Evercannabis, july 6, 2018 by Cowles Publishing

EVERCANNABIS www.evercannabis.com JULY 2018

WEED on the WATER?

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, July 6, 2018

There can be no excusing,

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When it comes to cannabis, safety is essential. Driving under the influence is illegal—and it’s also dangerous. Cannabis can impair judgment, alertness, and reaction time. And driving while under the influence could lead to harmful— possibly deadly—collisions. Which could mean significant legal penalties for you. By choosing a safer ride, you can keep yourself—and others on the road—out of harm’s way.

For more on safe driving, visit KnowThisAboutCannabis.org

* Source information for statements can be found at KnowThisAboutCannabis.org/Sources

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, July 6, 2018

EVERCANNABIS ISSUE 6

VOLUME 3

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review

Proud member of

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Suicide and PTSD

www.evercannabis.com Free Digital Archives Online evercannabis@spokesman.com 509.459.5095

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Kathleen Coleman DIRECTOR OF SALES Dan Fritts MANAGING EDITOR Joe Butler CREATIVE DIRECTOR Anne Potter GRAPHIC DESIGNER Trish Merryman SALES LEAD Wes Ward

Non-proﬁt helping provide cannabis connections

Back in time

How ancient humans helped plants spread

Boating with your bud Penalties high for partaking on water

LOCAL CONTRIBUTORS Linda Ball Staci Lehman

Upcoming Events ............................ 15

Rick Misterly

LCB Round Table ............................. 18

Lizzi Moss

Cannabis News ............................... 22 Cooking with Cannabis ................... 23

THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW www.spokesman.com news@spokesman.com 509.459.5400

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 is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, July 6, 2018

Veterans advocates hope to

REDUCE SUICIDE, PTSD By LINDA BALL EVERCANNABIS Correspondent

to try to wean themselves off of pharmaceuticals and even alcohol.

When Patrick Seifert read a 2013 report from the Veterans Administration that said 22 U.S. veterans were dying by suicide daily, it changed his world and inspired him to do more.

He knows what they’re going through because he also has ﬁrsthand experience with the healing potential of cannabis.

Seifert, a veteran himself, owned a medical marijuana collective garden and safe access point called Rainier Xpress in Olympia. In 2016, he created Twenty22Many, a 501(c) 3 nonproﬁt that advocates for veterans with PTSD, promotes holistic therapies, alternative medicine and education, and raises awareness of veteran suicide.

ITS ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO REDUCE THE RATE OF SUICIDES OF VETERANS AND ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY. Seifert also uses the resources of his shop. Sometimes, he said, veterans come in seeking the right product

He was in the Marines during the ﬁrst Gulf War, but didn’t experience direct combat. But he does have PTSD due to sexual abuse as a child, and said cannabis has helped him overcome his demons. Seifert said he can often tell if a customer has PTSD just by looking at them. He knows that many veterans are scared and confused. They’ve heard that marijuana can help PTSD, but they’re not sure if it could be purchased or prescribed for their situation. There is also a fear that their military health beneﬁts could be jeopardized if they are caught with cannabis. After creating the foundation, Seifert and other volunteers began to ask Washington lawmakers if PTSD could be added to the list of qualifying health conditions for medical marijuana.

Photos courtesy Twenty22many Patrick Seifert, creator of Twenty22Many, continues to spread the word about veterans’ issues in Washington and Washington, D.C. One supporter is Washington Sen. Steve Hobbs, opposite page.

State Sen. Adam Cooper and then-Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, now on the King County Council, drafted a bill to get PTSD listed as a qualifying condition, then handed it over to Sen. Steve Hobbs, who was the Senate version’s primary sponsor. Hobbs, a major in the U.S. Army National Guard,

and commander of Joint Force Headquarters, Washington Army National Guard, was happy to help. “I’m a veteran: I served in Iraq and Kosovo,” Hobbs said. “I have a lot of friends who were involved in service and I had the background.” Seifert said he appreciated that several veterans came to Olympia to testify before the Legislature when the bills were discussed, but said he would have liked them to have been given more time. “Talk about disrespectful, these guys were given two minutes to talk,” he said. The bill was eventually approved in 2015, and Washington became the 11th state to list PTSD as a qualifying condition. As of 2017, 23 states, two territories and one city list PTSD as a qualifying condition. Interestingly, Colorado, where recreational and medical cannabis are both legal, has not taken that step. Hobbs said even though cannabis remains illegal at the federal level, he doesn’t expect crackdowns on veterans using cannabis or removal of their beneﬁts.

A CONTINUING EFFORT Twenty22Many is run solely by volunteers, who provide many services including free yoga, kickboxing, arts and crafts, meetings and cinema night for veterans. It also runs a support line for suicidal vets. Although the support line volunteers aren’t mental health professionals, Seifert said some veterans are more eager to talk to someone with military experience who can better relate to what they’re feeling.

The non-proﬁt plans to bring in a counselor to better train the phone line volunteers. “If a vet ever says ‘I’m going to kill myself,’ we do everything we can to get them to a hospital,” Seifert said. Volunteers have also been reaching out to cannabis retailers around Washington for support. So far, about 40 medically-endorsed locations offer discounts and have agreed to put up stickers in their windows saying they’re part of the “Support Depot” program. This acknowledges that the store owners and staff are willing to provide a safe place and resources for veterans. Any veterans will be given a brochure sharing local, state and national info for any needs, and they’ll also be connected with a volunteer from the local community. If a veteran wants cannabis products, they’ll receive advice on what can help them relax or get them elevated and motivated. Twenty22Many now even has its own branded product: the “22 Rescue Vape Cartridge,” which provides a recommended blend of cannabis for daytime use and nighttime use. Seifert said the cartridge produces less of a “couch-lock” feeling but something more energizing. He and others are still collecting data to perfect the cartridge , but veterans have told Seifert that just having this tool with them makes them feel better in the event of a PTSD episode. Right now the vape cartridge is available in 20 Washington retailers, and Seifert hopes to expand its availability soon.

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, July 6, 2018

EDITOR’S

Words of Wisdom MORE ASSISTANCE NEEDED Twenty22Many has about 20 reliable volunteers but Seifert expects up to 500 people to take part in its fourth-annual PTSD and Veteran’s Suicide Awareness March in Olympia at 10 a.m. July 22. The march is intended to build support and unity. Sen. Hobbs said he attends every year unless he’s on active duty. The non-proﬁt plans other fund-raisers and awareness events throughout the year. Volunteers will be at Hempfest in Seattle in August, and Seifert plans to visit Washington, D.C. to talk to national lawmakers about the beneﬁts of cannabis. Twenty22Many volunteers have been awarded “volunteers of the year” twice from the City of Olympia for their continuing efforts in keeping parks and sidewalks clean. The organization also provides a safe haven and shelter for homeless veterans, spouses and pets. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit

twenty22many-olympia.org.

Arlington Mayor Encourages Civic Engagement Dr. Phil, one of the sages of our current entertainment culture, often throws out the phrase, “it’s not about yoooouuu.” He’s usually giving panelists tough talk that a lot of their drama stems from thinking that the world revolves around them, while not comprehending that the rest of the world profoundly disagrees. So, at least from a TV therapist’s perspective, you can often greatly improve your life and interpersonal relationships by considering other people’s thoughts, wishes and wants, even if they do differ from yours. I had this thought last month while listening to Arlington Mayor Barbara Tolbert speak at a meeting of The Cannabis Alliance, a useful organization composed of many i502 businesses and supporters around the state. She shared how she eventually came around on her view of cannabis, and now embraces it as a strong and legal sector of the local and state economy. It provides jobs, boosts commerce, helps people and helps communities. Tolbert said she was initially hesitant to get behind pot, partly because of her lack of knowledge, partly because some of her constituents were ﬁrmly anti-marijuana, and partly because some of the early advocates were so “passionate” to the point of pushing too hard and being aggressive in their demands and expectations from the city.

But as she and other city leaders began to meet more sincere people in the industry and saw so many successes, she began to appreciate its value. For instance, a group of industry members had lunch together once a month to discuss current issues, and they extended an open invitation to Talbot and other officials to drop by. Eventually they started to. She also suggested that people in the industry reach out to their local leaders to offer to educate them, rather than assume that any initial opposition or uncertainty is permanent. In some cases, elected officials may not know enough, haven’t had time to learn more or get their concerns answered, or are relying on outdated info and perceptions. People in the cannabis industry should also approach leaders with the question, “What are some of our community’s priorities, and how can we help?” In Arlington’s case, Talbot said local 502 employees helped with city clean-up/beautification projects, including adopting a park. This showed they were willing to go beyond “it’s all about us” and any sort of demanding/complaining/assuming. Of course, every community has different personalities, politics, histories and even misconceptions, so what works in one place may require different strategies in another. But starting by thinking about other points of view can help understand other perspectives better. Joe Butler, Managing Editor

Interested in being a FREE EVERCANNABIS distribution location? Please contact 509.459.5095 or evercannabis@spokesman.com

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EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, July 6, 2018

The human / cannabis connection goes back millennia

By RICK MISTERLY EVERCANNABIS Correspondent

Cannabis has been a part of our world for longer than many people think, and actually pre-dates humans by hundreds of thousands of years. Botanical research shows the plant ﬁrst originated in temperate areas of Central Asia. As humans entered the picture, we helped it increase its range and allowed it to diversify into different strains and characteristics. The plant followed humans to some extent, and was able to resist glaciation and climate changes until conditions improved and dispersal could begin again. When humans lived in hunter/gatherer encampments, cannabis grew in disturbed areas. As the domestication of animals took place, wandering tribes of humans likely recognized the efﬁciency of planting hemp seeds

near summer grazing areas and then harvesting them before moving on to winter camps. When they moved on, the nutrient-dense seeds would often be left behind to sprout, further expanding its geographic range. Around 7,000 years ago, ethnobotanists suspect that humans began to select certain cannabis seeds and plants for qualities like larger, higher oil content, longer ﬁber strands and psychoactive effects. This was also the time when some religious/shamanic practices were believed to begin eating hallucinogenic mushrooms for their spiritual effects. Cannabis could have provided a similar altered state.

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesmanâ&#x2C6;&#x2019;Review â&#x20AC;˘ Friday, July 6, 2018

In 1926, Russian ethnobotanist N.I. Vavilov deďŹ ned four stages of the original human/cannabis relationship: s 4HE PLANT OCCURRED ONLY IN THE WILD s )T SPREAD FROM ITS ORIGINAL WILD CENTERS TO populated places. s (EMP BEGAN TO BE UTILIZED BY THE POPULATIONS s #ANNABIS HEMP WAS lNALLY CULTIVATED "Y " # DRAFT ANIMALS WERE PUT TO USE TO ASSIST HUMANS IN TRAVELING WHICH MADE IT EASIER TO ESTABLISH TRADE ROUTES FROM the East to the Plains of Europe and into the Middle East. 4HE CITY STATES OF -ESOPOTAMIA ALSO BEGAN ESTABLISHING themselves, and communities began to trade goods that COULD BE ACQUIRED THROUGH THESE ROUTES )T IS LIKELY THAT CORDAGE FROM HEMP lBER WOULD BE IN HIGH DEMAND FOR USE IN DRAFT ANIMAL HARNESSES AS WELL AS HEMP ROPE FOR securing loads. !NTHROPOLOGIST AND ARCHEOLOGIST !NDREW ' 3HERRATT STUDIED MANY INHABITANTS OF THESE REGIONS AND discovered a signiďŹ cant number of them used CANNABIS AS A hSOCIALLY APPROVED INTOXICANT v 4HE 3REDNI 3TOG CULTURE FOR INSTANCE LIVED ON THE %ASTERN %UROPEAN 3TEPPE BETWEEN AND " # 4HESE PEOPLE CONSIDERED CANNABIS important enough to imprint images of it on their POTTERY

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)N LEARNING ABOUT THIS CULTURE 3HERRATT BELIEVED THAT THE INGESTION OF CANNABIS WAS A MAIN COMPONENT IN %ASTERN %UROPEAN MYSTICISM AT that time. -ORE EVIDENCE CONNECTING CANNABIS TO EARLY CULTURES HAS BEEN FOUND IN THE 9AMNAYA A NOMADIC TRIBE FROM THE LATE .EOLITHIC AND %ARLY "RONZE !GE THAT LIVED AROUND THE STEPPES OF THE $ON AND 6OLGA RIVERS INTO THE $ANUBE 6ALLEY AND PRESENT DAY (UNGARY AND THE Balkans. )N HISTORIAN )STVAN %CSEDY FOUND RECORDS THAT THE 9AMNAYA USED CANNABIS IN CEREMONIAL BURIAL PURPOSES (E DESCRIBES TWO SITES YIELDING YEAR OLD BURNED CANNABIS SEEDS IN A CLAY BRAZIER 4HOUGH ONLY SEEDS WERE FOUND 3HERRATT THEORIZED THAT THE BRAZIER COULD HAVE ALSO HELD mOWERS LEAVES AND RESIN (ERODOTUS KNOWN AS THE FATHER OF HISTORY WRITES IN " # ABOUT THE 3CYTHIANS A LARGE GROUP OF WARRIOR HERDSMAN FROM #ENTRAL !SIA WHO WERE FAMILIAR WITH CANNABIS SMOKE 3CYTHIAN GRAVE SITES SHOW THAT THEY BURNED SEEDED mOWERS AND INHALED THE FUMES Other older direct evidence of cannabis use comes from tombs NEAR THE CITY OF 4URPAN IN WESTERN #HINA 2ECENTLY A GROUP OF ARCHEOLOGISTS LED BY ! 3 # -UKHERJEE FOUND A LARGE STASH OF INTACT mOWERS STEMS AND SEEDS FROM THE GRAVE OF A PROBABLE SHAMAN AROUND "# 7E HAVE ONLY SCRATCHED THE SURFACE OF HUMAN S EARLY USE OF CANNABIS FOR FOOD CLOTH CORDAGE AND PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCE BUT IT APPEARS THAT MAN AND PLANT HAVE HAD A LENGTHY RELATIONSHIP

Micheal

Current Favorite: Wedding Cake by Lifted

Current Favorite: Strawberry Banana by SGB

McKel

Current Favorite: Raspberry Lemonade by Freddy Fuego

meet the top shelf team. 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 or older. Keep out of reach of children.

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, July 6, 2018

Boating with your

Bud By STACI LEHMAN EVERCANNABIS Correspondent

There’s nothing like water to relax you: the repetitive sound of waves, the rocking of a boat, the hypnotic gurgle of a flowing river. Your favorite strain of cannabis can further intensify these experiences, but don’t get caught boating under the influence (BUI) or even using pot on the water as a passenger. Smoking, eating or drinking infused marijuana products should be considered a no-go on any navigable waterway. “It’s in open view of the public, so no, that is illegal,” said Spokane County Sheriff’s Department Marine Deputy Jim Ebel. He’s the county’s full-time patroller of area lakes and waterways, and is joined by other part-time deputies. Washington law prohibits the operation of a vessel while under the influence of any drug or liquor. In this state, a BUI is a gross misdemeanor punishable by a fine as high as $5,000 and up to a year in jail.

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WITH PROBABLE CAUSE CAN ASK BOAT DRIVERS TO SUBMIT TO A BLOOD TEST. IF A BOATER REFUSES, HE OR SHE WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE FINED UP TO $1,000 AND OFFICERS WILL USUALLY SEEK A WARRANT TO HAVE A BLOOD TEST TAKEN AT A HOSPITAL.

The legal limit for boating under the influence of marijuana is 5.0 nanograms. Ebel says the legalization of recreational marijuana in the last five years hasn’t increased the number of BUI arrests in Spokane County or the rest of the state. The majority of the boating infractions he writes are for children not wearing life jackets or other lesser offenses. “Most of our tickets are for no Boater Education Card,” he said. “Recreational boating deaths are plummeting and they’re attributing it to the mandatory training you have to go through to get the card.” Neighboring Kootenai County marine deputies also haven’t seen a noticeable impact of boaters coming from Washington and using marijuana on Idaho waterways, or Idahoans partaking. “It’s illegal to have it here,” said Patrol Lt. Ryan Higgins with the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office. “I don’t think we got any OUIs last year… I think they were all alcohol related.” OUI is the Idaho version of a BUI, referring to Operating Under the Influence. Either a blood or urine test can be used to determine what, if any, substances are present. Idaho currently has no laws specific to boating under the influence of

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, July 6, 2018

marijuana, but state law says that a person convicted of operating a vessel while under the influence of any drugs or alcohol will be subject to a fine of up to $1,000 and/or a sentence of six months in jail. They may also be required to complete a boating safety course and lose the privilege to operate a boat for up to two years. Idaho authorities can also cite people for possession of paraphernalia if they are discovered to have pipes, vape pens or similar cannabis smoking devices. But don’t let your stash make you too paranoid. Officers in both Washington and Idaho don’t pull boats over just to see if the driver might be high. “We usually observe some type of boating violation,” said Higgins. “We don’t just do random boat checks on the water… we don’t just pull people over.” Ebel agreed that citations don’t generally come from random stops. “If it’s a vessel that’s reckless, we will go talk to them,” he said. “But it’s different in a boat than in a car because you can’t see if they are going over the lines.” Once you are pulled over, law enforcement will look for various signs to determine if someone is boating under the influence, similar to a road field test. “Slurred speech, red watery eyes, loss of coordination,” said Ebel. “There are standard field sobriety specifications for boating. Everything is done seated (on the water). They don’t stand up.” And don’t think that, just because you’re in a boat that doesn’t have a motor, you’re safe from BUI charges. Kayaks, canoes and rafts all count as vessels under the law. “You can still be under the influence even if you’re rowing,” said Ebel. BUI arrests can get tricky based on logistics. Once officers arrest or cite someone suspected of BUI, they have to find a sober friend or relative to drive the boat to shore, trailer it, or find a safe place to tie it up. “That’s where BUI arrests are very time-consuming,” said Ebel. “We’ll do everything possible to avoid towing that boat.” Ebel says he and other marine deputies spend more time on the water performing safety checks and educating boaters than issuing infractions. “We write only a fraction of the tickets the guys on the roads do,” he said.

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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.

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman Review • Friday, July 6, 2018

LEGAL MARIJ

By JOHN M. BRANGWIN Special to EVERCANNABIS

FIREARM

Getting drunk and playing with a gun is a bad idea, as is taking too many pain pills and then deciding to go hunting. But once you sober up or sleep it off, and are no longer considered a risk to yourself or others from those dumb ideas, you’ll still have the legal right to possess any ﬁrearms. Our gun laws become funny, however, when marijuana becomes involved. With more states legalizing medical and recreational cannabis, common sense says the same standards of thinking should apply for alcohol or prescription medicine: keep away from guns when you’re actively partaking/under the inﬂuence but once you’re thinking clearly, no problem. The U.S. government takes a very different approach, however. Marijuana is considered a Schedule 1 narcotic, grouped with heroin; opiods and even cocaine are considered less problematic. Marijuana’s Schedule 1 designation means that it’s unlawful for any person who is a user of any illegal controlled substance, anytime, to own a gun, anytime.

In September 2011, just before Colorado and Washington rolled out legal recreational marketplaces for marijuana, the ATF contacted all Federal Firearms Licensees (gun stores) advising them that if they ever become aware that a potential purchaser has a medical marijuana card, they must refuse the sale. Five years later, the ATF added more verbiage to Form 4473, which every prospective gun owner must complete. Previously the form asked: “Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to marijuana?” But now, in bold type, is this warning: “THE USE OR POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA REMAINS UNLAWFUL UNDER FEDERAL LAW REGARDLESS OF WHETHER IT HAS BEEN LEGALIZED OR DECRIMINALIZED FOR MEDICINAL OR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES IN THE STATE WHERE YOU RESIDE.” A false answer is considered a felony, although this is usually only prosecuted in conjunction with more serious crimes. Between 2008 and 2015 there were 254 false statement cases, amounting to a 0.04 percent prosecution rate. Given limited federal resources it is likely enforcement would be minimal if the offender’s worst crime is occasionally using pot. Prosecution could be more likely, however, if that registered gun was to end up being used in a crime or the gun possessor is charged with other offenses.

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman Review • Friday, July 6, 2018

JUANA USE CAN IMPACT

M OWNERSHIP Sarah Gervase, assistant general counsel for the National Rifle Association, recently addressed a group of Second Amendment lawyers, including myself, saying that she was unaware of any prosecution of a marijuana user solely for owning a firearm. But case law is still evolving, as is seen with these cases. s .EVADA RESIDENT 2OWAN 7ILSON HAD A STATE MEDICAL MARIJUANA CARD AND WASN T allowed to buy a gun. She took the matter to district court and the 9th Circuit of Appeals, which ruled that Wilson needed to surrender her medical marijuana card in order to make a gun purchase. s )N #ALIFORNIA +EVIN $UGAN WAS CHARGED IN WITH ILLEGALLY GROWING AND selling marijuana and selling guns illegally. Though he had a legal license to sell firearms, authorities concluded that the activity became illegal when marijuana was involved. (An appellate court later ruled that an unlawful drug user need only to stop using drugs to regain their right to possess a gun.) s ! YEAR OLD )LLINOIS RESIDENT WITHOUT CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS WAS DENIED A GUN purchase when his background check revealed he had a medical marijuana card. s 4HE 3TATE OF (AWAII RECENTLY CONTACTED ALL RESIDENTS WHO OWNED GUNS AND MEDICAL marijuana cards, directing them to surrender any guns if they wanted to continue the benefits of medical marijuana.

The bottom line is that it is illegal, at a federal level, to possess or purchase marijuana and also own a gun or to try to buy one. While rules for ownership of either product may soften in the future, treading lightly is the way to go. Currently, persons with a documented medical marijuana card should never attempt to purchase a gun unless they rescind that card and discontinue marijuana use around the time of purchase. John M. Brangwin is a Washington state licensed attorney at the law ﬁrm of Woods & Brangwin, PLLC in Wenatchee. He assists clients with ﬁrearms denials and gun rights restoration. Photo courtesy Gettyimages.com

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, July 6, 2018

JULY 11

CANNABIS INFLUENCERS NORTHWEST, SEATTLE. Monthly meet-up invites anyone involved in the industry, including growers, designers, accountants and software developers. meetup.com/Cannabis-Culture-Inﬂuencers-NW

JULY 12

THE CANNABIS ALLIANCE, SEATTLE. Monthly meeting of growers, retailers and other supporters of Washington’s cannabis industry. Live feed locations available in Spokane at The Spokesman-Review, along with locations in Bellingham, Arlington, Tri-Cities and Olympia. www.thecannabisalliance.us

JULY 21

HEMPFEST SUMMER BBQ AND MEMBERSHIP DRIVE, SEATTLE. Have fun, network and raise money and attention for the region’s largest free cannabis festival, which takes place in August. Barbecue free for Hempfest members. www.hempfest.org/ events/members-barbecue-july-21

JULY 29 AUG 5

THE DOPE SHOW, SPOKANE COMEDY CLUB. Enjoy laughs and cannabis-themed humor from national comedian. Presented by Tyler Smith. spokanecomedyclub-com/events/21300 BLOCK PARTY 2018, SEATTLE. Industry members are invited to enjoy music by SOL and OG Mambo Fresh, have barbecue, and enjoy themselves while mingling/networking with peers in the Georgetown neighborhood. RSVP to lemonhaze.com/blockparty

Planning a cannabis-themed event you want to include in this space? Send us the details at Evercannabis@spokesman.com.

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, July 6, 2018

Fire House Productions thinking

BIGGER By JOE BUTLER EVERCANNABIS Writer

The team at Fire House Productions describes their business as “ﬂying under the radar” for the last few years. But even with a low proﬁle, the Spokane-based cannabis grower has successfully cultivated a group of loyal fans who enjoy its consistent taste, quality and overall experience. But there are still many cannabis connoisseurs around the state who haven’t been made aware of it yet. This could be changing soon, said Nick Burger, one of the owners of the indoor Tier 2 processor/ producer.

THE COMPANY RECENTLY PURCHASED A SECOND TIER 2 LICENSE, WHICH WILL DOUBLE, PERHAPS EVEN TRIPLE, THE SIZE OF THE OPERATION AND AVAILABLE PRODUCT.

Fire House currently grows 10 strains of cannabis, which can be found in the form of hand-trimmed ﬂower and pre-roll joints at several Eastern Washington retailers. “We call them our Power 10, and you’ll like any of them,” he said. One of the best selling strains is Gorilla Glue No. 4. Burger said there’s been the same small crew of employees in place for the last three years, many who have been friends since their days growing up in Spokane Valley. “It’s been pretty fun,” he said. “We’re all from U-High, Central Valley or some of the other Valley schools.” The ownership also includes his dad, Frank Burger III, an owner of 509Grow, a Spokane business known for indoor and outdoor garden supplies.

(In Washington, a Tier 2 Liquor and Cannabis Board license allows growth of between 2,000 and 10,000 square feet of plants.)

Fire House Productions started out as an empty building near Francis Avenue and Market Street.

“We have a lot of room to expand,” Burger said.

Nick Burger, previously a sheet metal laborer,

helped create durable shelving and other infrastructure to grow and harvest plants. “Coming from a union background, it was pretty scary at first to move into this industry,” he said. Adding to the anxiety was a family tragedy that occurred around the time that he and his family were getting ready for the business to come online. “Our house burned down right in the middle of all of the planning,” he said. “We lost everything but it did give us inspiration for a great name.” The fire-related name and imagery of flames has led to some other creative visuals and references, especially since the cannabis industry has no shortage of related descriptors for describing quality weed and quality experiences: getting lit, getting blazed, firing things up, etc. But as easy as it can be to get people to appreciate the clever name, Burger said the company wants Fire House Productions to be known as a great all-around product.

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, July 6, 2018

DE IN

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710 - Oil Day - 710

www.greenlightspokane.com

Tier 2, Spokane Creates: 10 strains, pre-rolls www.facebook.com/ﬁrehouseproduction509 @ﬁreproductions509 (Instagram)

“We really do focus on quality over quantity,” he said. Because it’s a smaller-sized operation, the team can focus on creating the precise blend of nutrients and lighting for every strain, and also make sure everything is properly tested for pesticides or other potential contaminants.

“OUR CONSISTENCY IS REALLY A KEY PART OF WHAT WE’RE ABOUT, WHETHER IT’S THE TASTE, SMELL, OR THE HIGH YOU GET,” HE SAID. “WE’RE CONTINUOUS IN OUR FOCUS ON CONSISTENCY, WHICH IS WHAT SETS US APART FROM SOME OF THE OTHER GROWERS.” Fire House Productions also works with Cannavan, which provides secure transportation of product and cash for retailers and producers/processors around the state. Now, with the opportunity to grow the business, and grow more cannabis for Washington consumers, Burger and the rest of the Fire House Productions team are trying to ﬁgure out whether to add new strains or simply cultivate more of the ones that consumers already love. “We have a good name, and we’re here to stay,” Burger said.

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EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, July 6, 2018

LCB holds Spokane round-table By JOE BUTLER EVERCANNABIS Writer

One of the challenges with those trying to regulate Washington’s legal cannabis marketplace or those being regulated by it is that it’s distinctly different than many other industries. “It’s not a traditional open market, but more of a restricted monopoly,” said Rick Garza, director of Washington’s Liquor and Cannabis Board, which oversees licensing and enforcement of the nearly 2,000 retailers, producers and processors.

Washington’s system is still considered a national model for how government and commerce can work well together.

This is partly because the state limits the number of available licenses to grow and sell cannabis, prohibits interstate commerce and also continually updates its rules and regulations. Even ﬁve years into this effort, there’s still a fair amount of ﬁne-tuning taking place.

Rick Garza

In the last year, the system has also led to frustration as wholesale prices continue to drop.

At an industry round-table in Spokane in early June, Garza and other LCB ofﬁcials heard concerns and compliments about the existing system and discussed what could be coming in the future at a state and federal level. He emphasized that even with the frustrations, Washington’s system is still considered a national model for how government and commerce can work well together, and both entities remain focused on keeping the public safe and cannabis away from kids. “Oregon, for instance, didn’t start slow and had to cut off the number of granted licenses early,” he said. “Even though many people there had experience growing, their system is still struggling.” In Washington, he said the state has always tried to provide what it believes is a realistic amount of licenses based on total plant square footage, although some in the crowd questioned the methods used to determine this quantity.

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, July 6, 2018

OPEN EVERY DAY 8 AM TO 11 PM • OVER 500 PRODUCTS IN STOCK Much of the crowd’s larger concerns, however, focused on the software required to keep track of product and orders. After many in the industry were unsatisfied with Biotrack, the state’s original software vendor, the LCB opened up bids for a new vendor last year and terminated its account with Biotrack. It eventually chose a vendor called MJ Freeway, whose LEAF system didn’t go online until earlier this year. In the meantime, growers faced months of technical problems, including inaccurate and incomplete labeling. Some stores even refused mislabeled shipments, which meant many farms couldn’t sell their product. Garza and other LCB officials continue to meet regularly with LEAF and other traceability experts to figure out what went wrong and make sure all concerns are addressed, including problems integrating the software with any third-party programs. “We’re trying to test and replicate the problems people are having – hundreds want this fixed,” Garza said. “We’ve apologized for the struggles since we do want everyone to succeed.” The LCB has also hired Gartner Consulting to look at the “people, processes and technology” and figure out the root causes. It is currently interviewing software integrators and licensees. While some growers asked for restitution for lost revenue during this transition or a refund of their license fees, the LCB said they couldn’t make this call. The Washington Legislature would have to approve any funding for this, and every grower would have to be invited to specifically share how they were fiscally impacted. The presentation included an update on enforcement efforts. Justin Nordhorn, chief of the enforcement and education division, said although cannabis advertising draws the most complaints, officers continue to focus on making sure other rules are followed, everything from correct ownership to keeping cannabis away from minors and off the black market. Nordhorn encouraged owners and growers to contact the LCB with questions, complaints or concerns, rather than wait until something questionable or illegal is discovered. “If you’re upfront with us and report something in good faith, we’ll be happy to help,” he said. However, he suggested that businesses respond faster when an LCB officer shows up for a required inspection. “If we are delayed too long, we start to wonder what you have to hide,” Nordhorn said. “Are there things that aren’t supposed to be there, people who don’t belong or other threats? We’re trained to have these thoughts.” The LCB officials encouraged participants in the industry to continue to contact them with questions or concerns, and subscribe to its listserv about rule updates, at lcb.wa.gov/laws/get_notifications. The event was sponsored by Apex Cannabis and the Washington CannaBusiness Association.

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EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, July 6, 2018

CANNABIS NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY

STRAIN CREATED FOR ROYAL WEDDING

MEDICAL MARIJUANA OPPONENTS BATTLING UTAH BALLOT ITEM

SBA WILL DENY CANNABIS-RELATED LOANS

CANADIAN GROWER APPLIES FOR NYSE SPOT

GRANTS PASS, Ore. – Tyler Dooley, a

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Patients

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Small Business

NEW YORK – Canopy Growth Corp,

cannabis grower in Oregon, created “Markle Sparkle,” an strain in honor of May’s royal wedding in the United Kingdom between Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. But unlike some creative cannabis names that are eventually busted by copyright enforcement ofﬁcers for license and trademark violations, this one seems to have passed muster. That’s because Dooley, a licensed medical marijuana grower, is related to Markle: he’s her half-brother’s son, so can claim some legitimate family ties to using the name. As the May wedding approached, he came up with a sativa-heavy hybrid that blended Blueberry Northern Lights, Blue City Diesel and a third stain he promised to reveal at the High Times Cannabis Cup in California later this summer. The strain is grown in southern Oregon and northern California, and will be ﬁrst available to California consumers. Then, if a distributor can be found, it will be sold in other states. Leafbuyer.com described the experience as “something that makes you feel positive, happy and energetic.” Interestingly, while Dooley is excited about the royal connection, his father Thomas Markle Jr., wrote a letter to his new royal half-brotherin-law sharing his unhappiness about the whole union.

Source: Oregon Live

Coalition has successfully collected enough signatures to place medical marijuana in front of voters this fall, but an anti-drug group is challenging the legality of the process. Drug Safe Utah has ﬁled a lawsuit saying that the item shouldn’t appear on the ballot because marijuana remains illegal federally. “It requires state employees to essentially violate federal law because they have to cooperate with people who are violating federal laws in selling medical marijuana,” said Blake Ostler, a lawyer representing Drug Safe Utah. “That in and of itself is a crime called aiding and abetting.” If it successfully appears on the ballot and a majority of voters approve it, people with certain medical conditions can use marijuana edibles or topical oils without legal penalty, but not be able to smoke. The Utah Patients Coalition maintain saying that they have spent considerable amounts of time and money gathering signatures and educate voters, so the process should continue. Gov. Gary Herbert and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints have opposed the initiative. Opponents also have asked individuals who have provided signatures to ofﬁcially withdraw their names.

Administration recently clarified that it won’t approve loans to businesses that serve cannabis clients. Although the SBA has previously said it would deny businesses directly involved in the industry from receiving federal loans, such as growers or retailers, this is the first time that affiliated businesses are also included. Businesses who occasionally work with legal cannabis clients can include architects, attorneys, designers, printers, lighting and garden supply businesses, transportation companies and others. In a spring policy notice, the SBA said it would no longer offer loans to any businesses that receive any revenue from the cannabis industry, since cannabis is illegal under federal law, although legal in some states. Already, this change has led to criticism, including U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-OR. “Would just one order from a cannabis business for soil preclude a locally-owned garden center from receiving federal government loan support in the future?” More than 300,000 SBA loans have been given since 2013, including to some that serve cannabis clients. But this policy update would make them ineligible for future loans if they continue to work with these clients. Michael Correia, director of government relations for the National Cannabis Industry Association, said some federal agencies are finding themselves in conflict with federal vs. state laws, but would rather go after the industry vs. resist increased pressure from the Justice Department.

Canada’s largest cannabis company, has applied to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange. It already trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol WEED, and hopes to have the designation CGC in the U.S. It originally had expressed interest in being part of NASDAQ, but decided that NYSE added additional credibility. “Ultimately one of them is on Wall Street and has a bit more history and cache, and the neighbors on it are pretty substantive companies,” said CEO Bruce Linton. The marijuana industry is federally illegal in the U.S., and Canopy products aren’t available in the U.S. However, he said U.S. investors are eager to be part of a strong, growing company. “One of the primary drivers of this listing is, as we are expanding globally, having U.S. institutional investors helps,” he said. “I think the investment community has to drop the pot jokes and talk about the investment grade opportunity.” If Canopy is approved, it will be the second cannabis company that trades in the U.S. In February, the Cronos Group was listed on NASDAQ. Canopy has a market value of $4.7 billion USD, and the stock has tripled in the last year.

Source: The Associated Press

Source: Tribune Media Services

Source: MarketWatch

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, July 6, 2018

CANNABIS NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE

BENTON COUNTY APPROVES CANNABIS BAN

MORE CHILDREN TREATED FOR MARIJUANA EXPOSURE

PROSSER – Benton County

SEATTLE – The Washington Poison

Commissioners approved a permanent ban on new cannabis producers and processors, restricted the growth of existing businesses, and authorized county law enforcement to focus more on complaints about smell. The ban won’t affect the 50 licensed cannabis businesses in unincorporated areas, although some outdoor farms are expected to move inside to reduce odors. The move will, however, require any legal medical growing cooperatives to move indoors, which some patients said would be stressful. County residents have been divided even before the passage of Initiative 502. Though there’s a strong agricultural industry in the area and the industry has created jobs, others have complained about the strong odor. Cities have approved local bans, including Kennewick, Pasco, Prosser, Richland and West Richland. The commission enacted a sixmonth ban against new retailers last fall, and a six-month ban against new growers in December. It made both temporary bans ofﬁcial in May. Ban opponents are collecting signatures to allow residents to decide, not commissioners or city council members. The “Legalize Richland” campaign hopes to put the item before voters this fall. Opponents are also seeking cannabisfriendlier candidates to run for a county commission position that opens this fall.

Center reported that more children under age 5 were exposed to harmful levels of marijuana than in past years, but also reported that the number is less than other substances like aspirin. The WPC reported that 80 children were treated for marijuana-related poisonings statewide in 2017, a 40 percent increase from the 52 in 2016. The 5 and under group saw the largest increase of exposures year to year. Next was the 30-49 age group that saw 60 exposures in 2017. Statewide, the total number of marijuana exposures for all ages was 378, continuing an increase since 2012. There were 146 exposures in 2012, 273 in 2014 and 2015 and 291 in 2016. The center’s annual “Toxic Trend Report” showed that 43 percent of the exposures came from edibles, which can have varying degrees of potency and may last longer than something that’s smoked. Eating too many edibles can deliver up to 100 mg of THC, and a high lasting several hours. The report indicated that the 5 and under age group had higher poisonings for aspirin, melatonin, acetaminophen, diaper rash cream and antihistamines.

Source: Tri-City Herald

Source: Patch.com

WA MODIFIES HEMP APPLICATION

GROWOP OWNERS INCLUDED IN TOP 100 LIST

OLYMPIA – Farmers interested in

SPOKANE – Rob and Katrina McKinley,

legally growing hemp have less paperwork to fill out. The Washington Department of Agriculture has designed a shorter form than in past years in order to make the process easier and faster. Applicants will be asked fewer details about farming experience, business experience and criminal history. Spokesman Hector Castro said the form was reworked based on comments from license holders in 2017 that the form was too complicated. “We tried to target just what we need and make it easier for applicants to fill out,” he said. Seven one-year licenses to grow were granted in 2017, the program’s first year. It was initially suspended going into 2018, but then the Legislature appropriated $100,000 in late April. But the delay may have cut down on the number of applications, which prompted the WSDA to find ways to speed up the process. Bonny Jo Peterson from the Industrial Hemp Association said some farmers may wait until 2019 so they have a full planting season. But she did like how the new application form is more streamlined. “It’s not overwhelming for people not used to filling out long applications,” she said. “It’s extremely simple compared to the last one.”

Source: Capital Press

owners of GrowOp Farms, were recently listed among “The 100 Most Inﬂuential People in Cannabis.” The McKinleys head the largest grower in Eastern Washington and the second largest in the state. The indoor operation includes Phat Panda and Sticky Frog products and brand. The annual Top 100 list compiled by High Times salutes innovative people and companies around the country that are active and making a difference. This includes growers, retailers, advocates and activists, artists, and pro-cannabis celebrities. This year’s list includes people all over the country, from Colorado to Nevada. The McKinleys were recognized for the size and scale of GrowOp Farms, which cultivates as many as 80 strains and employs more than 400. The couple tries to approach the business as a large-scale boutique with a “go big but think small” approach. Other Washingtonians on the 2018 list include Ryan Kunkel, owner of Have a Heart Compassionate Care, a retailer with multiple locations, and Dr. Joshua Kaplan, a neuroscientist and professor at the University of Washington. The celeb list included Whoopi Goldberg, Snoop Dog and Bill Maher.

Source: High Times

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, July 6, 2018

Savory Salmon Sliders By LIZZI MOSS EVERCANNABIS Correspondent Photo by Lizzi Moss

Sliders are always a hit at any dinner party, especially when you have an abundance of ﬁnger foods and you want to pack a serious ﬂavor punch in one little item. Salmon offers a lighter option and an unexpected taste for guests who likely are accustomed to beef or pork sliders. The cannaromesco sauce in these treats can also hit the spot at your grown-up get-together. Use the recipe below for infused olive oil, or pick up a bottle at your favorite retailer. (I prefer the coconut oil at Royals Cannabis, which runs about $35.)

Ingredients

Canna oil

Salmon

1-pound can of roasted red peppers ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 cup arugula lettuce ½ cup pine nuts, toasted Olive oil Slider buns 2 6-8 ounce salmon ﬁllets, skin removed ½ cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 2 tablespoon red wine vinegar 2-3 tablespoon minced garlic Salt and pepper to taste Canna oil

Combine 1 ¼ cups olive oil and 1 ounce of your favorite marijuana ﬂower in slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-8 hours. Strain mixture to separate oil from trimmings. Set aside.

Prepare salmon ﬁlets by lightly applying salt and pepper on both sides. Place a light coating of olive oil in a small cast-iron pan. Heat on medium-high until olive oil is rippling. Then place salmon in pan and sear for about two minutes on each side until internal temperature reads 140 degrees.

Canna Romesco Combine red peppers, Parmesan, lettuce, pine nuts, garlic, salt and pepper and canna oil. Mix until well-blended and thick. Set aside.

Dijonnaise sauce Mix mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar and salt. Whisk and set aside.

Sliders Build your sliders by smearing a spoonful of dijonaise on top and bottom bun. Cut salmon ﬁlet into small pieces and place on bun. Add a teaspoon of canna romesco on each slider, for about 10 mgs of THC per slider. Top with fresh arugula.

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, July 6, 2018

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