JANUARY 2022
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 1
EVERCANNABIS.COM
POT SHOPS STEP UP FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS WITH DISABILITIES By Tracy Damon EVERCANNABIS CORRESPONDENT
Many who use marijuana may do so to treat pain, loss of muscle control, stress, anxiety, and other symptoms that can stem from at least one disability. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that there are 61 million disabled Americans, which is 1 in 4 or 26 percent of the population. Interestingly, while more people are enjoying legal access to cannabis as an alternative to opioids, they don’t necessarily receive protections from the Americans with Disabilities Act when they purchase cannabis or work in the cannabis industry. Since cannabis is still illegal at the federal level, there is some debate as to whether cannabis businesses must abide by federal ADA laws regarding accessibility, including providing reasonable accommodations for customers or staff with disabilities. Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act says that all businesses that operate as “places of public accommodation” must “remove architectural barriers in existing facilities… where such removal is readily achievable” to accommodate disabled patrons.
Many cannabis companies, which are technically classified as small businesses, may not be able to afford major physical overhauls to their storefronts that would make them accessible. They also may not be able to afford accommodations to help employees with disabilities comfortably maintain jobs. But some still try to do what they can. “We allow them (people in wheelchairs) to park right up next to the door,” said Brittany Friedlander, manager at Green Hand in north Spokane. “We have one girl in a wheelchair who has cerebral palsy whose caretaker isn’t 21 so they can’t come in. They get her to the door and I take her from there and wheel her around the shop.” Friedlander said while her shop doesn’t have an official medical marijuana endorsement, it does have customers who use wheelchairs, wear oxygen tanks, are Deaf or hard of hearing or have conditions that limit their movements. “A lot of people are older and don’t want to get on a computer, or physically can’t use a computer to pre-order,” Friedlander See DISABILITIES, 3
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T2 • FRIDAY • JANUARY 7, 2022
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Is it cool to fire one up while hiking? By Chelsea Cebara EVERCANNABIS CORRESPONDENT
Dear BLUNT, I read somewhere that contrary to stereotypes, cannabis users are more physically fit than those who abstain. It’s certainly true for me! But what’s the etiquette on group exercise while high? Do I tell people? Could I just light a pre-roll on a hike or are the other hikers going to look at me weird? – Toned Toker Dear Toned, First off, good job staying active during these tough times and way to be a living counterpoint to the stereotype! The research you’re referring to is a meta-analysis of accelerometer data from the 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Study. Researchers found that activity levels were the same between moderate cannabis users and non-users, and that frequent cannabis users actually exercised more than either group. A little weed before a workout works out for a lot of people. THC is a vasodilator, temporarily improving blood flow, which can help with oxygen delivery. Pinene, a terpene commonly found in cannabis, widens airways in the lungs. Smoke is never good for you but on the balance, cannabis could help your exertion more than it hurts. (You can avoid the smoke problem by using a portable whole flower vape.) But on to your etiquette question. You don’t need to announce that you are a little lifted at spin class (as endearing as that would be) and personally, I think we’ve evolved to the point that sparking a jay outside shouldn’t cause anyone distress. I am required to remind you that any public cannabis consumption is illegal here. But if hikers in Washington in 2021 are offended by a joint … well, they are going to spend a lot of time being offended. If you’re still feeling embarrassed for people to see you with your consciousness and heart rate elevated simultaneously, check out cannabis yoga classes in your area. I’m sure you’ll meet lots of like-minded folks there – I sure have. Dear BLUNT, Three people have asked me if I was going to stop smoking in the new year.
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No. I’m not. I might even smoke more. Leave me the hell alone. – I’m No Quitter Dear No Quitter, I wanted to answer this question – more of a mission statement, really – because it’s common and because it’s the inverse of my October column. Last time we heard from someone trying to encourage his sister to try cannabis for her chronic pain. Here we have someone whose loved ones would like her to use cannabis less. An oft-quoted statistic is that 10 percent of cannabis users meet the criteria for Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD). Unfortunately, that says more about the criteria than it does about the users.
@EvercannaNews on social media and at evercannabis.com Evercannabis@spokesman.com 509-459-5095
Medical providers often assign CUD to anyone who has a high tolerance or is “dependent” on cannabis – but dependence is not the same as problematic use. Many medical patients, including children with rare forms of epilepsy, are dependent on cannabis for a better life. The real question here is “is your cannabis use causing more problems than it is solving?” Everyone is different and you have your own values and priorities. You get to decide if the cost/benefit ratio is out of whack. It’s your decision and yours alone. But … if you’ve got three people asking you the same thing, there might be something there to examine. When someone asks you if you plan to stop smoking, the
subtext is that they think you should, because they are worried about you. A lot of folks approach problematic use with a 12-step-style, an on/off switch mentality. They think you have to stop consumption completely in order to heal, which can feel like an overreaction for a drug as mild as cannabis. Consider a harm reduction framing instead. Ask your loved ones what they see happening as a result of your cannabis use. It might be stoner stigma nonsense, or it might be something important you haven’t noticed. If you do feel like you want to change your consumption habits, you can take a T-break or just ease up and see if life improves. Nothing has to be permanent.
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Evercannabis, The Spokesman-Review and the Cowles Company don’t promote or endorse the use of cannabis products. We acknowledge that marijuana products remain illegal under federal laws. If adults age 21 or older choose to purchase or use them, we encourage them to consume sensibly and at their own risk in legal jurisdictions, in accordance with state and local laws. Some cannabis products have intoxicating effects and may be habit-forming. Consumption of marijuana also may be associated with health risks and impaired concentration, coordination, and judgment. Keep away from children. To learn more, visit the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board at www.liq.wa.gov. Evercannabis magazine is a monthly supplement of The Spokesman-Review. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent of the publisher.
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State closer to moving lab oversight to Ecology Department
IN SEARCH OF HIGHER POWER
By Kate A. Miner EVERCANNABIS CORRESPONDENT
Cannabis has intersected with many faith systems By Taryn Eastwood EVERCANNABIS CORRESPONDENT
Cannabis has been used to help people feel good mentally and physically for millennia. For many individuals and cultures, this plant has also been used as a tool in humankind’s search for greater enlightenment, meaning and purpose. The earliest recorded use of cannabis is currently believed to be in a village off the island of present-day Taiwan, which archaeologists have dated to be about 10,000 years old. Elongated rod-shaped tools were found that appear similar to tools used to loosen cannabis fibers from the plant’s stem. Hemp was among the first natural fibers to be made into garments and was mentioned in the Book of Rites, a text created in Ancient China, circa 1100 BCE. Another text, The Shu King, dated about 2350 BCE, says that the soil in the Shantung province was “Whitish and rich … with silk, hemp, lead, pine trees and strange stones.” The Pen Ts’ao (The Herbal), written by Emperor Shen-Nung, discussed the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes. Its earliest copies are 2,000 years old and recommended this plant for rheumatic pain, constipation, female reproductive disorders, malaria and more. Cannabis is also believed to have played an important role in ritualistic ceremonies, as seen by various burned items found in
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A Guru makes a smoking mixture, combining tobacco and hemp. excavated tombs. Joseph Needham, a historian of Chinese science and technology, wrote, “The hallucinogenic properties of hemp were common knowledge in Chinese medical and Taoist circles for two millennia or more.” Central Asia, where India is located today, also has had a long history of cannabis use. Around 1000 BCE, sacred texts called Atharva Veda listed cannabis as one of the top five sacred plants divinely donated to humankind as a source of happiness as well as a bringer of joy and freedom. Some in Hindu cultures still make a ceremonial beverage containing cannabis called bhang. The use of cannabis has also become widely associated with
the Hindu god Shiva, known as the destroyer and creator, and cultural myths say Shiva made cannabis from his body to be purified. Faithful Hindu gather every three years for the Kumbh Mela, an important festival and a symbol of religious devotion to Shiva. In 2001, more than 60 million people took part.
Many faith traditions Cannabis also has a role in Buddhist traditions. Guatama, the faith’s founder, is said to have eaten one hemp grain daily, a detail recorded in “The Gospel of Buddha” in 1987 by Paul Carus. In more modern times, some Buddhist practices suggest that cannabis can be used to aid in meditation.
Several books have been written about blending meditation and cannabis, including “Wake, Bake and Meditate” by Kerri Connor, “Ganja Yoga: A Practical Guide to Conscious Relaxation, Soothing Pain Relief, and Enlightened Self-Discovery” by Dee Dussault and “Cannabis and Meditation: An explorers Guide” by Simon Jackson. In Germanic Paganism, Freya, a Norse love goddess, is said be able to enter one’s body while they are partaking in cannabis. She’s also considered part of the fertile force in female plants. A more obscure faith that incorporates cannabis is the Rastafarian religion. It was created in the 1930s in Jamaica where cannabis is regarded as sacred and used spiritually to remove negative energies, become more conscious and aware, and bring members closer to Jah, considered the creator. The Rastafarians had challenges pursuing their faith prior to the plant becoming legal in 2015. In 1963, Jamaican authorities went on an anti-Rasta rampage, arresting over 400. Officials even forced prisoners to cut off their dreadlocks in the middle of the street or in jail. Elements of cannabis have also been seen in the newer traditions of Temple 420, THC Ministries, Cantheism, Green Faith Ministries, The Free Marijuana Church of Honolulu, Church of the Universe and the First Church of Cannabis.
“The hallucinogenic properties of hemp were common knowledge in Chinese medical and Taoist circles for two millennia or more.” Joseph Needham Historian of Chinese science and technology
The state of Washington requires that all cannabis products sold in the state must be tested for harmful substances and potency. However, because cannabis is not legal federally, there are no federal laboratory quality standards or mandated testing methods, like those that exist for drinking water, soil, and similar products. This leaves cannabis producers, retailers, and consumers missing an extra layer of quality assurance. The science of cannabis testing is still new and complex, as tests look to determine THC levels as well as cannabinoids, terpenes, residual solvents, pesticides, heavy metals, and microorganisms. All states with legal cannabis programs have established labs to test cannabis products, but since there are no federal standards, there is often a lack of confidence in the results. Many scientists are looking to Canada for best practices, now that commerce barriers have been eliminated there nationally. In Washington, the Cannabis Science Task Force was created in 2019. Since then, the CSTF has been working to recommend laboratory quality standards in preparation for a rulemaking change for cannabis-testing lab accreditation. The task force’s goal is to provide a solid framework for credible cannabis laboratory accreditation in the future. Currently, to ensure consumers are purchasing products that meet required quality standards, the Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board and the Department of Health oversee the testing of cannabis products at accredited private cannabis laboratories. Testing oversight will eventually transfer to the Department of Ecology, which was chosen by the Legislature because of its already robust accreditation reputation. It currently works with more than 500 laboratories across the state and other states, providing initial and continuing accreditation. The task force, a group of professionals with expertise in chemistry, laboratory quality assurance and quality control, and state government policy, has been charged with providing a science-based framework for testing pesticides in cannabis plants and products. See LAB, 4
DISABILITIES Continued from 1 said. “So if they can’t make it into the store, they can call and tell what they want and we will meet them at the curb.” The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board loosened regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic to allow curbside pickup, which Friedlander says has probably benefited disabled customers the most. For those who come inside, Green Hand has taken small but important steps to make everyone’s visit as manageable as possible. “Our door doesn’t have to be pulled, but instead pushes in,” Friedlander said. “We have a doorman who opens it when he sees people coming in wheelchairs and helps get chairs over the threshold.” Friedlander says she also likes to refer customers to Piece of Mind shops because they have many medically-endorsed budtenders and are known for excellent service to customers with disabilities. Her clients tell her the POM budtenders are
patient, provide extra help when requested, and have helped many acquire medical marijuana cards. Piece of Mind’s website advertises that it offers medical discounts, senior and veteran discounts, and is dog-friendly – an important consideration for those with service/therapy animals. At 4:20 Friendly in west Spokane, the staff doesn’t have a lot of customers who use wheelchairs but does have regular clients who are Deaf or hard of hearing. The budtenders may use cell phones to type out questions or messages. With so much shopping happening online, it is also important that customers can access a business’ website. Blind or visually-impaired consumers rely on screen readers to help navigate websites and order products. For screen readers to work, a website must be designed with consideration for these disabilities. While some cannabis companies were slow to make websites accessible, many did so following a rash of non-compliance lawsuits filed against cannabis and CBD sites –
despite a lack of specific regulations for non-governmental accessibility, courts regularly rule in favor of the plaintiff – many are now taking steps to make sure their sites work with screen readers, add alternative text tags to describe photos and images, and include other accessibility features. For those seeking additional ways to improve accessibility and want to go beyond websites and building design, a cannabis consulting company is advertising nationally that they can help “dispensary and ancillary” businesses and employees increase their Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accountability. Human Informed Culture offers classes to help businesses “incorporate a holistic collaborative and proactive culture of advocacy into their everyday business practices.” In addition to an improved customer experience, the HI Culture website claims that these classes, including industry-specific American Sign Language online lessons, increase customer loyalty, optimize employee
engagement and retention, and expand and deepen community impact. All of these things are important to Friedlander.
•
“I set the trend (of providing extra help to those with disabilities) and everyone followed suit,” she said. “I don’t have the time
(to personally take customers with special needs around the store), but I make the time to do it.”
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Strawpicana can hit you hard with a ton of tropical THC By Rick Misterly EVERCANNABIS CORRESPONDENT
Appearance: I’ve come to believe that pre-rolls are a great invention and lend themselves to convenience and practicality. The only drawback is that you can’t gaze upon the beauty of a mature, well-trimmed bud in all its glory. Some photos I’ve seen of Tropicana buds show a fine example of a tight, closely trimmed cluster with colors ranging from green to yellow and on to orange pistils – how you’d expect a tropical fruit to look. Aroma/Taste: These half-gram joints had a bright smell right out of the tube. The freshness translated into a newly-mowed grass scent but without the heavy green of fields in summer, but with a slight skunky tone. A hit before it’s lit revealed the same bright freshness but also brought out lemon and sweet minty aromas with other fruity scents. Once ignited, the initial taste turned to conifer resin with the volatile flavor of hashish. From then on, each hit became deep, dark and greasy – which should have been a warning of its potency. Effects: This is where the topic of tolerance enters the picture. At 21.8% THC, I wasn’t expecting the extreme consequences that came from burning through two-thirds of a half-gram joint. With a bit of embarrassment but for the sake of full disclosure I’ll attempt to recount the experience. This review was initially planned to be a Zoom collaborative effort bringing fellow humans together with common intention. Things got off to a good start comparing tastes and aromas. Once we lit up my exuberance got the better of me, and before I knew it twothirds of the joint had disappeared and it became disappointingly evident that this
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team effort was melting away. My screen partner took it easy on the dosage and was lucidly talking about all kinds of things while I soon realized that none of what he was saying made sense and it became harder to look at the screen. It was becoming difficult to speak due to extreme cottonmouth but I didn’t feel like I could get up. This craziness seemed to stretch on an incalculable time until I had to sign off, get a drink, and deal with nausea and sweats taking over. Surprisingly I could get up and walk out the door thinking that cool evening air might bring me around. One of the advantages of having your nearest neighbor over a quarter-mile away is that you don’t have to worry about being seen in an altered state. I walked around the property but couldn’t shake the nausea and accompanying fluctuations in body temperature and heart rate. Higher than
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heck? For sure! Enjoyable? Not at all. These effects would be what could send a less experienced user to the ER but I knew that it would wear off. It’s a fact that you can’t overdose on marijuana which I understand to mean your breathing won’t stop. But from this experience and only two others in the last
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Continued from 3 Participants come from the Washington State departments of Agriculture, Health, and Ecology, as well as the Liquor and Cannabis Board and cannabis testing laboratories. These groups will continue to collaborate on standards through February 2022. “When you want confidence and high-quality testing, it’s not simple,” said Annette Hoffmann, Ph.D., Environmental Assessment Program Manager for the DOE. “Think of a recipe for a cake: you have five cakes, all
The Cannabis Science Task Force is working toward improving laboratory quality standards for cannabis labs in Washington. All reports are available at ecology.wa.gov/Issues-and-local-projects/Investingin-communities/Scientific-services/Lab-accreditation/Cannabislab-accreditation. For more information, contact the Environmental Assessment Publication Coordinator at (360) 407-6764 or EAPPubs@ ecy.wa.gov.
made with the same ingredients and the same instructions, but each cake is different. The only way to test accuracy is to be assured that each one has the same exact elements. Accurate testing tells you whether or not you got it right.” She said federal barriers make national testing standards close
to impossible. “We cannot bring marijuana containing THC across state lines, which means we can only test hemp,” Hoffmann said. “Since THC can hide a pesticide, for example, testing for pesticides in hemp is not accurate.” In June 2020, the task force made recommendations to the
half-century I believe you can reach toxic levels of THC and experience unpleasant side-effects that would likely freak out the uninitiated. I’m sure that there are heavy users that could smoke a whole Strawpicana pre-roll before breakfast and carry on with their routine, but I’m not one. After the nausea and vomiting subsided and vital signs stabilized, more pleasurable feelings took over, moving to total couchlock and out-of-body experiences. As quickly as the ill effects came, a more positive experience took me in and out of consciousness and remained for several hours until there was a seamless transition to sleep with no lingering effects the next morning. As a final note, I returned to Royals and asked the budtender who sold it if anyone had similar effects from Strawpicana or other No Mids flower. She said some customers have mentioned that a few products surprised them with high-potency effects. She also said THC numbers aren’t always easily translated into real potency as there can be varying degrees of quality. I had never heard this before and could not confirm the claim. If you find yourself in a similar situation where it’s so good that it was bad, here are a few suggestions to come down and hopefully minimize any unpleasant feelings: • If the nausea isn’t too intense, eat something. • Drink lots of water. • If you have straight CBD product (0 THC), take that. • Ibuprofen has also been known to mitigate severe symptoms of excessive THC. So take it easy and remember that consuming cannabis is meant to be a pleasurable experience.
Legislature regarding the use of pesticides, which included: • The use of existing agricultural method validation protocols and method performance measures developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, adapted to cannabis plants and products. • The establishment of an interagency cooperative team staffed by WSLCB, WSDA, and DOH to maintain adopted protocols and provide technical assistance to cannabis laboratories. • Regulatory updates which can facilitate the recommendations. A second report, released December 2021, provided rec-
ommendations for additional laboratory quality standards covering potency, heavy metals, and residual solvents. Other recommendations address an Interagency Cooperative Team and its roles and responsibilities for initial and ongoing oversight and guidance for adopting laboratory quality standards and an in-state Cannabis Matrix Proficiency Testing Program. Finally, robust recommendations for developing this Proficiency Testing Program, including the identification of critical cannabis matrix proficiency testing samples, was presented.
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