plus a medical section.
3. Marijuana Grower’s Handbook: Your Complete Guide for Medical and Personal Marijuana Cultivation by Ed Rosenthal This book is written by one of the columnists for High Times Magazine in the early 1980s and 1990s. He has been a marijuana advocate for decades and this book offers an overview on plants in general (remember photosynthesis in your biology class in high school?) and then moves into planting, growing and harvesting. This book should be on every grower’s bookshelf.
5. The Cannabis Cookbook: Over 35 Tasty Recipes for Meals, Munchies, and More by Tim Pilcher Readers learn the science behind cooking with cannabis along with some easy-to make recipes including Hemp Seed Soup and several delicious baked goods to share at the holidays. Drinks and cocktails included in this as well.
6. Weed: The User’s Guide, A 21st Century Handbook for Enjoying Marijuana by David Schmader This is likely the book for the reader in your family who loves historical information, etiquette and easy-to-follow recipes that include cannabis. Schmader is witty, entertaining and does a great job of pulling the reader in.
7. The Stoner’s Coloring Book: Coloring for High-Minded Adults by Jared Hoffman What could be better for your mental health than grabbing a coloring book and a few coloring pens or crayons? If you just want to kick back, enjoy the evening and get creative, both of these books provide great artwork.
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EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman Review • Friday, November 24, 2017
Cannabis Christmas By TERRY BAIN EVERCANNABIS Correspondent
Looking for a little (or more than a little) ‘high’ holiday cheer? EVERCANNABIS has you covered with some solid ideas for those near and dear who will appreciate the gift of green this season.
THC Bath Bombs | $9 Get extra-relaxing THC while you soak with this product from Tom’s Hemp & Cannabis out of Twisp. A canna bath is perfect for applying product to as much skin as possible. Have Santa drop some of these into a stocking or two for relief from the holiday hustle and bustle.
Satori socks $12-15 Look, you know you are going to buy socks for someone this Christmas, so you might as well make them weedthemed socks. The design of the Satori sock, though, is sort of incognito; no big leaves or buds, just a subtle multi-colored design that says “Satori.”
Swifts Chocolate Truffles $24 (10mg) These are handcrafted, Washington grown, family-made cannabis treats. Containing rich whipped crème chocolate ganache, wrapped in an artisan chocolate shell, these cannabisinfused chocolates are dripping with decadence and sure to please anyone who finds them in their stocking Christmas morning.
Saints Multi-strain Artist packs | $40 Nuggy, The Smoker’s Multi-tool | $33 A bit like a Swiss-army knife for smokers, the Nuggy is the 10-in-1 multi-tool you never knew you needed. It’s a roach clip, bowl scraper (reamer), pick/poker, tamper, dab spoon, knife, scissor, bottle opener, flathead screwdriver and LED light in one convenient little tool. It’s simply everything you need for rolling, shredding, dabbing, vaping, scraping and poking. Even Santa may want one for the stump of his pipe.
All-flower, high-potency joints that come packaged in a gorgeous, artistillustrated box. Perfect gift for the cannabis lover who also loves art (and probably loves you).
Bang Bang! By Bang’s Cannabis Co. | $21 GaGa Edibles Peanut Butter Cups | $30 (10 x 10mg) Is there any better candy treat than a peanut butter cup? Yes, there is. It’s the GaGa Edibles Peanut Butter Cup, a rich and smooth Swiss chocolate cup filled with creamy natural peanut butter, each infused with 10mg of high-quality cannabis extract, making it three great “tastes” that go great together.
A plump .75g joint, dipped in warm shatt fluffy kief. The Bang Bang is arguably the handcrafted with love on a small family fa at Satori buys these for every commemo
ter, then rolled in e most beautiful joint, arm in Cheney. Mia orative occasion.
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman Review • Friday, November 24, 2017
ZootRocks Caramel $27 The newest ZootRock flavor of premium, cannabis infused nuggets, ZootRocks blend a smooth taste of caramel with their “proprietary Cypress THC Extract.” Each ZootRock contains 5mg of THC, so your experience is easy to control, making them a perfect introduction to cannabis edible candies.
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Cardamom Shorty | $7 My stocking feels empty if it lacks shortbread. If that’s the case at your house too, consider The Cardamom Shorty from Pure Joy Family Farm in Cheney. Its delicious, buttery taste, with a dash of cardamom, brings back memories of Christmas past, but includes enough THC to make us glad we are in the Christmas present.
Ray’s Infused Lemonade by Dogtown Pioneers | $15 (25mg THC) or $25 (75mg THC) THC infused in liquids take effect in the body faster than solids, so no need for a long wait to find out whether your cannabis treat was indeed dank. Infused drinks are a great option for those who might prefer THC to alcohol, so it pays to bring a Ray’s along for social drinking occasions. Mia at Satori said, “It’s the best-tasting cannabis drink I’ve had on the market so far.” The 25mg version is great to share, or for one person to have a hearty treat. Or get the 75mg version and pour some “homemade” drinks for guests.
Vintage Northern Lights (bud) by Kiona THC $12 (1g) or $40 (3.5g) or $275 (28g) Kiona heirloom bud comes in elegant wax-sealed jars. Every one of this farm’s strains is primo, but Mia at Satori recommends Vintage Northern Lights because “it’s seasonal, both with its name and its juniper and berry taste. Give this to a longtime smoker and see how it compares with the bud they remember from back in the day!”
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EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, November 24, 2017
Local Author By SARAH BAIN EVERCANNABIS Correspondent
Spokane resident Kevin Oliver is co-owner of Washington’s Finest Cannabis and coauthor of Growing Marijuana: Idiot’s Guides (right). Oliver, a commercial cultivator, was taught his cultivation methods by what he refers to as “old school” medical marijuana growers. When an editor at DK books reached out to him to suggest a writer for a book on growing marijuana, he felt compelled to take on the challenge. Because of his own time constraints and a looming deadline, Chadd McKeen stepped up to help write some of the chapters. Oliver and McKeen’s book is one of many out there these days about this topic, but recommended for people just getting started in their own growing. The first few chapters are like taking a mini course in the
502
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understanding of the cannabis plant. Oliver said people interested in getting started should learn two things first. “First, know the law. Second, marijuana is a hardy plant which, like most plants, under proper conditions can grow just fine.” Washington’s personal use home growing law is currently under discussion, but information about commercial growing requirements can be found at https://lcb. wa.gov/mjlicense/marijuana-licensing. So far, Oliver has been enjoying being an author even though the subject matter is unfamiliar to many general readers. “Having a library in King County ask me to give a public presentation about the book was a bit of a pleasant surprise. Also, I am still a little surprised when people ask me to sign a copy for them.”
Growing Marijuana: Idiot’s Guides by Kevin Oliver and Chadd McKeen Some of the most definitive guides in the country and this book is no exception. Filled with easy-to-read and attractively designed pages, this book touches on every aspect of cannabis from growing to harvesting to drying along with history of cannabis and plant anatomy.
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EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, November 24, 2017
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EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, November 24, 2017
o t a t o p t Swee ow casserole l l a m h s mar By LIZZI MOSS EVERCANNABIS Correspondent
All my friends and family are obsessed with sweet potato casserole covered in gooey marshmallow. Cannabis in it can be an added bonus – our dinner guests have never loved this dish as much as they do now!
Ingredients 3 pounds whole sweet potatoes OR yams, peeled 1/2 cup brown sugar 3/4 cup cannabutter 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 Tbsp nutmeg 2 cups mini marshmallows 1/4 cup sliced almonds or pecans
Consider the sweet roasting of the marshmallows in the oven another special aroma of Christmas, Thanksgiving or other favorite winter holiday where wonderful food is involved!
Directions Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine cinnamon, sugar, butter, nutmeg in a heavy sauce pan and whisk until sugar dissolves. Boil your potatoes until soft, about 15 minutes. Smash potatoes and toss in your cinnamon mixture. Add almonds or pecans. Transfer to casserole dish. Bake in a 13 x 9 glass casserole dish 30 minutes or until heated through. Increase oven temperature to 475 F and top with mini marshmallows. Bake until marshmallows are melted and lightly browned, about 3 minutes (keep an eye on them, as they can brown and then burn very quickly). Serve. (Please refer to EVERCANNABIS.com for previously published cannabutter recipe(s), including one in last month’s issue.)
Local Glass
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, November 24, 2017
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WARNING: This product has intoxicating affects and may be habit forming. Smoking is hazardous to your health. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. Should not be used by women that are pregnant or breast feeding. For use only by adults 21 and older. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug.
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EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, November 24, 2017
CLEAN AIR REGULATORS PROPOSE NEW RULES FOR CANNABIS FARMS By KIP HILL The Spokesman-Review Cannabis growers and packagers in Spokane County will have to register with the agency policing air pollution under new rules being proposed by the Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency. The agency, responsible for local enforcement of state and federal pollution laws, said the rules are in response to a proliferation of odor complaints occurring since commercial production became legal three years ago. The agency reports 489 odor complaints since July 2014, a jump from the 178 odor complaints for three years prior to legalization. It’s enough to show the effort is not simply being driven by those who morally object to marijuana, said Kevin Freeman, mayor of Millwood and a clean air agency board member. The rules, which require businesses to pay the agency based on the size of their operation, were developed after a year of consultation with an advisory group that included cannabis farmers. Industry voices on the panel were still concerned about the additional rules and costs. “This just seems like an example of the significant amount of over-regulation that our businesses are seeing,” said Crystal Oliver, co-owner of Washington’s Finest Cannabis, and a member of several cannabis business advocacy groups. The rules and fees are different for indoor and outdoor operations. All businesses would have to send registration information to the clean air agency and would be subject to random inspections for compliance with plans to reduce scents from crossing property lines. The rules do not fully explain what businesses must do to reduce scents, but they must stay in compliance with rules that prevent the emission of an odor “distinct and definite, any unpleasant characteristics recognizable.” Under current rules, marijuana growers and processors must file paperwork
with the agency only if they bought and installed certain equipment, including boilers or generators. Crystal Oliver said the proposed fees would range annually from $528 for smallscale, indoor grows up to nearly $5,000 for large-scale outdoor operations. These would present significant hurdles. The bigger fees for outdoor farms reflect the additional potential risks of odor pollution for open-air facilities, said Freeman. But Crystal Oliver said the fee structure could be seen as discriminatory to outdoor farmers, who she said can be seen as more environmentally responsible vs. indoor operations that use artificial light and create more waste products. Spokane County commissioners instituted a temporary ban late last year on new outdoor marijuana farms, citing the increasing number of complaints to the clean air agency. That ban was replaced by a permitting process. Julie Oliver, of the clean air agency, said employees have been diverted from other duties to handle marijuana odor complaints. If the rules are adopted, the agency would look at hiring an additional investigator. Businesses would be given year to comply with the new rules, and agency officials would work with businesses to meet new requirements. Crystal Oliver anticipated producers and processors would likely organize to seek changes to the proposed rules, which are up for a vote by the clean air agency’s board of directors when a public comment period ends Dec. 7. A public hearing on the topic takes place at 9:30 a.m. Dec. 7 at the SRCAA office in Spokane. Comment on the proposed rules, available at SpokaneCleanAir.org, can be sent to Margee Chambers, SRCAA, 3104 E. August Ave., Spokane, WA 99207, or email publiccomment@spokanecleanair. org.
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509.474.1050 Find our menu on Leafly and weedmaps. This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination and judgement. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children.
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, November 24, 2017
By DAN WEBSTER EVERCANNABIS Correspondent
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A Marijuana Winter
It was an unusual summer this year with lots of heat and more than our share of smoke. Fall has been an improvement, but the declining temperatures signal that something is coming. That something is called winter. Or what High
Times magazine describes as “the polar vortex that’s going to make life miserable for millions from now until Spring has sprung.” OK, OK, some people are over the moon about winter. Those who love to hit the slopes are
In a story titled “Winter Weed,” staff writer Mark Miller lists the “14 Best Strains to Get You Through the Cold.” Going straight to No. 1 is an old favorite, Maui Wowie. As Miller wrote, “Hit winte r upside the head with a blast from the Pacific.”
A perfect Christmas present for a cannabis fan is available at skreened.com: a black t-shirt with a green marijuana leaf set below the word
“MISTLESTONED.” Sale price: $24.79.
especially thrilled. A number of us, though, are filled with dread. But that’s life, am I right? Something for you, something for me, and it all balances out. Eventually.
To “incorporate weed into Christmas morning Fuego likes the idea of tying join ts to your Christmas tree and lighting them up during the day. “(B)ut don’t put them up until Christmas Eve,” he advises. “There’s always at least on e Grinch in the family.” ~ Westward
~ High Times
) Police in southwest England (@Glos_Police they t plan tweeted a photo of a cannabis stmas confiscated that was being used as a Chri kling twin and tree. “It was covered in tinsel e ther “and fairy lights,” Huffpost reported, ” top. on hed was even a golden angel perc ~ Huffington Post
While there are a nature that boost great many agents in xual function, libido and enhance se promotes the lly tua ac chocolate alone in love. Many brain chemistry of being chocolate ve lie chefs and scientists be al pairing.” Duh. ide an are is ab and cann h Times rence, Hig ~ Robyn Griggs Law
From the album “Marijuana Christmas” by Jet Baker: Twelve songs with titles such as “Can You Name the Stoner Reindeer?”, “Weed in My Stocking” and the ever-popular “Santa’s Got the Munchies.” Price (on Amazon.com) $8.99
We have a feeling people will like cannabis gifts a lot more than a traditional … box of chocolates ~ Joe Milton, CEO of the Denver-based marijuana software firm Baker
Looking for Cannabis-themed Christmas cards? Try the online store tribetokes.com, which carries a line of cards with such sayings as “How do you think the reindeer fly so high?” and “Merryjuana Christmas.” Price: $10 for a three-pack variety set.
Snowboarding baked is one of the best experiences I have ever encountered in my own little corner of this bright world... the suns rays reflecting off the snow with infathomable brilliance, the trees and landscape flying by as you soar down through the clouds back to earth, the refreshing crispy air chilling you with mountainous magnificence with each breath you take... I don’t know what more can be more exhilirating.” ~ Joint Engineer, marijuana.com
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EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, November 24, 2017
By CHAD SOKOL The Spokesman-Review
A delayed launch of new software that tracks marijuana plants statewide is causing confusion, with some growers blaming state regulators and fearing disruptions in the supply chain. Washington’s Liquor and Cannabis Board is working with a new software vendor to oversee a massive database that tracks every pot plant and product. But the new system won’t be ready for about a month, and the old software provider refused to extend its contract. Some pot businesses now have to manually fill out spreadsheets to report required sales, handling and quality data to the LCB. Some worry they’ll face fines or other penalties if they fail to report that data properly. The LCB says the software blackout should affect relatively few of the 1,500 licensed producers, processors and retailers. The old contract belonged to a Florida-based company called BioTrackTHC. In addition to the central database platform, the company was required to provide a free web portal that some businesses used to deliver their information.
The free service went away Nov. 1, but BioTrack has independently maintained a version so Washington pot businesses can continue exchanging data. It’s currently free, but in December, BioTrack plans to charge subscription fees up to $50. Brian Smith, a LCB spokesman, said only about 25 percent of licensees used the free reporting tool. The rest used third-party software or a paid version from BioTrack. The LCB began accepting bids for the new contract in April. BioTrack, which won its contract in 2013, did not place a new bid, saying it was uncomfortable with the state’s proposal. In mid-June the LCB awarded the contract to the Denver-based MJ Freeway, giving the company less than five months to build its software in line with state-specific regulatory requirements. Jeanette Ward, a vice president at MJ Freeway, said the company knowingly accepted a challenge and worked “aggressively” to get its system online by Halloween. “We knew that the specifications for that contract were
a six- to seven-month project timeline,” Ward said. State contracts are lucrative opportunities for companies that make pot-tracking software. Smith said Washington will pay MJ Freeway $800,000 for the setup, and then $600,000 annually. Ward said the company is “very confident” its system will be ready at the start of 2018. The Liquor and Cannabis Board acknowledged on Oct. 19 that MJ Freeway’s system would not be ready on time. The agency asked BioTrack to extend its contract and continue operating the database for several months, but the company declined, citing concerns about emails that had circulated in September offering to sell stolen data on the pot industries in Washington and Nevada. Ward insisted the company’s security measures are adequate. “We are committed to providing a quality system that works well, and I think people will see that come January,” she said.
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, November 24, 2017
Sweet Relief Yakima Sweet Relief P.A. Ocean Greens Happy Time
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THINGS TO DO
DEC 9
PUFF, PASS AND PAINT, PORTLAND. Get creative at this two-hour painting workshop at Slabtown Dispensary. No cannabis will be provided, but there is a private consumption space next door for people who want to bring their own. 21 and over. www.puffpassandpaint.com
DEC 14
CANNABIS WOMEN’S ALLIANCE HOLIDAY SOIREE AND GIFT EXCHANGE, SEATTLE. Celebrate the state of cannabis and bring along a $25 gift to be shared, or money for local charities. The group also has suspended its women-only rule for this month to admit men if they’re guests of members. www.cannabiswomensalliance.com
JAN 17-18 JAN 17
THE RAD EXPO, PORTLAND. Retailers, dispensary owners and others in the cannabis industry can network and see new products, supplies and selling techniques along the West Coast. www.TheRadExpo.com SPOKANE/E. WASHINGTON MARIJUANA BUSINESS NETWORKING MEET-UP, LUIGI’S RESTAURANT, SPOKANE. Meet others involved in the cannabis industry plus those who want to learn more about it. Happy hour 5:30-6:30 p.m., then presentation/discussion 6:30-7:30 p.m. www.meetup.com/Spokane-Eastern-WA-MarijuanaBusiness-Networking
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EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, November 24, 2017
CANNABIS NEWS FROM AROUND THE UNITED STATES
MEDICAL GROWING BEGINS IN PENNSYLVANIA
GLUE COMPANY, GROWER SETTLE
MICHIGAN COLLEGE OFFERS CANNABIS DEGREE
COLORADO SEES DIP IN OPIATE DEATHS
ALLENTOWN, Penn. – The state’s first medical marijuana grower has received approval to begin operations. The Pennsylvania Department of Health gave the green light to Cresco Yeltrah in mid-October. It plans to grow about 30 strains, and also create pharmaceutical-grade products like pills, transdermal patches and vapor oils. It is part of the first batch of 12 processors and growers declared ready to start operations in the state. Cresco Yeltrah hopes to have products ready for patients by February. The company is an affiliate of Cresco Labs, the largest medical marijuana producer in Illinois, said company spokesman Jason Erkes. It also received one of 27 retail/dispensary permits and plans locations in Butler, Pittsburgh and another city. Rachel Levine, acting health secretary and physician general for the PDH, said the other 11 growers are supposed to come online in the next few weeks. Initial permits were given in June, and applicants had six months to prepare. Pennsylvania growers use the MJ Freeway seed-to-sale tracking program. To participate in the state’s medical program, people must be state residents, be under a doctor’s care, and have one of 17 medical conditions. More than 450 hopeful growers, processors or dispensaries submitted applications.
CINCINNATTI – Cannabis fans will no
longer be able to buy Gorilla Glue strains, due a legal settlement over the use of the product’s name by its trademark holder, an actual glue company. The strain provider will now call itself GG Strains and plans to transfer its domain to the Gorilla Glue Company. The brands have been co-existing since 2012, when a Nevada medical marijuana grower created a hybrid plant with ultra-sticky resin, and decided to call it Gorilla Glue #4, in reference to the popular glue. Its images and other strains also included a smoking gorilla. But the Ohio-based glue company, which has been around for 25 years, sued in March 2017, alleging trademark infringement and dilution of its name and reputation. Though the cannabis company initially suggested that customers of either product shouldn’t be confused about the distinct items, it eventually decided to abandon efforts to defend the name. The case was significant, since the underground cannabis industry traditionally has enjoyed creative, sometimes humorous, parodies of legitimate brands, without seeking permission. In 2014, a Colorado edible company called TinctureBelle agreed to stop making its products look like Almond Joy bars after Hershey complained, and the Girl Scouts of America have contacted dispensaries selling a strain called Girl Scout Cookie.
MARQUETTE, Mich. – Northern
Michigan University is now offering a undergraduate degree program in cannabis studies. Starting this fall, students will take a selection of classes in biology and chemistry to learn more about the plant, along with classes in business, finance and marketing. The four-year program already has a dozen students. Though small plant samples will be used in science classes, university officials say ingesting the plant won’t be required. NMU spokesman Brandon Canfield said the program has been designed to be as rigorous as any other academic program. The school offered it because, other than some graduate level research, there hasn’t been a lot of serious discussion about the industry and what students need to know. “I expect in the next couple years we’ll see quite a few of these programs popping up,” he said. He said the coursework goes beyond marijuana, such as the medical program, which will discuss proper testing and quality control for any material. “What we hear from a lot of people is that they will send their products to 10 different labs and get 10 different results,” said Canfield. “That does not bode well for the consumer, or the industry in general if it stays that way.”
Journal of Public Health showed that opiod-related deaths in Colorado declined 6.5 percent in the two years that legal marijuana was sold. Authors Melvin D. Livingston, Tracey E. Barnett, Chris Delcher and Alexander C. Wagenaar said their results were preliminary and only cover 2014 to 2016. (Marijuana was legal for two years prior, but sales began in 2014.) Other studies have shown associations between medical marijuana legalization and opiod overdose deaths; there is less research into the possible impact of recreational marijuana on reducing deaths. Patients can be prescribed marijuana in certain states, or opiods. Or they can purchase their own marijuana products without a prescription or card. The study looked at monthly opiate fatalities in the state before and after 2014 and also compared data to Nevada, which only offered medical marijuana until this year. Colorado opiod providers were also encouraged to sign up for a drug monitoring program. Researchers will continue to look at fatalities data to see if the trend will continue, and also observe states with legal recreational marketplaces such as Washington and Oregon. The study also didn’t look at other possible sources of opiod or cannabisrelated fatalities, such as traffic accidents.
Source: (Allentown) Morning Call
Source: EVERCANNABIS
Source: CNN
Source: Washington Post
DENVER – A study in the American
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, November 24, 2017
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EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, November 24, 2017