Cannabis by the Sea Magazine, Summer 2022

CANNABIS

By The Sea Magazine

Summer 2022 Vol 3 Issue 2

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Table of Contents

Summer 2022

FEATURES

9

Sweet Dreams Are Made of This The toast of sleepytown, CBN is the go-to ticket to slumberland. Known formally as Cannabinol, CBN provides a relaxing effect and promotes sleep.

Conclusive scientific evidence is playing catch-up, like all cannabis research, but the anecdotal results are in and the word on the street is “good night!”

14

A Sisterhood Like Nun Other

21

Blunt Advice

2

Sister Kate and the Sisters of the Valley are on a mission to empower people to heal themselves. This calling includes making natural healing products from their farm crops in Merced, California. How has the Golden State’s Central Valley accepted growing cannabis as a vocation? The number of believers is growing.

CBTS says “thank-you and we love you” to Barbara Verde for originating our very popular advice column. While we will miss her, we are thrilled to introduce Ellie Carr, who will be giving her take on cannabis couth and marijuana manners.

Cannabis by the Sea Spring 2022

TLF Consulting Helping to build stellar community relationships tinafconsulting@gmail.com

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Ra ley

Val

dio Come be amazed!

Open to the public for drop-in tours!

Carpinteria’s 24-hour source for news, traffic and weather, along with local and topical lifestyle programming.

4193 Carpinteria Ave., Sweet 4 805.684.6900

1457 Willow Road, Nipomo, CA Wednesday - Sunday, 10 am - 4 pm 805.343.0883

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Summer 2022 Cannabis by the Sea

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IN EVERY ISSUE

6 7 7 8

From the Publisher Welcome letter from the Publisher

Contributors Meet the CBTS Staff

Letters to the Editor What readers have to say

And Here’s Why Passion for the medicinal and adult-use cannabis

10

Cannabis 101

11

The Cannabis Lifestyle

20

Resources and References

23

We’d Recommend It

25

Ask a Budtender, Recipe, Blunt Advice

Where to learn more, how to do more

Products and services to enhance daily life

Marketplace Find it, Offer it, Sell it

Last Look Thailand Goes Legal

Cover Shot CBTS Publisher, Melinda Bie, captured our cover shot while on vacation in Moonstone Beach, California. “I took more photos of the incredible ocean view than I did of any of us on the vacation trip!” Professing not be any type of amateur or professional photographer, Melinda loaded up her trusty iPhone with ocean shots. “When I show people pictures on my phone I ask, do you want to see the cat or a nature shot?” CS 4

Cannabis by the Sea Summer 2022

Amy Steinfeld

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CBN for sleep

CANNABIS CANNABIS

By The Sea lk Bie & Bie Productions, Inc. 1072 Casitas Pass Rd., Suite 286, Carpinteria, CA 93013 (805) 881-1218 | info@cbtsmagazine.com

Ta

By The Sea Podcast

Publisher — Bie & Bie Productions, Inc. Editorial Director — Amy Marie Orozco Creative Director — Melinda Bie Contributors — Dianne Armitage, Peter Bie, Ellie Carr, Alonzo Orozco, Seana-Marie Sesma, Amy Steinfeld, Barbara Verde and Patti Walters Published seasonally four times a year

by Bie & Bie Productions, Inc., Cannabis by the Sea is a lifestyle magazine dedicated to information on the health and wellness properties of cannabis.

Cannabis by the Sea makes every effort to ensure the published information is correct, informative, and practical. Editorial content is not intended to replace the advice of medical professionals.

Cannabis by the Sea advertisements do not imply endorsement of products or services.

We’d love to hear from you. Send your comments and questions to info@cbtsmagazine.com Send product samples to Cannabis by the Sea, 1072 Castias Pass Rd., #286, Carpinteria, CA 93013.

All submissions, editorial and otherwise, become the property Bie & Bie Productions, Inc. Bie & Bie Productions, Inc. is not responsible for unsolicited materials.

COPYRIGHT © 2022 Bie & Bie Productions, Inc. All rights reserved.

No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form or any electronic or mechanical means without written permission from the publisher.

Cannabis use is for adults 21 years of age or older.

Consume responsibly. Keep out of reach of children.

Cannabis Talk by the Sea is hosted by publisher Melinda Bie and editor Amy Marie Orozco and focuses on everyday lifestyle and advocacy.

Listen online at cbtsmagazine.com/podcast Summer 2022 Cannabis by the Sea

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From the Publisher

Welcome to the Summer issue of Cannabis by the Sea magazine!

It’s crazy to think we are already half way through the year! Time is flying by so quickly, it takes special effort to stop, take a deep breath and appreciate what and who I have in my life. But when I do, it’s overwhelming and makes me smile.

In this issue you will be introduced to an amazing woman, Sister Kate — the founder and force behind the Sisters of the Valley.

We had the opportunity to not only interview Sister Kate on Episode 8 of our podcast, Cannabis Talk by the Sea, but also got to meet her and several members of her enclave as part of their “Green Tour” 2022. Sister Kate is a force of nature and one of a handful of women in my life that inspire me.

Her energy, enthusiasm and humor remind me so much of an incredibly dear friend of mine and one of the other women in that handful, who is suffering from ALS. As I grapple with the thought of not having this incredible woman in my life, I also am twisted with frustration over the fact that at some point when cannabis is finally legalized and clinical testing can fully be done, the discovery will be made that this amazing plant contained the treatment and maybe even the cure to this disease and so many more.

Remember though . . . as long as cannabis remains federally illegal, clinical testing cannot be done. In the meantime, the chronic overuse of opiods continues and is not only fully legal, but research continues on how to make more.

So, what do we do about it? Write to your elected officials, please! I know you hear that often and I know that it’s usually followed by a rolling of the eyes with a heavy sigh and probably a “yeah right” comment, and believe me, I completely get that response having been guilty of it myself.

But nothing will change if we don’t tell those people — that we elected to speak for us — how we feel! It’s incredibly easy these days as all elected officials have email addresses, and they are all public. I’ll even give you the websites to find your officials: To find your Senate representative: https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm To find your Congressional representative: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative As always, thank you for your support of Cannabis by the Sea magazine . . . just by reading, you are supporting. We look forward to continuing to introduce you to more amazing people, and, of course, providing you with more information on this amazing plant that we call cannabis.

Keep in touch!

- Melinda Bie 6

Cannabis by the Sea Summer 2022

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Appreciating the simple things of CBTS Thank you for the Cannabis 101: Dosing the Edible article in your last issue, Winter 2021. As someone investigating alternatives to common OTC medicine, I found it very helpful to have the information spelled out very simply in black and white. We need more articles like this easy-to-swallow piece.

Keep up the good work.

— Kellee Johnson | Little Italy, San Diego, California

CONTRIBUTORS Although she wasn’t born with a silver spoon in her mouth, Dianne Armitage has spent considerable time trying to remove her foot. This quest has introduced her to fascinating people and interesting situations with stories that beg to be told. When not searching for shiny objects, Dianne spends her time writing blog pieces, humor columns, and feature articles. A three-time breast cancer survivor/warrior, she wrote a humor column, Feeling Kinda Funny, for a breast cancer website for 15 years.

Good riddance, cultivation tax The Spring ’22 edition is filled with all kinds of useful information, but the meat of the matter is right up front with an excellent piece by Peter Dugré of CARP Growers on how the deck tends to be stacked against cannabis growers and in Carpinteria in particular, by way of the cultivation tax.

Artichoke growers do not pay a cultivation tax, nor do avocado growers or flower growers or anyone who grows anything other than cannabis. And as we learn from the article, the cultivation tax is just one item on a long list of costs and expenses that keep retail prices inflated, forcing many consumers to choose the unregulated market.

Just a few weeks after the piece was published Governor Newsom rolled out his budget plan, which calls for an end to the cultivation tax starting July 1.. There is also a bill that calls for a suspension of the tax working its way through the legislature. Real relief for growers and consumers would appear to be at hand.

Thanks for an update that turned out to be so timely, and for providing accurate, science-based information at a time when it’s needed most.

— Dennis Mitchell | Carpinteria, California

Thanks for the change I want to extend a great big thank you to Cannabis by the Sea for being such a great supporter of the Women Making Change series of events recently held at the Alcazar Theatre in Carpinteria in observance of Women’s History Month. The CBTS staff are Changemakers for sure and our community is better for it. Thank you!

— Kim Gutierrrez | Carpinteria, California

Ellie Carr (her pen name) is a writer from San Diego, California. She holds an MFA from Columbia University and a BA in English from Humboldt State University. She was an editor, event coordinator, and art director for two student driven publications. Ellie writes about the mysteries of the body and mind through memoir, personal essays, and flash fiction. Her preferred genres are psychological thriller and dark comedy, but she is known to write a happy ending from time to time. She is a self-taught botanist and literary enthusiast who enjoys cooking and outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking.

Amy Marie Orozco loves writing for and editing CBTS magazine. “It is a very exciting time to be in the cannabis industry, and I love learning so much every single day,” she explains. Most of Amy’s writing is of the nonfiction, journalism flavor, and she also has penned a couple of plays, short stories, and lots of letters. Staff members describe Amy as pretty affable (for an editor), though she can be prickly and show-offy with the grammar rules no one else follows.

Seana-Marie Sesma, an eighth-generation Santa Barbara native and founder of Mary Jane Services Network, specializes in commercial cannabis license processing, which includes managing regulatory compliance for maintaining local and state licenses. MJSN is a hard-working, educated, and engaged team of content writers, project managers, and industry professionals who create application specific documentation that adheres to regulations set forth by the local and state regulatory agencies — this can be deleted, if you need the filler, use it. During the past five years working in the cannabis licensing space, Ms. Sesma has successfully led commercial cannabis entrepreneurs throughout California to successfully acquire and maintain their local and state licenses in all cannabis activities. CS Summer 2022 Cannabis by the Sea

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And Here’s Why

A Story of

Inspiration

By Seana-Marie Sesma Founder, Mary Jane Services Network My passion for the medicinal and adult-use cannabis industry arose from a medical situation in my family. My uncle had a failing liver and was in need of a liver transplant. He was getting treatment far from his Santa Barbara home at a hospital hundreds of miles away and was on the waiting list to receive a new liver. The doctors performed THC testing on him to make sure everything was okay to stay on the transplant list. They found THC in his system, and it had to be reported which did not work in his favor at this hospital or future hospitals.

Amy Steinfeld

For the months leading up to this point, my uncle had been using medicinal cannabis, which had been prescribed to help him through his chronic pain and nausea. When the doctors discovered cannabis in my uncle’s system — support and healing got worse and his body’s system continued failing. My uncle’s system did ultimately fail and he died. It was during a time when medicinal cannabis was legal in California via Prop 215, hospitals had policies that they would not award organs to patients that were “drug users.”

This tragically misguided policy resulted in lesser care and ultimately in the death of my uncle.

for any other form of healing this remarkable plant provides.

Out of this avoidable loss of my uncle, plus the many stories Cannabis is now legal in an increasing number of states in we’ve learned about people in similar predicaments, the the United States, but now our crucial objective is to help vision for Mary Jane Services Network was born: To play an cannabis cultivators, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers essential role in making medicinal cannabis accessible for all become compliant with local and state regulations and who need it –– whether for the purpose of relieving people licensed for business, making cannabis truly accessible, as it from pain, side effects from other medications, or should be, for all people in need of healing. CS 8

Cannabis by the Sea Summer 2022

Sweet Drea ms Are Made of This

By Amy Marie Orozco If you’re reading this, chances are you have heard of CBN. The trending darling of cannabis marketeers, CBN, known formally as the cannibinoid “cannabinol,” is known for its relaxing effect and promoting better sleep. And for a baggy-eyed swath of the population, CBN, a is the perfect nightcap, so says Maeve (not her real name), a 42-year-old married professional woman with two children under the age of 10.

An off-hand remark from a colleague introduced her to CBN. Willing to try anything, she stopped at a dispensary on the way home from work. “Good thing the people at the dispensary explained how cannabis works with the body’s receptors, and it’s not a one-and-done miracle cure. Otherwise, I would have been disappointed,” Maeve said. “All the fails of past attempts turned me into a Doubting Thomas.”

Maeve had suffered from insomnia for most of her adult life.

Until her body clicked with CBN, she referred to a good night’s sleep as her Holy Grail. She tried pharmaceuticals, many of them, to no avail. They didn’t do the job they promised and managed to cause her physical harm. An exhausting regimen of physical exercise didn’t do the trick either. Nor did giving up caffeine, taking up a meditation practice, or undergoing nocturnal polysomnography to confirm she did not have sleep apnea.

New to cannabis as a plant medicine, rather than as a lark with college friends, Maeve took a slow and low approach with raspberry gummies. Gradually increasing her dosage to 15mg CBN at 30 minutes before bedtime, she found her sweet spot. Thanks to earlier efforts in conquering insomnia, Maeve had all the recommended habits for a good night’s sleep, such as a regular bedtime and no digital devices or technology in her bedroom, which she believes fast-tracked her body adapting to CBN.

“

“

Don’t expect to get high from CBN, which is created when THC oxidizes. However, there are high ratio THC to CBN products available.

But does it really work?

According to the National Library of Medicine, there is not sufficient clinical evidence to support CBN’s sleep-promoting effects. Research is dated and limited, thanks to the cannabinoid’s past illegal status, Continued on Page 13

Summer 2022 Cannabis by the Sea

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Cannabis 101: CBN - What is It?

You are more than likely already familiar with plant-derived CBD: the cannabinoid (plant compound) can now be found in an array of oils, capsules, and even infused beverages. But while CBD has spent a lot of time front and center thanks to its many healthy properties and interaction with the extensive endocannabinoid system, it’s not the only compound you should have on your radar. Cannabinol, or CBN, is another one with some potential benefits you’ll want to know about.

CBD vs. CBN: What’s the Difference?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the most popular cannabinoids found in cannabis sativa plants. Although similar to CBN, CBD isn’t derived directly from THC, but exists independently within the plants.

CBD has been studied more extensively in clinical settings than CBN, and it’s more popular in mainstream retail What is CBN? products. Research supports several therapeutic benefits of CBD, but CBN can’t quite compete with that list just yet.

Like CBD and over 100 other cannabinoids found in a Benefits of CBD can include (but aren’t limited to): full-spectrum hemp oil or extract product, CBN is a plantderived compound. However, it’s unique in the way it gets • Alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression formed.

• Relieving pain related to conditions like multiple sclerosis, cancer and nerve damage CBN is formed after the Cannabis sativa (cannabis) plant is • Reducing symptoms of arthritis harvested as a degradation product of THC, which is why • Treating opioid addiction alongside other interventions higher levels of CBN can be found in aged, dry cannabis.

When THC is exposed to excessive amounts of heat and Both CBN and CBD tend to bind with CB2 receptors in light (aka oxidation), it turns into a unique metabolite: CBN. the body’s endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in Unlike THC, however, CBN does not have psychoactive central nervous system function and helps the body react to effects. both internal and external stimuli. CB2 receptors are mostly associated with immune system regulation.

“

CBD is one of the most abundant cannabinoids in marijuana and can comprise up to 40% of cannabis resin. It doesn’t cause consumers to get high, and people generally use it for medicinal rather than recreational purposes.

“

10 Cannabis by the Sea

Summer 2022

Consult with a medical professional before you start consuming CBN, especially since clinical studies are limited.

Like CBD, CBN can be found in several forms, the most common being oils or tinctures, gummies or capsules. You’re also more likely to find CBD products that contain CBN rather than products consisting of CBN exclusively. CS — CBTS Staff Report

The Cannabis Lifestyle

Ask a Bud t end er Alyssa Jackson

Alyssa Jackson is 23 years old and hails from Northern California/Oregon. She has been a budtender at the Wheelhouse Dispensary in Port Hueneme for a little over a year and a half and has always had a passion for cannabis and being a part of the industry. Besides being a budtender, Alyssa is also an artist, an actress, a makeup artist and enjoys dancing in public and singing to strangers. The main goal in her life is to be a little out of the ordinary and to make people smile and laugh. “I want the world to be a little brighter where it can — this is a very harsh place most of the time but I aim to smother that harshness with love and kindness … and some cannabis.”

In general, have customers become more open about what they are seeking as far as CBD/THC treatment/ use?

I have found customers are very open and a lot of times eager to share what they are looking for as far as THC/ CBD products. There are several times throughout the day when people express all sorts of different reasons and needs for cannabis. I am always very interested in hearing customers’ stories as to why they consume, everything from very serious health needs to just finally relaxing and getting some genuine dopamine. I have noticed most people love informing me about why they are seeking out cannabis.

or taking a nice terpy dab.

Making the environment comfortable is one of my main goals in helping a customer. I find if they feel comfortable and welcomed they tend to share more which honestly helps me find what’s going to work best for them. Not everyone wants to share their reasoning but I am seeing that’s becoming less common as people get more aware of the wonderful benefits of cannabis.

Is there a customer success story you’d like to share?

There are many customer success stories but there is one that stands out the most. I was helping this woman quite a few months back, and I could tell as soon as she walked in she was in pain. We got to talking and she shared with me that she had recently been diagnosed with kidney disease and her kidneys were starting to fail her. I had much compassion for her, as someone with family members with the same disease I felt very deeply for her knowing how scared and disoriented she must be feeling.

A good Sativa to start my morning, throughout the day I go between hybrid and Sativa and then end my night with a good heavy indica. Edibles I live off of for my sleep mostly, I suffer from pretty gnarly insomnia and edibles with the magic component CBN are my best friends. For those who don’t know, CBN works directly with the REM cycle in the brain and helps it activate so you fall asleep and, more importantly, stay asleep. I enjoy all the different ways we can consume this fantastic plant, the more options the better in my opinion.

Do you have a preference of edibles vs. smoking?

If so, why?

I personally love both edibles and smoking, but I smoke more than I consume edibles. For the most part, I smoke. I enjoy We formed a really strong bond right away when we shared the act and the ritual of it all and of course the immediate our personal experiences with each other. I found some effects. There’s nothing quite like packing a beautiful bowl products that I thought might help make her feel a bit better, Continued on Page 12 Spring 2022 Cannabis by the Sea

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The Cannabis Lifestyle Continued from Page 11

emotionally and physically. She came back a few days later and I helped her again, tears filled her eyes as she thanked me for finding something she loved and really worked for her and for making her feel so comfortable and cared about.

She still comes into the shop all the time and she’s been able to stay off a lot of pharmaceuticals and consume cannabis instead. It’s a treat helping her out and I feel very fortunate to see her progress and be able to get her the natural medicine she needs.

weed-related. I did my own thing for quite a few years and self-learned many things off the internet and from friends/ family.

Then a little over a year and a half ago I finally got into one of my dream jobs, being a budtender! It was mostly handson learning but at our dispensary, all of us have to pass a full educational training on all the many aspects of cannabis.

That was insanely beneficial and helped me excel way more when it came to explaining and understanding cannabis.

If you could let the public know one thing about There’s always room to learn more though so I constantly cannabis, what would it be? seek out all the knowledge I can, especially when it comes If I can share one thing about cannabis with the public, it to my favorite plant. is simply that cannabis is magical. It’s not something to be afraid of, if anything we need more education out there on What’s a special talent a budtender has that makes the benefits of cannabis. them perfect for the job?

A special talent a budtender should have is being For so long it has been demonized but I think this plant personable and knowledgeable. I try very hard to greet could help so many people; I feel if we were more aware of every customer with positive energy and with as much all the lovely science that goes into weed now it wouldn’t honest knowledge as I have. Being able to be friendly and be as scary to some people. inviting is key, in my opinion, people will want to come back to you specifically if you give them a genuine happy feeling.

Cannabis goes much deeper than “getting stoned,” it’s an My main goal in every shift with every person is to have them entire world of possibility. The weed world is much different leave with something that will actually help them and a smile now, if you’re getting it from a legit dispensary everything has on their face. I feel it’s very important to be informative and been tested in a lab and is safe. I trust smoking or taking an educate people, while of course smiling and showing them edible way more than I would trust taking a pharmaceutical, you’re here to make their day a better one.

I know exactly what’s going into my body. The list of benefits is endless and I can’t even take an over-the-counter pain Any product recommendations? killer without fear of what it will do to my liver. I never worry There are honestly so many products out there I love very about that when I’m smoking, I simply don’t have to because dearly but I do have some top ones that stick out to me. For I know my weed is not going to kill me. It’s a super plant, we flower I love basically anything from Fresh Baked or Northern just need to understand it as a society better so it’s not this Emeralds, they both have beautiful and delicious bud. When big scary “drug” and we can see it for what it is, a wonder it comes to concentrate Papas Select and Dablogic have plant. my heart without a doubt. For edibles, Wyld gummies are my ride or die, if you have sleeping problems like me try their How did you gain your canna-knowledge? elderberry CBN gummies, they have truly saved me from so I have been accumulating canna-knowledge since I was much sleep deprivation. pretty young, my parents have always consumed so it was a part of my life from birth basically. When I was a teenager is Wheelhouse Cannabis Dispensary is located at 521 W. when I started getting curious about what weed really was Channal Islands Blvd, Suite 1, Port Hueneme, CA. Find them all about. I smoked but I didn’t know what I was smoking and online at wheelhouseph.com CS so I started doing my own research. I started growing my — CBTS Staff own plants and helping others grow, I was making my own dab (or concentrate) and was trying to get into anything 12

Cannabis by the Sea Summer 2022

The Cannabis Lifestyle Continued from Page 9

however anecdotal evidence has been driving sales and some former insomniacs swear by it.

Expect to experiment with CBN, as you would with any plant medicine, to find the right dosage and ingestion method for you, e.g. oils, tinctures, gummies, soft gels, capsules, flower, and topicals. Don’t expect to get high from CBN, which is created when THC oxidizes. However, there are high ratio THC to CBN products available. Ask your budtender about them if you’d like a more psychoactive effect.

About those Zzzzzz According to the Center for Disease Control, adults need at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep every 24-hour period. The needs vary by individual and depend on age. Insomnia— temporary or chronic—can result from any number of factors, such as not enough physical exercise, jet lag, stress, or an underlying medical condition. Additionally, the following medications can cause loss of sleep: corticosteroids, statins, alpha-blockers, beta-blockers, antidepressants, and a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin, among others.

CANNABIS

By The Sea Magazine

SUBSCRIBE TO YOUR FREE DIGITAL COPY Visit cbtsmagazine.com

Everyone deserves a good night’s sleep. That is how the body repairs and rejuvenates itself, keeping us mentally and physically healthy. If a night of deep slumber is your Holy Grail, like Maeve, you owe it to yourself to visit a dispensary for a talk with a budtender. Sweet dreams. CS

Did you know?

• Between 10% and 30% of adults struggle with chronic insomnia

• Around 75% of adults with depression suffer from insomnia.

Data provided by sleepfoundation.org

Brent Flaaten

• Insufficient sleep has an estimated economic impact of over $411B each year in the United States alone.

Summer 2022 Cannabis by the Sea

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The Cannabis Lifestyle

A Sisterhood

By Dianne Armitage

Like Nun Other

The Sisters of the Valley, a group of self-described eco-feminist nuns in Merced County, California, are on a mission to heal the world using plant-based medicines—many sourced from marijuana.

Although unaffiliated with any formal religion, the sisters deem themselves very spiritual beings who just happen to be walking a physical path, which they feel is what helps them connect to others. With nearly 50,000 followers on Instagram, it appears they are likely on the right path.

For founder Sister Kate, this path had a rocky start. A devastating divorce, after 17 years of marriage and four years living together, turned her previously comfortable world upside down. Not one to let adversity stop her, in the Fall of 2009, she founded a nonprofit cannabis collective, opening for business in 2010.

Courtesy Photo

In this capacity, she served cannabidiol medicine to local terminal patients.

While doing this, she developed teas and tinctures so patients could experience their healing properties without needing to deal with smoking.

After three years of service, Sister Kate realized the need to share these safe, non-addictive, non-psychoactive products with a larger audience. It was at this juncture, her vision of the Sisters of The Valley became a reality. During the Harvest Moon of 2014, Sister Kate developed their first line of products.

From left to right, back row, Sister Sophia, Sister Kass, Sister Quinn, Sister Kate Front row:, Sister Luna, Sister Camilla 14 Cannabis by the Sea

Summer 2022

Lompoc Mayor, Jenelle Osborne

Sister Kate’s personal problems pale in comparison to what she says has been her most difficult obstacle, sharing “we experienced three years of the pandemic losses, starting in 2019 before the pandemic. We still had a break-even year in 2019, after four years of profits, but we had our banking yanked out from under us on May 31, 2019 and didn’t recover banking until October 25 of that year.”

Courtesy Photo

“We kept the store open, and the sales were all going into the credit card processor cloud, but we had no bank to receive it from. We had no way to pay our people. We have always been cashless, so it really crippled us. We were just recovering from that when the pandemic hit, and sales dropped to unprecedented lows. Those have been our real challenges. We never got our business permit from the county, but now we don’t want one. We are in year eight. They can keep After three years of service, their application fees and Sister Kate realized the need to processes, we’re good.”

share these safe, non-addictive, non-psychoactive products with a larger audience. It was at this juncture, her vision of the Sisters of The Valley became a reality.

“

A challenge from her nephew got Sister Kate wearing her habit but says the fact she continues to call herself sister and still wears a habit has a much broader meaning.

“

“We certainly qualify as nuns, anyway, because we live together, work together, pray together, and take vows. But we love the good sisters of the patriarchal religions and mean them no disrespect. Those nuns from conventional orders are often our biggest fans and supporters. It is not meant to make any kind of statement about nuns, in fact, we call ourselves sisters, and the media dubbed us ‘weednuns.’ It is meant to emulate our ancestors in the castles of Europe, who would not affiliate themselves with any one religion, because they were religious and spiritual scholars, and to do so would limit their studies and thereby, limit their knowledge.”

Continued on Page 16

Courtesy Photo

“It definitely started as an activist finger to the establishment, but it grew into something much more. The veil is an ancient symbol for women working with food and medicine. For us, it is the uniform of the enclave and represents our mission, our customs, and our humility,” she explains the Beguine Revivalist lifestyle.

Summer 2022 Cannabis by the Sea

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Continued from page 15

Sister Kate is not blowing smoke when she tells us what advice she would convey to anyone dealing with life’s ups and downs.

“It is far easier to get one hundred dollars from a poor man than ten dollars from a rich man, so don’t waste your time with those who can most afford to help you. They won’t. But don’t give up, follow your instincts, follow a path that dances wondrously in your head, and surround yourself with people who believe in you and your vision, if you can,” she advises.

“I believe women heal women with words (and sometimes, there are men who can do that, too), and seek out those who will give you the courage to face the transitions, and make sure each step you take, each day, in some way, even in little ways, walks you toward that path. I find it odd that our society puts so much faith and trust in God and so little in the women because what has happened is we quickly give up on ourselves. I am so grateful I didn’t because my life is magical.” CS

16 Cannabis by the Sea Summer 2022

Courtesy Photo

To learn more about the Sisters of the Valley visit www.sistersofthevalley.org

Overlooking the gorgeous Pacific Ocean

The podcast dedicated to taking the mystery out of cannabis and hemp.

Hosted by Alex Robles, new shows drop on Sundays Follow the the links below to watch the “In My Grow Show” podcast on YouTube or listen to it on all the major podcast platforms. https://www.youtube.com/inmygrowshow http://inmygrowshow.libsyn.com/

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Summer 2022 Cannabis by the Sea

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The Cannabis Lifestyle

Recipe

Courtesy Photo

Meet James Beard nominated chef, bestselling author, cannabis culinary pioneer, podcast host, philanthropist, and mental health survivor — Jordan Wagman.

Jordan’s unique culinary journey began over campfires in Northern Ontario and progressed to the kitchens of some of the top chefs in the culinary world.

Jordan Wagman

At the age of 12, Jordan was diagnosed with Psoriasis, an often-debilitating autoimmune disease. He was hospitalized numerous times and took medication that would have lasting negative side effects.

Jordan realized at a young age that sunshine was a huge piece to his health puzzle — fast forward to 2014, Jordan found the second piece: a healthy diet.

Following one meeting with a naturopath, Jordan removed gluten, dairy, and refined sugar from his diet and began consuming cannabis and, almost immediately, his life changed and he began living a much healthier existence.

Today, Jordan has a renewed focus on food, health, and wellness; he offers a unique chef’s table experience redefining cannabis infused food, consults on the creation of CPG products, continues to write books and speak publicly while advocating for the normalcy of cannabis. CS Find more of Chef Wagman’s recipes, listen to his podcast “In The Weeds,” shop his favorite cooking supplies, and more at www.jordanwagman.com.

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Coconut Crusted Shrimp with Infused Tomato Sauce Coconut Crusted Shrimp Serving: 2 servings Preparation time: ~5 mins | Cook time: ~15 mins Tools: Paper towel lined baking sheet COCONUT CRUSTED SHRIMP INGREDIENTS: 3 cups (750 ml) avocado oil ½ cup (125 ml) potato starch 1 tsp (5 ml) salt 1 tsp (5 ml) freshly ground pepper 2 eggs 1 cup (250 ml) unsweetened shredded coconut ½ lbs (8 oz) 16-20 shrimp, peeled and deveined DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat oil to 375 F. 2. In a mixing bowl combine potato starch, ¼ tsp (1 ml) salt, and ¼ tsp (1 ml) pepper and mix well. Set aside.

3. Crack two eggs into a mixing bowl combine with ¼ tsp (1 ml) salt, and ¼ tsp (1 ml) black pepper and mix well. Set aside.

4. In a separate mixing bowl combine coconut with ¼ tsp (1 ml) salt and ¼ tsp (1 ml) black pepper and mix well. Set aside.

5. Place shrimp in potato starch and toss to fully coat.

Shake off excess starch and transfer to the egg.

Thoroughly coat in egg and transfer to coconut.

Thoroughly coat in the shredded coconut and set aside on a plate.

6. Place shrimp in preheated oil and fry until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer to a paper towel lined baking sheet.

7. Season with remaining salt and pepper and serve immediately.

The Cannabis Lifestyle

Infused Tomato Sauce Serving: 2 cups (500 ml) Cook time: ~25 mins Tools: Medium saucepan with tight fitting lid, blender, or immersion blender INFUSED TOMATO SAUCE INGREDIENTS 2 cups (500 ml) cherry or grape tomatoes 1/3 cup (100 ml) olive oil ¼ cup (60 ml) water ¼ tsp (1 ml) sea salt ¼ tsp (1 ml) freshly ground pepper 2 leaves fresh basil ¼ tsp (1ml) cannabis distillate (see tips) DIRECTIONS: 1. Rinse tomatoes under warm water, dry, and set aside 2. In a saucepan combine tomatoes, olive oil, water, salt, and pepper and bring to a simmer over low heat until tomato skins begin to split and the juice from the tomatoes has been released, about 20 minutes.

3. Remove from heat, add basil and cannabis, and transfer to a blender or use an immersion blender in the sauce pot and puree until smooth.

4. Use immediately or cool to room temperature, transfer to an air-tight container, and refrigerate up to five days.

TIP: Start low and go slow. If using THC, start with 1-2mg of cannabis per person and titrate up from there in the future until you find your cannabis sweet spot.

Courtesy Photo

TIP: Coconut Crusted Shrimp can be baked. Preheat the oven to 400 F and bake until golden brown, about ten minutes.

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Resources and References

Resources and References

“Budtender Education: Cannabis Education for Budtenders from an Oakland Equity Perspective” “This book represents the beginning of a new genre of writing, from an equity cannabis perspective,” writes Javiar Armas writes in the introduction to his book, Budtender Education, “engaging the emerging and forming regulatory cannabis legal system through the lens of the harsh past damages that ravaged inner cities throughout the U.S.” It’s with this underlying theme that Armas aims to educate budtenders, who are the link between plant medicine and the people seeking it. Who educates budtenders? Sadly, it’s mostly a catch as catch can proposition. Armas aims to change that with his book Budtender Education. And you don’t have to be a budtender to read it.

“Grass is Greener” News is that Netflix is losing subscribers. Man, we sure hope their original programming doesn’t suffer because of it. The documentary “Grass is Greener” is what we’re talking about. Fred Brathwaite — known better to many as the Yo! MTV Raps Host or Fab 5 Freddy — directs and narrates the film, using the War on Drugs as a prism to look at the many roles cannabis played, and continues to play, in music history. Think Cab Calloway for starters and follow up the bouncing ball to today. Snoop Dog and Killer Mike, among others, help tell the story, which posits cannabis was illegalized due to fear of Black people and Mexican immigrants. Netflix.com.

“Why Mommy Gets High: A Conversation Starter for Parents Who Smoke Pot”

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Author Wendy Brazill reports she wrote Why Mommy Gets High for children to explain why some parents choose to use marijuana as a way to relax and connect with their kids. Serving as a conversation starter, the book aims to normalize cannabis in the same way a glass of wine is viewed. Moderation and responsibility are the theme, and de-demonization of the plant is the subtext. wendybrazill.com.

C Available on Amazon Prime. Vudu.com.........

S

The Cannabis Lifestyle

Blunt

By Ellie Carr Dear Ellie,

Advice

I ran out of papers and don’t have a piece to smoke with. All I have is an old lime that’s been sitting on the top of my refrigerator for too long. I’ve seen people smoke out of fruits before, but not expired ones. Can I smoke weed out of a rotten lime that is hard and discolored?

-Sativa Sinner Dear Sativa Sinner, I’ll admit, I’ve done this with an old lemon, and it wasn’t too bad. Your biggest risk is tainting the flavor of your bud.

However, the sourness and rotten flavor of the lime is worth a quick trip to your local grocery store. Even when the fruit is ripe, it still dampens the flavor of the flower. If your concern is food poisoning, you’re in the clear. I did some research, and unless you’re in a pinch for food, too, and choose to eat it, you can only get sick if you actually ingest the rotten lime. And even then, you might get away with it. Prepare yourself with something to wash it down, because those sour, pungent flavors of old citrus will linger on your tastebuds. If you’ve never smoked out of a small fruit before, I have some quick tips: ● ● ● ● ●

Make sure to carve a good sized hole at the top of the lime for the bowl piece, about the size of a nickel.

(You want to get the most out of one hit, so you don’t have to keep tasting the lime.)

Once you’ve carved a hole, stick a pen through the center until it pokes through the bottom You should have one hole at the top for the bowl piece, and one hole at the bottom for the mouthpiece Clear out as much of the center of the fruit as possible so there is a clear pathway Pack your bud into the nickel sized hole, light up, and smoke from the bottom.

Do not poke a hole on the top of the lime and then on the side, the way you would with an apple. I’ve done this, and ended up with a singed eyebrow and hardly any smoke. Don’t worry about the weed falling through the hole to the bottom, don’t be stingy when packing the bowl and it will hold.

Since your lime is rotten to the point of hardness, you might need to carve it with something stronger than a pen, maybe a butter knife or the neck of a fork. Get creative. Because of the firmness of the zest, this will be a tricky endeavor, a bold one even. With enough stamina, and ability to endure bad flavors, you can make it happen.

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The Cannabis Lifestyle Continued from page 21

Dear Ellie, I moved in with a new roommate who doesn’t smoke weed. She says it’s fine to smoke in the house, but I smoke a lot, and I feel bad lighting up in our shared spaces. Any tips on how to live in a non-smoking home?

- The Good Roomie Dear The Good Roomie, Hopefully you have some sort of porch, or yard—even sitting in the doorway will do. My advice is to find a spot that works for you, and make it your own space for smoking. Preferably somewhere within five feet of your home that you have access to during all hours of the day. You might want to try making your own edibles or buying a THC pen that allows you to smoke more discreetly This might be the time to hit up than bud.

“

friends who you know allow smoking in their home, but whatever you do, don’t resort to the gutters behind grocery stores like I did as a teenager.

I remember my first group of roommates in college.

There were four of us in a three-bedroom home, and, luckily, we were all pretty big stoners at the time. We were practically eating weed for breakfast, so the answer to smoking in the house was an obvious “Yes”. After three years, I moved out of that little kush cave and into a small, two-bedroom apartment with a friend who, like your roommate, did not smoke. She was adamant on no smoking in the house, not even in the privacy of my own room.

“

Not smoking in the apartment was difficult after coming from a home where people were lighting up at all hours of the day. I had my habits of smoking a bowl in bed before going to sleep, or on the couch before watching a movie, and in the kitchen while cooking. I blazed in practically every corner of that home, so a no-smoking zone was an abrupt change for me.

Eventually, I came to love my nights alone on the patio, listening to music and smoking a joint as the sun went down.

But the patio is not your only option. With legalization more and more lounges are being opened for smoking weed as cities determine where to allow them. With the growing approval of legal use, there is a high demand for marijuanaaccepted lodging. I don’t know if we’ll ever be as cool as the weed cafes in Amsterdam, but we are certainly making promising moves towards a more inclusive and expanding cannabis culture. There are even Airbnb-style rentals and events that allow marijuana smoking on their premises.

This might be the time to hit up friends who you know allow smoking in their home, but whatever you do, don’t resort to the gutters behind grocery stores like I did as a teenager. Find a space that is close to you and make it yours! CS

Got a cannabis question? Send it to Ellie at ellie@cbtsmagazine.com 22 Cannabis by the Sea Summer 2022

We’d Recommend It

Products for You TheraCream

Created by a compound pharmacist, TheraCream® is a family affair. Father and pharmacist Paul Sullivan and his two daughters, Shannon Ashamalla and Stephanie Sullivan, created the topical relief cream for just about anything that ails. The lightly scented lotion uses only CBD and CBG isolates and zero THC to provide relief from aches, pains, sprains, and arthritis, just to name a few maladies. theracream.com.

One Hitter CBTS staff decided to call the One Hitter from Session, a black tinted borosilicate glass cylinder, the One Hit Wonder, because it made us wonder if we may have been smoking incorrectly from pipes all along. One hit — a grand slam high over the centerfield fence to the parking lot — and the job was done. To perfection. The One Hitter holds a pre-roll or flower and can be used with the Session Bong.

Replacement parts are available, too. sessiongoods.com

Calm Yo Butt Down This cracked us up. As the product name suggest, these CBD wipes were created to lend a soothing and calming effect to those special defecation moments, such as the morning after eating real Thai food like Thai people do. Not just for the sphincter, the wipes are safe to use from head to toe and everywhere in between. Not to be eaten or smoked, they won’t get you high. calmyobuttdown.com CS

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Cannabis by the Sea Summer 2022

Thailand... roots in cannabis

Last Look

Thailand, famous for some of the best cannabis in the world and the worst place to be in prison on drug charges on the planet, has turned over a new leaf. According to CNN, the Thai government distributed 1 million free cannabis plants to households across the nation to mark a new rule allowing people to grow cannabis at home.

Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced the move in a May 8 Facebook post stating the intention for cannabis plants to be grown like household crops. Residents are allowed to grow cannabis at home as long as they have notified their local government, the plants are medical grade, and used for personal use. The new rule, which went into effect on June 9, is part of a bigger plan for Thailand to cash on its internationally known green crop. Cannabis has been part of Thailand’s agrarian past for … well, historians aren’t sure, definitely BCE. Hopefully, the Thai stick will remain as good as it was when people risked their lives to smuggle it. CS — CBTS Staff Report

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Consistent high-quality greenhouse cannabis grown by 10 member farms under the Carpinteria valley sun on the Santa Barbara coast.