The EVOLUTION Magazine, December 2022

Canna Newsroom Show-Me Organics Acquires Growing and Manufacturing Facility

Faces of MMJ Biz Out & About in Missouri

Canna Biz News Amendment 3 Passed, What It Will and Will Not Do! What’s Next? Patient Education Labeling Products — What’s the deal with those huge “MARIJUANA” stickers? Patient Awareness Holiday’s, Health, Cannabis, and Yoga Tips to Help You Relax

Ask Leah − I Want an Indoor Grow Room. What Should I Consider for an Indoor Cannabis Grow?

Industry News − The Former Terrapin is Now Elevate MO with Full Local Ownership

Budtender Picks − Holiday’s Energy Boost Products

Growing Tips − Integrated Pest Management for Those Pesky Little Critters

Budtender Insight − Smoky, Snowy Christmas — Gift Giving Ideas Made Easy

Feature of Month − Clone to Cure — A Cannabis Plant’s Journey

Cannabis Wellness − My Special Holiday Cookies

Elevated Learning − Consumption Lounges — What Are They All About?

Thoughts from Doc − Insomnia Symptoms Treated with Medical Cannabis Patient Education − Indica vs. Sativa Beginners’ Guide

Reflections The Rise of The Hemp Guardians, And a Happy, Hempy Holiday Season Patient Education − Cannabis for Migraine Headaches

► Cover: This month’s cover features a cannabis Christmas tree by Karla Deel, the Flora Farms Marketing Director and photographer. She accepted the challenge of a front cover photo with a cannabis plant decorated like a Christmas tree. Her photo is awesome! For a behind the scenes look at how the photo was taken see the full story and photos on page 61.

Bill Cromwell, Publisher, Editor-in-Chief

It’s been all over the news, and everyone knows Amendment 3 passed legalizing adult-use marijuana in Missouri. Over one million voters voted in favor of Missouri becoming the 20th state to legalize adult-use marijuana. However, don’t hop in your car and head off to the nearest dispensary just yet.

Now, for the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) that oversees the Missouri medical marijuana program, the Amendment 3 adult-use implementation timeline begins.

November 9, MoCann Trade Association reported, “Because of our robust medical program, implementation in Missouri is expected to be quicker and smoother than almost any of the 19 states that came before us. The DHSS has already communicated that they don’t anticipate anything slowing down the implementation timeline approved by 1,089,326 Missouri voters yesterday.” Here is the timeline for adult use implementation:

● December 7, 2022 – Initiative becomes effective and is added to Missouri’s constitution (until that date, be careful, as marijuana remains illegal in Missouri unless you have a state-issued medical ID card.)

● December 7, 2022 – Medical marijuana (commercial) license holders may start requesting a conversion to a comprehensive (medical + adult use) license from DHSS. The DHSS has 60 days to act upon this request, otherwise it is deemed approved.

● February 2023 – Adult-use sales could begin near February 6 to 8.

● The DHSS could begin sales sooner, but it has 90 days from when the law was put into effect (December 8), or else adult-use sales at dispensaries can automatically begin.

● Recreational buyers, age-21-plus, may purchase up to three (3) ounces and possess six (6) ounces.

● Medical patients can purchase six ounces and possess 12 ounces unless they are a cultivator, and then it would be 18 ounces.

● Every Missourian may grow up to 18 plants and may “gift” (not sell) up to three (3) ounces to another adult.

Missouri Constitutional Amendment 3 also made history by being the first state in the nation to automatically expunge past nonviolent marijuana offenses.

“This enormous step forward for criminal justice reform will result in hundreds of thousands of Missourians having their records cleared, at no cost to them, for an activity that is now legal,” said John Payne, Amendment 3 Campaign Manager.

“Missouri will see millions in new revenue pour in each year for veterans’ health care, drug treatment, and our severely underfunded public defender’s office. The vote immediately puts an end to nearly 20,000 arrests each year for minor marijuana violations, freeing up vital law enforcement resources to fight serious and violent crime,” said Payne.

For answers to more questions, see page 16 of this issue, where we elected to rerun the November issue article by attorney Dan Viets who wrote about “What Amendment 3 Will and Will Not Do.” Additionally, dispensaries are already getting calls and visits from the public who think they can now purchase legalized (adult-use) Missouri marijuana from dispensaries. Lee Burgess, Director of Retail Operations for Kansas City Cannabis Company, addresses what consumers can expect now that Amendment 3 has passed. It should help answer some questions.

Missouri’s First Educational Medical Cannabis Magazine Published Monthly by Native Kansas City, MO, Advocates, Publishers and Writers. A True Missouri Born Grassroots Effort to Educate and Inform Patients, and to Provide Businesses within The Missouri Cannabis Industry an Economical Forum to Tell Their Story. We hope you join and enjoy “The Evolution.”

PUBLISHER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Bill Cromwell News, Articles and Advertisement Requests should email to: Bill.C@TheEvolutionMag.com Corporate Office (New 8/22): 816.886.9017

Kansas City, MO Mail to: P.O. Box 2196, Independence, MO 64055

MANAGING EDITOR, VP OF OPERATIONS: Victoria Cromwell

DIRECTOR MARKETING and EDITORIAL DEVELOPMENT: Clayton Stallings

CREATIVE DESIGNER, GRAPHIC ARTS and EDITORIAL: Bill Cromwell PHOTOGRAPHY: Clayton Stallings, and guests photographers

Our Team of Expert Writers and Cannabis Industry Leaders

● Danielle Buntyon ― Elevated Learning

● Karla Deel — Cannabis Culture and History, Product Profiles

● Kassie Ferrero ― Dispensary Product Reviews and News

● Dana Cunningham — Cooking with CBD and THC

● Dolores Halbin, RN — Patient Advocate and Awareness

● Sean Keast ― Product Profiles and Dispensary News

● Peter Kershaw — Health and Safety Columnist

● Leah Maurer — Health, Awareness, Ask Leah Columnist

● Jason Mispagel, — Home Growers Education Columnist

● Dr. Poppa, D.O., M.B.A. ― Medical Health News

● Jay Richardson ― Patient Features

● Monthly Guest Writers — Cannabis News & Patient Advocates

The EVOLUTIONTM Magazine offers a monthly print magazine that is distributed throughout western Missouri, select St. Louis locations, eastern Kansas and the Lake of the Ozarks region. Free printed copies are found at nearly 360 locations including CBD stores, MMJ Dispensaries, Garden and Grow Supply Stores, doctors offices, restaurants, sports bars, resorts, and many other select locations. In addition, the monthly magazine is offered online in an inter-active E-magazine at www.TheEvolutionMag.com.

NOTICE: The publisher/editor reserves the right to reject whatever material does not fit with the vision or intent of this publication. Advertising is accepted at the discretion of the publisher and do not imply endorsement, nor are we responsible for the products or services advertised. The contributing writers, staff or owners of THE EVOLUTION Magazine LLC cannot be held liable for hardship or losses incurred due to any content associated within this publication or websites. Written views, advertisements and information expressed in this publication belong to the writers or advertisers and do not reflect the sentiments or editorial opinion of the publisher or staff. We cannot be held responsible for; views, opinions, changes to scheduling, prices, rates or the occasional typographical errors.

ADVERTISEMENT NOTICE: Advertisers have the right to terminate promotions or special offers/coupons, change rates or fees without notice. All listed guides, rates, fees and information herein are non-binding reference material only. Always check with listed businesses or advertisers for its latest updates, current prices and/or special offers.

FDA Disclaimer: Any statements/claims made within this magazine have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. No articles, products or Ads featured within these pages are intended to diagnose, treat, cure, prevent any disease, ailment or disorder. Medical decisions should not be made based on advertisements within these pages. Consult a physician on the benefits and risks of particular medical marijuana products. Products mentioned within for use by adults age 21 and older. Keep such products out of reach of children. The information within is a sharing of knowledge and information based on the writers research, opinions and/or educated experience.

© 2019 – 2022 The EVOLUTIONTM Magazine . All Rights Proprietary and Conceptual Designs Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this publication’s contents is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Publisher or Managing Editor.

the Holiday Season, and Plenty to Celebrate!

Medical decisions should not be made based on advertising. Cons ult a physician on the benefits and risks of particular medical marijuana products.

Show-Me Organics Acquires Growing and Manufacturing Facility

The EVOLUTION Magazine Newsroom

Show-Me Organics — a Missouri-based cannabis company and operator of Vivid, Missouri’s Own, Buoyant Bob, and Blue Sage — announced on October 31, it would purchase the 80,000-square-foot cannabis growing and manufacturing facility in Kansas City from Holistic Industries, one of the nation’s largest, private multi-state operators in the cannabis industry. Terms of the deal were signed by both parties on October 3rd and will close upon approval by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. No other details of the transaction were disclosed.

The facility is currently operational and produces more than 1,000 pounds of high-quality flower per month for dispensaries throughout Missouri. Holistic Industries recently entered the Missouri market under the Strane brand and sells in about 30 dispensaries statewide. Show-Me Organics will acquire the genetics and flower currently produced, along with rigorous standard-operating procedures that consistently produce cannabis at THC levels between 25-33%. Included in the genetics are highly sought-after strains like Florida Kush, which Vivid will now sell.

“We believe we are acquiring the best-designed grow facility in the state, and we tip our caps to Holistic Industries perfecting the design and process through build outs in nine other states,” said Boston Dickerson, co-founder and CEO of Show-Me Organics. “This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity, from the staff to the facility, to the genetics.”

Josh Genderson, Founder and CEO of Holistic Industries, added, “Quality tends to find quality, particularly in the cannabis industry. We are proud to pass on what our team built to what is likely to be among the top players in Missouri.”

The acquisition of the grow and manufacturing operations makes Show-Me Organics a vertical player, adding to its portfolio of two dispensaries, manufacturing, and transportation services. The company plans to take on approximately 60 employees at its newly acquired manufacturing plant while continuing to operate its laboratory in Springfield, MO.

About Show-Me Organics

Founded in 2019, Show-Me Organics is a locally owned and operated cannabis company built from a history of serving Missouri patients through family-owned pharmacies for more than 30 years. The company operates several popular brands, including Blue Sage dispensaries, Missouri’s Own, Vivid, and the “Absurdly Affordable” Buoyant Bob brand, which are collectively sold in 95% of Missouri dispensaries. Learn more at www.showmeorganics.com or www.buoyantbob.com.

About Missouri’s Own

Missouri’s Own is a brand of edibles from Vivid that launched in March 2022. The brand celebrates Missouri’s vast botanical diversity with flavors inspired by locally cultivated fruits, such as Pawpaw, Raspberry, Concord Grape, and more. Its gourmet gummies are vegan and made with all natural ingredients, and features branding inspired by Missouri’s rolling hills.

About Vivid

Vivid’s expert extraction team applies the precision of modern science to optimize traditional hash making techniques, bringing products to Missouri that are on the forefront of cannabis innovation globally. Vivid’s wide range of products derived from the brand’s focus on different cannabis users and is built on understanding cannabis affects everyone differently. Learn more at www.vividcannabis.com.

BYRNE PR

News by, Patrick Barry –

Missouri’s Top Selling Brand of Cannabis Concentrates – Vivid – Moves Into Flower with a State-of-the-Art Grow and Manufacturing Facility.

Medical decisions should not be made based on advertising. Consult a physician on the benefits and risks of particular medical marijuana products.

Out & About in Missouri!

The Faces of the Missouri Medical Cannabis Industry

▲ Pictured with me (on left) is Ian

of Cultivation

They are a part of the new Elevate Missouri team — one of the few completely Missouri-owned MO MMJ companies. It recently acquired the KC locations of the former Terrapin locations.

the

▲

(See the complete story on page 26.)

▲ The Missouri’s Hemp Industry came together for the states very 1st Native Prairie Hemp Fest in November at “The Farm” in Garden City, MO. From left to right is Bill Cook, Sean Hackmann, Jon Riegel, and Tyler Morgan. A big thank you to The Missouri Hemp Trade Association for educating and giving a voice for all local hemp farmers.

▲ A few of the happy hemp enthusiast who attended the 1st Native Prairie Hemp Fest in November. Attendees enjoyed two days of hemprelated educational workshops, farms tours, hemp farming techniques, plus, BBQ contests, farm-fresh foods, live music, entertainment, and all things hemp. See the November issue page 40 for more information about the MO Hemp program at www.TheEvolutionMag.com.

Selfies & Photos by Clayton Stallings

Todd Scattini (on left), Army Lieutenant Colonel (AKA “The Hemp Colonel”) with Dr. Sue Sisley, the first FDA approved doctor for marijuana research in the country take a selfie in Topeka, KS, in November, and just after they spoke to legislators in a special joint session to end the Kansas MMJ prohibition.

Peak, Director

and Kevin Caldwell, Sales Manager of

new Elevate Missouri.

When CanIBuy?

Editor’s Note: In the November issue, attorney Dan Viets wrote an article about exactly “What Amendment 3 Will and Will Not Do.” Many readers contacted us with questions about how and when the program new will roll out and public sales begin. For those who may have missed the November issue, we’ve decided to rerun Viets’ article again in this issue. It should help answer some questions.

Dispensaries are already getting calls and visits from the public who think they can now purchase legalized adult-use Missouri marijuana from dispensaries. We asked Lee Burgess, Director of Retail Operations for Kansas City Cannabis Company, to shed some light on what consumers can expect now that Amendment 3 has passed.

Here’s what Burgess reports.

I know everyone is really excited about Amendment 3 passing on November 8 and what it means for Missouri. Chances are that people will start stopping by dispensaries thinking they can sell to anyone age 21 and over now. Here is what consumers can expect once the new laws go into effect.

● The new Missouri medical marijuana rules go into effect on December 8.

● However, recreational (adult-use) sales most likely won’t begin until after February 6 (or near that date). The DHSS could begin sales sooner, but it has 90 days from when the law was put into effect (December 8), or else adult-use sales can begin automatically.

How long is your medical card good for now?

● The expiration date on a patient’s current medical marijuana card will not change.

● When patients go to renew their card, the fee will be $25 for three years instead of the previous one year.

● Patient cultivation fees will now be $50 for three years. That does not include Doctor/Nurse Practitioner fees.

What are the limits on personal possession of recreational (adult-use) cannabis?

● Individuals 21+ will be allowed to purchase up to three (3) ounces of cannabis flower, or its equivalents, at a time.

● There is no tracking of these purchases.

WhatItWill and WillNotDo!

Can my employer fire me for smoking cannabis now that it’s legal in Missouri?

● The new law would prevent employers from discriminating against cannabis patients in hiring, firing, and other disciplinary measures if not related to drug use or intoxication while on the job.

Does the new initiative take away our gun rights?

● No, gun rights are explicitly protected in the amendment in Section II, Subsection 10, which refers to preventing the state from denying rights granted by the MO Constitution under Article I, Section 23.

Will public consumption be allowed?

● While Amendment 3 legalizes marijuana for adult use, driving under the influence and the public consumption of marijuana will still be prohibited. However, instead of facing a criminal conviction and jail time under current law, Amendment 3 decriminalizes public consumption and instead institutes a fine of no more than $100 per instance.

I’m on probation/parole, can I become a medical marijuana patient?

● The new law allows people on parole or probation to sign up for Missouri’s medical marijuana program.

What are the new Purchase/Possession limits?

● Recreational buyers can purchase 3 oz. and possess 6 oz.

● Medical patients can purchase 6 oz, and possess 12 oz, unless they are a cultivator and then it would be 18 oz.

The following is what attorney Dan Viets, J.D., Missouri NORML Coordinator wrote for the November issue about exactly “What Amendment 3 Will and “Will Not Do.”

Missourians have the opportunity with Amendment 3 to legalize Missouri’s non-medical adult-use, cultivation and sales of marijuana on November 8. Amendment 3 is on the ballot because hundreds of thousands of Missourians signed petitions circulated by the Legal Missouri 2022 campaign. The following is a breakdown

of Exactly What Amendment 3 Will and Will Not Do. We hope this helps provide some education about the Amendment before you head to the voting booth.

; It will end the great majority of the more than 20,000 arrests and prosecutions in our state each year.

; It will expunge hundreds of thousands of marijuana arrests and convictions from Missourians’ records automatically, without any action by the defendants being required.

; It will be especially beneficial to Black Missourians, who are arrested at a rate of 2.6 times more than White Missourians, despite the fact that the two groups use marijuana at almost exactly the same rate. Marijuana prohibition exists because of racism.

; Amendment 3 will go a long way toward fixing the problems caused by marijuana prohibition.

_ It is not the last word on marijuana law in Missouri.

_ It is not perfect.

Everyone has his or her own idea of what the perfect marijuana law would be. If we allow “perfect” to be the “enemy of the good,” we will never see legalization in this state. Amendment 3 will be on the ballot only because an alliance of activists such as NORML and other reform organizations worked closely with the medical marijuana industry to gather the signatures needed. Several million dollars are required to pay petitioners to put an initiative like Amendment 3 on the ballot. If Amendment 3 fails, it is not likely there is anyone else who is going to donate that money to put another initiative on the ballot.

Some folks seem to think that the Missouri General Assembly will legalize marijuana for us. I have personally been going to the Missouri General Assembly for nearly 50 years, asking them to do exactly that. I have testified hundreds of times at legislative hearings.

There is almost no chance that the Missouri legislature will legalize marijuana for us. The legislative process is such that any controversial bill will very likely be amended extensively. It is very difficult to get legislation through the Missouri General Assembly. There is no realistic chance that any legalization bill will pass the Missouri legislature in the foreseeable future.

On the other hand, the legislature does routinely place proposed Constitutional amendments on the ballot. If there are serious problems with Amendment 3, the Missouri legislature can certainly propose amendments to it by placing them before the voters at the next election. In fact, the Missouri legislature placed three proposed Constitutional amendments on this November’s ballot. It will be far easier to persuade the legislature to propose amendments to Amendment 3 after it passes than it would be to get the legislature to legalize on its own.

Amendment 3 contains many provisions that will benefit cannabis consumers. Many of those provisions are there because of the help

NORML and its Chapter leaders from around the state of Missouri who played a major role in writing of Amendment 3.

In addition, to legalizing responsible adult use of marijuana, Amendment 3:

; Will ban the use of “No Knock” search warrants in marijuana investigations.

; It will allow every adult in the state of Missouri to cultivate up to 18 marijuana plants.

; It will allow anyone to give (may gift, not sell) up to three (3) ounces to another adult.

; It will also improve the medical marijuana laws that Missourians passed in 2018.

; It will provide job discrimination protection for medical marijuana patients, who will no longer be denied a job or face the threat of termination because of medical marijuana use.

; It will also extend medical marijuana cards from only one year to three years, eliminating the need for an annual visit to the doctor and going through the bureaucracy of renewing a medical marijuana card each year.

; It will also double the number of patients for whom one may be a caregiver, one who provides cannabis and can be paid for his or her work and overhead.

; It will provide family court protections to all Missourians, ensuring that those who use marijuana responsibly will not suffer discrimination in child custody and child support disputes in our state’s courts.

; It will also mandate the issuing of at least 144 new marijuana business licenses. These licenses will be issued to people who have low income, who have been arrested or had a close family member arrested for marijuana, who live in areas where marijuana prohibition has been especially destructive and/or who live in unaccredited school districts.

; There is no cap on the number of medical marijuana business licenses the state may issue under our existing medical marijuana law.

; It will not place caps on the number of non-medical marijuana business licenses the state may issue. The Governor, the legislature, or the Department of Health and Senior Services can issue additional licenses at any time. The Missouri House has voted to do so, three times already.

The people have spoken!

For complete details about the Amendment 3 Marijuana legalization, visit www.LegalMo22.com

Dan Viets, J.D. is an attorney in Columbia, MO. He is the Secretary of the National Board of Directors of NORML. He can be reached at DanViets@gmail.com or, visit www.DanViets.com.

Notice: This publication provides general information only and should not be construed as formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. Always consult your attorney for any legal advice.

Medical decisions should not be made based on advertising. Consult a physician on the benefits and risks of particular medical marijuana products.

Labeling Products

Compliance, Compliance, Compliance...

What’s the deal with those huge “MARIJUANA” stickers?

by Mitch Alexander,, contributing writer

One of the many requirements in this industry is compliance. Whether you’ve realized it or not, everything about your cannabis products must be compliant. Compliance has many different meanings when it comes to cannabis, and each state has different laws surrounding compliance. For example, in Missouri, the word “Marijuana” must be the largest word on the package. Missouri also does not allow cartoon packaging or any packaging that can be considered marketed towards children.

Clearly marking the products as cannabis products is a requirement, but it doesn’t stop there. Before a dispensary can sell a THC product, it must label every single item individually. Whether it be stickering 130 jars of 3.5g of flower, to stickering the hundreds of packages of edibles, everything must be labeled.

What is on label?

This label is rather simple, yet still important. The dispensary label must include the dispensary name, license number, and an identifying barcode for that specific product. To top it off, the product’s name will also be featured with product details such as the weight or amount and the manufacturer if needed.

Every level of the industry has different requirements. When dispensaries receive bulk flower, not much labeling is required. However, when the dispensary breaks down that flower for sale, the labeling requirements change. For packaged flower to be compliant for sale, several things must be present. First and foremost, as mentioned above, the word “MARIJUANA” must be the biggest lettering on the packaging. Testing results for several cannabinoids are required to be on the labeling, as well as the name of the cultivar. As seen in most, if not all states with legalization, the infamous THC symbol must be present. Every state will have different variances of this symbol, but almost all share a resemblance. Generally, the THC symbol will be a red triangle or diamond shape with the letters “THC” and often the letter “M” for marijuana beside or below. In some places, like California, you might see a THC symbol with the letters “CA,” a marijuana leaf, and an exclamation point.

One of the most critical pieces of information featured on the dispensary label is the batch number. The batch number signifies the specific pound of flower, or specific batch of gummies produced, or concentrate extracted. This information helps the dispensary stay in compliance by getting the right items in the bag. The state and DHSS track every transaction. From seed to sale, the state monitors it all. When a product is assigned a batch number, it is the responsibility of the dispensary to ensure the batch number sold is the exact batch number that makes it into the patient’s hand.

If the dispensary accidentally sells the wrong batch number or mistakenly puts the wrong product in the patient’s bag, several issues arise. Let’s say the patient orders and pays for a 3.5g jar of a specific cultivar, and the budtender mistakenly places a 1g pre-roll of the same cultivar in their bag. The dispensary has sold the wrong product. Now the dispensary has potentially made the patient unhappy, the dispensary inventory is inaccurate, and most of the patient’s allotment

is now also inaccurate. Not to mention, the DHSS monitors every sale. When dealing with a monthly supply of someone’s medicine, it is vital to ensure that batch numbers are correct, labeling is accurate, and compliance is met.

Another piece of compliance that the consumer might not think about is the nature of the product. As cannabis is currently a tracked substance, many simple retail actions, such as returns or exchanges, are not as easy or possible in the cannabis space. If a patient is simply unhappy with a product, the dispensary may not be able to exchange or return the item easily or at all. Most dispensaries are more than willing to accommodate the patient with a discount or alternative recommendation; however, returning or exchanging a tracked substance can be very difficult while staying in compliance.

Compliance is everything in today’s cannabis industry. It can make the difference between a great dispensary experience and a bad experience. It can help ensure the safety of patients both at home and out in the world. Everything must comply with state regulations from seed to sale, whether it’s as simple as a sticker label, the design on the packaging, or the lab testing results. Next time you are at your nearest dispensary, take a second to notice the labeling and packaging. You might spot something you didn’t before or find a new appreciation for the hard work that goes into the final product. From cultivating premium cannabis to dispensaries properly labeling products, compliance is everywhere and everything.

Mitch Alexander, a Kansas City native, is the Director at Releaf Resources Dispensary in Grandview, MO. He worked in the hemp industry in store sales and greenhouse cultivation long before Missouri’s medical cannabis industry emerged. He’s also a licensed home cultivator. Alexander started as a budtender in one of the premier dispensaries in Kansas City and worked his way up the ladder to his current management position. He can be contacted at malexander@releafmo.com.

Holiday’s, Health, and Cannabis

Plus, Yoga Tips to Help You Relax

by Tara Holm, contributing writer

Ahh... the smell of Grandma’s pies, the Plaza Lights lighting up Kansas City, child-like giggles as The Polar Express rolls through Union Station, and Christmas music on every radio station. Full holiday mode is now in swing! However, the stress of the holidays can get the best of us. We might stress over gifts, diets, or money, but one thing we should not stress over is when to meditate and how to medicate through the holidays. So let me offer some tips and tricks to help you enjoy every moment of this magical season.

Ho, Ho, Ho Santa is on his way! Set boundaries on gifts, do the fivestep gift-giving guide: 1. Read, 2. Wear, 3. Eat, 4. Need, 5. Want. This list makes you think creatively. Homemade and themed gifts are always winners too! Tell friends and family you have a budget, and you’re sticking to it!

Turkey, gravy, pies, oh my! Oh, the holiday parties when everyone and their mom bring “treats” to share. Now, don’t get me wrong, I have always said, “sharing is caring,” but through this generous giving time, my tummy can only receive so much!

So here are my Top 5 Tips for Food

1. Hydrate, always drink plenty of water 24 hours before your party.

2. Don’t wait to eat one big meal. Instead eat your normal meals and snacks. Showing up starving usually ends up with an overstuffed gut.

3. Stay away from foods you know upset your body. We all have some of those tempting foods that we love, but we know what they do to our poor digestive systems. STAY AWAY!

4. Use a small salad or dessert plate and a spoon. You can’t over-fill a small plate, and serving yourself a few small spoonfuls gives you the taste without overeating. You still get to eat all your favorites without un-buttoning your pants!

5. MOVE… Move your body! After a wonderful meal with friends and family, get up and move! Make up games, go for a walk, and just get that digestive tract working!

Want other activities to do with friends and family that don’t involve eating or drinking?

● Yoga Class — get moving and stretching with a local yoga or fitness class. Introduce your out-of-town cousin to your new fitness class! Even Hot Yoga to sweat away the stress.

● Sign up for a breath-work class to release and connect with the enchanting season. You have no idea how much you need this!

● Pottery and Craft shops allow you to come inside from the cold and warm up with some crafts and gourmet milkshakes. Great for date nights!

● Set new holiday habits and traditions. Voice to family and friends to help keep you accountable. Set goals with your family and friends. Everyone wants a lil’ healthiness in their lives!

● Remember to take time to enjoy every moment. Take time for yourself. When we are full and healthy, we can then serve others to our best abilities. Speak your truth and always set healthy boundaries!

Holidaze

Whether it be tinctures, vapes, chocolates, drinks, gummies, or the ole’ faithful flower — we all have our own use of cannabis. This Christmas, let’s look at some of the most iconic aromas of the holiday season. Terpenes are aromatic compounds found in cannabis plants. Terpenes produce the smell of pine, peppermint, and lemons. Here are some common terpenes to look for on your next trip to your local dispensary.

● Pinene’s therapeutic benefits may be helpful for pain, anxiety, and inflammation.

● Myrcene has been reported as a sedative and muscle relaxant.

● Limonene aroma is a mood booster! Uplifting qualities help to reduce anxiety and depression.

● Journal after using it to keep track of how you feel.

Questions? Ask your local Budtender — they are always there to help you!

Yoga Tips to Help You Relax

And breathe... Take a big deep breath, blow it away. Smell the flowers, blow out the smoke. Repeat.

Pictured are some stretches you can easily do to relieve stress, anxiety, and that over-filled tummy.

Easy Seat: Easy Pose (photo above) can be calming and relaxing-if you’re able to sit in it comfortably. It improves postural awareness, creates a foundation for meditation practices, and can help manage stress. Take a seat on the sit bones (the two bony points of glutes), cross at ankles or shins, reach the ears towards the sky, shoulders down and back, and allow the low back to sway naturally. Hold as long as desired.

Parsva Savasana (Side Corpse Pose) is a relaxing yoga pose, done by lying on the side of your body right after Savasana for a few minutes to get up after a practice. This can also be done after a big meal to aid in digestion.

Having a Happy Holiday Season starts by relaxing and enjoying the small things.

and Light, Tara

Tara Holm has over 12 years of experience and healthcare and over nine years in Personal Training and Wellness Coaching. She helps take care of your body from the inside out. She helps educate about Plant Medicine and ways it can help you find your balance in a healthy and maintainable lifestyle. She is a Clovr Brand Ambassador. Getting the right education out to the public about products has been and will continue to be her goal.

Love

Yoga pose photos by: Alisha Branham 200HR RYT

● Lying on either side of the body (photo above) with the head supported by one arm, draw one or both knees toward the chest while the opposite arm rests in front of the chest. Hold as long as desired.

Medical decisions should not be made based on advertising. Consult a physician on the benefits and risks of particular medical marijuana products.

I want an Indoor Grow Room

What Should I Consider if I Want to Start an Indoor Cannabis Grow?

by Leah Maurer, contributing writer

In the October and November issues we discussed a plant’s growth cycle and home growing cannabis indoors versus outdoors. If you missed those issues you can see them at www.TheEvolutionMagazine.com This month we’ll look at starting an indoor cannabis grow.

Leah

Leah Maurer, a native Missourian, is now a canna-journalist and activist living in Portland, OR. She is a co-owner of www.TheWeedBlog.com , a top national cannabis news and information publication, where she serves as the Editorial Lead. In 2014, Leah founded Moms for YES on Measure 91 through grassroots efforts alone, it proved pivotal in the passage of the Measure, successfully legalizing recreational/adult-use cannabis in the OR. Leah is a social justice and cannabis activist at the core and hopes to see an end to the prohibition of cannabis globally.

With the legalization initiative recently on the ballot/ having just passed in Missouri, even more residents will now be able to grow cannabis at home legally. Whether a medical marijuana patient or not, each Missouri resident can now grow up to four plants at their residence. While outdoor growing is a fun and satisfying experience for a cannabis grower, the climate in Missouri is not ideal for growing cannabis plants. Many residents may want to consider growing cannabis indoors.

When growing indoors, you have full control of the environment and can save money while producing high-quality cannabis for personal consumption. One of the biggest benefits of growing cannabis indoors is that it allows you greater control than growing outdoors. While the benefits of growing indoors are many, there are still potential problems that could be costly or destructive to your crop if you’re not paying careful attention. Before making a significant financial investment, you want to be confident in producing a successful cannabis harvest.

Before planting seeds, it’s imperative you have the right materials for a proper indoor cannabis grow. Here is a basic list of materials needed to produce a good harvest:

● Identify an area to grow. It can be a closet, indoor grow tent, spare room, or basement.

● Purchase indoor grow lights. These come in different varieties, but I recommend HPS (high-pressure sodium) lights for beginners.

● Determine your grow medium. It could be soil, Coco Coir, or a hydroponic system.

● Purchase proper nutrients. (Your local grow shop and friends who have grown cannabis before may be able to advise you.)

● Locate and purchase seeds that interest you.

Selecting the right seeds is critical when determining the type of cannabis plants you want to grow. The color, height, quality, and aroma of the plant all depend on the quality of the seed. Try avoiding seeds that are damaged, soft, pale, or green. These seeds are not mature enough to begin the process of germination. Good seeds will be dark brown, shaped like a teardrop, and encased in a hard shell. Another factor to consider when selecting seeds is choosing regular or feminized. Feminized seeds are typically more expensive but ensure the plant will be female 99% of the time, which is important because female plants generally produce larger buds. If a male plant is present, it will stunt the growth of the female plants. Regular seeds can produce both male and female plants, so that is a little riskier.

The easiest way to germinate your seeds is to plant them directly into a grow medium. Another common way to germinate seeds is using a seedling plug. Plant the whole plug after germination, and you’ll be on a proper growth trajectory. You should always use seedling plugs if you’re growing hydroponically.

When choosing the number of seeds, remember not every seed will flourish. It is common practice to assume 10 – 20% of the seeds won’t make it, so make sure to overestimate. The time it takes for seeds to germinate is usually around two to seven days. For beginning growers, it might be beneficial to prac-

tice the germination process on inexpensive seed, as you don’t want to risk ruining a costly batch while you’re still learning to grow properly.

The germination process is expedited when seeds are kept warm. Once the seeds are ready for grow medium, place the seeds about two inches deep in the medium. It is crucial to keep the seeds moist but not soaking. If the seeds dry out, the process stops there. Older seeds germinate slower and often have lower germination rates than newer seeds. However, even with fresh seeds, some strains germinate better than others.

Once your seeds become seedlings, there are other things to consider in caring for your indoor cannabis garden. Novice cannabis cultivators often accidentally overwater their seedlings, causing many problems such as sluggish growth, droopiness in the plant, or nutrient deficiencies. Properly watering your seedlings is important for the growth of your plants so they can be strong enough to support large flowering buds.

The first time you water your seedlings, give them two cups (500 milliliters) of water per seedling. Pour the water in a small circle around the base of the seedling to ensure you’re watering it instead of the dirt. Wait until the top part of the soil is mostly dry before watering again.

When your seedling starts to grow, slowly increase the water amount so the circle around the base is about the same width as the leaves. Different grow mediums will require different amounts of water. On average, seedlings need to be watered every two to three days until they are no longer seedlings. When your seedling is a few weeks old, it should have a healthy root system that can handle more water.

Switch to a regular watering practice once you transplant, which means watering your plant until there’s a slight runoff near the bottom, but do not let your plant remain in the runoff water. Wait until the top inch of soil feels dry before you water again.

If you decide to grow in Coco Coir or hydroponics, it is vital to add nutrients to the water. Coco Coir and other hydroponic grow media do not have enough phosphorus, nitrogen, or potassium to sustain plant life. Potting soil, however, only requires minimal extra nutrients.

When your seedlings are ready, you’ll need to transfer them into a larger garden. Remove the seedlings from their small containers and place them into large containers to continue to grow properly. It is crucial to complete this process with as minimal light as possible, so the plants will have time to settle into their new homes before the next cycle of photosynthesis begins. Transplanting can cause damage to the root system that can cause stress to the plant. Allowing proper settling time will alleviate this stress as well.

I covered this in a previous column, but the vegetative stage is next. During this stage, your plants will start to produce new stems and leaves without buds. Caring for your cannabis plants during this stage is rather simple, especially if you have any gardening experience. Water the plants regularly or maintain the water reservoir if you’re

using hydroponics. To prevent excessive heat from killing your plants, periodically adjust the grow lights as the plants get taller. Look for discolored leaves or droopiness. Removing discolored leaves from your cannabis plant will help to grow bigger buds because the plant can focus its energy on growing buds instead of trying to revive the leaves.

After your plants reach half the desired size, they should start flowering. Initiate the flowering stage by setting your grow lights on a timer and schedule with the lights on for 12 hours and off for 12 hours. Make sure the plants are in absolute darkness during the dark period, or the buds will not grow properly. Ensuring the grow space is totally without light is the key to this process.

After the first few weeks with the 12/12 light schedule, your plant will grow quickly. Many cannabis cultivators get extra growth out of their buds during this period by providing their plants with CO2 and switching from regular nutrients to bloom nutrients. Your cannabis plants will typically start growing buds within two to three weeks. At that point, you should double-check to make sure all of them are female. If you find any male plants, remove them immediately and discard them in plastic bags to prevent pollen spread. The presence of male plants will significantly reduce your flower yield.

Make sure the soil you select for your cannabis plants is highly drainable but still can retain water. You’ll also want to consider the pH level, nutrients, and texture. Coco Coir is currently a popular choice and is sold in large bags or bricks. Many cannabis growers like to mix Coco Coir and regular potting soil to create a super soil of sorts. It’s very helpful to purchase a soil pH testing kit and meter to ensure your plants are growing properly by making accurate pH assessments. It is also important to be mindful of the nutrients you put into the soil as they relate to the pH balance as well.

The primary nutrients required for a high-quality cannabis crop are nitrogen (N), which helps stems and leaves grow; potassium (K), which helps the plant absorb water and other nutrients; and phosphorus (P), which allows plants to produce bigger buds. There are micronutrients such as calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and several others as well. While these micronutrients aid specific growth processes, they are less crucial than the three core nutrients.

There are many things to consider when implementing an indoor cannabis grow; I have just outlined the basics here. However, at the end of the day it is just a plant, and most anyone can succeed with it so long as you have the proper environment and materials, and of course, the time to commit to it! It can be one of the most satisfying experiences as a cannabis consumer, so remember to enjoy it!

Have a cannabis education related question for Leah? She’s a St. Louis native and a cannabis activist since 2010! Leah is excited to help answer all your medical marijuana questions. Please send questions to leah@theweedblog.com. Your question may be featured in a future issue of The EVOLUTION Magazine

The Former TerrapinCareStation in Missouri is Now ElevateMO with Full Local Ownership

The regulated cannabis industry in the U.S. will likely consolidate at increasing rates as even more states legalize both adult-use and medical marijuana over the next few years. And Missouri is no exception to this. Since Missouri lifted restrictions for non-local investors last year, more and more out-of-state conglomerates have purchased Missouri medical marijuana licenses. But it’s nice seeing the opposite happen for one new company — Elevate MO, a cannabis business that just became 100% locally owned.

Local business owner and investor Chuck Cuda jumped on a recent opportunity to purchase majority ownership of Terrapin Care Station’s Missouri presence, which includes three area dispensaries and a large, state-of-the-art growing and manufacturing facility in Kansas City, MO.

An Ever-Growing Commitment to Community and Education

Current public perception has largely shifted from past generations when marijuana was non-ironically dubbed “the Devil’s lettuce.” But most American adults can still recall fear-based, anti-marijuana PSAs that saturated airwaves in the late 20th century to the early 2000s. As a result, there’s a lingering stigma in many minds when it comes to using cannabis, regardless of its legal status.

Rather than glossing over questions and concerns from those newer to cannabis-based products, Elevate MO is taking a more helpful approach to educating the local community. This includes partnering with local medical professionals to offer free informative seminars about medical marijuana and improve access for patients in need who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford products. Elevate MO will also develop ongoing resources and provide in-depth product information for cannabis consumers of all experience levels.

“It can be an intimidating process for someone to figure out which strains and types of marijuana are best suited to them and at what amounts,” said Ian Peak, Director of Growth and Development at Elevate MO. “That’s why it’s so important for us to offer educational resources and personalized guidance to patients as they’re deciding which products to try out — something our budtenders are carefully trained to do.”

“As a native Missourian, I want to invest my time, energy, and resources right here. And I’m passionate about serving our community. I want the people of Missouri to benefit — whether it’s from more local jobs or better access to high-quality products,” said Cuda.

The Benefits of Becoming 100% Locally Owned

Local businesses recirculate a greater share of every dollar spent back into the community as they create local supply chains, invest in employee development, and generate tax revenue for their city and state. And now that Elevate MO products will be exclusively owned, grown, manufactured, and sold in Missouri, all money spent on Elevate products will stay in-state.

Elevate MO further supports the community through non-profit involvement in local outreach projects such as clothing and food drives, as well as partnering with area animal shelters.

The Elevate MO Harvest team in the harvest/trim room of Elevate’s 45,000-square-foot facility in Kansas City, MO.

A Continued Commitment to Top-Quality Cannabis

This customer-first approach extends to Elevate’s passion for providing superior-quality products. “We pride ourselves on making ongoing enhancements based on customer feedback and industry developments,” said Chris Issinghoff, Director of Operations at Elevate MO.

The EVOLUTION Magazine Newsroom

Ian Peak (Director of Growth and Development) and CEO Chuck Cuda at Elevate’s state-of-the-art cultivation and processing facility.

“One example is our packaging, which includes details about the product’s terpene profile; we know that’s important to many of our customers. We’ve also upgraded the jars our concentrates are packaged in to more fully preserve their terpene and cannabinoid profiles,” Issinghoff said.

Throughout each step of the process, Elevate MO ensures that no sub-par product reaches the public. Flower is catered to on a strain-bystrain, plant-by-plant basis. From cloning to packaging, the product is carefully assessed and nurtured to bring out the best in each cultivar.

Elevate MO’s Lab Extraction team (left to right): Mike, Parker, Gwen (Lab Director), Kyle, and Chris.

“Consistency is something that’s often lacking in the cannabis industry, so we’re proud to be able to produce very consistent products,” said Peak. “We hold ourselves to incredibly high standards from start to finish, doing everything possible to develop only the cleanest, purest cannabis.”

Local Expertise Meets State-of-The-Art Facility

This relentless pursuit of perfection is backed by decades of combined experience in the art, science, and craft of cannabis. But producing a consistently excellent product wouldn’t be possible without a controlled environment.

“We take pride in our lab. It’s truly state-ofthe-art,” said Gwen Devonshire, Lab Director at Elevate MO. “We have the latest industry technology and a sterile environment that allows us to reproduce the same superior level of results, week after week.”

Get more details on Elevate MO products and locations at www.ElevateMissouri.com

by Kassie Ferrero, contributing writer

Season’s Greetings, Cannafam! As the holidays quickly approach, an energy boost will be needed. Luckily, there is an assortment of options for all palates, ranging from the occasional edible consumer to the more seasoned patient. Here are some of my favorite uplifting products.

Malibu Mirage 3.5g flower Sinse Cannabis

Green Apple 1:1 CBG/THC gummies

Missouri’s Own Missouri’s Own Green Apple gummies are a fruity concoction with the right amount of energy-boosting properties. Despite being labeled as an indica product, this product contains CBG, a cannabinoid known for its uplifting tendencies and commonly featured in daytime products. Each unit is shaped into a green square, lightly dusted with sanding sugar, and features an embossed Missouri’s Own logo. The vibrant green apple flavor contains no traces of cannabis, making it perfect for patients who want the illusion of eating regular candy. One dose contains 10mg of THC and CBG equally, 100mg of each cannabinoid per package. The effects set in about 45 minutes to one hour later, leaving both the mind and body feeling invigorated. These gummies are suitable for consumption at any time, but given their uplifting tendencies, they may be best suited for daytime use. Ask your favorite budtender about this $30 tasty treat!

“Rush” THC/Caffeine capsules Vivid Cannabis

For all that need an alternative source for caffeine and THC, look no further than Vivid’s “Rush” capsules. Each dosage contains 10mg of THC and 100mg of caffeine, encapsulated in an odorless, tasteless, standard-sized orange capsule. The onset of effects is anywhere between 60-90 minutes, resulting in a heightened energy level and a state of euphoria. Rush capsules are a great substitute within a morning routine or whenever a pick-me-up is needed. They can be found at your local shop for $30 a bottle.

Malibu Mirage, cultivated by Sinse, is a cross of famous parents Jet Fuel Gelato and Legend OG. The appearance lines up with Legend OG, featuring dense, dark green buds with brown-orange hairs and a thick layer of trichomes. The scent is robust, with spice and pine being most noticeable. The dominant terpene is BetaCaryophyllene, as shown in its spicy piquancy, while the bright lemon and pine notes help balance the flavor profile. Much like Jet Fuel Gelato, this strain provides a euphoric boost of energy while the body stays neutral. With its uplifting tendencies, Malibu Mirage would be a varietal best suited for daytime use or any time rejuvenation is needed. Make sure to pick up this wonderful varietal at your next dispensary visit, $35 an eighth.

Mimosa 3.5g flower Vibe Cannabis

Mimosa is a fruit-centric strain made by crossing classic parents Clementine and Purple Punch. Clementine is the prominent strain in this cross, bringing a powerful orange aroma and flavor. Valencene is the dominant terpene in this strain, commonly associated with an array of uplifting strains. In appearance, Purple Punch shines through with its fluffy, purple buds accented with green highlights and orange hairs. While the cerebral effects are almost electrifying, the body enters a state of relaxation that compliments the experience. Grab some Mimosa flower whenever a boost is needed, found at most dispensaries for $40 an eighth.

Golden Goat is a spicy citrus strain for medicating at any time. The accidental cross of Hawaiian Romulan and Island Sweet Skunk, originally cultivated in Kansas, has now become a fixture in the cannabis market. Origin Extracts offers Golden Goat as a cured badder with bright, fruity flavors and energizing effects. The appearance of the badder showcases a darker shade of gold with orange undertones. While the texture is not as smooth as other options, it is still easy to utilize. The inhale and exhale display notes of citrus and spice, both of which are associated with the parent strains. Effects appear almost immediately, leaving the mind feeling enlivened while the body remains neutral. Origin’s Golden Goat badder is the perfect option for anyone needing a budget-friendly concentrate, found at most dispensaries for $40-45 per gram.

Have a great holiday season and find the energy boost for your palate at a dispensary near you. Don’t forget to ask you budtender for some guidance.

Kassie Ferrero is a musician with a Master’s degree in music performance. She’s an educator, homebaker, and cannabis advocate. Kassie is currently the Inventory Control Lead at Kansas City Cannabis Company (KCC), bringing together her love of cannabis with her detailoriented work style. When she isn’t working at KCC, you can find her furiously baking all kinds of desserts or performing on her bass in a multitude of settings. Stop by any of KCC’s four locations to say hi to her, or you can find her @kassievferrero on Instagram.

Notice: The information contained herein is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, but rather a sharing of knowledge and information based on research and experience. The content is for general informational purposes only.

For Those Pesky Little Critters Integrated Pest Management

by Jason Mispagel, contributing writer

Jason Mispagel is the co-owner and operator of Year-Round Garden, a grower’s supply center serving both home and commercial customers since 2016. His extensive growing experience in hydroponics and soil dates to the early days of legalization in Colorado, where he served as one of the state’s early caregivers. Year-Round Garden. 1225 W 103rd St, Kansas City, MO. 816.216.6917 –FB: yrroundgarden ● IG: @yrroundgarden

Over the past five or six years, I’ve heard more and more cannabis growers using the term “Integrated Pest Management,” or “IPM,” when discussing pest control in their gardens. It’s become the topic of numerous books and podcasts and seems to be a talking point at every cannabis growing seminar or conference. It’s rare, though, that I speak to someone who feels truly confident that they understand what IPM is and how to apply it successfully in their grow.

No doubt, the concept of IPM can be overwhelming, especially when a seasoned expert in the field presents it. Visions of symbiotic relationships where companion plants grow alongside cannabis, attracting good bugs, which in turn eat the bad bugs, are certainly romantic. But those lofty goals are often unrealistic for the average home grower. Fortunately, you don’t have to be an entomologist (someone who studies insects and their relationship to the environment) to employ IPM in a practical manner that provides a significant level of protection to your garden.

The term Integrated Pest Management is nothing new and has been used for around 50 years. It’s defined quite well by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):

“Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices. IPM programs use current, comprehensive

information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment. This information, in combination with available pest control methods, is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment.

“The IPM approach can be applied to both agricultural and non-agricultural settings, such as the home, garden, and workplace. IPM takes advantage of all appropriate pest management options including, but not limited to, the judicious use of pesticides. In contrast, organic food production applies many of the same concepts as IPM but limits the use of pesticides to those that are produced from natural sources, as opposed to synthetic chemicals.”

IPM stemmed from concerns over the longterm impact of chemical pesticides on the environment but has since evolved with our scientific understanding of agriculture and horticulture. So, what are the “commonsense practices” found in an IPM program? They can actually be simplified down to four basic components: Identification, Monitoring, Prevention, and Control.

Identification

An IPM program only functions properly if you first identify the pests and pathogens you’re trying to prevent. For instance, beneficial insects (i.e., ladybugs) and microorganisms (i.e., nematodes) would have a positive impact if present in your grow,

How to GrowBIGPlants

limiting the need to apply chemical pesticides (the goal of IPM). Insects that threaten the health of your plants (i.e., spider mites), on the other hand, would be identified as organisms you’re trying to prevent.

Once you’ve finished the identification process, it’s important to assign “action thresholds” or levels of a particular pest’s presence you’re willing to accept before acting. For the indoor grower, a single pest would likely warrant control to avoid a larger infestation. This step is much more applicable to agricultural settings or outdoor cannabis growers.

Monitoring

Observing your plants on a frequent, consistent basis is vital to limiting harsh control measures. The earlier you spot one of the pests you identified as potentially harmful, the less likely you’ll need to use chemical pesticides. Whenever possible, a daily check of a few leaves (both the top and bottom), stems, soil, and the surrounding environment is ideal. It doesn’t have to be every single leaf on every single plant, but a sampling of different areas in your grow each day will help catch issues early on.

Prevention

Always the best medicine, an ounce of prevention greatly reduces the need to deploy harsh chemicals. Sick plants, dirty grow rooms, limited airflow and extreme humidity levels are invitations for pests to come and play. Healthy plants provide a layer of protection, offering natural defenses that make an infestation more challenging. And by keeping areas clear of debris and buildup, there are fewer food sources and shelter for unwanted critters. Sanitize tools, remove dead or dying leaves, and avoid standing water.

to knock off pests and their eggs (this is more effective than you’d imagine). Deploy sticky traps or light traps to attract and capture bugs.

Biological: Introduce predatory insects that feed on pests. Naturally occurring bacteria and microbes can kill insects in their larval stages.

If daily monitoring seems like overkill, consider the lifecycle of an aphid. In proper environmental conditions, a single newborn female nymph is born pregnant. It develops the ability to asexually reproduce identical genetic clones of herself in approximately one week, at which point she can release five or six per day. Those clones can then do the exact same thing. That means, within three weeks, you can go from a single baby aphid to over a thousand.

Control

Regardless of the prevention measures put into practice, there’s always a chance that defiant pests rear their ugly heads. When that happens, intervention may be necessary through various control methods. These can broadly be categorized as Cultural, Mechanical, Biological, and Chemical, and should be considered in that order from most preferential to least preferential. Remember, the goal of IPM is to manage pest damage in the most economical and environmentally friendly way possible, doing everything possible to avoid chemical pesticides.

Cultural: Remove diseased, damaged, or infested plant material from the environment, starting with individual leaves or branches. Eliminate any areas where pests are breeding, such as standing water or oversaturated soil.

Mechanical: Hand-pick or finger-squash insects. Take your plants out of the grow environment and use a strong spray of water

Chemical: Spray insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides formulated to disrupt a pest’s natural development or kill it on contact.

Each part of an IPM program is not independent of the others, nor does it need to be performed in a linear fashion. All four steps can occur continuously and simultaneously. In some ways, many of us practice one or more components of IPM without even thinking about it, but a complete program emerges when they’re all incorporated together.

Instead of waiting for an outbreak to occur and then scrambling to find the right product to treat it, implementing a complete IPM program creates a culture of pest control, minimizing or even eliminating the need to reach for chemical pesticides. Because of IPM’s proactive nature, it can also reduce the negative impact to your plants if a pest wanders into your garden.

For more information about YRG, visit www. year-roundgarden.com or call 816.216.6917 and be sure to tell them The EVOLUTION Magazine sent you.

Scan QR ► to see video about “Types of Horticultural Lighting.”

Medical decisions should not be made based on advertising. Consult a physician on the benefits and risks of particular medical marijuana products.

Medical decisions should not be made based on advertising. Consult a physician on the benefits and risks of particular medical marijuana products.

Smoky, Snowy Christmas

by Sean Keast, contributing writer

Tis the season and ‘Ole Saint Nicholas might be loading the sleigh up with a few more pipes and papers this year, as the growing cannabis movement has created incredible demand. According to Allied Market Research, the smoking accessories industry (smoke shops, pipes, papers, vaporizers, etc.) generated 3.1 billion dollars in 2020 and is expected to double in the next decade. With December upon us, patients (or friends and relatives) here in Missouri will be looking to accessorize their smoking experience. However, with such a booming market, choices are everywhere, and newer and more novel ways to enjoy cannabis are being invented on a frequent basis. For this reason, I’ve put together a list of my top choices from across the industry: A small gift guide for the discerning patient in Missouri.

The first and most prominent thing you will see in most smoke shops is the glass. Bongs, Water Pipes, Bubblers, Spoons, Sherlocks, you name it. Most glass you find is produced overseas, with varying quality. American-made glass can fetch hundreds to thousands of dollars, so quality choices that do not break the bank are few and far between. One of my personal go-to’s is a company named MJ Arsenal, which designs small-sized concentrate pieces. Since they are so small, they preserve flavor very well. They make a fantastic travel piece for concentrate preferring patients and come with a small quartz nail to use as well. MJ Arsenal Atlas MSRP $58.Visit www.mjarsenal.com.

For your smoking supplies, I always choose the pink option. Blazy Susan, a company based out of Denver, CO, produces pink (and purple) colored rolling papers, cotton swabs, and smoking accessories. Its claim to fame is the Blazy Susan itself, a fusion of a smoking station/rolling tray with a Lazy Susan for your coffee table. Blazy Susan also frequently collaborates to donate to breast cancer organizations, giving meaning to the pink theme. Blazy Susan tray MSRP: $99 at www.blazysusan.com

A high-tech upgrade to a smoking setup that I highly recommend is a dry herb vaporizer. Instead of burning the flower, vaporizers heat the herb like an oven, vaporizing the trichomes and creating a wonderful, flavorful smoke. The price (and forms) ranges vary widely, with battery-powered, wall-powered, or torch-powered versions available. My first recommendation in this area is a Dynavap, a torch-powered vaporizer that is remarkably simple — it’s only a metal tube with a cap. However, because of this simple design, it lasts for years and virtually never wears out if kept clean. The “M” series pen has a MSRP of $79, and the “M” Series starter pack has a MSRP of $130 at www.dynavap.com

Dynavap “M” Series cart

Atlas Mini

Atlas rig

For the high end of vaporizers, a connoisseur will immediately gravitate to Storz & Bickel, a U.S.-based company striving to provide herb vaporizers made with medical-grade, Americanmade equipment. Its most famous device is the Volcano, a monster of

isn’t as powerful as the Puffco Peak Pro (its big brother), it still delivers on the standard of quality smoke that Puffco has worked to achieve over the years. Another offering from Puffco is the Cupsy, a pipe — a coffee cup lookalike with a ceramic bowl, making a coffee date with friends a real wake-and-bake session.

Cupsy MSRP: $59. Puffco Vision Plus (cart) MSRP: $89.99 at www.puffco.com.

a unit that requires a wall plugin and fills large bags for the user to puff and pass around. Costing close to $500, it is not cheap, but users have reported Volcanoes lasting 10 years or more, making the purchase well worth the investment. Storz & Bickel also offers smaller, portable vaporizers like the Mighty and the Crafty, both still pricey but maintaining the frankly unmatched quality of its other products. Volcano Classic MSRP is $479, and the Mighty is $399 at www.storz-bickel.com.

For those on the go, a fantastic gift choice could be a Puffco Plus. These concentrate pens are a little different than most, doubling as both a concentrate vaporizer and a battery for THC cartridges. All one has to do is unscrew the top and attach their preferred cartridge. Its portability is unmatched, and while it

Whatever your choice of medicating with cannabis, all these methods can be found at your local smoke shop. Shopping there also helps support local businesses, as many smoke shops depend on the cannabis industry to stay afloat. The gift of giving can extend to cannabis nowadays, and I believe that bringing it into the holiday cheer helps normalize it for patients and those with patients in their lives. Cannabis can bring us together, and part of that is embracing the products designed for it. Have a wonderful holiday season, and I look forward to sharing more with you all in 2023.

Sean Keast is a Navy Veteran Mass Communications Specialist, cannabis educator, and advocate documenting the Missouri cannabis industry in all its forms and general purveyor of tomfoolery. He’s currently enrolled at MU, working towards a communications degree. He can be found @givviehash on social media.

Puffco Cuspy

by Jason Mispagel

Home-Growers Featured Products

Helping Your Plants Grow Large and Increase Flowering Yield.

These featured Year-Round Garden Grower’s Supplies products help your plants bloom.

This month’s featured products would all make great holiday gifts for growers of any skill level or expertise and include options that would appeal to both hydroponic and soil growers.

Root Spa = hydroponic, EarthBox = soil, Root Rain = both soil and hydroponic.

Root Spa Deep Water Culture System

This five-gallon, four-bucket deep water culture system from Active Aqua is a great, inexpensive starter kit for any hydroponic grower. Simple, forgiving, and efficient, the kit utilizes a four-port pump to force raw air into your nutrient solution without the need for air stones often required in similar systems.(Retail about $100.)

EarthBox® Gardening System

Bring the traditional raised bed outdoor grow into the comfort of your home. These sub-irrigated planter boxes hold up to two cubic feet of soil. Their unique design allows water and nutrient solution to be wicked from each container’s base, reducing watering frequency and providing more consistent saturation. (Retail about $40.00)

Root Rain® Spray Cloner

Start up to 24 plant cuttings or clones with this complete aeroponic system from Super Sprouter. Spray generated from the included water pump offers suspended cuttings a rich combination of oxygen and water for accelerated and healthy root growth. Transplant into your grow media of choice once cuttings have rooted. (Retail about $100.)

For more information about YRG, visit www.year-roundgarden.com or stop by one of its two locations; Kansas City and Lee’s Summit (see page 29 for locations and addresses) or call 816.216.6917 and be sure to tell them The EVOLUTION Magazine sent you. (See Jason Mispagel’s growing tips on page 32.)

Clone to Cure

A Cannabis Plant’s

by Karla Deel, contributing writer

Journey

Editor’s Note: We asked Karla Deel of Flora Farms to take our readers on the growing journey of a cannabis plant — from seed or clone to sale at a dispensary. What does it take, and how long to produce and bring the best quality flower and a host of other delectable products to the store shelves. Here’s Karla’s behind the scene’s look at a cannabis plants’ amazing journey.

Farming revolutionized society. Crops of all kinds became the backbone of developing communities. There is an art and science to cultivating crops, but also a little bit of magic and wonder. The processes are precise, the work is hard, and the payoff is magnanimous. We ought to give a lot of thanks to our farmers. And modern-day cannabis farmers are no different.

A typical Midwest farming cycle spans an entire year, consisting of spring, summer, and fall, with a reset for winter. Flora Farms’ indoor cultivation facility, however, experiences every season simultaneously. Employees can see all stages of growth at once, accelerating their knowledge of growing cannabis. In fact, Flora Farms encounters 10 years of farming in 10 cycles — in a brief two months.

Let’s take a deep dive into the Flora Farms process of farming cannabis plants.

Mothers and Babies

Mothers are where it all begins. These plants earn their name as the origin source for a perpetual harvest because their genetic traits are passed down through generations. Flora Farms knows the health of its mothers, and genetics are its biggest priorities and greatest assets. Healthy moms and healthy clones equal healthy, happy flower. It grows its mothers strong and large to help produce resilient and healthy baby plants.

The small-but-mighty cloning and propagation team consists of six to eight people working across several rooms. The team cares for the mothers and is responsible for creating healthy clones. How they cut, where they cut, and what they cut from the mother plant impacts the final product. The healthiest cuts make the healthiest clones. To do this, the cloning team first finds a nice and healthy-looking branch on the mother plant. They remove a clone from the plant just under a node, which is the location on a stem where a leaf or branch is attached. After the cut, they prepare the clone to take root by cutting off the tips of its leaves. This crucial step alerts the clone to its next mission on its journey to flower: to grow strong, healthy roots or perish.

When production is in full swing, it can produce up to 9,000 to 10,000 clones per week with an average of 95% survival success rate. Growers cannot make clones from other clones, as this produces a phenomenon known as genetic drift, which weakens genetics and, over time, causes mutations that may produce unwanted effects.

Though mother plants live together in a shared environment, and all are kept in the same vegetative state, not all behave the same. Certain mother plants are often easier to work with than others. Flora Farms’ Bubba Fett mom is one of its best growers. She’s hardy, healthy, easy to deal with, and contains great node spacing on her branches, which helps cut clones full of vitality. Bubba Fett always produces strong, healthy babies that turn into incredibly productive full-grown plants.

Youth and Teens

The baby plants are now ready to move into one of the veg rooms, where they will spend 35 days growing into the equivalent of teenagers. Each small plant is different and has different needs and requires various levels of hands-on nurturing. This stage of growth demands intimate care from the veg team. Robust feeding schedules ramp up and help ensure proper development of the plants. The growth in the veg room is an incredibly important part of the journey for cannabis plants to grow strong enough to be ready for the flowering stage.

There is no downtime in a veg room. Veg rooms (photo on left) are a constant dance of loading trays and cleaning and resetting tables for new transplants to arrive. The transition from a cannabis plant’s vegetative period into its flowering stage will vary based on the strain. Our veg teams monitor the plants closely and determine when a plant is strong enough to handle the more mature flowering stage.

Veg Room Captain, Venita Ryan, provides individualized care to young plants.

Middle Age

As the plants grow up, they make another move into our flower rooms. Here the plants find themselves in the extremely capable hands of our Room Captains and their assistants (growers). At full capacity, Flora Farms can grow 90,000 square feet of flowering canopy. Each flower room is 4,000 square feet ranging from 900 to 1,200 plants depending on plant size and canopy coverage. For approximately 60 days, the flowers grow and develop into potent plant medicine.

Plants are grown hydroponically, which creates an ideal sterile environment. From root life to room temperatures, the data collection sensors provide quality control measures that help diagnose problems with objective data and relay exactly how to optimize a plant’s experience.

Precise control of the amount fed to the plants’ roots helps minimize the nutrient waste. The irrigation system also allows humidity control in the rooms. This irrigation technique allows the growers to keep their hands on the plants and gardens and not hand-water them all day.

Flora Farms is always evolving to make its processes the best they can be. Quality control is set up throughout all departments. The team does not hesitate to remove any plants that do not meet its standards throughout the process.

Elders

Gardeners harvest plants when the flowers are fully matured by cutting the stalk away from its roots and moving the plants out of flower rooms. Here is where the processing team intercepts. The processing team is responsible for bucking, drying, and curing the flower.

The first stop after harvest is drying. Like a cake rising in the oven, this is the first point where staff can see (and smell!) the true bounty of their labor. All efforts and ingredients have combined and evolved and begin to show signs of an aromatic, beautiful final product. The staff hangs the full plants to dry for seven to 10 days. Regulating the plant’s temperature and humidity is incredibly important at this stage, which is heavily dictated by the needs of each specific strain. Once the plants have dried for seven to10 days, the bucking team begins removing the product from the plant’s stalk and separating away the remaining

sugar leaves. “Heads down, scissors up” is the motto of the bucking team. On average, a team member can process up to 50 plants per day, which is about 15 pounds of product.

After the flower is removed from the plant, certain strains will go through the trimming machine, providing a gentle pre-trim before the curing process. Pre-trimmed buds are packed into opaque curing bags to keep the buds smelling nice and terpy. Terp-sealed bags regulate humidity and allow the drying process to occur, which ensures Flora Farms’ flower cures properly. The teams “burp” the bags about twice a day during the first week, moving to once a day and then down to zero when it is no longer necessary. Burping the bags allows for the release of built-up carbon dioxide and moisture, helping to deepen and shape the flavor and aroma of the flower.

Cured buds make a final stop to the hand-trimming crew. The extensively trained crew hand trims approximately 60 pounds of dried cannabis per day. Hand-trimming ensures that each bud is treated with care individually to keep the quality consistent across all strains. The final step in quality control lands in the hands of the packaging and logistics teams, but that’s a story for another time.

The cultivation facility brims with employees who live in nearby communities. The area of Humansville has roots in traditional farming and agriculture spanning over a century. Flora Farms considers itself lucky to be a “teaching” farm, raising new generations to love and cultivate marijuana. It has fathers working with their children and extended family members such as aunts, uncles, and cousins working alongside each other as coworkers and friends, once complete strangers who’ve all become family through the farm. This tight-knit network of passionate employees has created a culture that supports each other in growing the best cannabis and growing themselves into the best people they can be.

Karla Deel is the Flora Farms Marketing Director, a writer, poet, and researcher, with a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and Media Arts from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She’s published a book titled “Storied & Scandalous Kansas City, a History of Corruption Mischief and a Whole Lot of Booze.” Deel also serves on the Jackson County Historical Society board, works in communications for the Friends of the Kansas City Public Library, and volunteers for several local nonprofits. Visit Karla at www.KarlaDeel.com

From clone to cure, Flora Farms’ plants are handled with great and tender loving care.

Room Captain Brett Martin with Grow Room Assistant Emmy Bishop surrounded by the flower canopy they grew together.

Processing Team Lead Brent Vignoe shows off yellow tags that represent how many plants he bucked or processed in one day.

Flora Farms Banana Punch flower. (All photos by Karla Deel.)

Brent Vignoe with Ashton Paris, Processing Manager, smiling big while working.

Medical decisions should not be made based on advertising. Consult a physician on the benefits and risks of particular medical marijuana products.

My Special Holiday Cookies

by Jay Richardson, contributing writer

December has arrived and winter approaches, which can mean only one thing — it’s time to make cannabisinfused holiday cookies. We will use an old favorite family recipe from my mother’s 1960 Betty Crocker Cookbook. Before we do that, we must do a few other things.

First, you need to decide if making your own THC-infused edibles is feasible or economical. You will need access to kitchen space and some basic utensils: a mixer, rolling pin, measuring cups and spoons, etc. You get it — basic kitchen stuff. You will also need some marijuana. Unless you are like me, a licensed cultivator, access to free or inexpensive flower may not be an option. In this case, it might be more economical to purchase your goodies from the local dispensary. You won’t have the fun of making and consuming your own treats, so you will have to come to your own conclusion.

Let’s assume that you do have some available cannabis. I prefer to use the trim from my buds and the small popcorn buds as opposed to my premium flowers. When making edibles, you can infuse cooking oil, grain alcohol, or in our case today, butter. To infuse means to join with or mix. One of my main goals as a writer of this magazine is to include as little science as possible. When I first learned to grow buds in the 1980s, one of the most important lessons I learned was that you do not need to know why something works to know that it does. I don’t know how the computer I’m using to write this works, but I know it does. I installed and repaired TV satellite dishes for sixteen years, and I still don’t have a clue about any of that technology, but if your dish is broken, I can fix it.

I am, of course, exaggerating. I do have at least a clue of the science behind the things I discuss in my articles. One of my main objectives is to simplify home cannabis production so that you can actually do it instead of just reading about it. Another goal is to make it affordable and convenient. Sometimes buying commercial equipment to grow flower or produce edibles has been my best choice. In other cases, I have found homemade alternatives to be less expensive and work better. I will try to save you a lot of trial and error by letting you learn from my mistakes, which are too numerous to fit in this publication.

Okay, now that we have the marijuana, we need to activate the THC, or Delta 8 tetrahydrocannabinol, which I am sure you are aware, is the main ingredient that produces marijuana’s medicinal effect. Cannabis in flower form contains THCA, which has no side effects. If you just eat a raw bud, nothing will happen; trust me on this one. I told you we would cut science to a minimum, but sometimes it’s necessary. I could tell you that the THCA has one additional ring of carboxyl that THC doesn’t contain, but even though it’s true, I don’t know what a carboxyl is, and I’m guessing you don’t either. Even though we don’t understand that nasty little ring of carboxyl, we can remove it and turn the inactive THCA into very potent THC, and I will show you an easy way to do it.

Decarboxylation or “decarb” is the process of activating THCA into its therapeutic counterpart. This is done with heat. Whether using fire to light and smoke a marijuana pipe or cigarette or preparing herbal materials to make some very special holiday cookies, we use heat. In the case of decarb, all we need is an oven and a cookie sheet to make edibles. The key is to heat the flower to a very specific temperature for a very specific amount of time. The magic numbers are 27 minutes at 252 degrees. Different times and temperatures will activate the THC, but for it to achieve its most potent levels, stick to the magic numbers. You are encouraged to do your own research to verify my information.

Varying from the proper time and temperature will lower your potency greatly, so pay attention when setting your the temp and kitchen timer. Although 300 degrees for seven minutes will produce a slightly stronger product, you will need to be careful, or you will scorch and ruin your cannabis. We don’t want to do that, so go with 252 degrees for 27 minutes. Setting your timer to exactly 27 minutes is easy; preheating the oven to exactly 252 degrees, not so much. Simply set the knob to just a hair past 250 and put the oven on preheat.

The next step is to place the selected herb on a cookie sheet. The amount you use will depend on how strong you want your cookies and how many cookies we will bake. You will decide this based on your preference. I like mine strong because I am highly experienced with edibles, but you will have different levels of tolerance and medical need than I do. Your potency will also be affected by the strength of the cannabis you use. Edibles are definitely not one size fits all, so always start by consuming a small amount until you determine how strong the goodies are. Remember, you can always eat more, but you can never eat less.

Now that the flower is spread evenly and the oven is preheated, put the pan on the center rack for 27 minutes. After the bud comes out, it will usually be slightly browned. Let it cool and then break it into small pieces. You can use your fingers, but I prefer a simple strainer or a flour sifter. Now you can make marijuana-infused butter or cannabutter. There are as many methods as there are readers. When

you go online, you will find many adequate stovetop recipes using pots and pans that you already have. I prefer to use a commercial infusion machine specifically manufactured to produce cannabis-infused butter, oil, and grain alcohol. I found a very good one for less than two hundred dollars that even came with butter stick molds. I find it more efficient and less wasteful, so it really has paid for itself. The most important thing is to do your decarb properly. I cannot emphasize this enough. Now let’s bake some cookies.

Modified Ethel’s Sugar Cookies

● 1/2 cup cannabutter

● 1/4 cup shortening

● 1 cup sugar

● 2 eggs

● 1 tsp. vanilla

● 2 1⁄2 cups flour

● 1 tsp. baking powder

● 1 tsp. salt

Soften the butter by allowing it to reach room temperature: mix cannabutter, shortening, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into your mixture and blend all ingredients thoroughly. Let the finished dough chill in the fridge for at least an hour.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured board until it is about 1/8 inch thick. Use thinner for crispy and thicker for chewy. Cut with the cookie cutter of your choice and then bake for 6 to 8 minutes. Let the cookies very lightly brown. After they cool, add frosting and decorate.

Butter Cream Frosting

● 1⁄2 cup butter (I prefer to use regular butter, as the cookies are strong enough already)

● 1 1⁄2 tsp. vanilla

● 2 cups powdered confectioner’s sugar

● 2 Tbsp. milk

Place butter in a bowl and use an electric mixer until butter is smooth and fluffy. Then mix in sugar, vanilla, and milk one at a time, and mix on slow speed for 3 or 4 minutes until it is blended completely and has the consistency you desire. Spread over your special holiday cookies and enjoy your homemade treats.

I hope you found some or all of this useful, but above all, I hope you have a safe and happy holiday season.

See you next month.

Jay Richardson has participated in cannabis culture for more than four decades and has witnessed its evolution from illicit street drug to respected medical treatment closeup. Jay, now over 60, has developed medical conditions that cause chronic pain and is currently benefiting from skills he picked up over the years as a home gardener and confectioner to treat his pain. He is happy to share these uncomplicated and affordable techniques in cannabis cultivation and edible projects.

Consumption Lounges What Are They All About?

by Danielle Buntyon, contributing writer

The term cannabis lounge refers to public establishments where people are allowed to smoke cannabis. A cannabis cafe, or cannabis club, is an establishment where visitors can consume their cannabis alone or with others as well as purchase some cannabis products. In addition to providing a safe environment for people to smoke or vape cannabis products, they also offer a social environment where people can enjoy a social cannabis experience. The creation of cannabis consumption lounges has become a hotspot for cannabis tourism, particularly in areas that prohibit public smoking. It is because they provide tourists with a safe and relaxing environment in which they can enjoy their favorite herb in a relaxed and comfortable way.

It is imperative to remember that the services available to customers will vary depending on the type of consumption lounge they are inside. Cannabis cafes often serve food as well as non-alcoholic beverages, while others are devoted to selling products containing THC. Still, others are simply places where consumers may consume cannabis without providing any other services beyond providing a place for people to consume cannabis and nothing more. Also, cannabis lounges can function as a dispensary, so they can serve as a means of obtaining cannabis. To achieve this, they offer their guests a wide array of cannabis products they can choose from while in the lounge. The legal operating framework for these establishments determines what can and cannot be sold in a cannabis lounge in each state. Let us take a closer look at some of the locations and what they have to offer.

Where Are These Lounges Located?

The consumption of marijuana in large groups has long been considered an underground thing to do. It is expected that as the plant becomes more mainstream, more and more people will need a place to consume it. Many states in the country have cannabis consumption lounges, including California, Nevada, New Jersey, Michigan, Illinois, Colorado, Missouri, and Tennessee. Several establishments are licensed as medical lounges, and others that sell hemp-derived THC products. This article examines how Missouri encourages new cannabis entrepreneurs to try a different approach to normalizing the plant. This is done by encouraging them to invest in new cannabis businesses.

Here’s a brief overview of a local consumption lounge and complex known as SACNT, and we’ll look at another lounge called The Cola, followed by an outlook on the future of consumption spaces in general.

When

to research more. This newly opened club complex is in the West End neighborhood in and around a historic mansion (dubbed the Sanctuary). It is a member-only experience with tons of industry support from companies like Cookies, Viola, and countless others supporting the new wave of retail. The experience takes place in what is dubbed via its website: “Our leisure and entertainment complex sits on over 27,000 sq. ft. of well-maintained private property, providing premier cannabis-focused culinary and dining experiences, while serving as an exclusive, cannabisfriendly lounge for both outdoor and indoor events. For members only, or via prepaid day pass. 21+.” Apart from the property, they have a space called the “Sanct.um.” This space is used to gain a closer connection to oneself and the plant. They also host events like culinary experiences with Chef Wood to bring people together and elevate the enjoyment of the plant. Event sponsors include 3Fifteen Primo, COOKIES of St. Louis, and JANE dispensary. For more information about SACNT — a private cannabis consumption lounge, visit www.sanctlounge.com

I heard that there was a newly opened black-owned cannabis lounge in St. Louis named SACNT, I was super excited

Photos of SACNT courtesy of SACNT

at SACNT

The Cola Private Lounge in St. Louis, MO, is another cannabis lounge that can be found on Cherokee street, located on the south side of the city. For Missouri medical marijuana card holders, The

Cola is a private cannabis lounge where they can purchase tickets for dinner, comedy events, and more. The dinners include dishes infused with CBD and THC, served in a private area. Would-be artists will love the “Puff and paint” (painting classes), a popular event hosted by cannabis supper clubs. In addition to being able to consume cannabis at the location, patients can also engage in fellowship with other medical patients at the site. A culinary event such as Rooted Bud takes place at The Cola on a regular basis. Chefs and caregivers infuse this event with well-crafted delights that take you to a whole new level. The lounge is more than a space. It is an oasis of gathering and responsible consumption. The Cola Private Lounge is located at 2847 Cherokee St, St. Louis, MO 63118. For more information, visit them at www.facebook.com/TheColaLounge

Final Thoughts

While we are not aware of any consumption lounges within the Kansas City metro or other cities around the state, cannabis consumption spaces will and are certainly making a surge in the cannabis market nationally. These lounges will likely start popping up all over Missouri, the country, and beyond in the coming years. There is a high chance that they will be well received by the local community and especially by traveling tourists. This is because people can rarely consume cannabis in a safe environment. The availability of safe spaces really helps all in the industry by attracting more and more people to the “legal” plant.

Danielle Buntyon, the owner of Jades Elevation LLC, left corporate America to join the hemp industry in 2018. She specializes in solventless extraction of CBD hemp. She earned certifications from Ganja Talks University, and completed New Farmers Academy at Tennessee State University. She consults countless farmers and producers with farm and marketing development.

She has a Master’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University in Sport and Leisure Studies and a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of Memphis. She’s lobbied the Tennessee capital to support cannabis law reform as a former board member of the Memphis Chapter of NORML. Contact her at www.jadeselevation.com. Become a Jades Elevated Wholesaler!

Warm Up Your Holiday Table with Naan Flat Bread and Curry Chicken

by Chef Dana Cunningham

It’s December, and with the cold air whistling around, all I can think about is comfort food. Usually, my go-to is stew or soup, but when I get bored with soup, I turn to a delicious curry. Many folks hear “curry” and think it will be super spicy. While I enjoy spicy food, I still like my food to have a balance of flavors. I will teach you how to make a delicious curry tailored to your spice level while also balancing the flavors in this dish so that we have a well-rounded curry and not just a hot sauce on rice.

I will also teach you how to make a quick Naan (fried flatbread) to pair with it. It is one of my all-time favorite breads, and if I am making a curry, this bread must be made to go along with it. I usually make my Naan gluten-free, but you can use regular flour instead of gluten-free flour, and it will turn out just as great. Don’t be discouraged if you haven’t made anything like this. Like always, I will break it down and make it super simple. The recipe for Naan that I use is found on the Gluten Free on a Shoestring website at https://glutenfreeonashoestring. com/naan-bread/

My take on butter chicken differs from the traditional recipe that calls for cream and lots of butter, which can make it extremely rich and heavy. I skip the heavy cream and use fresh tomato sauce. This version is a lot less fattening and doesn’t leave me feeling so heavy, yet I still feel comforted. The infusion will be an oil base because you can easily add it to the sauce while it simmers to incorporate it fully. You can use either an infused oil or butter. I suggest using a flavorless oil such as MCT so that it doesn’t alter the flavor of the dish too much. Let’s get down to it.

Ingredients

1 lb. of boneless, skinless chicken breast

1 lb. of vine-ripened tomatoes

½ lb. of cherry tomatoes of any color

1 small, sweet onion

2 tablespoons of tomato paste

1/2 cup of chicken stock, unsalted

½ cup of white wine (any)

2 sweet potatoes

1 yellow or orange bell pepper

1 bunch of green onion

2 cups of prepared white rice

1 tablespoon of cumin

2 tablespoons of fresh minced garlic

½ tablespoon of ginger

1 tablespoon of chili pepper

¼ tablespoon of paprika

Salt and pepper to taste

1 lemon, juiced

1 tablespoon of infused butter or MCT oil

The Method

1. Chop the chicken breast into medium-sized pieces.

2. Peel the sweet potatoes and chop them into medium-sized chunks.

3. Small dice the onion.

4. Julienne the pepper into medium-sized slices.

5. Dice the vine-ripened tomatoes into large chunks.

6. In a large skillet or cast-iron pan, place 3 tablespoons of butter and let it melt.

7. Dump the chicken into the skillet and let it begin to cook, stirring occasionally.

8. When the chicken is almost finished, add the onion, sweet potato, and peppers and let it get cooking.

9. When the chicken is cooked and the veggies are almost soft, add in the spices and garlic. This is when you can customize your spice level. If you want it to be hotter, add more chili pepper. One tablespoon is the amount I chose to use, and it comes out medium heat.

10. Let the spices bloom from the heat and toast for 30 seconds.

11. Add the chicken stock, lemon juice, and white wine to deglaze the pan.

12. Bring the liquid to a simmer for about 5 minutes to release the alcohol in the wine and reduce.

13. When the liquid is reduced by half, dump in the tomatoes with all their juices, whole cherry tomatoes, and tomato paste. Mix it all up and let it come to a simmer.

14. Now is a good time to start your rice.

15. Your curry will start to reduce and thicken as it simmers. Now is a good time to add your infused butter or oil. Keep it stirred so that it doesn’t scorch. Remove it from the heat when it has become the consistency that you desire. I like mine a little bit saucy so that I can let the sauce soak into the rice.

16. Serve in a bowl over steamed white rice, throw some chopped green onion on top, and pair with some delicious Naan.

Bon Appétit!

Dana Cunningham is a Kansas City Native trained in French and American cuisine. She owns Infused KC, Kansas City’s CBD infusion think tank and focuses her culinary efforts on the farm-to-table concept at her four-acre homestead. She provides cooking classes in Kearney, MO. Follow her on Facebook, @ infusedkcmo or YouTube @sunsetgrovekearney. Get your CBD at, www.infusedkc.com.

Insomnia Symptoms Treated with Medical Cannabis

Best Cannabis Strains for Insomnia.

by Dr. Michael J. Poppa DO, MBA

As many of you know, insomnia is a very common sleep disorder affecting up to 30% of the general population but is elevated to as high as 50-60% in older people.

It is very difficult for many people to fall asleep and remain asleep due to their inability to disconnect from their daily activities of living. This is often exacerbated by fatigue, difficulties involving concentration and memory, alterations in mood, and, especially, social dysfunction. We’ll discuss insomnia symptoms and the effective use of medical cannabis for insomnia, including the best cannabis strains for insomnia treatment.

Sleeping difficulty: Medical marijuana restores an individual’s natural sleep cycle, and when struggling with insomnia, your sleep cycle can definitely fall out of sync.

Daytime sleepiness: Most people who think about medical weed imagine it causing sleepiness, relaxation, and giddiness. However, not all strains make you feel tired. Sativa strains actually do the opposite. They’re energizing and uplifting and help you treat daytime sleepiness caused by insomnia.

Lack of concentration: Cannabis can help with concentration and focus, which are lacking when you are tired from not getting adequate sleep.

Headache: Headaches can interfere with work, performing daily tasks, and insomnia. Studies show medical cannabis can help with headaches.

Anxiety or depression: Cannabis has also been shown to improve anxiety and depression, which can be a side effect of struggling with insomnia and not getting adequate sleep.

Ways to use Medical Cannabis for Insomnia

One way you can experiment with cannabis and insomnia is by changing how you ingest the substance.

Smoking and vaping both cause the effects to kick in right away. This can be beneficial if you are experiencing severe pain that is contributing to your insomnia. Immediate pain relief makes you feel better overall, so you can focus on sleep.

However, the effects of smoking and vaping wear off faster. That shorter period of relief may mean you wake up in the middle of the night when the effects stop. Smoking may also cause breathing issues due to higher levels of byproducts created by combustion.

Another option is consuming edibles, which are products infused with cannabis. You will have to wait anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours for the cannabinoids to take effect fully, so plan ahead — edibles won’t make you fall asleep immediately. The benefit of this option is that the effects last much longer than they do with smoking or vaping.

Best Strains of Cannabis for Insomnia

Choosing the right cannabis strain is an important part of the treatment process.

Sativa-dominant strains tend to have an energizing and uplifting effect, which is not helpful when you want to fall asleep. Not everyone experiences the “upper” feeling, but it’s generally best to avoid Sativa strains when sleep is your goal.

Indica-dominant strains are typically the best choice for treating insomnia. Indica strains usually induce a sleepy feeling that helps you drift off and stay asleep. The cannabinoid called CBN tends to have a sedating effect, so choosing a strain high in CBN may be a good choice. Aged cannabis tends to have higher CBN levels because another cannabinoid, THC, breaks down into CBN as it ages, making it a better option for getting good sleep.

THC also appears to be effective in treating insomnia. It may help you fall asleep faster with less difficulty, and it may reduce the number of times you wake up in the middle of the night. However, THC can worsen anxiety symptoms when used in high doses (use cautiously if suffering from anxiety). If your insomnia stems from anxiety or you feel anxiety as a result of your sleep issues, opt for a strain that’s low in THC. Also, consider “Micro” dosages to start and gradually increase (or decrease) as needed.

Some strains that may work well for insomnia include: (Note: Strain names may vary by state cultivators branding.)

● Tahoe OG Kush

● Purple Urkle

● Godfather OG

● Granddaddy Purple

● Skywalker

● God’s Gift

● Ingrid

● Blackberry Hashplant

● Afghan Kush

● Northern Lights

● Ogre

Granddaddy Purple

Finding your ideal cannabis strain to treat insomnia sometimes takes a little experimenting. Your body may react differently to a particular cannabis strain than someone else’s. If you don’t find success with your first strain, experiment with other options and smaller doses.

Side Effects of Cannabis for Insomnia

Cannabis can cause a significant improvement in your insomnia, but it’s important to fully understand potential side effects. The side effects are often mild when compared with traditional medications. Once the cannabis exits your body, those side effects disappear, so they are not long-lasting. A good thing!

Some of the potential effects of using cannabis include:

● A “high” feeling often described as euphoria, which is often more prominent in strains that are high in THC.

● Increased hunger.

● Sleepiness, which is the desired effect when you are dealing with insomnia.

● Red eyes.

● Dry mouth.

In comparison, prescription sleeping pills are known to carry a high risk of dependency. With research into medical cannabis becoming more prevalent and legally viable by the day, insomnia patients will soon have even more reasons to avoid pharmacological remedies.

Michael J. Poppa, D.O., R.Ph, MBA Board Certified Occupational Medicine. He can be reached at Missouri Cannabis Clinic, 816.353.0420, 10001 E. 67th St. Raytown, MO. 64133. Visit Missouri Cannabis Clinic online at www.MissouriCannabis.clinic.

Notice: The information contained herein is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, but rather a sharing of knowledge and information based on research and experience.

Skywalker

Indica vs. Sativa Beginners’ Guide

What is the difference between Indica and Sativa?

Biology, dosing, and consumption method of cannabis can be different for everyone. Your tolerance to cannabis, the amount you consume (dosage), and the consumption method will also determine how a strain affects you. Consider the following questions when looking for the strain or product that’s best for you.

What Impacts the Effects of Indica and Sativa Strains?

Ask Yourself These Questions:

How much experience do you have with cannabis?

● If your tolerance is low, consider a low-THC strain in low doses.

Are you susceptible to anxiety or other side effects of THC?

● If so, try a strain high in CBD.

● If you don’t know, start with low THC levels and go slow.

Do you want the effects to last a long time?

● If you do, consider edibles (start with low micro-doses).

● Conversely, if you seek a short-term experience, use inhalation methods or a tincture.

There are many other factors to consider when choosing a strain, but if you find that indica strains consistently deliver a positive experience, then, by all means, stick to what you know. Keep a journal of dosages, time of onset, and time-length of benefits.

Sativa Effects

While not all Sativa strains will energize you, most consumers notice a tendency for Sativas to produce a “head-high,” uplifting, stimulating effect. They also often report Sativas helping mitigate stress or anxiety. It’s thought of as a “daytime” strain. Many patients experience an uplifting feeling, euphoria, energy, sharpened focus, boosted creativity, and motivation. Ask your local dispensary for the Sativa strains best suited for your needs.

Indica Effects

Not all Indica strains can put you “on the couch;” nevertheless, many patients associate Indicas with full-body effects, for example, heavy limbs or a tingly face. They also report Indicas as helping aid in relaxation and curbing insomnia. Common effects include feeling relaxed, euphoric, happy, and sleepy. Indicas are commonly used as “nighttime” strains for relaxing, unwinding, and getting more sleep. Ask your local dispensary for the Indica strains best suited for your needs.

What is Hybrid?

Today, there are more and more crossbreeding cannabis strains called “Hybrid” strains, which are bred from both Indica- and Sativadescended plants. The reality is that it’s rare to

find strains that have pure Indica or pure Sativa lineages. Most strains referred to as “Indica” or “Sativa” are, in fact, some form of Hybrids, with genetics inherited from both plant subspecies.

Hybrid Effects

Since Hybrid strains derive genetics from Indicas and Sativas, its ensuing effects can also derive from both strains. Common effects include happy, euphoric, uplifting, energetic to relaxing — it all depends on which Hybrid you consume and what effects its “parent” strains are known to produce.

Exploring Hybrid’s — ask your budtender what kind of effects the strain will produce. Remember, if it has more Indica in its lineage, it might have more effects associated with those strains and likewise if derived from a Sativa plant.

How to shop for cannabis without saying “Indica” or “Sativa.”

What’s important to you as a new cannabis patient shopping is everything to do with potency, dose, cannabinoids, and terpenes chemical profiles. As a beginner, starting with cannabis and selecting to use it as an alternative medicine is a personal experience. Let the budtender know your needs and ask for their help. If they cannot help or answer your questions — go to another dispensary. There are also doctors and nurses versed in cannabis as alternative medicine who can help you. Patient Care providers can also help educate and guide you to the correct strain for your needs.

Ask your budtender questions, start low, and go slow.

*Anyone using cannabis for medicinal purposes should only do so with the advice of a medical doctor. More research is needed to understand the exact benefits, effects, and side effects of cannabis used as alternative medicine. The information provided here is a sharing of known consumer information only.

Medical decisions should not be made based on advertising. Consult a physician on the benefits and risks of particular medical marijuana products.

The Rise of The Hemp Guardians And a Happy, Hempy Holiday Season

by Dolores Halbin, contributing writer

One of my favorite benefits of being a grandma is watching kid movies, and my all-time favorite kid movie is Rise of the Guardians. It isn’t necessarily a Christmas Movie, but Santa Clause is one of the main characters and, of course, one of the Guardians, so the movie surfaces this time of year. Depicted as a giant Russian with Naughty and Nice tattoos up his right and left arms, Santa resides at the North Pole.

The movie also stars the Easter Bunny, a six-foot Australian thumper who is an expert in Marshall Arts and carries a boomerang. The Tooth Fairy is a Guardian because she and her fairies keep our baby teeth in little memory tubes for when we need those childhood memories, and Sandman brings kids sweet dreams.

Naturally, there must be a bad guy from which the children need protection. Pitch Black is the bringer of nightmares. Jack Frost, our hero, has been bringing snow days to make children laugh for 300 years and is about to be recruited to become a Guardian to fight the evil Pitch. Together, this fearsome foursome, soon to become a fifthsome with the addition of Jack Frost, save the children from losing faith in our heroes.

My favorite scene in the movie is when Jack Frost makes it into Santa’s Toy Shop to find it isn’t the elves but the Yetis that make the toys. The elves are annoying little pets.

A few months ago, April Hatch called and said we had been invited out to Rural Route Hemp Company to see the harvest. The family farm, owned and operated by the Poindexter family, is in Bates County between Drexel and Adrian. It was early fall, but for some reason, this whole operation reminded me of Santa’s Wonderland Toy Shop in Rise of the Guardians. The way everyone worked together, mostly in quiet, was like a dance. The dance of the hemp!

Our hemp Yetis are mom and pop Marie and Daryl Poindexter, daughter Michelle and her partner Felice, son Luke, his wife Shannon, and their two sons, Bo, who just turned 11 and is in the 5th grade, and 13-year-old Cole in the 8th grade. The young men worked just as hard and long as everyone else!

I asked Bo what his friends thought about his job. “They all want to come work here with me!” he said, laughing.

Family farming friends Kim and Jack are among us older folks, and younger farm hands Hannah and Ellen have formed the Rural Route Hemp crew for the past three years. We helped load the plants onto the flatbed and learned how to trim and use the buckers. “I had to design this bucker myself,” Daryl explained. “There just wasn’t a good piece of equipment to fit the need.”

Bo, age 11 (on right), trimming hemp at the bucking machine (on left).

Noon rolled around, and we all hiked up the hill to the family homestead and were seated around the giant dining room table for a feast I hadn’t experienced since my childhood on my grandparents’ farms. We had fresh pot roast from the farm cows, mashed potatoes, hot rolls, green beans, and German Chocolate Cake like mom used to make.

I was hooked and managed an invite onto the crew, going back every Thursday and Sunday to work the harvest. I am never quite sure what people mean when they say cannabis gets us “high.” The plant just makes me feel less bad about the side effects of getting old. Being in those huge plants with all their aromatherapy, working with the family, and being welcomed to the dinner table, I think I finally got it. These fun folks definitely got me “high.”

Luke and Michelle have been operating a small processing plant in Adrian, making their own CBD and CBG tinctures for three years. Their second location, just off the I-49 exit into Adrian, is going to be a whole lot of fun for my old hometown, which may be one of the

A story of working with family at Hemp Harvest.

heartstrings this family pulled on me. Gene (my deceased husband) and I built our treehouse in a forest just a few miles from the Poindexters, and Adrian was our hometown for over 20 years.

The second Rural Route Hemp plant will be in the original Dollar Store building. I remember how excited we all were to get a Dollar Store, which moved shortly after it opened. A local gym moved onto the property. And since gyms and cannabis are all for wellness, the team decided to keep the gym and open the retail space and processing plant in the back half of the building. The front half will be The Fitness Hub.

“Felice and I talked about opening a gym nine years ago when we lived in Chicago, so for us, it really is a dream come to life!” Michelle says. Sometimes I lose sight of how much the world has changed since 2014, and this is a great change. Now I really want to move back to Adrian!!

Rural Route Hemp is in the third year of hemping. I asked dad Daryl what he thought when his kids came to talk to him about converting a handful of the family’s 800-plus acres of soybean, corn, and cattle farm to hemp.

“Well, I kinda surprised them. I actually already knew about hemp, maybe more than they did. The farming magazines have been writing about it for quite a while,” the elder Poindexter said with a grin. I get that. It’s fun when our kids think we don’t know something, and we get to surprise them.

To me, all hemp farmers are guardians of the galaxy. There will be no third rock from the sun left inhabitable unless we change our ridiculously destructive dependence on fossil fuels, and the hemp farmers are doing just that at record speeds, often starting with five acres at a time.

So, when I asked the crew to put on Santa hats for me on the final day of hemping, I got everyone, including the pups, but Jack and Daryl, who stuck with their Rural Route Hemp hats and got a hard no from Marie. That is until I asked if she would put the hat on and pose for a photo with her German Chocolate Cake. Cake bakers have a special pride in their cakes.

“Okay,” she laughingly said. “Give me the damn hat!”

The Fitness Hub is open now, and the processing plant, including a gummy machine (yea) and retail space, will be open in time for holiday shopping! Rural Route Hemp products are also available at 3rd Street Dispensary, Kansas City Cannabis Company, Shangri-La Dispensaries, and Missouri Joint Ventures in Springfield, as well as online at www.RRhempco.com

For me, being able to participate in the future, help with the harvest, be a part of this amazing family for a few weeks, to lose myself in the huge plants that smell like heaven all give me faith. My heart and soul come away lighter. I hope to be invited back next year.

I highly recommend Rise of the Guardians for family holiday movie time. I will even confess to watching it a time or two without kids here. The movie is that good! Although, fair warning, Pitch can be pretty scary to the very young kids!

Have a great holiday season, everyone. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah (December 18-26), and Blessed Kwanzaa (December 26). Remember to shop local businesses — including cannabis dispensaries. Hemp makes all sorts of amazing gift, from tinctures, salves, and oils to clothing, hats, and socks.

Let’s all make it a Happy, Hempy Holiday Season!

Dolores Montgomery Halbin, RN, BSN, and Ordained Nurse Minister, resides in SW Missouri. After her husband passed in 2015, she retired from nursing. She worked with the 2014-2018 Missouri campaigns for legalized medical marijuana. She continues as a cannabis reform activist volunteering with Canna Convict Project and working toward Federal decriminalization through educational speaking and freelance journalism. Dolores Halbin, doloreshalbin@ gmail.com.

Hemp harvest time is a Poindexter family affair for Rural Route Hemp Co.

Felice and Michelle hand bucking.

Medical decisions should not be made based on advertising. Consult a physician on the benefits and risks of particular medical marijuana products.

Benefits Wheel for CBD THC and More.

WANT BIGGER PLANTS?

About Front Cover

We asked Karla Deel, the Flora Farms Marketing Director and photographer, if she was up for the challenge of a front cover photo with a cannabis plant decorated like a Christmas tree. You see the results on this month’s cover — her photo is awesome! We asked Karla to share a behind the scene look at how the photo was taken and the work to make it happen. Here’s how she describes the photo shoot setup.

Above left: Karla Deel during the cover photo-shoot with Bubba Fett plants curing overhead. On right, Karla’s photo-shoot and tree decorator assistant Molly Balliet next to the decorated Cannabis Christmas tree.

“We selected the beautiful Flora Farms award-winning Bubba Fett, photographed seven days before it was harvested. It was a whole operation of taking it out of its groom room, gently carrying it into a dry/cure room and photographing it on top of our fresh frozen freezer. Molly Balliet, one of the best Room Captains, helped me handle the plant, string it up to support the decorations, and decorate it. We had a small window of time to work with the plant due to its watering and feeding schedule — it was a whirlwind of holiday fun! Our bucking crew was smiling and cheering us on. Fun fact, we serendipitously photographed it under Bubba Fett plants curing overhead as seen in the photo here.”

There’s a lot of work that goes into a cover photo. We thank Karla, Molly, and all at Flora Farms who made it happen. Most importantly, we hope our readers enjoy it and have a wonderful holiday season.

Karla (on left) and Molly make the finishing touches to the decorated Cannabis Christmas tree during the cover photo-shoot.

Cannabis for Migraine Headaches

by Peter Kershaw, contributing writer

Most of us will, from time to time, experience a headache. There are around 150 types of headaches, and gratefully, even though they’re never pleasant, most aren’t debilitating or long-lasting. Nor are the majority of headaches difficult to treat. Most headaches are “tension headaches” and classified as “secondary,” meaning they’re caused by underlying health considerations such as inadequate hydration, constipation, muscle stiffness (particularly neck and shoulders), emotional stress, inadequate sleep, anxiety, hangover, etc.

Migraine headaches are classified as “primary” headaches because migraines are medically classified as a disease. Migraines affect approximately 39 million or 12% of the American population, making them the third most common illness in the world. Migraines cost the U.S. economy around $36 billion a year in healthcare costs and lost work productivity. Eight in ten migraine sufferers are women. Fluctuating estrogen levels during the monthly cycle are thought to be a significant triggering factor.1 As is the case with other headaches, other factors that can trigger migraines are environmental toxins, food allergies, and even changing weather.

Migraines are far worse than merely a bad headache. Migraines are often debilitating, lasting several hours to several days. They may include nausea, vomiting, and sensory stimuli sensitivity (e.g., photophobia). Around 15 to 20% of migraine sufferers also experience “auras” such as:

● Blind spots in your vision.

● Seeing bright flashing dots, sparkles, or lights.

● Numb or tingling skin.

● Speech changes.

● Ringing in ears (tinnitus).

● Temporary vision loss.

● Seeing wavy or jagged lines.

● Changes in smell or taste.

● A “funny” feeling.

Auras may last 10 to 60 minutes and typically precede the onset of a migraine. Auras serve as a warning of migraine onset. Auras can be rather frightening and are often misinterpreted as a stroke.

The allopathic establishment hasn’t been particularly helpful with identifying underlying causes of migraine. They broadly classify migraine as a neurological disease, the cause(s) of which is unknown. Many medical experts claim migraine is a genetic disorder because it

can run in the family. The medical establishment has, likewise, often failed migraine sufferers where it concerns treatment, let alone prevention. They have no cures for migraines, but they do offer a plethora of pills, most of which come with risky side effects.

Starting in my early 30s, I suffered for several years with periodic bouts of migraine headaches. My doctor, knowing my aversion to prescription drugs, recommended acetaminophen (Tylenol). After learning that long-term use causes liver damage, I switched to ibuprofen (Advil). But it, too, comes with its own complications. Moreover, neither one proved especially effective, and neither one will prevent migraines. I looked for more natural and effective options.

The greatest improvements I experienced were directly due to chiropractic adjustments, followed by physical therapy. My chiropractor, via X-ray examination, confirmed that my Atlas (first cervical vertebra of the spine, which supports the skull) was severely out of alignment. This was likely due to a whiplash injury I’d suffered in a rear-end accident. Thankfully, I was treated by an honest chiropractor and physical therapist (not all of them are). They were able to discharge me after only five treatments. Since then, I haven’t experienced another migraine, let alone the auras that often preceded them. Those results are consistent with what many others have achieved.2 Unfortunately, the medical establishment views chiropractors as quacks and is loath to recommend them.

Like anyone else, I may still suffer from a headache from time to time, but the debilitating effects and degrees of pain I once experienced (ranging from eight-10) are now no worse than a five. Rather than treating headaches with ibuprofen or acetaminophen, I use cannabis. Like millions of others, I’ve found cannabis to be effective not only in treating headaches but also preventing them. Headaches are one of the most common conditions for which medical marijuana is recommended by cannabis-friendly doctors.

Ethan Russo, M.D. notes that migraines “display common clinical, biochemical, and pathophysiological patterns that suggest an underlying clinical endocannabinoid deficiency that may be suitably treated with cannabinoid medicines.3 In other words, migraine patients may suffer due to a deficiency of endogenous cannabinoid production (e.g., anandamide), which can benefit from regular supplementation with cannabis.

1.

2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3259914/

3. Russo, Ethan B. M.D. 2001, Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency.

Administration:

Treating migraines can and should be approached in two ways: symptomatically and prophylactically.

● Symptomatically treats the migraine at the earliest signs of onset.

● Prophylactically means using cannabis periodically and daily, in low doses, to reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches.

Because nausea and vomiting often accompany migraines, oral administration of cannabis can prove challenging. Smoking or vaping avoids this problem and is also faster acting. Results can be felt in as little as five minutes. THC is critical for treating migraines, but be aware that THC is biphasic, meaning that a little can be effective while too much may exacerbate symptoms. Therefore, one should dose only to the level that symptoms abate. It’s wise to avoid high THC cultivars and gravitate toward those that also include moderate to high levels of CBD.

Peter Kershaw is a Patient Caregiver, an organic cannabis cultivation consultant, and extraction consultant. Contact him at pkershaw.email@gmail.com or text to 417-230-4445. As with all writers within these pages, if you’ve benefited from Peter’s articles, please let him and all writers know. They appreciate your thoughts.

Notice: The information contained herein is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, but rather a sharing of knowledge and information based on research and experience. The content is for general informational purposes only.

Wober, Brannath, et al, The PAMINA Study, Prospective analysis of factors related to migraine attacks.

Good Day Farms 17211 S Highway

Belton MO 64012

Elevate Dispensary 114 E NORTH AVE Belton MO 64012 Stairway Cannabis 490 SW MO-7 HWY Blue Springs MO 64015

Kansas City Cannabis 1713 NW BURDETT Crossing Blue Springs MO 64015

Greenlight 201 S WILDWOOD DR Branson MO 65616 3Fifteen Primo ► 18031 BUSINESS 13 Branson West MO 65737 Thrive Branson West ► 18490 BUSINESS 13 Branson West MO 65737

Good Day Farms 513 S. Ash Street Buffalo MO 65622 The Dispensary 460 State Hwy 76 Cassville MO 65625

Blue Sage Cannabis Co 429 Peachtree Dr. Carthage MO 64836

CoCo Dispensary 941 WASHINGTON ST Chillicothe MO 64601 Sunrise Dispensary 280 MO-7, Clinton MO 64735 Green Releaf Dispensary 204 E BROADWAY Columbia MO 65203 Shangri-La Super Store 1401 CREEKWOOD PKWY Columbia MO 65202 Shangri-La 3919 PEACHTREE DR Columbia MO 65203 3Fifteen Primo 4003 PONDEROSA ST Columbia MO 65201

High Profile Cannabis 1500 INTERSTATE 70 DR SW Columbia MO 65203

Good Day Farms 1400 FORUM BLVD Suite 12 Columbia MO 65203

Dispensary 5320 INTERSTATE 70 DR SE Columbia MO 65201

Kansas City Cannabis 149 CROWN HILL RD Excelsior Springs MO 64024

BesaMe Wellness 509 N MAIN ST Gallatin MO 64640

Verts Neighborhood Dispensary 509 N Main St., Gallatin MO 64640

Nature Med Dispensary 207 NE 72ND ST Gladstone MO 64118

Releaf Resources 13836 S US HIGHWAY 71 Grandview MO 64030

Greenlight 1408 N STATE ROUTE 291 Harrisonville MO 64701

Flora Farms 68 E 300th Road Humansville MO 65674

Good Day Farms 16820 E US Highway 24 Independence MO 64056

Nature Med Dispensary 15823 E US HIGHWAY 24 Independence MO 64050

Greenlight 3721 S Noland Rd Independence MO 64055

FROM THE EARTH 19341 E US HIGHWAY 40 Independence MO 64058

Health & Wellness 1404 MISSOURI BLVD Jefferson City MO 65109

Jefferson, LLC 2118 MISSOURI BLVD Jefferson City MO 65109

Good Day Farms 2401 E 32ND ST Joplin MO 64804

Greenlight 1729 E 7TH ST Joplin MO 64801

Made Dispensary 1502 S Rangeline Rd Joplin MO 64804

Neighborhood Dispensary 25733 Fir Rd. Joplin MO 64801

BesaMe Wellness 5901 NW Barry Rd, Kansas City MO 64154

FROM THE EARTH 6200 TROOST AVE Kansas City MO 64110

FROM THE EARTH 1222 McGee Kansas City MO 64106

FROM THE EARTH 2918 SOUTHWEST BLVD Kansas City MO 64124

Tribe Dispensary ► Opening Soon 14787 Manchester Rd. Ballwin 63011 Greenlight Dispensary 844.785.9333 4451 Brown Rd. Berkeley 63134

Terrabis Dispensary 11062 Olive Blvd. Creve Coeur 63141

Hippos Dispensary 17409 Chesterfield Airport Rd Chesterfield 63005

N’Bliss Dispensary 314.627.2699 15396 Manchester Rd. Ellisville 63021 Swade Dispensary 314.924.6501 16075 Manchester Rd. Ellisville 63011

Kind Goods Dispensary 636.492.6400 180 Gravois Bluffs Cir. Fenton 63026

Greenlight Dispensary 844.785.9333 517 S Florissant Rd. Ferguson 63135

N’Bliss Dispensary 314.627.2599 2285 Highway 67 South Festus 63028

Star Buds Dispensary 1168 W Gannon Dr. Festus 63028

CoCo Dispensary 573.719.3252 2000 US-61 Suite A Hannibal 63401 TERRABIS Dispensary 7766 N. Lindbergh Hazelwood 63042

N’Bliss Dispensary 314.627.2566 3 Walters Place House Springs 63051

North Dispensary 929 Peachtree Plaza Dr. Hillsboro 63050

Good Day Farms 636.467.2323 1229 Imperial Main Imperial 63052

Heya Wellness 120 South Main Street Kirksville 63601

Missouri Health & Wellness 660.956.0560 215 East Charles St. Kirksville 63501 N’Bliss Dispensary 314.627.2499 1266 Old Orchard Center Manchester 63021

Kind Goods Dispensary 636.484.9400 14173 Manchester Rd, Suite M Manchester 63011 Good Day Farms 636-317-1184 1140 Technology Dr. O’Fallon 63366 Nature Med Dispensary 314.939.1076 1193 Bryan Rd O’Fallon 63366

Terrabis Dispensary 1172 W Terra Ln. O’Fallon 63366

Heya Wellness 10417A St Charles Rock Road St. Ann 63042 High Profile 636.224-6033 1416 Harvestowne Industrial Dr. St. Charles 63304

Root 66 Dispensary 636.373.8329 3004 S St Peters Pkwy. St. Charles 63303

Captiva Healing Dispensary 314.462.9899 9933 Watson Rd. St. Louis 63126 Greenlight Dispensary 844.785-9333 8542 N Broadway St. Louis 63147 High Profile (Sunset Hills) 10425 Watson Rd. St. Louis 63127 Nature Med Dispensary 314.939.1076 234 Kingston Dr St. Louis 63125

Proper Cannabis 314.328.0446 7417 S Lindbergh Blvd. St. Louis 63125 Organic Remedies 11420 Concord Village Ave St. Louis 63123 Good Day Farms 5519 S. Lindbergh St. Louis 63123

Root 66 Dispensary 314.282.7978 6660 Manchester Ave. St. Louis 63139

Root 66 Dispensary 314.257.0816 3737 S Grand Blvd. St. Louis 63118

SWADE Dispensary - Cherokee 2316 Cherokee Street St. Louis 63118 SWADE - The Grove 314.924.6503 4108 Manchester Ave. St. Louis 63110 Luxury Leaf Dispensary 1463 South Vandeventer Ave. St. Louis 63110 Good Day Farms 20 Euclid Ave St. Louis 63108 3Fifteen Primo 314.226.7326 5501 Chippewa Street St. Louis 63109 Sunrise Dispensary 6407 Michigan Ave, St. Louis 63111

The Source 636. 355.9333 859 Robert Raymond Drive Lake St. Louis 63367 Heya Wellness 4300 North Service Road St Peters 63376 Kind Goods Dispensary 636.626.2300 3899 Veterans Memorial, Suite J St. Peters 63376 Mint Dispensary 150 Mid Rivers Mall Cir. St. Peters 63376 SWADE - St. Peters 314.924.6500 146 Jungermann Rd. St. Peters 63376 Green Releaf Dispensary 636.775.2708 109 N Lincoln Dr. Troy 63379

Eastern MO and

Louis Region Dispensaries

Those Listed inBlue Find Ads Within These Pages.

What Is CBG Hemp Flower?



Good Day Farms 1330 Broadway St. Suite 101 Cape Girardeau 63701 Greenlight Dispensary 573.519.5035 1001 Broadway Cape Girardeau 63701

High Profile 772 S Kingshighway Ste 101 Cape Girardeau 63703

Organic Remedies 573.279.4020 350 N Kingshighway St. Cape Girardeau 63701

The Valley, Dispensary 573.760.0200 800 Valley Creek Drive Farmington 63640

Greenlight Dispensary 888.995.0420 903 E. Washington Street Hayti 63851

North Dispensary 636. 224.2885 1709 State Hwy Z Pevely 63070

VERTS Dispensary 573.554.3765 1803 W Business U.S. 60, Dexter 63841

VERTS Dispensary 636.896.5202 1340 Thornton St. Pacific 63069

Heya Wellness 100 Strauss Drive Park Hills 63601

Greenlight Dispensary 573.507.3562 1435 N Westwood Blvd. Poplar Bluff 63901

Greenlight Dispensary 1817 E Malone Ave. Sikeston 63801

Good Day Farms 636.888.0381 1909 N Service Rd. W. St Clair, 63077

High Profile 231 Saint Robert Blvd. St. Robert 65584

Trinity Dispensary 205 State Rte B St. James 65559

It’s known as the “mother cannabinoid” or the “stem cell”cannabinoid.

CBG hemp flower is a type of hemp flower rich in Cannabigerol (CBG).

A new addition to the hemp space, CBG flower is an internationally sought-after hemp flower that allows users to enjoy the benefits of a minor, but essential cannabinoid.

Just like CBD flower, CBG flower is non-intoxicating and naturally contains very low levels of THC. Meaning, smoking or vaping CBG flower is not going to get you high and is completely safe to use by every adult.

CBD for Pets

How much CBD oil should I give my dog?

Q&A

American Shaman recommends giving your dog two to 5mg of CBD per 25 lbs of body weight daily. 5mg is equal to half a mL of our tinctures or water solubles, one of our hard dog treats, or two of our soft dog treats per day. All dosage recommendations can be found on the product packaging. CBD oil can also be given to dogs as needed ahead of particularly stressful situations like the vet or the groomer.

How much CBD oil should I give my cat?

American Shaman recommends giving your cat two to 5mg of CBD per 8 lbs of body weight daily. 5mg is equal to half a mL of our tinctures or water solubles. All dosage recommendations can be found on the product packaging. CBD oil can be given to cats daily as recommended on the product packaging or as needed for the cat’s specific needs.

Can I use human CBD oil on dogs?

The ingredients in CBD products for pets are the same as CBD products for humans. The only difference is the flavor! We do not recommend giving our human CBD products to your pets, and it would be difficult anyway because dogs and cats do not like to eat the flavors of our human products. Our CBD tincture for dogs is beef and cheese flavor, while our cat CBD tincture is real catnip flavor. That way, you can easily get your pet to take their dose of CBD!

Content provided by CBD American Shaman

Consumers use CBG-rich hemp flower the same way they enjoy CBD flower — trimmed and prepared for consumption.

In comparison to CBD flower, CBG flower is very delicate and demands better care by growers. Cultivating high-CBG flower is not the easiest process because, if handled improperly, the flower can lose potency.

Aside from smoking or vaping, CBG flower can also be used for extraction to create oils and tinctures rich in CBG.

Most hemp strains contain low levels of CBG — typically less than 1%. That’s why CBG is the most expensive cannabinoid to extract from regular strains.

To produce the same amount of CBD oil made from CBD flower that contains 20% CBD, manufacturers need 20x of CBG hemp biomass.

This CBG Hemp flower research is provided by https://mrhempflower.com/cbg-flower.

A Custom CrossWord by Gail Marie Beckman

Medical CBD Stores Western Missouri

Missouri CBD Stores

Stores Listed Alphabetically

Blue Springs Botanicals .........816.295.1921 1412 MO-7 STE G, Blue Springs, MO

Brookside Holistic Solutions 816.524.4367 819 NE Woods Chapel Rd, Lee’s Summit,

American Shaman .................816.491.2452 19321 E US Hwy 40, Independence, MO

CBD American Shaman 816.434.5059 3520 SW Market St, Lee’s Summit, MO

CBDAmerican Shaman 1638 SE Blue Pkwy, Lee’s Summit, MO

CBD American Shaman ........ 816.601.0241 4201 South Noland Road Suite S Independence, MO, 64055

CBD American Shaman ........ 816.625.1127 701 S. Broadway, Oak Grove, MO, 64075

CBD American Shaman......... 885.526.6223 5501 #104 S US Hwy 71, Grandview, MO

CBD American Shaman......... 816.680.8805 2008 N MO 291 Hwy, Harrisonville, MO

CBD American Shaman.........885.526.6223 1036 W 103rd St, Kansas City, MO

CBD American Shaman 855.526.6223 307 A NE Englewood Rd, KC, MO

CBD American Shaman 500 NE Barry Rd, Kansas City, MO 64118

CBD American Shaman 816.437.8261 13125 State Line Rd, Kansas City, MO

CBD American Shaman 816.702.1042 6302 N Chatham Ave, Kansas City, MO

CBD American Shaman.........913.249.7794 1005 Middlebrooke Dr, Liberty, MO

CBD American Shaman ........ 816.272.6195 921 NE Woods Chapel, Lee's Summit, MO

CBD American Shaman......... 855.526.6223 9438 E 350 Hwy, Raytown, MO

CBD American Shaman 139 N Belt Hwy Suite S., St. Joe, MO 64506

Missouri CBD Stores Missouri CBD Stores

Complete Care CBD 816.520.3304 18801 East 39th St S, Independence, MO 64057 (inside Independence Center Mall)

Ed’s CBD Oils ........................ 816.569.3142 9025 E US 40 Hwy, Independence, MO

Emerald Garden Dispensary 816.506.4284 9500 E 55th St, Raytown. MO

Emerald Garden Dispensary 816.977.8848 110 E. MO Avenue, Kansas City, MO

Exotic KC and Vape 3919 Broadway Blvd., Kansas City, MO

Green Lifestyle Boutique ....... 816.736.4038 119 West Kansas St. Liberty, MO.

Happy Living Medical Sales 5911 NW Barry Rd #200, Kansas City, MO

Happy Rock Smoke Shop & Vape

.................................................. 816.436.0226 334 NE 72nd St, Gladstone, MO

Happy Rock Smoke Shop & Vape

...................................................... 816.415.3814 603 MO 291 B Liberty, MO

It’s a Dream Smoke Shop . 816.753.5733 3942 Broadway Ave, Kansas City, MO

It’s A Dream #2 1223 W 103rd, Kansas City, MO 64114

It’s A Myracle 816.621.9401 214 N Rte 291 Hwy, Liberty, MO

 KC Smoke & Vape 816.931.4434 1605 Westport Rd, Kansas City, MO

KC Fumes 13608 Washington St., Kansas City, MO

Midtown Kava ....................... 816.541.3144 1415 D W 39th St, Kansas City, MO

Nettie’s Living Naturally ....... 816.617.7290 545 NW 1501St. Rd., Holden, MO 64040

Candy Smoke Shop 816.214.5110 904 W 39th St, Kansas City, MO

OG Smoke Shop 816-298.7390 3527 Main St, Kansas City, MO 64111

Rustic Oils CBD 816.434.5284 618 SW 3rd St Ste J, Lee’s Summit, MO

 7th Heaven …................... 816.361.9555 7621 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO.

 7th Heaven …................... 816.229.8006 600 MO-7, Blue Springs, MO 64014

Slappie’s Glass ....................... 816.325.3190 10516 Grandview Rd., Grandview, MO

 Smoke Hut 11902 Blue Ridge Ext., Grandview, MO

 Smoke Tokz 1263 W. 103rd, Kansas City, MO 64114

Smoke Tokz 431 SW Ward Rd., Lee’s Summit, MO 64081

 Vape Tokz 816.631.5151 1259 W 103rd St., KCMO 64114

The Hub Smoke Shop 816.701.6267 500 Delaware St, Kansas City, MO

The Hub Smoke Shop ............ 816.420.0404 6410 N Oak Trafficway, Kansas City, MO

The Hub Smoke Shop 816.321.2398 4027 N Oak Trafficway, Kansas City, MO

The Hub Smoke Shop 816.492.5466 2631 NE Vivion Rd, Kansas City, MO

True Balance Wellness …...... 816.326.8303 5510 Antioch Rd, Kansas City, MO 64119

Columbia Missouri CBD Stores

CBD American Shaman 1400 Forum Blvd #40, Columbia, MO 65203

Grass Roots Smoke Shop 573.449.4769 203 N 10 St, Columbia MO

Grass Roots Smoke Shop 573.443.7668 202 E Green Meadows, Columbia MO

Hemp Hemp Hooray …........ 573-355-1285 Broadway, Columbia, MO 65201

Your CBD Store – Columbia 573.442.6706 1408 Interstate 70 Dr. SW. #106, Columbia, MO 65203

Springfield & Joplin

Region CBD Stores

 Alice CBD ........................ 417.310.6052 5399 State Hwy 43 #D, Joplin, MO 64804

 Alice CBD ......................... 417.717.0614 530 N East Rd Suite A, Webb City, MO

Bodegas Botanicals

515 S. Main St., Joplin, MO 64801

Cali Ways Smoke Shop 1928 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, MO

CBD Republic

Lake of the Ozarks and Jefferson City Area

CBD Stores

American Shaman Mid MO... 573.616.2524 3702 W Truman Blvd. Ste. 200, Jefferson City, MO 65109

Buddha Leaf 573.658.9675 1418 Missouri Blvd Ste E, Jefferson City MO

CannaBiz Depot – Osage Beach 573.693.9995 4398 Osage Beach Parkway, Osage Beach, MO 65065

CBD American Shaman Lake of the Ozarks 573.317.9131 www.cbdloz.com 10 Camden Ct Suite 1C, Camdenton, MO

Hemp Hemp Hooray - CBD ... 573.355.813 3797 Osage Beach Pkwy Suite F-1, Osage Beach, MO 65065

SQeZ Juice & Health ............. 573.552.8790 3869 Osage Beach Pkwy, Osage Beach, MO

Medical CBD Stores Eastern Kansas

Find The EVOLUTION™ MAGAZINE at most locations on this page and many more.

Kansas CBD Stores Kansas CBD Stores

American Shaman Legends Outlet ........... ................................................913.499.7355

1843 Village West Pkwy C-124 Kansas City, KS 66111

Blue Cloud Essentials ........... 913.724.4422 13944 Mitchell CT., Basehor, KS

CBD American Shaman Bonner Springs... 913.745.6667 608 Tulip Dr, Ste G Bonner Springs, KS

CBD American Shaman......... 913.270.3120 1819 E Santa Fe, Gardner, KS

CBD American Shaman......... 913.228.6000 8043 State Ave, Kansas City, KS

CBD American Shaman......... 785.424.7500 1530 W 6th S. Ste C, Lawrence, KS

CBD American Shaman 6027 Metcalf, Mission, KS 66202

CBD American Shaman......... 885.526.6223 15165 W 119th St, Olathe, KS

CBD American Shaman......... 913.324.1520 13624 S Blackbob Rd, Olathe KS

CBD American Shaman ....... 913.490.3195 16551 W 151st Street, Olathe KS

CBD American Shaman......... 913.217.7476 6933 W 75th St, Overland Park, KS

CBD American Shaman......... 913.217.7123 10069 W 87th St, Overland Park, KS

CBD American Shaman. ....... 885.526.6223 11050 Quivira Rd, Overland Park, KS

CBD American Shaman ........ 913.647.3999 7703 W 151st St, Overland Park KS

CBD American Shaman (Inside the Hen House) 6900 W 135th St., Overland Park, KS

CBD American Shaman ........ 913.271.3120 23 W Wea St,, Paola, KS

CBD American Shaman ........ 913.766.0430 13213 Shawnee Mission Pkwy, Shawnee, KS

CBD American Shaman 22354 W 66th, Shawnee, KS 66226

Gifts & Decor KC .................... 913.782.4244 123 S Mur-Len Rd, Olathe, KS 66062

Into the Mistic......................... 913.766.9906 5727 Johnson Dr, Mission, KS

Phoenix Natural Wellness ....... 913.730.8520 9627 W 87 St, Overland Park, KS

Phoenix Natural Wellness ........913.257.5717 7932 W 151 St, Overland Park, KS

 Vape Attic ......................... 913.440.9334 1323 E. Santa Fe Rd. ,Olathe, KS

How To Get Listed Here?

To be listed here as an CBD Store or Medical Cannabis dispensary, please email us your: business name, address, phone, website and verifiable email address with contact info to Bill.C@TheEvolutionMag.com

MO Medical Marijuana Qualifying Conditions

All Medical Marijuana Patients must have one of the following chronic or debilitating

What conditions qualify?

Any terminal medical illness

Alzheimer’s (Agitation)

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Autism

Cachexia

Cancer

Chronic medical condition that is normally treated with a prescription medication that could lead to dependence

Chronic medical condition that is debilitating or causes severe/persistent pain or muscle spasms

Crohn’s Disease

Epilepsy/seizures

Glaucoma

Hepatitis C

HIV/AIDS

Huntington’s Disease

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Intractable migraines

Multiple Sclerosis

Neuropathies

Parkinson’s Disease

Psychiatric disorders including, but not limited to, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) if diagnosed by a state-licensed psychiatrist

Sickle cell anemia

Wasting syndrome

Contact a Medical Cannabis certification doctor (page 46) to see if you qualify for a medical marijuana ID card in the state of Missouri. https://health.mo.gov/safety/ medical-marijuana/faqs.php.

Missouri Medical Cannabis Certification Doctors

NOTICE: Any Missouri state licensed medical Physician (M.D. / D.O. only) that wants to participate can write a certification for a Missouri Medical Marijuana Card. The following list of Missouri doctors are now serving patients near you.

Kansas City MO, Area

Blue Bird Wellness Center 816.944.3654 656 SE Bayberry Ln. Ste 102, Lee’s Summit, MO.

Green Health Docs ........................877.242.0362 2335 N. Belt Hwy, St. Joe, MO 64506

Green Health Docs 877.242.0362 5748 N Broadway KC, MO 64118

Green Flower Clinics 816.615.8690

Dr. Name: Dimitri Golfinopoulos, D.O. 401 S. Platte Clay Way, Kearney, MO 64060

Green Sage Doctors 816.820.3004 Offering TELEHEALTH

James McEntire D.O. (DocMac) 816.237.8583 www.TheGreenPotClinic.com Progressive Osteopathic Therapies

Kind Remedy Cannabis Clinic .... 816.379.6557 1713 NW Burdett Crossing, Blue Springs, MO www.kindremedykc.com

Midwest Health & Wellness Center ... 816.836.2200 Dr. Marc K. Taormina MD Offering TELEHEALTH www.midwesthealthandwellnesscenter.com 3601 NE Ralph Powell Rd, Suite A, Lee’s Summit, MO 64064

Missouri Cannabis Clinic ........ 816.353.0420 Offering TELEHEALTH 10001 E. 67th St. Raytown, MO 64133 ► 2nd Location in Wesport, KCMO.

My KC Green Wellness . 816.301.5598 8120 NW Prairie View Rd. Kansas City, MO 64151

The Releaf Clinic 816.897.4494 19201 E. Valley View Pkwy, Suite C, Indep, MO.

Dr. Woods Wellness 816.888.5200 300 Unity Circle North Suite A., Lee’s Summit, MO

Dr. Laura Voss, DO 816.600.4132 1505 NE Parvin Rd, Suite 1517C Kansas City, MO 64116

East & Southern, MO Area Columbia, MO

Dr. Alt Holistic Care 573.875.4877 1715 B West Worley, Columbia, MO 65203

Green Health Docs Columbia ........ 877.242.0362 303 N Stadium Blvd, Regus Building, Suite 200 Columbia, MO 65203

Marijuana Card Clinic 573.326.4496 3919 Peachtree Drive, Suite 102, Columbia, 65203

Marijuana Card Clinic 573.326.4496 1401 Creekwood Pkwy. St.102, Columbia, 65202

Springfield, MO

Elite Pain Mgmt. 417.888.0167 222 E Primrose St. Suite E, Springfield, MO

Green Harvest Clinic 417.863.2222 2049 E Cherry Street #120, Springfield, MO

Green Health Docs ........................ 877.242.0362 225 East Sunshine, Suite 102, Springfield, MO

Green Leaf MD 417.695.5050 222 E. Primrose St., Springfield, MO. 65807

Nature’s Green Health & Wellness Clinic 417.771.5737 330 W Farm Rd 182 Suite F, Springfield MO 65180

Shealy-Sorin Wellness Institute 417.351-5221 2840 E Chestnut Expressway, Springfield, MO.

The Higher Care Clinic (THC 2….417.413.3899 2424 South Campbell Avenue, Springfield, MO.

Dr. Gil’s Immediate Care Center 417.848.6100 3000 East Division St., Springfield, MO 65802

Southern MO

Green Health Docs 877.242.0362 809 S. Maiden Lane, Joplin, MO 64801

Roark Family Health & Medical Spa 417.847.1111 Dr. Lisa Roark ● 1101 N. Main St., Cassville, MO.

How to Get Listed Here as a Missouri Marijuana Med-ID Doctor. To be listed here as an active Medical Marijuana certification Doctor (Licensed Missouri Doctors Only. Assistant Physicians, PA and NP, Chiropractic Doctors cannot certify.) Please submit your full business name, doctor name, phone, address, website and verifiable contact info to Bill.C@TheEvolutionMag.com

Find The EVOLUTION™ MAGAZINE at many of the locations on this page and many more.

St. Louis MO, Area

Bell Chiropractic & Pain Mgmt. ..... 314.838.1983 493 Rue Francois Suite 1A, Florissant, MO

Green Health Docs STL. 877.242.0362 909 Watson Rd, St Louis, MO.

Health City 314.200.1555 1760 S. Brentwood Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63144

Kathmandu Clinic 918.814.3996 111 Prospect Ave Suite 20 2D, Kirkwood, MO.

Green Cert MD 314. 596.9955 2325 Dougherty Ferry Rd., Ste. 206 St. Louis, MO 63122

Medical Cannabis Outreach 636.466.3871 Dr. Nassar: 7721 Clayton Rd. Clayton, MO 63117

Vo Medical Clinic - Dr. Thanh Vo ... 314.776.1467 3334 South Grand Ave., St. Louis, MO 63118

Your Guide to Missouri Purchase and Possession Limits

Qualifying Missouri Patients may according to DHSS:

● Purchase up to 4 oz of flower (or 32 mmes)

● Possess up to 8 oz of flower (or 64 mmes)

● Those with a homegrow or caregiver may possess up to 12 oz of flower (or 96 mmes) at once

More about Purchase and Possession Limits

One milligram (mg) is equal to 1/1000 grams (g). The only way to accurately measure in Grams or Ounces is to use a scale. Tools, such as kitchen cups and spoons, only provide rough estimates.

A Patient is: A person who has been registered by the state of Missouri and received a license to use medical marijuana (a $25 fee); may apply for a cultivation license for an additional $100 fee

A Caregiver is: A person 21+ who is responsible for managing the well-being of a qualified patient; has been authorized by the state to purchase or grow Cannabis for patients

NOTE: If you are a patient; who, for example, wants to medicate with higher THC levels like RSO (Rick Simpson Oil) or what some call FECO (Full Extract Cannabis Oil), then the purchase and possession limits listed above may be raised by “two” independent physician certifications. For more Missouri MMJ rules and regulations about purchase and possession limits, visit www.medicalmarijuana.mo.gov

◄ Patients may order MME cards at (as seen on left): https://health.mo.gov/safety/medical-marijuana/publications.php Catalog #203 ● MO. Marijuana Equivalency Card (MME), Program – MMR ● Per Order Limit 100.