Spokannabist, march 31, 2017 by Cowles Publishing

Spokannabist is a supplement of The Spokesmanâ&#x2C6;&#x2019;Review â&#x20AC;˘ Friday, March 31, 2017

Spokannabist is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Friday, March 31, 2017

SPOKANNABIST VOLUME 1

IN THIS ISSUE

Let me be the ﬁrst to wish you and yours a happy 420! (You’re welcome, man).

ISSUE 11

6 DIRECTOR, SALES & MARKETING Kathleen Coleman PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Dan Fritts

A warm welcome Soap Lake hopes to draw cannabis crowds

MANAGING EDITOR Joe Butler

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Anne Potter GRAPHIC DESIGNER Vickie Schloss LOCAL CONTRIBUTORS Staci Lehman Tyler Wilson Courtney Dunham Jeff Selle Nicole Skinner

ADVERTISING LEAD Matthew Hawkins

Unhealthy mix Pot critics concerned about proximity to churches

Cannacon Industry gathers to talk business

509.459.5095 spokannabist@spokesman.com

THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW EDITORIAL TEAM Kip Hill Betsy Z. Russell Chad Sokol

www.spokesman.com 509.459.5400 news@spokesman.com

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If you’ve been part of pot culture for the last few years, you’ve probably heard the term, perhaps even used it yourself as an excuse to go toke in the afternoon. Some consider it the cannabis version of tea time, but perhaps with a different menu than elegant crumpets, dainty scones and other delicate ﬁnger foods. But beyond the basic stoner stereotypes, many people aren’t quite sure what the term means, and it’s becoming an even greater mystery as more people learn about cannabis and cannabis culture. Veteran partakers will often give you a shrug, and simply say that there’s never a bad reason to indulge. Which generally is an acceptable answer. As an educational publication, we’ve dedicated part of this issue to presenting the most plausible theory. The good thing is that, whatever its origins, 420 has come to symbolize anything and everything marijuana, that isn’t necessarily restricted to a speciﬁc date or time. As long as marijuana remains legal at a state level, feel free to celebrate responsibly. Please continue to share your ideas, suggestions and questions! Joe Butler, Managing Editor

Please contact 509.459.5095 or spokannabist@spokesman.com

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.

Spokannabist is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Friday, March 31, 2017

CANNABIS NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

ARKANSAS MOVING CLOSER TO MEDICAL POT SALES

OREGON SEES BOOM IN POT SALES

BRAZIL OKS POT FOR MS TREATMENT

COLORADO TOWN OFFERS DRIVE-THRU SERVICE

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas’ Medical Marijuana Commission has approved a final set of rules on how businesses can cultivate and sell the drug. The rules approved in late February are now receiving public comment, and lawmakers must adopt them no later than May 8. Commissioners are expected to hold a hearing March 31. Dr. Ronda Henry-Tillman, the commission’s chairman, said questions remain about who would educate patients and ensure safety. “People who want it are thinking about the relief that it provides them,” she said. “Others are thinking dollar signs and business plans, but ... the safety of that individual has to be considered as well.” Lawmakers and Gov. Asa Hutchinson approved a bill removing a requirement in the voter-approved Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment that physicians certify “the potential benefits of the medical use of marijuana would likely outweigh the health risks for the qualifying patient.” In December, the commission determined to allow for 32 dispensaries and five cultivation facilities. Dispensaries would be able to grow up to 50 “mature” plants. Dispensaries not growing marijuana would pay an annual licensing fee of $2,500. Dispensaries growing their own plants would pay an annual fee of $25,000.

SALEM – The Oregon Department

RIO – The Brazilian government

of Revenue announced late last month that it received $5.3 million in marijuana tax payments in January. The grand total of $65.4 million received in the year since Oregon started taxing pot sales is exceeding original estimates. In January 2016, Oregon started collecting a 25 percent tax from medical marijuana dispensaries’ recreational sales. A year later, recreational pot shops — which first opened last summer — began charging a 17 percent tax. Even though the tax rate has dropped, money still flows. It is smaller, however, than the state’s expected $1.8 billion budget shortfall, which the Legislature is trying to resolve. “The (marijuana tax) numbers ... suggest very strong collection,” said Mazen Malik, senior economist with the Legislature. “This suggests that the transition is being implemented successfully and consumers are continuing to buy at the rate we saw last year.” Last May, the Legislative Revenue Office quadrupled its estimate of net marijuana tax revenues that the state was expected to receive through June 30 — from $8.4 million to $35 million. The actual total pot tax payments are now almost double that revised amount, and five more months of tax collections remain before June 30.

has authorized pharmacists to fill prescriptions for a hemp-based CBD oil designed to treat multiple sclerosis. The oil known as Real Scientific Hemp is made by the U.S.-based Medical Marijuana Inc., and the company’s Brazilian subsidiary HempMeds Brasil. This is the first time that the government’s National Health Surveillance Agency has granted prescriptions for this type of product to treat MS, which affects 1.36-20 per 100,000 Brazilians. “We commend the Brazilian government for recognizing nationwide health problems that exist, including Multiple Sclerosis and a multitude of other chronic medical conditions, and looking for solutions that can help alleviate those problems,” said Medical Marijuana’s CEO Dr. Stuart Titus. He said research indicates that cannabis/hemp can slow the neurodegenerative process of MS and help patients manage symptoms. “One study showed cannabinoids demonstrated neuroprotective effects during an animal model, reducing the damage to myelin caused from inflammation, while in another study MS patients saw significant improvements in muscle spasticity and reduced sleep disturbances after four weeks,” he said. The company is working on related products to treat pain and muscle spasticity, including gum and botanical CBD items. It also offers hemp-based products for epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease and chronic pain.

PARACHUTE – The Parachute Board of

Source: The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Source: The Associated Press

Trustees approved a business license for Tumbleweed Express in February, believed to be the state’s ﬁrst drive-thru marijuana shop. “As far as I can tell, we are not aware of this business model,” said Robert Goulding, spokesman for Colorado’s Marijuana Enforcement Division. The business is expected to open this spring in a former car wash. The Marijuana Enforcement Division approved the license but said the store cannot allow anyone younger than 21, even in a car’s back seat. The business must also have security and surveillance, and marijuana may not be visible from outside the dispensary. Marijuana accounted for nearly 30 percent of the community’s 2016 sales tax revenue of just over $1 million, said Town Manager Stuart McArthur. “The really good news is that other businesses are beneﬁting,” he said. Travelers buying marijuana in Parachute are more likely to stop at restaurants and other shops, he said, helping an economy hit hard by a downturn in natural gas production. Mayor Roy McClung said the town’s economy would have been in trouble without legalized recreational marijuana. Statewide, marijuana sales brought in close to $200 million in taxes and fees last year, according to the Colorado Department of Revenue. Source: Glenwood Springs Post Independent

Spokannabist is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Friday, March 31, 2017

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THE HEMP AND CANNABIS FAIR, SALEM, ORE. Learn about the latest products and accessories, growing equipment, and the changing laws. www.thcfair.com IMPERIOUS CANNABIS BUSINESS EXPO, PHOENIX Meet vendors and other professionals interested in opportunities in recreational and medical cannabis products. www.imperiousexpo.com/upcoming/ phoenix2017/attend.html WORLD CANNABIS WEEK, DENVER Celebrate all forms of cannabis with tours, parties, and “420,” on April 20-21, the country’s ﬁrst and largest marijuana rally and cultural festival. www.denver420rally.org/ or www.worldcannabisweek.com/ CANNABIS WEDDING EXPO, SAN FRANCISCO If you’re planning a wedding or in the wedding industry, you’ll enjoy this look at tasteful ways to incorporate cannabis and hemp products, plus a variety of cannabis-friendly vendors. www.cannabisweddingexpo.com

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Spokannabist is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Friday, March 31, 2017

Water and Weed Soap Lake rolls out the welcome mat for marijuana By STACI LEHMAN Spokannabist Correspondent

Kickball, cannabis and the world’s largest lava lamp: Soap Lake knows how to party! The Central Washington community, population 1,500, is trying to update its image, and hopes legal marijuana and events associated with it will bring new business and tourists. “In the early 1900s, Soap Lake was the biggest tourist destination in the state because of the mineral water,” said Soap Lake Mayor Raymond Gravelle. But like many small, rural towns, the economy declined, downtown storefronts were boarded up, and the town became a little shabby over the decades.

In the 11 years since Gravelle moved to Soap Lake, things have started to pick up, due to an award-winning downtown renovation and work by civic leaders to bring in millions of dollars in grant money to improve infrastructure. Gravelle hopes to keep the momentum going by turning the town into a tourist destination for not only the beneﬁts of the lake, but also cannabis offerings. “We are hoping to jump on the bandwagon of getting those tax dollars. We are promoting businesses to come settle in Soap Lake,” said Gravelle, who is also open to other kinds of businesses outside of pot. With Soap Lake’s history, he thinks cannabis has a natural place in the community. The lake’s mineral-rich waters have long been

believed to have medicinal value and people travel from all over the world to soak in it. Soap Lake’s name, originally the American Indian word “Smokiam,” translates to “healing water.” The mineral-rich lake is 2 square miles wide and 70 feet deep, and is considered to have some of the most diverse mineral content of any body of water on Earth. “We have a lake that is known for its healing properties. When you look at the medicinal qualities of marijuana, they complement each other,” Gravelle said. “We call ourselves Washington’s health resort, so this ﬁts right in with the health aspect.” That’s not just Gravelle’s opinion. The town’s entire city council backs him in the quest to capitalize on cannabis for the good of the community.

Downtown Soap Lake photo by Tamara Blalock, courtesy City of Soap Lake

Spokannabist is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Friday, March 31, 2017

“Probably within the ﬁrst year of [marijuana] being legalized, the city council passed the necessary ordinance to allow cannabis operations to come in,” he said. City council member JoAnn Rushton says the council is supportive of Gravelle’s and other’s efforts to capitalize on cannabis for the good of the community. “Everyone is on board,” she said. Next, the question was, where will cannabis businesses be located in the small town? Gravelle, a Realtor, has that covered too. “Our little town has one relatively small area that meets the 1,000-foot buffer requirement (for cannabis businesses),” he said. “We call that our marijuana zone.” While the designated marijuana zone currently is only home to storage units, its future is bright. “With my Realtor hat on I secured a listing for vacant land of 2.7 acres and marketed it as canna-friendly,” he said. The pitch worked. A company out of Seattle bought the property and is planning a retail marijuana shop with an attached grow operation behind glass that tourists can view.

Rushton is concerned about comments from the Trump administration about cracking down on marijuana. “Things could get interesting,” she said, but so far the city hasn’t invested a lot of money into making the area a marijuana mecca yet. “Just little stuff that got people together to get the ball rolling.” In the meantime, Gravelle is marketing other available property in the marijuana zone and plans to bring in community events. “I’m working with the Soap Lake Chamber of Commerce to encourage more cannabis-related events,” Gravelle said. “Because we’re an art place, we want to have an ‘art in the park’ kind of event. Then we said, ‘we have to have music.’ And we’ve got wine around here so maybe we can have wine.”

against state retailers (the processors won!). The familyfriendly event also featured a parade through town and a smoking tent for those 21 and over. Gravelle said the event went well and the city looks forward to hosting it again.

And then there is the city’s giant lava lamp. The town has been working toward building a 60-foot functional lamp as a tourist We have a lake that is known for its healing attraction for over properties. When you look at the medicinal qualities a decade. Gravelle of marijuana, they complement each other. We call says it is still on the books.

“

ourselves Washington’s health resort, so this ﬁts right in with the health aspect.

”

Soap Lake Mayor Ray Gravelle

“We just need to come up with a million dollars to build it,” he said.

There is also a 10- to 12-room boutique hotel in the works by the same company. Gravelle said the company has a similar hotel in Daytona Beach, Fla., and wants to expand to Washington.

Throw marijuana into the mix and you have “WAMM: Wine, Art, Marijuana and Music,” a community cultural event Gravelle is working on organizing for the future.

With increased revenue from marijuana businesses, this goal could happen sooner rather than later.

The grow operation is scheduled to start this spring but it’s not clear when the hotel will be built, despite Gravelle’s enthusiasm.

A successful cannabis-themed event held last fall in Soap Lake has him convinced there is a market for marijuana.

Side beneﬁts could be a lot of people re-living some fond youthful memories of getting stoned in their bedroom and staring at a lava lamp for hours.

“Not fast enough for me,” he said. However, this project might have some delays at the national level.

The Cannabis Alliance, a non-proﬁt business association based in Washington, organized a day-long kickball tournament and invited state processors to compete

If you are a cannabis business interested in opportunities in Soap Lake, contact the Soap Lake Chamber of Commerce at (509) 246-1821 or email chamber@soaplakecoc.org.

Spokannabist is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Friday, March 31, 2017

Marijuana at the movies Pot counterculture becoming part of pop culture By TYLER WILSON Spokannabist Correspondent

Don’t look to Hollywood history for a nuanced depiction of the average marijuana user. Though many ﬁlms depict casual and medicinal practices, the more memorable marijuana-infused movies tend to follow the “stoner comedy” template: a pair of lovable losers embark on quests for simple pleasures – usually good food or more pot. Expect a bizarre fantasy sequence or two, an out-of-their-league romantic interest and an uptight villain who just needs to loosen up, man. Seth Rogen reigns as the current king of stoner comedies, though he owes his success to the trails blazed by Cheech & Chong, Bill & Ted, Harold & Kumar, and those poor, poor teenagers infected with reefer madness generations ago. Memorable marijuana use in cinema rarely crosses into heavy drama. Plenty of movie characters suffer mightily at the hands of alcohol or hard drugs, but nobody takes the pothead seriously, except for maybe Mr. Hand, Sean Penn’s teacher in “Fast Times at Ridgemont High.” Some high pedigree ﬁlmmakers have dabbled with the Mary Jane too – notably Richard Linklater with “Dazed & Confused”

and the th Coen Brothers with “The Big Lebowski.” The Dude wasn’t Le a only about bowling and White Russi Russians. Dopeheads on ﬁlm may act, w well, dopey, but many users and non-users alike remember them because they’re larger than life, and their humor transcends the stoner stereotype. In many ways, the expanded le legalization of marijuana a ease of access may ﬂy and i the face of weed’s antiin establishment roots, meaning the golden age of ‘stoner comedies’ may actually be waning. Rogen still makes room for pot in most of his movies, but the stories themselves are becoming more about growing up u and being responsible (think (thi k “N “Neighbors” i hb or “The Night Before”). Marijuana still matters, just not as much as, say, taking care of family. How did we get to such an enlightened cinematic space? It all started with a “public health warning” in 1936 …

‘Reefer Madness’ Originally intended as a scare tactic for parents of teens, “ “Reefer Madness” used melodrama and twisted logic as an aanti-marijuana narrative. Rediscovered in the 1970s for its unintentional humor, the ﬁlm is now a cult favorite and has u spawned a number of comedic commentaries (think “Mystery sp Science Theater” style, and even a musical adaptation in 2005). Sc

Spokannabist is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Friday, March 31, 2017

“Cheech & Chong”

Seth Rogen

Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong became counterculture comedy icons with a series of lucrative stand-up specials, albums and films about their cannabis-loving alter-egos. Their first film, 1978’s “Up in Smoke” is still considered their best effort. Try to forget the abysmal cartoon, “Cheech & Chong’s Animated Movie” in 2013.

Kevin Smith? Writer/director Kevin Smith created a memorable duo of stoner heroes: Jay and Silent Bob. In films like “Clerks,” “Mallrats,” and “Chasing Amy,” the lovable drug dealers only appear to offer occasional filthy jokes or unexpectedly poignant advice. The pair received a larger spotlight in “Dogma” and “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back,” but even those movies provided enough Ben Affleck and Matt Damon star power to offset the low-brow humor. After a more subdued turn in “Clerks II,” the Quick Stop loiterers haven’t re-appeared in Smith’s recent work. While the director now proudly touts his own regular marijuana use, the movies lack the punch and basic cohesiveness of even his laziest Jay and Bob bits. After sitting through the insufferable “Yoga Hosers,” perhaps Smith needs to find a new strain.

Harold & Kumar John Cho and Kal Penn brought the stoner comedy back into relevance in 2004 thanks to the witty subversion of ethnic stereotypes in “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle” and its inferior-but-charming sequels, “Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay” and “A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas.” The series also featured Neil Patrick Harris as a coked-out, sex maniac version of himself.

Rogen’s cannabis indoctrination of Hollywood works mostly because the comedian manages to make consistent films. His most overt stoner comedy, 2008’s “Pineapple Express,” plays best as a riff on drug-themed action movies, and he’s found a soulmate in James Franco, to the point where their onscreen love almost got us into a war with North Korea (“The Interview”). It helps that Rogen, alongside writing partner Evan Goldberg, clearly want to make movies about something other than smoking pot. Their best film, the apocalyptic hang-out movie “This is the End,” is a soulful morality tale that also happens to include weed, grisly celebrity deaths and the terrifying idea of a cannibalistic Danny McBride. Even in his lesser efforts, like last year’s way R-rated cartoon, “Sausage Party,” the marijuana use is neither demonized or celebrated, just one component of a broader comic choice. Rogen may be the figurehead of the stoner film genre, but he’s ushering in an era where the genre fits more comfortably in the broader comedic landscape. As marijuana continues its rise to the mainstream, there may be less need for lovable, anti-establishment stoner heroes. But so long as the Dude abides, movies will always welcome them for the occasional shenanigans. There will always be uptight teachers, overbearing cops and Mountain Dew-guzzling racists, and the only way to squash them all is to light ‘em up.

Spokannabist is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Friday, March 31, 2017

A Growing CONCERN Local anti-marijuana activists look to Trump administration for support, continue petition drive By KIP HILL, reporter The Spokesman-Review

Opponents of the sale of marijuana in downtown Spokane are hoping they’ll get a sympathetic ear in the White House after striking out locally.

McGuire has sent letters to Sessions, President Donald Trump and the Washington Attorney General’s Ofﬁce with evidence of the signatures gathered supporting the new setback, which effectively would limit where marijuana businesses could locate in the downtown core.

“We’re trying to get the Attorney General Jeff Sessions to come in, and show him that hundreds of people oppose marijuana shops near churches,” said Michael McGuire, a parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral downtown.

So far, efforts to change the city’s rules have been unsuccessful, with City Council President Ben Stuckart saying Spokane should be supporting the revenue-generating pot industry, rather than stiﬂing it with additional regulations.

McGuire, along with former state lawmaker John Ahern, have organized a petition-signing effort to add houses of worship to the city’s list of establishments requiring buffer zones from pot businesses.

Ahern, who said he’s collected roughly 1,000 signatures of the 2,586 needed to get the question on the ballot, said he believes there’s enough support for his proposal to bypass the City Council and go directly to voters.

Spokannabist is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Friday, March 31, 2017

“We’ve got a lot of churches that are very interested. We’re going to get this thing on the ballot this fall,” Ahern said. The petition would need the necessary number of signatures – 5 percent of the total number of votes cast in the 2015 municipal election – by June 12 in order to appear on the ballot in November. The proposal would add houses of worship with children’s programs, hospitals, and drug treatment centers to the list of establishments requiring a 1,000-foot buffer from any marijuana business, which already includes parks, transportation centers and libraries. A state-level proposal that would have granted cities the option to ban the sale of marijuana in the same areas restricting sales of strong alcoholic drinks died in committee this legislative session. The bill was introduced by Sen. Michael Baumgartner, R-Spokane, and had a hearing in January in Olympia, but did not receive a vote. City Councilman Mike Fagan, who petition supporters consider the lone sympathetic ear on the Spokane City Council, said the city crafted its marijuana zoning rules to adhere closely to state standards, which did not include houses of worship in its list requiring setbacks. Fagan said he supported including churches and other establishments, but there were no like minds on the council. “I was a proponent, but at the end of the day, I was just one of seven,” Fagan said. Kevin Oliver, a marijuana producer and executive director of the Washington chapter for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, said even if the city were to approve additional zoning restrictions on where marijuana businesses could locate, existing businesses would almost certainly be grandfathered. Oliver said appealing to the federal government to take an interest in local issues was unlikely to be successful, despite recent statements from the White House and administration indicating stricter enforcement of federal laws is on the way. “I think it’s very unlikely that people who are following rules, especially small business owners who are working their butts off, are going to be targeted,” Oliver said. Spokane’s rules on locating marijuana businesses are looser than surrounding communities, which have passed stricter regulations based on direction from the Washington Attorney General’s Ofﬁce authorizing “broad authority” for local governments to regulate the industry. Spokane County recently enacted a moratorium on outdoor grows in response to complaints about odor, and Spokane Valley has effectively capped its existing industry by passing an ordinance in July outlawing new retail stores.

Spokannabist is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Friday, March 31, 2017

Cannacon

shares high points, challenges of growing industry

By JOE BUTLER Spokannabist Writer

If greater federal pressure or increased enforcement activity comes to bear on Washington’s cannabis industry, it’s going to affect more than just growers and retailers. As seen at Cannacon, an annual Northwest gathering of companies and individuals in afﬁliated cannabis businesses, there are plenty of companies with a lot at stake, including manufacturing, tourism, packaging, technology, legal, food, transportation and agriculture. The three-day February event in Seattle brought more than 10,000 visitors and vendors together to discuss current issues, new technologies, and possible legal challenges. “It’s the fastest growing industry now,” said David Rheins, founder and executive director of the Marijuana Business Association, a national trade organization. “There are all sorts of new product categories, and more than 10,000 companies directly or indirectly involved, but many have limited access to money, and a high regulatory environment.” Some companies have entered the marketplace because of a familiarity with

Photo Courtesy Kevin Oliver/NORML Joe Butler and Matthew Hawkins ham it up at Cannacon.

and an interest in different aspects of marijuana cultivation, operations or sales. Others have worked in noncannabis industries and decided to adapt to this developing sector. For instance, several companies that specialize in agricultural products and soil nutrients have found new customers interested in how to improve growing

conditions of plants and soil. Companies that were already offering security services are also ﬁnding interest from growers and retailers wanting to ensure their inventory stays safe from internal or external theft. Companies that sell candy or candy molds are getting attention from cannabis producers wanting to use their cannabis in infused edible treats. Even companies that print lanyards are interested in reaching cannabis companies, since many in this industry must display their IDs at all times. Along with a showcase of vendors, Cannacon also included seminars and panels, including tips on controlling pests, improving

Spokannabist is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Friday, March 31, 2017

automation and better ways to extract cannabis to create concentrates and oils. Audience members received training in marketing as well. Consumers may generally be familiar with the wacky world of pot from movies and TV, but this doesn’t always translate to choosing one strain over another, especially when they all have creative names. “Pot culture is really pop culture in disguise, and it has been infused into our culture for more than 50 years,” said Rheins. He said the industry really needs to educate the public about the health and business beneﬁts of cannabis, not just consumers, but different levels of government and local communities.

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He encouraged companies to ﬁnd ways that they’re unique and distinct in their branding and messaging; since the legal market is so new, no brand leaders have emerged. “The strains being grown are important, but the consumer experience has to be consistent,” he said. “Every grower I’ve talked to tells me, ‘my stuff is the best’ but it has to be more than that.” The event included a presentation hailing the role of women in the industry. Currently about 36 percent of cannabis company executives are women, compared to 22 percent for all other industries. A display of lanyards. Photo by Joe Butler

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Spokannabist is a supplement of The Spokesman Review • Friday, March 31, 2017

Just as “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere” has become the cultural code phrase for alcohol enthusiasts to justify tossing back an early cocktail, the term “420” has become a notvery-secret call in the cannabis community to ﬁre one up. Why users are encouraged to partake every April 20th or perhaps indulge in a daily lateafternoon toke has become the subject of considerable debate, along with extensive discussions over where the term originated. Speculation has only grown as the marijuana movement has progressed into the mainstream over the past couple of decades.

Origins of informal herbal celebration murky By JEFF SELLE Spokannabist Correspondent

The Waldos have been dubbed “The Beatles of 420,” however, they still remain under the radar in much of society. But they have granted some rare interviews to publications such as High Times, which ironically played a role in both perpetuating rumors and eventually bringing the term into mainstream marijuana culture.

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Ask any veteran in the marijuana movement about the meaning of 420 and it will likely elicit a shrug of the shoulders, or perhaps some version of a rumor they’ve read or heard over the years.

WHAT TIME IS IT?

According to their own website, 420Waldos. com, “The Waldos never purposely tried to insert 420 into culture, yet despite all the modern hoopla about it, it was never anything more than a private Waldo joke.”

“To tell you the truth, I didn’t even hear the term 420 until about four years ago,” said Spokane-area marijuana activist Rick Misterly, who has been part of the marijuana counterculture for more than 50 years. “I Googled it and I saw it was used by some high schoolers in northern California as a time they would all meet up and smoke marijuana.” He’s actually correct, but the story of how the term became mainstream is much more interesting.

A Google search for “420” brings up 840 million search results, and a plethora of published and discussed theories and all sorts of rumors tied to 420. Michael Goldstein, of LA Weekly, did a story in 2013 debunking a whole list of rumors associated with 420 ranging from a commemoration of Bob Marley’s death to a complicated theory that the number was inspired by Bob Dylan lyrics.

Goldstein and a handful of other journalists have concluded that the most credible theories point to a group of San Rafael High School students who coined the time-related term while planning to hunt for an elusive patch of abandoned weed in 1971. The students were known as the Waldos because they hung out at a wall on the high school campus.

While the Waldos did not respond to a request for an interview from Spokannabist, their well-documented website is a trove of evidence that substantiates their claim to have coined the term. As the story goes, a handful of friends and high school classmates got their hands on a crude map that led to a patch of weed cultivated by a U.S. Coast Guard lighthouse keeper, who became paranoid after planting it on federal property and abandoned it.

The Waldos hatched a plan to go and harvest the weed, requiring them to meet up by a statue of Louis Pasteur on campus after sports practice – the time: 4:20 p.m.

While the Waldos never found the weed, they had grown accustomed to using the term 420 in weed-related conversations so it started catching on and spreading among fellow students. Coincidently, the Grateful Dead rock band was moving into Marin County, Calif., during that time and one of the Waldos’ fathers became the band’s real estate agent.

Some of the Waldos became close with band members and worked shows with them or housesat for them while they toured. During a 2009 interview with Hufﬁngton Post, “Waldo Steve,” as he was identiﬁed in the story, said the Waldos would hang out and smoke pot in the Dead’s recording studio, and soon many of the band members and backstage crews were using the term 420. Fast forward to 1990 when High Times Reporter Steven Bloom was attending a

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rateful Dead show in Oakland, Calif. A eadhead handed him a ﬂyer, according to he Post article.

The ﬂyer said: “We are going to meet at :20 on 4/20 for 420-ing in Marin County t the Bolinas Ridge sunset spot on Mt. amalpais,” according to the Post article. loom told the Post he had never heard f 420-ing.

The ﬂyer came complete with a 420 ack story, so he decided to publish it: 420 started somewhere in San Rafael, alifornia, in the late ‘70s. It started as he police code for Marijuana Smoking Progress. After local heads heard of he police call, they started using the xpression 420 when referring to herb et’s Go 420, dude!”

The Waldos’ website points out hat particular time was when the misinformation began, and by 1998 all nds of false info was being linked o 420.

In fact, High Times magazine liked the erm so much it purchased 420.com and tarted using 420 as a branding slogan at many events.

Spokannabist is a supplement of The Spokesman Review • Friday, March 31, 2017

“I started incorporating it into everything we were doing,” High Times editor Steve Hager told the Huffington Post. “I started doing all these big events - the World Hemp Expo Extravaganza and the Cannabis Cup - and we built everything around 420. The publicity that High Times gave it is what made it an international thing. Until then, it was relatively confined to the Grateful Dead subculture. But we blew it out into an international phenomenon.” According to the Waldos’ website, members finally decided to come forward to High Times and set the record straight. High Times corrected the record with a special 420 edition of its magazine in 1998 in a story titled “The Riddle of 4:20.” Today the term has evolved to what High Times calls “the stoner’s day to celebrate.” “Although the number holds no significance for the straight world, stoners have universally embraced it to the point that April 20th has become our New Year celebration,” wrote Editorin-Chief Steven Hager in the first 420 edition of the magazine.

Spokannabist is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Friday, March 31, 2017

The music of marijuana

Artists collaborate for Peter Tosh tribute album By JOE BUTLER Spokannabist Writer

Part of the 420 celebrations taking place next month includes the release of a new version of a classic album: Peter Tosh’s “Legalize It.” Though the album still has strong staying power after more than 40 years, this official remix features a who’s who of music performing new interpretations of the landmark cuts. The re-release, which was recorded and curated the week of this year’s Grammy awards, also includes commentary from current and past artists from the worlds of rock, reggae, hip hop, country and pop, everyone from Willie Nelson to Cypress Hill. Tosh, a musician and human rights activist, is considered the Godfather of Cannabis Legalization and has been inducted into the Counterculture Hall of Fame. He was a founding member of the Wailers along with Bob Marley and even taught Marley to play the guitar. He also was involved in many of the group’s hits before leaving the band to pursue a solo career. He was killed in 1987 in Jamaica but much of his legacy is similar to Marley’s: excellent music, providing a voice to Jamaica and letting the world know about the natural goodness of cannabis. Tosh was considered to be even more of a legalization activist than Marley, and once stopped a concert to publicly chastise Jamaica’s prime minister in the audience for 30 minutes for not legalizing ganja. He also was active in fighting poverty and injustice in his home country. Tosh was part of the Rastafarian religious sect, which believes that cannabis can aid enlightenment. In 1976 he recorded his first solo album, “Legalize It,” which his estate felt needed to be heard again due to the growing number of states adding recreational or medical marijuana options. Many pot enthusiasts have declared April 20 to be International Peter Tosh Day. During 420 celebrations in 2016, his family announced the creation of “Peter Tosh 420,” a Peter Tosh-licensed brand of cannabis designed for medical or recreational users or those seeking spiritual enlightenment. The first batch is expected to be available at marijuana retail locations this spring. The venture also includes support from music/entertainment veteran Brian Latture and cannabis entrepreneur Steven Trenk from Lizada Capital. Proceeds from every sale of Peter Tosh 420 products go to the Peter Tosh Foundation, which funds global projects including education, social justice, legalization and other humanitarian causes. Fans of Tosh and his messages are also circulating a petition to make the Peter Tosh Memorial Garden in Jamaica a national historical landmark. An official museum opened in Kingston last fall.

For more info visit http://petertosh.com/ or hear his music on Spotify or iTunes.

Spokannabist is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Friday, March 31, 2017

GROW IT OR BUY IT?

WHY CANNABIS INDUSTRY SHOULD FOLLOW HOMEBREWER MODEL By LARA KAMINSKY Special to Spokannabist

To homegrow or not to homegrow? That is the question. As a semi-controversial topic in the legal cannabis industry, it might seem strange for an industry association to support the right of individuals 21 and older to grow their own products legally at home. Won’t that just cut into the legal market if everyone does this? People won’t buy from stores anymore or want weed from producers, right? On the surface that might seem a possibility, but just because people grow tomatoes at home doesn’t mean that they completely stop buying them at grocery stores. In my opinion, not only does homegrowing not hurt the commercial market but it can actually increase demand and create a more sophisticated consumer, who can drive producers to develop more nuanced and superior products. Why do I feel so conﬁdent about these statements? Look at homebrewing and the craft brew industry. Until the early 1980s, the most popular U.S. beers were mass-produced commodities with little or no character, tradition or culture. The industry was rapidly consolidating into only a handful of companies, making the opportunity for choice vanish along with opportunities for small businesses. The growth of homebrewing and a focus on smaller craft batches stemmed the tide and reversed the trend. The legal cannabis industry needs a dose of homebrewing enthusiasm. Many small business owners in this industry

are really struggling, and consolidation is already happening. Product sales are being driven primarily by high THC numbers on the label… not quality or ﬂavor. Sound familiar? I want to develop a strong industry built on consumer choice. I want quality products created by and sold by small, local, mom-and-pop businesses. I want an industry that cares about quality over quantity; that wants to develop sophisticated products for an informed consumer base. Just think about what homegrowers will purchase. They need their seeds and clones … and a good law can create a legal market for these from licensed producers and/or retailers. Homegrowers will also likely support other businesses including retailers, equipment suppliers, soil and fertilizer producers and more. How wide can those economic ripples spread? Allowing home cultivation encourages the treatment of cannabis as a plant and gives people a way to engage in the legal marketplace, just as homebrewing encouraged people to purchase microbrews at local businesses. Washington is the only state that has approved legalized recreational adult use of cannabis but not home cultivation. From where I sit, it makes good economic and industry development sense to support the right of adults to grow at home. Lara Kaminsky is the Executive Director of The Cannabis Alliance, a Washington nonproﬁt trade association that understands that the war on drugs has created misperceptions, mistrust and even fear about the industry and legalization. The Cannabis Alliance strives to change those perceptions, through education, advocacy and helping set the highest possible industry standards.

Spokannabist is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Friday, March 31, 2017

Growers say homegrown pot offers more quality control, ease of access By COURTNEY DUNHAM Spokannabist Correspondent

As interest and mainstream acceptance continues to grow for the cannabis industry, more people are looking into the possibility of growing it themselves. Though recreational ‘home-growing’ is legal in some states for medical or recreational purposes, Washington limits growing to only licensed producers. There is a small provision, however, for medical patients. People who grow their own marijuana ﬁnd it’s a great way to control quality and costs. “Most of what you need to grow your own, such as sun, moisture, and good soil, is already available and costs very little,” said Spokane resident Gloria Williams.

D.I.Y.

WEED

Some people grow marijuana purely for medicinal reasons, and others grow to reduce costs or share with friends, although the latter activity is deﬁnitely a legally gray area for the giver and receiver. Williams said some home growers she knows don’t want to get a doctor’s prescription, or are frustrated with what they see as a lack of quality in some shops. She said growing marijuana is not difﬁcult if you’re willing to put effort and time into it. A beginner kit can cost as little as $80 and is available at some specialty garden supply shops, online or by mail order. Williams said growing cannabis outdoors is easiest and a good place to start.

Spokannabist is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Friday, March 31, 2017

However, many prefer to grow indoors due to privacy and weather conditions, especially in the Northwest. Fluorescent or LED lights also won’t break the bank with a huge electricity bill, either. Seeds, pots, soil, light and a small fan are the essentials. Most supplies can be purchased at garden stores, but seeds are trickier to acquire legally.

The Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board said only licensed businesses or members of registered cooperatives are legally allowed to buy seeds or plant clones, and consumers can’t purchase directly from licensed producers. Sending seeds by mail could result in conﬁscation or even arrest, since marijuana is considered a controlled substance at the federal level. Williams decided to start growing her own supply of marijuana after she and several of her close friends reported having sleeping problems, anxiety and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. She said she became “obsessed” with researching different strains, especially “Rick Simpson Oil” (RSO), which came into the national spotlight after the successful

documentary, “Run From The Cure.” While some studies have indicated that cannabis has healing properties and anti-tumor effects, this documentary about cannabis activist Rick Simpson’s cancer self-treatment and cure received more attention. Another “success” story was spotlighted in Sanjay Gupta’s documentary, “Weed,” which showed how CBD, another compound in cannabis, helped a young girl suffering from epileptic seizures.

If you want to grow cannabis legally at home in Washington, you need a doctor’s note.

People suffering from various diseases have ﬂocked to RSO, including Williams, who said she “went deep down the rabbit hole” to research how compounds in cannabis can offer a wide range of beneﬁcial qualities.

Though a bill was introduced in Olympia this session to allow Washington residents age 21 and over to grow plants for personal use, it failed, leaving the home grown question up in the air.

She interviewed a couple of doctors and ultimately crossbred two recipes she found in her research to make a tincture, where cannabis is suspended in oil and placed under the tongue or added to food or beverages.

The bill would have allowed residents to grow up to six plants as long as less than 24 ounces of “usable marijuana is harvested.”

“For me, it was all about helping with sleep and anxiety, and I also wanted to make something organic that I could control exactly what went into it,” she said. Williams’ process takes about a month between growing the cannabis and then breaking it down into her tincture. She said results have been nothing short of miraculous. “We went from sleeping an hour a night to four or ﬁve, and it’s getting better all of the time,” Williams said. She said the product’s success really comes down to quality and accessibility for Williams and her close-knit circle. “I make mine with only organic cannabis and 100-proof vodka,” she said. “So I feel better controlling exactly what I want to grow.” Williams continues to focus on improving her tinctures over time, and has been working on substituting glycerin instead of vodka. This makes it more palatable, especially for those sensitive to alcohol. In the meantime, she plans to never take prescription drugs again.

Homegrown weed still not legal without a doctor’s approval

Washington’s initiative 502 legalized nonmedical, recreational use of marijuana by people 21 years of age or older. But only licensed commercial growers can legally grow pot plants under the current law. Medical marijuana patients may legally grow a limited amount of plants for medicinal use, provided they have the written recommendation of a physician stating that they have certain speciﬁed medical conditions. All medical marijuana patients are required to possess a medical authorization from their healthcare provider. They can then decide to register with the state’s medical marijuana database or decline. If they choose to register, they are allowed to grow a larger number of plants, as recommended by their doctor. Authorized patients who choose not to register can grow up to four plants and possess up to six ounces of cannabis from these plants. Patients must grow their cannabis in their personal residence, out of public sight. For more information visit www.doh. wa.gov/YouandYourFamily/Marijuana/ MedicalMarijuana/PossessionAmounts

Spokannabist is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Friday, March 31, 2017

WA Attorney General vows to ‘defend the will of VOTERS’ BY CHAD SOKOL, reporter The Spokesman-Review

Washington ofﬁcials say they’re prepared to wage a legal battle if the Trump administration tries to shut down the state’s booming recreational marijuana industry.

Spokane County marijuana sales up slightly in February, amid potential federal action By KIP HILL, reporter The Spokesman-Review

The legal marijuana industry generated nearly $13 million worth of revenue in Spokane County in February, fueled by a slight increase in sales of pot at retail shops. Statements from President Donald Trump’s administration did not seem to spur a rush on marijuana last month, however. Stores operating in the county saw an increase in sales of about 2.8 percent to $7.1 million in February compared to January, according to figures released in late February by the Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board. But that’s far less than the 10.2 percent increase seen in sales between January and February 2016, and an even smaller share of the 33.5 percent increase seen in sales between January and February 2015, the first year of legal recreational sales. The 37 percent excise tax on legal marijuana sales means Spokane County stores generated $2.6 million in state revenue last month. A total of 169 marijuana businesses, including retailers, producers and processors, reported earnings in Spokane County last month. Processors contributed $5.3 million to the revenue total, while growers posted sales of $550,000. Late last month, White House spokesman Sean Spicer said in a news conference states allowing recreational marijuana sales should expect “greater enforcement” of the federal law criminalizing the drug. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, a longtime opponent of marijuana who was confirmed to his post Feb. 8, later said pot should not be sold“ at every corner grocery store.” The Liquor and Cannabis Board does not publish sales of individual marijuana stores by day, but does release total statewide sales in 24-hour periods. Sales statewide did not spike following Spicer’s comments, nor did they jump following Sessions’ confirmation or his comments later in the month.

During a news conference in late February, White House spokesman Sean Spicer said states should expect “greater enforcement” of the federal law banning recreational marijuana use. He offered no details of how such enforcement would be carried out, but his comments caused some to fear a looming crackdown on the drug under U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, an outspoken opponent of legalizing pot. Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson said he was “deeply disappointed” by Spicer’s comments but promised to “defend the will of Washington voters.” Ferguson said in a statement, “My office will use every tool at our disposal to ensure that the federal government does not undermine Washington’s successful, unified system for regulating recreational and medical marijuana.” Gov. Jay Inslee said last month that reversing course on marijuana enforcement would put the Trump administration “on the wrong side of history.” Eight states and Washington, D.C., have legalized marijuana for recreational use. The Justice Department has several options available should it decide to step up enforcement, including filing lawsuits on the grounds that state laws regulating pot are unconstitutional because they are pre-empted by federal law. But some question just how easy it would be to shift away from marijuana policy under the Obama administration, which said in a 2013 memo that it would not intervene in states’ marijuana laws as

Spokannabist is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Friday, March 31, 2017

Idaho eases

restrictions on past pot use by new police hires BY BETSY Z. RUSSELL, reporter The Spokesman-Review Bob Ferguson/AP photo.

long as they keep the drug from crossing state lines and away from children and drug cartels. “Some people think that you can just tear up the memo, but that’s not the case,” said Brian Smith, a spokesman for Washington’s Liquor and Cannabis Board. “There’s a state law on the books now. Washington is going to continue to carry out state law.” Chris Marr, a former state senator and Liquor and Cannabis Board member, said he doesn’t anticipate a swift dismantling of Washington’s thriving marijuana market – in part because the Drug Enforcement Administration doesn’t have enough resources. Seattle attorney Douglas Hiatt, who has defended several marijuana cases in Eastern Washington, said Sessions could reverse course with the stroke of a pen and order states’ marijuana industries to cease and desist. A renewed focus on recreational marijuana in states that have legalized pot would present a departure from the Trump administration’s statements in favor of states’ rights. The administration also announced that the issue of transgender student bathroom access was best left to states and local communities to decide. Hiatt thinks the apparent hypocrisy would be lost on Sessions. “After Mr. Sessions ﬁnishes up with the weighty issue of where people pee, I assume he’ll move on to the weighty issue of all these bad people who use marijuana,” Hiatt said. The Associated Press and Spokesman-Review staff writers Thomas Clouse and Jim Camden contributed to this report.

These three stories were recently published in The Spokesman-Review. For continuing coverage of cannabis topics and other news items, visit www.spokesman.com/marijuana.

BOISE – Prospective police officers in Idaho could be barred from certification if they’ve used marijuana in the past year, rather than in the last three years, under a new rule approved last month. “This is a minimum standard that agencies will not be able to drop below,” Victor McCraw, division administrator of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) for the Idaho State Police, told the Senate Judiciary Committee. McCraw said it’s likely some agencies will stick with the higher standard. The rules also will change the minimum time limit to exclude an applicant for marijuana use on a “regular, confirmed basis” to within the last three years, rather than the current five years. McCraw said that’s easier both for applicants to remember and for investigators to confirm. McCraw told the senators that it doesn’t matter whether a prospective officer’s past marijuana use was legal or not – just whether it happened. Sen. Dan Foreman, R-Moscow, said he has “a hard time believing” that prospective officers can’t remember how often or when they last used pot.

“I personally would like to see the stricter standards stay in place,” Foreman said. “I don’t have any tolerance for illegal drug use, I’ve seen its effects.” Jeff Lavey, Meridian police chief and chairman of the POST Council, said he plans to keep the threeyear rule for hiring. But he said he had to delay hiring an experienced ofﬁcer with a military background because he’d used marijuana once, two years and 10 months ago. “There’s times where there may be a particular incident where someone has used poor judgment, but falls within this category,” Lavey said. He added that the matter “absolutely” has to do with recruitment. “We are surrounded by every single state that has some form of (legal) marijuana, whether it is medical or recreational,” he said. Foreman ended up making the motion to approve the rule. It was seconded by Sen. Patti Anne Lodge, R-Huston, and passed unanimously. Agency rules become ﬁnal in Idaho unless they’re rejected by both the applicable House and Senate committees; the new pot rule still needs to be considered by the House panel, but the Senate committee’s support for the rule change means it will stand.

Spokannabist is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Friday, March 31, 2017

Washington cannabis czar reﬂects on growth LCB’ Ri LCB’s Rick kG Garza enjoys j sharing h i results with other states By Garrett Rudolph Marijuana Ventures

As director of Washington’s Liquor and Cannabis Board, Rick Garza oversees the implementation and supervision of a billion-dollar industry that didn’t exist legally ﬁve years ago. He and LCB ofﬁcials statewide ensure everything is done properly at the consumer, retailer and producer level, and also have been looking ahead to how this industry can and should grow, along with paying attention to other states.

Several states have recently adopted legalization efforts either for recreational or medical cannabis. Have you shared any guidance as they plan their regulations?

It’s kind of been a fascinating ride for the last couple years. We’ve probably met with 26 states, eight countries and in the example of Canada, three of the provinces and a couple different meetings with the federal government. The way it usually works is that they’re either going to Colorado right after meeting with us, or coming from Colorado after having met with ofﬁcials there. Washington and Colorado are going to co-host a regulators summit for cannabis this spring. Initially, it will only be for regulators. It doesn’t have to be just recreational; it will also include medical. In discussions with my counterpart in Colorado, we had so many people visiting, it was like, ‘Dude, why don’t we get together and bring the states in and let’s put a day and a half of panels together around banking; effective enforcement; how do states position themselves like we have to get regional credit unions to work with the cannabis industry; what are the legal issues; what are the health and prevention issues; how in the hell do you package and label cannabis; what’s pesticide testing and what are the protocols? We’re kind of excited to do this.

What’s Washington doing that’s unique?

Whether they did it by initiative or referendum, other states have addressed the creation of their marketplace a little bit differently, just like we did. Washington does not allow businesses to be vertically integrated. This made it very difﬁcult initially because a lot of people who were already in business wanted to be able to grow, process and dispense. That was a bit of a headache walking in, but we didn’t write the initiative. Now you’ve got eight states for recreational and more than 25 for medical. I think one of the only concerns, if there is a concern, is how the new administration is going to address the Cole Memorandum. Everything we set up in Washington was based on the Cole Memorandum’s eight enforcement priorities. I’ll be honest with you: not to slight any other states, but we’ve got such a restricted,

Spokannabist is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Friday, March 31, 2017

420

SMOKEOUT

conservative approach that we used to set up our marketplace, that I think we’re in the best position if issues were raised, or the Trump administration took a different position about legalization.

How do you measure Washington’s success?

The growth of the industry is much larger and faster than even we were predicting. The only thing that can stop this industry, honestly, is the federal government. From a regulator’s point of view, when you think about the government’s job, it’s to make sure we have public safety. That’s really why the initiative was written in the ﬁrst place. It’s also making sure we’re not in a position where the federal government steps in and says, ‘We’re not going to let this go any further.’ We’re the one agency that is doing compliance checks in its retail stores, just like for alcohol. Our youth compliance rate is better for cannabis than for alcohol. Our compliance rate is over 90 percent, so we’re doing a pretty good job trying to keep it out of the hands of kids, at least in our retail stores. We visit a retail outlet typically at least three times a year for compliance checks. That’s even better than alcohol, because there are fewer retail stores for cannabis. We have so many bars, restaurants and grocery stores — thousands — compared to just over 400 retail marijuana stores. It’s a little easier to regulate them because they’re smaller, but I think one of the surprising things for the agency, is that we almost hit a billion dollars in retail sales in ﬁscal year 2016.

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Spokannabist is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Friday, March 31, 2017

Healthier

EDIBLES?

Customers eyeing less sweet, more savory choices

By NICOLE SKINNER Spokannabist Correspondent

Cookies, brownies or candies may seem like the only options for edibles, but some companies are providing alternatives especially for health-conscious consumers, or at least those who want something beyond sweet. There are now a variety of products available for users who want a marijuana experience but are concerned with their sugar intake, who want something more savory, or the ﬂexibility to add marijuana to a beverage or food that's already part of their diet. Here's a run-down of some options available at area retailers.

For snacking: Try Happy Trail Granola from Eleven Window Ventures. These all-natural chewy granola bites are delicious, vegan and ﬁlled with nutritious ingredients like cashews, sunﬂower seeds, dried fruit, and coconut. These are available at nine Spokane area retailers.

If you like a good crunch, try Fire Crackers from Yield Farms, a producer/processor in the Spokane area. These savory baked cheese crackers are mixed with a proprietary blend of seasonings. Yield Farms also makes Seasoned Roasted Nuts, a signature mixture of cashews, peanuts, almonds, pistachios and seasonings that provide a nutrient-dense punch. The crackers and seasoned nuts are available in single-serve portions, and the company is working on multi-serving packs. These are currently available at Spokane Green Leaf, The Green Nugget and Smokane. "I really love the savory options of our crackers and seasoned seasone nuts," said Colin Lukey from Yield Lu Farms. "They are a great snack and good s for those trying to th avoid excess sugar." Yield Farms plans Y to focus strictly on savory options. sa "My business partners, Wes Tuttle, from the medical

cannabis world, and Lori Sayman, have created dozens of approved infused savory recipes, two of which became our Fire Crackers and Seasoned Roasted Nuts," Lukey said. "They created these recipes because they saw that everybody was doing sweets, so they wanted to offer something different." Lukey said Yield Farms is always interested to hear what customers want in the way of non-sweet edibles, which will guide future product development.

For sipping: Beverage additives or tinctures are another easy way to consume edibles without having to go for baked goods or candies. Becca Johnson, general manager of Cinder, says there are several options for shoppers. "Ethos Innovates beverage concentrates are really popular, not only because they are incredible products from a top shelf producer, but because they are a much more health conscious option," she said. These products are easy to dose and user friendly. Retail locations also carry High Tea from Evergreen Herbal, which comes in black, chai, green and PM tea varieties. "It can be difﬁcult to ﬁnd edibles that are high quality that aren’t a 'treat' item," she said.

Products for snackers seeking non-sugary solutions include items from Yield Farms, botanica SEATTLE and Zoots.

Spokannabist is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Friday, March 31, 2017

Another A h option i iis ffrom botanica Seattle, which offers a low-calorie, easy to control dosage edible coconut oil in its SPOT product line. It’s available in sativa, indica and CBD. "Each bottle offers a highefﬁcacy medium to add THC or CBD to anything you are already consuming in the course of your day," said Lena Davidson, the company’s director of market relations. "You can add it to a smoothie, your morning cup of coffee or place directly on your tongue and swallow for easy, controllable uptake." This line is available at most Spokanearea retailers.

Sweet but not super sweet: For people with active lifestyles and concern for personal wellness, Davidson recommends herbal mints.

IIts M Mr. Moxey M Mints M line, for instance, offers good blends of flavors but not heavy sugar. The cinnamon mint includes chamomile and poppy, the peppermint mint includes ginseng and gingko, and the CBD ginger line includes echinacea and Indian gooseberry. "Each mint will prop up your day in the exact way you are seeking, without adding tons of sugar or calories to your diet," Davidson said. ZootRocks are another option. These all-natural cannabisinfused nuggets are high in flavor but not particularly high in THC (5 mg) so are easy to control your experience and could be a good introduction to edibles. The Tart Green Apple, ZootBerry, Lemongrass and Cinnamon flavors are sugar-free, gluten-free and vegan, and the Caramel flavor is gluten-free.

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Spokannabist is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Friday, March 31, 2017

Don’t know your trichomes from your pre-rolls? Your dab rig from your shatter?

Spokannabist wants to help educate readers who may still be learning the basics of this interesting new industry. For those unfamiliar with the new lingo, Spokannabist wants to help define some of the words, abbreviations and phrases mentioned in this issue. Cannabis vs. marijuana vs. hemp — Cannabis refers to an entire plant, of which marijuana flowers are produced. Cannabis buds and leaves create a variety of effects in the human body. Hemp is in the same genus as the cannabis plant but lacks many of the physical and mental effects, but has more industrial uses. Psychoactive — Temporary mental and physical effects that can be produced by ingesting cannabis. The amount varies by the person’s metabolism, the form of the product and how it’s ingested.

CBD —A natural chemical compound found in cannabis plants. It blocks many of the effects of THC and is said to relieve pain. The percentage of CBD is larger in certain strains or products intended for medicinal use. Users have reported pain relief, reduced anxiety, and improved sleep. Common CBD products include lotions, oils and liquid drops. Producer — A licensed grower of marijuana in Washington. The state offers different licenses/tiers based on size of operation.

Tincture — Cannabis that is made into a liquid extract, often Processor — A company that creates products from marijuana, suspended in alcohol. It can be placed in food, drink or directly under which can be everything from food to vape pens. Producers can also be processors and vice versa, but neither can be a licensed the tongue for a faster effect than eating or drinking it. retailer in Washington. 502 Initiative — A majority of Washington residents voted to approve this document which established legal non-medical retail sales, and the framework for regulated growing operations, tax structure and a DUI standard.

Spokannabist is a supplement of The Spokesman−Review • Friday, March 31, 2017

502 REVENUE FEBRUARY 2017 SPOKANE COUNTY $

9,790,597

SPOKANE COUNTY

RETAILERS

CONSUMER PURCHASED SPOKANE COUNTY

5,859,671

PRODUCER/ PROCESSOR SALES

PRODUCERS/ PROCESSORS

151

2,644,176

EXCISE TAX

Correction - January’s Excise Tax was $2,571,515; Spokannabist’s February issue included an incorrectt tax ﬁgure.

SOURCE:502DATA.COM

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Spokannabist is a supplement of The Spokesmanâ&#x2C6;&#x2019;Review â&#x20AC;˘ Friday, March 31, 2017