Rolen Stone Farms Cultivate Your Mind
Rolen Stone Farms has blossomed into an ever growing business, with dedication from every person involved. Each of us thrive to bring you the best quality ower there is out there. We believe in purity of our products. Which is why we are a 100% organic company. Using a multitude of sustainable ingredients from the Oregon Coast and our land. We hope to inspire you all to cultivate your minds and follow us along the way! Check out our website, Rolenstonefarms.com and Instagram (@rolenstonefarms) get yourself some gear to represent or simply check out what goes on behind the scenes!
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CONTENTS
departments 8 12 14 SUPPLIER: CHRONICLES 420 GEAR
POTLIGHT
Sugar Tree Farm
38 44
STRAIN REPORT PREROLL REVIEW
columns 6 By John Oliver
FROM THE PUBLISHER
features
16 |
FOLK SPIRIT RISING Jefferson Arts Beat
20 | SUMMER LOVIN’ 22 | WIZ ON THE MOON FRUIT TO FLOWER 26 |
Oregon Cannabis Association’s annual fair woos consumers
Traversing Land of Oz to Pink Floyd tunes is a trip
Winemaking primes family’s palate for cultivating cannabis
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GROW BIG GROWS BIG Colorful growers’ guru Ken Jensen gets clean
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WEEDFLECTIONS
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THE ROYAL REVIEW
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DEEP THOUGHTS
By Rick Cipes
By Reece Watson
By Leaf Barret
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PUBletter Trade your nightly cocktail for cannabis If you’re like many people after a hard day’s work, you may want to come home, relax, have a cocktail or perhaps go meet some friends for happy hour and get a nice, little, warm buzz to forget about the daily stress. Perhaps after that, you find yourself having an after-dinner cocktail, then just one more “night cap” to ensure a good night’s sleep — or what you think is a good night’s sleep. Unfortunately, that pseudo-comatose state that may keep your eyes closed for hours rarely allows you to hit REM sleep. Now imagine the exact, same ritual replaced with cannabis. Instead of going out for cocktails, or going home and having drinks, you replace each cocktail with a bowl, joint or few hits from a vape pen … Instead of taking that drink, take a puff and see if it aids stress reduction just as well. Sounds kind of silly, you might think. Well, I have to say: I’ve tried it and have been pretty well sober for the past two years and have saved more money than I can even imagine, as well as probably kept myself out of trouble. Every time I felt the urge to have a drink, I would grab my vape pen and take a puff; every time I felt like I wanted to binge drink, I would sit down with a joint and finish it. By the time I was done, I was so relaxed that I didn’t think about drinking ever again and can’t remember most of the other things that worried me that day. This may not be suitable for all of you, and for those of you who don’t drink … great. But for me, this helped A LOT. Also, my health has improved along with my “weight.” Just food for thought. Now for something more on topic about this issue: CRAYONS are not included, but please enjoy the TRIPPY stories this month along with the first-ever “coloring book” front and back covers! Take a few minutes to give your issue some artistic flair, then post it on our Instagram page (@weedaficionado) for a chance to win a FREE six-month subscription to CANNABOX! Cannabox is the monthly 420 “essential gear box” for today’s Weed Aficionado.
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 Kristina Stickler John Oliver Liz Gilbert CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Leaf Barret, Doug Balzer, Rick Cipes, S.J. Clelland, Art Cosgrove, Becky Garrison, Andrew Mount, Reece Watson ADVERTISING | MARKETING | SALES
National | Oregon John Oliver | 704-877-0681 john@wammediallc.com Southern Oregon Mike Shepard | 541-261-7498 mike@wammediallc.com JOHN OLIVER – CEO KENNETH TODD – CFO JOHN K. BOY – US VETERAN LIAISON
© 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.
Regards,
John Oliver – Publisher
@weedaficionado @weedaficionado @waficionadomag
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Cultivators of exotic premium cannabis from the Islands
At Bryan Family Gardens our world is a creative, conscious, and kind place. We nuture our plants with intention and love. We bring decades of collective experience as stewards of the land to deliver products that are fully organic and pesticide free. Here we curate and craft one of a kind rare heirloom varietals of legend. Please check our website for locations carrying our products or give us a call to purchase.
www.bryanfamilygardens.com #bryanfamilygardens 541-788-1855
THE
Chronicles OREGON NEWS
Great White Buffalo Co. awarded Chong’s Choice license in Oregon Unique strains from small farms bring variety to brand Great White Buffalo Co. announced in August that it will handle the brand Chong’s Choice in the state of Oregon. Shango brand previously held the license for many years but had not saturated the market as expected. “Our new business model allows every single farm, processor or manufacturer a chance now to be a Chong’s Choice selected vendor instead of just one company,” says John Riccio, chief executive officer of Great White Buffalo. This new model strives to keep smaller farms in business by securing their crops while giving consumers A LOT more variety. Not only will Great White Buffalo source unique strains from farms that have gone largely unnoticed over the years, but it also will create new products, bringing back some old-school strains for its “limited release” products. One such gem is the 3.5-gram, all-kief joint! It looks so pretty that you may not want to smoke it!
Kate Brown demands OPB pull attack ad on marijuana, daycares Political nonprofit’s reply alleges Oregon governor’s mismanagement Source: Oregonlive.com
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown’s campaign is demanding that television stations stop airing an attack ad financed by the political nonprofit Priority Oregon. The campaign’s letter was reported by Oregon Public Broadcasting. According to OPB, television stations are under no legal obligation to stop running the ad. The 30-second video features a mother reading a bedtime story to her children. “Do you want to hear a scary story?” the mother asks in the ad, which is also posted on Priority Oregon’s Facebook page. She then rattles off a list of problems “in Kate Brown’s Oregon” that have been reported by news organizations. In its letter to TV stations, Brown’s campaign seized on the mother saying, “You can sell drugs while running a daycare.” The line references state rules that allowed a Portland man to own a childcare business inside his home while also owning a storefront marijuana dispensary. State rules prohibit anyone from growing or distributing marijuana at a child care facility. Oregon officials interpret their rules to also prohibit a licensed provider or operator of a daycare from growing or distributing marijuana, regardless of the location.
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But those rules don’t account for a hands-off daycare owner. Last year, The Oregonian/OregonLive highlighted the story of Samuel Watson, who hired others to operate a daycare inside his Northeast Portland home. Watson also owned and operated a marijuana business from a North Portland storefront. Two of Watson’s daycare employees quit and contacted the state, saying they could no longer ensure the safety of kids. They told regulators they had reason to believe Watson stored large quantities of marijuana inside his home where the daycare was operated. Watson vehemently denied the allegations. State officials investigated but labeled the case unfounded. Watson closed his in-home daycare, plus a second location run from a rental property. His marijuana storefront, now under a new name, remains open. “It is illegal to sell drugs at a child care center in Oregon under numerous provisions of Oregon law,” lawyer Harry Wilson of the firm Markowitz Herbold PC wrote in the letter to TV stations. “Priority Oregon’s ad misinforms and deceives Oregonians and the continued publication of the ad does a disservice to your viewers and all Oregonians.”
OREGON GROUP WANTS TO RETURN CANNABIS RETAILER’S $25K PARKS PROJECT DONATION Letter cites ‘inappropriate’ branding for youth By The Associated Press
An Oregon group looks to return a $25,000 donation toward a youth park project because it’s from a recreational marijuana retailer. The Argus Observer reported Megan Cook, head of Friends of the Aquatic Center, emailed a letter to Ontario City Manager Adam Brown on behalf of the group seeking to return the donation to Hotbox Farms. The letter reads: “ ... because the splash pad is an attraction being built for the children of our community, consensus was reached that it would be inappropriate to brand the project with any businesses that cannot legally serve youth.” Brown says Cook asked him about returning the donation, telling him that a number of donors “were going to pull out if the name wasn’t changed from Hotbox Farms to Steve Meland,” before being put on a permanent donor wall. Meland is co-owner of the marijuana retailer.
Study finds more Oregon college students use legal cannabis Source: Oregonlive.com
Oregon State University researchers found that Oregon college students, including those under 21, were much more likely to use marijuana after recreational use became legal, according to a study published this week. Most of the increase in the post-legalization period was among students who reported using marijuana one to five times a month, not among heavy users, the study found. For this college study, researchers David Kerr, Harold Bae and Andrew Koval analyzed data from the National College Health Assessment survey, an anonymous voluntary survey that universities across the country
distribute to a random sample of their students. Focusing on undergraduate students ages 18 to 26 at two large public universities in Oregon, researchers compared reported usage before and after legalization. The two universities were not identified. Oregon students’ drug usage after marijuana legalization was derived from fewer than 2,000 student self-reports. Although marijuana use by college students across the country rose slowly over the past decade, it increased more sharply in Oregon in spring 2016, months after legal retail marijuana shops opened around the state, said Kerr, an associate professor of psychology at Oregon State. This included an increase among underage students, even though recreational marijuana is only legal for users age 21 and older. In 2016, 17 percent of college students surveyed in states where recreational marijuana was not legal reported they had used marijuana in the last 30 days, compared to 31 percent in Oregon. Researchers noted that survey participation was low, with just 16 percent to 36 percent of students responding during the eight years of surveys used for the study. They also noted that even before legalization, a higher percentage of Oregon college students used marijuana than in states where it wasn’t legal — 26 percent versus 16 percent in 2010. They also found that usage had been on the rise both in Oregon and other states even before it was legalized in Oregon and a handful of other states.
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Quality Craft Cannabis Products
ABOVE ANYTHING ELSE
Small batch. Cured Craft. Single Origin.
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420gear
DRIVE GUIDE SUMMER 2018 1
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PUBLISHER’S
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1 | AUDI RS5 SPORTBACK: Audi is releasing the recently updated RS 5 in its five-door “coupe” Sportback body style. While purists can debate the merits of two- versus four-door body styles, the RS 5 Sportback is a great-looking car from any angle — and it loses nothing to its two-door sibling in performance. The RS 5 Sportback has the same 444-horsepower, twin-turbo V-6, eight-speed automatic with Quattro all-wheel drive — along with a sub-four-second 0-60 time and available 174-mph top speed. 2 | HARLEY-DAVIDSON LIVEWIRE ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE: Harley-Davidson just announced a slew of new editions to its motorcycle lineup. The new models — a dualsport, naked streetfighter and an all-new cruiser — are big changes from the classics for which the brand is known. But the biggest news is the LiveWire, an all-electric bike from the manufacturer known for their V-twins. The LiveWire will be available starting in August 2019 and features a clutchless, “twist-and-go” throttle system.
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The bike has a modern frame and suspension with upside-down forks, monoshock rear and Brembo brakes providing the stopping power. Expect more detailed specs as the launch date gets closer. 3 | VOLVO S60 SEDAN: Introducing the 2019 Volvo S60. Built at an all-new factory in South Carolina, it’s the first Volvo made in the United States. It’s also the company’s first to leave diesel engines behind. A front-wheel-drive T5 and all-wheel T6 will be trim options, as well as the T8 Twin Engine Plug-In Hybrid guise, delivering 313 horsepower with a rear, electric motor adding 87 horsepower for a combined power output of 400! Available for traditional purchase or lease, it will also be available through the Care by Volvo subscription service. 4 | CADILLAC CT6 V-SPORT SEDAN: It’s the first-ever V-performance version of Cadillac’s flagship four-door, but that’s not the most interesting thing about the CT6 V-Sport Sedan. That would be the all-new 550-horsepower, 4.2-liter, twin-turbo V-8 that
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powers it. Thanks to a “hot V” configuration that flips the normal layout of the cylinder heads’ intakes and exhausts, the turbochargers are mounted at the top of the engine, practically eliminating turbo lag. All that power is sent to the unique 20-inch wheels via a 10-speed, automatic transmission, kept under control via a custom 19-inch brake system from Brembo. Expect to see more specs — and pricing info — ahead of its launch in early 2019. 5 | JAGUAR XJ50 SEDAN: This year marks the 50th in production for Jaguar’s iconic XJ-series sedan. Introduced in 1968, the XJ’s innovative aluminum chassis, independent rear suspension and, ultimately, V-12 engine marked it as one of the first sport sedans in the world. Jaguar continues that philosophy, commemorating the anniversary with the limited-edition XJ50. The XJ50 features exclusive front and rear bumpers and 20inch wheels, with illuminated tread plates and a white diamondstitched interior. The choice of supercharged, 3-liter V-6, or 5-liter V-8, engines pay homage to the performance roots of the original. 6 | MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS SEDAN: Finally, Mercedes is bringing its smallest car, the A-Class, to the United States. The 2019 A-Class is all-new from the ground up, with the sedan being the only model offered to U.S. drivers. The car has a crisp, sporty design that takes
cues from its larger brethren in the Mercedes stable. One engine choice will be offered: a turbocharged inline-four that generates 188 horsepower in rear-wheel- or all-wheel-drive models. The interior features a glass dash comprising two 7- or 10.25-inch, touch-screen displays and all the connectivity you’d expect from a top-flight luxury brand. 7 | ISUZU D-MAX ARCTIC TRUCKS AT35 STEALTH PICKUP: WOOF! Iszuzu and polar exploration outfitter Arctic Trucks have teamed up to create the toughest Iszuzu truck yet: the D-Max AT35 Stealth. Starting with a diesel, 1.8-liter, inline-four D-Max, Arctic Trucks adds its proven expertise with a heavy-duty Fox suspension and bigger wheels and tires. Lazer LED lighting and blacked-out trim add a sinister flair, but while the exterior exudes capability, the interior is pure comfort. Quilted leather covers the heated seats, and a nine-speaker entertainment system is controlled by a 9-inch touch screen. Only 10 D-Max Arctic Trucks editions will be made at a substantial premium over a base D-Max. 8 | PORSCHE MACAN SUV: The best-selling model in Porsche’s lineup is getting a refresh for the 2019 model year with a host of subtle refinements. Chassis tweaks improve ride and handling, and engine choices are up in power across the range, from the base four-cylinder to the Turbo model. Outside, the Macan gets LED lighting that matches Porsche’s other models, especially the upcoming Taycan electric vehicle. Inside, a new 11-inch touch screen dominates the center dash, and a secondary screen sits next to the iconic Porsche center-mount tachometer.
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POTlight
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
SugarT ree F arm With more than 40 strains and a line of full-spectrum concentrates, the Sugar Tree Farm brand keeps getting sweeter. Poised to expand, this Southern Oregon operation near Central Point works with other regionally based enterprises to bring customers its craft flower, shatter and wax, not to mention oils enhanced with all-natural terpene profiles. Sugar Tree’s Steve Penman explains new developments in store for this one-on-one WAM Supplier Spotlight. WAM: Tell us about your business’s background and mission. STF: We find that we’re most satisfied when we’re out in the open air, surrounded by wilderness. As true modern-day farmers, we don’t have much room for error because our yields are smaller and less frequent than those of largescale, indoor operations. We pay close attention to careful implementation of our innovative practices, use of available resources and impact on both the region and community where we’ve put down roots. WAM: Do you serve both the recreational and medical markets? STF: Most of the dispensaries we supply are recreational, but I’m sure there are medical patients who benefit from our flower, as well. WAM: What are your most popular products? STF: Our variety of flower is our biggest seller, and that is the base of all our products. We have a full-spectrum concentrate that I personally enjoy, especially our Forbidden Fruit. Wild Rogue Extracts does a great job of representing our flower to the fullest. Our cartridge lineup doesn’t add in fake flavors or terpenes because we enjoy the taste of weed, not watermelon or whatever people are adding these days. That’s not to say that adding flavor profiles are bad per say, but we enjoy flavors inherent to the plant. WAM: What is the reason behind your business’ success? STF: Our craft, team and hard work. We have a great recipe, along with good people. There are so many different stages of a season when producers like us can fail. We have been growing for many years, and most of the mistakes growers can make are lessons that we learned a long time ago. Having hardworking people around you is a must. When it’s ‘go’ time, you need people who understand that this isn’t a 9-to-5 job. WAM: What inspired your passion for this industry? STF: Thriving outdoors has been our motto, and we love being in the garden. It doesn’t get much better than working with acres of healthy plants. WAM: What is your favorite part of the job? STF: Working with the plants and meeting other farmers. Our industry has some of the best people in the world. Hopefully, the industry will stay this way.
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WAM: What’s new for your business in 2018? STF: Our wax lineup is new for 2018, and we are getting a big reception from our fellow Oregonians who love it. We are proud to get our second acre, and we are excited to show everyone our whole lineup of 42 strains. WAM: What do think customers are going to demand more of in the future? STF: Fine weed at an affordable price, and we hope to able to give it to them. Also, the general customers are beginning to understand terpenes and flavor profiles and how these profiles enhance the overall experience. Some also are starting to buy not according to THC numbers but by using their eyes and nose, like in the days past. WAM: What are the biggest challenges that cannabis business owners face in the industry? STF: From the farms’ perspective, it would have to be oversaturation of flower. If you put good people in a situation where they need to pay their workers or farm lease, they start dumping good weed for low prices and it affects all of us. There also are some big-money corporations out here who don’t care if they turn a profit; their shareholders just want to see sales. Oregon consumers are starting to demand high-quality products, so if you don’t have your craft down, sales will suffer. WAM: As the cannabis industry grows and improves, what developments are you most looking forward to in the future? STF: We would like to see a stabilized marketplace. We also would like to see repeal of the federal law that costs our industry a ton of money by not allowing us to write off our expenses like ordinary businesses do. Small farms with limited investment capital can’t compete with the big money flowing into this industry. It is hard to compete in the market when the chips are stacked against you. If we want craft cannabis, we need some changes at the federal level.
We pay close attention
TO CAREFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF OUR INNOVATIVE PRACTICES, USE OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES AND IMPACT ON BOTH THE REGION AND COMMUNITY ...
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Folk Spirit
RISING Jefferson Arts Beat
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There is little more satisfying
BY ANDREW MOUNT
than the enjoyment of music reflective of life’s deeper meaning. In the cedar forests of Southern Oregon’s Applegate Valley lives a true folk spirit whose songs beckon us to embrace the evolutionary imperatives of our time. Diane Patterson’s masterful composition, innovative progressions, strikingly soulful cadence and essential folk message speak directly to our common zeitgeist. Her newest album, “Open Road,” is a treasure trove of lyrical activism that should embolden all who stand for the rights of the people. Joining Patterson on “Open Road” are the legendary Ani DiFranco who plays on two tracks, plus DiFranco’s bandmates, Todd Sickafoose, stand-up bassist, and drummer Terrence Higgins, a New Orleans native heard on much of the album. “It feels so incredibly empowering to meet and collaborate with Ani,” says Patterson. “She’s a really activated person, a great mom and a true artist. “I got into folk because I started there,” says Patterson. “I began playing in church and stayed with that through high school. In college, I started doing open mics and writing songs. After hearing a woman’s powerfully sad story, I went home and wrote my first song — that was 1988.” As a student at University of California Davis, Patterson majored in history and ethnic studies. The politics of the day characterized the institution’s folk environment. “Apartheid was just breaking up, and we were trying to force the UC Regents to divest from South Africa,” she recalls. “The music was there with us in our demonstrations. At the time, I was also picked up to co-front a world-music band (“The Heat”). Students would flock to see that band! The music was so powerful. I did a lot of writing. I am a writer.”
Moving words from “Eagle Feather”: And when the women rise up In this world Moving forward for peace now In the 12th hour It’s a psychic might Bouncing off the mirrors of our mind Peaceful warriors You are the brave ones Standing out on the edge Balancing on the ledge Open that crack like a wedge Step through — Watch your bright dream come true! Patterson’s song “Shape of Your Sorrow” is her response to the shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Fla. A uniquely somber inquiry into our social condition with almost no bottom of feeling, this tune is a tour de force of healing pierced by Patterson’s haunting voice. A selection of what resonates with her: We’re here We’re queer Black Lives Matter El pueblo unido Jamás será vencido* Nonviolent revolution! *Translation: “The people united will never be defeated.”
I am part of a much larger movement and happy to be surrounded by some powerful, positively activated, diverse people
Revealing the genesis of her political awareness, Patterson explains: “I was an exchange student in Germany after high school, where I was politicized. I had the awakening that one should have upon going out into the world. They shelter so many of us … They don’t tell us that the United States is not angelic in the eyes of everyone. The younger generation of Germans did not like our having missiles and military bases in their country. It was a really rude awakening.” Patterson’s first paid gig was playing bass for her blues guitar teacher, Giselle Moore, and her husband, Nate Shiner — the “Blues Duo” from Sacramento. “I did a season of that amazing foundation with blues bass lines. Stage time is very special.” Discussing her new work, Patterson reflects that she is definitely using her degree in her folk-music career. “Ethnic studies opened my eyes to the people. We have so much to learn to decolonize ourselves and our society, to find some true diversity so we can get smarter about how we work together to sustain a beautiful life on this Earth. My natural way from the start has been to speak out. I am a folk artist; my themes are the issues of people, the mountains, the streams and human rights,” she says. “ ‘Open Road’ could sound like a musician on tour, but it’s not really that. It is more about an antique lifestyle. I study ancient history, learning about people living long ago … on steppes, nomadic, season to season, in the rhythm like that. The birds tell them it is time to go to summer camp, safe to pass over the mountains … a little bit more connected to the land,” says Patterson. In her song “Eagle Feather,” she exhorts everybody to “Rise Up.” “Ani DiFranco’s spring tour was called ‘Rise Up.’ With ‘MeToo’ we are saying ‘Rise Up.’ I am part of a much larger movement and happy to be surrounded by some powerful, positively activated, diverse people,” she proudly asserts.
Paterson’s music may be found online at: www.dianepatterson.org www.soundcloud.com/diane-patterson and on iTunes.
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Oregon Cannabis Association’s annual fair woos consumers Story and photos by Becky Garrison
ONE OF OREGON’S ONLY CANNABIS EVENTS PERMITTING PUBLIC CONSUMPTION tempted crowds this summer with chocolates, kombucha, tinctures and other edibles amid a feel-good vibe. The sold-out Oregon Cannabis Association Summer Fair, July 28 in Portland, showcased the diversity, craftsmanship and expertise of the state’s cannabis community, putting names and faces to a growing variety of cannabis brands. Small, family-run businesses were strongly represented among the 54 vendors — growers, processors, edible manufacturers, analytical testing labs and others — at the third annual event. Exposure for smaller cannabis companies unable to afford or obtain access to trade shows is the founding principle behind the fair. Although free, admission to the Portland’s North Warehouse was granted with a ticket — 4,700 distributed this year — and the request for a $10 donation to help cover costs. “The OCA wanted to create a place where Oregon’s cannabis growers, processors, edible makers, dispensaries, labs and ancillary businesses could showcase their products — not just to fellow industry folks, but also directly to consumers,” said the OCA’s Molly Conroy. A tropical-themed indoor grow display set the mood, courtesy of platinum sponsor Eco Firma Farms. Channeling one’s inner flower child was inspired by Tokeativity, a cannabis community for women, that provided flowers for fair-goers’ hair. A DJ’s chill vibes helped to keep fair-goers cool as the day heated up. With temperatures in the 90s, wading pools, water stations, a dunk station, low-THC infused snow cones and other cold items furnished more refreshment. Outside, a curated selection of dab bars offered a sample of the latest concentrates on the market. The newly released Cannabucha from Müru also was available. Although a few food carts served up their fare, alcohol was not allowed on site, in accordance with its statewide ban at any public event where cannabis is available for consumption. Cannabidiol-infused treats were the purview of such vendors as Grön CBD, which just opened a CBD cafe in Southeast Portland. PureForm CBD in Grön’s artisan chocolate is derived from the bark of a pine tree. Sun God Medicinals CBD tinctures and topicals were marketed for pain relief. And mini massages with CBD-infused oil and lotion beckoned passersby to Empower BodyCare’s booth. Special-batch products not infused with cannabis ranged from Leif Goods Junk marshmallow bonbons to Mr. Moxey’s Mints, touting herbal formulas that promote health and wellbeing. A full list of Summer Fair sponsors and exhibitors is available at www.thesummerfair.com. Traditional marketing techniques, including print magazines and direct-mail campaigns available to other adult-use products such as beer, wine and spirits, are out of cannabis entrepreneurs’ reach. At issue is cannabis’s federal classification as a Schedule I controlled substance. Seeking to provide an arena for cannabis businesses, the OCA conceived Summer Fair in 2016. Reaching capacity every year, it remains one of Oregon’s only public-consumption events, said Conroy. Recreational and medical cannabis sales are legal in the state only at dispensaries. Consequently, Summer Fair doesn’t charge admission, which would constitute a sale. “The Oregon Cannabis Association is actively pursuing legislation in the 2019 Oregon legislative session relating to social consumption,” said Conroy. “We believe this is necessary for many reasons, including ending the stigma around cannabis and showcasing Oregon as the premier destination for the world’s best cannabis.”
For more information about OCA’s work, see www.orcannabisassociation.org www.weedaficionadomag.com
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Traversing the Land of Oz to Pink Floyd tunes is a trip BY DOUG BALZER
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MOON HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF THE URBAN LEGEND OF SYNCHRONIZING PINK FLOYD‘S “THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON” WITH THE MOTION PICTURE “THE WIZARD OF OZ”? It’s supposedly a real trippy sort of thing. You know: Take some ’shrooms or get really stoned and watch “Oz” with the music. They say if you can’t find the disc combo already created to start the movie, wait until the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer lion comes on the screen and then press play on Pink Floyd’s album. This exact timing is still up for discussion, but we found it to be the most accurate correspondence between the film and the music. Is this just coincidence ... ? It may be a matter of subjective perspective, but we think the timing between the two is mind-blowing. As you watch and listen, you will be just as blown away. For example, listen to the music as the Wicked Witch of the West swoops in on her bicycle. The wind matches the music as it picks up ... coincidence again? Now, I’d heard of this urban legend in the late 1980s, but the definition of “urban legend” is something that can’t be proved or disapproved — just a story, a rumor, if you will. I think, if nothing else, everyone should watch at least the first 15 to 20 minutes, if not hours, of the film with “The Dark Side of the Moon” to really see how trippy this is.
TIMELINE: • During “Breathe,” Dorothy falls off the fence she been walking on, and Cowardly Lion runs over to save her, even though he was afraid of pigs — the music’s match again is fantastic. • To the beat of “run, rabbit, run,” the actress is running away with Toto from the soon-to-be-known Wicked Witch. Dorothy gets home and frantically tells her auntie and uncle about it and, again, the musical timing is surreal. As they tell her to calm down, “Breathe” continues with: “All you touch, all you see, is all your life will ever be … ” • Enter the Wicked Witch, trying to confiscate Toto in the opening scene, as the album’s alarm clock and bells go off. Dorothy runs around in a panic, desperately pleading for her auntie and uncle. Why they are staying calm? The music gains a powerful cadence as the Witch causes more chaos.
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• Then we move into “taking away the moments that make up a dull day” just as the Witch has Toto in the picnic basket and is exiting. When Toto escapes from the basket, “waiting for someone or something to show you the way … ” comes on. • Toto then comes home and reunites with Dorothy while “tired lying in the sunshine, staying at home to watch the rain, you are young and life is long, and there’s time to kill today … ” plays on. • As Dorothy packs her bag to leave: “And then one day, you find 10 years have gone behind you, no one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun.” She departs. • On her way, she meets Professor Marvel who gives her a reading. As he tries to talk her into going back home, the lyrics “home, home again” begin. At the end of the reading, Dorothy runs off to the lyrics “call the faithful to their knees to hear softly spoken magic spells … ” She arrives home to the tornado, finds no one and hides in her room. • “The Great Gig in the Sky” is the song at the start of the tornado. If you’re not familiar with the title, it’s the very vocal female voice that almost overwhelms, until she screams, timed to when Dorothy is flying in the sky, calmly watching people she knows out the window … CRASH (music) CRASH … She goes outside; the Technicolor part of the movie begins, along with the song “Money”!
FUN FACTS: 1. You’ll know you have the music’s timing synchronized with the film when Miss Gulch (Wicked Witch) enters on her bicycle exactly when the alarm goes off on the album. 2. I suggest the synchrony is best when the lion fades to black and the film starts. 3. During the screaming intro of “Brain Damage,” and throughout, Scarecrow does his crazy dance and song. 4. The lyrics “don’t give me that do-goody good bullshit” from “Money” come on as Glenda the Good Witch of the North floats in.
5. “Black and blue” from “Us and Them” plays as the Wicked Witch of the West appears dressed in black, followed by the lyrics “and who knows which is which … ” as the Good Witch confronts the Wicked Witch. 6. At the end, the heartbeat is heard as Dorothy listens to the Tin Man’s chest. 7. The film is longer than the album, so if you’re attempting to sync it yourself, you must start the album over in the middle of the movie. I strongly suggest getting a disc that is pre-dubbed. • And there’s a not-so-fun fact that has been proven: If you look closely at the apple orchard firefight scene. In the background, there is a hanging munchkin who actually committed suicide during filming of the movie. Thanks to Cody French, who made this discovery, and was kind enough to share.
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fruit TO
Flower Winemaking primes family’s palate for cultivating cannabis BY S.J. CLELLAND
Weed and wine grapes have more in common than most aficionados may think. For starters, they share status at one of Southern Oregon’s oldest vineyards: Deer Creek Vineyards. The two crops complement each other under the management of Katherine and Matt Bryan, who have christened their cannabisgrowing enterprise: Bryan Family Gardens. And for each of the family’s award-winning varietal wines, there’s an exotic cannabis strain that creates an aromatic, flavorful pairing — taking enjoyment of both to a higher level. WAM sat down for a one-on-one interview with managing partner Katherine Bryan, who tells us why cannabis was a natural expansion for the family farm. WAM: Where is your farm located? Are you open to the public? BFG: We are located in Selma, Ore. At this time we are not open to the public, but in the future we are looking to doing tours. WAM: Tell us about your farm’s background and mission BFG: The farm is located next to Deer Creek Vineyards (one of the oldest in the region — 30 years old this year), and has an agricultural history, as many of the properties in this community. Our mission is to provide small-batch, premium, exotic strains that aren’t currently in the market to offer a unique experience.
WAM: What did you learn from the viticulture/wine business that assisted your cultivation of cannabis? BFG: So much! Cannabis and viticulture/wine are similar in many ways. Grapes and cannabis both can have issues with some of the same diseases, i.e., powdery mildew, and pest issues, i.e., mites. Whether it’s running a cannabis operation or a wine operation, both require business knowledge and experience. Both require branding, marketing and sales efforts. WAM: What do weed and wine have in common? BFG: Grapes require a unique set of cultivation and fermentation practices. A master grower operates like a vintner; each employs a different growing, drying, trimming and curing method. There are over 6,000 varieties of grapes known to grow in specific regions of the world. Each grape has its own distinct flavor, aroma and appearance. Similar to grapes, cannabis strains are different. Some strains do best in specific climates. Each has its own characteristics and qualities. The same aspects that impact wine pricing also impact cannabis pricing, supply, demand, branding and quality. WAM: Do you enjoy the two together? If so, what are some of your favorite weed and wine pairings? BFG: I enjoy pairing our Deer Creek aromatic pinot gris with the Kat’s Meow’s terpenes, and a Deer Creek pinot reserve with our Hindu Sun strain, as it tastes like berries and brings out the tannins in the wine. (Matt doesn’t drink wine!)
“I believe that the wine industry needs to make friends with the cannabis industry, as I see so much potential for
collaboration
between the two industries ...”
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WAM: How does cannabis cultivation correlate with your reputation as a venue for special events? BFG: It doesn’t. We keep the two businesses/entities separate— legally, we are required to. WAM: You previously offered therapeutic massage at your property. What are your thoughts about cannabis’s therapeutic properties? BFG: Within our family, we have firsthand experience using cannabis/CBD for treatment of pain and chronic conditions. We believe that cannabis is much healthier than opiates and other pharmaceutical drugs. Even my 90-year-old mother has used CBDs.
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WAM: Why is strain-specific farming so vital? BFG: Micro-climate and strain-specific knowledge is crucial to cultivating cannabis. For example, how to deal with pest and disease naturally, knowing what characteristics each strain will exhibit throughout the growth cycle, which strains might be more susceptible to producing powdery mildew and knowing how to use companion planting are just a few things. WAM: How did you select which strains you wanted to cultivate? BFG: We knew that we didn’t want to grow the strains that everyone else grows, so we started looking for exotic strains that were one of a kind. That is where Hawaiian Seed Company came into the picture. We worked with their master grower/breeder Sol Kahn to make our selections. Sol has been involved in the cannabis industry for decades. Sol and his family have cultivated and perfected these strains for generations on Kauai, producing heirloom strains of legend. WAM: How will Oregon keep craft cannabis farming alive as the marketplace moves toward commodity crops? BFG: I believe that it is critical to educate consumers about the differences between commodity crops and a craft product. I have watched many budtenders do just that by moving consumers away from the cheapest and highest-THC strain they can buy to a strain that can actually help them relax, versus a strain that feels like you’re having anxiety or a heart attack WAM: What are your most popular products? BFG: It varies, depending on what issue the customer might be dealing with. But typically, the Midnight Splendor, Kat’s Meow and Hindu Sun strains come to mind. WAM: How does the growth potential of wine compare with cannabis? BFG: In my opinion, the cannabis industry’s growth potential is huge in comparison with the wine industry. Yet I also believe that the wine industry needs to make friends with the cannabis industry, as I see so much potential for collaboration between the two industries, as well as so much knowledge that can be shared.
WAM: Yours is a family-run business. What are some of the benefits — and challenges — of working with spouses and kids? BFG: For our cannabis business, it is only myself and my stepson, Matt Bryan. We do our best to keep the challenges to a minimum. WAM: What is the reason behind your business’ success? BFG: I believe that it doesn’t matter what industry you are in; business knowledge and experience is crucial. But having the passion to create, the drive, imagination and tenacity to get to your goals is fundamental to success. WAM: What inspired your passion for this industry? BFG: We both believe strongly in what cannabis can do to help people, we have seen firsthand the benefits it has with our friends and family. We both enjoy growing things, too! WAM: What is your favorite part of the job? BFG: Learning new things, watching the plants evolve and seeing the results of our hard work. Working on the people-oriented aspects of a business, forming relationships and working in collaborative ways. WAM: What’s new for your business in 2018? BFG: We are planning on increasing our production, adding some additional strains to our product line and, of course, continually improving our methods WAM: What do think customers will demand more of in the future? BFG: Consistency, quality and education. WAM: What are the biggest challenges that cannabis business owners face in the industry? BFG: As a craft producer, competing with the mass-produced companies, lack of banking and insurance coverage that isn’t outrageously expensive. Also the stereotypes that people have about marijuana and those who use it. WAM: As the cannabis industry grows and improves, what developments are you most looking forward to in the future? BFG: Federal legalization. More medical research. Acceptance of cannabis as a legitimate option for health issues. Better banking and tax options, including being able to write off business expenses like any other business.
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NOW AVAILABLE AT SELECT DISPENSARIES IN OREGON. � � � � �
TO FIND OUT ON HOW TO BECOME A RETAILER: RETAIL@GWBCOMPANY.COM
CHONG’S CHOICE IS DISTRIBUTED BY THE GREAT WHITE BUFFALO COMPANY. www.weedaficionadomag.com
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Grow Big GROWS BIG Colorful growers’ guru KEN JENSEN gets clean BY ART COSGROVE
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Jensen realized the product, which is an environmentally safe, biodegradable oil, is abrasive enough to clean engine parts and safe enough to brush one’s teeth.
KEN JENSEN is one of Oregon’s great pot personalities. Born and raised in the state, he calls Government Camp his home and runs one of the Oregon cannabis scene’s most influential grow shops, Grow Big, down the mountain in Sandy, about 15 miles east of Portland. His latest endeavor is bringing a bold, new cleaning product — KC1000 — to growers, processors and retailers with the expectation that it will become an industry staple. Jensen’s little grow shop, tucked away in an unassuming industrial area between an auto-repair shop and a kid’s play emporium, powers some of Oregon’s best cannabis farms, including Cascade CBD Farm and Oregon Fusion. Started eight years ago, Grow Big has survived the area’s grow-shop battles, outlasting all competitors, in part due to Jensen’s outgoing personality and growing expertise. “I’ve been growing all my life — guerilla growing,” says Jensen. He spent decades as an underground grower and then a licensed medical grower for patients all over Oregon. He also lived in Costa Rica, which improved his vast understanding of cannabis and general environmental gardening. Jensen stands about 6-3, with a stout build and Viking’s face, complete with a scar over his left eye that looks like it could have been inflicted by medieval weaponry. If you didn’t see him smiling, he might even look like a scary guy. Fortunately, he’s pretty much always smiling. A jovial and gregarious character, Jensen is a beloved local figure, both in the Sandy business community where he works and the Government Camp community where he lives. Government Camp — or Guvvy, as Jensen and the locals lovingly refer to it — is a tiny mountain enclave. Its official population, listed as under 200, is almost surely inaccurate, but not too far off. It’s the definition of a tiny, secluded hamlet where everyone depends on one another. And Jensen is a major cog in that community. “Living in Government Camp is awesome,” says Jensen. “It’s the most beautiful place in the world to me, up on top of Mount Hood. We got year-round skiing, good clean air and a very relaxed culture. To me, it’s the cream of the crop of Oregon.” At Grow Big, Jensen is the resident guru for farms and small gardeners all over the area. He boasts expertise in hydroponics, terraponics, bubbleponics and aquaponics, primarily for cannabis growing, but also for farmers and gardeners of all sizes and products. “We do a lot for year-round gardening and sustainability, for families and farm-to-store, fresh vegetables. Anything you can think of growing, we can facilitate it and make it year-round with environmental control,” says Jensen. But it was through his former wife’s aunt, owner of KC Products Inc., that Jensen discovered his next major marketing venture. The small Portland-based company mainly produces KC1000, a cleaner that can be deployed in a standard spray bottle and primarily
has been used for cleaning industrial machinery and really nasty stains in homes, offices and warehouses. Jensen realized it might have a more vital use for the cannabis industry. “We deal a lot with enzymes in this industry right now. There have been a lot of breakthroughs that your normal gardener doesn’t know about,” says Jensen. “That’s why it’s good to come to grow shops because we have a lot of products that large farmers know about, but the general public doesn’t have access to or know about.” Jensen is trying to open this world of constant technological discovery to everyone. KC1000 is a “new” product only in the sense that it’s unknown in the cannabis industry. It already is used by the Portland zoo for cleaning animal cages and by the public-transportation system, TriMet, for cleaning a variety of tools, trains and other mechanical and electric machinery. Jensen realized the product, which is an environmentally safe, biodegradable oil, is abrasive enough to clean engine parts and safe enough to brush one’s teeth. To him, that meant one thing: It would be great for cleaning his cannabis growing and processing equipment. Jensen claims KC1000 has the potential to revolutionize the industry, especially for smaller producers, by extending the life of expensive machinery. Pumps, lines, extraction machines and especially trimming machines, can be easily, quickly and economically cleaned. Typically, resin-caked machinery would be dismantled to clean, if not replaced entirely. “It’s a clean but incredibly effective stripping agent, and it’s made from an all-natural process,” says Jensen. ”This is a product made in Oregon — that’s been used in bakeries, oil refineries, house foreclosures — that I want to bring to the gardening industry.” Grow Big is the sole distributor of KC1000 for the gardening world, and it’s available for sale now. In addition to pioneering environmental cleaning, Jensen also is branching out entrepreneurially in other directions. Grow Big recently has partnered with the new Big Mountain Grown farm. “We’re producing high-CBD, low-THC plants for extraction and bulk sales. Everything from salves and pills to sprays,” says Jensen. And that’s not his only side hustle. He also consults with other farms and growers, helping to market other new products from all over the Mount Hood area. Jensen is a classic Oregon product himself, a recognizable figure cutting up and down the mountain roads on his Harley-Davidson. He relishes the lifestyle and the camaraderie he feels in the Oregon cannabis community, as one might expect from a guy with the features of a Viking and the demeanor of a teddy bear. “Growing up in that culture made you feel like you were part of something that was good,” says Jensen. “And it was good for everybody.”
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cannabis
Craft cultivated in the Southern Oregon
sunshine
Enjoy perfect flower every time and find our all bud Tweets at the following retail locations: Skunk Rx - Rogue River Stonies - North Bend Positive Vibrations - North Bend Space Buds - Eugene Emerald City - Eugene Sweet Tree Farm - Eugene Tryke City - Brookings Cannaking - Roseburg Kindleaf - Pendleton Green Dragon Herbal - Toledo Hijinx Cannabis Co - Medford
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www.littlebirdsfarm.com Follow us on Instagram @3.littlebirds.farm
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STRAINreport
Images in report may not be actual photos of images on shelves.
SUNSET SHERBET
PROUDLY GROWN IN OREGON BY:
EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE AT:
Sunset sherbet is a beast! Very nicely grown by Sugarbud PDX. It smokes fantastically with great flavors of sweet citrus, berry and fruit. Works well for pain and just keeping you “active” throughout the day.
STRAIN ATTRIBUTES: Relieves stress Relieves pain Fights depression
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PRIMO POWER
HYBRID
Sunset Sherbet
S un PROUDLY GROWN IN OREGON BY:
This “Primo” Power plant from Dutch Passion Seed Co. is 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 usually 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
Pwp
AVAILABLE AT SELECT DISPENSARIES IN OREGON
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STRAINreport
Images in report may not be actual photos of images on shelves.
PROUDLY GROWN IN OREGON BY: IRON CROSS FARMS
DO-SI-DOS
EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE AT:
Do-Si-Dos is an indica-dominant hybrid with qualities similar to its parent, Girl Scout Cookies. Enough about that … We tried this flower solely for the purpose of sleep, even though that’s not outlined in the attributes, but we like to make sure you’re really reading what we write. Do-Si-Dos did help with sleep, but only when mixed with a higher-CBD flower. By itself? GREAT!
INDICA
Do-Si-Dos
Dos PROUDLY GROWN IN OREGON BY:
STRAIN ATTRIBUTES: Relieves stress Relieves pain Fights depression
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SCOUTS HONOR
AVAILABLE AT:
Leaning heavily toward the indica side, this hybrid version is crossed with OGKB and OG Kush. This was an Oregon cross created for medicinal purposes, specifically as a sleep aid and antianxiety by the grower. It smokes a little heavy with great flavors of sweet, heavy notes of earth. It eases stress and elevates the mood.
HYBRID
Scouts Honor
Sh 40
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STRAIN ATTRIBUTES: Relieves stress Promotes relaxation Brings on euphoria
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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
STRAINreport
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RASPBERRY COOKIES
PROUDLY GROWN IN OREGON BY:
EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE AT: SELECT CHONG’S CHOICE STORES AROUND OREGON
WOOF! We wanted to know if such a sweet flower could get you high … Yep! This Rc from Chong’s Choice smokes very heavy with bold, earthy, sweet and piney undertones. Although a hybrid, this version of Rc seems more indica-blended than anything. It allows you to function well throughout the day for pain relief but with a mellow effect — not too sleepy! Just perfect! But be careful: It can stone you quick!
STRAIN ATTRIBUTES: Gets you really high Relieves stress Relieves pain
����� ���� �����
HYBRID
Raspberry Cookies
Rc
PURPLE HINDU KUSH
PROUDLY GROWN IN OREGON BY:
Another great version of Phk that definitely helps you sleep! This Phk is a pure indica that offers the kind of high one would expect. It promotes relaxation, along with pronounced pain relief. With dense flowers, as well as a pungent sour grape and citrus flavor, this Phk is sure to please all indica lovers.
STRAIN ATTRIBUTES: Relieves stress Promotes sleep Relieves pain Restores appetite
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INDICA
Purple Hindu Kush
Phk
AVAILABLE AT MOST DISPENSARIES IN OREGON
PRE roll Powered by:
3 LITTLE BIRDS ‘TWEETS’ AS TESTED: 1 GRAM MSRP: $6 THC: 19.78 PERCENT CBD: 0 PERCENT STRAIN: JACK FROST
Pucker up, pal! These little guys pack a punch! Rolled to perfection like we like it, there is not one bad thing we can say about 3 Little Birds “Tweets”… Great job! With so many pre-rolls on the market, these are perfect for their price, taste and effects. Jack Frost will lift you up and then leave you hanging there for a few hours. Very nice, mellow smoke with a wonderful flavor and high.
OVERALL GRADE: B+
HYBRID
Jack Frost
Jf
TASTE:
ATTRIBUTES: Relieves stress
���� Fights fatigue ���� Restores appetite � � � �
DR. JOLLY’S LIVE RESIN ‘JOLLY ROLLS’ AS TESTED: .6 GRAM MSRP: $14 THC: 27.9 PERCENT CBD: 0.01 PERCENT MIX: MENDO BREATH WITH “JET FUEL” LIVE RESIN STRAIN: MENDO BREATH
From first strike, the draw was pleasant and very sweet. Although these pre-rolls claim to have “live resin” included, we never really noticed it. Nor did it catch on fire, so those are both great points. No harsh moments, along with no fire hazard always makes for a good day. Although the label displays a very high testing percentage, we found the high was not overwhelming like we expected, but very mellow and happy. The flavors were both sweet with hints of vanilla and more sweet; and the medicinal attributes are awesome! If you need help relaxing or sleeping, this “roll” is for you.
OVERALL GRADE: B
INDICA
Mendo Breath
Mdb 44
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TASTE:
ATTRIBUTES:
����� ���� � Relieves pain Fights depression � � � � � Relieves stress
SOUTHERN OREGON GROWN. INDOOR. OUTDOOR. FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED.
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WeedFlections BY
RICK CIPES
I got high! (sort of … kind of) I DID IT. I smoked weed for the first time in three years. Why
did I do it? I’ll get to that. How did I do it? What a f*cking hassle. California legalized last year: Yippee! Not so much, really. Because, basically, there are recreational stores only in the three major cities: San Fran, L.A. and San Diego. In between? Small-town, clusterfucked bureaucrats with small penises and inflated egos. Yes, I could’ve gotten weed from a number of friends. But one thing would’ve happened: I would’ve gotten too high from their stash. And, quite frankly, I was afraid to get back in the water, knowing full well the Jaws of Weed lurking beneath. “Dun, dun, dun … dun … dun.” Road trip! Venice Beach. I heard the term “micro-dose” and decided that was best for me. I bought a 4-to-1, CBD-to-THC, disposable vape pen. I also got a disposable sativa pen and a couple of grams of regular ol’ weed. Those vape pens looked so cool! I couldn’t wait to get home and try one! I started with the 4-to-1. BTW: A f*cking elephant couldn’t have had the strength to suck on it. Total cloggage. I called the store, and they gave me the runaround on how to “fix” it. After burning my finger, trying to heat-vape with a lighter and having oil spew out all over my desk, I got pissed and decided I was not in the frame of mind to be high. I let it go for a few hours. Next, I watched some geniuses on YouTube demonstrating how to fix it. No luck. My Saturday was totally shot. All that hassle to get high for the first time in three years? Buzzkill. The next day — at it again; this time, the sativa pen. Oh, and I bought an elephant to help me. Sadly, the two of us were Dumbo-founded, unable to come close to getting a hit. Maybe the universe was telling me to let it go? Nope. Not yet. Day Three. I had a model over to shoot for my brand of 420 T-Shirts (see below). She thought I might be a creeper (am not) and brought a friend along for “protection.” I decided to put the friend to work. “Roll this joint; tell me how strong it is on a scale of one to 10.” Answer: six. OK, I thought I might not get eaten by a shark on a “six.” Next day — OMG. You want to talk the biggest f*cking lightweight you have ever seen? I hit that thing like I was a 58-year-old, celibate Amish lady sucking dick for the first time. I got high, though! For a total of about 15 minutes. What did I do for that 15 minutes? Duh! I ate chocolate. 46
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Back to reality. I haven’t dosed since. But the model’s bodyguard DM’d me and wants to come powwow. I told her I was good for at least one puff. Because even one puff might help me momentarily forget how truly f*cking awful the state of our country and, subsequently, the whole world is. Yup, that’s why I wanted to get high. Yippee.
“ CALIFORNIA LEGALIZED LAST YEAR: YIPPEE! NOT SO MUCH, REALLY. ” 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
Recreational • Medical At Cannabiz Experience our promise to our clients is to provide the cannabis community a unique, clean, and fun place of adventure, comfort, and education as it relates to recreational cannabis consumption. Cannabiz Experience is your trusted One Stop Shop where product and information is valuable, obtained and easily comprehensible for all.
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THE
R eview
royal
BY REECE
WATSON
Why does butane hash oil have a bad rep? I CAN TASTE THE BUTANE! I don’t want to ruin my tolerance.
Aren’t those idiots blowing themselves up? I just stick to flower. These are what people say when I ask if they dab yet. There’s good reason for these responses, especially when it comes to the original dabs: butane hash oil (BHO). But times have changed, and Oregon recreational BHO is tremendously different than BHO in the days of yore. How did BHO start? Early BHO started by packing polyvinyl chloride tubes full of cannabis, usually trim, and blasting can after can of butane into the tube. The butane would pass through the cannabis and eventually drip out into a container. Butane boils at 30.2 F, so you could let the container sit in the sun, and eventually a good amount of the solvent would boil off leaving a sappy extract behind. Then, people would get a torch, heat a titanium bowl until red-hot and slap on some of that extracted oil. This would result in a painfully overheated dab of dirty, low-quality oil that was made using an extremely dangerous process. Basically, early BHO pioneers did it wrong in every way. Fast-forward to now … How has BHO changed? The Oregon Liquor Control Commission has strict regulations and testing for BHO products. Licensees must have closed-loop extraction machines. That means the butane recycles and is reused, not released. The tubes packed are now made of medical-grade stainless steel which, unlike PVC, will not corrode, so no particles of the tube end up in the extraction. Processing happens in expensive, commercial, explosion-proof rooms. The extract is purged in vacuum ovens that remove virtually all solvents.
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Most importantly, rigorous testing is done on all extracts ensuring that there are not unsafe solvents, chemicals or toxins in the extract. The whole process has come a long way from college kids blowing themselves up on their patios for a few grams of extract that nowadays would be referred to by most as “poop soup.” How do you dab right? When done right, quality dabbing can have more of the positives and less of the negatives than traditional smoking. Note “when done right” is the key phrase. Two key factors in doing dabs right: control the temperature and use quality extract. Remember that red-hot titanium bowl? That’s what you don’t want. Most dabbers prefer quartz crystal bowls. Quartz holds the temperature well, cleans up easily and does not affect the taste of the extract. Letting your quartz cool down for 30 to 90 seconds yields “low temperature” or “low-temp” dabs. Unlike glass, quartz disperses heat across its surface and holds heat very well, so you can let it sit for half a minute, and it still will be hot enough to sizzle some extract. If you do let it cool down a bit, you’ll find it doesn’t hurt your throat and it allows you to really taste the terpenes. The move to low-temp dabs has really helped a lot of flower smokers convert to dabbing. It is, overall, a more pleasant experience, and a great way to learn. So, does dabbing destroy my tolerance? Simply put, I don’t think so. I don’t drink energy drinks anymore, but I used to, and every couple of weeks I would switch from drinking coffee daily to drinking energy drinks daily. When I would first make the switch, I would really feel the difference, but as it became normal, the effects seemed to be dulled. This is exactly how dabbing and smoking flower works for me. If I’ve been smoking nothing but flower, dabs seem to really do the job. On the flip side, if I solely dab for weeks, I get used to it, and smoking a big, fresh bowl of flower hits me like a tank. Dabbing won’t ruin your tolerance; it can actually be a good way to reset your tolerance. Take a break from flower, get used to dabbing and when you come back to the bud, you might find the difference in the burn shocks your system, causing great effects. Or just be like me and love to do both all the time! I can taste the butane! You know what causes that nasty harsh taste in your extract? Poor-quality input and poor processing. On the Oregon recreational market, labs test for solvents. If any are present, it doesn’t pass testing and doesn’t get sold to shops. Period. Do you smoke with a lighter? Well, put it this way, when you torch your pipe with a lighter and take a big hit, you are inhaling
Quality Focused
exponentially more butane than if you dabbed a pound of high-quality BHO. You don’t taste the butane. It’s harsh because it’s made with low-quality material or because you took it too hot. Why BHO? BHO rids the extract of lipids. Lipids are waxy fats that are harsh on your lungs. BHO does not harm or eliminate the terpenes, so it’s not about getting “soooooo high.” It’s about less carbon smoke, more terpene taste and a cleaner effect. I sometimes prefer dabs for the following reasons: amazing taste, it’s less harsh on my face and chest, induces less anxiety or paranoia and transfers less smoke to my lungs. Like I said, more of the positives, less of the negatives. Are you crazy for the taste and smell of weed? High-quality BHO arguably is the best-tasting, best-smelling cannabis product known. Unlike distillate, BHO does not damage and remove the terpenes that give cannabis its amazing smell and taste. BHO keeps them and concentrates them. I, and many others, believe you need those terpenes to get a good effect. THC is always THC, but terpenes differentiate one strain from another. Want a sativa effect? You need sativa terpenes. Want an indica effect? You need indica terpenes. With other concentrates like distillate, the package claiming it’s an indica is little more than marketing, in my opinion. Terpenes guide the effects of THC and have effects of their own. Give it a shot! If you have a bad perception of BHO, there’s some good reasons for that, but as far as Oregon recreational tested extracts go, those reasons are all outdated. Go down to your local budtender and ask for his or her opinion on some good dabs to get started. I’m pretty confident that if you like consuming cannabis, you’ll like dabs. Check back in with me next time to talk more about terpenes, cannabinoids, products and industry happenings.
A high end dispensary that focuses on quality. A quality store, quality products, quality customer care, and an all-are-welcome vibe. 541.816.4800 | MEMEDICINES.COM 36 S RIVERSIDE AVE | MEDFORD OR 97501
Reece Watson is general manager and co-creator of Mother Earth Medicines dispensary, located at 36 S. Riverside Ave., Medford. See www.memedicines.com
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Be a waste aficionado GROWING UP, I’m sure I was like most of you not from Oregon. Stuck in a small city with limited access to marijuana, we basically would buy whatever weed we could get our hands on. That being said, marijuana was very hard to find; when you did, it wasn’t that great. But we never wasted any — not even a leaf! LOL! Back then, there was no such thing as trimming … and seeds — forget about it! Fast-forward 40 years, and marijuana is almost as easily accessible as going to your local liquor store to buy a six-pack — as long as you’re over the age of 21. Unfortunately, with so much marijuana at my disposal, I have been noticing that I waste a lot more than I smoke. If I pack a bowl, take a few hits and put it down, maybe this weed is still fine when I come back. But because it was already burnt, I empty it into the trash and pack a fresh bowl, even though there is half of it left. With joints, when I put one out, I no longer smoke my roach. Is
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that being a weed aficionado, or snobby of me? I’m not the abundance type, nor am I one to waste! So why do I unconsciously waste my perfectly good weed? What’s your point, Leaf ...? My point is this: I now waste more weed than some of you have smoked in a lifetime. Why is this? Have I become a weed snob? An aficionado? … Or just plain overwhelmed with weed?! Unlike some of you, I am lucky enough to have weed bestowed on me for sampling, and a lot of you grow your own, so you know what I’m talking about. But for all you shoppers who pay retail (sigh), you probably conserve your weed a lot more than I do. Scraping my bowl is a thing of the past. Smoking old resin — not so much. And if I can’t get that last pain-in-theass oil off the parchment paper, I toss it! WHAT IS WONG WITH ME?!?! My advice is don’t pull a “Leaf.” Waste not want not. Pack smaller bowls — and buy more joints!!
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