AUGUST 2015
COUPONS INSIDE
COLORADO’S PREMIER GUIDE TO CANNABIS
YES WE CANNABIS! DYNAMIC WOMEN OWNING CANNABIS BUSINESS *This magazine is intended for individuals over 21 years of age.
thcmag.com 1
CONCENTRATES FOR CANNASSEURS THE STRAINS YOU LOVE NOW IN WAX, SHATTER, AND BUBBLE HASH
Recreational Cannabis Open to Adults 21+ 2001 South Boradway | Denver 720.420.HIGH (4444) OPEN EVERY DAY 8 AM - 7 PM
Premium Grade. Laboratory-Tested. thewalkin�raven.com Merchandise and accessories available in store and online.
FIND US HERE!
WAX GRAMS STARTING AT $20
Walkin� Raven's premium-�rade wax, shatter, & bubble hash are a favorite amon� cannabis critics, for their exquisite taste & potency. COURTESY OF GOOGLE MAPS
2 August 2015
A proud distributor of
Pete’s Cultivation products.
thcmag.com 3
4 August 2015
thcmag.com 5
A LETTER TO OUR READERS
“Growing hemp as nature designed it is vital to our urgent need to reduce greenhouse gases and ensure the survival of our planet.” - Jack Herer
So this month I wanted to highlight the positions of presidential candidates on hemp legislation. I welcome you to join in my frustration as after an hour of searching online I keep being directed to their opinions on marijuana. Now, I know both Bernie Sanders and Rand Paul were cosponsors of Senate Bill 359, also known as the Industrial Hemp Farming act of 2013. After that there isn’t much out there as far as the rest of the candidates’ opinions on the need for hemp production in America. Plenty of opinions on marijuana legalization, but nada on hemp. Really? When we look at the major challenges in front of us, how is hemp not a part of the daily discussion? The candidates are constantly telling us the issues that need to be addressed. As for giving us solutions we are usually fed some BS line about an overly generalized plan with specifics yet to come. So let’s break down just three issues at the forefront of the conversation with an actual specific solution. I know it is a revolutionary idea to think of the solution and not the problem, but I’ll give it a whirl since I’m not hearing much on their end. Jobs/Economy- The U.S. imported almost $600 million of hemp products last year alone. If we started creating a massive infrastructure for hemp agriculture and refinement, we are talking about thousands upon thousands of jobs created. Those jobs have the potential to be created in just about every state in the union due to the amazing ability hemp has to be grown in every diverse climate we have in the country. Canada grows it for Pete’s sake and it gets coooold up there!! Now, some states will grow it better than others, but certain climates will yield a different cultivar of hemp for different purposes. If all of the above happens we can start looking at exporting instead of importing hemp products. Climate Change- Sorry naysayers, you can live in denial all you want, but it is real. The number one reason for climate change is the carbon dioxide that is released into our atmosphere by humans. Hemp absorbs four times more CO2 than trees and puts it back into our soil. If it were grown on a mass scale across the planet we would be able to reduce our carbon emissions while creating a sustainable product with the potential to replace many of the uses of fossil fuels, including plastic production. Hemp plastic, of course, is biodegradable. So one plant has the ability to reduce CO2 in the atmosphere while eliminating plastics that take thousands of years to decompose and it isn’t a part of the daily conversation by the candidates? The War on Terror- Okay so let’s just suspend how ridiculous it is to have a war on a noun. Terror by the way is defined as extreme fear. So we have this war on extreme fear that our candidates want us to be afraid of —so vote for them because they are tough on fear. Come again? But I digress. I am of the opinion that the United States’ military involvement in the Middle East has always been about our dependence on foreign oil and our need to control the flow of it, otherwise we wouldn’t be messing with the region. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration we consumed 136.78 billion gallons of gasoline last year. It is estimated that one acre of hemp can produce 300 gallons of biodiesel. We now grow corn on 80 million acres in America. Imagine if all of those farms had one crop rotation of hemp a year. That would reduce our need for oil by 17.5 percent. Now imagine we did the same thing for half of the agricultural land. That’s 204 million acres producing 61.2 billion gallons of biodiesel a year. That is a reduction of 44.7 percent! So there you go candidates. One solution that can make an impact on three issues we face today. I could give them more but I think that is about all they can take at this time. Maybe when they are ready to pull their heads out of their asses we can start to have a further conversation about the hemp solution. There are more than 25,000 uses for hemp and I have only laid out a handful. I know reading more than their poll numbers is a stretch for most politicians, so let’s just start out small. WAKE UP AND SMELL THE HEMP!
Publishers Christianna Brown David Kowalsky David Maddalena Editor-in-Chief David Maddalena Art Director Christianna Brown Associate Editor DJ Reetz Copy Editor Alexandra Massam Layout Designers Caroline Hayes Christianna Brown Director of Sales and Marketing Christianna Brown sales@thcmag.com Sales Managers Jason Brown Lisa Fay Sam Ruderman Contributing Writers David Bush,esq. Hazy Cakes Dr. Nicola Davies Caroline Hayes Erin Hiatt Benjamin Hoopes Monocle Man DJ Reetz Sam Ruderman KC Stark Contributing Photographers Christianna Brown Kimberly Jauss Antony Page DJ Reetz Cover Photography/Art Christianna Brown Graphic Design Christianna Brown Printer Publication Printers Corp. 2001 South Platte River Drive Denver, CO 80223 PH: 303.936.0303 www.publicationprinters.com
d /THCMagazine f @THC_magazine @thehempconnoisseur The Hemp Connoisseur is published monthly by The Hemp Connoisseur, LLC. All contents are copyrighted 2015 by The Hemp Connoisseur, LLC. All rights reserved. For advertising and subscription info please email sales@thcmag.com.
David Maddalena Editor-in-Chief
6 August 2015
thcmag.com 7
In This Issue
CONTENTS August 2015
06 14 18 22 26 28 32 34
8 August 2015
A Letter to Our Readers The Green Scene In The Spotlight Featured Artist Tasty Meds Featured Strains Hemp Eats Cannabis News
38 Judge Roughneck 40 Hemp Plane 42 Companion Care 44 Women in Cannabis 46 The Need for Seed 48 Building Irrigation 50 3D Hydroponics System 52 Illinois Cannabis Update
54 Wumaniti Native Earth 56 Interpening 58 Greenhouse vs. Warehouse 60 Pot-litically Incorrect 62 Cannabis Conundrum 73 Dispensary Guide 79 Coupons 81 Index
Dispensary Guide DENVER 66 AMA, Advanced Medical Alternatives 69 The Clinic 66 The Giving Tree of Denver 66 The Health Center 66 Infinite Wellness 67 LivWell 68 Northern Lights Cannabis Company 67 Preferred Organic Therapy 67 Rocky Mountain Organic Medicine 67 Walking Raven
COLORADO SPRINGS
67 LivWell 67 Original Cannabis Growers
NORTHERN COLORADO 66 Infinite Wellness 67 LivWell
BOULDER 67 LivWell
PUEBLO 66 Leaf on the Mesa
thcmag.com 9
FOR YOU
FOR THE WORLD
16TH
Featuring Euforquestra, Danny Schafer, Caribou Mountain Collective, Poorboy, Punch Drunk Monkey Funk, The Holler!, Elise Wunder, Bill Smith Funky, Pattie Fiasco, Mason Howling (Featuring Jason Downing) and more.
SustainableLivingFair.org
150 exhibitors
renowned speakers
family activities & yoga
50 workshops
$10/$5
students
12 & under free
beer garden & local food
Coloradoan, Eldorado Water, FCPAN, GO West, KRFC, Public Service Federal Credit Union, Reel Motion Media, RUNA, Scene, Shaped Music, 99.9 The Point, Tri-102.5, Zone 4, Begin Again
N E W LO C AT I O N ! N E X T T O T H E N O R T H S I D E A Z T L A N C O M M U N I T Y C E N T E R
SEPTEMBER 12-13 |
10 August 2015
OLD FORT COLLINS
H E R I TA G E PA R K
| FORT COLLINS
$
13 EIGHTHS • WAX$ 25 GRAM RECREATIONAL ONLY
$
15 EIGHTHS
MEDICAL PATIENTS ONLY
JOIN LIVWELL REWARDS TODAY TO ENJOY EVEN MORE DISCOUNTS. LEARN MORE AT LIVWELL.COM
REC & MEDICAL
MEDICAL ONLY
LivWell on Broadway
LivWell on Evans
LivWell on Nevada
LivWell Boulder
432 S Broadway Denver, CO 80209 8:00am – 7:00pm Daily 720-428-2550
2193 W Evans Ave Denver, CO 80223 8:00am – 7:00pm Daily 720-361-2981
3234 N Nevada Ave CO Springs, CO 80907 8:00am – 7:00pm Daily 719-622-6652
3000 Folsom St Boulder, CO 80304 10:00am – 7:00pm Daily 720-389-4920
LivWell on Larimer
LivWell Garden City
LivWell on Tejon
LivWell Lakewood
2863 Larimer St Denver, CO 80205 8:00am – 7:00pm Daily 303-484-1662
2647 8th Ave Garden City, CO 80631 8:00am – 8:00pm Daily 970-616-6007
1414 S Tejon St CO Springs, CO 80905 8:00am – 7:00pm Daily 719-634-0420
5660 W Alameda Ave Lakewood, CO 80226 8:00am – 7:00pm Daily 303-922-9479
* LivWell Rewards Program not valid in Boulder per city ordinance 6-14-8(p)(5). Medical locations for registered Colorado Medical Marijuana patients only. Select strains, while supplies last.
LivWell on Murray 570 N Murray CO Springs, CO 80915 8:00am – 7:00pm Daily 719-574-8443
Follow us for specials, event promotions, and cannabis related news.
thcmag.com 11
R E G I ST R AT I O N STA RTS N OW
BRING YOUR A-GAME 12 August 2015
thcmag.com 13
The GREEN Scene
E V E N T S
Now Hiring
August 7th First Thursday Reggae Night @ Grow Big Supply 4501 Wynkoop Street Denver, CO www.growbigsupply.com/culture August 14th -16th Seattle Hempfest @ Centennial Park, Myrtle Edwards Park and Olympic Scultpture Park FREE Admission! Seattle, WA www.seattlehempfest.org August 15th The Clinic Charity Golf Classic @ City Park Golf Course 2500 York Street Denver, CO www.thecliniccolorado.com/cccs August 26th Bend & Blaze:A Higher Yoga Experience @Green Labs Denver 1250 31st Street Denver, CO www.greenlabsdenver.com September 4th - 7th A Taste of Colorado @ Civic Center Park Downtown Denver FREE Admission! www.atasteofcolorado.com September 12th - 13th 16th Annual Sustainable Living Fair @ Old Fort Collins Heritage Park 112 Willow Street FT. Collins, CO www.sustainablelivingassociation.org Septmeber 29th - 30th BIG Industry Show -B2B Event @ Miami Beach Convention Center 1901 Convention Center Drive Miami, FL www.bigindustryshow.com October 12-14 National Cannabis Summit @ The Sheraton Downtown Denver 1550 Court Place Denver, CO www.ncs2015.com
14 August 2015
SECURITY
TRANSPORTATION
MONITORING
Run and staffed by combat veterans Family oriented Advancement opportunities Full and part time positions Public company stock option potential Call 303.759.1300 for application
generalcann.com
thcmag.com 15
16 August 2015
100%
100%
Hand Trimmed
Ethically Grown
Sign up for promotions with our loyalty program using our banner ad at thcmag.com or our in store loyalty kiosks. U-Hills Location 2777 S. Colorado Blvd. Denver, CO 80222
(303) 758-9997 info@thchealth.com Mon - Sat 8am - 6:50pm Sun 9am - 4:50pm
Uptown Location 1736 Downing St. Denver, CO 80218
thcmag.com 17
In the Spotlight Products ProductsWe WeLove Love
Can Pipe by Candy Relics Located in Portland, Oregon, Candy Relics works primarily with ceramics. They make a variety of different products and recently ventured into the cannabis arena with Pipes for Potheads. Owner and designer David Price creates each of these one-of-a-kind, handmade creations himself. The Can Pipe is so adorable and fun. It is made of high quality white ceramic, glazed, and stamped with Candy Relics’ logo on the bottom. It looks like a slightly smaller version of a soda can. The mold is so accurate; it looks creased and dented in all the right places. Using this pipe really takes you back in time. I can’t remember the last time I smoked out of an actual soda can and I couldn’t be happier about it. This would be an excellent gift for the cannabis connoisseur in your life, or just a fun addition to your collection. The Can Pipe will impress your friends; all of my friends were infatuated with this thing, especially the ladies. It is just so cute. Get your own at pipesforpotheads.com and check out Candy Relics’ other products at candyrelics.com.
AloHemp Lotion by Mammoth Mountain Hemp What’s better than a hemp lotion to soothe your sun kissed summer skin? A hemp lotion that has aloe vera gel in it! Aloe has been proven to soothe burns as well as helping that tanned skin last longer. The ingredients of AloHemp Lotion (like in Aloha) includes an array of fantastic, moisturizing oils such as avocado, olive, apricot, jojoba, argan, sunflower, rose hip seed, almond as well as vitamin E. All of these fabulous oils combined makes this silky lotion smell a bit like key lime pie. Sometimes all natural lotions go on thin, making one feel like they need another application only a few hours later. AloHemp from Colorado’s Mammoth Mountain Hemp truly moisturizes all day long, which is exactly what everyone needs in the Rocky Mountains’ desert-like climate. Email them for more info at mmthmnth@yahoo.com.
18 August 2015
The Panzer Saber Vape If you don’t have a small portable rig it can be challenging to enjoy your dabs while not in the comforts of your home. That’s why vape pens have become so popular. If you haven’t tried a vape pen or are not a fan of them, your lack of faith is disturbing. The Saber Vape has the look and feel of a lightsaber and is hands down the coolest vape pen around. There are four different models to choose from in the product line. For this review we tried out the Panzer Saber. Each Saber Vape is $150 online and is honestly a steal of a deal. With some companies it can be a crapshoot, where occasionally one gets lucky with a good product. In my experience, there is no such thing as luck and that’s why the Saber Vape is a great choice for a beginner or the concentrate connoisseur. The Panzer Saber stands around six inches tall and has a good weight to it. When I held it in my hand I could feel that the force was strong with this one. As far as operating goes this is pretty easy. To load the Saber Vape you pull off the mouthpiece to expose the loading chamber. The chamber has two heat coils, where the concentrate is placed. Once you put your desired amount of concentrate on the coils you are ready to go. The mouthpiece has three small holes towards bottom that help with airflow and adjust to your liking. To activate the heating coils you need to press the power bottom, which is found on the bottom of the unit. You can lock the power button by twisting the metal ring around it so you don’t turn it on while it is in your pocket. The heating coils fire up within seconds and melt your dab away. When the heating coils are fully rocking an orange glow can be seen shining through the small air holes. Start with a small ball of your wax or shatter so you can get a better idea on how much you need to load. These things hit like a champ so it’s better to start slow. For cleaning and maintenance Saber Vape recommends any reclaim can be scrapped to the heating coils. To give the unit a good clean use rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab. Saber Vapes come with a rechargeable battery, wall charger, small screwdriver, extra rubber ring, dab tool, and user’s manual. After getting down on a few pulls of the Saber Vape I found myself wishing it made sound effects while I had it in my hand. So I just made my own. Do yourself a solid and head over to Saber Vape’s website and check out the full line of pure awesomeness. These are the vape pens you’ve been looking for. www.sabervape.com, www.facebook.com/sabervape
Try Colorado's best tasting hand made suckers and lozenges
You can find them at your favorite dispensary www.mountainhighsuckers.com thcmag.com 19
Hemp CBD Oil by MoonRise Extracts The market of hemp-extracted CBD products seems to be a tough one to navigate these days. Different companies have different ideas about the legality of their products, and undoubtedly there are some folks out there who are sourcing their extracts from less than ideal locations. Fortunately Moonrise Extracts are operating within the legal white area of Colorado, using locally grown hemp flower to produce their CBD via a cold-ethanol extraction. While some CBD extract companies leave you wondering just where exactly their products are coming from, Moonrise is proud to be growing their organic hemp right here in Colorado. A few drops of the tincture is the recommended dosage, but medical patients used to CBD extracts may end up needing slightly more. Still, a single bottle can potential last quite a while. The product is tested locally by Cannlabs, so you can have at least some assurance that what you’re getting isn’t just hempseed oil. www.moonriseextracts.com
Turmeric Canyon Hemp Seed Soap by Mountain of Youth Mountain of Youth is a new handmade soap line from Soap-a-Dope. I’m becoming a real fan of artisan soap so I was excited to try their handmade soap with orange peel. It had a wonderful refreshing orange essence to it and left my skin feeling clean and moisturized. One of the things I love about Mountain of Youth is that their soaps change on a regular basis and they do a great job of keeping the online store updated. With staple ingredients like olive, coconut and hemp seed oils along with hemp milk you can rest assured that you are getting a chemical free clean in the shower. If you want to support local hemp and reduce your carbon footprint Mountain of Youth Artisan Soap is a great way to get started. You can check out their ever changing soap inventory at www.soap-adope.com.
20 August 2015
thcmag.com 21
FEATURED ARTIST
Naomi Hinds by Caroline Hayes Photo credit to Kimberly Jauss
Based out of Denver, this Canadian-born, Caribbean-raised gem and mineral connoisseur creates a delicate balance where form meets function by turning nature’s bling into gorgeous, wearable adornments. Naomi has travelled the world, creating and connecting with all types of people, music and the gifts of the universe. These adventures reflect on her kind, carefree attitude, love for life’s greatest adventures – and pretty, shiny things. On any given weekend during the summer you can find Naomi at a music festival with her Naomi Hinds Designs booth set up, slinging gems, minerals and handmade jewelry. THC: You were born in Canada and raised in the Caribbean, how do you feel this has shaped your artistic abilities? NH: I’ve never thought about the direct influence. It has definitely given me a broad perspective and shaped me as a person to have such diverse roots. What has most shaped me as an artist is my lifelong love for gems and minerals, which is certainly from my time in Canada (and my Mum’s best friend). In Ontario there is a definite rockhound sub culture and I got just enough exposure to get completely hooked! I was the little girl who brought a piece of pyrite home as my souvenir from Disney. In Guyana I was a part of a very colourful culture. From where I lived there was a Hindu Temple three blocks one direction and Muslim mosque two blocks the other direction. I used to stare endlessly at the West Indian ladies’ amazing jewellery and vibrant clothes. That rainbow array of colours and sparkle has definitely made it into my aesthetic. THC: What has been your biggest inspiration in your life? NH: More than anything, the example my parents set of finding your passion and following it endlessly. The gems and minerals are constantly different, no two specimens are the same and they remain my biggest passion. I started making jewellery because I had a pocket full of rocks that I wanted to wear. Many times I was making things I intended to sell and I would move on to making something different because I wouldn’t remain entertained. The only thing, of all the many things I can design and make, I haven’t become bored with finding the way in which each stone speaks to me and I can’t ever see losing that passion or inspiration. THC: What’s your most popular piece? NH: My favourite designs right now are probably the stalactite jewellery I’ve been doing. The Tourmaline Gem Shades have definitely received the most notoriety.
22 August 2015
Naomi wearing a pair of her Tourmaline Gem Shades
THC: How did that idea [of the Tourmaline Gem Shades] come to be? NH: I’ve embellished a pair of lenses by redoing or embellishing the arms of the glasses. In 2007/2008 I made the first sunglass frames for a friend who was in need. The first pair of Tourmaline Gem Shades was a commission from the curator of the Smithsonian’s mineral collections in 2009. He had a pair of tourmaline in his personal collection that he had always envisioned as glasses and heard I was the girl for the unique job. The idea took off from there. I’ve made three pairs of Tourmaline Gem Shades. They are ultimately more of a collector thing than an every day practical item, which is why I have started making Amber Gem Shades. The Chiapas amber lenses are cut from the highest of high quality amber, in clarity and colour. They are comfortable for everyday wear with kind of a “fear and loathing” tint to the lens. THC: Where can Coloradans find your work this fall? NH: The next big show I’m doing is here in Denver. The Denver Gem and Mineral show where I will be set up at the Merchandise Mart as part of the Lapidary Artist Collective. I travel a lot for shows and do most of my work one on one. THC: Where do you source your gems from? NH: I have been going to gem shows almost my whole adult life and have really great relationships with people directly involved in either mining the stones or bringing them from the mine into the country. As much as possible I use locally mined materials (as in North American or anywhere you could feasibly drive) and more than 50 percent of the stones I use are cut by lapidary artists with whom I’ve formed friendships. THC: Favorite stone/gem? NH: I don’t think I have a favourite... singularly.... I think they might all be my favourite at different times in my life, and I generally wear what I’m in love with currently. What I’m wearing right now and the reasons I love them: Alexandrite, this one is a natural crystal from Tanzania and has beautiful color change and a bit of a cat eye effect. Ethiopian Opal, cut by artist Kevin Smith in Tucson AZ, that has a rainbow dance and all sparkle. Amazonite, which has deep blue/green crystals from Teller County, Colorado that naturally have the perfect angles and shape for jewellery.
THC: What kinds of metals do you use for the wire wrapping part? NH: I work in precious metals, silver and gold. Most of the settings are in sterling silver and the woven work in .999 fine silver. I love the look of mixed metals and adding gold accents into predominantly silver pieces, or visa versa. The 18K pieces have been more upon request but I seem to be inspired to do more all gold designs of late. THC: Please tell us about some of the awards you have won. NH: Well, nothing really of huge note. A few “best of shows” for my art booth, a “most innovative” after this years’ Tucson gem show, “people’s favourite” from another art show. THC: Well that’s definitely something! THC: What’s the coolest thing that has happened to you as a successful jewelry artist? NH: To be successful jewellery artist is the coolest thing that has happened! If I can do this for the rest of my life, I will be happy... and happiness is the greatest success! Thank you for your time and inspiration Naomi! In addition to her premade pieces, Naomi offers custom made pieces where she works independently with the buyer, helping him or her choose the perfect combination gems. At www.naomihindsdesigns.com interested buyers can view her “Design Shop” to see works already in progress, and help shape the vision from there. .
Chiapas Amber Gem Shades
“The Music of Spheres” Stilbite with cavansite and large cavensite nodules, peridot, topaz, citrine, natural diamond accentes with fine silver and 14K gold
Lee Scratch Perry wearing a pair of Naomi’s 18K gold Liddicoatite Tourmaline Lenses wrapped in 18K gold
Opal Ring
Close up of the silver work and opal in Opal Ring
thcmag.com 23
“Infinity� A stalactite necklace with aquamarine and indicolite tourmaline
Nao mi in
her elem e
nt
Stalactite necklace lavender amethyst and brilliant labradorite
24 August 2015
REC FT. COLLINS ONLY
MEDICAL PRICES STARTING AT:
REC PRICES STARTING AT:
EIGHTHS
EIGHTHS
$20/$22 $139/$149 $25 OUNCES
CONCENTRATES CONCENTR
$30 $200 $35 OUNCES
CONCENTRATES CONCENTR
2
WE TAKE CREDIT CARDS!
thcmag.com 25
Tasty Meds
Reviews of Colorado’s finest medicated products The Sucker Caramel Apple CBD/THC 1:1 by Canyon Cultivation reviewed by Monocle Man This sucker was delicious! I am normally not a big fan of Caramel Apple flavored things but I really liked the taste of this CBD/THC sucker. It tasted like true apple flavor (not sour apple), vanilla and caramel. Canyon Cultivation uses natural flavors with minimal ingredients and you can totally tell. In fact, there are only five ingredients in this product. I ate the sucker in the evening, each sucker contains 10mg THC and 10mg CBD. After about thirty minutes I started feeling very relaxed. It wasn’t a strong high but it was just enough for the cramped muscles in my neck to loosen up, and my lower back was a little less achy. I also slept great. This low dose sucker is perfect for a lightweight like me or an edibles beginner wanting to test the water. Go out and get one for yourself, visit canyoncultivation.com.
Health Caps High CBD 50/50 by Dr. J’s reviewed by Monocle Man Each container of Dr. J’s CBD Health Caps comes with eight capsules in a sealed blister pack in side of a child proof medicine bottle. The caps contain a mixture of coconut oil, beeswax, and CO2 cannabis oil. Over the course of four days I tried the above-mentioned product for back pain, headaches and restless sleeping. Since this product is 1:1 CBD to THC, I anticipated it would help with at least one of these problems, but hopefully all of them. I started by taking one pill close to my bedtime. One capsule, 10mg, didn’t seem to do much for me so I upped my intake to two pills, within an hour’s time I felt a small amount of relief from back pain. I felt no relief from a headache, but felt they helped significantly with my sleep. Taking two capsules about an hour before bed, I had no problem falling or staying asleep. Usually I’m awake every couple of hours, but I got six or more hours of solid sleep four nights in a row. After four days of taking the pills I noticed that my back pain seemed to lessen quite a bit. I liked the Health Caps a lot; I will be picking them up again. Check out Dr. J’s at www.drjsllc.com.
Mist 200mg by MarQaha reviewed by Monocle Man Guess who’s back….back again. MarQaha is back on the market launching at all Native Roots locations and other dispensaries across the state. MarQaha’s Mist is a sublingual spray that is available in Sativa, Indica, and Blend. The medical line comes in a 200mg bottle and the recreational line will have 100mg. MarQaha was a patient and a staff favorite here at THC. Their tasty One Eye Open Tea took home 3rd place in the edible category in The Hemp Connoisseur Championship in 2013. The Mist bottle has to be the most child resistant packaging I have seen for an infused product. Once you rip off the plastic wrapping you need to break off the plastic seal. To be able to spray the product you need to hold down a small button off to the side of the plunger and twist the top to the right unlock the opening of the sprayer. To lock it back you just twist to left. Each spray is around 2mg so the recommend starting dose would be five sprays. Mist’s Mellow Mint flavor is right on the money, not too strong of a mint taste and little cannabis taste. Being a sublingual this product will kick in faster than other edibles would. For best results spray under your tongue and let the liquid soak in before swallowing. This will have more of an effect sooner than just swallowing right away. The sativa spray is perfect to get some cannabis relief during the day. I brought it out for a round of golf for extra discreet way to get in the zone. The hybrid blend was perfect for after a day on the links to relax and help with any soreness I had. If you have issues sleeping at night the indica Mist would be a great nightcap to catch up on those z’s. Spray a little less of your normal dose 30 minutes before you hit the sack and you will sleep like a baby. Check out MarQaha’s sites to get more information on the rest of their products and where you can find at a center near you. www.marqaha.com, www.facebook.com/marQaha
26 August 2015
thcmag.com 27
DEATHSTAR
Hybrid - Sensi Star x Sour Diesel Master Grower: Gabriel Lindsay & Neelein Shead Grow Medium: Soilless and Coco Grow Cycle Duration: 62-65 Days Curation Time: 16-20 Days
Medical Applications: • Anxiety • Appetite • Nausea • Pain Relief
Recreational Suggestion: • Great daytime smoke
This dense, frosty bud was obviously hand-trimmed and was covered in tiny orange hairs. The scent was pretty earthy with a hint of sweetness, like purple cotton candy. This has become one of our staff ’s favorite strains over the past year. The cross of Sour D and Sensi Star creates a nice stoney base but is sure to enlighten your evening by creating an uplifting mood. The Sour kept it light in the beginning but the Sensi Star created a nice indica high for a half of us, while the other half felt really focused and motivated for the duration. Caution: may experience extreme laughter - as we all did.
MEDICAL & RECREATIONAL
AMAdispensary.com
BANANA KUSH
60% Indica - OG Kush x Banana Master Grower: Matt Lopez Grow Medium: Coco Grow Cycle Duration: 63 Days Curation Time: 1 Month+ Medical Applications: • Anti-convusive • Anti-inflammatory • Anxiety • Migraines • Arthritis • Depression • Stress
Recreational Effect: • Euphoric • Strong body high • Relaxing but increases energy and consciousness Dispensary Notes: Wonderful banana flavor mixed with honey dew melon flavor and scent, big well structured buds.
The name says it all with this big budded beauty. This member of the Kush family has strong aroma of banana with a hint of pine. The Banana Kush was very smooth on the inhale, leaving that signature banana flavor on the palette. Some of us felt more of a “kick back on the couch and binge watch some Arrested Development” sort of high with this strain. Others had a blast enjoying a game night with friends. This strain is great for a mellow night in with your pals.
28 August 2015
NLCannabis.com
MEDICAL & RECREATIONAL
DAWG’S WALTZ
80% Indica - Tre Dawg x Purple Urkle Master Grower: Bohdi Urban aka Kaya Creations
ORGANIC THERAPY
Grow Medium: Coco & Soil
ESTD 2009
Grow Cycle Duration: 67 Days Curation Time: 26 Days Medical Applications: • Anxiety • Depression • PTSD • Insomnia
Recreational Effect: • Happy & Silly Dispensary Notes: One of the best tasting flowers we have ever tried.
Named after a song by Jerry Garcia and David Grisman. These purple nugs were so frosty it could be mistaken for freezer burn. The scent was like a potent mix of pine with citrus notes. We found Dawg’s Waltz to have a thick, heavy smoke, paying homage to the jam band’s hazy ways. The THC team experienced two opposing flavors of coffee with a lemon zest undertone. The high was invigorating, motivating and full-bodied with slight cerebral effect in the beginning.
preferredorganictherapy.com
MEDICAL & RECREATIONAL
DURBAN POISON
100% Sativa - Natural Landrace from South Africa Master Grower: Evan Schick Walking Raven is a proud distributor of Premium Pete’s Cultivation products.
Grow Medium: 100% organic nutrients and no pesticides Grow Cycle Duration: 10 Weeks Curation Time: Wet trimmed and jar cured for at least 2 weeks Medical Applications: • Depression • Stress • Appetitie Recreational Effect: • Energetic • Uplifting
Dispensary Notes: Perfect for a productive day, allowing you to stay focused and motivated. Winner of 3rd Place Adult-Use Sativa & Connisseur’s Choice, all organic, big chunky round nugs that are super sticky and saturated with crystals, “it’s like a cup of coffee”.
The batch of Durban we scored had big hand-trimmed bud that looked like a rabbit’s foot. One of us suggested making a keychain out of it to keep for good luck. Of course we vetoed that suggestion and opted to smoke it instead. The earthy lemon scent was calling to us too much. There was of course a nice citrus flavor when sparked. This classic strain is like sipping on a cup of espresso. The motivation this gives you will create endless possibilities for your day.
RECREATIONAL ONLY
thewalkingraven.com
thcmag.com 29
30 August 2015
thcmag.com 31
Hemp Eats Stuffed Avocado
Ingredients: 2 large avocados 6 oz. canned tuna, chunk white or solid white albacore, drained ½ cup chopped carrots ½ cup chopped cucumber ¼ cup chopped green onion ¼ cup chopped red onion ½ cup Monterey Jack cheese cubes ½ cup mayo or mayo alternative ¼ cup hemp seeds 2 tsp Dijon 2 tsp lemon juice 1 pinch sea salt optional: hot sauce Directions: Slice avocados in half, lengthwise, carefully removing the pit. Scoop out the insides of the avocado, leaving about 1/8” of fruit inside the skin, and place in a bowl. Add the tuna, carrots, cucumber, green onion, red onion, cheese cubes, mayo, hemp seeds, Dijon, lemon juice and salt to avocado in bowl and mash together. Divide the mixture into four parts and place in avocado skins. Chill for about 10 minutes and serve! Top with hot sauce if desired.
Chopped Salad Ingredients: SALAD: 1 head broccoli, chopped 2 cups kale, chopped 2 cups red cabbage, chopped 2 cups rainbow carrots, chopped 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed 1/2 of a red onion, diced 1/3 cup cilantro, chopped 1/3 cup parsley 1/2 cup hemp seeds 1/2 cup cranberries 1/3 cup sliced almonds DRESSING: 1/2 of an avocado 1/3 cup raw apple cider vinegar 1/3 cup hemp oil 1 lemon, juiced 1 lime, juiced 2 cloves of garlic 1/2 tablespoon fresh cilantro
32 August 2015
1/2 tablespoon fresh ginger 1/2 tablespoon real maple syrup 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper Directions: In a large bowl, add all vegetables, cilantro and parsley. Mix well. Fold in hemp seeds, cranberries and sliced almonds. Combine all the ingredients for the dressing in a blender, and pulse until combined. Toss salad with dressing, serve and enjoy the detox capabilities of this healthy salad!
SLOW DOWN. BREATHE. INHALE. THIS IS THE ESSENCE OF DEPTH. THIS IS THE SPACE BETWEEN DISCRETION AND REVOLUTION. BREATHE. INHALE. THIS IS INDICA.
Subtly radical, the Indica vaporizer sets new standards in style and ™
performance. All black everything. An enhanced processor for quick, even heat. This is a delicate balance of want, need, and possibility for an experience both pure and deep. · indicavapor.com ©2015 Indica, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Patent pending.
thcmag.com 33
Cannabis News by DJ Reetz
Colorado Health Officials Reject Cannabis for PTSD The Colorado Board of Health has once again declined to include posttraumatic stress disorder as a treatable condition under the state’s medical marijuana program. The board voted 6-2 against including PTSD as part of the registry, citing a lack of scientific evidence to support its inclusion, despite endorsement from chief medical officer for the Colorado Department of Health and Environment, Dr. Larry Wolk, who changed his stance on cannabis-based treatment for PTSD earlier this year. The decision outraged veterans’ groups, who have been some of the most prolific advocates for the inclusion of PTSD in the registry. “Members who voted ‘no’ sent a clear message to those suffering from PTSD: ‘We simply don’t care about you!’ The victims of the board’s bureaucratic callousness are not just military veterans. They are also civilians - men, women, and children alike who have been traumatized by rape, domestic abuse, or any number of other violent experiences,“ said Operation Grow for Vets founder Roger Martin of the decision in a press release. The board has twice rejected the inclusion of PTSD in the past and has not added a new condition since medical marijuana was made legal in the state in 2000.
Marijuana Banking Bill Introduced in Senate A bill introduced in the U.S. Senate would allow marijuana businesses access to banking. The bill, introduced by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D- Ore.), mirrors a bill proposed in the House of Representatives by Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo.) in April, and would grant legal marijuana businesses access to banking services. The bill has been referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, where it awaits approval.
cookie but consumed the rest after not feeling the effects. The dispensary that sold the edible to Pongi’s friend surrendered the rest of their stock, and testing showed the cookies were within an acceptable threshold of THC to what was advertised. The CDC report concludes that there is a need for public health messaging about the effects of edible marijuana due to the different manner through which THC is metabolized by the body when eaten.
Colorado Schools Receive $13.6 Million From Marijuana Tax Between January and May 2015 $13.6 million was collected by the state of Colorado for school construction through the excise tax on adult-use marijuana, according to tax data analyzed by the Cannabist. The money is earmarked for school construction as outlined by Amendment 64, which mandates that the first $40 million dollars of marijuana excise tax collected each year be used for such purposes. The number is especially astounding when compared to the $13.3 million brought in during all of 2014, a figure that had many detractors questioning the $40 million number promised as part of Amendment 64.
University of Hawaii Cuts Down First Experimental Hemp Crop After only ten weeks of growth, the University of Hawaii harvested its first crop of hemp for research purposes last month. In the short period of time the plants had to grow, they shot up to heights of up to ten feet. The crop has farmers and lawmakers excited for the future of hemp in the islands, where the volcanic soil, plentiful rain and strong sun has long helped produce the famous kine buds lauded by marijuana consumers. Although hemp is not yet legal to farm in Hawaii, lawmakers are working to make it so. The lack of a winter season in the island state means that farmers could possibly harvest up to three crops per year, according to Hawaii’s KITV 4.
Study Calls Into CDC Issues Report on Alleged Marijuana “Gateway” Theory Related Death A report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the apparent suicide of a 19-year-old student who was under the influence of an edible while visiting Denver last year echoes the report issued by police. After reviewing autopsy reports and witness testimony, the CDC’s report offers the definitive assessment of the tragic incident, acknowledging that Levy Thamba Pongi had 7.2ng/ml of active THC in his blood when he leapt from a fourth floor hotel balcony with no evidence of any other intoxicants in his system. Pongi received the edible from an older friend who had purchased it legally at a local adult-use dispensary. He initially ate only a portion of the 65 mg
34 August 2015
Question
Marijuana
A recent study published in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse seems to indicate that most teenagers who experiment with marijuana do not move on to harder drugs. The study focused on roughly 15,000 high school seniors graduating each year between 2000 and 2011 who reported using cannabis in the past year, and sought to assess their reasons for using the plant. Nearly a third of the teens surveyed reported using the plant to alleviate boredom, a group that was 43 percent more likely to try cocaine and 56 percent more likely to try hallucinogens other than LSD. Roughly one in five reported using marijuana to provide insight, and this group was 51 percent more likely to try hallucinogens other than LSD. However, the majority of
Across the Globe surveyed teens claimed to have used marijuana solely as experimentation, and this group was less likely to use harder drugs. “Most teens who use marijuana don’t progress to use of other drugs, and we believe this is evidenced in part by the fact that nearly two-thirds of these marijuana-using teens did not report use of any of the other illicit drugs we examined,” said the study’s lead author Joseph Palamer, according to Health Daily News. Colorado Dispensary Worker Successfully Defends Against DUID Charge A Colorado dispensary worker who was charged with exceeding the state’s 5ng/ml threshold for THC while driving was able to successfully argue her case in front of a Jefferson County jury, according to Denver’s Fox 31 News. In June of 2014 Melanie Brinegar was heading to work when she was stopped for an expired license plate tag. Brinegar disclosed that she was a medical marijuana patient after the officer smelled marijuana in her vehicle. A test showed that Brinegar had 19ng/ml of THC in her blood, almost four times the limit set by the state. However, after rejecting a plea agreement that would have barred Brinegar from using medical marijuana for up to two years, her attorney was able to convince a jury that the amount of THC in Brinegar’s system didn’t necessarily mean she was impaired while driving. “I’ve been driving and I’ve had no issues. I have people drive with me and they see that I’m one of the most careful drivers that they are with, and I use cannabis daily,” said Brinegar, according to Fox 31. Washington State Made $65 Million in Cannabis Taxes During First Year According to data from the Washington State Liquor Control Board, the state generated $65 million in tax revenue from recreational marijuana sales. The figure is drawn from the $260 million in recreational sales that occurred between the start of adult-use sales in June 2014 and June 2015 and doesn’t include local sales taxes which the AP estimates moves the amount of tax revenue up to $70 million. In Washington it is legal to posses and buy up to an ounce of cannabis, but home grows remain illegal outside of the state’s medical marijuana program. Washington currently mandates a 25 percent excise tax at every junction of cannabis sales, from grower to processors to retailers, and legislators are currently moving to enact a more moderate 37 percent excise tax across the board.
Medicinal Hemp Registration Cards Being Issued by Wyoming Epilepsy patients in Wyoming can now register to use hemp-extracted CBD medications. The registry went into effect in July after the state legislature passed an extremely limited measure earlier this year, which backers were eager to express was not a medical marijuana bill. Patients will have to submit an application form along with a patient evaluation record from their neurologist, proof of residency in Wyoming
and $150. Where exactly the small number of patients on the registry will be able to purchase their CBD medicine remains to be seen.
Study Shows Medical Marijuana Saves Lives A new study carried out by the RAND Corporation in conjunction with researchers from the University of California Irvine published by the National Bureau of Economic Research has shown that states with plentiful access medical marijuana saw a reduction in opioid overdose deaths. The study showed that the 18 states that allowed for the sale of medical marijuana had an 18 percent reduction in opiod-related deaths and a 26 percent reduction in admission to treatment facilities for opioid abuse. The study also found that states that allow for medical marijuana but do not allow sales did not demonstrate such a reduction. According to MSNBC, the study further showed that the 18 states with medical sales didn’t demonstrate a reduction in the rate at which opioids were prescribed, seeming to imply that the medical marijuana market draws recreational consumers away from more dangerous opioids.
Australia May Soon Allow Medicinal Use of Cannabis A bill due to be released from committee in Australia’s parliament this month would allow for medicinal cannabis. The Regulator of Medicinal Cannabis Bill would make the Australian federal government responsible for production, distribution and use of the plant, and has the support of senators from both the conservative Coalition and liberal Labour Party, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. The bill is opposed by the Health Department, who are claiming the measure would create a regulatory gap and put the country in violation of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the international treaty that prohibits the production of certain drugs including cannabis.
UK Petition to Legalize Marijuana Gathers Enough Signatures for Consideration After gathering 130,000 signatures in just a matter of days, a petition for the full legalization of cannabis in the United Kingdom may go up for debate in Parliament. Members of the UK legislature will now have to debate the issue, or at least officially respond to the proposal, which calls for legalization of the production, sale and use of cannabis. Backers of the proposal claim that the UK could earn £900 million in taxes annually from a legal market and the country could save £400 milion in policing costs, as well as creating 10,000 new jobs. “There’s roughly three million adult [cannabis] smokers in the UK and I don’t think it’s right for the government to be criminalizing such a large section of society,” said petition creator James Richard Owen, according to rt.com.
thcmag.com 35
Cannabis Expo Show Overload? The good, the bad, the ugly
It’s the age of cannabis and with it has come a whopping 74 percent increase in cannabis sales growth in the last twelve months. I’d wager we’ve seen a 300 percent growth in the number of events, expos, seminars, summits, and shows. What began as a novelty has now become a weekly event as traditional markets catch on to the new norm of marijuana. Not a weekend goes by without a cannabis event somewhere in the USA. Have we reached expo overload? The Good: Marijuana Investors Summit, MIPR, Indo Expo Co. A mix of the new with the old, each of these events hit the nail on the head for their target audience. The MIS (April, 2015) held its inaugural event and offered an abundance of speakers and exhibitors. With more than 68 speakers, and up to three venues at a time running, the one downside was having to select one speaker over another. The MIPR - Marijuana Investors Private Retreat (June 2015,) lead by Khadijah Adams, offered an intimate and professional gathering for those interested in cannabis as an investment tool. What it lacked in size was compensated for in targeting, interaction and delivery. The Indo Expo was back for round two and the experience showed. Executive Director Chris Olson and owner Stephanie Swimmer put on another stellar event and proved that work - works. I’d call it the goldilocks event, just right. We checked in with our team in less than two minutes and by the time we reached the loading dock three Indo Expo staff members were waiting to help us unload for the day. Three days later we had meet hundreds of new exhibitors and over a thousand visitors. Bravo!
Indo Expo
The Bad: The Canna Con. Warning, when you book yourself as the “largest cannabis event” you better meet expectations – or expect trouble. Having just pulled off a tremendous event in Seattle with more than 11,000 reported attendees, Canna Con came to the Mile High City (June 2015.) The problem? Expectations did not meet reality. What began as a star came down fast and even encouraged a ‘boycott Canna Con’ Facebook page. Reports and photos tell the tale of the tape - repetition does not ensure success. In a sign of good faith, Canna Con President, Robert Smart did offer discounts to exhibitors for upcoming events. Smart idea! The Ugly: The U.S. Cannabis Expo. It’s not easy being mean. But it did seem to be a total disaster from the perspective of an attendee, a speaker, and an exhibitor. If you want to see how NOT to run an Expo, the U.S. Cannabis Expo (June 2015) was the place to go. From start to finish it seemed the only focus was selling exhibitors with almost no obvious organizational consideration for speakers, exhibitors and even attendees. We arrived on site and found the venue still in disarray. Booths had not been completed and keynote speakers were left fending for themselves on a dirty stage with no video gear. When Pikes Peak National Bank President Robin Roberts arrived to speak, no one was there to announce or great her. By afternoon, the speakers list had been so offset by lack of coordination that some had to return the next day to even have a chance to speak. When her for an explanation, the event director, Melissa Will, offered no response other than becoming threatening and abusive. Not smart at all.
U.S. Cannabis Expo
Have we reached Expo Show overload? It depends on who and how you plan your event that counts. Experience matters, yet previous success does not ensure future success. Want to get into the cannabis expo, show, summit, and event space? Plan well ahead or your first event may be your last, and a success may become a failure. In show business, you’re only as good as your last show. Note: While this writer did not attend the NCIA Cannabis Business Summit at the end of June, there was an impressive line up of exhibitors, attendees and speakers. Most notably there was a private fundraising speaking engagement from Rand Paul. The Cannabis Business Summit was the first time a presidential candidate has attended a cannabis conference during an active campaign. For that alone, the rest of the competition needs to take note and step up their game for national relevancy. Indo Expo
36 August 2015
by KC Stark, CEO HowToMarijuana.com.
ec r & d g me artin ounce
s st
co
w w
pr
ef e
rr ed or g
an
ic
th
er
Ap
y
n
w
grow
m
5 7 1 $ T A clean
1569 S Colorado BLVD Denver, CO 80222
303.867.4768 thcmag.com 37
DENVER REGGAE FAVORITE GEARS UP FOR THEIR 15TH YEAR PLAYING
REGGAE ON THE ROCKS by Becca Chavez
38 August 2015
A
n ensemble band with an easy amount of aplomb, Judge Roughneck is one of the staples of the Denver ska and reggae scene. Often appearing at Reggae on the Rocks, the band has a unique sound that has developed over 15 years and multiple band members. I was fortunate enough to catch up with long-time band members Byron Shaw and Brian Handlos before a local show to discuss the history of the band, some of their side projects, and how they got to where they are now.
THC: Is this the only project that you work on together?
THC: How did you get started, and how has your sound changed over the years?
BH: Yeah, we wanted to do a jam session that was all the old Studio One reggae.
BS: Well I wanted to do a two-tone cover band. That’s what it started out as. The Two-Tone movement, with The English Beat, The Specials, Selector, Bad Manners, all that British Invasion stuff from the 1980s. We started in 1995, originally as a cover band that did two-tone stuff. We wore suits, kind of like a two-tone review. Actually, ska is what really turned me on to reggae. I discovered ska first, and then naturally just went over to reggae.
BS: It was one of the first open reggae jams I’d ever heard of. We were an open jam, playing reggae.
BH: I have World Citizen Band, which is a Studio One backline project. I originally put it together to teach fellow musicians old Studio One standards. Jazz has its standards, blues same way, and reggae as well. Actually Byron and I collaborated on a project called 3D Lounge, how long ago? BS: Forever ago, at least ten years. That’s when it started.
BH: Anyone who wanted to could come in and play. It became a scene. It was a happening. BS: I also have BSP, which is Byron Shaw Projex. That band’s funk, reggae, latin. And I’m in Winehouse, it is an Amy Winehouse tribute show, which is really going well. We have a full band, a 12-piece band with horns. We imitate shows we find on YouTube from start to finish and reenact that show. My singer does what Amy does between songs with banter and whatever’s happening.
THC: So, you’re not doing two-tone covers anymore? BS: We still do the covers but we also write original songs and that’s really where the sound evolved, where the influences come in. Then you really are based on your influences, which are everything from dub to reggae to hip-hop.
THC: So, you guys play Reggae on the Rocks every year, correct?
THC: I know you only really get together for shows and rehearsals, so what’s the writing process like? Does one person write everything on their own?
BH: We have for the past 15 years, yes. BS: It’s our favorite venue to play. I think it’s fair to speak for everyone to say that.
BS: I write a lot of it, but everyone really helps me finish it. I’ll bring the skeleton to the band. The words and the groove, you know bass line, drumbeat. I’ll need help with the chords, I’ll even add horn lines, but then everyone helps out and adds to what I bring to the table, and even helps with changes to the bass line or the horn line. If it’s a change for the better, we’re all happy with that and that’s usually what happens.
THC: What would you say has made this project work in the long run? BS: We just love it.
Brian writes his own songs, too. Everyone comes to the table with their own songs and their own sounds. THC: Twenty years is a long time to be together. How have things changed within the band? BS: We usually have seven to eight members, and actually there are only four original members at this time. The drummer (he was gone for a while and just came back), the sax player, and the guitar player are the other original members. BH: I joined the band in 2000. BS: So, we were already five years in. Captions: Opposite page Top - Live at Red Rocks, left to right, Chris Reidy, Byron Shaw, Angelo Moore, Zac Pietlock, David Dinsmore, Cody Swanson, Rolf Reitzig, Jon Hegel.
BH: The songs. The reason I say that is because, in my time in the band, personnel changes have happened quite a bit. In the rhythm section, despite the different musicians who have played those parts, the songs carry, and have carried the music since I’ve been in the band, which is over 15 years. Some of the music that we play now, they were playing before I joined the band. It’s about the power of a song, and playing parts the way they were written that carries this band. BS: I agree with that. If a song sounded good twenty years ago, and can sound good twenty years from now, then you’re doing something right. People still get it and enjoy it. It doesn’t sound old, you know, it just sounds like good music THC: The new Judge Roughneck album, Pick You Up was released on July 5th, and is available wherever music is sold and features Angleo Moore from Fishbone and Hazel Miller. They will also be returning to Reggae on the Rocks on August 22nd.
Middle - Band photo, left to right, Brian Handlos, David Dinsmore, Rolf Reitzig, Byron Shaw, Cody Swanson, Jon Hegel, Chris Reidy.
Bottom - On stage at Red Rocks, left to right, David Dinsmore, Zac Pietlock, Cody Swanson, Rolf Reitzig, Angelo Moore, Jon Hegel, Chris Reidy, Brian Handlos, Byron Shaw.
thcmag.com 39
Hemp Earth’s Founder Has Soaring Aspirations for the First Hemp Plane by DJ Reetz
rendering of hemp plane Hemp is taking flight, literally. The versatile crop is getting a new opportunity to soar thanks to a project from Hemp Earth. The idea: create an airplane made primarily of hemp. “I wanted come up with something to draw a lot of attention to what we were doing, and to hemp,” says Derek Kesek, founder of Hemp Earth. The project, still in the funding and developmental stage, is attracting a bit of buzz these days, and that’s precisely the intention of doing something this bombastic. “I discovered no one had ever built a plane of this scale from hemp,” says Kesek. After founding Hemp Earth in 2012, Kesek began to look for opportunities to make headlines with hemp. Already an experienced entrepreneur with a socially conscious inclination, he began a foray into the hemp industry with grand ambitions of changing the world. “I’ve always loved cannabis,” he says. “I just saw a huge opportunity.” The potential growth in the hemp industry offered not just the chance to make money, but to make the world a better place along with it. Kesek sought a way to generate buzz around his company, thinking along the lines of Richard Branson (who he has no problem comparing himself to) creating large-scale publicity by doing something daring and over the top. “We’re running it similar to Virgin. What I’m doing is I’m building a brand by doing exciting things like building planes and eco-villages out of hemp, then sublicensing out the brand,” says Kesek. But the wild idea of building a plane out of hemp may have been a little too radical, and when he began shopping the idea to various aeronautical designers he was met with snickers and disbelief.
40 August 2015
“Of course they laughed at me at first,” he says. “I guess they didn’t think it could be done. They weren’t really receptive.” After finding many disbelievers, Kesek finally stumbled upon a company in Florida willing to undertake the endeavor, and he signed them to a contract stipulating that no less than 75 percent of the plane will be made of hemp. The design calls for hemp to be used in the wings, outer shell and interior features such as seats and pillows. It even calls for engines capable of running on hemp bio fuel. The hemp will provide all the strength of traditional construction materials, says Kesek. “It’s pretty well the same,” he says. The hemp fiber is coated in a natural resin that creates a similar rigidity and strength to fiberglass. “Basically it’s like building a fiber glass plane, it’s the same kind of method,” The hemp textile that will make up the outside of the plane is being sourced by Enviro Textiles in Colorado, and in addition to being comparable in strength to fiberglass it comes with the added bonus of being environmentally friendly and will be completely biodegradable along with the resin coating. “If it did just fall into the bush, then it would just go into the ground and not affect the planet,” says Kesek. With the plan taking shape, Kesek hopes to have the plane making its debut next spring. And the location of its initial flight is of special significance as it is the site of the first successful flight by the Wright brothers in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. “People that were laughing at me in the beginning are now crawling back,” says Kesek. The goals of Hemp Earth to spread awareness for the wealth of applications of hemp as well as its potential for profit are closer to realization
than ever before, and Kesek sees the plane as a tangible demonstration of just what hemp will offer in the near future. “When people talk they’re like, ‘hemp can do this,’ or ‘ hemp will do this.’ No, Hemp is doing this right now,” he says. While others struggle with dogged legal battles, Kesek sees himself as the action over advocacy type — or rather, action as advocacy. Whether it’s the hemp plane or the planned eco village Kesek is putting together in Costa Rica where he plans to headquarter his company, for him a successful business is the best way to change the world. “I’m about doing things, I’m not about resisting or fighting,” he says. “Why fight the system? Just start doing stuff.”
rendering of hemp plane
Derek Kesek
fabrication of hemp plane
fabrication of hemp plane
thcmag.com 41
Companion Care by Dr Nicola Davies
Our pets are susceptible to painful degenerative diseases and the complications that come with age just as we are. We know that cannabis has been used successfully in humans for the treatment of a variety of ills, ranging from the loss of appetite associated with AIDS to the treatment of epilepsy, asthma and movement disorders. What has been achieved and provided for pets in the way of medical marijuana and hemp products, and are these products safe to use on our pets?
Support for the concept Many pet owners are outspoken about the beneficial effects of hemp-based medicines on pets, and there is even support for this application from animal ant-cruelty body PETA. An article by Dr Amanda Reiman of the Drug Policy Alliance, published on the PETA, website cites the beneficial effect of cannabis oil. Dr. Reiman says that her elderly cat, Monkey, was suffering from terminal cancer, but was able to enjoy her last days thanks to tiny doses of cannabis oil.
Hemp based treatments for pets are on the increase and are particularly valuable in the treatment of pets with cancer and epilepsy. A discussion sparked by a CBS New York news report received an overwhelmingly positive response from readers who had successfully tried medical marijuana as a treatment for their pets. There has also been support for the use of medical marijuana from veterinarians. LA based vet, Doug Kramer, went public with an appeal for the legalisation of medical marijuana in veterinary practice. He is supported to a certain extent by Dr. Duncan Lascelles, a professor at North Carolina State University College, who says that research into the use of hemp in veterinary practice is long overdue. However, Lascelles and other academics are careful to distinguish between evidence that hemp should be researched as a veterinary medicine and a go-ahead to use it willy-nilly.
Is it legal? The use of cannabis in veterinary medicine isn’t legal, even in states where
42 August 2015
human use is not prohibited. That’s because any medicine has to pass a registration process that may take up to 10 years to complete. One of the most crucial factors would be the determination of the correct dose. Opponents to the use of marijuana as a veterinary medicine cite the increase in pot overdoses in dogs on the heels of cannabis being legalised for medicinal purposes between 2005 and 2010.
medicines being used successfully in the treatment of pain and neural disorders in cats and dogs, there are as yet no formal research findings. The 2012 study in the Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, which described an increase in cannabis toxicosis in dogs, reported two fatalities, so pet owners should be cautious about using full-strength Marijuana preparations on their pets.
Although your vet probably won’t prescribe it, medicinal marijuana is available to pets in the form of a glycerine tincture sold by many medical marijuana outlets in the US. It is said to be particularly good for pain relief and in giving elderly pets’ dignity and quality of life during their last months or years. These tinctures contain psychoactive cannabinoids and are therefore only legal in countries and states where marijuana use
Most veterinarians agree that hemp could be beneficial in therapy, but feel that there are too many unknowns surrounding its effect on animals. Pain management specialist Dr. Robin Downing feels that the risks of using a medicine that isn’t backed up by safety, dosage and efficacy data outweigh the potential benefits it may impart. She points out an additional risk factor: since the new supplements are the product of an unregulated industry, the
Although there is a large body of anecdotal evidence for hemp-based medicines being used successfully in the treatment of pain and neural disorders in cats and dogs, there are as yet no formal research findings. is sanctioned. They are not prescribed by vets, but can be obtained from dispensaries.
Hemp instead of marijuana Many people believe that the Cannabinoids that give us the ‘high’ aren’t needed for a medicinal effect. There are several pet supplements produced using industrial hemp that rely on cannabidiol (CBD) as an active principle and contain extremely low levels of THC. The result? Apparently, you can get all the benefits of marijuana for your pet without the high. Because industrial, non-psychoactive hemp is used, these products are legal in areas where medical marijuana is not yet legal. But does it work? Pet owner, Kelly Conway, says that she used low THC hemp capsules on her elderly dog, Georgia, with miraculous results. “I feel like I have a whole new dog,” she says. And Kelly isn’t the only pet owner who is endorsing the new product. Cat and dog owners are coming forward with glowing testimonials claiming that their sick pets have been given a new lease of life. The best known of the ultra-low THC products on the market are Cannapet and Canna-companion, developed by Dr. Sarah Brandan and Dr. Greg Copas, veterinarians who have been exploring the use of hemp as a veterinary medicine for the last eight years. They don’t have any scientific evidence for its efficacy, but they hope that the publicity their products are receiving will prompt the necessary research.
The need for proper research
ingredients haven not been verified, and there is no standardisation. Solid information on the effect of marijuana in pets and its potential uses in veterinary medicine may be forthcoming sooner rather than later. Dr Narda Robinson of the Centre for Comparative and Integrative Medicine plans to begin with clinical trials soon, but first wants to gather as much information regarding people’s experiences with using marijuana as a treatment for pets as possible. She invites the public to email their stories to AnimalMMJ@gmail.com. Robinson aims to solve the knotty problems of safety, dosage and appropriate applications for medical marijuana in pets through rigorous research.
Should you try it? It’s all too easy to think that since research on medical marijuana has been carried out on humans, the same results would apply to animals. However, the human body works differently to that of a cat or a dog. For example, the innocuous mushrooms you enjoy in a fry-up can contain toxins capable of killing a dog and a tasty avocado can make your pet very ill indeed. One organism’s superfod is another organism’s poison. Until proper research is done, avoiding hemp treatments for ailing pets is the safest course. Most experts believe that there may well be beneficial effects, but feel that we should wait for research findings that will clearly indicate when and how to use hemp treatments on our animal companions. Canna-Pet president Dan Goldfarb disagrees: “There is no risk. There is no harm. Hemp is incredibly safe.” Although members of the public may support him in this view, veterinarians advise caution.
Although there is a large body of anecdotal evidence for hemp-based
thcmag.com 43
Shattering the Greenhouse’s Glass Ceiling
Women are here to stay and why it’s good for cannabis by Erin Hiatt
Quick! Think of a person who runs a business. Was it the wise-eyed Steve Jobs or the orange-hued face of The Donald? How about the Monopoly Man or Don Draper from Mad Men? If you didn’t think of a woman, that’s no surprise. Of companies on the S&P 500, only 4.6 percent have female CEOs, and only 16.9 percent have female board members, so it makes sense that you’ve heard little about Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, Indra Nooyi of Pepsi, and that the only thing you can say about Marissa Mayer, CEO of Yahoo, is that she had a baby, took maternity leave, and EVERYBODY was talking about it. Women didn’t just hop into the workplace during World War II, never mind that Rosie the Riveter image that just popped into your head. Women have been working since the 19th century (and long before) in textile mills most notably, but also in many other “woman-oriented” professions such as nursing or teaching. The work roles of women yore were not typically created by women but rather relegated by men who didn’t want them. The Women’s International Center writes on their website that when it came to work “women were long considered naturally weaker than men, squeamish, and unable to perform work requiring muscular or intellectual development.” Well, the times have certainly changed and we know that societal perceptions about women’s roles in the business world have changed a lot, too. Today, women are flexing their work muscles in game-changing ways. In fact, Hilary Dulany, Director of Operations at Accuvape (www.accuvape.net) says that “business is war,” and women are proving themselves warriors in the nascent cannabis industry. Now is the golden moment where women are instrumental in sculpting this business space, taking their considerable experiences as employees and small business owners, entrepreneurs, and/or stay-at-home-in-chief and applying them to the newly flowering cannabis market. Dulany is a long-time business owner and veteran of the Michigan medical marijuana scene, working in the trenches since 2008. But long before that she was a business owner of more than 16 years, and she grows animated talking about it, especially niche markets. Equal parts Sun Tzu and Florence Nightingale, she is a wise and careful student of business in general. She is a big fan of the Blue Ocean Strategy, a book written by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne. Business News Daily says that the book “describes how companies traditionally work in ‘red ocean’ conditions, where businesses viciously fight against each other for a share of the marketplace. Instead, according to the blue ocean strategy, organizations should find a way to work in a marketplace free of competitors.” And that idea is what brought Dulany to the medical marijuana business. The cannabis market is a perfect “blue ocean” scenario and everyone wants to go fishing. The Huffington Post writes that “legal marijuana is the fastest growing industry in the U.S. and if the trend toward legalization spreads to all 50 states, marijuana could become larger than the organic food industry,” around $40 billion. The ArcView Group projects 32 percent growth in 2015, and Forbes writes that “one industry consultant expects 200,000 pot-related positions to be created in 2015 alone.” There are a lot of women populating the space and bringing their business savvy to the game, and there is some pushback from some of the old guard who are resistant to the fluidity of the market. There is also the ever-shifting regulatory ground and current Federal illegality to consider. The haze of stigma still surrounds cannabis, and some women, especially those with children, are wary about working in the industry or making legal purchases.
44 August 2015
The Deputy Director of the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA), Taylor West, firmly believes that both women in the business and female consumers have equal roles in shaping the industry. “We see from polling and focus groups that when people see that women are involved in the industry they think of it as more of the kind of industry that we (NCIA) are trying to build. That’s focused on health, focused on wellness, is responsible, and is a product that is safely used by mothers. These are things that, for better or for worse, make our society kind of look at it in a different way.” Dulany says that as the marijuana industry is changing, evolving, and growing that women are, too. “Look at Hillary Clinton. When she was running against Barack Obama, she was minimizing her female-ness, and now she is emphasizing it and using it as an asset. Women are shaping what’s happening.” She goes on to say that “we are the ones firming the foundation and women are the decision makers for households.” Women Grow is a Denver-based organization that connects women in the industry and they have grown by leaps and bounds in the past year. One of their leaders, Jazmin Hupp, says, “Women are the chief medical officers of their households, so on the medical level, I know that women are going to control the decision making about whether cannabis will be included. We know that women control 87 percent of consumer spending, and we know that women consumers can control this market, and the question is, can we get enough women consumers in the pipeline?” Despite the growing number of women in the cannabis industry, there remains the “dude” element, where the perception is that men are more likely do things in the grey or black market or engage in shady business dealings, which puts many women on edge. Some examples are those who hawk penny pot stocks, sell inferior products, products that have no efficacy, or make token gestures to attract female clientele. So it seems that the cannabis industry is being pulled in two decidedly different directions: the strong yin desire to create a business model that is more compassionate, or the smoky backroom, capitalist yang model that demands profits for stockholders regardless of how you get them, and yes, there is a lot of green in them thar hills. Dulany does not see doing good and making money as contradictory, saying, “If I’m going to own a business, it’s going to do both. It’s important to me to have meaning and gratification in what I do.” She warns, however, that “corporations are sitting on the sidelines and watching. They will want to take over so the average person won’t get a point of entry. They are watching and observing the people who know how to make a workable market, and we need to make sure that small businesses are supported with a lot of owners and a lot of employees.” Dahlia Mertens, owner of Mary Jane’s Medicinals in Telluride (www. maryjanesmedicinals.com) says that even though the industry is very contemporary that there is still a whiff of sexism, but quickly adds, “there is innate sexism in every industry. Sexism is a part of life. You’ll get 20 ‘honey’s’ a day. In the beginning, it was so intimidating because a lot of men were in the industry but now there are a lot of female role models. And now we have the momentum thing going, it’s a new industry and we can set the groundwork.” She would really like the focus of the industry to be on health and wellness, and believes that topicals, in which her company specializes, “can be an ambassador for the industry. They are non-psychoactive but super effective, it can show that marijuana is not about partying or getting high. It can help change people’s minds.” She goes on to say, “If there is a large female customer base, they’ll feel safer making purchases. There a lot more people seeing moms and grandmas, and it’s giving the plant a safer reputation.” Many women working in the industry cite its desirability for potential workers and leaders:
Hilary Dulany
“Look at Hillary Clinton. When she was running against Barack Obama, she was minimizing her femaleness, and now she is emphasizing it and using it as an asset. Women are shaping what’s happening...we are the ones firming the foundation and women are the decision makers for households.” a non-existent glass ceiling or at least one that’s easier to break, a lack of entrenched infrastructure, real potential for future growth, the opportunity to be drivers in an industry projected to grow larger by the year and that can be shaped into something sustainable and responsible. They also point out that women often approach business in a more inclusive, risk averse, collaborative and thoughtful way than businesses with male leaders. Comedienne, actress, and now producer Amy Poehler has some poignant observations about male/female business dynamics. She told The Guardian that she has been “observing how [men and women] sit and talk and occupy their professional real estate. For example, women tend to talk quickly in meetings, whereas men talk slowly.” Though she was speaking specifically about the entertainment world, her words certainly apply to the cannabis industry. “I do think the market now demands an alternative to the old white male experience. But look, here’s my stoner answer: I think the world is becoming more feminine, and there are a few dinosaurs raging at the end, and it causes extreme violence against women, it causes terrible political fires around the world. But I think everyone’s reacting to the universe becoming more feminine in order to save its life.” Christianna Brown, co-owner of The Hemp Connoisseur, says that the cannabis industry “isn’t male or female, it’s the passion toward the business that takes away that gender line. Men and women have an equal balance of skills, but like with any business, it’s about finding the right partner. Do I wish there were a lot more women? Yes.” Marijuana Business Daily writes that “a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report from April showed women make 78 cents for every dollar a man makes, a fate many hope won’t happen to the cannabis industry.” And if women continue on their current path of being warriors in the industry, that 78 cents will turn into a solid buck, a buck that you can feel really good about earning.
thcmag.com 45
Hemp Farmers’ Need for Seed
Going from plant anything to what are we planting? by David Bush
On June 5 of this year, Gov. Hickenlooper quietly signed into law S-196. The bill authorized the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) to “administer a seed certification program that identifies seeds that produce industrial hemp.” The language was couched in Dilbertesque bureaucrateeze, but it actually meant something. S-196 holds out the promise of a revolution in hemp, transforming it from a backyard attraction to a significant new industry. We are now in the middle of the second year of legal commercial hemp farming in Colorado. The start was bumpy, in large part because the cost was too high. To date, hemp seeds have been scarce, expensive and unreliable. Hemp seed prices in 2014, the first year of legal hemp in Colorado, were breathtaking. Precious pounds typically sold for between $1,000 and $2,500 each. Transactions of $5 to $10 per seed were not uncommon. Dedicated hempsters remained undeterred. One must crawl before one can walk. Some were able to get an acre or two going, a veritable hemp plantation by the standards of the day. But for most, cultivation of hemp in the first year of legalization offered little more than a very expensive hobby. It was a scientific experiment conducted under grow lights or cuddled next to the flower bed. It was a curiosity, a conversation starter and the source of fierce pride, the stuff of a social movement. The hemp industry would only begin to emerge later. Our Tomorrowland of hemp is not here yet, but we are getting closer. The seed supply crunch has begun to ease. Between 2014 and 2015, combined indoor and outdoor areas of hemp under cultivation in Colorado increased 10-fold, from roughly 200 to over 2,000 acres. Cultivation by cloning has picked up significantly. Given the tendency of cannabis to breed like rabbits, the volume of commercially available seed is expected to expand exponentially. Hemp seed prices will likely register sharp declines, falling victim to the time-honored propensities of supply and demand. Large-scale production of industrial hemp is about to become an affordable reality. But availability and price of hemp seed is only half the equation. Seed quality is the next big challenge to overcome. The genetics of quality hemp seed has two basic dimensions: chemistry and morphology. Chemically, hemp seed must grow a plant that meets legal requirements for a sufficiently low concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol Δ 9, or THC, the psychoactive stuff that can either land one in jail or support a business license, depending on the particular jurisdiction in which one happens to set up shop. But even in a hemp-friendly state like Colorado, there is a word for hemp with too much THC, and it is t-r-a-s-h. Plants with too much THC to legally qualify as hemp and too little to make serviceable marijuana are of no value. In the hemp business, one must either meet the threshold requirement, or throw away the crop. Morphologically, cannabis is as variable as the family dog. Tall, latematuring hemp plants may be good for producing fiber, while short, early-flowering varieties with heavy seed sets are better oil producers. For those who wish to grow hemp for Cannabinoids such as Cannabidiol, they choose cultivars that prefer living out their lives in greenhouses, rich in just the right balance of organic goodies, packaged in an unblemished fauna, petite and delicate as an orchid. The trick of success is to breed the right cultivar for the right application. Enlightened civilizations around the globe have been growing hemp on an industrial scale for a long time. Governments in those civilizations are credited with certifying hemp bred scientifically to be grown under certain conditions for particular economic uses. Purchase Canadian hemp oil seed, and one can grow a plant in southern Manitoba perfect for oil seed production. Buy hemp fiber seed from China, get some land to grow it on in Jiangxi Province, and one is ready to invest in decortication machines. In a word, buy a certified hemp seed and you know what you have and what you can do with it. Hemp production becomes rationalized and predictable. Business planning is possible. An industry is born. But herein lies the problem. Our federal government still considers industrial hemp a dangerous drug, never to be trusted in the hands of its ordinary citizenry out to make an honest buck. It remains illegal to import certified hemp seed from abroad, at least not without a license from the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the chances of obtaining
46 August 2015
a commercial license are about as great as winning the Powerball lottery – it just doesn’t happen. Which means that for the time being, American farmers (at least, those American farmers lucky enough to live in Colorado) are stuck with the hemp seed available locally. And therein lies another problem. The hemp seed in Colorado is not certified. It isn’t even very good. The landrace seed that is on the cusp of achieving affordable abundance in Colorado tends to be a mongrel of questionable loyalty. Plant nine hemp seeds and maybe five will germinate. And of the five that germinate, chances are the plants that emerge will all look and act differently. Even if fortune shines and every hemp plant behaves the same, there is often no way to know that in advance. The absence of certified seed tends to make growing industrial hemp a crap shoot. That is why the creation of a certified seed program in Colorado is a huge deal. Breeders will have an incentive to create foundation seed from stable lineages that could be tested and approved by the Colorado Department of Agriculture as meeting the threshold requirement for low levels of THC. The Colorado Seed Lab at CSU-Fort Collins, the testing center in the state, will at last be permitted to accept hemp seed that has been cleared by the CDA. The Lab could undertake further analysis and documentation of germination rates, genetics, the presence of foreign material and contaminants, and other factors to be considered in the certification process. Within perhaps as little as the next two or three years, Colorado farmers may finally begin to enjoy the benefits of “truth in labeling” in the hemp seeds they purchase. And as an added bonus, certification will result in a vastly reduced need for time-consuming and expensive inspections and testing of THC, as currently mandated under the state hemp regulations. Another tantalizing feature of S-196 is that it expressly authorizes the CDA to import hemp seed for certification, which it may do as a “pilot program” under the 2014 federal Farm Bill. But it remains unclear what certification of foreign material would accomplish. There is yet no legal means to make hemp seed acquired in the international market readily available to commercial farmers in the U.S. But time will tell. If import restrictions are eased, then certification of hemp seed from other countries would only
...certification will result in a vastly reduced need for time-consuming and expensive inspections and testing of THC... serve to expand consumer choice, generally a good thing in any industry. Seed certification will be a game changer for industrial hemp. It could help rationalize agribusiness by reducing production costs, alleviating risk and increasing production. Eventually, it might provide the basis for recognizing protectable intellectual property rights in cultivars. One day in the not too distant future, when the long dark night of cannabis prohibition finally comes to end, America might participate on an equal footing in the world market for industrial hemp, and a social movement will have come of age.
thcmag.com 47
BUILDING YOUR GROW Irrigation set up
by Bubba Kush
Welcome back once again for another riveting installment to my home grow 101 lessons. In this chapter we will go through a couple watering systems that are inexpensive and good starting systems that you can always make fancier with automation later once your feet are thoroughly wet. I know a lot of people that have gone out and spent tons of money on elaborate systems before they know they have a green thumb and a passion for growing. The value of used equipment is very little compared to what you pay for it so I suggest, as always, start with a basic system you can add bells and whistles to later once you’ve realized a love for growing. There are some elements and equipment that are basic to almost every irrigation system. First thing is a clean water source. Clean water has been filtered through a purification process called reverse osmosis. The normal osmosis process is a natural process in which the solvent moves through a semipermeable membrane from areas of low solute concentration to areas of high solute concentration. Reverse osmosis uses pressure to achieve the opposite thus pushing water through a semipermeable membrane and leaving unwanted salts, minerals, and bacteria behind. The concentration of salts and minerals in your water is measured in a few ways. The most common is EC and PPM. EC is the electrical conductivity measurement of the salts in your solution. EC can also be referred to as the Total Dissolved Solution (TDS) of a solution. The EC or TDS takes a little more imagination and ability to think in a more abstract realm, so I usually teach PPM to people first. PPM stands for Parts Per Million which is a little less confusing than electrical conductivity of a solution. Both measurements are based on the same principle but it is a little more tangible to think of the PPM reading. Now that you have a basic idea of measuring concentrations of solutions, time to spend more money. You cannot cheap out and ignore buying a water purification system. The only way to know what is in your nutrient or feeding solution is to start with a blank slate which is clean water measuring as close to 0 PPM as possible. A reverse osmosis system is easy to install and well worth the money. I would buy the system with the largest gallons/day capacity for a home system as possible. It is no fun sitting around waiting for water to filter and fill your clean water reservoir. I don’t know how many gallons of water I have stood and watched fill tubs, buckets, barrels, and troughs. You will also need to buy a meter for measuring the PPM of your water and nutrient solution. Buy a meter that does it all…PPM, EC, pH and sometimes includes the temperature.
barrel, it is good to have a couple air stones to keep the water turning and oxygenated. The barrel I have in the picture is white but I prefer the black or blue ones to keep light out and discourage fungal or algal growth in my clean water reservoir. You’ll need a sump pump inside the reservoir as well in order to pump the clean water into your nutrient reservoir. Typically a quarter to a third horsepower sump pump is sufficient to fill your nutrient reservoir. The higher the horsepower, the stronger the pump, and that could lead to a bigger mess. Sump pumps sometimes don’t come with garden hose attachment pieces, so make sure you look before going home from the hardware store. After growing for a year, you will know your hardware store like the back of your hand. In an earlier article, I described a basic set up for your tray table and nutrient reservoir so hopefully you have something that looks like the picture (recirc reservoir or water tree (not sure how recirc pic will look)). This will be a top feed recirculating system. All overflow and drainage goes back into the nutrient reservoir to be recirculated. There are pros and cons to both recirculating and non-recirculating systems. As you build your nutrient system, you will decide which way you want to go. It is easy to change between the two just by running the drain on the tray table into the drain instead of back in the reservoir. The size of your reservoir for running one light should not be over 50 gallons. You don’t want to keep nutrients over three days and in a small grow you want things to be as manageable as possible. Inside the nutrient reservoir, you will need a circulation pump to keep everything constantly stirring and help oxygenate the water. You can use a pond pump from the hardware store to circulate your nutrients, and will want at least two air stones in the nutrient reservoir as well. Make sure the air pump you buy has multiple outlets or you will be forced to buy an adapter that is typically a pain in the ass to attach and keep attached. A note on how to shop from now on: typically the grow stores charge more for everything than stores that sell those same products for their original purpose. For example, air pumps are used in the aquarium world and were adopted into the hydrponic world due to growers’ needs and ingenuity to make things work. It is convenient to shop with everything under one roof but if you want to save money, always try to avoid the middleman and shop at the source, or the guys that buy the most bulk of the product you are searching for. We can set the feed system up many ways but I will show you the easy ways so you can get started with as little experimentation as possible. The easiest set up is simply hand watering with a hose, water wand and a pump in the reservoir. This does require manual daily labor. It might take you 15 minutes a day with six plants including testing and adjusting the pH and PPM. Not that major…I know. The hard days of the week are changing and cleaning you nutrient reservoir. I like hand watering because it really flushes the whole cube or pot thoroughly and quickly. After transplanting into threegallon buckets of rock wool, it takes around 15 seconds to water each plant. Hand watering always helps you keep any eye on your plants because it forces you to sit there and stare at your plants while you water. I’ve spotted a lot of problems while hand watering that I might have missed with a total automated system.
Install the Reverse Osmosis system as close to the water source as possible. You want the best possible water pressure feeding into the filters of the system. Position the system above a 55-gallon barrel to house your clean water (see pic 55 gal barrel). The R.O. system will produce a lot of wastewater that will need to be run to a drain. A shut off float valve is highly recommended. The easiest float valves to install attach directly to the water line filling the barrel. As the water level reaches the top it will push the float and shut the valve thus avoiding flooding your place. Did I tell you to buy a good wet/dry vaccume yet? If not, now’s the time. The float valve will also ensure that you always have clean water standing by. You want to BURNING SINCE 1997 always keep the clean tank filled. Inside the clean water
BUBBA KUSH BRAND
48 August 2015
recirc reservoir
watering ring
55 gallon barrel
The next basic system is a semi-automated system in which you have an auto feeding system but everything else is manual such as auto-dosing nutrients, adjusting pH, adding clean water, etc.… Setting up an auto water system is relatively easy. I ‘ve built and seen many ways to pump nutrient to each plant. Your plumbing experience and comfort level will determine how you will want to run your feed lines. The grow store is really good for the novice plumber. They sell all the parts and pieces that require no glue or special tools. There is also someone there to show you what to buy. The black hosing is easy to cut and the plastic connector attachments are barbed for the hose to slide and then grip once squeezed on. The basic goal is to run a main hose from the pump and, using connector pieces, splitting into six feed lines running to each plant. The smaller feed lines can either be fixed to a drip stick or more preferably a water ring. Drip sticks can be unreliable (you remember my story about flooding the neighbors below me). Water rings sit around the base of your plant and have little chance of coming loose and flooding your room. They now sell water rings at the grow store but I used to make my own which work just as well (see pic water ring). The water ring is made out of ¼” barbed tees and ¼” black hose found in the irrigation department at the hardware store. If you feel frisky and want to build a little more complex system look at (pic watering tree). The showerhead is affixed to PVC that is plumbed directly to the feed pump in your reservoir. This is a very clean and much more solid system than black rubber hose and connector pieces. I think we’ve covered the basics of designing your watering system so I will leave you with another story of the life of a grower. I already told my best story about flooding so this one will be about how nervous your life can be as a grower back in the day. This is another loft story with director Jonathan Mackye Gruber and I, when we lived together upstairs in his loft. We just harvested and had to throw away the trash. This was never an easy process finding a dumpster that we could dump everything in. It involved driving through alleys and lonely side streets downtown searching for an inconspicuous dumpster. While I was cleaning the room, Jonathan went out to take the trash. He found a dumpster in an alley and scoped the scene.
When he felt the watering tree coast was clear, he proceeded to throw the trash into the dumpster. As he threw the last bag in the dumpster, sure enough, a cop pulls down the alley scaring the absolute crap out of Jonathan. He gets in his truck and drives away like he was doing nothing out of the ordinary. He raced home thinking that the cops for sure dug the trash out and took his plates and they were on the way to the loft. We freak out and start tearing down the room. Sometime in the middle of the night after we broke everything down and cleaned the room. We came to the conclusion that the cops were not coming and we freaked out for nothing. Back in the day it was always better to be safe than sorry but that really sucked! Have a great month and I’d like to dedicate this issue to my recently departed Aunt Jean (Berger) Stein. She was one tough lady and lived and died her own way. Thanks everyone and be sure to follow me @thebubbakush.
thcmag.com 49
3Dponics Introduces the First 3D Printable Hydroponics System by Benjamin Hoopes
“I’m from Russia, I moved to Canada in 2000,” Michael Golubev told me, “Back in the day, in communist times, there was scarcity of food, so the government would distribute pieces of land for Russians to cultivate and keep as their own. My grandparents spent a lot of time on these pieces of land, growing stuff. They call this dacha in Russian”
Why you should get familiar with 3D printing
Golubev is the founder of 3Dponics, an open source, 3D printable hydroponics system. And he’s demonstrating how the forced sharing of communist times in the old Soviet Union can’t compete with voluntary sharing of information, “Anyone can download the files, think of a better way to improve it, and upload it to the community. We’re seeing this evolution of designs, which started from five parts and is now over 100 parts. Eventually, this is going to be the most efficient gardening system in the world.”
By far the easiest way to 3D print is to use a 3D printing service. Services will generally charge a fee for their labor, which starts around $30. You’ll also need to pay for the materials, which for the basic 3Dponics four-pot system, costs around $20.
Similar to Legos, the components of the system, once printed, snap into place together. There are many applications, including home gardens, printing a greenhouse for astronauts in outer space, and of course, growing cannabis. 3Dponics recently announced a new relationship with Chuck Rifici, the co-founder of the largest cannabis producer in Canada, Tweed. “I came on as an adviser to help them see where the market might be in Canada. You can’t grow personal production in Canada, but I think that’s a great potential market for 3Dponics. The kind of person that sets up a home garden is the kind of person that likes to doit-yourself,” said Golubev. According to Golubev, “We have a really unique system just for marijuana use, something you won’t be able to do without a 3D printer, but is easily scalable and customizable.”
50 August 2015
We explored some of the methods of 3D printing, looked at the costs and ease of use, and compared them with buying a pre-manufactured hydroponics system. Here’s what we found:
If you’d like to get more hands on, you can head to a maker space. Maker spaces are essentially like a co-working space for tinkerers. I visited the Tinkermill in Longmont, Colorado, which has four 3D printers. They offer classes on how to use them and assistance from staff and other members. Membership is $50/month. The third option, and highest in difficulty level, is to buy your own 3D printer. 3D printers can range from $300 to $3000. You’ll also need to buy a water pump and tubing. The recommended pump for 3Dponics is a Marina 200 air pump, which costs around $15. Tubing is less than a dollar per foot. Purchasing a pre-manufactured system, you’ll find a wide range of prices. In our chart, we compared the cost of printing a 3Dponics system to the cost of buying one of Current Culture’s home systems, which start at $900 and range up to over $5,000. The beauty of 3D printing is the scaling cost. At around $5 in materials for a single-pot system, once you have access to a 3D printer, you can add to your system and print replacement parts at a marginal cost. And the costs are going to keep falling every year as the technology matures.
thcmag.com 51
Illinois Cannabis Update by Sam Ruderman
Alex Valvassori moved from Chicago to Colorado in the spring of 2014 to pursue a career in the fast-paced and growing cannabis industry. He was hired by Mindful, and quickly rose through the ranks to become their Chief Compliance Officer. When Alex was offered a job with a medical cannabis start-up in Illinois less than a year later, it was a position he could not refuse. Now, an expert in all things cannabis and compliance, Alex gives THC insight into what is happening in the Illinois industry and how it compares to other states. THC: Alex, what are your first impressions of the cannabis industry in Illinois? AV: Illinois is a totally different animal than Colorado. The regulations here are some of the strictest in the nation. In order to be successful in this market, operators will have to be extremely attentive to the nuances within the regulations. Moreover, because this is a brand new market, there aren’t a ton of professionals with hands on experience in the industry. Training will be a critical component to success. THC: Illinois has a more limited list of medical conditions that qualify people for cannabis use. How are businesses preparing for a more limited marketplace than one would find in Colorado or California? AV: A major component to success in this market will be patient and physician education. Many physicians here in Illinois are hesitant to provide recommendations to patients due to lack of information about cannabis or the system in Illinois. As for patients, fingerprints are required as part of the application process - a component which has deterred quite a few patients. That said, once dispensaries are open and word gets out, I think we’ll see a major uptick in patients. THC: I imagine all of the businesses that received permits in Illinois are now scrambling to get their cultivation centers and dispensaries up and running. What does the timeline look like right now? AV: It’s hard to comment on exact timelines. For the most part, operators are taking a phased approach to build outs in order to get medicine to patients as quickly as possible. That said, these are going to be some of the most complex and sophisticated facilities in the nation, so building takes time. Additionally, regulators are learning right alongside us. It’s important we focus on doing this right rather than rushing into things. THC: What effect do you think some of the stricter compliance laws of Illinois might have on the industry? Why is Illinois taking such a different approach in establishing a medical cannabis system? AV: It’s my impression the legislators here in Illinois looked to states like California where the system is chaotic and lacks regulatory oversight. By
52 August 2015
starting with a smaller, tightly regulated market, the sponsors of the bill were able to garner the votes necessary to get it passed. While the laws are certainly a burden on industry, it’s my hope that in time the regulations will balance out such that they provide the necessary controls while minimizing regulatory costs. THC: How realistic is recreational cannabis in Illinois? AV: I’m not in a position to read the tealeaves of the Illinois legislature. Illinois only allows citizens to petition for binding ballot initiatives in a limited set of circumstances related to the structure and procedure of the General Assembly. S o, for legalization to occur, it will have to come from state legislators placing a binding question on the ballot or by legislators passing a law themselves. For now, though, the people who have won cultivation and dispensary licenses are focused on the medical market where a tremendous amount of anecdotal evidence has demonstrated this product has a positive effect on the lives of a lot of people suffering debilitating conditions. THC: Could you compare your work experiences in Colorado and Illinois in terms of business goals and structure? AV: Unlike Colorado’s medical market, integration between cultivation and dispensing is not required. That said, there are some groups that hold licenses on both ends of the market. It’s also worth noting that the cultivators in Illinois are responsible for all processing, extraction, infusion, and product manufacturing. There aren’t any intermediary “processing” or “infused product” licenses. As a result, the cultivation licenses appear to be especially valuable. THC: What do you expect will happen with the rollout of medical cannabis in Illinois? Boom or Bust? AV: This is a marathon, not a sprint. We’ve got a long road full of bumps ahead of us. I’m confident the program in Illinois will be a success... stay tuned! THC: Thanks Alex.
thcmag.com 53
The Wumaniti Native Earth Collective by DJ Reetz
Respecting cannabis as a sacrament for spiritual healing *photo credit to Antony Page of Perfect Complexity
On a small patch of land just outside of Taos, New Mexico, an unassuming property amongst the eccentric adobe architecture of the area houses something unique. It’s the Wumaniti Native Earth Collective, a government recognized religious organization dedicated to spiritual healing and plantbased medicine. The property, a former alternative school, was rented out in 2013 for the purpose of creating a space for spiritual reflection and communing with the earth through natural sacrament. Even here amongst the geodesic domes and sweat lodges that dot the hillside surrounding this eccentric haven of artists and Native American culture, the Wumaniti center is unique. The reason: the use of a cannabis sacrament as part of their religious ceremonies. It’s big news these days, with the First Church of Cannabis making national headlines in Indiana after attempting to establish legal grounds for consuming cannabis by utilizing the state’s newly minted religious freedoms act. But while the First Church of Cannabis seems to be exploiting and mocking laws put in place to protect anti-homosexual bigots, Wumaniti is simply about healing through plant-based medicine. “People come to us because they want ceremony, they want to find that balance,” says Gemma RaStar, founder of the collective. “It’s not just people that want to get fucked up.”
54 August 2015
Gemma and her husband Elliot in one of their hemp fields in Taos
The ceremonies here are carried out inside the facility’s prayer dome, a spacious adobe sphere lined with pillows, illuminated only by the natural light that permeates the domed sunlight and the stained glass of the door. Attendees line the circular room as Gemma and her companion and business partner Elliot Enos Lefthand lead a meditative cleansing ceremony designed to help those in attendance find a spiritual center. As part of the ceremony, practitioners are swatted with hemp branches and given a sublingual squirt of cannabis tincture containing a mixture of THC and CBD. The process is intended to create a moment of peace and reflection for those partaking, and promote healing, both emotional and physical. As the tincture is administered practitioners give thanks for something in their lives and express their intentions, whether for greater compassion, understanding or personal growth of some other sort. Before the tincture is swallowed a round of “ohms” resonates through the chamber and the oily cannabinoid mixture is washed down with a shared glass of water. The ceremony is closed with a prayer, giving thanks to the spirit of the earth. It’s a mixture of religious practices, borrowing from Native American and Buddhist principles, but the over arching theme is respect for nature, says Gemma. At times, the group will engage in Taoist, Hindu, Mayan, Rastafarian and even Mongolian ceremonies as well; the collective respects all practices that promote awareness of nature and self in tandem. “Nature is our church,” she says. “It’s practices that respect the ways of the land. We respect Indian cultures that respect the ways of the land. We respect
with cannabis and through taking part in traditional Native American ceremonies. The real-world experience of overcoming this is what Gemma sees as her qualification to help others follow suit. “I’ve lost a lot of friends to addiction,” she says. “We’ve all been through it in some way.” Here in Taos, where Gemma says she found her path to healing, the native community that has occupied the area continuously for over 1,000 years is suffering from a lot of these same issues. Addiction and alcohol abuse are rampant, and a dwindling economy leaves residents of the tribal land with few options. Gemma says she hopes her organization can be a part of the healing process, boosting the local economy and providing jobs through the local growth of the hemp plants she hopes to use in the Hemp Heroe bars she sells to raise funds for the collective (which for the time being are made in Colorado).
Prayer dome
indigenous cultures that are respecting our mother earth.” Ceremonies such as this are held every Sunday. The idea is to create a structure around plant-based medicine, something that is missing from much of the current attitudes toward cannabis. In these ceremonies cannabis isn’t smoked but smudged on a hot coal along with other sacraments like tobacco and frankincense. Members are also given access to edible marijuana to be used at their discretion. Psilocybin is also used by members, and in some situations, traditional peyote and ayahuasca shamans are called in to conduct closed ceremonies. While this may sound like a fun idea to some, for Gemma it is much more serious. Traditional plant medicine, when used correctly, can have a profound effect on psychological health, and psychedelics can
Gemma leading a prayer ceremony
“Indigenous culture is dying right now,” says Gemma. “We can integrate it into the mainstream.” There’s also a plan for expansion. Gemma is hoping to open a sanctuary in the Denver/Boulder area sometime in the future, and she hopes to have a fullblown addiction counseling and recovery center in operation soon. But for the time being, the facility in Taos remains the only location, where they have been surprisingly undisturbed by law enforcement considering the nature of their sacraments and relatively small hemp farming operations they are running in a state that does not allow for it. “All I can say is we’ve been blessed,” says Gemma. Thanks to a strong relationship with the community and local law enforcement, the organization has been undisturbed for the time being, and it’s not because they are hiding. “We’ve announced what we’re about,” says Elliot. Gemma and Elliot with their baby in front of a ceremonial drum, volunteer Antony Page separating hemp leafs for juicing from the stalks which will be used for fiber
be extremely beneficial to those suffering from trauma and addiction issues. By counseling members Gemma says she can create a mindful path to well being that utilizes some of these. It’s rooted in Gemma’s own troubled youth, a youth that was surrounded by addiction and violence, which she overcame through purposeful communion
For those cynical detractors that will say Wumaniti is just about getting high, Gemma invites them to come and witness the practices for themselves. “We aren’t doing that and none of our members are doing that,” says Gemma. In fact, the membership application includes a code of ethics that prohibits abuse of drugs and alcohol. Members have the ability to claim religious protection should they be caught with any of the designated sacraments, but those caught abusing man-made drugs are on their own, she says. If the earth-centric practices of the Wumanitit Earth Native Sanctuary sounds interesting, look for membership info and upcoming events on their website: www.wumaniti.com.
thcmag.com 55
The Trichome Institute and Interpening
Defining the cannabis equivalent of a sommelier by DJ Reetz
Interested in steeping up your cannabis game? A newly launched class from the Trichome Institute could help you elevate your understanding of the plant from casual enjoyment to refined expertise. The Interpener class offers a hands-on learning experience designed to give attendees a thorough understanding of plant characteristics and the ability to determine the quality and type of bud they are looking at. With so many cannabis education classes these days, standing out is hard to do, but Trichome Institute president, founder and professor of interpenation Max Montrose has managed to craft a class that distinguishes itself from the rest. The name “interpener” combines the word terpene and interpreter, which Montrose says came to him after many bowls. Being able to identify plant characteristics such as the smell of the terpenes and plant structure is the only true way to identify the variety, says Montrose, and often times the name attached to a bud at a dispensary is inaccurate. The name of the strain is the least important aspect of the plant, he says, what’s truly important is the effect, and that can only be known through personal experience and an understanding of plant morphology. “Right now we have an entire industry of ‘I think this is an indica, I think this is a sativa,” says Montrose. It’s a dangerous reality for medical patients who depend on reliable effects when consuming their cannabis, and often find themselves without accurate guidance. Montrose uses the example of a patient suffering from PTSD, one strain may provide the calming, anxiety-reducing effect they are looking for while another might send them down a spiral of introspective self loathing. It’s too important to leave to speculation, and a knowledgeable budtender — and more importantly, an informed consumer — are the only true guard against mislabeled cannabis. Montrose believes the speculative state of the cannabis industry is the result of a foundation in the black market, where there was little expectation of quality control and no standard for honesty. “[Drug dealers] aren’t honest with each other because they don’t have to be,” says Montrose. The result is the current industry, where patients and recreational users are left to speculate on the effects of a bud with nothing more than secondhand information and a possibly inaccurate strain name to rely upon. “At the end of the day the unfortunate truth of the scenario in the cannabis industry is that all variety types have been mismatched,” says Montrose. The shaky foundation of plant labeling leads to ill-informed budtenders passing on bad info to consumers, who remain in ignorance until they find themselves feeling effects they didn’t count on. “Sometimes it has to do with the budtender, but most of the time it’s the manager or owner,” says Montrose. Businesses such as those that exclusively
56 August 2015
hire young, attractive women often overlook the importance of knowledge of the effects of the product they’re selling. “Some dispensary owners think large chests sell weed,” he says. “When you’re shopping for cannabis and it’s going to affect you a certain way, I don’t care how big the titties are,” he says. The Interpener class is designed to combat this, making the assessment of a plant’s characteristics an objective fact, allowing vendors to identify their own products and consumers to have a good idea of what to expect when they consume it. The class’s emphasis on distinguishing terpenes through smell is of particular importance, as these fragile organic molecules can have a surprising amount of control over how the cannabinoids affect the user. Montrose uses the analogy of a car, in which the cannabinoid content is the engine powering the experience while the terpenes provide steering, guiding the effects. The level two class offers an in-depth look at strain varieties, focusing on the ability to determine between indica dominate and sativa dominate buds by identifying physical characteristics of the bud and terpene profiles. The course also emphasizes identification of unacceptable qualities such as pests, molds, and improper storage and curing. After a thorough lecture and several examples are passed around the class, the group is tasked with identifying the leanings of several samples and differentiating them from those showing unacceptable characteristics. Only a third of the students in the initial class received a passing grade, and Montrose says he expects that rate to continue. A level three class will also be offered, but Montrose says this will be extremely exclusive and require years of study on topics ranging from cannabis history, sociology, human medicine and horticulture. Those that do make the grade will find themselves in an elite group of cannabis aficionados with a similar level of understanding and prestige to that of a master sommelier. If the class sounds daunting, that’s because it is. And that’s kind of the point, says Montrose. He considers himself to be a cannabis snob, but he has the pedigree and passion to back it up. Having begun his own course of selfmedication after being prescribed a cocktail of pharmaceutical drugs to combat his attention deficit disorder as a youth, Montrose found success with the limited variety of black market cannabis. In 2009 he began working in the nascent medical cannabis industry in Colorado, and he’s maintained residence in the cannabis scene ever since.
Montrose bills himself as the ultimate cannabis nerd, and with the wealth of research that’s gone into the curriculum of the Trichome Institute, it’s a pretty spot on description. The courses offered will provide the knowledge and hands-on experience to raise a budtender from average to exceptional, and may one day be the standard by which truly high-end dispensaries distinguish themselves. For information on upcoming classes check out www.trichomeinstitute.com.
The name “interpener” combines the word terpene and interpreter...
thcmag.com 57
THE FOCUS ON “GREENING” THE GROW TO CUT COSTS Greenhouse vs. Warehouse Greenhouse production has gone from “something like 5 percent of the total” in California to as high as 35 percent last year, according to Rick Pfrommer, former head of purchasing for Harborside Health Center who now runs his own consulting service, Pfrommer Now. Four years ago, Harborside started a campaign to draw attention to cannabis grown under the sun, including greenhouse-grown cannabis. The campaign included a press release with a video, where Steve DeAngelo explained that lamp-grown cannabis accounts for over 8 percent of all electricity used in California. Jonathan Valdman explained, “I was living up in the hills of northern California, growing medically...everyone was living a pretty conscious lifestyle, except everybody had 50 to 100 thousand-watt lights burning in their barn. It just didn’t really seem to complete the cycle of what I felt we were all trying to do.” So after growing medically for ten years, he founded Forever Flowering Greenhouses in 2006 out of Grass Valley, California. “The illegal aspect of the industry is what caused indoor growing to really flourish. Phase one of legalization was ‘everybody set up a warehouse’, phase two is ‘everybody realizing they need to lower their overhead’. The best way to do that is to turn off all those bulbs.”
Harnessing the Sun GrowCo recently finished building the largest cannabis greenhouse cultivation facility in Colorado, at 91,000 square feet. They are leasing the facility to Suncanna, “sustainable, sungrown cannabis”, which plans to harvest its first 200 pounds this September. GrowCo, a subsidiary of publicly traded agriculture and water management company Two Rivers, provides farming infrastructure and water to cannabis growers in Colorado.
58 August 2015
by Benjamin Hoopes
Tim Beall is the Chief Operating Officer. “Summer sun will be about three to four times the light intensity of an artificial light source. And natural sunlight is proven to increase your rate of photosynthesis more than artificial lights with the same amount of light energy in terms of moles per day,” he says. If free light is a natural benefit to growing cannabis in greenhouses, one could argue that free light deprivation is an advantage to growing in warehouses. Cannabis is a short-day plant, meaning it begins to bud when the amount of sunlight drops below its critical day length. To grow yearround, control of light and darkness is a necessity. When Forever Flowering was starting up, Jonathan Valdman worked with a manufacturer to develop a 3-layer blackout curtain for their greenhouses, “Manual light deprivation systems had been going on in northern California since probably the early ‘70s. It was mostly people taking something like old refrigerator boxes and putting them over one plant to force it into flowering.” “The only downside to light deprivation (greenhouses) at that time was that there were no automated systems. The only systems that had an automated blackout environment were the poinsettia and chrysanthemum industries. That standard of darkness was nowhere near what cannabis farmers required to grow.” Today, greenhouse growers can fully control the amount of darkness their plants receive through automated curtains run by control systems. They can also supplement their light, “If it’s a foggy morning or a rainy day, your lights get turned on. When your light levels are met, its turns off, creating more efficiency,” says Valdman. Hot and Cold Lights generate heat, which adds to the heat already being generated from the sun during the daytime and the greenhouse effect. “Softening the intensity
of the light allows the plant to photosynthesize instead of transpiring to keep itself cool. As they (transpire), you’re going to need more water and more nutrients,” Jonathan explained.
integration will allow for enough of a cost savings that retail, despite being 40 percent higher because of the excise tax, will probably end up being the same price if not even less.”
“You are also putting more humidity into your environment,” which can lead to powdery mildew, botrytis and mold. Retractable roofs and vents can increase airflow, which helps let out heat and humidity.
Costs can also change if you build on top of an existing structure. Scott Thompson, of Nexus greenhouses, one of the largest design and manufacturing companies, says that they’ve recently seen interest from groups applying for licenses in New York, about growing cannabis in rooftop greenhouses.
Radiation also has to be managed. Some greenhouse glazing blocks out UVB radiation, others let it in. UVB light “increases THC potency and flavanoid production,” Beall told me.
Water “As you move into larger systems, they capture and store your rainwater to water your crop,” Valdman told me. The Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 allows Californians to legally capture and use rainwater harvested from rooftops. In Colorado, until recently, it’s been illegal to collect rainwater. The idea was to protect the supply of water to streams, however, a Douglas County, Colorado study showed that only 15 percent of rainwater reaches streams. And as of March 2015, Colorado residents are now allowed to capture up to 110 gallons of water per day from their roof. “Irrigation is an excellent place to focus on putting some technology,” according to Steve Garner, the head grower for Silverpeak Apothecary’s 20,000 square foot greenhouse facility in Aspen. He added that if “you can show a county that you’re saving water and being more efficient than a field grower,” then when “states have to cut back on how many farms are growing due to water issues, and you’re more efficient, you’ve got a huge leg up.”
Costs
In 2010, Nexus worked with Brooklyn’s Gotham Greens to build a greenhouse atop a new Whole Foods location in Brooklyn, “It costs more money to get it up there, but the best part is that it’s unused space. We saw great response in New York because there’s no space on the ground and there’s a lot of roofs.”
Other Benefits of the Sungrown Through working with testing labs like Steep Hill Labs, Rick Pfrommer said that he’s seen that sun-grown cannabis tends to exhibit a wider range of cannabinoids and terpenoids. “I think there needs to be a lot of education for consumer preference including impacts on environment.” According to Valdman, under artificial light “there’s going to be aspects of the plant that aren’t expressed. When you’re looking at medicine, that could be huge. We really don’t know yet because really the research is just beginning right now.” Garner explained, “You can’t compete with the sun. The full spectrum of the sun has benefits that aren’t fully understood, but are measurable.”
Tweed is the largest licensed cultivator in Canada with a facility in Smiths Falls, Ontario that occupies 180,000 square feet with room to grow. The co-founder and former CEO, Chuck Rifici, told me that “Probably about a quarter of the producers in Canada are using greenhouse space. I think most coming online are finding the capex a lot less expensive getting it up online and [producing] a superior quality product.” According to Rifici, empty warehouses from America’s move to offshore manufacturing, combined with lower power lighting systems, means that eventually “we’ll see indoor and outdoor agriculture for cannabis really compete against each other.” Moreover, “as legalization rolls out, and as the taboo around cannabis goes away, I think we’ll see jurisdictions where you just have open air cannabis.” GrowCo expects in the next 18 months to construct four greenhouses on its 160-acre tract in Pueblo County, Colorado, resulting in 360,000 square feet of greenhouse space. GrowCo builds its greenhouses for $45 per square foot and leases its greenhouse systems for $20 per square foot annually. Where GrowCo and the recreational regulation model are non-vertical, production of medical cannabis remains vertically integrated in Colorado. Tim Beall believes that difference will affect the market, “Right now medical is a lot cheaper because of the state excise tax. The improvement in efficiency from non-vertical
thcmag.com 59
Pot-litically Incorrect
Profiling the Prohibitionists Which type are you dealing with? by DJ Reetz
When gauging the debate around the legalization of cannabis it can be assessed that prohibitionists might have gotten some bad information. Whether it’s the effects and dangers of cannabis, or just the people who use it, prohibitionists seem pretty well mired in poor data.
One aspect of the prohibitionist point of view that seems particularly ill informed is on the subject of just who exactly consumes cannabis. Whether it’s because they truly have done such a fantastic job of walling themselves off from opposing view points that there are no cannabis users in their social circle, or because the reasonable people in their lives have better things to do than point out the shortcomings of a braying ass-hat’s point of view, prohibitionists seem to often lump all cannabis users into a set of stereotypes that they’ve concocted from comedic movies and the few bad examples visible enough to penetrate their intentional haze of ignorance. To the prohibitionist, every cannabis user is a stoner, a burn out, or a low-life criminal. There’s a word for people that do that, judge a large group based on a poorly constructed preconception ... what was it again? Oh, right — a bigot. That’s what bigots do, which in most situations is something you should feel shame for. However, in this debate, bigotry seems to be a point of pride, and these people have no problem hurling their bigoted opinions into the public arena. Well, two can play at that game. So here’s a rundown of the stereotypical prohibitionists I’ve run across. There may be some overlap in these groups, like how there is overlap between the free-love hippie crowd and dangerous criminals, but I’ve tried to separate them into the most distinctive archetypes possible for your ire.
Disapproving Soccer Mom
T h e s e clucking hens can be seen at nearly every public debate about marijuana no matter how large or small. They’re proud of their motherhood and feel that having a human being gestate inside them has somehow endowed them with an omnipotence for public policy. Sure, they’re usually from a fairly well-to-do background, but they’ll break out of their suburban havens as frequently as they can in order to protect those poor defenseless inner city children from the demon marihuana. This is the same demographic that thinks violent videogames are at the root of mass shootings, and who fight tirelessly to keep words like fuck, shit and cuntwagon from ever being broadcast on television or radio.
60 August 2015
These Stepford Wives may have a bit too much time on their hands and so have chosen to dedicate themselves to what they perceive as the public good: defending the idiotic and racist ideals of the drug war. They’re great mothers, just not great enough to have an honest debate with their children about cannabis, and so they favor harsh criminal penalties over honest discourse with their kids. “How can I explain people using marijuana to my child?” they’ll say. Simple, stop telling them shit that’s not true and you have a whole lot less to explain.
Dr. Dickhead, M.D.
These accomplished medical professionals have spent enough years indoctrinating themselves in the medical establishment to know that marihuana is dangerous. But that prestigious medical degree came with more than just a smug sense of accomplishment and the absolute apex of understanding of human physiology, it also came with the supreme authority to know exactly what is right for every single individual on the planet. Choosing to find validity in studies that proclaim the dangers of cannabis use while dismissing those that show its benefits, the good doctor will sometimes at least concede that there hasn’t been adequate research done on the effects of cannabis, though they will use this point to illustrate that legalization is a potentially dangerous unknown. Dr. Dickhead can listen to a roomful of combat vets proclaim the miraculous relief that cannabis has offered in the treatment of their PTSD only to dismiss it as anecdotal speculation and demand that protracted clinical studies are needed, advising them to take refuge in the chemical lobotomy prescribed by VA doctors that has thus far successfully led to 22 veteran suicides every day. As someone who has studied medicine, this person only trusts peerreviewed medical studies, but they fully support the status quo that keeps cannabis out of these studies and then paradoxically point to that as a reason to continue doing so. The doc will also proclaim that smoking cannabis has the potential to cause lung cancer, which like so much of the their hypocritical belief about the plant seems to defy the need for scientific backing.
If you happen to have Dr. Dickhead as a primary care physician don’t you dare let slip that you are using cannabis, medically or otherwise, as he’s known to blacklist patients that don’t adhere to his absolute control over what goes into their bodies. After all, he didn’t go to medical school just to listen to patients tell him objectively what’s working for them, he knows better. Besides, in the extremely limited number of cases in which cannabinoids can help, there are pharmaceutically synthesized drugs made by profit-driven corporations that are more reliable than a plant you can grow yourself.
The Misguided Evangelical
These guys are an obstacle to every bit of progressive policy that will ever be enacted — whether its gay marriage or healthcare reform — and they are exceptionally vocal when it comes to labeling drug users as criminals. Equipped with a moral certainty only attainable through the most superficial understanding of religious principles, they see cannabis legalization as a moral issue.
Not in the sense that ruining people’s lives over the private consumption of a plant is immoral, but in the sense that altering one’s mood and consciousness is itself a crime against morality. Exceptions to this moral outrage are offered for pharmaceutical narcotics and in most cases alcohol — because god wants cannabis to be illegal but he’s totally cool with the other drugs that have been shown to kill people and wreak havoc on society, so long as the government says it’s ok. These value voters often find themselves in the position of being pro-life and still pro-capital punishment, and their hypocrisy extends to a toughon-crime attitude toward drug offenders. Surely, Jesus would have wanted substance abusers to spend their lives as social pariahs, and he definitely wouldn’t want us consuming a plant that grows from the earth. But then again, maybe I need to consult the scriptures on that. This category of prohibitionist can be especially hard to deal with due to their steadfast belief in the accuracy of what was told to them by a politically motivated neo-con about the contents of a 2,000-year-old book that has been periodically revised to reflect the prevailing power hierarchy.
The Black Hand
Definitely the most effectual prohibitionist, these guys are hard to nail down because you usually don’t see them at public hearings making asses out of themselves. What you can see however is their enormous influence.
of
These are the people that fund the movements fighting against cannabis legalization. They have lobbyists on their staff and deep pockets to fund super PACs, so shelling out a few thousand dollars to get a group made of these other types
If you happen to have Dr. Dickhead as a primary care physician don’t you dare let slip that you are using cannabis, medically or otherwise, as he’s known to blacklist patients that don’t adhere to his absolute control over what goes into their bodies. riled up enough to do their bidding isn’t really a problem. Your average citizen won’t ever meet one of these guys unless you wind up as a human sacrifice at one of the pagan orgies held at their wooded estate. Generally they are content to stay behind the scene making obscene amounts of money off of human suffering while resisting any social progress that might threaten such a profitable endeavor. These guys may or may not be some type of alien/lizard overlord, but they do have a pretty firm grasp on how to manipulate the public consciousness and there’s not much they won’t do if it allows them to perpetuate their oligarchy. Make no mistake, of all the prohibitionists you can dismiss and belittle, these guys are not to be trifled with. That’s how you end up committing suicide via three bullets to the back of the head.
The Idiot
Just your average dumbass. These guys aren’t very informed, they mostly repeat what they’re told and only seek out information that agrees with their limited world view. They won’t listen to opposing viewpoints, as anything that doesn’t agree with their limited understanding is just the product of a bias-driven conspiracy. They’re assholes to people that they disagree with, dismissing their points of view and deriding their character and intentions. They are often oblivious to their own judgmental hypocrisy, and one of the most flagrant violations of common decency they routinely engage in is using stereotypes to dismiss large groups of people based on a limited number of examples and … ah, fuck. Never mind.
thcmag.com 61
Force of Law vs. Law Enforcement The cannabis conundrum of legal half measures by David Bush
Maybe there is cause for optimism about cannabis reform. Maybe not. It depends on how you look at it.
When Everything Happens But Nothing Gets Done
The proposals introduced in the current U.S. Congress to end cannabis prohibition, or at least to chip away at it, are impressive. Since January of this year, no fewer than five cannabis reform bills have been introduced in both chambers. Another two bills were introduced in the House of Representatives, only. The proposals cover a lot of territory. They include the Industrial Hemp Farming Act, which would carve industrial hemp out of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) entirely; and the Respect State Marijuana Laws Act, which would render the CSA inapplicable to anyone producing, possessing, distributing, dispensing or delivering any cannabis (marijuana or hemp) in compliance with state law. Other proposals would delist medical marijuana and avoid regulation of Cannabidiol (CBD) under the Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act. Yet other legislative acts aim to exempt marijuana from application of the notorious section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code, which disallows most ordinary business tax write-offs. Still another bill would free health care professionals employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs to recommend medical marijuana to their patients, and would grant licenses to authorize medical research on marijuana and marijuana derivatives. Chances are, most or all the bills currently pending in Congress are unlikely to be passed, or even voted upon, or even granted a committee hearing. The political will for enduring cannabis reform is still not there. Cannabis prohibition remains a constant in our lives, as dependable as
62 August 2015
death and taxes and just as repugnant. We search our collective memories in vain for a time when there was any meaningful amendment to the CSA. Cannabis has been a national outlaw ever since Congress passed the Marijuana Tax Act in 1937. Its status as Public Enemy No. 1 was reaffirmed in 1970, when Congress enacted the CSA. The current momentum in Congress is to propose myriad initiatives to end cannabis prohibition, but not to actually pass anything. The stalemate in Washington is palpable. Change is still happening. Otherwise, we would not be writing essays about cannabis business regulations in magazines distributed to pot shops. But there is something funny going on. The law itself is not changing, just how we enforce it.
Executive Action: Prosecutorial Discretion on a Grand Scale
In 2009, the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued what became known as the Ogden Memorandum. A few renegade states, Colorado and California among them, had decided to allow their citizens to use marijuana for medical purposes, federal law be damned. The Ogden Memorandum stated that the DOJ would rather spend its law enforcement resources elsewhere than busting sick people. Two years later, in 2011, the DOJ “clarified� the Ogden Memorandum by insisting that it really meant what it said the first time. More states began to experiment with medical marijuana. Then in 2012, Colorado voters upped the ante by approving Amendment 64, allowing the sale and use of marijuana by any consenting adult, sick or not, federal law be damned again. The pressure for national cannabis legal reform grew. The answer of the feds was to punt again, only harder. In 2013, the DOJ issued the famous Cole Memorandum. It expanded the policy of federal non-interference to essentially all state-legal marijuana activities, so long as certain federal law enforcement priorities were not implicated. In 2014,
the DOJ issued yet another memorandum that extended application of the Cole Memorandum to native American lands. The policy proclamations constituted an exercise of prosecutorial discretion on a grand scale. Why fuss with changing bad laws when one could simply decline to enforce them?
Legislative Appropriations: Cutting Off the Hand That Feeds
Not to be outdone by the executive branch of government, Congress generously decided to pitch its own special brand of non-interference. In 2014, certain enterprising elected representatives realized that while they might lack the political capital (read: courage) to actually vote on true cannabis reform, they could do the next best thing, through their legendary Power of the Purse. They would deprive the DOJ of funding to enforce the very laws that many privately agreed ought to be abolished. The crack in the dam started modestly enough. In 2014, Congress sneaked through a onepage provision in the gargantuan Farm Bill, authorizing state departments of agriculture and state universities to grow industrial hemp for purposes of research and development (but only for the next five years). The same year, Congress appropriated funds for the DOJ that contained two novel conditions. The first was that no money could be spent to go after people using medical marijuana in states where it was legal. The other was that no money could be spent to stop cultivation of industrial hemp for R&D under the Farm Bill. In 2015, the House of Representatives passed the same two funding restrictions as it had approved in 2014, and then went further. Two additional restrictions precluded the DOJ from enforcing the CSA against any statelegal commercial hemp farming, and against any state-legal production, possession, use or distribution of CBD. The trouble started when the bill wandered over to the Senate. The Senate, being the more conservative body, promptly dropped the two new additions. It still has not voted.
The Strange Case of CBD
is the strange case of CBD, another cannabinoid typically extracted from the leaves and flowers of Cannabis. Under federal law, CBD is every bit as much a schedule I controlled substance as THC Δ 9, the stuff that gave life to “Reefer Madness” and the unfair and illogical prohibition that followed. Yet CBD is produced wherever cannabis cultivation is state-legal. Extracts of CBD are openly imported from abroad. CBD products are marketed through the internet and shipped across the country. CBD vendors boldly proclaim that their special brand of cannabinoids are “legal in all 50 states,” even though all cannabinoids are extracts of marijuana and therefore, are also marijuana. Were this happening with other, more recognizable (or less sympathetic) forms of the evil weed, law enforcement authorities might go ballistic. But for years, they have quietly stood aside and let commerce in CBD continue.
Conclusion
It has been 239 years since Thomas Jefferson penned the famous words in the Declaration of Independence that humankind is endowed with certain “inalienable rights,” and that governments are instituted to secure those rights “from the consent of the governed.” Whenever government becomes “destructive of those ends,” the people retain the right “to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government.” What goes for bad government should apply with equal force to bad laws. Laws that fail to benefit the governed are bad and should be changed. Marijuana prohibition is the epitome of bad law. But we do ourselves no justice in the long run by our current approach to this nonsense. We grant law enforcement authorities broad discretion not to enforce the law, or we deprive them of the means to enforce the law, or we just encourage them to look the other way when violations occur. These are not solutions, but new problems disguised as reform. They breed contempt for the law and are anathema to free society. We need cannabis reform. But bad laws should be changed, not ignored.
There is yet a third approach taken by the feds to support cannabis reform short of actually changing the law. It is simply to look the other way. Such
1569 S Colorado Blvd, Denver, CO 80222 (303) 867-4768 preferredorganictherapy.com
4620 Peoria St, Denver, CO 80239 (303) 307-4645 goldenmedsdenver.com
Preferred Organic Treatment
Golden Meds
TOP SHELF
VOLUME PRICING
50%off BLUE LABEL FLOWER
*Limit one per customer
ALL TOP SHELF
thcmag.com 63
64 July August 20152015
DISPENSARY GUIDE by DJ Reetz
DENVER 66 AMA, Advanced Medical Alternatives 69 The Clinic 66 The Giving Tree of Denver 66 The Health Center 66 Infinite Wellness 67 LivWell 68 Northern Lights Cannabis Company 67 Preferred Organic Therapy 67 Rocky Mountain Organic Medicine 67 Walking Raven
PUEBLO
COLORADO SPRINGS 67 LivWell 67 Original Cannabis Growers
NORTHERN COLORADO 66 Infinite Wellness 67 LivWell
BOULDER 67 LivWell
66 Leaf on the Mesa
thcmag.com 65
Advanced Medical Alternatives 1269 Elati St. Denver CO. 80204 www.AMAdispensary.com 303.993.4547
AMA has been serving the medical marijuana industry since 2009 and offering recreational sales since February 2014. We pride ourselves on offering organically grown quality cannabis, concentrates, edibles and many other infused products. Our knowledgeable staff will ensure an AMAzing experience on each visit. Awards: • 1st place 710 Cup (Best sativa 2013) • 3rd place HighTimes Cup (2014) • 1st place 710 Cup (Best Sativa 2014) • 1st place 710 Cup (Best Indica 2014) • 1st Place 710 Cup (Best Taste 2014) • 1st place Secret Cup (Best wax 2014)
The Giving Tree of Denver
The Health Center
NOW SERVING MEDICAL PATIENTS AND RECREATIONAL ADULTS!
The Health Center is a top notch cannabis dispensary with two convenient locations in the heart of Denver.
2707 W. 38th Ave. Denver, CO 80211 www.tgtree.com
Established in 2009, The Giving Tree of Denver continually strives to be a leader in the Colorado Medical Marijuana Center industry. Today we boast the largest edible selection in the city. We serve the particular needs of licensed medical marijuana patients in our comfortable, safe and friendly atmosphere. In addition to our generous membership program, we offer a 10% discount on every purchase for Veterans, HIV/AIDS, cancer patients, students and ***MMJ industry staff.
Boasting upwards of 70 varieties of award winning strains at any given time, the individuals who comprise the THC team pride ourselves on offering the best variety, potency and effectiveness of any cannabis in the region. Not only is The Health Center focused on cultivating the finest quality medicine, but also employing the finest quality staff. Each time you visit, you will be greeted with knowledgeable, friendly associates who take pride in working with you to find the best available options to meet your medical needs.
Infinite Wellness Center
Leaf on the Mesa
*Early bird & 4:20 specials daily 8am-9:30am and 4:20pm - 5:30pm (Sunday 10am- 11:30am)
2 Locations www.infinitewellness8.com
We believe in the infinite possibility of total wellness and in the infinite modalities to achieving this wellness within and without. We offer our patients a dignified environment with friendly compassionate staff here to facilitate the needs of our patients. It is one of our goals to help dispel the negative press, thoughts and attitudes toward utilizing marijuana as a multi-beneficial medicine. We have set a standard to provide quality medical marijuana and edibles in a wonderful variety while upholding the laws set forth by both state and local governments. We plan to participate in fund raisers and charity events to engage in the needs of our community. It is our intention to bring light and awareness to a fresh view of well being and peace.
66 August 2015
2 Locations www.thchealth.com
1917 Santa Fe Drive. Pueblo, Co 81006 www.leafonthemesa.com We at Leaf on The Mesa are a group of dedicated Cannabis professionals with over 15 years of collective experience in the Cannabis industry. We are a Medical and Recreational Dispensary where we aim to provide the best possible care for our patients and customers. We know there are many options for your Cannabis needs. We strive to provide the highest quality products, competitive prices, a knowledgeable staff, and a warm friendly environment.
LivWell
9 Locations www.livwellco.com Colorado’s Price Leader since 2009 LivWell dispensaries are your one-stop cannabis shop, offering a wide range of high quality concentrates, edibles, premium flower strains, glass and cannabis accessories.
Our mission is to provide outstanding cannabis to our customers at the most competitive price, with excellent service. We offer Colorado Cannabis at 9 front range locations; in Denver, Lakewood, Boulder, Garden City, and Colorado Springs. Please note: medical patients visiting our Broadway and Larimer locations must be aged 21+. All other medical locations are 18+. .
Original Cannabis Growers 2625 E St Vrain St Colorado Springs, CO 80909 www.OCGhome.com
Simply the best cannabis for less. We’re the first and oldest Center in our Platte Ave. neighborhood in Colorado Springs. Call for mature guidance for your personal needs from growers with over 15 years experience. We offer Happy Hour 4p.m. to 6p.m. Every day. Our friendly staff will be happy to assist you with all your medical cannabis needs.
ORGANIC THERAPY ESTD 2009
Preferred Organic
1569 South Colorado Boulevard Denver, CO 80222 www.preferredorganictherapy.com
Rocky Mountain Organic Medicine 511 Orchard Street Golden, CO 80401 www.rockymountainorganicmedicine.com
Preferred Organic Therapy & Wellness is a medical marijuana center that empowers quality-minded patients with a revolutionary approach for treating the mind and the body.
RMOM offers an extremely professional atmosphere, knowledgable staff and always top quality, organically grown medical cannabis. If you are ready for a better dispensary experience, come visit our facility at the base of the Rockies in Golden.
Together, the staff ensures that their patients are the most well-informed in the state of Colorado. They do this by combining patient-driven strain testing that breaks down the distinct properties of each strain, as well as its unique effects, with visual educational aids and enhanced strain titles. Their second-to-none selection of additional treatment products are made even more valuable given that they are combined with the ability to browse detailed information at a leisurely pace. Come see why Preferred Organic Therapy & Wellness patients are raving about them.
Meet John, the owner of Rocky Mountain Organic Medicine. The road that lead him to start RMOM was an unfortunate one. In February of 2009 John’s wife was diagnosed with colon cancer. She went through surgery followed by eight months of aggressive chemotherapy and radiation. As an alternative to the anti-nausea medication, she used cannabis to ease her discomfort. When John visited many of the dispensaries open at the time, he didn’t find one that he would feel comfortable sending his wife to by herself. They were all seedy in some form or another, and he knew there had to be a better way. In September 2009 he opened RMOM and brought a new level of professionalism to this industry.
Walking Raven
2001 S. Broadway Denver, CO www.mmjmenu.com/walkingraven NOW OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 21+, NO MEDICAL CARD REQUIRED. Walking Raven Retail and Medical Marijuana Center is one of the first dispensaries in Denver. Our mission is to provide high quality products and care at an affordable price. All prices are out the door and we have different tier levels of bud quality. We also offer a range of edibles, concentrates, and novelty items. We take pride in our organic and meticulous cultivation process; we do not cut any corners and give our cultivators access to the best nutrients and equipment for their hand trimmed buds. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is trained to assist you in finding a specific products for your desires. Walking Raven MMC is home to the Hong Kong Diesel, our top selling hybrid. Never settle, only shop PREMIUM QUALITY!
thcmag.com 67
E D G E W A T E R
www.NLCannabis.com January 1 2014, at 8 AM the first legal cannabis sale took place here at Northern Lights Cannabis Co, one of only 24 retail stores to open that day for recreational sales! The history made that day continues to resonate with every legal cannabis transaction, including yours. Shop with us and make history! 2045 Sheridan Blvd. Suite B Edgewater, CO 80214 303-274-6495 9:00am-9:00pm Daily
Our staff is friendly and our knowledgeable budtenders will guide you to the perfect product. No pre-packaged here. Your purchase comes from the jar you sampled. Our shop has provided the finest Medical Cannabis since March 2010. Today we provide that same quality Medical and Recreational Cannabis to adults 21 and over from around the world. Coco grown, our frosty genetics are provided by TGA Sub Cool Seeds, DNA Genetics, Paradise Seeds and other reputable producers. Stop by and discover “Where Your Buds Are”!
o G0 Outside!
Happy Mother’s Day! o
August 2015 May 20152015 August 686868 July 2015 60 March 2015
www.thecliniccolorado.com The Clinic is an award winning marijuana center with five 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 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 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
Cherry Pie GDP and F1 Durban cross that won 3rd Place Medical Sativa at the 2014 US Cannabis Cup Durban Poison A classic landrace sativa from Africa that is mouth watering and known for it’s soaring cerebral effects. Phishhead Kush This strong indica was named 2nd best strain of 2014 by famed cannabis connoisseur William Breathes. Jack Flash A classic strain that was recently awarded Connoisseurs’ Choice Adult Use Hybrid at the 2014 THC Championship.
Edibles
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 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, & Live Resin The Clinic carries the full line of concentrates, including Live Resin Batter, produced by our award winning marijuana infused products division, The Lab.
Awards
2014 High Times Cannabis Cup 1st Place US Cup Concentrate - 303 OG Nugrun Live Resin Budder 3rd Place Medical Sativa - Cherry Pie 2013 High Times Cannabis Cup 1st Place Sativa - Tangie 3rd Place Sativa - Stardawg Guava 3rd Place Hybrid - Ghost OG 2012 High Times Medical Cannabis Cup 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 2013 The 710 Cup 2nd Place Best Sativa Shatter - Tangie 1st Place Best Sativa Shatter Terps Tangie
The Hemp Connoisseur Championship 2012
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 Choice- Tangie The Hemp Connoisseur Championship 2014
1st Place - Concentrate - BHO Extracts - Live Resin Badder Kosher Kush Connoiseur’s Choice - Concentrate - BHO Extracts - Live Resin Badder Bubba Kush People’s Choice - Adult-Use Sativa - Cherry Pie Connoisseur’s Choice - Adult-Use Hybrid - Jack Flash
2015 High Times US Cannabis Cup 2nd Place Peoples Choice Concentrate - Kosher Kush Live Resin Batter 3rd Place Peoples Choice Flower - Bubba Kush
Sweet Grass Kitchen, Julie's Natural Edibles, Mountain High Suckers, The Growing Kitchen, Incredibles, Dixie Elixirs, Keef Cola and Cheeba Chews.
Seeds 58 February 2014
The Clinic offers the full line of cannabis seeds from The Bank Cannabis Genetics (formerly Reserva Privada Colorado), including the recently released Phishhead Kush series.
thcmag.com 69
70 August 2015
thcmag.com 59
thcmag.com 71
72 August 2015
DIRECTORY DISPENSERIES: BOULDER
LivWell Boulder Medical Only 3000 Folsom St Boulder, CO 80304 720-389-4920 livwell.com
COLORADO SPRINGS Canna Caregivers Medical Only 3220 No. Academy Blvd., Ste #4 Colorado Springs, CO 719-597-6685 Canna Caregivers - West Medical Only 1914 W. Uintah St Colorado Springs, CO 80904 (719) 637-0420 The Canna Center Medical Only 2306 N. Powers Blvd., #100 Colorado Springs, CO 719-597-9333 Healing Canna 3692 E Bijou Street Colorado Springs, CO 80909 719-637-7645 www.healingcanna.com LivWell on Murray Medical Only 570 N Murray CO Springs, CO 80915 719-574-8443 livwell.com LivWell on Nevada Medical Only 3234 N Nevada Ave CO Springs, CO 80907 719-622-6652 livwell.com LivWell on Tejon Medical Only 1414 S Tejon St CO Springs, CO 80905 719-634-0420 livwell.com The Organic Seed Medical Only 2304 E Platte Colorado Springs, CO. 80909 719-465-1845 coloradospringsmmj.com Original Cannabis Growers Medical Only 2625 E Saint Vrain St Ste A Colorado Springs, CO 80909 路 719-475-9333 www.ocghome.com
DENVER - CENTRAL Advanced Medical Alternatives Medical & Adult Use 21+ 1269 Elati Street Denver, CO 80204 303-993-4547 www.amadispensary.com The Clinic Capitol Hill Medical & Adult Use 21+ 745 E. 6th Ave. Denver, CO 80203 720-536-5229 www.thecliniccolorado.com The Health Center Medical & Adult Use 21+ 1736 Downing St. Denver, CO 80218 303-622-3787 thchealth.com LivWell on Larimer Medical & Adult Use 21+ 2863 Larimer St Denver, CO 80205 303-484-1662 livwell.com URBA @ MMD of Colorado Medical & Adult Use 21+ 2609 Walnut Street Denver, CO 80205 720-328-2227 www.mmdofcolorado.com
DENVER - EAST The Clinic on Colfax Medical Only 4625 E. Colfax Ave. Denver, CO 80220 303-333-3644 www.thecliniccolorado.com
DENVER - HIGHLANDS The Clinic Highlands Medical & Adult Use 21+ 3460 W. 32nd Ave. Denver, CO 80211 303-997-7130 www.thecliniccolorado.com The Giving Tree of Denver Medical & Adult Use 21+ 2707 W. 38th Ave. Denver, CO 80211 303-477-8888 www.tgtree.com URBA @ MMD of Colorado Medical & Adult Use 21+ 2647 W. 38th Ave. Denver, CO 80211 720-389-7911 www.mmdofcolorado.com
DENVER - SOUTH The Clinic Colorado Medical & Adult Use 21+ 3888 E. Mexico Ave Denver, CO 80210 303.758.9114 www.thecliniccolorado.com
The Health Center Medical & Adult Use 21+ 2777 S. Colorado Blvd Denver, CO 80222 303-622-3787 thchealth.com LivWell on Broadway Medical & Adult Use 21+ 432 S Broadway Denver, CO 80209 720-428-2550 livwell.com Preferred Organic Therapy Medical & Adult Use 21+ 1569 S Colorado Blvd Denver, CO 80222 303-867-4768 preferredorganictherapy.com Walking Raven Adult Use 21+ 2001 S Broadway Denver, CO 80210 (720) 327-5613 thewalkingraven.com
DENVER - WEST LivWell on Evans Medical & Adult Use 21+ 2193 W Evans Ave Denver, CO 80223 720-361-2981 livwell.com
EDGEWATER Northern Lights Cannabis Co. Medical & Adult Use 21+ 2045 Sheridan Blvd. Edgewater, CO 80214 303-274-6495 www.nlcannabis.com
FORT COLLINS Infinite Wellness Medical & Adult Use 21+ 900 N College Ave. Ft. Collins, CO 80524 (970) 484-8380 infinitewellness8.com
GARDEN CITY LivWell Garden City Medical & Adult Use 21+ 2647 8th Ave Garden City, CO 80631 970-616-6007 livwell.com
GOLDEN Rocky Mtn. Organic Medicine Medical Only 511 Orchard Street Golden, CO 80401 720-230-9111 rockymountainorganicmedicine.com
LAKEWOOD The Clinic on Jewell Medical Only 12018 W Jewell Ave Lakewood, CO 80228 303-997-9171 www.thecliniccolorado.com The Clinic on Wadsworth Medical Only 3600 S Wadsworth Blvd. Lakewood, CO 80235 303-484-8853 www.thecliniccolorado.com Compassionate Pain Management Medical Only 11950 West Colfax Lakewood CO, 80215 303-232-3620 compassionatepm.com Infinite Wellness Medical & Adult Use 21+ 1701 Kipling St. #104 Lakewood, CO 80215 720-458-0277 infinitewellness8.com LivWell Lakewood Medical Only 5660 W Alameda Ave Lakewood, CO 80226 303-922-9479 livwell.com
LOUISVILLE Compassionate Pain Management Medical & Adult Use 21+ 1116-7 W. Dillon Rd. Louisville CO, 80027 303-665-5596 compassionatepm.com
NORTHGLENN Botanacare Medical & Adult Use 21+ 11450 Cherokee St. Unit a7 Northglenn CO 80234 303-254-4200 www.botanacare.com
PUEBLO Leaf on the Mesa Medical & Adult Use 21+ 1917 Santa Fe Drive. Pueblo, Co 81006 719-544-5323 www.leafonthemesa.com
OTHER: EVENTS
BIG Insustry Show bigindustryshow.com
GLASS BLOWING Glasscraft Glasscraftinc.com
thcmag.com 73
THANK YOU TO OUR ADVERTISERS
66 AMA, Advanced Medical Alternatives 63 Best Buds 04 BIG Industry Show 31 Bhang Chocolate 57 Cannabis Network Radio 47 CannaQual 16 Canyon Cultivation 07,69 The Clinic 71 Cloud Chamber 21 Dr. J’s 13 Edipure 14,75 General Cannabis 66 The Giving Tree of Denver 71 Healing Canna 17,66 The Health Center 51 Healthy Choices Unlimited 12 The Hemp Connoisseur Championship 15 Incredibles 33 Indica Vape 25,66 Infinite Wellness 14 Iron Protection Group 27 Julie’s Natural Edibles 09,66 Leaf on the Mesa 64 Leafbuyer.com 11,67 LivWell 30 Mary’s Medicinals 30 Medeval Clinic 15 Medically Correct 19 Mountain High Suckers 53 National Cannabis Summit 75 Next Big Crop Consulting 68,76 Northern Lights Cannabis Co. 09,67 Original Cannabis Growers 37,67 Preferred Organic Therapy 05,67 Rocky Mountain Organic Medicine 51 Smoke Studios 10 Sustainablity Fair 03 The Trimmer Store 02,67 Walking Raven
74 August 2015
INDUSTRY GROUPS
Medically Correct medicallycorrect.com
Cannabis Business Alliance cannabisalliance.org
Mountain High Suckers mountainhighsuckers.com
Cannabis Consumers Coalition cannabisconsumer.org
MMJ EVALUATION
Colorado NORML www.coloradonorml.org NCIA www.thecannabisindustry.org Marijuana Policy Project www.mpp.org consumeresponsibly.org
INDUSTRY SERVICES 7 Leaf Marketing 7leafmarketing.com Best Buds bestbudsapp.com Cannabase cannabase.io Cannabis Camera www.cannabiscamera.com Cannabis Network Radio www.cannetradio.com Colorado Pot Guide coloradopotguide.com General Cannabis generalcann.com iCannabis Radio www.icannabisradio.com Iron Protection Group ironprotectiongroupsecurity.com Leafbuyer Leafbuyer.com Next Big Crop Consulting nextbigcrop.com
INFUSED PRODUCTS Bhang Chocolate www.bhangchocolate.com Canna Creations 720-483-8228 Canyon Cultivation canyoncultivation.com Dixie Elixirs www.dixieelixirs.com Dr. J’s www.drjsllc.com
Amerimed 2257 S Broadway Denver, CO 720-532-4744 www.amerimed.com CannaQual 6795 E. Tennessee Ave., Ste #175 Denver, Colorado 80224 303-690-4882 www.cannaqual.com Medeval Clinic 6650 S Vine St, Ste L50 Centennial, CO 80121 720-744-2010 www.medevalclinic.com Relaxed Clarity - Broomfield 1006 Depot Hill Rd. Suite 100 Broomfield, CO 80020 970-412-5955 www.relaxedclarity.com Relaxed Clarity - CO Springs 3133 North El Paso Street Colorado Springs CO 80907 719-645-5955 www.relaxedclarity.com Relaxed Clarity - Pueblo 503 Avocado Street Pueblo, CO 81005 719-354-5445 www.relaxedclarity.com
SMOKING ACCESSORIES Indica Vape www.indica2.com PURR purrsmoking.com Scientific Inhalations sipipes.com SI Pipes sipipes.com
TOURISM Premier Adventures premieradventures.net Cultivating Spirits cultivatingspirits.com High Country Cannabis Tours highcountrycannabistours.com
Edipure edipure.com
TRIMMING SERVICES
Incredibles incrediblescolorado.com
The Trimmer Store 800-429-6034 thetrimmerstore.com
Julie’s Natural Edibles juliesnaturaledibles.com Mahatma mahatmaconcentrates.com
thcmag.com 75
he Third Dimension Jack’s Cleaner II T.H. Seeds DNA Genetics Medicine Man Banana Kush Mr. Nice Apollo 13 Northern Lights Cannabis y Bean Kaboom Jack the Ripper Ace of Spades Blue Mystic Cannatonic Cheese Quake Northern Lights X Chernobyl Querkle Apollo h Agent Orange Sour Diesel Bubble Gum Dairy Queen Dacono Kush Deep Purple Qrazy Train Northern Lights 5 Kandy Kush Grape A Jack’s Cleaner Sheridan II Holy Grail Kush Kosher Kush nana Kush2045 Medicine Man Marley’s Collie Nebula Ripped Bubba Skywalker Kush Vortex Blvd 303-274-6495 Third Dimension Space Bomb Sweet Tooth Timewreck DNA Genetics Sensi Seeds T.H. Seeds Mr. Nice TGA Subcool Northern Lights Cannabis y Bean Kaboom Jack the Ripper Ace of NLCannabis.com Spades Blue Mystic Cannatonic Cheese Quake Northern Lights X Chernobyl Querkle Apollo h Agent Orange Sour Diesel Bubble Gum Dairy Queen Dacono Kush Deep Purple Qrazy Train Northern Lights 5 Kandy Kush Grape A nana Kush Jack’s Cleaner II Holy Grail Kush Kosher Kush Medicine Man Marley’s Collie Nebula Ripped Bubba Skywalker Kush Vorte Third Dimension Space Bomb Sweet Tooth Timewreck DNA Genetics Sensi Seeds T.H. Seeds Mr. Nice TGA Subcool Northern Lights Cannabis y Bean Kaboom Jack the Ripper Ace of Spades Blue Mystic Cannatonic Cheese Quake Northern Lights X Chernobyl Querkle Apollo h Agent Orange Sour Diesel Bubble Gum Dairy Queen Dacono Kush Deep Purple Qrazy Train Northern Lights 5 Kandy Kush Grape A nana Kush Jack’s Cleaner II Holy Grail Kush Kosher Kush Medicine Man Marley’s Collie Nebula Ripped Bubba Skywalker Kush Vortex Third Dimension Space Bomb Sweet Tooth Timewreck DNA Genetics Sensi Seeds T.H. Seeds Mr. Nice TGA Subcool Northern Lights Cannabis y Bean Kaboom Jack the Ripper Ace of Spades Blue Mystic Cannatonic Cheese Quake Northern Lights X Chernobyl Querkle Apollo h Agent Orange Sour Diesel Bubble Gum Dairy Queen Dacono Kush Deep Purple Qrazy Train Northern Lights 5 Kandy Kush Grape A nana Kush Jack’s Cleaner II Holy Grail Kush Kosher Kush Medicine Man Marley’s Collie Nebula Ripped Bubba Skywalker Kush Vorte Third Dimension Space Bomb Sweet Tooth Timewreck DNA Genetics Sensi Seeds T.H. Seeds Mr. Nice TGA Subcool Northern Lights Cannabis ly Bean Kaboom Jack the Ripper Ace of Spades Blue Mystic Cannatonic Cheese Quake Northern Lights X Chernobyl Querkle Apollo sh Agent Orange Sour Diesel Bubble Gum Dairy Queen Dacono Kush Deep Purple Qrazy Train Northern Lights 5 Kandy Kush Grape A anana Kush Jack’s Cleaner II Holy Grail Kush Kosher Kush Medicine Man Marley’s Collie Nebula Ripped Bubba Skywalker Kush Vorte e Third Dimension Space Bomb Sweet Tooth Timewreck DNA Genetics Sensi Seeds T.H. Seeds Mr. Nice TGA Subcool Northern Lights Cannab y Bean Kaboom Jack the Ripper Ace of Spades Blue Mystic Cannatonic Cheese Quake Northern Lights X Chernobyl Querkle Apollo h Agent Orange Sour Diesel Bubble Gum Dairy Queen Dacono Kush Deep Purple Qrazy Train Northern Lights 5 Kandy Kush Grape A nana Kush Jack’s Cleaner II Holy Grail Kush Kosher Kush Medicine Man Marley’s Collie Nebula Ripped Bubba Skywalker Kush Vortex Third Dimension Space Bomb Sweet Tooth Timewreck DNA Genetics Sensi Seeds T.H. Seeds Mr. Nice TGA Subcool Northern Lights Cannabi Bean Kaboom Jack the Ripper Ace of Spades Blue Mystic Cannatonic Cheese Quake Northern Lights X Chernobyl Querkle Apollo 1 h Agent Orange Sour Diesel Bubble Gum Dairy Queen Dacono Kush Deep Purple Qrazy Train Northern Lights 5 Kandy Kush Grape Ap ana Kush Jack’s Cleaner II Holy Grail Kush Kosher Kush Medicine Man Marley’s Collie Nebula Ripped Bubba Skywalker Kush Vortex Third Dimension Space Bomb Sweet Tooth Timewreck DNA Genetics Sensi Seeds T.H. Seeds Mr. Nice TGA Subcool Northern Lights Cannabis ly Bean Kaboom Jack the Ripper Ace of Spades Blue Mystic Cannatonic Cheese Quake Northern Lights X Chernobyl Querkle Apollo sh Agent Orange Sour Diesel Bubble Gum Dairy Queen Dacono Kush Deep Purple Qrazy Train Northern Lights 5 Kandy Kush Grape A Skywalker Kush Vorte Ripped Bubba Jack’s Cleaner II Holy Grail Kush Kosher Only Shop Kush MedicineMom nana KushEdgewater’s Man Marley’sand Collie NebulaPop e Third Dimension Space Bomb Sweet Tooth Timewreck DNA Genetics Sensi Seeds T.H. Seeds Mr. Nice TGA Subcool Northern Lights Cannab y Bean Kaboom Jack the Ripper Ace of Spades Blue Mystic Cannatonic Cheese Quake Northern Lights X Chernobyl Querkle Apollo h Agent Orange Sour Diesel Bubble Gum Dairy Queen Dacono Kush Deep Purple Qrazy Train Northern Lights 5 Kandy Kush Grape A nana Kush Jack’s Cleaner II Holy Grail Kush Kosher Kush Medicine Man Marley’s Collie Nebula Ripped Bubba Skywalker Kush Vortex Third Dimension Space Bomb Sweet Tooth Timewreck DNA Genetics Sensi Seeds T.H. Seeds Mr. Nice TGA Subcool Northern Lights Cannabi ly Bean Kaboom Jack the Ripper Ace of Spades Blue Mystic Cannatonic Cheese Quake Northern Lights X Chernobyl Querkle Apollo sh Agent Orange Sour Diesel Bubble Gum Dairy Queen Dacono Kush Deep Purple Qrazy Train Northern Lights 5 Kandy Kush Grape A Cannatonic Ripped Bubba Skywalker Kush Vorte Kush Kosher Kush Medicine Skywalker nana Kush Jack’s Cleaner II Holy GrailKaboom! ManKush Marley’s Collie Nebula e Third Dimension Space Bomb Sweet Tooth Timewreck DNA Genetics Sensi Seeds T.H. Seeds Mr. Nice TGA Subcool Northern Lights Cannab Medical 21+ y Bean Kaboom Jack the Ripper Ace of Spades Blue Mystic Cheese Quake Northern Lights X Chernobyl Querkle Apollo Cannatonic Recreational h Agent Orange Sour Diesel Bubble Gum Dairy Queen Dacono Kush Deep Purple Qrazy Train Northern Lights 5 Kandy Kush Grape A 76 August 2015Cleaner II Holy Grail Kush Kosher Kush Medicine Man Marley’s Collie Nebula Ripped Bubba Skywalker Kush Vortex Jack’s nana Kush