Vegas
November 2014
CANNABIS
Magazine
Is Your Medicine Really Medicine? A Beginner’s Guide to Marijuana Concentrates
Contents
Editor:
Stephanie Shehan
editor@vegascannabismag.com
Contributing Writers:
Allison Howarth Christine Mitchell Lyme Mohawk Jessica Parks S.M. Percy Anthony Savala Kathleen D. Smith, M.D. Jennifer Solas Corinne Tobias T-Weed
Cover Photo:
Fred Morledge - PhotoFM.com
Vegas Cannabis Magazine features content about marijuana, hemp, and marijuana-related 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 assumes no responsibility for the advertisements within this publication.
Vegas Cannabis Magazine P.O. Box 400701 Las Vegas, NV 89140 (702) 622-8001
www.VegasCannabisMag.com
Editor’s Note
4
Resources
6
Seasons of Change
8
Getting Legal Made Easy
10
Events
12
Product Spotlight: Beyond Buds
14
Legally Speaking
15
Crop-Tober
16
Is Your Medicine Really Medicine?
18
A Beginner’s Guide to Marijuana Concentrates
20
Cannabis Infused Recipes
22
The Grow Room
24
Living Life Between Shifts
26
18+
Vegas Cannabis Magazine • NOVEMber 2014 • 3
Editor’s Note Community: a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals. Let’s face it, we live in a fast moving city. A city of individuals exhuming an air of self-entitlement. Each cookiecutter house is surrounded by a concrete wall and people leave in and out of their garages on a daily basis. People here come and go and very few take the time to meet their neighbors, let alone attempt to interact with them. We are so wrapped up in ourselves and the belief that our own families are all that we should be expected to be concerned with that we lose sight of the benefits of connecting, interacting and supporting one another. It is easy to come to the realization that a lack of community has taken effect when we are faced with a need for support. The medical Let Us Secure Your Domain and Design Your Logo!
(702) 589-1282
marijuana community is experiencing this realization and with the assistance of various organizations throughout our city, it is becoming more and more common for those involved in the movement to band together. The fact of the matter is, we need each other. We cannot change legislation alone. We need to come together peacefully and stand as one for what we believe in. Those that have been fighting this fight need to mentor and educate new cardholders that are lost in the calamity of misinformation. By networking and building good, quality relationships with one another, we will be able to build this community stronger than ever. Thanksgiving, in particular, is a time for community. It is a time for reflection, gratitude and fellowship. As the much celebrated holiday nears, please take the time to acknowledge and celebrate
those in your life that offer friendship, gratitude and love. Encourage each other, make time for one another and support each other in whatever way possible. Thank you to the friends, advertisers and supporters that have helped get this magazine into the hands of those that can benefit from it. We look forward to growing and cannot wait to see what the future holds.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Stephanie Shehan
We are constituted so that simple acts of kindness, such as giving to charity or expressing gratitude, have a positive effect on our longterm moods. The key to the happy life, it seems, is the good life: a life with sustained relationships, challenging work, and connections to community. – Paul Bloom
This Domain and Logo Available
November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month Medical Marijuana Helps Control Seizures!
Vegas Cannabis Magazine • NOVEMBER 2014 • 4
Resources Wellness Education Cannabis Advocates of Nevada (W.E.C.A.N): W.E.C.A.N is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit that first started as a Meetup group. With nearly 600 members, this is the 6th year that they have been in existence in Nevada. Meetup.com/ WeCan702/ is free to join and provides a platform for people to post and discuss ideas in a controlled environment. W.E.C.A.N has a yearly calendar with events that are regular and consistent features. For those who want to get their MMJ card or find out about using cannabis for medicinal reasons, W.E.C.A.N. has monthly Patients 1st meetings in Las Vegas and in Pahrump with an eye on expanding this model to other cities in Nevada.
For more information, contact W.E.C.A.N. via their website at www.WeCan702.org or on their Facebook page, https:// www.facebook.com/wecan702. W.E.C.A.N. also hosts a weekly radio show called Nevada’s Cannabis News, on KLAV1230 AM radio every Tuesday from 4pm to 5pm.
Compassion Nevada Consulting: Compassion Nevada Consulting guarantees the lowest fees in medical marijuana consulting and strives to teach the community the pros and cons of medical marijuana. Available resources include: • Assistance on obtaining state legal cannabis patient status. • Assistance in selection and
Las Vegas MMJ Cannabis Championship 420 Weekend - April 18 & 19 Out-of-State Patients Welcome!
• • • • •
installation of equipment and personal grow spaces. Books, magazines, videos, and guidance in helping you to become knowledgeable. Social networking and support groups. Social gatherings and entertainment events. Local community service and advocacy projects. Doctor on staff every Wednesday, 2pm-5pm. Call to make an appointment and inquire about pricing.
For more information, contact Compassion Nevada Consulting at (702) 410-5833 or visit them online at www. CompassionNevadaConsulting. com.
Karma Holistic Health Foundation: Karma Holistic Health Foundation is a non-profit organization that believes in the ethical right to grow your own medicine. Services offered include medical marijuana consultations and assistance in obtaining a Nevada medical marijuana card. Karma Holistic Health Foundation is located at 9111 W. Russell Road, Suite 120, Las Vegas, NV 89148. For more information, contact them at (702) 388-1119 or visit them online at www.khhf.org.
Vegas Cannabis Magazine • NOVEMber 2014 • 6
Resources Ultimate “U” Medical:
Medicated Vegas:
Ultimate “U” Medical provides the necessary medical evaluations by a licensed doctor for patients seeking a medical marijuana card. Ultimate “U” Medical educates patients on how to medically use and the effects of use of cannabis and various cannabinoids.
Offering alternative medicine, education and consultation.
Ultimate”U” Medical is located at 8660 Spring Mountain Road, Suite 101, Las Vegas, NV 89117. For more information, please call (702) 353-9777 or visit www.ultimateumedical.com.
Las Vegas Cannabis Info Center: Las Vegas Cannabis Info Center (LVCIC) provides referrals for all your cannabis needs including doctors, lawyers, legal dispensaries and classes. LVCIC also provides on-site classrooms and studio where the patient’s privacy is their priority. New state of the art studio opening January 2015! For more information, call (702) 761-6770 or visit LVCIC online at www.lvcic.com. For current cannabis related news and information, visit www. CannabisCafeTV.com.
For more information, call (586) 295-4365 or visit them online at www.MedicatedVegas. com. Information may also be obtained by sending an email to gethealthy@medicatedvegas. com.
Paradise Clinic: Compassionate care and alternative treatment with medical marijuana. Staff will evaluate you upon calling free of charge to ensure that you are a candidate for the medical marijuana program. For more information, call (702) 255-6272 or visit Paradise Clinic online at www.paradiseclinics. com.
Medical Cannalyst Consulting Group: Medical Cannalyst Consulting Group provides consulting, public relations and educational services for clients on emerging issues surrounding SB 374 by ensuring compliance and business continuity efforts. By focusing on facilitating educational services within medical cannabis establishments and modeling current state regulations for employees and the community, MCCG’s vision is to advocate the proper use of medical cannabis and promote awareness. For more information, visit www. medicalcannalyst.com or call (406) 748-6224.
Grow-Team for Hire! Exclusive Strains Available
Vegas Cannabis Magazine • NOVEMber 2014 • 7
Seasons of Change By: Jennifer Solas
It is universal that the fall season in Las Vegas starts me thinking of all the things that there are to do in and around our great city. Visiting friends and family makes me want to explore the outdoors, cook, and reflect on the year that is almost gone as well as the upcoming seasons of my life. Hiking shows me the beauty of the desert at a pace that lets me meditate on what I am grateful for, cooking for others makes me happy that I have the means available to give to others and volunteering keeps me humble; that what I have can be gone overnight. The break in temperature happens at the end of October and ushers in November with progressively cooler nights and mild daytime temperatures. During this time you will find Kurt and I in the kitchen making infused butter and oils in the crock pot, from these Kurt makes yummy edibles to bring to family and friends. These gift plates find their way to people
across the valley and into neighboring areas. Comfort food takes on a whole new meaning with cannabis patients; infused products help many that don’t care to smoke, vape or dab. The body “high” takes away aches that come from the years and chill of the season.
hike, you will have new Vegas friends. I love this time of year because it is the harvest and store time of year, not just cannabis, but many things. One must take the time to cultivate the good things in life and cull unneeded habits, material items and people that may not be so good for us. We all have things that are not helping us realize our full potential and which need to be released from our lives. For those struggling with addiction to opiates, cannabis can ease the physical symptoms of withdrawal. It’s not that easy with co-dependency but if you need to talk about any of these issues, W.E.C.A.N. has a Patient’s 1st meeting that will help connect you with people who care. Cultivate the good and cull the not so good, it’s the only way you can make room in your “closet.”
The coming months are the perfect time to hike, camp, bang on a drum and enjoy our famous hot springs which call to my soul like a favorite song. According to my friend Jeff, “the beauty in the desert is in the infinite and the minute, but from here to the stop sign is ugly as hell.” I encourage everyone to get out of the house and explore the deserts, mountains and hot springs around the city. The VegasHikers Meetup is a great way to hike with people who know the trails and hot springs routes. They have been hiking together for eight years and are awesome people. You don’t have to know anybody to have a In November, W.E.C.A.N. will great time and by the end of the host their annual Danksgiving
Vegas Cannabis Magazine • NOVEMber 2014 • 8
dinner the weekend after Thanksgiving for all of their patients, advocates, volunteers and partners; it is their desire to give back to people who have given to them all year long. Make your best dish to share with fellow patients. Check the W.E.C.A.N. calendar for times and details about this event.
600 members. This is the 6th year that W.E.C.A.N. has been in existence in Nevada. meetup. com/WeCan702/ is free to join and provides a platform for people to post and discuss ideas in a controlled environment. Visit www.wecan702.org for more information.
W.E.C.A.N. also has many opportunities to volunteer throughout the year. If you are called to help, this is a great way to start. Joining the W.E.C.A.N. Meetup group can be done online at Meetup. com/wecan702, it’s free to join and they have held over 800 meetings in 6 years. W.E.C.A.N. is the largest patient advocacy group in Nevada and they are now expanding to Pahrump and Tonopah. The W.E.C.A.N. website lists volunteer opportunities and everyone is encouraged to join. This month, W.E.C.A.N. is set to host another job fair for people interested in working in the cannabis industry. The fair will be held at the Clark County public library on November 16th from 1pm until 5pm. The library is located at 1401 E. Flamingo Road and additional details about the event are available at www.wecan702.org. If you are interested in setting up a table and speaking to the public about your cannabusiness, please contact Jennifer at jens@wecan702.org. Wecan is a 501 (c) 3 Nonprofit that first started as a Meetup group. It currently has nearly
Fred Morledge Photographer (702) 612-6106
PhotoFM.com
CANNABIS PHOTOGRAPHY Vegas Cannabis Magazine • NOVEMber 2014 • 9
Getting Legal Made Easy: What Should I Pay? What Should I Know?
By: Dr. Kathleen Smith The process of getting a medical marijuana card can be very confusing and expensive if you don’t know what you are doing. In Nevada, there are a number of steps involved with the process. First, you order your application packet from the State. Next, you need to find a doctor to do a medical evaluation to determine eligibility (this may be difficult as most primary care doctors do not want to be involved with the program). With your doctor’s recommendation, you can mail your application packet back to the State. Last, you wait for your letter of acceptance to be sent to you from the State. Once received, you go to DMV with your letter of approval from the State and receive your card. At Ultimate “U” Medical, we have simplified the process for you. Our office handles everything for you from start to finish. We do a complete physical exam in our office and our staff will order your
Medical, your initial visit is $110.00. This visit includes the physician’s examination, the application packet from the affidavit, and the ordering and State. When you receive your payment of your application application packet, bring it packet. When you receive back to us and we will help the application packet, you you complete the application, notarize it and mail it back to the bring it back to us. This visit is $105.00 and we assist you State for you. Just two simple trips, and then you sit back and with completing the application, provide notarization, return the wait for your acceptance letter application packet and pay the from the State. Our efforts to state fees. The entire process simplify the process is what totals $215.00, there are no ensures that our patients hidden or unexpected fees continuously return to us when it is time for the renewal of their involved. The only other fee will be from the Department of cards. Motor Vehicles who will charge In doing an evaluation exam for you approximately $12.00 for the Medical Marijuana Program, your card. Be sure you know all the costs before scheduling an I have sometimes discovered appointment with any office. other problems that the patient may not have been aware of Once accepted into the program and I can recommend a followyou will be required to renew up or a course of treatment. your card annually. At Ultimate “U” Medical, for renewals, we WHAT SHOULD I PAY TO GET MY CARD AND BECOME charge you $180.00 which includes the physician’s LEGAL …. examination, notarization, the return of the completed I would suggest you look into application packet and payment the cost of getting your card of the state fees. Again, there carefully. At Ultimate “U”
Vegas Cannabis Magazine • NOVEMber 2014 • 10
are no hidden or unexpected fees involved. Patients coming in for a medical marijuana evaluation sometimes inquire about obtaining a prescription for Marinol. The main indication for Marinol is for those with intractable nausea, such as cancer patients. Someone taking Marinol will test positive for THC (marijuana) on a standard drug test, yet this is a drug approved by the FDA and DEA. It is a schedule 3 controlled substance and requires a doctor’s prescription. It has side effects such as drowsiness, ataxia (problems with balance), behavior changes, dizziness and vasodilatation. Not
everyone is a candidate for marinol especially patients on psychiatric medications or lung and heart medications. Next month I will provide you information on what our current research is teaching us about the type and dosage of marijuana for many of the medical problems the cannabinoids are treating. We welcome your suggestions and questions which may be addressed in upcoming issues. To contact us please email us at: questionsfordoctor@gmail. com
University of Louisville. Since then, Dr. Smith did her residency and board certification in Family Practice. After practicing many years in both Family Practice and Emergency Medicine, she ended up taking boards in Emergency Medicine as well. She then spent the next 24 years practicing Emergency Medicine. This led to an interest in finding healthier medical avenues for treatment of common diseases. Ultimate “U” Medical is located at 8660 Spring Mountain Road, Suite 101, Las Vegas, NV 89117. The office can be reached by calling (702) 353-9777. They can also be reached online at www.ultimateumedical.com.
Dr. Kathleen Smith earned her Doctor of Medicine in 1987 from the
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EVents W.E.C.A.N. 702 Radio Hour: Tuesdays, 4pm5pm, KLAV AM 1230, listen live at www. klav1230am.com, www.wecan702.org for more info. Fresh 52 Farmers Market: Saturdays 9am-2pm at Tivoli Village, 302 S. Rampart, Las Vegas, NV 89145 and Sundays 8:30am-1pm at Sansone Park Place, 9480 S. Eastern, Las Vegas, NV 89123.
CannaBusiness Conference: 11/12-11/14, Rio Hotel, 3700 W. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89103, www. mmjbusinessdaily. com. Wicked-The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz: 10/8-11/9, $45-$161, Smith Center, 702-749-2000. Motor Trend International Auto Show: Las Vegas
Convention Center, 3150 Paradise Rd, 11/28-11/30, 9am-6pm, Adults $18, Children 12 & under free. 2014 San Franciso Medical Cannabis Cup-11/29, 11am8pm, SoMa StrEat Food Park, www. cannabiscup.com/ san-francisco for more information. Las Vegas Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure Classic: Cashman Center, 850 N Las Vegas Blvd November 1, 2014, judging at 10am, finals at 6pm, $20 - $30. First Friday: 11/7, Arts District Downtown Las Vegas, art, food, vendors, FREE, 5pm11pm. The Emerald Cup: 12/13-12/14, Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa, CA, www.theemeraldcup. com. The Craft Festival: Cashman Center, 850 N Las Vegas Blvd, 11/7-11/9, Fri & Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 10am- 5pm, admission $7, seniors 65+ $6,
Vegas Cannabis Magazine • NOVEMber 2014 • 12
children 11 - 17 $2, children 10 & under free. Las Vegas Gun Show: Sport Center of Las Vegas, 121 East Sunset Road, 11/8-11/9, Sat. 9am5pm, Sun 9am-4pm, $12 -$16, children under 12 free, www. lasvegasgunshow.com. WECAN Job Fair: 11/16, 1-5pm, Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road, www.wecan702.org Contact Jennifer at jens@wecan702. org to set up a table and speak to people about your business. Rocky Mountain Gun Show: South Point Casino Hotel & Spa, 9777 Las Vegas Blvd South, 11/8-11/9, 9am, $15, www. southpointarena.com. Camping World RV Expo: Orleans Hotel and Casino, 4500 W Tropicana, 11/13-11/16, Thu-Sat 10am-6pm and Sun 10am-5pm, Free. An Intimate Evening with SANTANA: Greatest Hits Live,
EVents Mandalay Bay, House of Blues, 3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd, 11/5-11/16, 8pm, 18 and over, $129.50. Las Vegas Cannabis Info Center: LVCIC & CCI All day seminar, 1/18/15, Free book bag with pre-registration, 702-761-6770, www. lvcic.com, Seminar will include Law, Cooking, Delivery, Dispensary Management, Marketing, Advertising & Marijuana Cultivation. Fresh 52 Autumn Harvest Festival: 11/8, 9am-4pm, Tivoli Village, 302 S. Rampart, www.fresh52. com, chef demos, live entertainment, pumpkin decorating and more. Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas: The Linq, Suite 22, 3545 Las Vegas Boulevard South, 702-862 BOWL (2695), Check www.vegas. brooklynbowl.com for times and details. 11/3 – Reggae Bowl Featuring New Age Tribe, FREE 11/5 - Bassnectar
11/7 - Beats Antique, Shpongle & Emancipator 11/10 - Method Man & Redman 11/13 - Tame Impala & Delicate Steve 11/14 - Toad the Wet Sprocket 11/15 - Death From Above 1979 11/17 – Reggae Bowl featuring Irie Love, FREE 11/21 & 11/22 – Jane’s Addiction 11/28 - Suicidegirls: Blackheart Burlesque Tour
Medical Marijuana Patient Responsibility Class: 11/12 at 6pm and 11/15 at 1pm, Do your part to be a responsible patient. This class is an hour long and is $29, (702)506-6379, www. compassionnevada consulting.com. Marijuana Medication Identification and Methods of Ingestion: 10/19 at 6pm and 10/22 at 1pm, Learns the ins and outs of
marijuana and the different methods of ingestion. From edibles to different forms of concentrates, topicals and more, we will also show different types of tools and medicating devices. This class is one hour and is intended to give everybody a general knowledge of the above, (702) 506-6379, www. compassionnevada consulting.com.
Compassion Nevada Consulting Job Fair: Saturday, 11/8, 11am-5pm, This is your chance to meet with and learn from industry experts, Bring your resume along with a brief summary of your cannabis history and knowledge of cannabis. If you already have your Medical Marijuana card please bring it with you, (702) 506-6379, www.compassion nevadaconsulting. com.
Vegas Cannabis Magazine • NOVEMber 2014 • 13
Product Spotlight Beyond Buds - Marijuana Extracts -
As we await the end of marijuana prohibition across the country, those who medicate with the ever healing cannabis plant are now seeking alternatives to traditional smoking. As expected, Ed Rosenthal has done it again. In his newest book Beyond Buds, Rosenthal explains that “before marijuana became illegal, it was available in tinctures, pills, salves, and drinks.” As companies pop up
throughout the states where medical marijuana is legal, we are seeing a trend of newbies focusing on tinctures, edibles, oils and concentrates. For those growing their own personal medicine, Beyond Buds acts as a lesson book explaining how material should be selected and collected, the different processing methods for kief, water hash methods, and the preparation of edibles and tinctures. Rosenthal explores indepth new cannabis products such as budder, wax and shatter while providing some of the easiest and safest methods to be utilized when making these somewhat elaborate concentrates. The book includes amazing photographs of handcrafted glass pieces as well as an array of vaporizers, vape pens and dab rigs. Complete with an appendix detailing cannabinoids and terpenes, and a chart of
Vegas Cannabis Magazine • NOVEMber 2014 • 14
temperature and measuring conversion, Beyond Buds is perfect for those looking to selfmedicate in the most effective ways possible while learning the time-proven tricks of the trade. Beyond Buds can be ordered online at www. quicktrading. com.
Legally SPeaking The Nevada Medical Marijuana Cardholders/Caregivers Program is a state registry program within the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health. Their role is to administer the provisions of the Medical Use of Marijuana law as approved by the Nevada Legislature and adopted on 2001. If you are interested in obtaining an application for the Medical Marijuana Program, please send a written request, along with a check or money order in the amount of $25 made payable to the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH). Mail your request to:
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Nevada Division of Public & Behavioral Health ATTN: Medical Marijuana Division 4150 Technology Way, Ste 104 Carson City, Nevada 89706
PROGRAM FACTS: •
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The cost to request an application for the Medical Marijuana Program is $25. The cost to register or renew registration in the Medical Marijuana Program is $75.00. Your caregiver can be anyone as long as they are over the age of 18 and your physician approves of that person as a caregiver. Please be aware that pursuant to NRS 453A.250 and NAC 453A.150: A cardholder may have only one caregiver; A caregiver can only be a
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caregiver to one cardholder; and a cardholder cannot be a caregiver to another cardholder. A person under 18 must have permission from their custodial parent or their guardian who is in charge of their medical decisions. And that person MUST act as the minor’s primary caregiver. Only a physician who is licensed under NRS 630 or NRS 633 can sign a “Physician’s Statement”. That means only a medical doctor or osteopathic doctor licensed in the State of Nevada. The specific reasons a person can be denied participation in the Medical Marijuana Program are available on the DPBH website. A card is good for one year only. It must be renewed annually, one year from the date your application was stamped. The same procedure used in the original registration process must be followed. The DPBH cannot advise you on where to buy marijuana seeds or how to grow the plants, nor can we refer you to a doctor.• NRS 453A.200 allows the holder of a valid card to possess: (Effective April 1, 2014 through March 31, 2016) Two and one half ounces of usable marijuana in any one 14 day period and Twelve marijuana plants, irrespective of whether the marijuana plants are mature or immature. “Marijuana” includes, without limitations edible and infused products as defined in NRS
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453A.101 and 112. “Usable marijuana,” as defined in NRS 453A.160, means the seeds, dried leaves and flowers of a plant of the genus Cannabis, and any mixture or preparation thereof that is appropriate for the medical use of marijuana. The term does not include the stalks and roots of the plant. Issuance of a Nevada Medical Marijuana Registry card does not exempt the holder from prosecution under the state or federal laws that apply to marijuana and is not recognized by the federal government. NRS 453A is a state law; it does not address federal laws. It is recommended you discuss the limitations and liabilities that are associated with existing federal laws with your personal attorney. The registry card is issued for use in Nevada, and may not be recognized in other states. The DPBH does not make any medical decisions about an application. Your own, personal physician decides if you have a “qualifying disease”. The DPBH sees that an applicant is in compliance with the law and if so, arranges for that person to be issued a registry card.
For more information about the Nevada Medical Marijuana Program, visit www.health. nv.gov/medicalmarijuana or call (775) 687-7594. Information above is as stated on the Nevada Division of Public & Behavioral Health website.
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CROP-TOBER By: Jessica Parks
Wyclef is playing in the background. Pinto Beans and ham hocks are cooking on the stove. I think it’s the 4th cup of coffee (I don’t know, I’ve lost track). There are five of us around the kitchen table with an un-weighable amount of cannabis hanging in drying trays around the house.
trailing me. Oh yeah and I am smiling ear to ear, even though I have been sitting in these wooden chairs for 10-12 hours a day for the past 3 weeks. And we still have, at least another two weeks left!
It’s CROP-TOBER in Potland, Oregon, folks. And, that means my fingers are sticking to this keyboard as I type. Unless you’ve helped with a successful outdoor grow, you probably can’t fathom what this looks like. I have weed in my coffee, my hair, between my toes, and inside my shirt. I went into the grocery store to pick up energy snacks this morning and the cashier said with a smile “I know what you are doing”. I laughed. Everyone around here knows what I am doing because there is an undeniable smell Vegas Cannabis Magazine • NOVEMber 2014 • 16
It’s a labor of love, dear readers. It’s a time sensitive job and all of our friends pull together. We each bring a potluck style snack and spend hours and hours trimming. White Widow, Panama Red, Black Moon, each strain of flower is a different color, a different smell, a different size, shape, and texture. Some buds are stickier than others. Some of the buds are so sticky, we have to stop and wipe the scissors with alcohol every stem. Flower lovers, like me, are in absolute HEAVEN this time of year. I rub the salve made by my friend, Green Love on my shoulder and spray her liniment on my cramping hands and keep trimming! We take dabs and sing to each other to keep positive energy flowing in the room. CROP-TOBER is a season of fellowship for cannabis lovers of all types. I pray for my Vegas cannabis family to have this freedom soon. The drug war isn’t over. Just because
we are sitting here peacefully in the middle of an Oregon-grown medical farm, it doesn’t mean we are safe. There is always an underlying fear of theft or even police interaction. We are all medical patients, but the federal government can come in at any time and terrorize us. I believe in the medical benefits of this plant with my whole heart. It has saved my child’s life. It has helped me become a loving, attentive, informed parent. I do not drink or take any of the harder drugs I used to. It is a natural way for me to heal and connect with my creator. I appreciate this medicine. And I appreciate the opportunity to be able to put my hands – literally – in the middle of a plant that is so beautiful and healing.
Cheers to trimmers around the world that take the time to perfectly manicure each bud with loving fingers. Cheers to the amazing growers that really care & take the time to produce this incredible medicine. These buds are filled with revitalizing energy and they connect us together. Patients and caregivers are so grateful to you heroes. Jessica Parks is a Mompreneur and Cannabis Activist. She was born into the timer industry in Morton, Washington and was raised with a love for all trees and nature. After being raided twice in 2006, she learned her life’s purpose and has dedicated her journey to the education and legalization of cannabis.
Last month, we introduced you to Wallace “Buddy” Rose who is fighting Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer. Since the last issue, Mr. Rose has had great difficulty obtaining his cannabis oil and has had a recurrence of the cancer. It is our hope that enough money can be raised to help Buddy beat this dreaded illness. To donate, please visit https://www. youcaring. com/medicalfundraiser/ the-buddyrose-cancerdonationpage/245155 Every Donation Helps!
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Is Your Medicine Really Medicine? By: Christine Mitchell
Medical marijuana is becoming widely popular in the United States. If you are a medical marijuana patient, or you know one, you should be armed with knowledge on how to test your medicine. Marijuana oil (also known as Simpson oil or Phoenix Tears) is the leading medicine for people with serious or terminal illnesses like Cancer, Parkinson’s and Lymphoma. Many other daily sufferers are also finding relief from this miracle oil. In fact, the average user of marijuana oil experiences less aches, pains, and common cold symptoms. When a person consumes the oil it reacts with their own cannabinoid receptors and starts to heal whatever is ailing the user, almost instantly. Since humans and animals have endocannabinoid systems, using the oil to treat all of our illnesses makes sense. Knowing how to determine if the marijuana you are using is
actually medicine can be the difference between life and death, literally. This miracle oil is produced by stripping the product of the useful medicine then boiling off the solvent. In order to produce the purest medicine possible, oil shiners will use the most potent buds and leave the rest of the plant for future concentrates. In Co2 processing, the entire plant is often used and the machines are able to make several different types of medicines. When purchasing oil make sure you ask the manufacturer what solvent and extraction process were used, this way you will always know what you are ingesting unless you plan on producing the medicine yourself. Once you have the medicine you should test it to ensure that you are ingesting actual medicine and not plant material or plant waste. The facilities that perform testing on marijuana plants have the
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ability to determine if your plant is infected and how potent each part of the plant is. When lab testing is not available, use the paper smear test to ensure your medicine is pure. When the oil is smeared on white paper, it leaves the mark of what product was used to produce it. When manufactured properly the oil will be amber or gold in color and will shine like a true oil. If it doesn’t have that oil shine, don’t eat it. If the medicine is thick, black, or green, please beware. There are many oil producers that are not sure how potent their product is, or if their oil is even medicine. When an oil producer sells medicine that has not been tested they are literally playing with lives. Unfortunately, we meet many patients who have been ingesting bad medicine and are finding themselves sick again. It is important to learn how to determine if your medicine is in fact medicine, especially when a life is on the line.
A Beginner’s Guide to Marijuana Concentrates By: Allison Howarth President -AllBud.com As you explore the different medicines available at a local medical marijuana dispensary, you will surely find that there are more options than you ever dreamed of—including many that aren’t meant to be smoked, but rather are implemented in other ways. This is actually one of the biggest canards in the ongoing cultural discussion of medical marijuana; many assume that this is all about smoking, but in truth hashes and concentrates are increasingly popular—and not without reason.
Concentrates 101 When we refer to hashes and concentrates, we are not using the terms interchangeably, but we are referencing a set of related medical marijuana products—a set that might also include different butters, oils, waxes, and more. Really, it all comes down to the cannabinoid extraction process. Concentrates are any
products that are made using a solvent—which could be alcohol, butane, or simply water to eliminate all plant matter and extract the resin glands from the plant matter. Cannabis plant matter is mixed with the solvent, then strained and purged to get the plant matter (and the solvent itself) out of the finished product.
Different Kinds of Concentrates Concentrates come in different forms, all with their own characteristics; as for which one is the best one, it’s largely a matter of picking the product that fits your needs the best. Some options include: • Cannabis butter or oil. Cannabis products made through a butter or oil extraction are considered to be particularly safe and natural. This extraction process conserves the
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cannabis and can radically change the patient’s experience. Usually, these products are baked or cooked into different foods, not consumed straight. When consumed in this way, these products become up to four times more potent than smoked cannabis—the THC’s psychedelic effects becoming more pronounced. • Budder. Budder, meanwhile, is something a little different. This term refers to cannabis products made in a butane hash oil extraction, wherein the oil is whipped to give it a more stable consistency. It tends to be yellow in color and it has a sort of crumbly texture. • Wax. Also known as hash oil, is the product of a butane hash oil extraction. This is usually a product that results from a failed budder extraction process; compared to cannabis
budder, it’s stickier and not as closely formed. • Iso Hash. Iso hash is made in an isopropyl alcohol extraction. This is a popular “DIY” method among growers, simply because alcohol makes for such a cheap solvent. The downside is that the flavor tends to be pretty bad, or at least not as enticing as other methodologies. The quality of iso hashes can vary; clear yellow products are usually better, while black and gummy ones should be avoided. • Bubble hash. Probably an altogether better form of hash is bubble hash, which is made in an ice water extraction. This is a very clean form of concentrate, as all that’s really happening is that parts of the plant matter are being washed away. Good bubble hash should have a grainy but stable texture.
Ingesting Concentrates Orally There are different ways to ingest concentrates, and the safest is always going to be orally. Note, once more, that oral consumption increases the potency by quite a bit, compared with other methods (including smoking and vaporizing cannabis), so it can be a more effective option for some patients but also a less
practical one: It’s surely not something you’d want to try an hour or two before you had to go into work, for example. Note also that most of these products taste less than stellar on their own—they are meant to be used in baking and cooking so, it’s worthwhile to gather some good recipes. There is likely someone at the dispensary who can point you in the right direction. Finally, it’s important to remember that you need to bake or cook your concentrate products at no higher than 350 degrees Fahrenheit—any hotter than that and the cannabinoids will vaporize, essentially wasting your weed!
Vaporizing Your Concentrates (And Other Methods) An alternative option for medicating: All forms of hash
and concentrate can be vaporized. Obtaining and using a vaporizer is considered by many to be the preferable way to “smoke” cannabis, but be warned that there is ongoing research into the effects of the cannabis residue on the lungs, and a possible link to lung cancer. Finally, hashes can simply be smoked, the same way you would “flower” marijuana. The method that you use is a matter of preference, and, as always, our biggest recommendation is to be open to trying some different options until you determine the product and the method that’s right for you! Inspired by patient frustration with other online resources, AllBud. com provides a comprehensive, and user friendly way to access information and listings on medical marijuana dispensaries, certifying doctors, strains, and state by state programs. Each listing is reviewed for accuracy and quality standards.
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www.VegasCannabisMag.com Vegas Cannabis Magazine • NOVEMber 2014 • 21
Vanilla CannaBliss Coconut Ice Cream By: Corinne Tobias
Ingredients:
• • • • • •
coconut milk out of the pan. If it got super frozen, leave it out to thaw for a half hour to an hour. 2 cans full fat coconut milk 5. In a food processor, combine 1/2 teaspoon vanilla frozen coconut milk chunks, 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, 1 to 2 tablesoons maple syrup, a Pinch of pumpkin spice or pinch of pumpkin spice or cinnamon (optional) cinnamon (optional), a pinch Pinch of salt of salt, 1/2 tablespoon to 1/2 teaspoon -1/2 1/2 tablespoon of cannabis tablespoon cannabis Infused infused oil (melted)* oil (melted)*
Recipe: 1. Line an 8X8 inch pan with parchment paper 2. Shake up 2 cans of full fat coconut milk (not lite). 3. Open and pour the cans of coconut milk into the parchment lined pan. 4. Freeze for a few hours or overnight. Using a knife, cut chunks of the frozen Vegas Cannabis Magazine • NOVEMber 2014 • 22
6. Stir in optional chunky ingredients (chunks of chocolate/cookies/hot fudge swirl/etc.) 7. Once smooth, pour into a small glass container and immediately put in the freezer. 8. Every 10 minutes, stir until it gets firm enough to scoop out (about 30 minutes). *The potency of your oil is subject to the techniques you use and the quality of your trim and/or buds. Always test your dosage by starting low and going slow. Corinne Tobias is a writer, cook, organic gardener and yogi based out of Southwestern Colorado. She’s passionate about simple, healthy living. It’s her mission to share the gift of experiencing a fun, truthful and compassionate lifestyle through travel, nutrition, growing plants, and yoga. Wake & Bake is her first book. Visit her online at www.wakeandbakecookbook.com.
Cannabis-Classic Bread Stuffing By: T-Weed
Ingredients: • 12 cups dried bread, cubed (homemade or store bought) • 1 cup unsalted Canna Budda • 3/4 cup minced onion • 1 1/2 cups chopped celery, stalks and leaves • 1 cup chopped mushroom (optional) • 2 teaspoons salt • 1 teaspoon pepper • 1 tablespoon ground sage • 1 tablespoon ground bud • No-salt-added chicken broth (optional)
Recipe: 1. In a large, heavy skillet over medium heat melt the Canna Budda, then sauté the onion and celery (and mushroom, if using) until the onion is
soft, stirring occasionally. 2. Stir in the salt, pepper, and sage and cook for an additional 3 minutes. 3. Place the bread cubes into a large, deep bowl. 4. Pour 1/4 cup of the Canna Budda/celery mixture over the cubes and toss well, then repeat steps until all of the butter mixture is used. Toss the cubes thoroughly to coat. 5. The optional chicken broth: for dry stuffing, add little or no liquid; for moist stuffing mix in lightly with fork just enough chicken broth to moisten dry crumbs. 6. Let cool and use as stuffing for the turkey. We’ve made this stuffing in the crockpot, as well, adding the chicken broth for moistness. Note: The amount of salt listed above is correct. When the Canna Budda mixture is first added to the bread, if you taste
it at this point it might seem salty (because it is sitting right on the surface of the bread) but remember that the liquid and butter soak into the bread and redistribute evenly. If you use a crockpot for cooking your stuffing, I’d recommend reducing the amount of salt even further. T-Weed is an advocate for the use of cannabis in all forms for the treatment of medical conditions. He has been baking for over 40 years and is committed to using his knowledge and experience to help others. T-Weed can be reached via email at t-weedsedibles@gmail.com or by phone at (702) 501-1395.
Happy Thanksgiving from All of Us at Vegas Cannabis Magazine!
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The Grow Room By: Anthony Savala
One question that I am asked often is how to get rid of fungus gnats without using harmful chemicals. First, you need to determine how big your fungus gnat infestation really is. To gauge the severity of your infestation, try using a potato. Gnat larvae are drawn to the taste of potato. Cut a few slices of potato about an inch in width and length and about a half an inch in thickness. Then, bury the slice of potato in the soil under the infected plant and leave it for four to eight hours. You will be able to tell how severe your infestation is by how quickly the potato is eaten. You have a few different options to get rid of flying adult fungus gnats. Gnats, like most tiny flying insects are attracted to the color yellow. At your local garden store, you should be able to find some yellow, sticky gnat traps. Place these near your infected plants and in a few days, many of the gnats should be eliminated. Gnats are also attracted to the smell of apple cider vinegar. Mix a tablespoon
or two of vinegar with a little liquid dish soap and place into an unused jar or bowl. Place the container under the infected plants. The gnats will fly into the container and get stuck in the vinegar solution. Another option is to use a soap spray. Mix two tablespoons of lemon dish detergent or Ivory liquid soap with 1 gallon of water and use this mixture to drench the soil hosting them. After about an hour, spray the leaves with clear water to rinse the soap off. When you see fungus gnats flying around, it usually means that there are a significant number of larvae in the soil under the infected plants. Watering larvae-infected plants with Hydrogen Peroxide is a good way to get rid of fungus gnats. Before watering, you must make sure your soil is dry, especially the top layer. Stop watering the plants for at least a few days, this will suspend larvae progress and stop the development and maturation of larvae and gnat eggs. Since adults cannot reproduce in dry soil, the cycle will end. After drying the top levels of soil,
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mix one part of pure Hydrogen Peroxide (3% solution) with four parts water and pour on to soil. Normally, the soil will start to fizz after a couple of minutes as the Hydrogen Peroxide kills the larvae. Be careful when using this method as most plants can survive without water for many days before drying out and you do not want to damage or kill your plants. Another method for treating gnat larvae is to use a rubbing alcohol spray. Mix one cup of rubbing alcohol with one liter of water. Test first on a sheet to check that the mixture is not too hard on your plants. Once tested, pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray and treat the infected plants and soil every three days for two weeks. As always, PEACE, LOVE and OVERGROW! Anthony Savala is from Stockton, California and is known to many in the area as “The Compassionate Caregiver.” He has been a cannabis advocate and grower for the last twenty years.
Living Life Between Shifts By: S.M. Percy
Every great thing that you have done in your adult life has happened between shifts. Think about the previous sentence for a moment. I was driving to work the other morning, thinking of how nice it was that I moved just ten minutes from my job. This is great, I told myself. Just think about how much time one would save over the years by not dealing with an extra forty minutes of driving each day. That is almost an hour! Oh what I could do with that time. As these thoughts entered my mind, they were accompanied by counter thoughts. I asked myself, are you really comfortable with the fact that your job decided, ultimately, where you live? I brushed the thought away quickly with easy justification. It’s worth the sacrifice, I told myself. This job provides a fair wage, insurance and a good pension. So there it is. It is okay to be responsible and live comfortably, doing what I want to do. But, am I really living that comfortably? Am I really doing what I want to be doing? Struggling to maintain my composure I again went back
to my thoughts of the rewards that my sacrifices had brought me. The flashy car, the vacations, the nice televisions; I was definitely living my life, but under whose terms? That was when it hit me, every time I drove that car, watched that television or took that vacation; I was doing it only until I had to go back to work. What else was I doing in my life that revolved around my job? The list was greater than I expected. What were my preferred days to take care of things? What time did I wake up each morning? When and for how long did I take my vacations? When did I schedule my doctor’s appointments? How did my job affect my physical health? These might not seem like much on a day to day scale, but over the course of twenty years how will these things add up for me? Every day there are parents who come home from work and are too tired to do anything except get ready for the next day. On a day to day basis it is worth it. On the flipside, is giving your job everything you had to give and then leaving yourself with nothing except
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preparing to give your job more the next day worth it in the long haul of life? Family is what motivates most of us. But is sacrificing your irreplaceable family time for some extra overtime really worth it? Sure, there are things coming up that you want to do that cost money, but your five year old will also only be five once. How then do we solve this riddle of balancing our work with our personal lives? I think the safest answer would be to identify first, what is most important in your life. Yes, we need money and it would be unrealistic to pretend that we live in a society where money does not create advancement. But what do we really need and is it worth sacrificing what we think it is that we really want? I often find that the older we get, the faster time goes by. Questioning this process I developed a small theory: the older we get, the less we change. We spend more time in our comfort zone, talking with the same people and going to the same places. After a while, these places and people all start to blend in from lack of change. So shake it up!
Red Dragon Photo by Fred Morledge - PhotoFM.com