Sept. 2021 - Alaska Leaf

THE ENLIGHTENED VOICE

#65 | SEPT. 2021

THE ART OF PAIRING ALCOHOL AND CANNABIS

TANNINS & TERPENES

F RE E / L E A F M AGA Z I N E S . COM

INDEPENDENT CANNABIS JOURNALISM SINCE 2010

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There are health risks associated with consumption of marijuana. For use only by adults twenty-one and older. Keep out of the reach of children. Marijuana should not be used by women who are pregnant or breast feeding.

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The terpene Humulene is found in both hops and Cannabis.

TANNINS & TERPENES Wild Roots Marionberry Vodka paired with Magic Number Tonic Seltzer and Cannabis Nation Live Resin

ADOBE STOCK

COSMIC SEAWEED

SEPT. 2021

20 GARDEN HIGHLIGHT FRONTIER CBDs

40 CONCENTRATE OF THE MONTH

COLD CREEK EXTRACTS' BANANA PUNCH

DANIEL BERMAN

16 SHOP REVIEW

O'HARA SHIPE

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Alaska Leaf Contributors take us on a journey through the vast and amazing world of Tannins and Terpenes this month — revealing how these essential chemicals lend flavor and scent profiles to alcohol and Cannabis — and more.

O'HARA SHIPE

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feature

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EDITOR’S NOTE N AT I O N A L N E W S BUDTENDER Q&A SHOP REVIEW GARDEN HIGHLIGHT STRAIN OF THE MONTH TERPENES 101 VODKA X LIVE RESIN I PA X F L O W E R ROSÉ X FLOWER S E LT Z E R X S U G A R W A X ALCOHOL-FREE GUIDE EDIBLE OF THE MONTH C O N C E N T R AT E O T M STONEY BALONEY

DANIEL BERMAN

THE TANNINS & TERPENES ISSUE

#65

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SEPT. 2021

issue

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T H E E N L I G H T E N E D VO I C E

N O RT H W E S T L E A F / O R EG O N L E A F / A L AS KA L E A F / M A RY L A N D L E A F / CA L I F O R N I A L E A F / N O RT H E AS T L E A F

A B O U T T H E C OV E R The Tannins and Terpenes Issue is one of our staff’s all-time favorites to produce each year, because it gets us tasting and testing innovative and dynamic flavor combinations we might never have considered. On the cover this month is a beautiful pairing of Alaskan Brewing's Mango Peach Hard Seltzer and AKO Farms' Strawberry Banana Sugar Wax and Flower, photographed

by Alaska Leaf Creative Director Daniel Berman with production assistance by Editor Wes Abney. This pairing illustrates how Cannabis and alcohol are as good of a match as a nice sunset and a leisurely walk on the beach.

PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

PUBLISHER

CONTRIBUTORS

WES ABNEY | FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

DANIEL BERMAN, PHOTOS BOBBY BLACK, FEATURES JOSHUA BOULET, ILLUSTRATION TOM BOWERS, FEATURES AMANDA DAY, FEATURES MAX EARLY, FEATURES STEVE ELLIOTT, NATIONAL NEWS ERIC KAYNE, PHOTOS BAXSEN PAINE. FEATURES JEFF PORTERFIELD, DESIGN MIKE RICKER, FEATURES MEGHAN RIDLEY, EDITING O'HARA SHIPE, FEATURES + PHOTOS CHARLES TAGGART, FEATURES + PHOTOS JAMIE VICTOR, DESIGN DAN VINKOVETSKY, FEATURES NATE WILLIAMS, FEATURES

WES@LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

CREATIVE DIRECTOR DANIEL BERMAN | VISUALS & DESIGN

DANIEL@LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

STATE DIRECTOR JOSHUA STAHLE | AD SALES

JOSH@LEAFMAGAZINES.COM 907-317-2536

CONTENT DIRECTOR O'HARA SHIPE | EDITORIAL

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ABNEY

Editor’s Note Thanks for picking up this bubbly new issue of the Leaf!

WHEN WE FIRST began pairing Cannabis with wine in 2012, our goal was to enlighten the growing MMJ movement to the idea that there are as many unique and beautiful strains as there are varieties and styles of wine. This pairing concept has proven wildly popular and led to our Tannins & Terpenes events, as well as this annual issue of the magazine where we pair delicious beverages with tasty Cannabis offerings for the ultimate adult tasting experience.

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As we’ve grown used to Cannabis as a normal part of life, I find that people love to pair Cannabis with food, wine and their favorite activities.

Cannabis adds to experiences, and with legalization comes normalization – allowing us to celebrate our freedom and share our tasting styles with our community and on social media. The result has been an explosion in how people are consuming Cannabis, and THERE’S NOTHING being open about how the plant fits into their lives and lifestyles.

WRONG WITH It’s even leading some to drink less, as after work wine time RESPONSIBLY becomes a date with the bong.

ENJOYING A

DRINK AND Here at the Leaf we are firm believers that Cannabis is safer PAIRING IT WITH than alcohol. We feel strongly that when a substance that harms SOME FORM OF people is sold, one should also have access to a plant that CANNABIS. does the opposite. America has an alcohol problem, built on a consumption culture that gives reason to celebrate any success or failure with a drink. I’ve had to shake out of that mindset myself, and found freedom in choosing Cannabis in times of need and joy. It’s a lot more fun to get baked, and there’s no hangover!

All that said, there’s nothing wrong with responsibly enjoying a drink and pairing it with some form of Cannabis – and the neuroprotectant benefits, along with other healthful properties, can mean that the THC, CBD and other cannabinoids are actually beneficial for your body when drinking. And if you don’t like alcohol, no worries! Check out our boozefree pairings to see what tasty strains our team paired with kombucha and tea, and try exploring on your own! I’ve been enjoying the limoncello La Croix sparkling water with a citrusy dab of Breathwork that gets me going, and keeps me highdrated for whatever adventure comes next.

Happy pairings, and thanks for reading and sharing the Leaf!

-Wes Abney SEPT. 2021

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We are creators of targeted, independent Cannabis journalism. Please email us to discuss advertising in the next issue of Alaska Leaf Magazine. We do not sell stories or coverage. We can offer design services and guidance on promoting your company’s medicinal, recreational, commercial or industrial Cannabis business, product or event within our magazine and on our website, LeafMagazines.com. Email josh@leafmagazines.com for more information on supporting Alaska Leaf!

WES

national news

the south

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normalization

ALMOST HALF OF AMERICANS ADMIT TO TRYING CANNABIS

NEW ORLEANS DECRIMINALIZES CANNABIS

N

ew Orleans is ending penalties for people found with small amounts of Cannabis. The law takes effect September 15, reports The Lens.

The City Council passed several agenda items to end marijuana penalties, reports the Associated Press. City officials said their goal is to increase community trust of police. Another aim is to allow New Orleans police to focus on reducing violent crime in the city.

Those who get a summons pertaining to simple possession are immediately forgiven with no additional action necessary by the accused, the officer, or the court.

No court appearance and no police report are needed.

Smoking weed in public will remain prohibited. But instead of the cops issuing a drug summons, it will be a ticket in violation of the Smoke-Free Air Act – which is not a drug charge.

CA SUPREME COURT: INMATES CAN’T POSSESS WEED

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I

nmates in California prisons can’t legally possess Cannabis under legalization, the State Supreme Court ruled August 12. The ruling overturns a lower court finding that prisoners could have weed as long as they didn’t consume it, reports The Associated Press.

The justices said the 2019 appeals court ruling allowing prisoners to have an ounce of weed went against common sense. The high court sided with the California attorney general – finding legalization, approved by voters, did not apply to prisoners.

“It seems implausible” that the voters intended to allow marijuana in prisons, Associate Justice Joshua Groban wrote for the majority. If voters had so intended, “we would expect them to have been more explicit,” Groban wrote.

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additional qualifying conditions – cancer and PTSD – were added in August to Texas’ limited medical marijuana program.

SEPT. 2021

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T

he percentage of U.S. adults who admit they have tried marijuana has gone up to 49%, according to the latest numbers from Gallup’s most recent Consumption Habits Poll. That’s the, well, highest number Gallup has measured to date. Just over 50 years ago, only 4% said they had tried the herb. But that percentage surpassed 20% in 1977, 30% in 1985, and 40% in 2015. The sharpest rise in reported usage occurred during the 1970s, when the percentage increased from 4% to 22%. A much smaller proportion of U.S. adults, 12%, say they “currently smoke marijuana.” The percentage of current Cannabis smokers has been steady in recent years. It varies between 11% and 13% after increasing from the 7% Gallup initially measured in 2013.

LEGALIZATION

MISSISSIPPI LAWMAKERS ‘VERY, VERY CLOSE’ TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA DEAL

M

ississippi legislative negotiators are working on a medical marijuana program to replace the one canceled by the State Supreme Court. And they now say they’re close to a deal.

According to the lawmakers, that could prompt a special legislative session as early as this month, reports Mississippi Today.

“I believe we have basically most of the major issues resolved,” said GOP Sen. Kevin Blackwell, the Southaven Republican who’s leading the Senate’s medical marijuana work. “We’re very, very close.” Blackwell said.

“I would be surprised if there were not a special session soon, but that’s not my call,” said Brandon Rep. Lee Yancey. “I think at some point soon we will be ready to say to the governor that we have something we can work with.”

Mississippi lawmakers, by popular demand, are trying to reach a deal on a medical marijuana program because the State Supreme Court shot down the one overwhelmingly passed by voters last year.

The State Supreme Court ruled in May that the medical marijuana initiative and the entire ballot initiative process was invalid. Interestingly, the Court left previous ballot initiatives intact – even those passed under the same process.

Gov. Tate Reeves has sole authority to call lawmakers into a special session.

He has said he would do so for a medical marijuana bill – but he refuses to do so before the House and Senate have general agreement, to avoid a long, drawn out session.

qualifying conditions were rejected in August by the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Advisory Board.

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percent of adult Oklahomans – about 376,000 people – have medical marijuana cards.

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diversions of city water to unlicensed grows were discovered by Humboldt County CA Sheriffs.

Harold Long, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee, and Nancy Long, plant hemp at their farm in Murphy, N.C. (Photo courtesy Long Family Farms and Gallery)

east coast

N.C. CHEROKEES SAY THEY’LL SELL MEDICAL MARIJUANA

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edical marijuana was legalized on Cherokee land in Western North Carolina back in May. And now the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has announced it will actually sell the herb to non-tribe members.

The move comes after six years of debate among the tribe, reports The One Feather.

The Cherokee maintain a sovereign nation in Western North Carolina known as the Qualla Boundary, reports the Winston-Salem Journal. The move establishes the first location in North Carolina where medical marijuana is both legal and for sale, reports WFMY News 2.

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Council approved an ordinance on August 5 to legalize the cultivation, sale and usage of medical marijuana on the Qualla Boundary. The boundary is about 45 miles west of Asheville.

The Cherokee haven’t announced a timeline for their medical Cannabis program – when cultivation will begin or when marijuana will become available for purchase, reports The Charlotte Observer.

23m

dollars per year are spent arresting Wyoming residents for marijuana, according to Wyoming NORML.

171m

dollars in Cannabis transactions were recorded in Michigan, a new record amount for the state’s adult-use and medical marijuana shops in July.

STORIES by STEVE ELLIOTT, AUTHOR OF THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK OF MARIJUANA

All Things Cannabis For All People PODCAST leaflifepodcast

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CANNABIS andSCAMS (fake weed and real greed)

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Marijuana products may be purchased or possessed only by persons 21 or older. This product has intoxicating effects and may be habit-forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination and judgment.

Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children.

interview

W H O ’ S Y O U R FAV O R I T E B U D T E N D E R ? T E L L U S W H Y ! E M A I L N O M I N A T I O N S T O R I C K E R @ L E A F M A G A Z I N E S . C O M

AS A MOTHER OF THREE CHIHUAHUAS WITH STRONG PERSONALITIES, the demands are high for regular walks, bike rides and beach days. You’ll also see Jan out and about in Kenai supporting one of her husband’s many bands.

In fact, their two sons are both musicians who live in Oregon, so the lineage carries on.

HOW ARE YOU DIGGING WORKING BEHIND THE COUNTER IN THE WEED BIZ? I love it, it’s

low stress. We’re a smaller operation and everything is done minimally, but with really good results. The setup here is very efficient, with a focus on quality.

I UNDERSTAND YOU SPENT A COUPLE YEARS CARING FOR YOUR HUSBAND WHO WAS EXPERIENCING PROSTATE CANCER. DID HE MEDICATE WITH CANNABIS? Absolutely. We

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created our own garden, and I grew both THC and CBD strains. I create concentrates with my Magical Butter maker, creating oils that I can make anything with like olive oil, butter, tincture, etc. He actually recovered really well.

He had targeted radiation that lasted for about a week and that’s it. Otherwise, we medicated him with Cannabis. Not that we’re allowed to even call it medical, but it’s clearly medicinal in our use. Other people don’t recover from that treatment as well as he did, and possibly because they don’t use Cannabis for the healing.

Jan Mabrey

ALASKA LEAF BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH

“I FEEL LIKE I’VE BEEN SET FREE. I CAN DO WHAT I WANT WITH CANNABIS."

ALASKA HARVEST COMPANY 43837 KALIFORNSKY BEACH RD, SOLDOTNA AL ASKAHARVESTCOMPANY.COM @AL ASKAHARVESTCOMPANY OPEN 8AM-11:30PM DAILY (907) 953-3466

SEPT. 2021

WHAT OTHER WORK HAVE YOU DONE? I worked in oil and gas for 24 years, and other industries where Cannabis use was prohibited.

When legalization happened, I was ready for a change. In 2017 after I quit my job, I attended a Keep Cannabis Legal campaign because there was a group who put together a referendum to remove all Cannabis facilities.

There were about 20 people who put up their life savings to open shops and be in the industry, and I thought to myself, ‘This isn’t right.’ At one point I stood up and spoke, explained my background, and afterwards they contacted me asking to be the treasurer for the campaign. So, I accepted and became an advocate as well. I soon realized that Cannabis has changed a lot since I was 14 when trying it for the first time.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT WHERE YOU ARE NOW IN YOUR LIFE? I feel like I’ve been set

free. I can do what I want with Cannabis. It heals me, makes me happy, reduces my stress.

It’s a wonderful plant. And it’s God given. If you believe in God, or whatever, our creator had it goin’ on!

INTERVIEW by MIKE RICKER @RICKERDJ PHOTO by O'HARA SHIPE @SHIPESHOTS

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MARIJUANA HAS INTOXICATING EFFECTS AND MAY BE HABIT FORMING. MARIJUANA IMPAIRS CONCENTRATION, COORDINATION, AND JUDGEMENT. DO NOT OPERATE A VEHICLE OR MACHINERY UNDER ITS INFLUENCE. FOR USE BY ADULTS TWENTY-ONE AND OLDER. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. THERE ARE HEALTH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONSUMPTION OF MARIJUANA. MARIJUANA SHOULD NOT BE USED BY WOMEN WHO ARE PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING.

shop review

ENVIRONMENT & VIBE Cosmic SeaWeed was constructed with love, and it can be felt the moment you open the door. From the beautiful wood floors to the wood paneling on the walls, this dispensary draws you in and invites you to stay awhile. Informational posters about terpenes, the endocannabinoid system, and CBD are perfectly tailored to new and experienced Cannabis consumers alike. Unlike other dispensaries that can cause sensory overload with loud music, low lighting and heavy fragrances, Cosmic SeaWeed provides a relaxed shopping experience.

PRODUCTS The gem of Cosmic SeaWeed is definitely their CBD section, which is always freshly stocked with new products from local retailers like Kachemak Naturals and Frontier CBD. You can find everything from bath bombs to lip balm, capsules to lotions, and even deodorant!

Cosmic SeaWeed also carries flower, pre-rolls, vapes, edibles and of course, house-made concentrates for those in search of THC. Flower enthusiasts can choose from strains by Peace Frog Botanicals, Alaska Frosted Flowers, Sherwood’s Magical Forest and Roybal Enterprises. Cosmic SeaWeed’s edible selection is small but mighty, with powerhouse products from Great Northern Manufacturing, GOOD Cannabis, Red Run Cannabis Cultivators and Lady Gray Gourmet Medibles.

HISTORY 18

Cosmic SeaWeed’s retail opened in 2020 and was a natural extension of the company’s successful extraction business. The dispensary is operated by co-owners Chris Long and Chris Logan, who both served as nurses before transitioning into the Cannabis industry. Longtime Homer dwellers Long and Logan are proud to be the city’s first locally-owned dispensary. Although Cosmic SeaWeed opened out of necessity during the height of the pandemic, its customer base has continued to grow with the summer tourist season – making it a must-see location for anyone visiting the area.

LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

BUDTENDERS Although Cosmic SeaWeed has a small staff of four budtenders, they are a Cannabis brain bank. Half of the staff came to the dispensary with extensive previous experience, which they used to train their newer budtenders. Additionally, each budtender is trained on all aspects of the business, making them an asset to newer consumers who may have more questions. From the management to the most rookie budtender, Cosmic SeaWeed’s staff was kind, helpful and responsive to any customer suggestions.

QUICK HIT Homer has been described as a “Cosmic Hamlet by the Sea,” and it’s a moniker that perfectly fits the city’s only locally-owned dispensary.

Located near the Homer Spit and the famed Two Sisters Bakery, Cosmic SeaWeed has some of the best views in town – which will be nothing short of stellar when the store is able to open its proposed on-site consumption lounge.

R EVI E W b y ALAS KA LEA F STA F F P HOTOS b y O ' HARA S H I P E @ S H I P E S HOTS

SEPT. 2021

Cosmic SeaWeed has some of the best views in town...

COSMIC SeaWeed Cosmic SeaWeed 261 EAST BUNNELL STREET, HOMER, AK OPEN 9AM-9PM DAILY (907) 435-0508 @COSMICCANNABISAK COSMICSEAWEED.COM

View from the back deck

(L-R) Cosmic SeaWeed owners Chris Long and Chris Logan.

Don't miss the shop's extensive CBD section.

garden highlight leafmagazines.com

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Hemp seeds and honey frames

FRONTIER CBDS The farm maintains a beehive for use in its CBD honey product line.

SEPT. 2021

Frontier CBDs' Lead Cultivator John Hull, left, and Owner Shawn McDonough in one of the grows.

Frontier CBDs Head Chef Brian Mangel, bottles CBD lotion at the company's Homer manufacturing facility.

24-YEAR-OLD MICHIGANDER JOHN HULL lives down a serpentine dirt road littered with abandoned cars and lean-tos in the backwoods of Nikolaevsk, Alaska.

A former Russian settlement, Niklolaevsk is still predominantly comprised of Old Believers of the Russian Orthodox Old-Rite Church, who stay within the confines of their own community. The area is so desolate that it's possible to go several days without seeing another human. For Hull, that is precisely the appeal.

S

ince late February, Hull has been care-taking Frontier CBDs' new hemp farm while owner Shawn McDonough develops the property and works on obtaining a standard marijuana cultivation license.

Living in a small makeshift nursery heated by a single wood stove, Hull tends to the budding hemp plants that he refers to as his "babies."

"I like being out here because I don't really have to deal with people. I'm not much of a people person anymore," says Hull. "But I like being around my babies."

Still working on producing Frontier CBDs' first harvest, McDonough has the lofty goal of turning the former USDA vegetable farm on his property into Alaska's only carbon positive hemp and marijuana cultivation facility.

"Reducing carbon footprints is something that is a big deal for a lot of companies. And there's definitely a big push in the hemp industry to go carbon neutral, but no one's really figured out how to do it yet," explains McDonough. “Everyone's trying to grow in the middle of towns and have electricity poles going into their properties.

That's never going to work."

According to McDonough, the key is capturing solar and wind energy, while using harvest groundwater to feed the plants.

From salves to bath bombs and gummies to tinctures, Frontier CBDs is one of the state's largest suppliers of CBD products.

"Right now, we have no running water or electricity on the property. We're working on turning our one generator into a wood-burning generator, which will make it carbon neutral. Then we're only going to generate probably 20 gallons of diesel fuel to get the thing burning. The rest of our footprint is any of the materials we're bringing in to feed [the plants], like the organic soil that we make ourselves," says McDonough.

If McDonough's calculations are correct, every acre of hemp the farm grows will scrub two tons of carbon out of the air. Once he finds the optimal way to raise his plants, he will be growing hemp on three acres of his property, effectively removing six tons of carbon emissions from the air.

Unfortunately, while McDonough has many of the structures in place, he hasn't honed in on the ideal way to grow hemp outdoors in an environment as fickle as Alaska.

"We've been struggling to regulate the [grow] domes. It's hard to keep them around 60° with the huge temperature fluctuations. On a sunny day, the tents can easily hit over 100°, and then it cools way off at night. The 39° nights we had this summer were definitely tough. We grow everything from new seeds – we planted over 1,000 seeds this year – and it's hard to grow when it's this cold," says McDonough.

H

emp requires air temperatures between 50-80° Fahrenheit to successfully germinate. So, the near-freezing nights have kept Hull busy, as he gets up multiple times a night to stoke fires and monitor the humidity levels in the grow tents.

"I'm usually up at 6:00 a.m. and working on through until 11:00 p.m. Then I usually get a few pings on my cell phone at night, letting me know it's too cold or the humidity is off. But I don't mind it. My favorite place to be is sitting with the plants," says Hull.

Naturally, tricky weather is only one of many challenges Frontier CBDs faces.

"We had a bear that was trying to climb the fence to get into the farm. He did some damage!

We also had a fire at the beginning of the season that destroyed some of our equipment," explains McDonough.

Pests are also a consideration. As McDonough wants to keep his farm completely organic, he has been testing ways to naturally deter pests from attacking his plants. Right now, McDonough is growing cabbage next to his hemp plants, and the pests seem to be responding positively by exclusively feeding on the vegetables.

Despite the unique challenges that McDonough faces, he remains firm in his commitment to developing environmentally-friendly harvesting practices.

"I think it's important to keep the environment as clean as possible. I've always been kind of focused on sustainability. Before I got into this business, I worked in aerospace, and it was my job to cut down on the VLC contents in cleaners and different solvents used within manufacturing facilities," says McDonough. "I guess you can say it's always been a passion, and I like the challenge of solving complex problems."

But the farm is only one small part of McDonough's operation. He also produces over 120 different CBD products at a microscopic processing facility in Homer. From salves to bath bombs and gummies to tinctures, Frontier CBDs is one of the state's largest suppliers of CBD products.

"I've had a hand on every single product that comes out of here," says the company's head chef, Brian Mangel. "It's pretty amazing how many products we can spit out of such a little place!"

Nicknamed the "Gummy Wrangler," Mangel says that what keeps the company moving is access to the right equipment, people and processes.

"You'd be surprised about how much you can get done when you have the right stuff to help you get in the groove," says Mangel.

Within the following year, McDonough hopes that Mangel will be making products with the company's own homegrown hemp. McDonough's ultimate goal is for Frontier CBDs to be a completely closed-loop company.

"We're already harvesting our own honey for our salves and creamed honey. The next step is to stop importing CBD from Colorado and to have it grown and harvested in house. That way, we have full control over its quality and any environmental impacts. I believe we'd be the first in the state to do it. I think that’s something to be proud of," says McDonough.

FRONTIERCBDS.COM | @FRONTIER_CBDS

STORY by ALASKA LEAF STAFF | PHOTOS by O'HARA SHIPE @SHIPESHOTS

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Marijuana has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming and addictive. Marijuana impairs concentration, coordination, and judgement. Do not operate vehicle or machinery under its influence. There are health risks associated with consumption of marijuana. For use only by adults 21 and older. Keep out of reach of children. Marijuana should not be used by women who are pregnant or breast feeding. License # 3a-11638, 3a-23821

STRAIN OF THE MONTH LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

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KATSU BUBB SEPT. 2021

G R O W N B Y F R E E D O M 4 9 FA R M S

ALTHOUGH THIS DELICIOUS KATSU IS NOT A YUMMY FRIED CHICKEN DISH ENJOYED BY THE LIKES OF BEAST MODE MARSHAWN LYNCH, IT WILL GET YOU BAKED LIKE A BEAST AND READY FOR ANOTHER FALL TRANSITION.

W

BA KUSH REVIEW by ALASKA LEAF STAFF | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

hen back to school and football ads start competing for airtime on TV, we know it’s time to get baked because the quick descent into winter is coming. Soon it will be pumpkin spice this and turkey day that, just in time to cue the Christmas music!

Our humble suggestion: Save yourself from this madness the old fashioned way, getting totally stoned and slowing time down all on your own. There are still plenty of adventures to be had, and this unique sativa phenotype from the famed Bubba Kush line has a lot to offer for this changing time of year.

THIS UNIQUE First impressions SATIVA PHENOTYPE being everything FROM THE FAMED when it comes to BUBBA KUSH LINE weed, this Katsu HAS A LOT TO Bubba Kush OFFER FOR THIS has absolutely CHANGING TIME gorgeous bag OF YEAR. appeal – featuring dark purple buds that are perfectly coated in a thick layer of trichomes. The structure is solid with a gentle squish and light stickiness when breaking open a nugget to smoke, coating fingers and rolling surfaces with a flurry of kief-y goodness. As the buds are broken open a warming, sweetearthy-pine flavor wafts up with a hint of sour gas that ensures a fuelly, heavy toke is soon to be enjoyed.

Burning a bowl delivers a clean, robust hit with rich earthy notes and a hint of berries and pine-fuel that linger on the palate. Effects start quickly in the mind, providing a floaty clarity that puts the head in a bubble – floating above a pain free and heavily sedated body.

This buzz is perfect for a fall afternoon, reading or playing video games, with neurons still firing in the brain as a thick case of couchlock settles in.

With beautiful looks, a complex flavor profile and euphoric, stoney effects, this Katsu Bubba Kush grown by Freedom 49 Farms is a must try for this fall.

If you’re looking for a T&T style pairing, try finding a fruity and dark red wine to complement with, or a bright and hoppy beer to wash down tokes.

Just skip the extra Katsu sauce!

AVAILABLE AT GREEN JAR @FREEDOM49FARMS | 22.53% THC

TERPENES 101

the TANNINS & TERPENES issue

Mild, but earthy and sweet, this terpene is found in hops, thyme, and mango.

Myrcene is the most abundant terpene found in Cannabis. As a monoterpene, its simplistic molecular structure is a precursor to an array of more complex aromatic compounds.

MYRCENE

Floral and fruity, Geraniol is found in geraniums, roses, and coriander. Honeybees actually produce geraniolcontaining pheromones to mark hive entrances and nectar bearing flowers.

GERANIOL

Signature strain: OG Kush

Gentle, woody and floral, Linalool is found in lavender, birch and chamomile. Linalool has been studied many times in the medical community, producing a wide array of promising results (particularly when it comes to neurological health).

LINALOOL

Citrusy and bright, Limonene can be found in nature in oranges, lemons, and caraway. Limonene’s solvent qualities make it a popular compound for use in industrial cleaning agents.

LIMONENE

Signature strain: Amnesia Haze

Camphorous, minty and green, Eucalyptol can be found in eucalyptus, bay leaves, and cardamom. Eucalyptol exhibits cooling properties, and as such, is a common additive in products like mouthwash and cough syrup.

EUCALYPTOL

Signature strain: Harlequin

Signature strain: Sour Diesel

Fresh and forest like, Pinene is found in pine, sage, and rosemary. α-Pinene is the most commonly found terpene in nature, and is known for its anti-inflammatory and bronchodilatory effects.

PINENE

Signature strain: Super Silver Haze

Signature strain: Romulan

ADOBE STOCK

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SEPT. 2021

Woody with a complex cleaner-like profile, Terpinolene is found in tea tree, lilacs, and fir.

This floral and herbal terpene is known for its antioxidant properties and is found in relatively small amounts in numerous strains.

TERPINOLENE

Vegetal and woody with a subtle spice, Humulene can be found in hops, ginseng, and balsam fir.

Humulene is largely responsible for the “hoppy” aroma of beer, and is known for its anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties.

HUMULENE

Signature strain: Durban Poison

Woody and sweet with floral notes, Ocimene is found in basil, bergamot, and orchids. This elusive terpene often constitutes only a small portion of a cultivar’s profile, and is often used in the perfume industry for its herbaceous aromatic profile.

Spicy and peppery, Caryophyllene is found in pepper, cloves, and oregano. β-Caryophyllene was one of the first Cannabis-based compounds outside of THC, CBN, and CBG shown to interact directly with our endocannabinoid system.

CARYOPHYLLENE

Signature strain: Stardawg

OCIMENE

Signature strain: Girl Scout Cookies

T E R P E N E S are a class of hydrocarbons that occur naturally in plants and animals. They are produced in nature for a range of reasons, from attracting pollinators to deterring danger. Terpenoids are the oxygenated derivatives of terpenes – although the terms often get used interchangeably.

Together these compounds provide a vast range of smells, flavors and effects. Their history with humanity dates back to our very beginnings, from fragrances to flavoring. But to the modern-day consumer, terpenes represent the very variety that we crave from Cannabis.

Signature strain: Pink Lemonade

They are, after all, largely responsible for what makes your favorite cultivar your favorite!

Before diving into some of the more common Cannabis terpenes, it’s important to note a few facts. Much like in nature, each plant will encounter an array of conditions during its life that (inevitably) alter outcomes. This can range from genetic sourcing to production practices, unplanned circumstances and everything in between. So, while we hope you’ll find a promising start here today, we encourage you to continue exploring the nuances of these exciting compounds on your own.

STORY by AMANDA DAY @TERPODACTYL_MEDIA for LEAF NATION

An

Oregon favorite, Wild Roots Spirits have been a staple in our home bar since launch. With a base of fresh Pacific Northwestern fruit and premium spirits, it’s always a home run if you’re mixing it up with lemonade – or just topping off with a splash of soda.

It was Cannabis Nation’s Blue Magoo live resin that encouraged this stoney highball. After taking a small dab, we remarked on how flavorful and reminiscent of those old-school nostalgic blue candy flavors this Blue Magoo was. It was like a blue raspberry Jolly Rancher had been turned into concentrate form, and better yet, it included all of the giggly and spacey effects one would hope for.

Magic Seltzer’s tonic is much less quinine forward than we had expected, which is great because instead of that sharp puckering taste we get from some tonics, this had a light herbal flavor that complemented the marionberry in the Wild Roots perfectly.

We’ve always had success combining real fruit flavors with exaggerated profiles, and this is a shining example. You get those bright blue candy notes alongside real complex fruit flavor, and end up with something that is better than these flavors in isolation.

At 50mg of THC, I decided to let the seltzer do all of the heavy lifting in this cocktail. I used the Wild Roots marionberry vodka as a way to add a note of color and flavor – less than a quarter ounce in each serving. As Magic Number uses live resin in their sodas, this is already a very potent potable.

This approach allows you to modulate your own dosage, adding as much spirit as you’d like and topping the remaining off with soda for a beautifully refreshing cocktail. Keep a few cans on hand to reward yourself for yard work well done, or for some spontaneous entertaining when friends pop over unannounced.

Our highly recommended suggestion? Pair this Blue Magoo live resin with a pitcher of cocktails – just don’t be surprised if your guests never want to leave.

MAGIC NUMBER 50MG TONIC SELTZER CANNABIS NATION BLUE MAGOO LIVE RESIN

75.66% THC | 9.37% TERPENES @wildrootsspirits | drinkmagicnumber.com | @cannabis.nation.inc

REVIEW by RYAN HERRON @THELOUD100 | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

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WILD ROOTS MARIONBERRY VODKA

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the TANNINS & TERPENES issue

IPSWICH ALE 6.3% ABV, 35 IBU MALTS: SILO, CANADA WHEAT, HONEY MALT HOPS: CENTENNIAL, MAGNUM, MOSAIC, CITRA, AMARILLO, IDAHO 7 MOOSE AND LOBSTA FLOWER 19% THC 1.33% TERPENES ipswichalebrewery.com | canuvo.org

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IPSWICH ALE 1620 NEW ENGLAND STYLE IPA CANUVO MOOSE AND LOBSTA

SEPT. 2021

TA N N I N S Celebrating the year that the Mayflower first sailed onto the rocky shores of New England, this traditional India Pale Ale features a cornucopia of exotic and tropical hop varieties for a hazy and fruity combination that’s true to the centuries-old style of beer brewing.

Produced locally on Cape Ann in Massachusetts since 1991, Ipswich Ale is celebrating three decades of pioneering craft beer on Boston’s North Shore by creating a variety of full-bodied brews with robust mouthfeel and bold flavors.

TERPENES Bred by Professor P of Dynasty Genetics, Moose and Lobsta is a sativa-dominant cross between Kali Snapple and Oregon Huckleberry 2014. The dense flowers are covered with tons of crystals and grind up into a nice consistency for rolling a joint or packing a bowl. Upon opening the jar, a cheesy and fruity scent permeates the room – and the flavor when smoked echoes that sweetness, with hints of lemon and pine on the exhale.

The buzz is immediate, pleasant and alert; I felt coherent yet creative and my lower back muscles relaxed quickly, reducing pain and relieving stress. The high lasted longer than most – more than two hours – and resulted in a substantial increase in creativity, and especially, appetite.

REVIEWS by DAN VINKOVETSKY @DANNYDANKOHT & CHARLES TAGGART @KINDBUD.PHOTOS | PHOTO by CHARLES TAGGART @KINDBUD.PHOTOS

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T H E PA I R I N G These two samples seem made for each other. Both the tannins of the Pale Ale and the terpenes of the Moose and Lobsta flowers feature strong notes of citrus and ripe fruits, particularly lemon, apricot and pineapple.

The sweetness of the beer and weed contrasts particularly well with the briny oyster liquor of a freshly-shucked bivalve. This is the ideal combination for a smoky seafood feast by the shore, with plenty of fresh shellfish such as clams, mussels, shrimp and of course, lobster.

So before it gets too cold out, get some friends and family together for a relaxing campfire on the beach with some fat joints of Moose and Lobsta, paired with a couple of frosty pints of Ipswich Ale.

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CALSTAR CELLARS 2019 ROSÉ OF PINOT MEUNIER RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY SONOMA HILLS FARM ORANGE ACAI

TERPENES Nestled against the undulating landscape of its namesake, Sonoma Hills Farm has become known for top notch organic, living-soil, sungrown Cannabis cultivated in the heart of a region best known for its stellar winemakers and traditional agriculture. Bringing years of experience growing farm fresh produce for famed chef and restaurateur Thomas Keller and his legendary California restaurant, The French Laundry, Sonoma Hills Farm boasts many pairing-friendly offerings among its 31 Cannabis strains – which stretch their stems alongside organically grown vegetables and flowers, Highland cattle and Mangalitsa pigs.

Their Orange Acai strain displays rich, dark green with pops of orange hairs and twinkling trichomes. Ripe with terpinolene, beta-caryophyllene, limonene and myrcene, this flower bursts with an electric zest, offering complex candied fruit notes.

It’s a smooth, easy, mouth-watering experience.

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TA N N I N S A boutique winemaker in California’s famed Sonoma County winegrowing region, CalStar Cellars releases extremely limited bottlings of stellar expressions of the region’s American Viticultural Regions (AVAs), all caringly crafted with artistic attention by winemaker Rick Davis.

CalStar’s Rosé of Pinot Meunier, grown in the Russian River Valley AVA – a lesser-known French varietal known mostly for its widespread use as one of the three primary grapes used in Champagne – features mouthwatering notes of honeyed stone fruit and strawberry soda, with a round, lush mouthfeel supported by firm, refreshing acidity. An absolutely gorgeous bottle to open in the waning hours of the evening, as summer begins to beckon the onset of fall.

26.45% THC | 30.53% TOTAL CANNABINOIDS | 3.35% TERPENES Rich in terpinolene, beta-caryophyllene, beta-myrcene, limonene, humulene calstarcellars.com | sonomahillsfarm.com | @sonomahillsfarm

SEPT. 2021

T H E PA I R I N G Every once in a while, a pairing experience hits so many harmonious notes that it can’t help but conjure a content sigh and a smiling exhalation at the end of a long day. The ripe, juicy strawberry notes of the Russian River Valley-grown Rosé of Pinot Meunier seem to absolutely love the lively limonene and caryophyllene punch of the Orange Acai. The snappy, zippy fruit characteristics of each complement the other almost too perfectly, with the tantalizingly tart and acidic undertones of the Rosé punctuating the pairing’s perfection on the lingering finish. These two stunners make a beautiful pairing for any occasion that calls for light refreshment – recommended at sunset, preferably with rolling hills or a coastline in the distance.

REVIEW & PHOTO by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS/LEAF NATION

TA N N I N S We love Alaskan Brewing Co. so much we’ve put them on the cover twice, and this fresh new pairing features a unique, 49th state style approach to a delicious seltzer.

Seltzer beers are the fastest growing segment in the alcohol industry, and we’re embracing the refreshing nature of bubbly water infused with a light, easy drinking buzz.

While there are many generic (and bad tasting) flavored big beer versions, this bright and piney Alaskan offering enticed our taste buds and was worthy of a cover pairing.

First sips tickle the palate with a lightly fruity and sweet tingle that is finished with a slightly sour, piney freshness that lingers brightly. Both invigorating and delicious, we enjoyed the full lineup of Alaskan Brewing Co. seltzers!

TERPENES Sugary-sweet flavors reminiscent of Trix strawberry banana yogurt combined with bubble gum set our mouth to watering with a flavor profile that’s good enough to eat.

The Strawnana bred by Serious Genetics is a cross of Strawberry Bubblegum x Crocket's Banana Kush, bringing the best of both parent genetics out in this terpy, perfectly grown and processed combination by AKO Farms.

The flower is dense and frosty and practically oozes a strawberry bubblegum wave of flavor, melting into an earthy-banana-Kush that pops when a bud is broken open – coating fingers in sticky trichomes that are definitely lick worthy.

The golden, crystally sugar wax sharpens the Kush-y banana notes with a bright and complex flavor profile begging to be dabbed. The only hard decision is choosing which to consume first!

ALASKAN BREWING CO. MANGO PEACH HARD SELTZER BREWED WITH SITKA SPRUCE TIPS AKO FARMS STRAWBERRY BANANA FLOWER & SUGAR WAX

FLOWER 24.37% THC SUGAR WAX 79.10% THC 3.98% TERPENES alaskanbeer.com akofarms.com

REVIEW by WES ABNEY @BEARDEDLORAX/LEAF NATION | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

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SELTZER 4.5% ABV

T H E PA I R I N G The sweetest treat for Cannabis lovers is experiencing strain specific flower and concentrate in the same pairing. Comparing the flavors and effects can be hard work, which is why a tasty beverage is so important.

We began our sesh by preparing a low temperature dab, our freshly opened seltzer ready to soothe any coughing, and inhaled a syrupy, Strawnana-Kush vapor that kissed our lungs and blessed our mind and body with a smiley, relaxing buzz.

Several big tokes later, we turned to the Sitka Spruce Tips brewed seltzer – quenching thirst with easy sips that accentuate the sweetness of the dab with a slightly hazy, sweet and sour tropical flavor that is finished with a perfect Spruce Tip kiss.

Freshly baked and drink in hand, we turned to our loaded pipe – savoring a slow and clean smoking flower that delivers a heavier indica high, glueing our body to the porch in a heavy bliss.

The flower burns with a scintillating earthy-fruity-bubblegum smoke that is washed down wondrously with sips of seltzer, completing a euphoric and satisfying pairing worthy of celebrating the end of summer.

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BREW DR. TRANQUIL GINGER KOMBUCHA GRASSE BIRI BLACK CHERRY PUNCH FLOWER AND ICE HASH INFUSED PRE-ROLLS

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19.01% THC @brewdr | @grasseco | @smoke_biri thegrasse.com | brewdrkombucha.com

FRONTIER CBD SOUR CBD GUMMIES ALASKA BOTANICALS HERBS AND TEAS SELDOVIA BAY BLUEBERRY TEA

50MG CBD frontiercbds.com @frontier_cbds

SEPT. 2021

ALCOHOL-FREE PAIRING GUIDE

G

rasse has released their new line of potent pre-rolls, called Biri. Packed in compact tins that stand out from typical Cannabis products, we knew we had to get our hands on a pack. It certainly didn’t hurt that they were infused with solventless hash.

BIRI was created to be the sort of joint you might find at a pharmacy or drug shop in India – compact and powerful with the vibe of a convenience item. Slide the tin open and you’ll find carefully packed joints, stuffed into dependable Futurola papers with a twisted tip. The joints are nicely stuffed and you can see the ice hash infusion running tip to tail through the thin papers.

Easily lit, a light herbal flavor carries through the joint, earthy and slightly floral. Once the hash begins to melt, the joint takes on a rich cherry flavor – even leaving a lingering sweet aroma in the living room.

To complement the earthy and herbal profile, we split a Brew Dr. Tranquil Ginger Kombucha and toasted to our genius pairing. The spicy and effervescent ginger cuts through the acidic sourness of the kombucha and rounds out those herbal flavors of the pre-roll. Turmeric grounds the entire combo with an earthy base that supports the rest of the profile. The hash scent and flavor on top of everything completes the package and reminds us why we paired these two in the first place.

After sharing one of the half-gram joints, we settled into an effect that was nearly psychedelic – energetic but grounded, without coming close to being racy or our anxiety spiking. The joint burned evenly to the end and our eyes were considerably more relaxed when we stubbed out the last of it. There’s no doubt we’ll be knocking glasses to this combo again as the patio season winds down.

REVIEW BY RYAN HERRON @THELOUD100 PHOTO BY DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

Summer is winding down, and increasingly, Alaskans are feeling the urge to cuddle up with a comfortable blanket and warm drink. After spending the last three months fishing, hiking, biking and camping, it’s safe to say that we’re more than a little tired and maybe even a bit banged up.

So, when picking a pairing for this month, we decided to slow things down and focus on a relaxing combo of Alaska Botanicals Herbs and Teas’ Seldovia Bay Blueberry Tea and Frontier CBD’s Sour CBD Gummies. This full-bodied, robust tea features wild blueberries gathered locally from Seldovia. Once picked, the berries are set to cure in a blend of natural herbs like lavender, lemon thyme, chicory and red leaf clover. The tea is then infused with fragrant wild-picked fireweed and a pinch of stevia for added sweetness. The result is a delicious, caffeine-free cup of tea that perfectly steeps within three to five minutes.

To get the most out of your self-care routine, try pairing your cup of tea with a few of Frontier CBD’s Sour CBD Gummies in blue raspberry. The sweetness of the tea cuts through the sourness of the gummies and intensifies the fruity flavor of both products.

Highly potent, Frontier CBD’s products are the perfect way to enjoy the pain and mood regulation effects of Cannabis without consuming any THC. Said to adjust the endocannabinoid system, which in turn regulates eating, sleeping, inflammation, cognitive function and overall relaxation, CBD is a natural way to show your body some love. Frontier CBD’s gummies also come in a wide variety of flavors and potencies, so you can find the exact right product for your individual needs.

REVIEW & PHOTO BY O’HARA SHIPE @SHIPESHOTS

MODERN TIMES BOURBON BARREL AGED ETHIOPIA WARQA COFFEE PURE BEAUTY TERRY T X GELATO 33

TA N N I N S Modern Times is a brewery and coffee roastery with California locations in San Diego and Oakland, as well as a spot in Portland, Oregon. While they’re known for their outrageous barrel-aged stouts, the crew at MT has applied this same aging method to their coffee to bring more complexity and depth to their small-batch beans.

This Ethiopia Warqa coffee boasts huge aromas of woody oranges, coupled with a hint of herbal spiciness and a touch of bourbon and caramel, even in whole bean form.

Once ground, the spirit profile becomes the star of the show while the orange liqueur, sandalwood and Werther’s Original notes take a back seat.

I brewed my cup with filtered water and used the paper-free Pure Over brand pour over system to obtain the best, most unadulterated flavor possible. On the palate, the coffee is smooth and full-flavored, offering exquisite tastes of milk chocolate, orange rind and bourbon, wrapped up and delivered via an elegant and silky mouthfeel.

TERPENES Pure Beauty is a female and minority owned, sustainability minded indoor cultivator, which is an incredibly rare combination of words to find in a single sentence. Utilizing water captured from the air, LED lighting, a zero-runoff system in the grow and 99% plastic-free packaging, the team at Pure Beauty is going above and beyond to create high end indoor flower, without the impact to the environment.

This impressive 2:1 CBD dominant Terry T x Gelato 33 strain delivers gorgeous, chunky purple buds with a noticeable frostiness to them. Each nug is finely manicured, the clear result of a professional hand-trim. The herb emits the classic cherry cough drop aroma typically associated with high CBD strains, but is also intertwined with the Gelato’s sweet, creamy, doughiness that brings just a hint of fuel and funky fruit to it as well.

I rolled up a joint using OCB’s Slim Organic Hemp papers and sparked it up. The resulting smoke was lightweight and easy on the lungs, bringing forth sweet and herbal flavors and a soothing, mellowing vibe.

T H E PA I R I N G In my experience, balance is the key to happiness and success – and this mantra can be applied to essentially all elements of life. Matching the significant dose of caffeine with the relaxing power of high end CBD flower makes this pairing greater than the sum of its parts. This highly unique barrel-aged Modern Times coffee provides an energetic kick-in-the-pants that will get you going, while the gorgeous Pure Beauty flower rounds out the edges and tapers your acceleration to get-shit-done-land, where you’re bound to end up after consuming this delicious duo.

REVIEW & PHOTO BY NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415 6 . 3 1 % T H C , 1 3 .1 5 % C B D @moderntimescoffee | @purebeautypurebeauty

BIOSPECTRUM UNFLAVORED BROAD SPECTRUM HEMP OIL

BioSpectrum CBD prides itself on being a family-owned and operated company. Each product is handcrafted with love and utilizes the most trustworthy ingredients imaginable. Their unflavored broad-spectrum hemp oil carries other phytocannabinoids that further help your body’s endocannabinoid system. Overall, this can relieve day-to-day stress and anxiety, as well as support sleep and recovery. Be sure to check out their game-changing nasal spray, revitalizing roll-on and hemp prerolled doobies.

Cold-pressed juices have many health benefits, as it retains more antioxidants, minerals, enzymes and vitamins than regular juice. Overall, this makes it a healthier option than traditional juicing methods. Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Press Juicery offers a plethora of excellent tasting, high-quality products such as smoothies, wellbeing shots – and even plant-based treats. Utilizing premium ingredients, it’s no wonder that this sustainable brand has taken the world by storm with their farm-to-bottle beverages.

1 5 0 0 M G U N F L AV O R E D BROAD SPECTRUM HEMP OIL biospectrumcbd.com @biospectrum.cbd

PRESSED JUICERY GREEN 3 GREENS WITH GINGER pressed.com @pressedjuicery

Combining a dropper or two of BioSpectrum’s unflavored CBD oil with Pressed Juicery’s Greens 3 is an excellent way to start your day and fill your body with the good stuff. Cannabidiol and ginger work together synergistically to provide a boatload of anti-inflammatory properties. As this CBD oil doesn’t have a taste, you can enjoy the eight different fruits and vegetables without any plantlike flavor from hemp. Not too sweet or too earthy, Green 3 is a perfectly balanced beverage for anyone interested in drinking close to the daily recommended amount of vegetables. After downing the entire bottle, notes of honey crisp apples, fresh celery and Meyer lemons had my palate singing songs of joy.

REVIEW BY MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST | PHOTO BY DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

REVIEWS & PHOTOS by LEAF NATION CONTRIBUTORS

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PRESSED JUICERY GREENS 3

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Alaska Cannabis Exchange ALWAYS CULTIVATING EXCELLENCE

With love and care put in every plant, you can find our bud on shelves all over the state of Alaska.

We have 3 awesome new strains to check out with

FIND ACE AT:

more on the way!!

2906 Spenard Rd We love to give back to our community and the people of Alaska. Ask your Budtender for more information on how you can give back with ACE.

Anchorage, AK (907) 301-4208 @cbdace @acespenard

edible of the month

Reviews

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DROP IN, TUNE OUT. ENLIGHTEN VEGAN CAPSULES

"Best taken with food or after a meal, these capsules break down in the stomach and send waves of relief that move outward from the gut to extremities and the mind."

SEPT. 2021

AS WE HEAD BACK to our fall routines, it’s important to keep cannabinoid levels high and stress levels low – and we found these quality-focused and precision-dosed capsules perfect for a discreet and experience-specific buzz.

Getting your daily dose of cannabinoids is as important as getting vitamins or coffee, and brings a lot of benefits to long days or recovering at the end of an evening.

We love edible options that are easy to consume and these capsules serve as a consistent, discreet way to find medicinal or recreational benefits in any situation. Simply pick your buzz, whether you prefer or need an indica or sativa, and pop one or more capsules to find the right dose for the situation.

Made with three simple ingredients and enclosed in a vegan capsule that’s coated to survive the highly acidic stomach environment, these deliver THC with increased bioavailability that gets the CO2 processed oil to peak absorption within the body.

This process carries the cannabinoids further into the digestive system, which results in a stronger and longer lasting high – and positive benefits for anyone looking to treat stomach or GI issues.

Best taken with food or after a meal, these capsules break down in the stomach and send waves of relief that move outward from the gut to extremities and the mind.

Being true stoner guinea pigs, we tried both sativa and indica versions and found a noticeable difference that made the edible experience a lot more pleasant.

The sativa buzz is a little more cerebral and energetic, while one or two indica capsules a few hours before bed left us happily stoned and pain free at the end of a long day, resulting in easy sleep.

That’s the beauty of a precision-dosed and specific-use product like Enlighten’s Vegan Capsules – you can choose the right effects for any situation, and know that the care and quality put into the product will deliver consistent, happy results – day or night.

ENLIGHTENAK.COM | @ENLIGHTEN_AK 5MG THC/SERVING, 50MG/CONTAINER

REVIEW by ALASKA LEAF STAFF | PHOTO by O'HARA SHIPE @SHIPESHOTS

PHOTO BY @SONDERFELTLLC FOR LEAF NATION

affordable advertising available email josh@leafmagazines.com LEAFMAGAZINES.COM | @AKLEAFMAG | #ALASKALEAF

concentrate of the month LEAFMAGAZINES.COM

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Reviews Cold Creek Extracts

We’re all about sweet treats as we head back into fall, and this delicious Ed’s Banana Punch offers a tropical escape from the grind with each syrupy toke of heady vapor.

A rare 50/50 hybrid strain, this sugary cultivar is a cross between Banana OG and Purple Punch.

The two parent strains bring a relaxing, no-rush no-stress vibe that covers the body from head to toe in good vibrations. This is a perfect on the go combination of delicious oil from Cold Creek Extracts and the Quasar Pod, which is a discreet and rechargeable vaporizer that delivers huge clouds with each hit.

We’ve reviewed Cold Creek Extracts many times over the years – and whether it’s their solventless hash, sugar wax or these new pods – we’ve always appreciated the focus on quality and care for the end user from the brand.

This run of Ed’s Banana Punch exemplifies that standard, with a beautiful golden oil that is visible through the high tech pod. It’s fun to see the dabs so clearly before they turn into vapor, giving the Quasar Pod a futuristic feel when puffing on the go.

First inhales are like a tropical purple punch kiss, with a sweet and light vapor that dances in the lungs before exhaling in a rush of chill effects.

The Banana OG flavors are really present on exhale, coating the palate with a creamy-Kushy aftertaste as the effects go to work on the body and mind. Starting with a gentle calm stonedness that centers behind the frontal lobes, the body slowly unclenches as tension is replaced with a happy, floaty high.

No bad vibes here! So take a sip of the tropical Ed’s Banana Punch from a new pod, or try your favorite Cold Creek Extracts strain through this new vaporizer option.

You won’t be disappointed!

SEPT. 2021

Ed's Banana Punch Quasar Pod

"Like a tropical purple punch kiss, with a sweet and light vapor that dances in the lungs."

COLDCREEKEXTRACTS.COM 77.27% THC | 5.39% TERPENES

REVIEW by ALASKA LEAF STAFF | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

“Why fly? When you can enjoy the most beautiful ride on earth”

ANCHORAGE TO HOMER June 1st-Aug 31st Monday – Friday Departs Anchorage Arctic & International – 724 W. International - Garrett’s Tesoro Cooper Landing Wild- man’s 300pm Soldotna Chamber of Commerce 500pm All times are approx. Stage Line Summer Schedule HOMER TO ANCHORAGE June 1st-Aug 31st Monday – Friday Departs Homer 830am 1242 Ocean Dr Soldotna Chamber of Commerce 1015am Cooper Landing Wildman’s 1115am

VISITING ALASKA

Sights seen from the road

SEWARD TO HOMER June 1st – August 31st Mon Wed Fri

Locally owned and operated by a Departs Seward 100pm lifelong Alaskan, Stage Line offers call ahead for pick up point passenger transportation, freight, parcel, and courier service, between Cooper Landing Wild- man’s 200pm Anchorage and the Kenai Soldotna 300pm Peninsula. Our schedule includes, All times are approx Anchorage to Homer, Cooper Landing, Soldotna, Kasilof, Ninilchik, HOMER TO SEWARD Anchor Point. Homer to Seward, June 1st - August 31st Soldotna, Cooper Landing. And any The Stage Line PO Box 353 Anchor Point, Mon Wed Fri points in between! MP flag stops AK available! Private party charters Departs Homer 1242 Ocean Dr 900am The Stage Line 1242 Ocean Dr Homer, Ak available! Reasonable rates, saves 724 W International Anchorage, Ak of Commerce time and money for travelling or your Soldotna Chamber Staging points only 1030am 907-868-3914 907-235-2252 shipping needs.

Cooper Landing Wildman’s 1130 E-mail: stage.line@yahoo.com One of the top 10 most scenic www.stagelineinhomer.com highways.

CROSSWALK PHILOSOPHY

T

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by Mike Ricker

he United States is really big. So, it makes sense that different regions will have different ways of doing things. And where some systems will function one way in a particular city or state, in another they may not. Areas of transportation are a great representation of this.

And pedestrianism is no exception.

For instance, if you step one foot into a crosswalk on a busy street in Baltimore or New York, the chances of losing that foot to a speeding vehicle is exceptional. Yet in Seattle, a bumper leaning one inch over the white paint will most likely result in a shameful, passive aggressive eye laser launched that is purposefully directed with great negative emotion, strictly intended to vilify you with expulsion to the depths of Black Hole Hell for eternity.

This is no exaggeration.

For a certain personality type, a crosswalk is a place to make a statement.

And in cities like Seattle and Portland, that statement is “even though I am addicted to modern conveniences like everyone else, I will never admit it.

Therefore, when I decide to champion my birthright as an American citizen and take dominion of the street with my formidable legs to carry me across, do not stand in my way with your impure machine – or you will witness the silent wrath of my glacial stare. And you will continue on your salacious path with the deep regret of understanding that you knowingly disrespected an utter stranger, who only wanted to exercise their right to free expression.”

I don’t get it. And I’ve never really understood why a Chihuahua will attempt to intimidate a German Shepherd either, but so be it.

I do get that elderly people should be treated with patience and dignity when the time comes around. I mean, they’ve earned it for chrissake, if for no other reason than having successfully dodged every dangerously moving vehicle since birth.

And thank goodness Washington and Oregon are fueled with amazing legal Cannabis shops. Otherwise, there would be fewer good reasons to walk across the street.

sept. 2021

F O L L OW @ R I C K E R D J | G E T T H E AU D I O V E R S I O N & EV E RY E P I S O D E AT L E A F M AG A Z I N E S . C O M

THE TANNINS & TERPENES ISSUE

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S H O W & E X PO N D R A OVE AW L MB W O ER B F 6 TH A E L

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FREE TO AT TEND CELEBRITY JUDGES DANNY DANKO & BOBBY BLACK EXPO 10 PM – 4 PM | AWARDS CEREMONY AT 4:20 PM EAGAN CIVIC CENTER, DOWNTOWN ANCHORAGE The first independent Cannabis competition with no Cannabis sponsors, transparent judging and awards and a FREE in-person Expo & Award Show coming November 6th to Downtown Anchorage. Enter your products for judging now, entries only $300.

Entries accepted September 25th to October 10th. To enter this educational event, email leafbowls@leafmagazines.com for a digital entry form, instructions for products and to be assigned an intake date to drop your entry(s) at Green Jar.

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