SEPTEMBER 2017
EVERCANNABIS evercannabis.com
formerly Spokannabist
Crossing into Canada with Weed? Don’ t .
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EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, August 25, 2017
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, August 25, 2017
IN THIS ISSUE
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Palouse Farms Small-scale producer creates well-known strain
8 Rocky Research Regulations limiting pain studies
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Editor’s Corner ...As I’ve gotten to know many people employed in the local cannabis industry, it’s been interesting to learn that the only people taking it easy this summer are some of the consumers. The outdoor farmers are spending sun-up to sun-down getting dirty in their fields. Though the particularly hot days in July and August were brutal, many of them said it was a great experience nurturing their plants and encouraging them to grow well. The indoor growers I’ve met recently are just as focused, and some are looking ahead not just at the next harvest but several harvests over the next few years. Both groups also are able to focus on tiny changes in their plants and overall operations to hopefully lead to better growth and efficiency. Store owners/budtenders are staying busy in other ways, including helping and educating customers of all experience levels, and dealing calmly with some of the longest local lines I’ve seen at some of the shops. You’d think that the grays of winter would see more people wanting to partake and brighten their world, but summer lines do seem longer.
Then there’s always the business stuff, including plenty of paperwork. There’s travel to different local or state meetings, understanding and applying the new state advertising rules, and following the existing rules to a T, like including that boilerplate about marijuana having intoxicating effects everywhere. It’s a lot on many people’s plates, especially when there’s a lingering perception among critics that those in the cannabis industry are content to sit back and wait for the money to roll in. Team EVERCANNABIS is also the opposite of lazy this summer as we continue discovering new ways to educate our readers about this growing new industry, and highlight interesting community members. Last month we added a monthly “Cool Glass” feature showing the work of skilled regional artists. This month, we’re introducing a fun new food columnist, along with reviews of popular strains, another area that readers have asked us to help make sense of. Though anyone can have opinions whether something is good or bad, we’re working on assembling a group of experts able to provide a more solid perspective. We’re always eager to hear more suggestions about what to write about! Joe Butler, Managing Editor
Interested in being an EVERCANNABIS FREE distribution location?
Crossing the Border Can you take your pot with you?
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.
EVERCANNABIS VOLUME 2
ISSUE 4
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review
www.evercannabis.com 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 SALES LEAD Wes Ward
Proud member of
LOCAL CONTRIBUTORS NICOLE SKINNER LIZZI MOSS SARAH BAIN TERRY BAIN
THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW EDITORIAL TEAM RACHEL ALEXANDER JESSE TINSLEY KIP HILL CHAD SOKOL
JOE JAROLIM JR
www.spokesman.com news@spokesman.com 509.459.5400
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EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, August 25, 2017
peachy
Outlook downright for
Palouse Farms SMALL FARM SPECIALIZES IN ‘LOCAL’ STRAIN WITH FRUITY FLAVOR By NICOLE SKINNER EVERCANNABIS Correspondent
Back when Initiative 502 was on the ballot, Toni Nersesian and husband Tom Barlow voted yes because they didn’t think anyone should go to jail for smoking marijuana. At the time, both of them were considering retirement. But then, an opportunity presented itself, so they began their “Second Act,” as Neresian calls it. “A close friend gave us the opportunity to have a strain he had been working on, along with the ‘recipe’ that included specific watering, feeding and curing,” she said. “We did our due diligence of the plant and the marketplace, including lab analysis and asking people to smoke it and give their feedback.” Today, they own Palouse Farms, a Tier 1 farm which is the exclusive grower for Palouse Peach, a local strain with a distinct flavor. With a maximum canopy of 2,000 square feet, Palouse Farms is significantly smaller than many of the state’s 15,000-30,000 square foot farms. But the size requires fewer employees and allows Nersesian and Barlow to be much more hands-on with the operation. It also makes it easier to protect the confidential recipe, and control what stores offer it. “We maintain a distance between stores, and in turn, the stores have customers who come to them because they are the only one in their area with Palouse Peach,” she said. The staff also includes four part-time employees involved in processing and growing. On trim days, even the bookkeeper jumps in.
Palouse Farms | Spokane County | Tier 1 Products: Palouse Peach cannabis flower plus branded concentrates such as Doobie Dope and Peach Cobbler.
Over the past two years, the business has been fully focused on perfecting the sativa-dominant strain. The effects are said to make life a little easier, whether playing, working, or wanting to be more creative.
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, August 25, 2017
“For the first-time smoker, it is a clean, smooth, pleasant experience,” Nersesian said. “It’s a strong sativa, so you can play, work or just relax and enjoy your day. It also has a natural scent that reminds people of peaches.” In the early days, she said the farm only sold flower. But they’ve learned how to grow and process other concentrates. “We’re only here because of this special strain,” she said. “What has surprised us is the many ways we now sell it -- we now package honeycomb and crumble concentrates, brushed kief, joints and Doobie Dope. We have recently added Peach Cobbler, a combination of flower bud, oil and kief.” The first delivery of Palouse Peach was to Sativa Sisters, a Spokane Valley retailer, and their products have remained popular there and at other retailers. Sativa Sisters co-owner Cary Smith said that Palouse Peach was one of the shop’s first original strains. “It is a very unique cannabis in that it has a mild sweet flavor with a great euphoric high, very mellow with no bite and no cough at the end,” Smith said. She feels that Nersesian and Barlow have perfected the growing process, achieving consistent quality plus creating a recognized local brand. Palouse Peach can be found at several shops in the Spokane area including Sativa Sisters, Lucky Leaf, 4:20 Friendly, Satori South/North and The Green Nugget. It’s also available in Pullman at We’re Just Buds.
apexcannabis.com
The team at Palouse Farms includes, from left, co-owner Toni Nersesian, Sera Hatchett, Erin Stone, Dawn White, Teri Simpson, Cindy Vaught, Kaytee Van Dissel and co-owner Tom Barlow. Photo courtesy Palouse Farms
Conveniently located near Stateline & in the Columbia Basin. Spokane County Location 3 Miles from WA / ID border I-90 Liberty Lake Exit #276
Grant County Location 955 W Broadway Moses Lake I-90 Moses Lake Exit #176
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.
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EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, August 25, 2017
RAVEN GRASS FARMS A different way of growing By JOE BUTLER EVERCANNABIS Writer
Raven Grass focuses on putting helpful microbes into its soil, which produces greater nutrients for plants. Photo by Joe Butler/EVERCANNABIS
The secret is in the soil. No, you’re not going to find out more specifics of what ingredients make Raven Grass’ cannabis products so appealing, but let’s just say a healthy diet is a huge part. “We feed the soil rather than feed the plants,” said Micah Sherman, operations director and co-owner of the Tier 2 farm near Olympia.
uses the same principles in being aware of what products go into all plants and soil, along with any vendors or partners it works with.
Instead, the farm uses a “Vera Terra” seal on its packaging, The environmentally and socially which shows that all nutrients and responsible farm provides marijuana pest control methods are used and CO2 marijuana concentrates in accordance with the National for cannabis retailers statewide. Its Organic Program’s list of allowed products can be found at Spokane and prohibited substances. retailers including Cinder, Satori “We create an environmentally and Sativa Sisters. sustainable supply chain, we Sherman, and co-owners/business don’t use butane, and we do hand partners Nichole Graf and David trimming,” said Graf, the creative Stein, have created an innovative director and head of product method to introduce healthy development. “The methods we microbes into the soil, which they use to grow our product are better believe produce greater nutrients for for the world, and we think it also the plants. produces a better product.”
Cannabis farms can’t use the term organic for legal reasons, but Raven
Grass Farms
She compares the farm’s specialized growing methods to a more holistic approach to human nutrition: you can have a diet high in healthy minerals and whole foods, or you can have quick fixes of empty calories and over-processed food with maybe a few vitamin supplements for a small health
boost. Both approaches keep the body functioning, but one is better for overall, sustained performance. “Our growing practices actually require significantly more human labor to pay attention to the balance in the soil and the health of the plants, as we do not use any ‘quick fix’ chemical solutions to our nutrient deficiencies or pest management,” she said. “This style of gardening is a labor of love, but we do feel it produces a product with a more developed, nuanced flavor palette and is certainly better for the environment.”
“We never want anyone to open one of our packages and be disappointed,” said Sherman. “We want people to be delighted, but we also have an obligation to treat people well and support ethical packaging, and a responsibility to get it right.”
Raven Grass grows about a dozen strains sold throughout Washington. One of its newest products is Coconut Magic, which infuses a strain-specific Pure Cannabis Concentrate with virgin, organic, unrefined and sustainably-sourced coconut oil. It can be used in edible recipes or as a topical product. Raven Grass includes about 20 full-time employees, plus others brought in as needed to assist in different tasks such as harvesting or processing. Graf and Sherman prefer that everyone helps with everything, which builds familiarity with the whole operation.
Raven Grass Olympia Products: Pure Cannabis Concentrate and Coconut Magic concentrate, plus a dozen strains of cannabis Tier 2 Number of employees: 20 ravengrass.com
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, August 25, 2017
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EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, August 25, 2017
POT PAIN RELIEF
Research stifled by federal rules
Dr. Matt Layton, left, a psychiatrist interested in research, and John Roll, vice dean for research at the Elson Floyd Medical School at Washington State University. Jesse Tinsley/The Spokesman-Review
By RACHEL ALEXANDER The Spokesman-Review
he could lose his federal license to prescribe other drugs and probably his job if he were caught).
It’s about a mile along Division Street from Dr. Matt Layton’s office on the Washington State University medical campus in Spokane to the nearest recreational marijuana store.
As a researcher, he can survey the chronic-pain patients and people addicted to opioids he works with and ask them if and how they’re using marijuana to manage their symptoms.
As a private adult under Washington law, Layton could walk into that store, buy a gram of marijuana and use it however he sees fit at home (though he’s quick to point out
Here’s what he can’t do. Much as he’d like to, he can’t buy those same marijuana strains and work with colleagues in the WSU College of Pharmacy to analyze them and break down the cannabis compounds they contain. He can’t
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, August 25, 2017
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test those compounds in animals to see which combinations are most effective for treating pain. And he especially can’t bring people into his lab, give some of them a local marijuana strain, some oxycodone and some a placebo and see how each group’s pain changes as a result. Welcome to the confusing and often contradictory world of medical marijuana research.
PEND OREILLE CANNABIS CO. 124 E RIVERSIDE AVE | IONE, WA 509-442-3420
In a nation where the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention counted 15,000 Americans who died from prescription opioid overdoses in 2015, Layton is one of many researchers interested in alternatives to pain management that don’t rely on drugs that routinely cause fatal overdoses.
Summer hours Mon - Sat 9-8 Sun 10-7
There’s some data showing there are fewer opioid overdoses in states that have legalized medical marijuana, though that data doesn’t prove causation between the two.
We are a compassionate ssionate group of medical and administration professionals, helping lping patients in Washington State, ate, obtain the right to use cannabis bis medicinally.
Yet rigorous medical research on marijuana, which many scientists see as a promising alternative for some patients, has been hamstrung thanks to federal regulations on its use by scientists. “I’m not a proponent of using cannabis. I’m a proponent of science. So if it is a fact that it could help people better than opioids, why shouldn’t we know that?â€? said Marian Wilson, an assistant professor at the Washington State University College of Nursing who researches chronic pain and addiction. Though marijuana is legal in 29 states for medical use, and in eight for recreational use, the Drug Enforcement Administration still classiďŹ es marijuana as a Schedule I drug alongside heroin, ecstasy and LSD. The DEA says Schedule I drugs have “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.â€? Most opioid painkillers fall into the next classiďŹ cation, Schedule II, alongside methamphetamine and cocaine: substances with a high potential for abuse that have recognized medical uses. “Nothing has changed. We’re still facing the same set of regulations that we’ve had since 1973,â€? Layton said.
Product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the inuence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of the reach of children.
PTSD - ANYONE CAN BE AFFECTED. PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder) is a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event.
Online veriďŹ cation cation @ patientsforpatientsmedical.com smedical.com
SPOKANE/YAKIMA KIMA 888.204.1260 PHONE 888.204.1280 FAX
Asking for help is ok. You aren’t alone. Give us a call. We can help you. Diagnosis only needed to qualify for medical cannabis. There are four types of symptoms of PTSD, but they may not be exactly the same for everyone. Each person experiences symptoms in their own way.
1. Reliving the event (also called re-experiencing symptoms). You may have bad memories or nightmares. You even may feel like you’re going through the event again. This is called a ashback.
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“WE WILL NEVER DO ANYTHING WITH MARIJUANA THAT’S NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL AND STATE REGULATIONS. THAT SLOWS US DOWN.�
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VICE DEAN FOR RESEARCH AT WSU’S ELSON S. FLOYD COLLEGE OF MEDICINE To read an extended version of this story, visit www.spokesman.com/stories/2017/ jul/23/despite-serious-opioid-crisis-research-on-medical-/ Or visit www.spokesman. com/marijuana for continuing coverage on cannabis topics.
3. Having more negative beliefs and feelings. The way you think about yourself and others may change because of the trauma. You may feel guilt or shame. Or, you may not be interested in activities you used to enjoy. You may feel that the world is dangerous and you can’t trust anyone. You might be numb, or ďŹ nd it hard to feel happy. 4. Feeling keyed up (also called hyperarousal). You may be jittery, or always alert and on the lookout for danger. Or, you may have trouble concentrating or sleeping. You might suddenly get angry or irritable, startle easily, or act in unhealthy ways (like smoking, using drugs and alcohol, or driving recklessly. We have a referral for a Psychologist.
WHAT’S YOUR REASON?
John Roll, the vice dean for research at WSU’s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, is on board with researchers who want to look at marijuana, but he said the university has to be cautious. Violating federal regulations in any way would be disastrous and could cost WSU federal funding for other types of research, in addition to stripping doctors like Layton of their prescribing licenses.
~JOHN ROLL
2. Avoiding situations that remind you of the event. You may try to avoid situations or people that trigger memories of the traumatic event. You may even avoid talking or thinking about the event.
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EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, August 25, 2017
Budtrimmers Good Foot
in the Door By NICOLE SKINNER EVERCANNABIS Correspondent
...According to New Frontier Data, a national research firm, by 2020 the legal cannabis market will create more than a quarter of a million jobs. Comparable statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that will be more jobs than the manufacturing industry. If you want to be part of this industry but don’t know much about growing or selling, consider starting as a budtrimmer. This entry-level position in the growing and processing side of the industry provides a foot in the door for cannabis career opportunities. Budtrimmers are asked to take every harvested and dried marijuana flower, and cut off any stray leaves to make every bud look nicely rounded and symmetrical. This makes it look more uniform when it is packaged and sent to the retailers, and hopefully more appealing to customers.
Budtrimmers at Crystal Forest Farms carefully sculpt dried flower. Photo (top) by Joe Jarolim Jr. / EVERCANNABIS
While some machines are able to perform automated trimming, many producers and retailers think humans performing hand-trimming can make a significant difference in appearance and quality, plus generally gives a
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, August 25, 2017
perception that a company puts attention on high quality and attention to detail. The process of trimming the plant to make it attractive is even considered an art by some. “While most of our budtrimmers are entry-level, we certainly do appreciate those with experience also,” said Chris Leeper, head grower at GrowState, a Spokane producer. “Our budtrimmers demonstrate proficiency, organization, and attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.” It’s not necessarily an easy job – trimmers usually sit for a full shift with nothing but scissors and buckets or bags of buds that keep on coming. It’s generally a good idea to wear thick gloves to protect from getting cut or poked and to avoid any skin exposure to the marijuana product. “Dexterity is a helpful trait,” Leeper said. “Cosmetologists can make great budtrimmers.” He said it’s also important for budtrimmers to be resourceful and work well both independently and with a team. GrowState generally employs at least six team members on staff for budtrimming. The company typically runs one eight-hour shift a day, but some busier companies may have longer or multiple shifts. For some, a career working with legal cannabis can be a dream come true. GrowState budtrimmer Bobby Adams has been enjoying the process. “Being able to wake up every day knowing that I get to come to work to work with legal marijuana is something I have always dreamed about and there is nothing better than that,” he said. Crest Greco, another budtrimmer at GrowState, says that hand trimming is important. “I love being a budtrimmer for the love of the product and to ensure the customer has an excellent experience,” he said. Leeper says that there is always room for growth and advancement for budtrimmers within the GrowState operations. “An employee interested in advancing their employment responsibilities must show devotion to their current position and their ability to work beyond their current skill-set,” he said. “We have an excellent staff here at GrowState, so employee referrals are quite common.” Wages vary by company and experience, but in Washington the going rate for a full-time position is around $11-14/hour. Some companies also offer health benefits. Curious how job openings are posted in the industry? There are job posting sections on many industry websites, and you can find ads for trimmers on common job boards. Currently many local operations offer hands-on training for those new to the industry. For those who want to go the extra mile, there are a variety of online training courses, such as Cannabis Training University, which offers various courses, including a Master Certificate program. This is a private online training program and not related to any accredited college or university programs.
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EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman Review • Friday, August 25, 2017
Neighbor to the north h There are nearly 40 medical cannabis dispensaries in Victoria, B.C., and all operate illegally, despite having a city business license displayed on each of their walls. Recreational cannabis is officially illegal in Canada, and while it is legal for medical purposes with a doctor’s prescription, dispensaries that sell it are not operating within the law. Technically, then, the only way to purchase cannabis is by going directly to a producer, of which there are 12 in British Columbia. Or you can grow it yourself if you have a medical prescription and are registered with Health Canada.
n i d e s u f Con
A D A N CA
By SARAH BAIN
EVERCANNABIS Correspondent
“We are in the gray area right now, but we know that legislation is coming soon in our favor. So we are feeling it out, testing the waters until the dispensaries are legal,” explained Steve, a local paramedic who rides his bike around Victoria offering support to residents and visitors. Steve didn’t want his last name used, but talked freely about the positive relationship between the police and the local dispensaries. “Basically, the federal government has told Canadian citizens that they are going to legalize (cannabis) soon,” he explained. “We have an opioid crisis here, not a pot crisis. Our police are busy trying to get fentanyl off the street. Marijuana is the least of their problems.” The community seems to be generally supportive of the hands-off approach to cannabis businesses. “I don’t believe marijuana is a gateway drug,” said Carolyn Stobbart, who works at The Papery in Victoria, just down the street from Cloud Nine,
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman Review • Friday, August 25, 2017
has different take on toking one of the popular dispensaries in town. “The dispensaries are our storefront neighbors, and don’t cause any problems. They pay their taxes and operate professionally.” Cloud Nine sits in the heart of downtown Victoria (conveniently next to a pizza restaurant and a pho restaurant). Ed, one of the managers at Cloud Nine, didn’t want to give his last name, but explained that while there is a lot of red tape and all sorts of hoops to jump through when someone opens a dispensary here, once it is open, neighbors and police are accepting. “We aren’t here to judge. Just call us,” Ed said. When the cruise ships come into port, the dispensaries see a spike in sales. “We get curious people who come in,” said another employee who asked to be called Bill. However, though dispensary employees are happy to talk about the current marketplace and the federal support, there is still a little uncertainty about discussing the buying, selling or possessing of cannabis in public due to its illegal status. Canadian marijuana also has some appeal to Americans, especially those coming in on cruise ships. First, the American dollar is stronger these days so your spending money goes further. There’s less mark-up: BC’s provisional sales tax is 7 percent, and there’s a 5 percent goods and service tax, levied on any purchase from cannabis to birthday cards.
Trees Dispenary is a popular retail loc ation in Victoria, B. are generally welco C. Though technica med into the comm lly illegal, the cann unity, including ret abis retailers ailers that sell cann ab is accessories, top rig Photos by Sarah an ht. d Terry Bain
The 12 percent tax is still less than many states, especially Washington that charges more than 30 percent on cannabis purchases. While medical marijuana prescriptions allow up to 150 grams per day to be purchased, the dispensaries seem to have a more lax approach to their sales. “We don’t really have a set amount, but if someone bought more than one or two ounces on a regular basis, we’d probably stop selling to them,” said Bill. When asked about what sort of medical prescription qualified a person to buy cannabis, employees at Cloud Nine and Trees Dispensary
had similar answers. If a customer comes in for the first time and doesn’t have a prescription in hand, they work on the honor system. If a prescription is expired, it’s as good as one that isn’t. Both employees explained that Victoria has so many dispensaries because it is served by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police while the other neighboring province such as Saanich is served by the Central Saanich Police. Steve believes that the RCMP essentially looks the other way because they feel like pot is going to be federally legalized very soon.
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EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, August 25, 2017
CAUTION URGED AT BORDERS POT POLICIES MAY CHANGE BY 2018 By TERRY BAIN EVERCANNABIS Correspondent
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised to remove cannabis possession for personal consumption from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, perhaps as early as July 2018. This will effectively make cannabis legal to anyone of age. The current proposal says the cut-off age is 18, although provinces could be allowed to be more restrictive and raise the age or add other conditions. The new rules likely won’t go into effect until at least next summer, however, so dispensaries are still operating outside the law. Currently the only legal way to obtain cannabis in Canada is to get a prescription, and producers with medical production licenses ship their product directly to patients. People can also visit dispensaries, even though they are technically illegal. Edibles and concentrates are also illegal. Until the law changes, Trudeau has been reminding and encouraging the country’s police forces to
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, August 25, 2017
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502
REVENUE JULY 2017 SPOKANE COUNTY continue to enforce current law and criminally charge illegal storefronts. Some are doing so, especially in Toronto, where authorities recently raided several cannabis dispensaries, including five locations of the Cannabis Culture. Raids of Cannabis Culture shops also occurred in Vancouver, and another in Hamilton, Ontario. Marc and Jodie Emery, who were said to be linked to Cannabis Culture, were arrested and
If you are traveling to Canada and intend to sample the country’s cannabis wares, you should know that it is illegal to transport cannabis and cannabis products to or from Canada. Likewise, people crossing into the U.S. from Canada at legal checkpoints in Washington will first face the U.S. Border Patrol, which follows federal statutes, not state laws. That makes all marijuana products illegal. Border agents from both countries are acting in the interests of either federal government, and they more than likely will consider any cannabis-related activities and possessions illegal. Even stating that you’re seeking cannabis or a place to enjoy it could possibly raise big legal flags. You are not doing yourself any favors by talking to border
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charged for trafficking and other violations last spring, and were later released on bail. As a result of these raids and their longtime advocacy for legalization, the Emerys have also become a kind of symbol for the fight against enforcement, and Marc Emery now even has the nickname “Canada’s Prince of Pot.”
RETAILERS
Although raids have taken place, no convictions of dispensary workers have taken place as of press time.
control agents about cannabis use or activity, even as a joke. You may find yourself delayed, you and your belongings searched, or your movement across the border restricted or even denied – even by a halfhearted pot joke. Any amount of possession could also earn everything from a citation and confiscation to arrest. People caught entering Canada with any amount of cannabis will most likely be turned away at the border. Canadian authorities generally are more attuned to search for firearms than cannabis, but they will still send you home. U.S. citizens returning south can’t be denied entry because of cannabis possession, but they can be fined. Non-citizen U.S. residents could also potentially face deportation. Even admitting to having used cannabis in the past could affect future applications for legal or permanent residency.
Also, Canadian residents suggesting to U.S. authorities that they’ve used marijuana in the past can be banned entry into the U.S. permanently. There’s a loophole through which they can apply every year, but it’s $585 plus legal fees.
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PRODUCERS / PROCESSORS
$
11,714,553
CONSUMER PURCHASED
$
6,191,393 PRODUCER/ PROCESSOR SALES
$
3,163,783 EXCISE TAX SOURCE:502DATA.COM
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EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, August 25, 2017
A MOM’S VIEW OF MARIJUANA
PARENTS CAN PLAY A STRONGER ROLE By DANIELLE ROSELLISON EVERCANNABIS Guest Columnist From the bottom of a mother’s gut is the instinct to protect: from an early age, we warn about safety topics like:â€?That’s hot,â€? Don’t run with scissors,â€? “Careful climbing the tree.â€? This protection later extends to giving tools to deal with bullies, preventing discouragement after not getting the part in the play or making the team, or stranger danger. As a mother, I understand why people want to protect their children from drugs and alcohol. Using substances to mask problems is pretty much a fast track to more problems. Plus, young people face so many social pressures to use substances at the same time their brains are still developing. That said, the movement to “just say noâ€? and legally keep cannabis completely out of certain communities avoids the root of the issue. Rather than working to prevent licensed, background-checked, taxpaying small businesses from operating, why not focus on what’s hindering children from being happy and healthy, starting with parents? When I hear “cannabis leads to heroinâ€? or “cannabis is a gateway drug,â€? I tend to think of poor parenting as a bigger gateway to making and repeating poor choices. Research on this topic has included a 1978 article in “Journal of Youth and Adolescenceâ€? by Denise Kanel, Ronald Kessler and Rebecca Marguiles showing that poor parenting was one of the leading reasons for teens to consider trying hard alcohol and marijuana. So, what can cause people to be poor parents? s 4HEY RE OVERWORKED 7ITH PLUS hour work schedules, many parents are drained and exhausted trying to ďŹ t in chores. If there is time, we may choose between exercise or personal time, and then maybe only get a few moments of casual family playtime. The intensity of the modern work week is exhausting AND CHILDREN SUFFER ! STUDY h&AMILY
structure, parent-child relationships, and alcohol and other drug use among teenagers in France and the United Kingdomâ€? (Medical Council on Alcohol/ Oxford University, Sylvie Ledoux, Patrick Miller, Marie Choquet, Martin Plant), found that children from non-intact families, who were not satisďŹ ed with relationships with parents, were more likely to use substances more than other students. s 4HEY RE lNANCIALLY CHALLENGED n When parents are worried about paying the bills, it’s almost impossible to relax. That stress translates to a lack of patience. s 4HEY RE UNDERSERVICED n IF YOU HAVE experienced trauma and never received help, the chances of passing unhealthy lifestyles to children are more prevalent. Social services and mental health counseling should be encouraged for everyone, rather than making people feel shamed for seeking them. According to a Healthy Kids Colorado Survey and a study published in The Lancet Psychiatry, there is no signiďŹ cant difference in adolescent drug use in states with legalized cannabis. There’s also a drop in prescription medicine addiction and abuse in states where medical cannabis is legal. As mothers and fathers, grandparents and guardians, we all want what is best for our children. Cannabis does not, by itself, lead to unhappy children. In our world, it puts food on our table and a roof over our heads, and does the same for our employees and their families. If my children had one wish, it would be to spend more time with their Mama and Papa. Imagine the kind of results if the anticannabis movements focused on shorter work weeks and increased wages across all industries to really protect our children. Danielle Rosellison is a wife, mother, and owner/ operations manager at Trail Blazin’ Productions, a licensed cannabis farm in Bellingham. She is an Ambassador to the Chamber of Commerce and sits on several cannabis boards.
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, August 25, 2017
STRAIN OF THE MONTH
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Wedding Cake, also referred to as Pink Cookies, Birthday Cake Kush or simply Birthday Cake, has a delightfully relaxing head-high with nice subtle body effects (soothing/ minor sedation). The head-high is predominant although the plant has supposed lineage of Cherry Pie (70 percent) and Girl Scout Cookie (30 percent). Consumers might expect a couch-locking feeling, like they might get with UK Cheese, but Wedding Cake is surprisingly nicely balanced. I wouldn’t smoke too much of this at once if you’re a casual cannabis consumer as the effects can be on the stronger side. AROMA: Rich, fuel-ly peppered scent with distant hints of sour. You can definitely smell the Limonene, Humulene, and Caryophyllene terpenes. Sweet, Tangy, Spicy TEXTURE: Buds don’t icky-stick to your fingers but you will have a granular residue left behind on your skin after touching. AVAILABLE AT: Lucky Leaf, Lucid and other marijuana retailers.
Wedding Cake strain (grown by Lifted Cannabis of Tacoma). Photo courtesy of David Morgan, Lucky Leaf.
Reviewed by: Vanessa Kelly, Spokane-area resident and owner of The Sinsemilla Group/SG Consulting, which works with cannabis clients along the West Coast. She was previously the founder/COO/master grower for Green Lion Farms in Seattle.
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EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, August 25, 2017
Spicy Watermelon Salsa By LIZZIE MOSS EVERCANNABIS Correspondent
One of my favorite anytime go-to snacks is chips and salsa, which can be especially great to enjoy on nice summer days. The recipe is easy to put together and packs a huge range of flavors, and it is further enhanced by Hot Sugar, a nicely sweet cannabis-infused powdered product made by Phat Panda. It can be found at Satori and several other Washington cannabis retailers. The colorful appetizer is sweet, spicy and the perfect snack to satisfy you and your dining partners on a hot day, or even later in the year when things start cooling down. Serves 2 Wash, remove skin and cube watermelon, and set aside. Mince and remove seeds from all peppers. Finely chop cilantro. Add all ingredients to large bowl. Juice whole lemon and add to bowl. Juice whole lime and add to bowl. Add garlic & salt. Stir in citrus Hot Sugar packet. Refrigerate for 30-40 minutes for maximum flavor, and serve.
1 small watermelon 1 Anaheim pepper 1 serrano pepper 1 jalapeno pepper 2 tomatillos 2 radishes 1 whole lemon 1 whole lime cilantro (1 bunch) 1 tablespoon garlic salt to taste 1 20 mg package (or two 10 mg packages) Citrus Hot Sugar (available at Satori and other retailers)
1 bag of blue corn chips
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, August 25, 2017
L O B S W S E A R L S G
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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, August 25, 2017
POTHEADS
don’t stress easily,
say WSU researchers
By CHAD SOKOL The Spokesman-Review Washington State University researchers have found evidence supporting an already popular theory: that regular cannabis users stay more relaxed in stressful situations. The study, published recently in the journal Psychopharmacology, found that daily – or “chronic” – cannabis users were significantly calmer than non-users when subjected to a barrage of physiological and psychosocial stressors – even though all of the participants were sober on the day of testing. “This study is actually quite novel and new and different from those that have been previously conducted,” said Carrie Cuttler, an assistant clinical professor in WSU’s psychology department and the lead author of the study. Cuttler said only a small amount of research has examined the relationship between cannabis use and stress, and much of it relies on selfreported data. As might be expected, most survey respondents list “relaxation” or “stress relief” among the top reasons they use pot on a regular basis, she said. Other studies have measured the effects of individual doses of THC, the active chemical compound in pot. Researchers in Chicago, for example, recently found that low doses of THC can relieve stress, while slightly higher doses – enough to produce a mild high – actually increase anxiety. Cuttler and her colleagues asked a different question: Would a heavy cannabis user still experience stress-relieving or stress-inducing effects after a high wears off?
“There have been studies before that looked at whether people were high or not high,” she said, “but nobody’s looked at sober cannabis users.” So the researchers recruited two groups of people: 40 who self-identified as chronic users and 42 non-users. The first group had used cannabis daily or almost daily for at least a year. The second group had used it 10 or fewer times in their life and not at all during the previous year. All of the participants were required to abstain from using cannabis on the day of testing, although they could use it the night before. The experiment involved a procedure called the Maastricht Acute Stress Test, or MAST. Half of each group of participants were told to dunk a hand in a container of frigid water and leave it there for 45 to 90 seconds. At the same time, they were told to count backward from 2,043 in intervals of 17, while being chided by lab workers each time they made a mistake. Compounding the stressors, they also had to watch their own faces on a live video feed as they attempted to perform the count. The other half of the participants – the control group – had a much simpler task. Their nonstressful control scenario involved dipping a hand in lukewarm water and counting, forward, from 1 to 25. There was no “negative verbal feedback” and no distracting video feed. Before and after each test, researchers questioned the participant about his or her stress level. They also took saliva samples to measure levels of cortisol, the primary hormone associated with stress. Among cannabis users, there was no difference in cortisol levels between those who completed
the stressful scenario and those who completed the non-stressful scenario. Among non-users, however, cortisol levels were significantly higher among those who got the ice-water-andreprimands treatment. And while cannabis users reported feeling more stressed after the less-pleasant of the two tests, they showed “a significantly smaller increase in subjective stress ratings” than non-users, the researchers wrote. The results surprised Cuttler, who had predicted that daily cannabis users, suddenly without their preferred coping tool, would experience unusually high stress levels during the experiment. But it ultimately confirmed the hypothesis of Ryan McLaughlin, one of the study’s authors and Cuttler’s husband. The researchers stopped short of advocating cannabis use for its therapeutic effects. “We’re not sure if it’s a good thing, a bad thing or potentially both,” Cuttler said. Cannabis use might help protect against maladies associated with cortisol imbalances, including weight gain, hypertension and various psychological disorders, she said. But dampening stress responses in healthy individuals could have other negative effects. “Cortisol helps to release energy stores and, more generally, just helps us to respond appropriately to threats in our environment,” Cuttler said. In future experiments, she plans to examine long-term cannabis use in rats and hone in on factors such as residual THC in users’ bloodstreams, she said.
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, August 25, 2017
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THINGS TO DO
AUG 26
AUG 26
CANNABIS KICKBALL CUP, SOAP LAKE The Cannabis Alliance hosts this fun sporting event for the second year which pits some of the state’s growers against retailers. The event also includes an industry parade through the city. www.thecannabisalliance. us/2nd_annual_cannabis_kickball REAL WEED FEST, SHELTON The first-ever 502-specific gathering celebrates music, culture, and legal cannabis smoking on private property. Check out various vendors and glass artists and enjoy four bands. Proceeds benefit local non-profits. eventbrite. com/e/real-weed-fest-2017-tickets-35659916771?aff=es2
SEPT 21-24
CLONEAPALOOZA . VASHON The fifth-annual camping and music festival at the AYH Ranch Campground includes various vendors plus music by 30 bands and stand-up comedy from The Dope Show. cp5musicfestival.bpt.me/
SEPT 29-30
KING CANNABIS EXPO, SPOKANE The second event promises to bring together producers and retailers, and also let the public see the interesting things taking place locally. There are also a variety of workshops plus entertainment. kingcannabisexpo.com
ORDER ONLINE
and SKIP THE LINE SPOKANEGREENLEAF.COM F.COM 509.919.3467 • 9107 N. Country Homes omes Blvd, #13
Mon-Sat 9:00AM - 10:00PM Sun: 9:00AM - 9:00PM Marijuana products may be purchased or possessed only by persons 21 years of age or older. This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and 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 twenty-one and older. Keep out of the reach of children.
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EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, August 25, 2017
CANNABIS NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
UTAH BALKS ON RELAXING LAWS BUT PUSHES RESEARCH
MAINE SHOP PROVIDES FREE POT FOR LITTER CLEAN-UP
NEW HAMPSHIRE OKS NEW POSSESSION RULES
BENTON COUNTY SEEKS RETAIL BAN
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – Utah lawmakers
GARDINER – As a reward for performing community service, a Maine cannabis retailer is providing free pot to its patrons. Summit Medical Marijuana is handing out empty bags, and then inviting customers or community members to use them to clean up their community by picking up litter. “Bring us back the full trash bag, and we give them a gift of cannabis,” said owner Dennis Meehan. State law does allow “gifting” of cannabis products as long as the giver and the receiver are at least 21 years old. He said he read about a similar community service program in Colorado Springs, Colo., and decided to try it in his area. The shop’s first “day of service” earlier this summer was successful, and Meehan said a few dozen people filled their bags with trash. Store officials checked IDs to make sure they were at least age 21. He hopes to have more service days in the future and maybe expand the program to more stores or communities. Maine voted in November to legalize recreational cannabis. As the cannabis industry continues to thrive, many retailers and growers are looking for ways to better their communities or assist with local charities.
CONCORD, N.H. – Possession of small
amounts of marijuana will now be legal in New Hampshire. In late July, Gov. Chris Sununu signed the bill lowering the penalty for possession of ¾ ounces of marijuana or 5 grams of hashish from a criminal misdemeanor to a civil violation. It takes effect in September. Under a civil violation, adults found with these quantities will face a $100 fine for a first or second offense, or up to $300 for three or more offenses in three years. They can face a misdemeanor charge if they are found with marijuana four times in three years. Minors could face delinquency charges. The new law also states that people can’t be arrested purely for marijuana violations, and earmarks money from fines toward substance abuse treatment and prevention. “The governor deserves credit for his steadfast support of common-sense reform,” said Matt Simon, policy director for New England’s Marijuana Policy Project. “Unlike past governors who opposed similar proposals. Gov. Sununu appears to understand that ‘Live Free or Die’ is more than just a motto on a license plate.” While opponents felt the change could open the door for drug abuse, especially with high rates of opiate addiction, supporters thought it could steer kids away from drugs, and allow officers to focus on larger crimes.
PROSSER – Benton County Commissioners voted unanimously in July to pursue a ban on cannabis retailers, which they hope will eventually end all sales. If the ban is successful, the county’s existing stores – Altitude and The Bake Shop, both in Prosser, and Green2Go in Kennewick -- will be allowed to operate, but no new permits will be issued, and existing licenses won’t be replaced if these shops close. The banning process requires amending the county’s zoning code and a review by its planning commission, plus approval from the Washington Department of Commerce. Banning generally takes three or four months. Retail cannabis bans are in effect in nearby Franklin County, plus city-wide bans in Richland, West Richland, Pasco and Kennewick. Yakima County also has a ban on growing and processing operations but there are more than 20 existing businesses that were grandfathered in. County voters will decide in November if the ban should continue. The state actually authorizes four licenses in Benton County. The fourth license is owned by The Garden, a Spokane-based company, which is rehabilitating a former home for what it hopes will be a future shop. Benton County commissioners originally considered a plan to cap retail licenses at three, but wanted to make sure that no new shops open.
Source: USA Today
Source: CBS Boston
Source: Tri-City Herald
failed to pass a broad medical marijuana law this legislative session, but encouraged further studies. Lawmakers gave state colleges and other institutions their blessing to study marijuana’s medical impact, with hope of having data by 2018. However, critics say these studies would likely take years and require navigating complex bureaucracies. Karen Wilcox, chair of the University of Utah’s pharmacology and toxicology department, has spent 18 months studying how cannabidiol can affect seizures. The application/paperwork process took six months. Researchers now have to file applications with multiple federal agencies before they can request officially-grown cannabis products from a university in Mississippi. Ethan Russo, medical director at the research organization Phytecs, is working on a research project on how components of cannabis impact mood and memory. The researchers submitted the proposal about a year ago and are still seeking funding from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. There are a handful of other projects being considered at the University of Utah, including how cannabidiol impacts people with autism and anxiety, and its effects on posttraumatic stress disorder. It usually takes two-three months for approval from U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Drug Enforcement Administration, and about 10 months for the National Institute of Health. Source: The Associated Press
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, August 25, 2017
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EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, August 25, 2017
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Cannabis has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Cannabis 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 twenty-one and older. Keep out of the reach of children.