Leaf Magazine California January Issue

Compassion & Community Valley Pure’s divine purpose

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Central California Tattoo Artist

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ELEVATE CANNABIS ART

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LEAF OP-ED

15 THE FUTURE OF MEDITATION January 2022

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Clear the Channel: A Cannabis Meditation Testimony

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350,000+

weekly listeners on five locally-owned radio stations!

O N E P U T T B R OA D C AST I N G 1 4 1 5 F U LT O N S T R E E T, D O W N T O W N F R E S N O

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Cheers to 2022!

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NOTABLE TALENT

ON THE RISE

By Marco Uranga

Zyglerox, it is the name of a metal song by his favorite band Periphery. A progressive metal band from Washington D.C. In his early 20’s he dreamt of making it big in a metal band of his own called Apogee in which he would sing lead vocals. Years later he would develop a prominent reputation in central California, not as a metal singer but as one of the most noteworthy tattoo artists in the area. Who am I speaking of? His name is Landon McLain and he’s the solo tattoo artist of his own studio called Zyglerox Tattoo.

As a Visalia born and raised native, he found artistic inspiration from his father who supported his family through the Architecture profession. Realizing early on that the only subject in high school that really interested Landon was art, he eagerly took every single art class and elective available. “In high school I had an instructor, Jeff Watamura, and he seen there was something there that I had going for me in art. He encouraged me and set me in the right direction.” It would be no different when he continued every art class available at College of the Sequoias in Visalia. “Mr. Peterson would stand behind me after two hours of painting a human figure with charcoals and completely wipe my work away, fix it, then have me start over. I later realized that he would do that to the more advanced students. Some would get upset but I always appreciated what he was doing.”

At 19 to 20 years old he began getting his first tattoos and had the ahha moment that there was a potential living in this for him. “I watched as this artist drew the ink into my skin. The ease and flow of the needle.

The machine and how its sounded manipulating ink permanently into the skin. I thought, I can do this.” It would be Garrett Bradford of “Panchos Tattoos” of Woodlake, CA that would give Landon his shot at an apprenticeship. When asked how long that process was would take Landon said “Garrett didn’t give me a timeline or push me to get so much done by a certain time. They didn’t push me, they encouraged me. I was going to get as much as I was willing to put in. That included

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not just observing and practicing on silicone molds. It meant cleaning the entire place (bathroom included), stocking product and learning responsibilities of daily chores at a tattoo studio.”

In under 4 years McLain would make the giant leap and jump out on his own to create Zyglerox Tattoo. At this point Landon had a large enough following of steady clients that he felt confident enough to look for his own studio. The timing was perfect when McLain landed the perfect spot downtown main street Visalia, Ca. Located at 113 N Church St. Bank of Sierra building. He got lucky and grabbed the sweetest spot with a window opening south to main St. Unit 311 on the 3rd floor to be exact. There’s no crazy paintings or tons of pics of his work plastered to the walls in his shop. His work and his work ethic speak for itself.

His place is clean, his place is safe and his place is professional. When I asked what is the toughest part of being a solo tattoo artist of your own studio McLain said “I had no idea the paperwork or logistics involved with owning your own studio. Making rent here is the very least of my worries. I have a small spot so I have to keep a lot of my inventory at home therefore I’m always conscious about running out of something.”

Landon MClain has stresses and cannabis has been a part of his life since high school. He doesn’t smoke cannabis while he works.

When he gets home, he feels any good sativa flower can help release the stresses of long hours locked in a position that ultimately causes him to wear a back brace. “Ok ready to laugh? I’m a huge Dungeons and Dragons fan and my friends and I play all the time. I wear the Elf ears and everything. A favorite past time for me is painting 3-inch-tall cast iron Dungeons and Dragon figures. Most take around 6 hours to complete. I’ll smoke a bit, let the sativa focus kick in and start painting.

I look up and its 4am.”

Landon is completely happy in what he’s doing now. He’s only 27 years old and we can only imagine the reputations he will have in his 50’s. “I love what I do now. If anything, I see myself doing this when I’m old. I’d love to own a bigger studio working with a few other artists. If there’s one thing I miss about working with Garrett and the other guys at Panchos Tattoo is the camaraderie and chatter you have with your co workers. Checking out what their working on and learning something new all the time.”

Landon McLain has a bright future and the right attitude. “Sometimes it’s the smallest tattoo that can mean so much to someone. A name, a date. The first time I had someone get emotional in the chair I was early in my apprenticeship. I realized this is more than just going through the motions. This really means something and I’m so honored to play a part in that.” The central valley is honored to have you here as well Landon McLain. We’ll be watching you. Go to Landon MClain Instagram @ zylgeroxtattoos.

Marco can be reached at: www.highsierrahiker.com marco@leafmagazineca.com

LE AF

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COMPASSION AND COMMUNITY By: Bree Leonard

Valley Pure has the distinction of being the first cannabis dispensary to open in Central California. When the first location opened in 2018 in Woodlake, they were the only dispensary around for hundreds of miles.

Opening a new business during a challenging economy may sound risky to some, but Valley Pure has proven that it not only has a sustainable business model, but helps the surrounding community as well. Since opening in Woodlake, they have continued to drive traffic to the area and many local businesses credit the opening of Valley Pure with an increase in customers overall.

Valley Pure is different from the restwanting to ensure compassion, competitive pricing and community support are at the forefront of their mission. We spoke with Tony Caudle, Vice President of Sales and Retail, and Tommy Fields, District Manager at Valley Pure, to find out more. Tony tells us, “I think the one thing that stands out for Valley Pure is our support. We support everything from toy drives to the local baseball teams to fireworks shows and parades.” They are proud to sponsor local events and teams, and you will often find them participating in a drive of some sort.

Last year for Thanksgiving they were able to donate over 200 turkeys to needy families in the community. They will also be sponsoring a toy drive for Christmas with a goal of providing $10,000 in toys and gifts to local children. If you or your business would like to help, just stop by the dispensary and speak with them directly or reach out to socialmedia@valleypure.net.

Competitive pricing is also of the utmost importance to Valley Pure. While they do carry many top shelf varieties, you will also

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VALLEY PURE’S OWN LINE OF CANNABIS PRODUCTS

find something for every budget. Whether you are just experimenting for the first time, trying to find something to help ease your stress, or needing regular medication, Valley Pure has something for everyone. Just talk to one of their experienced budtenders to help you navigate their plethora of products. From flower to concentrates to edibles, you are sure to find just what you’re looking for. Even if you are an experienced consumer, they are sure to have a great range of products and price points to entice you.

Continuing to expand their presence, Valley Pure has plans to open a new dispensary location in Tulare in early 2022. This will add to their five other Valle Pure locations including Woodlake, Farmersville, Lindsay, Lemoore and a Central Coast Wellness location in Santa Cruz County. Always keeping up with trends and letting customers know about new and exciting products, look for new goods from Alien Labs and Connected the next time you’re there shopping. You can also try products from their very own Valley Pure line (be sure to check out our article next month as we dive deeper into these).

Most of the original staff from the Woodlake location are still growing with the company today- a fact that makes them very proud. Tony joined Valley Pure early on bringing his 20 plus years of industry experience with him. Having previously owned a medical cannabis delivery service, Tony knew the work involved and was happy to join Valley Pure in their growth. Since Tom had worked with Tony at the delivery business, the transition for him to Valley Pure was an easy one. Both agree that at Valley Pure they want to be great, not just good. They strive not only to be a fantastic place to shop, but also to be a place where people want to work. Valley Pure is always hiring- so if you or someone you know are looking to join a great team, stop by and apply. Tom says, “We’re always looking for good people, you know. As much as we’re expanding and as quick as we’re growing.”

Bring your resume, a good attitude and some dependability with you when you stop in. You do not have to have dispensary experience as they can teach you all of the business specifics that you will need to know.

If you see staff from the dispensaries out around town be sure to say hello. Tony, Tom and the other staffers always welcome a good conversation.

Even with some naysayers having objections to them at first, Valley Pure has worked hand in hand with local law enforcement to ensure a safe community. People that were on the fence about having a dispensary in town have mostly changed their minds now that they see the great work that Valley Pure does. With the increase in taxes generated by the business and the education Valley Pure provides, they welcome conversations with those that are unsure. They love to be able to take the opportunity to show them all of the great ways that Valley Pure is helping. “We’re always here to help and answer questions,” Tony says. “We just want people to really be comfortable being able to come in and say hello.”

Find out more about Valley Pure by visiting their website at ValleyPure.net, follow them on Instagram and Facebook or view them on WeedMaps.

You can also stop by locations in Woodlake, Farmersville, Lindsay and Lemoore.

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Clear the Channel: A Cannabis Meditation Testimony

Attention is our most valuable asset. Where we place it fundamentally determines our life experience. This has never been truer than now, as we navigate a reality in which our attention is increasingly competed for and commoditized by interests that rarely align with our greatest good.

One of the best gifts we can give ourselves, then, is learning to sit in silent stillness, go deep within, discover what’s there, and courageously, be with whatever arises.There are many tools one can employ on the path to reclaiming sovereign awareness. For ceremonialist Bethany Crouch, few tools have been as effective as a conscious cannabis meditation practice. Through intentionally directed use of this sacred plant, Bethany is courting a deeper awareness about who and what she is … and she wonders if you too might feel inspired to meet more of yourself in new and surprising places within.

“It is within the private, silent stillness of meditation that I cultivate a relationship with inner knowing. In this internal space, I open to receive wisdom and guidance,” Bethany explains.

Time to Shift For years, Bethany’s forward-facing self looked like success. A beautiful, charismatic, TV News professional, it seemed she was doing alright.

The image the world experienced was an incomplete story, however, not revealing her private struggles with dissociation and PTSD. Bethany relied on coping strategies to distract and numb herself, unaware of how she perpetuated her suffering and separation. Like much of Bethany’s private life, her relationship to cannabis also dwelled in the shadows. Prior to its legalization, and aware of public hostility toward marijuana usage, Bethany’s consumption was shrouded in degrees of shame. During a particularly heartbreaking season, desperate for relief from mental torment, Bethany intuitively married marijuana with meditation. This approach to presence and reflection became medicine, and served as a new pathway to examine the trauma and dissociation symptoms that kept her from truly feeling alive.

Heightened Awareness Through her cannabis meditation practice, Bethany accesses new awareness that deepen her connection to the energy of love. She believes she is collaborating with the Creator to self-heal and remember herself as Love. “Cannabis serves as a portal into conscious presence within my physical body,” says Bethany. Coupled with her other practices of yoga, breathwork and cold exposure therapy, Bethany says she is training her conscious awareness to stay in the body, especially when she is hijacked by a cutting thought or gripping emotion. In cannabis meditation, Bethany guides herself to follow the already present energy that is further illuminated by communing with the sacred plant. “Cannabis is an ally, teacher and friend on this journey.”

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Balancing Cannabis Upon discovering Collette Patricia’s Balancing Cannabis community, Bethany says she felt inspired by a collective of like-minded humans, also cultivating reverence for this plant medicine. “Collette’s heartcentered and enthusiastic support gave me the encouragement to further deepen in my connection to unconditional love through conscious cannabis use in meditation,” explains Bethany. Completing Collette’s Balancing Cannabis Facilitator Training has further supported Bethany in reimagining her relationship with the plant.

In releasing shame around cannabis use and fostering an entirely new relationship with the plant, Bethany uncovered a deeply reverent experience. It is a holy endeavor, a sacred meditation, wherein Bethany is a co-creator in her own existence. “The practice is a pathway to embodying love, to choosing to experience whatever arises in meditation as love,” says Bethany. “If I choose to see it as such, everything is for me, for my evolution. Every pain, every joy, every crack in the facade of the identity to which I once so tightly clung, reveals a gem awaiting harvest.” Bethany says that because cannabis highlights whatever energy is already most present in the body, she uses it as a tool to sit in the center of discomfort, rather than deny or run from it. Bethany uses her meditations as a time to reinforce the truths that she is safe inside her body, that she loves and honors her body.

Energy is Neutral “Energy is neither good nor bad; it’s the thoughts you have about the energy, the label you assign it, that create the experience.” Bethany says that when you notice the energy and choose to work with it, you can breathe it through the physical body and you can release it, opposed to attaching to it or clenching down on it and trapping the energy inside where it can then create pain, disease and tension. Bringing clear intention to working with the body’s energy during cannabis meditation can create new neural pathways, as well as pathways to healing. “By declaration of intent, I control my experience. I program the energy to work with me rather than allowing it to possess or hijack my being and take me for a ride. I trust the energy to show me what needs excavating, what needs attention, what needs love.”

While confusion, trauma and heartbreak accompany the human predicament, we need not drown in the isolation we may feel. For Bethany, cannabis meditation is one way she has found to experience the interconnectedness of humanity, the sanctity of life, and the eternal presence of unconditional love. And this is an experience she revels in offering to others, especially those who are new to cannabis, new to meditating or new to combining the two. “As humans awakening to the truth of our Divine Nature, many of us are at the very beginning of remembering ourselves. Remembering that we are in a body, we have a mind and we experience emotions, but none of these are actually us. We are infinitely more expansive. For me, cannabis meditation puts me in direct contact with that expansiveness that is my essence.”

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To discover how Bethany and her team can support you in your journey, please schedule a complimentary consultation @bethanycrouch www.Bethanycrouch.com

Cannabis Meditation: Getting Started If you are new, consider employing a practitioner to hold space and guide your journey, in-person or online. You may also choose to attend an organized group meditation. Bethany says to “arrive to the space open and curious.” She asks, “What if you were to allow the part of you that knows, the part of you that remembers the truth of your innate power, courage and wisdom to guide you forward? Can you imagine conspiring with that part of you in your own personal healing, in your own evolution?”

Prepare yourself to sit with the possible discomfort of energies the mind may want to label as unpleasant, or even assaulting. If such energy presents, “acknowledge, observe and breathe. Focus on the breath. Imagine the breath helping dissolve the energy. Allow the breath to move the energy through and out. See yourself giving the energy back to Mother Earth for transmutation.”

Cannabis Meditation: Set the Space Cannabis meditation is best practiced in a safe, quiet space where you can relax and surrender to the journey. Consider lighting incense, sage or palo santo to create a vibe. Have a blanket and eye cover ready, along with water and your plant medicine. Come to the experience sober: this is a valuable step, allowing you to commune with the plant and infuse it with prayers, intentions and gratitude before consuming it.

Cannabis Meditation: Deeply Listen Begin by breathing for a few minutes prior to taking the medicine. After smoking, take a few more deep breaths and slowly lower your body to a comfortable position on your back. It is supportive to do a full body scan to begin. If you are an experienced meditator, you may feel comfortable to explore a self-guided experience. If this is all new to you, consider playing soothing tones or music and experiment with a smaller dose; one hit may be plenty to begin. Focus on the energy that presents and get curious about what it is showing you.

Listen deeply to the body and pay attention to the breath, notice any pain or tension. Where is there resistance? How can you relax even more fully into the experience? “The body is an access point to your intuition,” Bethany reminds. It is a guiding light as it communicates. “Listen, without judgment, to what the body is saying. Allow the body to communicate to you through the energy enlivened by the cannabis plant.” Bethany suggests setting aside a full sixty minutes for the meditation itself.

Cannabis Meditation: Integrate Following meditation, allow space for integration and reflection. “These experiences can be very deep. You may journal, create an art piece, record a voice memo or even get up and create a dance party for yourself. Note what is most alive for you. What new awarenesses came in?”

Be Held Bethany’s own journey of self-recovery has led her to holding space for others on the path to embodiment, healing and self-ownership, both online and in-person. “I know it’s called cannabis meditation, but in my experience, for those ready to truly begin the process of freeing themselves from the stories and false selves, it’s actually a potential portal into transformation, empowerment and release.’ Together with her partners, Bethany also custom tailors private retreat experiences for individuals, couples and small groups desiring medicine work in a safe, intimate space. Bethany seeks to encourage others as they “lead themselves on a journey of homecoming.”

The truth and power await those with the courage to clear the channel and deeply listen.

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“It’s always been a positive experience working with Mat and Valley Pure in this industry,” said Rapozo. “We are here to enlighten with art, knowledge and fun. We are a team! We are a family!”

“We are not just running a business here; we are here to help people,” said artist/budtender Brooke Rapozo of Valley Pure in Lemoore. In addition to being of quality counsel to the ever-growing client base, she, with the help of her coworkers and manager Mathew Franzen, has imparted an artistic milieu to the location that has engendered an inherently organic wheel of cultural exchange.

Once customers enter the lobby, they are free to express their artistic vision and add to the existing chalk art on the walls or start a new piece of their own in real time. This encourages people of all ages, ethnicities and walks of life to connect with each other and the employees on a personal level. Anything silly, funny, strange, provocative and/or otherworldy is welcome. Anything gang-related, racist, misogynist or hateful will be swiftly erased or removed.

“It is a very cool interactive experience for the customers who are waiting. Usually, waiting in line for a minute at a dispensary is a minor drag but now it’s a creative endeavor,” said Rapozo. Customers are also encouraged to bring in art of their own to possibly be displayed. Several local artists are on display at any given time.

Once they enter the showroom it’s a different experience vis-a-vis your average dispensary. The color and vibrance of the art is in concert with the creative packaging and sheer variety of products. There’s always something new; whether it be beverages, edibles, flower, tincture, concentrates or more, medicine is being distributed in new forms that many customers (including the author) didn’t know existed.

“All the art is chalk-based in the showroom. This way we can always add something or erase and create something fresh,” said Rapozo, now handling business as a mulit-tasking Inventory Manager. “Everytime you come in you might see something a little different!”

Even though the creative ideas are a team effort, Rapozo is usually the one to flesh them out: “My fellow budtenders are always throwing out new ideas, sometimes just to be weird and funny. Then I say ‘Oh, you want a Sasquatch? I’ll give you a Sasquatch! If you want an alien (that eventually turned into a parody of a posing Rose from the film Titanic), you got an alien!”

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Born and raised in Hanford, Rapozo grew up drawing, painting and playing sports. Her grandmother would order her, her siblings and her cousins to paint with her; notably, they would be commanded to use bright colors on the shells of grandma’s many tortoises so they weren’t camouflaged in her lush backyard.

Rapozo moved on to Monroe Elementary, Woodrow Wilson Middle School and Hanford High before becoming a hair stylist for many years and a mom to her now 12-year-old daughter Harlee.

“When Covid-19 hit, it put the brakes on my plans and I had to switch gears, which I now realize was a struggle that blessed me in spades.”

Store Manager and military vet Mathew Franzen facilitated the individualism of Valley Pure’s Lemoore location and has an inspirational story of his own: “I first started with cannabis to self-treat my insomnia.

Once I found out that I also have the disease diverticulitis I couldn’t work a normal job. I was misdiagnosed and bed-ridden for almost three years. To elevate my quality of life, I started growing in 2011 and moved on to closeloop extraction for years. Next thing you know, I get the chance of a lifetime with Tony Caudle’s first company Green Life Patient Delivery Service. Fast forward, Valley Pure is a storm in the valley and I’ve been with them since the inception.”

Valley Pure established the first cannabis dispensary in the Central Valley in Woodlake in 2018. Over the next few years they expanded to Farmersville, Lindsay and Lemoore, effectively bringing a new form of medicine to the masses. The multitude of uses from recreational to medicinal are being spread memetically from the Valley Pure power centers.

The grand opening in Lemoore July 7th 2020 had a great turnout and response from the community. When Rapozo, now part of the managerial staff, put her heart and soul in she knew there might be a cultural element missing and she decided to do something about it. The walls were empty and she felt the beautiful location had a lot of potential.

Her inspiration initially came from witnessing customers snapping pictures of all the graffiti on the local trains while they were in line: “A lot of the graffiti is artistically done and reflects our local culture,” said Rapozo.

That sparked a thought in her mind: Utilize art to strengthen the relationship between Valley Pure and the community.

The founding fathers of Valley Pure itself, Kevin Biernacki, TJ Hamon, Jeremy Dueck and Tony Caudle have been tastefully white-glove, letting Franzen, Rapozo and their killer coworkers read the defense and be the driving force behind the success of the Lemoore location. “We changed the store per my instructions. I needed to be able to innovate on the spot to compete with the stores around us,” said Franzen.

Valley Pure’s Lemoore location and history are unique. It was converted from a historic train depot and the 19th century exterior has been preserved, deck and all. The interior, however, has been completely modernized. Before Rapozo’s art came into the picture, the historical landmark was completely revamped from head to toe.

Contradicting stereotypes of hippies and stoners, the staff seeks to efficiently empower their customers with knowledge so they know what exactly meets their needs. Rapozo, Franzen and the entire staff come to work everyday knowing that healing, learning and positivity are eminent.

Customers come in knowing they are going to have a positive (even educational) experience and gain a tool to better their lives. “It’s always been a positive experience working with Mat and Valley Pure in this industry,” said Rapozo. “We are here to enlighten with art, knowledge and fun. We are a team! We are a family!”

Valley Pure in Lemoore can be contacted at (559) 997-5422. Any serious inquiry is welcome.

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H E A LT H G O O D N E S S

The Future of Meditation: Cannabis Evolution of the Practice Colette Patricia Balancing Cannabis

By: Bree Leonard Collette Patricia of Balancing Cannabis is not new to smoking cannabis. She’s not new to valuing spiritual growth. In fact, she’s been smoking cannabis and meditating for many years, but until a few years ago, she had intentionally never mixed the two. Partly from personal choice, and partly from growing up in a purity culture, she worried that spirituality must be separate from her use of cannabis.

At a time in life when she was deeply searching for truth, Collette decided it was ready to try the two together- she was ready to meditate with cannabis. She set an intention for her meditation, created an environment, and then blessed the cannabis before smoking, “just as you would bless a meal,” she said. Then the

pandemic she was able to work out of a retreat center, offering dozens and dozens of cannabis meditations. As she heard the testimonies of fellow cannabis meditators she became convinced that the experiences had not just changed her life, but had the power to change others and the collective. As the number of meditation sessions increased, she was able to begin refining the practice and hold space for more and more people.

Now, as the founder of a cannabis meditation platform network, she is holding space for people to have a sacred experience and reframe their relationships with the plant, with themselves, and with the Divine.

incredible happened. She had an overwhelming spiritual experience. Infact, this profound experience left her weeping in awe as she experienced transforming love.

The experience “took her by surprise.”

So, almost as a test, she tried the practice again but this time she was met with what she calls a “mystical out of body experience” with transformative power. There had to be something to this, she thought.

Slowly over time, Collette began sharing what she had experienced with others. She started to lead monthly cannabis meditations at local yoga studios in Los Angeles. During the

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the tone with invitation, music and sounds far before smoking or consuming cannabis. Then a blessing is spoken over the plant and the work about to be done.

As the meditation begins it is ever clear that

The Practice The cannabis meditations are open to all. Regardless of how familiar one is with cannabis, with meditation, or with holding space, the meditations Colette holds are powerful and grounding. She begins the time together with introductions, explanations, and personal testimonies from those living through transformative experiences in cannabis meditations.

They share about the power of the plant and this practice, and how it has changed the lives of community members. She sets the space and

this is a welcoming environment. It is safe. It is loving. It is grounding. It is healing. It is truthseeking.

The community collectively partakes, and the meditation takes shape with an open endedness to it. This leaves room for each person to become grounded in their body and mind, as they begin a body check. Moments in, as the nerve endings begin responding, each person is given the opportunity to check within themselves and feel a deep connection to the earth, to creation, to the creator, to themselves, and to others.

Each person has a unique experience while also collectively experiencing powerful transformation and realizations. This is a space for the evolving and learning of the mind, a transformation of the ego, an acknowledgment and healing of trauma, and a witness and reverence for energy. This can become, for many, a process of co-creating and growth with the Divine.

The Future of the Practice As the Balancing Cannabis community has grown through virtual meetings over the last year, it’s become clear that there is great need for this practice in today’s world. Over the past months, the dynamic of the community and their culture is organically unfolding as they meet together, building a community focused on love and transformation, and as the collective seeks a safe space to evolve and learn. Colette is thrilled with the growing love culture that is evolving into a movement.

The future for Balancing Cannabis and this practice of cannabis meditation is bright. According to Colette, her hopes for the future are broad and will change as the evolution of consciousness reveals itself, but for now, the plan for the future is twofold.

First, she is committed to continuing to build a community. There is a strong commitment to continuing to educate, to empower, encourage and

As the meditation begins it is ever clear that this is a welcoming environment. It is safe. It is loving. It is grounding.

It is healing. It is truthseeking.

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support her community. The hope is to one day have a brick and mortar community center where individuals can come and practitioners and fellow journey goers can invest in people and do the work together. Her goal is to create a “safe space to ask big questions”. This allows the space to watch the divine unfolding of life.

Second, the goal is to create additional teacher trainings and fostering a generation of intuitive entrepreneurs. 58 people attended Balancing Cannabis trainings in 2021 but there is a change on the horizon. The trainings will now transition from a 2 day training to a 3 month immersion training. The trainings are aimed at teaching how and why holding space for others opens opportunities of growth as they work in co-creation with the creator to help people heal and evolve.

Education on the power and science behind how cannabis works in the human body is paramount. She hopes to diversify how this is delivered to get to the hearts of as many people as possible, and get as many practitioners out in the world to spread the movement as the world awakens and evolves.

Offering this transformative practice packs a big punch for anyone who is ready to dive in. The hope is for there to continue to be an awakening and, as Colette says, “build empathy and compassion for humanity”. In fact, she believes that it is possible to “evolve the species through cannabis meditation.” What a movement that would be!

LEAF california magazine

WRITERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS. We are always looking to add local contributors to cover local and regional events

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MARKETING |

DESIGN

LOCAL SPOTS

DISPENSARIES

VISALIA

HANFORD

CENTRAL COAST

Central Valley Pure 207 West Main St Suite B (559)372-7744 centralvalleypure.com

Herb N Joy 102 S Douty St herbnjoy.com 650-701-4372

United Growers 15740 E Mineral King Ave (559) 635-0420

Deli by Calva 104 N Douty Ave (888) 688-0303 delibycaliva.com

Megan’s Organic Market 280 S Higuera St. San Luis Obispo, 93401 805-592-1420 /megansorganicmarket.com

LINDSAY

FARMERSVILLE

Valley Pure 133 W Honolulu St 559-788-7640 valleypure.net

Valley Pure 515 West Noble Ave Farmersville 559-690-0411 valleypure.net

WOODLAKE Valley Pure 132 North Valencia Blvd 559-769-2080 valleypure.net GreenBean 515 W. Naranjo Boulevard 559-564-9073 greenbeanpharm.com

TULARE Herb N Vibe 150 N. J St. 559-688-2001 tulareherbnvibes.com

Token Farms 483 Avenue 295 Suite #A 559-738-8375 tokenfarmsinc.com

LEMOORE Valley Pure 300 E St 559-997-5542 valleypure.net Natural Healing Center 338 West D Street (805) 201-1498 nhcdispensaries.com

Natural Healing Center - Morro Bay 495 Morro Bay Blvd.

Morro Bay, 93442 805-201-1498 nhcdispensaries.com Natural Healing Center - Grover Beach 998 Huston St. Grover Beach, 93433 805-201-1498 nhcdispensaries.com Perfect Union - Morro Bay 1000 Quintana Rd. #A Morro Bay, 93442 805-254-4146 www.perfect-union.com 805 Beach Breaks 1053 Highland Way Grover Beach, 93433 805-668-2228 805beachbreaks.com Urbn Leaf 239 S 3rd St, Grover Beach,CA 93433 805-556-4198 www.urbnleaf.com

Find Leaf Magazine at all these dispensaries.

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Though the cultural disapproval associated with being a ‘known’ Marijuana user has lessened over the years in its severity, it is still commonplace to blacklist individuals once the secret is out. We easily see it reflected in many outdated practices. In our politics there is a continued Schedule I status many legal and advocate groups are trying to shift. With the agricultural regulations outlined in California, farmers must jump through the hoops of a permitting process and heavy handed regulation unlike any other growing industry’s. For Olympic and many other professional athletes there are guidelines in place that bar them from competition if a drug test shows Marijuana use. Even in states where Marijuana use has been decriminalized or legalized, testing positive on a drug screening can affect employment opportunities and income.

WOULD IT SURPRISE YOU TO KNOW THAT ACCORDING TO NORML’S WEBSITE THERE HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL PASSAGE OF ADULT USE LEGISLATION AND/OR MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAWS IN AN ASTOUNDING 41 STATES AND TERRITORIES?

LEAF MAGAZINE OP-ED

By Libby Marks

Would it surprise you to know that according to NORML’s website there has been successful passage of Adult Use Legislation and/or Medical Marijuana Laws in an astounding 41 States and Territories? They outline each individual State or Territory’s regulations in their differing detail. I had to double count the list myself and rejoice that there are likely to be more laws to open to the reality of suffering and to aspire to its healing.” (Contemporary enacted or revised in the near future. Contrary to conservative fears, these Buddhism, Feldman & Kuyken, 2011) Imagine cultivating compassion and laws have not led to increased use or accessibility for minors. championing progress in ways that impact daily life in both our immediate and extended communities. There is nothing that can prepare you for the often life The flip side of such a wide range of acceptance across the country is a a altering after effects of a particularly traumatic event. very real lingering sentiment that people who are “stoners” are not actually productive members of society. They are depicted and discussed as lazy, Not yours or another person’s no matter how many books you read, no mentally scattered sometimes even labeled as addicts. What if the opposite matter what your spiritual beliefs or how practiced you are in empathy. The is actually true? What if marijuana use is indeed what helps some folks stay American Psychological Association defines Trauma as “…an emotional connected and on task? What if it is the best or only thing that helps an response to a terrible event…[long]term reactions include unpredictable individual’s physical and emotional health? We must ask ourselves if long emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships and even physical symptoms like held cultural beliefs based on false information and social programming can headaches or nausea.” This can have varying impact on daily activity and well be reconciled with the actuality of science and social progress. being.

I won’t pretend that there aren’t folks who sometimes over indulge or self medicate to the point of lethargy and overkill. This is frankly a possibility and actuality with any type substance either pharmaceutical or natural that people use in one way or another from alcohol to pills. I do, however, believe that the majority of people who smoke, vape, dab or ingest edibles and tinctures do so in a responsible way. Some people use Pot to manage their physical and emotional pain. Some use it for mental health reasons or just to feel ‘high’. For others it is the only thing that makes a difference in their pain recovery, appetite through cancer treatment or lessens the number of pharmaceutical medications they take for numerous ailments. Any way you specify symptoms and their treatment via Marijuana use, the practice could be characterized more positively and acceptance normalized in our communities. It is possible to ‘puff puff pass’ and still be a highly competitive athlete, a successful business person or any number of diverse professions.

When you yourself visualize a pothead do you see Fortune 500 CEOs? Small children suffering from seizures? Ultra famous Talk Show Hosts or exceptional Olympic Athletes? How about highly decorated Veterans or well respected NeuroSurgeons? The truth is that stigma should be on its way out and compassion on its way in as our societal norm. With Gallup reporting that in 2021 49% of adults in the U.S. have at least tried Marijuana it makes perfect sense. With this shift into a mentality around Marijuana use backed by science, modern values and ethical cultivation we have the capacity to truly help ourselves and others with respect and understanding. “Compassion is a multi-textured response to pain, sorrow and anguish. It includes kindness, empathy, generosity and acceptance…Above all compassion is the capacity

The unfortunate truth is that as a society we tend to attempt sweeping trauma ‘under the rug’ or associate it with a specific generation and ignore the very real affects of PTSD on the individual as a whole. It doesn’t matter if you were raped, went to war or fled for your life from wildfire your body is reacting along the same lines of “Fight, Flight or Freeze”. In these exceptionally trying times we need to find compassion for those who rely on Marijuana to treat their chronic symptoms. We are idling in a politically polarized global pandemic, the economy is slow to recover and many Veterans are struggling to process their experiences and sacrifices as the conflict in Afghanistan evolves. In these times perhaps we could exercise more of the “golden rule” that spans many religions and cultures. We will not see a decline in physical or mental symptoms that Marijuana has been proven to successfully treat. So let us exercise compassion and understanding to shift how we label and perceive its uses by ourselves, our friends and neighbors. We are on the precipice of an opportunity to do more than we ever have. Shall we meet in the middle?

For more information and activism opportunities consider reading publications from reliable sources and actively joining/ supporting organizations such as NORML or Americans For Safe Access.

Should you wish to engage, I love pen pals. please no hate: markslibby76@ gmail.com

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EST. 2017

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Find at these locations: Megan’s Organic Market 280 S Higuera St. San Luis Obispo, 93401 805-592-1420 /megansorganicmarket.com Natural Healing Center - Morro Bay 495 Morro Bay Blvd.

Morro Bay, 93442 805-201-1498 nhcdispensaries.com

Your next adventure starts at FYE Sports www.fyesportsshop.com Serving Tulare County & Surrounding Areas

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Natural Healing Center - Grover Beach 998 Huston St. Grover Beach, 93433 805-201-1498 nhcdispensaries.com Perfect Union - Morro Bay 1000 Quintana Rd. #A Morro Bay, 93442 805-254-4146 www.perfect-union.com 805 Beach Breaks 1053 Highland Way Grover Beach, 93433 805-668-2228 805beachbreaks.com Urbn Leaf 239 S 3rd St, Grover Beach,CA 93433 805-556-4198 www.urbnleaf.com

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