NOVEMBER 2015
COUPONS INSIDE
COLORADO’S PREMIER GUIDE TO CANNABIS
Endless War:
The struggle continues for those with PTSD *This magazine is intended for individuals over 21 years of age.
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2 November 2015
DON’T BE THIS GUY! 955 E 58TH AVE. UNIT B • DENVER, CO 80216 • 303-362-1873 THETRIMMERSTORE.COM • INFO@THETRIMMERSTORE.COM
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4 November 2015
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A LETTER TO OUR READERS
“To succeed in life in today’s world, you must have the will and tenacity to finish the job.” - Chin-Ning Chu
I’m a big football fan. One of the strategies I have always hated in football is the prevent defense. For those of you who don’t know what I am talking about, the prevent defense is a scheme that can be used when your team is ahead. What you do is you give the opposing offense a little cushion. You do this to keep the offense from making a big play at the same time that you try to keep them from going out of bounds to stop the clock. While this strategy can be effective, it can also come back and bite you in the ass. You may be intending to only give up a short yardage play but anything can happen on the field and something can go wrong. Many fourth quarter comebacks have happened because the leading team sat back and played prevent. In the last few years we have legalized the most useful plant on the planet in more than one state. The progress we are making in cannabis legalization is growing exponentially. Based on the most recent Gallup poll, 58 percent of Americans are now in favor of legalization. The truth is setting cannabis free. We are in the lead, but it feels a little like we are beginning to sit back and just play prevent. It is at times like these that it can be easy to take our eye off the prize. It is easy to say that because it is legal here there is nothing else we need to do. Meanwhile, the powers that be seem to be chipping away at our medical program instead of finding ways to improve upon it. It seems that now that the money in recreational has started flooding into the state they seem less and less inclined to continue a robust medical cannabis program. And part of me feels like the industry is begrudgingly letting it happen. Are we going to sit back and let people with no knowledge or love for the plant continue to decide how it should be treated? We as citizens of this country now have the consensus to force the hand of our government and end the drug war in the manner in which we want it. We just have to keep the pedal to the metal so to speak. It feels sometimes like we have been taking our collective foot off the gas. Industry professionals are constantly distracted by evolving regulations and expansions and many of our beloved activists are trying to find their place in the private sector because, let’s be honest, it is time for them to get paid. In the meantime there are unfair regulations being thrust on edible manufacturers. They are trying to make it as unsavory as possible to be a doctor who recommends cannabis as a medicine and PTSD is still not considered a medical condition that can be treated with cannabis in Colorado. I think the big question is no longer if, but when and how will federal legalization look? It is states like Colorado, Washington and Oregon that are being looked at as potential models for federal legalization. With all eyes upon us let us show them how to do it right. Let’s show them that we won’t be satisfied with “lip service legalization.” Let’s show them that we will finish strong.
Publishers Christianna Brown David Maddalena Editor-in-Chief David Maddalena Art Director Christianna Brown Managing 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 Brett Frizzell Contributing Writers Hazy Cakes Becca Chavez Dr. Nicola Davies Samuel Farley Caroline Hayes Erin Hiatt Monocle Man DJ Reetz Contributing Photographers Christianna Brown Samuel Farley Kale Worden Cover 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 November 2015
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In This Issue
CONTENTS November 2015
06 14 18 24 28 30 32
A Letter to Our Readers The Green Scene Holiday Gift Guide Featured Artist Tasty Meds Featured Strains Hemp Eats
8 November 2015
34 36 38 40 42 48 52
Cannabis News 2015 NCIA Summit Designing Cannabis Raw Cannabis Juicing Matt Kahl Fighting for PTSD The Specter of Spice Cannabis and Pregnancy
56 3D Printing Hemp 58 Pot-litically Incorrect 65 Dispensary Guide 71 Coupons 73 Index
Dispensary Guide DENVER 69 The Clinic 66 The Health Center 67 Infinite Wellness 67 LivWell 68 Northern Lights Cannabis Company 67 Preferred Organic Therapy 67 Rocky Mountain Organic Medicine 67 Walking Raven
COLORADO SPRINGS
66 Canna Caregivers 67 LivWell 67 Original Cannabis Growers
NORTHERN COLORADO 66 Infinite Wellness 67 LivWell
BOULDER 67 LivWell
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10 November 2015
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12 November 2015
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The GREEN Scene
E V E N T S
November 7th - 8th 2nd Annual Colorado Industrial Hemp Awards & Festival @ GrowHempColorado Boulder, CO growhempcolorado.com November 14th 2ND ANNUAL Chromic Con: The World’s First Marijuana Comic/Fantasy Convention (PRIVATE EVENT) @ Speak Easy Vape Lounge and Cannabis Club 2508 E Bijou St Colorado Springs, CO sites.google.com/site/chromiccon November 18th CanopyBoulder Demo Day @ ETown 1535 Spruce St Boulder, CO 80302 www.canopyboulder.com November 29th Happy Holidaze Tour Devin the Dude @ Speak Easy Vape Lounge 2508 East Bijou Street Colorado Springs, CO 80909 www.speakeasycannabisclub.com December 10th Cannabis Business Awards 2015 @ Casselman’s Bar & Venue 2620 Walnut St Denver, CO 80205 cannabisbusinessawards.com January 27th-28th Cannabis Career Fair @ Green Labs 1250 31st St Denver, CO 80205 www.gradujuana.com January 30th - 31st Indo Expo Trade Show @ Denver Mart 451 East 58th Avenue Denver, CO indoexpoco.com
14 November 2015
Good Reads
Kick It Up A Notch With Herb
by Caroline Hayes
This beautiful cannabis cookbook will be the new go-to for not only cannabis recipes but weeknight dinners as well. There are 200+ pages of mouthwatering recipes including party pleasing classics such as a super cheesy queso sauce, three different stuffed mushroom recipes and special occasion recipes such as spaghetti with arugula pesto. “Herb” covers all the categories – sauces, sandwiches, salads, entrées, deserts and drinks. “Herb” starts with a simple guide on why cooking with cannabis is beneficial, as well as how to make the cannaoil and cannabutter used in the recipes so that the cook is properly prepared. As a fellow foodie and someone who is obsessed with reading recipes, I really enjoyed exploring this book. “Herb” features recipes to meet a wide range of skillset and even gives the difficulty of each recipe, to help avoid getting in over your head. Something I happily discovered about the recipes is that they can be made without medicating by subbing out the cannaoil or butter and using regular, uninfused products, making this the perfect cookbook for everyday culinary creations. Because admit it, every meal can’t be medicated — or can it? Just a few of the exciting recipes featured are Chicken Wings Five Ways (Tuscan-Style, Thai-Style, etc.), Vietnamese Banh Mi, Philly Cheesesteak, Avocado Crab Pasta and various yummy pizza ideas. The chef authors, Laurie Wolf and Melissa Parks, are two women who are centralized in Denver, with impressive schooling backgrounds. Laurie
attended the Culinary Institute of America, has worked as a chef and is a regular contributor for The Denver Post. Melissa attended Le Cordon Bleu as well as Johnson and Wales University. She has also worked for General Mills, as well as co-managing several Colorado bakeries. Bruce Wolf, an award-winning photographer who has worked for Vogue, Martha Stewart Living and more, has truly captured the beauty of the dishes with his photographs. Who knew that cooking with cannabis could reach the culinary levels of cioppino or stuffed sole? “Herb” allows the patient to get really creative in the kitchen and cook to specific dietary needs. There are recipes in this book for everyone. This would be a wonderful holiday gift for the cannabis connoisseur and cook in your life. Go to www.thestonersstore.com to purchase and learn more.
Tomahawk Rib Eye Makes 2 servings, Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients: 1 (18-ounce) bone-in cowboy-cut rib eye, at room temperature 2 tablespoons canola oil Kosher salt and coarsely ground fresh black pepper 2 teaspoons Garlic-Herb Cannabutter (page 31) or another compound butter of your choice Procedure: 1. Put a 12-inch cast-iron skillet in the oven and preheat the oven to 500°F. 2. Rub the steak with the oil and season
it liberally with salt and pepper. 3. Wearing an oven mitt, carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven and put it on the stove over high heat. Put the steak in the pan and sear it for 1 minute, then turn it sand sear on the other side for 1 minute. Flip the steak and carefully return the pan to the oven. 4. Cook the steak for 3 minutes, flip it, and cook for an additional 3 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer reads 140°F. Remove it from the oven, let it rest and tent it with aluminum foil for 10 minutes. 5. Slice meat off the bone and cut into thick slices. Top with cannabutter.
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The Indo Expo Trade Show “The Premiere Cannabis B2B” Denver, Colorado JAN. 30th Industry Only
CULTIVATION PUBLIC JOB FAIR
JAN. 31st Industry & Public
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Where Green is the New Gold Buyers, Retailers & Industry Badge Holders - Complimentary Admission For Vendor & Sponsorship Opportunities Contact: 720.403.4960 / indoexpo@indoexpoco.com
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16 November 2015
Denver Mart • 451 East 58th Avenue • Denver, Colorado
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LivWell Lakewood MEDICAL
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5660 W Alameda Ave Lakewood, CO 80226 8:00 a.m. – 6:50 p.m 303-922-9479
LivWell Garden City REC / MEDICAL
LivWell on Tejon MEDICAL
2647 8th Ave Garden City, CO 80631 8:00 a.m. – 7:50 p.m.* 970-616-6007
1414 S Tejon St CO Springs, CO 80905 8:00 a.m. – 6:50 p.m 719-634-0420
LivWell on Murray MEDICAL
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570 N Murray CO Springs, CO 80915 8:00 a.m. – 6:50 p.m 719-574-8443
2863 Larimer St. Denver, CO 80205 8:00 a.m. – 6:50 p.m. 303-484-1662
432 S Broadway Denver, CO 80209 8:00 a.m. – 6:50 p.m. 720-428-2550
2193 W Evans Ave. Denver, CO 80223 8:00 a.m. – 6:50 p.m. 720-361-2981
* Medical hours 8:00 a.m. - 6:50 p.m. daily. Medical locations for registered Colorado medical patients only.
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In the Spotlight Products We Love
18 November 2015
Gifts Under $20 Mini Indica Pot Leaf Earrings These adorable pair of Mini Indica Pot Leaf Earrings come in faux silver and Onyx. They would make a perfect stocking stuffer for the wonderful cannabis loving woman in your life. The studs are roughly 1/8 inch big and are the perfect size for an understated first hole earring. For those with multiple ear piercings they are small enough to be complimentary as a secondary hole choice. She will love these little cuties and wear them everyday! Get them from Miss Mary Jane Co at mmjco.com.
$14
$8
Performance All Terrain Hemp Socks
Everyone loves receiving a nice warm pair of socks for the holidays. Why not give hemp socks this year? These socks are thick and durable. They come in black and natural colors and are available in unisex sizes S/M and L/ XL. They feel like performance athletic socks that would rival any well known sport or outdoor brand. Check out these socks and many other great products hemp at www. hemptopia.com.
FlicWic
$15
THC Mag has featured a couple types of hemp wick over the years but this has got to be the most genious way to dispense it that we have come across. FlicWic is a handy lighter, hemp wick combo. The hemp wick is stored in the base and the top of this device houses a Mini Bic lighter. The coiled I-Tal Hemp Wick feeds through from the base of the lighter through a metal tube that places the wick directly over the flame of the lighter. The wick is easily moved up and down with a small roller. When the wick is lit you can pull it back into the metal tube to snuff it out. FlicWic takes out the pain-in-the-ass factor of usung hemp wick. No more inhaling butane either. Perfect stocking stuffer! Available at www.flicwic.com.
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Gifts Under $50
$25
Dabit Card
V Syndicate has been putting out quality grinder cards for years. For us they have become somewhat of a collectors item, like functional trading cards. They recently introduced the Dabit Card, credit card sized dabbing toolkit. It is available with a variety of different and unique artwork printed on the front of the card. Each card comes with four different dab tools that are attached to the back of the card with magnetic points so you won’t lose them and a small grinder area on the top of the card. It also comes with a silicon case that fits snuggly over the back of the card to protect the tool side. Get yours at v-syndicate.com.
T-Shirts by Chiefton Supply Company
$25
Is there anyone on your list that is an avid T-shirt wearer? Chiefton Supply Company has got what you need. These super soft T-shirts come in a wide variety of bitchin designs and are made with cotton/polyester blend fabric. They carry men’s and women’s styles. All shirts are tagless, and did I mention extremely soft. The designs wash well and did not fade on us in the laundry. Durable and stylish, they have something for everyone. Get one for your boo at www.chieftonsupply.com.
$30
Boulder Insulated Water Bottle 24 Oz
Eco Vessel is a Boulder, Colo based company that is producing top quality insulated bottles. The Boulder bottle employs TriMax Triple Insulation Technology and keeps liquids cold for 36 hours, and hot up to eight hours. Other great features include, no BPA, no phthalates, no liners, premium stainless steel construction, a dual use leak proof top with a wide opening for easy filling, secondary smaller opening for easy drinking, removable ice, fruit, tea strainer, it never sweats, and it‘s made with all recyclable materials. This bottle is awesome! Check them out at www.ecovessel.com. ice, fruit, tea strainer
20 November 2015
Pammy Beanie by prAna
$40
Warm-weather gear is a great way to pamper your loved one this holiday season. PrAna is a solid company to support and can be found in various locations around the Denver area. The Pammy Beanie is made up of recycled polyester and fabulous hemp, making this hat extremely soft and warm, yet not itchy on the forehead. The pom on this relaxed fit hat is cute and playful and it comes in winter white and gray, which will pair well with anyone’s winter gear. To buy got to: www.prana.com.
$40
THC Leggings
Why put your girlfriend’s legs in denim prisons when you can keep her comfy in leggings, all while helping her represent her favorite cannabis magazine. These leggings, designed by The Hemp Connoisseur and made by Society 6, are extremely cozy, breathable, thick and totally acceptable to wear as pants. It’s also important to note that they are very well made. Once you go leggings you never go back. Check out society6.com/ thehempconnoisseur/leggings to shop all the cute THC Mag inspired prints and order for that special girl.
Sore Muscle Hemp Salve Maximum Strength
$40
Nature’s Root is a force to be reckoned with in the Colorado hemp industry. The THC staff has tried a few of their products and every single one is terrific. This salve is such a welcome relief to muscle and joint soreness after a hard day. Nature’s Root uses minimal, mostly organic ingredients in their products. After rubbing in a small amount of this salve, and a little goes a long way, the therapeutic effects begin almost immediatly. A warm, tingley, soothing feeling takes hold and helps to melt away the pain. They offer the pain salve in original and maximum strength. This would be a nice gift for that hard worker on your list this year. Find the salve and other great hemp products at www.naturesroot. com.
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Gifts Under $50
$40
Snap Back Hemp Hats
Chiefton Supply Company is not just great at making cool T-shirts, they also have some pretty awesome hats. These snap backs come in three unique designs. They are all made with hemp fabric uppers with varying fabric on the bills. Each design is expertly embroidered on the front. The Leaf Flag design has small cannabis leaves embroidered all over the upper, a faux suede bill, and the interior has a sublimation liner. They are so well made! These hats would be a great addition to any collection. Find them at www.chieftonsupply.com.
Gifts Under $100 Atlas Vape Pen by Vuber
$70
The Vuber Atlas is a vape pen designed for wax and oil concentrates. It is a discreet and sleek vaporizer armed with a 900 mAh solid state battery and a dual-titanium coil heating element wrapped around a ceramic core. This heating element ensures you are getting the best flavor possible and even temperature distribution to help you get the most from your concentrates. It’s available in a few different colors. The Atlas is a hard hitter that delivers on its promises. Get it at vubervaporizers.com.
$95
Cannabis Infused Massage
Jordan Person, owner of Primal Therapeutics, offers a unique massage experience that combines two forms of medicines: massage and cannabis. Jordan treats her clients to a cannabis oil infused massage, leaving him or her stress and pain free for days. As a former nurse, Jordan really knows the body well, so rest assured when you are in her care as she massages your stresses away with techniques like Lomi Lomi. She is offering 20% off all of her services during this holiday season for anyone who mentions THC Mag. Visit www.primaltherapeutics.com to see what kind of services are offered.
22 November 2015
Gifts Over $100 420 Toolbox
$100
The 420 Toolbox is a hefty solution to your cannabis related storage needs. The THC Mag staff loves this toolbox. It is fully equiped with pull and pluck foam inserts for all three levels. This allows you to completely custmize the storage interior to fit your needs. Need to store a bunch of concentrates and a resonably sized rig? No problem. Need to stash your pipe collection and all of your cannabis jars? Can do. So versatile and functional it will blow you away. The 420 Toolbox also comes with a exterior lock to keep people out of your precious collection. Purchase at 420toolbox.com.
$197
Panzer Vape by Saber Vape
The Panzer Vape was a big hit with the THC staff. This thing not only looks cool but it is so sturdy and solid, it feels good to hold it in your hands. There are several key features that set this vape apart, a 70 watt battery, a one gram concentrate chamber, a rebuildable atomizer, a power button lock and a lifetime warranty. The battery is designed to last for seven to ten years. In a world filled with disposable vapes, we are impressed with one that was made to last. If quality is your thing and you or your bestie are living the connoisseur life, pick up a Saber Vape at www.sabervape.com.
Cloud Chamber Vaporizer
$240
This is a staff favorite for so many reasons. The Cloud Chamber doesn’t only look cool but it works like a champ and is really fun to use. This gift is perfect for that person who need or wants to take their vaping to a new level. The Cloud Chamber provides a true vape at just below 420°F. This device has the wonderful option of vaping both flower and concentrates and has three hooka hose inputs, making this perfect vaporizer for social smoking. Every member of our staff loves this product. Get one for yourself so you can see why. To buy visit www.cloudchambervapes.com.
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Featured Artist by Caroline Hayes
Someday K Kevin Weinreich “Boba Fett”
“Just Hold On We’re Going Home”
24 November 2015
B
eing in the right place at the right time can bring you many things: money, fame, meeting the “right person” but for me that meant going to brunch at my favorite local spot in Lakewood where I discovered Kevin Weinreich, a.k.a Someday K’s artwork. As soon as I entered The French Press I noticed that the artwork on the walls had changed, I also noticed that I really liked what I saw. I jotted down his information, sent him an email asking him to be in the November issue of THC Mag, and here we are. Someday K is a Colorado artist whose work is exploding with deep meaning and whimsical imagery. The expansive use of color is very attractive. Discovering a new artist is just so exciting. I hope THC’s dedicated readers enjoy this artwork as much as I have been. THC: Where do you live and work from? SK: I am originally from Fort Collins but I have been living in the Denver area for the past 11 years. I bought a house in Lakewood, which is now my home/office/studio and place where I dream and make food. I have a six-color screen printer, a 44-inch plotter printer, a garage woodshop where I make frames and stretch prints, and a few rooms for painting and computer work. It’s a nice set up. THC: What’s your artist background? SK: I have been drawing since forever but really haven’t been painting and selling art [un]til about five years ago. I have always loved art but it wasn’t [un]til I discovered graffiti art did I really discovered freedom in style, colors, linework, and imagery. I love Hip Hop too. I also have a degree in graphic design from the Art Institute of Colorado. I was a graphic designer for six years right out of school and art director for the same company for two years. As of August 10, 2015 I became a self-employed artist and I am loving it. THC: Tell us about the techniques you use to create your works. “Luck”
SK: I love linework. Black, clean linework. It’s my true zen. Throw some solid mellowdies on and I can draw for days. When painting I usually make a mess and throw down the prettiest colors I can, [and] just get funky with it. Then I clean it all up and finish it off with black linework using an ultra fine Sharpie felt tip on watercolors, or rock an oil based Sharpie when doing canvas work. Sharpies all day. I also do a lot of digital painting in which I have a black and white ink drawings in my sketchbooks and bring them to life using Photoshop and Illustrator to make color and texture magic happen. THC: I see that you retire prints after you make so many. How many prints do you usually make before you retire them and what’s your theory behind that? SK: I retire prints to add value and to show appreciation of people that support my art. I don’t number my prints but they are all signed and titled on the back so they are official and certified. When retiring prints it just adds an exclusivity factor that I think art [and] print collectors can appreciate. Once again it adds value. I appreciate all of my supporters with all my heart and want them to know their investment when buying my art is exactly that - an investment. I have no plans of slowing down, only getting stronger - so invest! THC: Who are some of the artists that inspire you? SK: I don’t follow a lot of visual artists. I try not to view others work because I don’t want to steal ideas subconsciously nor have my vision tainted. The ones I do follow are classics: MC Escher, Salvador Dali, Dr. Seuss, and modern street artists: Aryz, Sainer and Bezt along with Alex Pardee, Jeremy Fish and Travis Parr (Icelantic skis). The artists that really inspire me are musical. I make art to listen to music. Music by artists like Atmosphere, Aesop Rock, Blockhead, Outkast, 2Pac, Eminem, Pretty Lights, Grouch and Eligh, J.Cole, Wu Tang Clan, and even some Nine Inch Nails. Music is my heartbeat. THC: I discovered your artwork at a restaurant in Lakewood. Where else are you displayed?
“No Quarter”
SK: The French Press in Belmar was great place to hang art. Lots of love from there and a great breakfast/brunch spot. It’s one of the many places I display my work. I have permanent installs that I restock frequently at the Sol Shine, a great local boutique, art gallery and yoga studio in the highlands. Megafauna, a great all local, urban Colorado apparel and art shop in the Rhino District, all 3 Sticky Buds dispensaries, all seven Way to Grow stores, Crisp Barber Shop in Lakewood off Garrison and 6th, Crazy Mountain Brewery up in Beaver Creek, Urbane Clothing Store in Steamboat, the VFW Post 1 civilian gallery on Sante Fe I donate 20 percent of all my earnings [to them]. Sun Valley
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“TMNT”
Medical Certification Clinic in Arizona, Good Times Rafting in Buena Vista, and My Buddy and Me Natural Pet Store in Centennial. I might have missed a couple but I am constantly getting into new places and also doing art festivals in which I advertise on my website usually. Really want to get into mural work. THC: Do you have a favorite piece that you’ve done? SK: It’s hard to say what my favorite piece is. They are all part of me. I usually pick the one that is the least popular at the time so it doesn’t feel bad but if I were to choose it would be ‘No Splash’ (theme song to it is ‘No Splash’ by Aesop Rock). ‘No Splash’ is a sort of self-portrait. It is about going to the beat of your own drummer and no matter how messed up or perfect your world is, you’re still the king of it and the world is yours. THC: What are your life goals? SK: I could go off on this with art aspirations for days but to keep it truly simple, which it really is, is to just be happy. Be where I love, with who I love, doing what I love. At peace. THC: What are you currently working on? SK: I am always working on quite a few things. Constantly working on commission paintings, personal paintings, personal digital art, apparel designs, accessory designs, keeping stores stocked with fresh art as well as doing a bit of freelance graphic design. I have been working with a brilliant mind, Reyna Bryan, with her program called
26 November 2015
Recycling is Sexy. The program is about spreading awareness and knowledge to the masses. It’s about helping save the planet and everything in it by recycling, reducing waste tremendously, and repurposing everything. I am helping her out as her art director to bring some colorful imagery to her marketing tools and eye-catching informative materials. It is a great project, run by a very driven soul who truly just wants to help save the planet. It’s awesome. I am also working with a extremely kind individual by the name of Rita Devassy. With her fresh company Deva Seed, she plans to and is already doing inspirational and motivational workshops with adults to help them organize a busy, leadership, lifestyle. She’s helping adults create more creative solutions for the daily grind and really just exploring ways to cut out the stress we build up in our lives through our careers. She is a very innovative and motivated lady with a very strong purpose. THC: One more thing. Why are you called Someday K? SK: Needless to say, I remain very busy and my motto is “no days off [un]til all days off ”. I am accepting commission work as well as new design clients. Email me at somedayk@somedayk.com. Website: www.somedayk.com Email: somedayk@somedayk.com IG: @therealsomedayk FB: SomedayK or Kevin Weinreich Twitter: @therealsomedayk Recycling Is Sexy: www.recyclingis.sexy Deva Seed: www.devaseed.com “No Splash”
“It’s Always Worth It”
“Alive”
“You’re The One”
UPCOMING SHOWS: -PANCAKES AND BOOZE @ CITY HALL - NOV 7TH -DECK THE MALL @ 16TH STREET - NOV 7TH -VFW POST1 FOR FIRST FRIDAY ON SANTE FE - DEC 5TH -CHRISTMAS ART SHOW IN FORT COLLINS DEC 6TH-7TH @ 1400 WEST LAKE STREET -BOULDER GIFT FEST @ THE BOULDER YMCA - DEC 13TH -LAST CHANCE GIFTS @ THE BOULDER COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS - DEC 20TH
“I Don’t Know”
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Tasty Meds
Reviews of Colorado’s finest medicated products Pineapple Mango Delight by CannaPunch, 100mg reviewed by Monocle Man There have been a lot of new products popping up lately, and one that caught my eye right away was the Highly Edible gummies. Highly Edible is a CannaPunch company and pretty much had me sold there. CannaPunch has made some of the best tasting and most effective drinks on the market for years. Now they are making gummies.... hell yeah. These tasty treats are organic, vegan, gluten free, and non-gmo. There are a few different types available but I went with the Organic Watermelon Rings. There are ten 10mg rings per bottle. The consistency was perfect and the sweet, tangy taste of the watermelon really made for a delicious edible. Like almost every CannaPunch I’ve had, this had little to no cannabis taste, but it was definitely in there. This was fast acting and seemed to lean toward more of an indica high, because I was knocked out taking a nap within 30 minutes of eating half of the Watermelon Rings. I woke up a few hours later, refreshed and ready for more. I can safely say that I will be picking up more Highly Edible and CannaPunch products in the future, and I recommend you do the same. Make sure to visit the CannaPunch site to get more information and find out where to buy one of their amazing edibles near you. www.cannapunch.com White Delight Cookies by Love’s Oven, 200mg, Indica reviewed by Hazy Cakes Based on the rave review from a friend, I decided to give Love’s Oven’s White Delight Cookies a try. I have been experiencing some pain lately and since loading up the body with THC is never a bad idea, I decided to treat myself to a new edible. I chose the indica variety because I wanted that deep body high, instead of that cerebral sativa affect. The cookies are packaged in a cool squeeze-to-open container. The contents of the container total 200mg, making each individually wrapped cookie 20mg.
The White Delight Cookies are made up of white chocolate chips, macadamia nuts and simple, pronounceable ingredients. The medicated part of the cookie is made with heat-activated Grand Valley Purple Kush cannabutter. They have a nice crunchy consistency, a sweet, nutty flavor finished off with a noticeable but slight taste of cannabis on the backside. I ate one, waited a while and decided I definitely needed more because I wasn’t feeing it enough. After eating the second cookie, I felt the effects almost immediately. As I sat on the couch doing some late night work, I could feel that the two cookies combined were working against me actually getting anything done. My eyes felt heavy as did my entire body and the thought of going and lying in bed was as thrilling as Christmas morning. I slept like a rock and even felt a bit high in the morning, but nothing some coffee couldn’t shake off. I love how many cookies I still have left after eating two, and the fact that they are individually wrapped means they will be fresh for me for next time. There are a few different flavors, coming in both sativa and indica. I can’t wait to try them all. Visit them at www.lovesoven.com to learn more. Mile Higher Mint Chocolate Bar by Incredibles, 500mg reviewed by Monocle Man As the legal marijuana industry develops, certain ideas and possibilities that would not have been considered five years ago are a reality today. Incredibles edibles are a perfect example of such circumstances. The idea of edibles, their archaic and somewhat ritualistic creation, comes from a very dark era of cannabis. With legalization in full swing, brands and ideas that were only spoken of before are now proven, million-dollar companies. At the forefront of the movement is — you guessed it — Incredibles. This company has been the vanguard of edible creation in areas such as taste, potency, patient needs, appeal, and marketing. The years of awards and proven sales may have created the first Coke-a-Cola of the marijuana industry. A proven brand with consistency that looks to be here for many years to come. Let’s look at their newest creation, the mile higher 500! This is actually the third installment of the mint chocolate bar from Incredibles. The original Mile High bar contained 175 mg active THC. Then the Mile Higher came around containing 300 mg. Now the 500! Oh the absolutely delicious minty sweet chocolate horror. As far as patients are concerned — this product is only for medical dispensaries because of its higher dosage — the need for relaxation and pain relief are still met completely. After consuming some of the bar I can guarantee that same incredible feeling will still sing through you. As always, the taste and texture were on point for a smooth, chocolaty taste up front with a cool mint on the backside of the pallet. The biggest thing that should be taken from this review is this: this company has now produced the same bar three different times with the potency increasing each time; yet the taste, texture, and needs of the consumer were consistently met every time. That’s the mark of a champion that wants to be around for a long time. iloveincredibles.com
28 November 2015
The Third Dimension Jack’s Cleaner II T.H. Seeds DNA Genetics Medicine Man Banana Kush Mr. Nice Apollo 13 Northern Lights Cannab Jilly Bean Kaboom Jack the Ripper Ace of Spades Blue Mystic Cannatonic Cheese Quake Northern Lights X Chernobyl Querkle Apol Qush Agent Orange Sour Diesel Bubble Gum Dairy Queen Dacono Kush Deep Purple Qrazy Train Northern Lights 5 Kandy Kush Grape Jack’s Cleaner Sheridan II Holy Grail Kush Kosher Kush Banana Kush2045 Medicine Man Marley’s Collie Nebula Ripped Bubba Skywalker Kush Vor Blvd 303-274-6495 he Third Dimension Space Bomb Sweet Tooth Timewreck DNA Genetics Sensi Seeds T.H. Seeds Mr. Nice TGA Subcool Northern Lights Cannab Jilly Bean Kaboom Jack the Ripper Ace of NLCannabis.com Spades Blue Mystic Cannatonic Cheese Quake Northern Lights X Chernobyl Querkle Apo Qush Agent Orange Sour Diesel Bubble Gum Dairy Queen Dacono Kush Deep Purple Qrazy Train Northern Lights 5 Kandy Kush Grap Banana Kush Jack’s Cleaner II Holy Grail Kush Kosher Kush Medicine Man Marley’s Collie Nebula Ripped Bubba Skywalker Kush Vor he Third Dimension Space Bomb Sweet Tooth Timewreck DNA Genetics Sensi Seeds T.H. Seeds Mr. Nice TGA Subcool Northern Lights Cannab Jilly Bean Kaboom Jack the Ripper Ace of Spades Blue Mystic Cannatonic Cheese Quake Northern Lights X Chernobyl Querkle Apol Qush Agent Orange Sour Diesel Bubble Gum Dairy Queen Dacono Kush Deep Purple Qrazy Train Northern Lights 5 Kandy Kush Grape Banana Kush Jack’s Cleaner II Holy Grail Kush Kosher Kush Medicine Man Marley’s Collie Nebula Ripped Bubba Skywalker Kush Vor he Third Dimension Space Bomb Sweet Tooth Timewreck DNA Genetics Sensi Seeds T.H. Seeds Mr. Nice TGA Subcool Northern Lights Cannab illy Bean Kaboom Jack the Ripper Ace of Spades Blue Mystic Cannatonic Cheese Quake Northern Lights X Chernobyl Querkle Apo ush Agent Orange Sour Diesel Bubble Gum Dairy Queen Dacono Kush Deep Purple Qrazy Train Northern Lights 5 Kandy Kush Grap Banana Kush Jack’s Cleaner II Holy Grail Kush Kosher Kush Medicine Man Marley’s Collie Nebula Ripped Bubba Skywalker Kush Vor he Third Dimension Space Bomb Sweet Tooth Timewreck DNA Genetics Sensi Seeds T.H. Seeds Mr. Nice TGA Subcool Northern Lights Cannab Jilly Bean Kaboom Jack the Ripper Ace of Spades Blue Mystic Cannatonic Cheese Quake Northern Lights X Chernobyl Querkle Apo Qush Agent Orange Sour Diesel Bubble Gum Dairy Queen Dacono Kush Deep Purple Qrazy Train Northern Lights 5 Kandy Kush Grap Banana Kush Jack’s Cleaner II Holy Grail Kush Kosher Kush Medicine Man Marley’s Collie Nebula Ripped Bubba Skywalker Kush Vor The Third Dimension Space Bomb Sweet Tooth Timewreck DNA Genetics Sensi Seeds T.H. Seeds Mr. Nice TGA Subcool Northern Lights Cann illy Bean Kaboom Jack the Ripper Ace of Spades Blue Mystic Cannatonic Cheese Quake Northern Lights X Chernobyl Querkle Apol ush Agent Orange Sour Diesel Bubble Gum Dairy Queen Dacono Kush Deep Purple Qrazy Train Northern Lights 5 Kandy Kush Grape Banana Kush Jack’s Cleaner II Holy Grail Kush Kosher Kush Medicine Man Marley’s Collie Nebula Ripped Bubba Skywalker Kush Vor he Third Dimension Space Bomb Sweet Tooth Timewreck DNA Genetics Sensi Seeds T.H. Seeds Mr. Nice TGA Subcool Northern Lights Canna lly Bean Kaboom Jack the Ripper Ace of Spades Blue Mystic Cannatonic Cheese Quake Northern Lights X Chernobyl Querkle Apoll ush Agent Orange Sour Diesel Bubble Gum Dairy Queen Dacono Kush Deep Purple Qrazy Train Northern Lights 5 Kandy Kush Grape 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 Jilly Bean Kaboom Jack the Ripper Ace of Spades Blue Mystic Cannatonic Cheese Quake Northern Lights X Chernobyl Querkle Apo Qush Agent Orange Sour Diesel Bubble Gum Dairy Queen Dacono Kush Deep Purple Qrazy Train Northern Lights 5 Kandy Kush Grap Skywalker Kush Vor Ripped Bubba Jack’s Cleaner II Holy Grail Kush Kosher Only Shop Kush MedicineMom Banana KushEdgewater’s Man Marley’sand Collie NebulaPop The Third Dimension Space Bomb Sweet Tooth Timewreck DNA Genetics Sensi Seeds T.H. Seeds Mr. Nice TGA Subcool Northern Lights Cann illy Bean Kaboom Jack the Ripper Ace of Spades Blue Mystic Cannatonic Cheese Quake Northern Lights X Chernobyl Querkle Apol ush Agent Orange Sour Diesel Bubble Gum Dairy Queen Dacono Kush Deep Purple Qrazy Train Northern Lights 5 Kandy Kush Grape Banana Kush Jack’s Cleaner II Holy Grail Kush Kosher Kush Medicine Man Marley’s Collie Nebula Ripped Bubba Skywalker Kush Vor he Third Dimension Space Bomb Sweet Tooth Timewreck DNA Genetics Sensi Seeds T.H. Seeds Mr. Nice TGA Subcool Northern Lights Canna Jilly Bean Kaboom Jack the Ripper Ace of Spades Blue Mystic Cannatonic Cheese Quake Northern Lights X Chernobyl Querkle Apo Qush Agent Orange Sour Diesel Bubble Gum Dairy Queen Dacono Kush Deep Purple Qrazy Train Northern Lights 5 Kandy Kush Grap Cannatonic Ripped Bubba Skywalker Kush Vor Kush Kosher Kush Medicine Skywalker Banana Kush Jack’s Cleaner II Holy GrailKaboom! ManKush Marley’s Collie Nebula The Third Dimension Space Bomb Sweet Tooth Timewreck DNA Genetics Sensi Seeds T.H. Seeds Mr. Nice TGA Subcool Northern Lights Cann Medical 21+ illy Bean Kaboom Jack the Ripper Ace of Spades Blue Mystic Cheese Quake Northern Lights X Chernobyl Querkle Apol Cannatonic Recreational ush Agent OrangeRECREATIONAL Sour Diesel BubbleONLY Gum Dairy Queen Dacono Kush Deep Purple Qrazy Train Northern Lights 5 Kandy Kush Grape thcmag.comKush 29 Vor Banana Kush Jack’s Cleaner II Holy Grail Kush Kosher Kush Medicine Man Marley’s Collie Nebula Ripped Bubba Skywalker
Featured Strains
Banana Kush
Indica Dominant Hybrid - Ghost OG x Skunk Haze Master Grower: Adrian Ledesma Grow Medium: Coco and perlite Grow Cycle Duration: 65 - 70 days Curation Time: 3 weeks
Medical Applications: • Stress • Depression • Migraines
Recreational Effect: • Relaxing • Social • Smooth sativa high/mellow indica stone
With one of the most awarded strain names, you hope it follows through. This batch was more than up to par, making the room smell like fresh banana bread baking on a cold winter morning. While this strain leans more indica, the initial effects are more sativa driven. A cerebral high drives the bus with stops at lethargic and lazy. You eventually give in to the mild sedative effects after the Haze lays off. For an indica-dominant strain, this doesn’t have the knockout punch that similar strains would have. The balance between the two makes this a great strain for everyone.
MEDICAL & RECREATIONAL
www.urbandispensary.com
DARK KNIGHT
Indica Dominant - Blueberry x Kryptonite Master Grower: Botanist Daniel Hernandez Grow Medium: Coco fiber Grow Cycle Duration: 74 days Curation Time: 5 - 7 days Medical Applications: • Pain relief • Insomnia
Recreational Effects: • Heavy stone • Sedative
Dispensary Notes: 70% indica. Medium producing strain. Excellent for flower and concentrates. These hefty nugs were densely covered in light brown hairs. Underneath the redwood forest were green and purple leaves covered in trichomes that glistened like snow. The blueberry really comes through on the smell and taste. As soon as I popped open the childproof jar my nose was tickled with the smell of freshly baked blueberry muffins. The sweet taste of blueberry lingers while the sedative effects take hold. This indica-dominant strain will help with any aches and pains, and can be a good sleep aid for some.
30 November 2015
www.gh-rx.com
MEDICAL & RECREATIONAL
thcmag.com 31
Hemp Eats Pumpkin Naan Bread Delight
Banana-Carrot Bread with Cream Cheese Icing
Makes 4 pieces of Naan bread Ingredients: 1-13 ounce pie pumpkin, halved and roasted 1 large shallot minced 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 tablespoons of sage, chopped and divided 1 tablespoon of rosemary, chopped 2 tablespoons hemp seeds 2 tablespoons hemp oil, divided, plus more for drizzle 4 pieces of Naan bread 2 tablespoons hemp oil, divided salt and pepper to taste. 2 cups feta Directions: Preheat the oven to 400째F. Scoop out the insides of the roasted pumpkin, discarding the seeds.
32 November 2015
In a large skillet over medium heat, warm 1 Tablespoon of the hemp oil. Add shallots and garlic, cook for 1-2 minutes. Add 1 cup of the pumpkin, mix. Add the sage, rosemary, hemp seeds and hemp oil, mix. Cook until desired consistency is reached, whisking in vegetable stock as needed. Fold in 1/2 cup of the feta and combine everything until smooth. Place Naan bread on lightly oiled baking sheets. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of hemp oil between the four breads. Spoon pumpkin puree mixture on top. Divide the rest of the feta cheese between the 4 breads.. Bake in oven for about 15-18 minutes. Remove, cut into pieces and serve with sage as a garnish.
Makes 1 loaf Bread Ingredients: 1 1/4 cup whole-wheat flower 1/4 cup rolled or steel-cut oats (not instant) 1 /2 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon sea salt 2 ripe bananas, mashed 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 egg 1 egg white 1 tablespoon hemp oil 2 tablespoons unsweetened chunky applesauce 1 cup grated carrots 1/3 cup unsweetened hemp milk, plain or vanilla 1/4 cup pecans + 1 tablespoon more for topping 1/2 tablespoon hemp seeds Icing Ingredients: 4 ounces cream cheese, softened 1/3 cup powdered sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, ground Directions: Preheat the oven to 350째F. Lightly
oil a 9x5 inch bread loaf pan. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, oats, baking soda, baking powder and set. Next, in another large mixing bowl, mix together mashed banana, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla until well combined. Add in hemp oil, applesauce and hemp milk. Combine into mixture. Fold in carrots and 1/4 cup pecans. Add this mixture to the dry ingredient mixture, combining well. Pour batter into oiled bread pan. Cook 45-50 minutes. While bread is baking, make your icing by combining all icing ingredients in a food processor or with a hand mixer, and blending until smooth. When bread is done, remove from oven and allow to cool for about 20 minutes before icing. Then top with remaining pecans and hemp seeds. Cut, serve and enjoy!
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thcmag.com 33
Cannabis News by DJ Reetz
Dispensaries Caught Selling to Underage Customers in String Several Denver dispensaries were caught serving underage clientele in a sting carried out by Denver police. The sting targeted 30 dispensaries around the city, of which only seven were found serving under age customers. The operation resulted in seven people being ticketed and charged with a misdemeanor for selling cannabis to a person under the age of 21. Police claimed that all underage operators in the sting used the vertical IDs given to Colorado residents under the age of 21, and that they were not allowed to lie about their age if asked. A similar sting operation carried out in 2014 found that 100 percent of stores tested were operating in compliance with the law, and the recent enforcement efforts lowers the rate of compliance to 91 percent, about in line with that of the liquor industry according to Denver’s 9News. The stores caught selling to those under 21 years of age risk losing their licenses or worse, as state investigators have begun investigating these businesses for potential misconduct.
Canada May Legalize Soon A sweeping victory by Canada’s Liberal Party has many anticipating that cannabis will soon become legal in the country. The recent election gave the Liberal Party an absolute majority in the Canadian parliament and ousted incumbent Conservative Party Prime Minister Stephen Harper from the position he has held since 2006. The Liberal Party, led by Justin Trudeau, has vowed to tax and regulate cannabis in a manner similar to that seen in Colorado. According to the party’s official website the Liberals “will legalize, regulate, and restrict access to marijuana,” and impose heavy penalties on those who provide cannabis to minors, operate vehicles while under its influence, or otherwise circumvent the regulatory framework. Recently, regulate
Canadian officials have the country’s medical
been working to marijuana program.
DEA Raids Native American Cannabis Grow Drug Enforcement Administration agents raided a large cannabis grow operation belonging to the Menominee Indian tribe in Wisconsin. The raid was the result of an undercover operation carried out by the DEA, which claimed to have discovered that people other than tribal members were working on the mostly outdoor farm. The DEA claims to have seized as many as 30,000 marijuana plants during the operation, after acquiring a warrant from a federal judge in Green Bay. Tribal members however claim that the raid actually netted only industrial hemp plants, which the tribe voted to legalize in May. The tribe is claiming the hemp farm is legal under the 2014 Farm Bill, which has paved the way for legal hemp industries across the country. No mention has been made of the Wilkinson Memo released by the US Justice Department in October 2014, which extended the same legal leeway on cannabis legalization to sovereign tribes as the Cole Memo did to states in 2013.
34 November 2015
As of this writing, no arrests had been made, but the DEA has stated that the investigation is still ongoing. Menominee representatives claim to have attempted to address problems with the crop in the past, but that, “These offers by the Tribe were rejected in favor of the aggressive unilateral action we saw [the day of the raid],” according to a statement obtained by ABC News.
Federal Court Rules in Favor of Lawful MMJ Business A federal judge in northern California has ordered that an injunction against one of the state’s — and therefore the country’s — oldest medical marijuana dispensaries be lifted. US District Court Judge Charles Breyer ruled in favor of the Marin Alliance for Medical Marijuana in Fairfax, California, finding that the dispensary and its owner were protected from prosecution under the Rohrbacher-Farr amendment, which bars the spending of federal money on the prosecution of state-legal medical marijuana operators. The Rohrbacher-Farr amendment passed as part of a spending bill in 2014, and was reauthorized this year with bipartisan support. The ruling offers some precedence of protection for lawful cannabis businesses and assurance that the intentions of the amendment are being met. As part of his ruling, Judge Breyer stated, “The mayor of the Town of Fairfax [stated] MAMM was operating as a model business in careful compliance with its local use permit in a ‘cooperative and collaborative relationship’ with the community,” according to SFGate.
Farmer Shows Low Risk of Hemp/Marijuana Cross Pollination An Oregon farmer has successfully demonstrated that there is a low risk of hemp cross-pollinating marijuana and vice versa by growing the two crops together. Hemp farmer Jerry Norton experimented by growing male hemp plants in a greenhouse alongside female marijuana plants. The resulting marijuana plants had minimal amounts of seeds, indicating that they had not cross-bread with the hemp, according to the Capital Press. In states such as Oregon and Colorado that allow for both the cultivation of hemp and marijuana, the issue has lingered on both sides, with hemp producers concerned that high-THC marijuana could render their crop legally unusable and marijuana producers concerned that nearby hemp fields would decrease the potency of their plants and cause them to seed. Norton’s experiment gives hope that the two varieties of cannabis can coexist. While the results are by no means scientific, the experiment highlights the vast difference between the crops that has resulted from years of selective breeding, mostly preventing them from pollinating each other.
Domestic Medical Marijuana Coming to Australia Australians who have been in the precarious situation of relying on imported medical marijuana may soon have access to locally cultivated medicine. Recently drafted amendments to the country’s Narcotic Drug Act will allow
Across the Globe for the domestic cultivation of medicinal cannabis in Australia, paving the way for broader access and clinical trials. Previously, Australia has allowed for the use of medical cannabis, but not production, leaving patients in need reliant on the incredibly difficult process of importation. “Allowing the cultivation of legal medicinal cannabis crops in Australia under strict controls strikes the right balance between patient access, community protection and our international obligations,” said Australian Health Minister Sussan Ley, according to Reuters.
Retail Medical Marijuana can Begin in Illinois Medical cannabis is moving closer to fruition in Illinois after a lab at the University of Illinois in Chicago has received authorization from the state to begin testing cannabis. The lab will test for potency as well as potentially dangerous contaminants such as microbial life, pesticides and solvents. The medical marijuana program in the state is set to begin operation this month, with nine cultivators licensed by the state already in operation and at least two already beginning harvest. “Sales will begin after cultivation centers are given the opportunity to test medical cannabis products with a lab approved by the Department of Agriculture,” Joseph Wright, director of the state’s medical cannabis pilot program, according to the Associated Press.
New York Rolls Out Hemp Regulations Regulators in New York have proposed rules pertaining to hemp farming that would allow colleges and universities around the state to grow the crop for research purposes. As proposed, the rules cover growth, transportation and storage of the plant, as well as commercial production and advertising. New York passed legislation allowing for hemp farming shortly after the passage of the 2014 Farm Bill, but farming had been on hold until guidelines could be created. So far, Cornell is the only university in the state that has expressed interest in conducting the research, which requires only a $500 fee. “Industrial hemp is an excellent candidate from a biomass standpoint, with high yield as well as multiple potential value-added uses,” said Cornell agriculture professor Jerry Cherney, according to the Daily Freeman.
Croatia Now Allows Cannabis Medicine October saw the beginning of legal THC-based medicine in Croatia. The Balkan country now allows doctors to prescribe up to 750 milligrams of THC per month to patients suffering from epilepsy, cancer, multiple sclerosis, AIDS and related conditions. Currently, there are no medicines containing THC registered in the country, and growing cannabis remains illegal. What effect this development will have remains to be seen.
Notable Alaska Cannabis Advocate Indicted Charlo Greene, the woman who made headlines when she famously quit her job as a TV news anchor live on the air with the line, “Fuck it, I quit,” while covering the emerging cannabis industry, has been indicted on charges of illegally selling and distributing marijuana by a grand jury in Alaska. Greene, whose real name is Charlene Egbe, has been the subject of media attention since the on-air episode went viral and the subsequently raid on her business, the Alaska Cannabis Club in Anchorage, by local authorities in February. Greene was indicted alongside two other business owners, Michael Crites of the Absolutely Chronic Delivery Company and Rocky Burns with Discreet Deliveries. Although cannabis is once again legal in Alaska, regulated sale of the plant has not yet begun, leaving businesses such as Greene’s operating in the gray area of the law.
Hemp Farming Pennsylvania
May
Be
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to
A bill that would legalize the cultivation of hemp in Pennsylvania has passed committee and is on its way to a full vote in front of the state House of Representatives. House Bill 967 easily made it through the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, and is now awaiting approval on the House floor. The bill would create a pilot program in the state in accordance with the 2014 Farm Bill, allowing universities and other bodies administered by the state’s department of agriculture to begin growing test crops. Despite the widespread support of the bill, supporters are finding that the plant is still misunderstood by many. “There’s an enormous amount of confusion and misinformation around industrial hemp. It’s not marijuana and you can’t get high from it,” said Rep. Russ Diamond, the bill’s sponsor, according to local ABC affiliate channel 27.
North Carolina Hemp Bill Awaits Governor’s Approval A bill awaiting approval from North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory would legalize hemp cultivation in the state. Senate Bill 313 was widely supported in both the state House of Representatives and Senate with votes of 101 to 7 and 42 to 2 respectively. Once signed, the bill will create a state-run industrial hemp commission tasked with organizing a pilot program for researchers and commercial growers. Given the widespread support of the bill in the state legislature, it seems almost assured that Gov. McCrory will sign the bill into law, but as of this writing that had not yet happened. “Between thousands of acres of unused farmland and vacant textile mills in every county, this is a true, unrecognized economic opportunity for our region,” said hemp advocate Blake Butler, according to Mountain Xpress.
thcmag.com 35
The 2015 National Cannabis Summit by Samuel Farley
October 12, the cannabis community gathered for the 2015 National 4 On Cannabis Summit at the Sheraton hotel in downtown Denver. Combining
the effectiveness, scale, and networking opportunities of the country’s best cannabis business events, the summit was a great example of the nationwide industry coming together. The event was upscale, professional, and provided both an educational environment and a great business networking experience for those involved. It brought together pro-cannabis organizations, businesses and respected individuals within the national cannabis community for a spectacular two-day event. Speakers from a variety of backgrounds including cannabis businesses owners, combat veterans, patients with notable stories about the benefits of cannabis, and community leaders, were present at the event. Some of the most noteworthy speakers included Seal Team Six member Robert O’Neil, and Dr. Sue Sisley of the Scottsdale Research Institute. Other notable attendees included Charlo Greene, a cannabis activist and the owner of the Alaska Cannabis Club, who was made famous by quitting her TV news job live on air saying, “Fuck it, I quit”, and 15-year-old Coltyn Turner, who coined the now-famous phrase, “I’d rather be illegally alive than legally dead.” One of the most interesting aspects of the 2015 National Cannabis Summit was the chance to hear the featured patient stories surrounding cannabis as a truly life-saving medicine. The stories of veteran Matt Kahl and 15-year-old Coltyn Turner stood out as two of the most important aspects of the event. For medical patients, the chance to hear other patient stories such as those of Kahl and Turner was an incredibly valuable experience. Kahl is a veteran of the 101st Airborne Division and just one example of the thousands of soldiers who have come back from service suffering from PTSD. The symptoms of PTSD are different for everyone, but can include serious depression, flashbacks, anxiety, insomnia and other issues that sometimes lead sufferers to commit suicide. The number 22 figured prominently into Kahl’s presentation, which is the number of veterans that commit suicide every day in the United States. Cannabis was able to help save Kahl’s life, and it could help save and improve the quality of life for thousands of veterans across the country. Coltyn’s story was also incredibly heartwarming and served as yet another real-life example of cannabis being used as a life-saving medicine when other options were simply not effective. Coltyn is now 15, and was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at a very young age. None of the pharmaceuticals that Coltyn’s doctors tried over the first few years worked, and some of the drugs actually exacerbated his symptoms (such as ulcers). After years of suffering and experiencing little to no relief from the laundry list of medications he was prescribed, the Turner family decided to give their final option a try, what their doctors called “alternative medicine”. The family became one of the thousands that have uprooted their lives to move to Colorado in order to access legal
36 November 2015
and safe medical cannabis in whatever form is needed. In the months since Coltyn and his family moved to Colorado, he has seen amazing success. What worked for him was a high-CBD capsule that he takes a few times a day. The high-percentage CBD capsules with a very low percentage of THC have actually caused his Chron’s to go into remission, and he has been ulcerfree since the second month after he moved to Colorado. In addition to the speakers and cannabis leaders at the event, a variety of companies including Incredibles, Bluebird Botanicals, Black Dog LED, and many others within the industry were showcased. During the opening speech by Christian Hageseth of American Cannabis Partners, he referenced that the industry is still in its infancy, and a huge opportunity for growth still exists in a variety of future product contexts. Towards the end of the opening remarks, Hageseth mentioned a key aspect of the future success of the cannabis industry when he said, “Consumer acceptance equals success.” The national conversation really has to begin with educating consumers and making the cannabis industry as legitimate and as regulated as possible. The cannabis industry needs to become a respected industry nationwide by both consumers and non-consumers alike. The overall goal is to eventually have both the legal framework and the national discussion surrounding cannabis at such a level where adult consumers of legal age are able to go to their local dispensary, similar to their local liquor store, and have a true selection and variety of regulated and safe cannabis products to choose from. I look forward to the advancements within the industry over the next year and can’t wait to see the new products and companies that will be featured at the 2016 National Cannabis Summit.
thcmag.com 37
Designing Cannabis with Megan Stone by Becca Chavez
The green rush that started shortly after the legalization of recreational cannabis in Colorado and Washington led to a lot of new voices and faces flooding an industry that had long been brushed to the corners of the economic world. Many of these new entrepreneurs have struggled to find a place in an industry that is already established. They find their ideas to be already in place, or they find their businesses a part of a recently flooded market. As it is becoming more and more difficult for those outside of cannabis to bring anything new to the table, voices within the industry are finding a new foothold in which to bring long simmering ideas to fruition. Megan Stone is one of those voices. A rare blend of innovation and experience, Stone’s business offers something completely new to the cannabis industry, but it’s something that she developed after years of working in other areas of cannabis. “I started off in the cannabis industry as a patient, back in 2007, when I was living in California,” she tells me when we finally connect over the phone. Stone originally went to school for marketing and advertising. When she returned to school for interior design, a simultaneous opportunity arose to work as a budtender at her local dispensary. She quickly rose to the position of general manager, which she credits with helping her cultivate her love of designing for the industry. “I had this really interesting opportunity to really intimately learn about cannabis retail,” Stone said, “the operations, the store, and the market, while at the same time learning about design and all the benefits.” She finished her design degree shortly after Colorado and Washington legalized recreational marijuana. “I looked around for other designers and other architects who were already specializing in these businesses and these services, and, fortunately for me, found that nobody was really targeting it from a design or even a retail operations standing, and that’s when I really decided to start my business to merge my passion for design and my passion for cannabis retail.” Thus far, the path has been fairly easy. A lot of Stone’s success stems from the fact that many cannabis retailers don’t come into the industry from a retail
38 November 2015
background. “A lot of people don’t get into cannabis retail because they’re retailers,” she explains. In addition to the fact that many cannabis retailers don’t have an understanding of how to create a positive retail environment due to the lack of a strong retail background, the regulations surrounding cannabis businesses make it hard to plan a store around the desires and the needs of the consumer. As regulations change, Stone is able to come into existing businesses and bring them up to code while making changes that benefit the consumer in ways the retailer perhaps never imagined. In addition to the cannabis retail operations that already exist, Stone is working with many clients who get into cannabis from other industries because they’ve been lured with the promise of growth. While these people are great businessmen, they may not have any experience in retail. “People get involved in this industry and want to be retailers, but right now they don’t necessarily have the knowledge of what it takes to be a good retailer in any industry.” This is where Stone steps in. “Retail has a lot of science behind it. Successful retail depends on a lot of things,” she tells me, adding, “Right now I do a lot of educating.” She starts with retailers at the beginning. With some clients, she’s come on board before they even have a logo prepared. She can help a retailer create a brand and visual identity, “but most projects start with a visit to the site.” While most interior designers help with setting up a store that is in an already set space, the cannabis industry requires a little extra because of the regulations. Stone is there during the building and remodeling process to ensure that the building is up to code. Then she starts the process of space planning. This means making sure that the location isn’t just operating as a secure cannabis retail environment, but that “it functions like a space, that somebody can come in and psychologically gravitate towards.” Stone believes that “a lot of what commercial design is, is the function that goes behind the form.” This means making sure that the space is working on multiple levels. It’s secure, but still appealing. She ensures a flow throughout the space, so that consumers, product, and cash all flow in a way that is as
TruMed dispesnary in Phoenix
Concentrate displays
Beautiful landscaping outside TruMed dispensary in Phoenix
efficient as possible. Once the flow is figured out, the brand is worked over the space.
down the business temporarily cuts into the bottom line in a way that many operators don’t understand the benefits of in the short term.
While most of her work is done with new retail spaces, Stone’s most well-recognized project is with TruMed, located in Phoenix, Ariz. In this instance, she worked within an existing space to create a concentrate bar displaying a product the company wanted to promote. The concentrate line that she focused on in this project is seeing growth beyond that of the other products in the store. Though working in an existing retail space is something that worked for TruMed, Stone does admit that making these kinds of changes within existing businesses can be very costly. Shutting
Fortunately, Stone doesn’t have to worry about that at present. With recreational cannabis legalization expanding, and many more states coming on board with medical marijuana, she seems excited for the possibilities that the future holds. Right now, most of her work is in places other than her home state of Arizona. Despite loving the growth that comes with working all over the country, she seems to be looking forward to the time when she’ll be able to stick a little closer to home. “Legalization is on the horizon, so it’s starting to become more of a home-base market for me.”
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40 November 2015
The World of Juicing is Missing Something:
RAW CANNABIS by Samuel Farley, Twitter and Instagram: @ THC_Samuel
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uicing whole plant raw cannabis (flower, stems and fan leaves included) and finding other ways to add raw cannabis to a daily healthy diet has been a popular topic in recent cannabis news. Although there is little scientific research being done involving the benefits of consuming cannabis in its raw form, many people both in the medical community and elsewhere continue to share its benefits. It has been well documented in various scientific studies, including one by Verhoeckx and colleagues, that cannabis in its raw form contains THCa (the “a” stands for acid) and only when cannabis is smoked or vaporized does it actually change and release the Delta 9-THC that is known for the euphoric “high” of cannabis. Knowing this, many have begun to consume raw cannabis to improve health and cure certain diseases. There are many health benefits associated and the various types of cannabinoids present (over 60) in cannabis that are hugely beneficial to the body. There are multiple people in my family who suffer from Crohn’s, and many traditional medications have not worked or have not helped with all of the issues that they experience. Coming from a family of health nuts, I’ve grown to have a strong appreciation and understanding of the value of a healthy diet and have juiced many times myself. However, juicing raw cannabis was completely new to me. I had the opportunity to speak with Alice Darling, a raw cannabis juicing expert who was able to mitigate the symptoms of her Crohn’s disease by adding raw cannabis in various forms to her health care regimen. Alice began using cannabis as a medicine at the age of 18 to help treat a heart condition called tachycardia (an excessively rapid heart beat) as well as her Crohn’s disease. At first, simply smoking cannabis helped many of her symptoms, but over time she began to realize that it was only treating certain aspects of her health issues. It was soon after that she began hearing about the full-body benefits of juicing the cannabis sativa plant raw.
She was introduced to raw cannabis juicing by her boyfriend, and she began including it as a part of her daily diet during the summer of 2014. She saw the benefits within a couple of days. At first she noticed improvements in her mood and she began to sleep better. After a few weeks, her stomach issues improved, and a year later her Crohn’s disease is in remission. She explained to me that it takes quite a bit of raw plant material to make a raw cannabis juice drink and that finding the raw material is often the hardest part. For best results, Alice recommends that the plants always be fresh. She juices an average of about half an ounce of whole, raw cannabis plant for her standard juice blend of six to eight ounces. Her favorite juice mixture is a combination of wet, raw cannabis plant, lemon, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger and a little bit of cayenne. Adding veggies like carrots and cucumbers can add volume as well as additional nutrients and flavor. Towards the end of our conversation Alice mentioned, “The most eye opening experience from juicing was realizing the potential treatment you can give your whole body and endocannabinoid system; juicing has allowed me to take my healing to the next level.” The real benefits of juicing is that it gives the nutrients the ability to spread throughout the whole body and blood stream via the natural digestive process. At the end of the interview it was time for me to try some raw cannabis juice for the first time. Alice pulled out a container with just enough raw material to make a small glass of raw cannabis juice and added it and a small amount of water to the juicer. When I took my first sip I was somewhat surprised. Raw cannabis juice tastes similar to kale juice, so I decided to add some carrots to the juicer and it turned into a somewhat bitterer version of a vegetable juice drink. If raw cannabis juice can help Alice deal with a serious internal illness like Crohn’s disease, then it is definitely a topic worthy of further exploration. Hopefully we can get to a point where cannabis is legal nationwide, and government-funded research involving raw cannabis in all forms is the norm, so people everywhere can benefit from and have access to it without fearing arrest.
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From the Battlefield to the Courtroom
Matt Kahl is fighting the CDPHE and Board of Health for victims of PTSD by DJ Reetz
42 November 2015
small crowd gathers in a building in the heart of Denver’s historic Santa Fe art district, filling the room and occupying the rows of chairs in front of a podium bearing the seal of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. By all accounts the room resembles an art gallery more than a VFW post, lined with works of art ranging from picturesque landscapes to blurred images of Heath Ledger as the Joker produced on strands of filament, all created by the veterans that frequent the space. It’s a far cry from the traditional image that a VFW post conjures; a smoky bar room dotted with grizzled vets numbing themselves with alcohol as they slowly kill themselves by smoking tobacco. This place, Denver’s VFW Post 1, is designed with a more conscious goal in mind, providing vets with a place of healing rather than just a place to commiserate and slip slowly into oblivion.
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The crowd of activists, veterans, and their loved ones has gathered for just this reason. Behind the podium, veteran activist and activist veteran Matt Kahl describes his struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder and the relief he found from cannabis in the hope that the veterans in attendance will leave armed with the knowledge to help themselves. Kahl, a slender man with a presence that resembles that of an academic more than a soldier who served two combat tours in Afghanistan, walks the crowd through his struggles, medications, and breaks down the beneficial properties known to be associated with different cannabinoids. He describes his first suicide attempt, the result of the guilt he felt for surviving his first tour when so many others did not. “Losing so many good soldiers, people that were younger and, in my mind, better people than me, better men, watching them die, and I come back alive, it just didn’t seem right,” he says, the weight of this thought still burdening his voice. Nine months after his first tour, this guilt pushed Kahl to attempt suicide via drug overdose. He would awaken on Christmas day in a hospital bed after being comatose for a short period, overcome by the feeling that something had gone terribly wrong, his wife and young son at his side. “I lied to my command, I lied to my friends, I lied to my family, I lied to everybody and I told them it was a complete accident, it was an accidental overdose on prescription medications; it wasn’t intentional at all. Never mind the fact that I took every last prescription medication in the house and all the over-the-counter medications too,” says Kahl. He had been prescribed several medications to treat the symptoms of undiagnosed traumatic brain injuries, the result of being in close proximity to multiple IED and rocket attacks. Although the symptoms of PTSD had clearly already taken hold, at the time it wasn’t something that Kahl could admit to himself, much less his superiors. “I wasn’t able to accept the label of PTSD, because it’s a career killer,” he says.
“Every time QRF’s called out we know we’re walking into a bad situation. You have to be prepared,” he says. Kahl’s last day in combat came when his QRF responded to a distress call. Two soldiers had been hit, and the medic attempting to tend to them, a 19-year-old who had recently had a child of his own, had taken a bullet to the head, killing him. The QRF had rolled out in a hurry, neglecting some of the standard safety practices, such as attaching the safety strap to the Humvee designed to keep Kahl from being thrown out of the gunner position he occupied. What happened next Kahl cannot recall clearly, only that the Humvee he was riding in went from a high rate of travel to an abrupt stop in a drainage ditch. “I had no idea what happened, I was knocked out,” he says. The after-action report on the incident would claim the crash was the result of an IED, but Kahl had no recollection of such. The impactCurt slammed Bean his face into the steel blast shield of the gun turret and threw him from the vehicle, and he found himself in need of a medevac. The leader of the accompanying QRF team was also hit during the operation, a bullet severing his femoral artery. The two were medevaced to the same military hospital in Germany, where he watched as doctors struggled in vain to save the young man’s life. “I saw him come in. and I got to see him one last time before they pulled the plug,” says Kahl. “His parents were flying in that day expecting to see their son alive in the hospital bed, and they got there and he was dead.” As Kahl recounts this tragic and harrowing end to his combat service to the gallery full of attendees, cracks start to appear in his factual and concise demeanor, and his voice waivers ever so slightly. The lives of the men lost on this mission, and those lost since, still haunt him. Kahl’s injuries earned him a place in the Wounded Warrior Battalion, where doctors diagnosed him with a traumatic brain injury and declared him unfit for duty. “I got into Wounded Warrior and I immediately wanted to go back to Afghanistan — I didn’t want to leave Afghanistan in the first place. When they tried to send me home I told them to fuck off,” he says. When he left, he still wasn’t diagnosed with PTSD, but looking back, Kahl is now in the position to recognize that the issue had been lingering for months, if not years. “I had actually seen post traumatic stress symptoms long before I deployed for the second time,” he says. It would be two years before the symptoms of the disease would make life unbearable for Kahl and those around him, and the diagnosis would become official. It’s a problem faced by many veterans, the simmering symptoms often go ignored, a matter of pride for some and ignorance for others.
Kahl was 29 when he enlisted, several years older than most of the fresh recruits who signed on in their late teens or early 20s. “I was an old fart compared to a lot of the young guys coming into the infantry. It’s called ‘infant’ry for a reason, because only the young can do it. I was considerably older than a lot of these guys, more mature,” he says. Though he’s hesitant to say it explicitly, his age placed him in the role of an advisor and mentor to the younger soldiers, and the idea of leaving green recruits to fend for themselves in combat that they, while trained for, were certainly not prepared for, drove him to his second tour. ”I pulled it together, for my men,” he says.
Kahl was unable to escape the constant state of alert that had helped to keep him alive in Afghanistan. “If you adopt that mind state and you can’t get out of it, that’s post-traumatic stress. You’re looking for the threat from your environment non-stop. When I got back I didn’t remember people, I only remembered their eyes and their hands,” he says, a strategy he had learned from reading the intentions of those that might do him harm while in combat. The hyper-awareness that had been a necessity when surrounded by the threat of death was an incredible detriment to civilian life, and he found his symptoms triggered by crowds and tight spaces, which stirred in him memories of IED attacks.
Kahl was deployed to a position leading a team as part of a Quick Reaction Force, a unit tasked with responding to developing threats.
When the diagnosis of PTSD came, it came with a slew of medication prescribed by VA doctors. “I was on a staggering amount of medication.
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I was taking whole heaping handfuls three to four times a day; it was crazy,” he says. The course of treatment was experimental, often seeming to border on a chemical lobotomy, and while it at times calmed Kahl, it did little to return him to something resembling a normal civilian life. “I tried everything, and I tried almost every medication on the books, 99 percent of which are prescribed off-label. Not a damn one of them is actually prescribed for the use against PTSD,” says Kahl. Of the medications he was prescribed, only two were actually manufactured for treatment of PTSD, the rest just an approximation of what might potentially help with symptoms. As Kahl’s presentation reaches this description, a slide flashes on screen listing all of the medication he had been prescribed at one point or another. The list is too large to fit on a single slide, and even runs over the border of the projection screen. “Due to the medications and my mental state, I was either screaming at the top of my lungs or nodding off in the middle of my sentences. There wasn’t a whole lot of middle ground where I was functional,” says Kahl, a reality that drove away nearly all of his friends, further isolating him from the world. When one of his few remaining friends suggested he try cannabis, Kahl was skeptical. He had had plenty of experience with the plant prior to his military service, but was apprehensive about the idea of adding yet another substance to the mix. His friend’s offer came with the assurance that if it didn’t work, he would always have the option of not continuing, a choice not given so freely as part of the VA treatment plan. “In five minutes I knew,” says Kahl. The results were apparent almost immediately to Kahl’s wife, who he says could visibly see the release of the tension that had coiled tightly around his being. “It took me outside of my own pain and my own misery, my fear of the outside world, and the danger that it might hold.” “I said to my wife, ‘We’ve got to go some place where I’m not going to be a criminal for doing this.’” Six months later Kahl had found a home in Colorado. Eventually, the laundry list of medications dwindled and disappeared, replaced solely by the medicine that Kahl now grows for himself. The therapy began with high-CBD oil derived from hemp that he had grown from wild seeds, but it grew to encompass a range of cannabinoids that Kahl found more effective than CBD alone. “Cannabis is not a magic bullet; it’s a synergistic shotgun,” says Kahl. “I didn’t get to where I am today just with cannabis. Part of it is community.” Another Battle to Fight As Kahl concludes his presentation, he dedicates his words and actions to the soldiers that didn’t survive that fateful day on which he was medevaced. As the images of these bright-eyed young men in sharply manicured military formal wear appear on the screen behind him, Kahl reads out their names, and once again the fractures in his well-polished disposition begin to show. It becomes apparent that despite all of the emotional progress he has made and all of the personal demons he has slain, the guilt and the sense that he abandoned his brothers in arms remains. It is also easy to assess that this emotion still drives him, and that he is unwilling to let any of his fellow soldiers perish needlessly. Kahl is no stranger to telling his story. He’s recounted it often, to anyone who is willing to listen, and in July of this year he found an audience unwilling to extend the same empathy shown by those in attendance at the VFW: the Colorado Board of Health. It was part of an attempt by cannabis advocates to get PTSD included in the list of qualifying conditions in the state medical marijuana registry, the
44 November 2015
third such attempt, and the third time the board had decided against it. The decision was especially troubling as this time the proposal had the support of the state’s chief medical officer and head of the Colorado Department of Health and Environment Dr. Larry Wolk, who in 2014 testified against a bill in the state House of Representatives that would have accomplished this same goal. As has been the case in past attempts, the July decision followed extensive testimony from activists and PTSD survivors like Kahl, with health officials ultimately deciding to side with a small minority of medical professionals who cited a lack of clinical data on the efficacy of cannabis and the questionable links to mental instability.
“Due to the medications and my mental state, I was either screaming at the top of my lungs or nodding off in the middle of my sentences. There wasn’t a whole lot of middle ground where I was functional.” The decision was yet another blow for those suffering from the debilitating condition, but not wholly unexpected given past attempts to add PTSD to the list of treatable conditions, which included the aforementioned bill from 2014 that died in committee. Having exhausted the avenues of both petitioning the board directly and legislative action, Kahl and those like him were left with only one viable alternative: judicial action. On August 19, attorneys representing Kahl along with three other veterans as well as advocate Larissa Bolivar, filed a lawsuit in Colorado district court intended to force the CDPHE and the Board of Health to add PTSD to the registry. “We’ve been failed by both branches [of government]. Our last option is the judiciary. This is a last resort, we don’t have any other options,” says Kahl. The lawsuit names both the CDPHE and the Board of Health as defendants, alleging that the decision to deny PTSD as a treatable condition was “arbitrary and capricious” and that it has harmed those suffering from the condition by hampering their access to the most effective strains and preventing physicians from exploring every potential treatment option. When Kahl speaks about the motivation behind the lawsuit, his anger is palpable. “This is more than just a tragedy, this is an atrocity. They are willingly committing these people to death. And they are doing it because they simply don’t give a shit.” Kahl says he feels the CDPHE has cherry-picked their data, ignoring preliminary data and anecdotal stories, such as his own, that seem to show the miraculous effect that cannabis can have on PTSD. Currently, Arizona, Delaware, Maine, Michigan, New Mexico, Nevada, New York and Oregon all recognize PTSD as a condition treatable through state medical marijuana programs, and if Colorado were to allow it, the state would certainly not be setting a precedent in doing so. “We wouldn’t be
special by allowing this,” says Kahl. “It’s not acceptable to prevent this kind of medicine from being provided to people who are dying everyday.” “There’s not one thing that’s going to help every veteran,” says Curt Bean, one of the veterans serving as a plaintiff in the suit. Bean has been instrumental in turning VFW Post 1 into the unique place that it is, offering monthly art classes open to vets through his Art of War program. Art therapy has been an integral part of Bean’s own healing process, after two combat tours in Iraq left him with PTSD so severe that he was forced to abandon his hopes for a career in the Denver Fire Department and enter into an in-patient treatment program through the VA. “It was terrifying. I consider myself a very strong, independent person. Reaching out for help was not something that comes easy for me,” says Bean. Cannabis was part of his recovery process, and along with meditation, animal and art therapies have helped him to escape the memories that haunted him after his return home. It’s this story of healing that Bean adds to the lawsuit. Though Bean has not been advocating for cannabis as long as Kahl, his story sheds some light on the benefit cannabis can have in overcoming the nearly unfathomable horrors that are routine for young men in combat. “No one’s equipped to take lives,” says Bean. “No one’s equipped to see lives taken, and no one’s equipped to pick up body parts, and no one’s equipped to see your friends pass away, and no one’s equipped to deal with the real tough realities of war; no one is, especially at 18, 19, 20 years old.” It can seem as though the issues being raised by the lawsuit are aimed at veterans, but it is an issue that has an even greater potential to affect women. “The vast majority of people who are suffering from PTSD are not veterans,” says Kahl. “We are the public face of PTSD today, but really the hidden repository of PTSD in our society is women.” While veterans are diagnosed with PTSD at a much higher rate than the civilian population — the VA estimates 20 percent of those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan will experience PTSD — domestically, 10 percent of women suffer from it, double the rate of men. This is often
attributed to the higher likelihood that women will be victims of sexual and domestic assault and childhood abuse. Representing this demographic in the lawsuit is Larissa Bolivar, a cannabis activist who has been fighting to get the state to include PTSD on the registry since 2006. “Cannabis has been literally a life saver,” says Bolivar. Herself a victim of childhood abuse, Bolivar has been living with PTSD for most of her life, and she has experienced similar relief from cannabis. ”Women are the silent majority,” she says. “Veterans bringing the issue to the forefront is awesome because they are this image of strength. The military, for a long time, was ignoring PTSD because they thought it was a sign of weakness. It’s not a sign of weakness; it’s just how the brain works. And so for the military and for veterans to be coming forward, it helps remove the stigma, it helps normalize it.” Fighting on behalf of the women and children who develop PTSD as the result of violence and abuse is something that these veterans are more than willing to do. After all, the heroic ideal of standing up for those who can’t do so for themselves is often a motivating factor for those who enlist. “We’re used to picking up the flag and carrying it home,” says Kahl. “This is our flag and we will carry it.” As of this writing, the lawsuit was awaiting action from the state Attorney General and had not yet made its way to the district court docket. The case will likely not see a resolution for months if not years, leaving those in Colorado suffering from PTSD in the precarious situation of continuing treatment largely off-label, and forcing those in need to buy their medicine in the more highly taxed recreational market, as has often been the suggestion of the Board of Health in the past. In the mean time, Kahl and his group of plaintiffs will continue fighting. The battle may not carry the same dangers as war, but for Kahl and those like him, it is very much a matter of life and death. Although the war abroad has ended for this group, the battle at home continues, and once again it is the soldiers who are on the frontlines, fighting for those who may not be able to do so for themselves.
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($23.88)
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The Specter of Spice
The looming threat of synthetic marijuana by Erin Hiatt
48 November 2015
t the end of September in New York City, a 33-year-old Bronx woman gave birth to a baby girl in the bathroom of her boyfriend’s apartment. She cruelly and inexplicably threw the baby out of the seventh floor bathroom window. The building superintendent’s wife, cleaning the alleyway below, discovered the child, its umbilical cord still attached. Over the next few days, on the subway platforms, the street corners, and coffee shops, people shook their heads in upset, baffled and muttering, “How could someone do that?” Kenneth Bolton, who witnessed the woman being led in handcuffs to a waiting police car told The Daily Mail that she “was more like she was not human. She was deranged, like she was lost. You know, when someone has a look in their eyes like they don’t know where they are?” A coffee shop barista exclaimed, “They said the devil was in her eyes! I heard she was taking the K2!”
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Julie Netherland, Deputy State Director of New York for the Drug Policy Alliance, wrote for The Huffington Post that, “[D]rug scares, according to scholar Craig Reinarman, have been a recurring feature of U.S. society for than 200 years. In his classic article, ‘The Social Construction of Drug Scares,’ he notes that they share a number of features, including media magnification of the problem, linking the drug to a ‘dangerous class,’ and scapegoating a drug for a wide array of public problems. Simply put, drug
The New York City Council has recently partnered with the DEA to crack down on K2 sellers, but the designer drug is notoriously slippery to criminalize. The moment one of the synthetic cannabinoids is made illegal, the manufacturers stop using it and make a new, legal one. If you are a clever chemist and don’t mind changing your formula, you can sell it legally, at least until law enforcement catches up with your newest creation. A father in his 30s with two young daughters, Keith is a former addict who spent nine months in prison for possession of methamphetamine. Keith and his wife Sherie have been together for 10 years, and over that time she has seen him high on meth, marijuana, and Spice. Keith, after being drugfree for several years, tried Spice at the recommendation of a friend because it was legal and he didn’t want to go back to jail. Sherie says, “On marijuana, he was just happy. The biggest thing I had to worry about was that we’d run out of food. But on Spice, it was like watching him die before my eyes. It was like he was sedated, I would say ‘I don’t understand what you’re doing, you’re just a zombie.’” Keith’s wife is not the only person to compare synthetic marijuana users to the walking dead; even The New York Times called the troubled and notoriously rough block between Park and Lexington Avenues on 125th
“On marijuana, he was just happy. The biggest thing I had to worry about was that we’d run out of food. But on Spice, it was like watching him die before my eyes. It was like he was sedated, I would say ‘I don’t understand what you’re doing, you’re just a zombie.’” scares have been used for centuries to vilify particular groups of people to serve political ends.” K2 is just one of the street names for synthetic marijuana, but it also goes by Spice, Scooby Snax, Diesel, and many more. It’s a chemical creation that has been around a lot longer than the news storm surrounding it, and it’s only marijuana in the sense that both whole-plant marijuana and synthetic, single compound Spice bind to the cannabinoid receptors in our brains. It’s often marketed as “herbal incense” and packaged in what resembles a trippy Kool-Aid packet marked with the words “not for human consumption.” Because it’s very difficult to track the manufacturers of K2, there is really no way to know exactly what it’s made of, but it’s usually a collection of leaves, tobacco, or potpourri soaked in acetone and sprayed with chemicals called cannabimimetics. As the word connotes, these chemicals can mimic some of the effects of cannabis, and anecdotal reports suggest that it takes some aspects of the marijuana high, from the mellowest mellow to severe anxiety and paranoia, to the extreme. Drugs.com tells us that “some of the synthesized compounds in fake marijuana bind much more strongly to THC receptors than regular marijuana, which can lead to a more powerful, unpredictable, or dangerous effect.” Some of these chemical compounds have been identified as JWH-018, HU-210, CP 47, JWH-073, and JWH398, to name a few. The DEA has added some synthetic cannabinoids to its list of Schedule I drugs, but of the hundreds of synthetics, only 40 are listed as illegal. Less than the cost of a joint, synthetic marijuana can be found on the internet and in neighborhood bodegas and gas stations in largely poor, minority neighborhoods with large and visible homeless populations and creeping gentrification. New York City Police Commissioner Bill Bratton told The New York Daily News that, “Synthetic marijuana gives people abnormal strength, makes them dangerous”, and that “weaponized weed triggers nude psychotic rampages.” These claims have been largely debunked. In fact, Bratton’s story of a nude, psychotic rampage was actually drawn from a 12-year-old video of someone high on PCP, but was wielded all the same to kick up a synthetic marijuana fear-frenzy, a very familiar drug war tactic reminiscent of Reefer Madness.
Street in East Harlem “a street of zombies” because of its high number of visible K2 users. Netherland said that, “In New York City, many people use K2 to avoid a positive drug test because it doesn’t show up on a drug panel, and in order to receive social services, they have to have a negative test. It’s a large problem with the homeless and K2 is being used to stigmatize and drive them out.” The aforementioned synthetic marijuana chemical JWH-018 is named for the man who created it, Clemson professor emeritus of organic chemistry, John W. Huffman. Intrigued by the discovery of the cannabinoid receptor, the system that THC stimulates and binds to, Huffman was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse to research how synthetic compounds would react with cannabinoid receptors. He synthesized many such compounds, the first in 1993. “The chemistry to make these things is very simple and very old,” Huffman told The Washington Post. “You only have three starting materials and only two steps. In a few days, you could make 25 grams, which could be enough to make havoc.” The Washington Post further writes that, “Huffman published his formula in series of papers, journals and a book called “The Cannabinoid Receptors.” No one is sure exactly what followed, but in 2008, a German forensic lab identified JWH018 in what we now know as Spice. Keith describes himself as an easy-going guy but found that on Spice he was either alarmingly zoned-out or on the verge of becoming completely unglued. “I had a friend who was on steroids, and my anger response was similar and the same as the crack addicts I had dealt with in the past. All the things that make you an adult instead of a child quickly dissolved.” He describes rising in the early morning hours and anxiously waiting for Sherie to get home from her graveyard shift so he could go to the head shop and replenish his supply. When she woke up some hours later, he would be sitting outside and staring blankly, having smoked his entire stash. Sherie says, “The second he told me he was gonna try it I was mad but he took it anyway because it was legal.” “I had heard it was like weed. The high is instantaneous and it goes straight to your brain, like weed. But it’s not the same high, there’s like a sickness
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with it,” Keith explains. When the high would wear off about 45 minutes later, he would get nauseous, and smoking more was the only relief. Nausea is only one of the physical effects of synthetic marijuana; The Washington Post lists the others as extremely high blood pressure (stroke range), dilated pupils and red eyes, glazed expression, inability to speak, rapid heart rate (heart attack range), and possible kidney failure. “I did meth for years and years and I never slapped around a girl or got emotionally dependent. And one day I was scraping the pipe for the resin and she took the pipe from my hand and with that, there was no water under the bridge, everything was insurmountable.” Sherie told Keith that he wasn’t allowed to do drugs inside the house, but he tried to sidestep that rule by using in the basement. “He kept saying, ‘it’s legal.’ He was cleaning his pipe and by that time I’d had it with the whole thing. I went downstairs to tell him he couldn’t do that in the house and he got angry, angry, angry. He was yelling in my face. And he grabbed my wrist and pushed me, so I ran away that night with our baby. I had to leave with my child and then he realized, ‘um, okay.’” By the time Sherie returned he had vowed to quit. And he did, saying that it was harder than stopping meth. THC Magazine reached out to the NYPD, the District Attorney’s office, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the Department of Consumer Affairs. All of them said they were unable to honor any requests about K2’s effects on local communities and law enforcement. Only at the request of a constituent did New York City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez, who represents District 10 in Northern Manhattan honor a press request, and he regurgitated the press releases written by the NYC Health Commissioner’s office. He added one specific, saying that, “We at the city council are giving muscle to the NYPD and the DEA to make sure that we don’t go back to the ‘80s when we had crack cocaine. We are going to push back and any corner in the city is vulnerable.” Despite the unwillingness of agencies to honor any information requests, what is abundantly clear is that the city’s response to synthetic marijuana has not been effective. The NYC homeless population is at an all time high and increasingly visible, and that has brought enhanced media scrutiny to the homeless, who have been struck hardest by synthetic marijuana. Rather than continuing to criminalize an already vulnerable population, Netherland suggests that elected officials examine the root of the problem and use prevention and regulation instead of the same old war-on-drugs, knee-jerk reaction to a crisis. The Drug Policy Alliance has been working with the New York Department of Health and in response to the surge in K2 emergency room visits (more than 3,000 in 2015 so far), they are launching a campaign to educate the public about synthetic marijuana, which is not only misunderstood but misconstrued. The differences between isolated chemical compounds and wholeplant cannabis are real and profound. People have died taking synthetic marijuana and there have been dramatic, negative effects on vulnerable populations. Whole-plant marijuana has never killed anyone and hasn’t put entire populations at risk. Sherie concludes, “I personally think that Spice should not be sold to anyone. Spice is scary and it kills people and it almost ruined my life.”
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Morning Sickness and Marijuana by Dr. Nicola Davies
Severe morning sickness can cause dehydration, weight loss, and bleeding. These effects are sometimes so acute that women need to be hospitalized. However, small doses of marijuana have been found to be highly effective in the treatment of morning sickness, even in severe cases. Those who prefer the use of something non-psychoactive can utilize low-THC hemp oil, which also gives relief from morning sickness. Nevertheless, what concerns mothers-to-be is the possible impact of cannabis on the developing fetus. Dr. Nicola Davies investigates the historical, anecdotal, and scientific evidence surrounding this controversial use for medical marijuana.
Cannabis for Morning Sickness: Historical Evidence
was administered in much the same way as we use cannabis today, whereby seeds are taken orally and flowers are smoked. By the 19th Century, cannabis tinctures were being used in Europe and America as a treatment for a variety of conditions, ranging from headaches to morning sickness. However, in the 1930s, the U.S. media campaign against cannabis began, and various unsubstantiated claims regarding “Reefer Madness” became the sensational news of the day. This led to the banning of any form of cannabis, including non-psychoactive hemp, in 1937.
Historical evidence suggests that various forms of cannabis have been used for the treatment of morning sickness for thousands of years. The earliest records date back to ancient Egypt, where women chewed hemp seeds as a cure for nausea during early pregnancy.
The end result of this ban was to effectively end modern research on the therapeutic effects cannabis; even today, researchers still have great difficulty obtaining approval for studies regarding the use of cannabinoids for therapeutic applications.
Records from China and Persia, dating back to the 7th century BC, also refer to the use of cannabis for morning sickness. According to Dr. Ethan Russo, in his work “Cannabis treatments in obstetrics and gynecology: a historical review”, female flowers or seeds were used. Presumably, treatment
Modern Evidence
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In 1994, Dr Melanie Dreher’s article on the use of cannabis as treatment for morning sickness among Jamaican women was published in the scientific journal Pediatrics. According to Dreher, Jamaican women smoke cannabis
as a folk remedy for morning sickness, despite the fact that it is officially discouraged. In 2002, Dr. Wei-Lin Curry, who herself suffered from a severe, lifethreatening form of morning sickness known as Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG), published an anecdotal paper regarding her personal experience of medical marijuana as a treatment. She notes that conventional medicines are known to be “questionable” for the “long-term safety of the fetus,” as well as being expensive and limited in efficacy. Curry turned to medical marijuana as a last resort and found that two puffs in the evening and one in the morning were sufficient to cure her condition. A 2006 survey, conducted in Canada and published in the Journal Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, found that 68 percent of respondents had tried cannabis as a treatment for morning sickness; 92 percent of these women said that cannabis was effective in treating their condition. Of these, 31 percent chose non-psychoactive hemp taken orally, 8 percent used high-THC tinctures and oils, and the rest smoked or used a vaporizer. The study calls for further research into the subject.
Could You Be Hurting Your Unborn Baby?
Excessive smoking of any kind reduces the oxygen available to unborn children, but recent studies seem to indicate that light medicinal marijuana use won’t adversely affect the fetus or later development of the child. Advocates of medicinal marijuana recommend the use of a vaporizer, rather than an unfiltered smoke, to limit oxygen depletion and the risks associated with ordinary smoking. Although there have been many studies on the effects of cannabis on fetal health and subsequent childhood development after birth, few control for other factors, such as the use of alcohol and tobacco, and the socio-economic effects of the childhood environment on the subsequent development of children.
has been widely studied and found to be effective, there are also at least three animal studies that indicate a reduction in nausea in mothers-to-be after using non-psychoactive CBD. This is the cannabinoid that is associated with low-THC hemp. Henry Vincenty of Endoca, a Netherlands-based firm that specializes in the production of ultra-low THC hemp oil, says that the endocannabinoid system is not yet well understood. “We all produce natural endocannabinoids that are similar to those found in hemp, and pregnant women produce more endocannabinoids than usual, but no one’s quite sure why this happens. There is plenty of anecdotal evidence that low THC hemp oil can relieve morning sickness without psychoactive effects, but there is little scientific evidence at this time.” Vincenty says that the main reason CBD has enjoyed less attention from the scientific community is that this cannabinoid was identified later than its better-known relative, THC. “We can’t guarantee that it will be effective against morning sickness, but we know that it works in a lot of cases.” Because orally administered treatments work more slowly than inhaled ones, Vincenty recommends using CBD oil as a preventative measure taken twice daily. “You may have to play around to find the right dose, but CBD oil is harmless and has no psychoactive effects. It has so little THC that you won’t even fail a drug test unless you take enormous amounts.”
So What Should We Conclude?
Cannabinoids can cure morning sickness, and scientific studies seem to indicate that they don’t harm the baby. THC has been more widely researched, but it is psychoactive and illegal in many states. Those who would prefer a non-psychoactive, legal option could consider trying low THC-hemp oil as an alternative.
In 1997, however, Dr. J.P. Morgan and Dr. Lynn Zimmer reported, “Marijuana has no reliable impact on birth size, length of gestation… or the occurrence of physical abnormalities”; several other studies now seem to support this conclusion. Among these is a study of over 12,000 UK women, which took alcohol use, the mothers’ pre-pregnancy weight, caffeine use, and the use of other illicit drugs and smoking, into account. In 1999, a study of similar magnitude, conducted in the Netherlands, reached a similar conclusion. But what about susceptibility to cancer? One of the most common forms of cancer to affect pre-adolescent children, acute myeloid leukemia, and its potential connection with maternal cannabis use, has been studied. The results showed no connection between maternal cannabis use and this condition. Studies in which mothers admitted to combining cannabis with tobacco use and alcohol are less rosy in their results, but it could be argued that tobacco and alcohol are to blame for the problems that arise. There is certainly a large volume of evidence indicating that alcohol and tobacco can and do affect the health of unborn children and their subsequent development. However, heavy use of marijuana may also be found to have adverse effects on later childhood development, particularly verbal ability. Lastly, the University of Bristol examined the use of alcohol, tobacco and cannabis during pregnancy in order to determine whether there was any correlation with the later development of psychosis in children. The study concluded that, while both alcohol and tobacco may increase the incidence of psychosis, there was no connection between cannabis use by mothers and psychosis in their offspring.
What if You Don’t Want to Get ‘Stoned’?
Although the use of THC as a means of suppressing nausea and vomiting
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Steering 3-D Printing into Hemp Construction Chad Knutsen is Captaining new technology into sustainability by DJ Reetz
Depending on whom you ask, hemp-based construction is either the savior of the world, or an impractical dream. The process of mixing milled hemp stalks with lime to create a concrete-like substance has seen some success, but the process remains costly, and the resulting hempcrete is not a true substitute for traditional concrete. A recent proposal to create 3D printed structures made of hempcrete may be addressing at least some of these detractions. The idea has gained attention after winning both the judges’ choice and popular choice award at the MIT Climate CoLab, a crowdsourced scientific contest aimed at mitigating the impacts of global climate change.
Hemp stalks ready for milling
The proposal was put forward by The Ancient Future Mystery People’s Pirate Academy, an organization aimed at empowering the population with locally sourced, environmentally friendly solutions to many of the problems facing the world. Naturally, these goals are well-met through hemp.
When used as outlined by the proposal, the resulting hempcrete is denser, heavier, and more importantly, sturdier than traditional forms. This means the hempcrete blocks that are produced can potentially be load-bearing, unlike more traditional forms, which can only be used as filling in a support structure’s frame. The micronized particles also have the added benefit of reducing the time required for the hempcrete to cure, cutting it by half or even two thirds, says Knutsen. “That’s what we’re trying to make possible, making it lighter than normal cement, but maintaining the beneficial properties that hempcrete brings.” Under the proposal, hempcrete blocks will be either printed or poured into molds that have been created using a 3D printer. The blocks will be similar in structure to bone, though on a much larger scale, with material occupying only the areas required to maintain structural integrity. “Either way we go, the 3D printing is a necessary element for creating this style of blocks. But we don’t necessarily plan to 3D print houses every time,” he says.
“I’d heard of hemp, and I knew that it was cool. I knew it was kind of like pot; I didn’t really know the difference that well,” says Chad Knutsen, the founder and self-described Captain of the Pirate Academy. Knutsen says he was first introduced to the enormous potential of hemp by a friend he met during the Occupy L.A. protests. His travels soon took him to Belize, where working to create an eco-community further exposed him to the potential of hemp. “Right away it became obvious that it was the plant that we needed in the world today to solve so many problems in so many industries. We can turn so much waste into abundance,“ he says. Utilizing hemp would allow for local control of materials, empowerment for farmers, and the wrestling of some control away from government officials. However, hemp farming was illegal in Belize, and the quest lead Knutsen to Colorado.
The resulting material maintains the carbon-neutral or even carbonnegative effect that hempcrete is known for, absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere as the hemp grows and continuing this process as the hempcrete petrifies. Additionally, the process of 3D printing, which allows for what Knutsen calls “waste-less construction,” compounds the environmental benefit. Unlike traditional construction methods, material is created in the exact amount needed, avoiding the waste of excess lumber that is seen in traditional home construction. The process also allows for a more mobile construction template. Using a portable mill and the pre-rendered molds, a structure can be constructed anywhere that hemp is grown. “Anyone that has hemp can build a house right on site, without having to leave their property,” says Knutsen.
One of the more noteworthy aspects to come out of the time Knutsen spent in Belize was a unique milling system, which remains an integral part of the CoLab proposal to create hempcrete blocks that can be assembled into homes in a similar fashion to Lego bricks. “With our milling system we’re not using any friction, we’re not using heat, and we’re using very, very little energy,” says Knutsen. Using a patented mill design, pieces of hemp stalk are suspended in fluid then hit with a resonating vibration that breaks the material into extremely small pieces. “It literally vibrates the cells apart and pulls everything apart along natural molecular boundaries,” he says. The process creates micronized particles that have a larger net active surface area, allowing them to form a better bond with the lime particles and create a stronger material. It’s a process that benefits any material put through the milling process, and Knutsen claims that conventional flour refined in this method will have a drastically increased shelf life thanks to the preservation of its cellular structure. The added micronization of the milling can also increase the strength of traditional concrete, says Knutsen.
While the current model relies heavily on hempcrete blocks, Knutsen says he would like to eventually adapt it to create structures using lighter, more durable hemp plastics. “That’s really the end goal, having a super modular, simple form of construction that would last hundreds of years once it’s built,” he says. For the time being, such an idea is still a ways off. Currently, Knutsen is working with hemp producers in Colorado to try and create a verifiable proof of concept. There are certainly still barriers to break, and Knutsen anticipates that the biggest challenge won’t come from the legal status of hemp. “The biggest obstacle is really not regulatory,” he says. “The issue really is the fact that the concrete industry is really one of the most cemented industries — no pun intended — in the world.”
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“Our big mission is to start helping people think about the long game,” Knutsen says. “If we can get our society to stop just planning for their lifetime, then I think that’s going to be a really key goal in determining if we’re going to survive as a species.”
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Pot-litically Incorrect
Schedule 2 aka “Shit That’s Safer Than Weed” by DJ Reetz
Last month, I compiled a list of Schedule I controlled substances that probably have no business being in the section of the Controlled Substances Act designated for the most destructive intoxicants known to man. Like cannabis, these substances are deemed by Drug Enforcement officials to be so harmful that, even under the strictest of medical supervision, there exists no potential for benefit. And much like the DEA does with cannabis, they are lying about all of this too. By contrast, Schedule II is where the substances that, while prone to abuse and dependency, still possess the potential for medical applications. These are substances that have shown to be addictive and even potentially lifethreatening, but nonetheless are still prescribed by doctors and studied as part of medical science. Schedule II is where you will find drugs that are dangerous, but not so dangerous that we must stifle all attempts at knowledge of their effects. Some people will argue that cannabis should be in this category rather than Schedule I, as this would allow for greater ease of study and could potentially allow physicians to prescribe it and health insurance to cover it. But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let’s take a look at the company that cannabis would keep in Schedule II; or the substances that the DEA thinks have more medicinal value than cannabis.
Cocaine From presidents of the United States, to Yale cheerleaders, to presidents of the United States who were Yale cheerleaders, everybody seems to love cocaine. The drug is derived from coca leaves, which themselves fall into the Schedule II category, a plant that grows in the Andes and has been used by the native peoples there for centuries. This widespread use of a mildly intoxicating plant by indigenous populations would seem to lend itself to a Schedule I categorization given how the previous one of these lists looked, but medicinal applications of cocaine have earned it a slightly less severe scheduling. Cocaine was once an integral part of patent medicine, and you could find it in healthful tonics such as Coca Cola. Although Coke has removed the coke from their formula, the company still uses a coca extract — because
58 November 2015
who doesn’t crave that great cocaine taste without the pesky stimulant effect? While the idea of medicinal cocaine may seem straight out of Grand Theft Auto, the substance can be used as a topical anesthetic in the form of cocaine hydrochloride. When applied to the lining of the mouth, nose and throat, cocaine numbs the tissue by blocking nerve impulses, and can be used for minor surgeries. When applied to the nasal cavities, cocaine can also be used to really get this fuckin’ party started. However, due to the high potential for abuse, other, less fun anesthetics are usually used instead of cocaine. According to researchers at the University of Cambridge, cocaine use has been shown to cause a loss in gray matter, an effect that is directly tied to the length of use. A study from the National Institute for Drug Abuse has shown that cocaine can potentially alter gene expression in users, essentially rewiring their brains to make them crave cocaine. I know, NIDA, fuck those guys, right? But the point remains that cocaine can fundamentally alter a person’s very being, changing them into someone who’s only concept of reward and pleasure revolves around cocaine; you sure don’t need a medical study to witness that. Still, even with the well-documented understanding of the incredibly addictive properties of the drug and the minimal medical applications, it seems the DEA would still rather doctors had access to cocaine than cannabis.
Morphine I probably don’t need to explain the medical applications for this one. Morphine is a widely used painkiller d e r i ve d from opium poppies, and it is commercially available in a range of products that can be prescribed by doctors. Statex, Roxanol, MS Contin, Kadian, Infumorph, Duramorph, Avinza, or whatever else the pharmaceutical industry brands it as, it’s all morphine of one type or another. Opium-based medicine has been around for possibly millennia, and morphine has been a part of the pharmacopeia for at least
200 years. Considered to be dangerously addictive by the medical and psychological communities, morphine is usually either directly administered by medical professionals or given as time-release capsules in certain situations. These controls are necessary, as morphine is the precursor of heroin; the drug most people seem to think is just the worst. On top of its highly addictive nature, the real danger in morphine comes from just how easily it can kill you. A lethal dose can be as little as 60 mg for those with a sensitivity to the drug, while the minimum lethal dose for the average person is just 200 mg. Morphine, along with its sister alkaloids codeine and thebaine make up a category of substances known as opiates, responsible for thousands of overdose deaths every year. Clearly the medical establishment has no problem with the potential for abuse and death from these drugs, and clearly the DEA still feels that they are a preferable alternative to cannabis when it comes to treating pain. Well, the morphine the better, I guess.
Methamphetamine When most people talk about the dangers of drug addiction, methamphetamine usually makes an appearance in the conversation. It’s no secret that meth is an addictive, destructive drug. But what is a little less widely known is that according to the Controlled Substances Act, meth has more medicinal value than cannabis. That’s right, the old hillbilly tooth remover can be prescribed by doctors under the brand name Desoxyn for treatment of childhood ADHD. So if your kid is having trouble staying calm and focused in school, try forcing some methamphetamines down his or her throat. Desoxyn is also prescribed for the treatment of obesity
and is sometimes prescribed offlabel to treat narcolepsy. That’s really just a taste of what cannabis would be lumped in with if it where de-scheduled just one notch. There are certainly other drugs in Schedule II that I could point to — PCP Methamphetamine comes to mind — but as always I’m really just hitting the low-hanging fruit. While I wouldn’t argue that the medicinal value of these substances is bunk, I would argue that they are eclipsed by the medicinal value of cannabis. In fact, some of these dangerous and addictive drugs could be replaced with cannabis in certain situations. I therefore wouldn’t argue that these drugs should be elevated into Schedule I, as having access to them allows medical professionals to prescribe them in the controlled situations in which they may actually be helpful to patients. However, when you examine the drugs that fall into Schedule II it becomes pretty apparent that cannabis doesn’t really belong there either. Cannabis probably belongs in the same categorization as deadly and addictive substances like alcohol and tobacco, which is to say, not in the schedule at all.
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60 November 2015
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64 November 2015
DISPENSARY GUIDE by DJ Reetz
DENVER
COLORADO SPRINGS
69 The Clinic 66 The Health Center 67 Infinite Wellness 67 LivWell 68 Northern Lights Cannabis Company 67 Preferred Organic Therapy 67 Rocky Mountain Organic Medicine 67 Walking Raven
NORTHERN COLORADO
66 Canna Caregivers 67 LivWell 67 Original Cannabis Growers
66 Infinite Wellness 67 LivWell
BOULDER 67 LivWell
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Canna Caregivers
Canna Caregivers - West The Canna Center www.facebook.com/CannaCaregiversTheCannacenter The CC Group consists of three leading medical dispensaries in Colorado Springs. Their knowledgeable and friendly staff will make you feel right at home. Visit one of their three locations: 3220 N Academy Blvd #4 Colorado Springs, CO 80917 1914 W. Uintah St. Colorado Springs, CO 2306 N Powers Blvd Colorado Springs, CO 80915
The Health Center 2 Locations www.thchealth.com
The Health Center is a top notch cannabis dispensary with two convenient locations in the heart of Denver. 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.
illustrated by Kevin Smith
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Infinite Wellness Center 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.
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!
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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 North ern Lights Cannabis Co, one of only 24 retail stores to open that day fo recreational sales!
The history made that day continues to resonate with every legal cannabis trans action, 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 per fect 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 Ge netics, Paradise Seeds and other reputable producers. Stop by and discover “Where Your Buds Are”!
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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.
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70 November 2015
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72 November 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 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 Urban Dispensary Medical & Adult Use 21+ 2675 W. 38th Ave. Denver, CO 80211 720-389-9179 www.urbandispensary.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
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
GOLDEN Rocky Mtn. Organic Medicine Medical Only 511 Orchard Street Golden, CO 80401 720-230-9111 rockymountainorganicmedicine.com
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THANK YOU TO OUR ADVERTISERS 46 Best Buds 04 BIG Industry Show 14,66 Canna Caregivers 14,66 The Canna Center 14 Canna Creations 46 Cannabis Business Alliance 59 CannaQual 10 Canyon Cultivation 62 Chromic Con 05,69 The Clinic 51 Dr. J’s 47 Edipure 76 GH Labs 46 Glasscraft 09 Green Remedy 71 Healing Canna 55,66 The Health Center 37 Healthy Choices Unlimited 12 The Hemp Connoisseur Championship 33 Incredibles 64 Indica Vape 16 Indo Expo Trade Show 07,67 Infinite Wellness 63 Leafbuyer.com 17,67 LivWell 61 Love & Marij 13 Mahatma 25 Mary’s Medicinals 53 Medeval Clinic 33 Medically Correct 09 Mountain High Suckers 29,68 Northern Lights Cannabis Co. 47 Organix 46,67 Original Cannabis Growers 67 Preferred Organic Therapy 31,67 Rocky Mountain Organic Medicine 54 Speak Easy Vape Lounge 03 The Trimmer Store 57 Urban Dispensary 02,67 Walking Raven 75 Western Centers, Inc. 74 November 2015
OTHER: EVENTS
BIG Insustry Show bigindustryshow.com Indo Expo Trade Show indoexpoco.com
GLASS BLOWING Glasscraft Glasscraftinc.com
INDUSTRY GROUPS Cannabis Business Alliance cannabisalliance.org Cannabis Consumers Coalition cannabisconsumer.org Colorado NORML www.coloradonorml.org NCIA www.thecannabisindustry.org Marijuana Policy Project www.mpp.org consumeresponsibly.org
INDUSTRY SERVICES Best Buds bestbudsapp.com Cannabase cannabase.io Cannabis Camera www.cannabiscamera.com Colorado Pot Guide coloradopotguide.com General Cannabis generalcann.com iCannabis Radio www.icannabisradio.com NHA National Hemp Association nationalhempassociation.org Leafbuyer Leafbuyer.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 Edipure edipure.com
Incredibles incrediblescolorado.com Julie’s Natural Edibles juliesnaturaledibles.com Mahatma mahatmaconcentrates.com Medically Correct medicallycorrect.com Mountain High Suckers mountainhighsuckers.com
MMJ EVALUATION 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 Cultivating Spirits cultivatingspirits.com High Country Cannabis Tours highcountrycannabistours.com
TRIMMING SERVICES The Trimmer Store 800-429-6034 thetrimmerstore.com
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