Fat Nugs Magazine Vol 13 - 420 Edition

420 Women's Edition

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Rebekah Jenks

Dear Readers, This 420, I am honored to be part of an edition that features cannabis community powerhouses, all of whom are women. It’s rare to see a publication that’s not specifically targeting a female audience to feature an almost all-female editorial, but as our founder often says, we’re no ordinary breed of cannabis magazine. We work to break boundaries, surprise and delight our readers, while also staying true to our ethos: uplift the plant, the people, and the community.

When you take a closer look at the world of cannabis, it becomes apparent that the web woven through hundreds of years of history is deeply intersectional. This intersectionality binds history, culture, politics, legislation, science, medicine, racism, sexism, and multitudes of other structural societal components. As an anthropologist, it’s riveting and deep. As a woman in the cannabis industry, it’s often overwhelming. How can we connect all of these dots to resolve the many problems that we face on a daily basis?

Pages 20 through 49, you will have the pleasure of meeting a variety of badass women pushing the envelope and doing big things in the cannabis industry. Learn from them, follow them, and recognize the contributions women have made in legitimizing and destigmatizing the space.

You will come across a country musician inspired by cannabis, in Hannah Vysoky’s “I’m Only Nice When I’m High,” the 420-friendly and fabulous La Ganja Estranja interviewed by Brian Cruz, and a review of cultivar Whitethorn Rose by Ganjier, Shelley Peebles.

As you turn the pages of the April/May magazine, take a moment. Cannabis, after all, is a female plant. It is with reverence that we highlight the cannabis plant and Mother Earth, during the season of Mother’s Day. Let’s toast the many women that have pioneered before us, now with us, and who will continue to do so for generations to come.

With Love, Melanie Rizzo

The women featured in the following pages have all taken on a mission. We are collectively working to make the industry better, more diverse and thus, more whole. It is with a holistic perspective that we must look at both cannabis and feminism. It is intersectionality that forces us to observe the interconnected nature of social categorizations and the overlapping systems that influence our advantages and disadvantages.

On page 10, you will read about Shelbie Vasquez and her journey from pageant queen to cannabis advocate. On Page 15, our own Assistant Editor, Lindsey Gunter, reviews oh.hi, developed by a prior nun-in-training who traded her “habit” for a career boosting women’s pleasure through cannalube.

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~ Kristen Yoder

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Pg. 10 From Pageantry to Advocacy

by Shelbie Vasquez

Pg. 27 Roxxy Haze Author, Comedian, Rapper & Gamer

Pg. 15 “THC Does It Better: A Review of Lavinia’s ‘oh.hi’ Cannalube”

by Lindsey Gunter

Pg. 29 KC Santana Founder of Chiefah Entertainment

Pg. 20 Women of Weed Concept by Lindsey Gunter Ai Art by Rebekah Jenks

Pg. 31 Krysta Jones THC Girls & The Highly Connected App

Pg. 21 Mandy Lile POTENCY No. 710

Pg. 33 Olivia Alexander CEO & Founder Kush Queen

Pg. 23 Kala Sanmartin BScN RN, The Cannabis Nurse

Pg. 35 Lindsey Renner Native Humboldt Farms

Pg. 25 Monica Lo Cannachef & Author

Pg. 37 Kayla Sanchez Founder & CEO of Guided Green Solutions

Pg. 41 Maha Haq Cannabis Lounge + Retail Expert & Streamer Pg. 43 Zoe Wilder Founder of Liquid Culture & PR Guru Pg. 45 Chynna Parks Zendo Edibles Pg. 47 Nikki Lawley Founder of Nikki and the Plant, LLC.

Pg. 55 Glazed Concept by Rob Sanchez Art by Rebekah Jenks

Pg. 57 Cranberry Coconut Granola Recipe

by Barbra Dean

Pg. 61 A Conversation with Laganja Estranja

by Brian Cruz

Pg. 49 Davina Kaonohi CEO & Cofounder of Element Apothec

Pg. 63 Celebrate Women’s Month With A Game Of Canna Connoisseur

by Blue Amnesia aka The Naive Newb

Pg. 53 "I'm Only Nice When I'm High,"

by Hannah (Izer) Vysoky

Pg. 65 Ganjier Review of Whitethorn Rose

by Shelley Peebles

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Rebekah Jenks

By Shelbie Vasquez

n 2007 I was a highschooler who listened to Kottonmouth Kings and Sublime, I used Hempz lotion, and I decided I would try weed after I graduated, but before I would have to get a job and risk drug testing. When the time finally came, I was offered a “shotgun” hit of weed by my cousin since I had no idea how to operate a pipe. This marked my first time “inhaling” and my official journey into cannabis.

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One day, an older cousin of mine offered me a bong rip.

I watched him clear a chamber and clean the bowl piece out. He packed me a bowl, and I ripped it. I coughed and it hurt, and he gave me a cold bottle of water. I laid on the couch and closed my eyes, thinking about so many things. I began to remember things I had forgotten. Memories of every softball practice I attended to minute memories I’d nearly forgotten, arose to the surface. As I lay appreciating the life I had lived leading up to this point, I knew I would smoke again.

That time came quickly, and I coughed my lungs out once again, and said to myself that it would be the last time that I would smoke. I sat in my cousin’s pantry, looking at all the snack options in amazement, feeling lucky to have these moments. I continued to smoke with my friends regularly and one day we watched the documentary called “The Union”. It was a well-done documentary detailing the reasons why cannabis had such a bad reputation for so long. It was that day I learned about many amazing cannabis activists and at that moment of enlightenment, I decided I was going to search for jobs that didn’t require drug tests.

Growing up, I was a pageant girl. It was the 90’s, so I knew about Jon Benet Ramsey, Miss Congeniality, Miss USA, and Delta Burke. I wanted to have a crown on my head just like them. I wanted to be a lady who was a role model to other women. I wanted to belong to a sisterhood. I wanted to be a “pageant girl,” a “Hooters girl,” a “ring girl,” a “Playboy Playmate,” or part of whatever perceived sisterhood held in high regard by pop culture at that time. I know it sounds weird, I guess it’s just part of being raised as a girl in Southern California with TV.

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"So I existed in between identities of wanting to be a model and pageant girl, while also being a stoner."

Once I started competing, I held the title of “Miss Thousand Palms”, I even held the title of “Miss Palm Springs” for a hot second - until I gave it up to be able to compete and represent another area.

Lastly, I was “Miss American Starlet - Desert Region.” I placed in Miss Teen Hawaiian Tropic pageants. I was in the homecoming court. No matter where I was, I tried to get crowns on my head. I wanted to model, I paid for pinup shoots (I still do sometimes).

I love getting glammed up and enjoy a good day creating and seeing the final product. But as an older teen, I loved weed and getting high, too. So I existed in between identities of wanting to be a model and pageant girl, while also being a stoner.

On a day perusing the web, I came across the MySpace page of “Miss High Times,” Jenni Colgate. There she was in a crown and sash in High Times, surrounded by plants, making the “be quiet” gesture. Jenni Colgate was also in an ad for NORML, which is how I discovered NORML. I was amazed that there even was such a thing as “Miss High Times”.

I love magazines, and as far as I knew, High Times was the magazine that taught people how to grow weed and discussed otherwise taboo substances. I was excited to find out that I could have another chance at getting a crown on my head while also being a person who loves to get high, so I decided I was going to be part of the Miss High Times community.

I started doing research and learned about “Girls Gone Weed.” It was a forum and community of stoner girls that loved sharing cool photos of how they incorporated cannabis into their lifestyles.

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For those of you that may not know, Miss High Times was a section of the High Times magazine that featured a different stoner girl every month, one of which would ultimately win “Miss High Times” of the year. Kind of like a Playboy Playmate, but with weed. I think it started as a hot stoner girl competition, but quickly evolved since women are capable of so much more.

Many of the Miss High Times women were activists, part of local organizations like NORML, and passionate about changing oppressive marijuana laws. All of these women had amazing photos on their online pages of themselves consuming weed, cultivating, engaging in activism, as well as all the ways they loved cannabis.

I am still friends with some of these women today, many of whom went on to host their own cannabis events, or work for cannabis companies and dispensaries.

Today, I work for a women-owned cannabis company that I discovered at High Times Cannabis Cup. I feel so blessed to be in the cannabis community selling products made for women. I want to be a role model for those who are curious about cannabis. I want to represent stoners who fight for our rights and enlighten others on the plant's many healing benefits.

I am so happy to be a woman in cannabis!

I thought, cannabis is a female plant. It should be women who are at the forefront of the cannabis community. Smoking weed shouldn’t only be a thing that men do. Women can consume cannabis just as much as men do.

While I was vying for the title of Miss High Times, I joined the official Facebook group. I became virtual friends with the other girls and we all supported one another and would vote for each other. You needed people to vote on your Miss High Times profile page to win for that month and be featured in the magazine.

I also entered photos to be featured in the High Times email newsletters. I put up posters for the cannabis cups around town as a street team member. I did all that I could to be part of the High Times community. If you were in the Miss High Times Facebook group, you had the first opportunity to volunteer to work at the High Times festivals. I volunteered giving out wristbands after checking doctor’s recs and IDs at the medical marijuana cannabis cup in San Bernardino. It was great to work alongside the other girls in the Miss High Times Facebook group!

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Rebekah Jenks

hen I first heard about Lavinia’s oh.hi, the silicone-based lubricant created and developed by a woman who almost became a nun - I was intrigued. As cliché as that sounds, I got excited about Katie Enright’s story. How romantic and serendipitous to get swept out of celibacy by a memorable encounter that leads you to creating a company around a product you developed to help yourself where the market could not. What a lifestyle change! Want to try it yourself?

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In the classic cannabis way, oh.hi was born of a “sharing is caring” (more like "I'll Have What She’s Having”) beginning, where Katie started formulating for friends before taking the hint and making the plunge to found Lavinia, where she has partnered with Dr. Kristina Collins to better understand the sexual experience from a medical perspective. Beyond all this, I lowkey wanted to try something that was essentially created by someone previously celibate. The fruit of their journey re-discovering their identity sexually while simultaneously creating something to help others by harnessing endocannabinoid receptors? Um, YES PLEASE. Why do I have the right to even review this?

I have some experience with cannabis lubricants (I've tried 3 brands, tops) but never had an experience that made me want to regularly incorporate cannabis lube into my playtime. In fact, my go-to happens to be a cannabis-less aloe product, so boring, you can go get it at drugstores. I have more experience with orgasms than lube. It’s not that I’ve ever been a person with an issue achieving orgasm, but it certainly isn’t easy, either. I wanted this review to represent this niche from a confident perspective, as a person with an existing comfortability to orgasm that isn’t afraid to talk about sex.

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The skinny behind oh.hi and why it works has to do with increased blood flow where applied to heighten sensitivity and sexual pleasure.

THC consumption from smoking produces a psychoactive effect or “head high,” which certainly for many has its place in enjoying activities such as sex and listening to music, but even the well-known “body high” doesn't heighten sensitivity nor sexual pleasure in the same direct physical, concentrated way that a THC lubricant like oh.hi does.

It all starts with those cannabinoid receptors (aka CB receptors) in your brain that regulate the release of familiar, happy hormones oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin. THC that is delivered directly to CB receptor-filled soft tissue (the vagina or anus) dilates blood vessels and increases blood circulation. This means more sexual excitement, heightened sense of touch, and finally, that prize of all prizes; an even better orgasm.

That’s right, having an orgasm isn’t the end.

The ceiling as we know it has been shattered, beyond the tip of the iceberg has been revealed!

Suddenly, there are uncharted waters and undiscovered territories of sexual fulfillment I had no idea were even possible to explore!

Yeah, you thought you knew what the best felt like, so did I; all these years… living ignorantly, thinking I truly knew of the experience of a real afterglow…

So, yeah, that’s why I volunteered to take on this review. Especially for Fat Nugs Magazine.

Below is my review testing out Lavinia’s oh.hi THC infused lubricant with my partner, so scroll on for a steamy read on how I unexpectedly reached new sexual highs by harnessing my endocannabinoid receptors with a little lube sample. Not once, but twice!

I tested oh.hi on two occasions, over one week apart. I did this to test consistency. The first sample I removed had leaked in the bag just a little bit, but not too much as there was still a silver-dollar sized amount that spilled onto my palm when it came time to apply. The other sample had no leakage. At first I was taken aback by the recommendation to allow 15-30 minutes before taking effect. In my previous experience with non-cannabis lube, it’s use comes in after the getting busy has well-since started, so I had to get creative. Luckily, I like to dress up and put a whole look together for my partner, which takes about 15-20 minutes, if I don’t dally. Perfect!

When the solution hit my palm, I was pleasantly surprised out of the gate that it wasn’t stone cold, as lube is famously known for. The consistency was lighter than expected and that helped it feel more sensual as I applied it to myself. Feeling the natural slip and slide without a sticky or slimy residue whatsoever was the second pleasant surprise.

When the 17 mgs of THC in the solution hit the target spots, it wasn’t like I could feel an instant change or that I started getting wetter immediately, it just felt easy to apply and light.

It wasn't a distraction or source of discomfort as I continued materializing my look. A look destined for destruction in the passionate throes of my impending ravishment.

I didn’t clue my partner in on the fact that I was trying a cannabis lube either time. Since during my application I sensed no significant smell and had taken note of its discreet lightness, I wanted to see if he could taste it. When the moment of truth came there was no notice, and the foreplay turned to penetration

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within 10 minutes. This was it, I had timed it right, I was pretty sure. Orgasm was on the horizon and that better orgasm window getting ever-closer as I realized suddenly how much faster than usual I was opened up enough for, ahem, heavier petting.

It’s like I could let go all at once for a change, a newfound freedom compared to relying on the encounter itself in the past to help me let go and express myself sexually. By the time the little pink vibrator made contact, I had goosebumps, even through my orgasm. Which has never happened to me before. And here’s the best part. I actually “came” (pun intended) to understand and felt the full effect of the product’s intention.

The orgasms I had were like those I hadn’t felt since I was younger and less stressed as I am now as an adult. What I mean is, this orgasm, though it happened all at once (the way all orgasms do), was one of those that can only be described as a cascade.

Instead of the famous Fellini waves crashing to symbolize waves of orgasm - imagine a tsunami approaching. A buildup within the climax crescendos, washing over, stampeding until out of earshot, resulting in a feeling of relief so widespread, even in the improved ability to breathe deeper and easier post-coitus.

More tension left my body than usual both times. In that way I came “harder” but not any harder than usual, I could more easily feel the full extent of my orgasmic release with the help of the direct THC application - giving my body a much-needed vacation from getting in its own way. I hadn’t even realized I had been so much in my own way! From the electricity in the tips of my toes to feeling the sensations spreading, tingling the hair follicles on the top of my head; when they say “allow me to slip

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into something more comfortable” they mean to say “allow me to slip on some oh.hi so I can get out of my own way and let the freak out.”

Takeaways I didn’t carry stress back then the way I do now in my body, and didn’t realize that my “quality” of orgasm was in any way affected by chronically holding tension, until this lubricant trial. Not only did it help me to achieve a better orgasm I could enjoy more deeply, it helped me open up for rough play much sooner. It helped me to be physically more receptive, tender and sensitive to touch and oral sex than usual, and it definitely made my partner happy to see my heightened enjoyment while not being distracted by a lingering taste or residue.

I would recommend this to my friends, neighbors and co-workers alike who are open to having deeper orgasms and may be, like I was, holding onto more stress in the body than they might realize could affect the sex they’re having.

After testing, I believe this is a great gift idea to spice things up with as well as a great go-to in the kink cabinet.

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"Keep your intentions HIGH and your ashtray clean."

Website: Potency710.com Facebook: Potency No. 710 IG: @potencyno710 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/potency-no-710 21

When esthetician Mandy Lile created Potency No. 710, she was already working with plant based ingredients for about 20 years, but she became very intrigued by the mystery of what she felt may be the long lost secret ingredient in skincare, cannabis.

After embracing cannabinoids like CBD and CBG in her product formulas, and seeing the results and abundance of testimonials, the answer was revealed, and Potency No. 710 has been disrupting the skincare scene with plant powered, purpose-driven, cannabinoid skincare products ever since!

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What piece of advice would you offer other women in the cannabis industry?

"Mother Earth blessed us with a powerful feminine plant and I truly believe it will be women that are educated, empowered and unapologetic in their use that will truly destigmatize the use of cannabis. We are fighting patriarchy, racism and greed by being consumers of this powerful plant because that is what took it away from us."

Founder and owner of The Cannabis Nurses the mission-based holistic cannabis nursing service launching the first accredited holistic cannabis nursing program in Canada. Kala also runs a free monthly zoom meeting called the “Canna Queen's Club” to allow women to gather in community to learn about the ECS, cannabis & their bodies with a safe space to ask questions.

She further engages women with modern day versions of "tupperware parties" for the cannacurious and/or consuming. You can check out her recent art project “The Catalyst” showcasing 30 women and how cannabis was a powerful catalyst for positive change in their lives here: www.the-catalyst.ca

Learn More: www.thecannabisnurses.ca IG:@kala_cannaqueen_rn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kalasanmartin-13656b229/

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Monica Lo Creator of “Sous Weed®,” a sensational collection of Cannabis-Infused recipes from her Asian American Kitchen founded in 2015, dedicated to using cannabis as a superfood ingredient in the home kitchen. She’s also the author of “The Weed Gummies Cookbook,” made to inspire the consumer to formulate their own tasty gummies step-by-step, with easy instructions and color photos, empowering readers to incorporate cannabinoids into their cooking repertoire!

What piece of advice would you offer other women in the cannabis industry?

"Trust your gut.

If I’ve learned anything in life, it’s to have confidence in my intuition and that all decisions I make should align with my core values and my sense of purpose."

IG: @sousweed LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monicalo8/ 25

Her talents go beyond savory infusions; from recipes for mocktails to salves, desserts such as “Nugtella'' to canna-gift wrapping with leaves and a PSA urging all to “Always Label Your Edibles,” her blog is truly an exemplary destination. On top of some seriously delicious recipes, when it comes to cooking-withcannabis education, Monica Lo is “IT”. We highly recommend you keep up with her, canna-foodies out there!

Learn More: https://linktr.ee/sousweed

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This entrepreneur came from the banking world, but always used the plant, advocating passionately for de-stigmatization of cannabis usage in motherhood, and has since taken it upon herself to facilitate meaningful connections with other women by creating her own company. This was borne out of the still all-to-common need in Southern California’s cannabis industry for safe environments to cultivate organic communities and opportunities for women.

Fast forward to now, KC has become a name synonymous with meaningful private events in cannabis, from social to educational productions.

Her events empower women through holistic wellness, curating conversations around the plant to drive normalizing Cannabis. When something works, it tends to expand, so nowadays Chiefa Entertainment is launching a NEW show on YouTube for their “RICH SOIL” Podcast.

What piece of advice would you offer other women in the cannabis industry?

"Strive to obtain and maintain organic relationships within the community that aligns best with your brand!"

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Learn More: www.Chiefah.com IG: @chiefah_ent LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kcsantana-3b655916a/

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What piece of advice would you offer other women in the cannabis industry?

"Work with quality and passion. Don't let anyone stop you from reaching your goals!"

Consultant, Marketing & Branding Pro, with an app to match; directly connecting ambassadors and influencers to advocates. The way it should be! We love women serial-connectors like Krysta in Cannabis, and don’t know where we would be without them. We admire her innovation, utilizing her experience to offer targeted support with an app-based platform on which to get HIGHLY connected - so that networking and building one’s portfolio to connect better with vendors and others from all around the country can be easier than ever. As if that weren’t enough, she currently sits on the boards of numerous companies, ranging from publicly traded to nonprofits.

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Learn More: Www.thehighcountrygirls.com & www.kjones.life IG: @mthrfknjones @thehighcountrygirls @thehighlyconnectedapp LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystajones-860b50132/ App Info: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/thehighly-connected-app/id1572150317

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There is so much to say about this trailblazing entrepreneur in the Cannabis & Psychedelic spaces, it would take an entire magazine to cover it all. Coming from Louisiana, Olivia the actress began budtending in L.A., and worked alongside many heavy-hitters.

She started Crystal Cult, which in 2015 led to those Kush Queen bath bombs we all know and love, that have truly become a staple in the “oversaturated” West Coast. Outside of all that, it is her integrity as a proud female entrepreneur and business owner that inspired us to highlight her.

She has stood the test of time through trial and error on social media, through shadow-bans and deletions, strongly using her platforms with targeted content to advocate openly and unapologetically for plant medicine, human rights and ethical business practices in the cannabis industry. She is definitely not going anywhere, and “grass” or glass, there is no ceiling for this lady!

"They can't stop you if you don't stop! Never stop moving forward.. keep chasing what you want and staying persistent in going after it."

Learn More: www.kushqueen.shop IG: @thelivalexander

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Lindsey Renner

A 3rd generation farmer and sungrown cannabis cultivator for 15 years in the sacred Humboldt County of California, Lindsey Renner’s Native Humboldt Farms uses natural and indigenous farming practices. She’s a 25 year cannabis advocate, one of the first 250 companies, one of the first ten women, and the first enrolled tribal member to be licensed in California, January 1, 2018. She consults with Tribal Nations to help write local and National ordinances, ensuring a sustainable and successful roll out of the Tribal cannabis market.

Her grand mission is to help support a regenerative supply chain from Humboldt County to the Bay Area, and with the opening of Native Oakland (non-storefront delivery retail) coming up, she is that much closer! She sees cannabis as a catalyst to support the regeneration of Tribal communities throughout the nation, working diligently to help realize that vision. Lindsey is an instructor at Cookies University and recently partnered with them on their Humboldt Grown Initiative.

"As women we possess a unique set of attributes that can help propel a cannabis business forward, lean into those traits. We are innovative, compassionate, empathetic, and nurturing, all of which can help us to form deep and lasting relationships with our consumers, employees and investors. It’s a unique advantage. Don’t let anyone tell you that being a woman in the cannabis industry doesn’t have its advantages, and always use these strengths to your advantage in this male dominated industry."

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Lindsey Renner

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This Missouri-based cultivation expert can be found writing, vlogging, customizing SOPs to optimize cultivation facilities, developing educational training materials, and doing yoga.

After leading and training people for other companies, she has recently struck out on her own, forming Guided Green Solutions. We're going to be hearing a lot more from Kayla- we believe she'll be leading the next generation of cannabis professionals into a future where cannabis is truly integrated into society where it's always belonged.

"Don't be afraid to take up space! It can be scary putting yourself out there in a male dominated industry, but one of the best ways to grow is it show the industry what you have to offer."

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-sanchez641913209

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Rebekah Jenks

“Advocate for diversity and inclusion in cannabis; women, and specifically women of color have historically been underrepresented in many industries, including cannabis. By staying informed, building a supportive network, and advocating for yourself and others, you can succeed and thrive in this ever-growing and dynamic industry. Don't be afraid to speak up, ask questions, and challenge the status quo.

Community will prevail in this competitive environment.”

IG: @highmaha LinkedIn: linkedin.com/maha-haq/ Twitch: twitch.tv/highmaha

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Her Twitch channel “HighMaha” hosts a “Dabby Hour" live Mondays-Thursdays 7pm to 9:30pm PT. In this digital dab sesh she unboxes, reacts to, and uses her collection of Toro glass and dabbing devices to honestly review cannabis products in real time; even keeping count of her dabs on her trusty puff counter! Maha also discusses current cannabis trends, news, and reads excerpts from cannabis books. Finally, as the founder of “Cannaclub” she advises students at each chapter of the 31 universities within 14 states, helping to connect them with cannabis companies looking to collaborate on the org's pillars: Education, Advocacy, and Opportunity (aka jobs and internships).

Maha is the pioneering force behind the business development, operations, marketing & consulting services shaping the cannabis lounge landscape in SoCal. She has literally seen it all! She currently teaches cannabis science classes and assists social equity applicants, licensees, and operators in Los Angeles through a support & development program

by Oaksterdam University for the LA Department of Cannabis Regulation.

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What piece of advice would you offer other women in the cannabis industry?

"Cultivate a deep understanding of why this industry exists and know that it’s being built atop of many who took incredible risks and have experienced profound suffering navigating the unregulated market, and this continues today, even in the regulated marketplace. Know that there are many still imprisoned and they need your help to become free. There are many suffering that may benefit from your unique goods and services, especially when applied thoughtfully, with care and compassion. Educate yourself first and foremost, then assist and educate others, so, together, we build true sustainable change." — Zoe Wilder Orbiting cannabis, psychedelics, entertainment, music, art, wine and spirits - for over 20 years Zoe has worked with hundreds of clients across a variety of industries to develop and execute inventive promotional content and campaigns that capture the attention of tastemakers and influencers alike from around the globe.

Forward-thinking and purpose driven public relations expertise is the name of her game, whether it’s working with A-list celebrities, NYT bestsellers, award winning film, television, radio, music, and consumer products or publishing oversight for several of the world’s leading peer-reviewed medical journals. Zoe is also the founder of Liquid Culture, a community of artists and creators dedicated to preserving and furthering the psychedelic experience.

Learn More: www.zoewilder.com IG: @zoewilder

Learn More: www.zoewilder.com IG: @zoewilder

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Chynna Parks Zendo Edibles What piece of advice would you offer other women in the cannabis industry?

"Trust your gut and keep to what inspires you.

When you have passion, you will succeed."

Learn More: www.zendoedibles.com IG: @zendoedibles

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Her clean, organic branding is consistent and has been key to helping return customers identify their go-to in this ever-changing environment for product development. Her fun, eye-catching flair with packaging shapes paired with the quality, award-winning edible experience has truly taken Chynna and Zendo places! Now releasing a new infused pretzels line, we can’t wait to see what the future holds for this cannabis creative, and how those pretzels taste!

Chynna is the artistic force, creative mind and design master over at Zendo; the artforward, environmentally conscious SoCal brand known and loved in recent years for creative, alternative edible offerings such as infused blooming teas, savory snacks, sweet treats, coconut oil and peanut butter.

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What piece of advice would you offer other women in the cannabis industry?

"Being your real and authentic self is so important. People are not looking for perfect people , but rather how people deal with their imperfections! Follow your heart and it’s not work, it’s passion!"

This is one passionate plant medicine advocate with a style all her own! With her signature polka dots and blazing red blazer, you can catch her connecting cannabis dots all over the US & Canada, educating the canna curious about cannabis medicine and the importance of being your own advocate.

After suffering a sudden traumatic head injury in 2016 as a pediatric nurse in Buffalo, NY, conventional treatments and medications aggravated her symptoms, until a trip to Vegas and a cannabis billboard changed it all! Up until legalization in NY, Nikki was forced to medicate in Canada, frustrated by the limited scope, treatment options, and the high price tag on NY products.

Still, despite her struggles to medicate and emboldened by the difference cannabis brought to her life, she has made it her mission to save other patients' grief. She is a staunch forpatients-by-patients advocate, becoming outspoken on the benefits of Cannabis for head injuries like CTE.

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Learn More: www.nikkiandtheplant.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkilawley-aa281517/

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Davina Kaonohi

CEO & Cofounder of Element Apothec

Davina’s company's calling is all about plant-based, doctor-formulated, premium cannabinoid wellness and skincare products that combine the ancient powers of traditional medicine with the ingenuity of innovation in modern science.

Element Apothec is her commitment to formulating cannabis products that are healthy for the body, inside and out; advocating for higher standards; creating social impact; and empowering consumers through values such as transparency, education, and unparalleled standards of safety and quality. It is Davina's core belief that we all deserve better.

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Davina Kaonohi What piece of advice would you offer other women in the cannabis industry?

Empowered women empower others. Lead with intention, purpose, and compassion. Be authentic and true to yourself. Build a strong support system: Surround yourself with people who understand the challenges of the industry and can offer support and guidance when needed. Advocate for yourself and others. Use your voice and your platform to support and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the cannabis industry. Take care of yourself: The industry can be fast-paced and stressful, so it's important to prioritize self-care. And don't ever forget you are amazing!!

Learn More: https://elementapothec.com + LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dkaonohi/ IG: @elementapothec

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Melanie Rizzo

Cannabis Medicine

"I'm Only Nice When I'm High," Lauren Morrow's Latest Single: "I'm Only Nice When I'm High," is Lighting Up Cannabis Talk in Country Music

By Hannah (Izer) Vysoky

re you only nice when you’re high? This country singer wrote a song about how cannabis makes her happier.

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Lauren Morrow’s 2018 debut garnered the “Best Albums of the Year” status from Rolling Stone and Garden & Gun; she’s performed on PBS and made multiple appearances on Adult Swim.

During the COVID-19 pandemic struggling with canceled tours, she did everything she could to make things happen. Her guitar player and husband Jason, started painting houses, tried to take out a second mortgage on their home, and even paid the backing band you hear on the record in weed.

More recent songs come from Florida Georgia Line singing about getting stoned in "Sun Daze" or Toby Keith singing, "Never Smoking Weed With Willie Again." Eric Church's song about "Smoke a Little Smoke" is pretty clear about the topic, and Ashley Monroe wrote the song "Weed Instead of Roses." Country music sings about pot more than reggae, but it doesn't have the reputation of being part of cannabis culture.

Even though Lauren is based in Nashville, she is an advocate of legalization and outspoken about cannabis’ medicinal qualities — especially regarding anxiety and depression.

We got to chat with Lauren about her catchy country song, “Only Nice When I’m High”, her thoughts on cannabis legalization, and weed culture in Tennessee.

Cannabis and Country Music Have Some History You might not assume country music is associated with cannabis outside the realm of Wille Nelson, but the kushy green and the country music genre have a history.

Merle Haggard sang, “We don't smoke marijuana in Muskogee.” But 40 years ago, Hank Williams Jr. sang, "Stoned at the Jukebox in 1975," and even before that, in 1970, Johnny Cash sang about wanting to smoke pot in "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down."

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Tokes to Help Ease Daily Anxieties Morrow shared the first single from People Talk, “Only Nice When I’m High,” and its accompanying music video, which features Morrow and her on-screen pal, a living, breathing, three-foot-tall joint—ok, it’s a puppet, but it’s adorable.

“A few years ago, my husband Jason and I smoked a little joint before we went Christmas shopping,” Morrow says about the impetus of the tune. “While we were walking through shops and chatting about things, he turned to me and said, ‘you're a lot nicer when you're high.’ He isn't wrong.”

But she doesn’t want listeners to get the wrong impression. “I'm not a huge stoner or anything, but a little toke here and there helps me navigate my life and be the person I know I am inside when my anxiety isn't trying to derail me,” she says. “The song is a very intimate look inside my brain, my thoughts about myself, and how I fit in the world around me.”

Normalizing Nights Out with A Little Bit of Weed “It’s a real bummer!” Morrow shared with Fat Nugs Mag. “The majority of people that I know who live in Nashville all smoke weed.

So, it seems like a no-brainer. Also, I’m from Atlanta, where [cannabis] has been decriminalized to a certain extent.”

Morrow told us that there is amazing music about ‘stoner culture’ and smoking lots and lots of green. “Those are all great!” She shares.

“For my music, it’s about advocating for the fact that it can help you navigate your life without it being a deterrent or something that has a stigma attached, like making you lazy and melting into the couch.”

“I need this plant to be the person that I know I am inside. I get so locked up by feelings, and my anxiety makes me feel very uncomfortable.

Like getting weird in social situations, stuff like that.”

I think many readers can relate to not quite feeling ourselves at times and needing to break out of anxiety bubbles to live life and thrive.

Catch the release of ‘People Talk’ on March 31st. It's a collection of ten songs that Morrow says “truly reflect who I am as a person and the sounds I’ve been waiting to explore for my entire career.”

“Literally until my early 30s. I was very scared of, I guess, losing control and getting stoned.

And because it's anxiety that makes me feel that way.”

“I need this plant to be the person that I know I am inside" This is a common account of why many consumers choose to use the plant. Continuing to grow into mainstream areas of American culture, such as country music, are wonderful steps towards the normalization of cannabis and the positive impacts shared by many.

Produced by Parker Cason and mixed by Vance Powell (Chris Stapleton, Jack White, Phish) and Jacquire King (Kings of Leon, Tom Waits, Shania Twain), People Talk finds Morrow exploring her beyond-country influences like 90s Alternative, Britpop, and 80s New Wave bands with moody, brutally honest lyrical content and rock n roll attitudes; all with Morrow’s signature soprano, vulnerable vibrato, and a host of atypicallyAmericana vibes and tones.

Check out the cute 3-foot joint puppet in Morrow’s adorable music video on YouTube.

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GLAZED

By Rebekah Jenks and Rob Sanchez

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Barbra Dean

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pring is in the air. It's time to get our green ladies ready for the ground to become beautiful beasts!

It's time for fresh berries and I am excited to visit the local farms now I am back home. Maple is flowing and the bees are buzzing to make honey. These two ingredients both happen to be perfect sweetening agents for granola. Adding a little more binding agent (honey) can help turn your granola creation into a solid bar. Something easier to grab for when you’re on the go.

Granola has many uses from garnishing yogurt parfaits for a delicious nutrient boost, to being baked (pun intended) into cookies with chocolate chips with farm fresh eggs gifted from a friend.

For this recipe, I am using dehydrated cranberries. I adore cranberries, but its time to get back to enjoying something a little sweeter.

Now the sun is awesome, and we want to get out into it more, let’s use (what most consider) an uplifting strain and start the day off right. Super Lemon Haze is my springtime go to.

This strain's heaviest terpene is Terpinolene, which also happens to be in cranberries!

This recipe yields 8 cups of granola. Each cup has 16 tablespoons. If we wanted to dose each tablespoon at the legal limit, we will need 160mg – cup, and 1280mg total. If the bud we use is say, 20% THC, we will need 6.4 grams of cannabis to infuse this whole recipe. If 8 cups of granola is too much, you can half the recipe meaning you would only need 640mg total, and 3.2 grams of cannabis.

Infuse with whichever technique you are comfortable with but be careful not to exceed temperatures of 350 degrees Celsius.

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How has your cannabis advocacy evolved since being on the show?

I didn't consider myself an advocate when I first entered the show.

I chose my name Laganja Estranja knowing I wanted a platform that was larger than myself. by: Brian Cruz

ately, I’ve been following cool celebrities online and manifesting friendships through requests for interviews. One of the kindest celebrities to have responded by far was Laganja Estranja (Jay Jackson). Laganja is a choreographer, cannabis advocate, artist, LGBTQIA+ icon and drag queen based in Los Angeles. She competed on RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 6 and has since established herself industrywide.

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At first, Laganja and I messaged about being from Dallas, Texas. I hoped to recruit her talents for an event in the Lower Greenville neighborhood. Then, my path intertwined with the fine folk of Fat Nugs Magazine and alas, here I am; a bonafide writer.

Or something…

Long story short, in mid-February I sat down for a virtual interview with the world-renowned Laganja Estranja. Here is how it went: What is the attitude towards cannabis in the Drag industry?

I think cannabis in the drag world is seen very positively. I think most drag queens consume cannabis. Especially here in California. The stigma around cannabis doesn't really exist within the drag community. Most of us are pretty pro-cannabis.

Did you get to consume cannabis while filming RPDR? Unfortunately, I did not get to medicate when I was on the show, but I'm delighted to say that they now allow girls to medicate with cannabis.

So, I definitely made my mark regarding production and allowing people to consume various medicines.

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I was taught growing up that weed was the devil's lettuce, but I discovered over time that it was not. In fact, I found that cannabis was helpful in many aspects of my life.

This realization, and my discovery of the plant's medicinal benefits, helped inspire my creation of Laganja Estranja.

As a drag queen, I wanted cannabis to be my platform, but I didn't understand what it meant to be an advocate; nor was I aware of the impact that being on television and representing the nugs would bring to my life.

I became an activist after the show, especially after witnessing firsthand how homophobic the cannabis industry was. I felt like I needed to create a space, particularly a safe space, for other LGBTQIA+ individuals.

My advocacy and activism has evolved in many ways since the show. I've had more opportunities to educate myself on cannabis and vocalize my feelings toward the plant. I learned a lot of knowledge about cannabis along the way as I met more people who were curious about my name.

I never dreamt of the day that people would be waiting in line at a meet-and-greet to hand me a joint. I did not intentionally set out to do that, but it has been beautiful.

Has cannabis hindered or helped your career?

Both, in many aspects, it has helped, especially around 4/20. Everybody wants to book the doll, then!

However, when teaching dance or working with a well-known commercial company, it has hurt me that I am attached to cannabis.

When I auditioned for So You Think You Can Dance in Drag for Season 15, I chose to go by the name Ms. Estranja because I knew that for Fox network, with a name like Laganja - that probably wasn't going to fly.

It goes both ways, but I always try to look at the positives of being a cannabis advocate.

How has cannabis played a part in your gender awakening?

Cannabis played a huge part in my gender awakening and my gender suppression. For many years I consumed cannabis to escape my truth as a trans woman. I was overmedicating to numb myself because I felt this truth within myself.

Drag was a way for me to put my femininity in a box. I could say I'm not actually trans; I just do drag; it's just my job, and it belongs over here in this beautifully compartmentalized box.

During Corona, while smoking lots of cannabis, I discovered that this was my truth.

I didn't want to hide this anymore from others and, more importantly, myself.

While cannabis might have hurt me at the beginning of my journey, it also has helped me to accept my journey, deal with my PTSD, and to deal with my fear of being accepted as someone who does not live on the typical gender spectrum.

To speak on your point, how many people don't understand the importance of gender education. That is really true. I believe that most people are born in their gender, and that is how they identify. There is no exploration.

It can be difficult for them to understand that someone would explore their gender and codify it in a way such as trans. The only way to deal with this is to educate people.

What does it mean to be a woman to you?

Again, growing up in Texas, I really didn't have a lot of education when it came to being trans. I just knew that being a sissy was not good. I knew you got made fun of for this.

Even as I entered drag, I suppressed this side of myself my whole life.

For me, drag was a catalyst that helped me accept my truth as a trans woman. In the beginning, I chose drag because it was a culmination of all different art forms and a way for me to explain my femininity.

That is a very loaded question.

I think for me, I identify openly as a trans woman. I can only really speak to what it means to be a trans woman. I can't speak to what it means to be a biological woman. Now, many trans people would disagree with me on this.

What does it mean to be a trans woman to me? It means to be incredibly brave and accepting. Not just accepting of yourself but others as well. It means to be patient, kind, and loving. Ultimately, it means to be free.

When I think of what it means to be a woman, I believe there isn't a lot of freedom. There is a lot of inequality that comes with being a woman.

For me, what I love about being trans, is that I choose not to accept suppression. The world may look at me and view me a certain way; jobs may hire me and pay me less, but the way I look at my life, and by being an openly trans woman, I am free.

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got to interview five amazing people to celebrate Women’s Month, and as part of those interviews, debuted the “Canna Connoisseur” game, which we decided to share with you here in print. Play the game with friends, family, or coworkers, or use it as an ice breaker on your next Zoom call. I’m sure every stoner instinctively knows how to play this game, but just in case, here are the directions:

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Step 1. Using whatever vocabulary that’s comfortable for you, choose your medicine selections. Example: sativa/indica, 40/40/20, terpenes, CBD, THC, or maybe even psychedelics.

Step 2. Pair each medicine with a music selection.

Step 3. To further personalize, pair with a category important to you.

Example: Food, art, experiences, travel.

Let’s begin with “The First Lady Of The West Coast”, who conveniently has her own song on spotify, titled “BGMO”, which pairs with her most recent strain, “Black Girl Magic OG Kush”. Be on the lookout for more music and cannabis from this Goddess!

Next round with the Queen of Chemchix, who was absolutely ecstatic to play along. Quickly, she paired Orange Cookie Chem with The Beatles’ song “Come Together'' for a quirky, cute answer. She also paired “Stargazers”, specifically “Golden Teacher” with “Walking on Sunshine” before we got lost in conversation about…DARE.

Dr. Miyabe Shields, PhD, might have had the most personal response as of yet, and I’m absolutely here for this entire experience with them. Their pairings were curated alongside personal experiences with their wife, which made it extensively more enjoyable to play. Their selections included a CBG/CBD/THC 40/40/20 blend to “It Was A Good Day”, Morning Glory Seeds (LSA) to “Do Not Let Your Spirit Wane”, and THC/CBD 50/50 got paired with “No Guarantee”.

“On The Turning Away” got eloquently paired with 100% CBD Hemp. Then, Dr. Miyabe rounded off her selections by pairing Mushrooms with “Slow Jam”, as well as “Overthinker” for an LSD experience.

Smacked by JJ had me rolling with laughter with her pairings, choosing to throw in jokes as a way to naturally include her comedy alongside her culinary, cannabis, and music selections, creating a dynamic pairing for your pleasure. She said she wants to pair the “Mother’s Milk” strain with her creamy Alfredo, because “That bitch is smooooth”, going on to choose “that song from the Ying Yang Twins that whispers in your ear… because that’s what this Alfredo does to you”.

The last to play this round was cannabis lifestyle photographer Christina Stoever, who embraced the game wholeheartedly. She included a mood board for each pairing, adding a special element.

She decided to pair Sativa dominant strains with a mood board she titled “Man on Horse” alongside the song “Weedman Channel Tres”. Her Indica selection was paired with a mood board described as “Mushroom Shrimp Lady”, and creatively paired with “La femme d’ardent - Air” Her final pairing was hybrid alongside “Boat” mood board, and Mr. White - Khruangbin for her musical selection.

Read my full-length interviews online at fatnugsmag.com

Photo Provided by Blue Amnesia

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by Shelley Peebles - Whitethorn Rose

“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet” ~William Shakespeare

estled among the redwoods of Southern Humboldt County, California - between Briceland and Whitethorn, lies a small, quaint farm. Johnny Casali and Rose Moberly of Huckleberry Hill Farms, known for producing some of the finest craft cannabis California has to offer, tend to vegetables, fruit trees, sheep, and several craft cannabis cultivars including the Whitethorn Rose.

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The farm is the first in the state of California to be certified Fish Friendly by the California Land Institute, and they are also Sun+Earth Certified.

Casali and Moberly tend to the pristine grounds with love and care, paying close attention to seemingly small details, such as flowers planted alongside every plant, and geodes discovered by visitors lining pathways. With the goal of leaving as small of a footprint on Earth as possible behind, they ensure sediment stays out of the rainwater catchment ponds, and use water collected from melted snow during the winter to water their gardens.

When Casali moved to the farm with his mom and stepdad back in 1976, farming was a way of life. In order to make a living, his parents had to supplement their income with other trades, including fishing and growing cannabis. Over the years, the cultivation of cannabis grew as they added more plants to their gardens among the grape vines and tomatoes. When Johnny was just 15 years old he purchased an 11-acre plot of land with the help of his mother. The two competed over who grew the best cannabis, sharing information about their best tips and tricks with other farmers whenever they needed help.

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However, life was not always so relaxed on the small family farm. In the 1980’s Ronald Reagan declared the War on Drugs, and the Campaign Against Marijuana Program (CAMP) began sending law enforcement in helicopters to bust cannabis growers in the area. Johnny’s parents decided fishing was a much safer way to make a living and left Johnny to tend to the farm.

Although he tried being as careful as possible, growing under trees, Johnny was greeted by Federal agents early one morning. They searched his property and home for hours, but instead of being arrested, he was given a ticket.

A year later, he was arrested and a bail of $275,000 was given. His mom put the house up for sale along with everything she owned to bail him out.

Photos Provided by Shelley Peebles

For the next 3 years, Johnny and his best friend trekked to the federal courthouse in San Francisco to plead their case. Not thinking they had done anything wrong, Johnny felt certain that if they told the judge the truth, they would be given probation as a first time offender. The judge felt compelled to sentence them to the federal minimum of 10 years in prison with 5 years probation. Johnny served 8 of those years, and when he was released he headed back to what was left of his home. Although he didn’t have anything left, people in the town showed up with plates, furnishings, and clothing to help Johnny get back on his feet.

Casali’s mom developed a cultivar with his friend’s mom called Fruit Loops and renamed it Paradise Punch. Miraculously, a close friend had preserved a male plant and gifted this plant back to Johnny when he was released from prison. The day after Johnny got off probation, he got his medical card, which allowed him to grow up to 6 plants legally. From there, Johnny began growing his beloved plants again. He fell in love with cultivation once more, using his knowledge from spending time in the garden with his mom. Now, he breeds all of his cultivars using a variation of Paradise Punch, including the memory of his mom, Marlene, and her knowledge into each strain they create.

Appearance Rich green and deep purple hues accented with dark orange pistils, this bud structure is loose and fluffy.

The trim is not overly done, and you can tell that someone took time to make sure none of the leaves were nicked in the process. There is an abundance of trichomes because of this attentiveness, and upon close examination with a magnifying lens or loupe, the buds glisten with a crystal-like appearance.

Aroma Genetically speaking, the Whitethorn Rose is a cross between Lemon OG x Paradise Punch (aka Fruit Loops). If you want to dive into the lineage further, Lemon OG is a cross of OG #18 x Las Vegas Lemon Skunk, and Paradise Punch is a cross between Blackberry Kush x Lavender Berry. Wow, do those smells come through in the finished product! There is an intense aroma of fruit punch smell with an earthy funk at the end. The funk fruit gives way to a creamy berry fragrance, with a hint of limonene and lavender. This is way more complex and layered than a lot of other cultivars I have tried.

Flavor For the record, I have smoked this cultivar many different ways, in many different forms. The very first time I tried it, I was spoiled by experiencing it in flower plus hash form, in what I call a homogenous hash joint. With the flavorful flower combining along with the terpene rich hash, I was treated to a taste bud explosion that has not ever been matched. The flower by itself is a full bodied smoke, with many complex layers. Smooth and creamy, fruity and earthy, the Whitethorn Rose is delicious in either flower or hash form, and combined in a hash joint is the ultimate flavor combination.

Experience After consuming this cultivar several different ways, and at various times of day, I can truly say that the experience can vary slightly. There is an uplifting effect that trails off to a relaxed feeling. When I consumed this earlier in the day, I found it gave me energy and focus without feeling jittery.

Alternatively, I have smoked this in the late evening and the relaxed feeling at the end helped me drift off to sleep. Perfect hybrid-like effects for any occasion, the Whitethorn Rose is surely enjoyable down to the last puff. @huckleberryhillfarms is welcoming tours this summer - contact Johnleecasali@gmail.com for more information.

Shelley Peebles is a Certified Ganjier, a mother, and a life enthusiast. Always pursuing knowledge, she seeks to educate others on the benefits of plant medicine while fighting for the right to medicate with cannabis.

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Cover Art By Melanie Rizzo

Cannabis Culture Welcomes Us All