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ISSUE #28 JAN. 2017
WHAT’S INSIDE T H E L AT E S T
10 Dispensary Map
Photo taken inside GT Nevada's cultivation By: Mikayla Whitmore
Map of all dispensaries that support VCM
Buzz Kill 20 Cannabis Drug Interactions Marijuana in NV 22 Recreational What to expect now that Nevada has legalized cannabis
Education 26 Higher UNLV marijuana policy for Pets 30 Hemp Therabis as a supplement for your dog
32 Strain Tracker Interview with Max Simon of Green Flower Media
Hat Column 34 The Nix 2 Sense: Selecting your strain
Fading 40 Cross What you need to know about mixing cannabis & alcohol C U LT U R E
Ruckus Rant 44 The 2016 ends on a high note Unite of Tribe of Kings 46 DJHopper Stone's monthly Tokin' with the Infamous interview.
to Sober 48 Addicted Using cannabis to heal It All On Green 50 Bet Jorge Cervantes: Interview with the master
Spotlight: Daniel Holbrook 52 Artist The Stencil Artista
Chiefs of Stash
70 F EATURED
16 Cover Photo Provided By John & Elaine McCarthy
Big John McCarthy A serious conversation about medical marijuana
Dispensary Products What's new each month in our local dispensaries.
With Cannabis 84 Cooking Chef Fred's Beef Pho'
96 Resources Local resources for medical patients
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62 Music Papa Hashish & the Joint
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EDITORS NOTE
A new year is upon us, and Nevada is now an adultuse state. For now, and hopefully forever, patient rights are intact and unchanged. Please remember, it could be 6-12 months before we see our first recreational dispensary open. Until then, visiting a dispensary still requires a Nevada medical marijuana card. Those 21+, without a medical card are allowed to possess one ounce or less of cannabis or 3.5 grams of concentrate. Non-medical patients may also currently grow up to six plants. Public consumption is illegal for patients and non-patients alike cannabis must be consumed on private property, out of public view. In this issue, our publisher Bill Shehan interviews "Big" John McCarthy who talks about his wife's battle with lupus and how cannabis assists her in treating her symptoms. Also in this issue, Dr. Kit lets us know how some conventional medicines may interact with cannabis. And, Jason Sturtsman sits down with one of the best growers in the industry. As always, enjoy this issue of Vegas Cannabis Magazine. Here's to a healthy and prosperous new year!
Stephanie Shehan
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
I am such a huge fan of yours. I moved into this little apartment with my wife in October 2015 and got my first issue of your magazine. Each month, as soon as I got it I would rush home and wait to look at it with my wife. It was sort of a monthly ritual for us. We recently moved and we were putting all our stuff in a storage unit. I saved all my centerfolds (plus the front covers because they looked so cool along with the centerfolds) as one of the last things to move. Unfortunately, they were somehow lost. Is there any chance you guys have back issues of some of your magazines? I can't stress enough how much they meant to me. I'm 25 years old and I've been married for 2. I love my wife and I love my life. I loved the shizz outta all those posters too. If not no big deal. I will start over. Dedication isn't easy but pays off in the end. Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Hope it wasn't to boring for you! Keep being awesome! Keep being cool! Keep spreading awesome information!!!! Sincerely - N.S. (A huge, huge fan) Thank you for taking the time to write in. We love hearing from our readers. We have a copy of each back-issue containing a poster for you and your wife ...and some other goodies too! Please stop by our office at your convenience, grab your new collection of mags, and say “high.�
PUBLISHER Bill Shehan 702 589 1282
EDITOR Stephanie Shehan 702 622 8001
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Derek Connor Bob Kerr Chef Dee Chef Fred Dr. Aseem Sappal Garrett Dillon Heath Timmons Hopper Stone Jason Sturtsman Nick Hat Pamela Jayne Rob Ruckus Willie Spearmint Riana Durrett, Esq. Dr. Kit, Pharm.D,RPH. Rebecka Snell Darryl Johnson, PHD Bruce Burnett, MD Oscar Hunt
ART Creative Director Lashan Dias Photography DopeFoto Cartoonist Neal Warner
AD SALES Jason Sturtsman - jason@vegascannabismag.com Rebecka Snell - rebecka@vegascannabismag.com Bryan Guercioni - bryan@vegascannabismag.com Marc Soria - marc@vegascannabismag.com
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Vegas Cannabis Magazine, LLC features content about marijuana, hemp, and marijuanarelated products and information. In addition, we feature articles, legal information and medical news relevant to the cannabis industry. All content within our publication and on our website is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered personalized legal or medical advice. Both the printed publication and the website are intended for those over the age of 18. Vegas Cannabis Magazine, LLC assumes no responsibility for the advertisements within this publication. We strive to ensure the accuracy of the information published. Vegas Cannabis Magazine LLC cannot be held responsible for any consequences which arise due to error or omissions. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. All rights reserved.
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it's time to
T H E L AT E S T BIG JOHN MCCARTHY A Serious Conversation About Medical Marijuana BY BILL SHEHAN
“Big” John McCarthy has been a referee for the UFC since March 11,1994, and has played a major role in MMA. What an honor it was for me to speak with him about MMA, athletic drug testing and his wife's ongoing battle with lupus.
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BILL S: I feel your biggest contribution to the sport was adding referee stoppages when a competitor cannot intelligently defend himself. That rule may have saved the sport altogether. Explain the importance of this rule,
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and the difficulty of knowing when to stop a fight or not. What helped you form the idea to implement this rule? JOHN M: Back when I was
asked to be the referee at UFC 2, I joked with a friend of mine about what my responsibilities were, which were not many. The only time I was supposed to stop or interfere with the fight was if the fighter tapped out, or if the corner threw in the towel. Other than that I was not supposed to do anything unless a foul occurred and
there were only two of those being No Biting and No Eye Gouging. When I refereed the first couple of fights I quickly learned that there were going to be problems with being the referee. I realized that the fighters had talked to their corners and told them to never throw in the towel, so I was not going to be able to rely on the corner to protect their fighters and the fighters were getting hurt to the point where they didn’t have the mental or physical
ability to tap after they had been hurt badly. I told the corners I was going to advise them when their fighters were hurt and I was going to advise them when to throw the towel. Well, like I said the corners were advised not to throw the towel by the fighters so I had no way of keeping the fighters safe. After the show I told Rorion Gracie that I was never going to do it again. He looked at me and asked why? He thought everything had gone really well. I looked at Rorion and told him that he was going to get someone seriously hurt with the restrictions he had on the referee and the stopping of the fight. I told him that I could not just stand in the cage and watch one fighter stomp the head of a defenseless fighter while his corner stood there holding onto a towel because they were too stupid or afraid to do what was right. At that point I told him that I needed to have the power to stop the fight and I came up with the terminology “If a fighter
BS: You used to work for the
LAPD, do you use any skills learned in police training in the Octagon?
JM: Things that I learned
from being a police officer have helped in being a better referee. I learned that you do what is right for the sport and for the fighters no matter what. I learned that there is a thing called the letter of the law and another called the spirit of the law. Many times those two things don’t coincide either in the street as a police officer or in the cage as a referee, but you need to always go about doing what is right for the sport and the fighters.
BS: With concussions and
brain damage playing major roles on fighters' lives and families, what else can be done to help brain trauma and recovery?
JM: The understanding of
concussions and their severity is one of the big hurdles facing all combat or contact sports. We must do everything we can to educate the fighters about taking care of
themselves not only in the cage, but in training as well. We need to do more to keep the fighters from getting dehydrated and carrying that condition into competition. We need to learn from studies concerning alternative medications that are less harmful to the fighters overall health and ones that actually help regenerate cell activity instead of impede it. Thanks to researchers like Professor Yosef Sarne of Tel Aviv University, we’ve discovered that cannabis may help prevent long term brain damage by administering THC before or shortly after the injury. In fact, Israel Defense Force (IDF) practitioners administer CBD or low-dose THC as a first-line of treatment to IDF soldiers. Is that something that could possibly help a fighter who has developed Traumatic Brain Injury or Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy? I don’t know for sure, but why in the world would we not explore the possibility? BS: The UFC has a 50
nanogram limit on THC; do you anticipate the UFC ever lifting their ban on THC for medical purposes?
JM: Well, the UFC doesn’t
test fighters. The UFC uses USADA as the organization that checks and tests fighters under contract to the UFC. USADA does have a 50 nanogram limit on THC during in-competition hours. Those hours are 12 hours each side of the fighters competition time. There is no limit on THC in what is called out of competition testing. If you test positive for 300 nanograms of THC during a test that is outside of in-competition testing, you will not be penalized by USADA. What they are saying is, we don’t want fighters under the
influence of THC during the actual fight. They are not saying that they think THC is performance enhancing, what they are saying is they don’t want a fighter under the influence of THC because it could possibly slow his reactions or instincts which could possibly endanger that fighter who has THC in their system. BS: Many MMA fighters as
well as other professional athletes have obtained a doctor's recommendation to utilize and possess medical cannabis. Should fighters be able to choose cannabis over addicting pills and traditional Dark Age medicines?
JM: I think every athlete
under the care of a physician should be able to discuss with their physician what type of medication is best for their particular style of life and ailments. I think it is
silly to say that marijuana is a dangerous drug while opiates and opioids are being used all the time and under medical supervision are considered safe. Any medication can have side effects, but we should always be open to finding better ways to handle some of the aches, pains and problems that come with pushing your body to the point of it breaking down. I can remember commercials from when I was a kid that talked about all of the health benefits associated with smoking cigarettes. Is that what we say today? We should always be striving to learn and evolve. We should never hold onto old and outdated methods just because that’s the way we did it then. BS: Fighters are extremely
conscious of what they put in their bodies. Jon Fitch once told me that he uses cannabis
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cannot intelligently defend himself, I will stop the fight”. To this day we still use this as a standard for what we are looking at from the fighter to allow them to continue on in the fight. We tell the fighters in the back while going over fight rules and protocol that if they get hurt, we expect them to show us through their actions that they are okay. We want to see them move, fight back, get hold of their opponent etc. What we do not want to see is them starting to hide, putting both of their hands on one side of their head in an attempt to block the blows. We want to see that the fighter is intelligently defending himself or herself.
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When you tell people that you use marijuana to treat your illness, right away they get this look like “Oh you just like to get high!” to recover, and as a dietary supplement to induce hunger and get the calories he needs. Many professional athletes use medical cannabis as an alternative to addicting and liver-damaging pills. It’s time that Joe Rogan uses his passion and understanding of cannabis to help change the minds around him. It’s time to acknowledge this plant, not as a substance of abuse, but rather, as a useful medicine. The UFC should #standupforcannabis the way they support Budweiser, change this rule today. What is your opinion on cannabis as it relates to fighting?
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JM: Well, lets make one
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thing clear. I have never ingested cannabis. Growing up, my father was against it and I have had asthma my whole life so I wasn’t big on inhaling anything into my lungs. So, I don’t have any type of personal experience to say yes or no. But my personal opinion on marijuana as a Performance Enhancing Drug for fighting is absolutely not!!! I think the problem with marijuana when it comes to fighting is it can reduce your abilities, slow you down, diminish your reflexes, which in essence makes it more dangerous for the fighter ingesting the marijuana.
BS: Even though you have
never been interested in marijuana yourself, your wife Elaine has found medical cannabis to effectively treat the symptoms of lupus.
How long has she been using medical cannabis to her benefit? JM: She started using
cannabis to help her lupus in 2016, so it has not been a long time, but we can really see how it makes a difference with her headaches and her fatigue. I want to be very clear, my wife doesn’t use cannabis in a recreational form. She has a serious disease and uses cannabis as a medicine to assist her in living as normal a life as possible. That is the thing that is crazy about this. When you tell people that you use marijuana to treat your illness, right away they get this look like “Oh you just like to get high!” That is the last thing people like my wife are doing. All they are doing is trying to live a normal life and thank God there is something out there that actually helps them do that.
BS: Diagnosing lupus is diffi-
cult. How did she figure out what was going on?
JM: It actually took a long
time to get an official diagnosis of lupus from the doctor, probably about a year to a year and a half. She went through a ton of testing, but that was a godsend because during her testing we discovered that she had bladder cancer. Nobody wants to have lupus, but in a way my wife’s lupus helped us in discovering the cancer that she had. I am glad to say that she is cancer free now and our focus is on how to make
BS: Damn, she spent the first
symptoms improve and you feel better. Lupus can range from mild conditions like a rash, which can be only a small patch on one part of your body to life threatening ailments that shut down your vital organs. With good medical care, most people with lupus can lead a full life. So, if you have been having any of these symptoms please go to a doctor and start the process of seeing what you can do to live as normal a life as possible.
JM: Most people don’t truly
BS: In addition to using
her lupus less limiting. BS: When was she diag-
nosed?
JM: She was diagnosed with
lupus in 2014
two years of her disease, with doctors practicing their pharmaceuticals, and offering nothing but possible side-effects. Is there any information you can offer those who need help identifying the symptoms of lupus? understand lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can damage any part of your body including the skin, joints, organs, the brain, and the eyes. Chronic means the symptoms tend to last longer than six weeks and often years. In lupus, something goes wrong with your immune system, which is what helps fight off viruses, bacteria, and germs. In healthy people the immune system produces proteins called antibodies that protect the body from viruses and bacteria. When a person has lupus, their immune system cannot tell the difference between foreign invaders and their body’s healthy tissues, so they create autoantibodies that attack and destroy healthy tissue. These autoantibodies cause inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the body. Lupus is a disease of FLARES. You get a flare up and you feel ill. Then you have remissions where the
cannabis and conventional medicine, does Elaine follow a special diet?
JM: Yes, she does have to
be careful with what she eats and now has many food allergies. We figured out that gluten is very bad for her and causes headaches and possibly migraines. The Paleo Diet seems to be the diet that works best for her and her illness because what you are eating is natural or comes from the earth instead of having some company manufacture it or add preservatives to it.
BS: You created COMMAND
to train and certify referees. How does someone go about becoming an amateur referee, and joining your program?
JM: I started the COM-
MAND program to give people wanting to be officials in MMA a head start. I wanted them to have a place they could go to that an-
COMMAND was started because of my belief that we need quality officials if our sport is going to grow. I am smart enough to know that I cannot do every show and eventually I will retire and not officiate anymore and there needs to be quality people that are prepared to step up and take the sport to the next level. Unfortunately, I personally do not have a lot of time to do the course. I am booked just about every week of the year, usually for two shows, sometimes as many as four so finding the time to teach the course is always an obstacle. If someone is thinking about getting into MMA as an official they should go to www.MMAReferee.com for more information. BS: You are active on
Twitter. It's nice to see you answer every single #ASKBJM question. You have also spent some time commentating and broadcasting. Do you anticipate a career next to Joe Rogan at any point?
JM: The whole Twitter thing
is funny. I had no idea about Twitter for years and then I was told I had to get a Twitter account by a company I was working with. All of a sudden, people started asking questions on it and were making comments about the sport that were untrue or
wrong and I wanted them to know what the right answer was. I started answering their questions, but the same question would be asked every week. I had a friend of mine who suggested I put a hashtag on the end of every answer so people could go back and see the answers to other people’s questions and that’s how #AskBJM started. I try to answer as many questions as I can because I want people to be as informed and educated about MMA as possible. I think that an educated fan base is better for the sport. The one question I get on a daily basis that I don’t even try to answer anymore is “What’s the best fight you have ever officiated?” I try to tell people that picking one fight out of the thousands of fights I have done would be impossible and disrespectful to all of the amazing fights I have been lucky enough to have been part of. I will usually try to break things down by elaborating on the best fight I officiated this year, but that doesn’t seem to satisfy them. As far as broadcasting, I doubt you will ever see me sitting beside Joe Rogan. I have had fun doing some things, but there is a problem with Athletic Commissions and their officials doing interviews or doing broadcasting, so I try to keep it to a minimum. BS: What a privilege it is to
speak openly about cannabis with arguably the most recognized face in the MMA industry. Joe Rogan would be another awesome conversation. How do you like interacting with Joe? What do you think about his busy life?
JM: Joe Rogan is an amazing
guy. He is a super smart, very intelligent and intel-
lectual person who is also an amazing athlete. I have nothing but respect for Joe and they way he goes about living his life. He also happens to be one of the funniest comedians you will ever see. BS: What about Dana White? JM: He is the greatest fight
promoter ever. He is a driven and fiercely loyal person who is incredibly generous to people around him, but don’t get on his bad side. Once he is pissed at you, it will take you a long time to turn that around, LOL. I really like Dana and I know the UFC would not be where it is today had Dana White not been a part of it.
BS: And, Art Davie? JM: Art Davie is the guy who
started it all. If it wasn’t for Art Davie and his dream, the UFC never would have happened. I owe Art for starting what has become the sport that I love, the sport that I have had an impact on, and the sport that has given me a second career. This sport that has given so much to my life and allowed me to go places and see things I never would have seen had it not been for MMA. MMA is different today than what Art started 23 years ago, but there has to be a beginning and Art was the one that made that happen. There are a lot of pretenders out there saying that they started the UFC, or they are the Co-founder of the UFC. All I can say about that is if it wasn’t for Art Davie, there never would have been a UFC.
BS: No “Big” John McCa-
rthy either, Art coined his nickname…
BS: What about Steve Can-
twell? JM: Wow that’s a name from
the past. Steve was a really good Kickboxer out of One Kick Nicks gym in Las Vegas. I only refereed Steve once or twice but he was a really explosive fighter who had 3 great fights against Brian Stann. In fact, he won the WEC Light Heavyweight Title when he beat Brian. I have not seen Steve for a long time, but I really hope he is doing well.
BS: Steve is now the master
grower for Green Life Productions, here in Pahrump, NV.
BS: Any last words? JM: I just hope that every-
one out there understands that we are all the same, but we are also different. What works for one person might not work for another. We must constantly strive to improve our QUALITY OF LIFE. I am the first person that thinks abuse of any kind is wrong. I know that seems funny coming from a guy that stands in a cage with two people beating the crap out of each other. But that is sport. Putting two skilled people against each other is competition. When you have one person that has skills, fighting another person that doesn’t, now you have an abusive situation. Nobody should abuse anything, be it alcohol, cannabis or even food. We all need to understand what our limits are, and know when we are ingesting more than our bodies need, but the craziness that has clouded the true medical benefits of cannabis needs to end. We need to embrace the fact that we have access to a natural product that can positively affect the lives of millions of people. What can be better than that?
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swered the questions that I didn’t have answered for me. When I started out there was nobody that I could go to as a mentor to help answer the questions of “What’s the best way to deal with this” or “How can I handle this better”. I had to learn on my own. I had to make a mistake and then figure out how the mistake was made, the proper way to handle the problem and how to keep it from happening again.
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BUZZ KILL
Cannabis Drug Interactions
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BY DR. KIT, PHARM. D, RPH.
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With the passing of medical and/or recreational cannabis in 34 states plus the District of Columbia, more Americans than ever will have ready access to statesanctioned cannabis. Many baby boomers, exposed to cannabis use in the 1960s, are taking prescription drugs for chronic diseases. However, now they are increasingly adding cannabis to treat diseases or chronic pain, or recreationally to relax and wind down. But before you take your next puff or consume your next edible, let's take a moment to see which prescription medications could really kill your buzz if you take them with cannabis. Both cannabis and prescription drugs, as well as foods and alcohol, are metabolized in the body by certain enzymes that make it easier to eliminate from the body. The exact combination of enzymes used to metabolize a drug or food is specific to each substance. And these substances can also keep other enzymes from working temporarily, or can temporarily speed up the activity of enzymes. When two medications, or a medication and a food, use the same enzymes to get out of the body, one or both of the substances will stay in the body longer and can have increased effects (including side effects). When one substance temporarily stops the activity of an enzyme, the other substance will take longer to get out of the body, which may lead to increased effects (either
Cannabis is generally well-tolerated by most people, but can interact with a few prescription drugs. wanted or unwanted). And when one substance speeds up the effects of the enzyme, it will lead to decreased amounts and effects of the other substance. Let's look at specific examples of drug interactions with cannabis Cannabis interactions with prescription medications include: Anti-seizure medications: increased effectiveness of these medications; lower doses of the anti-seizure medication may be required. Opiate pain medications (such as hydrocodone):
lower doses of the pain medication may be needed. Blood pressure medications: possible
increased dizziness due to additive effects. Certain antibiotics and antifungals: may decrease
THC and CBD elimination and increase their effects. Rifampin (another antibiotic): may speed up
the elimination of THC and CBD, decreasing their effects.
Cimetidine (an over-thecounter antacid): may
decrease THC elimination and increase THC effects.
Warfarin (a bloodthinner): increased effects
of warfarin and increased risk of bleeding.
Psychiatric medications
(such as risperidone and haloperidol): THC may
decrease levels of some antipsychotic medications, possibly requiring a decrease in dose. CBD may increase the effects of antidepressants, so lower doses of the antidepressant may be needed.
Medications that cause dizziness or drowsiness:
THC and CBD may increase these effects. So, if cannabis can possibly interact with all of these medications, what should you do? Here are a few tips: 1. Tell your healthcare professionals that you also use cannabis. Medical professionals do not report your use to any authorities unless required by law (ie laws are broken associated with cannabis use). Trust me, they don't want to have to do all that paperwork. But they can watch out for drug interactions and side effects, and can adjust your medications as needed, or even choose an alternative medication that won't interact with your cannabis. And, ask your doctor or pharmacist whether a drug will interact with your cannabis before starting any new medication, including over-the-counter medicines or herbs. 2. Take your first dose (of the new drug or cannabis) at home, where you can monitor for adverse effects and possible reactions to your current medications. Nobody wants to get sick or feel bad when they are not at home. Record
any unusual symptoms that you notice, including times and any contributing factors, such as tiredness or irritability, and report them to your doctor. 3. DON'T stop any medication without first letting your doctor know. He or she may be able to help find a solution to any issue you may have (by changing doses, drugs, or even just the timing of your meds). If your doctor doesn't know you've stopped a medication, they may increase the dose, then wonder why it's still not working. Also, certain medications need to be weaned off to avoid withdrawal symptoms. 4. Seek additional care (doctor's visit, quick care, or emergency room) if you are having trouble breathing, are still having symptoms after attempts to treat yourself, or if symptoms are severe or life-threatening. However, if symptoms are generally mild, you can attempt to self treat or allow the symptoms to wear off at home as appropriate.
Cannabis is generally welltolerated by most people, but can interact with a few prescription drugs. Knowing which medicines might interact with your cannabis, partnering with your healthcare professionals to ask how cannabis may affect your prescription medicines, and being aware of what effects to expect and how to treat them, will allow you to get the most out of your cannabis therapies. Doing a little work and asking a few questions will help to avoid killing your buzz. Dr. Kit, Pharm. D, RPh is a licensed pharmacist and co-owner of Medigrow, a Nevada grow school.
RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA IN NEVADA What to Expect Now That Nevada Has Legalized Cannabis
BY DEREK J. CONNOR, ESQ
vegascannabismag.com
Most of us in the cannabis industry watched with great joy as Question 2 was approved by Nevada voters during the November 2016 election. While cannabis still remains prohibited under federal law, the passage of Question 2 was a huge victory for cannabis reform in Nevada. Our state joins several others who have decided that adults are capable of making responsible choices when it comes to cannabis consumption. The following article will discuss some of we can expect now that Nevada has legalized recreational cannabis use. The good news is that starting on January 1, 2017, adults over the age of twenty-one will be allowed
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to possess up to one ounce of usable cannabis and one eighth of an ounce of cannabis extract. Individuals who live greater than twenty-five miles from a retail marijuana store will be allowed to cultivate up to six cannabis plants in a closed locked area at their residence. The law also provides for a state licensed and highly regulated recreational cannabis industry similar to the current Nevada medical program. Like with the medical program, we can expect to see hundreds of jobs created by this new industry. There will also be a need for ancillary businesses who serve the cannabis industry such as realtors and contractors. Another bit of
The good news is that starting on January 1, 2017, adults over the age of twenty-one will be allowed to possess up to one ounce of usable cannabis and one eighth of an ounce of cannabis extract.
good news is that the passage of Question 2 did NOTHING to change the current medical program. Medical patients can continue to buy, grow, and use their medicine in accordance with existing state law. Unfortunately those eager to go out and buy recreational cannabis can expect to wait awhile. The law allows for the Nevada Department of Taxation to develop and adopt administrative regulations for the recreational cannabis industry. Although we already have a robust regulatory regime in place for the medical side of the industry, we expect that the Department of Taxation will take some time to finalize the regulations for
the recreational industry. Therefore, we expect that it will be a long wait until residents and visitors can legally buy cannabis from a retail store. In addition to the good things, we can expect 2017 to bring many of the same problems that cannabis users have been dealing with for years. Cannabis remains federally illegal for virtually any purpose. Cannabis businesses (and their employees) will still face difficulties with banking services. People will still get fired from their jobs for failing drug tests. People will still get evicted from their rental properties for using cannabis. People will still face difficulties with child custody, driving, firearms ownership, travel, etc. The passage of Question 2 was great, but until we have real cannabis reform at a federal level recreational and medical users of cannabis will still face serious legal issues. Derek J. Connor Esq. is the cofounder of Connor & Connor PLLC along with his wife, Amanda N. Connor Esq. Derek practices primarily in the areas of medical marijuana, civil litigation, business law and criminal defense.
New patients receive a FREE gram, FREE vape pen battery or FREE Cookie. Plus, learn about cannabis at our New Patient Orientation held monthly by our Director of Medical Education, Dr. William Troutt. See the schedule at thesourcenv.com/events
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HIGHER EDUCATION
Post-Legalization: UNLV Marijuana Policy Held Hostage in 1980s Reagan Era
BY WILLIE SPEARMINT
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Season’s greetings Nevada cannabis students, reading this means the winter break is almost over. Although local laws have changed regarding cannabis, campus prohibited substance policies and student codes of conduct from the 1980s remain the same and aren’t schedule to be reviewed, revised, or updated anytime soon. As a reminder of that fact, here is an excerpt from a mass email sent out by UNLV President Len Jessup on November 21st .
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OFFICIAL NOTICE TO CAMPUS REGARDING SUBSTANCE ABUSE: This official notice is issued pursuant to Subpart B, Section 86.100, of the Federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989… UNLV is committed to creating and maintaining a campus environment that is free of alcohol and substance abuse and views the abuse of alcohol and legal drugs and the use of illicit drugs as being antithetical to the pursuit of educational excellence and the realization of one's full potential as a student… UNLV recognizes that keeping our campus community safe and well necessitates the involvement of faculty and students alike to decrease the impact of alcohol and drug misuse and abuse. The attached notification describes the university's portfolio of alcohol and other drug programs encompassing policies, the Student Conduct Code, criminal regulations and penalties, the health risks associated with alcohol and drug use, and prevention, treatment and recovery resources…
“Unlawful Possession” is a tricky term used
continuously throughout the attached document. For the time being would it not make sense to remove the word “unlawful” until the policy is thoroughly reviewed and revised? “The policy isn’t clear enough. Unlawful possession doesn’t tell me much, unlawful by state or federal law?” asks UNLV student Melody Jane, author of the blog Sin City Melody Jane: Venturing into the World of Medical Marijuana. “What about students who use marijuana for pain, anxiety, or depression? Is it UNLV’s policy to deny students the right to use their medication because they don’t agree with it?” the cannabis blogger questions. The UNLV student government refused to comment on the email. Fortunately, UNLV SSDP chapter leader Spenser Sullivan offered some thoughtful comments, “I appreciate President Jessup's reminder to students and agree that the misuse of drugs and alcohol can seriously impede one's ability to be a successful student, but the way the subject is approached in both the email and accompanying attachment is ineffective. He uses scare tactics by including the DEA's scheduled substances list in 2 different sections,” said the UNLV student. “Furthermore, the section about the health risks of cannabis use (page 15) is incorrect. The goal of any
university should be to accurately inform students, not claim that cannabis use can increase the risk of certain cancers when not even the National Institute on Drug Abuse suggests it,” lamented the student leader. “If President Jessup really wants to promote a healthy campus and community, I urge him to revisit the facts and revise his approach,” Spenser concluded. This January, UNLV senior Spenser Sullivan is first to be awarded Nevada Cannabis Student of the Month in 2017. After his first 2 years in college, on the UNLV diving team, Spenser injured his back and decided to study abroad in Santiago, Chile for a semester. In order to do so, he changed his major from entrepreneurship to international business enabling him to travel and immerse himself in the Spanish language. Stumbling upon the cannabis culture in Santiago, Spenser was shocked to discover the liberal approach the country had with cannabis. “Unlike the U.S., people wouldn’t get arrested or even ticketed for having cannabis. Marijuana was decriminalized there and it wasn’t uncommon to see people smoking on the way to school in the mornings,” said Spenser. “There I was, in a country that was still divided on its feelings towards the dictatorship of Pinochet, and yet their approach to cannabis was far more liberal than ours. This was my ‘aha’ moment,” revealed the senior.
Spenser’s always had an interest in cannabis and after returning from Chile he found the Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) organization at UNLV. “I met with some SSDP members on campus and immediately knew, this was the perfect organization for me,” said Spenser. “Nobody should ever be told what he/she can and can’t put into their own body, making those kinds of choices is a basic human right,” continued the student leader. Spenser’s passion and dedication led him to a leadership position in the UNLV SSDP chapter. Volunteering with the Yes on Question 2 campaign he attended political rallies, handed out Question 2 info on campus, and used a phone bank to remind Nevadans to vote yes on Question 2. While out raising awareness, Spenser encountered people who strongly opposed marijuana but he never backed down from the opposition. “Our goal was not to convince people that cannabis is good, but instead ask them to question their beliefs about marijuana,” says Spenser. Become part of UNLV history by advertising in the student newspaper as the Rebel Yell rebranding campaign publishes the inaugural issue of The Scarlet and Gray Free Press newspaper on January 23rd. To find out more: info@REDEFINEcannabis.com.
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HEMP FOR PETS
vegascannabismag.com
BY JAMES SHARKEY, PhD: THERABIS
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Hemp is one variety of the cannabis plant. Unlike marijuana, another variety of the cannabis plant, hemp does not contain any psychoactive properties, meaning it won’t get your dog high. While both hemp and marijuana are technically considered “Cannabis Sativa,” the major difference between the two is that hemp is only considered hemp if it contains no more than 0.3 percent of THC by most state and federal laws. Marijuana plants, on the other hand, average 15% THC and can reach upwards of 30% for some prized strains. What that really means is that it is virtually impossible to consume enough hemp to get you, or your pet, high. While both come from the cannabis plant, the reason they are different and have varying levels of THC is that each type of cannabis plant contains a unique footprint of compounds called cannabinoids. Scientists have identified over 80 different cannabinoids in cannabis, but THC is by far the most well-known--which is why many think that any cannabis plant is going to impart a psychoactive effect. But whether canine or human, the majority of those cannabinoids actually have great health benefits which have nothing to do with getting high. In fact, one of those cannabinoids, CBD, has been known to counter the intoxicating effects of THC. So, now that you know hemp (aka Cannabis Sativa without the THC) will NOT
cause any psychoactive or mind-altering effects in dogs, the big question is “what’s the benefit?” Benefits of a synergistic hemp formula: There are
several hemp supplements now available for dogs, and Therabis is a synergistic hemp formula specifically designed to help dogs with common ailments, like anxiety, itching and joint mobility. Remember those cannabinoids we talked about earlier? We know the hemp plant is low in THC, but what other types of cannabinoids are present in hemp? Well, the most important for pet health is Cannabidiol (CBD). But there are also lesser known trace cannabinoids such as CBG, CBC and CBN which have benefits of their own. In addition to hemp, the Therabis formula is strengthened with other natural ingredients that work synergistically with the cannabinoid blend to provide greater benefits. Key components that round out the base of each formula include green lipped mussel, which is high in omega 3 which increases mobility, and vitamin C which improves joint health. Other constituents that can be found in our formulas include Quercetin, a flavonoid that relieves the need to itch and L-theanine, which can assist in calming even the most anxious dogs. Combined with hemp derived cannabinoids, these formulations have shown great results in field testing.
Still not convinced that you should be feeding your dog hemp? Believe it or not, the brain naturally produces endocannabinoids which regulate major bodily functions in both pets and people. But how? All mammals have cannabinoid receptors present throughout the body. Our brains produce endocannabinoids which stimulate these receptors, allowing communication and coordination between different cell types. Without the endocannabinoid system our bodies could not sustain a variety of physiological processes. So now we know that a functional endocannabinoid system is essential for pet health and that pet’s bodies naturally produce cannabinoids. The big question now is, can we enhance our pet’s health by taking cannabinoids derived from hemp? Research has shown that small doses of cannabinoids from hemp (AKA: phytocannabinoids or cannabinoids derived from plants) can signal the body to make more endocannabinoids and build more cannabinoid receptors. These phytocannabinoids keep the receptors working at optimal capacity and increase efficacy of the endocannabinoid system.
All that said, dietary cannabinoids from hemp can have a very positive effect on your pet’s health. As a matter of fact, Therabis founder, Dr. Stephen M. Katz, determined that incorporating additional cannabinoids and companion ingredients (mentioned above) created a synergistic effect that made the overall formula more effective than any one of those ingredients alone. In closing, it’s certainly OK to feed your dog hemp. To take advantage of any health benefits, however, you really want to focus on one of the active hemp compounds. Cannabinoids can help with everything from aches and pains to nervousness/ anxiety and skin health in pets. Try incorporating a hemp enhanced formula, like Therabis, to your dog’s food for total-body wellness. James Sharkey, Ph.D., has played a pivotal role in the development of dietary wellness supplements, including Aceso and Therabis, ailment targeted products created from hemp-derived cannabinoids. He has authored and contributed to several notable peer reviewed publications and abstracts, and in the past, has led biomedical studies for various applications at educational institutions. For more information about Therabis hemp products for dogs, visit therabis.com.
STRAIN TRACKER: A MUST FOR NEW PATIENTS Interview with Max Simon from Green Flower Media
BY STEPHANIE SHEHAN
Max Simon is the CEO and Founder of Green Flower Media, an online media company that partners with the world’s top experts to teach people about cannabis. Recently I had the chat with Max and check out their new product, the Strain Tracker.
72,000+ people have joined us for one of these free livestream classes. If you want unlimited access to our entire library of credible cannabis education, you can become an INSIDER for just $18/month and you'll unlock every class
cannabis space.
state - California!
SS: As a company, what are
SS: Are you a medical
MS: Our goal is to educate ten million people about cannabis by 2021. We believe cannabis is a far superior treatment to
MS: 100%. Use it daily to
your primary goals?
STEPHANIE S: How did Green Flower Media come about?
vegascannabismag.com
SS: I love your online classes
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and subscribe so that I can view them whenever I want. Tell our readers about Green Flower Media - what the website offers.
MS: Every week, we livestream top cannabis experts for FREE right to your home so we can reach the most people around the globe with this invaluable information. So far, over
manage my hyperactivity.
SS: What is your favorite
method of consumption?
MS: I alternate between a 1:1 tincture and micro-dosing vaporized cannabis flower.
MAX S: Green Flower started
because there's a tremendous amount of misinformation about cannabis, how it works in the body, what it is and isn't good for, and so much more. The truth is, cannabis could be the perfect solution to millions of people's ailments, including what to do for a living that's fulfilling and purposeful. Green Flower brings the world's top cannabis experts right to your home to educate people about the health side, the booming industry, how to grow, and so much more. If you have any interest in cannabis, Green Flower is your trusted source for cannabis education and expertise.
marijuana patient?
SS: Do you have a favorite
product?
MS: I have a few! I always favor sun-grown organic cannabis, I love my Herbalizer vaporizer, and I'm a big fan of Treatwell's 1:1 tinctures. SS: How do you see cannabis
evolving in California?
to watch anytime you want on all your devices. It's like a cannabis university right at your fingertips for less than the price of a pizza per month. SS: Were you in the cannabis
industry prior to Green Flower?
MS: Personally, I've been
a cannabis consumer for two decades, though I was completely unaware that I was using cannabis medicinally to manage my hyperactive brain. I was just an uneducated consumer, which is one of the reasons why Green Flower started. But to answer your question, NO, Green Flower is our first company in the
many of the biggest and most painful health challenges we face today including: insomnia, physical pain, depression, anxiety, nausea, cancer, and many more. Unfortunately, people are so misinformed about the plant and the stigma it still carries that they are not willing to give it a try. Our goal is to bring forward the world's most credible experts to share the exciting truth around the plant, so they can experience the healing, relief, and happiness they deserve. SS: Do you live in a medical or
recreational state?
MS: Now we're in an adult use
MS: I played a major role in bringing meditation and yoga to the masses (over a decade ago) with Deepak Chopra, and now there are yoga studios on every corner and millions of people meditate daily. I believe cannabis will have the same outcome where over time, all states will legalize and people will have safe access to the medicine they need. The truth and science around this plant and what it's capable of is simply too compelling for cannabis to remain stigmatized for much longer. I have zero doubts we'll get there. SS: The Strain Tracker is
perfect for medical marijuana patients. How did this come to fruition?
MS: When you are truly
using cannabis as a health and wellness tool, you want to get the most benefits with the least side-effects, which means you must track how each strain, product, dose, and consumption method makes you feel. There was no tool to do that, so we created the Strain Tracker. Now you can track every single aspect of your cannabis experience to really dial in which products and strains work best for you. Plus it comes with a free online course to help you become a "Master" Strain Tracker so you can learn all the special tricks and hacks to perfect your cannabis regime. SS: Any tips for new medical
marijuana patients?
MS: Get educated. People don't realize that you can use cannabis and not get high. People don't realize you can use cannabis to replace a huge array of pharmaceuticals or even over-the-counter drugs.
People don't realize just how many areas of your life this plant can influence in a positive way. But on the flip side, it only takes one bad experience to give this whole thing a bad wrap. So really get educated, and you'll be blown away but just how many areas of your life cannabis can support when used right. SS: How can readers purchase
the Strain Tracker?
MS: Just visit www. LearnGreenFlower.com. We ship to all 50 states and Canada! SS: Any final thoughts? MS: Come join us for one of our weekly live-stream classes you can watch from home for FREE. Thousands hop on every week to learn, connect with each other, and share their knowledge and expertise. It's truly an amazing community we're building and you're invited!
Max Simon Green Flower Media
tHc - THE HAT COLUMN NIX 2 SENSE: Selecting Your Strain
vegascannabismag.com
BY NICK HAT
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When I first entered the Cannabis scene, the selection of strains available in the U.S. was sparse. Cannabis grown in the continental U.S. was primarily a field grown, low THC variety; Homegrown. The best bud of the era came from the lush forests on the island of Maui, Hawaii; Maui Wowie. It was bright green covered with red hairs. Its pungent aroma could fill a room, while it oozed with resin and stuck to your fingers. The majority of strains came from south of the border. Columbian Brown was in abundance, complete with stems and seeds. Mexico provided us with Acapulco Gold, a welcome alternative to the Columbian. Mexico’s other market entry was Sinsemilla, a seedless female plant that was grown outdoors. Because it had green buds covered with red hairs, it was sometimes passed off as Hawaiian to uneducated consumers. Although Sinsemilla was the best flower harvested in Mexico at that time, it did not have the punch of Hawaiian. For decades, field grown cannabis was either bailed like hay and wrapped in saran wrap or jammed into trash compactors (i.e., Brick Weed) and pressed into
bricks to ease its transport to the affluent gringos. The U.S. government decided to attempt to eradicate field grown cannabis and so the War on Drugs lashed out. Our federal government began spraying poisonous herbicides on outdoor fields of cannabis. Paraquat was used to eradicate marijuana plants grown on private land, while two other herbicides, 2,4D and glyphosate were used to kill plants grown on public land. After the toxic plants dried, they were distributed to unsuspecting buyers throughout the U.S. In the 1980’s there were no cannabis testing laboratories. Therefore, the consumer had no way to know if their flower was safe to smoke. The paraquat-sprayed cannabis produced severe lung damage to the folks who smoked it. Due to health and safety concerns, cultivators began focusing on growing indoor cannabis within the continental U.S. As Americans began to experiment with cannabis botany and genetic research, the number of strains available and the quality increased exponentiality Today, the selection of strains available can be overwhelming. Many patients select their strains
based on THC%. Although THC% is an important factor in strain selection. It is only one of many factors that should be considered. Most importantly, when using THC% as a deciding factor, it’s imperative to compare apples to apples. Don’t compare d8THC or THCV. You should compare Total THC% of one strain to Total THC% of another strain. Cannabis testing laboratories provide the Total THC concentration of the samples that they test on their COA (Certificate of Analysis). However, the Total THC% of a strain is not generated from a single test. Alternatively, two different tests are performed and their result values are input to a mathematical formula, from which Total THC% is derived. The formula used to calculate Total THC % is THCA x .877 + d9-THC. Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid or THCA is a cannabinoid, that when consumed provides several benefits. It has neuroprotective qualities, is strongly anti-inflammatory, encourages appetite, is antitumor, combats insomnia, and is antispasmodic. It is the most abundant cannabinoid in the vast majority of cannabis grown in the U.S. However,
THCA is not psychoactive, and must be converted into THC through the process of decarboxylation before it can get you high. Decarboxylation is necessary for us to enjoy the psychoactive effects of the cannabinoids we consume. The two main catalysts for decarboxylation to occur are heat and time. THC is the main ingredient in cannabis that gets us high, but it should not be your sole criteria when selecting a strain and here’s why. At the end of my work day, I usually enjoy an alcoholic beverage to help adjust my attitude and pregame for the social events of my evening. Yesterday, I ordered an 18-year-old Macallan single malt scotch. If my goal was to get drunk as quickly and inexpensively as possible, I would have chosen Everclear grain alcohol, since Everclear’s alcohol percentage is much higher than Macallan. However, rather than the complex enjoyable flavor and aroma produced by the rich terpene profile of scotch that was carefully aged in a sherry seasoned oak cask, I’d be hit with the burn and lack of flavor and aroma of the grain alcohol. The same holds true for cannabis flower. I prefer
a smoking experience to be enjoyable. Some of the terpenes available in cannabis are the same compounds that give my favorite plant its scent and give my favorite fruit its flavor. In addition to flavor and scent, terpenes do much more. The terpene B-Myrcene opens the brain receptor and allows THC, other cannabinoids and terpenes to cross the bloodbrain barrier. Therefore, a strain with a lower THC concentration but a high B-Myrcene concentration can actually produce a more intense pleasure experience that a high THC strain with little or no B-Myrcene. Additionally, terpenes can elevate your mood, alleviate the symptoms of a disease or assist in curing a disease. Multiple terpenes together can produce synergistic effects that each of the terpenes are unable to achieve on their own. Terpenes are present in countless plants. However, cannabis plants produce about 100 organic compounds, called cannabinoids, that can effectively treat disease. One of the main reasons that cannabis is such an effective medication is because of the endocannabinoid (EC) system, which is present in all humans and many animals. This system consists of a series of receptors that are configured only to accept cannabinoids, especially THC and CBD. Cannabinoids fit perfectly into specialized receptors found throughout the brain, nervous system, and immune system of the human body. The two main conditions that I treat with medical marijuana are insomnia and back pain. My preferred strains for this treatment are the OGs. These strains are descendants of the infamous OG Kush, considered to be
one of the best strains that originated from Cali. It came on the scene while Jerry was still touring with the Dead. OG Kush was one of the most sought after strains in the U.S. and was readily available on Shakedown Street. Although historians can’t agree on what OG stands for, each of the OG strains available today have OG Kush somewhere in its lineage. I keep a few different OGs in my medicine cabinet because I believe that it allows me to lessen my tolerance and help make my medicine more effective by alternating the strain that I use. When I first sought treatment for my insomnia, I consulted my family physician who prescribed pills as treatment. The pills did not help me sleep but did leave me groggy the following morning. The best natural remedies for my insomnia are OGs. I currently rotate using 4 strains that each provide more complete relief than I ever received from pharmaceutical medication and best of all there are no nasty side effects or chance of addiction. STRAIN SUGGESTIONS: ůů Rosé OG is an Indica Dominant Hybrid and a rare phenotype of OG Kush. A phenotype is a strain that has common characteristics of another strain. Its Total THC is often over 27%. ůů Hell’s OG is another Indica Dominant Hybrid with its Total THC often over 27%. ůů Louis XIII OG is an Indica with its Total THC often over 25%. ůů Star Killer is an Indica Dominant Hybrid, whose genetic lineage comes from a cross of Skywalker OG and Rare Dankness #2. Its Total THC is often over 25%.
Each of these strains are effective in relieving several types of pain including migraines. They also, all contain Cannabigerol or CBG, a non-psychoactive
cannabinoid. CBG combats insomnia and is also an antibacterial, anti-tumor compound that has been shown to stimulate bone growth. The most amazing and extremely rare quality of CBG is that it is a genuinely neurogenic compound that has been shown to stimulate the growth of new brain cells! In my youth, I was bombarded by propaganda, from the War on Drugs initiatives attempting to brainwash me into believing that smoking cannabis would give me brain damage. The truth of the matter is that certain cannabis strains can stimulate brain cell growth to treat brain damage and can prevent further damage through its neuroprotective qualities. All four of my OG selections are rich in several terpenes, which produce their intense flavor, aroma and
medicinal properties. The 5 terpenes present in the highest concentrations are: ůů B-Myrcene, often over 7 mg/gr ůů Limonene, often over 6 mg/gr ůů B-Caryophyllene, often over 3 mg/gr ůů Linalool, often over 2 mg/gr ůů B-Pinene, often over 1 mg/gr
With a little research, I found a single medication that effectively treated both of my health conditions. It has no harmful side effects, it’s all natural and it taste good too! Nick Hat, MBA is Chief Operating Officer of Greenway Medical, LLC. He has over 30 years of internationally recognized expertise as an engineer, researcher and consultant within the healthcare sector. Email him at Nick@ GreenwayMedic.com.
CROSS FADING
What You Need to Know About Mixing Cannabis and Alcohol
BY DARRYL JOHNSON, PHD AND BRUCE BURNETT, MD: ACE ANALYTICAL LABORATORY
vegascannabismag.com
Las Vegas attracted over 42 million visitors in 2015, and these visitors will continue to increase as the legal adult-use marijuana industry begins to develop in Nevada in 2017. The vast majority of these visitors are over the age of 21. With such a high number of potential consumers, many of whom will have extremely limited experience with marijuana consumption, it should be expected that some consumers will mix their cannabis products with alcohol. With the
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legalization of marijuana in a place so commonly associated with alcohol consumption, a significant public health question is raised. What are the effects of mixing cannabis and alcohol? The most important thing to remember when it comes to the effects of mixing marijuana and alcohol is that there is a lot we don’t know. There have been extensive studies conducted on the effects of marijuana and alcohol, but those studies looked at each
being consumed separately. Studies on the combined effects of marijuana and alcohol are extremely limited and much of what we know comes from anecdotal evidence. Mixing cannabis and alcohol or “cross fading” will become an increasingly common practice with the legalization of marijuana. Consumers mix cannabis and alcohol to intensify the effects of the first drug consumed or to increase their intoxication level. While many people have safely consumed these products together, it is important to educate consumers that the effects can vary from person to person and can be unpredictable in some people. In addition, the order of use can play a significant role in the effects that individuals experience when mixing the two substances. Likewise, the route of cannabis consumption, whether taken orally or inhaled, will likely play a significant role in the experience. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant while marijuana can produce a variety of different effects. Alcohol can increase tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) absorption in the body, which could increase the intensity of the effects from cannabis. When alcohol is consumed with cannabis far higher blood levels of 'delta 9 THC' and its primary active
metabolite '11-hydroxy-THC' (11-OH-THC) are reached for a given level of consumption. Mixing alcohol and cannabis can also increase the likelihood that one or both substances will be overused. This can especially be problematic when mixing alcohol and edibles, since edibles produce delayedonset effects that can be more intense than those experienced with inhalation consumption. Cannabis and alcohol are significantly different products, with cannabis comprising of more than 400 active and potentially active chemicals while the only mind-altering, physiologically active compound in an alcoholic beverage is alcohol. While some may believe “grass before beer, you’re clear”, there are no scientific studies that validate that claim and it is important to stress that the effects of cannabis can vary from person to person. In some people, cannabis use can induce psychotic symptoms such as panic, anxiety, and paranoia, which can become intensified when combined with alcohol. Both alcohol and cannabis consumption can cause 'orthostatic hypotension’, which is low blood pressure that occurs when an individual stands or sits up. This can result in decreased blood flow to the brain and syncope or fainting. It can occur suddenly and unpredictably, with little
to no warning signs, even quite a while after the last consumption of either drug as the alcohol and/or THC is absorbed, the blood levels of these compounds rise, the blood vessels dilate and the blood pressure suddenly falls. Depending on what the individual is doing and where they are standing or even sitting when this occurs will likely determine whether this results in an embarrassing story or a serious problem. The authors have both witnessed this side effect occur in otherwise completely healthy individuals. “Greening out” is a term used to describe when a person feels sick after smoking cannabis. When it occurs, a person may get pale and sweaty, become dizzy or have the spins, and may even might experience nausea or vomiting. These effects are then followed by a desire to lie down. While greening out is not commonly experienced following cannabis consumption, it is much more likely to occur if a person has been drinking alcohol. These effects could become harmful if a person has consumed too much alcohol. A major concern raised when discussing cannabis and alcohol consumption is the potential for impaired driving. The effects of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol have been well documented over the past 30 years. The combination of cannabis and alcohol will significantly impair a person’s judgment, motor skills, and decisionmaking ability. Therefore, it is extremely important to educate consumers on the dangers of operating motor vehicles under the influence of alcohol and/or cannabis. Another significant concern that comes with mixing alcohol and cannabis is
the potential for vomiting from too much alcohol combined with the antiemetic properties associated with cannabis. When someone consumes too much alcohol, the body’s defense mechanism is vomiting. Cannabis possess anti-nausea and anti-vomiting properties, which could prevent someone from expelling excess alcohol from their body. If a consumer drinks too much alcohol, concomitant cannabis use could prevent vomiting and may increase the likelihood that someone chokes on vomit or succumbs to the effects of alcohol poisoning. As Nevada transitions from a medical-use to an adultuse state, it is important to remember that a significant number of Nevada cannabis consumers will be extremely inexperienced in their use and knowledge of cannabis consumption. Unfortunately, we do not know very much about the combined effects of cannabis and alcohol. Therefore, it is critical to educate consumers about the effects of cannabis consumption and the potentially harmful effects that might arise when mixing cannabis with alcohol. While many people have mixed the two substances without significant adverse events, consumers (especially novice ones) should be discouraged from mixing cannabis and alcohol. For more information about Ace Analytical, visit aceanalytical.com or call (702) 749-7429.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA ASSISTANCE PROGRAM If you are a medical patient with a qualifying condition and you cannot afford the physician and state fees associated with obtaining your medical card, please visit getyourmedcard.com and fill out our short form. If your application is chosen, you will be sent to one of our sponsoring physicians at no cost to you. If the physician deems that you are eligible for the medical marijuana program, they will cover the state fees as well. You will only be responsible for the $13.25 DMV fee.
Approved Conditions for Medical Marijuana in Nevada AIDS Cancer Glaucoma PTSD Cachexia
Muscle Spasms Seizures Severe Nausea Severe Pain
VISIT GETYOURMEDCARD.COM SPONSORED BY
ULTIMATE “U” MEDICAL
That is why I do what I do. It's because I care. If you do too, please get out there and educate folks at every opportunity you get. Starting the conversation creates change.
C U LT U R E THE RUCKUS RANT
2016 ENDS ON A HIGH NOTE WITH ROB RUCKUS How about that 2016! Who else is glad it's over? But, don't just look back in horror. Some GREAT things happened too. We have seen some monumental changes in Nevada. Years and years of hard work and perseverance have finally paid off. Dispensaries are open all over the state with more coming. Growers are raising some of the best cannabis in the world. All of it is being tested. Patients have multiple choices for medicating. Patients from all over the world can come here and get safe legal
vegascannabismag.com
Photography By Ginger Bruner
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medications. Production houses are making amazing edibles, waxes, shatters, badders, budders, honeycombs, infused honeys, bath bombs, oils, lotions, salves, cookies, brownies, chocolate of all kinds, mints, dog treats, candies, suppositories, syrups, vapes of all tastes and strengths, and so much more. Being an older guy this is something I really never thought I'd see in my lifetime. Yet I'm so very very happy to see it finally happening. The reason I do this "Rant" is because I am
lucky enough to be known by people who have seen me on TV. Cannabis and its medicinal value is something I've always been very passionate about. I've SEEN its effects. Because of that, I want to help educate people about this wonderful plant. There is a HUGE part of the population that is still unaware of its healing properties. If I can help them learn about something that will relieve their pain, help them relax, fight their cancer, slow their seizures, help with sleep, reduce their inflammations ...then, who the hell would I be if I didn't do all I can to try to help?
We've come a LONG way. But we still have quite a bit of work to do, especially with recreational users coming. Education is of utmost importance!!! Thank you to Vegas Cannabis for allowing me the opportunity to do my part. Thank you to the MME's growing, producing, testing and selling the best cannabis around. And Thank YOU for being a part in changing the world's perception of cannabis just by reading this. Let's make 2017 another monumental year for Nevada's medical marijuana patients and hopefully then, the rest of the world. Rob Ruckus is a Nevada medical marijuana patient, and budtender at Inyo Fine Cannabis, a long-time Las Vegas resident and cannabis activist, star of A&E's Bad Ink, musician and host of Ruckus on the Radio.
get that. It’s kind of through the fact that Stoopid are such OB guys, such truly local oriented guys. They could have taken any DJ they wanted. Hopper: I call that
hometeam.
DJ Unite: Yeah, exactly! I
like $50 for a party! I was drawn to the whole rhythmic talking, and the big bass This was before NWA really blew up, like ’85-’86. The DJ was way more important back then in the 80s. I tried scratchin’ on my Dad’s turntable, then I messed his needle up and got in trouble. The first couple of times I saw DJs, I understood what they were doin’. Once I got access to turntables with my boy Disco Rick, I really started getting into it.
Hopper: Speaking of Slightly
Hopper: Any shout outs
Hopper: You’ve done
DJ Unite: I’m going to
WITH HOPPER THE CHRONISSEUR
Thanks for having me in the studio today. It’s been awhile, good to see you!
vegascannabismag.com
DJ Unite: Definitely man,
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good to see you. Welcome to Penguin Studios.
Hopper: What inspired you
to get into music?
DJ Unite: My dad always had
records. I got introduced to hip hop really early, I was in the 4th grade. I actually got paid to DJ in 5th grade,
weed, because I know how much you love it. What’s your favorite strain to smoke on?
DJ Unite: I smoked on a few really good ones while I was in Humboldt. The Angel Food Cake was great. The Citrus Sap blew my mind. I’m an OG guy, so Larry OG is my favorite of all time. I love a good Tahoe OG. I just love that piney, OG taste. I dig everything, even if it doesn’t kick my ass, I enjoy the flavor.
DJ UNITE OF TRIBE OF KINGS
Hopper: Hey brother!
Hopper: We gotta talk about
had done a benefit with them Kyle asked me to do, and my buddy who I used to walk to school with, their road manager was like, well we need a DJ on the road. I was like, I can do that! The first show we did was at Verizon Amphitheater in Costa Mesa or Irvine or something. It was gigantic! I grabbed the mic and said something to the crowd, and when they all responded I was like, I’m gonna love doin’ this!
TOKIN’ WITH THE INFAMOUS
For the first Tokin’ With The Infamous of 2017, I stopped by my buddy’s studio for a little sesh. DJ Unite has been manning the tables for Tribe of Kings for almost twenty years now. He also tours with Slightly Stoopid, and has played with many reggae legends and hip hop superstars. I caught up with him just before he headed over to England on tour. We talked about his decades long experience in music, and our shared love of cannabis and music.
played grimy shows there, Vegas is a whole ‘nother animal. Honestly, I like the little gully side of town, where they have the Beauty Bar and The Griffin. It’s just regular kind of vibes.
some dope shows lately, do you want to tell us about them? You were just up in Humboldt for Hills and Gullys, right?
DJ Unite: Yeah man, that
was a great one with Don Carlos and Messenjah Selah.
Hopper: You’ve toured with
Slightly Stoopid a lot, what’s that like?
DJ Unite: Yeah, I did four
or five summer tours with them. I was really lucky to
Stoopid, I remember a few years back when you brought me the Wet Dream to review. That was bomb!
before we go?
DJ Unite: This year was a
That’s right! Yeah, they have some behind the scenes, like mad scientist type of folks who are making water with THC now.
tough one for me, I lost one of my good homies. My boy, we called him Drugs, he was a graffiti artist, I want to shout him out. I want to shout out my whole Tribe of Kings crew for making it twenty years.
Hopper: That stuff is on a
Hopper: Oh, hell yeah.
DJ Unite: Oh yeah, yep.
whole different level. And it tastes good, really clean. Tell us what you have coming up.
England in January for about 20 days with King Schascha, a Trinidadian artist who’s been living in San Diego for a long time. He records over here. He’s actually the Toaster with The English Beat. He’s so full of energy and so charismatic. I was already homies with him before that.
Hopper: We gotta get you
out to Vegas.
DJ Unite: Yeah, most
definitely man. I’ve played fancy shows there, I’ve
DJ Unite: I wanna big up everyone that’s making the Green Rush happen out here. I wanna big up Vegas, too. Used to be, if you got caught with weed, it was terrible. I remember being so sketched out there. Big up, Las Vegas, I’m proud of you guys. Hopper: Yeah, used to be
you’d go on vacation and leave on probation! Well, let’s get to tokin’ on this organic Sour D old school.
DJ Unite: I’ll definitely take some of that! Facebook.com/djunite IG: @djunite Twitter: @DJ_UNITE Tribeofkings.com
ADDICTED TO SOBER
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BY REBECKA SNELL
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Pothead parodies can be humorous but there is a fine line where ignorance needs to meet education. Since I began working in the medical marijuana industry I have blossomed a new respect for cannabis as medicine. The life changing side effects of medical marijuana have been revolutionary compared to what I was taught in grade school. The cannabis community has changed my life; if anything, it has been my gateway to a better life. It is invigorating to be able to openly talk about marijuana. However, I am exhausted by the people who want to categorize cannabis users, including patients, as “druggies”. Anything can be abused and understanding the mind of an addict is an art. In grade school, movies are shown to depict marijuana as a gateway drug. I was drinking alcohol in high school as well as filling a lethal Adderall prescription, which was covered by insurance. I understand that it’s an uncharted assumption, but I feel the alcohol and Adderall are what lead me further down a road less traveled. The assumption that marijuana only melts you to the couch like those drug free commercials is quite comical. If uneducated people could graduate from the Nixonminded mentality, they would realize the unconditional benefits
medical marijuana has to offer. No longer do I wake up most days from a blackout wondering how much money I spent the night prior or trying to piece together times of my life; all from drinking and real drug use. Vulnerability breeds courage and in shining a light on my darker times, I hope to hash out a topic I feel people shouldn’t feel ashamed for discussing. I am no longer addicted to a substance or
rattled me. Out of habit, I would usually turn to the bottle and chemically infused party favors to avoid feeling any emotional discomfort. I flew to Texas for the funeral and on my flight back to Las Vegas I struck up a conversation with the man next to me in an effort to deter my mind from it’s saddened state. He told me about his work on the Echelon project as lead architect but furthermore
I was drinking alcohol in high school as well as filling a lethal Adderall prescription, which was covered by insurance. an inadvertent crutch to get me through the hard times. I didn’t realize before that while I was numbing emotional pain I was also compromising simple luxuries in life. December of 2014, a close friend passed away and it
how it was never as rewarding as his volunteer work in South Africa. He inspired me to volunteer abroad and upon returning home, I flew to Thailand where I taught English to children. I now understand what that man meant by
the invaluable experience that true compassion teaches. When I returned from Thailand, I decided it was a pivotal time to make progressively healthier choices for myself. Around the same time, I started working with marijuana as medicine, became a patient, and stopped buying off the street. No longer did I see weed as something to add to the buffet of highs I was chasing, but rather I found a true respect for the plant. Like any other person, I enjoy taking the edge off of life, because sometimes being a human being gets exhausting. But I am struggling to find justification for criminalizing a plant that has brought myself, and so many others back to life. I am grateful for the advancements in medical marijuana because I understand the unequivocal benefits it has to offer. It would be nice if in the new year, people gained a new perspective on what it CAN mean to be a pothead and that it shouldn’t be naturally associated with negligence or criminally fueled intentions. Rebecka Snell works in the Nevada cannabis industry. With Texas roots and Vegas buds, she is currently pursuing what sets her soul on fire
BET IT ALL ON GREEN
Jorge Cervantes: Interview With The Master
BY JASON STURTSMAN Jorge Cervantes has had a huge impact on my life and many cannabis growers throughout the years in Nevada. In addition to Ed Rosenthal, he is one of the most influential people in the cannabis industry and one of the reasons we are here today with legal Nevada dispensaries. In addition to writing the “Indoor Grower’s Bible”,and “The Cannabis Encyclopedia”, he has written for numerous cannabis publications. In service to the cannabis community, he currently has online growing classes to help bring your growing skills up to speed, so you can work in the industry. JASON S: What is the one
lesson that you wish novice growers could master for better yields?
JORGE C: Novice growers
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often forget the basics and try to do too much too fast. Watering and airflow can be big problems, even though they appear to be simple. Over-watering is a common problem, especially when a cold-snap stays for a few nights. Too often irrigation is not cut to compensate for lower water usage. Excess water sits in the soil and causes roots to rot.
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Air circulation and ventilation are common problems indoors. Indoors, a lack of overall ventilation will slow growth immensely. Lack of air circulation causes growth to slow. Every leaf on every plant should be moving in order for adequate circulation indoors and in a
greenhouse. JS: What are your
impressions of the Nevada medical marijuana industry & Las Vegas?
JC: I was locked up in the Rio hotel most of the time I was there. I was able to tour a couple of large indoor warehouse facilities. The plants looked great. I made several videos that I am posting on my YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/ user/jorgecervantesmj. Both facilities were very well maintained. Both companies are also following an incredible amount of regulations. They have to account for every leaf! JS: What do you believe the future holds for the cannabis industry? JC: Big changes! As cannabis
becomes legal across the US we will see many small legal battles in cities, towns and counties. Cannabis has been illegal for 8 decades and all the regulations need to be changed. It is a learning process. Many people still have the draconian “Drug War” mentality that they find difficult to change. Big producers will also move into the equation. Growers will have to become much more efficient. Farmers who have farmed all their lives are also entering the industry. They know how to grow a lot of cannabis for very little money. Competition is upon us.
JS: Is there a cannabis
product you would like to see on more shelves of dispensaries? And why? JC: Inexpensive
cannabis testing kits. One company, http://www. alpha-cat.org/, makes a thin layer chromatography test for cannabis. I love these tests because you can determine the plant cannabinoid profile of the main cannabinoids for a few dollars and you can make the tests at home.
JS: Are there any future technologies coming that will change the cannabis industry? JC: Large-scale cultivation
will change the cannabis industry. Industrial harvesting and processing machines are being developed now. Currently it takes 6 people to grow and manage a one-acre marijuana farm. One of my friends, Jerry Norton, from Salem, Oregon grew 100 acres of hemp this year with only three employees. Cannabis growers need to become more efficient in order to compete in the future.
JS: You are a hero to many in the cannabis industry. Are there some key past moment that made you go down your brave path from rebel to cannabis hero? JC: I thought cannabis
would be legal within a few years of publishing my first book in 1983. I was very, very wrong! Like countless others in this industry, I do not know anything else. About 20 years ago, when things were very tough in the cannabis industry, I had the
choices to grow in Canada or Switzerland or continue writing. I chose to write because I love cannabis and knew that my information would help grow more marijuana. I am super happy that cannabis is becoming legal and that people are getting out of prison. I feel that I am doing my part to help effect this change. JS: What is important for budtenders to understand about cannabis when talking with patients? JC: The genetics and
cannabinoid profile can be inconsistent. Unless flowers and foliage of a specific variety come from the same plant or clones of the same plant the chances of the cannabinoid profile to oscillate. Consistency is one of the biggest problems with cannabis flowers and concentrates. There is marginal standardization in the cannabis world. Couple this fact with many producers and the consistency of the end product fluctuates.
For more information about Jorge Cervantes, visit marijuanagrowing. com. Jason Sturtsman, ILAC Member, WECAN Vice President, Owner of HOPE Cultivation & Production, Manager Las Vegas Releaf JasonS@wecan702.org
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
Daniel Holbrook BY DAWN STARR
Daniel Holbrook, a.k.a. The Stencil Artista, came from the streets of the Bay Area and is now creating art on the streets of Las Vegas. We caught up with the him at the Promenade at the Juhl, at Galerie Miscre8. DAWN S: Daniel, we have seen your Koi fish around town, but how would you describe your art? DANIEL H: My artwork can be described under many different genres; but I guess the best way to describe my work is Urban Contemporary and Street Art. I am a stencil artist, but all of my stencils are original. They are all created the same way. I draw out the design on manila folders, and then hand cut the design with just an exacto- knife. The biggest stencil I've created is 24 feet! DS: Why did you become an artist?
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DH: The reason I became
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an artist, is because making art really makes me happy. I sometimes become depressed for no reason, and when I make art, it snaps me out of that mind set. Before I found out that I could paint, I used gambling as a release from my emotional pain and that only made things worse in my life. It wasn't until I started painting, that I found purpose, a release, and a way to inspire others that have hard times in their own lives.
DS: Tell us about your journey to street art in Las Vegas?
DH: My journey has not
been an easy one. As a child, I grew up in foster homes. While still in high school, I turned 18, and my foster parents kicked me out. After graduation, I went into the US Marines as a helicopter mechanic. While in the Marines, I was the go-to guy for artwork within my squadron, creating stencils for the helicopters and helmets, and drawing tattoo designs for other Marines. After the Marines, I held numerous jobs, but nothing seemed to make me happy. In 2008, I decided to go to college at The Art Institute of Las Vegas for Digital T.V. and Movie Production. Since it was an art school, I had to take art classes, and one of the classes I had to take was color theory. I have been able to draw all my life, but a painter I was not. In the color theory class, the instructor would only allow us to use paint to complete our projects. During the course I realized that I could indeed paint. I instantly fell in love with painting and decided that art was what I wanted to do with my life. Taking what I knew from making stencils in the Marines, and seeing what other stencil artists were doing, I decided to go that route. I spent the next three years creating my own style, and when I felt that my work was good enough, I pronounced myself The Stencil Artista. Since then I have had some amazing opportunities with the Life is Beautiful Festival, SAKS
The Stencil Artista 5th AVE, Pepsi, 18B Las Vegas Arts District, and a number of murals I have done for local businesses here in Las Vegas. DS: What part has cannabis played in your life and in your art? DH: Cannabis has been a
part of my life for a while now. My mind seems to always be on the go; thoughts and ideas don't seem to stop. Cannabis helps calm down my thoughts. It allows me to concentrate on a particular idea or project. It also helps with a couple of medical conditions, such as depression, and helps relieve the pain from injuries I sustained while in the Marine Corps. I don't drink alcohol, or take manufactured medicines, so cannabis is a major part of my life for recreation and medical purposes.
DS: What's next from the Stencil Artista? DH: My art career never
seems to stop, and that is by no means a bad thing. Lately I have been helping one of my other favorite local artists, Miscre8, get her gallery together, here in downtown. January is the grand opening, and one of my favorite features of the gallery for 2017 is "Toke N Tag". "Toke N Tag" is going to be an exclusive event
at Galerie Miscre8, where the participants will learn how to do street art on canvas, all while enjoying some tasty buds. Also coming up, I have a couple of community projects that are in the works, and I just submitted my idea to the Life is Beautiful Festival for 2017. If I make the cut again this year, it will be my third consecutive year being an artist for the festival. DS: Any inspiring words for our readers? DH: You always hear people
say, do what you love, and I couldn't agree more. For the first 36 years of my life I have been searching to find my place in the world. It wasn't until I found that I could paint that I could really say that I was doing what I loved, but it was also very important to believe in myself and what I was doing. If you don't believe in yourself, how do you expect anyone else to believe in you? Follow your dreams, do what makes you happy, and never give up on yourself.
Daniel Holbrook's art is for sale in Las Vegas at Galerie Miscre8, Pac N Porz Tattoo and Art Gallery, and at Kung Fu Tea, and on his website: www.thestencilartista.com Dawn Starr Looking Elk is a patient consultant at Essence Cannabis Dispensary, and is an art agent and curator.
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EVENTS
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HAVE AN EVENT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE LISTED? Email to: events@vegascannabismag.com
The Expendables 1/6, Brooklyn Bowl, brooklynbowl.com/las-vegas
American Glass Expo 1/23-1/25, Alexis Park, ageshowusa.com
High Times Cup Las Vegas 3/4-3/5, Moapa, NV, cannabiscup.com
Cannifest 4/15-4/16, Eureka, CA, cannifest.com
Colorful Cannabis Paint Therapy 1/21, 2/18, 2/24, colorfulcannabislv.com
Willie Nelson 1/28-2/4, The Venetian, venetian.com
Cannagrow Expo 3/25-3/26, Reno, NV, cannagrowexpo.com
Abracadabs Festival 3/24-3/25, Adelanto, CA, abracadabsfestival.com
Juicy J 1/27, Brooklyn Bowl, brooklynbowl.com/las-vegas
Glass Vegas Expo 2/6-2/8, Las Vegas, experienceglass.vegas
High Times Business Summit 1/19-1/20, Los Angeles, hightimesbusiness.com
CHAMPS Trade Show 2/7-2/9, Las Vegas Convention Center, champstradeshows.com
MUSIC
Papa Hashish & the Joint Chiefs of Stash Interview with "Papa" Zach Hashish
BY STEPHANIE SHEHAN This month, while in Northern Nevada, I had the chance to sit down with "Papa" Zach Hashish, founder and lead performer of Papa Hashish and the Joint Chiefs of Stash. STEPHANIE S: Who are
Papa Hashish and the Joint Chiefs of Stash?
ZACH H: A large group of
Veteran music artists who formed a Ska band with a pacifist mentality.
SS: Who would you compare
your style of music to?
ZH: Frank Zappa and his
orchestra.
SS: How many members
do you have within your immediate band?
ZH: Five excellent Veteran
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artists, all with copy written solo albums that feature pot parody tracks.
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SS: Do you consider yourself
a cannabis activist?
ZH: I myself am a hardliner,
I don't just think marijuana should be legal. I think marijuana should be mandatory. People laugh when you say marijuana is a cure-all. All the way up until you bring your super anal ex girlfriend over, and wait 3 hours to smoke a doobie with her. Look, she fell asleep with her face in a box of Ho Hos. See how marijuana made everyone's life easier? This is why Drug Free America doesn't let me make drug PSAs. I'm far too realistic for it. We are all cannabis activists in the band. We feel that cannabis laws need to evolve with our understanding, and respect of the plant.
SS: What drives your passion for cannabis? ZH: I've grown
marijuana since I was 12 years old. I was a gorilla grower all through the nineties. It's my deep knowledge of the plant I guess. The world is a better place for me when I consume cannabis. I mean let's face it, look back at all of the mass murderers - none of them were pot smokers. If they were,, they would have smoked a doobie, and came up with a less violent plan that involved Captain
Crunch. I'm figuring if any of them were pot smokers, it was Jeffrey Dahmer, because you gotta have some serious munchies to decide you want to eat your neighbor. SS: Do you prefer flower,
concentrates or edibles?
ZH: I prefer Moroccan
hashish, hash oil, and kief. Edibles start getting a little strong, same with some concentrates. They are the nighttime, sniffling, sneezing, how the hell did I fall asleep in the neighbor's yard medicine.
SS: What is your favorite
strain?
ZH: That's so hard, it's like
having someone ask me to pick a favorite child. I genetically engineered some Irish Cream Kush this year that's pretty awesome over breakfast. But if I'm on an all-nighter, I still prefer my Norma Jean Kush.
SS: Are you a Nevada
medical marijuana patient?
ZH: Yeah, I've been a
medical marijuana patient since 2010.
SS: Are you native to
Northern Nevada?
ZH: Yeah, I'm a member of
one of the founding families of Reno. There are streets named after my family. They've been here since it was called Rivers Crossing. I'm pretty sure my family was here when stones were used for morse code. So I've
seen it at its best, and at its worst. SS: What do you like best about living up North? ZH: There are places in
Northern Nevada that are straight out of a Mark Twain novel. Great food, and Native cultures that are prominent to the heritage of Northern Nevada which are amazing. I'm a huge fan of Basque food, as well as Native American cuisine.
SS: What types of cannabis
themed activities would you like to see in Northern Nevada?
ZH: Definitely a music
festival like Lollapalooza or Woodstock. Something not only cannabis themed, but also peace themed. I truly feel that mankind needs to get back on track with having a deeper value for world peace.
SS: Are you guys touring
anytime soon?
ZH: We are getting ready
to do our last quad, which is recording the last four tracks for our album. But we've already been solicited by several labels for demos. So we plan to fulfill those, and then start touring with a fellow Reno band, Evil Ash.
https://www.reverbnation.com/ papahashishandthejointchiefsofstash https://www.facebook.com/ papajointchiefs/ https://soundcloud.com/user906809811
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ACCOUNTING | TAX | ADVISORY
What's Good Pho You! Brrrrrrr. It's cold, and everyone’s getting sick and passing along the flu by sharing rigs, joints and bongs. I am just getting over this flu. There is only one food that jump starts health for me with fresh broth, herbs, THC, CBD and sweet spices. I think that it’s this large bowl of Vietnamese beef pho’ that did more for my well-being than any prescription or over-the-counter drugs. The great thing about beef pho is that you can make the broth, portion it and freeze it and have it ready in about as long as it takes to cook the rice noodles and infuse a little THC and CBD oil into MCT and Sesame oil.
The broth for beef pho is made by simmering different cuts of beef and oxtail with charred onion, ginger and sweet spices such as Saigon cinnamon, star anise, black cardamom, coriander seed, fennel seed, and clove. Terpene rich food, Vietnamese dishes are typically served with lots of greens and herbs to refresh and brighten the flavors and senses, this is no exception with its garnish of green onions, Thai basil, chili peppers, lime wedges, bean sprouts, fresh coriander and mint. Served with fork tender beef from the broth and some bone marrow to add an extra layer of richness to warm your soul.
COOKINGWITHWITH CANNABIS CHEF FRED Cannabis Infused Beef Pho Serves 6 (143mg THC, 16 mg CBD, Per serving)
Ingredients
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For the Beef Broth: 1 large onion, halved 3 3-inch pieces fresh ginger 6 quarts water or chicken broth 4 1/2 lbs beef brisket, top round, cheeks or oxtail or a combination 6 garlic cloves 2 tablespoons pure cane sugar 1 tablespoon black peppercorn 1 tablespoon fish sauce 3 star anise 4 whole cloves 1 black cardamom pod 1/2 cinnamon stick 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds 1/2 teaspoon coriander seeds Sea salt
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For the Beef Pho’: 2 tablespoons fish sauce 10 ounces rice noodles 2 1/2 cups bean sprouts white onion, finely sliced 1/4 cup fresh cilantro 1/4 cup mint leaves 1/2 cup Thai basil 4 green onions, sliced Thai bird chili, sliced 3 limes
Directions: For the Beef Broth: Heat a heavy pan or cast iron over high heat. Add the onion halves, cut side down and the ginger pieces and cook until well charred (black) on all sides. Fill a stock pot with 6 quarts of cold water or chicken broth, or a combination of both. Add the beef brisket, top round and/or oxtail and bring to a simmer. Skim and discard the foam that comes to the surface and add the charred onion, ginger, garlic, pure cane sugar, peppercorns, fish sauce, star anise, cloves, cardamom, fennel seeds, coriander seeds, and a large pinch of sea salt. Bring to a simmer. Cook for 2 1/2 hours, until the meat is fork tender. Turn off the heat and cool. Refrigerate overnight. Remove the beef from the broth, trim the fat and cut the meat into slices. Remove the fat from the broth, strain into a clean pot and bring to a simmer. Add fish sauce to taste. Season with salt and pepper. For the Beef Pho’: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the rice noodles until tender. Drain and rinse the noodles. Divide the rice noodles among the bowls, add some of the meat, bean sprouts, onions, cilantro, mint, basil and scallions. Add some of the hot beef broth to each bowl and serve with lime wedges and sliced hot chilis. Float Infused MCT, THC, CBD and sesame oil evenly over all 6 finished bowls. * OIL - To make Infused MCT, THC,CBD sesame finishing oil combine 4 Tbsp MCT (medium chain triglyceride) oil, 4 Tbsp sesame oil , and 1 gram fractionally distilled oil 86% THC 10% CBD
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Cohen Medical Center:
(702) 564-6420, 3650 S. Decatur Blvd, #23 Well Docs:
(702) 738-5653, welldocs.co Goldsmith Healthcare Ltd: 5375 S. Ft. Apache, (702)
425-5191
EDUCATION Oaksterdam University:
Coming soon to Las Vegas, www.oaksterdamuniversity. com, (510) 251-1544.
GROW
vegascannabismag.com
Getting Legal:
96
No medical records required, 99% approval rate, 2619 W. Charleston Blvd, #100, Las Vegas, NV 89102, (702) 9799999, gettinglegal.com Dr. Green Relief:
Affordable evaluations, 7200 Smoke Ranch Rd, #120 (702) 707-2414, drgreenrelief. com
Unconventional Foundation For Autism:
Resources for special needs families, (714) 805-8342,
2429, info@digipath.com, digipathlabs.com.
(702) 879-8698, newheightslaboratory.com. Ace Analytical:
Medigrow NV:
Professional cultivation education, also provides in home grow consultations for professionals, (702) 606-9059, medigrownv. com Best Hydroponic Supply:
702-749-7429, aceanalytical.com
CULTIVATION & PRODUCTION Green Therapeutics:
gtnevada.com
6818 W. Cheyenne Ave, (702) 750-9300, besthydroponicsupply.com.
greenlifeproduction.com
Sin City Hydroponics:
Evergreen Organix:
2570 Duneville St #103 (702) 910-2752, sincityhydrocompany.com. AAA Hydroponics:
2 W. Charleston, Las Vegas NV, 89102, (702) 450-4769, vegasindoorgarden.com Crop Production Services:
7020 W. Warm Springs Rd, #140, Las Vegas, NV 89113, (702) 485-6885, cpsagu.com
Green Life Productions:
evergreenorganix.com Bam Marijuana:
bammarijuana.com Silver State Trading:
silverstatetrading.com Icon Cannabis:
iconcannabis.com The Cannavative Group:
cannavativegroup.com KYND:
Nurse Juhlzie:
Certified cannabis registered nurse providing nursingbased information and educational services for patients, organizations, medical professionals (406)748-2624, asknursejuhlzie.com.
Digipath Labs: (702) 209-
New Heights Laboratory:
420 Eval:
$199 all inclusive, (702) 420-3825, 3131 La Canada, Ste. 110 lasvegasmedicalmarijuana. com
LABS
College cannabis awareness network, ScorpionsCAN.com.
kynd.com
INSURANCE
Gardens of Weeden:
gardensofweeden.com Farmers Insurance, The Venuto Agency: (702)
458-1475, 7965 S. Rainbow Blvd, #100, jeff@vfi1.com, vFi1.com
Matrix:
matrixmmj.com High Sierra Holistics
hshnevada.com
Moxie moxie710.com Giddy Up Extracts giddyuphash.com
PATIENT SUPPORT WECAN: Wellness
FELLOWSHIP Cannabis Chapel:
Non-denominational, sharing sessions on various Sundays at 4pm, 827 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Ste. A, CannabisChapelLV.com.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Education Cannabis Advocates of Nevada, Free to join and provides a platform for people to post and discuss ideas in a controlled environment, WeCan702.org, facebook.com/wecan702 meetup.com/wecan702,
Patient To Patient Group:
A safe place to meet fellow patients & build lasting friendships, monthly potluck & other events meetup.com/ Patient-to-Patient Las Vegas Cannabis Events Group: Events,
Dope Foto:
(702) 970-9444, info@dopefoto.com, dopefoto.com
INDUSTRY ORGANIZATIONS Las Vegas Medical Marijuana Association:
A chamber of commerce for medical marijuana, We include dispensary owners, production facilities, cultivators, labs and various companies. LVMMA.org
SECURITY Diversified Protection Systems:
702-307-3473, dpsi.biz, full service fire protection, security and service and CO2 systems.
festivals, and get togethers for those passionate about cannabis, meetup.com/ LasVegasCannabisEvents
Compassion Nevada Consulting: Assistance with
obtaining a Nevada medical marijuana card, 2800 S. Highland Dr (702) 506-6379. Nevada Medical Marijuana Program: For
information about obtaining your Nevada Medical Marijuana card visit health.nv.gov/ medicalmarijuana.htm
HIV/AIDS Health Education: Golden Rainbow
offers monthly health education and risk reduction workshops for persons living with HIV/AIDS. Emergency Housing and Financial Support also available. Call 702-384-2899 or visit www. goldenrainbow.org.