"If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform one million realities." Maya AngelouRebekah Jenks
There’s something about the depths of winter that sparks inward reflection. In this season of short days and cold nights, less distractions allows us to actively leave behind what no longer serves us to welcome the rebirth of spring, and in turn, the rebirth of ourselves. Through intention and self-love, we can choose to address cyclical patterns, relationships, or thought processes to better understand who we are in our very core. Just like cannabis, we too can grow in the wintertime, but it takes great care and dedication to ensure we emerge fruitful at the vernal equinox.
This February edition is a reflection of love in all of its forms. Love for one another, love for our sacred cannabis plant, and love for ourselves. For us here at the magazine, February is more than the overtly commercialized Valentine’s Day. You’ll see no heart shaped candy boxes or dozens of red roses in these pages. What you will see is raw and unfiltered: It’s the love of an adoptive father on the Compassion Trail, eloquently described by Mike Robinson. It’s about love for oneself, through the poetry of Casey Renteria, or the all-encompassing love of a kind Universe by Guy Borgford.
It is through this theme of self-reflection that we address the diversity of our beloved community. Just as cannabis is grown in hundreds of varieties, the love for the plant is held by individuals of all different backgrounds. In an industry plagued by a tumultuous and racist history, respecting and embracing this diversity is paramount. On page 22, you’ll find an interview with veteran and famed television host, Montel Williams, as he describes his foray into the cannabis industry as a patient, business owner, and advocate. You will meet cannabis chef, LaWann Stribling, sharing one of her favorite recipes on page 28. In this edition’s Women of Weed, you will meet Maya Gillian and Sahir Al Salam, speaking about their experiences as women of color working in cultivation. It’s with love that we highlight BIPOC community members this Black History Month and in every edition.
As we confront the new year, we are delighted that our community responded en masse to love. All of our contributors deeply resonate with our cause, as well as with our desire to use the powerful emotion of love as a tool for change. You will read about these experiences and learn that spreading love in our colorful cannabis community means many things: uplifting craft growers, embracing consumption in all of its forms, helping ill family members, and facing our own biases. It’s with great pleasure that we share our deepest love for the plant with you, our readers, and our ever-growing community of stoners all over the world.
Pg. 6 The Women Of Weed
By Dustin HoxworthPg. 10 A Daily Grape Off The Vine: Ganjier Review
By Matthew JeromePg. 18 Cannaman
By Conor MacleodPg. 22 Montel Williams: Veteran, Celebrity, Patient, Advocate
By Lindsey Gunter & Dustin HoxworthPg. 28 Love and Terpenes
By LaWann Stribling
Pg. 32 Love Is Transformational
By Guy BorgfordPg. 38 Cannabis + Music = A Riot Love Fest
By Bri SmithPg. 42 Adopting Love: How Cannabis & Compassion Created My Family
By Mike RobinsonPg. 48 Cannabis Is Love
By Ruth Fisher, PhD
Pg. 52 Pink Champagne
By Rob SanchezPg. 56 The Emerald Cup: Small Farms Initiative
By Marcel Menard
By Dustin Hoxworth
There’s something special about the people who grow our favorite plant. They are bringing life and love into existence, while creating medicine and joy all at once. There are few other things in this world that a human can do to manifest something so sacred.
Since much of Cannabis Culture is built around respect and reverence for nature, respect for our growers, and acknowledgement of the people that worked so hard to get us to this point, it’s only right that a true Cannabis Culture publication showcase these phenomenal humans that provide us all with the thing we love most in this world; the most beautiful flower to ever exist.
North Carolina, USA / Kigali, Rwanda
Indoor & Outdoor Hemp Cultivation in NC + Indoor Medical Climate Controled Grow Pod Cultivation in Rwanda
Favorite Strains/Variety: CBD favorite is “Purple Urkel”
THC favorite strain is “Gorilla Glue 4”
Fat Nugs Mag: When did you first connect with the plant? Maya Gilliam: Right before COVID-19
FNM: What do you consider your specialty?
MG: Product formulation with natural ingredients, and long, strong, white roots and vegetation
FNM: What is the most important part of what you do?
MG: Utilizing hemp and cannabis to heal the planet Also, to heal people mentally, physically, and emotionally
FNM: What are your plans for the future?
MG: We are are building a small cultivation facility in Rwanda within the next three months for a licensed medical grow, while securing multiple agreements with pharmaceutical companies, dispensaries, and hospitals for export in legal, international cannabis markets
FNM: What are some of the hurdles you have to overcome as a BIPOC Woman Grower?
MG: As we all know there are a lot of hurdles to overcome in the industry; marketing, insurance costs, social media issues, and the list goes on and on. Unfortunately, I also deal with blatant racism from local farmers in Yadkinville, North Carolina Sabotage is real thing and it's forced me to grow outdoor in fabric pots instead of in the ground at times When it comes to Africa, I have to overcome constant bullying from my male counterparts who don't like to see a woman in charge and calling the shots, even though I am the one paying for the operation, I often get push back from men
Sahir Al Salam: I will be doing commercial growing for my own companies in 2023 My team, Michigan Agricultural Services, has two licenses in Inkster, Michigan, for growing and processing I also own a commercial Green Zone property and formed a company called Certified Culture We'll be focused on craft cannabis in Detroit in 2023.
FNM: When did you first connect with the plant?
SAS: I first connected with her on a deeper level in 2012, an OG in my neighborhood, who was from California, taught me how to grow My dad and I built a 10x10 grow space, and less than a month later, he was showing me how to grow the plant and handle the work load that came with it
FNM: What do you consider your specialty?
SAS: My specialty is growing craft cannabis focused specifically on highprofile terp and taste, with a grounding body experience.
FNM: What is the most important part of what you do?
SAS: The most important part of what I do now is organizing. With having a lot of cannabis projects at one time, organizing and keeping everyone on the same page is paramount Networking is also an important part of what I do I try to always be in the right place at the right time
FNM: What are your plans for the future?
SAS: Opening our facility doors this year to Michigan Agricultural Services (Inkster) and Certified Culture (Detroit) and launching a new Cannabis brand High Prophecy in California and Michigan. 2023 will be big for me and my team.
FNM: What are some of the hurdles you have to overcome as a BIPOC Woman Grower?
SAS: So many hurdles - being a Black lesbian grower for me personally was an amazing experience that taught me patience, love, and creation It opened me up to a level of healing and understanding myself that I didn't posses prior.
I was a very good grower early, I was super in love with the plant. When I was entering the industry it was hard to find space, because I was a woman growing in a male dominated space.
I had to create space for myself and eventually found small communities to be a part of that were very accepting to who I was as a person and grower
After 5 years of growing I launched a delivery service in preparation for the legal market having delivery licenses available to cannabis companies. Unfortunately, when the legal market opened for delivery, they only made them available if you had a dispensary license attached to it. I spent years investing and building a cannabis company that I couldn’t go legal with.
That didn’t stop me, my team, Michigan Agricultural Services, was formed and we obtained our licensing through the city of Inkster, Michigan, for growing and processing We're looking to open by end of this year
I also recently purchased a space called, Detroit Life Lounge. It's a cannabis friendly workspace, event space, podcast, and media space all in one.
Indoor LED and HPS Lights
Favorite Strains/Variety: Gelatos
Personal & Commercial Grower
I Started off growing in Detroit, Michigan in my own basement. Quick funny story I made my dad build me my first 10x10 grow room. He did it with a smile.
Love is in the air in February, and this month we are highlighting Daily Grape (Daily Driver x Grape Pie), grown by Stewart Farms out of beautiful New Brunswick.
The Stewart Farms team have been innovators from the very start of legalization up here in Canada’s great green north. Acting as the heart of the team is CEO Tanner Stewart, who as the name might suggest, is owner as well.
Any good heart wouldn’t be complete without a set of lungs, and COO Catrina Jackson and Head Grower Genevieve Newton fill those roles respectively. With a complete focus on quality, the team uses an organic, all-natural grow methodology known as aquaponics.
Simply put, happily fed fish make nutrient rich water, which is used to fertigate and feed the cannabis we enjoy. As a Ganjier I am always looking for sustainable and ecofriendly cannabis, not only because it promotes a healthy future, but it also produces some of the most flavorful and highquality bud on the market.
This is evident in Daily Grape’s third place finish at the inaugural ‘Grow Up Cannabis Cup’, this past September in Niagara Falls. I had the fortune of being one of the 14 judges at the Cup and caught up with Tanner and Genevieve after the event to ask how they met and the story behind their Daily Grape.
Tanner was quick to mention Genevieve’s passion, true love, and respect for the plant. As a medicinal patient herself, she gained great appreciation for its medicinal value, which led her to grow her own medicine and then share it publicly.
"Simply put, happily fed fish make nutrient rich water, which is used to fertigate and feed the cannabis we enjoy."
Like many in the industry, Tanner initially had trouble assembling a dream team, but after a few personnel changes, he was directed to Genevieve’s social media and was fortunate enough to find his own unicorn in the herd, as she’s known to her team. She has since not only been providing us with top notch cannabis but has been learning from the best.
Career cannabis hustler Kevin Jodrey, based out of Humboldt, California, has been crucial to the team, operating as an advisor and doing what he does best, teaching. Kev is one of those rare souls in the cannabis industry that has likely forgotten more than most will ever know about the plant, and is ready, willing, and excited to share his wealth of knowledge with those worthy to listen.
Gen and her team have been smart enough to take those lessons to heart to form a mutually beneficial relationship. Frankly put by Kev, “It’s a mentorship so to speak, but to me, it's friendship.”
With both dedicated work from the whole team and the invaluable guidance from Kev, Daily Grape was selected for its Sundae Driver lineage, and was picked from a three hundred seed pheno hunt by Gen and team. In the end, the team ended up with four different cultivars of Daily Grape, and despite some bumps in the road, #6 Daily Grape pheno was the winner.
Bright greens, warm purples, and varied orange hues. Trichome coverage is dense and mostly intact. Top notch cure and trim help this cultivar sprint past the finish line in full stride. Gorgeous sample of cannabis. Thoroughly impressed with the bag appeal and visual kick.
Pungent grape overtone, intense, but pleasantly light on the senses. Refreshing with slight floral/earth undertone. Acidic/acetone. Sharp and bright. Candied grape marker coupled with a strong and a bright spice – spearmint/peppermint.
Rich grape flavor holds true. Creamy/slightly sweet taste added to the mix. Light, sharp, floral tone. Smooth hit, with a moderate flavor hold. Halfway through my king size, I have a pleasant, light, candied grape taste on my palette. Late into my second joint I'm beginning to taste salty water as well. Slight umami texture and taste. Very clean and pleasant.
Pleasantly stimulating effect that kicks in rapidly. Grape flavor gives a beautiful sweet and creamy taste that leaves the palette full after the joint has finished. Felt energized without being jittery or wired. The smooth rise into a balanced experience and fall back to reality was enjoyable without a burnout. Very clean burn. 20 minutes after burn and I have that pleasant relaxation behind the eyes and feel like a creative sit and think. Would love to chill by a river or waterfall and relax.
A Poem by Casey Renteria
Love causes the deepest of pains, like a pierce to the soul. A sword through the heart of our very existence. When in the throes of love, we see ourselves turn into someone else entirely, like a possession of passion.
Love carries with it the deepest fulfillment. Love drives us to find our innermost light and brings it forth like a beacon in the dark. We dive deeper into our inner world, tethering to its source like a mountain climber rappelling down a cliff.
Love is sweet and love is cruel. Without love, there is no sorrow. Love and sorrow intertwine, becoming almost indistinguishable from each other. Love will string you up like linens on the line, gently tossing about on the breeze. Love is in the first breath of morning air, filling your lungs with passion for the day ahead.
Love is the smell of fresh coffee, the clink of lovers’ cups as they collide. Love lies on the lips of Gaia as she whispers lullabies to the earth below.
A lover's embrace is pure, untainted by the outer world. Love this pure can’t exist in one dimension. Even in death, we are guided by love into our true form. Like a whisp or flash of light here one second and gone the next.
Love is swift and waits for no man. Love is slow…like smoke rolling off a smoldering pipe. Smoke with a strong scent that can be smelled for miles. Love is shared and passed from one person to the next without holding back. It fills the air with a thick layer of protection: It shields our minds, it soothes our souls.
Cannabis is a version of love. Cannabis finds the parts of us we hide the most and brings them into the light. She shows us not just who we are, but she teaches us how to love ourselves. Oftentimes, we view ourselves through a haze of self-doubt and criticism. Cannabis clears the haze away and leaves us with ourselves: Bare, naked, and unashamed…in this space is where we learn to love ourselves.
You are free to love yourself as you are.
Cannabis asks only that you come as you are: Flawed, imperfect, scarred, and bruised. Cannabis is as close as we will ever come to the wholeness that love is. With each inhale, we get carried further and further away from the world we know, deeper into a place where all things are love.
As the high fades into the distance, we ground ourselves into the earth. We become the pathway for love to find its way back to us, our communities, and our families.
They say love is blind, I think that’s bullshit. Love makes us see; it forces us to see the ugly parts of ourselves.
Co-authored by Lindsey Gunter & Dustin Hoxworth
Veteran, Celebrity, Patient, Advocate
Over the last several decades, the world has been lucky enough to witness so many amazing, dynamic, and powerful cannabis advocates People like Jack Herer, Calvin Broadus Jr (aka Snoop Dogg), Keith Stroup, Tommy Chong, Willie Nelson, Peter Tosh, and so many others who have helped uplift the plant, save lives, and pave the way for normalization and legalization to take place
Cannabis advocates come from all different walks of life, different cultures, with different backgrounds, but every single one of them have one thing in common: the goal to raise the profile of the plant in every way possible so it can take its rightful place within our society. From medicine to clothes, food to building materials, and so much more, our cannabis advocates continue to help push and uplift the plant using their own platforms, no matter how big or small
When most people hear the name Montel Williams, they immediately think of daytime TV, and not necessarily his reputation as one of the strongest cannabis advocates of our time
For Gen Xers and some Millennials, "The Montel Williams Show” was a staple in our households The show ran for 17 years, the topics were sometimes sensational in nature and his guests at times controversial, which makes a lot of sense, as Montel was always someone who used his show to discuss the things he wanted
The show also provided the beginnings of a platform he needed to take on something even bigger, life changing, and life saving for so many people around the world; but before we get into Montel the cannabis advocate, there’s a lot you might not know about Montel Williams the person. Fat Nugs Magazine was privileged enough to interview and get to know him, his cannabis journey, and his predictions for the future.
Born the youngest of four children to hard-working parents with multiple jobs in the 1950’s in Baltimore, Maryland, Montel says he’s “really a child of the 60’s ” A self-proclaimed product of Baltimore’s “busing” program who witnessed the cannabis BOOM for Boomers during the 60’s and 70’s firsthand
The Montel Williams Show was a staple in our households.
Like so many of us past and present, his journey with cannabis started early on in life around the age of 14. Eventually, Montel played in a band, where he “dabbled” a bit with cannabis, but because of his educational aspirations and student leadership, that’s all he could do, dabble.
the relief”, he explained. Montel was one of the lucky ones when it comes to dealing with opioids. A doctor from a prominent college on the East Coast “off-therecord” suggested he try cannabis to relieve some of the MS issues instead of opioids. And by 2002, he made the switch and never looked back.
Montel enlisted in the US Marine corps in 1974 This gave him about a 22 year break from the plant He was the first Black Marine accepted into the four-year officer training program in the U S Naval Academy, where he graduated in 1980 with a degree in General Engineering and a minor in International Security Affairs. Montel worked for Naval Intelligence as well as the NSA and ended up retiring as a decorated Lieutenant Commander in 1996 with an impressive list of medals.
Montel was also the first Black man to host his own syndicated daytime talk show when he created and conceptualized “The Montel Williams Show,” which premiered in July of 1991 By 1999, he learned that his persistent health issues from the past were actually MS (Multiple Sclerosis), and was officially diagnosed later that year Like so many celebrities in America, Montel had access to doctors that would write him a prescription for almost anything he wanted
This led him down a path of opioid use in the name of “treatment.” At first taking two, then four, then five, until “there was a period of time when I was taking 14, 15, 16 pills a day and not really getting
Seeing some of his health issues improve, he became inspired to research like so many others in this space do. This in combination with finding out opioids were not even meant to be taken over time in the first place, naturally led Montel to become a staunch advocate and speak out for all of those people who need cannabis Putting passion to action as a military man would, he got busy working; lobbying for and testifying in front of 17 states, passing legislation to allow medical marijuana in this country
As part of his staunch, patient-minded advocacy within the cannabis space, Montel believes that “Doctors should have a full quiver” and in that spirit, cannabis has its place within that quiver For him, it’s just one of the tools he uses, along with neural modulation, Eastern and Western medications. Recently, Montel became inspired and developed some renewed hope for near-future federalization.
“More than ever before, thanks to their amazing technology identifying the biome markers that cannabis effects for different disease states, Dr. Itzhak Kurek, who published 20 peer reviewed papers that have been cited over 2,000 times by universities and publications, founded a company called “Cannformatics,” Montel explained.
This led him down a path of opioid use in the name of “treatment.”
A company he believes is now on the cusp of redefining the cannabis industry and why cannabis works, all by developing the cannabis responsive biomarker.
Currently, Montel’s THC brand INSPIRE by Montel (powered by Freshly Baked) just launched in Massachusetts, borne from his experiences with his own formulations as well as a great partnership with a veteran, minority owned partner with a chemical engineering background.
So instead of being focused on simply selling products to customers using his celebrity, Montel has dedicated his life to helping educate the consumer and guide them to find what is best for them on an individual level
Montel’s brand was developed with formulations he personally experimented with His products have cannabinoid ratios like 9:1, 1:1, 7:3 (THC:CBD). He finds ratios like these extremely therapeutic and help take the edge off, allowing consumers to benefit medicinally without the anxiety.
With his formulation research inspired product line, Montel and his new partnership hope to not only make a success out of Massachusetts, but also create something of a standard they can spread to other states
Authentic, worthwhile products are his goal. A refreshing approach from the growing stereotype of a tone-deaf celebrity in the cannabis space trying to make a quick buck, huh? Since one can’t sell a CBD product under the same name as a THC product, “Live Better” (powered by Limited Labs) is his CBD line coming soon, first with 3 SKUs but expanding to 5, 7, to 10 SKUs by the end of the year in multiple states For advocates like Montel, bringing good people together to do good things is the way to truly increase the profile of plant medicine in a world dominated by big pharma
Dustin Hoxworth: What do you see happening to cannabis in our society and the globe in the next few years?
Montel Williams: Our politicians need to get out of the way. In the last 3 years alone the rest of the world has jumped ahead of us Spain, Germany, and the continent of Africa, along with others, are setting up distro paths and connections all over the world You’re also now seeing judges in states like Nevada, rule that cannabis can no longer be a Schedule 1 drug, pushing the boundaries of federal laws and limitations on the plant, and we’ll see a lot more of that type of thing soon. The next few years are going to be very exciting, but we have a lot of work to do on education in this space.
Douglas Sonders
February is all about love for our family, friends, food, our favorite plant, and ourselves. The couchlock will be very real after experiencing the effects of eating these infused carrots as the sun goes down. I appreciate the relaxed state of my body after a full day of kitchen prep. Eating our meds in the evening helps us relax from life’s stresses of being working parents of six, PTSD from systemic and generational racism, and to have an amazing cerebral experience and restful sleep for the upcoming week.
By
My absolute favorite sweet and savory dinner is Hawaiian Soy Baked Turkey Wings & Honey Roasted Carrots. I like to taste the rainbow and these rainbow carrots bring a beautiful array of colors. The couchlock will be very real after experiencing the effects of eating these infused carrots as the sun goes down. I appreciate the relaxed state my mind and body come to after a full day of work.
The Marinade:
½ cup Low Sodium Soy Sauce
½ cup Local Organic Honey
¼ cup Garlic Powder
¼ cup Onion Powder
½ cup Mrs. Dash Garlic Seasoning
Prepping the Turkey Wings:
Soak raw wings for 30 minutes in enough water to cover, add vinegar, and sprinkle ½ tsp garlic powder. Drain, rinse/wash. Butter bottom of roasting pan, lay out turkey wings and season with Mrs. Dash, Onion Powder & Garlic Powder Drizzle Soy Sauce to cover all the wings, next drizzle marinade evenly Place wings in buttered roasting pan Slice 1 white onion and 1 green pepper and spread around, drizzle with olive oil and cover with foil Allow to sit in marinade while preparing the carrots
Preparing Rainbow Carrots: Preheat oven to 325 Cut off the ends, peel the outer skin, and rinse. Butter bottom of 9x12 roasting pan. Rub butter all over the carrots and place in roasting pan side by side. Slice 1 white onion and spread to cover the carrots. Season with honey garlic seasoning. Drizzle the Sunset Sherbet Infused Honey all over the carrots (keeping dosage in mind for potency) Drizzle Local Organic Honey for more honey without the medicine. Cover with foil.
Baking:
Place both covered pans on the middle rack and bake for 90 minutes Remove foil and to a fork test to determine tenderness of the wings and tenderness of the carrots
The Wings:
2 packs Turkey Wings
2 tablespoons White Vinegar
1 white onion
1 green pepper
1 small pad of butter
The Carrots:
2 bunches Rainbow Carrots
1 white onion
2 tbsp honey garlic seasoning
1 tbsp butter
10 ounces Sunset Sherbet Infused Honey
(300g honey + 3,5 grams decarbed sunset sherbet infused together = 630 mg/12 = 52 mg per serving)
If satisfied, remove the turkey pan and carefully drain out the access fluid Flip each wing so the flat is now face up Place back in the oven for another 10 to 15 minutes Remove the foil from the carrots pan and take a utensil to move the carrots around in the dish and continue to bake with the turkey wings for another 10 to 15 minutes
By Guy Borgford
What do I know about love? After 57 trips around the sun and a long string of ‘ex’s’, including two marriages that ended in divorce, most would assume I’d know a thing or two, but I’m still clueless in the romance department.
Here I am, pushing 60, living alone in the mountains with my dog and cat I don’t use dating apps, go to bars, belong to any churches, clubs, social media, or community groups, other than my HOA As a subjectively mature gay man living in a town of 750 people, it’s fair to say my future love prospects aren’t promising
Besides, dating and romantic love is way too much work. Basic self maintenance is sometimes forgotten up here in the cabin, and every once in a while when I go to town for supplies, God help me if I don’t check for a fresh crop of nose and ear hairs, sprouting like Indiana corn in the late summer sun. If I lived somewhere like Portland, Oregon, I’d consider growing it out, braiding it, and hanging little charms from the thin braids joining my nose to my ears Portland’s so out there; I’m sure there’s already an established social club for such avant garde personal grooming If there is, its members probably know more about romantic love than I do
Fortunately for you, fine readers, I’m not writing to share my secrets of “The Top 10 Ways to Manifest True Love”, because this ain’t Cosmo. I’m writing about a different kind of love. A bigger love. A love big enough to fill our galaxy with 200 billion stars, and our known Universe with 2 trillion galaxies.
This love is everything that was, is, and ever will be, and it came into my conscious experience through a journey of healing, meditation, exploration, and actualization with plant and fungi medicines.
My experience with psychoactive substances started young. I remember my sister, Georgia, forcing me to take a puff off a joint when I was 13 years old. Cannabis was ridiculously subpar by today’s standards, but I still found a connection with the plant and it helped me survive
In my teens, I began experimenting with psychedelics, and by my senior year in high school I was spending many fall days and nights foraging through local, rainsoaked farmland for slippery, little Liberty Caps, which I then transformed into psychedelic chocolates I had no idea it was medicine
Decades passed and I found myself in my early 50’s, marginally successful by late-stage capitalism’s standards, and without much purpose One day, sister Georgia randomly decided to attend a transformational breath workshop, even though she had no idea what transformational breathwork was - and as it turned out, the workshop just happened to fall on our deceased Mother’s birthday Go figure
In case you’re not aware, and so y’all stay with me here, transformational breathwork is a form of circular breath that can transport the participant into a nonordinary state of consciousness, in some ways, very much like a psychedelic experience.
My experience with psychoactive substances started young.
I never had access to a container for expressing the grief and fear that rattled my world in those glorious traumatic moments that dot my life. And so I told myself the story that I was tough - that’s how I survived.
Through it all, the plant and fungi teachers showed that being “tough” was a lie by opening my heart, illuminating the path to healing, and giving me the courage to love myself unconditionally My plant and fungi teachers revealed the human ego paradox The ego is both our loyal friend and protector, and our very worst enemy; it will tell you any lie to keep you from feeling your wounds As I face my lies, reveal my injuries, and sit with the pain, I manifest and witness my own healing, and as my heart continues to open, I remember my Truth, a reflection of the limitless, unconditional love of Consciousness.
Love is a funny thing - and it’s everything. On one hand, It can be perceived as the source of immense egoic struggle and suffering, and on the other hand, the muse, artist, engineer, and manifestation of all Creation.
Lean in to your heart and think about your experiences with love - don’t judge the love, simply bring forth the feeling through memory and experience
Tune
Just know this, my beautiful Brothers and Sisters, this feeling of amazingness is yours to activate anytime. Acts of kindness and compassion are good ways to test it outchances are that little tickle in your tummy like the finger poking the Pillsbury Dough Boy is love’s sweet touch, reminding you of who you really are.
You are Love
Each year, as autumn steals the summer sun and green forest canopies from the Midwest, and leaves in its place brisk winds and blazing fall colors, a tiny little town called Chicago plays host to thousands of elder emos and punk rock aficionados. The draw? Riot Fest.
It was 2005 when Riot Fest debuted its two day indoor musical festival at the Congress Theater just three miles west of Lincoln Park, with bands like the Dead Kennedys, The Suicide Machines, Misfits, Agent Orange, and The Germs. At the time of Riot Fests' inception, cannabis was highly policed and smoking in the venue could get you a one-way ticket behind bars.
In fact, in that same year, 786,545 people were arrested for “marijuana” offenses in the United States. Nonetheless, the attendees of Riot Fest were the underground cannabis culture then, and remain so now.
What started as a small independent fest featuring a few dozen bands has since exploded into a sprawling outdoor three day jam, amassing over 40,000 people per day and headlining major award-winning artists and bands. But one major difference in 2022? Clouds of cannabis smoke float above crowds, filling the air with the sweet aroma of our favorite fem l l t
Now, a mom to a 2.5-year-old, Riot Fest is my three day opportunity to live in full emo-glory, shouting the lyrics to my favorite Jimmy Eat World, My Chemical Romance, and Yeah Yeah Yeah songs, crowd-surfing during Yellow Card, and moshing to Less Than Jake. It’s a muchneeded break from potty training and the solitude that is work-from-home life in a tiny rural Midwest town. But while others search for their courage in canned cocktails and stale over-priced beers, I manifest freedom through several puffs of Durban Poison.
As I prepared for my second annual Riot Fest with my East Hollywood roomie from years ago and a motley crew of local friends, I carefully lined my backpack with the essentials for a fullblown weekend of responsibility-free fun. This year, among other goodies, I’ve included a seven-pack of diamond-infused 805 Glue prerolls from Pacific Stone, my Wand by Jane West - a discreet one-hitter, poker, and cannabis storage device in one that appears to be a bottle of lip gloss or mascara, and my lighter on a leash - all festival essentials, and hoped I wouldn’t be hassled this year.
As one walks toward the entrance of Douglas Park, it's obvious to the naked eye whether or not “this is your crowd”. It’s the ripped jeans
In 2021, I nearly lost my stash to a very intimidating security guard who peered into my soul as she asked if I had cannabis in my bag I crossed my fingers and asked Source to forgive me as I lied Her glare burned through me as she asked again if I had any weapons or cannabis… I stuttered “well… actually. I have a bottle of mace.” She shook her head “I could sense there was something”. breath of rel ripe with terp
Although Illi January 2020 squeezed thr crowds of underground needed to w green I fully was the ma plastered acr throughout th
Still, after h years, duckin reminded m Midwest. Bu from living chances.
As a cannab the cusp of t away from m consumption breastmilk - y y Riot Fest 2021. Naturally, in the spirit of breaking stigmas, I whipped out my hand-held breast pump to relieve the pressure I had built up while away from my baby. It’s my hope that instances like these can normalize the experience of mothering, being a cannabis consumer, and being a human who needs breaks from their role as head of household.
This year as I walk across the grounds, I can tell the stigma from the year prior had dissipated, and I felt free to consume in a way I hadn’t felt in public to date. It’s a sensation that sent tingles to my toes and lit me up inside. I wasn’t hassled at security, I proudly lit up without fear, and I didn’t receive cold glares from unapproving Karens. Clouds of smoke hovered above the crowds at ffed and passed dancing, singing ised to the skyestament to the t the harsh crash ng It felt like felt like love ur homes, being son interactions, 40,000 stranger o badly. As we side-to-side, and a sense of peace
oment so freely ates surrounding abis an illegal ld I be standing l locked up for as a moment of like a win, there .
L HB3085) was nd Bob Morgan , expunge the harges, and free day, it sits in committee while the citizens of Illinois (mostly Brown and Black) sit in jail cells. My hope is that by Riot Fest next year, I can report that this bill has passed and innocent people may walk free from minor cannabis offenses to enjoy cannabis again in the way that I have
As I reminisce on the experiences I’ve had at Riot Fest, it gives me hope for a future where cannabis is a normal part of our shared experiences in the way that alcohol has been for centuries, and innocent people won’t be put behind bars for enjoying plant medicine I look forward to the days when moms aren’t shamed for taking time away from their kids, when breastfeeding or pumping in a public place is common, and when no guilt will be cast for utilizing cannabis in private or in public
RIOT FEST SUCKS!
music.
cannabis. To To music. To cannabis. To the marriage and love of the marriage and love of the two. To Riot Fest. the two. To Riot Fest.
any will say that a person doesn't have to be biological to be a father, which has always seemed like an odd statement until it became one of my own
Back in 2016, on the compassion trail where I traveled giving away cannabis oils in copious amounts to patients in need, I came across Genevieve after her mom contacted me, and what's known as the Cannabis Love Story began.
Genevieve, a 13-year-old with severe Autism and Epilepsy, was the patient that August day back in 2016. Her Mother, Anne Mari, made contact by social media messenger the night before, unaware that the supplier of the oil she sought for her daughter's severe intractable Epilepsy was only a few hours away
Genevieve's life had significant challenges; she reacted to vaccines at only 2 5 years old and sunk deep into the world of Autism - a similar story shared by millions of other children across America. Genevieve lost the ability to speak and walk well and eventually became so developmentally delayed that she needed around-the-clock care from her family. To top that off, her biological father overdosed in 2007, creating an even larger struggle for her mother
When I met Genevieve, she was unable to answer questions even with a head nod, was utterly nonverbal, had few expressions, and was seizing
I administered rescue THC oils to her, stopping the seizures, and her mom then went over her pharmaceuticals. Two of them were psych drugs with seizure warnings, so we planned to discontinue them immediately A third drug was a seizure medication to which she had terrible side effects, to the point of hospitalization – Yet it was prescribed again I threw it away with her mom's permission
bright smile. Genevieve's older sister, Fatima, was in her senior year and was a bit distant, but her intellect amazed me, and we clicked.
Christmas 2016 brought with it an invitation to spend two weeks with the girls, at the house, with Anne Mari and I together as a couple Anne Mari explained to me that Genevieve's biological father's overdose occurred right after Christmas, and being in the world of Autism for decades, I understood the challenges the family would face over the vacation and agreed to join them. In that short period, we all bonded as I worked to perfect Genevieve's Cannabis Protocol.
Anne Mari and I bonded over Humboldt County's finest, which I brought back with me from the road, and she shared some of her Santa Barbara locally grown cannabis We had spent several hours together on three prior occasions over several days at a time - but hadn't spent the night together until then - four months after we met.
The road of compassion always brought new faces, names, cities, states, and sometimes even countries - there were so many people in need back then that no single face stood out - until Genevieve Over the following months, Anne Mari and I became a couple, and little sister Sydney became a new friend, always talkative with such a beautiful
Sydney and I shared joy in Christmas activities, and we all got together for a simple holiday break, enjoying each other’s company. Anne Mari and I became a legitimate couple, and for once, I had the feeling that the cancers growing within me were backing off, proving that love is healing medicine Our departure didn't occur until January 10th, as it felt right to be with my lady and her three girls Who would want to leave?
Only a few days back on the road, I received text messages while off the grid. When a hippie buddy drove us into town off a hill where cannabis was growing, the signal hit, and notification sounds began pinging away. Beautiful videos came through of Genevieve and a message that she had verbalized, “Mommy”.
Her sister held the camera while Gen pointed at a photo of Homer on an Ipad and verbally said, "Daddy" Then, she looked at a picture of me on her mom's phone and repeated the word again I was on Amtrak headed back to Santa Barbara, California, within 24 hours of seeing this – a mere 14-hour journey She stole my heart; she called me Daddy.
Now, this was six years ago. At the time, Sydney was a Daddy's girl; her biological father was a Cancer warrior and battled like no other I've ever seen - staying alive for nearly a decade after
doctors removed his nose due to radiation damage. In 2021 tragedy struck, and Sydney lost her father to surgical complications, which turned her life upside down.
Sydney needed help with her inability to sleep and also underwent evaluations for Autism, Anxiety, and Depression Ultimately, Sydney needed cannabis extracts like Genevieve, so we got her a recommendation One of her most significant issues was insomnia and night terrors; she needed a lot of love with a side order of plant medicine.
Keeping my distance from Sydney was always important to not overstep boundaries– this kid seriously loved her daddy– so
stepping in to act like one before he passed - or even afterwards, didn’t feel right. Instead, I decided to adopt love, to take her under my wing as my daughter whether she knew it, realized it, or liked it. Sydney needed me badly; I knew it a year ago when her father passed, and even today, the feeling is so strong that I won't deny it, even if Sydney does occasionally
Sydney and I go on 'Sunset Rides' together on e-bikes; we laugh and bicker as we're so much alike but always end it with love and hugs We have Sunday Funday Skate Days The entire family goes out and skates together and plays together I'm now her Bonus Dad, but recently she asked me if it was okay to refer to me as 'Dad,' which ended in one of those scenes where you go to the bathroom to hide and cry happy tears.
This year, the grandsons came for the holidays and tore the place up as usual. Afterall, what would life be like without moments like this? There was
a time back on the Cannabis Compassion trail when I was paving my way to heaven by giving away as much oil as possible before I died. I didn't think I'd even make it to 2016, let alone meet my family of 2023!
Genevieve is now 19 years old, and older Sister Fatima is 23 and has given us two beautiful grandsons - Leo and Sammy Sydney is 12 and doing well in school thanks to cannabis medicine She loves doing TikTok videos with me to explain to adults what it's like for her to use different cannabinoids
I came to Santa Barbara in 2016 to help a severely autistic child who was seizing so much that she needed the precious cargo I carried. The oil I was using for cancer is what I left with Anne Marie when I first came to see her
We had no intention of creating a family unit, but destiny played its role through love and the cannabis plant Cannabis is still frowned upon in most nations; many say the industry lacks legitimacy.
People who use the plant still face stigma due to the prohibitionists of the past and those who can't face the reality of today’s progress.
There is no other industry on this planet, as far as I know, that has a love story tied to it quite like cannabis
Without our beautiful cannabis plant, the Robinson family wouldn't exist, and Cancer would likely have taken its toll.
Since Genevieve didn't respond to CBD in 2016, I had to make her a special tincture with CBGa. To this day, I credit the amount of that oil I drank while I tested Genevieve’s batch for balancing my own Endocannabinoid System
Overall, these oils allowed cannabis plant constituents to work alongside the love of my family to heal us all
Cannabis heals. Cannabis truly is love.
I’m a mid-50s white female, and until fairly recently one of those people that the OG cannabis community would roll their eyes at, if not visibly scorn, if they knew how I truly felt about stoners
Yes, I was a product of the “This is your brain on drugs” campaign, and while I tried not to judge others, deep down inside, I couldn’t help doing exactly that.
I’m a researcher, and I have a lot of experience in healthcare. While researching HIV/AIDS drugs during the early 1990s, I became aware of the large, grass-roots movement supporting cannabis use for HIV/AIDS patients I recall at the time thinking that while I had no problems with AIDS patients getting stoned as a means of enjoying life however they could, I quickly and easily dismissed any possibility of cannabis having any health or wellness properties whatsoever. No way, no chance.
Fast forward about 15 years: My brother was suffering terribly from what took his doctors several years to diagnose: multiple sclerosis. MS is a progressive disease of the nervous system that slowly erodes patients’ ability to function My brother was experiencing tremendous pain, and that’s when I learned that with all the amazing advances in our fantastically modern healthcare system, doctors are still unable to control chronic pain very well
My brother was taking so many different medications in an attempt to control the pain. Yet, while they were helping somewhat, it was not nearly enough. At the same time, the side effects – such as impaired cognition and balance -- were almost as debilitating as the pain
My brother was suffering horribly, and there was nothing his doctors could do to help He tried every medication, every medical device, every potential solution he could find, whether proven or not, to help with the pain. Nothing worked. It was soul-crushing for me to just sit by and watch as he suffered. I felt so helpless. While I tried to console him with words – the only thing I had to offer – it wasn’t helping at all.
At some point, one of my brother’s neurologists told him that cannabis might help with the pain, but, so typically, the doctor could offer no guidance Despite being on his own to figure it out, my brother leapt at the chance of finding something new to try to help with his pain
My brother had smoked pot before, so he had some familiarity with it, but after walking into a dispensary, he soon realized that cannabis had radically changed from his days of dime bags bought from a friend of a friend of a friend, containing whoknows-what
He bought a couple of different products from the dispensary and tried them out I had no idea any of this had been going on, until he contacted me and said, “I’ve been using cannabis to help with my pain I’m getting some results, but I think if I knew how to use it more effectively, I could get even better results Will you help me figure this out?”
Rebekah JenksYes, I was a product of the “ This is your brain on drugs” campaign, and while I tried not to judge others, deep down inside, I couldn’t help doing exactly that.
Within seconds of hearing this, my brain was flooded with so many thoughts and emotions I was dumbstruck at the idea that he had ventured to try cannabis as a therapeutic I was gob smacked at the thought that it actually worked But most of all, I was ecstatic at the notion that there was something I could do to help him alleviate his pain.
I dove in and started reading. It took some time before I began to figure things out. Learning about the discovery of the endocannabinoid system was a game-changer for me, and I found all the new research on the vast potential for cannabis as a therapeutic absolutely breathtaking to learn about
I was feeding my brother tidbits of information from the studies I read, and he was incorporating those ideas into his cannabis use regimen Lo and behold, it worked! While cannabis did not eliminate his pain, it did help enough to make it more manageable.
My initial foray into cannabis has become a heartfelt passion to better understand how cannabis works to provide health and wellness benefits for people, and to help educate others about these benefits
However, as much as I’m awestruck by the potential of this magnificent plant, I’m even more overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of other people I've met or heard about who came to
very similar reasons as me: to help reduce the suffering of loved ones, be they children, parents, friends or other people suffering similar conditions
For love of their children, countless parents have uprooted their entire families from cannabis-unfriendly states and relocated to cannabisfriendly states, so they can access cannabis to decrease their children’s suffering from chronic conditions.
For love of their parents (or grandparents), countless children provide their parents with cannabis to help ease their pain or anxiety or insomnia – either parents who consume cannabis willingly, or those who don’t realize or acknowledge that the “special tea” their sons or daughters prepare is cannabis tea
For love of their fellow humans, countless people have fought the traditional system tooth and nail to no avail, but, finally, after taking their healthcare into their own hands, have found renewed hope and quality of life with cannabis, and have then gone on to educate others like them about the plant’s potential.
What’s more, so many of these people who have fought the system to access cannabis on behalf of loved ones have gone on to tirelessly devote their time and effort to educate others about the potential of cannabis and to advocate for greater access to cannabis for all.
Now, whenever I hear someone speak out about the dangers of cannabis and insist that cannabis should remain illegal, all I can think of is that this person has never had a loved one who suffered from a medical condition that the traditional healthcare community has been unable to address
To me, when I think of cannabis, I think of a plant that so many people have fought so hard for to help reduce the suffering of someone they love Therefore, to me, cannabis is love.
In Las Vegas, Nevada, there are many dispensaries to choose from near the Strip, each with their own story, history, and specialties. One that truly stands out is The Nevada Wellness Center which has a unique story worth sharing.
The center is owned by Nevada born College Hall of Famer, NFL Super Bowl Running Back, Frank Hawkins. He played for the Raiders in the 80’s before retiring and becoming the first elected Black official in Las Vegas. He went on to become the President of the NAACP for many years and founded multiple businesses aimed at community development.
The Nevada Wellness Center’s mission is to provide high quality medicine to enable folks to live better and happier lives. They also run a food donation program to further help those in need in addition to a diverse menu of cannabis products.
With Valentine’s Day this month, Pink Champagne is on the smoking tray and up for review. I worked with Tyrone during my visit to the shop; he helped to select the cultivar we’re reviewing today.
This gorgeous flower is sure to please, and bears a unique history. Pink Champagne was created by Ken Estes who made a name for himself as a cultivator, breeder, and creator of the famous strain Grand Daddy Purp. This cultivar is a GDP x Cherry Pie cross. Each piece of the flower, all the way down to the stem, is bubbling with cannabinoid goodness. The trim and cure were well done, showing off the curves and bud structure.
This cultivar is a GDP x Cherry Pie cross with bright bursts of green and intense trichome coverage.
The aroma of Pink Champagne is light and soft on the nose with hints of berry and grape sweetness delivered in a glass of earthy/floral notes The dual layers play with each other in your senses When milled, the flower was even more aromatic; raspberries and dark grape notes rose out of the grinder
While the nose was very fruity, the smoke was much more herbal and spiced. The smoke mouthfeel was moderate with a little bite on the exhale. The dry hit of the joint I rolled matched the aroma with hints of fruit and floral notes that stayed on the palate for a moment or two.
Smoking this flower was enjoyable and mellow. Effects begin slowly at first before layering on one another to create a sense of calm
The Emerald Cup’s Harvest Ball is a yearly beacon for the cannabis community. It’s an event where all can gather and passionately celebrate the work of their fellow farmer. This year, the Emerald Cup Harvest Ball has partnered once again with California craft farms to give them an opportunity to participate as vendors in their world famous marketplace and consumption lounges.
The Small Farms Initiative program provides craft farms the chance to be seen and celebrated by the diehard seasoned attendees and newly canna-curious crowds looking for the latest farm fresh flower, genetics, or wellness products.
At the 2022 Harvest Ball, ten licensed mixed light and outdoor farms with a canopy of 10,000 sq. ft. or less, were chosen from a lottery from the counties of Humboldt, Mendocino, Trinity, Nevada, Sonoma, Lake, Calaveras, and Santa Cruz.
The ten farms selected were given the option to invite one additional farm to share their booth, which resulted in twenty farms receiving a complimentary vending space. The program went even further to ensure that all farmers are able to participate; organizers gave an additional eight farms the opportunity for a steep booth discount, and awarded ten free competition entries to the upcoming 2023 Emerald Cup Awards competition to applicants who were not selected for a booth space in 2022.
What’s all the buzz about the Small Farms Initiative? Well, there is nothing “small” about the aforementioned farms. The Small Farms Initiative was formed in response to the crisis that the California cannabis industry has found itself in by a special group of cannabis leaders and stewards, many of whom are part of multi-generational family farms.
This special group includes the Cup’s founder Tim Blake, Michael Katz of the Mendocino Cannabis Alliance, Genine Coleman of Origins Council, Chris Anderson of Redwood Roots Distribution, Nicholas Smilgys of Mendocino Cannabis Distribution, Traci Pellar of the Mendocino Producers Guild, and Brandy Moulton of Sovereign 707. These farmers represent the tradition and heritage we are trying to save from extinction.
To put this all in context, California has long been one of the most renowned regions on the planet for cannabis culture and cultivation. The families that made cannabis farming their way of life since the late sixties risked serious consequences and persevered through sweaty guerilla grow tactics as they grinded season after season.
These same folks figured out how to run cultivation operations despite endless obstacles – from raids and overhead helicopters, to oasis gardens tucked deep into the misty forest ridges of the Triangle. These pioneers are truly the bedrock that built the industry. Without the back-to-the-landers and outlaw renegades, the heritage genetics that built West Coast chronic and the OG cultural mecca of Cali weed might have never existed.
To better understand why small farmers are at risk of extinction, we need to familiarize with California’s regulatory history. In 1996, California ushered in the voter passed medical programs of Prop 215, and it was the same lifelong activists and cultivators that led the charge of cannabis buyers clubs and compassion programs that made this program a reality.
During this time, farmers were tasked with how to adapt and survive in a new era of oncoming cannabis retail, as well as the latest iteration of the War on Drugs. It was also when we entered the shades of the ‘Grey Zone’. This period saw new brands and strains popping up seemingly overnight, and many farmers and business owners navigated with feet in both markets to survive.
For many of these farms, it was like they had stepped into an open bear trap, and it was only a matter of time before it snapped. Unfortunately, many farms took their last breath and their businesses collapsed. Not only have small farms suffered in this crisis, but the entire supply chain, from growers to retail dispensaries, have been negatively affected by the legislation of Prop 64.
“California’s Cannabis industry is filled with brutal harsh realities. Lawmakers could not have been further away from understanding or identifying with how to create a healthy industry that supports what made California Cannabis so special."
https://theemeraldcup.com/redwood-roots-southern-humboldt-cannabis
By 2016, the locomotive of speculation drove the regulated marketplace and bore the billionaire endorsed Proposition 64. This was the beginning of the most significant extinction event for small farms. For many it was writing on the wall they needed to see, as many lifelong farmers exited the legal space and went back to the traditional way of doing things, or shut down operations altogether.
Ironically, this period was also a renaissance of sorts. Some brands and home growers could now legally grow their own six plants, but that wasn’t enough to help farmers afford the massive cost of entering and surviving regulation. Many farms were able to obtain a license, but as the price per pound plummeted, over taxation and licensing greed ramped up.
"What promised to be equitable for small craft ”legacy” farmers, who grew Cannabis illegally and were treated like murderers by law enforcement and the government during Cannabis prohibition, turned out to be the exact opposite. It created a rat race to the bottom and invited the worst parts of greed and undeserving opportunism. ”
~ Ganja D from Rebel Grown
Today, the brands and farms who managed to stay alive are some of the most tenacious people out there. They continue to push onward, create value, build community, and keep their heads high for the future. As the California market and other states go through the tumultuous throes of this new industry, one thing is clear – craft cannabis is essential.
sesh with friends, it ' s important
