GREEN WEDNESDAY
NOVEMBER 2021
VOLUME 6, ISSUE 11
EVERCANNABIS.COM
IS CANNABIS’
BLACK FRIDAY
New cannabis holiday designed to help with long weekend By Tracy Damon
EVERCANNABIS CORRESPONDENT
Aunt Edna’s lumbago. The time Grandpa caught a squirrel with a fishing net. Your cousin’s poor decision to marry “that bum.” All things you’re going to have to listen to sober for the seventh year in a row this Thanksgiving if you don’t come prepared with something that takes the edge off, spurs your appetite for dry turkey and drier stuffing, and maybe even makes you giggle a little at the squirrel story. Similar to alcohol, cannabis is known for being able to increase many people’s enjoyment (and tolerance) of holiday get-togethers. And, as with all things holiday, Washington retailers are finding a way to capitalize on this coping mechanism. Following in the tradition of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, “Green Wednesday” is the latest non-official holiday aimed at increasing merchandise sales. Green Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, started on a small scale around 2016 and has been growing each year. According to sales data from states where cannabis is recreationally legal, Green Wednesday is second only to April 20 (4/20) when it comes to single-day marijuana sales, although another weed-inspired “holiday” is also gaining traction; 710, held on July 10, also known as OIL when the letters are creatively positioned. Compared to standard Wednesdays the rest of the year, national sales on Green Wednesday in 2020 were up substantially, almost 140%. While some of the reason for the huge sales increase can probably be attributed to added stress from dealing with a holiday during a pandemic (and perhaps people possibly spending Thanksgiving alone to help slow the spread of COVID), Green Wednesdays going back several years also showed large sales increases on the Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving. Locally, Green Wednesday doesn’t appear to have really taken root yet as a stand-alone holiday, but Christmas, Thanksgiving and other holiday specials of some sort are offered at most Spokane-area retailers. For instance, Cannabis & Glass stores in both Spokane and Spokane Valley haven’t had Green Wednesday sales in the past but have had Thanksgiving sales. This year they
COURTESY CANNABIS & GLASS
Zubi, left, and Parker, budtenders at Cannabis & Glass in Liberty Lake, help customers. are contemplating a hybrid of the two, plus end-of-year promotions. “We celebrate most holidays with some sort of sale, Thanksgiving being one of them, ” Marshall Piatt, director of corporate operations for Cannabis & Glass, wrote in an email. “We will likely roll this into a Harvest/Thanksgiving/ Green Wednesday sale.” As of late October, Piatt wasn’t sure exactly what his company will offer for its sales but said there is a good chance deals could even stretch into Thanksgiving weekend since a lot of people will have a four-day weekend. With all that free time, much of it potentially spent with family, the speculation is
that many customers will buy cannabis to stave off possible boredom and/ or irritation. Others can use the sales to save money and stock up on products that they can use throughout the coming months. North Spokane’s The Green Nugget has a similar plan as Cannabis & Glass. “We actually do not celebrate Green Wednesday but focus our efforts on Black Friday and a Thanksgiving overnight special,” wrote The Green Nugget’s Marketing Director Martina Graves in an email. A handful of other Eastern Washington shops contacted also said they put the emphasis more on Thanksgiving and
Black Friday than Green Wednesday, but all planned to offer some sort of deals. Nationwide, the items that marijuana retailers report sell best leading up to and on the holiday and holiday weekend include items that are discreet or can be used quickly, such as pre-rolled joints, edibles, vape pens and cartridges. Probably for the same reason they are popular all year-round: they’re quick to use, easy to carry in a handbag or pocket, and much easier to hide than a big pipe. So eat dessert first this year! Consider having that edible brownie or cupcake before the big meal to help you choke down the canned beets later.
This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adjust twenty-one and older. Keep out of reach of children.
T2 • Friday • November 5, 2021
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Are Amazon and Apple paving the way to cannabis legalization? Tech giants leading way in efforts to change views of users, businesses By Kate A. Miner
EVERCANNABIS CORRESPONDENT
Apple no longer prohibits marijuana delivery services from being hosted on its App Store, and Amazon now excludes marijuana from its pre-employment drug screening. Will more companies start making similar changes and come on board, especially since Wall Street investors are paying more attention to U.S. and Canadian cannabis companies? Granted, many of these developments, including investing criteria, come with restrictions and stipulations, but as some of the biggest tech companies push for transformation and change, others are sure to follow. For example, when Apple removed its ban on cannabis apps, other restrictions still apply. Permitted marijuana apps must be geo-restricted to locations where cannabis is legal and must be submitted by a legal entity, not an individual developer. Here’s what the previous policy said: “Apps that encourage consumption of tobacco and vape products, illegal drugs, or excessive amounts of alcohol are not permitted on the App Store. Apps that encourage minors to consume any of these substances will be rejected. Facilitating the sale of controlled substances (except for licensed pharmacies), marijuana, or tobacco is not allowed.” Here’s what the new policy (updated in June 2021) states: “Apps that encourage consumption of tobacco and vape products, illegal drugs, or excessive amounts of alcohol are not permitted on the App Store. Apps that encourage minors to consume any of these substances will be rejected. Facilitating the sale of controlled substances (except for licensed pharmacies and licensed or otherwise legal cannabis dispensaries), or tobacco is not allowed.” Eaze was the first app of its kind available on the App Store, which is designed to facilitate the purchase and delivery of cannabis in the U.S. The app includes registration, ID verification, handles payments, and receipts for orders, as well as provides on-demand delivery and order tracking. Sales are
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Young businesspeople relax and talk on a coffee break. limited to those age 21 years or over. Multiple verifications of customer IDs are required throughout the purchase and delivery process. In contrast, Google’s app store updated its substance policy in 2019 to explicitly prohibit programs that connect users with cannabis, regardless of whether or not it’s legal in a user’s jurisdiction. It more recently updated its rules to prohibit cannabis apps that include shopping cart features. The new rule “does not allow apps that facilitate the sale of marijuana or marijuana products, regardless of legality.” However, Google did offer a work-around of sorts for cannabis apps: “These apps need to move the shopping cart flow outside of the app itself to be compliant with this new policy. We’ve been in contact with many of the developers and are
working with them to answer any technical questions and help them implement the changes without customer disruption.” The tech industry has had an interesting relationship with the marijuana industry, but as a growing number of states legalize and regulate the sale of cannabis will we see more change? Most likely, particularly if these the larger companies can find a way to benefit financially. Facebook showed off its artificial intelligence technology in 2019 by making it possible to identify images of marijuana, and continues to prohibit commercial advertising of cannabis products. Amazon, on the other hand, announced last June that it supports the federal legalization of marijuana and revised its workplace policy. According to Forbes columnist Dario Sabaghi, Amazon is taking this action to encourage
cannabis legalization at the federal level. In an October article, Sabahi writes that the company is realizing that national regulation is undermining growth of an already huge industry, and cannabis legalization would allow the company to enter the cannabis industry. In June, Amazon announced it is treating cannabis use by employees in the same way as it treats alcohol. This including removing the presence of marijuana from its comprehensive drug screening program for any job positions not regulated by the Department of Transportation. In September company officials also announced that it has reinstated employment eligibility for former employees and applicants who were previously terminated or deferred during random or pre-employment marijuana screenings. “We made these changes for
a few reasons. First, we recognized that an increasing number of states are moving to some level of cannabis legalization– making it difficult to implement an equitable, consistent, and national pre-employment marijuana testing program. Second, publicly available national data indicates that pre-employment marijuana testing disproportionately impacts people of color and acts as a barrier to employment. And third, Amazon’s pace of growth means that we are always looking to hire great new team members, and we’ve found that eliminating pre-employment testing for cannabis allows us to expand our applicant pool.” Amazon also announced its support for, and began actively lobbying on the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act of 2021 (MORE Act) and the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity (CAO) Act.
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November 5, 2021 • Friday • T3
EVERCANNABIS STRAIN REVIEW
GALACTIC GLUE MAKES IT EASY TO TAKE FLIGHT SHUTTERSTOCK
Galactic Glue
Grown by: Artizen, Lacey Hybrid: Gorilla Glue No. 4 x Gobstopper Harvest date: Feb. 1, 2021 Sampled: Oct. 1, 2021 THC: 21.74% CBD: 0% Dominant terpenes: N/A Purchased: Sativa Sisters More info: artizencannabis.com
Lacey grower creates tasty hybrid By Rick Misterly
EVERCANNABIS CORRESPONDENT
Appearance: This nicely put-together gram packet consisted of four perfectly cured buds, which were pale green in color accented by a reddish hue from the pistils. Upon closer inspection, a dense microscape of trichomes took in a range of fantastical shapes while colors ranged from clear to translucent on the swollen calyxes, and a deep amber on the pistil tips. It was obviously handled with care in the trimming process. Aroma/Taste: A good seal on the package held for eight months. When opened, my nose met with fresh, sweet aromas, including complex spices merged with sweet floral in gentle wafts of rose and lavender. There was nothing volatile to burn the eyes or bring on a sneeze, more of an earthy deepness to tame the scents presenting
from beneath. Prior to lighting up, I held a bud close to my nose and mouth and breathed in deeply – a nice mix of sage and menthol were obvious, plus a fruity taste of grape and berry. Once lit, there was no harshness and a smooth freshness on the palate. The smoke was mild with a warm spice that lacked the strong oiliness of some strains. I do appreciate a tar-like, hashish character in some of the powerful indica strains out there, but the mellowness of Galactic Glue made for a bright, pleasant feeling in the mouth. Effects: The high seemed to creep up and became apparent once focus formed. Whether being alone outdoors on a sunny autumn afternoon or engaged in conversation with others, this strain enhances the moment and relieves anxiety. It’s not too slow of a creeper, because within five minutes the results of three
Can cannabis use violate your rental agreement? Landlords fine-tune language about allowing weed By Taryn Eastwood
EVERCANNABIS CORRESPONDENT
Adult-use cannabis is now legal in 15 states, and experts expect New York, New Mexico and Minnesota will join the ranks as well. Cannabis in general has become more popular and even socially acceptable – one recent poll showed that more than 90% of Americans agree that cannabis should become legal either for adult use or at least medically. With such a widespread amount of people wanting to partake in their homes and outdoors, property owners and landlords of rental properties may start to wonder if
they should address cannabis usage or at least include restrictions against it in lease agreements. Even in states where cannabis is legal, property managers and landlords are not automatically obligated to allow it on their private property. They can specify this by adding a few sentences into the lease agreement either prohibiting cannabis or permitting it, like they would other substances like tobacco or alcohol. Property owners could even include a clause stating which usages of cannabis are permitted and which are deal-breakers: perhaps edibles or vaping are fine, but indoor smoking isn’t allowed, since, like tobacco, smell and smoke residue could linger in furnishings, ceiling and walls, as well as increase fire risk. According to a report from the National Fire Protection Association, between See LANDLORDS, 4
hits had you in its grip. It’s not only mental perception that is affected but a wave washed over the whole body relaxing everything from head to toe. Even though it’s possible to get up and move around, at least for awhile, it might suit you to stay put, get comfortable and let the Gobstopper parent take over. The GG No. 4 co-parent also contributes to the laid-back feeling but the extra sativa here adds an extra spark of alertness, making it possible to be both relaxed and aware of what’s before your eyes. At this point there is no cottonmouth where in other strains, it can get very extreme. For me, this feeling can be a strong source of laughter when you are in conversation with someone and your mouth gets so dry you can barely talk but you don’t want to interrupt the dialogue. You are also certain that no one else is experiencing the same thing
even though you have all just smoked together. Sure, it’s kind of funny, but cottonmouth is really no laughing matter since chronic dry mouth can actually affect your oral health. It’s one of the only unhealthy side effects of cannabis, and something that can be easily remedied by drinking something. For the first two hours or so with Galactic Glue, you can expect to remain in an upbeat zone of satisfaction, where your thoughts are sharp and easily focused. After that point, while going about routine activities I found myself thinking about the hereafter. As in what am I here after? This could be considered a case of emptying the mind or just being spaced out on autopilot. By the four-hour mark the high should be winding down and the lingering effects should make for a good restful sleep.
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Product has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of the reach of children.
T4 • Friday • November 5, 2021
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EVERCANNABIS
COOKING WITH CANNABIS
Celebrate with Toni’s Truffles Tasty treats can be a hit at holiday parties By Mary J. White
EVERCANNABIS CORRESPONDENT
This recipe is one I adapted from a Brazilian confection from the 1940s to honor my great friend Toni Case. It’s very simple and quite delicious, plus … cannabis! If your hands get gooey when you roll the little balls, coat ‘em with cooking spray. So good! To make around two dozen candies, you’ll need:
Ingredients
1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 3 tablespoons infused cannabis butter or solid coconut oil 1 tablespoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup dried strawberries/ raspberries/chopped dried sour cherries Sprinkles or colored sugar
LANDLORDS
found to be disobeying the rules. On paper, a tenant found to be Continued from 3 possessing or using cannabis in the privacy of their rented home 2012-2016, $476 million of direct could be potentially in violation of property damage had been done federal laws, as could the property due to smoking materials indoors. owner. Although it’s likely that Even in a ‘legal’ state, a propinvestigators would focus more on erty owner who doesn’t want larger-scale growing or distribuconsumption on their property tion operations in rented homes could also add additional legal rather than a tenant with a pipe protection with the phrase “It’s and small personal-use amounts understood our state allows of cannabis. cannabis possession and usage There are different rules for but it is still a federally classified public and tribal housing, which Schedule 1 drug, therefore isn’t are both federally-funded proallowed on these premises.” grams and must include specific In non-legal states it’s much verbiage. But even this could simpler. The landlord doesn’t change soon. even need to specifically address On July 14, U.S. Sens. Cory cannabis in the lease agreement Booker (D-NJ), Chuck Schumer because all usage would be an (D-NY) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) illegal activity. released the Cannabis AdminIt would be similar to a lease istration and Opportunity Act, agreement specifically prohibwhich would decriminalize iting cocaine or heroin, rather cannabis federally and also help than a general “avoid all illegal to expunge certain past cannaactivity and substances” section. bis-related crimes. If someone needs to get deep Congress still hasn’t approved into the details, a lease can also the whole package but experts specify pharmaceutical drugs for say versions may be ready for legitimate medical needs but not votes as early as 2022. for other needs. Renting or leasing property However, for landlords that does carry some financial or legal want to look ahead to future risks by nature, and landlords legal trends, it might be smart to try to do everything they can begin including cannabis-specific to minimize their liability for language in their boilerplate lease anything a tenant may do or not templates. This is due to rapid do. If problems do occur, a tenant changes in state and national could also try to say the landlord cannabis laws, including possible was negligent in not prohibiting cannabis-friendly revisions to fed- cannabis. eral scheduling and legalization. Landlords with questions Including clauses about canna- about this topic are encouraged bis in a lease would be beneficial to discuss with a real estate attorfor owners to allow the opportuney, local landlord association or nity to evict a tenant if they are established rental company.
Instructions
Liberally oil a 9-inch square baking dish. Place everything except the sprinkles in a medium saucepan and cook, on low to medium low, for about 20-25 minutes, stirring frequently. Remember to keep the temperature low so you don’t burn off any of the goodness. You want this really thick – your spatula will leave an obvious trail when you drag it across the bottom. Spread this out in the prepared baking pan and
MARY WHITE/FOR EVERCANNABIS
chill for at least an hour. When it’s chilled, scoop out about 1 tablespoon of the mixture and roll in a cute little ball, then place in those teeny muffin cups. You can sprinkle the sparkles over or roll in the pretty stuff – up to you! If you use 3 tablespoons of cannabis butter, you’ll have
approximately 150 mg total in potency. If you use hash butter instead, you’re looking at enjoying around 400-600 mg. Plan accordingly and have fun! Do keep these in the fridge and but make sure to keep them secure and away from the littles.
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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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