Issuu

V1N1 | MAY 2021

consumable.reports

V1N1 | MAY 2021

consumable.reports

V1N1 |

may 2021 John Oliver CEO | Group Publisher john@consumable.report

Dara Fowler Art Director | Publisher

features

dara@consumable.report

Magniﬁcent 7 Stoner Movies

Still Up in Smoke

What is Delta-8 THC?

A One on One with Tommy Chong

Curt Blakeney Editor 18

editor@consumable.report

Megan Thompson Controller media@consumable.report

reports

Contributors

Edibles

Vapes

Gear

Strains

Nurse Courtney Luke Harris Charles Hudson

Photography Kristina Stickler Light Feather Photography 9

departments 8

The Scoop

Strain Theory 24

28 13

consumable.reports

The Scoop

Consumable News and Gossip

Good Hemp Completes Acquisition of DIAMOND CREEK Good Hemp, Inc. announced that it has acquired the Diamond Creek Group as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Good Hemp. This announcement underscores the company’s plan towards expanding its consumer reach through strategic brand acquisition. Forecasts for the Functional Water market anticipate record growth, as it is expected to reach $18.24B by 2025, with much of the increase coming from North American territories. Additionally, the high alkaline water market has proven growth year over year, reporting 12% growth every year since 2013. As a key driver in market demand, the North American demand for functional and alkaline water has increased more than 44% since 2013. With the acquisition of Diamond Creek Water, Good Hemp is positioning itself to capitalize on this extraordinary market growth. Good Hemp is wasting no time with the expansion. Good Hemp and Diamond Creek have already leveraged Good Hemp’s marketing partnership with Spire Sports, including sponsorship on the Spire Motorsports No. 77 entry in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Good Hemp has also added Diamond Creek products to the Amazon network, which has seen substantial growth over the past six months. In addition, Good Hemp stands to benefit from several other factors and strategic decisions stemming from the Diamond Creek acquisition. Through Diamond Creek’s distribution network, Food Lion announced an expansion including the addition of sixty-two Bi Lo and Harvey’s Supermarkets stores. Meanwhile, Harris Teeter is running a special promotion for spring that provides additional shelf space and end caps for Diamond Creek’s product line. The increased retail visibility comes on the heels of Diamond Creek Water’s Amazon Store launch, a move to capitalize on the alkaline water category which does millions of dollars in online sales annually. Diamond Creek also plans to leverage Good Hemp’s broker and distribution network as opposed to remaining focused only on DSD.

HEALTH CANADA approves US hemp varieties for commercial production Generally, genetics approved for hemp production in Canada have been grain and fiber varieties, but the addition of some American genetics for the 2021 growing season are providing Canadian hemp cultivators with varieties well-suited for outdoor cannabinoid production in Canada’s shorter growing season. Health Canada, the federal agency that regulates cannabis in Canada, set out its list of approved hemp cultivars for commercial cultivation for licensed growers, which includes varieties that originated from American plant breeders including New West Genetics, Charlotte’s Web, Arcadia Biosciences and Davis Farms of Oregon. American varieties added to the 2021 approved list of hemp cultivars include: CW Ambassador (Charlotte’s Web), CW Duchess (Charlotte’s Web), CW1AS1 (Charlotte’s Web), Eighty Eight (Davis Farms of Oregon), NWG 2730 (New West Genetics), Painted Lady (Davis Farms of Oregon), Rogue (Arcadia Biosciences), Santiam (Arcadia Biosciences) and Umpqua (Arcadia Biosciences).

V1N1 | MAY 2021

ROCKSTAR RELEASES HEMP ENERGY DRINK IN GERMANY Rockstar Energy, which was acquired by Pepsi in 2020 for $3.86 billion, has launched a line of hemp-infused drinks in Germany. Rockstar Energy + Hemp was released Saturday in three ﬂavors. The drinks contain hempseed extract, caffeine and taurine. PepsiCo tells the publication that the drinks have an “intense” hemp ﬂavor. They will be sold only in Germany. PepsiCo announced no sales projections or what would make it consider expanding the hemp drinks to more markets.

The Scoop

Consumable News and Gossip

PURE CRAFT CBD Launches Nano-Infused Delta-8 THC Gummies Pure Craft CBD, a CBD brand that harnesses nanotechnology to make premium bio-available products, is launching Delta-8 THC gummies in response to growing consumer demand. All Pure Craft CBD products are vegan and come with a third-party lab Certificates of Analysis (COA), so consumers know exactly what’s in them and how they were tested. The Nano-Infused Delta-8 Gummies are each infused with 25mg of Pure Craft CBD’s nano-optimized Delta-8 THC. They come in assorted ﬂavors of watermelon, lemon, raspberry and orange. The Delta-8 gummies are available in 30-count jars, priced at $55. Delta-8 THC is one of 112+ cannabinoids found in the hemp plant. Delta-8 THC was made federally legal by the 2018 Farm Bill, allowing for all derivatives, isomers, and cannabinoids of hemp with the exception of Delta-9 THC. Delta-8 can produce some psychotropic effects that are less potent than Delta-9 THC. Pure Craft CBD also recently launched Immune Boost CBD gummies, a vegan product infused with 25mg of Pure Craft CBD’s nano-optimized broad-spectrum CBD. The gummies, available in 30-count jars for $55, offer added immune system support from elderberry, vitamin C and zinc. As with its immune boosting gummies and regular gummies, Pure Craft CBD focuses not only on absorption by nano-optimizing its broad-spectrum CBD, but it also ensures that the product does not have a bitter, leafy and green aftertaste. Pure Craft CBD products, all produced in FDA-approved labs, follow the strictest guidelines and quality control measures, making them pharmaceutical grade. They are 90% bio-available, meaning that Pure Craft CBD products enter the body at a much quicker rate due to them being highly nanotized and broken down into particles that the body can immediately absorb. While many CBD companies attempting to nanotize their product have achieved 150–200 nanometers, Pure Craft CBD has broken that threshold to below 100 nanometers and, in some cases, as low as five nanometers. For more info and to purchase the vegan Delta-8 gummies, visit PureCraftCBD.com

US HOUSE PASSES marijuana banking reform with hemp provision Hemp advocates are applauding a U.S. House bill that would clear banking hurdles for marijuana operators. But they’re hoping the measure, known as the SAFE Banking Act, is amended in the Senate to clarify a provision that mentions hemp. The bill, which passed the House 321-101 with strong bipartisan support, was the first major piece of marijuana legislation to be approved by the new Democratic-controlled Congress. The vote was on the eve of cannabis celebration day, April 20. Hemp activists have long supported banking access for colleagues working with high-THC cannabis. State-legal marijuana businesses have struggled for years to gain access to traditional financial services such as checking accounts, payroll accounts and lines of credit. Hemp operators have full access to the banking system thanks to nationwide legalization in 2018, though

The bill describes a “hemp-related legitimate business” as one operating “in compliance with the 2018 Farm Bill.” many hemp businesses struggle to access capital and banking services because of the plant’s association with marijuana. The bill describes a “hemp-related legitimate business” as one operating “in compliance with the 2018 Farm Bill.” But some states are either still in negotiations with the U.S. Department of Agriculture over compliance with the agency’s final hemp rules, or plan to retain pilot-project legal status as long as federal law allows. But the hemp language applies only to U.S.-grown hemp, potentially complicating matters for U.S. businesses that import hemp. The distinction has some looking to amend the measure to make sure no hemp businesses are left out because of the definitions. Prospects for Senate passage are considered more realistic than in previous years after Democrats won slim control of the upper chamber in the 2020 election. President Joe Biden has not said whether he would sign the banking measure into law, according to Biden spokeswoman Jen Psaki.

consumable.reports

The Scoop

Consumable News and Gossip

HUMBOLDT SOCIAL Partners with PAPA & BARKLEY on Cannabis Hospitality Experience Humboldt Social, a Humboldt County-based group of businesses with a mission to normalize connections between hospitality and cannabis, has partnered with Papa & Barkley, California’s leading cannabis wellness brand, to launch Papa & Barkley Social, an innovative cannabis retail concept featuring a curated dispensary, tasting room, luxury day spa, outdoor food truck, and consumption lounge. The innovative retail concept takes up approximately 7,000 square feet inside Papa & Barkley’s Eureka production and manufacturing facility. Cannabis Concierge specialists will welcome guests into a beautiful, airy wellness shop filled with lush greenery and natural light. The dispensary will feature the entire line of Papa & Barkley’s solventless, natural Releaf products including its award-winning balms and tinctures, premium chocolates and gummies, and luxury skincare products. Papa & Barkley sub-brand, Papa’s Select, will have its premium livings extracts on shelf as well. Papa & Barkley Social will support Humboldt’s women-led farms, Dewpoint, Sunrise Mountain Farm and Emerald Queen Farm by carrying their product lines. Social Nature, Humboldt’s own premier line of cannabis products, will also be featured. Papa & Barkley Social truly offers a full spectrum of sensory experiences. Guests can indulge in cannabis-infused massages and beauty treatments at the day spa. Humboldt Social has also created an inviting and expansive patio where guests can enjoy spitroasted meats and fresh salads from food truck, Pig + Leaf. The outdoor consumption lounge provides a relaxed social setting where visitors can enjoy the finest locally sourced cannabis products. Papa & Barkley Social offers an innovative and seamless cashless experience that is unique in California. Papa & Barkley Social will have an ofﬁcial grand opening on May 6th. For more info, visithumboldt-social.com

CANOPY GROWTH Signs U.S. Distribution Deal with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits Canopy Growth Corporation, a world-leading diversified cannabis, CBD and vaporization device company, announced that Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, the preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol in the South, as the distribution partner for its U.S. portfolio of CBD-infused beverages. This partnership announcement follows the recent launch of Quatreau — Canopy’s first line of CBD-infused beverages sold in the U.S market. Southern Glazer’s will distribute Canopy Growth’s CBD beverages, beginning with its CBD-infused sparkling water brand Quatreau, across seven states, with additional states in the months to come. Southern Glazer’s will be selling Quatreau through its existing commercial infrastructure, including its

Canopy Growth is one of the ﬁrst U.S. CBD beverage producers to access the nationwide network of a large-scale alcohol distributor...

industry-leading Proof e-commerce platform at sgproof.com. Canopy Growth is one of the first U.S. CBD beverage producers to access the nationwide network of a large-scale alcohol distributor to reach consumers across the U.S. at mainstream retail stores. The agreement also showcases the benefits of the company’s strategic relationship with Constellation Brands, the global beverage leader. Quatreau sparkling water contains 20 mg of premium, U.S. grown hemp-based CBD, in four refreshing ﬂavors: Cucumber + Mint, Passion Fruit + Guava, Blueberry + Acai, and Ginger + Lime. With an MSRP of $3.99 per 12-ounce can, Quatreau is a functional zero-sugar drink that delivers a natural, low calorie beverage alternative. The stateside launch follows the successful 2020 rollout of Quatreau in Canada, where it is now the top-selling ready-to-drink CBD beverage. Visit canopygrowth.com for more information.

V1N1 | MAY 2021 10 V1N1 | MAY 2021

The Scoop

Consumable News and Gossip

Dosist Brings Clean High Performance Gummies to Edible Category Award-winning cannabis leader Dosist announced the launch of Dosist performance gummies, the latest innovation in its rapidly expanding THC product portfolio. Available now in California, Dosist’s fast-acting, allnatural vegan gummies were designed to completely elevate the edible category through clean organic ingredients, mouth-watering natural fruit flavors and the company’s nanoblend technology, which provides consumers with a faster onset and more consistent experience. The new dosist gummy collection includes a progressive lineup of cannabis-infused flavors and formulations that cater to each consumer’s preference around flavor, potency and effect. At the forefront is Sleep, already a slumber-promoting favorite among consumers and retailers, which features a 5:1 THC to CBN ratio in a soothing blackberry lavender flavor. Alongside of Sleep, you’ll find Bliss, featuring 5 mg of THC to help you feel just the right amount of good, available in both Wildberry and Lemon Lime flavors. Also, Calm features a 1:10 THC to CBD ratio in Lemon Balm Citrus to help melt the stress away. Sleep, Bliss and Calm are all 100% plant-based, vegan, all-natural, non-GMO and feature Dosist’s proprietary ‘self-microemulsifying drug delivery system’ called nanoblend. Nanoblend creates greater bioavailability of the cannabinoids through natural absorption in the mouth and upper stomach, resulting in faster absorption, potency precision, higher concentration, better taste and an overall elevated effect. Rounding out the collection, the Dosist gummy range also features the highly anticipated, vibrant and vegan Live Resin gummy, done in collaboration with live resin experts Bear Extraction House. This special partnership live resin gummy contains 10 mg of THC and boasts delicious wild orange flavors.

PRODUCT DETAILS & PRICING: • Sleep (MSRP $21) is a blackberry lavender slumberpromoting gummy. Here, dosist has blended the perfect mix of 5mg THC to 1mg CBN, resulting in an experience they promise will make you look forward to a good healthy sleep. • Bliss (MSRP $19) is a 5mg THC-based gummy in two great ﬂavors: wildberry and lemon lime. It’s a fast-acting, great tasting vegan gummy. • Calm (MSRP $21) is a bouquet of lemon balm citrus offered in a 1mg THC to 10mg CBD ratio. This CBD forward gummy lowers the volume, brightens the day and helps relax the mind and body. • Live Resin (MSRP $23) in partnership with Bear Extraction House, allows for the full ﬂavor of natural terpenes and cannabis to be expressed. This is a true live resin experience available in 10mg of THC. The complete vegan, fast-acting dosist gummy collection is available through Dosist delivery in Los Angeles and at select retailers across California. For more information, visit dosist.com/edibles.

consumable.reports

Consumable Reports

edibles

Korova Lime Black Bottle | 1,000mg | $50 The Korova Black Bottle is a 1,000 mg THC Tincture with rapid onset and water-based, so it can be easily mixed with any drink. Twelve drops is all it takes for a rapid dose of 10MG of THC. With that strength, masking the THC taste can be a challenge. In this case, it’s a bit pungent, but we’re talking drops here. The strong key lime ﬂavor makes it go down easily. For 1,000 mg of THC, this is a great value for an edible.

TASTE TEXTURE BUZZ OVERALL

KIVA Watermelon Lemonade Bliss Gummies | 100mg | $20 TASTE TEXTURE BUZZ OVERALL

Kiva’s Camino (“road” in Spanish) product line takes you to a peaceful state of mind. Sativa and indica terpenes provide 5mg of THC, alongside juicy watermelon and tart citrus taste that welcome you to your happy place. The gummies have a light gelatin-texture. Each tin contains 20 gummies, so you’ll have to eat two to attain 10mg of THC. These gummies induce relaxation, reduce inﬂammation, and assist with the body’s response to anxiety and stress. Only 10 calories per gummy, these are perfect for night time.

Korova Chocolate Chip Mini Cookies 100mg | $20 TASTE TEXTURE BUZZ OVERALL

12 V1N1 | MAY 2021

Dosed perfectly at 10mg per mini cookie, one bag contains 10 delicious cookies. Korova’s chocolate chip cookies are made from an award winning recipe. Exploding with chocolate chips and brown sugar, these sweet buttery treats mask the THC without a hint of bitter taste. These mini cookies provide a typically calm and clear buzz. The light, airy high comes on quickly and folds into a quiet buzz that doesn’t distract. Eat one cookie an hour before bed and you’ll sleep like a baby.

Consumable Reports

edibles

WANA Sour Blueberry Gummies | 100mg | $20 Infused with a terpene-enhanced Indica blend, these not-too-sweet, not-too-tart gummies can evoke feelings of relaxation and calm. With 10 gummies per bottle, one gummy provides a pleasant blueberry taste experience and releases 10mg of THC. With all-natural ﬂavors and colors, these gummies will appeal to everyone and they won’t melt in hot weather. One gummy typically results in a calm, relaxed high that feels balanced between mind and body. They give a nice relaxing high, making them perfect for night time and sleep.

TASTE TEXTURE BUZZ OVERALL

Smokiez Sour Watermelon Delta 8 Chews | 250mg | $20 TASTE TEXTURE BUZZ OVERALL

For those who want an introduction to Delta-8 THC, each of these fruit chews contain 25 mg of Delta-8 THC, and are made with high clarity cannabis distillate for great taste. There are 10 gummies per package, each with a tart, mouth-puckering watermelon ﬂavor. An analogue of THC with antiemetic, anxiolytic, appetite-stimulating, analgesic, and neuroprotective properties. Delta-8 THC binds to the cannabinoid G-protein coupled receptor CB1, located in the central nervous system. It exhibits a lower psychotropic potency than Delta-9-THC, the primary form of THC found in cannabis.

Lost Farms Key Lime Fruit Chews 100mg | $20 Kiva’s Lost Farm product line has combined a lemon meringue Sativa strain with delicious Key Lime pie flavor into a fruity dessert-like live resin infused treat that doesn’t sacrifice any of the potency. Lost Farm is the first edibles brand made with 100% live resin, a superior extract that preserves all the delicate cannabinoids, flavonoids and terpenes commonly lost in the drying and curing process. Each chew contains 10mg of THC. Most users report an increasing laser-like focus and creative drive; best for all-day dosing and inspiration. TASTE TEXTURE BUZZ OVERALL

consumable.reports

Consumable Reports

edibles

La Familia Bakeables Hot Chocolate Cookies 100mg | $20 Made with authentic Mexican table chocolate, a perfect balance of soft, chocolate, and cinnamon. Imagine the best hot chocolate in the world transformed into a small bite size cookie. To me, it tastes like an oatmeal cookie with a Hershey kiss in the middle. These hybrid-based cookies are great for relaxing, it gives a nice infusion of euphoric cannabis goodness. I enjoy these with a glass of milk, even dunking them in. Also great with a late night coffee or espresso, these cookies have no cannabis taste at all.

TASTE TEXTURE BUZZ OVERALL

Oasis Peanut Butter Cups | 100mg | $20 TASTE TEXTURE BUZZ OVERALL

These gooey, chocolatey, buttery treats are so delicious they give Reese’s a serious run for their money. When you bite into one of these delicious, award-winning peanut butter cups, you’ll notice the difference immediately. Made with gourmet singleorigin chocolate from Ecuador and all-natural peanut butter. The Oasis Cannabis Company is an up-and-coming cannabis brand that is quickly gaining a reputation for its delicious edibles. The THC is from a hybrid source (Indica and Sativa). Great for end of day relaxation after work.

Kahna Watermelon 20:1 Gummies 100mg CBD/5mg THC | $20 TASTE TEXTURE BUZZ OVERALL

14 V1N1 | MAY 2021

Each delicious watermelon gummy is refreshingly juicy and made with 10mg CBD with just a hint of THC (0.5mg) in a 20-1 ratio. These are great for people who want the health benefits of CBD, minus the intense buzz from THC. CBD provides antiinflammatory properties, natural sleeping aid, anxiety suppressant, and mild pain reducer. Kanha gummies are made with allnatural ingredients, coloring, and flavoring. These award-winning gummies are infused with the highest quality CO2-extracted organic CBD cannabis oil for a zen experience without compromising your taste buds.

Consumable Reports

vapes

STIIIZY THC Pod (cartridge) For those not familiar with STIIIZY, it’s a state-ofthe-art THC delivery system that is efficient and enjoyable. No more struggling for a solid draw. The taste is earthy and pungent, but wow, the benefits are amazing: you’ll feel relaxed and happy. A cross between Skywalker Kush and OG Kush. Skywalker Kush offers an incredibly high THC concentration and distinctly sour hashish aroma. Skywalker OG is a super potent strain that makes relaxation a top priority.

Strain: Skywalker OG | Indica THC: 87.69% CBD: 2.65mg Price: $25 Size: 0.5 Gram Pros: Botanically derived terpenes offer balanced aroma and taste to deliver a consistent experience every time. Cons: Only works with STIIIZY battery packs ($20 each) TASTE BUZZ OVERALL

Willamette Valley Liquid Cured Resin (Cartridge) Strain: Ice Cream Cake | Indica THC: 78.05% CBD: 0.16% Price: $34 Size: 0.5 Gram Pros: PAX compatible. Easy to conceal. Taste Great. Cons: .5 Gram for 1 gram price.

From the first draw, your taste buds will tingle from the earthiness of the resin. The effects are immediate and come on slow and mellow with each puff. Nothing too overwhelming, which is nice to help you fall asleep. Mild Indica, but Indica nonetheless. Overall, a sensational real resin taste without added terps gives this product a smooth review. TASTE BUZZ OVERALL

O.pen 2.0 Variable Voltage Battery We picked up one of the newer version O-Pen stick batteries to see if it would work in a pinch. And it did. The battery is simple enough: charge, screw and draw. For hotter temps, simply press the stylus bottom to the color you desire (see box for levels). All in all, a good value for the price.

Price: $18 Warranty: Lifetime

OVERALL

5 consumable.reports

stoner 7

Magnificent flicks

Well, 4/20 is in the rearview mirror, but that doesn’t mean Americans will stop vaping, smoking and watching movies. We’ve compiled a list of our seven favorite movies dedicated to our favorite herb. Why seven movies? I dunno, why do you ask so many questions? How about you just shut up, spark a J, and fire up your Netﬂix queue? OK, here we go.

Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle, 2004. For a lot of us in the millenial demographic, this was one of the ﬁrst real stoner movies that we could call our own. Roldy and Kumar, a square accountant and his fuckup best friend in their early 20s, were pretty perfect heros for the internet generation. More importantly, their weed-fuelled quest for White Castle is one that’s familiar to pretty much anybody who’s lit a J before: when you have your heart set on something, you’ll do whatever it takes to get it — even if it is something as mediocre as a White Castle burger. Oh, and it also features Neil Patrick Harris in his best performance ever as a coked-up, car-stealing version of himself.

16 V1N1 | MAY 2021

Half-Baked, 1998. Dave Chappelle’s stoner opus is, honestly, pretty dumb. Basically, Chappelle’s friend kills a diabetic police horse by feeding it candy, so he has to pull a heist of the medical-grade cannabis labs where he works to raise money for his buddy’s bail. Twenty years later, it barely holds up. But watching Half-Baked is like ﬁnding some old-ass weed in your stash drawer — sure, it’s super dated, pretty weak, and doesn’t really compare to that ﬁre you get from a dispensary, but in spite of all that, it still makes you giggle.

Fast Times at Ridgemont High, 1982. Sean Penn’s turn as high school stoner Jeff Spiccoli was so on-point that he basically created the persona that all future high school stoners would look to. It’s so iconic that subsequent movies like Dazed and Confused feel like the director just told his actors “Go watch Ridgemont High and do that.” The movie’s not really about weed, but given that it’s got pretty much the best stoners of all time (and Phoebe Cates’ boobs) in it, Fast Times at Ridgemont High has a special place in history, and our hearts.

BY LUKE HARRIS

Celebrate the cannabis lifestyle by watching one of these classic MJ movies

Super Troopers, 2001. A hundred pounds of killer weed. A dead body with a chimp tattooed on her ass. A group of chronically-bored highway patrolmen. Who knew that the results would be so insanely funny? This is the movie that put Broken Lizard (the comedy group that gave us Beerfest) on the map, and with good reason. There are so many hysterical, quotable moments (“I don’t want a large Farva!”) that this movie is an almostguaranteed way to bond with anybody born after 1980.

Cheech and Chong’s Next Movie, 1980. OK, now we’re getting into the heavy hitters. Cheech and Chong are Zeus-level gods of the pot-movie pantheon, but their often-emulated pothead personas aren’t the whole story. When you cut through the haze of smoke, cheap laughs, and brief nudity, you actually get some pretty great social commentary from Chong, who’s half Chinese, and Cheech, whose exaggerated Mexican accent is one of the most famous in history. Then again, you also get classic lines like, “Man, I’m gonna be late for work again. That’s the ﬁfth time this week – and it’s only Tuesday, man!” Of the Cheech and Chong franchise, Next Movie stands out as the best — it’s a more reﬁned iteration of Up In Smoke, but it avoids the repetition of the rest of the franchise. Plus the whole thing’s worth it for the “space coke” sequence alone.

The Big Lebowski, 1998. Where do you even begin with The Big Lebowski? It’s more than just a stoner movie, it’s a cult movement. Twenty years later, people are still showing up to their local Lebowskifests, dressed as Jeff Bridges’ iconic, sweater-clad antihero, The Dude. John Goodman gives arguably the best performance of his career as gun-toting Walter, chiding nihilists and chomping ears, and the Coen Brothers’ writing and direction turn a stoner detective story into high art (no pun intended), with twists and turns (a lotta ins, a lotta outs, a lotta what-have-you’s) aplenty. Fortunately, The Dude adheres to a pretty strict drug regimen to keep the strands together.

Friday, 1995. There is no greater tale of friendship, bravery, romance, and weed, than 1995’s Friday. Okay, that may be a little bit hyperbolic, but only slightly. Chris Tucker’s performance as Smokey is iconic, the soundtrack is a golden mixtape of R&B and Rap, and Ice Cube’s transition from screw-up to hero heartens us all. But Friday isn’t just a movie about two stoners trying to come up with $200, it’s also a pretty honest day-inthe-life look at ’90s Los Angeles that arrived when most movies were depicting it as hell on earth. Friday proved it wasn’t all drive-bys and murders (though they make an appearance), and they did it with a movie so funny it holds up twenty years later.

consumable.reports

Still Up in

One on one with cannabis ambassador Tommy Chong to discuss his favorite topic:

WEED Tommy Chong is one of the most recognizable names and faces in the marijuana industry. Part movie actor, part stand-up comic, part entrepreneur, and part cannabis barker, Chong has been at the forefront of American pop culture for more than four decades. Even though he’s now 82, Chong stays busy with his two business ventures: his personal brand, Tommy Chong Cannabis (www.tommychong.com), as well as his Cheech & Chong brand (www.cheechandchong. com). Chong, referred to as the Patron Saint of Stoners, has numerous new product launches and strategic cannabis and CBD partnerships in the works for 2021 and beyond.

18 V1N1 | MAY 2021

consumable.reports

The best thing is racist law in the To me tha

GREATEST

“

20 V1N1 | MAY 2021

it’s no longer a United States. at’s the

T THING

“

We sat down with Tommy Chong to discuss the state of the cannabis industry. Here’s what he had to say: CRM: Tommy you’ve got a new line of CBD products out. Can you tell us about those? Chong: We have our newest CBD products, Nice Dreams Sleep Tincture and Good Vibes Energy Tincture. Nice Dreams is for night time consumption and we have Good Vibes for daytime. And we’re getting over in Europe now. We have a company in Switzerland making our CBD products. We have these great breath strips, kind of like the Listerine breath strips. Ours are THC-soaked breath strips. They’re the most popular products we have. Whenever I go to a party or go out with people, I always put a bunch in my pocket because I’m always giving them out to people. They’re sort of our calling cards; people love them. We did a photoshoot for Cheech & Chong apparel, and at the end of the shoot everyone wanted to smoke up. It wasn’t Tommy Chong weed so the high didn’t last. So I took one of my breath strips and almost made a fool of myself eating. We also have lots of new gummies. Gummies go fast. CRM: Tommy it’s been 43 years since Up In Smoke was released. A lot has changed since then. Did you ever think 43 years ago that the United States would look like it does now with marijuana legal in so many states? Chong: You know I kind of did see it coming. I’m a world traveler and there are many places around the world where it’s legal. Or at least they didn’t arrest you. Like Amsterdam, for instance, where it’s wide open. They said pot is good for you and we’re going to keep using it. And then in Canada, where I grew up, they had marijuana laws, but they never really had any reason to use them. It’s such a racist law here in the United States and I knew one day we would at least decriminalize it. The best thing is it’s no longer a racist law in the United States. To me that’s the greatest thing. But I never expected it to go as crazy legally as it has. Cheech and I broke up in 1984 and my family started a bong company. He thought we were crazy because he thought bongs would never catch on. And yet, here we are. CRM: What have been the most positive and negative developments you’ve seen in these past 40-plus years in terms of cannabis? Chong: I was encouraged when I saw Sanjay Gupta on CNN with a one-year-old baby suffering from epilepsy and he administered (Charlotte’s Web) CBD to her on TV. She got to hug her mother for the first time. To me that was a crowning glory. That said everything that needed to be said about marijuana. That was encouraging. I’m a pragmatist; I tend to make the best of things. I can’t really say I’ve been discouraged about anything in the cannabis industry. It’s all going so well. As far as negatives, I’ve never been discouraged in my life. CRM: What do you think about the high-tech and scientific approach to cannabis, with all the different strains and so forth? The science behind it is astounding, don’t you think so? Chong: Isn’t it great! Well it’s tit for tat because we actually inspired the computer guys. We wouldn’t have had cell phones or computers if it wasn’t for pot (laughing). So they put their efforts into making better pot. Years ago, this good friend of my wife’s, he’s a plastic surgeon, well he used to grow pot and what he’d do is take a broomstick and put a hole down into the roots. Then he’d pour Miracle-Gro right into the roots and he created some killer pot plants. So if you put those smart guys with the education to work on growing pot, this is what you get. I understand the names of the strains. One of the reasons why they named strains was for the Cannabis Cup that High Times used to put on every year. In order to enter, you had to have a strain that was all yours. To me it’s just weed. There may be sensimilla or indica being the big difference, but other than that, come on! So they would create this Blueberry Kush or OG, strains with all these different names, and you would enter them and there would be a nice prize for the winning strain. And then every grower in the country was trying to get that particular strain. The names of strains are kind of like the names of beers. CRM: What are some of your favorite names of strains? Chong: I like the bubblegum strain; that cracks me up. OG Kush I guess is my favorite because I’m an OG and I like Kush.

consumable.reports

I always put a bunch in my pocket because I’m always giving them out to people.

PEOPLE LOVE THEM

“

CRM: So are you an indica or sativa guy? Chong: You know I was a sativa guy until I went on the Mike Tyson show and Mike is all about indica. But I’ll take them both. You know I don’t really look at strains. I’m just looking for a pipe that’s loaded (laughing). And if you’re stoned, how are you supposed to tell anything? I can’t tell food apart; how am I supposed to tell weed apart (laughing). And if you can tell them apart, then you’re not really stoned … you’re not high. At the end of the day, they’re selling a product that sells itself. We’re going public with Cheech & Chong dispensaries. We have an investor, a very wealthy guy, well he became our biggest investor because he loved our strips so much that he wanted to go into business with us. And this guy’s computer genius son checked out some of the dispensaries, and the one thing that pissed him off was when he went into one of these dispensaries, they started giving him a big sales rap about this strain will give make you bigger, this one will make you higher, and all that crap. He said I just want to buy some weed (laughing). At the end of the day, come on, it’s just weed. CRM: Cheech and Chong made some of the most iconic comedy movies of all time. But that was a few decades ago. What comedy or stoner movies do you enjoy watching? Chong: I really like Borat. He had me laughing out loud. And Richard Pryor. He was my man; he made me laugh. I like Seth Rogen movies. I love the Dude in The Big Lebowski. I was a little disappointed with Fast Times at Ridgemont High, because the first time I saw Spicoli I was laughing so hard, I was rolling on the ﬂoor. The rest of the movie was interesting but, there wasn’t enough Spicoli. When he ordered pizza in the classroom, I couldn’t stop laughing. That’s the one thing about Cheech and Chong movies, we were in your face. But Sean Penn, he’s a real cool guy and wow, what a great actor. Harold and Kumar movies are pretty funny too, but they have a different vibe. CRM: Obviously the past year has been challenging for Americans during the pandemic. What are you most looking forward to doing once the pandemic is over?

22 V1N1 | MAY 2021

Chong: We will never go back to normal to begin with. We just go forward. You know it’s like saying “I’m looking forward to when telephone landlines come back.” Well, it’s never coming back. You kind of live in the present. That’s what I’m looking forward to. To tell you the truth, I like social distancing. That doesn’t bother me at all (laughing). I like going somewhere you don’t have people jammed up against you. Being treated like cattle. I never hung out at bars, even though I owned a couple bars. But I never really hung out at bars. I’ve got little patience for alcoholics and drunks. When you own a bar and you try to close up at night time, that’s a nightmare. That’s when you’ve got to look around and see who’s passed out and where. Then you’ve got to pour them into a cab and get them outside the club. And that was a nightly thing. During the Sixties, we had this after hours club that we changed from alcohol to pot. And I love what went down because it was all about the music. We just played music and we didn’t have to deal with drunks or young girls passed out. I love the weed culture now. But as far as social distancing and the whole hugging thing or shaking hands, I don’t miss that at all. I like the Japanese culture where they just bow. There were a few things I actually liked about the lockdown, because it let our bodies recover a little bit from all the touring. When we were young guys, we could actually get away with that stuff, but those days are gone. Now when people come to see us, they don’t really want to see us perform, they just want to meet us and tell us how much they love what we do and what they were doing when they discovered us. CRM: What was your favorite decade if you had to choose one? Chong: Actually, I loved every decade. I don’t really have a favorite. I’m a guy that lives in the moment. CRM: Has anyone ever approached you about doing a remake of Up in Smoke with a different cast perhaps? Chong: There was no they. There was never a they when it came to making Up in Smoke. We had to do it all ourselves. That’s why Lou (Adler) got such a great deal financially because we kind of put up our own money and did our own thing. Paramount just sat back and enjoyed the fact that they had the top-grossing comedy movie in their stable. When we split with Lou, and went on our own, the first deal we made was a three picture deal: one with Universal and two with Columbia. Our movie career went all the way to the Corsico Brothers. We had a great run. Then Cheech went on to do Born in East LA. And

then I became a stand-up comedian, which I never knew I wanted to do until I saw Dennis Miller one night doing stand-up in Vancouver. I was by myself at the time and looking for something to do. I saw Dennis and he was having so much fun. It was so cool … it’s just you and the crowd. That really got me going. So I started doing 5 minute sets at the comedy clubs. It was a lot of fun being famous (laughing). Then I got my wife Shelby involved, so now it’s Chong and Chong. And then when we got Cheech and Chong back together, one of the deals was my wife was coming along. She became the MC and opening act. We had a hell of a good show. We’re too old now and the time has passed. I’ll do a couple live performances or specials, that kind of thing. But we’re really just focusing on getting our pot shops open. CRM: At what point when you were making the movie Up in Smoke did you realize you guys had something special? Chong: Actually, there was one point where I thought we had created a disaster. No, it was a disaster (laughing). Lou was the director and at the end of shooting, he felt like he had everything he needed. So he kind of blocked me from the set. We kind of wrote the movie as we went along and I missed a few of the scenes that they were shooting. He kind of wanted to surprise me with the ending. And he showed a rough cut to me and a small group of execs at Paramount, but it was a finished product. Oh my, the ending was SO bad. I was the only one who really knew what we were doing. I could see a hit as we were writing it. Up and Smoke is really a buddy movie. They basically get together and get high and play music. So you don’t end it and spoil everyone’s good time by telling them it was all a dream. That it never really happened. That’s when I took over. I kind of became a director at that point. Up to that point, I was always like the backup guitar player or backup singer. My inclination was to take the back seat and let everyone take the credit. I’d always been kind of like that and I had no problem with Lou directing the movie and I had no problem sharing the writing with Cheech. Actually everybody in that movie from Strother

Martin to Stacy Keach wrote their own lines. I just wrote the scenarios. When that was taken away from me at the end, it really bothered me. I told everybody we needed a new ending. And everybody agreed. Lou wanted to know what the new ending was going to be, so I told him I had to direct it. Well, I finally took control and directed the ending. It’s actually quite simple: we’re riding along in the car in Malibu, two buddies talking about how wild the concert went. We’ve got a little bit of hash and I light it up. It falls between Cheech’s legs and he starts doing his Cheech thing and the car fills up with smoke. And then the song Up in Smoke comes on, and then we ride off onto our next adventure. That’s the ending that we wanted. At the screening for my cut, that’s when I knew we had something special because the crowd responded to every joke, every bit. They had to watch it again because they were laughing so hard, they missed parts of the movie. At the time, we actually saved the drive-in movie industry because they were really hurting. That was until Up in Smoke came along, and then the drive-in theaters are playing it every Sunday night at midnight, and they packed those drive-in theaters for few years. There was one drive-in theater that actually ran Up in Smoke every night at midnight for 5 years. The crazy part is we actually made Up in Smoke for less than $800,000. People really love that movie.

“

Actually, there was one point where I thought we had

CREATED A DISASTER

consumable.reports

WHAT IS

Delta-8 THC This mystery cannabinoid is becoming very popular in the edible industry

BY CHARLES HUDSON

Delta-8 THC is a cannabis product that has become extremely popular in recent months, as many consumers realize they can legally purchase it from CBD retailers. Its proponents say that Delta-8 THC will give you a nice mild buzz, minus some of the more intense feelings (including paranoia) often associated with marijuana. Delta-8 THC is being marketed as a legal option for consumers who either don’t live in a state with legal cannabis, or are a little apprehensive about how traditional THC products will affect them. Cannabis plants come chock full of different cannabinoids, which are naturally-occurring chemical compounds that bind with receptors throughout your body. They can offer a wide range of mental, emotional, and physical effects and benefits. One of the most common cannabinoids is Delta-9 THC, the main component of marijuana that gets you buzzed. Delta-8 THC is an analog of Delta-9 THC with analgesic, appetitestimulating, and neuroprotective traits; though it is a bit less potent than Delta-9, In addition, Delta-8 THC generally exists in very small percentages. As a result, extracting it and creating products from it wouldn’t make much economic sense (as it would be far too expensive for the general public to afford). But the structure of the cannabinoids is similar, so it is possible through the magic of science to convert Delta-9 to Delta-8 THC using a chemical reaction. Even more, these cannabinoids all occur naturally within the plant, and thanks to heat, light, and time can transform into one another. This happens during smoking, for example, and some cannabis smokers don’t even know such a conversion is taking place. Every cannabinoid begins its life as CBGA and then synthesizes itself naturally as the cannabis plant grows more and more mature. These conversions are normal, and the industry has learned how to profit from them. These conversions are performed regularly as a means of creating cannabinoids such as Delta-8, Delta-9, CBN, and CBC, among many others. Producing Delta-8 from cannabis isn’t an easy task, but the possibilities are there, and, as the production of this cannabinoid increases, it’s only going to get easier. Methods such as selective breeding, molecular isolation, and distillation are being used to create concentrates loaded with Delta-8. Is Delta-8 THC Legal? Delta-8 is legal in most states, but it can get a bit thorny. Delta-9 THC, however, remains illegal in many states, except in microscopic doses, and is still illegal at the federal level. CBD products are made with trace amounts of THC. There are 11 states that forbid Delta-8 THC: Delaware, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, Rhode Island, and Utah. Whether or not Delta-8 is legal in your state has nothing to do with the legal status of cannabis. Cannabis is legal recreationally, for example, in Arizona and Colorado, but not Delta-8.

Every state has its own rules about Delta-8. In Oregon, for example, Delta-8 that was obtained from hemp may be involved in intrastate transfers, so long as it complies with the Oregon Dept. of Agriculture Laws and Rules. And yet, to be a Delta-8 seller, a company would have to get permission from the Oregon Liquor Control Commission. Because of the way the law is written regarding Delta-9 THC, some CBD companies now sell Delta-8 THC products in places where traditional cannabis is still illegal. Do some research in your state about the laws surrounding hemp products before you order to ensure you don’t run into trouble with the law. How Does Delta-8 Make You Feel? Many people state they feel more of a body high with fewer mental effects. Many individuals enjoy using it as a means of alleviating anxiety and pain while still being able to think clearly. By following dosing instructions, you’ll usually end up with more of a mellow feeling. Above all else- you will feel very chill even in high-stress situations. As with cannabis, appetite stimulation with Delta-8 THC is to be expected. It’s not as intense as with Delta-9 THC, where you’re eating everything in sight, but you may still feel the urge for munchies. Delta-9 also creates a sedative effect, and you will more than likely be couch-bound. Delta-8 can relax you, but some people have reported feeling uplifted, focused, and clear-headed. This is great if you love the benefits of THC, but you need to be clear-headed for daily tasks. Users hoping to try Delta-8 THC should be careful to follow dosing instructions as directed and speak with their doctors before using. Most consumers have reported nothing but positive interactions with this amazing cannabinoid, enjoying it via vape, gummies, and smokable ﬂowers. Until the DEA says otherwise, Delta-8 is OK for now. The cannabis industry has really been running with Delta-8 THC, finding creative ways to bring it to market. And chances are, more products will be springing up in the weeks and months to come.

... it is possible through the magic of science to convert Delta-9 to Delta-8 THC using a chemical reaction. 26 V1N1 | MAY 2021

Delta-8 THC PROS • Delta-8 THC does have psychoactive effects, but it’s a milder effect than with traditional Delta-9 THC. • Delta-8 THC is currently legal and widely accessible in multiple states. • There are a wide number of products that use Delta-8 THC.

CONS • Delta-8 THC isn’t as commonplace as other cannabis products, including CBD, and some of the options on the market are expensive. • While this substance is technically legal, there are plenty of questions about its legal status and future. • As a relatively new product, Delta-8 THC products are not regulated by the FDA and there is no independent testing in place to verify that it is pure or safe. You should only purchase Delta-8 THC products from reputable brands. • As with any cannabis product, Delta-8 THC is largely a matter of personal preference.

consumable.reports

Consumable Reports

gear

1 | Leatherman FREE T4 Compact Multitool $59; www.leatherman.com The compact FREE T4 multitool by Leatherman allows users to effortlessly access its 12 built-in tools, even with one hand. The available tools include a small 2.2-inch blade, scissors, a package opener, and a few screwdrivers, among others. Leatherman backs the FREE T4 with a robust 25-year warranty. Every multitool is crafted in Portland, Oregon.

2 | Nimble CHAMP Pro Portable Battery Pack $99; www.gonimble.com The CHAMP Pro portable battery pack by Nimble is sleek, dependable, and, best of all, eco-friendly. Its housing is made with recycled plastic and it has a recycled-paper packaging that’s biodegradable. With a 60-watt USB-C output and a battery capacity of 20,000 mAh, the product can reliably charge not only phones and tablets, but also laptops. A full USB is also on board for charging additional devices. Nimble also offers a smaller and more affordable CHAMP battery pack with 10,000 mAh capacity and a lower power output.

3 | Ekster Parliament Smart Wallet $89; www.ekster.com The Ekster Parliament is a smart bifold wallet with RFID coating (to protect against identity theft) and a patented mechanism that ejects cards from its aluminum storage pocket with the press of a button. It has space for at least 10 cards, as well as a strap for carrying cash and receipts. Ekster has crafted the wallet from high-quality leather that comes in a multitude of colors. An optional Bluetooth tracker for the wallet is also available — this ultra thin gadget has a maximum range of 200 feet, and it is powered by light, so it never needs a battery.

4 | Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless Headphones $79; www.soundcore.com The Soundcore Life Q30 wireless noisecanceling headphones by Anker are one of the best under $100. The over-ear cans have an elegant design, a comfy fit, impressive sound quality, sophisticated noise cancellation, and up to 30 hours of battery life. You can order the Q30 in black, blue or pink. Each pair of headphones comes with a stylish protective case, and Anker backs the product with an 18-month warranty. 4 28 V1N1 | MAY 2021

consumable.reports

Consumable Reports

strains

J1 J1, also known as Jack One, is a hybrid strain whose high-energy effects categorize it more on the sativa end of the scale. J1 is a cross between two sativas, Skunk #1 and Jack Herer, and is best known for its strong, uplifting, clear-headed buzz that allows for mobility. The ﬂowers are emerald green and frosty with a sweet aroma resembling the unmistakable Jack Herer pungency.

HYBRID

RELIEVES PAIN

Jack One

RELIEVES STRESS EUPHORIA

CANDYLAND Candyland, a gold medalist of the 2012 KushCon, is a sativa-dominant hybrid bred from Granddaddy Purple and Bay Platinum Cookies. Golden hairs weave through Candyland’s thick coat of sugarlike trichomes and highlight the compact, camouﬂage-colored buds. Candyland is great to relieve pain, muscle tension, and sour moods. Strong sativa genetics give Candyland uplifting and stimulating effects, making it a perfect strain for social gatherings, getting work done, or creative monents. SATIVA

RELIEVES PAIN

Candyland

RELIEVES STRESS EUPHORIA

30 V1N1 | MAY 2021

Cld

Consumable Reports

strains

PURPLE URKLE Purple Urkle came from a California strain that originated from a select phenotype of Mendocino Purps, while the essence is a blend of skunk, berry, and fresh grapes. Heavy indica effects that are deeply relaxing, sleepinducing, and a great option for fullbody pain relief. Purple Urkle is a perfect nighttime strain for those who suffer from insomnia with a lower THC matched CBD balance. INDICA

RELIEVES PAIN

Purple Urkle

RELIEVES STRESS EUPHORIA

PINK 92 Some purple strains darken only at the tips of the ﬂower; this deeply colored bud is composed of a marbled purple and sage pattern that continues down to the stem. The medium density buds are coated in a thick sand of pale trichomes with a forest of orange hairs. The strain’s odor is pungent, but not reminiscent of a typical cannabis scent. Instead, it has a heavy, slightly bitter, earthy overtone reminiscent of brewing kava, with hints of spice that come through in the taste during combustion.

HYBRID

RELIEVES PAIN

Pink 92

RELIEVES STRESS EUPHORIA

P92 consumable.reports

Theory Strain

BY NURSE COURTNEY

STRAIN THEORY: noun (pl. theories) a supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain something, especially one based on general principles independent of the thing to be explained: i.e., Darwin’s theory of evolution.

Healing the Body with Hydration and Water With the dog days of summer upon us, I thought I would speak about the life-enhancing, mindfulness-based self-care practice of hydration and healing with the spirit of water. In my humble opinion, dehydration is the most frequently overlooked cause of headache, fatigue, depression, dejection, frustration, anxiety and pain—easy to believe when you consider the human body is more than 70% water. Basic cellular functions of energy production, neurotransmitter signaling, thermodynamic regulation, and cellular waste removal are all fueled by water. In fact, all transport and communication systems inside and outside of the cell function in an environment of water. Dehydration, at the most basic level of the cell, dampens the cell’s internal ability to receive and respond to vibrational signals, including cannabinoid signaling. Why? Because dehydration stiffens the cytoskeleton, effectively dampening reception of the intracellular vibrational signals responsible for activating chemical processes occurring inside and outside of the cell. Stiff cytoskeletons reduce the total overall vibrational frequency of each being, and our ability to “tune” into the good stuff in our life. Did you know that the foggy or “heavy headband” feeling that is notorious with high THC strains like Headband is actually related to the pronounced dehydrating properties of this particular strain? In my practice, I encourage everyone to think critically about effect. Does the reader have an understanding of what a “headband” effect feels like? Next time you enjoy your medicine, pay close attention to any presence of a headband, then drink water and ask “has the headband decreased?” A yes answer is a positive affirmation of dehydration. Take note if strains are dehydrating and if after drinking water, the effect is different, because adequate hydration can increase symptom relief by providing more hydraulic energy to cells. Knowing how the strain feels on multiple levels of awareness helps the reader to avoid disagreeable strains while focusing on feel-good strains. This is especially important with integration of chemotherapy, as these drugs are already extremely dehydrating. 32 V1N1 | MAY 2021

And of course let’s not forget to drink enough water. Divide your body weight in half to roughly calculate ounces per day needed for hydration. 1500ml/day will provide for basic hydration and is my daily goal for intake. My practice is to fill a 1500 ml mason jar with reverse osmosis water, add a pinch of Himalayan sea salt salt to support my sodium potassium cellular pump, then I give it a good blessing. I imprint my water with love, healing and happiness for my well being for that particular day. As a matter of fact whenever I drink anything, I bless it with love and gratitude. Dr. Masuru Emoto demonstrated in his book “The Hidden Messages in Water” that water is powerful conductor and carrier of energy. Dr. Emoto’s work demonstrates how the spoken word can help or harm by conducting energy through water. So mind what you say to water inside and outside of the body, as what we say to ourselves or others could harm as well as heal. Next time you drink a glass of water, hold it to your heart, fill yourself with joy, gratitude, and love and send it into your water. You will drink in the vibration of love and joy, of health and healing and living your greatest good. Enjoy your summer and remember to stay hydrated for health, healing and well-being. In the next issue of Strain Theory, I’m going to talk more about body effect, stay tuned! I’m Nurse Courtney and my specialty is the holistic integration of Cannabinoid Science into population-based public healthcare. My purpose here is a deeper look at the effect of strains on our own experience of life and how we can best use cannabis plant medicine for healing and well-being. This all comes from my years of work helping patients identify and describe effects to choose the best medicine to treat their particular condition. I invite you to join me in deeper conversation about effect with Strain Theory.

consumable.reports

34 V1N1 | MAY 2021