COUPONS INSIDE
COLORADO’S PREMIER GUIDE TO CANNABIS
*This magazine is intended fir people over the age of 21.
thcmag.com 1
2045 Sheridan Blvd 303-274-6495 NLCannabis.com
Come See us on 4/20 Weekend for Great Giveaways, Excellent Edibles and Beautiful Buds!
Visit Store for Details
Medical 2 April 2014
21+
Recreational
thcmag.com 3
4 April 2014
thcmag.com 5
A LETTER TO OUR READERS “If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.”- Anne Bradstreet I had plans to write another letter complaining about Gov. Hickenlooper. After all he keeps showing how monumentally ignorant he is to his own hypocrisy. After stating many times that he doesn’t want Colorado to be known for cannabis freedom, he decided to feature Colorado’s many microbrews by putting in a beer tap system in the governor’s mansion. You may now insert your own rant as to why he needs to be removed from office. Like I said, those were my plans, but spring is here and I just can’t help feeling optimistic today. Spring in Colorado is a beautiful thing. Restaurant patios and neighborhood sidewalks are abuzz with people coming out of hibernation. It feels like spring is a chance to celebrate life, renewal and growth. There is no better time than April to discuss how amazing the growth has been for the cannabis world. So I have decided to mention some things I am celebrating for this momentous 420 holiday. Hemp is gaining more and more of a foothold in our state with dozens of farmers applying for the license to grow hemp (see page 41). We have had three full months of legal cannabis sales for adults and the rest of the world has been paying attention. After years of struggling to keep their businesses afloat, ganjapreneurs are starting to see their perseverance payoff and are now confronted with the high class problem of being courted by multiple investors who want a piece of the cannabis freedom pie. This 420 marks the first time we are celebrating by being able to legally buy our cannabis without needing a license to purchase. The pipe-dream we all talked about in smoking circles long past has come to fruition. We were right, it would make the government money, it would create jobs and we are not destroying lives anymore for a prohibition that causes nothing but heartache and pain for thousands. We have much to be happy about at THC as well. Our staff has been growing over the last few months. Our new website, designed to be more of a daily media resource, has been launched and we have even more exciting announcements around the corner. On a personal note (and undoubtedly the biggest reason for my current jubilance), I will be the proud father of a beautiful baby girl by the time this issue goes to print. Because of this I would like to dedicate this issue to my amazing life partner Jackie and my daughter Mia. Jackie, your strength and compassion, inspires me everyday. Mia, I can’t wait to hold you in my arms and guide you through the incredible times ahead. I love you both so much. A safe and happy 420 to all!
David Maddalena Editor-in-Chief David@thcmag.com 6 April 2014
Editor-in-Chief David Maddalena david@thcmag.com Art Director Christianna Lewis christianna@thcmag.com Managing Editor Rick Macey rick@thcmag.com Associate Editor DJ Reetz Layout Designers Caroline Hayes Christianna Lewis Director of Sales and Marketing Christianna Lewis christianna@thcmag.com Executive Assistant Kathleen Ludwig Contributing Writers Skyler Cannabaceae Ashley Ebert Caroline Hayes Citizen Jay Rick Macey Monocle Man R. Scott Rappold DJ Reetz John Schroyer Cheryl Shuman Ian Williams Contributing Photographers Ashley Ebert Caroline Hayes Christianna Lewis DJ Reetz Cover Art Christianna Lewis Printer Publication Printers Corp. 2001 S. Platte River Dr. Denver, CO 80223 PH: 303.936.0303 Web: www.publicationprinters.com The Hemp Connoisseur is published monthly by The Hemp Connoisseur, LLC. All contents are copyrighted 2014 by The Hemp Connoisseur, LLC. All rights reserved. For advertising and subscription info please email sales@thcmag.com.
thcmag.com 7
Contents 4
A Letter to Our Readers
14
The Green Scene Events & Ganja Kitchen Revolution Cookbook
18
In The Spotlight Products we love! Hemp spaghetti, Seebinger Hemp Chile Balm and Vapor Nation’s Vaporizer
20
Enhance Your Practice
44
Fighting the Fear
Tucson’s Si02 Crew Inc.
46
Environmentally Friendly Grows
Tasty Meds
50
Cannabis and Pets
54
The Mystery Behind the Munchies
58
The Sugar Battery
Yoga tips and tools for before, during and after
24
Featured Artists
26
Monocle Man reviews some of Colorado’s best
30
36
Cannabis Eats
GrowHaus puts a green twist on food
Cannabis infused recipes
31
Hemp Eats
32
Cannabis News
Healthy, hempy breakfast recipes
The world’s top headlines
34
High Society Is Kind Banking a solution for the cannabis industry’s financial dilemma?
36
Epilepsy Foundation Embraces Cannabis Another chapter for Charlotte Figi
40
Hemp Is Here Now Three different stories, one common goal
8 April 2014
Treatment or toxic?
Why do we crave what we do?
Yep, a battery fueled by sugar
61
Colorado Leads the Way Mile High MMJ laws are influencing the world
64
Degrading Campaigns
68
Hot Spots
Do they make cannabis look bad?
Denver’s RiNo District is happening
72 79 81
68
50
Should we be afraid...of ourselves?
Dispensary Guide Coupons Index
Dispensary Guide
DENVER 75 The Clinic 73 The Hemp Center 76 LivWell 77 Northern Lights Natural Rx 74 Physician Preferred Products 78 Southwest Alternative Care
COLORADO SPRINGS 74 Rocky Mountain Miracles
thcmag.com 9
10 April 2014
thcmag.com 11
12 April 2014
thcmag.com 13
The GREEN Scene
E V E N T S
March 1st - May 1st CO Department of Agriculture opens registration for those who want to grow industrial hemp or plant research Cost of registration is $200 plus $1 per acre Denver, CO http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/ag_Plants/ CBON/1251644613180 April 16 B.I.G Industry Party 7:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. Hoodlab 3354 Larimer Street http://hoodlabstore.com April 17 Cheech and Chong 6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. (21 and over) The Fillmore Auditorium 1510 Clarkson St. Denver, CO Order tickets at: www.livenation.com April 18 Julian Marley and The Uprising 8:30 p.m Cassleman’s Bar and Venue 2620 Walnut Street Denver, CO www.casslemans.com April 18-20 Dabroots: Dab The Rockies Presented by Strainwise Darkstar Lounge 1630 Federal Blvd. Denver, CO www.dabrootsdenver.com April 19th 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and 20th 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Denver’s 28th Annual 420 Rally Civic Center Park 101 W. 14th Ave Denver, CO http://420rally.org
April 20 Wake-N-Bacon: Inaugural 420 Brunch 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Location to be revealed to those who purchase tickets http://www.edibleeventsco.com
14 April 2014
May 3 Denver Global Marijuana March Time and route TBA http://420rally.org Every Friday - 10:00a.m. River Rock South Sessions 990 W. 6th Ave. Denver, CO www.riverrockcolorado.com
Ganja Kitchen Revolution: The Bible of Cannabis Cuisine
Author and professional culinarian Jessica Catalano has loved food her whole life and it shows in her recipes. Well thought out, planned recipes involving fresh and easy to-find ingredients. She swears that her recipes are easy enough for anyone to create. Allow me to mention how gorgeous this book is! There are big, bright images that literally made my mouth water. Don’t dare try and read this book on an empty stomach. There is a lot of information packed into this 267- page cannabis themed cookbook and it’s a little complex in the beginning. Reading the first few chapters on dosing and strains will benefit you come cook time. Jessica’s “revolutionary new dosing chart” presents a more in depth process of making homemade edibles than ever before. Once you get the dosing and serving sizes down, you will be the most prepared cannabis chef around. Like most handy cannabis cookbooks, she helps you make those infused oils, canna and nut butters and extracts that will go into these strain specific recipes. Catalano really took a lot of time to break down how the flavors of each different strain will affect the flavors of the recipes in side dishes like “Lebanese Sour Diesel Tabouli” and the beverage “American Strawberry Cough Milkshake.” Your friends will be so impressed with the recreation of these dishes. This cookbook flows nicely and there are definitely recipes for everyone, vegans and meat eaters alike. Be sure to pick a copy to really infuse your 420. http://theganjakitchenrevolution.blogspot.com, www.greencandypress.com
thcmag.com 15
The future of wholesale has arrived.
List bud, trim, extracts, edibles, seeds or clones to other licensed shops in your area. Be notiďŹ ed when something you’re looking for hits the market. Connect securely with businesses and vendors. Stay on top of the market. Open to all Colorado MED-licensed businesses
Try it free at connect.cannabase.io cannabase.io 16 April 2014
People suffering from any of these ailments, please contact us for medical cannabis information Consultations and Researched Dosing Separate Entrance and Staff Front Row Patient Parking
420 SPECIALS APRIL 17th-20th 2014
USE CODE WORD “Doobie Time” TO RECEIVE *While supplies last
Cancer Nausea Pain Sleeplessness Spasms Seizures Nervous System Disorders Psoriasis Crohn's Disease Inflammation Bone Deterioration Rheumatoid Arthritis Appetite Increase Appetite Decrease Muscle Tension Bacterial Infection Fungal Infection Anxiety Diabetes Poor Blood Circulation High/Low Blood Pressure Many Forms of Dementia
15 Rotating Stains Verity of Joints Concentrates Cartridges Edibles Paraphernalia ReUsable Exit Packaging
Under 10 Minute Wait Only Need Valid Drivers License
11450 Cherokee St. Northglenn CO 80234 303.254.4200 Both Stores Open 9am to 7pm M-SAT Close @5pm on SUN
thcmag.com 17
In The Spotlight Products We Love
“Foods to Make You Smile” Fusilli Hemp Pasta by Hempiness
Hempiness is a company that understands the important health benefits of hemp. This UK company offers more than just the standard hemp seeds. Hemp coffee, hempseed oil capsules and hemp flour are just a few of the great food products coming from Hempiness. I was lucky enough for them to send me their hemp flour infused fusilli pasta. This organic pasta is hempy because of the addition of hemp flour into the dried pasta mixture. I’ll tell you what, it just looks healthier than the .88 cent box at the grocery store. It has a rich brown color. It cooks just like any other pasta and the consistency is soft and less gritty than whole grain pasta. I ate it with a rich Vodka sauce (my favorite) but any white or red sauce will do. It’s also delicious used in a cold pasta salad dish Serve it up with some hemp seed meatballs and you have yourself quite the health conscious meal. www.hempiness.co.uk
Hemp Chile Balms by Seebinger Seebinger Hemp Chile Balms are infused with oil derived from Hatch, New Mexico natural, sun dried chiles (no seeds or stems). Grown by the same family for generations on a family farm. The chile oil is derived from the dried chile powder at Aromaland in Santa Fe. Seebinger Hemp has a fabulous line of hemp body products that I already love so I was excited to try the new Chile Balms. These balms come in two varieties, Mild Green Chile Balm and Hot Red Chile Balm. I had the privilege of trying out both. I had some severe muscle soreness from my daily workout, “no pain no gain” and all of that. I rubbed the Mile Green Chile Balm on my right leg and the Hot Red Chile Balm on my left leg. The Green Chile Balm delivered a smooth, light cooling sensation upon first contact. The Red Chile Balm delivered a more intense cooling, tingling sensation. I felt the muscle soreness melt away in both legs but the Red Chile seemed to penetrate a little deeper into the muscle pain and the tingling sensation lasted a little longer. I will continue to use both varieties for my muscle and joint pain but will definitely be using the Red for more severe pain. Check out Seebinger Hemp’s entire product line on their website. www.premiumhempbodycare.com
18 April 2014
The Sonic Vaporizer by Vapor Nation
Have you been in the market for a new vaporizer? Look no further than www.vapornation. com. They have an insane selection of vaporizers and accessories to choose from. The fine folks at Vapornation were kind enough to send me the Sonic Vaporizer to review. Vaporizing is a healthier method to enjoy your cannabis, and finding the right vape for you will make you happy you made the switch. The Sonic Vaporizer is a perfect product to try for those looking for a portable vaporizer. It has one of the slicker designs I have seen and works wonders. The Sonic Vaporizer comes with one mouthpiece, one wall charger, one cleaning tool, three replacement screens, and an instruction manual. I really like that they provide extra screens, saves you the trouble of having to get more in a pinch. At first look the Sonic Vaporizer looks like a walkie-talkie or small portable radio. The power switch is found on the side of the unit right above the temperature control. You can change between Fahrenheit and Celsius by holding down the heating on/off button next to the digital display. You will need to screw in the mouthpiece into the top of the unit. To load the Sonic Vaporizer you flip the mouthpiece outwards and the heating chamber is open. The heating chamber is made of ceramic and utilizes advanced heating technology. An awesome feature is the light below the cover that keeps the chamber well lit while you load your herb. Anytime you are using a vaporizer make sure your cannabis is broken up, best results are with a grinder. When you are done with loading up the chamber you can pack it down with the cleaning tool that is conveniently built into the bottom side of the unit. The cover of the chamber is held tight with strong magnets and takes firm pressure to flip open. I was really impressed with how fast the Sonic Vaporizer took to heat up. It took less than a minute for it to get to my desired temperature from when I turned it on. I prefer to vape between 370-400°F, but try different temperatures and see what works best for you. The Sonic Vaporizer is my new favorite toy and I have been using it for all my flowers since I opened the box. I would strongly recommend this product for anyone looking for a new vaporizer. Stop reading this review and get over to Vapornation and order the Sonic Vaporizer. You will be glad you did. www.vapornation.com, www.sonic-vaporizer.com
Due to the phenomenal increase in demand at the beginning of 2014, we may have had some discrepancies. We are working closely with CannLabs to reformulate our batches; and have our products tested and certified to ensure that Dr. J’s continues to be “The Gold Standard”. Providing the best edibles in Colorado. We are available to answer any questions our customers may have, and we are happy to offer tours of our facility.
info@drjshashinfusion.com
www.facebook.com/drjsllc
www.twitter.com/drshash thcmag.com 19
Enhance your practice Before, During and After by Caroline Hayes
20 April 2014
T
his is the time of year when we really start to feel rejuvenated. Winter is attempting to end (although here in CO we still have some snowfall to endure) and those daffodils are starting to peek up, creating visions of warm weather to dance in our heads. THC Mag is here to help you kick start that work out with mindful practices and eco conscious gear.
We would love to encourage you to have all hemp everything but it just isn’t always possible. What we are encouraging is a more eco-friendly stance on working out and all things that encompass it. From clothing, to gear, to snacks, if you can buy hemp do it. Your body and Mother Earth will thank you. Yoga is a great practice to get you into the swing of health. There’s a myriad of benefits from practicing this old method of mind, body and soul improvement. Here’s a top ten list of why THC loves yoga:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Increases flexibility Stress soother Focused breathing Improves balance and coordination Improves strength Overall body awareness Creates inner peace Improved circulation Weight management Cardiovascular conditioning
Yoga blocks and straps are a great way to help with deepening your stretch while in a pose. They are great for beginners or even the most seasoned yogis. The blocks also help with balancing poses. Look for blocks made from cork, wood or other non-toxic materials.
Eco Hemp Yoga Strap by Gaiam Move and stretch your body beyond its usual limits with this eco-friendly, machine washable yoga strap made of 100% hemp. Yoga straps allow you to execute more challenging yoga poses and sustain them for longer periods of time. gaiam.com
Hemp Mat Sling by Gaiam The 100% Hemp Yoga Mat Sling is eco-friendly, lightweight, and durable. Keep your mat securely rolled with this breathable alternative to a yoga mat bag. This sling is also very handy for hanging and storage. gaiam.com
PVC stands for Polyvinyl Chloride and it’s everywhere. It’s in shower curtains, kids’ toys, yoga mats and more. Commonly known as vinyl, PVC is used to make things and it’s being called the “Poison Plastic.” According to the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer, PVC is a known human carcinogen. Having anything made of PVC in your house can contaminate your food and even your pets. Look for #3 on products to know if they contain this hidden toxin. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want any kind of poison plastic in my house or around my family. Imagine, you are in a yoga class. You are reaching a mental state where all the outside chatter is gone, you go into a resting child’s pose, your face right on the mat. Chances are, if you don’t have a mat made of eco friendly materials, you are breathing in toxic chemicals radiating off your mat. Not exactly yogi friendly. Look for yoga mats and other equipment made from jute and rubber, which are natural plant fibers found in Southeast Asia. You will want to look for a yoga mat made from rubber not plastic or other synthetics. So that yoga mat from the bigger stores is probably not what you want. Companies such as Gaiam, prAna and Barefoot Yoga make rubber mats. Shop around until you find something that will enhance your practice. thcmag.com 21
“prAna is Sanskrit for breath, life and vitality of the spirit. This ancient word holds great meaning for us, and so we borrowed it for our name. It lifts our aspirations and helps guide our actions towards becoming an evermore socially mindful and environmentally sustainable organization.” Hemp plays an important role in prAna’s blends because they realize the minimal impact farming hemp for production causes. They also use organic cotton and recycled polyester, thus using “fewer chemicals and toxins.” Started in a garage in Carlsbad, CA in 1992, prAna continues to nurture their core principals and values, keeping it a tight nit community, and in an effort to keep jobs and money here, more than 20 percent of prAna’s production is in the U.S. Visit www.prana.com to check out their gear and to find a store near you.
HEY LADIES!
MAN OH MAN!
Jacqueline Top in Lagoon 53% Hemp, 42% Organic Cotton, 5% Spandex - “The best yoga practice begins naturally.” Again, the hemp and organic cotton blend is just wonderful. It’s soft to the touch and feels great on. Built in bra provides a little support and protection. Adjustable straps and removable modesty cups allow you to almost custom fit this top to your body’s needs.
Katarina Top in Dewberry 53% Hemp, 42% Organic Cotton, 5% Spandex - Great for yoga, hiking or any kind of work out. The organic cotton, hemp blend is extremely breathable. Although the top feels heavy at first touch, it’s quite comfortable. The ergonomic seaming fits the body’s outline perfectly. Scoop neck adds to the feminine feel of this shirt. Built in bra adds protection so you don’t need another layer. A little longer in the back to cover your booty and give it more of a fashionable feel.
Linea Pant in Charcoal 53% Hemp, 42% Organic Cotton, 5% Spandex - Love these lowrise pants. The stretchiness of the spandex, hemp, cotton blend is so comfy. A little flare at the bottom is practical for breathability and looks cute enough for those post-work out errands. Pockets on the butt are handy and make the booty look good. The Linea pant is thick enough to not be see-through but light enough for an intense yoga session. These will be your new favorite pants in no time.
22 April 2014
Crux Crew in Raisin 92% Recycled Polyester, 9% Hemp A shirt made from recycled materials and hemp? Yes please! Considered a performance shirt, this is great for anything from yoga to climbing. The design prevents chaffing so it‘s also great for an intense cardio session and quick dry is an added bonus.
Sutra Pant in Espresso 53% Hemp, 44% Recycled Polyester, 3% Lycra - Great for yoga or any activity that requires movement. This lightweight blend is breathable and flexible. Relaxed fit and wideleg makes these look extra stylish to and from yoga class.
POST WORK OUT PROTEIN SMOOTHIE
1 cup dark, leafy green (kale or spinach) 1 cup almond or hemp milk 1/2 banana handful of frozen berries 2 tablespoons Bob’s Red Mill Protein Powder 1 tablespoon hemps seeds Place all ingredients in blender. Blend until smooth. Drink and enjoy!
Bob’s Red Mill Hemp Protein Powder This is one of the smoothest protein powders we have found. Mixing the powder into a drink, smoothie or oatmeal seems to be the easiest and quickest way to consume regularly but baking with hemp protein powder is also a way to get all these wonderful, natural nutrients in the body. Protein is a fundamental to building muscle and is especially for muscle recovery post work out. www.bobsredmill.com
Evo Hemp Bars These delicious superfood bars come in four delightfully healthy flavors: Cherry Walnut, Mango Macadamia, Cashew Cacao, and Pineapple Almond. They are organic, raw, vegan, gluten free, soy free, and have a compostable wrapper. You can purchase Evo Hemp bars on their website and at several local grocery stores. www.evohemp.com
Consciousness tips for a healthier workout: • •
•
Ditch the plastic H20 bottles- they are laden with toxic chemicals. Look for BPA free reusable water bottles or stainless steel. Look for yoga mats and other equipment that is PVC free, made from natural ingredients, recycled fibers or jute (see sidebar on page 21 for why PVC is terrible). While there aren’t any hemp yoga mats as of now, you most certainley can tote your mat with a hemp sling or bag! Buy clothes that are made in the U.S. from recycled or organic materials. Hemp is only is the sturdiest fiber known to man, so buying work out clothes made of hemp will help them to last a long time, which is great because most hemp items are a little pricy but worth it in the long run. Choosing products made with organically grown cotton is also important because conventionally grown cotton is loaded with pesticides and other chemicals.
thcmag.com 23
Featured Artists by Caroline Hayes
The SiO2 Crew Rarely do I get to interview such a solid crew with so much creativity and artistic talent. The Si02 crew from Tucson, AZ is something to talk about. Glass blowers they are but they aren’t just blowing pipes. From wearable pieces to alien statues, this crew is really heating things up with their glasswork. Jonathan Russell, (Chris) Sonar and Dr. Jones (Patrick H.W. Jones) are the team who make up Si02 Crew. Through their art, they are striving to create artistic awareness worldwide. “Our goal is to promote awareness of glass artistry in a rapidly growing field,” they said. As a crew working individually, they are all unique. They often come together for an amazing collaboration. This kind of togetherness is what keeps them a tight crew. Inspired by the cool quirkiness of musician Kurt Cobain, graffiti artist Banksy, psychedelic painter Alex Grey and classic artist Salvador Dali, these guys have a unique style as you can see in the pictures on these pages. Their collaboration with Grass Roots California shows much innovation. Si02 Crew is definitely one of the first (if not the very first) to put blown glass right onto clothing. Dr. Jones and Russell say this collaboration is one of their favorite projects. The two-foot glass sculpted alien (pictured on this page) and Simpson and Batman Cyborg dab rigs are also favorites of the crew. From fashion to functional, Si02 Crew is doing a little bit of everything. Make sure to check them out on Facebook and on their website. www.si02inc.com, https://www.facebook.com/ pages/Sio2-Inc/550242428357125
“SiO2 Inc is a Tucson based lampworking company that is on a mission to bring new, and unique glass to art lovers and collectors world wide.”
24 April 2014
thcmag.com 25
Tasty Meds reviewed by Monocle Man
MIX IT UP THIS 4/20 WITH THESE TASTY EDIBLES AND CONCENTRATES Gum-E 100mg by Medically Correct
The Gum-E is the newest product from Medically Correct. The makers of Incredibles have been a patient favorite and are now becoming big with adult-use customers new to edibles. Medically Correct is known for putting out consistent products and the Gum-E is going to be another hit among its customers. The Gum-E is available in five flavors; Green Apple, Blue Raspberry, Orange, Cherry, and Strawberry Banana. For this review we tried the Orange and Blue Raspberry. Each package has two 50mg THC gummies which are fortified with 200mg of Vitamin C. When you open the package there are two Gum-E disks. I bite into half of the Gum-E to get an idea of flavor. Before I knew it I had eaten the whole thing. The taste was phenomenal, I could easily eat a few packs of these Gum-E’s in one sitting if I wanted to. The consistency was perfect, not too hard and not too chewy. The Gum-E seemed to kick in fairly fast, about 15 minutes after having one. My eyes became heavy and a light body high began to take over. These are perfect for a movie night were you where you can enjoy a relaxed giggly high. Look for the new Gum-E in centers across the state. www.medicallycorrect.com, www.incrediblescolorado.com Small Mixed Lozenges by Mountain High Suckers Mountain High Suckers has become one of the staples of the infused products available in Colorado. Their CBD enriched hard candies and suckers have been a patient favorite for years. Not only are their products tested for THC and CBD, there are a cannacopia of cannabinoids found in each product. The Small Mixed Lozenges that we tried had a total of 117.49mg of total active cannabinoids that included, 15.4mg CBD, 93.88mg THC, .50mg THCV, .25mg CBN, 3.14mg CBG, 4mg CBC and a few more. This combo brings a full cannabinoid spectrum for patients to enjoy in every piece of candy. The Small Mixed Lozenges come in a plastic bag with Mountain High Suckers logo and all necessary labeling info. I’m delighted by the variety of flavors that you get in each bag and they all taste great. There isn’t any hash taste to the their candies that you can get from other companies. The lozenges are perfect for patients that are looking for a discreet method to get their medicine. The high from these is a nice mellow body high that will have you relaxed. I think CBD is the future of the cannabis industry and the fact that Mountain High Suckers has been incorporating it in their products since they started is big for me. Check out their website to find where you can buy their amazing CBD enriched, infused products. www.mountainhighsuckers.com
26 April 2014
White Berry Shatter by Native Roots Extracts I have been following Native Roots Extracts on-line over the last year and was impressed with what they were producing. I always like to check out new concentrate companies that are putting out quality product. The stars finally aligned for a dab session of White Berry Shatter. Native Roots Extracts concentrates come in a slick white plastic bag that is resealable. The blue smoke for the shatter and the red smoke for the Wax make the package eye catching. The White Berry Shatter was blend of The White and Blackberry Kush extracted with laboratory n-butane and purged to perfection by some very talented hash makers. We got a translucent slab and light amber in color. It had a light fruity smell that I was fond of. The shatter was easy to work with and broke up like quality shatter should. I broke off a small piece to dab with one of my smaller rigs. The shatter melted away on the quartz nail and I felt an immediate head rush when I exhaled that first dab. The effects in the beginning were all sativa. I was clear headed, motivated and managed to be productive even though I was feeling extremely high. The euphoria I got throughout its effects was the perfect stress reliever. The body high crept up on me and was a nice surprise. Any aches and pains I was having after a day’s work were gone. I really enjoyed the experience from the White Berry Shatter. I’m definitely going to have to check out their processed wax the next time I see them at a shop. If you haven’t tried Native Roots Extracts before I would highly recommend them for some strong, tasty dabs. Follow them on Facebook to see where you can find their superior concentrates. www.facebook.com/nativerootsextracts
Mikiba Bar by Incredibles It might seem a little nutty, but Incredibles is introducing a new product to their line of infused candy bars that has only 30mg of THC, and in a new move from the company, they’ve added 10mg of CBD as well. It may not sound like much when you think of their 300mg Fireberry Bar, but this one appears to be aimed at a different kind of edible buff: The Health Nut. The ”Mikiba” bar boasts a rich blend of 10 nuts and seeds, including Hemp seed. The bar contains a generous 9 grams of protein, 18 grams unsaturated fat and Omega-3’s and 30 grams of carbohydrates. Even when juxtaposed to popular health-market bars, these suckers pack in some serious energy. Along with that, the 3:1 ratio of THC:CBD has a tempered, sed-
ative effect, which is perfect for endurance athletes, hikers and climbers, and anyone looking for an alternative to candy and sweets while taking advantage of the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of cannabis. While the package suggests splitting the bar into 3 doses, a chronic user can treat the bar as a single serving, and probably should given the lower overall dosage compared to Incredible’s other products. On the other hand, the lower dosage also allows inexperienced users to take things slow with their edibles. As for the bar itself, the cakey texture on the bottom makes it soft enough to easily break apart and dose by hand but it does require some finesse to eat neatly. If you’re on the go or at a show, keep in mind this bar will crumble. I take a bite. The soft base gives way and erupts in a blast of sunflower, hazelnut and almond, followed by an array of crushed walnuts and cashew chunks. The melange of flavors penetrates the mouth and lingers...except one. Hash, a taste almost ubiquitous in
infused edibles, is completely masked by the exuberant dance of nutty oils and creamy vanilla. The taste is similar to other nut-laden protein bars on the market, with a more downplayed, organic sweetness (likely from the alternative sugars). Still, it manages to overtake my palate. It’s a forgivable offense for a company known for their chocolates, and is still nowhere near as saturated as most “energy bars.” The effect is quick and within 20 minutes, I notice a progressive rise in relaxation. Rigid muscles in my arms and legs thaw and loosen. Soreness throughout my body drops from a 5 to a 2. My lower back calms from an irate yowl to a hushed grumble. Within the hour, my mind-state shifts into a transcendence of external energies and a tranquility sets in. Not a bliss, nor sedation, this is clear and crisp, but calm; a still lake, in reflection of everything around it. For the next three hours, painless and relaxed, I work on tasks at hand. The tail end of the effect peaks my appetite and a slight sedation sets in, akin to a coffee crash. Overall, I’m very pleased with the Mikiba bar. The taste, presentation, delivery, and effectiveness are all excellent and in-line with expectations at that dosage. It may not captivate the audiences looking for the heaviest hitting psychotropic candies or the high-dose enthusiasts, but the Mikiba bar is a solid idea that delivers on it’s promise. I think the Mikiba bar is poised to become a favorite among the active and health-conscious in Colorado, therapeutic users seeking addiction-free pain management, and tokin’ tourists from across the country. www. medicallycorrect.com, www.incrediblescolorado.com
thcmag.com 27
O.PenVAPE 150mg Hybrid Cartridges by Bakked O.PenVAPE is one of the best branded products in the industry. Everyone has heard of them and most people have tried them. Bakked offers the O.PenVAPE cartridges in Sativa, Indica or Hybrid. For this review we tried the Hybrid. The Hybrid cartridges come in a green colored card stock display that holds the plastic container protecting the cartridge. Having each strain type color coded makes it easy to spot which one you would prefer. Bakked’s O.PenVAPE cartridges come pre-filled with 150mg THC oil. The simple design and discreet use make these a great option. I have taken these with me golfing and other outdoor activities, nights out on the town, and any situation when I’m trying to use cannabis without drawing attention to myself. I have had other pre-filled cartridges that taste like burnt plastic and are harsh on the lungs, but not with Bakked’s O.PenVAPE. They draw smoothly and have nice flavor to them. If you are looking for a discreet and easy way to get your smoke on, Bakked’s O.PenVAPE is the perfect purchase. I love mine and take it almost anywhere I go. www.bakked.com, www.openvape.com
TM
At Home Baked Couch Lock & Neck and Shoulder Hash Our loyal readers are very familiar with At Home Baked and it’s owner, AJ The Hashman. He has built a solid following with Stixx and his extremely potent take and bake brownies and Blondie mixes. We have reviewed his edibles over the years so it only made sense that we review The Hashman’s hash. AJ offers processes of the finest cold-water extracted hash available in the state. I have seen his Couch Lock and the Neck & Shoulder hash at several centers but never picked any up. I’m now kicking myself for not trying it sooner. There is nothing better than a quality cold-water extraction and AJ brings his A game. His hash has the old school pressed hash look that I love. I tried the Couch Lock on a day I didn’t have much to do and wanted to relax. Let me tell you, Couch Lock is the perfect name because I was glued to my couch for hours watching TV. It has a strong body high that is perfect for stress relief and insomnia. The Neck & Shoulder was a lot mellower of a high that can be more functional. I think people have lost sight of the cold-water extractions with the BHO and CO2 demand there is today. AJ and At Home Baked processes some of the highest quality hash I have ever had. If you love cold-water hash like me and your favorite center doesn’t carry any, tell them to call The Hashman. www.athomebakedcolorado.com Canna-Coconut Oil 200mg by Julie and Kate Julie and Kate never cease to amaze us with their delicious treats. Their Canna-Coconut Oil is no exception. This rich, buttery tasting organically grown cannabis infused coconut oil spread is such a treat and comes in the cutest little jar (once all the oil has been devoured, I’m going to clean this out and use it as a nug jar). At 200 mg, this pocket-sized jar of expeller pressed oil packs a big punch. Serving size is one teaspoon at 22 mg activated THC and there are nine teaspoons in a jar. I followed the rules and only used one teaspoon for my first dose. I spread it on warm toast, which was a nice treat. After about 15 minutes, my limbs started to feel warm and tingly. I decided to wait another 15 before taking another half dose. For my second round, I steamed some veggies and let the canna-oil melt all over them. This too was a delicious, medicated snack. This was a sort of droopy high, my eyes were heavy and I felt very relaxed. Mission accomplished! I will be enjoying more of this after long days at work. For those of you who don’t know, coconut is a much healthier alternative to butter and is better to cook with than olive oil, however, if cooking and baking with the Canna-Coconut Oil, be sure the temperature doesn’t surpass 350°F, recommended by Julie and Kate. I can’t wait to further experiment with this yummy product. www.julieandkate.com
28 April 2014
I T ’ S W H AT ’ S I N S I D E T H AT C OUNTS
thcmag.com 29 VAPE-1449 Hemp Connoisseur Full Page Ad April 2014_ƒ_outlines.indd 1
3/28/14 4:34 PM
CANNABIS EATS
Delicious recipes to enhance your 420! Please medicate responsibly.
Medicated Coconut Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies Ingredients:
3/4 cup melted Julie and Kate’s medicated coconut oil (in liquid state, measured like you measure canola, olive, etc. oil) 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1 large egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 cups all-purpose flour one 3.5-ounce packet instant vanilla pudding mix (not sugar-free and not ‘cook & serve’), no substitutions 1 teaspoon baking soda pinch salt, optional and to taste one-12 ounce bag (2 cups) semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions: In a large bowl, combine the butter, brown and white sugars, egg and vanilla. Beat on medium-high speed until well combined, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and then add the flour, pudding mix, baking soda, optional salt. Beat on low speed until just combined, about 1 minute. Again, scrape down the sides of the bowl, and then add the chocolate chips. Beat on low speed until just combined, about 30 seconds. Mixture will look both oily and dry, which is fine. Use a small measuring cup or your hands, form approxi-
30 April 2014
mately 12 equal-sized mounds of dough by compressing, compacting, and squeezing until the dough comes together; don’t be afraid to really squeeze it. If your dough is absolutely not coming together, and is fluffy, fuzzy, or seemingly too dry, drizzle in one tablespoon of coconut oil at a time until it comes together. Do this as a last resort because it can make the dough oily in a hurry. The chips are prone to falling out, but just keep pushing them back in. Place mounds on a large plate or tray, cover with plasticwrap, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, up to 5 days. Do not bake with unchilled dough because cookies will bake thinner, flatter, and be more prone to spreading. Make sure the cookies are in the exact shape you want them before chilling (it’s difficult to re-shape them after chilling). Preheat oven to 350˚F. Spray baking sheet with nonstick spray or oil. Place dough mounds on baking sheet, spaced at least 2 inches apart (I bake 8 cookies per sheet) and bake for about 11 minutes, or until edges have set and tops are just set, even if slightly undercooked, pale, and glossy in the center; don’t overbake. Cookies firm up as they cool. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for about 10 minutes before serving.
Dosed Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting - Gluten Free Recipe and photo from the kitchen of Ashley Ebert Makes 24 cupcakes (or 48 minis)
Ingredients:
Cupcakes: 2 cups quinoa flour ½ cup coconut flour 2 teaspoons xanthum gum 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg ¼ teaspoon ground ginger ½ teaspoon salt 1 lb baby carrots 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut 1 ½ cup infused coconut oil, melted 1 cup sugar ½ cup honey 4 eggs 2 tablespoons vanilla extract 1 ½ cups vanilla coconut milk 5.3 oz pineapple Greek yogurt Frosting: 2 packages cream cheese 8 tablespoons butter, room temperature 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 6 cups powder sugar Directions: Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray or line a standard size cupcake tin.
Shred or food process the baby carrots until they are tiny pieces. Combine dry ingredients, set aside. In a separate bowl beat the oil and sugar for 3-5 minutes. Then add the remaining wet ingredients. Mix the dry ingredients with the wet, then stir in the coconut and carrots. Spoon the mixture into the pan. Fill to the top of tin, or liner. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes. * If using a mini muffin pan reduce time to 13-15 minutes. Set cupcake aside to cool completely before icing. For the frosting, beat the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla extract together, then slowly add the powdered sugar. Spread, or pipe onto cupcakes!
HEMP EATS
Healthy breakfast recipes to get your day started off the healthy, gluten-free way
Coconut Vanilla Almond Hemp Oatmeal Recipe and photo from the kitchen of Ashley Ebert Ingredients: 1 cup water 1/2 cup GF rolled oats 1/3 cup hemp hearts 1/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut 2 tablespoons chia seeds 1/4 cup vanilla almond milk 2 tablespoons honey 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 cup slivered almonds Directions: Bring water to a boil. Lower heat. Add oats, hemp, coconut, chia seeds, and almond milk. Remove from heat and stir in the remaining ingredients. Top with fruit and enjoy!
Easy-As-Pie Pancakes Serves 2-3 Ingredients: 2 eggs 1 banana 2 tablespoons hemp seeds Hemp oil Directions: Cut the banana into small pieces. Crack the eggs into the blender. Add banana. Blend. Fold in hemp seeds. Heat pan or griddle on medium heat. Lightly coat with hemp oil. Using a measuring cup or ladle, scoop out batter and place on heated surface. Cook about 30 seconds on each side. Serve with honey, real maple syrup and fresh fruit. Enjoy!
Blueberry Banana Hemp Muffins Recipe and photo from the kitchen of Ashley Ebert Makes 12 muffins Ingredients: 1 ¼ cup quinoa flour ½ cup hemp protein powder (I used Bob’s Red Mill) ¼ cup ground flax meal ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon xanthum gum 4 ripe bananas (darker the better) 1 egg 1/3 cup clover honey 1/3 cup coconut oil, melted 2 teaspoon vanilla extract ½ teaspoon lemon extract 3 packages blueberries Directions: Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray or line a standard size muffin tin.
Combine the quinoa flour, hemp powder, flax meal, coconut, baking soda, and xanthum gum. In a separate bowl beat the bananas until smooth, then mix in the egg, honey, oil, and extracts. Mix the dry ingredients with the wet, then stir in 2 packages of blueberries. Spoon the mixture into the pan. Fill to the top of tin, or liner. Top with remaining blueberries, shredded coconut, and hemp hearts. Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes.
thcmag.com 31
Cannabis News
by John Schroyer
Marijuana Activism Bridging Partisan Divide As cannabis is becoming more mainstream and proving itself to be a legitimate moneymaking industry, it’s caught the eyes of more than one steadfast conservative who supports a free-market approach to marijuana, the same way they support free-market regulations for any other industry. The National Cannabis Industry Association even just hired a non-potsmoking Republican lobbyist, Michael Correia, who spent years working against Obamacare and other Democratic agenda items. They hired him because he believes government shouldn’t get in the way of industry. And Correia was able to deliver an even bigger conservative name to the marijuana cause — Grover Norquist, who runs Americans for Tax Reform. Last year, Correia got Norquist to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Democrats and marijuana activists to promote a bill that would let marijuana dispensaries deduct expenses from their taxes. “Grover’s view is the government should not pick winners and losers,” Correia told the L.A. Times. “It is a fairness issue. This resonates with him.” And the Marijuana Policy Project recently held its first fundraiser for a Republican in Washington, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-California, who authored a bill to “require the federal government to defer to state laws” when it comes to marijuana sales, thereby taking the teeth out of the DEA’s bite. Politics Getting in the Way Of Marijuana Research Even though nearly half the states in America have legalized marijuana for medical use, and two have fully legalized it for recreational use, scientific researchers are still hitting federal barriers when it comes to researching the plant’s full potential. According to The Washington Post, roughly 1 million American residents are currently
32 April 2014
using marijuana for various medical reasons. But the Drug Enforcement Administration still obstinately classifies marijuana as a Schedule I drug, meaning it has no medical value. Over the past two decades, the DEA has been willing to work with researchers who get approval from the federal Department of Health and Human Services, but various bureaucratic obstacles have led many researchers to throw up their hands in frustration and simply give up. For some who have undertaken attempts to get marijuana studies condoned by the federal government, it’s taken months, if not years, to get the necessary paperwork through all the proper channels. According to The Post, “many wouldbe marijuana researchers are driven to abandon projects after they discover how time-consuming and expensive it can be to obtain the drug.” There are currently 156 scientists who are licensed by the DEA to study marijuana and its effects. However, the majority of that research focuses on the negative side effects of cannabis, and not the positive effects for medical patients. Efforts to reform the current system have been underway for quite some time. But the central obstacle — the classification of marijuana as a Schedule I drug — probably isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Cannabis Legalization Could Be Key in Australian Senate Campaign Talk about an unexpected turn. In Western Australia, which is mostly desert, cannabis legalization has emerged as possibly a key issue in an Australian Senate race. An intra-coalition fight over whether to support legalization has led to a rift between two allies: the West Australian Greens Party and the 6,000-member Help End Marijuana Prohibition (HEMP) party. The HEMP party members are angry with incumbent Sen. Scott Ludlam, who
is against full marijuana legalization but supports medical marijuana. The HEMP members say the Greens Party reneged on a promise to hold a drug summit, and instead is aligning itself with the Labor Party. Under Australian election rules, 12 senators are elected from every state, and Ludlam’s seat is among five others up for election this year in the state of Western Australia. Now, the HEMP party is pushing its own candidate instead of backing Ludlam. And that, according to Australian media, could potentially affect the balance of power in the Australian Senate. Utah Governor Signs Law Giving Cannabidiol Access to Epileptics Utah families with epileptic children gave a collective sigh of relief on March 20, when Republican Utah Gov. Gary Herbert put pen to paper and legalized a special marijuana-derived oil that has proven helpful to severely epileptic children. The bill isn’t full legalization; rather, it calls for “trial access” to the oil, which is similar to the now-world-famous Charlotte’s Web from Colorado. But it’s a step. The bill was dubbed “Charlee’s Law,” in honor of Charlee Nelson, a six-yearold Utah girl who died just days before Herbert signed the law. “Cannabis oils show promise of offering some relief to Utahns suffering from seizures and epilepsy and we should do all we can to help them,” Herbert said in a statement, according to The Salt Lake Tribune. The waiting still isn’t completely over for families with epileptics, however. The bill doesn’t take effect until July 1. And then there will be plenty of red tape to wade through. Some Washington Farmers Concerned About Hemp, Marijuana turning into Weeds Define irony: state legalizes a plant nicknamed “weed,” and now some farmers are suggesting it be added to a
Across the Globe “noxious weeds” list maintained by the government. That’s what’s happening in Washington. Granted, most of the concern from farmers has to do with hemp, not marijuana. But hemp is already a member of the North American Noxious Weed List, though it hasn’t made it onto the Washington State Noxious Weed List. And so some farmers in central Washington are urging the state to come up with some sort of plan that will keep both hemp and marijuana out of their less controversial crops, such as commercial hay and grass. For right now, however, the state Agriculture Department is going to hold off and see if a problem develops, or if the farmers are worrying about nothing. Canadian Court Rules That Medical Marijuana Patients Can Continue to Grow Their Own Cannabis Medical cannabis patients in Canada were about to have to start buying their marijuana from state-licensed dealers, when suddenly, a federal judge in Vancouver upset the wheelbarrow. Judge Michael Manson ruled that any patient who is already licensed to grow marijuana in their home may continue to do so, contrary to what the Canadian government wants. Manson issued an injunction against the government’s move, to put a hold on the change until a patient lawsuit can be heard at trial. After the government announced that patients would not be allowed to grow their own marijuana, several banded together and filed suit. They claimed that, among other things, the government marijuana would cost them much more than the cannabis they grow themselves. Manson sided with the plaintiffs. “This group will be irreparably harmed by the effects of the (new regulations),” Manson wrote, according to CTV News. There are roughly 37,000 medical marijuana patients in Canada.
U.S. Health Dept Gives Thumbs Up to Clinical Trials For Marijuana and PTSD A long-awaited trial for veterans has finally been given approval by the federal government. Post-traumatic stress disorder, an ailment commonly suffered by combat veterans, isn’t recognized currently by the Department of Veterans Affairs and by many states (including Colorado) as a valid justification for medical marijuana use. But countless veterans have testified that marijuana use is the only thing that helps relieve their various symptoms. And now, the federal Health and Human Service Department has sanctioned a look into those claims by the University of Arizona. In early March, HHS sent a letter to the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), and were told they could purchase medical marijuana from the federal government’s National Institute on Drug Abuse facility in Mississippi. “MAPS has been working for over 22 years to start marijuana drug development research, and this is the first time we’ve been granted permission to purchase marijuana from NIDA,” a MAPS spokesperson told The Washington Post. The study is still waiting for approval from the Drug Enforcement Administration, but HHS’s green light is a big step, and researchers don’t expect much objection from the DEA. The proposed study will focus on 50 veterans who have all been diagnosed with PTSD, and what effects marijuana has for them. British Cannabis Company Now Valued At Over $1 billion It’s official: the marijuana industry now has a legal billionaire. At least, in the form of a company. GW Pharmaceuticals, based in England, broke the $1 billion barrier this year, and is traded on both the Nasdaq and the London Stock Exchange. GW produces cannabis-based medicines,
including a spray designed to treat those suffering from multiple sclerosis spasms. It’s available in 11 European countries, and may become the first FDA-approved cannabis medicine in America for both MS and cancer patients. National Cannabis Industry Association to Host Business Summit in Denver In the middle of the fourth week of June, the National Cannabis Industry Association is hosting a conference in Denver for businesspeople and entrepreneurs of all stripes. The Cannabis Business Summit, from June 24-25, will be held at the Colorado Convention Center. It will focus on best practices for business leaders, in topics ranging from cultivation to infusing edibles to security measures and banking. To register, visit www. cannabisbusinesssummit.com. Banking Bill for Cannabis Dispensaries Stalled in Congress One of the biggest problems for marijuana dispensary owners across the country has long been their lack of access to basic bank accounts, all because they deal with a plant that the federal government qualifies as illegal. And though several members of Congress have been actively trying to change that, and to get banks to open their doors to dispensary owners, it looks as though the most recent effort is “headed nowhere fast,” according to The Denver Post. Though there’s no obvious reason for a lack of interest in Washington, D.C., The Post tried to survey nearly 100 key members of Congress from the Financial Services and Judiciary Committees, and only a handful even bothered to reply. One of the bill’s sponsors, Washington Democrat Denny Heck, told The Post that “the almost universal response is the rolling of one’s eyes” when he brings up the marijuana banking bill with other legislators.
thcmag.com 33
High Society with
Cheryl Shuman
The Dinenbergs - David, Jen, Max
High Stakes, High Returns
Is KindBanking.com a Solution to Cannabis Banking Issues? In February of this year, the federal government cleared the way for banks to work with marijuana businesses, removing one of the barriers for the success of the rapidly growing cannabis industry. Joint memos were issued by the U.S. Justice Department and Treasury Department that provide banks with guidelines. Under the rules, banks must verify that marijuana companies are properly licensed by the state before pursuing a business relationship. The first new venture to enter the market is KindBanking, set to launch on 4/20/2014. It’s headed up by David Dinenberg, who has worked previously in the real estate field with such luminaries as Donald Trump as well as in the entertainment industry with Will Smith among others. “KindBanking was founded to support and grow the present
34 April 2014
and future cannabis industry. Transparency, compliance and adaptability are our guiding principles. This foundation will enable KindBanking to help develop the landscape, resulting in a balanced and diversified, global cannabis market,” said Dinenberg, the new financial company’s founder and chief executive officer. “KindBanking will provide financing to the underserved legal cannabis industry, allowing people and their businesses to realize their full potential. Our utmost commitment is to tailoring comprehensive financial and business solutions to help each client meet their unique goals,” he said. According to industry experts, the team at KindBanking has a reputation for accessibility, ease and excellence by showing the cannabis industry and the people fostering its growth the courtesy and respect that they deserve. The knowledge, fluency and flexibility of Kindbanking’s team of experts will help shape
the standards of this industry. The stage is perfectly set for KindBanking as a comprehensive financial solution for the legal cannabis industry. The products and services will include: Global investment fund. The legalized cannabis industry, embracing both hemp and marijuana, represents a global opportunity for investment. KindBanking.com recognizes the need for a fund that benefits legal cannabis businesses in U.S. and foreign markets. The fund intends to make debt, convertible debt, and equity investments to help start-ups, provide capital to emerging companies, and accelerate the continued rise of more established businesses. Cash storage business. KindBanking intends to provide armored car pickup and delivery for hard currency. KindBanking will employ former military personnel to provide a secure environment for processing cash transactions. Initial locations will be in Seattle and Denver. KindBanking’s KindCard. This is a debit card solution, which will facilitate cashless transactions. Kindbanking understands that cannabis retail stores and similar businesses desire a cardbased solution to conduct everyday transactions. KindBanking anticipates launching its website by mid-April. “We are thrilled to be making history being the first business of our kind working with the cannabis industry,” Dinenberg said. “We are a business founded with family values and believe that the American Dream is possible within the cannabis industry. Uniting our company and the cannabis community will bring both relief and growth for the many people who have been ignored by the financial community. “The services we offer will help build companies, create jobs and also heal our economy. Cannabis is mainstream now and we are proud to lead the way in our particular field. We urge all who are interested to please sign up on our website for the latest updates as we continue to build our company and the cannabis industry.” In the days following the joint memos, major U.S. banks and banking institutions have upheld their refusal to work with the industry. A spokeswoman from Bank of America said the bank is reviewing the government’s new guidelines but would continue to ban cannabis businesses because, based on federal law, “the sale and use of marijuana is still illegal.” Things aren’t going to change overnight. I’m just happy to see someone finally take a step forward with a solution to allow us as business owners to bank just like any other legitimate hardworking business. There is a kind bright light at the end of this tunnel. For more information about KindBanking please visit the company’s website at kindbanking.com and sign up for the latest news.
thcmag.com 35
Another Chapter in Charlotte’s Story Epilepsy Foundation Embraces Medicinal Marijuana by R. Scott Rappold
When Paige Figi first began talking to doctors about using marijuana to treat her daughter’s seizures, she met resistance and skepticism. Charlotte suffers from Dravet syndrome, a rare and incurable form of epilepsy, and modern medicine could not curb her 1,200 seizures a month. At 5 years old, she was catatonic and heavily medicated yet still suffering 50 grand mal seizures daily.
“This is not an addictive substance. It has never killed a person in the history of human use. I don’t think it should have a dangerous schedule.”
“I didn’t even think it was going to work. I know my daughter. I know how bad she was, how everything had failed her,” said Figi, of Colorado Springs, who two years ago reached out to marijuana grower Joel Stanley for a strain that is low in THC but high in cannabinoids (CBDs). She also convinced two medical marijuana doctors to make Charlotte the youngest person ever on the state registry. “When I saw how dramatic the results could be, I knew there was something there and this was going to change things,” she said. And change things it has.
Charlotte’s seizures are down to one or two a month and stories like hers have led hundreds of families to move to Colorado to seek treatment for intractable epilepsy. Charlotte’s story was featured on CNN last autumn as the
36 April 2014
network’s medical expert, Sanjay Gupta, publicly reversed his opinion about medicinal cannabis. The marijuana strain, which doesn’t intoxicate but has shown an 80 to 90-percent success rate in reducing seizures, is known as “Charlotte’s Web.” In the latest chapter of Charlotte’s story, the medical establishment is beginning to join the chorus of parents calling for an end to marijuana’s status as a Schedule 1 drug, which means the federal government considers it to have “no accepted medicinal use and a high potential for abuse.”
The Epilepsy Foundation, made up of the nation’s top epileptologists, in February issued a public plea for a change to marijuana’s legal status and an end to restrictions on studying marijuana’s potential health benefits. The doctors also urged states to change laws to make epilepsy sufferers eligible for medical marijuana, as in Colorado. They also want the federal government to support wide-ranging research on multiple types of marijuana and epilepsy. The Foundation said that of the 2.3 million Americans with epilepsy, a million live with seizures uncontrolled by medication. “If a patient and their healthcare professionals feel that the
potential benefits of medical marijuana for uncontrolled epilepsy outweigh the risks, then families need to have that legal option now – not in five years or 10 years,” wrote the doctors. “An end to seizures should not be determined by one’s zip code.” For Paige Figi, who along with some other parents formed Realm of Caring, a nonprofit to help families who move to Colorado for the treatment get adjusted, the Epilepsy Foundation’s statement was an important step toward her goal of seeing marijuana rescheduled. “This is not an addictive substance. It has never killed a person in the history of human use. I don’t think it should have a dangerous schedule,” she said. The changing attitudes among physicians toward marijuana are bringing it out from the shadows. She said more epileptics and their parents are asking doctors about it and more doctors are willing to prescribe it. If marijuana is rescheduled or, as Paige wishes, removed from the list altogether, it could be studied without all the restrictions
and red tape. Currently, researchers at institutions that get federal funding are afraid to even suggest marijuana studies. “To have doctors backing this, politically, has to happen first. Brave doctors have to stand up behind this. They can have the courage to say, ‘This really doesn’t belong in the Schedule 1 category,’” she said. And she hopes President Barack Obama takes notice. “I think Obama will do the right thing. He’s a dad,” she said. “These children that I’m talking about here, these pediatric epilepsy patients … who have nothing left, I don’t think anyone who is a parent would not understand that.” “As soon as you are sitting here on the ground and seeing patients and seeing the dramatic results, you just know this has got to change.” Now that the Epilepsy Foundation has become the first mainstream medical organization to embrace medicinal cannabis, more positive changes seem inevitable.
thcmag.com 37
38 April 2014
thcmag.com 39
Hemp Here and Now
Colorado Leads The Way In America’s Hemp Revival by DJ Reetz
March 1st was a historic day for Coloradans. The day marked the beginning of licensed hemp farming in the state and the start of the first legal hemp industry in the nation.
going to ask you how you got the seed,” she said.
Celebrating this fact, the Boulder County Hemp Meeting was organized to address issues faced by potential farmers and industry mavens already in operation. It featured a panel of experts expounding on an array of topics, from plant genetics to the reality of running a business that could still be shut down by overzealous Drug Enforcement Administration officers.
As for the regulatory process, Pottorff was clear that regulators were only concerned with THC content, leaving farmers free to produce crops high in any other cannabinoid they see fit. “We are regulating THC content. We are not concerned with anything else that is in the plant,” she said.
Speakers included Boulder County District Attorney Stan Garnett, Ben Holmes of the Cannabis Genomic Research Initiative at CU Boulder, Laura Pottorff of the Colorado Department of Agriculture, Summer Star of Enviro Textiles, hemp activist Jason Lauve, and author Doug Fine, whose most recent book “Hemp Bound” chronicles the rebirth of the hemp industry in the United States. The first day of applications with the state brought with it some confusion. Most notably was the ability of farmers to obtain seeds to begin production. “Obtaining seeds is somewhat problematic,” said Pottorff. Industrial hemp in Colorado is limited to .3 percent THC content, and sourcing seeds that meet this low threshold can be difficult since in other parts of the world the limit is much higher. And it remains illegal, on the federal level, to import hemp seeds into the U.S. “Most of the seeds coming in, we have no idea of the cannabinoid content,” said Holmes. He advised against the import of foreign seed, both for the obvious problems that would be faced at customs and for the potential to receive low quality seeds from foreign sources. “A lot of people are importing seeds that have low viability,” he said. Those seeds are better used for feed grain than for planting. The consensus of the panel was clear. While industrial hemp still remains a Schedule 1 narcotic under federal regulation, the import of seeds will continue to pose problems. However, Pottorff stated that the sourcing of the seeds was not the concern of the state’s department of agriculture. “If you plant this crop, we’re not
40 April 2014
For those farmers who find themselves over the low THC limit – a fact to be determined by random sampling of the plant’s flowers tested in a Denver lab – the hemp will not be able to be sold, said Pottorff. These farmers will have to work with the state to lower the THC levels in the crop before they can take their plants to market. Additionally, the tightly regulated crop will require precise GPS coordinates to be registered with the state. On the topic of growing both hemp and marijuana, nearly all in attendance were in agreement. Do not do it. Garnett advised against the practice on legal grounds, while others spoke of the probability of cross-pollination. Holmes suggested a realistic buffer of seven to eight miles between a hemp crop and a marijuana grow, given the self-pollinating nature of the cannabis plant. However, even with the added regulations and elevated risk from the federal government, all in attendance were excited about the potential for the future of the state’s newest crop. “As long as you understand all [the potential risks and regulations] the potential is well deserved,” said Pottorff. Undoubtedly, there will be some growing pains as the industry gains its footing, not just for farmers, but for regulators too. “It’s going to be a learning curve for all of us,” said Pottorff.
Planting A New Industry: Southern Colorado Farmers See Profit in Hemp by R. Scott Rappold
In the San Luis Valley, a high mountain desert in southern Colorado, farmer Al Abeyta has spent a lifetime getting by with alfalfa and barley. These crops aren’t making anybody rich here, and they take more irrigation than farmers would like, but little else grows in a region that gets just seven inches of precipitation a year, caught in the rain shadow of the San Juan Mountains.
Currently, she said, seeds can only be legally obtained from a research facility or university. If the pilot project is successful, seeds will be plentiful by the second year. By the third year, the plan is to construct a small processing mill here.
This year, Abeyta is pinning his hopes on a new crop, one that until recently was illegal: hemp.
“You start with the seed trials. You expand them. You start getting seed. You start distributing that seed as you’re building an understanding of markets, and then you build the mill and you kind of meet the farming capacity with the mill and the market’s been building slowly,” Burgess said. “It’s a little bit of a chickenand-egg and it’s a little bit of a web.”
“We have the capacity,” said Abeyta, 76, who farms near the small town of Antonito. “If it produces like it does in Canada, it will be more profitable than alfalfa with about half the amount of water.”
Warner, the Australian expert, spoke at two well-attended public meetings in the San Luis Valley last month. If hemp is successful in Colorado and entrepreneurs are willing to invest in production mills, he sees a bright economic future.
This is not marijuana country. Like most of Colorado’s agricultural areas, it’s economically depressed and conservative. Most rural communities opted out of allowing retail marijuana stores.
Hemp can be used in many products, ranging from biodegradable shipping pallets to clothing to bullet-proof vests to a concrete substitute.
But as Abeyta points out, he won’t be growing marijuana. He hopes to have plants that contain less than .1 percent THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. “Someone could smoke a whole bale of it and it wouldn’t get them high,” he said.
Colorado farmers are poised to reap big benefits. “I know your climate will support the crop. I think you’ll be extremely pleased to see the size of biomass you’re able to produce here. Whether it works in competition with other crops, we won’t know until we know the yields that we’ve got. But I have no fear of it growing here,” Warner said.
With the passage of Amendment 64 and subsequent legislation that legalized growing hemp after seven decades of prohibition, more and more farmers are hoping to cash in on what could be a very lucrative industry, since the plant remains illegal in most of the country. Colorado Department of Agriculture spokeswoman Christi Lightcap said an average of six growers every week are registering to grow hemp for research or commercial development. At this rate, dozens are expected to register before the May 1 deadline. State officials will inspect farms to ensure the hemp’s THC level is below .3 percent. For Abeyta, an irrigated crop of alfalfa or barley will bring in $60,000 in a good year. Partnering with a hemp oil company out of California, he believes he can clear $100,000 with hemp this year. But a myriad of questions remain. How well will it grow in arid Colorado? Does it make financial sense given the lack of processing facilities? What will be the end product? In the San Luis Valley, hemp advocates are taking a scientific approach. Working with Phillip Warner, an Australian who has grown hemp successfully around the world, and the Californiabased nonprofit Fibershed Project, a handful of farmers will plant crops this year in different types of soil in the valley, with different types of seeds, to see what works.
Elsewhere in Colorado, one farmer has already proven hemp’s growing potential. Last fall, Springfield farmer Ryan Loflin, using seeds brought into Colorado “under the wire,” successfully harvested 28 acres of hemp. He hopes to plant 300 acres this year and is in talks with some in the hemp industry about construction of a mill in Colorado. Thanks to a wet growing season, it took less irrigation than corn or alfalfa, he said. The potential for Colorado farmers and rural, often struggling communities, he said, is “limitless.” “Everyone wants American-grown hemp seed to be putting in their products. It’s just the tip of the iceberg,” he said. “I think it’s really going to save rural Colorado and rural America. These towns are suffering. This is going to create so many jobs and put people to work again for the farmers.” It’s all emblematic of the pioneering American spirit, and Warner, the Australian, predicts great things. Ten other states have legalized industrial hemp, though it remains illegal on the federal level. “The innovative people in the U.S., the money in the U.S., the entrepreneurial attitude in the U.S., and the capacity for farming in the U.S., are all going to rise up and take on this challenge and make it happen.”
Rebecca Burgess is executive director of Fibershed Project.
thcmag.com 41
Hemp Fiberboard Poised To Replace Plywood by Skyler Cannabaceae Want to support legal hemp production, but not sure how? It can be as simple as choosing hemp fiberboard over plywood for your next building project. Take a few tips from the experts into consideration. Ryan Loflin, 41, is Colorado’s hemp farming pioneer. He saw the potential in hemp last year when he used his dad’s farm in southern Colorado to grow hemp after Colorado legalized the practice. “Right now we are really focusing on seed production.” he said. Other entrepreneurs have been researching the uses of processed hemp for everything from salad dressings to building materials for decades. They are looking forward to seeing more hemp farms in this country. Loflin told THC in a phone interview that a great benefit to growing hemp instead of other crops is that no pesticides are needed. Pests are naturally averse to the cannabis plant, so the farmer saves money and time, and consumers can buy products that are good for the environment. In addition to saving the world from pesticides, you can save some trees while you are at it. THC caught up with Greg Flavell last week in New Zealand where he is building houses. Flavell owns Hemp Technologies, a hemp building company based in Asheville, North Carolina. He points out that hemp not only saves trees, but it is more efficient. “Trees take 10 years to grow. Hemp only takes four or five months.” Flavell said. So there it is, in a nutshell - the first advantage of hemp fiberboard over wood. A Congressional Research Service (CSR) report titled “Hemp as an Agricultural Commodity” published Feb 14, 2014 expands on this. According to the report, “Industrial hemp production statistics for Canada indicate that one acre of hemp yields … an average of 5,300 pounds of straw, which can be transformed into about 1,300 pounds of fiber. “ By comparison, a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture reveals that a single acre of trees produces less than one-fourth
42 April 2014
the amount of fiber from an acre of hemp. “The longest bundle of fibers in an old-grown Douglas Fir is three-quarters of an inch.” Tim Pate explained. “If you take a hemp plant, that bast fiber on the outside is going to be as long as that plant is tall.” Pate was a member of the company that teamed up with Washington State University to create “medium-density fiberboard” (MDF) from hemp, so he knows his stuff. Not only is the fiber longer than wood, but it is higher quality. C & S Specialty Building Supply, a now-defunct Oregon-based business that included Pate, Bill Conde, Dave Seber and Barry Davis, brought the idea to a Washington State University researcher named Paul Maulberg. Together they created a hemp MDF prototype that met or exceeded all tests. “If you can find a non-toxic way to create building materials, you could win a Nobel Peace Prize.” Pate said. The MDF project closed in on that goal, showing just how well non-toxic hemp was suited for building. “That fiber doesn’t break down after just a few seconds,” he said, referring to hemp fiber in a steam exploder. This is important because the extraction process is used to bond the strong hemp fiber with other materials to create composite materials such as hemp MDF. The hemp fiberboard created at WSU proved in tests to be stronger than steel and a report issued by the Boulder Hemp Initiative Project shows that not only does hemp stand up to force, but heat and water as well. “Hemp hurds can be pressed and injected with phenolic resin to make a particle board that is resistant to fire and water,” Pate said. “The board also makes a good insulation and thermal barrier.” With all of these benefits, why not build with hemp?
Presents…a Fundraiser for
/
Kicking off 4/20 weekend: Thursday, April 17th, 2014 21+ age restricted show | Doors 6pm-11pm
Featu r
ing…
CHE W m ITH
ECH
& C L H B Siste O Y C r HON NG and t Sledge G he usic b
y
SHE
Fami
ly Sto
ne
APRIL 17 2014 | DOORS 6PM-11PM | TICKET PRICES $95 TICKETS AVAILABLE AT: LIVENATION.COM OR AT THE FILLMORE King of Quality® also presents:
LAITH AL-SAADI BOOT ROOSTER JEFFREY PETERSON “THE 420 COMIC” AARON ARTISANAL
Per Colorado Amendment 64, open and public consumption of marijuana is prohibited. Per the Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act, smoking is prohibited at the Fillmore Auditorium.
thcmag.com 43
Fight The Fear They Want Us To be Afraid Of Ourselves by Citizen Jay
Mostly, I’m just insulted. Have you seen the new commercials aimed at preventing driving under the influence of cannabis? I’ve heard a lot of friends talking about how absurd they are, how they portray stoners in a bad light. Well, that is the point, eh? To convince people that driving under the influence is a bad idea. And to do that effectively, humor is a great tool. Remember those anti-drunk driving ads picturing bleary-eyed, confused drivers swimming in a car full of foamy beer? The officer looks in and asks, “Have you been drinking?” Those ads were absurd too — and funny. The message was effective as well. You see, I’m not insulted by those commercials. I think they’re just what we needed. No, it’s not the commercials. It’s the underlying hypocrisy. It’s the unquestioned perception that cannabis is fundamentally wrong. That the people who use it are fundamentally flawed. That its use is somehow fundamentally more dangerous than using other, more socially accepted medicines and intoxicants. “HEGEMONY!” That’s what I feel like yelling at the top of my lungs from the crest of the dome atop our illustrious gold-covered capital. It’s a hoity-toity grad school term. It refers to the state’s (or otherwise ruling elite’s) ability to mask its agenda as the “natural order of things.”
44 April 2014
It’s a powerful tool, because it works insidiously behind the scenes. It is “social norms” and “do what’s right.” It’s “don’t stray from the path” and “never question authority.” Well, enough is enough. It’s time to start asking and answering those questions! As an advocate for cannabis, I strive to show marijuana use as the benefit it truly is. As Citizen Jay, I portray myself as a responsible adult, a father, a husband, a business owner, a home owner. I am not what some might call a “wookie” — an endearing term referring to a particularly large breed of longbearded, usually tattooed and pierced stoner mostly found in glass blowing circles, biker bars, and loud music venues. I am not what others would call a “burn-out,” lounging on the sofa all day watching cartoons while wistfully wishing my life would somehow turn itself around. Instead, you might say I am hyperproductive, though my wife would have me devote more of that productive energy towards keeping the domicile neater, and I do love watching SpongeBob with my 8-year old daughter. While Colorado residents created a regulatory system that would treat cannabis in a similar manner to alcohol (an incredibly dangerous and poisonous substance embraced and loved by people the world over), the implementation of Amendment 64 has seemingly strayed far from its original intent. What is driving the flight from reason when it comes to regulating
is what I find so insulting. As we work our way through the regulation of cannabis, we’ve got to fight the fear and speak out against unreasonable reactions from our city council members and other regulators at the city and state levels. If we’re going to lead the rest of the country by example, then we’ve got to make sure it’s a good one. Allowing fear to guide our civic decisions is a mistake. Instead, we’ve got to rely on what we actually know. We’ve got a great opportunity to change many things in our nation with the implementation of responsible cannabis regulation. It can improve our economy, it can improve our collective health, it can ultimately save lives as more people turn to its use and away from more destructive substances like alcohol. If we’re going to set the right example, we’ve got to chase the fearmongers out of our halls of government. Those who have been held sway by the propaganda, who are still convinced that cannabis is a thing to fear, they’ve got to go. And we’re doing that. In caucuses around the country, cannabis advocates are taking up the call and joining the political fray. As a movement, we don’t care which side of the isle your loyalties lie, as long as you recognize the future IS cannabis. It’s no longer OK to sit back and watch the doers do. It’s time to become doers and do it ourselves.
thcmag.com 45
Food For Thought The GrowHaus On Cutting Edge Of Environmentally Friendly Growing Methods North Denver’s Elyeria-Swansea neighborhood might not seem like the kind of place anyone would expect to find a farm. Hidden among the train tracks and houses in this industrialized part of town is a cutting-edge urban food center.
Developed to mitigate what many residents consider to be a food desert – an area lacking in markets where the only food available is typically highly processed junk food – The GrowHaus was conceived as a way of addressing some of the area’s shortcomings. It is made up of a 20,000-square-foot greenhouse attached to a market and educational space that once housed a carnation distribution center. Inside the greenhouse, rows of hydroponically fed greens reach for the glass overhead. It is all part of a system designed to bring farming to urban living in a sustainable way. The mission here is three-fold; producing fresh, affordable produce, educating locals on the importance of a healthy diet, and
46 April 2014
by DJ Reetz
creating mechanisms that distribute the food to the community.
With these goals in mind, The GrowHaus provides residents of the surrounding zip code with a food box program. The program offers a mixed selection of local produce from around the state, all locally sourced with much of it coming from its own hydroponic systems. Boxes are available on a sliding payment scale based on ability to pay. Those who can’t afford the fresh produce can get a free box once a week. Those who can afford it are charged $20, and those who are visiting from outside of the area are charged $37, with the higher price tag subsidizing the locals in need. With this model, The GrowHaus pumps out roughly 20 to 30 food boxes a week. It also seeks to teach members of the community the skills necessary to operate their own sustainable farms. Classes range from organic farming to the business aspects of food distribution.
It’s a wholesale approach to community advancement that begins with an urban, hydroponic farm.
dumped and replaced. With the aquaponic system, that’s not and issue.
While social justice is important to its mission, The GrowHaus also embraces more enlightened growing methods. A portion of the facility is dedicated to the development of aquaponic farming. It is a relatively new process, similar to hydroponic farming in that it uses a recurring cycle of nutrient rich water that is fed directly to plants. The key difference here is the use of live fish as the source of nutrients feeding the plants.
The plants and fish work synergistically to balance the chemical composition of the water. The fish saturate the water with CO2 and nitrogen, the plants suck it up and pump out oxygen, and the cycle continues. It’s a model of farming that Cruze hopes will soon become economically viable, given the environmental benefits.
A whole section of greenhouse at the Haus is dedicated to the development of this technology. As koi fish and tilapia swirl in a large tank, their excrement is run through a filter, and the nutrient rich water is pumped to the rows of leafy greens, hungry for the elevated levels of nitrogen. A single pump feeds the entire system. The man behind that setup is Shawn Cruze, Operations and Project Manager for Colorado Aquaponics. A passion for urban farming and environmentalism fueled his endeavor, but it was also about the opportunity to create fresh foods sustainably and locally. “I got into it because I like to eat fish and I like to eat veggies,” he says. The fish are more than a source of nutrients for plants. They’re a viable commodity that can be sold to restaurants as food, or in the case of the koi, sold as pets. The aquaponic system is designed to more closely mimic nature, where nutrients come from animals rather than fertilizer plants. While the hydroponic grow uses significantly less water than traditional farming, the aquaponic system uses even less, according to Cruze. “That’s where the attractiveness lies,” he says. In the increasingly arid farmland of the American west, aquaponics may be viable option for agriculture. Those familiar with hydroponic growing systems know about the cycling of nutrient rich water. Water is reused until it has reached a point at which it is overly saturated with waste and must be
“What we’re trying to do is build a network,” says Cruze. “We can’t say at this point in time this is going to be profitable in every situation.” Cruze is working as a consultant for people interested in establishing a system that works in any given environment. This means adapting the crop and types of fish to minimize the costs of environmental control. For example, in a colder climate it may be more economical to raise cold-water fish such as bass and trout. “It’s a lot of upfront cost and a lot of time,” says Cruze. The return on investment includes environmental benefits as well as multiple revenue streams with fish and veggies. “The common bond for the people interested in aquaponics is environmental stewardship,” he says. As the system develops here and elsewhere, the commercial viability will play an increasingly larger role. Cruze wants to see systems like this start to replace conventional farming models, which are environmentally reckless. “It’s such a horrible system,” he says of current commercial farming. “It’s failing us, it’s failing our health, and it’s failing our environment.” If more sustainable farming methods like those at The GrowHaus become common practice, Colorado may be the testing grounds. “Our state is going to produce the best growers in the world,” says Cruze, a vision that he feels is not entirely separate from the widespread, legal growing of marijuana using similar techniques. In fact, it was Cruze’s passion for growing marijuana that led him into the wider world of sustainable farming. “My love for marijuana transcribed over to a love of a healthy environment and community,” he says. “I’ve taken the next step, but marijuana is definitely a gateway.” The GrowHaus is open to the public. A list of classes can be found online at www.thegrowhaus.com.
thcmag.com 47
48 April 2014
v e e r n f elt so go s n i m a t i v o r d u . o Y h
mies wit is infused gum two cannab in C each 100mg vitam
ith ies w
mm d gu h fuse C eac is in
AC TIVAT
ED
mg 100 THC
NET
AC T
ACT IVATED
in ab cann g vitam two 100m
100m g THC
HT WEIG
40
two cannab
MS GRA
is infused gum mies with 100mg vitam in C each
IVAT ED
NET WEIGH
100m S g T 40 GRAM T HC
two ca AC
100 D NET WEIGH T 40 GRAM TH m g S
TIV AT E C
nnab is in fuse 100m dg g
vitam
um in C mies with
NET
WEIG
each
HT 4
0 GR
AMS
NEW!
Or tasted this great! Try our new gummy GUMe’s! Each pack includes two 50mg activated THC infused gummies with 100mg vitamin C
Voted Best Edibles Denver 2014
Available in recreational and medical. Look for them at your favorite dispensary.
incrediblesColorado.com
thcmag.com 49
Therapeutic or Toxic? Is cannabis an effective treatment for your pets? by Caroline Hayes
50 April 2014
W
ith so many people now using cannabis as an effective form of treatment for various medical conditions, it’s no wonder that pet owners are wondering if it’s just as effective a treatment for animals.
Man’s best friend. Humans go to such great lengths to protect their furry friends, so of course owners are looking for any remedy they can think of to help sickly pets. Cannabis has shown to help sick humans, and while people have said that cannabis has helped their pets, are those just anecdotes or is there enough evidence there to prove the skeptics wrong? Why all the skepticism? People need the facts to believe. Behind every treatment are scientific facts proving that something works – or doesn’t. Science can’t be denied and until there are facts indicating that cannabis helps animals with various ailments, many people won’t believe that this can be an effective form of treatment. “The effectiveness of marijuana for treatment of medical problems needs more investigation before I can support ever giving marijuana to an animal. At present, I think the safest way to administer marijuana to pets is not to give it to them,” said veterinarian Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald of VCA Alameda East Veterinary Hospital in Colorado. Can’t really blame a guy who doesn’t want to administer an unknown medication to innocent animals, but is he being too cautious? Hasn’t he heard the same “success stories” I have? The thing is, he’s an educated doctor (and comedian) who bases his claims on scientific facts which say, “Currently, I know of no papers or studies establishing the effectiveness of marijuana for the treatment of any medical conditions in dogs.” As they say, the proof is in the pudding, and well, Dr. Fitzgerald hasn’t tasted the pudding. Working towards a common goal Dan Goldfarb, creator of Canna-Pet and resident of the state of Washington, believes that his product, made with 100-percent organic hemp, is going to pave the way for treating animals with the cannabis plant. After ten years of clinical studies and trials, Canna-Pet was made available to the public just five months ago and has had a good amount of positive feedback, says Goldfarb. Canna-Pet is not made with THC. “Our product is a fine powder refined from ground hemp plants. Hemp is the ‘ultimate’ medical cannabis in our opinion, as it is high in CBD and other cannabinoids, and nearly absent of THC (which causes
psychoactivity),” Goldfarb explained. And with these facts presented, it makes Canna-Pet completely legal for anyone to purchase. “Our goal is to help as many pets as possible. A positive sideeffect of our success is that we are able to inform the public of beneficial applications of the cannabis plant that have no safety or legal concerns, and specifically open their eyes to therapeutic applications for hemp,” Goldfarb said. Goldfarb isn’t the only one taking steps to treat animals with alternative medicines. Kathy Kramer DVM out of Vancouver, with request from a pet’s owners, has begun experimenting with cannabis as a form of treatment. Now, according to Health Canada, medical cannabis is only available to humans. However, she is helping counsel pet owners on how to dose their animals safely with cannabis tinctures made from grapeseed oil or glycerol. “This seems to be well tolerated and easy to titrate the dose,” Dr. Kramer said. The background of Dr. Kramer’s vet clinic is integrative “so our clients are used to holistic options and ‘thinking outside the box,” she said. So is she seeing positive outcomes from her tincture treatments? In a nutshell, yes. “I believe I am seeing benefits in my patients currently receiving cannabis,” Dr. Kramer explained. However, she does agree with Dr. Fitzgerald’s cautious point of view saying, “There needs to be more research in animals to establish safe and effective doses,” and “I advise clients that the use of cannabis for their pets is extremely experimental and there is a fine line between a dose that is helpful and a dose that is toxic.” So how do we walk that fine line? Without well-funded research, we may never know if cannabis is an effective treatment and never gain enough believers. In regard to this, Dr. Kramer said, “At the turn of the century, cannabis was commonly used in farm animals but with the development of new drugs and the increasing stigma of marijuana, its use fell out of favor. We are now rediscovering its benefits but it is still very experimental in pets. I can encourage pet owners to speak openly to their veterinarians if they are interested in cannabis for their pet. If pet owners continue to demand natural therapies and alternatives with fewer side effects, the interest will continue to grow and foster continued research.” Treating
animals
with marijuana can be
thcmag.com 51
dangerous because because they they don’t don’t know know dangerous how to process the psychoactive how to process the psychoactive effects of of being being ‘high.’ ‘high.’ Just Just think think of of effects any time you might have ingested any time you might have ingested too much much THC THC via via edibles. edibles. The The heart heart too and mind race, you might sweat and and mind race, you might sweat and start to panic. Humans have enough start to panic. Humans have enough know-how to to lie lie in in aa quiet, quiet, dark dark room room know-how while sipping water and avoiding fatty while sipping water and avoiding fatty foods in order to help bring them foods in order to help bring them down. Animals Animals don’t don’t have have the the thought thought down. process to administer these remedies process to administer these remedies to themselves. themselves. Dr. Dr. Fitzgerald Fitzgerald explains explains to that “the half life for THC metabolism that “the half life for THC metabolism is much much longer longer in in dogs dogs than than in in people,” people,” is meaning that the high feeling will last last meaning that the high feeling will much longer in a dog’s mind and body. much longer in a dog’s mind and body.
What can can we we do do to to prevent prevent this this “pet “pet poisoning”? poisoning”? What Edibles bought at the dispensary are not meant for for animals. animals. “Pet “Pet Edibles bought at the dispensary are not meant owners should know to check with their veterinarians before owners should know to check with their veterinarians before giving their their pet pet any any medication,” medication,” said said Dr. Dr. Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald. giving
“Pet Poisoning” Poisoning” is is an an actual actual term term “Pet referring to accidental over ingestion of referring to accidental over ingestion of THC. “Symptoms of toxicity include depression, drooling, difficulty THC. “Symptoms of toxicity include depression, drooling, difficulty moving, urinary urinary incontinence, incontinence, lowered lowered body body temperature temperature and and moving, heart rate, tremors and vomiting. Higher doses can cause hyperheart rate, tremors and vomiting. Higher doses can cause hyperexcitablity, panting, panting, elevated elevated heart heart rate rate and and seizures,” seizures,” according according excitablity, to Dr. Kramer. to Dr. Kramer.
While there there may may not not be be enough enough hard hard facts facts for for some some to to support support While treating an animal with cannabis, there are enough personal treating an animal with cannabis, there are enough personal stories to to help help get get the the research research started. started. IfIf you you believe believe your your pet pet stories can benefit from medical cannabis treatments, please do the can benefit from medical cannabis treatments, please do the proper research and don’t over-medicate them. Remember this proper research and don’t over-medicate them. Remember this isn’t about about getting getting the the animals animals stoned, stoned, it’s it’s about about improving improving their their isn’t quality of life. quality of life.
Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald
Keep all all human human medication medication out out of of reach reach of of pets. pets. Also, Also, don’t don’t take take Keep it upon yourself to be the doctor. it upon yourself to be the doctor. nothing else, else, cannabis cannabis treatments treatments can can help help to to create create IfIf nothing comfortable conditions for a sick, dying animal. This story comes comfortable conditions for a sick, dying animal. This story comes from Dr. Dr. Kramer. Kramer. She She was was seeing seeing aa 19-year-old 19-year-old cat cat that that had had from heart, kidney and thyroid disease in conjunction with arthritis and heart, kidney and thyroid disease in conjunction with arthritis and chronic pancreatitis. “Before the cannabis, his appetite was poor chronic pancreatitis. “Before the cannabis, his appetite was poor and he he was was on on aa narcotic narcotic pain pain medication, medication, which which further further affected affected and his appetite. With cannabis, his appetite remained excellent and his appetite. With cannabis, his appetite remained excellent and we were able to discontinue the narcotic. His lab results stabilized we were able to discontinue the narcotic. His lab results stabilized and II believe believe he he was was very very comfortable comfortable for for the the last last year year of of his his life.” life.” and
DHcHDHcHD
52 April April 2014 2014 52
thcmag.com 53
Mystery Of Munchies
Why Do Cannabis Users Crave Fatty Food? by Skyler Cannabaceae
54 April 2014
F
ire up a joint, rip a few bong hits, or take a toke from a pipe or vaporizer. There is one consequence of these actions that cannabis users can count on. The munchies.
What it is that sends our taste buds into overdrive? A new study from the journal Nature Neuroscience claims that it is a heightened sense of smell that makes a person crave food after using cannabis.
but they don’t contradict. In 2011, a study led by a University of California-Irvine professor of pharmacology named Danielle Piomelli showed that when the taste of fatty food hits a person’s system it sends signals to the gut to produce endocannabinoids. CB1 receptors in the gut receive these endocannabinoids, which increases the desire for fatty foods. In this study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers went a step further by genetically engineering mice that do not have CB1 receptors.
Science has known for decades that the human body has an endocannabinoid system. Endocannabinoids are compounds that have the same effect in the body as the cannabinoids in cannabis, like THC and CBD, but the body produces them naturally. When a person uses cannabis, the cannabinoids from the plant (called phytocannabinoids) bind with receptors all over the body to produce different effects. But why is hunger one of those effects? Perhaps it’s because hunger enhances a person’s sensory perception. In ancient times, this sharpened us up so we could better hunt and gather food. It’s called survival. According to the study conducted by European scientists led by Giovanni Marsicano of the University of Bordeaux, when cannabinoids are received by cannabinoid type-1 (CB1) receptors in the main olfactory bulb (MOB) of the brain, they signal that the body is starving.
The result was that the “knock-out” mice still wanted to eat, but the craving for fatty foods was gone. This led researchers to believe that blocking the CB1 receptors in humans would cause the same effect and help to fight obesity. Unfortunately, they were unable to find a safe “CB1 receptors promote drug to block those receptors, and since so food intake in fasted much is still unknown in this area of biology, that may have been for the best. mice by increasing odor
detection,” according to the researchers. This increase in smell power, which occurs naturally when someone is actually hungry, leads to the brain thinking that the body is not just hungry, but that it is actually starving.”
Mice were used as test subjects. Since all mammals share cannabinoid similarities, the brains of mice and humans function quite alike. “CB1 receptors promote food intake in fasted mice by increasing odor detection,” according to the researchers. This increase in smell power, which occurs naturally when someone is actually hungry, leads to the brain thinking that the body is not just hungry, but that it is actually starving. As a result, the brain craves fatty foods so that the body can store calories for later. That would explain why junk food is so appealing when we’re buzzed. How about this for a puzzle: Other studies show that cannabis users are, as a group, significantly slimmer than non-users. But that’s another story. While cannabis researchers welcomed this recent study, it is only part of the picture. Researchers have been gleaning bits and pieces over the years. Separate studies show different results,
In another study, conducted by European researchers supported by the UK Medical Research Council and published in The Journal of Biological Chemistry, the result suggested that “Endocannabinoids and ghrelin [a natural hormone] are potent appetite stimulators and are known to interact” with the hypothalamus. Scientists found by injecting 2-AG (the endocannabinoid produced in the body that most resembles THC) into subjects that stimulation occurs in the hypothalamus the same as if the 2-AG were created by the body naturally.
The academic journal Neuropharmacology published a study in July of 2012 that had yet another take on munchies. While the researchers admitted that “[c]annabinoid receptor agonists are known to stimulate feeding in animals,” they believe that instead of being caused by heightened senses, it is actually the instant reward response of dopamine that is generated in the body after eating “highly palatable food.” In turn, that increase in pleasure makes you want to keep eating more of it. All of these studies provide plausible and scientifically viable reasons why cannabis stimulates appetite. Perhaps each provides some truth. The bottom line is that the cannabinoids in the plant, especially THC, interact with receptors in our bodies, programming us to want more of not just any food, but fatty food. So if you’re on a diet, hide those cookies before you spark up that joint.
thcmag.com 55
THE 5TH ANNUAL
GREEN TEAM CIVIC CENTER PARK THE GREEN TEAM IS A POSITIVE COMMUNITY FORCE SINCE 2009:
OVER 900+ VOLUNTEERED HOURS • HUNDREDS OF TRASH BAGS COLLECTED ON 4/20 • 164+ COATS AND BLANKETS COLLECTED • $3000+ RAISED FOR CHARITABLE CAUSES • 2000+ POUNDS OF FOOD DONATED
VOLUNTEER NOW! FACEBOOK.COM/DENVERRELIEFGREENTEAM
56 April 2014
Text “THC” to 67076 /THCMagazine
@HempConnoisseur
@thehempconnoisseur thcmag.com 57
A Sweet Energy Solution Environmentally Friendly Battery Made Of Sugar by Skyler Cannabaceae
You’re running some errands and your cell phone battery is about to die. Every regular mobile phone user has experienced this type of situation. There are no electrical outlets for you to use to charge your phone, so what do you do? How about popping the battery out of your phone and refilling it with sugar? It sounds like a pipe dream, but a team of researchers at Virginia Tech published a paper in January showing that a sugar battery is not only possible, but can feature a higher energy density than others. This could lead to it being stiff competition for the standard lithium-ion batteries used in most electronics. Y.H. Percival Zhang, an associate professor of biological systems engineering at Virginia Tech and the primary author of the study, said that this battery “has an energy density an order of magnitude higher than others, allowing it to run longer before needing to be refueled.” Zhang goes on to suggest that his battery could be ready in as little as three years to power all sorts of electronics, such as the cell phones and tablets that continue to grow as staples of American life. “Sugar is a perfect energy storage compound in nature,” Zhang told VA Tech’s campus news. “So it’s only logical that we try to harness this natural power in an environmentally friendly way to produce a battery.” This isn’t the first time a battery has been created that runs on sugar. In 2007, Sony announced that they had created a “biobattery” that would use glucose as a power source. Building on the established science, Zhang and his fellow researchers created enzymatic fuel cells that contain a 15 percent maltodextrin solution. The paper claims that these could serve as ecologically friendly power sources for the portable electronics in years to come. The battery would not be able to produce enough power to sustain large requirements for fuel sources, like cars, so don’t go pouring that bag of sugar into the tank just yet. It could very well replace lithium-ion batteries, though. By creating a synthetic enzymatic pathway, the solution is broken down more slowly leading to a steady and even flow of energy; the lack of which had been a problem in previous bio-batteries This new battery interests people who are concerned about lithium-ion batteries, the battery type most used in portable electronics, ending up in landfills all over America and wrecking
58 April 2014
havoc on the environment. A report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, a part of the U.S. Department of Health, says that these batteries, “enter the solid waste stream and can contaminate soil and water.” Zhang’s battery would neutralize this concern since the only byproducts are electricity and water. It would also eliminate the need to throw batteries into a landfill because they are refillable. Not rechargeable, but refillable, which is better. The new battery would not need to be plugged in to recharge the way that most lithium-ion batteries do. Instead, it could be refilled with more of the solution to continue to generate energy. This would not only lead to less waste, but the low cost of sugar compared to toxic metals used in lithium-ion would result in a cost as low as one-tenth that of the current batteries used. The new batteries have over 10 times the energy density of lithium-ion, the study shows, and can last as much as two times longer than lithium-ion batteries weighing the same amount. No need to start looking for sugar batteries on store shelves, though, as Zhang expects, it will take at least three years for them to be produced and ready for use. No worries. When it’s ready , the cannabis community is too.
thcmag.com 59
60 April 2014
THE HEMP THC CONNOISSEUR
Follow The Leader Colorado Is Influencing The World About Legal Cannabis by John Schroyer
After decades of underground use and counter-culture acceptance, marijuana is finally making its way into the mainstream. Even in places like Iowa, America’s heartland, a recent poll found that an overwhelming 81 percent of voters support legalizing cannabis for medical use. Granted, much of the controversial plant’s support has stemmed from its now-proven value as a treatment for various ailments as the same poll found 55 percent of Iowans opposed to adult-use legalization. Nonetheless, cannabis has moved forward in monumentally historic strides in the past few years. In deep-red conservative states such as Kentucky, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, and Utah, cannabis oil is on the verge of being legalized by state lawmakers for epileptic children. And Florida voters will get to choose in November whether to legalize medical marijuana. The social acceptance and political progress had been building for many years, but one recent event above all symbolizes the breakthrough. That is the success in Colorado of Charlotte’s Web, a particular medical marijuana strain that has dramatically decreased the number of epileptic seizures suffered by 7-yearold Charlotte Figi. Combined with the state’s orderly and tax-revenue generating adult-use legalization, recent progress toward national legalization is being led by Colorado. But let’s catch our breath and examine how Colorado’s influence is extending throughout the Americas and around the world. In the U.S., movements to legalize cannabis completely - akin to what Colorado and Washington voters approved in 2012 - are underway in several states. Alaska voters will decide whether adult-use makes sense for our geographically largest state. Similar ballot measures are being organzied in California, Oregon and the District of Columbia, and will probably have success this year or in 2016. Amazingly, much of the progress in 2014 has taken the legislative route as state lawmakers become more sensitive to the will of voters. Laws have been proposed in 17 separate states to regulate marijuana in a manner similar to alcohol, according to the Marijuana Policy Project. The California Democratic Party went so far as to adopt marijuana legalization as part of its official platform, and former Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry - the governor of Tea Party stronghold Texas - intimated to comedian Jimmy Kimmel in March that he could support decriminalizing marijuana possession before he leaves office in 2015.
marijuana is unconstitutional. In Uruguay, the government will oversee production and sale of cannabis, so it won’t be the same sort of free market setup as in Colorado, but it’s still a historic shift. The Brazilian judge declared in the case of a low-level black market marijuana dealer that banning cannabis is “the result of a backward culture and mistaken policy,” and activists are hoping the ruling may open the door to policy changes. British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said in February that he’s interested in stoking debate on alternatives to “blanket prohibition” for drugs such as marijuana, and urged politicians in the United Kingdom to start thinking about ways they could reform their system. And the Green Party in Wales, according to one Welsh op-ed, has “put legalization of cannabis back on the political agenda” by arguing its merit as medicine, and as less harmful than alcohol, cocaine and heroin. The newspaper cited Colorado’s millions in tax income from the sale of retail marijuana as a compelling reason to consider legalization. In Germany, authorities have gone even further. While marijuana possession has been tolerated for years and is legal in some parts of the country, last fall the mayor of Berlin suggested legalizing marijuana sales and managing distribution through the city government. None of this, however, means that cannabis will suddenly be legal and available to everybody anytime soon. In some places, reforms have also led to crackdowns.
This breathtaking progress was unthinkable before Colorado’s victorious Amendment 64 initiative in 2012. And what happened in Colorado and Washington is having a domino effect outside American borders.
In Canada, for instance, medical marijuana patients who used to be allowed to grow their own medicine are now required by law to purchase cannabis from government-licensed wholesalers.
In South America, Uruguay became the first country in the world to legalize marijuana possession and use last December, and a Brazilian federal judge ruled in January that the country’s ban on
Even with such small backward steps, cannabis is moving steadily out of the shadows of prejudice and neglect, and into a bright future of accelerating acceptance.
thcmag.com 61
The design is minimal, the experience is not. A single button with many functions. A single button of many colors. A single button to activate, select, and control five temperature levels for pure vaporization. All for the single best experience. Learn more at indica2.com
62 April 2014
Could your plants use a little more juice? For more than 15 years MMJ growers in British Columbia have been using Dr. Willard’s PlantCatalyst® to enhance nutrient uptake and improve plant health, growth and yield. This product is now available to Colorado growers so request your free sample today!
Dr. Willard’s PlantCatalyst® is a nutrient absorption enhancer that can be added to any nutrient routine. It has been tested on over 100,000 plants including cayenne peppers, micro and potted spathiphyllum and ‘Northern Lights’ cannabis and the benefits include:
PlantCatalyst
Come to
HTGSupply, the exclusive carrier of
· Sturdier stocks and/or more extensive root systems
Dr. Willard’s PlantCatalyst®
· Greater resilience in stressful growing environments (e.g. dry, hot weather)
in the Denver metro area.
· Larger and/or greener plants · More blooms and/or earlier blooming
®
· More yield per plant, larger fruit/flowers and enhanced flavor and aroma
www.plantcatalyst.com Free samples available by visiting our website or by calling toll free at 888-379-4552
5275 Quebec Street, Commerce City
thcmag.com 63
Are You Kidding Me? These Campaigns Demonize Cannabis by DJ Reetz
Seems like long ago, but marijuana was once looked upon rather negatively by some rather influential people. Sometimes, these people went to extreme lengths to convince an uneducated populace of the dangers of the demon weed marihuana, even going so far as to bend the truth. We here at THC have compiled a list of some of our favorite attempts to demonize marijuana, so that we may all bask in their profound ignorance and maybe learn something about the nature of the prohibitionist. Reefer Madness You can’t have a list of antipot propaganda without the grand daddy of them all. Although wrapped around a cannabis-induced murder - an oxymoron, to be sure this 1936 film aimed to scare parents about the budding problem of reefers being pushed to schoolchildren by sharply dressed gangsters whose only goal was to create addicts. The film features innocent high schoolers seduced by the allure of marihuana, thrust into a world of insanity, murder, and frantic dancing. Originally released in black and white, the film was later colorized, and the clouds of reefer smoke gained green and purple tints to differentiate when these innocent kids were smoking reefers instead of the cigarettes they sucked down throughout the film like soda from the fountain. The film was so ridiculous in its claims, it’s not even mentioned by current drug-war propagandists. Instead, it lives on only as ironic fodder for stoners to chuckle at while themselves imbibing. Perhaps anti-drug propaganda is a little ridiculous when reflected upon years later. Wonder if that’s going to be a theme on this list. “I learned it from watching you!” Another classic, this one from the age of Reaganomics. The ad features a young man being confronted by his father about the cigar box full of marijuana his mother has found. When asked how he learned to do something so shameful the son dramatically replies, “I learned it from watching you!” The message here is pretty simple: Be a hypocrite. Sure, you have lots of experience with marijuana and use it yourself, but
64 April 2014
you should be ashamed for so clearly demonstrating that a responsible adult is capable of making decisions about his own body. For shame! Pete’s Couch This is a pretty recent attempt. The ad begins reasonably enough, a relatable young dude looking straight at the camera and telling us that he smoked weed and nothing happened, no car crash, no overdose, nothing but sitting on the couch for 11 hours. The ad concludes that you’re much more likely to find harm doing other things, like ice skating with a girl or “driving hard to the rim.” While it’s not hard to understand what the intent is here (weed makes you lazy) the ad also seems to undercut the crucial argument of propagandists by clearly stating that marijuana is not dangerous. Seriously guys, try a strong sativa strain next time. Let’s see you spend 11 hours on the couch. Slomming SLOM- sticking leeches on myself. This ad shows an epidemic sweeping a nondescript school in which students are sticking blood-sucking leeches on themselves. Administrators don’t understand it, but all the kids are doing it and it’s hard not to if you want to fit in. So the point here is don’t let your friends talk you into doing stupid shit? Perhaps this ad would be more effective if the analogy was better, something that actually had psychoactive effects, rather than something that’s only gross. Maybe a group of poop-smeared kids talking about how popular jenkem is these days. Anyway, the lesson here is if people are doing something you find weird, and you don’t understand why they are doing it, you should make them feel bad about it. ‘Cause this is ‘Merica. CDOT’s drive high, get a DUI In case you thought we were only doing vintage bullshit, here’s one you might see today. These ads win points for a slightly more reasoned depiction of stoners than some of the others on the list, showing people doing normal things like hanging a TV, or attempting to ignite a barbecue. Of course something goes wrong and hilarity ensues; man stoners are a dopey bunch.
What’s wrong here is the knee-jerk approach to this “new” problem. There is little consensus about the impairment of driving skills caused by marijuana use. Some studies suggest it is far less dangerous for drivers than alcohol or cell phone use. Couple this with the incredibly low THC threshold for a DUID here in Colorado and it seems like the Colorado Department of Transportation is espousing on something they don’t fully understand. What if the joint were in somebody else’s hand? Another one of the ‘80’s finest. In this ad a young man lies on an operating table while a surgeon with the disposition of a Batman villain dopily cackles over him. The surgeon, too potted up on marijuana to listen to his un-anesthetized patient, menaces with his scalpel, and the ad asks the question: “What if the joint were in somebody else’s hand, like your surgeon, your lawyer, or your local police man? Would you still say marijuana is harmless?” Yes, yes I would. Not really important how professionally successful the person smoking it is, it’s still harmless. I’d actually really like it if my local policeman smoked a bit more weed. Thanks for making us consider it though. Maybe the ad should just advise kids not to perform surgery while stoned. That we can get behind. Marijuana: four times the cancer-causing tar of cigarettes This one’s another recent entry, building on past scare tactics. The ad shows a young man slinking into his room only to cut open four cigarettes and dump their contents into a rolling paper, all while a voiceover informs us that marijuana contains four times the cancer causing tar of cigarettes. Well, smoking an unfiltered joint may actually cause more particulate to end up in your lungs compared to a filtered cigarette, but there may still be some discrepancy with the truth here. The claim of cancer is complete bullshit. Marijuana has more cancer causing agents than tobacco smoke? Perhaps this could be verified by a single demonstrable instance in all of human history. Oh wait, it’s not. While only a sub-moronic, lobotomized chimp would make the argument that marijuana is more harmful than tobacco, this ad gets downright reckless when one considers the mounting evidence that marijuana may actually fight cancer. So you may actually be less susceptible to lung cancer if you smoke it, but at least we’re spending money to tell people otherwise. Knight Rider’s ‘80s PSA The 1980s were such a goldmine for asinine anti-drug propaganda. We could have made this a list of just your childhood icons lying to you. Mr. T, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Run DMC, and many others, well, they all had their chance to convince you that drugs weren’t at all “rad.” Still, this one stands out as especially stupid. In the ad a young David Hasselhoff banters back and forth with his sentient car over how to best communicate the dangers of marijuana to the kids. The car decides concocted scientific evidence is the best approach, but David “I eat my burgers off the fucking floor” Hasselhoff is too cool for all that, settling to just let us all know that drugs are bad, m’kay. In an era when the First Lady was championing abstinence from drugs, even as her husband’s foreign policy funneled cocaine into
the inner city, there was plenty of ridiculousness to go around, but the Hoff really makes this one into something special.
SAM’s Super Bowl ad Yep, this one’s from this year’s Super Bowl. In a game between the two teams hailing from cities where weed is legal, idiots have to do something to remind us all that they are still idiots and they won’t be ignored. The group Smart Approaches to Marijuana bought billboard space around MetLife Stadium in New Jersey and put up ads that depicted a footballer with the words “Motivation, perseverance, determination” above his head, next to a pot leaf with “None of the above” spelled out over it. While I’m sure none of the athletes in the NFL ever have or ever would consider using marijuana for any reason, the insistence that marijuana use prevents success may be a tad overblown. After all, even though there’s never ever been an instance of marijuana use by a professional athlete, the President of the United States did it. I support terrorism Hopefully we haven’t all forgotten about this case study in emotional manipulation that started circulating shortly after 9/11. A series of ads from the Office of National Drug Control Policy, these usually began with a plain-looking white person being confronted by the ghosts of all the people who were killed to bring them their weed. The ad ends with the stark revelation that “Drug money supports terrible things.” While the threat of terrorism was certainly an easy string to pluck at the time (see the invasion of Iraq), equating any level of drug use to murdering innocent people qualifies as bona fide, five-star idiocy. So the ad says it’s your fault. You, the person who chooses to use recreational marijuana, have the blood of thousands of innocents on your hands. You monster. It’s not the fault of a destructive drug war that forces a benign plant into the realm of criminals, or even the fault of the people who carry out these acts of violence. True, marijuana has sometimes been the largest source of income for Mexican drug cartels, but blaming users seems like diverting responsibility from the people actually creating demand. Given the recent allegations of cooperation between U.S. law enforcement and the Sinaloa cartel - and possibly even the arming of the group by the Justice Department - it seems as though the blame for the thousands of deaths a year in Mexico might be a little more equitably spread around. Besides, buying your weed legally means your money supports local businesses, school construction, and even more stupid-ass antimarijuana ads. And that’s why we here in Colorado aren’t kept awake at night by the ghosts of dead little girls.
thcmag.com 65
TBA
A 3 DAY CELEBRATION OF MUSIC, FREEDOM & CANNABIS
Featuring 3 Nights with Pato Banton and: Fractalia 4/18 [ CRESTED BUTTE: POWERHOUSE ] Funkdafari 4/19 [ RIDGWAY: OURAY COUNTY 4H CENTER ] Eldergrown 4/20 [ SPECIAL LOCATION TBA:
CHECK WEBSITE FOR DETAILS ]
Each Event: $15 General Admission | $35 VIP VIP Tour Package is Now Available. Visit Our Website for Details.
For More Information on this Groundbreaking 420 Event, Get Tickets or Get Involved Visit:
66 April 2014
PLATINUM LABEL mahatma-grown flower/bud
10 0 %
thcmag.com 67
Hot Spots
RiNo is Transforming Into the Cultural Place to Be by DJ Reetz
Just north of Downtown Denver is a rough, industrial sector of town. It’s a place where blue-collar industry has done its dance with a recession, exchanging blows and coming out more haggard for it. A place that 15 years ago most people probably wouldn’t have wanted to tread, or at least wouldn’t have had reason to. But the rough veneer is cracking. The area has seen some rough times, but as the impoverished facade of the area crumbles, it reveals a burgeoning neighborhood of art galleries, restaurants, dispensaries, workout studios, coffee shops, and other businesses where creative people make the most of their talents. In the past decade this area has picked up the name RiNo, shorthand for River North, or the section of city surrounding the Platte River as it exits downtown. Bound roughly by Park Avenue to the south, I-70 to the north, I-25 to the west and Lawrence Street to the east, the area is split by the Platte and the major railroad thoroughfare for north bound freight.
3354 Larimer, which is part art gallery, part hemp clothing store. For people with a hunger for, well, food, there are more options than can be mentioned here. Jake’s, located at the intersection of 38th and Downing is one of my favorites. With an expansive menu of bar favorites and some damn tasty burgers, this spot shouldn’t be overlooked just because of its out-of-the-way address. Cold Crush is another option for grub. A relatively new addition to the neighborhood at the corner of 27th and Larimer, the bar/restaurant has already gained a reputation as one of the best new spots in Denver. On the other side of the river, Fuel Café offers a stylish, contemporary menu. Check it out at 3455 Ringsby Court in the Taxi building complex. If drinks are desired, there are plenty of options. Infinite Monkey Theorem calls RiNo home at the corner of 32nd and Larimer, as well as Mile High Winery at 2811 Walnut. Both locations are open to the public for wine tastings, so stop in and impress your friends with the sophistication of your palate.
Walking around you’ll find that the thoughtless scrawl of gang graffiti that once covered the exposed surfaces of the area has been covered up by intricate works of art. Vibrant murals thoughtfully thrown up by seasoned street artists are the new norm, and in RiNo there’s no shortage of talented artists ready to make their mark.
RiNo is also home to several microbreweries; River North Brewery at 24th and Blake, Black Shirt Brewing Company at 3719 Walnut, Our Mutual Friend at 2810 Larimer, and the newest addition of an Epic Brewing tasting room at 30th and Walnut. All serve the high-quality, locally produced craft beer Colorado is known for, and with this many options so close together, a craft crawl is a great way to spend a sunny afternoon.
First Fridays in RiNo reflect this move toward an artist’s haven. With more than a dozen art galleries and studios, RiNo may soon be stealing the spotlight from Denver’s historic Santa Fe art district for first Friday fare – or at least providing an alternative to those with a hunger for culture. Cannabis aficionados should check out one of the events hosted by the guys at HoodLab at
The bars in the area are some of the best in the state. Casselman’s at 2620 Walnut has long been a spot friendly to the marijuana industry, hosting among other things our own THC awards. A recent threat from the city of Denver has caused Casselman’s management to step back a bit regarding the open consumption that was so typical on their patio.
68 April 2014
On the other side of the block you’ll find the Matchbox, a relatively new bar still holding onto some of the old feel of the neighborhood on Larimer Street. Out back, a patio is open for smoking and bocce ball, and it seems worth mentioning that this was the first bar I ever vaped inside of. Up the street at the corner of 27th is The Meadowlark, tucked under a head shop of the same name. This bar has a very cozy feel to it, and a concealed back patio takes up as much space as the bar itself. Continue up Larimer and you’ll find the Larimer Lounge, perhaps more notable for its venue space than its bar. The Lounge is a haven for independent musicians and mopedriding hipsters. On the dispensary front, RiNo is no slouch. Botanico, located at 3054 Larimer, has had my membership for several years thanks to one of the best price-to-quality ratios I’ve found in the city. It should be open for adult-use sales by the time you read this. A couple blocks over at 31st and Blake is RiNo Supply Company, a medical shop whose friendly staff are sure to guide you to great bud. Denver Patients Group is another good option in the area and is now open for adult-use sales at 2863 Larimer. MMD of Colorado is also open for retail sales at 2609 Walnut. Farther north you can find Expanding Universe at 3814 Walnut, a sleek, modern shop with a selection that’s hard to beat. Crossing under the train tracks, you’ll find Riverside Wellness and a little farther north on the cusp of RiNo you’ll run into Earth Group at 4493 Washington. For the time being these both remain medical only. On the very northern edge of RiNo is iVita Wellness at 3980 Franklin, which is now open for adult-use as well and has no shortage of adoring customers. Whether you’re out for a quick lunch or a cultured evening, RiNo has something for you. A thriving art scene has pushed this neighborhood out of dereliction into one of the cultural Meccas of the city. It’s a place where marijuana enthusiasts are sure to find something worth doing, so check it out.
thcmag.com 69
Blazing a trail isn’t easy. But you don’t have to go at it alone.
The National Cannabis Industry Association is the only national trade association dedicated to representing legitimate cannabis businesses, from medical marijuana providers to ancillary products and services. Our mission is simple: Change federal law so that cannabis businesses can be treated like any other industry in the U.S. Is your business part of the solution yet?
Join NCIA today for... • Unified and coordinated industry advocacy • Educational events and B2B networking • Industry legitimization • Exposure to a national market If you share our vision for a responsible, legitimate, and prosperous industry, get involved today at TheCannabisIndustry.org or by calling (888) 683-5650.
70 April 2014
Take Flight
Drinks, Mist, TincSures, Hemp and More! Ask your Awesome Budtender about us today! marQaha.com
Founded in MMX REV: 052013
thcmag.com 71
DISPENSARY GUIDE by DJ Reetz
DENVER
75 The Clinic 73 The Hemp Center 76 LivWell 77 Northern Lights Natural Rx 74 Physician Preferred Products 78 Southwest Alternative Care
COLORADO SPRINGS 74 Rocky Mountain Miracles
72 April 2014
*
SCAN THE QR CODES AT THE TOP OF THE PAGES FOR MORE INFO AND SPECIAL OFFERS!
www.the-hemp-center.com The Hemp Center is a hemp boutique as well as a top-shelf medical marijuana center, offering a myriad of holistic health services. Our educated and friendly staff strives to provide a safe, comfortable, and inviting atmosphere. By offering many different products and treatment options — Each personalized to an individuals‘ needs — we reach a wider spectrum than your ordinary medical marijuana center. Our dispensary section provides top shelf cannabis, concentrates, a wide variety of edibles and topical solutions. Our other passion is holistic health and the versatile uses for hemp. We offer vitamins, supplements, holistic health treatments, hemp purses and other textiles, body care products, storage containers, delivery devices and much more!! We have great member benefits accompanied by daily deals that make anytime you visit us a good day. There is also a rotating variety of our very best strains on special as our MDTHC Features. The Hemp Center is handicapped accessible, with two convenient locations one in Historic Downtown Littleton or check us out in Colorado Springs at 25th & Co Ave.
L I T T L E T O N
2430 West Main Street Littleton, CO 80120 303-993-7824 Monday-Friday 10:00am-7:00pm Saturday 11:00am-6:00pm Sunday 12:00pm-5:00pm
thcmag.com 73
N O R T H G L E N N
www.pppmeds.com
Patient’s Choice SATIVA
Connoisseur’s Choice SATIVA
Northglenn’s premier medical dispensary, Physician Preferred Products is proud and honored to continue to provide the highest quality products and customer service to the North Metro community!
2100 East 112th Avenue Suite #5 Northglenn, CO 80233 303-974-5966 Monday-Saturday 10:00am-7:00pm
C O L O R A D O
1st Place SATIVA
We are extremely excited to be a part of this historical time for the Medical Marijuana industry and want to thank our loyal customers for their devotion throughout the years. It is this customer support that drives us here at PPP to create a comfortable, friendly environment for your MMJ needs. Up front, our Bud-tenders strive to continually update their knowledge of strains and products in order to provide you with the most educated MMJ shopping experience around. In the back, our growers work tirelessly to bring only top quality strains into our garden. These strains have been, for the most part, grown from seed and hand selected from many phenotypes to ensure top quality, award winning genetics. We feel this combination of customer service and absolute dedication to quality amounts to a superior MMJ experience!
www.rockymountainmiracles.com
S East Bijou Street P 2316 Colorado Springs, CO 80909 R 719-473-9333 I Monday-Saturday N 11:00am-6:45pm Sunday-Monday G Closed S74 April 2014
In the heart of Colorado Springs, Rocky Mountain Miracles prides itself on delivering all-natural MMJ products for patients all over Colorado. Family is very important to owner Ali, who operates Rocky Mountain Miracles with daughters Jessica, Mandy, Shelly, and son Mike. The growers and trimmers are all family as well. You are welcomed and cared for like family too. Part of what makes RMM stand out is its quality selection of medication. RMM offers over 80 top-shelf quality, hand trimmed strains, with new strains introduced regularly, as well as hash and caviar. It’s all about providing the right medication for your medical needs, from severe physical pain to PTSD. Also, RMM boasts a wealth of medicated edibles - from cooking ingredients to snacks, teas, coffees, and drinks, plus items for diabetics. Medicated tablets, chew-ables, tinctures, and more provide great alternatives to smoking. But there’s more to this dispensary than the products they sell. Trained staff members happily provide consultation on marijuana questions, pain management, and offer evaluations for patients to determine how MMJ could help alleviate pain and improve quality of life. At Rocky Mountain Miracles, MMJ is provided with expert counseling while friendly service offers unparalleled relief. Check out our coupon in the back of this issue.
www.thecliniccolorado.com
NCIA Ad PDF in Folder
The Clinic is an award winning medical marijuana center with six Denver metro locations! The Clinic is Denver’s premier medical marijuana center having won over 20 awards for both it’s high quality cannabis, concentrates and charitable contributions! The Clinic’s staff is extremely knowledgeable and friendly while the atmosphere at their locations reflect the immense amount of care that they provide to their patients as well as their medicine.
The Clinic is also a long time supporter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, as it’s a cause that directly affects their patients, friends and family. As such, The Clinic has raised more than $100,000 for the Colorado-Wyoming Chapter of the National MS Society since they first opened their doors in 2009. The Clinic has remained at the forefront of the medical marijuana movement by raising the standard for medical marijuana centers everywhere, not only through their patient driven mission but through their dedication to the community! Make sure to stop by The Clinic and see why their mantra holds true: Our Patients Live Better.
Strains Kosher Kush
2012 High Times Cannabis Cup (Denver) Patient’s Choice Winner
Stardawg Guava
2012 High Times Medical Cannabis Cup (Denver) 1st Place Best Sativa
Grape God Bud
2010 CO Caregiver’s Cup Triple Crown-winner and 2nd place 2011 Aspen Cannabis Crown, this is the hottest indica in town.
Raskal OG
One of the most visually appealing and potent OG kushes around with a distinct diesel fuel aroma. 2012 High Times Medical Cannabis Cup (Denver) 3rd Place Best Hybrid
LA Confidential
Winner of the 2008 Indica High Times Cannabis Cup, this DNA Genetics strain has opened new doors in the world of MMJ.
Ghost OG
THC Champions Cup 3rd Place Overall Hybrid & Patients’ Choice Hybrid. 2013 High Times US Cannabis Cup 3rd place best hybrid winner
Fall ‘97
This indica-dominant strain is a sweet tasting cross between OG Kush and Purple Urkle.
Skywalker
Edibles Beverages
CannaPunch, Dixie Elixirs, Keef Cola, Green Dragon, and MarQaha
Seeds
OG
This clone only pheno of OG Kush has quickly become a patient and staff favorite.
Super Lemon Haze
Winner of the 2008 and 2009 Sativa High Times Cannabis Cup
Tangie
2013 High Times US Cannabis Cup 1st place best sativa winner
Pre ‘98 Bubba Kush
2011 High Times Denver Medical Cannabis Cup highest CBD strain winner
Platinum OG
Purp x Master Kush x OG Kush - Strong kush aroma with sweet and smooth taste.
Durban Poison
A classic landrace sativa from Africa that is mouth watering and known for it’s soaring cerebral effects.
The Clinic Colorado 3888 East Mexico Ave., Ste. 110 Denver, CO 80210 303-758-9114 The Clinic Highlands 3460 West 32nd Avenue Denver, CO 80211 303-997-7130 The Clinic Capitol Hill 745 East 6th Avenue Denver, CO 80203 720-536-5229 The Clinic on Wadsworth 3600 South Wadsworth Blvd. Lakewood, CO 80235 303-484-8853 The Clinic on Colfax 4625 East Colfax Avenue Denver, CO 80220 303-333-3644 The Clinic On Jewell 12018 W Jewell Ave Lakewood, CO 80228 303-997-9171
D E N V E R
9:00am - 7:00pm Daily
Concentrates
Budder & Shatter The Clinic offers both budder and shatter, which are butane extracted concentrates, from our award winning marijuana infused products division, The Lab.
Awards
2013 High Times Cannabis Cup
2013 The 710 Cup
2012 High Times Medical Cannabis Cup
The Hemp Connoisseur Championship 2012
1st Place Sativa - Tangie 3rd Place Sativa - Stardawg Guava 3rd Place Hybrid - Ghost OG
1st Place Best Sativa - Stardawg Guava 1st Place Patient’s Choice - Kosher Kush 2nd Place Best Concentrate - Strawberry Cough Nectar 3rd Place Best Hybrid - Raskal OG
Pre ‘98 Bubba Kush
High Times Cannabis Cup: Highest CBD Strain
Grape God Bud
Spring 2010 Colorado Caregiver’s Cup Winner: Patient’s Choice, Best Aroma, Most Photogenic 2011 Aspen Cannabis Crown, 2nd Place Overall
2nd Place Best Sativa Shatter - Tangie 1st Place Best Sativa Shatter Terps Tangie
2nd Place Indica and Connoisseur’s Choice - Kosher Kush 1st Place Sativa and Patient’s Choice Stardawg Guava 3rd Place Hybrid and Patient’s Choice Ghost OG 1st Place Concentrate and Connoisseur’s Choice - Earth OG Nectar
The Hemp Connoisseur Championship 2013
1st Place Indica, Connoisseur’s Choice and Best Tested - Kosher Kush Patient’s Choice Hybrid - Grunk 2nd Place Shatter and Patient’s ChoiceTangie
Baked Goods/Candies
Sweet Grass Kitchen, Julie & Kate Baked Goods, Mountain High Suckers, The Growing Kitchen, Mile Hi, Incredibles, and Cheeba Chews.
Reserva Privada Colorado: The Clinic carries the full line of Reserva Privada Colorado’s Confidential Collection and Sour Series.
thcmag.com 75
S T A T E W I D E
www.livwellco.com LivWell, the cannabis industry’s largest employer, was founded as Broadway Wellness in 2009 in Denver.
livwellco
The company has grown from that single store to ten locations across Colorado’s Front Range, serving Denver, Lakewood, Colorado Springs, Boulder, Garden City, and Fort Collins. Breeding, testing, as well as research and development, are central to LivWell’s approach, with proprietary genetics making up a large part of its cannabis selection.
@livwellcannabis
LivWell has established itself as the industry’s leader in value, both in price and quality. An infused product line adds additional product diversity, as well as a wholesale division which serves licensed businesses in Colorado, with products ranging from edibles to topicals.
@livwellcompany
LivWell has become a standard in state and local compliance, and is involved with the State of Colorado Department of Agriculture’s cannabis safe cultivation and handling practices advisory board.
9 Locations Available
LivWell Broadway Post Modern Health Broadmoor Wellness 432 South Broadway 5660 W Alameda Ave. 1414 S. Tejon St. CO Springs, CO Denver, CO Lakewood, CO 8:00AM-7:00M Daily 8:00AM-7:00M Daily 8:00AM-7:00M Daily 719-634-0420 720-428-2550 303-922-9479 White Mountain LivWell Boulder 2863 Larimer St 3000 Folsom Street 3234 N Nevada Ave. Denver, CO CO Springs, CO Boulder, CO 8:00AM-7:00M Daily 10:00AM-7:00M Daily 8:00AM-7:00M Daily 303-484-1662 719-622-6652 720-389-4920
Denver Patients Group
LivWell Evans LivWell Murray LivWell Garden City 2193 W. Evans Ave, 570 N. Murray 2647 8th Ave. Denver, CO CO Springs, CO Garden City, CO 8:00AM-7:00M Daily 9:00AM-7:00M Daily 8:00AM-7:00M Daily 720-361-2981 719-574-8443 970-616-6007
Fort Collins Coming Soon!! 76 April 2014
Patient Favorites 303 Kush
Blurple
Knights of Templar
Amnesia Haze
CBD3:1
Purple Cotton
Blue Dream
El Diablo
Zeta Sage
Concentrates
Strain specific wax and vaporizer cartridges made inhouse from our proprietary genetics for both traditional and disposable vapor pens.
Edibles
Beyond Mars Canna Punch Cheeba Chews CO Cannabis Company
Seeds
Full Melt Incredibles Mad Mint The Growing Kitchen
Weed Seed: Comprised of exclusive genetics sourced directly from LivWell’s research and development gardens.
www.nlnaturalrx.com Professional care and personal attention are in full bloom at Northern Lights Cannabis Co. Now licensed for recreational sales, serving adults over the age of 21. Husband-and-wife team Mitch and Eva Woolhiser use their healthcare and business acumen to provide patients a unique and comfortable experience. A true mom-and-pop dispensary with a knowledgeable and engaging staff, Northern Lights works intimately with patients to help them decide which strains and products suit their specific needs. The Woolhisers are passionate about the plant and their raw product is patiently soil-grown from hand-picked plants offering the best genetic profiles, then cured slowly to ensure that quality shines through. Along with a robust selection of strains, Northern Lights features 10 different lines of edible products that are tested in-house to ensure potency and effectiveness. A flexible exchange policy ensures that patients are fully satisfied, making it easy to see why Northern Lights is also a favorite with people in the industry. Their convenient Edgewater location makes Northern Lights a favorite citywide.
Top Strains
Cannatonic 50/50 Flavor: Citrus and peppers. Effects: Our award winning high CBD strain has a 50/50 to 70/30 ratio of CBD to THC. The medicinal effects are extremely clear headed and utterly unlike a “normal” high THC strain. Uses: Perfect for muscle spasms, appetite stimulation, anxiety or chronic pain. Sour Diesel Sativa 90/10 Flavor: Strong diesel flavors, pungent, leaving an oily taste on the tongue Effects: Sour Diesel taste combined with its effects may be considered an “extreme sport” version of cannabis; the stone pulls smokers into the sky fast with a viscerally uplifting pleasure and lots of consciousness expansion in the direction of spirituality. Uses: ADD, Alzheimer’s disease, psychosis, bi-polar disorder, depression, Lou Gehrig’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and stress. Chernobyl Sativa 60/40 Flavor: With a lime slurpee or sherbert flavor, this bud is an extremely potent smoke--just a few bowls is an adventure to your brain waves. Effects: This bud provides a calming and relaxing effect. Uses: Strong and pleasant very good for pain relief without paranoia Durban Poison Sativa 100 Description: This subtropical sativa is named after the South African port city of Durban where thousands of kilos of this dark, distinctive sativa are produced every year. Smokers everywhere know her to be a sativa like no other; she will shoot your head straight to the clouds and leave your body behind. Flavor: Sweet licorice Effect: very trippy Kaboom Sativa 80/20 Flavor: It develops deliciously and displays a variety of scents and flavors including tart lemon, spicy hash, sweet berries, sour pineapples, and good ol’ skunk. Effects: Speedy, trippy, intense, motivating, pain relief. Uses: The high that results from smoking Kaboom medicinal cannabis is intense and fast-paced, almost paranoid, but overall motivating; Kaboom marijuana also has enough indica in it to make it very effective pain relief
E D G E W A T E R
2045 Sheridan Blvd. Suite B Edgewater, CO 80214 303-274-6495 9:00am-7:00pm Daily
Hawaiian Banana Sativa 80/20 Flavor: Hawaiian sativa’s citrus flavor and menthol tingle will go to your head. Effects: Because the high leaves your brain wide-awake and functional, she’s a good candidate for those who can freely toke all day Uses: Hawaiian sativa possesses analgesic properties that have increased its popularity among medical patients seeking pain relief; anecdotal evidence suggests that Hawaiian sativa provides good visual ocular release, making it a preferred variety for glaucoma patients Ace of Spades Indica 70/30 Flavor: Skunk, Berry, Sandalwood, Lemon Effects: strong and hard hitting with a fast onset of laughter ending in a strong body high. Uses: very powerful medicine for pain and depression. Sweet Tooth Indica 70/30 Description: Sweet Tooth is famous for its incredibly high THC content and large yields. Sweet Tooth is the result of a long and rigorous breeding program. It grows medium tall with strong side branches that need room to grow. Buds develop in large sticky resinous colas. Flavor: The taste like the smell is very light with a sweet candy like after taste that stays for a while. Effects: Its effect is powerful, relaxing and cerebral. Uses: Sweet Tooth is a candy-coated bomb to the senses, not recommended for daytime functionality, but terrific for inducing sleep, soothing pain or indulging in a languorous, mellow relaxation.
2nd Place CBD FLOWER
thcmag.com thcmag.com 596159 thcmag.com 77 thcmag.com
D E N V E R
www.southwestalternativecare.com Southwest Alternative Care, your neighborhood medical marijuana center. Their mission is to provide Colorado patients with the best alternative medicine and services at the lowest possible prices. At Southwest you’ll find a large selection of top shelf medicines and edibles, all at affordable prices. Southwest Alternative Care provides the most potent Earwax and Shatter BHO in Colorado. We work with 2012 Cannabis Cup winners Top Shelf Extracts, to stock our shelves with the best of the best. We also provide high quality cold water, full melt, extracted bubble hash. We offer a variety of strains from 25 micron to 190 micron.
1075 South Fox Street Denver, CO 80223 303-593-2931
We haven’t met a center yet who didn’t claim to grow “fire” but unlike many, Southwest can back it up. With an award-winning grow team, legendary genetics, and perhaps the cleanest facility in the state, Southwest Alternative Care has redefined what it means to produce top shelf medicine.
3937 West Colfax Avenue Denver, CO 80204 720-287-3934
Southwest Alternative Care has over 25 top shelf strains, all hand trimmed, including Glass Slipper, Kool Aid Kush, OGre 99, Bubba Kush, Golden Goat, Moonshine Haze, Tangerine Haze, Dairy Queen and many more. The extracts they cull from these high-grade selections set a new standard in terms of quality. Find ‘em on Facebook for a current menu. Check out our coupons in the back of the magazine.
Monday-Sunday 10:00am-6:50pm
Edibles
Canna Punch Incredibles Sweet Stone
Canna Cappuccino At Home Baked Edi Pure
Concentrates Earwax and Shatter BHO 2012 Cannabis Cup winners Top Shelf Extracts Full Melt, Bubble Hash Vape Pens
Staff Favorites Glowing Goat Bubba Kush Dope Diagonal
Tango Chem 4 Purple Trainwreck
Testimonials
Best Meds in Colorado Southwest Alternative has the best meds in Colorado hands down. Pricing is spot on with the meds. All the employees are amazing. Makes you feel like you are a regular your first time in. AWESOME!!!!! - seige55, weedmaps.com This place is the best kept secret in Denver I have been a member with Southwest for about a year now, and have nothing but raving reviews. But the original shop wasn’t very close for me as I do not drive. With this new location in the heart of Denver has made buying my meds even easier. Best benefits in town, they give out the most free stuff for members by far. - FACEwreck5360 weedmaps.com
78 April 2014
80 April 2014
21+ Retail Store 17 Botanacare 53 The Cannaseur 5, 75 The Clinic 76 LivWell 12, 13 Natural Remedies 2, 77 Northern Lights Natural Rx 10,11 River Rock 49 Walking Raven ATM On Site 2, 77 Northern Lights Natural Rx 74 Physician Preferred Products 10,11 River Rock 74 Rocky Mountain Miracles Award Winning 66 Canna Caregivers 66 The Canna Center 5, 75 The Clinic 73 The Hemp Center 56 Karmaceuticals 25 Mahatma Extreme Concentrate 12, 13 Natural Remedies 2, 77 Northern Lights Natural Rx 74 Physician Preferred Products 10,11 River Rock 66 Standing Akimbo Body Care Products 17 Botanacare 33 Dixie Elixirs 73 The Hemp Center 74 Physician Preferred Products Books & Education 17 Botanacare 66 Canna Caregivers 66 The Canna Center 73 The Hemp Center 56 Karmaceuticals 2, 77 Northern Lights Natural Rx 74 Physician Preferred Products Cash Only 16 Natural Remedies 2, 77 Northern Lights Natural Rx 10,11 River Rock 74 Rocky Mountain Miracles Charity/Community Outreach 5, 75 The Clinic 56 Green Team 10,11 River Rock Clone Bar 56 Karmaceuticals Clothing Items 66 Canna Caregivers 66 The Canna Center 5, 75 The Clinic 73 The Hemp Center 56 Karmaceuticals 12, 13 Natural Remedies 2, 77 Northern Lights Natural Rx 74 Physician Preferred Products 10,11 River Rock 74 Rocky Mountain Miracles Business Couriers 71 Green Cross Couriers Consulting Services 45 Mile High Media Credit Cards 17 Botanacare 66 Canna Caregivers
66 The Canna Center 73 The Hemp Center 56 Karmaceuticals 53 The Organic Seed 74 Physician Preferred Products Daily Specials 73 The Hemp Center 56 Karmaceuticals 12, 13 Natural Remedies 2, 77 Northern Lights Natural Rx 74 Physician Preferred Products 09 Preferred Organic Therapy 10,11 River Rock 66 Standing Akimbo Educational Classes 56 Karmaceuticals 2, 77 Northern Lights Natural Rx Evaluation Clinic/MMJ Doctor 73 Healthy Choices Unlimited 79 Relaxed Clarity Events 07 BIG Galleria 38 Bong-a-Thon 48 Casselmans Julian Marley 43 Colorado NORML 56 Green Team 43 King of Quality 60 Mary Jane Entertaiment 66 Western Slope Freedom Fest Free Parking 17 Botanacare 66 Canna Caregivers 66 The Canna Center 73 The Hemp Center 56 Karmaceuticals 76 LivWell 12, 13 Natural Remedies 2, 77 Northern Lights Natural Rx 53 The Organic Seed 74 Physician Preferred Products 09 Preferred Organic Therapy 10,11 River Rock 74 Rocky Mountain Miracles 9,78 Southwest Alternative Care 66 Standing Akimbo 49 Walking Raven Grow Products 35 Bison Soil Solutions 63 Dr. Willard’s PlantCatalyst 45 Mile Hydro Grow Store 45 Mile Hydro Happy Hour 56 Karmaceuticals 53 The Organic Seed Hemp Products 73 The Hemp Center 10,11 River Rock Holistic Health 73 The Hemp Center 56 Karmaceuticals 53 The Organic Seed 74 Rocky Mountain Miracles Infused Products 59 Dixie Elixirs 19 Dr. J’s Hash Infusion 16 Essential Extracts 49 Incredibles
15 Julie & Kate Baked Goods 76 LivWell 67 Mahatma Extreme Concentrates 71 MarQaha 49 Medically Correct 37 Mountain High Suckers 66 Standing Akimbo Internet Wi-Fi 73 The Hemp Center 56 Karmaceuticals 12, 13 Natural Remedies 53 The Organic Seed 10,11 River Rock Live Music 55 Bong-a-Thon 56 Karmaceuticals 53 The Organic Seed 11,52 River Rock Local Artist Program 10,11 River Rock Massage Therapy 73 The Hemp Center 10,11 River Rock Member Discounts 17 Botanacare 66 Canna Caregivers 66 The Canna Center 5, 75 The Clinic 73 The Hemp Center 14 Holistic Life 56 Karmaceuticals 12, 13 Natural Remedies 2, 77 Northern Lights Natural Rx 53 The Organic Seed 74 Physician Preferred Products 09 Preferred Organic Therapy 10,11 River Rock 9,78 Southwest Alternative Care Member Loyalty Program 66 Canna Caregivers 66 The Canna Center 74 Physician Preferred Products 10,11 River Rock MMJ Doctor/Evaluation Clinic 73 Healthy Choices Unlimited 79 Relaxed Clarity Multiple Locations 66 Canna Caregivers 66 The Canna Center 5, 75 The Clinic 73 The Hemp Center 76 LivWell 10,11 River Rock 9,78 Southwest Alternative Care Nutritional Consulting 73 The Hemp Center Pain Management Consulting 17 Botanacare 66 Canna Caregivers 66 The Canna Center 5, 75 The Clinic 73 The Hemp Center 53 The Organic Seed 74 Physician Preferred Products 09 Preferred Organic Therapy 10,11 River Rock
Parking Validation 12, 13 Natural Remedies Patient Appreciation Events 10,11 River Rock 49 Walking Raven Private Dispensing Rooms 17 Botanacare 66 Canna Caregivers 66 The Canna Center 73 The Hemp Center 14 Holistic Life 76 LivWell 12, 13 Natural Remedies 2, 77 Northern Lights Natural Rx 53 The Organic Seed 74 Physician Preferred Products 09 Preferred Organic Therapy 10,11 River Rock 9,78 Southwest Alternative Care 49 Walking Raven Pre-Order Medication 17 Botanacare 66 Canna Caregivers 66 The Canna Center 73 The Hemp Center 56 Karmaceuticals 12, 13 Natural Remedies 53 The Organic Seed 74 Physician Preferred Products 09 Preferred Organic Therapy 10,11 River Rock 74 Rocky Mountain Miracles 9,78 Southwest Alternative Care Seeds 5, 75 The Clinic 76 LivWell 10,11 River Rock Seminars 63 Dr. Willard’s Plant Catalyst Senior Discounts 73 The Hemp Center 56 Karmaceuticals 12, 13 Natural Remedies 2, 77 Northern Lights Natural Rx Signature Concentrates 5, 75 The Clinic 16 Essential Extracts 56 Karmaceuticals 76 LivWell 67 Mahatma Extreme Concentrates 29 O.PenVAPE 10,11 River Rock Signature Edibles 59 Dixie Elixirs 19 Dr. J’s Hash Infusion 73 The Hemp Center 49 Incredibles 15 Julie & Kate Baked Goods 56 Karmaceuticals 76 LivWell 71 MarQaha 49 Medically Correct 37 Mountain High Suckers 61 Northern Lights Natural Rx 53 The Organic Seed 10,11 River Rock 66 Standing Akimbo
thcmag.com 81
THANK YOU TO OUR ADVERTISERS 07 BIG Galleria 35 Bison Soil Solutions 38 Bong-a-Thon 17 Botanacare 66 Canna Caregivers 34 The Canna Center 16 Cannabase 52 Cannabistube.net 53 The Cannaseur 48 Casselman’s 5, 75 The Clinic 84 Cloud Penz 43 Colorado NORML 59 Dixie Elixirs 19 Dr. J’s Hash Infusion 63 Dr. Willard’s Plant Catalyst 56 Elevated Mechanics 16 Essential Extracts 83 EZ Trim 71 Green Cross Couriers 56 Green Team 73 Healthy Choices Unlimited 73 The Hemp Center 14 Holistic Life 37 iCannabisradio.com 49 Incredibles 62 Indica Vape 79 Infinite Wellness 15 Julie & Kate Baked Goods 56 Karmaceuticals 43 King of Quality 76 LivWell 67 Mahatma Extreme Concentrates 71 MarQaha 60 Mary Jane Entertainment 49 Medically Correct 45 Mile High Media 45 Mile Hydro 37 Mountain High Suckers 12, 13 Natural Remedies 70 NCIA 2, 77 Northern Lights Natural Rx 56 Omni HV 29 O.PenVAPE 53 The Organic Seed 74 Physician Preferred Products 09 Preferred Organic Therapy 39 Pürr 79 Relaxed Clarity 10, 11 River Rock 74 Rocky Mountain Miracles 9, 78 Southwest Alternative Care 66 Standing Akimbo 03 The Trimmer Store 49 Walking Raven 66 Western Slope Freedom Fest
82 April 2014
Signature Strains 17 Botanacare 66 Canna Caregivers 66 The Canna Center 5, 75 The Clinic 73 The Hemp Center 14 Holistic Life 56 Karmaceuticals 76 LivWell 12, 13 Natural Remedies 2, 77 Northern Lights Natural Rx 53 The Organic Seed 09 Preferred Organic Therapy 10,11 River Rock 74 Rocky Mountain Miracles 9,78 Southwest Alternative Care 66 Standing Akimbo 49 Walking Raven Smoking Accessories 17 Botanacare 84 Cloud Penz 56 Elevated Mechanics 62 Indica Vape 56 Omni Hv 29 O.PenVAPE 39 Pürr Specialty Glass 66 Canna Caregivers 66 The Canna Center 56 Karmaceuticals 2, 77 Northern Lights Natural Rx 53 The Organic Seed 39 Pürr 10,11 River Rock 74 Rocky Mountain Miracles Specialized Treatment Programs 5, 75 The Clinic 10,11 River Rock Topicals 17 Botanacare 66 Canna Caregivers 66 The Canna Center 5, 75 The Clinic 59 Dixie Elixirs 73 The Hemp Center 56 Karmaceuticals 12, 13 Natural Remedies 2, 77 Northern Lights Natural Rx 53 The Organic Seed 74 Physician Preferred Products 09 Preferred Organic Therapy 10,11 River Rock Trade Show 07 BIG Galleria Trimming Accessories 83 EZ Trim 03 The Trimmer Store Vegetarian 59 Dixie Elixirs 19 Dr. J’s Hash Infusion 49 Incredibles 15 Julie & Kate Baked Goods 71 MarQaha 49 Medically Correct 37 Mountain High Suckers Veteran Discounts 73 The Hemp Center 56 Karmaceuticals 2, 77 Northern Lights Natural Rx 53 The Organic Seed 10,11 River Rock
74 Rocky Mountain Miracles Boulder 76 LivWell Colorado Springs 66 Canna Caregivers 66 The Canna Center 73 The Hemp Center 76 LivWell 53 The Organic Seed 74 Rocky Mountain Miracles Denver Central 5, 75 The Clinic 56 Karmaceuticals 76 LivWell 10,11 River Rock 9,78 Southwest Alternative Care Denver Downtown 76 LivWell 12, 13 Natural Remedies 66 Standing Akimbo Denver East 5, 75 The Clinic Denver Highlands 5, 75 The Clinic 66 Standing Akimbo Denver North 10,11 River Rock 03 The Trimmer Store Denver South 5, 75 The Clinic 76 LivWell 09 Preferred Organic Therapy 10,11 River Rock 49 Walking Raven Denver Southwest 9,78 Southwest Alternative Care Edgewater 2, 77 Northern Lights Natural Rx Fort Collins 79 Infinite Wellness Gsrden City 76 LivWell Lakewood 14 Holistic Life 79 Infinite Wellness 76 LivWell Littleton 73 The Hemp Center Northglenn 17 Botanacare 74 Physician Preferred Products Pueblo 53 The Cannasseur
EZTRIM RENTALS
WORLD’S BEST LEAF TRIMMERS Wander Trimmer
“The Wander Trimmer is two and a half times faster than hand trimming and doesn’t damage our flowers or byproduct. It has improved our efficiency an increased our yields. It is now an integral part of our business model.” N at e – C o M pa s s i o n at E p a i n M a n ag E M E n t
Speed | Quality | Control Call TODAY to Reserve Your Rental — 303.635.6281 Ext. 3
The
The
Satellite
Drone
“The Satellite provides the closest thing to hand trim quality. It doesn’t damage plant material while processing. In the extraction business, it is key not to rupture the membranes in plant material, that leads to releasing extra chlorophyll into your final product. This is where tunnel trimmers fall short. The Satellite trimmer is what we use in our production grow & recommend to our clients, we know because we’ve used them all.” B r e t t – M a h at M a E x t r E M E C o n C E n t r at E s for
B E s t C o n C E n t r at E
FREE First 24 Hour Rental
On-Site Demo or 50% OFF*
Rent directly from the manufacturer
303-635-6281 | www.eztrimming.com
thcmag.com 83
*Restrictions Apply
2013 h i g h t i M E s W i n n E r
84 April 2014