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annabis has picked up many stereotypes along the way—one of the more common and unshakeable ones being the ‘lazy stoner.’ Certain strains have an undeniable couchlock effect. Before edibles were highly regulated, I can personally attest to accidentally eating one too many cookies and sleeping in like my life depended on it.

But for those whose lives have been ruled by opioid prescriptions and other medications, cannabis has been a gateway back to an active lifestyle unencumbered by groggy side effects. We chose Ravi Drugan for our cover because he chose cannabis as his medicine, and it has undoubtedly given him a competitive edge.

Ravi lost his legs in an inexplicable train accident when he was 14-years-old. His dreams of being a decorated skateboarder were seemingly behind him. Amidst dodging the litany of pharmaceuticals being prescribed to him, he was able to utilize cannabis as a powerful wellness agent and carve an entirely new life path: Mono X Skier medalist at the X Games.

Ravi Drugan eloquently states in his interview with us that the majority of those who smoke aren’t “eating Ho Ho’s and Twinkies all day until they pass out. That’s not accurate… and it’s not specific to cannabis.”

Living an active lifestyle often requires strenuous recovery. In our feature story, we interviewed three athletes who use cannabis to recover body, mind and soul. Pro-skater Julz Lynn describes how salves and topicals aided her physical recovery from a knee injury that her doctor had previously prescribed opioids for, and why she chose to post a public message discouraging others to ask her about her cannabis use. Former NFL player Eugene Monroe explains why he believes cannabis is the future for athletes who suffer from sports-related injuries and head trauma. Dee Dussault walks us through her Ganja Yoga sessions—used to break down social barriers and work deeper into one’s practice.

Whether using a non-psychoactive topical or engaging in cannabis use to expand presence in the moment, we are brought back to the idea that cannabis – in its essence – has holistic capabilities.

From medical use to simply using ganja to keep in the present moment, this plant is sure to take us all on one hell of a ride.

Abigail Ross Content Director

@ D O P E M AG A Z I N E

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MEGHAN RIDLEY @miss_ridley Senior Editor

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KINSEY LITTON @kinseymaei Corporate Office Manager

ZACHARY HOLLAND @skipthatrip Copy Editor

ANDREA LARSON @andy_ireland143 Copy Editor

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KATE KELLY @k8mindset Distribution Manager

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JAN DOMACENA @thirdoptic NARISSA-CAMILLE PHETHEAN @narissa.camille Graphic Designers

KAMERLY TYLER @kamfucius CA State Director MICHELLE GLASSMAN @mishjg CO State Director KAITLIN MCMILLAN @mackeymil WA State Manager

ASHLEIGH CASTRO @hash_assasin NORCAL Office Manager JENA SCHLOSSER @fillyoureyes CO Office Manager EMILY NICHOLS E. WA Content Manager

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AARON MILLER ALEX HALPERIN @weedweeknews ALEX JULIANO BIANCA FOX BLAZE ROBINSON BRIAN GONCUS DAVID BAILEY @dmb0227 DAVID CHACHERE DAVID HODES DRAKE CARNAHAN EMILY EARLENBAUGH, PHD ERIC SKAAR E. SOMES JADE GREEN JEFFREY RINDSKOPF J.F.S. WILHELM KATIE SPIVAK KELLY VO @kevowriting KYLE HUBLY

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LEAH MAURER @duhanna MEGAN RUBIO MELISSA JOY @melissuhh_dude MIA JANE @ms_mia_jane NICHOLAS HAYASHI @lookingglassextracts PHIL MACCARONE RADIOHASH SCOTT PEARSE @dopebicycletour SESHATA @seshatasensi SHASTA NELSON THOM HUNTERS @mrforetwenty THOMAS FINELL WIND HOME

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AMADI N’GOM @whoisamadi AMANDA WEGNER

STEVE DELIMA Financial Controller

ANGEL AHMAD CODY NASH ERIC ERLANDSEN @ericerlandsen JASON ROSENBERG JACKSON COZAD NIKKI RODRIGUEZ @sightinsound_ TERRANCE MCDANIEL @t.thedopeman VERONICA GUEVARA

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DOPE MAGAZINE is a free monthly publication dedicated to providing an informative and wellness-minded voice to the cannabis movement. While our foundation is the medical cannabis industry, it is our intent to provide ethical and research-based articles that address the many facets of the war on drugs, from politics to lifestyle and beyond. We believe that through education and honest discourse, accurate policy and understanding can emerge. DOPE MAGAZINE is focused on defending both our patients and our plant, and to being an unceasing force for revolutionary change.

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T H E AC T I V E I S S U E RAVI DRUGAN 36 12

DOPE EVENTS October Cannabis Events

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BRANDING BUD Brands That Bridge

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H E A LT H Annie Says Relax

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G R OW Deficient? Getting Back To Green

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COULD CANNABINOIDS T R E AT B R E A S T C A N C E R ?

P R O F E S S I O N A L AT H L E T I C S & CANNABIS

THE MEDICINAL CANNABIS OF ISRAEL

DOPE EVENTS WRITER / ANDREA LARSON

JCANNA CANNABIS SCIENCE CONFERENCE October 5-6th Portland, Oregon

ARIZONA CANNABIS CONFERENCE & EXPO October 15-16th Phoenix, Arizona

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aking place at the Phoenix Convention Center, this conference offers attendees an opportunity to meet cannabis experts and industry leaders. Panelists, non-profit organizations and more than 300 canna-business entrepreneurs will showcase their services and wares, and offer insight into the ever-evolving and fast-paced cannabis industry. Business, education and entertainment will be joining forces in unity against prohibition. The event is expected to draw upwards of 10,000 participants from across the nation. If you’re looking to network, educate yourself or seek out the best business practices from the pros, this event is the place for you.

CANNABIS GRAND CRU November 5th Portland, Oregon

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n event where professionals, both in and out of the cannabis in-

dustry, can come together for a day of networking, music and entertainment. The CGC offers a space where cannabis enthusiasts from professional spheres can come represent the culture and lifestyle of this growing industry. Industry leaders offer attendees lectures and seminars on a wide range of relevant topics. If you’re looking to network and collaborate, CGC Portland is the place for you. Visit the CGC’s event page for details and ticket pricing.

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edicated to advancing cannabis testing technology and education, jCanna FKA CANNCON, Inc. is a 501(c)3 that offers research and training practices to interested novices, growing professionals and experts in the cannabis industry. This year’s science conference is a two-day event that will feature keynote speakers, panelists and exhibitors who are trusted, sought-after authorities in their fields of study. Plus, this year on October 4, a full day hands-on workshop will take place at Chalice Farms for those looking to take their knowledge one step further.

This conference is a unique opportunity for those looking to hone their cultivation, extraction and testing skills.

INTERNATIONAL CANNABIS BUSINESS CONFERENCE October 13-14th Vancover, BC

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ith a lineup including Tommy Chong, Gabor Maté, Dr. Carl Hart and Mary Jean Dundson, this ICBC event boasts mass appeal.

Whether you’re looking to learn the myths and realities behind addiction, find ways to fight for progressive cannabis policies or beef up your cannabis research knowledge, this conference has it all. Vancouver offers visitors a wide range of accommodations, delectable food and surreal views. Be sure to make your way to ICBC Vancouver this fall.

2016 CANNABIS SUSTAINABILITY SYMPOSIUM October 26th Denver, Colorado

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aking place at the Colorado Convention Center, this year’s Cannabis Sustainability Symposium offers attendees education on the latest and most relevant tools, techniques and technologies surrounding safe and efficient cannabis production. The event’s speakers will address challenges the industry is facing, including energy efficiency, water management and waste minimization. Collaborate and network with your peers in a forward-thinking community of sustainably-minded individuals.

䘀唀吀唀刀伀䰀䄀 䬀一伀䌀䬀䈀伀堀 䘀䤀䰀䰀匀 ㄀ 倀刀䔀ⴀ刀伀䰀䰀䔀䐀 䌀伀一䔀匀 䤀一 ㈀ 䴀䤀一唀吀䔀匀

䬀一伀䌀䬀䈀伀堀 䌀伀䴀倀䄀吀䤀䈀䰀䔀 䌀伀一䔀匀 䄀嘀䄀䤀䰀䄀䈀䰀䔀 䤀一 㐀 匀䤀娀䔀匀 刀䔀䔀䘀䔀刀 匀吀夀䰀䔀 㤀㠀⼀㌀ 匀䰀䤀䴀 匀䤀娀䔀 㤀㠀⼀㈀㘀 䬀䤀一䜀 匀䤀娀䔀 ㄀ 㤀⼀㈀㘀 䬀䤀一䜀 匀䤀娀䔀 ㄀ 㤀⼀㈀㄀

昀甀琀甀爀漀氀愀甀猀愀⸀挀漀洀

眀栀漀氀攀猀愀氀攀䀀昀甀琀甀爀漀氀愀甀猀愀⸀挀漀洀

㠀 㘀㔀㄀ 㤀㔀㤀㠀

H E A LT H

CANNABIS AND BREAST CANCER C O UL D CA NNAB INOI D S TREA T BREA S T C A N C ER? WRITER / MEGAN RUBIO

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OULD CANNABIS TREAT BREAST cancer? Such a proposition may sound farfetched, but the few studies available indicate that while cannabis has not been shown to specifically kill cancer cells, cannabis use could indirectly assist with the many symptoms of cancer and combat the effects of chemotherapy. Cannabis has been used for years to treat symptoms and ailments associated with cancer, despite its Schedule I classification within the Controlled Substances Act. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women within the United States. Researchers are scrambling to find treatments for breast cancer as it becomes resistant to already established therapies. As it turns out, a recent study, published in 2011, concluded that CBD has been found to induce the process of programmed cell death in breast cancer cells. CBD itself is not killing the breast cancer cells, but instead activates autophagy.

The American Association of Cancer Research indicates that, “Recent studies have shown that cannabinoids also induce autophagic cell death,” lending hope that there may be other cannabinoids besides CBD that could have similar medicinal effects. Autophagy is a natural process within the body that deals with the destruction of cells. Essentially, CBD induces the process whereby the body would destroy unnecessary or dysfunctional cells in order for new, healthy cells to have the ability to form.

The research concluded in the results of their study, “The desirability of CBD as an anticancer agent, because they suggest that CBD preferen-

tially kills breast cancer cells, while minimizing damage to normal breast tissue.” Can you imagine? A substance with the ability to target compromised cells.

Of the 483 known compounds within the cannabis plant, at least 100 of those have been identified as cannabinoids. A cannabinoid interacts with cannabinoid receptors, which are located in cells throughout the body. The two main cannabinoids receiving the most notoriety are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound that produces a ‘high’ in users, and cannabidiol (CBD), the non-psychoactive cannabinoid often used by medical patients. Cannabinoids are the active chemicals in cannabis that cause drug-like effects throughout the body.

The National Cancer Institute states that cannabis, “May be useful in treating the side effects of cancer and cancer treatment.” Cannabinoids can, among other things, block cell growth, prevent the growth of blood vessels—which supply tumors—and have antiviral properties.

Both THC and CBD can be used to treat a variety of cancer-related ailments. While CBD is generally classified as more medicinal than THC, the application of THC cannot be underscored in regards to cancer. THC may not be as directly active in ridding the body of cancer as CBD, but it can still play a role in its treatment.

THC can be helpful in relieving pain and nausea; reducing inflammation; and can even act as an antioxidant (American Cancer Society).

Not only that, but smoked cannabis can also be helpful in treating neuropathic pain and can help improve food intake.

H E A LT H

Besides all of the stated conditions that cannabis could treat, a factor not often given consideration is the relative absence of side effects attributed to cannabis use. While some drugs may contain warnings such as, “May cause nausea, vomiting, constipation,” there are other drugs that can lead to seizure, stroke, internal bleeding or even death. In contrast, the side effects of cannabis are minimal, including lower blood pressure, bloodshot eyes and muscle relaxation; with the most extreme side effects being dizziness, paranoia, or possibly auditory or visual hallucinations. Though any negative

side effects are undesirable, the side effects attributed to cannabis are not physically harmful, long-lasting or detrimental to one’s health.

While there is certainly not an overwhelming amount of data supporting the medicinal uses of cannabis in treating breast cancer, the same statement could be made in regards to any medical condition. The DEA’s failure to declassify or even reclassify cannabis underscores what many already know. In continuing to ignore the potential medicinal benefits of cannabis, patients are being denied a natural compound that could serve as a panacea.

“AUTOPHAGY IS A NATURAL PROCESS WITHIN THE BODY THAT DEALS WITH THE DESTRUCTION OF CELLS. ESSENTIALLY, CBD INDUCES THE PROCESS WHEREBY THE BODY WOULD DESTROY UNNECESSARY OR DYSFUNCTIONAL CELLS IN ORDER FOR NEW, HEALTHY CELLS TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO FORM.“

H E A LT H

But let’s not place all of the blame on the DEA. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration also states that they have not approved cannabis or cannabinoids for use as a cancer treatment. Despite its Schedule I classification, there have been two drugs developed based on marijuana compounds that have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting: dronabinol and nabilone. Of the clinical trials conducted thus far, results have indicated that both dronabinol and nabilone work as well as, if not better than other FDA-approved drugs used to relieve nausea and vomiting. Still, the FDA maintains that there is no indication that marijuana may be a safe and effective drug. The irony cannot be lost that while the FDA continues to deny the me-

“Cannabidiol induces programmed cell death in breast cancer cells by coordinating the crosstalk between apoptosis and autophagy.�-Molecular Cancer Therapeutics: American Association for Cancer Research, vol. 10, no. 7,

dicinal benefits of cannabis, they already have two approved drugs on the market containing cannabis compounds.

Cannabis has been used for years to treat chronic pain, seizures, depression, PTSD and a whole slew of other conditions. With recent data suggesting that cannabis could play a role in fighting breast cancer, there needs to be greater recognition of the potential for cannabis to be effective in treating other life-threatening illnesses. At some point consumers must decide to take action. Calls for more research fall on deaf ears. Instead of waiting on a call that the DEA is never going to make, states that have passed recreational and medical laws should pursue proposals and funding for research.

䄀嘀䄀䤀䰀䄀䈀䰀䔀

㄀㈀⼀ ㄀⼀㄀㘀 倀爀攀漀爀搀攀爀 愀琀 䈀爀愀渀搀椀渀最䈀甀搀⸀挀漀洀

伀瘀攀爀 ㈀㔀 䈀爀愀渀搀猀 昀爀漀洀

䌀䄀䰀䤀䘀伀刀一䤀䄀 䌀伀䰀伀刀䄀䐀伀 伀刀䔀䜀伀一 圀䄀匀䠀䤀一䜀吀伀一 䈀攀猀琀 䔀砀愀洀瀀氀攀猀 漀昀

䘀䰀伀圀䔀刀 䔀䐀䤀䈀䰀䔀匀 䈀䔀嘀䔀刀䄀䜀䔀匀 伀䤀䰀匀Ⰰ 匀䠀䄀吀吀䔀刀匀 ☀ 圀䄀堀䔀匀 吀伀倀䤀䌀䄀䰀匀 ☀ 䰀伀吀䤀伀一匀 吀䤀一䌀吀唀刀䔀匀 ☀ 匀䌀刀䤀倀倀匀

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深 䀀䈀刀䄀一䐀䤀一䜀䈀唀䐀

駰 ⌀䈀刀䄀一䐀䤀一䜀䈀唀䐀

BR ANDS TH HA R M O N Y CAM PA I G N S WRITER / DAVID PALESCHUCK, MBA, CLS

Maki ng Sen se Of It Al l

E

VERMORE AWARE OF RISING social tensions and historic inequalities, consumers are looking to brands and businesses to take meaningful action that brings people together, heals divides, rights wrongs and promotes harmony.

Social tension, prejudice and inequality have always been with us. So what makes this trend crucial now? With many losing faith in politics, millions around the world see established public institutions—national and local governments, the EU, the UN—struggling to meet the challenges we face in 2016. For many, traditional politics seem outdated, narrow and polarizing. Now, consumers are looking to new solutions to shared social challenges.

The world has become rich, connected and globalized beyond the dreams of our grandparents. But along with that comes new and extremely complex challenges. Think the global movement (and outsourcing) of labor; and/or the rise of new kinds of extremism.

Those complex issues can create the kind of uncertainty that drives social tensions, tribalism, racism and simple hatred.

The world has always contained people

who want to spread division and sow disharmony. But now, we live in a 24/7 immersive media culture. And mainstream media knows that the fastest route to eyeballs and clicks is to give more attention to divisive personalities. The consequences? With all the focus on disharmony, perhaps there is an opportunity for brands to deliver messages that promote social tolerance and cohesion.

A Mora l Compa ss Once, consumer status was all about affluence. Today, it’s less about ‘what I have’ and much more about ‘who I am’: creative, connected, tasteful and, yes, ethical. Millions want to show others that they are ethically conscious, and that means engaging with brands that have—and communicate—the right values when it comes to social issues.

Lest we forget the outcry that ensued when Starbucks tried to address the debate around racial inequality in the U.S. by getting baristas to scrawl ‘Race Together’ on coffee cups. True harmony is not only sincere, it’s constructive,

meaningful and mindful.

Any parent—or any casual observer of American culture for that matter—knows that bullying is a major problem in U.S. schools.

From classic schoolyard fights to the brave new world of online humiliation, 47 percent of girls and 34 percent of boys aged 12–17 say they’ve been tormented by their peers in some way, according to a survey quoted in The New York Times. Anti-bullying campaigns have increased in popularity over the years as a result, and it seems many major brands have taken notice.

BRANDING BUD

HAT BRIDGE “69% OF PEOPLE TRUST BUSINESSES TO KEEP PACE WITH A CHANGING WORLD, WHILE ONLY 47% OF PEOPLE TRUST GOVERNMENTS TO DO THE SAME.” -EDELMAN TRUST BAROMETER, 2016

Though the following ‘cause’ or ‘harmony’ campaigns are from recognizable brands, many of the strategies can be executed by cannabis brands with great success—especially because of the abundance of social injustices related to the segment. Take a look at how large brands use social rifts to place and position their products.

UBER: Sh are Ou r Strength

SMIRNOFF VODKA: Partners To Ra ise Awareness Of Im m ig ration Immigration is a topic at the top of the political agenda in the United States right now.

And it’s sure to be a divisive issue in the coming presidential election in November. The ideal subject then, for a smart brand, is to take a stand on immigration. In June 2016, Smirnoff Vodka partnered with street artist Morley— known for his trademark ‘statement poster’ works—to create a campaign promoting compassion for immigrants. Morley interviewed ten real immigrants and used quotes from those interviews to make ten eye-catching posters, which were diplayed on bus stops around Los Angeles.

Uber launched its program to help a variety of causes including vets to find jobs, homes for cats and dogs, as well as clothes collection for the needy. They’ve done an excellent job using their app and customer base for social good.

Uber’s latest program with Share Our Strength was a success. Their initial goal was to provide three million meals for children in need by allowing riders to make a $5 donation within the Uber app to support No Kid Hungry. Within four days, the Uber community donated enough money to provide five million meals.

Photo courtesey of instagram.com/official_morley

BRANDING BUD

TOMS: One Day Without Shoes

“WE FIND THESE GROUPS WHEN THEY NEED A LIFT UP, AND IDEALLY, AFTER A YEAR, WE HOPE TO GET THEM IN A POSITION WHERE THEY DON’T NEED US ANYMORE” -LUSH SPOKESPERSON

LUSH: Ch arity Pot

TOMS community has helped turn a simple idea into a powerful reality. Groups like TOMS Campus Club Programs gets college students all over the United States involved with events that educate others on conscious consumerism and social entrepreneurism. Their movement is made up of many parts, including One Day Without Shoes and World Sight Day—annual days to raise awareness for the global issues of poverty, avoidable blindness and visual impairment. Ticket To Give gives you an opportunity to join them on a Giving Trip and distribute TOMS Shoes to children in the field. And if you’re looking for other ways to get involved, their Community Team has lots of ideas.

Cann a Concern s Addressing social issues and bridging societal gaps is just one of our obligations to the community we live in and around. How we approach these issues is up to us. While brewers in Colorado regularly donate to charities, it’s more difficult for cannabis companies to do the same. Local breweries, such as New Belgium and Odell Brewing Co., have gifted in the millions to local organizations and have long been hailed for their charitable actions in the community.

Colorado’s legalization of recreational marijuana has brought a new player to the philanthropic table, and many area nonprofits are unsure as to how to handle the indus-

try’s desire to give back. Most nonprofits contacted by the Coloradoan noted the sensitive nature in the form of public perception surrounding pot philanthropy and a need to fine tune policies before they’re made public.

It’s not just societal taboo that plays a role in nonprofit reluctance to accept donations from marijuana entities. There’s also a lingering possibility that donations from the industry could be seized if the federal government decided to overrule state legalization.

Bottom line: brands can bridge. Brands can make a difference. Let’s take care of those that are less fortunate and need our industry’s help and support.

The concept is simple. When you buy a Charity Pot body lotion, all the money from the sale goes to the nonprofit featured on the lid.

Since 2007, the promotion has raised nearly $6 million for over 600 nonprofits. LUSH is supporting small nonprofits. These organizations often sit on the sidelines of cause marketing and watch the dollars flow to big charities like American Cancer Society, The Salvation Army and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. More companies should make giving to small nonprofits a priority. Most of those nonprofits are animal welfare, environmental conservation, and humanitarian causes with annual revenues below $500,000.

David Paleschuck, MBA, CLS is a Seattle-based writer, entrepreneur and marketing expert. He has had a long career in marketing, branding, licensing, and partnership development. He has worked for world-class consumer brands, including American Express, MasterCard, Pepsi and Branding Bud: The Commercialization of Cannabis, available in late 2016.

Contact him at david@newleaflicensing.com or on twitter @dpaleschuck.

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A N P R O F I L E S

A C T I V E I N

A T H L E T I C S

P R O F E S S I O N A L

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C A N N A B I S

Athleticism comes in many diverse forms, but a common denominator across these fields of competition is the complicated relationship between cannabis and athletes. From the skate park to the gridiron to the yoga studio, you’ll find individuals integrating, abstaining and even retiring in the name of this plant. As criminal activity evolves into activated cannabinoid systems, these profiles represent the emerging rulebook for cannabis and athletes.

F E AT U R E

WRITER / DAVID PALESCHUCK, MBA, CLS

L

IKE NO OTHER FEMALE skater; often credited with skating like a guy. She attacks the wall with style and commitment. No hesitation: just confidence. Her preference is riding gnarly backyard pools over a clean skatepark most days; and is at home here, riding for herself, picking her lines and launching herself off the coping.

She skates like few people do—male or female. Let’s get to know Julz Lynn...

PHOTOS / JAMIE MOSBERG

F E AT U R E Q

A

Q A

Q

A

DOPE MAGAZINE: How long have you been skating and what interested you in the first place?

Q

JULZ LYNN: I was born in Big Bear, CA and grew up snowboarding, surfing, skating and riding dirt bikes. Raised in Santa Ana, I started to skate when I was 11. My first competition, I won first place and quickly realized I had a natural talent.

A

DM: How do you see the skating and cannabis lifestyles fitting together?

Q

JL: Weed has always been part of the skater/surfer lifestyle. It fosters creativity and keeps people focused, generally speaking. That said, I really didn’t get involved until I received my medical card at the age of 18. I used it because of my knee injury. The doctor prescribed opioids initially to help me with my pain, but they upset my stomach. I prefer canna-rubs, edibles and CBD products that keep me moving and energized.

DM: How long have you been consuming cannabis and what benefits does it bring?

JL: Around 20 years old, I started working at a dispensary, and learned about the community and all they do for those that have intractable pain, cancer and need relief. My use has been mostly medicinal and for treating skating injuries.

Learning how to skate again and getting past the pain has been difficult. I wanted something more organic with natural healing properties that didn’t upset my stomach.

A

Q

“I WANTED SOMETHING MORE ORGANIC WITH NATURAL HEALING PROPERTIES THAT DIDN’T UPSET MY STOMACH.”

A

DM: What are your long-term goals?

JL: I’ve been skating for 14 years now and plan to use it as a platform to help me push forward with my new board company called Julz Skateboards. I’m working with my sponsors to help young skaters in smaller communities. Sharing the love through positive activities, I’d like to incorporate skating, music and art of all forms to help progress the community toward positivity, creativity and healing.

DM: We noticed your recent Facebook post from Malmo, Sweden and wanted to ask you more about it. Can you share why you posted what you did?

JL: When I was in Malmo, Sweden, I had so many dudes approaching me, offering weed and other drugs. It was a reaction to those that wanted to smoke with me in public. I was in a foreign country and I feared possible ramifications. I was in public in front of kids and parents, and felt this wasn’t the image I wanted to portray or share with those that look up to me as a skater and role model. I have respect for the laws and countries I visit.

DM: Are the Olympics in your future?

JL: I do hope to participate in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. It’s all about qualifying and competing, but I have no idea how that will pan out for me. There’s a lot of potential to work with sponsors and organizations now that skating will be in the Olympics, and I have to tailor my image and lifestyle accordingly. I believe people connect the dots between cannabis and skating, and build stereotypes around that. That’s why I see it as personal medicine and want to keep my consumption private.

AC T I V E

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G D H

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H H I G H

I P R I O R I T I E S

WRITER / MEGHAN RIDLEY

P

RIOR TO A FOOTBALL game, athletes suit up in a wide assortment of protective gear. In a sport known for its violent tendencies, these brave participants adorn their bodies with a selection of the following before they take the field:

HELMET NOSE GUARD MOUTH GUARD NECK ROLLS SHOULDER PADS ELBOW PADS GLOVES RIB PADS HIP PADS THIGH PADS KNEE PADS PROTECTIVE CUP JOCKSTRAP/COMPRESSION TAILBONE PADS SHORTS

N E A N D

PHOTOS / COURTESY OF EUGENE MONROE

O

E

“I PLAYED AN ENTIRE GAME ESSENTIALLY WHILE CONCUSSED AND DIDN’T EVEN REALIZE UNTIL THE NEXT MORNING WHEN I WENT OUTSIDE, THE SUN HIT MY FACE, AND I IMMEDIATELY VOMITED AND PASSED OUT— SOME OF THE SYMPTOMS THAT COINCIDE WITH HAVING A CONCUSSION.”

AC T I V E

While everything listed prior serves to soften the blows athletes face during competition, one protective measure continues to escape the list—cannabis. With its presence as a banned substance overshadowing its capacity as a neuro-protector and pain-reliever, athletes and advocates alike have been stepping up and out of the game in the name of better policies surrounding pot. Among the leaders of this movement is recently-retired NFL player Eugene Monroe, who didn’t shy away from speaking his mind with DOPE Magazine on the hard-hitting topic: Issues in the NFL with concussions and head injuries are certainly very widely known now and it’s a sore point for me having had multiple concussions while I was a player, but also the treatment protocol after you have a concussion.

I played an entire game essentially while concussed and didn’t even realize until the next morning when I went outside; the sun hit my face, and I immediately vomited and passed out—some of the symptoms that coincide with having a concussion.

Following a multitude of head injuries and frustrations with NFL policies, Monroe retired from professional football in July 2016— bringing his eight-year career as an offensive lineman to a rather abrupt end. Since leaving the league, his progressive point of view has been illuminating the wellness-based benefits of cannabis use, as well as helping to chip away at the fried-egg ‘this is your brain on drugs’ scare tactics that have dominated conversations and policies for decades. But as concussions continue to make headlines, we find the health issues running far deeper than hits to the head. Monroe commented on the NFL’s capacity to make a difference regarding a number of brain-related issues: Creating the awareness portion of it is very important and tying it with diseases with such widespread awareness like Alzheimer’s. It melds perfectly with football because of the league’s titled ‘industrial disease’—CTE—and some of the effects of that are the early onset of diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia. It’s all married together, and for many reasons I believe the NFL should be at the forefront of research for cannabis and potentially protecting and regenerating brain cells. Not only for the widespread impact it could have, but particularly because the game itself is causing these problems for athletes.

Beyond the physicality of the cannabis-concussion debate, racial stereotypes surrounding both the plant and professional athletes prove formidable. Here, Monroe recognizes a familiar social stigma lurking in the shadows of the conversation: the disproportionate effect on African American populations.

Another issue that I’m not sure many former players have talked about that I certainly believe is one, is recognizing that you create a public health crisis when you incarcerate disproportionally at a very high level with African Americans and other minorities. Particularly looking at our major sports leagues, you have the NFL and NBA that are comprised of a majority of African Americans, and they’re the only two sports leagues that actually punish players for using marijuana. The communities that these athletes come from are the same communities being affected by prohibition.

While the push for change continues, it is important to note that there is a significant racial divide between the players and the decision-makers that comprise the NFL. As approximately two-thirds of NFL players are African American, there are zero NFL franchise owners and just five head coaches. When it comes to being suspended for a banned substance, approximately 90 percent of those popped are African American. And when it comes to getting busted the good old fashioned way, according to the American Civil Liberties Union, African Americans are almost four times as likely to be arrested for a cannabis-related violation.

YOU R BRAIN ON NUGS? In 2014, researchers at UCLA examined the toxicology reports of individuals who had been admitted to the emergency room for a brain injury. Individuals with reports testing positive for cannabis were associated with decreased mortality rates from traumatic brain injury.

F E AT U R E

D E E G A N J A Y O G A

WRITER / ABIGAIL ROSS

E

PHOTO / JOLA HYJEK & MICHAEL KASIAN

VER THOUGHT ABOUT GETTING high before yoga? Ever gotten high before yoga but felt like you had to keep it a secret? Hatha Yoga instructor, Dee Dussault, found herself asking the same questions. After finding a studio that offered cannabis-enhanced yoga in Toronto, her interests were piqued. Shortly after, Dussault founded Ganja Yoga—a practice she offers to her students alongside her sexual awakening yoga classes in San Francisco, CA. We caught up with Dussault in between sessions to give us the rundown of her weed-fueled classes, and how they’re helping students tap into a deeper sense of self and community in their practice.

Q A

DOPE MAGAZINE: How did Ganja Yoga get started?

DEE DUSSAULT: I finished my yoga teacher training in 2009, after training 500 hours. Before that I was doing a master’s degree program to become a sexual teacher, but I wasn’t feeling very satisfied by grad school and talking about sexuality through the brain, so I decided to switch careers and become a yoga teacher. Then, about a month after I graduated the teacher training, I opened a studio in Toronto and offered cannabis-enhanced yoga.

Through the training, I talked to my teacher about cannabis and sexuality— about how cannabis enhances spiritual practice and she didn’t really have much negative to say—she didn’t have much positive to say—but her only concern was to be careful that cannabis could awaken an external energy line—how it can affect and alter chakras. That being said, I decided, ‘I think I’ll take my risks.’

F E AT U R E Q

A

Q

A

Q

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DM: What does a Ganja Yoga class look like?

DD: It’s different every time, but some things are similar. Like every Wednesday class, we all share cannabis; we’re all medical patients right now so until it’s recreationally legal everyone needs to have a recommendation from their doctor.

We have sponsors who provide complimentary pre-rolls, and their sungrown, organic joints. First-timers get a free one, but there’s enough for the class to share, and there’s also vape pens. It’s usually about a half an hour of social, hanging out, chatting—most people end up talking about cannabis. And when the yoga formally starts, we start with an introduction circle and everyone gets welcomed to the class and is given a chance to say hi. So we have a really strong community where people start to know each other’s names and start to get to know each other’s personalities—much more so than in a regular yoga class. The cannabis smoking circle creates a very social and friendly vibe. All different types of people use cannabis and all different types of people come to yoga, and it is pretty gender-balanced—there are more men than most yoga classes—and different ages because it’s more of an all levels practice. It’s just a welcoming group of people and a relaxed yoga class. People may not be used to it in other studios, but the people who come really like it—and not just for the cannabis, but also for that different approach to yoga.

Q

A

DM: Does consuming cannabis through social interaction in the beginning help people get deeper into their practice?

DD: Even with cannabis, you can feel socially awkward or overwhelmed or shy, but I think if you get to know people and see others doing it, you can give yourself more permission to join in. I’ve had students come into class saying they used to get high before their other yoga classes anyway, so they love having a comfortable place to relate.

“PEOPLE MAY NOT BE USED TO IT IN OTHER STUDIOS, BUT THE PEOPLE WHO COME REALLY LIKE IT—AND NOT JUST FOR THE CANNABIS, BUT ALSO FOR THAT DIFFERENT APPROACH TO YOGA.”

Look for Dee Dussault’s book, Ganja Yoga, available April 2017.

Q

A

DM: Do you think the upcoming election for recreational will change your turnout?

DD: Oh I hope so, yes. But I’ve had a lot of people—from California and visitors from other states—come and ask me if they can come to class and I’ve had to decline to abide by the law.

DM: How do you feel cannabis in Toronto and using it differs from California?

DD: Fairly similar right now actually, I mean Toronto is becoming legalized with Justin Trudeau. The environment when I was there in 2009, it was pretty open—it was technically federally and provincially illegal, but the likelihood of getting caught was slim and if you did get caught, the punishment was pretty small—like a ticket. Just the environment around cannabis specifically, most people didn’t really think twice about it; it wasn’t in the front page of the health section of our national newspaper.

DM: How do you think your yoga practices play a role in a healthy lifestyle?

DD: Well I’m going to be teaching yoga tomorrow at the 420 Games, and there’s going to be hundreds or even thousands of runners—and walkers—doing this 4.0mile course. Obviously I believe cannabis can be a part of a healthy and active lifestyle for sure. For somebody who is new to cannabis or new to yoga, and especially somebody who’s new to both, I think a mindful yoga that has a lot of emphasis on good alignments is really crucial. To the beginner yogi, just make sure your alignment is right, because you want this to serve you down the road and not hurt your body. Similarly, if you’re to do yoga and new to weed, you probably want a really slow, relaxing class and not some sort of competitive or task-based class.

Having said that, if you’re not a beginner—if you’re used to cannabis and used to yoga, and you feel confident, go to a Vinyasa class high. Be my guest, I think that’s great for you. I just wouldn’t recommend it to a beginner.

GROW WITH THE EXPERTS

CUTTING-EDGE HYDROPONIC TECHNOLOGY L IC E N S E A CQ U I S I T I O N & C O M P L I A N C E C O N S U LT I N G C O M M E R C I A L C U LT I V AT I O N D E S I G N & C O N S T R U C T I O N

GU L F S T R E A M G A R D E N S . C O M

www.ocannabiz.com AmAndA Conley

BrAnd & BrAnCh llP nAtionAl CAnnABis BAr

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Ceo, CAnnAKids

Autumn r. KArCey

President of Cultivo, inC.

BruCe linton

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Co-founder And Ceo of ProvinCe

shABnAm mAleK

BrAnd & BrAnCh llP nAtionAl CAnnABis BAr

WRITER / MEGHAN RIDLEY

PHOTOS / WIND HOME

IF I WAS IN their situation, I wouldn’t want prescription drugs for my child—they’re horrible. The fillers in them alone.

The wear and tear they do on your digestive system, and the doctor saying, ‘It’s okay, how many more would you like?

Here’s another 800. As many as you need.’”

When Ravi Drugan woke up on his 15th birthday, he was in a hospital bed. Both legs had been amputated above the knee. He had been hit by a train and had zero recollection of the incident. With a Morphine button at his hospital bedside and doctors prescribing piles of Percocet and Neurontin, he was realizing his life without legs within a haze of pharmaceuticals. “I don’t really remember a lot of that time, everything was really foggy. I wasn’t really awake or anything.”

C O V E R F E AT U R E

There is still an air of mystery—and an open investigation in Eugene, Oregon—surrounding just what happened to Drugan that evening. As he remembers, he was supposed to be attending a poetry slam for school credit at a local café. When authorities found him laying on the railroad tracks, he was also missing money from his wallet, and had a fractured eye and nose. Regardless of what happened and what Drugan didn’t know or couldn’t remember, he would one day realize an entirely new method of mobility and his childhood dream of medaling in the X Games.

Adjusting to this jarring new reality was understandably difficult for Drugan and his family. It wasn’t until a bout with food poisoning struck—leaving Drugan unable to keep his medications down—that he recalls his parents suggesting that he smoke some cannabis to help with the nausea and vomiting. As Drugan remarked, “I had already smoked weed

before and my parents knew. They weren’t exactly big on a 15-year-old being a stoner, but it was better than seeing their son getting all tweaked out on pills every day.” Here, Drugan’s parents’ bravery opened the doors for a plant-based conversation in the midst of seemingly endless pharmaceutical options.

Speaking with Drugan, he is obviously grateful to have experienced a road to recovery not riddled with painkillers. “After the accident, I was in pain and in need of something.

I just had such a traumatic thing happen to me. But it was about doing it at home, not going out and doing it or looking for something else to try.”

It was four years after losing his legs that Drugan found the sport of sit skiing—or Mono Skier X to those familiar with the X Games.

Training with Oregon Adaptive Sports and discovering that he could canvas the mountain with even the best of skiers revealed an

“I’M GOING TO THE PARALYMPICS, SO I’LL CLEAN UP FOR THAT—AND AT THAT POINT I DON’T CARE IF THEY KNOW THAT I SMOKE WEED. IT’S LIKE, ‘OF COURSE, COME TEST ME. I KNOW YOU’RE GONNA.’”

entirely new path to the medal podium, which once upon a time Drugan had hoped would be for skateboarding. “That’s why I ski for one, when I’m on the mountain just kicking back, I can go and be in these spaces and be more able-bodied than most people. There’s no boundaries to me, it’s all skiable—I can do anything that anyone else can do. And that’s really empowering, but it’s also about just being in nature and enjoying the scenery. Just stopping on the mountain and taking it all in, it’s epic. It doesn’t matter how fast you get up there or how well you ski—it’s just getting up there and seeing the view.”

While Drugan remains opposed to the misuse and abuse of pharmaceuticals that’ve grown commonplace in today’s society, he doesn’t shy away from candidly praising the many

benefits he feels he

C O V E R F E AT U R E receives from his cannabis use. “Sometimes I think I use it as a performance enhancer.

Like I said, it makes a day of skiing better or makes you not scared. That’s when it comes in with the stress aid and keeps you down to earth. But it’s totally legal in adaptive skiing and in the Paralympics to eat pharmaceutical medication. So I’ll be atop a race and people will be eating Percocet and Vicodin, and drinking Red Bull—right there, pounding them. And that’s all okay, but I can’t smoke a joint? The majority of America is on pharmaceutical drugs, but people are still frowning down upon cannabis. What’s wrong with it?

Even alcohol is a more dangerous drug to me.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s fun and tastes delicious, but still. You can get into a lot more trouble drinking than smoking weed from what I’ve seen.”

Nonetheless, Drugan has full intention on following the rules that govern the sport. “I’m going to the Paralympics, so I’ll clean up for that—and at that point I don’t care if they know that I smoke weed. It’s like, ‘Of course, come test me.

I know you’re gonna.’” Here, Drugan has chosen to never obtain a medical cannabis authorization, avoiding the potential glares from the International Paralympic Committee. While he believes in the medicinal value of cannabis, he prescribes to the point of view that you don’t need a prescription for a plant.

At the end of the day and all substances

aside, Drugan holds himself with a remarkable energy and outlook that speaks volumes to the strength of his newfound perspective.

While Ravi Drugan’s path to the podium wasn’t an exact reflection of his childhood dreams, the world works in mysterious ways and has a righteous way of revealing a new path. As he concluded: “I think I have a really wide open perspective on life, but at the same time a very narrow perspective on life. Everything can be what you want it to be. For those people that walk around stressed about work and not liking your job—you can do whatever you want to do. I think it has made me realize that your life is very short, and you should do with it what you want to do with it and represent yourself with whatever you love to do. But do it in a way that leaves a positive mark—a way that makes it better for the next person.”

A WORKOUT WITH RAVI: “In the Winter, if I don’t ski, I go to the gym.

I like to do about 45 minutes of free weights, then 45 minutes of cardio and a half-hour of swimming. As a skier, I like to train at high altitude as well, so when I come down here (to Eugene), I’m never winded. A lot of people envision smokers as these potheads sitting around playing video games, eating Doritos and drinking sodas—eating HoHo’s and Twinkies all day until they pass out. That’s not really accurate. That’s just a group of people in America, not representative of anybody specific. And not specific to cannabis.”

Aroma and Resin Enricher

T R AV E L

MEDICINAL CANNABIS IN ISRAEL PATIENTS & CAREGIVERS WRITER & PHOTOS / SESHATA

O

VER THE LAST FEW YEARS, Israel has put itself firmly on the global map of medicinal cannabis with an established system serving over 20,000 patients, and a healthy approach to research and evidencebased legislation.

The emerging scene in Israel has already spawned dozens of new startups eager to carve out a niche, and has seen several valuable contributions to the field. One innovative young company is Eybna Technologies, which produces plant-derived, strain-specific terpene formulations.

I’ve come to check out the scene in Tel Aviv, and hosted by my friends at Eybna, I’m hoping to meet some of the industry’s most important members. I also plan to talk with the people that matter most—the patients themselves—to hear how the system works for them.

HOW ME D I C I NA L CA N NA B I S WOR K S I N IS RAEL The Israeli medicinal cannabis supply system is unique, and consists of eight government-licensed producers serving approximately 23,000 patients. Patients receive a license from the Medical Cannabis Unit of the Ministry of Health, permitting them a specific quantity of medicinal cannabis per month, in the form of flowers, oils, tinctures or capsules.

Patients are charged a flat rate of 370 shekels (around $100) per month—regardless of quantity (which varies immensely, with some patients receiving 10g per month and some

receiving 100 or more). For a further 100 shekels ($26), the cannabis will be delivered directly to the patient’s home.

There are just two physical dispensaries in Tel Aviv—one managed by licensed producer, Tikun Olam, and another central dispensary situated in a psychiatric hospital (a fact that some patients are not entirely comfortable with). A third is situated at the Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem and is operated by the Hebrew University. Patients who are unable or unwilling to collect their prescription in person usually opt for home delivery.

T R AV E L

TEVA A D I R “CA N NA B I S F ROM T H E HO LY L A N D”

IS RAEL’S M E DICINA L CANNABI S PROV ID E RS Israel currently has eight government-licensed medical cannabis producers. I don’t have time to meet every single supplier, but I am grateful to be meeting with three—Seach Ltd, Teva Adir and Tikun Olam.

First, I meet Geri Kolin, owner of medical cannabis provider, Teva Adir. Geri has been in the game for more than 12 years, and for the vast majority of that time, his efforts were rewarded merely by seeing his patients getting happier and healthier.

It’s only in the last few years that his work has started to pay off in a literal sense, but even now, profits are difficult to guarantee.

With the flat-rate system, new patients could be profitable if they have a small prescription or cost the provider a lot more than they bring in if their prescription is large.

This doesn’t put Geri off pursuing his life’s work. He maintains a ranch in the middle of the Negev desert, furnished with a greenhouse in which he is busy developing new strains that thrive in arid climates. In the future, he hopes to offer holistic health retreats and tours at the ranch—saying, “It’s a place where you can really relax and learn to use cannabis in the right way.”

His tagline, I’m delighted to note, reads, “Cannabis From The Holy Land.” I will soon learn that these whimsical, creative details are a fundamental part of the scene here—and are a fundamental part of the process of normalizing cannabis.

T I K U N O L AM — C R E ATORS O F AVIDEK EL Tikun Olam is undoubtedly the best-known of all the Israeli providers, having been internationally lauded for developing the highCBD, low-THC medicinal strain, Avidekel.

This medicinal masterpiece boasts CBD levels of up to 18 percent, CBC levels of 1.1 percent and THC levels as low as 0.8 percent. In addition to Avidekel, Tikun Olam offers 15 other strains, with varying cannabinoid and terpene ratios suited to a range of different illnesses.

Tikun Olam’s vivacious International Relations Officer, Ma’ayan Weisberg, greets us outside the dispensary before taking us inside to show us how it all works. Ma’ayan shows me a medical cannabis license belonging to a patient and explains that they hold around 7,000 patients on their books—and as such, are the single biggest provider in the country.

Ma’ayan explains that patient education and research are of the utmost importance at Tikun Olam. Pediatric medicine is also greatly emphasized, and in the children’s room, a large, brightly-painted mural dominates the wall. It features bees, ladybugs, flowers—and a large, precisely-detailed representation of a female cannabis plant.

“ISRAEL’S MEDICINAL CANNABIS SCENE IS UNIQUE, PROGRESSIVE AND VERY WELLDEVELOPED IN GLOBAL TERMS...”

S O W HAT DO I S R A E L I ME D I CA L CA N NA B I S PAT I E N T S T HI N K ?

SEACH–TH E BU RNI NG BUSH The last on our list of medical cannabis providers was Seach Ltd, fronted by the gentle, deeply-religious giant Shay Sarid. Seach directly supplies patients with a vast range of flowers, oils, tinctures and capsules.

Shay explains the meaning behind the name, “Seach is from one side, a bush; from the other side, it means a conversation with God.” An appropriate and beautiful appellation for this producer of heavenly, healing herbs.

As we talk, Shay presents me with a gorgeous copy of The Book of Strains, which lists all the strains on offer. He discusses his strains in abundant detail—their history, medicinal qualities and even the detailed, meaningful stories behind their names.

In DOPE’s next article on Israel, I will be discussing Seach’s extensive research and their many innovations in more detail. Of all the medical cannabis providers I met, they undoubtedly were among the most visionary and most creative.

Although my time in Israel is brief, I’ve set aside an hour to talk with a patient named Sylvia Sheinbaum, who was born in Poland and moved to Israel in 1983. She was among the first patients to receive legal medicinal cannabis, and has been a cannabis worker and activist for over eight years.

Sylvia is proud of the system she helped to build, but is still campaigning to iron out its flaws and change outdated views on cannabis still persisting within the Israeli establishment. She points out that the lack of understanding of cannabis’ potential has obstructed activists and providers from implementing their true vision.

One major flaw she mentions, is that cannabis may only be prescribed for a limited range of conditions. Sylvia suffers from COPD and finds that cannabis helps immensely, but her condition is not approved. So she shared her life story with a psychiatrist and he concluded that she also suffered from PTSD, a condition on the approved list for receiving

cannabis—a very bittersweet case of a cloud with a silver lining.

As well as this, patients are required by law to consume their medicine at home—which often means that ill people are isolated at home with little support. Israeli law does not support the establishment of social clubs or coffee shops, so Sylvia is busy campaigning to change that, and to set up a safe space for patients to obtain and use their medicine in a supportive environment. As Sylvia says, “I’m not taking the program and changing it, I’m just adding to it.”

Israel’s medicinal cannabis scene is unique, progressive and very well-developed in global terms—although there is plenty of evolution that has yet to occur if the system is to become ideal. But the Israeli industry is not shy of stepping up to the challenge and is continually evolving. In our next article, we will tell you all about it in an exclusive special on research and innovation in the Israeli cannabis scene.

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H E A LT H

A N N I E S AYS R E L AX PAIN FRE E AND PART OF YOU WRITER / ASHLEIGH CASTRO PHOTOS / COURTESY OF THE CASTRO FAMILY

RELAX, MA,” ANNIE PERSISTED to tell her mother (Mema). She didn’t want her family’s anxieties to stir things up. August 12, 2015, my Aunt Annie Castro turned 47. Not long prior, in July 2015, she’d been suddenly struck with cancer—a tumor in her lung—and pneumonia. Her daughter had just become pregnant and Annie was in positive spirits about becoming a “Glam-mama” as she’d lovingly say. Two decades before, Annie would sneak joints to her mother-in-law to aid the process of chemotherapy. We would’ve done the same for her and more if we had time and distance on our side.

H E A LT H

“BEFORE BATTLING CANCER, SHE WAS RELUCTANT TO ADVOCATE FOR HERSELF. ON JULY 23 HOWEVER, SHE SENT A TEXT MESSAGE READING, ‘I NEED OIL,’ THE MESSAGE WAS DELIVERED, THOUGH WITHOUT THE NOTION OF URGENCY.” We made a memorial to Annie at a tree in Soundview Park, where she spent much of her childhood. Annie’s dying wish is for her remains to be grown into a tree.

Mema asked doctors about cannabis during Annie’s hospitalization at New York Presbyterian Hospital. They answered, “We don’t do that here.” Annie, mother of three, was faced with the tragic life decision of relying on life support for weakened lungs. Annie asked professionals, “Will I have a chance to be taken off life support?” Doctors responded, “No.” Trusting doctors, Annie said no to life support under a mindset clouded by prescriptions, pain, confusion, depression, exhaustion and maternal instincts.

No capable witnesses were there to encourage her; answers were beyond the scope of her reality.

For almost three years, Annie battled chronic pain and severe lethargy from lupus. The autoimmune disease required she ingest at least ten prescriptions. In California, with her brother Pjay and I, cannabis would be an option. As 215 patients, we knew she had options and were doing homework on the 90day Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) regimen for Mema, who has COPD. The trouble was safe access to cannabis, she was not living in the right time or place for procrastination.

In 2014, my father and I made our annual visit back East. A relaxing time with family quickly turned into serious conversation about Annie’s health. We knew she was going through a tumultuous marriage while disabled by lupus, and offered space and safe cannabis access.

“There’s too much sun,” Annie responded. She was a defensive lioness, holding

her ground and keeping her family together—grasping at excuses to stay.

Cannabis could have provided relief from abdominal pain, while a topical would reduce her swelling and lesions, and RSO could have reduced cancer risk. Instead, she was dependent on failing prescriptions. Cannabis was appealing to Annie—we know she was drawn to it for anxiety relief, PTSD and her love for smoking.

Reservations about cannabis go back to her oldest children being taken into custody because she was caught using in public. When she turned 47, her youngest son was eight and her brightest star.

She would never want to put him at risk nor her family’s Medicaid benefits. Before battling cancer, she was reluctant to advocate for herself. On July 23 however, she sent a text message reading, “I need oil,” the message was delivered, though without the notion of urgency.

Annie began chemotherapy without us being informed. We called numerous times and asked for family communication. While we were afraid to cross the line, trusting our gut instinct to fly to NYC would’ve been wise. Chemotherapy can be relieved with a proper cannabis regimen, especially RSO. We packed for Sacramento International Airport after receiving the call that she may not make it. Anxious for the ride, I recited how I would engage her, intending to do our best to get her medicine at any cost. The sound of tickets being scanned was remi-

niscent of a cardiac monitor while we drowned in fear.

As we prepared for landing, my dad woke up and said, “I’m scared,” after a dream. In the dream, Annie used her humor to say, “Don’t cry for me, Argentina.”

We landed 30 minutes after she died and cried like banshees. Spending 17 days in New York, we reminded Mema she needs to seek cannabis for COPD. “Annie saved my life,” she claimed. Mema recalled a spiritual dream where she heard Annie say, “Ma!” Mema woke up and coughed— blood pouring onto the floor.

Annie smoked cigarettes since age 13, inspired by generations and accessibility. Ghettos like the Bronx have bred addiction through lenience on selling cigarettes and alcohol to minors, but the DEA wasn’t raiding these operations.

Ironically, cannabis was, and in many places still is, a felony and nicotine is one of the hardest addictions to overcome. Annie’s health was threatened by contaminated water, low-quality food and other environmental stresses—dad and I were lucky enough to escape.

Patience and presence were crucial. If she was given hope, she may have seen January 7, 2016, when NYS’s Compassionate Care Act was enacted 18 months after being voted in. How many people were in Annie’s shoes? Now, August has rolled around again. Inspired, Mema passed her NYS medical cannabis card screening. Maybe now she can live up to Annie’s sentiment, “Relax,” with safe access, sans dealer.

G ROW

GE TTING BAC K TO GR EEN WRITER / DAVID BAILEY

G

ROWING INSPIRES US ALL in random ways and for different reasons. Some of us aim to help a medical patient, and others just like quality bud or perhaps see a business opportunity in the making.

Regardless of your motive, I’m sure you imagined giant stacked colas glistening under the red HPS lamps yearning for harvest. I mean, I can’t blame you, I always dream the same! When reality sets in, many growers are four weeks into flower and don’t have half the weight, vigor or vibrancy needed for a successful yield. What now? How did this happen? Most importantly, how do you prevent this in the future?

“I swear, I just woke up and the whole room had gone yellow!?” is a phone call I’ve received all too many times.

Hopefully you never endure that type of panic, but we all will experience some sort of deficiency or slowed growth at some point in time. The basics are almost always the first thing to falter and usually the culprit preceding disaster. A quick online search while in a panic may lead you to an obscure deficiency like Molybdenum or Sulphur, and then of course the city water is surely to blame. I hate to break it to you, but you likely did this to yourself. Even experienced growers make mistakes so don’t be too prideful to double check yourself.

Out of the gate, most problems are related to pH levels, water or temperature. After all, these are the basics of nature as well. With all three being intimately related and even interdependent, problems with any of the above can result in nutrient lockout or a cornucopia of other issues.

This would be equivalent to trying to breathe through a straw while running up a hill. The entire environment could be right, but without the ability to take up nutrients, it’s all for not.

If you didn’t have some sort of overnight appearance change, or at least not one after a feeding, then you’re more likely to be experiencing a true deficiency, lockout or infestation. Deficiencies arise over time. Vigilance can prevent deficiencies and offer you clues to what is going on in your garden. The most common of problems in the cannabis garden, yellowing, is easy to notice and usually the first symptom you should be on the lookout for.

“WHEN REALITY SETS IN, MANY GROWERS ARE FOUR WEEKS INTO FLOWER AND DON’T HAVE HALF THE WEIGHT, VIGOR OR VIBRANCY NEEDED FOR A SUCCESSFUL YIELD.”

G ROW

POTE NT I A L D EF I C I ENC I ES Nitrogen (N) is the most fleeting nutrient in the garden and a common deficiency for organic growers. Because the plant is always pushing toward healthy new growth, the plant will almost certainly begin to yellow near the bottom fan leaves before traveling upward and eventually stunting growth. Adding a little fertilizer should solve the problem. Nitrogen isn’t a very common deficiency for bottle fed plants because most nutrient blends are packed with it. If it looks like an N deficiency, but the plants are receiving N supplements, then there is likely another cause of the yellowing leaves. This could potentially be root aphids.

Magnesium (Mg) deficiency is most common in early flowers or as a result of poorly blended soils. Magnesium works in conjunction with Nitrogen and Calcium for example, and Mg deficiencies come on slow but worsen at an ever-increasing pace. Similar to N, you will begin to see yellowing in the lower leaves, but the top shoots will almost immediately be negatively affected in their girth and vigor of growth. Fading between leaf ridges and curling at the tips are sure signs; Mg deficiencies need to be mended quickly to ensure harvest. A good feeding of a Cal:Mag supplement will likely do the trick—it’s all about keeping nutrients at a proper ratio.

Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) make up the rest of the trifecta you see on every grow bottle (N-P-K), and are pivotal to every stage of growth. Though a less common deficiency in cannabis because of the way they feed, lacking Phosphorus or Potassium will drastically stunt your yields. These deficiencies manifest very similarly to simple pH imbalances—dry, browning spots along leaf edges, leading to the eventual death of the leaf. Bloom fertilizers will always be high in P and K, and offer a fast remedy to the problem.

Obviously there are hundreds of nutrients to cover, but luckily many books before us have done this. The takeaway is preventing deficiencies in the first place. Using solid, consistent feeding regimens and garden practices will prevent these problems from creeping to the surface.

Growing with a basic blend and recipe from the beginning is a great place to start. If problems arise, you’ll have a much easier time pinpointing where you went wrong.

Because very few people blend their own soil and or nutrients, the likelihood of your bottle of fertilizer being bad is less likely than your misusing it. Nail down the basics and then see what needs improving.

NEWS

C H RO N I C PA I N S U F F E R E R S F I N D H O P E I N CA N NA B I S WRITER / KELLY VO

8

0 MILLION AMERICANS SUFFER from chronic pain.

That’s more people than those who suffer from diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.

Chronic pain is an epidemic sweeping the United States and, since 1999, the CDC reveals that it has claimed 165,000 people due to overdoses from prescription opioids. So, what is being done to mitigate this massive prescription problem?

People are turning to cannabis. According to a 2010 McGill University study, those who smoke cannabis can significantly improve their measure of pain, sleep quality and anxiety over conventional methods. And that’s exactly what Alfredo “Freddy” Astorga did.

In his early twenties, Freddy was working construction.

“Everything began with a back injury,” he shared. “One day, I accidentally slipped off a roof with all my gear strapped to my waist. I was young and figured I would be able to just walk it off, but after several weeks I noticed that my pain was getting worse. Eventually, it got to the point I could barely walk and I had to visit the doctor.”

That was the moment Freddy’s life headed downhill. He was prescribed opiates, sedatives and tranquilizers to manage his pain and the inevitable insomnia that came along with it. It wasn’t long before he could no longer work construction, but a desk job wasn’t going to solve his problems either.

Freddy’s cocktail of medications made him feel and act as though he was intoxicated. “I was then referred to behavioral health services and placed on psychotic medication to control my stress and anxiety,” Freddy remembered. “By this time I was so medicated, I could not work or function normally, and my symptoms continued to get worse.”

The drugs that were supposed to help Freddy live a pain-free life caused far more problems than they solved. His life was on a spiral of self-destruction. The medications even caused him to develop post-traumatic epilepsy, which required more medications to treat.

NEWS

“IT WASN’T UNTIL FREDDY HAD LOST ALMOST EVERYTHING IMPORTANT IN HIS LIFE THAT HE FINALLY LOOKED FOR AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE PHARMACEUTICALS THAT CONTROLLED IT. THAT WAS WHEN HE FOUND MEDICAL CANNABIS.”

Before long, he could barely recognize his life. He lost his health and so much more.

“I foreclosed on a home and cars,” Freddy revealed. “And, most painfully, I separated from my wife. The drugs created a chain reaction that extended further than I could have imagined. I was young and gullible. I thought that following the doctor’s instructions was the only way to get well. I never took the time to research the drugs’ interactions, long-term use, side effects, potential addictions or anything else.”

It wasn’t until Freddy had lost almost everything important in his life that he finally looked for an alternative to the pharmaceuticals that controlled it. That was when he found medical cannabis. He’d tried weed in high school, but this time, he wasn’t looking to get high, he wanted to experience a higher quality of life. And that’s what he found.

“After consuming cannabis, I was able to taper off and eventually discontinue the use of all other pharmaceuticals,” Freddy said. “With time, I’ve regained control of my health and my life. I’ve been two years seizure-free, and while I still have some symptoms, it’s not like it was before. My life, for the most part, is normal. My pain is tolerable and I’m able to accomplish most of the activities I once enjoyed.”

Unfortunately, while cannabis has been a miracle drug for Freddy, not everyone sees it that way. “I’m still faced with employment discrimination,” Freddy shared. “And my ex-wife and family consider me an unfit parent and a bad influence.”

Cannabis may have given Freddy his life back, but it hasn’t come without cost. He has minimal communication with his children, and has to deal with regular judgment and criticism from people who don’t understand what it’s like to live with chronic pain or the relief that cannabis provides. That’s eventually what led Freddy to get involved in cannabis advocacy.

He wants anyone living with an illness to understand that they are not alone. “My heart goes out to you, and I want to encourage you that gaining control is possible,” Freddy said. “The first and probably the hardest step is accepting your medical condition. Acknowledge that you have an illness so that you can take control of the disease instead of allowing the disease to control you. Accept your illness as a new challenge in your life that can make you stronger and wiser than you would have been otherwise.”

As for why Freddy reached out to us and asked to join our #End420Shame campaign, he did it because he wanted to share his story and open a dialogue about using cannabis for pain relief.

“I believe that clear, honest communication is necessary to strengthen relationships, strengthen communities, and to help build a solid foundation for social, mental and emotional health,” he shared. “I also strongly believe that it is the patient’s right to manage and control their illness with whatever they find is most effective.”

For Freddy, cannabis has been the most effective treatment for his chronic pain, while others might find relief with something different. The key is to keep an open mind and to be supportive of alternative medication.

If you have a story about cannabis that you’d like to share with DOPE, send it to kellyv@dopemagazine.com or contact us on social media with the hashtag #End420Shame. We’d love to hear from you!

PRODUCTS WE LOVE WRITER / MEGHAN RIDLEY

PHOTO / MARK COFFIN

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BOUNDLESS CF VAPE This pocket-sized vaporizer will heat up and get you high before you know it. It operates with the ease of one button and has one of the larger herb chambers we’ve seen. Load it with flower or utilize the concentrate pod if you’re loading a cannabis extract—either way it’s sure to produce a memorable hit. bndlsvapes.com @bndlesvapes

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Looking for cannabis essential oils as an everyday remedy? The line from Hälsa provides you with 100mg of THC and 100mg of CBD in each of their oils, divided into the desired effects of Soothe, Unwind and Heal—a little something for anything that’s ailing you.

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BUSINESS

PIPE DREAMS TU RNED BUSINESS REALITIES WRITERS / ANDREA LARSON & ZACHARY HOLLAND

J

OSH PRIEBE AND DAN CONNELLY, better known as Preebz and DC, launched their first skate tour in 2004. Alongside a tightknit group of skaters that act more like a family than a team, SK8MAFIA snaked its way through the Midwest — dropping skaters into the streets of Missouri, Chicago and Wisconsin. From the start, SK8MAFIA has been all about riding, collaborating and growing as a family. Two short years after the inception of SK8MAFIA, Preebz formed JSLV with longtime friend Jayson Valencia. Posited as a lifestyle brand, JSLV incorporates skate, snow, surf and art culture into the brand’s identity. As Preebz and DC enter into their next venture, the cannabis industry, they look forward to the challenges and blowing the “stoner” stigma out of the water.

We recently caught up with Preebz and DC, and had the chance to ask the two about turning pipe dreams into reality, how they got here and the dreams yet to come.

Q

A

DOPE MAGAZINE: JSLV is a lifestyle brand. How is it different than what you guys had been doing before and where do you see it going in the future?

PREEBZ: With JSLV we were able to expand into other markets in the action sports industry. We took what we did in the skateboarding industry and applied it to snow and surf. We aim to maintain this approach as we grow; it’s what’s made us successful. The only difference in the future is being able to do it on an even bigger level. Grow across even more markets, have better production, more trips, videos and events. Since day one, I’ve made it a point to build a brand that represents the lifestyle I love so much.

PHOTO / COURTESY OF DAN CONNELLY

BUSINESS

Q

A

DM: With your busy schedules how have you managed to maintain a presence in the skating industry?

DC: I think skating and having fun is the key no matter how serious things get.

Constantly putting out content is a big part of staying relevant. With the consistent rise of social media posts and elevated difficulty of tricks, it’s a bit more difficult to save content for big projects like full-length videos and individual video parts. It all comes down to staying organized, strategizing your outlets.

PREEBZ: I’ve always just done my best to keep connections and to stay in contact with all of the people I’ve met along the way.

I go to as many industry events as I can, but it definitely gets harder the busier you get.

Just like Dan said, I try to prioritize and strategize, staying organized and on top of my schedule.

Q

A

DM: How have you managed to keep such a tight-knit group together as the brand grows and develops?

DC: It’s just the way we’ve always done things, ride or die. It gets overwhelming, but somehow we always get through it and never give up. My favorite thing about the growth and development has been being in the streets, skateboarding and hanging out with homies. Just being there to film a video or shoot an ad is like being a part of the landing or not landing a trick, it’s a battle you both go through and it builds a bond that brings the elements to life and keeps it tight.

PREEBZ: The one thing that I’ve always cared about, is building a solid foundation with all my team riders and employees. A mutual trust where the relationship goes both ways. I make it a point to personally connect with everyone. I treat people how I’d like to be treated and it’s worked out well. I go to bat for them and in return, they all have my back. SK8MAFIA is going on 12 years and JSLV ten, each person that we’ve picked to ride for us is considered part of our family. We work super hard to be sure that brands aren’t the only ones happy. For me, my role as the other half of the brands, I’m the one planning, coming up with marketing strategy, execution, placement, budget, etc. What Dan doesn’t do, I do with the help of our team and most especially, Kerry McDonough—he is another key person to our operation.

Q

A

DM: Tell us about your decision to enter the cannabis industry. What set of events took place to make this possible for you?

DC: Well, Preebz and I have always been in the weed world, growing up slanging to get by at points of our endeavor. I’ve always made sure cannabis was in our brands graphics because it is a big part of a lot of skaters’ lives. It relates, so when the opportunity presented itself, it was a no brainer. The branding part of the game is simple for us.

PREEBZ: One of my good friends left the skate industry and started NEXT G3N Greenhouses. With both of us coming from the action sports industry, we saw the opportunity and potential in cross-branding our lifestyles together. We met up for lunch and he was shocked to find out that I wasn’t involved yet because if you personally know me, you know that weed has been an everyday part of my life since I was 16-years-old.

That day, he told me I needed to get involved, and so I did. Now here we are.

Q

A

DM: Going into the cannabis industry now, did you ever really think this could be a reality growing up? Or just a couple skaters’ pipe dream?

PREEBZ: I’m still in shock that I’m doing this interview now, but when I really think about it, the last 17 years of my action sports career has been a training ground for what’s to come in the cannabis industry.

And when you look at the cannabis industry and how it’s evolved, and couple that with technology in growing, the medical benefits, and the growing awareness and acceptance of cannabis, I’m actually not that surprised. Cannabis has come a long way—the fact that I’m referring to weed as cannabis in this interview shows just how far it’s come, haha.

Roll with us, not them.

Go cashless. Pay with Hypur.

@gethypur

gethypur.com

IN FOCUS

WH I TE HOU SE SMOK E O U T DC'S ADAM EIDINGER READY TO TAKE IT

U P A NOTCH WRITER AND PHOTOS / DAVID HODES

W

HEN HISTORY RECALLS THAT one of the first areas (not a state) of the country to legalize both medical and recreational marijuana is the very place where a crook of a President helped make it illegal in the first place, someone is going to ask: How the hell did that happen?

It was made possible through the activism of a righteous businessman and lifelong American rights defender, Adam Eidinger, a Washington D.C.-based activist and Pittsburgh native.

Here in the District of Columbia, marijuana—one of the worst drugs in the world according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)—can, as of February 26, 2015, be legally grown and consumed for both recreational and medicinal purposes.

Let that sink in for a second. The home of the Nixon-invented DEA, the headquarters of both the FBI and the Department of Justice, the center of the country’s rule-making elite now allows a federally illegal drug to be grown and consumed.

“We liberated the Capital,” Eidinger said about the efforts of his group of activists and citizen advocates who diligently worked with the D.C. City Council and collected signatures to get their marijuana legalization initiative, Initiative 71, on the ballot for the November 2014 elections.

That initiative, which started as a not-a-chance-in-hell deal from Eidinger and his supporters took city leaders and a few congressmen by

surprise. These officials worked unsuccessfully to derail Initiative 71 even after over 70 percent of voters in the district approved it. “It was a beautiful thing,” Eidinger expressed.

The hope then, was that the work Eidinger and his followers did on that initiative would keep legalization in the mainstream of political conversation and that, by 2016, it would become an issue addressed and actively acted on by both parties.

The greatest hope? That the new president would decree marijuana de-scheduled from the DEA’s list and that it would be legalized across the country.

But after a flurry of protests this year, including two at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Eidinger is less hopeful. Those dreams for marijuana legalization that jazzed up him and his fellow activists in D.C. appear to have fallen off the radars of presidential candidates.

The 1,000 or so members of the combined D.C./Philly protest groups rolled out two 51-foot inflatable joints, which acted as eye-catching protest “banners” introduced during a smoke-in protest in front of the White House. “We were the largest protest group there,” Eidinger shared. “And we got some national press. Bill Maher talked about it on his show. But we have really gotten zero response otherwise from the candidates or parties.”

Eidinger, a Democrat like many of his followers, says that he has sent

IN FOCUS

“PEOPLE SAY THAT YOU CAN’T BEAT CITY HALL. I COMPLETELY DISAGREE.” -ADAM EIDINGER

a letter to the Clinton campaign asking for clarification on her position.

No response. “Not a single speaker at the Democratic convention uttered the word marijuana or cannabis from the podium. Not a single speaker,” he said. “What country do these people live in that a single person cannot reference the issue that has resulted in more people going to jail than any other crime? It’s the Democrats putting on a false face, saying that they are for states’ rights but still for federal prohibition. They can’t be trusted.

It’s shameful. Shameful.”

Welcome to Adam Eidinger’s world. He doesn’t hang out on the sidelines. He has been arrested 19 times for his activism, most recently in July for throwing money—$2,000 in one dollar bills—onto the floor of the Senate chamber to protest the lack of a labeling law on genetically modified organisms. Eidinger has a long history of being loud and proud, all in defense of the country’s laws and the rights of its citizens.

He has been actively voicing his concern since high school, where he discovered the power of protest could rid foam trays from his school’s lunchroom. He first crossed paths with authority for his activism at American University, where he protested tuition increases. In an article about him in the Washington Post, he said that this was an experience where he lost, but, “Learned that it was okay to stand up and fight even if you did lose.”

In 2001, he worked with a hemp products manufacturer, Dr. Bronner’s

Magic Soap, who was fighting the DEA’s decision to put a ban on the import of hemp seeds into the United States. Eidinger had already organized a large protest around the 2000 inauguration related to the contested voting results, so he was ready for this showdown, his first cannabis-related fight. He sued the DEA and won in 2004.

In 2010, he opened his own smoke shop business, Capital Hemp, being careful not to tie it to cannabis use. The police shut him down anyway, arrested him and his employees and confiscated his inventory. “I was sitting in jail thinking, ‘Man the only way we are going to get this right is if we legalize marijuana,’” he expressed. Eventually, the charges were dropped.

Eidinger sued and won back his inventory, then re-opened his store in another part of the city.

It was after that series of events that Eidinger clicked into the marijuana issue. After working with the American Civil Liberties Union in 2013, Eidinger’s eyes were opened to racial disparity as it relates to arrests for cannabis possession in D.C. You are eight times more likely to be arrested for marijuana in D.C. if you are black and young, and witnessing that arrest disparity himself while cooling his heels in jail, he knew he could find enough voters in the district that would agree with him about legalization. He built a coalition comprised of local activists, Dr. Bronner’s Soap and the Drug Policy Alliance, garnered $300,000 in funding and went straight to work. The rest is, and shall continue to be, history.

IN FOCUS

But for now, it’s tick-tock time heading into the 2016 election; Eidinger is feeling like all the work he has been doing for the last five years is not enough. After the April smoke-in, he was granted a meeting with DEA officials at the White House, who told him there would be an announcement about rescheduling cannabis.

While there’s been no additional communication, a recent announcement was made by the DEA regarding their stance. Not to Eidinger’s

surprise, government officials decided not to reschedule cannabis, only expand current research opportunities. Eidinger’s response, “I think we need to stop being nice and we need to go into this election angry, saying that we are not willing to support our candidate until they start talking about the issue.”

What that means is stand by—more to come.

There is too much to lose. And this fight just shifted into a higher gear.

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1

A

FEDERAL CIRCUIT COURT ruled that prohibiting MED cardholders from buying guns does not violate the Second Amendment. The court ruled that marijuana and other drug use, “Raises the risk of irrational or unpredictable behavior with which gun use should not be associated.” The losing attorney said this was an inconsistent application of the Second Amendment since people on no-fly lists can buy guns. An appeal is likely.

3

R

ESPONDING TO CRITICISM OF his escalating war on drugs, Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte threatened to leave the United Nations. Duterte has offered bounties to vigilantes who kill drug dealers and called for reinstating the death penalty in the country. Since he took office in June, there have been more than 1,000 killings by police and suspected vigilantes. In one jail, 20 guards watch 4,000 inmates in a facility fit to hold 278.

4

A

STUDY FOUND THAT rats dosed with THC preferred to perform easier tasks for smaller rewards than more difficult tasks for larger rewards. “Their ability to do the difficult challenge was unaffected by THC. The rats could still do the task—they just didn’t want to,” the lead researcher said. “In the future you can try to...develop cannabinoids that block these effects on cognition but still help people with the reasons why they use it for pain relief.”

5

A

N INVESTIGATION AND OTHER emergency measures ensued after authorities in the tiny town of Hugo, Colorado said they had found THC in the drinking water. Cannabis activists quickly called the findings unlikely since THC would be immediately visible in the water.

Screening stations were set up for residents and clean water was trucked in.

Hugo has no marijuana businesses and the state was unable to confirm the finding.

6

I

T APPEARS THAT NINE other states will vote on REC or MED. In Massachusetts, Maine, Arizona and Nevada, REC initiatives have encountered significant opposition from local politicians and law enforcement groups. There will be MED votes in conservative states like North Dakota, Arkansas and Montana, while it appears that other conservative states like Oklahoma and Missouri managed to hold votes off. The largest state to be voting on MED is Florida, where polls point to a ‘yes’ vote.

SOCIAL MEDIA

M

ARY JANE IS QUITE a mover and a shaker these days. As this is our “Active” Issue of DOPE Magazine, we collected the best of cannabis-inspired photos from our social media platforms that represent this growing movement. We hope these photos further activate your cannabinoid system—keep the tags coming @dopemagazine.

@konsistantly_kronic_gardens

@nogamesjustgains

@oregonbreedersgroup

@s.o.bakedco_

@cannabefree

@elevatedresearch5280

@williams.jazz

@uk.dank

@flowersonflowers420

@mishyjp

@terramateror

@swtknvss

@positive_vibes_photography

@rogue_raven_farms

@emeraldtrianglehighlife

@djintrospektiv

@senorbrandon

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@rollingpaperguide

@theorem_cannabis

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T H E GAM E GOT A N E W S T R A I N WEST COAST STRAIGHT TO YOU R BRAIN WRITER / THOMAS FINELL

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The flowers have a voluptuous appeal due to the swollen calyxes. High resin content gives the flower an incredibly dense, sticky feel between the fingers.

Upon medicating, I received an uplifting cerebral buzz. VIP Ticket tasted like sipping a cool mojito in a hot club, with an exhale smoother than all your best dance moves.

PHOTO / JACKSON COZAD

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HEN I FIRST OPENED the stay-fresh packaging, it was difficult not to compare the appearance of these delectable little pools of congealed mango to dabs. In fact, I recently heard a story of a friend of a friend attempting to dab his fruit slabs. I can only imagine the gooey mess left behind from that adventure.

Infused with a hybrid extract from Medical Cannabis Cup winners, Legion of Bloom, Fruit Slabs come in two natural flavors, OG Mango and Mango Maui Wowie. Both have a mango base, but the Maui Wowie includes rice-sized pieces of coconut that give the flavor a little twist.

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TAS T Y TA N G I E A MULTI-USE CONCENTRATE WRITER / THOMAS FINELL

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GOT A CHANCE TO vibe on some of this new Tangie Sap. It’s produced through a low-pressure steam distillation system to extract the terpenes from the flowers, and then run through an ethanol soak and second distillation process to produce a solvent-free sap with high cannabinoid content. The terpenes are added back into the mix, producing a super clean and clear concentrate. This same delectable sap is also found in the award-winning Habit Soda. Its smell reminds me of orange sherbet and cleanliness. The orange flavor sits nicely on the palate as it produces a creative and energetic vibe.

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PHOTO / JACKSON COZAD

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P O L L E N NAT I O N S U P P L E M E N T BUZZING MISSION TO SAVE TH E WORLD WRITER & PHOTOS / ASHLEIGH CASTRO

B

EE POLLEN’S GLOBAL USE as a holistic treatment is a monument to the collaborative relationship bees have with Earth.

Increasingly so, cannabis is earning a similar reputation—making the combination of the two a new age dynamic duo worth exploring.

Pollen Nation’s Pollen-Kief Capsules offer individuals options for addressing allergy symptoms with or without a psychoactive kick. The capsules are made with all-natural ingredients and vegan casings, filled with North American pollen. When sourced at the local level, bee pollen only increases its capacity to address ailments common to a specific region—making these all the more effective as an allergy-fighter.

“Bee pollen is like the new vitamin,” explained the team at Pollen Nation, all of whom are dedicated to spreading the word. Together, their company volunteers with local beekeepers, maintaining hives and attending monthly beekeeping meetings. Feedback from patients who take the supplement confirm their findings, where reports of progression in health, energy levels and mental clarity are the norm.

Pollen Nation Pollen-Kief Capsules come in THC and THCA versions, with options ranging from low-dose 10mg to moderately-dosed 25mg THC and THCA capsules.

Start slow, with one a day for the first few days, then boost to two or three capsules based on preference. For lower tolerance users, try 10mg to start and warm up to 25mg.

I stopped taking prescription-strength allergy medicine during this trial successfully. If you do not desire psychoactive effects at all, try the THCA option.

As a higher dose patient, I experienced mild effects from a single THC serving. With a double dose adding up to 50mg, I felt very giddy and uplifted. In addition, the THCA capsules have absolutely no psychoactive effects, a pleasant surprise.

INTERESTING FACTS

Purchasing bee products keeps the bees busy and sustained, especially by supporting businesses like Pollen Nation.

Bee pollen is full of protein, simple amino acids, vitamins and antioxidants.

Please do not use this product if you have an allergy to bees or bee pollen, it can cause a severe allergic reaction for those with sensitivities.

“THC/THCA and Bee Pollen have a symbiotic relationship that works to help allergies, antiaging, weight management, cramp and PMS alleviation, preventing/ slowing cancer tumor growth, suppressing addictive cravings and many more ailments,” shared the team at Pollen Nation.

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A

LAINA AUSTIN, FOUNDER OF Green Fire Genetics is a young grower, but you would never guess it from her wisdom in genetics and gardening. Strolling through her garden in sunny Northern California, she spoke with ease and authority about her growing methods. “I’ve just recently dove into the organic methods,” she shared.

“Using organic compost teas, compost super soils for feeding your soil and constantly amending microbes is a major key with growing organically.”

Her garden—tucked away in Area 101—is a beautiful, sunny place. The plants are full and healthy. With her level of care and knowledge, it’s easy to tell why.

A third-generation farmer known as “Little Nugget,” Alaina already has years of experience under her belt. As a youth, she started helping her father, a man she credits with teaching her everything. Breeding her own genetics, Austin has since perfected her signature strain: Green Fire OG.

PHOTO / ALAINA AUSTIN

A combination of a Green Crack cross and Fire OG, this strain’s fragrantly dense nugs are covered in a thick layer of trichomes. A deliciously potent strain (test results sitting at 25–28 percent THC), you’ll smell hints of signature OG and citrus from the Green Crack. “I’ve had her for the last four years under lock and key,” Alaina explained, “And have been making exotic, landrace crosses of her to release to the masses at this year’s Emerald Cup in Santa Rosa! I never saw myself getting rid of my genetics; it was really just a way to set myself aside from everyone else with genetics nobody else has.”

“I’m going for the flavors,” Alaina added, listing her favorite crossbred strains while noting that THC to CBD ratio is of the utmost importance when breeding.

Austin is setting herself apart. Her dedication to quality genetics and clean, responsible growing methods is sure to send her to great places.

Photo by Ashleigh Castro

“I NEVER SAW MYSELF GETTING RID OF MY GENETICS; IT WAS REALLY JUST A WAY TO SET MYSELF ASIDE FROM EVERYONE ELSE WITH GENETICS NOBODY ELSE HAS.” -ALAINA AUSTIN

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S TO R E

SUPER CLINIK APPRECIATION OF TH E FINEST WRITER / BIANCA FOX

T

2525 S BIRCH ST SANTA ANA, CA 92707 (714) 557-2050 MON–SAT: 10AM–8PM SUN: 11AM–7PM SUPERCLINIK.COM

TH E HISTORY The store’s staff had one goal in mind—to accommodate all patients. Super Clinik was originally created as a safe haven for patients seeking the finest, most affordable and reliable selection of products, and has received high acclaim ever since they opened their doors on 4/20, 2016.

PHOTO / JACKSON COZAD

HE NAME SAYS IT ALL. Super Clinik, the top dispensary in the city of Santa Ana, is overflowing at the brim and a patient’s dream come true.

S TO R E

“THE BIGGEST PERK FOR PATIENTS? A QUARTERLY PATIENT APPRECIATION DAY, WHERE THE STAFF AND 20-PLUS VENDORS MEET AND GREET PATIENTS, DISCUSSING THE INS AND OUTS OF PRODUCTS WHICH INCLUDE IMPRESSIVE LINES OF STRAINS, CONCENTRATES, TINCTURES, EDIBLES, DRINKS AND APPAREL.”

TH E PEOPLE Each new patient is greeted with a smile and a tour.

The biggest perk for patients? A quarterly Patient Appreciation Day, where the staff and 20-plus vendors meet and greet patients, discussing the ins and outs of products which include impressive lines of strains, concentrates, tinctures, edibles, drinks and apparel. There is also a great selection of cartridges by companies including IMKING and Just Dabs. They even conduct giveaways of samples to take home.

“A lot of people will not buy items that they haven’t tried, so our vendors teach them about each product,” a representative from Super Clinik explained. “We are all about patient appreciation and want to educate them. It’s also been a great way for vendors to get their name out there.”

TH E PRODUCTS Affordability is also an admirable quality of this dispensary. They have a list of daily specials and a variety of tokes updated often on their website, SuperClinik.com. Their menu includes strains—black label brands such as Russian Assassin Hardcore OG, IMKING OG and Jetfuel OG, as well as top and midshelf selections. Top-selling edibles include Habit Sparkling Drinks, CBD Living Water and Kiva Bars. Patients are also diggin’ the Ganja Grindz medicated coffee.

Drop by for a visit at Super Clinik. Join as a patient. Every referral receives a complimentary takehome pre-roll.

BUSINESS

WE FOUND IT! EU REKA VAPOR STRI KES GOLD WRITER / THOM HUNTERS

PHOTO / ASHLEIGH CASTRO

T

HE ORIGINS OF THE word “Eureka” are traced back to early 17th-century Greece, and when translated, means “I have found it.” Ancient Greece’s Archimedes was also thought to have uttered this when he stumbled upon a method to determine gold’s purity. As we sit here on the horizon of a new ‘gold rush’ in California, there are many different companies looking to take advantage of an opportunity to profiteer. This benefits companies like Eureka who continually raise the bar with their product line, producing clean medicine for patients since day one. Eureka Vapor has truly found the gold standard in oil cartridges—their patients can say, “Eureka!”

Founded as a platform to showcase the benefits of cannabis as medicine, Eureka Vapor focuses on relieving pain in patients. This is something the partners at Eureka have taken to heart, as several members of the Eureka crew have had family members who needed to manage pain in their lives. As a patient-forward company, Eureka’s product line is something they would give and have given to their own family members. The team never sacrifices quality as they use surgical-grade stainless steel and natural filters in all of their cartridges. And you definitely won’t find polypropylene glycol as an ingredient.

As Eureka has grown, they have faced challenges—not uncommon for companies in the cannabis industry. One of their biggest challenges to date has been revealing to the cannabis community that not all cartridges are created equal. The market has clearly responded to this—you can find Eureka Vapor products in hundreds of dispensaries across California as well as Colorado. Eureka is poised for expansion and is a top-notch ambassador in bringing their oils to multiple markets, while simultaneously

“WE WANT TO MAKE EVERYONE’S EXPERIENCE WITH EUREKA VAPOR A PERSONAL ONE. WE TREAT EACH PATIENT LIKE FAMILY. WITH THAT, WE LEAD WITH HAVING THE SAFEST, CLEANEST OIL AVAILABLE ON THE MARKET. IF IT DOES NOT COME FROM THE PLANT, IT DOES NOT END UP IN OUR OIL.” -EUREKA VAPOR

BUSINESS

staying at the forefront of the industry. They also have the pedigree to prove it. As winners of Hempcon’s 2015 first place for Best CO2 Concentrate in addition to winning Best Vape at Local Sesh 2016, Eureka is proving that their products continue to get better each and every year.

Let’s be honest, vape pens are trendy and there are so many entrants in the competition that it is easy to be swallowed whole by the marketplace. To say it is difficult to plant a stake in the ground is a severe understatement. Not only has Eureka Vapor grown, but they are thriving in the market. By creating oil for the right reasons, they are paying close attention to the most important people in the equation: the patients. The outcome is pure, clean, quality oils.

Room in the cannabis industry for subpar medicine has vanished. At the end of the day the people who will be saying, “Eureka!” are the patients who have found these products. When your company’s foundation is helping people, your results often reflect that principle. Eureka combines this with close attention to detail, putting them head and shoulders above the competition.

POLITICS

CA N NA B I S I S O N T H E BA L LOT 5 QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK BEFORE CASTING YOU R VOTE WRITER / KELLY VO

T

HE ELECTION SEASON IS in full swing. Trump and Clinton are battling it out for the presidency, and each state is battling it out internally.

While the federal elections aren’t cannabis-focused, there are an unprecedented number of states with cannabis on the ballot.

If you’re living in a state that could pass a new cannabis law, your next best move is getting informed. To help you out, DOPE spoke with Rachel K. Gillette, Esq.—a shareholder at Greenspoon Marder P.A.—who specializes in marijuana law.

We asked Gillette to talk to us about the current cannabis regulations in Colorado, and from there we devised five questions that every cannabis advocate should ask before they cast their vote this fall.

“BECAUSE IT’S MARIJUANA—ILLEGAL UNDER FEDERAL LAW AND SCARY TO SOME PEOPLE— THERE IS A TENDENCY TO CONTINUOUSLY WRITE RULES AND LAWS THAT REGULATE CANNABIS ACCESS. WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL THAT WE DON’T GET TO A POINT WHERE IT BORDERS ON RIDICULOUS.” –RACHEL K. GILLETTE, ESQ.

POLITICS

1

2

WHAT ARE MY STATE ’S CANNABIS RE GU L ATIONS?

What will the r egulations mean for businesses?

There is no template for cannabis regulation, so each state has been left to its own devices for deciding how cannabis should be handled. In Colorado that has meant, “Voluminous regulations that are in a constant state of flux,” Gillette shared. Before you make your vote, you need to understand how the regulations could affect the industry for better and for worse.

One of the worst things a state can do is pass regulations that are too strict. “There are some states that are doing it wrong,” Gillette explained. “Some states have regulated cannabis to the point of creating monopolies. In these cases, there is no free market, and that is problematic. Instead, there needs to be an even playing field for businesses and a clear set of directions in the law, so that everyone knows what the limits are.”

“As a business owner, it can be a challenge to follow regulations,” Gillette expressed. “In Colorado, businesses have to be aware of the Colorado Medical and Retail Codes and their associated regulations, as well as other regulations such as workplace safety, the Pesticide Applicators Act, worker protection standards and more. Obviously, it’s a daunting challenge to manage and run a cannabis business.”

A well-written cannabis law can either help the industry flourish, or help it crash and burn. Look at how the law will handle things such as packaging and labeling, taxes, location and inventory tracking. You don’t want to vote for a law that is too lax on businesses or one that stops the industry from thriving.

3

4

5

W h at w i l l the r eg ul at i o n s me an f or c o n s u me rs?

Will federal de cisions affect my state’s cannabis policies?

Wh at can I d o to learn more ?

Consumers are the second half of the cannabis equation. There’s no use voting on a law that only opens up cannabis to the very few.

“Cannabis is one of the most heavily regulated industries,” Gillette described. “And because it’s marijuana—illegal under federal law and scary to some people—there is a tendency to continuously write rules and laws that regulate cannabis access. We have to be careful that we don’t get to a point where it borders on ridiculous.”

Check how the law will open cannabis to consumers. Who can use it and how? Will smoking be allowed? If you’re voting on a cannabis law because you want access for chronic pain, make sure your ballot includes chronic pain as a legitimate medical need.

There’s no reason to think that the federal government will impact your state. That’s why it’s so important to ensure that the laws you vote on are what you want because no one is going to come around and make a change for you.

“I honestly believe that the federal government, when it comes to the legalization, taxation and regulation of marijuana, should allow the states to decide what is best for their state,” Gillette said. “Going beyond that, communities should be able to decide what is best for their community.”

To get informed about the cannabis ballot in your state, first, “Read and understand the rules,” and then, if necessary, “Hire someone that you can go to in order to get a clearer understanding,” Gillette explained.

There are many nuisances in the law that can trip you up if you’re not aware they exist. This knowledge is particularly important if you’re hoping to start your own cannabis business. “You have to be willing and able to obtain professionals to help you make sure that you stay legal and compliant in the business,” Gillette concluded.

Now, get out there and get ready to cast your vote!

Rachel Gillette, Esq. is licensed to practice law in Colorado and Connecticut. Her specialties include marijuana/cannabis business licensing and regulatory compliance, business law and transactions, contract drafting and review, civil litigation, corporate formation and tax matters. She has vast experience in representing cannabis and hemp businesses, having represented state and locally-licensed marijuana and hemp businesses in Colorado since 2010.

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H E A LT H

WRITER / BLAZE ROBINSON

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PHOTO / ASHLEIGH CASTRO

YNETTE SHAW OPENED ONE of the first medical marijuana dispensaries in California. From day one, she had veterans of all ages and wars flock to her store in search of relief for phantom limbs, sleepless nights and the trauma that followed them home from the battlefields. Through trial and error, and a lot of patient feedback, Lynette pieced together information on the relationship between THC, CBD and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

“We didn’t know it was CBD helping veterans in the early days. We would make brownies with Bakersfield Brown for the spinal injury patients because it helped with the swelling.” Years later, Lynette co-founded Veterans Cannabis Group with Iraq War Veteran, Sergeant Aaron Augustis. Their main goal was and remains to educate and support veterans struggling with the residual traumas of war.

PTSD is a disorder resulting from a traumatic experience. Whether from warfare, an accident, disaster, abuse or another type of serious event—PTSD can affect all types of people from all walks of life. A person with PTSD may be triggered to feel stressed or frightened long after the danger has passed. This prolonged “fight-or-flight” mode may cause nightmares, flashbacks and/or isolation. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, eight percent of the population will experience PTSD at some point in their lives.

For those struggling with mental health issues, particularly PTSD, a good night’s sleep is crucial for healing the mind and body. To achieve a full night’s rest, strong purple or fruity indicas have been reported by users as a great way to combat nightmares. Eating edibles before bed gives a user longer-lasting effects as ingesting marijuana has a slower release time.

CBDs have become increasingly popular because of the seemingly endless list of benefits.

CBD has been reported to help a wide range of ailments from chronic pain to epilepsy. For

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those suffering from PTSD, CBDs are best for relieving inflammation and are especially useful for those who do not want the psychoactive high that comes with THC. While many find relief in CBD-dominant strains, Lynette recommends medicating with both THC and CBD for optimal affects as they have been known to enhance one another.

High-THC strains, particularly sativas, can stimulate patients and promote feelings of wellbeing. Lynette, who has also struggled with PTSD, says that she is particularly fond of Sour Diesel for lifting feelings of heaviness and depression. Sativas or sativa-dominant hybrids are also helpful in physically stimulating and encouraging patients to get moving and explore the outside world.

Many patients who medicate with marijuana don’t realize that different strains produce different effects. Lynette always asks about personal cannabis experience when meeting a new patient. Hybrid strains, CBD:THC ratios, dosages and ingestion methods all play important roles in medicating properly with cannabis.

Each patient responds differently to cannabis so it is important to start with small doses and observe how the strain interacts with an individual’s body chemistry.

Up until 2004, American veterans could lose their military benefits if they consumed marijuana. The current military marijuana policy is ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’ and VA doctors are unable to prescribe medical marijuana to their patients. Luckily, medical marijuana is legal in California, and there are many veterans support groups looking for ways to reduce or get off heavy medications such as opiates, sleeping pills and anti-psychotics.

As marijuana is still a Schedule I substance with, “No currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse,” it is difficult to scientifically study the therapeutic benefits of cannabis. Because of this, many of the reported health

benefits from THC and CBD are user-generated.

Care By Design, a Santa Rosa CBD company, makes their own CBD-to-THC concentrates.

Their products come in five different CBD-toTHC ratios, allowing patients greater control over their personal dosage. Care by Design has begun to conduct their own research into the effectiveness of medical marijuana. They recently interviewed hundreds of veterans who reported that their marijuana use was comparable to conventional treatments for PTSD. While the federal government does not recognize the medical potential of cannabis, the DEA does allow limited studies on medical marijuana. The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) headquartered in Santa Cruz was approved to research the affects of THC and CBD on veterans suffering from PTSD. Researchers on the project believe that the anti-inflammatory properties of THC and CBD alone will provide therapeutic benefits for PTSD sufferers. The study will follow 75 veterans suffering from PTSD who will be given either high-THC, high-CBD, a THC/CBD combo or cannabis placebo during the study.

The most recent statistics released by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs report that roughly 22 veterans commit suicide each day—one every 65 minutes. It is crucial for institutions to continue to explore the role of cannabis in alleviating symptoms of PTSD—the lives of countless men and women, both veteran and civilian alike, hang in the balance.

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T H C TO R E M MARIJ UAN A’S EFFEC T ON DR EAMS WRITER / JEFFREY RINDSKOPF

A

FTER A NIGHT OF HEAVY toking, your head hits the pillow and drifts into an oddly uneventful sleep, unburdened by the strange visions we call dreams. Conversely, after you’ve taken a break from cannabis for a few nights, you may experience a surplus of vivid dreams, as though they were making up for lost time. And in fact, they might be.

Cannabis has a complex effect upon the human mind, but its effect on dreaming seems particularly consistent, with many frequent cannabis users experiencing such a phenomenon as prior mentioned. There is an explanation, and it begins with the ways in which cannabis alters our sleep cycle.

CANNABIS AND TH E SLEEP CYCLE Our brains experience sleep in four stages, spending the most time in stages known as deep, or slow wave, and REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Most dreams occur during REM sleep, when the brain is most active, working to create the images and narratives that make up most dreams. Deep sleep, on the other hand, is when our minds are most rested and we’re least likely to be roused by the world.

One study, published in Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, compared the sleep cycles of frequent smokers, with one group

receiving regular doses of THC and the other, a placebo. The THC group had noticeably reduced levels of REM sleep, while the placebo group reported much higher REM activity.

It’s worth noting that this study, like others on the subject, focuses exclusively on THC, ignoring other compounds in marijuana that may affect REM sleep in other ways—CBD, for example, has been found to increase wakefulness in users when combined with the more sedative effects of THC. Nonetheless, the THC in cannabis has been found to increase the amount of time our

bodies spend in deep sleep, which in turn reduces time spent in REM sleep, when dreams occur. In contrast, the placebo group experienced what is called a REM rebound, likely the body’s way of catching up on REM sleep it missed.

These dream-heavy rebounds typically start within 72 hours after quitting and last for as long as seven weeks. Similar rebounds occur upon withdrawal from other drugs known to interfere with sleep, including alcohol, cocaine and certain sleep medications.

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SO WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN? THC’s interruption of the usual sleep cycle might not be such a bad thing, as a lack of REM sleep and a surplus of deep sleep have both been tied to more restful, higher quality sleep—which may explain why cannabis is such a valuable tool in treating sleep disorders.

The question that remains is whether or not long-term deprivation of REM sleep results in negative effects, aside from putting our usual

dreams on hold? In truth, it’s impossible to say.

The rebound effect upon withdrawal suggests that REM sleep is necessary, but scientists have yet to figure out why, just as they have yet to figure out why we dream in the first place.

In summation, the anecdotal experience of most stoners holds true in scientific observation as well: cannabis use limits the time we spend dreaming, until we quit for even a

few days. Due to our limited scientific understanding of sleep and dreams, the only obvious effects of these shifts in sleep patterns are personal—you might miss your dreams while smoking or be disturbed by their resurgence after you quit, but as far as anyone can tell, that’s about it.

WHY DO WE DREAM? Scientists still don’t know what purpose, if any, our dreams serve. Theories for this fundamental mystery of the mind abound. Among the most credible are: The Psychoanalytical Theory: This approach, first outlined by Sigmund Freud, posits dreams as coded expressions of our unconscious mind’s deepest fears and desires. Thus, all dreams are made up of manifested content—the images and ideas that actually make up the dream reflect the person’s thoughts and emotions.

The Information Processing Theory: This theory suggests that we sleep, in part, to give our brains the time they need to consolidate and organize all the new information gathered in the previous day. Dreams then, are either a byproduct or an integral part of this information processing.

The Activation-Synthesis Theory: In 1977, J. Allan Hobson and Robert McCarley proposed that dreams are simply our brain’s way of interpreting random signals that become active during REM sleep. This interpretation suggests the only real purpose of dreams is to occasionally inspire new ideas amidst randomness.

PROFILE

T H E P OW E R O F P U R I T Y H EPBU RNS FOU NDER ON A H EALTHFUL H EALING MISSION WRITER / BIANCA FOX

O

PHOTO / ASHLEIGH CASTRO

NCE WE LEARN OF the healing powers of medical cannabis, the opportunity to help others is endless. Sometimes, we heal our family and ourselves.

In an effort to improve the health of her mother and herself, Alexandra Butler learned of the healing powers of cannabis. These ideals led her to create her company Hepburns. “They are always handmade with love,” Butler said of her products based in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Love is a common theme infused in her products that include Hepburns pre-rolled solventless ice water hash joints and Hepburns Reserve flower. Recently, Butler unveiled a new project she calls, “instant dabs”—a method of cannabis

concentrate extraction where she presses rosin in person for her clients.

“I want to do the best for people,” Butler explained. “I feel that by educating communities about solventless ice water hash and rosin in any way is a good thing. Especially for those who have had their safe access compromised. For me, fractional vaporization of solventless ice water hash, or dabbing, is the best way to manage and control my back pain.”

Butler’s passion for cannabis and healing evolved from a lifetime of education in health and wellness at UCLA and NYU. Through this experience, she grew interested in human rights, especially as it relates to the world of health. During

PROFILE

“I WANT TO DO THE BEST FOR PEOPLE. I FEEL THAT

BY EDUCATING COMMUNITIES ABOUT SOLVENTLESS ICE WATER HASH AND ROSIN IN ANY WAY IS A GOOD THING.” -ALLIE BUTLER

her time spent in the educational sphere, Butler learned a lot about medical cannabis.

Butler is a cannabis activist. She attained her Master’s Degree in Public Health and International Community Public Health from NYU in 2011, studying HIV and cancer research in addition to drug policy with an emphasis on cannabis research. It was during this time that Butler realized she loved helping others. “After grad school at NYU, my mother was ill and was a cannabis patient,” she shared. “I cared for her and learned a lot about medical marijuana and its healing aspects.”

Butler held back tears as she described her motivation for starting her own medical cannabis company, Hepburns: “I started my company with the intention of doing something different and giving back to the community. My mom was a cigarette smoker and a cannabis patient. She passed away in 2011 from emphysema and cardiopulmonary disease. I saw the cigarette industry as something that was racist—an industry that subjugates people and kills them. It has a legacy of all these horrible things. I wanted to do something different and give back to the community in a healthful way.”

Hepburns offers a selection of high-quality solventless products containing the one item Butler can’t live without—ice water hash.

Ice water hash is Butler’s top choice when dabbing and smoking, and is naturally an important ingredient in Hepburns products. “I’m all about stuff that doesn’t have chemicals in it,” Butler admitted. “For myself and my patients, I only recommend concentrates with no chemical solvents.”

With the success of Hepburns, Butler sought out to develop another pure and potent prod-

uct. Along came the arrival of another venture, equally healing and popular within the industry.

Butler started conducting a rosin pressing process, which she coined “instant dabs” in December of 2015. She believes Soilgrown Solventless first posted pressing rosin on Instagram, and she learned of the process through Hashbury Extracts and from Hash Church.

Butler prefers to conduct the process using a Medisun Press, which she loves dearly. Since she travels, she does not bolt down the machine, but stands atop it.

Through her process of standing up on the pressing machine, Butler attained the nickname, Lady Squish, which she calls a “silly hashtag.”

“I like the idea of doing things like a lady,” Butler explained. “I dab like a lady. I squish like a lady. When I squish, my first-time clients are either amused or amazed.”

Butler was drawn to the process of pressing rosin for its purity and potency, the reason why the process is now skyrocketing in popularity as a method of concentrate extraction.

Using heat and the press, freshly pressed rosin is released from the plant matter’s THC-rich trichome heads. The end result leaves the customer with two products, a piece of parchment paper stamped with an instant terpene-packed dab and one very flat piece of plant.

“Rosin is an option that appeals to me because it is cost efficient and enjoyable,” Butler added.

“It is something I can produce in 30 seconds and use only one gram of bud, a little bit of parchment paper, some heat and some pressure.”

As she believes in spreading the good word, Butler is currently touring dispensaries across California, squishing and impressing us all along the coast. For more information, you can visit her at Hepburns.com.

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