Evercannabis- Friday, November 1 2019 by Cowles Publishing

EVERCANNABIS

NOVEMBER 2019

VENTURE WEST Whatcom County cannabis biz booms

MEDICAL RESEARCH

GATHER ’ROUND Infuse the season with good manners

Study to explore health impact

DOWNLOAD READY

Cannabis apps for fun, business and more

www.evercannabis.com

evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, November 1, 2019

Industry continues to become normalized, with big exceptions

VOLUME 4 | ISSUE 11 DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Kathleen Coleman

DIRECTOR OF SALES Dan Fritts

MANAGING EDITOR Joe Butler

HEALTH & CULTURE EDITOR Theresa Tanner

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Anne Potter

The Spokesman-Review EDITORIAL TEAM Megan Rowe

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hat’s a big sign that the cannabis industry is no longer super-secret? How about when “Marijuana and Your Health” is the cover story of the September AARP Bulletin, the monthly From the newsletter sent to millions of age 50-plus Editor’s Desk members nationwide. This issue spent seven pages discussing possible benefits of the plant, and concluded that “it seems to help” most health conditions. AARP’s board of directors also penned a short opinion saying they support the medical use of cannabis in legal states, encouraged readers to discuss options and authorization with their health care providers, and invited the DEA to downgrade its scheduling of cannabis as a dangerous drug in order to promote more access and better health research. I also recently picked up an all-marijuana special magazine created by The History Channel at the grocery store. The glossy publication takes readers on a journey through time from Central Asiatic nomadic groups that harvested cannabis for functional and ritual use 14,000 years ago to current political policies. It also shared stuff I never learned in school, like hemp’s role in early America and how forms of the plant influenced the spread of European colonialism. It could be a fine primer to learn how we got where we are today, from a functional fiber to “a growing evil” in the early 20th century to something the federal government still classifies as dangerous as heroin. Plus, recent conversations with several friends in the industry have been less about how cool it is that they get to work with weed all day, and more about normal workplace challenges. Their days are often filled with routine matters like personnel management, inventory control, org charts and sales projections. You know, regular business stuff!

Although critics who fear the increasing influence of cannabis like to speculate that “pot businesses” consist of nothing but stoners smoking all day long and nobody getting anything done, this just isn’t a sustainable business model, especially in such a competitive industry. If a company’s goal is more sales than all the other growers or shops, then workers must be willing to jump in and be productive, and someone thinking they’re there to party isn’t going to last long. True, there are negatives and significant hurdles in Washington’s industry that aren’t found in other sectors, like legal restrictions and a messy tax structure. Not being able to use banks or declare bankruptcy are both huge ‘non-normals.’ Unless rules change, there’s also never going to be any “Take Your Child to Work Days” or 2-for-1 coupons. Lingering stigma also still makes many industry participants reluctant to ‘out’ themselves at PTA meetings or church gatherings. Will strangers still make that face and worry about their kids and souls being instantly corrupted, or will they say, “Hey, I just read about that stuff. Can you answer a question for me?” If you work in the industry, what do you like about it?

Joe Butler Managing Editor

EVERCANNABIS CONTRIBUTORS Tom Bowers left his life as a columnist for The SpokesmanReview in 2008 to seek his fortune in the world at large. He currently consults for the cannabis, beer, and recording industries as the founder and Managing Director of Propagate Consultants. Joe Butler is a longtime marketing writer and editor at The SpokesmanReview. He’s an enthusiast of Star Wars, commemorative spoon collecting, and the Oxford comma. Allison Hall has a degree in technology and has worked in the field for over 15 years. In recent years, she found her true love in web site design, social media and marketing, freelance writing, and blogging. Kay James is a Spokane-based freelance writer.

Rob Mejia is president of Our Community Harvest: A Cannabis Education Company (www. ourcommunityharvest.com). Rob lives in New Jersey and spends his free time cooking, playing tennis, and repairing an old house. Taryn Mickelson is originally from New Mexico and now works in Washington’s cannabis industry. She enjoys writing about the positive changes in this rapidly-growing business. Kate A. Miner has a degree in visual anthropology, and has worked in marketing and advertising for many years. She writes, takes photos and teaches yoga. Rick Misterly is a Washington resident whose interest in cannabis dates back to the 1960s and has taken him around the world. He’s

the cannabis and hashish curator for Green Barn Farms in Addy and writes the “Rick’s World of Hashish” blog. John Nelson is a longtime journalist, having worked at major news operations in Spokane, Memphis and Seattle. He now works as a freelance journalist, writing about outdoors recreation, marijuana and recreational vehicles. Theresa Tanner is the Health & Culture editor of EVERCANNABIS. Born and raised in Spokane, she enjoys good food and drink, pop culture podcasts, and relaxing at the lake. Dan Webster is a former staff writer for The Spokesman-Review who is a community producer for Spokane Public Radio and a blogger for Spokane7.com.

A story in the September EVERCANNABIS about a company called Blue Apple Enterprises described how it has engaged in business with a company called Bluegrass Hemp Oil. Bluegrass Hemp Oil oﬃcials say this is not correct and they don’t engage in any business with Blue Apple Enterprises. Blue Apple Enterprises also doesn’t engage in business with the Colville Tribe, and is not involved in the cannabis industry.

evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, November 1, 2019

NOVEMBER

CONTENT

News & Business 6 7 8 12

BILLOWS OF HAZE Spokane grower experiments

WHATCOM CANNABIS Northwest WA is canna-friendly

TIER 1S TO GROW New rules considered

THE PHENO PROJECT Why isn’t every strain the same?

Health & Science 16 17 18 19

VETERAN AFFAIRS Could vets lose benefits?

FLAVORED VAPES OUT Gov. Inslee declares ban

UC RIVERSIDE STUDY State tax funded grant MEET MATT ELMES Scientist explores how cannabis works

Culture & Lifestyle 14 20

SWIPE UP Fun, facts in cannabis apps

PSL VIBES Get comfy with fall strains

Learn & Grow 23 24

DINNER IS SERVED Mixing consumption with company

25 26

SAFE DISPOSAL Industry looks to reduce waste

HAPPY LITTLE PLANTS Old-but-new biochar aids growth

Q&A: WEED IT How many leaves on a plant?

STRAIN OF THE MONTH Get a sugar high with LA Cookie

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, November 1, 2019

NEWS & BUSINESS

Billows of Haze gets creative with hybrids, names By JOE BUTLER EVERCANNABIS Writer

T Alyse Honnold enjoys coming up with creative names and growing creative strains at Billows of Haze.

Photos by Joe Butler/Evercannabis

hree years ago, Alyse Honnold faced a choice: go to school for a master’s degree in physical therapy or expand her medical cannabis growing operation into the adult-use/recreational market. “It was either work hard for three years and then work harder when I got out, or work my ass off now and have something to show for it,” she said. Ultimately she picked option 2. She and a partner purchased a cannabis business and renamed it Billows of Haze, a “barely Tier 2” producer in northeast Spokane. Though the size and scale of the indoor operation is small, she was right about the hard work part. “Growing and managing the production side has been the easy part since I was already growing medically, but I underestimated the amount of time traceability would consume,” she said. “It probably takes nearly half as much time as all the growing.” Today, the former competitive MMA fighter is also the company’s main sales representative who visits shops around the state, seeking interest in carrying the company’s flower and pre-rolls. “I do 90 percent of the sales myself,” Honnold said. “One thing we’ve learned that decent salespeople are hard to find. But I also still love the growing.” She especially enjoys planting seeds and seeing what comes up and genetically crossing different strains to discover if the resulting hybrid looks good and provides a good experience. “I like to experiment,” she said. “We’re always coming out with new ones.” Billows of Haze also provides plants to Seattle Pure Extracts, which are made into oil for cartridges. While some growers focus on cultivating one or two new strains at a time, Honnold said Billows of Haze plants more. “We have thousands of seeds,” she said. “We usually come out with eight strains at a time, and we have a ton of new ones we want to plant.” Popular strains this summer included Super Hash; Q-Tip, a cross between Querkle and Silver Tip; and

Xotica. Silver Tip has been a constant seller. This fall, Billows of Haze will release several new strains resulting from crosses with Xotica, an exclusive strain, and Alien Berry Kush, Animal Pie, Skywalk OG, Durban Poison and Optimus Prime. Names are still in the works for most of them, but the Xotica and Durban Poison will be called Xotic Poison. Along with clever names and good terpene profiles, each package of pre-rolls offers another fun touch: a strike-anywhere match, handy for when you can’t find matches or your lighter. Honnold enjoys educating people in the shops about everything that makes its products special, like flavor and aromas. She also enjoys sharing the positive role of cannabis, starting with her own experiences. “I grew up being taught that all of this was terrible, that pot was evil,” she said. But at age 21, her partner showed her that cannabis could help people with medical needs, including his mom. Honnold tried it herself and discovered that it improved her sleep and relieved chronic pain from an autoimmune health condition. Her mom is now supportive, and her grandfather, who initially wasn’t excited that she was working with marijuana, now provides excellent business advice. Next year Billows of Haze hopes to move to a larger location just north of Spokane, and Honnold would love to start creating topicals. “I want to share this product with the world and tell my story – I was ‘that’ person who thought it was all evil, and now I really want to help people understand that cannabis isn’t as evil as they’ve been led to believe,” she said. Center photo courtesy Billows of Haze/Gary Peterson Photography

Billows of Haze Tier 2, Spokane (509) 590-9611 billowsofhaze.com

evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, November 1, 2019

WHAT IS IT ABOUT WHATCOM? Laid-back community welcomes cannabis businesses By JOHN NELSON EVERCANNABIS Correspondent

t’s safe to say Whatcom County loves its weed. It feels like cannabis stores are everywhere. Of course, King County leads the state in gross sales of cannabis products, thanks to its marketplace of 2 million people. But Whatcom County has the most retailers and producers per capita in the state. “The density of cannabis stores in Bellingham is pretty crazy,” said Josilyn Peterson, store manager of Trove Cannabis and Coffee. “There’s a lot of fierce competition here,” agreed Quinn Sharpe, owner of Satori in downtown Bellingham. Satori, which started in Spokane, now has Western Washington shops in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood and Bellingham. “The demographic here supports it,” said Sean Wu, store manager of Green Leaf, which has two locations in Whatcom County.

Western Washington University has a lot of cannabis-friendly students, he said, and on the other end of the spectrum, you have many pro-weed retirees moving to the area. Retail is just part of the equation. Whatcom County also has 76 growers and processors. Subdued Excitement, renowned as one of the best producers of high-end flower in the state, has its grow in Ferndale. And Bellingham’s Verdelux Chocolates is one of the state’s top makers of edible cannabis products. Its non-descript warehouse sits near downtown, where it produces Bon Bombs chocolates, Illuminations hard candies and Lush chewables. In July, this weed-friendly city was home to the first Bellingham Budfest, a celebration of cannabis that also featured educational panels, music, local art and food. The event was so successful that organizers already have secured a

date for next year’s Budfest: July 26, 2020. “We had twice as many people as we were expecting,” said Amanda Mac, the event’s founder. Budfest succeeded in producing zero waste, being family friendly and going a long way toward normalizing cannabis use. “We had so many people there who had never consumed cannabis,” she said. “They just wanted to learn.” Mac says the community is progressive about artisan endeavors, whether craft beer or the burgeoning cannabis industry. “Bellingham is just a very special place,” she said. “It’s a creative, open and collaborative place that appreciates high quality.” Mac pointed to the famous weed-growing region of Northern California for comparison. “Are we the Humboldt of the north? I’d have to agree,” she said. Another piece of Bellingham’s cannabis success story is due to local government cooperation. The city and county “are openminded and aware of the potential for entrepreneurs and tourism,” she said. Sharpe of Satori agrees with that assessment. “I wouldn’t say Bellingham city government is exactly pro-weed – they are pro-business,” he said. “They see the potential.” Businesses like Satori have a uniquely Bellingham feel, fitting in seamlessly with the city’s vast craft beer scene. Walking in feels like you’re going into a friendly neighborhood boutique. That feeling of normalization is even more evident at Trove, with its popular coffee shop next door. “I like to think of Trove as more of an experience,” said store manager Peterson. People come for coffee and a snack, then shop next door at the cannabis store. “We’re trying to normalize it, to be welcoming and friendly,” she said. “People shop here because they feel more comfortable. We’re building a community.” Among Whatcom County’s

grow operations are popular producers Eagle Trees, Khush Kush and Mount Baker Gardens. If you’re a cannabis connoisseur, Ferndale’s Subdued Excitement – or SubX – produces some of the best-quality flower strains in the state. Much of that is due to head grower Nate Jorgensen. “I’ve been doing this for 24 years,” he said as he walked around SubX’s warehouse. “I started growing pot in my closet when I was in high school.” Over the years, Jorgensen learned more and more about techniques and jumped at the chance to expand when recreational weed became legal. Even though rural Whatcom County has conservative pockets, people in the community are supportive, he said. “Nobody has ever given me any flak when they find out what I do,” Jorgensen said. “If anything, they’ve told me they were proud of us. We’re employing a lot of people who never had legal jobs before.” The key to SubX’s success is “in keeping it consistent,” Jorgensen said. “We want to put out a good product that we can be proud of.” Whatcom County cannabis businesses include, top left, SubX – Subdued Excitement, a producer of high-end flower where Nate Jorgensen is head grower; and Trove Cannabis, right, a welcoming retailer next to the Trove coffee shop. Photos by John Nelson/Evercannabis

Guide to Whatcom County Cannabis RETAILERS

Trove Cannabis

218 N. Samish Way, Bellingham trovecannabis.com

Satori Bellingham

100 E. Maple St., Bellingham bellinghamsatori.com

Green Leaf - Bellingham 4220 Meridian St. Suite 102, Bellingham greenleafnw.com

PRODUCERS AND PROCESSORS

Subdued Excitement Tier 2, Ferndale subdued-excitement.com

Verdelux Chocolates Tier 1, Bellingham verdeluxchocolate.com

Eagle Trees

Tier 2, Deming eagletrees.com

Khush Kush

Tier 3, Bellingham khushkush.com

Mt. Baker Gardens Tier 3, Bellingham mtbakergardens.com

evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, November 1, 2019

Smaller farms hope to benefit from LCB proposals By KAY JAMES EVERCANNABIS Correspondent

he Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board is seeking to allow smaller cannabis growers to increase their size, along with proposing legislation to also help patients, and protected classes within the industry. Washington’s marijuana producers are divided into three categories, which each can cultivate up to a maximum square footage: Tier 1, up to 2,000 square feet; Tier 2, up to 10,000 square feet; and Tier 3, up to 30,000 square feet. As of October, there were currently 190 Tier 1, 488 Tier 2, and 426 Tier 3 producers. When Initiative 502 passed in 2012, the LCB opened a 30-day window for applications. It received thousands. “It was a gold rush mentality, a lot people jumping into the market and suddenly being regulated,” said Brian Smith, a spokesman for the LCB. “For some people, it’s working. A Tier 1 is a manageable potential size for some growers because there is far less capital outlay.” But many Tier 1 growers have complained the canopy size was always too small to sustain their businesses. Since 2012, 30 Tier 1 businesses have closed, compared to 58 and 41 at the Tier 2 and Tier 3 levels, respectively. The closure rate in Washington is less than Colorado, which saw 50 percent of its applicants close within the first 18 months, Smith said. “Ours has not been at that level at all.” Smith said the current LCB effort would allow Tier 1 producers who are growing at capacity to increase their canopy. “It will be incremental, and they have to demonstrate that they are using all of their canopy,” he said. The maximum square footage likely would be less than that of Tier 2 producers. Smith expects the rulemaking process to begin this fall. The Washington CannaBusiness Association, a trade group, has been advocating for an expanded canopy for Tier 1 growers since 2016. “Something we recognized was that the Tier 1 structure was going to

be unsustainable. There’s no blame for that,” said Vicki Christophersen, WACA executive director. “Quickly we heard from Tier 1’s that 2,000 square feet was not going to be enough. … Retailers need to have product available on the shelf, and Tier 1’s couldn’t produce the amount of product that was needed.” WACA represents between 75 and 100 licensees, including retailers, producers, processors, laboratories, and banks. “We’re very happy that the LCB has

decided to take action on that,” said Aaron Pickus, spokesman for WACA. Room to grow When I-502 was enacted, the board stipulated that Tier 2 farms must use a certain amount of their square footage or drop down to a lower tier. This prompted a number of growers to be conservative and opt to be a Tier 1, which made it difficult for them to produce enough for retail demand, Pickus said. Paige Berger and Brandon Park, who own Hygge Farms in Stevens County, welcome the proposed increased canopy and legislation. “The confinement of the canopy square footage really is inhibitive because not only am I competing against businesses with a 30,000 square foot canopy – they can grow more income and market better than I can,” Berger said. “It makes it difficult for

me to just expand my business as a whole.” Hygge Farms has an indoor grow with three rooms, enabling a new crop every three weeks year-round. Even so, its product sells out every month, Berger said. With the new allowance from the state, the Hygge Farms plans to utilize its outdoor space for additional crop. Hygge wasn’t in danger of closing, but Park and Berger know competitors who have shut down. “The system that we have for 502 is a good system,” Park said. “It just, through implementation, has come into some hurdles that the LCB now is trying to figure out.” Spokane’s Panoptic Northwest Cannabis Co., another Tier 1 producer, uses about 500 square feet of its canopy, said owner Logan Hall. “I’ve been trying to gain traction in last year or so, so I’m trying to keep my head above water,” he said. Panoptic’s grow was burglarized in May, but the company has been able to replace that lost product. Sales in August were the best to date, Hall said. “We’re picking up,” Hall said. “We had to short-change people on orders because we didn’t have product.” He cites the 2,000 square foot canopy as a hindrance for some. But he’s optimistic about the LCB’s proposals. “If you’re tapped out, you can’t expand–we’ve got to find balance,” he said. “When you look at Tier 1 and 2, it’s really not proportional. I think it’s a great opportunity for the LCB to step in and help out the Tier 1 grower. … I’m all for it by all means.” Related Legislation The LCB recently proposed legislation for the 2020 session to allow Tier 1 growers to sell directly to medical patients and provide additional licenses to protected classes. “This summer marked the five-year point of legal retail cannabis sales in Washington State,” said LCB Director Rick Garza. “These proposals reflect the board’s recognition of both the advances the market has made as well

evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, November 1, 2019

as segments that have been underserved or at a competitive disadvantage.” In a press release, the LCB board outlined specifics, including “home delivery, sales directly from production sites, or through a limited number of shared retail outlets open no more than two days per month.” WACA welcomed the LCB’s intent. “The idea that the state is looking for different ways to lower barriers of access to patients we see as a good thing,” Pickus said. The group expressed concerns in a recent response to the board, however, stating, “Our members do not believe that this proposal would actually increase access for patients that need their medicine. We believe the state should look at other tools, such as lowering taxes on medical products instead.” Hall appreciates the proposal to allow Tier 1 growers to sell to patients. “With Washington not doing vertical integration where you can’t grow and sell to customers, it’s allowed the retailers to have a stranglehold over the market where they dictate price,” he said. A second LCB proposal would allow local governments to request a limited number of additional retail stores that prioritizes for licensure groups disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition laws. This can include people of color, veterans, and women. “The new retail licenses would come from local government requests for additional retail stores in their jurisdictions, as well as re-issuance of a small number of previously granted but now discontinued licenses,” the LCB release said. The board also proposed a competitive grant program to provide assistance to businesses “whose backgrounds and business plans reflect social equity goals.” “We as an association and our members have worked hard to support equity generally in the marketplace, and I think that at a general level what the LCB is proposing could be helpful,” Pickus said. “We think there’s an opportunity to go even further when it comes to funding a structural effort to lower barriers of access for women- and minority-owned businesses.” Pickus acknowledges that the proposed legislation is the beginning of the process. “The issues of delivery and onsite sales, those proposals will be controversial,” he said. Berger and Park are committed to being involved in the process. “We’ve been very fortunate to have joined WACA and get to experience how our Legislature actually works,” said Berger. Added Park, “We want to do this professionally and move the industry forward.”

Paige Berger and Brandon Park own Hygge Farms, a Tier 1 producer. Photos by Kay James/Evercannabis

evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, November 1, 2019

BRIEFS

DISTRICT COURT: CANNABIS CONTRACTS STILL ILLEGAL SEATTLE – A recent decision in U.S. District Court affirmed that federal laws still hold sway over business contracts involving the cannabis industry. Judge Richard A. Jones from the Western District of Washington ruled that a disputed partnership between two Washington growers couldn’t be enforced because it violated federal cannabis laws. In 2018 Evan James Polk filed suit against Leonid Gontmakher, founder of Superior Gardens and an executive with Northwest Cannabis Solutions and Cannex Capital Holdings.

SURVEY PRESENTS POSITIVE OUTLOOK WASHINGTON, D.C. – Nielsen, a national survey and data company, recently shared that the legalized cannabis market in the U.S. may reach $41 billion by 2025. This includes recreational and medical products in about 30 states, as well as hemp and CBD products, which are available in even more states. The company previously found that total sales reached $8 billion in 2018. The projected increase is due to more states that are expected to start or expand their marketplaces, including

Polk alleged he had an oral agreement declaring that he and Gontmakher would be equal partners in a legal growing venture. However, because Polk was unable to legally receive a Washington cannabis producer license due to a past drug conviction in Virginia, his ownership was reduced to 30 percent and he also used the name of one of Gontmakher’s relatives for a license. After unsuccessfully exploring different ways to make his ownership legal, Polk left the company in 2015. But he later disputed what he was owed, claiming he should receive a larger amount of profits along with greater ownership. Jones was unwilling to rule on the disputed partnership terms or any money due, citing the U.S. Controlled Substances Act, which forbids judicial decisions on awarding ownership or profits from the production, distribution, or sale of marijuana. Source: Lexology

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Michigan, Nevada and California. The passage of the 2018 Farm Bill also increased the access and availability of legal hemp products. Data was split between projected cannabis sales and projected hemp sales. CBD, a cannabis compound, is popular as a cannabis- or a hempderived product. The latest data also shows that cannabisinterested adults are two times as likely to use tobacco products as non-cannabis users, and 36 percent more likely to have back or neck pain. The numbers also showed that 41 percent of cannabis users are more likely to enjoy beer, but 1 out of every 5 beer drinkers indicated they plan to spend less on beer if they have more cannabis. Source: Nielsen

COLFAX – About 400 Whitman County residents have signed a petition requesting that county commissioners authorize a permanent ban on new cannabis businesses. An organization called Citizens for A Healthy Palouse collected the signatures, saying that commissioners should take into account possible smell, water and land usage associated with indoor cannabis businesses, along with possible increases in crime when discussing whether to make a temporary ban permanent. Last spring, commissioners approved a six-month moratorium on permitting future businesses. In September, they extended the ban until March 2020 in order to continue discussions with planning commissioners about possible zoning changes for future retailers and indoor and outdoor growers. Natalie Fisher, who presented the signatures, encouraged commissioners to do a better job of regulating existing businesses before allowing more. Public testimony at recent planning workshops included supporters and opponents, plus industry employees. Some speakers said cannabis growing fits in well with the county’s agricultural base, an observation commissioners also noted. “What this really comes down to is, does this land use impact neighbors to the point that it needs to be regulated?” asked Commissioner Art Swannack. “What I’ve heard was ‘control the smell and any emissions, and other than that, regulate it under state law.’ So if we can address the smell, can you live with that?” Source: Lewiston Tribune

GROWER OFFERS REWARD FOR INFO KELSO – The owner of Cascade Mountain, a cannabis grower, is offering $5,000 for information that can lead to arrests of a group of burglars who stole between 130 and 150 pounds of plants. The location was robbed in early September. The stolen product was worth about $250,000 wholesale and had already been pre-sold to retailers. “After all the work we put in, and all the care, it’s sickening,” said owner Courtney Roberts. Although the burglars broke many surveillance cameras, others captured still images and video of the crime showing five or six people breaking into the rear of the building. They headed right for the dry room, where the newest crop was stored, and appeared to communicate with walkie-talkies. Some wore masks. Surveillance showed three men wearing sweatshirts saying “Oregunian,” a Portland-area Second Amendment shop. One also had a visible tattoo on his arm. “It was one of our best crops in awhile and it’s a huge chunk of our payroll,” said employee John Akin. Roberts said the business will take about six to eight weeks to grow and harvest that same quantity of plants that was lost, as well as repair the damage to security systems. Source: The Daily News

evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, November 1, 2019

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evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, November 1, 2019

Grower explores strain growing conditions

GLOSSARY CLONES: Asexual (non-seed) reproduction using a rooted cutting from a “Mother” plant. This is a genetic replica of the plant; “Mother” plants are saved for generations in order to preserve the specific genetics of a particularly successful plant.

PHENOTYPE: The observable physical characteristics of an organism. For cannabis, the phenotype will manifest itself in color, shape, aroma, flavor, trichome density and more. GENOTYPE: The genetic makeup of an

By TOM BOWERS EVERCANNABIS Correspondent

f you consume cannabis, you’ve probably experienced this scenario once or twice. You get home, open that jar of Blue Dream you just picked up, and it doesn’t taste like the Blue Dream you got last time –not even close. Maybe it isn’t Blue Dream at all. Or maybe this one is the real deal, and the strain you got last time was something else. Or perhaps they’re both Blue Dream, but just grew wildly different. But why? What makes cannabis vary between grower to grower, harvest to harvest, and plant to plant? How much of a killer bud’s character comes from nature, and how much from nurture? That’s a question that Jeremy Moberg, president of the Washington Sungrowers Industry Association and owner of CannaSol Farms, hopes to illuminate with the new scientific cultivation competition, the Pheno Project. “I have heard some pretty wild claims about differences in plant profiles attributed to environment,” said Moberg. “Although I believe that there are conditions (under which) plants don’t really produce terpenes or cannabinoids, I have not seen in my experience a lot of variation in profiles in healthy productive plants.” In other words, Moberg says the jury is still out as to exactly what impact environment and methodology should have on finished product. Earlier this year, Moberg enlisted the help of Terpene Transit to distribute identical clones of two separate strains–Blue Dream and 9LB Hammer - to 19 Washington cannabis farms. He asked those farms to cultivate those plants using their own methods, in order to shed some light on which variables contribute to the development of desirable

organism. and undesirable characteristics in the final product. “The reason why, is to determine the environmental impact,” Moberg said. “The genetic expression, and the phenotypical expression. What part does environment play?” The phenotypical expression, or phenotype, of a plant comprises its observable characteristics: appearance, smell, cannabinoid, terpenoid and flavonoid makeup. Whereas the genotypical expression –or genotype–of the plant is purely genetic and quantifiable using DNA testing, nailing down what contributes to a particular phenotype is trickier. Growers believe that cultivation techniques, environmental conditions, nutrient types and more have a significant impact on the resulting finished cannabis product. But in a new industry with scant historical research and measurable data, it’s hard to tell with empirical confidence exactly where that magic comes from. Moberg and the Pheno Project hope to use the scientific method to solve the mystery. “I expect that plants may produce more or less terps and cannabinoids from stress and other factors, but don’t really think that a plant’s terpene profile could be wildly different due to environmental factors,” Moberg said. “If we find out that there can be very different profiles within the same clones due to environmental conditions, then the whole concept of strains is out the door.” In other words, consumers who look to specific genetic strains (i.e., Northern Lights No. 5, Monster Cookies) and expect to find similar traits from grower to grower, may be surprised. The farms involved in the Pheno Project

are each harvesting plants grown in a minimum of one set of methods, but some are experimenting with multiple combinations of soil, nutrient, and light. Each will log cultivation data and submit it along with the strains to the Project for analysis. The Pheno Project will then hold a competition and an event where the results are announced, and winners will be announced in four categories: most diverse terpene profile, total terpene content, highest THC content, and total cannabinoid content. The Project enlisted the help of third-party testing laboratories Confidence Analytics and Medicine Creek to analyze the final strains. “We will be publishing a white paper with these results (sans any company names),” Moberg said. “We really encourage folks to do something different to some of their clones and see how that impacts the cannabinoid and terpene profiles. We had a couple of farms (including CannaSol) grow the strains in light deprivation and in full term. That should provide a great comparison of the methods.” In its first year, the Pheno Project is still a modest, regional event, Moberg says. He looks forward to watching it grow. “This project has great potential in future years to help growers better understand how inputs affect the quality of the product,” Moberg said. “I could see growers using the project to test different products and could see nutrient companies or lighting companies sponsor growers to use their product in a Pheno Project side-by-side. We hope that even more growers participate in future years.” For more information and updates, visit www.phenoproject.com.

TERPENES/TERPENOIDS/TERPS: Organic compounds found in plants that impart aroma and flavor. If you’ve ever noticed how one strain smells like tangerine, another like grape bubble gum, and another like a skunk, that’s the terpenes.

CANNABINOID: Closely related compounds that make up the active ingredients of cannabis, such as THC, CBD, CBG, CBN, and THC-V. These interact with the endocannabinoid system in the human body, generating a variety of responses.

FLAVONOID: Natural substances found in fruits, vegetables, grains, bark, roots, and other plant materials that are known to have beneficial effects in a variety of nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and medicinal applications. Flavonoids offer anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-carcinogenic properties. LIGHT DEP/LIGHT DEPRIVATION: Plants grown under a hybrid of light and sun, usually in structures with removable covers, in order to simulate optimal light/ dark cycles.

INDOOR: Plants grown entirely indoors under lights. FULL-TERM: Plants grown entirely outdoors, utilizing the sun as its only light source. SOURCES: US National Library of Medicine/National Institute of Health, Leafly, Merriam-Webster.

evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review â&#x20AC;˘ Friday, November 1, 2019

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to 7KH 6SRNHVPDQ 5HYLHZ f Friday, November 1, 2019

FEATURE STORY

Gracious Guests, Hosts with the Most WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR WELL-BEHAVED HOLIDAY HIGHS

By KATE A. MINER EVERCANNABIS Correspondent

t’s that time of year when everywhere you go there’s either food, a social gathering of some sort, a definite increase in partying, and probably more pie. You no sooner hang up your Halloween garb, when it’s time for turkey, stuffing and cranberries, and then there’s all that gift-giving. So, unless you plan on hiding in your basement until January with only your favorite bong watching old movies, you might want to learn some holiday ‘high-time’ etiquette, like how and when to partake, what is and isn’t appropriate behavior, what to eat and drink, and various tips for gifts and offerings. When visiting friends or family, respect the house rules when it comes to cannabis. Ask if they have any restrictions on where or how cannabis is consumed (only outside, no smoke, etc.). If children might be present, consider leaving the bong at home. A discreet, no-fuss option when traveling is a vaporizer or vape pen because it doesn’t produce carbon, smoke, or odor. If you medicate with cannabis, however, be honest with your hosts and explain why it’s important for you to dose when necessary, find out what their limitations/ rules are, and abide by them. If you know your host partakes, bring a homemade gift to show your gratitude. Try making cannabis-infused honey, a batch of cookies, or CBD bath bombs, and make sure gifts are properly labeled in kid-proof containers. Don’t expect your host to provide all the green. Always come to the gathering with an offering, and if you know what their preference is, try to find something in line with their tastes, such as their favorite

Indica flower in a fun stash jar, high-end chocolate edibles, or a new tea they may not have tried yet. A good subject to avoid at any social gathering is politics, and that includes the politics of cannabis legalization. No matter how committed or ‘woke’ you believe the party might be, a holiday gathering is rarely the right time for a debate. But if someone asks – it’s always appropriate to educate! Teaching others about the latest gadgets, your favorite new shop, or how you made the cookies, is always great conversation and everyone learns. Since cannabis is an enhancer, go easy on the alcohol, as the weed will increase the effects. If you are including cannabis in the meal, or edibles of any type, remember that everyone has a different tolerance level. Out-of-body experiences or someone getting ‘too high’ can spoil the fun. That said, you might want to try skipping the edibles and replace your traditional holiday cocktails with infused alcohol. Infusing alcohol with cannabis and other flavorful herbs and spices can turn a normal cocktail into a beneficial tonic, and often negates the symptoms from alcohol that can cause a hangover. If you feel you still need some education on proper holiday etiquette, you might want to give Lizzie Post’s “Higher Etiquette” (available from Penguin Random House) a read. As Lizzie, great-great-granddaughter of Emily Post, says, “for those who consume cannabis, weed etiquette is real, and it’s high time someone wrote a book about it!” Regardless of whether you’re a canna-

culinary expert hosting the whole affair, headed home to gather with family, or just joining friends, if you remember to be courteous and conscientious of other’s tastes and traditions, adding cannabis to your holidays can be uplifting, add bright variety, and if done just right, wind everyone down for a long winter’s night.

A TOUCH OF GREEN

/Ĩ ǇŽƵ ǁĂŶƚ ƚŽ ĂĚĚ ĐĂŶŶĂďŝƐ ƚŽ Ă ƚƌĂĚŝƟŽŶĂů ŚŽůŝĚĂǇ ŵĞĂů͕ ƌĞŵĞŵďĞƌ ƚŽ ŬĞĞƉ ƚŚĞ ĚŽƐĂŐĞ ůŽǁ͕ ƉŝĐŬ Ă ĨĞǁ ĞůĞŵĞŶƚƐ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŵĞĂů ƚŽ ŝŶĨƵƐĞ͕ ĂŶĚ ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞ ŶŽŶͲĞŶŚĂŶĐĞĚ ĚŝƐŚĞƐ ƚŚĂƚ ǇŽƵ ĐĂŶ ĐŽŶƐƵŵĞ ǁŝƚŚ ƌĞĐŬůĞƐƐ ĂďĂŶĚŽŶ͘ ZŽĂƐƚĞĚ ƚƵƌŬĞǇ ŝƐ ŽŌĞŶ Ă ƐƚĂƉůĞ ĚƵƌŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ŚŽůŝĚĂǇƐ͘ ĚĚ ĞǆƚƌĂ ŚĞƌďƐ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ƐƚƵĸŶŐ͕ Žƌ ŵĂŬĞ Ă ĐŽŵďŝŶĂƟŽŶ ŽĨ ĨƌĞƐŚ ŚĞƌďƐ ůŝŬĞ ƚŚǇŵĞ͕ ďĂƐŝů͕ ĂŶĚ ƐĂŐĞ͕ ĂŶĚ ĐŽŵďŝŶĞ ƚŚĞŵ ǁŝƚŚ ĐĂŶŶĂďŝƐͲŝŶĨƵƐĞĚ ĚƵĐŬ ĨĂƚ ĨŽƌ ďĂƐƟŶŐ͘ ĂŶŶĂďŝƐͲŝŶĨƵƐĞĚ ŐƌĂǀǇ ŝƐ ŐƌĞĂƚ ŽŶ ƚƵƌŬĞǇ͕ ŵĂƐŚĞĚ ƉŽƚĂƚŽĞƐ͕ Žƌ ƐƚƵĸŶŐ͘ dƌǇ ĂĚĚŝŶŐ ĐĂŶŶĂͲďƵƩĞƌ ƚŽ ŵĂƐŚĞĚ ƉŽƚĂƚŽĞƐ͕ ƐǁĞĞƚ ƉŽƚĂƚŽĞƐ͕ Žƌ ŐƌĞĞŶ ďĞĂŶ ĐĂƐƐĞƌŽůĞ ƚŽ ƚĂŬĞ ǇŽƵƌ ĚŝŶŶĞƌ ƚŽ ƚŚĂƚ ŶĞǆƚ ůĞǀĞů͘ /Ĩ ƚŚĞ ŚĞƌďĂů ƚĂƐƚĞ ĚƵƌŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ŵĂŝŶ ŵĞĂů ŝƐŶ͛ƚ ǇŽƵƌ ƚŚŝŶŐ͕ ƚƌǇ ŝŶĨƵƐĞĚ ŚŽŶĞǇ ŝŶ ǇŽƵƌ ƉŝĞƐ͕ Žƌ ĚƌŝǌǌůĞ ĐĂŶŶĂͲĐĂƌĂŵĞů ŽǀĞƌ ďĂŬĞĚ ĂƉƉůĞƐ͘ &Žƌ ƚŚŽƐĞ ǁŚŽ ůŝŬĞ ƚŽ ĞŶĚ ƚŚĞŝƌ ŶŝŐŚƚ ǁŝƚŚ Ă ŶŝĐĞ ĐƵƉ ŽĨ ĐŽīĞĞ ĂŶĚ Ă ďŝƚ ŽĨ Ă ďƵǌǌ͕ ĐŽīĞĞ Žƌ ŚŽƚ ĐŚŽĐŽůĂƚĞ ǁŝƚŚ Ă ĚŽůůŽƉ ŽĨ ĐĂŶŶĂͲ ďƵƩĞƌ ǁŝůů Śŝƚ ƚŚĞ ƐƉŽƚ͘

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to 7KH 6SRNHVPDQ 5HYLHZ f Friday, November 1, 2019

'ƵĞƐƚƐ ĞŶũŽǇ͕ ĐŽŶǀĞƌƐĂƟŽŶ ĂŶĚ ĨŽŽĚ ĚƵƌŝŶŐ Ă ŝŶĨƵƐĞĚ ĚŝŶŶĞƌ ƉĂƌƚǇ Ăƚ dĞŶǌŽ͕ ŝŶ >ŽƐ ŶŐĞůĞƐ ŝŶ Ɖƌŝů ϮϬϭϵ͘ ;ZŝĐŚĂƌĚ sŽŐĞů ͬ WͿ

evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, November 1, 2019

HEALTH & SCIENCE

Veterans concerned about beneﬁts hesitant to use, discuss cannabis By ALLISON HALL EVERCANNABIS Correspondent

ederal and state legislation often clashes in terms of acceptable usage of cannabis for medical and recreational use. This uncertainty also has moved into the veteran community, where those who served and now want to indulge for fun or for their health are unsure whether they can light up. Many veterans have turned to marijuana to relieve symptoms of PTSD and other service-connected medical issues, including certain types of anxiety and inflammation, and other debilitating conditions like chronic pain. Some studies show that as many as 1 in 4 veterans report that they are consuming cannabis for therapeutic purposes, but some veterans are often hesitant to discuss their cannabis usage with their VA care providers, in case it could jeopardize their benefits. Although a number of states have legalized its use, the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs continues to clearly state that it follows all federal laws, including classifying marijuana as a Schedule 1

controlled substance. This means the VA providers are unable to recommend or assist veterans in obtaining marijuana. However, they also generally tell veterans they will not be denied benefits or lose care or services because of using marijuana. Some veterans have reported that they are denied jobs or benefits because of marijuana use or work in the cannabis industry. Veterans who work in the legal cannabis industry have also reported challenges to accessing benefits. A VA home loan could be denied since the cannabis industry isn’t considered a reliable or stable form of employment. There have also been reports of lost pensions due to industry work. Veterans who seek positions involving federal contacts also must pass a drug test, which also could disqualify them if cannabis is present in their system. With the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill last December by Congress, hemp and hemp-based CBD are now federally legal and no longer classified as a Schedule 1 substance, so veterans could have access

to some products that have potential health benefits without the psychoactive effects of cannabis. Unfortunately, a number of bills that attempted to improve veteran access were withdrawn from the House Committee on Veterans Affairs hearing in May 2019, including: The VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2018: H.R.5520, first introduced in June 2018, would have authorized the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct and support medical marijuana research. The Veterans Equal Access Act: This bill, over two years old, would have directed the VA to authorize VA health care providers to provide veterans with recommendations and opinions regarding participation in their state’s marijuana programs and complete forms reflecting those recommendations and opinions. The Veterans Cannabis Use for Safe Healing Act: House Bill 2191 was introduced in April

2019 to prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from denying a veteran benefits because they use medical marijuana in legalized states. The legislation also allowed physicians at the VA to recommend medical cannabis to their patients. Veterans Medical Safe Harbor Act: Introduced in February 2019, this bill is still sitting idle in the Senate Judiciary Committee. If passed, it would allow veterans to use, possess, or transport medical marijuana and to discuss the use of medical marijuana with physicians at the VA. We will all have to wait and see what bills, if any, move forward in Congress to protect our veterans around marijuana in 2020. What is known is that members of Congress from over 30 legal-use states can use their federally-subsidized health insurance to discuss the benefits of medical cannabis with their doctor, while veterans who have served our country are not afforded those same rights.

evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, November 1, 2019

Gov. Jay Inslee has issued an emergency order banning the sale of flavored vaping products. (Richard Vogel / AP)

Inslee issues executive order banning flavored vaping products By MEGAN ROWE The Spokesman-Review

Governor Jay Inslee declared an emergency ban against flavors for nicotine and cannabis vaping products in late September. “It should not be anyone’s business model in the state of Washington to addict children,” Inslee said. The order also requires a full disclosure of all ingredients. The order officially took effect after a vote by the Washington Board of Health, which includes 10 members. Nine have appointed by Inslee, including Spokane County Health Officer Bob Lutz. Secretary of Health John Wiesman, the 10th member, said there have been seven cases of vaping-related lung illness in Washington and that the Department of Health will continue analyzing emergency room data. He advises the public to quit vaping and, if they do not, to monitor themselves, taking note of coughs, shortness of breath or chest pains.

The official order will extend 120 days, with the option of renewal. Inslee said he expects lawmakers to draft legislation banning the flavors. Attorney General Bob Ferguson declared vaping conditions an epidemic, and Inslee said the ban is an early step in a battle against young people becoming addicted to nicotine through vaping products. “These flavors exist for one reason and one reason only, and that is to make them appeal to young children,” Inslee said. The Juul brand is mentioned in Inslee’s order, and Rep. Marcus Riccelli, D-Spokane, said he has called out that brand. The order specifies developing a governorrequested legislative proposal, and Riccelli said when this crosses his desk he will take it very seriously. Brian Smith, Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board communications director,

said there are more than 4,000 licenses to sell vaping products in Washington and that compliance with regulations is above 90%. LCB Director Rick Garza said there has been a lot of misinformation surrounding vapingrelated illnesses. He said the illnesses were not limited to cannabis or nicotine products, nor were the illnesses limited to off-the-street products or the practice of “cutting” the juice with other substances, a practice in which people mix different substances in their vaping devices. The disclosure of ingredients is in part an effort to help identify which chemical or chemicals are causing the outbreak of acute illness. The disclosure effort is being pursued in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration. The order also gives the power to ban immediately any chemical found to be

connected to the illnesses. Rep. Timm Ormsby said he initially thought that vaping products could be a helpful smoking cessation device, but has been won over by the arguments against it due to the skyrocketing use among teens and young adults. He said the unknown chemical components were also troubling. AJ Sanders, with the health district’s Tobacco, Marijuana and Vaping Device Prevention program, said a troubling trend in vaping is that, unlike with cigarettes, the incidence of beginning usage doesn’t go down as significantly after age 22. “The biggest thing is for people to quit using until we know what’s causing the severe lung disease,” Sanders said.

evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, November 1, 2019

New grant looking at possible CBD health benefits By DAN WEBSTER EVERCANNABIS Correspondent

o matter how many states legalize the use of cannabis, either for medical or recreational use, the federal government continues to list cannabis as a Schedule 1 drug – relegating it to the same category as heroin, ecstasy and LSD. This leads to a Catch-22-type situation. For cannabis to be considered an actual medicine, it has to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. And to get FDA approval, it has to pass carefully monitored clinical trials. Yet as the federally funded National Institute on Drug Abuse makes clear, “So far, researchers haven’t conducted enough large-scale clinical trials that show that the benefits of the marijuana plant (as opposed to its cannabinoid ingredients) outweigh its risks in patients it’s meant to treat.” That predicament may be about to change. In September, the federal government announced it would spend $3 million to study the effects of CBDs in nine separate research projects. None of the money, though, will go to projects that involve THC. But it’s a start. As Dr. David Shurtleff, deputy director of the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, told the Associated Press, “The science is lagging behind the public use and interest. We’re doing our best to catch up here.” One entity the federal government is trying to catch up to is the state of California. In July, the School of Medicine at the University of California, Riverside, received its first cannabis grant – a $744,000 award from the Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program (TRDRP). The grant, according to a UC-Riverside press release, is aimed at investigating “the impact of long-term cannabis exposure on metabolic diseases, such as Type 2 diabetes.”

The TRDRP, which is administered by the University of California’s research grants program office, is funded through the state’s tobacco tax and individual contributions. (In 1988, California voters approved a 25cent per cigarette pack surtax, devoting 5 cents of each dollar raised to “tobacco-use prevention and reduction.”) The three-year grant award to UCRiverside didn’t come without federal stipulations. Nicholas V. DiPatrizio, an assistant professor of biomedical sciences, was obligated to obtain a special authorization to oversee the project: a Drug Enforcement Agency Schedule 1 license. DiPatrizio and the school he represents clearly determined the tradeoff was worth the trouble, especially if they discover cannabis to have medicinal value, specifically for the ailments they are looking to treat. “Scientists are still not sure how exactly long-term, or chronic, cannabis use affects health and a variety of tobacco-related pathologies, such as Type 2 Diabetes and other metabolic diseases,” DiPatrizio says. How will the research be conducted? One thing it won’t involve is requiring a bunch of laboratory scientists and graduate students to sit around and smoke pot. “We will investigate in wild-type mice whether cannabis exposure is linked to higher incidence of Type-2 diabetes,” DiPatrizio says. “We expect the knowledge we gain in this project will help guide science-based public policy associated with the health impact of short-term and longterm use.” Public policy that is based on actual science? Now, that’s a worthy goal.

evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, November 1, 2019

Meet Matt Elmes: A real-life cannabis scientist By ROB MEJIA EVERCANNABIS Correspondent

ometimes leads and connections in the cannabis world come from strange places. A few weeks ago, my son and I were playing tennis at a facility that only had two courts and both were filled. I saw a couple walk up to the courts and knowing that they would have to wait upwards of 45 minutes, we asked them to join us. Over the course of some fun doubles the usual chatter between games took place: where are you from, how old is your son, how long are you staying at the beach and what do you do for a living? This last question launched me into my cannabis story and as serendipity would have it, I was connected to Matthew Elmes, a scientist and researcher who had just taken a job with CannaCraft in Santa Rosa, Calif. Not only was Matthew starting a new career, but I found out that he had been researching cannabis at Stony Brook University in New York for several years. In his new position, he was going to oversee New Product Development. I had to find out more. Matthew describes himself as a math and science guy who grew up in New York State. He excelled academically in high school and college and found himself working on a Ph.D. project at Stony Brook University which involved researching cannabinoids and the endocannabinoid system,

have successfully sped up the onset of CannaCraft’s a network of receptors that occur throughout the body in infused beverages to less than 15 minutes, with the effects all vertebrates. It is composed of CB1 and CB2 receptors, lasting just an hour or two. He calls this increasing the other cannabinoids, multiple enzymes, and more. THC and CBD interact with these receptors to produce the cannabis ‘sessionability’ of cannabis beverages, aiming for it to be similar to the intensity and length of effects one might experience. experience after consuming a typical alcoholic beverage. Matthew’s research into the ECS focuses on intracellular transport – specifically discovering how THC and CBD move through the cells in our bodies. He and his mentors found that cannabis compounds attach themselves to fatty acid-binding proteins, which act as shuttles to transport cannabinoids. His employer, CannaCraft, which distributes brands such as Care by Design, Absolute Xtracts, and Satori Chocolates, is one of the largest cannabis manufacturers in California. With its emphasis on scientific discovery, customized treatment, and strategic partnerships, CannaCraft has become a leader in cannabis innovation. One such innovation is a hop-flavored, cannabis-infused sparkling water in the very hot cannabis beverage market. A few years ago CannaCraft connected with the brewmaster at Lagunitas Brewery. The result is Hi-Fi Hops, a sparkling water that tastes like beer and is infused with CBD and/or THC. Elmes is now focusing in the beverage segment where he and his team are improving cannabis emulsions, and Matt Elmes from CannaCraft has been studying the science of cannabis for years. Photo by Rob Mejia/Evercannabis

FLOWER

TINCTURES

CARTRIDGES

GREENKUSH

evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, November 1, 2019

CULTURE & LIFESTYLE

CANNABIS INFO AT YOUR FINGERTIPS More digital options for consumers By TARYN MICKELSON EVERCANNABIS Correspondent

eople use their smart phones to track just about everything – health, banking, grocery lists – so why not cannabis? There are a growing number of cannabisfocused phone apps available, delivering news items, strain reviews, locations of shops, and even weed-themed games. Leafly, the largest online cannabis resource, was founded as a website in 2010. Its app lets users explore shops near them, what strains are selling well and what sales are in progress. What began as a resource for the medical marijuana community has expanded to a thorough database of strain information, as well as a go-to

cannabis news source. Another popular app is WeedMaps, which also focuses on education and connecting consumers to shops. The app includes general cannabis knowledge as well as a massive review and social network. There’s plenty of information and tools to find cannabis brands, plus delivery services, shops, sales and medical authorization opportunities in the area. There are other apps for other components of the industry, such as Jane, designed for medical growers or those who want utilize a plant inventory. Jane allows you to search for the strain being grown, whether

it is in germination, a vegetative or flowering state, and to set your cultivation start day. This could be helpful in keeping track of and logging any plants being grown for their medical purposes and potential healing properties. Jane also offers the ability to keep track of the environmental aspects of growing cannabis and a dashboard to see recommended upcoming and past growing actions. Users can also create a reminder for the day, which growers can find useful for crops and controlling inventory. Another popular app is the Greenery Map, which was launched in November 2018, promoted as

the world’s first and only cannabis search engine that easily allows for product search results based on factors like desired mood, medicinal benefit or method of consumption. This app is aimed to be different than other search tools that only focus on general strains and prices. Its innovative technology allows for easy shopping of strains, plus oil, butters and CBD products based on whether you want to feel creative, energetic, sleepy or talkative, and then add in intended medicinal use, such as reducing depression, insomnia and/or aches/pains. For investors and entrepreneurs, the New Cannabis Ventures app provides current American and

Canadian cannabis news with a focus on industry leadership. It also includes an emphasis on public companies with current stock info and a ticker. Along with apps for industry insiders and conscious consumers, there are also some apps just for fun. Simulation and role player apps are super popular, so Hempire and Wiz Kalifa’s Weed Farm both allow you to grow your cannabis crop and navigate the fiscal responsibilities of a legitimate business owner. Both are colorful and creative, and free to download with in-app purchases available to speed up your progress.

evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, November 1, 2019

LEARN & GROW

How to safely dispose of cannabis products and paraphernalia By KATE A. MINER EVERCANNABIS Correspondent

ccording to Marijuana Business Daily, retail sales of medical and recreational cannabis in the United States are on pace to exceed $12 billion by the end of 2019 – an increase of roughly 35% over 2018 – and could rise as high as $30 billion by 2023. This increase in sales and consumption is also going to lead to additional refuse and waste, which raises the question about how to safely dispose of your unwanted product, used paraphernalia, empty packaging, or that vaporizer your sister gave you that you used a few times and stuck in a closet? Growers and retailers face strict rules about what

Blanca Rosales works on packaging cannabis-infused grape-flavored hard candies at Evergreen Herbal, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

The cannabis industry and the Washington LCB are currently working on proposals and rule changes to reduce the amount of waste generated in packaging. This includes reducing the required thickness of 1/8 bags from 4 grams to 2 grams and allowing printed compostable bags. The Cannabis Alliance estimates that if that rules passes, it will remove 34,587,078 grams, 76,183 pounds or 38 tons of plastic packaging from the Washington waste stream in 1/8 bags alone. The Alliance is also working on changing the rules for dosing caps on infused beverages, which could result in 1.5 million fewer caps a year from entering the waste stream.

to do with unused product or plants, but how do consumers dispose of a broken bong or discarded pipe? What about those half-smoked joints or empty cartridges? What about all that packaging? How do you keep it all away from kids, pets, or nosy neighbors? It appears that there are few definitive answers. California and Colorado are actively pursuing waste disposal options with the federal government, and Washington will most likely follow suit. Meanwhile, common sense and concurrent recycling

rules apply. First, contact your local retailer to see if they offer any disposal options, since some do. Canna Culture Shop in Seattle recently started a pot waste program, where the shop staff collects and properly disposes of marijuana waste, particularly discarded packaging that currently clutters the streets. They’ve created a reward system to incentivize customers, providing discounts in their stores and free sodas. Many suggest placing broken bongs, pipes or other unwanted paraphernalia in sealed containers and dropping them in your refuse container, but this probably isn’t the best solution for the environment. You can also try selling or gifting them but be sure they’ve been cleaned, sanitized and are free of all product. If you have empty glass containers, remove all labels, wash and recycle with your glass, or use for storing things like toothpicks or cotton balls. If packaging is plastic, look for a recycling symbol and abide by the corresponding number. Be sure to remove labels and all residue. If you have unwanted flower or edibles, best to take it to a retailer who can dispose of it for you. Or grind it up and take it to a composting facility. In Spokane County, unprocessed marijuana waste not designated as a dangerous waste may be disposed of as regular trash at the Waste To Energy facility or North and Valley Transfer Stations. The Barr-Tech Compost facility will accept cannabis plant material as long as written proof is provided declaring that the material has been rendered unusable per Chapter 314-55-097, and the material meets all requirements for acceptable compostable material. If you can’t recycle your cannabis packaging or containers, and you don’t like the idea of tossing them in the trash, look for ways to repurpose them or use them in an art project. Pinterest has some great boards on art made with recycled materials. Meanwhile, what can be done about the influx of cannabis packaging? Get involved. Keep in mind the reason there is so much packaging associated with cannabis has much to do with the rules that surround how marijuana products can be sold, and the biggest negative impact on the environment is the discarded packaging. Be mindful, don’t toss your empty packaging on the ground or leave it around where those under age might find it. Keep it clean, and always try to keep it green! Every state that has legal medical or recreational marijuana has a specific regulations pertaining to marijuana disposal. For more information, Washington residents and businesses can contact the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) at 360-664-1600 or lcb.wa.gov/ with all questions regarding the waste disposal process of cannabis or cannabis products.

evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, November 1, 2019

Biochar creates a ‘happy habitat’ for cannabis plants By TARYN MICKELSON EVERCANNABIS Correspondent

annabis growers throughout Washington are constantly searching for new and innovative techniques to increase the yield and overall strength of their plants. One new-but-old option is biochar, a soil additive created and sold by Third Eye Organix, a family-owned and operated company based in Spokane. Owner Clayton Neidigh has over 30 years of experience growing cannabis, which led him to create his own recipe for biochar in 2012. Biochar is a form of charcoal, produced from super-heating biomass, and is found in the aftermath of vegetative fires. This technique was originally called terra-preta and used as an agricultural method within the Amazon Basin more than 2,500 years ago. Neidigh said indigenous people in South America discovered that using char as a soil amendment was an incredible help for their crops, especially in harsher climates or poor ground conditions. It produced a higher yield and allowed them to grow more food, especially in places where other food sources were scarce. Fertilizing crops by burning the previous year’s stubble is still in use today as an agricultural technique.

Biochar has a large surface area and growers don’t need any further amendments. This soil includes organic nutrients as well as live microbes, allowing the plant to have a perfect feeding consistency for optimum growth. “Having layers of biochar in your soil helps ensure that every bit of food and water gets sucked into the plant like a sponge,” said Neidigh. It also forms a ‘happy habitat’ for plants and supplies fungi, bacteria and microorganisms that promote further growth. He said benefits include the soil being able to draw in cations, which are positively charged ions that consist of plant nutrients like potassium, magnesium and calcium; as well as anions, which are negatively charged ions that consist of phosphates and nitrates. Using biochar in cannabis shows plenty of promise for plants being nourished with all the essentials they need to produce astounding results, including bigger and better buds. Jim Brewer, owner of Exotic Farms, a Tier 2 cannabis producer/processor in Ford, uses Third Eye’s products. “I’ve definitely noticed a difference,” he said. “The overall strength, yield, smell, height and look of my plants are much healthier because of Biochar soil mix.” This mix of soil and activated biochar amendment can simplify the growing process by decreasing the amount of watering needed, leaving no flush required at end of the cycle and a higher yield because of living soil. Neidigh enjoys sharing his product with growers. “My love for growing cannabis has traveled with me throughout the years and biochar still amazes me,” he said. “I want all growers to see this transformation and be able to save time, energy and money on the beauty of growing plants.” Clayton Neidigh, right, with correspondent Taryn Mickelson, is the owner of Third Eye Organic. Photos by Michael Mickelson/Special to Evercannabis

Q&A:

evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, November 1, 2019

Weed It and Reap By ROB MEJIA EVERCANNABIS Correspondent

I certainly recognize the ubiquitous cannabis leaf. But I really don’t know anything else about the actual plant. Does it really “grow like a weed,” as they say? Signed, Plant Enthusiast

Dear Plant Enthusiast, While I would prefer my lawn to be full of cannabis plants rather than dandelions, it doesn’t quite grow exactly like a weed. But there are still a lot of interesting facts about how it grows. THAT 7-BLADE LEAF YOU OFTEN SEE IS JUST ONE KIND OF LEAF. There are three subspecies that fall under the taxonomic genus Cannabis: sativa, indica, and ruderalis. Sativa plants have the recognizable sharp 7-blade leaf. They grow tall and thin. Indica plants are shorter, more like a shrub. While they too often have a 7-blade leaf, the blades have a wider, rounder look. Ruderalis is the smallest cannabis plant. It’s smaller and less bushy than indica with only five blades. In today’s cannabis market, nearly all plants are hybrids, as cultivators have combined desirable features to produce just the right strain and experience. THE GENDER OF THE PLANT DETERMINES ITS ROLE. Only female plants produce buds. The male plant’s job is to produce the pollen, causing females to produce seeds for various strains. Determination of the sex of the plant happens

when the first nodes (where leaves and stems grow from the stalk) develop. Males produce pollen sacs that look like little oblong balls, and female plants sprout small “hairs.” Under stress, a female plant can turn into a self-pollinating, hermaphroditic plant, using its energy to produce seeds as a means of survival. CANNABIS IS NOT POLLINATED BY “THE BIRDS AND BIRDS,” BUT BY THE AIR. Cannabis is anemophilous, meaning it uses the wind to disperse its pollen, which can travel up to 30 miles to adhere to a microscopic target on the female plant. Cultivation facilities must be very diligent to separate male and female plants as soon as possible. The male plants are often destroyed. SUNRISE, SUNSET. Sativa and indica plant blooms are triggered by 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness. For outdoor growers, the summer solstice marks the height of growing season. That is also why growing cannabis indoors takes so much electricity (and how illegal grow operations are often discovered). Ruderalis is the exception; it auto-flowers, which means it blooms at a predictable time rather than a 12/12 light schedule.

NOT ALL CANNABIS IS FOR CONSUMPTION. Hemp is a type of cannabis sativa that won’t get you high, but is a useful fiber. It grows in a single tight row (like corn), is pest- and drought-resistant, and can be used to produce up to 25,000 consumer goods. Male hemp plants produce a softer material, which makes it more useful in producing textiles and apparel. Female hemp grows a stronger, coarser fiber that is ideal for durable products, like car door panels and ropes. HEMP FIELDS CAN BE A THREAT TO OUTDOOR CANNABIS GROWS. Hemp pollen can travel for miles, and can pollinate female cannabis plants. Some states are trying to reduce the risk of crosspollination by requiring a minimum distance between outdoor hemp and cannabis fields. MANY HATS FOR CULTIVATORS. Contemporary cannabis cultivators are part scientist, part botanist, part chemist, part artist, and certainly, part entrepreneur. To learn more about cultivation, I recommend the work of Danny Danko, cultivation editor at High Times.

evercannabis is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, November 1, 2019

STRAIN OF THE MONTH LA COOKIES Experience Organics Premium Cannabis (EXO), Benton City

THC 17.8% CBD 0% Terpenes: 2.0%. Dominant Terpenes: Limonene and Myrcene By RICK MISTERLY EVERCANNABIS Correspondent

When you enter a retail cannabis store, it’s usually for one purpose: To find something to get high, stoned, relaxed or energized. But as you learn more, there are opportunities to go beyond THC, and discover how the terpenes, or natural flavors and aromas, contribute to the experience. For instance, myrcene, one of the two main terpenes in EXO’s LA Cookies, activates powerful effects on cell membranes and opens the blood-brain barrier, which increases the transport of cannabinoids to the brain. Myrcene can provide pain relief, sedative and anti-inflammatory effects. You often know it’s present by a spicy or peppery aroma. Likewise, a citrus smell can be a tip-off that limonene is also present; its beneficial properties help with anxiety and depression. Some studies show that limonene can be helpful in fighting cancers. During my research I learned that EXO grows its plants indoors in real, living soil, rich in natural amendments. This Tier 3 operation uses low-power LED lighting to further expand on its commitment to less impactful practices. Appearance: It’s nice to see such full, plump buds in a glass jar. This positive sign shows that EXO is

avoiding the plastic waste many producers use. The color is a pale lichen green made lighter by a generous dusting of trichomes. Reddish tufts of pistils emerge from behind the nicely trimmed leaflets. Buds spring to the touch, and not crumbly, which indicate freshness. Aroma: The spicy myrcene comes through as minty with a slight marigold scent from the female parent, LA Pure Kush. The male side, EXO Cookies, provides a nice citrus background, not an ‘out front’ orange or lemon, but a subtle makrut lime that lends a mysterious brightness. Upon ignition a smooth smoke releases a burnt sugar flavor, like torched sugar on creme brûlée. Effects: It’s hard to say if you taste that delicious burnt sugar or a relaxing wave moves in first. By the second toke, you are well on your way to a heightened awareness of your surroundings. Sights and sounds become clearer as everything comes into a new focus and anything that came before is forgotten. These ‘cookies’ are great for a sociable time with friends, or the feeling can change to a work mode using a balance of mental energy and a relaxed body high.

EVERCANNABIS is a supplement to The Spokesman-Review • Friday, November 1, 2019

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