EVERCANNABIS Mixing meds
Little research available on possible negative reactions JUNE 2018
www.evercannabis.com
2
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, May 25, 2018
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, May 25, 2018
EVERCANNABIS VOLUME 3
ISSUE 5
3
Inside Our JUNE Issue
10
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review
Proud member of
Lots of laughs
Spokane Comedy Club hosts monthly Dope Show
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
LOCAL CONTRIBUTORS Linda Ball Staci Lehman Kimberly Miller Lizzi Moss Dan Webster
THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW EDITORIAL TEAM Ryan Collingwood Cody Cottier Hunter Pauli Kennedy Woodward
16
Prescription confusion Medical pros unsure about cannabis interactions
18 End of the line
12
Panda Power GrowOp Farms thinking big
WSU halts breath test research ......4 Avista energy incentive......................6 Strain of the month............................7 Things to Do.....................................15 Weedstock 2018..............................20 Cooking with cannabis ................. 23
Idaho signature-gathering effort ends
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.
4
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, May 25, 2018
WS U
halts breath test research By KENNEDY WOODWARD FOR THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
Washington State University researchers are halting their development of a marijuana breath test for fear of backlash from the federal government. “For this to be effective, we need to be able to test on real people,” said Nicholas Lovrich, WSU regents professor emeritus of political science. “Unfortunately, that’s just not possible right now. It’s too much risk to the university.” Researchers hoped the breathalyzer would help officers detect tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. That would allow law enforcement to test the intoxication of drivers under the influence of marijuana. Lovrich said the project, which began in 2010, ended amid concerns that WSU could lose federal funding under the leadership of the Trump administration. Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded an Obamaera guidance that allowed states to legalize marijuana without federal interference. Lovrich said the university’s Institutional Review Board denied his proposal for continued research in conjunction with the University of Massachusetts. After Lovrich met with the university’s Office of Research Support and Operations, a senior assistant attorney general for WSU expressed concerns about the university’s liability. After that conversation, the research was put on hold.
COME FOR THE CANNABIS
STAY FOR THE VIEW
Researchers in other departments still are working on funded projects examining research into medicinal marijuana, as well as advertising effects on youth, according to Dan Nordquist, associate vice president for the Office of Research Support and Operations. But the breathalyzer testing relied on subjects who used marijuana recreationally. “The science could be there, but without test subjects, we are limited,” said Peyton Nosbusch, a doctoral student in analytical chemistry. Due to the way THC is metabolized in the body, researchers need to test subjects in an authentic setting to develop a more field-friendly breathalyzer. Some devices can detect the chemical compounds on the breath but are too large and bulky to fit into a police car, according to Nosbusch. Such devices also can take a long time to process results. The WSU chemistry department has developed a tongue swab that can detect THC within the body. This research is only able to continue because researchers can create saliva in the lab, and add THC compounds to it, without testing on live subjects, according to Nosbusch. “The problem with this kind of research is that real saliva is dirtier, more grimy,” said Nosbusch. “It also doesn’t account for people who are long-term users
DAILY JUNE SPECIALS
who still have THC metabolized.” The halt had other effects: Researchers at the University of Massachusetts were using WSU’s data to develop an app for a field sobriety test for marijuana use, according to Robert Frank with the university’s marketing and communications department. Marijuana field tests are available in the United Kingdom and Ireland, according to the BBC. However, Nosbusch emphasized that these tests are environmentally dependent and often unreliable. The tests also do not account for a variety of factors like elevated baseline THC levels in a frequent marijuana user who may have used marijuana long before operating a vehicle. The National Institute on Drug Abuse operates a federally approved testing program at the University of Mississippi, which provides samples to other universities around the country. WSU attempted to get its own NIDA program several years ago but was denied. However, Nosbusch is skeptical of the quality of NIDA research and results. “(The marijuana) you would be able to experiment with NIDA wouldn’t be representative of what’s available on the market,” Nosbusch said. “It’s very old-fashioned. Its THC content is not near how much you get out of marijuana you could buy.”
Ask for us by name
at your retailer
: O rganic C annabis TM
124 E RIVERSIDE AVE | IONE, WA | 509-442-3420
Summer hours Mon - Sat 9-8 Sun 10-7 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.
www.newdaycannabis.com
Warning: This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Smoking is hazardous to your health. Should not be used by pregnant women or if you are breastfeeding. For use only by adults 21 years & older. Do not operate a motor vehicle under the influence of this drug. Consuming this product can impair concentration, coordination & judgment.
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, May 25, 2018
EVERCANNABIS IS MOVING!
EDITOR’S
Words of Wisdom
WHY WE NEED TO GET ALONG
EVERCANNABIS Complete Industry News Starting in July, EVERCANNABIS will come out the first Friday of each month.
“We all need to be a little nicer to each other, before it’s too late.” Fine advice for any industry, life and several major religions. This philosophy is also becoming increasingly critical in the cannabis industry as it grows beyond “people helping people and making a little money” into “people making a little more money and that’s about it.” That was the advice of Steve Lee, owner of Green2Go in Kennewick, a member of the Kennewick City Council and mayor pro-tem. As one of the presenters at an April community event in Spokane sponsored by NORML, he encouraged his peers to seek public office – they can give themselves more credibility, become a stronger voice for the industry and remove some negative stigma about “pot people.” (He also discovered that funding an election campaign, win or lose, is a legally acceptable way to spend one’s cannabis money, since there are so many other restrictions.) Lee shared his take on what the industry used to be like, what is now, and different ways it can evolve.
Look for our next issue July 6 in the Spokesman-Review or at your favorite retail location!
In the medical dispensary days, people found unity in being part of the same legally gray landscape. Entrepreneurs had to develop reputations of either being the nicest or the least nice guys around. He said he always preferred the former, even if it cut into profits.
Today, he’s noticed that some of the ‘niceness’ is gone from the industry, as it becomes more businessfocused. Which is OK to some degree, since this attracts new customers, satisfies various fiscal and legal entities and distinguishes the legal players from the black market ones. But Lee fears that if this trend continues, the personal touch and interest in serving others will lose out to the bigger guys, who will only focus on bottom line. It’s a similar argument that small ‘mainstream’ businesses make about competing against national brands, except no big cannabis brands have taken hold yet. And it isn’t necessarily an all-or-nothing equation either: you can still conduct good business while still being a good neighbor. At Evercannabis, we’re happy to spread the word about Washington businesses that are doing good and the ones that are doing well! Contact us at Evercannabis@spokesman.com for your suggestions. Joe Butler-MANAGING EDITOR
Evercannabis and the Eastern Washington Cannabis Association are now co-hosting a local feed for the monthly meetings of the Cannabis Alliance, a statewide organization. Come catch up on what’s happening in the industry and meet local retailers, producers/ processors, and anyone else interested in learning more. Meetings are the second Thursday of each month at The Spokesman-Review.
Interested in being a FREE EVERCANNABIS distribution location? Please contact 509.459.5095 or evercannabis@spokesman.com
5
6
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, May 25, 2018
Cannabis growers looking to save money can start by looking at their lighting. That’s the message Avista wants to share with Washington producers/ processors. The utility’s Energy Efficiency team can offer everything from general advice to information about incentives and rebates for businesses that install new lighting or upgrade their current infrastructure. Tom Lienhard, Avista’s chief energy efficiency engineer, said Avista has already helped at least 10 indoor growers in Washington reduce their energy costs. Most legal indoor growers started out using high-intensity discharge lighting, which were standard in the industry five years ago. These provided brightness and also encouraged growth at different points of the photosynthesis cycle. Now, Avista is seeing growers try other options, including higherefficiency LEDs. Andy Paul, senior engineer from Avista, was the guest speaker at a monthly 502 meet-up in Spokane. He said Avista likes to talk to growers about their options, especially before they install expensive upgrades.
Avista extends energy efficiency incentives to indoor growers By LINDA BALL
EVERCANNABIS Correspondent
Experienced growers may already know the botany of cannabis plants but not all of the specifics on which light spectrums can work best, and all the ways they can save money by using less energy through the growth cycle.
While lighting is a main source of energy, indoor growers also need to include irrigation, air moisture control, ventilation, air conditioning and heating. Avista can also discuss customized energy efficiency options in these areas, depending on an owner’s site plans. “We offer site-specific, customized solutions,” Lienhard said. “In order to pay an incentive we need to know about it prior to anything being purchased. We also must verify that the savings are there, after the installation, before we pay the incentive.” Incentives are based on how many kilowatt hours were used annually under the current set-up versus how many will be saved with the upgrades. For example one high-intensity discharge lamp will use around 1,000 watts but a LED might use 300 to 600 watts. Growers also may upgrade to newer versions of HIDs that are more efficient. Cannabis growers moving to different buildings should also consult with Avista early on. The location could be considered “new construction” if it has been remodeled for more than 50 percent of its square footage, or if the building’s use changes, say from a retail operation to a growing operation.
Or in some cases, they know what they need but don’t know about Avista’s options.
Lienhard said these incentives maybe available to all customers, whether agricultural, industrial or other industries, and have been around since the late 1980’s. “We have a responsibility to serve every customer,” he said.
“We can offer them alternatives,” Lienhard said. “But it may be too costly to be changing the lighting during various stages of growth.”
For more information about incentives, contact accountexecs @avistacorp.com or www.myavista. com/bizrebates
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, May 25, 2018
STRAIN OF THE MONTH BLUEBERRY
TRAINWRECK BANG’S CANNABIS | THC 20% | CBD 5%
Cheney, WA This sweet to-the-very-last-puff Blueberry Trainwreck, or BBTW for short, recently made its way onto my must-try list! It’s a clever cross of two veteran strains, Blueberry and Trainwreck, and sometimes is just what the day needs.
The Blueberry side gives this strain its flavor while relaxing the whole body. The Trainwreck side gives you a ‘happy head’ high leaving you with a smile for quite awhile. It’s great for a mellow afternoon or to take the edge off a busy day! AROMA – The smell takes after its Blueberry parent. A sweet, yet tart aroma greets your nose. It smells so tasty you can’t help but want to dig in and find out if it tastes as good as it smells! I also noticed that the flavor of sweet berry lasts till the end of the bowl.
APPEARANCE: Generally, it’s very
pleasing to the eye. BBTW has larger buds frosted in white trichomes. Its Trainwreck parent provides the lush green buds with vibrant orange hairs. When you break apart these buds they reveal plump trichomes that leave your fingers sticky. EFFECTS: When I smoke BBTW, the first thing I notice is the feeling of weight coming off my shoulders! I get an all-over body relaxation that is much needed after a busy day. After a few puffs the Trainwreck side kicks in, providing my mind with a happy euphoria. This well-balanced hybrid is great for those seeking to relax the body and the mind at the same time. Yet there is also some great flavor as a nice bonus.
Reviewed by “Pineapple”, a three-year team member at TreeHouse Club, a Spokane Valley retailer.
7
8
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, May 25, 2018
CANNABIS NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY
FDA APPROVES CANNABIS FOR EPILEPSY
JOHN BOEHNER NOW INDUSTRY SPOKESMAN
ALASKA TESTING LAB SEEKS SPACE
CINCINNATI – John Boehner, the
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Cannabis
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Food and
former U.S. House Speaker, recently joined the advisory board of Acreage Holdings, a multi-state cannabis company. The move is significant in that he previously was an opponent of legalization efforts while in office. But in an April announcement, Boehner said he had a change of heart, and now his position has evolved to the point that he believes cannabis can help veterans and play a role in reducing the need for opioids. “I decided to get involved because of the struggles of our country’s veterans and the opioid epidemic, after learning how descheduling the drug can potentially help with both crises,” said Boehner, now 68 and a longtime cigarette smoker. While in office, he once threatened to cut off funding to Washington, D.C., when the district voters approved a plan to legalize marijuana. With his new advocacy role, he hopes to encourage more research into cannabis at the federal level and allow the Veteran’s Administration to offer marijuana as a possible treatment option for conditions like PTSD or chronic pain. He also would like to resolve the current conflict between state laws and federal laws over marijuana use and possession. Former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld also has joined its advisory board.
Drug Administration is approaching final approval of Epidiolex, an experimental drug made with cannabis, as a treatment option for childhood epilepsy. The drug made by GW Pharmaceuticals is designed to treat seizures caused by Dravet syndrome or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, two rare forms of epilepsy that mainly affect children and are resistant to many other treatment options. FDA commissioners still need to sign off on Epidiolex, but it was approved for a briefing document at an advisory committee meeting in April. Once the drug is approved, it will be put into syrup form, with ingredients that include CBD, a compound in cannabis plants that helps pain relief, but has less than .1 percent of THC, another compound that causes psychoactive sensations. “Although CBD is a cannabinoid, it shares almost none of the pharmacologic features of the prototypical cannabinoid,” the FDA staff wrote. It also said that the drug “has significantly less abuse potential” than two other forms of marijuanabased medicine: dronabinol and alprazola. The FDA staff said its clinical studies determined that Epidiolex reduces seizure frequency. It can potentially cause liver damage, but these levels can be monitored. Source: UPI
Source: Wisconsin Gazette
CALIFORNIA CHURCH CLASHES OVER POT USE
growers in Alaska are required to have their product tested before it can be sold, but only two labs are offering this service. A third lab, Steep Hill Alaska, shut down in early April after a dispute with Wells Fargo, which owns the building where the lab leased space. Brian Coyle, CEO of Steep Hill, said the building landlord was contacted by a representative from Wells Fargo saying the bank planned to foreclose on the entire building because it housed a cannabis business. The landlord asked Steep Hill to move out. Other tenants in the building weren’t affected. David Kenney from Wells Fargo Alaska said it doesn’t matter that Steep Hill wasn’t buying, selling or growing cannabis; it still violates federal law. “It is currently Wells Fargo’s policy not to knowingly bank marijuana businesses, based on federal laws under which the sale and use of marijuana is still illegal,” his statement said. Steep Hill is seeking a new location. This leaves growers the choice of either CannTest in Anchorage or New Frontier Research near Wasilla. Three additional testing facilities are going through the permitting process.
JURUPA VALLEY, Calif. – The Vault
Source: Alaska Public Radio
Source: The Mercury News
Church of Open Faith is fighting with city leaders over the use of cannabis products, which church members claim is part of their ritual. The City of Jurupa Valley disagrees, and said the location is more of an unlicensed retailer that sells pot products to the community, and has been trying to shut it down for the last year. Church leaders say that smoking marijuana and eating edibles provides spiritual benefits and improves meditative states. They, and an association of 15 similar religious groups in the state, recently filed a $1.2 million claim against the city, claiming harassment, discrimination and religious persecution. This follows a claim against the church that the city filed in Riverside County Superior Court in early 2017, alleging that the church is an illegal dispensary, including the fact that it advertises on cannabis product sites. Adding to the tension is that city is planning a local election in June asking voters to decide if commercial cannabis enterprises can be allowed in city limits, since currently all are banned.
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, May 25, 2018
9
10
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, May 25, 2018
FUNNY BUSINESS
Photo courtesy of The Dope Show
brings laughs to Spokane By STACI LEHMAN
EVERCANNABIS Correspondent
Many marijuana users report that one of the more enjoyable side effects is a big boost to one’s sense of humor – you’re likely to find more things funny, including your own jokes.
“Each performer’s experience with marijuana varies from comedian to comedian,” said Tyler Smith, comedian, show organizer and self-proclaimed “ganja enthusiast.”
This combination of comedy and cannabis seems to be the perfect ingredients for The Dope Show, a new monthly event at the Spokane Comedy Club and other entertainment venues in the Northwest.
In an email, Smith said each performer has a different reaction so audiences never know what they’re going to get.
The premise is simple: a traveling group of comedians start their first set sober, and then take a short intermission where they visit an undisclosed location to partake of cannabis from local retailers. Then they’re back on stage for a second set, which is sometimes quite different in tone.
The Dope Show’s event page on the Spokane Comedy Club’s website proclaims, “Some will power through! Some will have panic attacks! But everyone will have a kush experience!”
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, May 25, 2018
While the show is built around the marijuana experience, the content isn’t necessarily all weed, all the time. “I don’t specifically go out looking for marijuana comedians,” said Smith. “I book the funniest nationally touring comedians. We’ve flown in some of the best of the best for the show.” That means, even if you aren’t a cannabis connoisseur, you can still enjoy The Dope Show. Smith says the overall response to the concept so far has been good. “The majority of the public’s reaction has been very positive,” he said. “Folks who partake in the festivities love that there’s an event that normalizes the act of smoking marijuana, and people who don’t toke can still appreciate the humor in the event.” Attendance has been good too. The first three Dope Shows this year have had an average attendance of around 200 people. Not bad for a Sunday night. The good thing about the Dope Show is that you can attend anytime because it’s a different show each time. “The performers are always different so you’ll never see the same Dope Show twice,” said Smith. “The only recurring performer is the host, which is me.” Smith had the idea for the show shortly after recreational marijuana became legal in Washington. He was offered a headlining gig at a local comedy club. At the time he says he didn’t have much of a following and knew he couldn’t bring in big crowds, so instead he took the opportunity to start The Dope Show and invite other comedians. Along with the Spokane location, he also organizes The Dope Show at the Historic Everett Theatre in Everett and the Tacoma Comedy Club. It also was part of the Undertow Comedy Festival in Lincoln City, Ore., and a presenter at Seattle’s Highlarious Comedy Festival, both in April. “I credit the show’s success to the talented comedians that perform on it and to the support of local businesses that help us spread awareness of the events,” Smith said. In Spokane, The Dope Show is sponsored by local 502 retailers and producers including Phat Panda and The Green Nugget. While state regulations make it illegal to use or bring marijuana on the premises of the Spokane Comedy Club, Smith encourages guests to support and frequent these sponsoring businesses. “What people do in their own homes before coming to the show or after the show is up to them,” he said.
The Dope Show takes place the last Sunday of each month at 8 p.m. at Spokane Comedy Club, 315 W. Sprague Ave. Upcoming shows are June 24, July 29 and Aug. 26. Advance tickets are $10 for general admission and $16 for premium seating. Tickets at the door are more expensive. For more info visit SpokaneComedyClub.com, whosmokesweed.me or Facebook.com/whosmokesweed.me.
11
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman Review • Friday, May 25, 2018
12
GROW OP FA
Eastern Washington’s Largest C around the clock growing and cultivating plants, preparing products to reach retailers around the state, and researching and developing new strains. “We have 60 people whose only job is just to keep everything clean, and they go over the whole place at least once every 72 hours” Rob said. “We pride ourselves on the number of jobs we’ve created here – we want to create a good experience for everyone.” The company owns two Tier 3 licenses, which allow growth of up to 60,000 square feet of plant canopy. It’s best known for Phat Panda premium marijuana strains and products, but also offers Sticky Frog concentrates and oils; and Hot Sugar, which includes infused sugar and flavored candies. GrowOp Farms is currently growing about 80 strains of cannabis. Some are customer favorites, such as Golden Pineapple and OG Chem, but new strains are regularly being introduced, such as Wedding Cake, MAC, and Hawaiian Golden Pineapple, a cross between Golden Pineapple and Puna Budda.
By JOE BUTLER
EVERCANNABIS Writer
...Katrina and Rob McKinley have heard plenty of the rumors over the years. “People say they find all sorts of stuff in our products that doesn’t belong, that we’re in the Mafia, that we have a whole bunch of helicopters, that we’re always fixing prices and all sorts of other crazy, untrue things,” said Katrina McKinley, Chief Operating Officer for GrowOp Farms, a cannabis producer based in Spokane Valley. Some criticism and rumor-mongering is natural, especially when a company is at the top of the food chain in a new and competitive industry. GrowOp Farms is the largest cannabis grower in Eastern Washington and the second largest in the state. According to 502data.com, which tracks industry sales statewide, the company has seen sales exceeding $53 million since 2014, and has posted monthly sales in the $1.5 million-$2 million range since summer 2016. The McKinleys want the world to know that they don’t have swimming pools full of money, and actually put all profits back into the company, mostly in the form of infrastructure and payroll. “We started in 2014 with $2 million, and we’ve re-invested millions into this company since then,” said Rob McKinley, CEO. “Payroll alone is $1 million a month. We’re still running paycheck to paycheck.” As of early April, GrowOp Farms employs about 420 people at the former Walker’s Furniture warehouse in Spokane Valley. Shifts run
Because GrowOp Farms continues to thrive while some smaller producers/processors face challenges, many in and out of the industry regularly ask what the company is doing differently. The McKinleys say it starts with a constant focus on quality and consistency. Customized computerized systems in every grow room keep track of soil, temperature, humidity, plant yield and other factors, so conditions can be duplicated exactly for future planting of the same strain. Grow rooms use dual-spectrum HPS and metal-halide lights with varying intensities for better growth and larger yields. They also find ways to use stems and other plant material in other products, instead of harvesting the buds and disposing of the rest. “For our first rooms, we asked ourselves, ‘When we have more money, what would we change?’ and when we did make more money we started retrofitting everything,” Katrina said. Since the beginning GrowOp Farms has also worked to set its wholesale prices slightly lower than competitors, which can appeal to budget-conscious retailers and create strong relationships with lots of stores. The goal is that no store shelf is ever empty, which would lead to customers choosing another brand. Trade publications have compared the company to food/drink giants like Kraft, Kellogg or Budweiser, based on the large-scale operation and high demand. The McKinleys don’t deny the parallels. “We do want to sell a lot, and we want to sell the best products at the best price,” Rob said. “We really created the market, found where the good price was and keep on adjusting.”
The McKinleys are also alway opportunities. Some producers the Phat Panda name and label processing facilities and staff fo They constantly search for new unique phenotypes and other c circulation locally or may still b have closed their doors. The company is focusing on a It purchases sour rings and sou California, and then infuses the FLAV. They are also making Hig candy using Hot Sugar.
The interest in collaboration e municipalities. They have given members to educate them abo worked with Spokane Clean Air standards, plus local fire depart They maintain a good relations Board for any enforcement que And while all growers are req or product to independent labs goes beyond this. “We independently test every
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman Review • Friday, May 25, 2018
ARMS
Cannabis Grower
ys on the lookout for collaboration s grow cannabis that goes out under , others pay to use the company’s or their own products. w seeds, especially strains with characteristics that aren’t in be in the possession of growers who
adding new candy lines this spring. ur ropes from a candy maker in em locally to sell in Washington as gh Chews, their own blend of infused
extends to working with several n tours to Spokane Valley city council ut the production process, and have r Agency to help develop odor control tments to create safety protocols. ship with the Liquor and Cannabis estions or citizen complaints. quired to send samples of each strain for quality testing, GrowOp Farms
y harvest for pesticides using Trace
Analytics,” Rob said. “We are the only farm in the legal 502 market to do this for the peace of mind of the consumer. The state has also periodically collected samples for testing, which we have never failed.” The McKinleys have another secret ingredient: their employees. The company started small, with less than 30 team members. Today, with more than 400 working 24/7, the need for constant employee satisfaction remains high. “We like to make them happy,” Katrina said. “These guys really work their butts off,” Perks are big: lunch is brought in at least three days a week, and there are plenty of donuts to go around on Monday mornings. Massages are also provided regularly. Employees can buy Phat Panda apparel at cost, and though they can’t legally partake of cannabis at work, they can bring home product samples at the end of each month. “We’re always having parties, and even do family events like renting out Splash Down,” she said. “We want everyone to be friendly and all be part of the Phat Panda family.” They’re working on developing a 4-10 shift, which will provide an extra day off each week, along with reducing overtime. “Everyone is really tight-knit,” she said.
Are you a Phan, or rather a fan, of Phat Panda? Then you might be interested in creative apparel designed by Katrina McKinley, “when we had our first 30 employees, they kept on telling us they’d like a T-shirt,” she said. “Once we made these, demand kept growing and soon not just employees were asking for them but budtenders.” Today, anyone can browse the phatpandastore.com to check out a variety of apparel and other branded merchandise, including sweaters, tanks, shirts, and hats. “Pocket Panda” vape accessories and batteries are also available.
Katrina and Rob remain appreciative of everyone’s efforts and how much the company has grown. “Unlike some growers, we never were involved in any of this before it was legal,” Rob said. “We ran a marketing company and helped start-ups, but friends told us that we should start growing. So we started by asking a lot of questions and learning fast.” Revenue from their marketing businesses allowed any GrowOp profits to go back into the company. Much of the company’s success comes down to their own curiosity and that was in place even before their first seed was planted. “We really started as a marketing company and we’re still doing that,” Rob said. “We have a little different perspective.”
GrowOpFarms | Spokane Valley | Employees: 420 Rob and Katrina McKinley started GrowOp Farms in 2014, which is now one of the top cannabis growers in Washington. The indoor warehouse includes large growing and processing areas. The company recently began infusing candy. Photos by Kimberly Miller/PictureMyProperty.
www.growopfarms.com
13
14
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, May 25, 2018
CANNABIS NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
WASHINGTON CONSIDERING MEDICAL DELIVERY
WA TRAFFIC DIRECTOR CANADIAN MAN SENTENCED IN HELICOPTER SAID STANDARDS SMUGGLING CHALLENGING
added to the beverage menu at Café Hitchcock Express, a downtown graband-go coffee shop. Owner/Chef Brendan McGill opened up the location in a former Tully’s Coffee location on Second Avenue in April, designed especially for customers in a hurry. The pop-up area is expected to become permanent by June. He also owns a sit-down Café Hitchcock location on First Avenue, in the Exchange building. Visitors to the Express can order hot food items like gourmet sandwiches and wraps, plus to-go prepared items like parfaits, salads or rice bowls. The beverage selection includes Iggy’s Honeybrew Kombucha, Caffe Vita espresso, cold-pressed juices and sodas. McGill is also excited to offer “wellness lattes” that include a variety of nutritional supplements and other products, including grass-fed collagen and protein powder. Another offering that can be added to drinks is infused CBD oil. The natural compound from the cannabis plant has minimal amounts of THC, which McGill said will provide drinkers with a sense of calmness and relaxation, but not a psychoactive high, in a small 5 mg dose.
OLYMPIA – The Washington Liquor
SALT LAKE CITY – The director of the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission said current standards make it difficult to determine if a driver is actually impaired by cannabis use. Darrin Grondel said that while there is plenty of evidence about acceptable and dangerous levels of impairment for alcohol use, a scale based on blood-alcohol levels has been more difficult to establish for cannabis, other than the legal threshold. He was one of the presenters at Utah’s Zero Fatalities Safety Summit, which discussed impairment and traffic safety topics. “In Washington we have a 5 nanogram (per mililiter) limit, which assumes that if you’re at 5, you’re impaired,” Grondel said.”That creates challenges, especially for people who are below 5 nanograms who are definitely impaired, and (for those) cases moving forward in court it’s pretty complicated.” He said some people are impaired at very low levels, while others take very high levels to reach the same level. “With marijuana there is no such scale, there is no scientific evidence or empirical research that supports any particular level (being) impairing,” he said. Utah voters are expected to vote in November whether to authorize cannabis for certain medical conditions and chronic pain.
Source: Eater Seattle
Source: The (Everett) Herald
SEATTLE CAFÉ OFFERS CBD DRINKS SEATTLE – CBD lattes have been
and Cannabis Board is currently studying options to be able to deliver medical marijuana to patients at their home. Though this service was informally available under the state’s past dispensary system, current regulations require any customer to visit a cannabis retailer to pick up their product, no matter their health condition. Some patients with chronic health conditions or disabilities have difficulties visiting shops. At the same time, state officials are concerned about security with third parties delivering marijuana. State lawmakers requested recommendations from the LCB by Dec. 1. “It is a way to eliminate one of the barriers between people who need this for their medical condition and their ability to get it,” said Rep. Shelley Kloba, D-Kirkland. She also wrote a separate bill studying the issue further. The system would need to consider proper payments, what shops would have to do ensure security and privacy, what qualifying health conditions would need to be met, and whether patients would have to be registered in the state’s medical database. There are about 290 stores in Washington state endorsed to sell medical marijuana products, and 18,000 registered patients.
Source: Deseret News
SEATTLE – A Canadian citizen who
headed a drug ring that flew marijuana, ecstasy and MDMA into Washington by helicopter pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge and faces five to 40 years in prison. Colin Hugh Martin, 46, formerly of Malakwa, British Columbia, entered his plea in U.S. District Court in Seattle in late April. He was arrested in Canada in 2009, but fought extradition for the last decade. He admitted he put together the operation that flew drugs from Canada in to Washignton, traded them for cocaine, then flew back to Canada. Martin was originally a logger, but moved into the illegal drug trade after the Canadian timber industry collapsed. The ring fell apart after one of the pilots was arrested in a sting in northeast Washington. Martin was indicted in federal court in Spokane in the late 1990s but never responded to the charges. However, he was arrested in Canada and served two years but was never extradited. He continued to lease or buy helicopters, however, and was again indicted in 2009. However, he fought the extradition proceedings. Following the guilty plea, the U.S. Attorney’s office said they would recommend a sentence of no more than 10 years.
Source:The Associated Press
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, May 25, 2018
15
Lower Summer Prices
THINGS TO DO
JUNE 4-10 JUNE 6-7 JUNE 13 JUNE 14 JUNE 20 JUNE 24
HEMP HISTORY WEEK, SEATTLE. Farmers, processors and advocates nationwide are invited to spread the word about this agricultural product. Northwest events include a Cooking with Hemp class June 6 and a DIY Hemp Jewelry Class June 9 at Hempfest Central in Seattle. www.hempfest.org/events/category/hemphistory-week
INTERCHANGE, RENTON. Two-day networking event designed to connect producers/ processors with retailers in private settings. www.marijuanaventure.com/interchangeproducerprocessors CANNABIS INFLUENCERS NORTHWEST, SEATTLE. Monthly meet-up invites anyone involved in the industry, including growers and designers. meetup.com/Cannabis-Culture-Influencers-NW 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 Bellingham, Arlington, Tri-Cities and Olympia. SPOKANE/EASTERN WASHINGTON MARIJUANA BUSINESS NETWORKING MEET-UP, LUIGI’S RESTAURANT, SPOKANE. Meet others involved in the local cannabis industry, plus those who want to learn more. Happy hour 5:30-6:30 p.m., followed by presentation/discussion 6:30-7:30 p.m. meetup. com/Spokane-Eastern-WA-Marijuana-BusinessNetworking THE DOPE SHOW, SPOKANE COMEDY CLUB. Enjoy laughs and cannabis-themed humor from national comedians, all with varying tolerances to the herb. Presented by Tyler Smith. wwwspokanecomedyclub-com.seatengine.com/shows/75683
Planning a cannabis-themed event you want to include in this space? Send us the details at Evercannabis@spokesman.com.
EST. 2014 Lower Pricing On Edibles and Concentrates From Phat Panda and NWCS
509.309.3193
www.greenlightspokane.com
8am-11pm EVERYDAY 10309 E. Trent Ave. | Spokane Valley, WA 99206 Check Out Our Website! "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."
16
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, May 25, 2018
Mixing meds
Little research available on possible negative reactions By DAN WEBSTER
EVERCANNABIS Correspondent
Many of us have faced a familiar temptation. Following a spirited night of drinking, we can’t sleep. So we look in the medicine cabinet for something to help us nod off. If we’re smart, though, we refrain. Mixing medications with alcohol is seldom a good idea. But listen: this warning applies to cannabis, too. Mixing medications with marijuana products can be detrimental to your health – especially if you aren’t being guided by a physician. As with anything involving cannabis use, all sorts of caveats abound. One is that there hasn’t been enough research conducted on the effects of cannabis by itself or with other products. This is largely because the U.S. government still considers cannabis to be dangerous and lists it as a Schedule 1 drug (same category as cocaine and heroin), which restricts funding for studies. Another is that, as with most drugs, cannabis can affect different people in different ways. The manner in which you consume also can vary its effects. Smokers, for example, are likely to feel something almost immediately, while those ingesting edibles or using oils may not experience a reaction for hours. Underlying all of the above is the fact that virtually all compounds interact with each other in ways that are sometimes negative. According to Anna Wilcox, a freelance writer whose specialty is health and wellness, drug interactions can be difficult to gauge. In an article titled “9 Prescription Medications You Should Avoid Mixing With Weed,” published on the website Herb.co, Wilcox wrote, “Not only might two substances interact with each other, but they may also interact with whatever anomalies you may have going on with your personal biochemistry.” For the record, the prescription medications Wilcox lists belong to a number of different categories: drugs containing propoxyphene (an
Greg Carter, M.D opioid painkiller), buprenorphine (another opioid) and levomethadyl acetate (a synthetic opioid), plus those classed as beta blockers (used to manage blood pressure, etc.), benzodiazepines (sedatives), SSRIs and SNRIs (antidepressants), antipsychotics (tranquilizers) and Sodium oxybate (an anti-sleep medication used to treat narcolepsy). Confusing trade names aside, the important point is this: negative compound interactions are more common than generally known. As pointed out in a 2017 article on Leafly.com, a website that bills itself as “the world’s largest cannabis information source,” even caffeine has been shown to interact with 25 different drugs in ways that are classified as “moderately severe to severe.” Take the grapefruit. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, grapefruit juice can cause problems with some statin drugs that lower cholesterol, some drugs that treat high blood pressure, some anti-anxiety drugs and even some antihistamines. Where, then, does that leave cannabis? According to Leafly.com, “most potential interactions that have been identified are relatively mild. And, in fact, some drugs seem to work together with cannabis favorably.” Greg Carter, M.D., a physician at Spokane’s St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute, taught a continuing medical education class on medical marijuana for the Spokane Pharmacy Association. “There are not that many major drug interactions between cannabis and prescription drugs,” he said. The Mayo Clinic is more cautious, however, even as the noted health facility stresses that cannabis has been shown to help those suffering from
certain conditions. Glaucoma, for example. Cannabis also helps reduce the nausea and pain of people undergoing cancer and HIV treatment. In addition, cannabis use might even work to reduce some muscle conditions related to multiple sclerosis. Yet, too, the Mayo Clinic supports Wilcox’s article, stating that, in addition to possibly increasing the effects of alcohol, cannabis interactions “might” reduce the effectiveness of medications aimed at blood-clotting, reducing anxiety, alleviating depression and even treating HIV. In particular, it seems drinking while consuming cannabis can lead to problems. A 2007 paper published in the American Journal of HealthSystem Pharmacy stated that mixing cannabis with alcohol can cause “central nervous system depression,” which can affect both breathing and heart rate and can result in a loss of consciousness. So the lesson here would seem to be clear: Be cautious when you use cannabis. Pay particular notice when you’re taking any kind of medication, prescribed or otherwise. As Carter of St. Luke’s said, “I do think it is very important for anyone using cannabis either medically or recreationally to let their health care provider know of that.” Or to quote writer Wilcox (the italics are hers), “The best advice? If you’re trying a new medication and decide to consume cannabis, listen to your body and talk to a doctor.” And do it before reaching into that medicine cabinet. Bottle Photo by Trish Merryman/EVERCANNABIS
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, May 25, 2018
Pharmacists face unclear guidelines Besides talking to your health provider or pharmacist (good) or trying to perform research online (less good) about possible reactions/interactions with cannabis and other medications, what other options do people have to be informed? Not too many, actually. Although some would like all medical prescription labels to require warnings or at least advisories whether to use them with marijuana products, that isn’t a reality at this time. David Johnson from the Washington Department of Health said there’s no required pharmacy labeling for this product. DOH, however, does offer specific regulations for how marijuana products need to be labeled, including that they not appear to be medical, such as including a mortar or pestle, a caduceus or have the word “RX” or “prescription.” State rules also prohibit marijuana products from implying any therapeutic benefit. They also must include the phrase “Not approved by the FDA to treat, cure or prevent any disease.” Pharmacists are, however, provided reference materials for Dronabinol, a FDA-approved synthetic marijuana product used as an appetite stimulant for HIV patients. They also receive similar reference sheets for general marijuana, which is listed under the natural product database as a product sometimes used for the management of chemotherapy-induced nausea, glaucoma, neuropathic pain and other health conditions. Though pharmacists are given specific warnings that people should refrain from using marijuana if pregnant or lactating, and that there are risks of starting use at an early age, the materials also say that standard dosage recommendations are difficult to determine, contraindications haven’t be determined, and there’s a lack of consensus of other risks. The reference material ends with the disclaimer that natural marijuana hasn’t been reviewed by the FDA as to its safety or effectiveness, or using the same standards as prescription drugs.
17
18
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, May 25, 2018
Push to legalize marijuana in Idaho fails again By HUNTER PAULI For The Spokesman-Review Tesla Gillespie, president of the Idaho Medical Marijuana Association, said that she has stopped collecting signatures so medical marijuana can appear on the November ballot, and dissolved the group to care for her ailing son, she said.
Yet in the Gem State, efforts to ease some of the strictest pot laws in the country have consistently foundered as elected officials – including Gov. Butch Otter – and state law enforcement groups have pushed back.
But even if the effort had continued, Gillespie, a Boise massage therapist, said the group wasn’t sufficiently united, organized or funded to collect enough signatures. She said she doesn’t even know how many were collected, but they needed more than 56,000 by April 30, according to state law.
Initiatives in 2012 and 2014 failed to gather enough signatures to get on the ballot, and the 2016 initiative withdrawn before signatures were counted. It is unclear whether Idahoans oppose medical marijuana in numbers sufficient to keep it off the ballot, or whether proponents have simply failed to muster a competent campaign.
Idaho is surrounded by states that, to one degree or another, have embraced pot. In Washington, Oregon and Nevada, both recreational and medicinal marijuana are legal. It is legal for medical purposes in Montana. In Wyoming and Utah, a less-potent derivitive of cannabis, called cannabidiol, or CBD, is legal for people with certain medical conditions.
Each successive initiative effort proposed a more regulated system. The 2016 proposition sought the establishment of an industrial hemp industry and the decriminalization of personal possession of three ounces or less of marijuana. Those provisions were absent from the straightforward medical program proposed for this year’s ballot.
Based on the language of 2018’s proposed Idaho Medical Marijuana Act, those worried Idaho might see dispensaries pop up on street corners have nothing to fear. Low patient-to-provider ratios have existed in each year’s proposed initiative, with this year’s limits allowing up to three patients per provider. Constrained by such limits, its unlikely the state could sustain much of an industry rivaling the likes of neighboring states. “While public support (in Idaho) may be increasing, the Legislature, governor and law enforcement are all heavily opposed to even extremely limited CBD bills, let alone a comprehensive medical marijuana program,” said Morgan Fox from the Washington D.C.-based Marijuana Policy Project. “This makes achieving substantive marijuana policy reform more difficult in Idaho than most states.”
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, May 25, 2018
Twelve years have passed since any proposed initiative has collected enough signatures to make it onto the November ballot in Idaho. State law requires proponents to collect 56,192 signatures – equal to 6 percent of registered voters. Collecting signatures is difďŹ cult due to a distribution requirement stipulating that signatures reect at least 6 percent of registered voters in at least 18 of the state’s 35 legislative districts. So instead of gathering most signatures on a busy Boise street corner or university towns, medical marijuana campaigners have to spend time and money hunting down signatures in sparsely populated areas. “The medical marijuana issue has been around for years but apparently there is either not the support for legalizing it or (as this year) the petition gatherers are not willing to do the work to get the required number of signatures,â€? said Chief Deputy Secretary of State Timothy Hurst. “I’m sure the distribution requirements make gathering signatures more difďŹ cult, but that was the intent.â€? Proponents of legalizing marijuana for medical purposes have struggled in the state Capitol as well. Though the Republican-dominated Legislature voted to legalize CBD – a non-psychoactive marijuana and hemp compound – for epileptic children in 2015, Gov. Butch Otter vetoed the bill. Otter is not seeking re-election this year and all three frontrunners in the Republican gubernatorial primary support CBD but oppose medical and recreational marijuana. Sen. Tony Potts, R-Idaho Falls, shepherded a CBD bill through the House this session with a veto-proof majority, but opposition from Republican party leaders and Otter essentially killed the Senate version in committee earlier this year. Even if a medical marijuana initiative made it to the Idaho ballot and voters passed it, the Legislature could still repeal or sabotage a voter-passed medical marijuana program. That’s what happened in Montana in 2011 before a voter initiative returned patient access and established a new highly regulated program. That Montana is so far the only state to attempt a repeal says much about the substance of the state’s original medical marijuana program, which was passed by voters in 2004 and contained little oversight, leading to exploitation, DEA raids and the repeal movement. Most states that legalized medical marijuana in the movement’s early years did so through ballot initiatives, as state legislatures were wary. State lawmakers have warmed to the issue in recent years and have passed medical programs in part thanks to the U.S. Department of Justice’s 2009 Ogden Memo, which gave states permission to regulate medical marijuana without fear of federal indictment. U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has since rescinded that memo (and another pertaining to recreational marijuana), but state medical programs are still protected under federal law by the Rohrabacher-Blumenauer Amendment, which passed in March. The amendment must be passed every year during federal budgeting. Vermont became the ďŹ rst and only state where lawmakers legalized recreational marijuana in the state legislature rather than by voter initiative. Every other state with recreational marijuana had laws passed through ballot initiatives.
19
Answers to Your Questions Solutions to Your Problems Find it ALL Here
WE ARE YOUR ONE-STOP SOIL SHOP!
Soil Expert on-staff YOUR team
YOUR specific
COME BY AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU 24411 E Joseph Ave, Otis Orchards (509) 928-3995 Mon - Sat 9am to 5pm marlewormgrowers.com
20
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, May 25, 2018
Weedstock 2018 declared
“totally chill” By RYAN COLLINGWOOD for The Spokesman-Review Tucked near a forested canyon down a few winding miles of a Whitman County dirt road, visitors found a weed-smoking oasis. The dozens of tents and vendor booths lined alongside Union Flat Creek signaled the arrival of Weedstock, a three-day party in the name of cannabis. On April 21, the event’s second day, about 1,000 visitors arrived throughout the day and evening, which featured concerts showcasing dozens of Northwest bands. The Woodstock Festival of 1969 was dubbed “Three days of peace and music.” Weedstock is three days of joints and music. Weedstock organizer Dax Taylor – an affable 420 enthusiast with multicolored dreadlocks – was taken aback by the “extremely broad” demographic of those who attended.
Grandma Cat, a marijuana activist who organizes the Hemp Fest in Tacoma, prepares to feed Lucy the Canna-Dog a CBD tablet. (Cody Cottier / For The Spokesman-Review)
“So many different ethnicities and people aged 21 to 84,” Taylor said as a band, Midnight Lights, played behind him on stage. “We had a lady here on a hospital bed because she said she wouldn’t miss it. It’s just a good
time, people are smiling.” Since it is illegal to smoke marijuana in public, Taylor, who formed the 420 Union, rented the plot of land 7 miles south of Colfax. “If this was a beerfest,” Taylor continued, “we would have had to stop three incidents already. In Pullman, students can chug 10 beers in their yard and not get in trouble, but if it was marijuana, they’d likely get questioned by police.” Campers fraternized, drank beer, played yard games and listened to professional marijuana advocates share their enthusiasm for medicinal and recreational use. The camp had security and a 21-year-old age limit. Cat Jeter, a marijuana extract expert from Tacoma, made the trek east. “We’ve been here awhile,” Jeter said of the hemp and cannabis scene in Eastern Washington. “There’s some well-established people that come rolling through here. There’s probably about 150 events like this out here that most people don’t know about.”
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, May 25, 2018
21
!! אƏȸɎȸǣƳǕƺɀ ǔȸȒȅ וڟ IǼȒɯƺȸ JȸƏȅɀ ǔȸȒȅ דڟ xJ 0ƳǣƫǼƺɀ ǔȸȒȅ אڟ áƏɴ JȸƏȅɀ ǔȸȒȅ בڟ IƺƏɎɖȸǣȇǕ XȇƳȒȒȸ٦ RƏȇƳډÁȸǣȅȅƺƳ IǼȒɯƺȸ ƫɵ ³ȅƏǼǼ ƏɎƬǝ JȸȒɯƺȸɀ
Karl Howell, music and merchandising manager for Weedstock, points to the field where the festival was held. (Rachel Sun / The Spokesman-Review)
Vinnie Riley, a vendor representing hemp-based Liquid CBD, came from Sacramento to exhibit his product. Liquid CBD is a flavored hemp oil made from high-CBD, low-THC hemp. “It’s nice to see an event like this here,” Riley said. “This is my first weed event in Washington and it’s pretty fun.”
Chelsea
۴ ,WJJS8YFW(FS HTR North of Downtown Spokane | 1403 N. Division St., Ste. A
2TS 8FY FR 2NISNLMY 8ZS FR UR
+21 and over. This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration 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.
Devante
Current Favorite: GLW Rose
z0á R È«³٨
Current Favorite: Primus by Rain of Acres
Damon
Current Favorite: Wedding Cake by Lifted
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.
22
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, May 25, 2018
s e e c a e h k C
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, May 25, 2018
By LIZZI MOSS
EVERCANNABIS Correspondent
í˘ą Preheat oven to 240 degrees. Spread marijuana plant material in a single layer on a baking sheet with sides. Bake for 40 minutes, turning the sheet a couple of times to ensure even heat. The cannabis will become dry and crumbly.
í˘˛
with
Cannabis
Boil 1 quart of water in a medium saucepan. When water is boiling place butter in the pan and melt completely. I use 4 sticks of butter to every ounce of marijuana.
Crust
í˘ł
Ingredients 3 pounds cream cheese 3 tbsp vanilla 1 cup sour cream 1 ½ cup granulated sugar ½ cup heavy cream 2 eggs 1 ½ cup graham cracker, crumbled 1 tbsp cinnamon ½ cup canna butter 2 cups blueberries Ÿ cup lemon juice Whipped cream (optional)
HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN CANNABUTTER
e
Cheesecake is one of those desserts that people either love or hate, and I wasn’t a lover of it until a few years ago. But when I made this recipe it really made me fall in love! It is so rich, smooth and full of avor -- the cannabis graham cracker crust provides an extra punch, and the sweet toppings are an added bonus. You can easily switch out blueberries for strawberries and shave chocolate over the top of your whipped cream.
23
Cheesecake Whip softened cream cheese, vanilla, sour cream, sugar and heavy cream in a mixing bowl, adding eggs one at a time. Once whipped set mixture aside.
Crust Mix graham cracker crust and melted canna-butter in a bowl. Once mixed press crust at in a springform pan or small cake pan. Place in freezer for 20 minutes.
Topping Add 2 cups blueberries to a small saucepan. Add 1½ cups sugar and Ÿ cup lemon juice. Bring to a low simmer for about 30 minutes.
Building your Cheesecake Pre-heat oven to 200* Remove crust from freezer and add the cheesecake ďŹ lling. Use a rubber spatula to smooth out cheesecake mixture. Put another shallow pan or cookie sheet with water in it under cheesecake pan and place cheesecake on top rack. Check your cheesecake after 1 ½ hours by inserting toothpick. If it’s still wet in the middle, it’s OK. If not, cook for another 35-45 minutes. Once cooked turn oven off and open oven door slightly to let the cheesecake rest for another 40 minutes. Remove from oven and cool in refrigerator up to 4 hours. Once cooled cut into triangles or square and add berries.
Once the butter has melted add the marijuana. (If you want to vary the amount, be sure that the marijuana is always oating about 1 1/2 – 2 inches from the bottom.) Simmer for about three hours. It’s done when the top of the mix turns from really watery to glossy and thick. Place in heatproof bowl, with a double layer of cheesecloth over the top, secured with elastic, string or tape.
í˘´ Strain the marijuana butter over the bowl. When the saucepan is empty, undo the string, pick up the cheesecloth from all four sides and squeeze out remaining butter.
í˘ľ Allow cannabutter to cool for about an hour. Place in the fridge until the butter has risen to the top layer and is solid.
24
EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman−Review • Friday, May 25, 2018
SOMETIMES THE
GRASS IS GREENER Get the royal treatment — order online and dash to your stash. royalscannabis.com/OrderOnline
7115 N DIVISION
509.808.2098
R O YA L S C A N N A B I S . C O M
This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machiner y under t h e i n f l u e n c e o f t h i s d r u g . T h e r e m a y b e h e a l t h r i s k s a s s o c i a t e d w i t h c o n s u m p t i o n o f t h i s p r o d u c t . F o r u s e o n l y b y a d u l t s t w e n t y - o n e a n d o l d e r. K e e p o u t o f t h e r e a c h o f c h i l d r e n .