SEPTEMBER 2019
THE ULTIMATE MEDICINAL CANNABIS RESOURCE Extract is circulated at its designated distribution points free of charge to readers for their individual use and by mail to subscribers. The cash value of this copy is $1. Persons taking copies of the Extract from its distribution points for any reason other than their or others’ individual use for reading purposes are subject to prosecution.
PUBLISHER Peter J. Brzycki
EDITORIAL
OPERATIONS
INTERIM EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Brittany Pickering bpickering@okgazette.com
OPERATIONS & MARKETING MANAGER Kelsey Lowe
MANAGING EDITOR Matt Dinger
MARKETING ASSISTANT Kendall Bleakley
CONTRIBUTORS Matt Patterson Dr. Steven Ross, MD Nikita Lewchuk J. Blake Johnson
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CONTENTS LEGAL
Pamela Wallace | Photo Alexa Ace
4 legal cannabis and criminal justice
CONSUMERS
6 dispensary etiquette 8 medical youth and cannabis 10 COVER cannabis and seniors 12 methods of cannabis consumption 17 infographic cannabis 101 cut-out sheet
LIFESTYLE
21 recipes Mr. Mack’s
CANNABIS AND SENIORS, P. 10 22 supporting dispensary listings
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Tiffany McKnight
Each month, Extract explores trends in the CBD and medical marijuana business, from new treatments andCBD products to emerging Each month, Extract explores trends in the and medicinal companies, but its primary focus is on this new world of medicinal cannabis business, from new treatments andand products to emerging treatment and how it affects readers consumers. companies, but its primary focus is on this new world of medicinal treatment and how it affects readers and consumers.
EDITOR’S NOTE To me, one of the most striking things about Oklahoma’s medical cannabis program is how many senior patients I have encountered getting doctor recommendations and browsing dispensaries. In this issue, Extract speaks to a couple women about their experiences returning to cannabis after a long hiatus and in lieu of prescription drugs as well as coming above ground to peruse the legal market. To that end, we have also included a “cheat sheet” of sorts with basic information and a small glossary that can be
cut out and used as a reference. It pairs well with Matt Patterson’s primer on dispensary etiquette and Nikita Lewchuk’s walkthrough of the means for ingesting cannabis. Meanwhile, Dr. Steven Ross takes an evenhanded look at youthful patients through a physician’s eyes while J. Blake Johnson and Extract sit down for a conversation about those left behind in the wake of the legalization of the medical application of cannabis in the state of Oklahoma. Mr. Mack himself, Greg Wilson, offers up an infused salad dressing recipe he has been tweaking and perfecting for years. I hope that with this issue and previous features, we have laid sufficient cornerstones for new cannabis consumers while also highlighting how different groups of people have benefitted from the plant. This month marks our sixth issue, and all the positive feedback means the world to us here at Extract, and many of these stories manifested due to requests. In that vein, feel free to reach out to me at the email address below if there’s a question that needs to be answered or a suggestion for something we
should tackle within our pages. In future issues, we will learn how and why certain colors express themselves in different cultivars, take the pulse of the current cannabis legalization movement with a longtime activists and educators and learn how much it actually costs to get a legal cannabis business off the ground (and keep it in the black). Extract will also prick the surface of the mysterious ailment known as cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, which causes some of the exact ailments in certain patients that it alleviates in others, as well as examine the mysterious ailment causing sickness and death that is apparently tied to black market vape cartridges.
Matt Dinger Managing Editor Extract mdinger@okgazette.com
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LEGAL
INJUSTICE SERVED
Extract sits down with its legal analyst, J. Blake Johnson, to share a smoke and a conversation about the future of Oklahoma’s cannabis prisoners. Extract: So I was hoping we could talk about criminal justice. Johnson: It is an important topic. Extract: Yeah, and it is one I have heard you speak about publicly several times, but you were hesitant to write about it when I asked you to do so. Why? Johnson: I guess because it is an issue that is extremely personal to me and also very awkward. I am still trying to reconcile my place in the cannabis industry with my conviction that none of us should be profiting off cannabis while others are imprisoned for cannabis-related crimes. I am very proud of my work in the cannabis industry, but it also generates a lot of anxiety and, frankly, a lot of guilt for me. Every time I have tried to condense my thoughts into a structured essay, as you have asked me to do, I have been frustrated by the basic impossibility of separating myself from my own place in it all. I just do not think I am capable of responsibly analyzing the scandal in light of my direct interest in the industry. Extract: What do you mean by the “scandal?” What is it that makes you feel so awkward? Johnson: As you have reported, Oklahoma — in just one year — has enrolled the greatest number of medical cannabis patients in the world, as a percentage of its overall population. But Oklahoma simultaneously enjoys a more ignominious distinction — we also house the largest per-capita prison population on the planet. How does the Oklahoma cannabis industry — booming with economic opportunity and, in my experience, fueled by unrivaled idealism — reconcile these incongruous realities? Last month, Oklahoma hosted its first High Times Cannabis Cup. It was an exciting milestone for the com4
SEPTEMBER 2019
munity, but thousands of people were unable to attend. Neither the excruciating heat nor the seemingly endless lines to enter kept them at home — thousands of people were unable to celebrate with us because they are prisoners of the state. I fear we are so excited about the freedoms we have won that we are oblivious to those who are still denied the most fundamental kind of freedom. Extract: And this conversation would be incomplete if we did not acknowledge that the state’s jails and prisons are disproportionately populated by people of color. Johnson: Yes, and similarly so if we did not acknowledge that the cannabis industry is comprised of largely white participants, especially at the investment and management level — that is to say, the money generated by cannabis is lining mostly white pockets. So we have thousands of black and brown bodies filling our jail cells and then thousands of white people moving into new tax brackets off the legal sale of the same products that got their neighbors locked up. Extract: Do you feel like that presents a dilemma for cannabis industry participants or imposes some kind of obligation on them? Johnson: Certainly. I do not want to sound too moralistic, but certainly it should pose very challenging questions to those of us who are directly profiting from this industry. And I fear we are neglecting those questions. Extract: To play devil’s advocate, what does one thing have to do with another? Johnson: Well, it is easy enough to highlight the basic injustice — some folks are locked up for the same behavior from
which others openly profit. That part is obvious. But another undeniable — and much more disturbing — observation follows from this: The opportunity inherited by our industry — the huge profit margins and protectionist state laws — are all made possible by decades of criminalization. To be more direct, my ability to make a career off cannabis — and the ability of my clients to do the same — is in no small part because generations of those who preceded us were demonized, prosecuted and incarcerated. To me, it seems obvious that there is a direct, causal relationship here: Our opportunity to profit exists because so many others suffered and continue to suffer. Extract: Yeah, that’s a heavy thought. Johnson: It is. And I think that is why it is so tempting to just ignore it. … Though we might lack access to a lot of traditional financing, the cannabis industry is nonetheless subsidized in significant part by an historical privilege to which we are often oblivious. That is troubling. Extract: It is troubling. How should we address it? What solutions do you see that might redress the injustice you are describing? Johnson: Well, now you are pushing me to my limits. I do not know whether there is a panacea, and I am sure I am not qualified to announce it in any event. I think, however, that decarceration has to be an overarching policy objective for the cannabis-reform movement, which remains one of the most mobilized and energized grassroots political movements in Oklahoma. Our state Legislature, led by Representatives Echols, West and Dunnington, has taken an important first step by passing legislation to apply retroactively State
J. Blake Johnson,founding partner with Overman Legal Group and Climb Collective | Photo Alexa Ace
Question 788’s penalties for low-level possession of cannabis. But I think we have to make a much broader demand: No person should serve time in jail or prison for the possession of cannabis in any quantity. All persons currently serving sentences for such crimes should be released. Extract: Even black market actors? Johnson: Yes. We have reached the point where I do not believe we can articulate a coherent penological interest in incarcerating folks for even the most egregious cannabis-related crimes. We have locked up generation after generation — removing parents and siblings from homes and neighborhoods, devastating entire communities. And for what? What societal good are we promoting? Keeping cannabis off our streets? We just created a billion-dollar industry to make cannabis available. It simply is not defensible anymore. Extract: And, clearly, just getting or keeping people out of jail is not enough, right? I mean, prohibition has inflicted real wounds that are not so easily mended. Johnson: Absolutely. We have to ensure that folks who have had so much opportunity ripped away from them are provided real support. That is the industry’s imperative. Extract: Any closing remarks? Johnson: Oklahoma’s cannabis industry has amassed significant resources and influence in an incredibly short period of time. If we do not devote ourselves to addressing the inequities that made it all possible, we truly do not deserve the opportunity we have inherited.
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CONSUMERS
UNWRITTEN RULES The dispensary business model is new to all Oklahomans, but there are some expectations about how to conduct yourself when making purchases. By Matt Patterson A patient in one of Oklahoma’s medical cannabis dispensaries is shown a jar of top-shelf flower. Excitedly, the patient leans in and smells it. And then things get awkward. There’s an urge to touch the nuggets inside, but when it comes to the oftenunwritten rules of a dispensary, that’s a no-no. Like golf courses, bars and even airplanes, cannabis dispensaries have an etiquette all their own. Sometimes these policies are clearly outlined; other times it comes down to basic good behavior. “Every place has their own way of doing things,” said Andrew Jackson of Top Shelf Health & Wellness in Oklahoma City. “There are always new rules and regulations, and like patients, we’re trying to dial those in and give people the best experience we can. In a lot of cases, we’re learning along with them.” For the most part, Oklahomans have adapted, though for a new patients there are still a myriad of questions when they make their first visit to a dispensary. 6
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One big one is, Can I touch the buds? The answer is no, for several reasons. “You can have all the free smells you want, but you can’t touch the flower,” said Matthew Pelter of The Joint Cannabis Club in Oklahoma City. “It’s kind of an unwritten rule not to put your hands in the jar.” “I know for a lot of people they want to squeeze the buds, but it’s a lot like handling food products with your bare hands,” said Brittany Whitaker of Steve’s Greens Cannabis + Wellness. “We use gloves when we handle flower products because we don’t want to transfer oils from skin to the flower. It can degrade the product pretty quickly if you have people constantly touching it.” Another reason: Not everyone smokes or vapes their cannabis flower. “That’s just not kosher,” Jackson said of touching flower in dispensary jars. “Who wants to smoke bud that has had people’s hands all over it? And you certainly wouldn’t want to cook with it.” Tipping is another common etiquette question. How much? Is it bad form not to tip? Most dispensaries have a jar next
The rules of conduct between a budtender and a patient at a dispensary are unwritten. | Photo Alexa Ace
on the counter near the cash register. Gratuities aren’t expected or required, but they are appreciated. “I think that’s really subjective,” Pelter said. “It’s entirely dependent on the patient. We’ve been to other states where everyone tips. We try to focus on superior service and genetics, and if people have a good experience, they will tip. That’s part of American culture in general. Our budtenders do pretty well with tips.” Some dispensaries put more emphasis on tipping than others. “We definitely have a tip jar, but it’s not labeled,” Jackson said. “It’s pretty unobtrusive. If they feel like they got exceptional service and if they want to let them know they did a good job, we’re definitely not opposed to it.” How much to tip is subjective. And rules that apply in other spaces don’t necessarily apply in a medical cannabis dispensary. “It’s a lot like a bartender or server,” Whitaker said. “We offer a service, and we appreciate it when patients tip. But there’s no general rule. It’s not like a restaurant where it’s 15 or 20 percent.” Pelter agreed. “It’s a nice bonus, but there are zero expectations,” he said. “A lot of people will put in a couple of bucks or their loose change. We’ve had some patients who will tip $20. But regardless, it all adds up.” Foot traffic in dispensaries can also add up, especially at peak times. On weekdays, lunchtime is one part of the day where there might be a wait. After 5 p.m. can also be a busy time. While Oklahomans have a reputation for friendliness, too many people in a small space can make for suboptimal experiences. Some dispensaries have only room enough to handle two or three patients at a time. “Our store is pretty open, but one thing I’ve seen is someone will be at the counter, looking at something, and another will walk right up next to them and start looking at what the other person is interested in,” Jackson said. “They sort of crowd the other person. I don’t think anyone likes that.” Another common etiquette mistake
is refusing to show identification along with an Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority card. Some patients have privacy concerns, while others don’t want the added delay or don’t have their ID on them. “Some patients don’t want to show their driver’s license because they don’t want us to scan it,” Whitaker said. “That’s really one of the biggest things people get frustrated with.” Pelter said once patients understand the process with IDs, they’re typically more understanding. Another common etiquette question is, Can I bring my husband/wife/son/ aunt/nephew who doesn’t have a medical card into a dispensary with me? “We don’t allow anyone on the floor who doesn’t have a medical card,” Pelter said. “That’s a pretty standard rule everywhere. You just can’t do it.” But those people don’t have to wait outside or sit in the car either. “They can come in the lobby, but we can’t have them inside the dispensary,” Whitaker said. Sometimes those who have little money to spend can be intimidated. How much should a patient buy at a dispensary, and are they wasting a budtender’s time if they buy just one gram? The official answer is no. While dispensaries are in the business of making money, they also provide a service. Some patients can only afford to buy limited quantities. “It’s absolutely fine to buy small amounts,” Jackson said. “Patients come from all backgrounds and financial means. But if someone wants just a gram, we sell it to them. And in fact, for people just starting out, that’s actually a good way to go, buying small amounts at a time to see what works for them.” But for the most part, patients and dispensary staff alike are navigating their way through the fledgling industry. “Oklahomans as a people are really much more patient and tolerant than other states that I’ve visited,” Pelter said. “It’s been a really cool experience, and I think for the most part, people are getting into the flow of going to the dispensary and getting what they like while also having a cool experience in a cool atmosphere.”
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7
CONSUMERS
KINDER CANNABIS
Dr. Steven Ross informs readers of the risks and the benefits of medical cannabis for people who are still developing. By Dr. Steven Ross, MD Cannabis is bad for kids. We have all heard this. Nobody really debates the issue for recreational use. But as a cannabis physician, I need to dig deeper than that. Do we know exactly how is it bad for young people? How much is needed to be bad? How young? Finally, despite the common knowledge that it is not good for young people, are there times that young people have issues that make the use of cannabis worth the risks? Obviously, the voters of Oklahoma felt that, yes, there are situations where the use of cannabis is worth the risk, giving the physicians of this state the ability to recommend cannabis for any age, with the appropriate safeguard of requiring two doctors to recommend under the age of 18. Not all cannabis clinics will recommend under the age of 21 or 18. We sometimes do, but we evaluate each case carefully and specifically. We will go through some of the evidence about this subject that helps formulate my decision-making regarding these complex issues. Some of you might feel this is a Debbie-downer column. Some of what I will be speaking about puts cannabis in a bad light at a time when we are all excited that this helpful medication has finally been allowed to be used in a legal manner. I hope it is not taken that way. For example, we are all thrilled to have the freedom to travel with automobiles and would never want to give them up. However, it is helpful to have knowledge that they can crash, seatbelts can be helpful, not every age should drive and other safety conDr. Steven Ross | Photo Alexa Ace 8
SEPTEMBER 2019
cerns that make the use safer. Think of this similarly. To start, I need to explain a critical point in medical studies that is often misunderstood in articles. This is the difference between an association and causality (the cause). For example, when days are longer, people eat more ice cream. That is an association, but not a cause. More people eat ice cream in the summer because it is warm, not because the days are longer. Most studies of cannabis in teens show an association with issues but are not able to show that it is a cause. It does not mean that associations are not important, just that the study design is not strong enough evidence to show cause. This confusion of associations and causes are
how you get crazy headlines like “Eating nuts improves your sex life,” which really should say, “People that eat nuts appear to have a better sex life for some reason.” In addition, all of the available studies are regarding recreational cannabis use, which can be far different than medical use. There are many studies that associate cannabis use in teens and young adults with many medical conditions and social issues. Some of these studies are poorly done, yet others contain robust evidence. Cannabis use has strong associations in teens with mental health disorders, risktaking behavior and short-term memory impairment. There are less consistent associations with longer-term memory impairment, decreased academic success, poorer job attainment and changes in brain architecture. In addition, there are likely young people with a disposition toward cannabis dependence, and this risk is increased in those who begin use before the age of 16. But why are these issues so prominent in younger people yet are not a significant issue for older adults? Research has shown that adolescence and young adulthood is a time of significant changes in the architecture of the brain. Poorer function-
ing dendrites (nerve cells) are being cleaved during this age and shrink, while other areas of the brain, such as the hippocampus and amygdala, grow in volume. These areas are involved in memory and emotion. There is a predominance of CB1 cannabinoid receptors in these areas. What is so far unclear is the exact effect that early cannabis use has on these structures. Some studies have shown a decrease in size with cannabis use, while others have not. For specific mental health issues, there is differing data. There does not appear to be an association between early cannabis use and depression later (measured at age 29). However, early cannabis use is associated with anxiety disorders at that same age. Schizophrenia is more interesting with pretty robust evidence of an association between early cannabis use and the onset of schizophrenia. However, in an attempt to show cause, only a weak causal pattern was found for cannabis causing schizophrenia, but a strong pattern was found that genetic inclination toward schizophrenia would cause increased cannabis use. Looking at the incomplete data that we have, there is clearly an association between early cannabis use and certain detrimental effects. While it is fortunate that the majority of these detrimental effects are subtle and longerterm, it also makes it more difficult to fully attribute a cause. These effects appear to be more prominent in the heavy early teen user and are moderated in the less frequent user who starts at a later time. There is not enough evidence to proclaim cannabis a cause of most of these issues, but it appears that is likely for some. Ideally, research in the future will help to detail more about causal relationships.
Risk vs. reward As a physician who is recommending medical cannabis, these findings are a concern; however, in my opinion, they do not exclude cannabis as a therapy. Physicians always have to balance the risk to the benefit of any therapy, and the major risk appears to be in the early heavy recreational user.
Based on these findings, how should a young patient requesting medical cannabis be assessed? I look at four primary factors and one secondary factor: 1) The severity of the condition that is being treated 2) The patient’s use of other methods to treat the condition 3) The age at onset of use and frequency of use (if any) prior to evaluation 4) The patient’s understanding of the risk of the use of cannabis Finally, as a secondary factor, will the patient be better served by the availability of medical cannabis instead of obtaining from illicit sources? First is the severity of the condition being treated. Some conditions such as chronic pain or seizure disorders can be quite severe, and this step can be fairly easy to assess. For others, there is more nuance. Adolescence is a difficult time of transition in our lives. Issues such as severe anxiety, depression or Tourette’s syndrome can be truly debilitating at a time when humans are supposed to be honing their social skills. On the other hand, a certain amount of anxiety and social apprehension is a normal part of the growth process and should not be treated with medicine. For these conditions, making this determination is a critical part. Second is the patient’s use of other methods to treat the condition. Given that there is a heightened risk to cannabis therapy in this age group, it is unwise to recommend cannabis as a first-line therapy if other potentially safer methods have not been attempted. For example, cognitive behavioral therapy can be very helpful for insomnia and has no side effect risk. I do not feel it would be wise to recommend cannabis in this age group for insomnia to someone who has not tried other effective therapies. Of course, many sleep pharmaceuticals have a worse side effect profile than cannabis in this age group, so that isn’t a requirement. Third is the pattern of use of cannabis before coming to the clinic. Many of my teen patients have never even tried cannabis before wanting therapy or only tried it once or twice. More difficult to assess is the teen who has already been using cannabis, particularly if that use appears to be frequent
and recreational. Fourth is the patient’s understanding of the risks. I typically ask, “What have you heard about the risk of cannabis in your age group?” I have been pleasantly surprised by how many young people have already looked this up and have a good appreciation of the issue. Others take some counseling while a few just do not seem ready to comprehend the risk. Parental involvement is important at that point, particularly for the younger patients. At times, a lack of appreciation of the risks involved prevents me from recommending. Finally, the very difficult issue of the patient who is already self-medicating with illegally obtained cannabis. I cannot be swayed to a recommendation for an inappropriate reason based on the fact that the young person is going to use it anyway. However, there are patients who I feel have not exhausted all other alternatives first and are using cannabis with good results and have no intention to stop. As the safety profile of cannabis in the dispensary is better and there is more availability of high CBD cannabis, which is preferable for many of these issues, I have recommended in these situations on a caseby-case basis. This is a brief overview of the concepts used when considering cannabis therapy for the younger patient. I hope it gives people an appreciation that it is not as simple as “This doctor will do it; this doctor will not.” We do enjoy helping young people if the rationale for treatment is there. I have had patients with symptoms so severe they could not leave their bedroom, but with cannabis therapy, they were able to finish school and get a job. These successes make the difficulty of evaluation worth it.
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CONSUMERS
CANNABIS CURES
The shifting tides of cannabis legalization mean that generations who have lived their entire lives under prohibition are now learning about or returning to medical cannabis. By Matt Dinger
Some who have avoided cannabis for most, if not all, of their lives are finally coming around to see the medical benefits of the plant. Pamela Wallace, 71, takes a 10milligram THC gummy before bed most nights. A resilient woman, Wallace started having panic attacks at age 13 but taught herself to control them through exercise, diet and medication. She began suffering from back pain while in graduate school but waited years before having back injections and surgery. “I did a lot of exercising. That helped for a while, and then it became to the point where I just couldn’t function well,” Wallace said. “I had a break, and I did back surgery. Stupid. This was in ’98 when the FDA first approved this type of surgery where they put all the metal in your back. Mistake. It did not take the pain away. It made it worse. And I have a really high pain tolerance. After the back surgery, they had me on two medications. I couldn’t take anything that would in any way inhibit me mentally. I was an academic, and I had to keep going. “So I went back to my doctor. And he said, ‘Why don’t you try the back injections?’ Now that was the worst thing I ever did. Let me tell you why. In 2002, I had that done and the nurse anesthetist that was there injected 65 of us with hepatitis C, and I was essentially down for 13 years. Lot of pain, and just exhaustion and fortunately, I was able to get the medication that actually killed the virus. I was one of the first ones, thank goodness. But then I couldn’t go back, obviously, to academia. I’d been out too long. 10
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Naturally ended up on social security disability, which is not my cup of tea. I prefer to work, but I had no choice at that point.” After rebounding from her hepatic illness, Wallace traded her career as a cultural anthropologist for one as a courtappointed special advocate. Then she started suffering pain again and was diagnosed with another illness. “For almost two years, I was doing incredibly well. I had my energy back. I felt wonderful. And then I was suddenly absolutely exhausted again with all that wild pain,” she said. “I thought the hep C was back. It wasn’t. It is my immune system. They call it fibromyalgia. Being an academic like I am, I start looking it up, and that’s where I found the studies in the UK that some people who have had viral infections, that immune system won’t shut down completely and it comes back. And those are the days that are most painful for me. So I don’t have my energy like I used to, but the THC was a gift. I put it off and put it off, and now I can at least rest at night, or if it’s exceptional during the day, I can take a gummy and know my day is done. I can do nothing else.” Wallace said her family had been trying to convince her to try cannabis, but she was resistant. “I don’t tend to give in, but I had to. I’ve had severe chronic pain for a long time, and for the most part, I could deal with it. But there are days I couldn’t, and so I decided to give it a shot and did, and it is rather miraculous. I take it if I need it. At night is preferable, before I go to bed,” she said. “I actually started with just half of one, and it helped. It didn’t take the
Pamela Wallace | Photo Alexa Ace
pain away, but it was tolerable during the day. And then it was one night, I thought, ‘Okay. I can’t do this anymore,’ and I used a whole one. It does affect you. I couldn’t take it during the day and function very well. Let’s put it that way. I tried once, and I thought, ‘That was it. Huh uh. Nope.’ That was rather funny. It was about one o’clock in the afternoon, and the pain had escalated. And I thought, ‘You know, maybe if I can get a handle on this, it won’t get any worse.’ That must have been the first time I took a whole one. It kind of just kind of laid me out in my chair for a while. And then I thought I was fine until I go to walk the dog about nine o’clock that night. The neighbors must have thought I drank a whole bottle of scotch or something. I was staggering.” Wallace had not touched cannabis since her late teens or early 20s, when an incident made her shy away from the plant. “My brother smoked a lot, but it was a whole different ball game back then,” she said. “There was a point where my brother came over to my apartment, and he had some hashish, and we smoked a couple of bowls and I became paranoid and I thought, ‘Okay, that’s it. I’m done.’ So I didn’t smoke any more after that.” Wallace is considering going back
to inhalable forms 50 years later, as that relief is more immediate than edibles, which take an hour or longer to take effect. “I think I want to try vaping and see if that’s a little better for me. The pain varies, and I don’t really care about being high and happy. I just want the dadgone pain to go away,” she said. Cannabis has allowed Wallace to now sleep soundly through the night. “It’s incredibly good,” she said. “I just completely relax and sleep very well. I don’t toss and turn as much, and I can tell that because when I try to get up, at my age, I’m stiff because I haven’t turned around much during the night.” She feels no lasting effects in the morning. Nor does Molly Ford, who also takes a tincture at night to relieve her pain.
No smoke Molly Ford was in a car crash in December of 2017 and spent 24 weeks in rehab. Then she was diagnosed with breast cancer this year. A combination of a topical as needed and a tincture before bed each night has gotten her back to her previous level of productivity. “I take the oil at night,” Ford said. “I go to bed without any pain, without an ache in my whole body. If I could take it during the day, I would never have an ache. The lotion stops the pain.”
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Ford said both products she uses are from CBD Plus USA’s Colorado Cures line. She takes a 2,500-milligram tincture,” Ford said. and the pain cream she uses won a High Times Oklahoma Cannabis Cup last month. She is from Texas and has traveled to Durant to replenish her supply as needed, but a little of the cream goes a long way with her. Ford is on her second bottle of cream since started using it six months ago. “Just one little squirt will really take care of your hands,” she said. “I’ve got rheumatoid arthritis bad. I’ve had that for 15 years, so this has been a blessing for me, a real blessing.” Ford, 77, works in real estate and hopes the hemp market moves into her state very soon, as she has people who are primed and ready to start hemp farms. However, she has never been a fan of cannabis. “I darn sure didn’t like the word ‘marijuana,’” she said. “I didn’t want any part of it and didn’t want my family to have any part of it. I don’t like anything that makes you high, so I said, ‘To heck with this marijuana,’ but when I got some of the cannabis and realized there’s absolutely no high to it, it’s the most wonderful medicine I’ve ever seen. I went to my doctor before I took the first, my
family doctor. He said, ‘Go for it. I wish they’d make it legal,’ was the very words he told me.” The tincture does not make her feel any psychoactive effects but still takes away her pain. “The minute I put that under my tongue, I feel the pain disappearing out of my whole body and I’m asleep in five minutes,” she said. Ford first tried CBD after a friend recommended it emphatically. Since starting CBD, she has convinced her son, who played football for 14 years and has had longstanding issues with his hands, to use the topical as well. “He called me the next day; he said, ‘I used that stuff an hour ago, and I can grip my hand,’” she said. “Within a day or two, he had just about as much strength in that hand as he ever had. He’s sold. He’s absolutely sold.” But Ford remains resolute about avoiding the plant’s intoxicating effects. “Never a joint, but we can sure rub this lotion or drink that oil,” she said. “I’ll take a shot of this oil while you smoke that joint.”
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C
CONSUMERS
CANNABIS DELIVERY Due to federal prohibition in the United States, the effectiveness of cannabis consumption in any of its forms is relatively unknown. By Nikita Lewchuk Those in Oklahoma who medicate with cannabis have an array of choice in what and how they consume, from gummies and lollipops to lotions and bath bombs. There are a variety of reasons a patient might choose one method over another. Some are unable to smoke cannabis due to respiratory issues, while others choose not to because of the stigma associated with the practice. Each product with a different delivery system affects the body in a different way — even those with identical chemical compounds. Making a decision on how to ingest cannabis should be considered carefully along with the particular strain you choose. National Academy of Sciences has published a series of studies over the
last several decades detailing the effects of cannabis on the human body as well as on some animals. The three studies were published over four decades, the first in 1982, followed by those in 1997 and 2017. Each study suggests a range of potential ailments that could possibly be treated with cannabis, though recommendations have changed as its chemistry has become better understood. The study from 1983 noted glaucoma and epilepsy as potential areas of study. In 1997, epilepsy was thought to be unrelated to cannabinoids, and researchers advised the connection be abandoned in favor of investigating the role of cannabis in muscle spasticity and the treatment of chronic pain. Today, cannabis’s only empirically
Cannabis can be consumed in a variety of difference methods, including smoking, vaping, digestion and topically. | Photo Alexa Ace
backed medical use in the United States is for treatment of children with epilepsy, though it is thought to alleviate symptoms from a variety of other conditions.
Inhaled cannabis The first studies in 1983 and 1997 focused primarily on cannabis that was inhaled. Inhaling cannabis means it is primarily processed by the lungs, or pulmonary system. The chemicals take effect only minutes after entering the body, and the high fades relatively quickly. Inhaled cannabis allows for dose control in a way that pills do not. Instead of taking a premeasured amount, the patient is able to control the amount they use and how intense the effects will be — something particularly useful in the treatment of pain. In the case of smoked cannabis, the process of combustion changes the substance that enters the body. Early research on medical cannabis struggled to draw conclusions on the effects of smoked cannabis because of the immense variation from joint to joint. The ratio of THC to CBD had to be considered, but so did each individual cigarette — even those coming from
the same source or batch. Any cannabis samples used in research in the United States comes from a facility run by the National Institute on Drug Abuse at the University of Mississippi. Even with this level of uniformity, drawing definitive conclusions was difficult. Two joints rolled from the same batch could be packed more or less densely than one another or contain varying ratios of the plant itself. For example, the bud of the flower is the main source of the psychoactive compounds while the leaves and stems contain relatively little, so two joints rolled from the same plant might vary in the effects they produce. “There is moderate evidence of no statistical association between cannabis use and incidence of lung, head, or neck cancers,” the most recent study, published in 2017 and titled The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids found. “We really saw no adverse effects on the lungs of cannabis inhalation. Increased cough and mucus was all we found.” Vaporized cannabis, or “vapes” are a newer form of inhaled cannabis. Though the intake method is the same as smoked cannabis, vaping differs substantially in key components. Combustion is a chemical change, meaning the process of burning a substance alters its chemical compounds. Vaporization is a physical change. In addition to using less heat, the chemical compounds remain consistent throughout the process. The substance used in vape cartridges is more consistent in terms of potency and THC to CBD ratios, eliminating the guesswork concerning which parts of the plant were used. The cannabis plant contains hundreds of different cannabinoid compounds, which are all present in a joint made from the dried plant. Oil extracts can be measured for these compounds more carefully and contain a more precise mixture of cannabinoids than is possible using the continued on page 14 SEPTEMBER 2019
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CONSUMERS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13
bud of a whole plant — one of the reasons CBD oil can be sold over the counter while buds and flowers are only sold at dispensaries. “We studied the Volcano vaporizer in healthy cannabis and compared vaporization to smoking a cigarette and found that they deliver the same amount of THC into the bloodstream and got people equally as high but with less expired carbon monoxide, suggesting that vaporization might be a safer delivery system. From that time on, we used the Volcano vaporizer in our trials,” study author Donald I. Abrams said. However, he also said there is some uncertainty where vaping is concerned. “I am rather conservative, and I do know the long-term effects of inhaling combusted plant products, but I don’t know the long-term effects of inhaling an oil,” Abrams said. “I worry about vape cartridges and what they’re going to do to people’s lungs if they’re inhaling oils.” For some, inhaling cannabis is not practical. This could be due to muscle spasms, as seen in epilepsy and multiple sclerosis, or in patients with prior respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. These people might not be able to hold or smoke a cigarette for long periods of time and need an alternative delivery method.
Other forms One specific form of oral cannabis has been available for more than two decades. Marinol, or Dronabinol, is a pill containing synthetic THC that was approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for countering nausea in terminal cancer and to combat AIDS wasting syndrome. The pill remains the only form of cannabis approved for medical use at the federal level. It was first approved by the FDA in 1985 and is considered a Schedule III substance, along with drugs such as codeine and ketamine. The cannabis plant itself remains classified as a Schedule I narcotic, along with heroin, LSD and ecstasy. Edibles — whether they are gummies, chocolate-covered pretzels 14
SEPTEMBER 2019
or brownies — are primarily processed through the stomach and liver and end up in the bloodstream. Their effect is less immediate and longer-lasting, though that creates its own issues.
“There’s no breathalyzer or blood alcohol test for marijuana.” Though he does not use cannabis recreationally, Abrams said he is not very concerned for people who do.
It doesn’t matter how high the blood levels go; it doesn’t really relate to how intoxicated a person is. Kent Hutchison
“I often see elderly women with cancer who believe that inhaling is bad and ingesting is good. So they go to a dispensary and are told to only eat a quarter of the cookie, and they do and nothing happens. They eat another quarter and nothing happens, so they eat another quarter and nothing happens. So they eat the whole cookie and then they call me three days later, possibly after a visit to the emergency room for a dysphoric reaction, saying they’re never going to do that again,” Abrams said. Dr. Kent Hutchison, who also worked on the 2017 study, found that although patients who inhale and ingest experience the effects on a different time frame, they did not report feeling different effects from one method to another. However, once cannabinoids enter the bloodstream, they can be difficult to measure. “What is interesting about this is that blood levels do not correspond or correlate with the effects,” Hutchison said. “For example, blood level will peak within minutes after smoking, but you’ll still feel high an hour later or an hour and a half later.” Cannabinoids are lipophilic, meaning they dissolve easily in fats. These compounds can linger in the fatty tissue of the body for hours or even days after the effects have passed, which makes testing for cannabis especially tricky. “It doesn’t matter how high the blood levels go; it doesn’t really relate to how intoxicated a person is. ... It’s very different than alcohol,” Hutchison said.
“In general, I do believe cannabis is much healthier for people than alcohol,” he said. “I’ve been a physician now for 40 years, and I’ve admitted one patient to the hospital over 40 years with a potential adverse effect from cannabis. The number of patients I’ve admitted with potential adverse effects from alcohol, heroin, cocaine, speed [and] sugar is enormous.” Abrams himself uses a topical cream to treat his arthritis. Topical cannabis is absorbed through the skin, giving it the advantage of local application in the case of arthritis or joint pain. Less is known about topical administration, as it is still in relatively early stages of development. “Many people say that cannabinoids are not absorbed topically, but I have a number of topical products myself that I use on my arthritis,” he said. “If they’re not absorbed, they’re certainly doing something.”
Research problems One of the reasons so little is known about the topical delivery system is that the cannabis plant remains classified as a Schedule I narcotic and can only be studied under very specific conditions. Because all federally funded studies must use cannabis grown at the research institute of the University of Mississippi, there is a lack of data concerning the variety of products now available. The government-provided cannabis is only available in flower form and relatively few strains. Recent studies have attempted to get around this issue in a variety of ways.
Abrams recently finished gathering data and is now analyzing the results of a study that aims to determine how and what products patients are using. “The last thing I did was just an observational study because so many people are so crazy about CBD in the absence of any data to support it for anything but seizures in children,” Abrams said. “We asked people coming from integrative medicine clinics in San Francisco, San Diego and Chicago as well as three dispensaries in each of those cities who are using CBD-predominant products what they were using, how they were using it and if it worked.” Hutchison has also been attempting to gather information on how people are using various forms of cannabis, though his methods are much different from Abrams’s. Hutchison has a mobile laboratory that he moves from house to house, allowing him to target specific populations of those using cannabis. “We focused on looking at the effects of the products people are actually buying in state regulated markets, so looking at flower, flower with CBD, looking at edibles, looking at concentrates,” Hutchison said. “Basically our strategy is to have the people buy their own products. We get the lab over to their house, they come down to the mobile lab, they get blood drawn, we do some motor tests, they go into their house, use the product, they come back to the van to do more testing, and we get a snapshot of the acute effects.” He has examined cannabis use in populations of people with chronic pain and anxiety and is hoping to receive a grant to look into opioidaddicted populations as well. “It’s kind of hard for people because they hear the word cannabis and they go to a dispensary and they realize there’s like a hundred different forms of cannabis, right?” Hutchison said. “Hopefully we’ll be able to identify the best formulation as the research goes forward.”
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M MJ R e c o M M e n d a t i o n s
CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR UPCOMING FREE “HOW TO MEDICATE WITH CANNABIS CLASSES” OR TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT
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MON-THUR 10AM– 8PM FRI 10AM–9PM SAT 9AM–9PM SUN 12PM–6PM
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PERSONALIZED CANNABIS TREATMENT PLANS
CONSUMERS
STRAIN TYPES
SATIVA
INDICA
CHARACTERISTICS:
CHARACTERISTICS:
Induces a “mind” high — euphoric, energetic, creative, alert, cheerful; best for daytime use
Induces a “body” high — relaxed, calm, mellow, sleepy, carefree; best for nighttime use
USES: Treating mental health
anxiety, nausea, insomnia, cancer, arthritis, tense muscles, seizure disorders, inflammation
USES: Treating acute pain,
disorders, chronic pain, nausea, glaucoma/intraocular disorders, HIV/AIDS, headaches migraines
NEGATIVES: Can lead to
NEGATIVES: Can cause
sleepiness and lack of motivation
anxiety, particularly in those already suffering from anxiety disorders
CANNABINOIDS & STRENGTHS Cannabis contains more than 100 compounds called cannabinoids, though very few will be discussed in dispensaries. Here are the four most commonly referenced.
THC
CBD
Tetrahydrocannabinol is the chief intoxicant in cannabis. Large amounts of THC produce a more intense high. The highest THC concentrations in cannabis flower fall in the mid 30s. It is not uncommon to see cannabis sold in dispensaries containing 20-25 percent. However, a higher THC percentage does not necessarily mean the best or strongest cannabis (terpenes play a factor).
Cannabidiol is the second most prevalent cannabinoid, though nonpsychoactive. Cannabis flower containing THC usually contains very low levels of CBD, though some strains are bred for high CBD content as well. When purchasing CBD tinctures, a higher number of milligrams or percentage is desired, though no amount of CBD will produce a “high.”
CBG
CBN
Cannabigerol is the building block that morphs into THC and CBD, though most cannabis strains contain less than 1 percent of the cannabinoid itself. CBG is still being studied but seems to serves as a nonpsychoactive vasodilator and neuroprotectant with anti-inflammatory properties.
Cannabinol is also is only represented in trace quantities in fresh cannabis flower, with higher levels found in older or degraded cannabis. Studies suggest that it acts as an antibacterial and neuroprotectant and has anti-inflammatory properties. SEPTEMBER 2019
17
CONSUMERS
TERPENES
Terpenes are the compounds that give cannabis its aroma. They act in tandem with cannabinoids to influence the effects of each strain. Terpenes are also the same compounds found in other flowers, edible herbs and plants. The most prevalent cannabis terpenes are:
CARYOPHYLLENE Woody and peppery Pain relief, antidepressant, antianxiety
LINALOOL Floral
HUMULENE Woody and earthy
Citrus
Pain relief, appetite suppressant, antiinflammatory
Anti-depressant, anti-anxiety
MYRCENE Earthy and herbal
Anti-anxiety, sedative
LIMONENE
PINENE Piney and woody Stimulant
Sedative and relaxant
WEIGHTS Cannabis is weighed and sold using the metric system. One gram is usually the smallest amount of cannabis sold. One gram is equal to about three small joints or three to five bowls in a medium-sized pipe.
EIGHTH OUNCE 1/4 GRAM
QUARTER OUNCE
3.5 grams
OUNCE
1/2 GRAM HALF OUNCE 14 grams
1 GRAM
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SEPTEMBER 2019
7 grams
* Oklahoma patients can possess up to three ounces on their person.
28.35 grams (usually sold at a flat 28 grams)
CULTIVATE YOUR COMPANY.
CLIMB COLLECTIVE Climb guides business owners, cultivators and investors from seed to sale. No matter your ambitions, Climb has strategies to assist you in achieving your goals and elevating your business. climb-collective.com
We want to thank everyone that came out to celebrate our launch party last month. Thanks so much to the clients, partners, and friends who made it out to celebrate our launch. Â The confidence of our community fuels this operation. Â Big things in store for the Climb Collective. Stay tuned and follow along! SEPTEMBER 2019
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OKLAHOMA CITY The Plaza Dispensary 1609 N Blackwelder Ave OKC, OK 73106
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SEPTEMBER 2019
The Rose Rock II Dispensary 510 South Telephone Road Moore, OK 73160
The Cache Dispensary 1706 NW Cache Road Lawton, OK 73507
The Rose Rock Dispensary 901 North Main Noble, OK 73068
The Craft Dispensary 6808 N May Ave OKC, OK 73116
The Quail Springs Dispensary 3000 West Memorial OKC, OK 73120
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LIFESTYLE
INVIGORATING VINAIGRETTE
Greg Wilson, aka Mr. Mack, keeps it simple this month, providing a fiveminute raspberry vinaigrette he has been working on for more than a decade. By Matt Dinger Greg Wilson, also known as Chilly Mack, has become well known in the Oklahoma cannabis industry for his edibles that satisfy a sweet tooth under his Mr. Mack’s brand, but he has been working on other cannabis-infused recipes for more than a decade. That dedication has paid off, taking second place in the topicals category of the first High Times Oklahoma
Cannabis Cup as well as third place in the edibles category for his Caramel Pot Pops. “A lot of the recipes that I work with, I either learned in culinary school or just throughout life. The more I got into infusions, the more things I started to put a twist on, so that particular one — it’s a five-minute vinaigrette — I’ve been working at probably 10 to 15 years,”
Wilson said. “I’m not a heavy flower consumer. I don’t consume a lot of oil. I am more along the edible line of things, and when you consume it or ingest it versus inhaling, the effects are totally different. If it’s full-spectrum or it’s taken directly from flower, it can retain some of its characteristics, if it’s sativa or indica. I just like being able to play with the different dosages and portion control with it, and salad dressings are something that some people use a little, some people use a lot, so I always want to be a little lighter on dosing with that. The infusion for me wouldn’t be a deep, heavy infusion. If I was, say, making a baked good or something like that, I want that to be really, really deep, really, really potent.” Wilson sometimes uses a small bit of flower in his recipes, using the natural flavor of the cannabis to put a twist on the dish, while getting much of the THC load from concentrated forms. “I use a lot of distillate. Distillate doesn’t really mean that cannabis flavor, so sometimes I just want a hint of cannabis; I want people to know that it’s in there, but that’s not really the method that they’re getting medicated from. They’re actually being medicated from a distillate,” Wilson said. “It depends on how much you’re going to be making and the type of medicating or if they have medicating restrictions. Some people, they can’t do the do the full extract or they can’t consume with the oil that’s been extracted out of flower, be it plant matter or whatever it may be. They need that cleaner, more refined product, so that’s where that distillate will come into play. So it can be either way. It’s really going to be patient-dependent. For the
people that like the taste and that aroma, because it’s a really mild aroma, I would recommend the flower because that way, for people that don’t know or don’t consume, they’ll at least have something there that they can identify versus the surprise from the distillate, like ‘Oh shit! What just happened to me?’” For this recipe, Wilson’s preferred method begins with decarboxylating the cannabis at 235-240 degrees Fahrenheit for about 30 minutes. “The cannabis will get a little crunch to it. It’ll allow the flower to release those oils, and then I will go into, on a smaller recipe, probably a liter of olive oil, and then I would let that go for about an hour and a half to two hours. On a lighter recipe about an hour, on a more intense recipe three, three and a half hours, and that’s on extremely low heat,” Wilson said. “You always want to let the oil cool to a room temperature before you strain it. Some people strain it hot. It’s really not necessary at that point because after like the 35-, 45-minute mark, the THC molecules have bound to the fat molecules, the oil. People think you’ve got to get it out while it’s hot so you can get it all out, but it’s already binded it to the oil by that point. So just let it cool and strain it off. Some people like the presses, the cheesecloth and different contraptions.” Creating the oil is the hard part. As Wilson pointed out, the rest of the dressing can be completed in about five minutes.
Raspberry vinaigrette Ingredients 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries 1/2 cup infused olive oil 1/4 cup red wine vinegar 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard one small shallot, diced pepper Directions Place all of the ingredients into a blender on medium speed for 30 seconds for a rougher texture or 45 seconds for a smoother texture. The vinaigrette will stay good for a week if refrigerated.
Greg Wilson aka Chilly Mack is the owner of Mr. Mack’s Cannabis Co. | Photo Alexa Ace SEPTEMBER 2019
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SUPPORTING DISPENSARY LISTINGS APCO Med
313 NW 23rd St. Oklahoma City, OK 73103 213-454-1856 apcocure.com 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri-Sat Closed Sun
Buddy Green’s Cannabis Co. 8805 S. Western Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73139 405-900-5668 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Mon-Sat Noon-8 p.m. Sun
Canna South 1221 SW 59th St. Oklahoma City, OK 73109 405-429-7570 cannasouth.net 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon-Sat Noon-6 p.m. Sun
CBD Plus USA 60+ locations 420 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73139 833-4-CBD-PLUS cbdplususa.com 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat Noon-5 p.m. Sun
Craft Cannabis Company 151 E. 33rd St., Suite 102 Edmond, OK 73013 405-697-3939 fireleafok.com 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun
Dab & Go 5 SE 89th St. Oklahoma City, OK 73149 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon-Thu 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri-Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun
Fire Leaf Dispensary
2810 SW 104th St. Oklahoma City, OK 73159 405-676-8479 fireleafok.com 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Mon-Sun 9606 N. May Ave. The Village, OK 73120 405-286-4900 fireleafok.com 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Mon-Sun
Great Barrier Reefer Medical Dispensary 3820 N. Rockwell Ave., Suite C Bethany, OK 73008 405-506-0309 gbreefer.com 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Fri-Sat Closed Sun
Green Hope Rx 2301 S. Interstate 35 Service Road Moore, OK 73160 405-676-5826 greenhoperx.com 10 a.m.-8 p.m Mon-Thu 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Sat Noon-6 p.m. Sun
Key to Nature’s Blessings 8282 NW 39th Expressway Bethany, OK 73008 405-603-8200 keytonaturesblessings.com CBD Only 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon-Sat Closed Sun
Lotus Gold 60+ locations 420 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73139 833-4-CBD-PLUS lotusgold.com 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat Noon-5 p.m. Sun
751 S. Canadian Trails Drive, Suite 120 The Medicine Man Norman, OK 73072 5917 S. Sunnylane Road 405-310-2433 Oklahoma City, OK 73155 fireleafok.com 405-225-1323 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Mon-Sun 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun 7876 S. Western Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73139 405-600-6527 Mr. Mack’s Cannabis Co. fireleafok.com 7220 S. Western Ave., Suite 109 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Mon-Sun Oklahoma City, OK 73139 8017 W. Reno Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73127 405-470-0546 fireleafok.com 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Mon-Sun 22
SEPTEMBER 2019
405-600-7994 onlymrmacks.com 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon-Sat Noon-4 p.m. Sun
Okie Kush Club
Strainwise
13801 N. Western Ave., Suite 205 Edmond, OK 73013 405-252-4193 okiekushclub.com 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri-Sat Closed Sun
2600 S. Meridian Ave., Suite A Oklahoma City, OK 73122 405-673-4424 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Mon-Sun
825 SW 19th St. Moore, OK 73160 405-237-3471 okiekushclub.com 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon-Thu 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri-Sat Closed Sun
Painted Nurse Apothecary 3017 N. Lee Ave., Suite A Oklahoma City, OK 73103 405-971-4201 Closed Mon Noon-8 p.m. Tues-Thu Noon-10 p.m. Fri-Sat Noon-6 p.m. Sun
Planet Hollyweed 3121 Pennsylvania Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73112 405-225-1104 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon-Thu 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri Noon-9 p.m. Sst Noon-6 p.m. Sun
Ringside Medical 14201 N. May Ave., Suite 205 Oklahoma City, OK 73134 405-242-5325 ringsidemedical.com 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Mon-Sat Noon-7 p.m. Sun
Sage Wellness 4200 N. Western Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73118 405-601-9560 sagewellnessokc.com 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Mon-Thu 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sun
Steve’s Greens Cannabis & Wellness 6715 N. May Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73116 405-608-8010 stevesgreens.com 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon Closed Sun
The Greens Bakery 6444 S. Western Ave., Suite 200 Oklahoma City, OK 73139 405-208-8229 thegreensbakery.com 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun
The Peak Dispensary 1609 N. Blackwelder Ave., Suite 1 Oklahoma City, OK 73106 405-738-2633 thepeakok.com Closed Mon 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Tue-Sun 15 E. Fourth St. Edmond, OK 73034 405-546-8598 thepeakok.com 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon-Sat Closed Sun 903 N. Main St. Noble, OK 73068 405-887-0404 thepeakok.com 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Mon-Thu 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Fri-Sat Closed Sun 510 S. Telephone Road Moore, OK 73160 405-676-8550 thepeakok.com 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Mon-Sat 1-5 p.m. Sun
UWD 33 W. 15th St. Edmond, OK 73034 405-696-5354 uwdok.com 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon-Thu 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri-Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun 1304 Lindsey Plaza Drive Norman, OK 73071 405-310-6100 uwdok.com 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon-Thu 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri-Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun
Stellar Herb 11925 NE Interstate 35 Service Road Oklahoma City, OK 73131 405-406-2563 stellarherb.com 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon-Sun
These dispensaries support us and make it possible to publish Extract and Oklahoma Gazette.
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