LIFT YOUR SPIRITS AND EASE YOUR MIND.
UPWARD IS A CRAFT CANNABIS KITCHEN BASED IN PORTLAND, OREGON. We make infused cuisine and beverages with a fresh perspective. When wearing our aprons, we consider ourselves part mad scientist, part artist, and part rebel. We learn by testing. We have a unnaturally high attention to detail. And admittedly, we enjoy being unconventional and defiant. From the fermenter to the dehydrator to the cutting board, we hone our recipes and get elated about bringing something different and earthy to the table.
www.upwardcannabis.com
CONTENTS VOL 2 NO 1
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CHRONICLES 420 GEAR POTLIGHT
DISPENSARY: Serra CONCENTRATE OF THE MONTH PRE-ROLL REVIEW BUDS STRAIN REPORT OREGON DISPENSARIES
columns features
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SHEDDING LIGHT ON CHANGES TO OREGON’S CANNABIS LAWS AND REGULATIONS Green Light Law Group specializes in state’s growing marijuana industry
18 | WHO IS THINKING ABOUT THE FOOD SYSTEM? Cannabis industries can change the local economy for everyone’s benefit
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THE DEAD SHALL PREVAIL The Grateful Dead ended a wild and wasted journey that lasted 50 years
YOUR CANNABIS BUSINESS: 32 | FINANCING THE BASICS
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FROM THE PUBLISHER
By John Oliver DEEP THOUGHTS
By Leaf Barret
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WEEDFLECTIONS
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THE BUD BUZZ
By Rick Cipes
By QeenBee
FIRESIDE DISPENSARY is Southern Oregon’s premium Cannabis Dispensary serving both Medical and Recreational customers. We strive to create an inviting, safe atmosphere to make every visit memorable. Our caring and compassionate staff take their time to connect you with the right products for your needs. We offer only the highest quality flower, edibles, concentrates, and more from the leading providers in the State of Oregon.
Mention this ad and get 15% Off your next purchase Check out our current Menu and list of Daily Specials at Leafly.com
4149 S. Pacific Hwy Medford, Oregon
541-897-4420
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 10am to 8pm Mon - Thurs, 10am to 9pm Fri & Sat, and 12pm to 7pm on Sunday. Stop by and check us out, you’ll be glad you did! Don’t forget about our daily Happy Hour special 20% off your entire purchase.
VOL 2 NO1 PUBLISHER
More ways to get your weed … more often FOOD, WINE, FILM, ART … WEED! NO MATTER THE PURSUIT, THERE ARE A WEALTH OF WAYS TO BE AN AFICIONADO. Delve into your particular passion, develop a palate, establish an expertise and you’ll discover there’s so much more to explore. We know the same holds true when it comes to cannabis. So Weed Aficionado Magazine is bringing readers more of Oregon’s classiest cannabis coverage. Now available every month, free to every reader, our consumer-focused publication is the authority on Oregon’s cannabis scene. Whether it’s the new dispensary in your neighborhood, the new farm on your favorite country drive or the new producer of artisan edibles, WAM is the source for what’s happening in the world of weed. As just the past year has shown us, A LOT is happening! In less than a year after launching our first Internet presence, WAM’s online traffic exceeded 25,000 unique visitors per month. That success propelled us beyond a bimonthly schedule to being in print each month. If you’re leafing through this edition’s pages, chances are you may have picked up the latest WAM at your favorite local dispensary. But we put Oregon cannabis front and center in other mainstream locales: coffee shops, restaurants, hotels, retirement communities, garden centers, tattoo parlors and pain clinics. WAM’s local reporting has a wide reach within our community. We’re also taking Oregon cannabis to the world at large by partnering with some of the largest social-networking platforms. Linking www.weedaficionadomag.com to PotGuide. com, we make it easy for readers to pinpoint cannabis retailers in their area, map out new ones to try, find deals and even book weed-themed tours. That’s just one example of more ways to use WAM, more often. The rising popularity of pre-rolled joints inspired our newest feature, the aptly titled Pre-Roll Review. Our perennially popular Strain Report has a new section specifically focusing on CBDs. And concentrates are getting more play, warranting a regular spotlight alongside the best buds. A new column debuts this month, conjured from the Deep Thoughts of WAM’s own Leaf Barret. His musings complement the often humorous, always cannabis-centered viewpoints in Rick Cipes’ WeedFlections and QeenBee’s The Bud Buzz. Even this page gives readers a new reason to whet their appetites on what’s in store each issue. Look closely at the photo of me at the end of this letter. Notice anything? Every month, I’ll sport a different T-shirt celebrating any and all things cannabis. Calling it “John.0,” we’re giving each issue a fashion theme, sort of like the Comedy Central hit “Tosh.0.” If you also want to model this month’s look — sponsored by MagicalButter machine — go to www.maryjanesmokewear.com. Send me your cannabis business’ tee to see it in the official WAM wardrobe! Regards,
John Oliver john@wammediallc.com EDITOR IN CHIEF
S.J. Clelland editor@wammediallc.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Dara Fowler dara@wammediallc.com WEB DESIGN
Brandon Mertz webmaster@wammediall.com PHOTOGRAPHY
Kimberly Classicks George Kramer Jeff Gauthier Patrick Brennon CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Leaf Barret Rick Cipes S.J. Clelland Becky Garrison Andrew Mount John Oliver QeenBee ADVERTISING | SALES
National | Oregon John Oliver 704-877-0681 john@wammediallc.com Oregon Mike Shepard 541-261-7498 mike@wammediallc.com © 2018 All rights reserved WAM Media, LLC. All material is copywritten and subject to approval before being reproduced. Weed Aficionado is a free publication dedicated to education of all things cannabis; for Oregon by Oregonians.
John Oliver – Publisher Go to www.maryjanesmokewear.com to order the shirt I’m wearing!
@weedaficionado @weedaficionado @waficionadomag
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Looking for a cool place with a great vibe? Come check out Bahama Buds for all of your cannabis needs. With a great selection of flower, concentrates, and edibles Bahama Buds is your final destination. So whether you live on the coast or are just driving through, make sure you stop in.
1415 N Bayshore Dr Coos Bay, Oregon
541.808.9420
THE
Chronicles
Oregon’s top federal prosecutor reserving judgment on Sessions’ pot memo State leaders vow to protect legal marijuana industry Source: OregonLive
U.S. Attorney Billy Williams has declined to detail how his office will strip legal protections for marijuana businesses amid concerns of Oregon’s overproduction of marijuana and its black-market exportation to other states. Williams told The Oregonian/OregonLive that he’s awaiting additional guidance from federal officials. He offered a cautious response, saying he doesn’t “believe in overreacting.” “I want to be methodical and thoughtful about what we do here in the District of Oregon,” he said. His answer is likely to frustrate Gov. Kate Brown, who held a press conference in front of the U.S. District Courthouse, where Williams works. The governor vigorously defended the state’s legal marijuana market and accused Sessions of “ripping the rug out from underneath the marijuana industry,” which she pointed out has generated thousands of jobs and millions in tax revenue for the state. State officials pointed out new state laws aimed at cracking down on the black market and additional police assigned to a law enforcement task force in southern Oregon to curb the illicit market as evidence that Oregon takes federal concerns seriously. Attorney General Jeff Sessions roiled Oregon’s cannabis
industry when he released a memo saying he would let federal prosecutors decide how aggressively to enforce federal marijuana law in states where the drug is legal. In a document known as the Cole memo, federal enforcement officials spelled out their marijuana enforcement priorities, which included cracking down on the black market, violent crime and keeping the drug from minors. Those guidelines served as a roadmap for states as they crafted rules. Under federal law, marijuana remains a Schedule 1 drug, a category of drugs that includes heroin and is defined as substances that have a “high potential for abuse” and “no currently accepted medical use.” Oregon was the first state to decriminalize personal possession of marijuana in 1973 and legalized medical marijuana in 1998. Voters overwhelmingly approved its recreational program in 2014, becoming the third state behind Colorado and Washington to do so. The state’s industry employed more than 20,000 people last year and generated close to $450 million in sales, according to Beau Whitney, a senior economist with New Frontier Data, a market research firm.
Hemp products in the OLCC system Approval process available as of Jan. 5
The welcome mat has been rolled out in Oregon for hemp and hemp products. Rules have gone into effect for the regulation of hemp and hemp products under the state’s legal recreational marijuana system The Oregon Liquor Control Commission officially adopted the rules, which took effect Dec. 28. OLCC planned by Jan 5 to publish the administrative process and forms for existing OLCC-licensed processors of cannabis, and Oregon Department of Agriculture-approved hemp growers and handlers, to follow toward obtaining approval to bring hemp into the OLCC system. The framework for the OLCC’s hemp rules were
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developed after the passage of Oregon Senate Bill 1015 Members of the hemp industry met in August and October with OLCC to discuss, review and make changes to the proposed rules. The OLCC held a Nov 15 public hearing on the proposed rules and extended the public comment period to Nov. 29. OLCC marijuana licensees and other interested parties will be notified when the administrative process and forms are posted to the OLCC recreational marijuana website.
Oregon sees spike in teens poisoned by marijuana Physicians cite unregulated edibles as common cause for overdosing
OLCC launches marijuana retailer minor decoy checks Bend area’s licensed businesses pass OLCC checks for sales to minors
Source: OregonLive
The number of teens poisoned by marijuana spiked last year in Oregon. About 70 adolescents between ages 13 and 19 sought treatment in an emergency room or called the Oregon Poison Center over symptoms such as anxiety, agitation and hallucinations. That compares with 40 the year before. The rise is worrisome, but not alarming, said Dr. Robert Hendrickson, associate medical director of the poison center, located at Oregon Health & Science University. “I think you can look at it two ways,” he said. “It’s increasing and that is a concern. On the other hand, 70 cases for the entire state in a whole year is pretty small.” Though the emergency cases are up, marijuana use among Oregon adolescents has remained flat over the past five years, according to state health officials. A report published last week noted a slight increase in use of cannabis by teens nationwide in 2017. “Most people who we get a call about do well,” Hendrickson said. “Their symptoms last for a couple of hours and then they get better and go home.” The symptoms go away as the marijuana is flushed out of the bloodstream. There have been no deaths in Oregon attributed to marijuana, Hendrickson said. Hendrickson said many of the adolescents reported making cookies or brownies with marijuana — not consuming commercial edibles with the dose on the label. “Mostly, it’s the homemade stuff,” he said.
Sting operations aimed at unlawful sales now include Oregon’s marijuana dispensaries. All of the targeted business complied with state laws and regulations when inspectors with Oregon Liquor Control Commission conducted their first minor-decoy operations in December. Licensed cannabis retailers are not allowed to permit minors on the premises or sell them marijuana products. OLCC inspectors on Dec. 19 visited 20 marijuana retailers in Bend and La Pine to verify their compliance. By refusing to sell products to a minor volunteer for OLCC, each of the following businesses passed: Cannacopia, Dr. Jolly’s, DiamondTREE on Bend’s Highway 20 and Northwest Galveston Avenue, Tokyo Starfish, Oregon Euphorics, Miracle Greens, Plantae, Cannabend, Creative Crops Rec, Oregrown, Top Shelf Medicine, Substance on Bend’s Division Street and Empire Avenue, 5th LNMT, Tokyo South, Higher Elevation, The Herb Center, High Desert Botanicals and Green Knottz. “That our licensed retailers in central Oregon scored 100 percent on refusal to sell marijuana to a minor is a sign that this segment of our regulated industry understands the importance of compliance,” said Steve Marks, executive director of OLCC. Oregon’s licensed marijuana businesses are subject to OLCC checks throughout the year, with each licensed retailer receiving a minimum of one visit per year. Sale of marijuana products to anyone under the age of 21 could result in a 10- to 30-day license suspension, or a fine of $1,650, depending on whether or not the sale is intentional. Failure by a marijuana licensee, or its employee, to check a customer’s identification before the attempted purchase of a marijuana product could result in a seven-day license suspension or a fine more than $1,100. During the sales checks, a minor volunteer attempts to enter a licensed marijuana retailer and/or purchase marijuana products from a licensed business to see if staff are checking IDs correctly and refusing entry to anyone under 21. Commission inspectors supervise the minor volunteers. The volunteers carry their own legal ID that identifies them as under 21 and do not disguise their age or lie to encourage the sale of marijuana.
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FRAMED TECH
Show your love for great tech icons by proudly displaying them on your walls. Framed Tech pays homage to outdated gadgets and vintage consoles by disassembling and arranging them into modern works of art. Each piece is thoughtfully hung on a 3-millimeter, PVC mat and placed in a custom frame. From Atari to iPhone, the collection has something to tickle every fan-boy’s fancy.
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SMOKE LOUNGE CHAIR
With a design that looks traditional, the Smoke Lounge Chair is anything but. Its classic, carved-wood frame has a fired finish. This treatment not only forges a unique chair but also imparts individual characteristics to each piece by Moooi. Sealing the charred timber with epoxy resin adds strength, and black leather lends luxury. Tufting makes for a timeless look that enhances any room.
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MASTERWAL UA1 PING PONG TABLE
Substantial enough to host decades of play yet elegant enough to double as a dining table, the Masterwal UA1 Ping Pong Table is a versatile piece of heirloom-quality furniture. Designer Mikiya Kobayashi built the original from solid walnut with a brass inlay serving as the center line. The material is mirrored in the struts that hold up the solid leather net. Also available in white oak and black cherry, the table requires a four-week lead time to accommodate the craftsmanship behind it.
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GOOGLE HOME MAX
Designed to compete with larger speakers than you’ll find in an Echo, the Google Home Max combines voiceassistant smarts with powerful sound. Underneath its acoustically transparent fabric grille are custom tweeters and dual 4.5-inch woofers for deep bass, powered by artificial intelligence that automatically adapts the output to its position in the room. It connects to most smart-home components, plays well with major streaming services like Spotify, Pandora and Google Play (of course) and, thanks to Chromecast, also is voice-enabled to fling videos to your television. Available in chalk or charcoal.
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2018 LAMBORGHINI URUS
And for the garage: The Lamborghini Urus combines the marque’s legendary performance with the everyday drivability of sport-utility packaging. A twin-turbo, 650-horsepower, V8 engine drives all four wheels with the Aventador S’ rear-wheel steering. Inside, the four seats and interior hone Lamborghini’s reputation for cutting-edge design. Arriving stateside in spring 2018.
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AIRMEGA SMART AIR PURIFIER
It’s certainly not the first connected gadget to tell you when your air quality is poor, but the Airmega Smart Air Purifier also can do something about it. The bright LED ring on the front indicates the current air status. Its corresponding app issues more information, and smart mode automatically controls the fan speed. Its Max2 filter removes up to 99.97 percent of fine dust, allergens, mold spores and volatile organic compounds, not to mention odors. Available in graphite or white, as well as multiple sizes to complement any home decor and square footage.
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ELYSIUM CHAIR
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Freaky? Yes! “Sleeping on a cloud” is a longtime mattress cliché. The Elysium chair might actually deliver, no bed required. It was developed by David Wickett, a British inventor and designer who spent 10 years studying the relationship between posture and gravitational force, earning a doctorate degree in bioengineering along the way. The resulting chair combines a carbon-fiber skeleton and springs fused at precise locations and tensions. Its series of foams offer an unrivaled level of support and pressure relief. Mounted on a virtual cam that makes reclining completely effortless, the seat furnishes a weightless experience at a 25-percent recline that no other chair can provide.
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OAK LINEN SOFA
Nothing surpasses the rugged warmth of natural wood and linen. True to its name, the Oak Linen Sofa is just that. Built with a solid oak frame, the piece transforms the rustic material into a contemporary design that will last as long as you do. Its natural linen cushions boast down filling for extra comfort while the dark charcoal hue fits any decorating style. Available in three different lengths.
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MARCH WORKTABLE
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Looking for unique style? Made in California from white oak and steel, the MARCH Worktable by Union Studio adds a touch of industrial charm to any office or workshop. At just a hair over 10 feet long, 3 feet high and 42 inches deep, it’s a massive piece, with a solid surface, slatted lower shelf, a spot for covered storage and an area with three bins for easy access to frequently used items.
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POTLIGHT
DISPENSARY
SERRA The strength of Serra’s brand is tempered for convenience with two Portland locations: downtown at 220 S.W. First Ave. and across the Morrison Bridge at 2519 S.E. Belmont St. Both stores are open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Sunday hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. downtown, until 7 p.m. on Belmont. Marketing Director Chasity Roesler eloquently explains for Weed Aficionado how Serra transcends the dispensary model to offer a lifestyle-driven label. WAM: What year did your doors open for business? SERRA: Serra opened its doors in 2016. WAM: Do you service both recreational and medical users? SERRA: Serra is a recreational dispensary with a diverse collection of customers. We serve both recreational and medical users by offering a wide selection of quality products with varying price points. WAM: What is the biggest draw at your location? SERRA: Serra is committed to products, service and environment. We strive to have these key pillars uphold our brand and elevate the customer experience. Thus, we are fortunate to have carefully curated products, beautiful and comfortable spaces to shop, as well as knowledgeable staff members who care deeply about fostering relationships with their customers and ties within their neighborhood. WAM: What is the reason behind your business’ success? SERRA: Serra delivers the very best-quality products and the most knowledgeable, artful experience while breaking stereotypes associated with cannabis culture … or at least that is our battle cry. WAM: What inspired your passion for this industry? SERRA: We wanted to create a space for new (and active) consumers to feel comfortable and confident to shop. We created useful, feelings-based talking points for our docents (budtenders) to guide customers through our products.
WAM: What is your favorite part of the job? SERRA: Our favorite part is getting to work with so many driven people and businesses in this industry. We enjoy supporting local growers, artists and makers to curate a wonderful selection of high-design, high-quality and high-value products that enable our in-store and e-commerce customers to comfortably bring Serra into their home and life. WAM: What’s new for your business in 2018? SERRA: Serra is working on a handful of special collaborative projects throughout the year. As a multi-channel retailer that showcases unique design alongside wholesale channel products that support the Serra lifestyle-driven brand, we look forward to offering additional (thoughtful) products to the market in 2018. WAM: What do you think customers will want more of in 2018? SERRA: Customers have and will continue to seek reputable brands that provide quality products at reasonable prices. Edibles likely will shine in 2018, as will innovative and discreet products that provide unique delivery/dosage possibilities. WAM: What are the biggest challenges that cannabis business owners face in the industry? SERRA: Being a new industry with restrictive regulations can make for a trying strategic plan, though at Serra we remain optimistic as our industry proves its value and earns merit locally and nationally, thus opening cannabis to exciting innovations and partnerships.
SERRA DELIVERS THE VERY BEST-QUALITY PRODUCTS AND THE MOST KNOWLEDGEABLE, ARTFUL EXPERIENCE WHILE BREAKING STEREOTYPES ASSOCIATED WITH CANNABIS CULTURE ...
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MON - SUN 9AM TO 8PM River City Retail is an OLCC licensed retail store still servicing the medical community! We are Southern Oregon’s premiere provider of quality marijuana products. Just a short drive from Grants Pass, we are centrally located just 4 miles off Exit 61, in Merlin. Come see why our customers rave about our store!
541.450.1585 115 GALICE RD. MERLIN, OREGON
WE PROUDLY SELL
on changes to Oregon’s cannabis laws and regulations BY BECKY GARRISON
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GREEN LIGHT LAW GROUP SPECIALIZES IN STATE’S GROWING MARIJUANA INDUSTRY THIRTY YEARS OF LEGAL EXPERIENCE and in-depth knowledge of Oregon’s marijuana operations are behind Portland-based Green Light Law Group, a player in the state’s legal cannabis industry. Recently, attorneys Bradley Blommer and Perry N. Salzhauer offered some insights pertaining to Oregon laws and regulations that govern adult use of cannabis. The “immaculate conception” rule likely will be one of Oregon Liquor Control Commission’s most important issues to address in 2018. The question is whether and for how long OLCC will extend the rule that allows newly licensed cannabis producers to obtain startup inventory from sources other than previously licensed OLCC cannabis producers. The rule has been in place since OLCC began licensing cannabis producers in 2016. If and when it is eliminated, the rule effectively would have given a significant economic advantage to producers who got licensed early because acquiring clones and seedlings on the regulated market is far more expensive. Oregon has adopted a seed-to-sale tracking system that tracks all plants from producer to retailer. All marijuana in the adult-use program can be transferred only between OLCC licenses until the product is sold to a customer at a licensed retailer. While there is only one producer license, there are numerous “endorsements” that a business must obtain, depending upon the type of marijuana product it offers. Some stakeholders in the Oregon cannabis industry could be pushing in 2018 for a moratorium on new production licenses, or so run rumors in the legal community. They argue that a moratorium would help bring the flower market closer to equilibrium and potentially reduce seasonal price fluctuations. As it stands, there is no limit on the number of licenses that OLCC may issue in any given year, and the commission has stated since 2015 that it has no intention of placing any artificial limits on licenses or statewide cannabis production. They take the position that a “free” but regulated market is the best way to control the cannabis economy. Yet OLCC adopted strict regulations on testing. All marijuana flower and product must be tested at an OLCC-licensed lab. Also, if a test fails for pesticides, the Oregon Department of Agriculture can exercise its authority to put a hold on the entire marijuana grow. OLCC saw three new commissioners, including a new chairman, appointed during 2017. So it remains to be seen how they are going to approach and address cannabis-regulatory issues over the next several years. There is some debate in the legal community about whether limiting cannabis licenses requires an entirely new legislative act, or whether OLCC already has the authority to do so under current law.
No significant legislative changes to the Oregon cannabis scheme are expected during the 2018 legislative session, beginning Feb. 5 and ending March 9. Given the short session and the amount of legislative time and resources spent on cannabis issues over the past three years, cannabis is not expected to be a major issue this year. Lobbying institutions anticipate “bigger” or “more important” issues to address during the short session. Moreover, the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Marijuana Legalization, formed from the passage of Measure 91, dissolved at the 2017 session’s conclusion. This leaves no centralized body to which cannabis legislation may be submitted. Cannabis-related bills now will be introduced on the floor and referred to the standing committee to which underlying substantive issues relate. For example, social consumption bills, allowing for use of cannabis in certain “public” spaces (a major issue during last session) likely will be referred to the health care committees in each chamber. Bills aimed at preventing canna-bigotry in employment practices likely will be referred to the House Committee on Business and Labor and the Senate Committee on Workforce. Hence, cannabis-bill proponents now will need to solicit support from relevant committee leadership, potentially on both sides of the aisle, if they want their bills to pass. The city of Portland has adopted its own marijuana regulations, and the local counties and municipalities were given the opportunity to opt in or out of the adult-use program. Local zoning laws governing marijuana businesses quickly sprouted up, and each county in Oregon may treat marijuana businesses differently. Legalization in California and elsewhere in the United States presents lucrative opportunities for the state and cannabis companies operating here. As businesses develop innovative products and methodologies in other states, they will look to develop partnerships and licensing arrangements with Oregon cannabis companies that can grow their brands. This sort of activity already transpires between Oregon, Washington and Colorado and should only increase as more states legalize and companies are unable to move actual products across state lines. Oregon specifically has the potential to be relevant in the national cannabis market, even in a post-prohibition era, in much the same way that Oregon and California are relevant in the wine industry. Oregon possesses the natural and political environments to produce the highestquality cannabis for the lowest production costs (electricity, water, etc.), which will give it a significant advantage over other states in a commoditized, post-prohibition market.
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Who is thinking about the
Cannabis industries can change the local economy for everyone’s benefit By Andrew Mount
At the time
of this writing, Bitcoin has lost onethird of its value in 24 hours, food prices continue to rise across the board and cannabis is enjoying a revival like none other in recent history. Volatility is a natural feature of an unnatural economy that takes little account of ecosystem goods and services, instead priding itself on the rate at which it consumes nonrenewable resources. Even the solar-energy revolution, hinging as it does on the wide availability of Lithium-ion batteries and refined silicon crystals, is not a truly regenerative solution to all our resource woes. Indeed, it can be argued that the number of “food miles” attached to every product we buy is the greatest measure of sustainability in our lives. Our strategies to address such extreme disparities promoted by traditional capitalism are the measure of our character. Yet, how do we capitalize on this massive green-investment opportunity, one that can feed all future generations instead of leaving them in a dust bowl of postmodern, industrial-farming failures? Cannabis holds a crucial key to unraveling this dilemma. As this author watched the near-demise of several commercial cannabis companies this year, a quandary largely engendered by predictable market forces, emerging models of economy were taking shape throughout the industry. Investment levels are off the charts; all that we lack is an overarching plan for Oregon cannabis as a whole. An industry association is needed. Without a group that can marshal broad-based support from sympathetic growers, producers and retailers across the state, we are groping around in the dark, praying that market forces alone will enfranchise our dreams. It’s important to recognize that our economy is a living network of souls and soil that ultimately cannot be commoditized or owned by anyone but the mass of future beings yet to be born. Without the conscious redirection of capital into other industries (also known as diversification) we are “gambling
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FOOD the farm,” as far as the Emerald Triangle is concerned — let alone the mythical State of Jefferson. We are leaving our economic fate to unknown dynamics governed by little more than the wheel of fate. So how do ranchers, vegetable farmers, orchardists, even vintners and restaurateurs benefit from the boon that is cannabis? Answer: We must consciously redirect capital from our medicine crops, under the auspices of intelligent leadership, to ensure a social permaculture by design. In other words, food systems should directly benefit from the communityreinvestment strategies that will result. Then we can feed everyone at lower cost and the lowest possible food miles anywhere. Such staple crops as wheat, cotton, hemp fiber and seed, corn, quinoa and certainly that controversial soybean, could be grown more abundantly here in the West without difficulty as our summers (especially in Southern Oregon) are long, hot and dry. Artisan-food companies would begin to enjoy a revival as their suppliers become more local, quality and availability improves and, thus, consumer confidence in their sustainability soars. We also must consider social-forestry campaigns to ensure watersheds are rebuilt with an eye toward foodshed decentralization. “Food commons” may begin to take the place of commercial farming as localization gains momentum and reruralization replaces the creeping trend of urbanization. Local meta-currencies may undergird the transactional (vertical) element of these businesses. Yet in the end, access, equity and justice (horizontal values) must be served, as well. None of this seems possible without cannabis becoming the long-awaited patron of the food system. Our families are reliant upon us to be net producers, not net consumers. The national economy also must come to obey these same principles of natural, regenerative potential — also known as “usufruct.” Defined as “the right to enjoy the use and advantages of another’s property short of the destruction or waste of its substance,” usufruct is behind Thomas Jefferson’s advocacy to found the United States as a loose network of decentralized farming communities. Instead, Alexander Hamilton bequeathed us the modern, industrial-banking juggernaut we now confront. Thus, the food system could be the Pacific Northwest’s best hope for a regenerative economy in which cannabis-industry players must rise to the occasion and foster this renewal of local food. A network known as Slow Money Northwest, founded in Washington by Tim Crosby and others in the social economy, has sprouted several other chapters throughout the region. Now, a new entity may become the rising star of the food economy: the Cascadia Foodshed Financing Project (http://www.cascadiafoodshed.org/), also founded by Crosby.
SYSTEM?
According to Crosby: “We are now taking a strategic approach, investing in stable production models, including larger-scale farms, that have the opportunity to grow. Our approach is to consider different risk-and-return models, targeting those who can engage in wholesale enterprise to transform the system.” Crosby asserts that this is not only a finance strategy, but it problem-solves for a “logic-model gap” in food-system investment. In the sage words of Oregon native Dylan Owens, a sustainable farming specialist with expertise in staple-crop production, “Dis-intermediating the supply chain with farmdirect product,” is the solution to solving Oregon’s logistical challenges. “Instead of seeing cannabis as a monocrop in the strict capitalist sense, it should be considered part of the farmer’s toolbox. There are lots of high-value crops. It is a flawed belief that cannabis is the best bet because the market has been historically driven by risk. That risk is now gone,” Owens insists. “The more a farmer can hedge into diverse crops in their crop rotations, the more stable their enterprise will be.” Good advice from one who knows intimately the overall ecology of commerce. This author also is aware of a major commercial player waiting in the wings, uniquely motivated to invest many millions in food distribution (logistics) in this state to ensure fresh produce is efficiently aggregated and grower consolidation made a priority, along with food-system finance. This is the most highly leveraged solution to the
“Instead of seeing cannabis as a monocrop in the strict capitalist sense, it should be considered part of the farmer’s toolbox ...” “food-infrastructure gap” known to exist in the broader agroecological sector of Oregon. (See: https://ecotrust.org/media/ Food-Infrastructure-Gap-Report1.pdf). Southern Oregon Seed Growers Association also is advocating for a major acceleration of vegetable-seed production in appropriate foodsheds to ensure the resilience of the food economy. (See: https://sosgaseed.org/). The building blocks of a robust Northwest food economy are in place. All we need do is fully activate all the nodes of this emerging creature and discover if it has legs. Should cannabis industries not see this as a sea change in economic priorities, one with real potential to ground our vision of local resilience in food sovereignty, we may be at a crossroads. Without a measure of usufruct (as Jefferson liked to say), we may be without the means to provide for our families at just the point in history when local priorities definitely have trumped the global economy.
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dead Shall Prevail
The Grateful Dead ended a wild and wasted journey that lasted 50 years
f
ounding fathers of a drug culture revolution, the Grateful Dead were one of the biggest influences moving “pot culture” in the direction that we see today. The Grateful Dead were the most important band of the psychedelic era and among the most groundbreaking acts in rock ‘n’ roll history. They broke all the rules while slowly and steadily building a career that carried them from the ballrooms of San Francisco in the ‘60s to arenas and stadiums all over the country in the decades that followed. A leaderless democracy, they were fronted by guitarist Jerry Garcia, whose improvisational tangents made him the pied piper to the largest and most devoted cult following in popular music: a massive network of fans known as “Deadheads.” The Dead and their followers did much to keep the spirit of the ‘60s alive in modern times. The Grateful Dead and their peers on the San Francisco scene — notably Jefferson Airplane, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Big Brother and the Holding Company, and Country Joe and the Fish — raised the consciousness of the rock audience, leading them to an enhanced vision of music in which albums were more important than singles, and concerts became marathon exercises in risk-taking. Heavily steeped in Americana, the group had its roots in blues and bluegrass. From the jazz world, the Grateful Dead learned to approach music from an improvisational perspective. From the culture of psychedelia — specifically Ken Kesey’s Acid Tests, of which they were a part — the Dead became aware of the infinite possibilities for expression when imagination was given free reign. Led by Garcia’s guitar, the Dead delved into blues, folk, jazz, R&B and avant-garde realms for hours on end. The group’s signature composition was “Dark Star,” which served as a foundation for their most extended and experimental jamming. They performed this epic more than 200 times and never the same way twice, with Garcia’s modal guitar spearheading their explorations into uncharted territory. “They’ll follow me down any dark alley,” Garcia noted in 1987. “Sometimes there’s light at the end of the tunnel, and sometimes there’s a dark hole. The point is, you don’t get adventure in music unless you’re willing to take chances.” The Dead’s career can be viewed in several stages. During the latter half of the ‘60s, they were a psychedelic rock band whose music and lifestyle were synonymous with the San Francisco scene. In the ‘70s, they moved toward a rootsier sound and style of songwriting, while maintaining the lengthy jamming tangents that remained high points at their concerts. In the ‘80s, they became a touring juggernaut, attracting a nomadic following of Deadheads who followed them from show to show. An anomalous commercial peak came in 1987 when “Touch of Grey” became a Top 10 hit, further accelerating the influx of younger fans to the band’s increasingly
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prosperous touring scene. They appeared on Forbes’ list of top-grossing entertainers and, for a few years in the early ‘90s, were the highest-grossing concert attraction in the U.S. The 1995 death of Jerry Garcia abruptly put an end to the Grateful Dead, though various members subsequently regrouped as the Other Ones, The Dead and Furthur. The roots of the Grateful Dead harken back to the early ‘60s and a small community of literature and music-minded proto-hippies in Palo Alto, Calif., to whom Garcia gravitated. It was in this milieu that he befriended Robert Hunter, who would become his lifelong songwriting partner, and Ron McKernan (aka “Pigpen”), a serious disciple of blues and soul who played keyboards and harmonica. A budding young guitarist named Bob Weir fell in with Garcia’s crew, which gathered at Dana Morgan’s Music Store in Palo Alto (where Garcia gave guitar lessons). In 1964 Garcia, Weir and McKernan formed Mother McCree’s Uptown Jug Champions, a string band that played blues, folk and good-time music. Much of the Grateful Dead’s early repertoire of borrowed tunes, including “Good Morning Little School Girl” and “Viola Lee Blues,” was learned during this time. It was Pigpen’s suggestion — inspired by a newly popular band from England, the Rolling Stones — that they plug in and amplify their sound. They recruited a rhythm section including drummer Bill Kreutzmann (who Garcia knew from the music store, where both taught) and Phil Lesh, a musical prodigy who’d studied jazz, classical and the avant-garde. Though he’d never played bass before, Lesh jumped at the chance to join the band and mastered the instrument quickly. “I knew something great was happening, something bigger than everybody,” he recalled. By May 1965, the classic five-man lineup of Garcia, Weir, Lesh, McKernan and Kreutzmann was in place. Renaming themselves the Warlocks, they took a decidedly more electric approach. Half a year later, after realizing there was another group called the Warlocks, they became the Grateful Dead. The name suggested itself when Garcia opened up a dictionary and his eyes fell upon those words. “It was a truly weird moment,” he later noted. Implicit in that name was the promise of adventure and risk — qualities that would become hallmarks of the Grateful Dead’s approach to music. The Dead provided a kind of cultural glue, serving to link the literary and philosophical leanings of 1950s beatniks with the musical awakening of the 1960s counterculture. Both movements flourished in the enlightened environs of the Bay Area. The Grateful Dead were retained to provide musical settings for novelist Ken Kesey’s legendary Acid Tests. From there, they began honing their concert alchemy at San Francisco’s venues, notably the Fillmore and the Avalon Ballroom. They were signed to Warner Bros. Records by Joe Smith, the company’s president, after he caught a show at the Avalon in August 1966. During their lifespan, the Grateful Dead ranged between five and seven members. In 1967, they expanded to a sextet with the addition of a second drummer, Mickey Hart. In 1968, they added keyboardist Tom Constanten, expanding to a septet. In terms of personnel, the keyboard role was
always the band’s most unstable. Somewhat eerily, four of the Grateful Dead’s keyboardists — Ron “Pigpen” McKernan, Keith Godchaux, Brent Mydland and Vince Welnick — died prematurely. The Grateful Dead fused rock ‘n’ roll energy with psychedelic experience to fashion an endlessly fascinating labyrinth of sound. Their self-titled first album, recorded in just three days, sprinted through their blues and bluegrass repertoire with speed and energy. Anthem of the Sun (1968) was their transcendently psychedelic, quasisymphonic magnum opus. Aoxomomoxoa was another highly experimental piece of work. As good as these early albums were, they could not match the Grateful Dead when they were at their best in concert, and the group would frequently turn to live albums as the truest representation of their experience. (A popular bumper sticker read: “There Is Nothing Like a Grateful Dead Concert.”) Live/Dead, compiled from shows performed in San Francisco between Jan. 26 and March 2, 1969, remains a career highlight. It documented the fairly regimented, yet highly improvisational program they performed at that time. The lineup included “Dark Star” (the ultimate Grateful Dead performance piece), “St. Stephen” and “The Eleven” (performed in 11/4 time). After exploring the outer reaches of psychedelic consciousness, the Dead would return to earth with an energetic rendition of Bobby “Blue” Bland’s “Turn On Your Lovelight” (a showcase for Pigpen’s soulful vocals), followed by the bluesy, mournful “Death Don’t Have No Mercy” (from the repertoire of Rev. Gary Davis)
and a gospel-style finale (“And We Bid You Goodnight”). The programming mirrored the stages of an acid trip — ascendancy, peaking and return to reality — and it’s been noted that this logic became embedded in the two-set structure of the Grateful Dead’s concerts for the duration of their career. As drummer Mickey Hart famously noted, “We’re in the transportation business — we move minds.” In the wake of the 1960s and the slow demise of the San Francisco scene, the Grateful Dead took a turn toward a more acoustic, back-to-basics style on Workingman’s Dead and American Beauty (both from 1970). Both were more thoughtful, folk-oriented albums that revealed the band members’ improved songwriting ability and sagelike overview of America’s past, present and future. Much of the material was written by Garcia and lyricist Robert Hunter, and they included some of their best-loved songs: “Truckin’,” “Uncle John’s Band,” “Casey Jones” and “Sugar Magnolia.” These albums were influenced by the often acoustic, harmony-laden music of Crosby, Stills and Nash (who taught the Dead how to harmonize) and the Band (whose highly influential first two albums had a rustic, rootsy tone). The Dead followed those studio albums with the consecutive live releases Grateful Dead (aka “Skull and Roses”) and Europe ’72. At this point they felt so strongly that their work was best captured in concert that a number of new songs were unveiled on live, rather than studio, recordings. These included such staples as Grateful Dead’s “Wharf Rat” and “Bertha” and Europe ’72’s “Jack Straw,” “He’s Gone” and “Tennessee Jed.” Both albums also
contained a raft of covers that revealed the Dead’s growing allegiance to roots music. There were songs by country singers Marty Robbins (“El Paso”), Merle Haggard (“Mama Tried”) and Hank Williams (“You Win Again”), as well as the Wild West tall tale, “Me and My Uncle,” penned by John Phillips (of The Mamas and the Papas). Various group members also launched solo albums during this time frame. Jerry Garcia was first with his self-titled solo album Garcia, which appeared in January 1972. Bob Weir’s Ace, released in June 1972, was a Grateful Dead album in all but name, as Weir’s band mates contributed liberally to what was the most Deadlike of all their solo projects. In 1973, the group released Wake of the Flood, their first studio album in three years and first release following the expiration of their contract with Warner Bros. It was issued on the group’s own Grateful Dead Records. They also created an affiliated label, Round Records, for solo projects. Both were distributed by United Artists. In March 1974, the group debuted a massive, state-of-the-art sound system, dubbed the Wall of Sound. It was both a sonic breakthrough and practical albatross, whose setup time and cost of transport made it almost prohibitively expensive. The group released From the Mars Hotel in June, but that October — exhausted from constant touring and rethinking the costly boondoggle of their sound system — they went on an extended hiatus, exiting with five nights of “farewell” shows at San Francisco’s Winterland. Among other things, Jerry Garcia spent the next two years editing The Grateful Dead Movie, a 90-minute concert documentary assembled from the Winterland stand.
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The group performed only four times in 1975, though they did release one of their more inspired studio albums, Blues for Allah, that year. The Grateful Dead returned to the touring life in June 1976, though Deadheads consider 1977 to be the band’s standout year as a live band. Having folded their own labels, the Dead signed to Clive Davis’ Arista Records toward the end of 1976. Over the next several years, they issued the studio albums Terrapin Station (1977), Shakedown Street (1978) and Go to Heaven (1980). Terrapin Station contained the sevenpart sidelong epic “Terrapin Station.” Shakedown Street was notable for its choice of producer: Lowell George, guitarist and front man for Little Feat. Following Go to Heaven, there would not be another album of new music from the Grateful Dead for seven years. Over the latter half of their career, Garcia was periodically beset with substance-abuse problems, a state of affairs that came to a head with his arrest on drug possession charges in 1985 and his collapse into a diabetic coma in 1986. His recovery included having to re-learn how to play the guitar. His health improved in the wake of those crises, and a revitalized Grateful Dead entered a period of heightened activity that included the 1987 album In the Dark and the Top 10 single, “Touch of Grey.” The group issued its final studio album, Built to Last, in 1989. Drugs continued to haunt the Grateful Dead, who lost keyboardist Brent Mydland to a fatal overdose in 1990. Mydland was succeeded, temporarily, by Bruce Hornsby and replaced by Vince Welnick. Garcia died on Aug. 9, 1995, at a drugtreatment facility in Forest Knolls, Calif. The Grateful Dead’s final concert had taken place a month earlier, at Chicago’s Soldier Field on July 9, 1995. The Dead could not survive the loss of Garcia, but the music lives on. Three dozen vintage concerts were released as part of the “Dick’s Picks” series, named for Dick Latvala, the group’s longtime tape archivist. Various other concerts
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have seen commercial release, including performances at Fillmore East, Fillmore West, across Europe and at the base of the Egyptian pyramids. Between 1991 and 2007, 53 live Grateful Dead concerts were released. Inspired by the Dead’s example, other artists — from Neil Young and Bob Dylan to Pearl Jam and Phish — have followed suit to varying degrees, opening their own concert vaults with fan-oriented releases. Individually, the surviving members have continued to make music. Mickey Hart has pursued a highly successful career as a rhythmatist and ethnomusicologist, recording and compiling numerous volumes of world music. Bob Weir formed Ratdog. Phil Lesh toured with a revolving cast of musicians known as Phil and Friends. Bill Kreutzmann’s other projects have included BK3 and 7 Walkers. Beginning in 1996, several “Furthur Festivals” — involving Dead-related ensembles and kindred spirits — kept the spirit alive. Weir, Lesh, Hart and Bruce Hornsby toured as the Other Ones in 1998. They were joined by Bill Kreutzmann for tours in 2000 and 2002. Calling themselves The Dead, the four surviving members — Weir, Lesh, Hart and Bill Kreutzmann — again regrouped with supporting musicians in 2003, 2004 and 2009. Lesh and Weir have soldiered on with the group Furthur. Ultimately, the Grateful Dead’s triumph was in creating an alternative form of music and alternatives to music-business conventions that succeeded on their own, uncompromising terms. Much about the Grateful Dead was improvised or left to chance. Theirs was a laissezfaire anarchy that assumed things would work out as the cosmos intended. This faith in a universal order, gleaned from the start at Kesey’s Acid Tests, freed them to pursue music without the usual constraints. The Grateful Dead illuminated the world with their music, while transforming culture and consciousness, as well. In so doing, they became an improbably durable and influential institution. As Phil Lesh said at the Grateful Dead’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994: “Sometimes you don’t merely have to endure. You can prevail.”
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CONCENTRATEOF THE MONTH INDICA
Critical Purple
Cp
WILD ROGUE EXTRACTS — CRITICAL PURPLE
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FULL-SPECTRUM, SINGLE-ORIGIN CO2 ESSENTIAL OIL
Taste:
WITH SO MANY CHOICES in dispensaries these days, how do you pick the best vape cartridge for you? Let us introduce you to Wild Rogue Extracts. This cartridge from Wild Rogue is single-origin and strainspecific, crafted from a very unique process that ensures the strain is flavorful and true to taste! We have yet to see all these qualities on the market … until now. The aesthetic of this Wild Rogue strain is liquid gold with some tangerine bubbles. From the first drag, you can taste the difference: clean, no cough, tasting lightly of grape and pine with sweet, berry undertones. This full-spectrum, high-clarity oil sets you on a wonderfully light ride with this Cp’s many medicinal characteristics. We found that sleep improved dramatically, and the head high was perfectly balanced. Within a few “rips” of the pen, we noticed that activation is like most — immediate. The strength of this Cp will knock you on your ass if you puff too much, so be sure to dose in micro-bursts, or as we like to say: “puff, puff, wait a minute, puff, puff, relax.” The combination of a single-strain concentrate with NO terpene removal makes the effects of Wild Rogue Cp spot-on with a very relaxing body high that won’t leave you couch-locked! Wild Rogue is dedicated to offering patients the highestquality, single-strain, single-origin medicines.
Puff quality:
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Battery*: Effects: * Works best with their battery, but can be used on all. WAM recommends buying the push-button battery compatible with Wild Rogue cartridges.
THC: 70.11% Terps: 3.75% CBD: 0%
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WILD ROGUE PREMIUM CANNABIS OIL C02 EXTRACT! NO ADDITIVES! FOR THE CANNABIS CANNASSEUR IN YOU. (510) 520-1683 | EXTRACTED IN WHITE CITY, OREGON
Ask for us by name
PRE-ROLLREVIEW LEMON SKUNK FARM: GRAVES
HYBRID
Lemon Skunk
OVERALL RATING: B+
Ls
Lemon Skunk, proudly grown by Graves Farm, will not let you down. It starts off with a nice, zesty flavor that’s a little drier than most. But that’s OK because, even at 14.08 percent THC, this joint won’t disappoint. Great job, Graves! You will see many more to come.
OREGON BERRY + WHITE RHINO FARM: N/A
OVERALL RATING: C Well, this one did disappoint. For the money, we expected to be floored by this “TWAX” joint from CO2 Company, but that never happened. Don’t get us wrong, it smoked like a 16-percent joint and had great flavors, but it fell short in punch! There was no taste of oils, which can be good and bad; the paper didn’t run, either, which is good. But we feel that your money is better spent elsewhere.
Taste: LEMON CITRUS SKUNK
Taste: SWEET FLORAL BERRY
AS TESTED: 1.03 G THC: 14.08% CBD: 0% MSRP: $6
AS TESTED: 1.5 G – TWAX THC: 16.8% CBD: 0.2% MSRP: $12-$18
AS TESTED: 1.02 G THC: 18.7% CBD: 0% MSRP: $6
AS TESTED: 0.70 G THC: 18.31% CBD: 0% MSRP: $3.33 Taste: EARTH SWEET BERRY
Taste: SWEET BERRY BLUEBERRY WOW! For the money and the high, we have a great joint here! Three Little Birds always has been consistent with its flower, and this pre-roll stands fast! With bold berry taste, this baby comes on hard and heavy! Be ready to relax and get some great down-time.
Gbr is grown proudly by Emerald Fields and available exclusively at Emerald Triangle. This one starts with a robust, earth-berry flavor and smokes to perfection from start to finish. It smokes a little heavy on the indica side, so smoke yours in stride, just in case.
INDICA
OVERALL RATING: B+
BLUEBERRY
FARM: 3 LITTLE BIRDS
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Blueberry
Bry
HYBRID
OVERALL RATING: B+
GUMMY BEAR
FARM: EMERALD FIELDS
Gummy Bear
Gbr
Tigard’s First & Finest Recreational Cannabis Dispensary Featuring a vast selection of Flower, quality Concentrates, Edibles, and the service you deserve! Come on in and say high, our knowledgeable sta will greet you with a smile every time. Not to mention all of our great products at the BEST PRICES. Why you ask? Because YOU matter here at The CDC! We are proud to serve our OMMP patients tax free as well.
10015 201 S.W. Hall Blvd., Tigard, Oregon, 97223
(503) 272-7890 www.weedaficionadomag.com
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FINANCING YOUR CANNABIS BUSINESS: Are you dreaming
of starting your business in the cannabis industry? Have you heard or discovered firsthand that banks are not lending to Cannapreneurs at this time? Would you like to keep the equity in your company instead of giving it to strangers as collateral, in exchange for their private investment in YOUR business? If this is you, how do you acquire financing? For regular businesses, getting a loan from a bank or financial institution is the most straightforward answer. Prepare your business plan, your projections for the next 3-plus years, your tax returns and personal financial statement with your resume, as well as a list of all your assets, and head on down to the local big bank to apply. Right ... and let’s not forget that you now are placed into a holding pattern of questions and answers for the next couple of months. But hey, traditionally that has been the process. In the cannabis industry, that’s not even an option. Most banks won’t even open bank accounts for marijuana businesses, much less provide a loan to one. Such actions are unthinkable because the feds have yet to make marijuana legal. So how do you start the second-most sought-after dream in America: entrepreneurship? Those in the marijuana industry looking for financing, more often than not, have to get creative when it comes capital, and it is exactly those kinds of people that Simplified Capital (www. simplifiedcapital.com) is looking to help. The Simplified Capital team has more than 20 years of experience in financing all kinds of businesses from startups and nationally recognized franchisees to smaller homegrown “mom and pop” operations. The fact that cannabis is frowned on by the big banks only fuels Simplified Capital’s desire to help people grow their dream.
“Whether a client is a startup with no actual operating time in business as of yet or is well established, we have the tools to get them heading in the right direction.”
the basics
Conveniently located right off the I-5 and boasting a large selection of recreational products, a knowledgeable staff, and friendly service, Going Green Albany was the first rec shop in the county when it went legal. They now have four stores under their going green brand: Sweet Home, Grande Ronde, Albany and West Coast Inc.
Going Green Albany 541-405-8856 1225 S. Commercial Way SE, Albany, OR
Simplified Capital specializes in assisting clients who need to obtain financing or capital, even through nontraditional means. Drawing upon a list of hundreds of lending partners, Simplified Capital provides the best fit available for each client’s specific lending needs. Notably, in most cases, Simplified Capital gets paid after they provide a certain level of success instead of requiring payment upfront. Founder Phillip L. Stuart says that their 98-percent success rate enables them to “Put their money where their mouth is,” as long as the qualifying customer is willing and able to make a dedicated commitment to their own success. “We cannot do everything for the customer. The customer has to want to be successful. Once we provide the capital or financing, the rest is up to the customer,” Stuart says. “We provide multiple financial solutions to answer the needs of our valued clients seeking to establish or grow their company,” Stuart says. “Whether a client is a startup with no actual operating time in business as of yet or is well established, we have the tools to get them heading in the right direction.” Some of those financial solutions include: secured and unsecured lines of credit for application to virtually any business need, equity investors, private lenders, commercial real estate, equipment lease financing and working capital finance programs with same as cash options for customers or MFG’s selling equipment and supplies. The initial idea for Simplified Capital originally came to Stuart in 2002 while working at an equipment lease finance company. “I came to the realization that there needs to be more of a ‘one stop shop’ for business owners to contact to resolve their financial needs. ‘Big banks’ are often unhelpful during this process. Why should entrepreneurs and business professionals have to look so hard to find the right solution? How many times are their dreams left unlived when they do not find that solution?” Stuart asks. Stuart’s first company, Simplified Leasing, was born out of this idea. After nearly a decade of adding more services and financing options to the company, Simplified Capital naturally evolved out of its corporate sister. Unlike some private investments, Simplified Capital doesn’t require that entrepreneurs have already completed the R&D (research and development) or proof of concept (proof of profitability in the form of previous earnings) stages of development in order to acquire financing. All potential clients need to work with Simplified Capital are an idea, someone with good credit and the dedication to make their business work.
“For every good idea, there is a person out there trying to get funding for it.” According to Stuart, the company’s most popular program is their “UBF” (unsecured business funding). “In short, we work with the client, and obtain with them $50,000 to $160,000 (per person) or more in unsecured credit lines,” Stuart explains. “Most lines provide the huge benefit of an introductory promotional term to the customer, starting as low as 0 percent interest for up to 24 months.” No, the lines do not have to be paid off prior to the introductory terms expiring. No, no one is sneakily placing interest back on the line, if it has not been paid off before the promotion expires. Stuart contends that “most in the cannabis industry make enough to pay off the lines of credit within the promotional terms.” Although the marijuana banking crisis has severely limited many businesses financially, Stuart said that the crisis has actually helped his business more than it has hurt it. “People are still looking to live their dreams, regardless of what banks may or may not do. They simply need to know we are here to assist them in living that dream.” “At the risk of upsetting someone, we love the marijuana banking crisis. It has introduced us to so many awesome entrepreneurs seeking funding,” Stuart says. “Of course, there are business owners looking to process credit cards and deposit capital into bank accounts, and we anticipate soon, banking will start accepting the billions being exchanged. But hey … there are worse things in business than paying off all your debts and having a safe full of cash.” Although Simplified Capital’s business model may not be the first thing you think of when it comes to business financing, it does represent a viable option for those who need capital to finally start or grow their businesses. For every good idea, there is a person out there trying to get funding for it. When most traditional sources of financing fall short, Simplified Capital is here to locate and offer the helping hand that those entrepreneurs desperately need.
BUDSOF THE MONTH GREEN CRACK Green Crack is pure cannabis. It has sharp energy and focus as it induces an invigorating mental buzz that keeps you going throughout the day. With a tangy, fruity flavor redolent of mango, Green Crack is the perfect daytime medication for patients treating fatigue, stress and depression. Green Crack has branched into two genetic lineages, the most common of which is its sativa line descended from Skunk #1. The 75-percent indica variety of Green Crack is said to have come from an Afghani strain, and is marked by a tighter bud structure.
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SUGAR COOKIE Sugar Cookie is a relaxing indicadominant hybrid with an aromatic sweetness that is likely to have influenced this strain’s name. You might think this hybrid belongs in the same family as the famed Girl Scout Cookies, but its genetics say otherwise. Sugar Cookie is a threeway cross between Crystal Gayle, Blue Hawaiian and Sensi Star, together passing on the resinous qualities of a Northern Lights ancestor along with tropical fruit and berry flavors. Your new favorite midnight snack may just be this indica Sugar Cookie, as it delivers a deep, full-body calm before lulling you into deep sleep.
PURPLE PANTERA Purple Pantera is an indica-dominant hybrid bred by Snowhigh Seeds. The mix of Pink Panther and Grape Krush genetics produces dark purple hues and a piney OG Kush aroma that is highlighted by sweet grape notes with subtle berry undertones. A fast-acting strain, it boasts bursts of euphoria and deep relaxation that is best saved for the end of the day.
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BUDSOF THE MONTH CHERRY SKUNK
Cherry Skunk is an indica hybrid that combines Skunk Dawg and Poppa Cherry. It has the flavors of mother earth, with a little sweet, yet skunky smell. Euphoric effects settle in to help release stress, alleviate pain and cure bad moods, while its calming qualities encourage rest and relaxation. Cherry Skunk also provides a burst of cerebral energy and expands the mind to feed creativity and introspection.
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BLUE WIDOW Blue Widow is a hybrid strain that has uplifting and calming effects. These flowers will have a strong, sweet aroma that may also include sour citrus or pine. Dominantly indica, this strain goes against usual qualities for this type, growing taller than most and providing more mental, heady effects. In higher doses, the blissful relaxation this strain provides may lead to drowsiness and help you get to sleep. A cross between Blueberry and White Widow, Blue Widow is sometimes also called Berry White, White Berry and Blue Venom.
DURBAN POISON Durban Poison is a pure sativa that originates from the South African port city of Durban. It has gained notoriety worldwide for its sweet smell and energetic, uplifting effects. Durban Poison is the perfect strain to help you stay productive throughout a busy day and when exploring the outdoors, or to lend a spark of creativity to your daily tasks.
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STRAINREPORT BURNT COOKIES
PROUDLY GROWN IN OREGON BY:
AVAILABLE AT:
THC: 18.42% | CBD: 0% OVERALL RATING: B+ Burnt Cookies is a hybrid strain created by Rebel Spirit Cannabis, a cross between Fire OG and Girl Scout Cookies. It’s a powerhouse of lemon aromas and a surprising hint of ginger. This strain has a tight bud structure that can be found in Girl Scout Cookies. It smokes clean and aromatic and has some pretty amazing end results. You’ll find yourself letting go, feeling the moment of a nice body buzz and a real balanced head high.
STRAIN ATTRIBUTES: Relieves stress Fights depression Relieves pain
HYBRID
Burnt Cookies
Buc PROUDLY GROWN IN OREGON BY:
PRIMO POWER THC: 25.09% | CBD: 4.09% OVERALL RATING: A WAMMO!!! This “Primo” Power plant comes from Dutch Passion Seed Company, derived from powerful South African sativa strains. Wanna produce throughout the day? Then this is your new buddy! With a high THC content, this Primo Power packs a punch! We can attest that it makes you pretty happy and creative, though effects may verge on too intoxicating for some. If you normally experience anxiety with sativas, this is your better option.
STRAIN ATTRIBUTES: Relieves stress Relieves pain Calms the nerves
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SATIVA
Primo Power
Pp
AVAILABLE AT MOST DISPENSARIES IN OREGON
PROUDLY GROWN IN OREGON BY:
CHOCOLATE HASHBERRY
EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE AT :
THC: 23.23% | CBD: 0% OVERALL RATING: A Chocolate Hashberry is an aromatic strain that truly gives you a hint of chocolate on the smooth exhale. Chh oozes chocolate and spice with sweet berries. Its lineage combines Kush cuts, Chocolate Kush and Blackberry Kush. Sugar Tree Farm’s version came on hot, heavy and fast! Grown indoors, this one smokes very, VERY flavorful with amazing undertones of cocoa in every puff.
STRAIN ATTRIBUTES: Fights depression Relieves stress Relieves pain
HYBRID
Chocolate Hashberry
Chh
GELATO
PROUDLY GROWN IN OREGON BY:
THC: 12.94% | CBD: 0.01% OVERALL RATING: BThis one smokes a little stronger than the 12 percent it claims, so don’t go gangbusters and load up your rig with an once because it’s not so bashful! Promising amazing flavor with sweet, floral undertones, this version of Gelato is heavy in euphoria, but not very long-lasting. Ease into this treat.
HYBRID Gelato
STRAIN ATTRIBUTES: Relieves stress
Improves appetite
Gel www.weedaficionadomag.com
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STRAINREPORT PROUDLY GROWN IN OREGON BY:
ALIEN RIFT
EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE AT:
THC: 16.23% | CBD: 0% | TERPS: 2.38% OVERALL RATING: B Strong and heavy with a great body buzz!! Exuding tart aroma with hints of citrus and spice, Ananda’s cross with Alien OG’s superb indica is no joke. Know this: The Rift’s laidback effects will curb stress and help those with aches and pain.
STRAIN ATTRIBUTES: Soothes inflammation Fights depression Relieves stress
INDICA Alien Rift
Ari
CBDs AVAILABLE AT FINE DISPENSARIES ACROSS THE STATE
ACDC CBD CBD: 19% | THC: 6.02% OVERALL RATING: A This is always a great staple in anyone’s arsenal. Usually very low in THC, this version of ACDC is a wonderful CBD strain that should be smoked daily! We do! Pinch a little off and mix it in with your other favorite flower for an added medicinal boost. We found ACDC to calm us greatly and fight depression like a champ!
STRAIN ATTRIBUTES: Relieves stress Relieves pain Fights depression
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CBD HYBRID ACDC CBD
Acd
CBDs EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE AT:
AFGHANI CBD CBD: 9.3% | THC: 6% OVERALL RATING: A+ Whoa! Afghani CBD provides an almost immediate, uplifted, happy and energetic head high that provides significant mental-pain relief as well as blissful euphoria. This is accompanied by a mellow, relaxing body buzz that starts in the neck and slowly spreads throughout the body. You’ll feel at ease and pain-free without heavy sedative effects typical of an indica strain. And yes, this is a CBD.
STRAIN ATTRIBUTES: Soothes IBS Helps with sleep Relieves migraines
CBD INDICA Afghani CBD
Acb AVAILABLE AT MOST DISPENSARIES IN OREGON
HARLEQUIN OG CBD: 33.33% | THC: 7.6% OVERALL RATING: A Harlequin OG has a relaxing, clear-headed, euphoric and contemplative head high that leaves you active and focused without any sedative effects. It’s an ideal wake-andbake strain, especially for those who are in need of intense pain relief. Harlequin OG is one of the best strains for treating pain and anxiety, as the high CBD level counteracts the paranoia normally associated with THC and amplifies its painkilling effects. We like this one A LOT, too.
STRAIN ATTRIBUTES: Relieves stress Soothes muscle spasms Fights depression
CBDDOMINANT HYBRID
Harlequin OG
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deep
thoughts BY
LEAF BARRET
Nighttime musings may have solved domestic woes IT’S 4 A.M., maybe 4:20 now. I can’t sleep and reach for my unlit electronic smoke reposing in its silicone ashtray — yep, it’s a whole different era. I fondly reminiscence about those days when I could walk into a Piggly Wiggly barefoot with a Pall Mall hanging from my lip. Those days are gone, Hunter … I attempt a puff. Dead! Damn it! I try searching for a USB charger, which in a house with kids is akin to tracking down a book of matches in a bar, circa 2018 … It’s not gonna happen! What was my thought, again? … Oh yeah, earlier in the evening, my lady and I got into a little spat, but it’s the holidays and that’s more common this time of year. While arguing may be an everyday affair for some people, it’s not for us. The holidays can challenge anyone’s ability to cope. From Christmas gifts costing more than a pound of weed to dealing with annoying family members who drink too much and say the weirdest things, we all have those hot buttons that set us off. Which got me to thinking: When I’m high, I don’t want to argue … I just want to relax, giggle and release the worries of my day. This gets me
Have you ever tried to have an argument while you were high? It just doesn’t happen.
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to my point: Just before you feel that argument coming on, STOP everything! Look at your spouse and with a straight face say, “OK, before we do this, we’re gonna smoke some herb. And then if you still want to have this conversation, we shall do so. But we’re going to do so high.” Could it be this simple? I know that arguments happen in a moment’s notice, so it will take some practice to put your emotions on hold until you spark that bowl, but imagine the new outcome … Have you ever tried to have an argument while you were high? It just doesn’t happen. Even if you try and try again, all that gets accomplished is one of you laughing at the other, or both of you in tears, chortling over how stupid you both look and sound. Some may say: “Leaf, did you just eliminate domestic violence?” … Maybe. But if one of you is on meth, crack, cocaine, heroin, booze or flimflams, you’re all screwed! This ONLY works with WEED! As a couple, perhaps consider this joint (pun intended!) New Year’s resolution. Adopt my smokepot-together-before-starting-any-argument rule. I yell to my girl: “Hey, lady!!” I tell her that I may have come up with a great idea and get … nothing! Maybe all that weed is keeping her asleep.
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WeedFlections WeedFlections
BY
RICK CIPES
Branding your marijuana business is about designating it as a destination REFLECTIONS OF THE WAY LIFE USED TO BE. REFLECTIONS OF THE LOVE YOU TOOK FROM ME.
You know who’s singing that? No, smart guy, not Diana Ross … But definitely the majority of mom-and-pop coffee shops, A.S. That is, “After Starbucks” took over virtually the entire coffee world. Can you guess where I’m headed with this? If you answered “yes,” reward yourself with two hits from your vape pen. I’m talking to you, Mr. Medical Marijuana Dispensary Owner, Mr. Big Shot Grower, Ms. Infused Bakery Lady and anyone who thinks his or her stake in the legal marijuana industry is secure … because it so obviously isn’t. Big business is poised to take over the action — your action. And if you haven’t even updated your shitty, circa-2001 website, you deserve it. Dude, what is up with that? You want to do business? Brand, motherfucker, brand! If you’re not, take it from me, someone else is, and they’re the ones who have a small chance of survival when the suits come to town. You, on the other hand? Hah! Might as well suck on that vape pen and weep. But wait! There IS hope. You know how there are still a few cool mom-and-pop coffee shops around? Why can’t this be you when it comes to weed? Study up on them. Visit as many as you can. Look at pictures on the Internet, too (no, not those kinds of pictures!). What makes them unique? What makes them inviting for more than just a cuppa joe on the go? What makes them a DESTINATION? You’ve spent countless hours — and dollars — getting this far … Do you want all that to go away? I didn’t think so. Yes, it’s going to take some creative, outof-the-box thinking. Goat Yoga! Obviously not for your business, but I just wanted to throw it out there as an example. Of course, I’m never doing fucking Goat Yoga. But guess what? There are people who do; they probably dig it, grow attached, and it becomes their yoga DESTINATION (fuck Bikram). Now, before you get the idea to open a dispensary/petting zoo … Stop. Don’t take me so literally. But let it inspire your thinking and broaden your new marketing self. And if you’re not the type of person who thinks that way? Hire someone. Immediately. Before you see the self-driving, Whole Foods
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Weed Delivery truck pull into town. Yup. That Whole Foods. The one owned by world-dominating tsar Jeff Bezos, aka Killer of Retail, aka Killer of Books, aka He Doesn’t Give a Rat’s Ass if He (or someone like him) Kills Your Marijuana Business, too! Enough said. You have your mission. Figure out what your DESTINATION will be about and brand the fuck out of it. Don’t skimp. As Diana Ross did sing: “Ain’t no mountain high enough … to keep me from getting to you, babe.” In this case, “you” is the DESTINATION you create — the answer to your very survival.
“ BIG BUSINESS IS POISED
TO TAKE OVER THE ACTION — YOUR ACTION.” Rick Cipes has written for over 40 publications including L.A. Times, Playboy and ESPN Magazine. He owns the 420 T-Shirt Collection, where they also offer graphic design and brand consultation. www.420tsc.com
CHECK OUT Online
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DISPENSARIES
OREGON
BAHAMA BUDS 1415 N. Bayshore Drive, Coos Bay, OR 97420 (541) 292-8540 CANNABIZ EXPERIENCE 333 N. Riverside Ave., Medford, OR 97501 (541) 816-4209 FIRESIDE DISPENSARY 4149 S. Pacific Highway, Medford, OR 97501 (541) 897-4420
Going Green Albany
GOING GREEN ALBANY 1225 S. Commercial Way SE, Albany, OR 97322 (541) 405-8856 HIJINX CANNABIS CO. 3943 S. Pacific Highway, Medford, OR 97501 (541) 897-4448 THE CDC DISPENSARY 10015 201 S.W. Hall Blvd., Tigard, Oregon, 97223 (503) 272-7890 OGC — OREGON GROWN CANNABIS 1201 W. Stewart Ave., Medford, OR 97501 (541) 816-4206 RIVER CITY RETAIL 115 Galice Road, Merlin, OR 97532 (541) 450-1585 ROGUE VALLEY CANNABIS 505 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520 (541) 631-0240
THE
BUD
BUZZ BY
QEENBEE
Cannabis influencer eats, sleeps, breathes and lives Instagram THE WORD HASHTAG used to drive me nuts.
How dumb, I thought. What’s so great about Instagram and using hashtags? I didn’t have a clue about Instagram and didn’t really want to. I was content in my bubble, in my own world and perspective. I never planned on having an Instagram account, but I was very naive. I was opening a head shop and had a friend who was doing cannabis modeling, she called it. I thought: What? Lol, really? That’s a thing? She was so excited to tell me that a joint paper company had asked her to take pictures with its product, and they gave her papers all the time! There were other girls doing it, too. She showed me their profiles. Some had 22k, 30k, 50k followers. I couldn’t understand and still didn’t make any effort to get one of my own. But once I started that head shop, I thought it was time to start an IG account for the store. At the time, my fiancé and I were co-owners of a 420 private lounge, which I named The Highv. That’s when I decided that my Highv needed a Queen Bee. I started to wonder, what could I accomplish if I started an IG account? I was taking pictures of glass in my shop, posting it on the store page and starting to understand that hashtags are really important for marketing each picture or video posted. Each hashtag is direct, target marketing! That’s genius, I thought, not stupid! Also, people really liked my pictures if I was in them. One night as my fiancé and I were eating dinner, we started talking about how if I took it seriously, I actually could build something from it, selling more glass from the store and promoting our 420 lounge. I started my Instagram that spring, originally looking for Queen Bee as an available account name. Ha, ha! … Not a chance. I tried so many different ways to have Queenbee, but Qeenbee66 became my new identity. After six months, my account was growing fast. I went from having 1,000 followers to 5,000 out of nowhere. It was exciting when Instagram introduced its “stories” feature, allowing followers to see what you do daily. I feel like that’s where I can be myself and show little clips of my personal life like my fiancé and kids. Then Instagram started live viewing! I love entertaining people, so I started right away. Now, they didn’t go viral or anything but people tuned in, and soon I had a routine and an office where I did my lives from.
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That’s also when the right people started to watch … and I started making an impression. That’s when I started being profiled in articles about women in the cannabis industry published by Vice News, London Star and other websites. My following exploded, and I started to see my vision coming to life. That all sounds fun and easy, but there have been days when I doubted everything about myself because of comments on a post or someone stalking my live and being a troll. I had to really love myself, regardless of what people would say. When social media becomes a source of stress, it’s not fun anymore. Being an influencer requires daily interactions and responding to hundreds of messages a week, sometimes daily. I make sure I answer questions on products I have promoted or questions in general, interact on other influencers’ pages and check what’s going on in their lives, what’s trending and how other influencers’ pages are doing. (Yes, I creep on other girls’ pages — it’s work!) My day is filled with updating my feed and staying on top of messages. I also have two business pages: my screen-printing business, @elevation.custom.apparel, and smoking-accessories store @thebeedynasty. With help from two other women, I started @ thehunnybeez to communicate with others in the industry ready to be a part of something bigger than selfies and slogans. I want to offer these ladies opportunities to have their own apparel lines, as well as access to selling glass and earning commission. I want them to achieve their goals and share their happiness and prosperity with the world. Qeenbee was just an Instagram page when I started it, but every day I see it evolve. The gains are as high as I can envision. So I eat, sleep, breathe and live Instagram daily, confident that, in the very-near future, it will all be worth it. QeenBee writes about the modern cannabis-centered lifestyle, as well as political viewpoints on cannabis’ future.
Rogue Valley Cannabis is an OLCC licensed retail shop with knowledgeable budtenders giving every customer an unforgettable experience. We stock our shelves with top quality cannabis, delicious edibles, & premium extracts. With each visit feeling like your first visit & your first visit feeling like you’re a repeat customer everybody is
PART OF THE RVC FAMILY. CENTRAL POINT 6388 Crater Lake Ave, Central Point, OR 97502 541-879-0681 ASHLAND 505 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 541-631-0240 www.weedaficionadomag.com
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