Aug. 2020 — Alaska Leaf

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#52 | AUGUST 2020

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S W E E T M ATA N U S K A G R E E N.C O M | F B .C O M / S W E E T M ATA N U S K A G R E E N | S W E E T M ATA N U S K A G R E E N @ G M A I L .C O M Lic # 17105 1) Marijuana has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming and addictive. (2) Marijuana impairs concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machiner y under its influence. (3) There are health risks associated with the consumption of marijuana. (4) F o r u s e b y a d u l t s t w e n t y - o n e a n d o l d e r. K e e p o u t o f r e a c h o f c h i l d r e n . ( 5 ) M a r i j u a n a s h o u l d n o t b e u s e d b y w o m e n w h o a r e p r e g n a n t o r b r e a s t f e e d i n g .

Lic: 24049

AUG. 2020 8

STORIES OF RESILIENCE, HOPE, GROWTH, AND PASSION. PG. 26-38

FEATURES

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THE EQUALITY ISSUE aug. 2020

11 EDITOR NOTE 12 NATIONAL NEWS 14 HIGHLY LIKELY 16 BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH 18 MOMO’S BAKERY Q&A 20 COUNTRY CANNABIS 24 STRAIN OF THE MONTH 26 SEXISM IN CANNABIS 28 LAST PRISONER PROJECT 30 AMERICA’S HISTORY 32 TRANSCENDENCE 34 BALL FAMILY FARMS 38 FRAGILE WARRIOR 40 CANNABIS RECIPES 42 DOSED EDIBLES 43 SCORPION GRASS 44 STONEY BALONEY ISSUU.COM/NWLEAF

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#73 Black Lives Matter #74 Economic Recovery and Cannabis #75 Defund the Police #76 Pre-Election Tension Part 2: Get High and Vote!

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Marijuana products may be purchased or possessed only by persons 21 or older. This product has intoxicating eects and may be habit forming. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgement.

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

E S TA B L I S H E D 2 0 1 0

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

A B O U T T H E C OV E R

“I would consider myself an artistic activist, striving to uplift Black women and people of color who are underrepresented in illustration. So, when Leaf Nation reached out to design the cover for their Equality Issue, I could not have been more excited. I see Cannabis legalization as a racial justice issue. That is why in the illustration you see the people disproportionately affected by the War on Drugs - weighing more on the scales of justice than the profits from Cannabis legalization. In order to right the wrongs of the past, we have to create a more equitable and diverse future in the legal Cannabis industry.”

ILLUSTRATION by OCTAVIA THORNS for Leaf Nation | @PrettyInInkPress

CONTRIBUTORS

PUBLISHER

Skye Cabrera, Features Tom Bowers, Features Max Early, Features Steve Elliott ,National News Mike Ricker, Features Meghan Ridley, Editing Zack Ruskin, Features O'Hara Shipe, Photography Pacer Stacktrain, Features Nate Williams, Features Laurie & Bruce Wolf, Recipes Alex Workman, Features

WES ABNEY | founder & editor-in-chief Wes@nwleaf.com 206-235-6721

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Daniel bermaN | photography & design daniel@bermanphotos.com

STATE DIRECTOR AND ADVERTISING joshua stahle | ADVERTISING SALES Josh@AKLeaf.com | 907-317-2536

We do not sell stories or coverage. We are happy to offer design services and guidance on promoting your company’s recreational, commercial or industrial Cannabis product or upcoming event. We are targeted and independent Cannabis journalism. Email or call to discuss advertising.

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ABNEY

Editor’s Note Thanks for picking up the first ever Equality Issue of the Leaf!

We began planning this issue last December, when the idea emerged to shift our Women’s Issue to something broader reaching. I know that none 11 of our staff could’ve imagined the monumental changes and challenges that 2020 would deliver, and I feel blessed to be able to offer the Leaf as a platform for social justice.

When I began publishing the Leaf in 2010, activism was the IT IS THE fuel that pushed each issue out. Cannabis patients and consumers DUTY OF THE were marginalized, persecuted and viewed as second class citizens.

CANNABIS INDUSTRY TO I saw the injustice of families broken and lives lost in prison for CONTINUE TO possession of a plant, faced criminal charges for Cannabis myself, STAND UP AND and realized that I had to raise my voice to make change.

LEAD THE FIGHT Over the years our fight expanded to include prisoner rights and TO MAKE THIS awareness, the preservation of patient rights, the freedom of our CHANGE A plant under recreational laws, as well as more advanced agendas REALITY! like the inclusion of women in the industry.

Today I stand to say that the injustices of the war on drugs - and ongoing systemic racism within America’s criminal justice system and political establishments - are the most important issues in modern history.

And within that fight for equality, the Cannabis industry plays a predominant role. For over 100 years drug laws have been used to target Black and Latinx people. Today this continues while slowly shifting power towards already wealthy and mainly white males of the pot industry, doing nothing to address the injustices of the past or present. This was never acceptable. Change is coming.

The injustices of the war on drugs must end, and it is the duty of the Cannabis industry to continue to stand up and lead the fight to make this change a reality! We are the victims turned stakeholders, who now have the opportunity to drive the change with our tax dollars, jobs and voices.

And while I cannot speak for the entire industry, I know that I speak for my entire staff and family when I say that the Leaf is committed to helping lead this change. We will raise our voice monthly with our Equity Column, holding accountable the broken system as we hope and pray for our country to wake up to a day when we are all equal - free to share our plant, ideas and lives.

This is my hope. And I know that with the support of our readers, advertisers and industry, we will make this future a reality.

Thank you for sharing our inspiration and please share with whom you have the opportunity.

-Wes Abney AUG. 2020

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Exclusive Cannabis Journalism NORTHWEST LEAF / OREGON LEAF / ALASKA LEAF / MARYLAND LEAF / CALIFORNIA LEAF

WES

national news

Pawt patrol

“Like all other patients in Rhode Island, people who use medical marijuana deserve to have access to safe medication, and they deserve to have accurate information about that medication.”

-Rhode Island State Health Director Nicole Alexander-Scott, on licensing the state’s first medical Cannabis testing lab, Green Peaks Analytical, to sample and test Cannabis products for pesticides, metals or solvents.

LEGALIZATION

east coast

CANNABIS SALES PREDICTED TO SURPASS $15 BILLION

BY END OF 2020

MARYLAND CANNABIS COMPANY INVESTS $6 MILLION TO EXPAND OUTDOOR FACILITY

$

M

arijuana sales continued to rise during the global pandemic, according to several data agencies and states, reports the Chicago Tribune. States including Florida and Arizona have set new monthly sales records for Cannabis sales in the past few months. Colorado saw a record $192 million in marijuana sales in May, and Oregon crossed the $100 million mark for the first time since 2015. Projects from the Marijuana Business Facebook expect Cannabis sales to pass $15 billion by the end of this year.

That represents a 40 percent rise in the legal marijuana market between this year and last. Should the projections be borne out, that will mean weed produces more annual revenue than the NBA, toothpaste and hard seltzer, combined.

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Maryland Cannabis cultivation company Culta is tripling the size of its outdoor cultivation facility this year. The expansion will increase Culta’s capacity at their Cambridge, Md. location from one acre to three, according to the company. Culta produces Cannabis flower and extracts, and bills itself as the East Coast’s first outdoor cultivator. According to company officials, with the success of the first harvest in 2019, Culta invested more in technology and expansion.

the south

DEPUTY & K-9 FIND 78 LBS OF WEED DURING TEXAS TRAFFIC STOP

aklEAF.COM

The Chambers County Sheriff’s Department seized about 78 pounds of marijuana during a traffic stop in Baytown, Texas, reports 12 News. After being pulled over for failing to drive in one lane, a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado traveling eastbound on I-10 was approached by Deputy Ethan Kahla. He began talking with the driver, Donald Barrows, 27, of Tacoma, Wash.

Barrows appeared “extremely nervous,” according to the report. Deputy Kahla asked to search the vehicle, and after Barrows did not give consent for the search, Harvey the K-9 officer was called in. Harvey alerted on the vehicle, which qualifies as probable cause for a search. The search revealed 78 vacuum sealed, clear bags of Cannabis weighing one pound each, according to the report. The weed was in four suitcases inside the vehicle, according to Deputy Kahla.

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recreational marijuana dispensary locations are operated in Michigan by the chain Oz Cannabis, the latest in Ypsilanti, that city’s first.

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U.S. states and the District of Columbia have moved to either legalize or decriminalize Cannabis, a shocking plurality.

DISABLED VETERAN FACING FIVE YEARS IN PRISON IN ALABAMA FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA

S

ean Worsley, a disabled Iraq War veteran with a traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is facing five years in prison for possession of medical marijuana after being busted in tiny Gordo, Ala. Worsley got his medical Cannabis authorization back in Arizona, where voters legalized medical Cannabis in 2011.

Worsley had relied on Cannabis for years to calm his nightmares and soothe his back THE LEGAL FIGHT WHICH ENSUED HAS pain, reports The Washington Post. So, after his music caught the attention of a local PLUNGED WORSLEY police officer, he consented to a search after the cop claimed he smelled weed in INTO HOMELESSNESS, Worsley’s car. But Alabama doesn’t cut any slack for medical marijuana authorizations. COST HIM THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN COURT The legal fight which ensued has plunged Worsley into homelessness, cost him FINES, AND RECENTLY thousands of dollars in court fines, and recently got him a five-year prison sentence.

GOT HIM A FIVE-YEAR “I feel like I’m being thrown away by a country I went and served for,” Worsley wrote in PRISON SENTENCE. a letter from the Pickens County Jail to criminal justice organization Alabama Appleseed.

Marijuana isn’t allowed for any purpose, medicinal or recreational, in Alabama.

1,000 $500k $800k $52m

marijuana dispensaries are now operating in Canada, less than two years after the country legalized recreational Cannabis.

in legal fees may be required to be reimbursed to former CFO James Parker by MedMen, the LA-based pot shop chain.

was the total amount three Massachusetts medical marijuana dispensaries were fined for various infractions last month.

in revenue was brought in by legal marijuana sales in Illinois during the first half of 2020, the governor’s office announced.

By STEVE ELLIOTT, AUTHOR OF THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK OF MARIJUANA

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highly likely

H i g h l y L i ke l y h i g h l i g h t s Ca n n a b i s p i o n e e rs w h o p a ve d t h e wa y t o g re a t e r h e r b a l a c c e p ta n c e.

A Veteran and the CEO of Simply Pure, a Colorado based dispensary

>> 14

WANDAJAMES ONE OF THE WORST WAYS THAT THE UNITED STATES HAS RESTRICTED THE CIVIL LIBERTIES OF ITS CITIZENS IS THROUGH THE FAILED AND SADISTIC OPERATION BEGUN

BY RONALD REAGAN IN THE 1980S - AND CONTINUING THROUGH TODAY - KNOWN AS THE WAR ON DRUGS.

aklEAF.COM

Roughly 40 years after his official declaration in 1982, we know that the war on drugs isn’t just a war on your ability to take liberties with your body and mind, but that it is also a racist war. That’s because the war on drugs has disproportionately affected people of color since its inception. It is what has helped to create the privatized prison-industrial complex that has wrought pain and terror on our society. It is truly an evil thing, created and maintained by those in power, and it is high time that it is ended for good.

The subject of our column this month is Wanda James, the CEO of Simply Pure, a Colorado based dispensary and brand that prides itself on quality products and social justice. And James has a spectacular story.

Along with her husband, Scott Durrah, James became the first Black American to own and operate a Cannabis storefront, cultivation facility and an edible company.

James is a former lieutenant in the US Navy, who also served on President Barack Obama’s 2008 National Finance Committee. After her brother was given a 10-year sentence for Cannabis possession, she became inspired to help

After her brother was given a 10-year sentence for Cannabis possession, James became inspired to help right the wrongs of the United States’ failed drug war.

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right the wrongs of the United States’ failed drug war. She has also worked to get jail sentences commuted for people imprisoned for similar Cannabis related crimes. She has been an ambassador for the legalization of Cannabis ever since.

She’s highly regarded in the industry when it comes to intelligently thinking about operating a business in this burgeoning marketplace. When asked by Cannabis Dispensary Magazine about whether the Cannabis industry instills the same sort of discipline and goal of serving the public interest as her time in the military and politics, James replied, “No, I don’t think that the industry instills it at all. I think that it’s really vital that you’ve got a good sense of values before you come into this industry, because this industry will rip and will tear at those and will challenge you at every turn.”

Today, Wanda James continues to fight for equity and equality in the Cannabis industry.

In June, she worked to get Colorado House Bill #1424 passed, which creates a social equity license. This allows someone who might not otherwise qualify for a business license to work with a mentor - an established business willing to be a partner and adviser - through the licensing and operational processes. The bill signing ceremony by Colorado Governor Jared Polis was held at James’ Simply Pure dispensary. At the ceremony, James said it best: “Social Equity is about righting the wrongs of the drug war and giving diversity a strong foothold in the developing industry.”

By PACER STACKTRAIN for LEAF NATION | PHOTO by WANDA JAMES

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Enlighten Alaska Fat Tops Great Northern Cannabis, 4th Ave. Great Northern Cannabis, Dimond Ave. Hillside Natural Wellness House of Green Kenai River Cannabis Red Run Cannabis Company Majestic Garden Matanuska Cannabis Company Releaf Alaska Nome Grown Pine Street Cannabis Co., Sterling Pine Street Cannabis Co., Soldotna Secret Garden Cannabis The 420

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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 J O S H @ A K L E A F . C O M

Linsey Cullen

ALASKA LEAF BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH "I KNOW THERE ARE SOME PLACES STRUGGLING BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF TOURISM AND THAT SUCKS, BUT ON A PERSONAL LEVEL, HAVING SOME EXTRA SPACE IS VERY NICE."

SO, HAS IT BEEN A LIFELONG DREAM TO BE NAMED BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH FOR ALASKA LEAF? (Laughs) You know, I’m really happy about it!

I’ve never been chosen for anything like this, but I’m pleasantly surprised.

WHAT IS IT THAT MAKES A QUALITY BUDTENDER? It’s the way you connect with people. I’m always trying to find the right fit for their needs. I like to have a conversation with them and get to know them on a personal level, rather than treating them with the ‘get them in and out’ mentality.

16

WHAT ARE YOU HITTING ON THESE DAYS? My absolute favorite is DJ Short Blueberry. It’s a flower grown by Frontier Farmers.

HAVE YOU EVER HAD SOMEONE COME THROUGH THE DOOR WHO HAS NEVER TRIED CANNABIS BEFORE? Yes, all the time! I absolutely love when that happens. I try to find something fun for them that’s not going to scare them off and just kind of go from there. People can be intimidated, so there’s a level of trust that I take seriously. Then they come back and ask me what they should be trying next and I know the advice was valid. It’s important to make sure their first experience is a positive one.

SARAH PALIN IS FROM WASILLA. HAVE YOU EVER SEEN HER AROUND TOWN ROCKING A MOOSE HAT? I have seen her around a couple times when I was younger.

It would be cool if she popped into Green Degree at some point.

aklEAF.COM

DO YOU OWN A MOOSE HAT? I own a bear hat, actually.

A REAL BEAR? No, it’s like a stuffed animal bear head that I got at some tourist spot.

They’ve got some pretty cool tourist stuff around here.

GREEN DEGREE 0492, 2301 S KNIK-GOOSE BAY, WASILLA (907) 376-3155 GM@GREENDEGREE.NET NEWSITE.GREENDEGREE.NET

AUG, 2020

ARE YOU GLAD THERE AREN’T A LOT OF NEBRASKANS ASKING WHERE THE NEAREST BATHROOM IS THIS YEAR? I know there are some places struggling because of the lack of tourism and that sucks, but on a personal level, having some extra space is very nice.

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

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business highlight

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Q&A

MoMo's Bakery Maureen Eberhard | Founder

AUG, 2020

STORY by MIKE RICKER @RICKERDJ | PHOTOS by O'HARA SHIPE @SHIPESHOTS for ALASKA LEAF

"We don’t care about opening five operations across the state, we just want to have a nice life and make good products to make people happy."

MOMO'S BAKERY 2917 Spenard Road #102 Anchorage, Alaska Instagram @MoMosBakery

TELL ME ABOUT THE GENESIS OF MOMO’S BAKERY HOW DID YOU START IT AND WITH WHAT IDEOLOGY? Well, we just thought it would be a fun thing to start making edibles, because they are so delicious. Then, as legalization came, we wanted to open a small bakery with a little storefront, so people could swing in as if they were buying a doughnut.

And my nephew had always called me Auntie Momo, as well as some friends. So we figured that would be a catchy name and we went with it. In 2015, we started working on everything.

DID YOU INVENT NEW RECIPES, OR DID YOU GO WITH THE TRIED AND TRUE ONES RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE? Most of the recipes are older. A number of them were my grandmother’s recipe, we have a couple from my mom and a couple are mine. We just played around with them and came up with what we’ve got now. You should have some, they are delicious.

BRING IT! And it was just the natural thing to go into for business because I love baking and Cannabis.

NOW THAT WE’RE WELL INTO LEGALIZATION, WHERE DO YOU SEE THE MARKET GOING? Up! When we started, we got overwhelmed with trying to fill orders because we were only one of two companies doing edibles in the market. The other company did some terrible things and got shut down, and we weren’t expecting that, so the beginning was very stressful.

But then once more people started opening businesses - which created more competition with more choices - we saw it as a benefit for the general public and for us as a company. We always saw ourselves as a small boutique company with quality baked goods. We don’t care about opening five operations across the state, we just want to have a nice life and make good products to make people happy.

WHEN ALL THE TASTY TREATS ARE CREATED AND PACKAGED ON THE SHELVES, WHAT DOES MAUREEN DO FOR FUN? I like to bike ride all over Anchorage on my Fat Tire. And yoga has really helped me through the process of developing the business, because it can be stressful. Yoga totally centers me.

YOU’RE A RENAISSANCE WOMAN. (Laughs) Oh, really? (Laughs again) I don’t know.

NO? No.

SHOP REVIEW

PA L M E R

COUNTRY CANNABIS CountryCannabis is a brand new retail store that has

arrived in the Mat-Su Valley. Located just off of the Trunk Road exit from Parks Highway, Country Cannabis now holds the title of first in, last out for Cannabis in the Valley. Farmer girl, sister owners Sarah Lorimer and Jennifer Johnston have definitely put some of the country back into Cannabis. Aside from their agricultural backgrounds, their store occupies one of the last few remaining barns built back in 1935 during the homestead colony days, making this a truly historic Alaskan space.

aklEAF.COM

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REVIEW by JOSHUA STAHLE/ALASKA LEAF PHOTOS by O'HARA SHIPE @SHIPESHOTS

aug. 2020

PRODUCTS 4/5 With Alaska currently seeing a shortage

of flower statewide, it is making it difficult for retailers to keep a vast supply of flower on the shelves. With that said, Country Cannabis is still managing to carry between 15 and 20 strains at any given time. The menu is well balanced with indica and sativa strains, not to mention hybrids out the wazoo. There will be something to tickle anyone’s fancy, carrying cultivators such as Karma Grown Gardens, Worner Brothers, Mercy Tree of Alaska, Sweet Matanuska Green, Freedom 49 and Permafrost. On the concentrates side, you will find products from Cold Creek Extracts, Refine Alaska, Cosmic Seaweed, Fireweed Manufacturing, Herban Extracts, Scorpion Grass and Babylon Company.

BUDTENDERS 5/5 Every single employee at this store has an

incredibly strong skillset to be a budtender - open, friendly and an incredible knowledge about Cannabis. In my multiple trips to the store, I have seen the budtenders lean on each other, recognizing their strong suits and sharing information freely. We all have our favorite ways to consume, and they go the extra mile to make sure you are talking to the right person about the right product.

ENVIRONMENT & VIBE

“THEY GO THE EXTRA MILE TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE TALKING TO THE RIGHT PERSON ABOUT THE RIGHT PRODUCT.”

5/5 You honestly can’t help but smile in this

store! Between the hand drawn artwork by local artist Tessa Reimer with Goose Studio and Design - which looks absolutely incredible - to the overall aesthetic, you simply have a winner.

Add to that the incredibly friendly staff, dedicated ownership and fantastic product selection, Country Cannabis has you covered.

HISTORY 5/5 While Country Cannabis may be new on

the scene, their building has been here to see it all. Originally built as a barn back in 1935, this is one of the oldest buildings in the Valley.

Sadly, many of these buildings have been lost to the development of both Palmer and Wasilla, and to time as they’ve sat empty and fallen apart.

But with these ladies hosting their store inside, I believe this building will now be here to stay for many more folks to enjoy.

2323 S TRUNK RD PALMER, AK (907) 745-4663 COUNTRYCANNABISAK.COM OPEN 8AM-10PM DAILY

C O U N T R Y C A N N A B I S O W N E R S J E N N I F E R J O H N S TO N A N D S A R A H LO R T I M E R

willsworldalaska.com willsworld_ak@outlook.com @ wills_world_extracts

THE DIFFERENCE IS CLEAR

Lic # 12536 1) Marijuana has intoxicating ef fec t s and may be habit forming and addic tive. (2) Marijuana impairs concentration, coordination, and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machiner y under it s inf luence. (3) There are health risk s associated with the consumption of marijuana. (4) F o r u s e b y a d u l t s t w e n t y - o n e a n d o l d e r. K e e p o u t o f r e a c h o f c h i l d r e n . ( 5 ) M a r i j u a n a s h o u l d n o t b e u s e d b y w o m e n w h o a r e p r e g n a n t o r b r e a s t f e e d i n g .

LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE

• 317 MULDOON RD •

NEW STORE!

OPENS MID-JUNE

Now Hiring!

STRAIN OF THE MONTH

THIS CLASSIC STRAIN BLENDS A DELICIOUS HERITAGE FLAVOR WITH A CHILLAXED HAPPY BUZZ THAT IS PERFECT FOR A SUMMERTIME AFTERNOON.

O

riginally found in the famed coffee shops of Amsterdam, Dutch Treat made a big splash in the early medical Cannabis movement. While many growers today focus on the newest hype strains, we find that classics like Dutch Treat deliver consistent flavor and effects worth returning to time and time again.

Featuring deep green, dense buds and a thick mix of red hairs, this Dutch Treat from Matanuska Cannabis Company is topped off with a gentle frosting of trichomes. Popping open a container releases a bright and fresh citrus haze, hiding the creamy-earthy-piney notes in the background, Thick nugs break up easily, burning with a smooth and sweet exhale that leaves zero cough or harshness.

Effects set in quickly, with a happy euphoria that eliminates stress and centers the mind on the moment. Body effects come within the hour, including a physical lightness and an acute sense of the munchies.

Let’s be honest: This is an energetic enough strain to be active on, but it’s truly perfect for a lazy afternoon of snacks and bong rips. Get stoned old school style and try the Dutch Treat for your next adventure, wherever it might lead. 22.95% THC

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Thick nugs break up easily, burning with a smooth and sweet exhale that leaves zero cough or harshness.

aug. 2020

DUTCH TREAT GROWN BY MATANUSKA CANNABIS COMPANY

REVIEW by ALASKA LEAF STAFF | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS | MATANUSKACANNABIS.COM

THE EQUALITY ISSUE

“ W O M E N S H O U L D B E P R I M A R I LY RESPECTED FOR THEIR KNOWLEDGE O N C U LT I VAT I O N , G E N E T I C S , R E TA I L M A N A G E M E N T A N D BUSINESS INVESTMENTS - NOT JUST HOW PRETTY THEY LOOK S M O K I N G W E E D O N I N S TA G R A M .”

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Where Do Women Fit in the Cannabis Industry?

aklEAF.COM

WE’VE ALL READ THE ARTICLES AND LISTENED TO PODCASTS ABOUT THE UPHILL BATTLES WOMEN FACE IN THE CANNABIS ARENA, RANGING EVERYWHERE FROM INVESTMENTS AND OWNERSHIP TO SEXUAL HARASSMENT.

I could give you data from a 2020 UCLA study about how women working in dispensaries report significantly greater levels of sexual harassment and unwanted sexual attention than men. Or we could talk about how multiple studies confirm a correlation between traditional masculine gender norms and increased Cannabis use.

However, none of the data or anecdotes will change the minds of some. Many people think they understand sexism in Cannabis as just that - regular sexism - without diving into the history behind it.

To really get an understanding of how the Cannabis industry got to this point, we need to go back to the illicit black market days, before legalization. With the trap came the risks, especially for women. Women were typically kept away from positions of ownership or authority since most of the underground game was tough and masculine, both as a culture and as a means of actual physical security. Because of this, women involved in the illicit Cannabis markets were either drug mules

AUG, 2020

or, more commonly, intimately involved with someone along the supply chain.

Now that the industry has shifted into the light, a lot of the same key players remain on top - breeders, cultivators, suppliers, you name it. A lot of those staple figures are heterosexual men that spent a long time in the same market honing their craft and waiting for legalization. An inherent problem with that, however, is that a lot of the same attitudes and ideas shifted to the legal market at the same time. And why wouldn’t they if they worked so well underground? The reason a variety of these issues remain the same is because the culture never changed from the underground to the legal market.

At the same time, white collar investment companies and large overseas firms began to sink their teeth into the Cannabis space. There’s no need to dive into sexism and discrimination in corporate companies because it’s already well researched and discussed, but the need to highlight its presence in Cannabis is important.

Between the two ultra-masculine powerhouses of the illicit and corporate worlds, women have been historically held back from real engagement and involvement. Now that we’ve taken a look at how men have

influenced Cannabis, it’s time to shift toward the other end of the spectrum: the perpetuation of sexist stereotypes by other women.

There’s been a push over the years to make space for women by showcasing stereotypical traits - like vibrant pink colors, manicures, jewelry and other traditional behaviors.

When looking at ‘normal’ events that aren’t geared to any gender (which is debatable), Cannabis is the focus with top-shelf flower, high quality hash, heady glass and equipment dominating discussions. At women-forward events, there seems to be a focus on femininity and aesthetics more than the Cannabis, or the real ways in which women are involved with it.

CBD products are heavily marketed toward women at these events, like eye creams and moisturizers, in lieu of cannagars or specialty blunts that are featured at several other non-gendered events. Commonly, women are marketed to by companies and other women by using femininity to sell products instead of actual quality.

Being feminine is not inherently bad and does a lot of meaningful good by proving that anyone can be ‘girly’ and consume Cannabis. Women should be primarily respected for their knowledge on cultivation, genetics, retail management and business investments - not just how pretty they look smoking weed on Instagram.

Between the underground market players becoming legitimate, the corporate world wedging itself at the top of major chain networks, and companies playing off traditional gender norms, women are fighting obstacles at multiple angles. Old school players from the black market need to realize their roles in perpetuating harmful stereotypes of sexualizing women or by keeping the top positions a ‘boys club’ only.

Corporate Cannabis needs to understand that women are more than just pretty faces to greet customers to boost sales, and deserve the same pay as their male coworkers for the same work.

Women need to understand that women also love quality products and not just stereotypically traditional services and events - we’re more than eye creams and jewelry. Sexism will never be completely eradicated from the field, but the best we can do is try to understand it and learn from it, progressing toward a better future in Cannabis.

STORY by ALEX WORKMAN @WORKDUBS for LEAF NATION | ART by @ANGELINA_BAMBINA_DSGN

FRONTIERFARMERS.COM FRONTIERFARMERS_AK@OUTLOOK.COM @FRONTIERFARMERS

SOUR SLURRICANE #1

HARAMBE Lic # 12550 1) Marijuana has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming and addictive. (2) Marijuana impairs concentration, coordination, and judgment. D o not operate a vehicle or machiner y under its influence. (3) There are health r isks associated with the consumption of mar ijuana. (4) For u s e b y a d u l t s t w e n t y - o n e a n d o l d e r. K e e p o u t o f r e a c h o f c h i l d r e n . ( 5 ) M a r i j u a n a s h o u l d n o t b e u s e d b y w o m e n w h o a r e p r e g n a n t o r b r e a s t f e e d i n g .

THE EQUALITY ISSUE

LAST PRISONER PROJECT

The Last Prisoner Project won’t stop until every Cannabis ‘criminal’ is free.

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THE LAST PRISONER. The phrase carries its own gravitational pull.

The weight, the importance, the finality of the word ‘last’ - a terminal statement that means ‘beyond this point, there will be no more.’ Here in the world’s most profusely incarcerated nation - where prison is a multi-billion-dollar, profitable industry that people actually buy stock in - the idea of a ‘last’ prisoner seems unattainable. But that’s exactly what Last Prisoner Project strives to achieve. Thousands upon thousands of nonviolent Cannabis offenders languish in cell block purgatory for committing acts now deemed not only legal, but necessary in many states - and the LPP refuses to rest until the last of those prisoners walks free.

Founded in 2019 by legendary Cannabis activist Steve DeAngelo, LPP seeks not mere clemency and commutation, but the eradication of all non-violent Cannabis convictions past, present and future.

It’s a battle that’s been fought in the street and on protest frontlines for decades, and now that Cannabis is available for legal curbside pickup in large swaths of the nation, the LPP hopes to bring another level of organization to the movement - employing political intervention and advocacy, celebrity awareness campaigns and industry-driven financial firepower in the fight.

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C A S U A LT I E S I N A N U N J U S T W A R

A AUG, 2020

ccording to a comprehensive incarceration study conducted by the ACLU in 2010 (and updated in 2018), Cannabis offenses account for more than half of all drug arrests in the United States. And those arrests disproportionately impact disadvantaged communities.

Last Prisoner Project actively advocates for dozens of prisoners currently behind

“AS THE SAYING GOES: WHEN THE DISPENSARY LOOKS LIKE AN APPLE STORE, IT’S TIME TO RELEASE A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM PRISON.”

E

nlisting the help of influential figures such as Snoop Dogg, GZA and Chelsea Handler, LPP raises public awareness of cases like Thompson’s, mobilizing the citizenry to apply pressure to policy makers to change unjust laws and fight for clemency for current prisoners.

The organization itself continues to add starpower to its ranks, with advocates such as Melissa Etheridge, Stephen and Damian Marley, and Oregon’s own celebrity Cannabis business owner Jim Belushi currently sitting on its board.

And it’s working. For instance, Bailey said the LPP has engaged with more than 130,000 concerned citizens via FreeMichaelThompson.com in a drive to pressure Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer to award Thopmson with clemency.

They haven’t won the fight yet, but with increased awareness, Bailey feels optimistic about their chances.

TEAMING UP AGAINST INJUSTICE

bars for possession and distribution of Cannabis, providing legal and financial assistance and amplifying individual stories in order to shine a spotlight on the injustice of incarcerating nonviolent Cannabis consumers.

Delving into the stories listed on the LPP website, certain common threads weave through the narratives. All are charged either with possession or nonviolent distribution-related activities. Many are racial minorities or are from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. And all of them are currently serving or have served excessive sentences.

One of the highest profile Cannabis POWs on LPP’s list is Michael Thompson: A Flint, Michigan resident 25 years into a 40-to-60-year sentence stemming from a 1996 bust in which he sold Cannabis to an informant. The case was exacerbated by prior nonviolent offenses and the fact that after his arrest, two guns were found when executing a warrant to search the then 45-year-old’s home. (Thompson

asserted that one gun was an antique family heirloom and the other belonged to Thompson’s wife). At this point, Thompson will be well into his 80s when he can qualify for parole.

I F YO U ’ R E N OT A N G RY, YO U’R E N OT PAY I N G AT T E N T I O N

The way LPP Managing Director Mary Bailey sees it, everyone who benefits from Cannabis should be infuriated by the imprisonment of Thompson and other nonviolent offenders.

“Anyone who has been incarcerated for Cannabis is a victim of unjust laws,” Bailey said.

“They are the pioneers of this industry and they are the experts in the field. Cannabis has been deemed essential in the midst of a global crisis, and it’s an absolute travesty that there are so many people incarcerated.”

As the saying goes: When the dispensary looks like an Apple store, it’s time to release a lot of people from prison. It’s only fitting that dispensaries themselves get involved in the fight.

“This past year, we’ve really been looking at Cannabis policy reform in our country,” said Emily Carideo, Marketing Manager for Golden Leaf Holdings, a company that operates businesses in multiple states including the Chalice Farms chain of dispensaries in Oregon. ”Once we saw (Last Prisoner Project’s) mission, it really resonated with us.”

Chalice and Golden Leaf Holdings recently committed to donating monthly to the LPP, and to using their retail and social platforms to help amplify the organization’s message.

“Once you hear those stories directly, it’s pretty difficult to not realize that you need to do something,” Carideo said.

Many other regional and national Cannabis and industry adjacent brands have committed to raising money and awareness for the cause, including Oregon’s East Fork Farms, Buddies, PuffCo, Dr. Bronner’s, PAX, Wana and more.

The full list of companies is available by visiting LastPrisonerProject.org.

The way Bailey sees it, the more awareness, amplification and financial firepower LPP brings to the fight, the better chance the organization has of achieving justice for those still unjustly held for nonviolent Cannabis offenses.

It’s a long way to ‘last’ - but the Cannabis community can get there together, one act of clemency at a time. L ASTPRISONERPROJE C T . O R G

STORY by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS for LEAF NATION | PHOTO by IANA ALTER

opinion

STORY by SKYE CABRERA @SKYE.CABRERA for LEAF NATION

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AMERICA’S COMPLICATED CANNABIS HISTORY

It

had almost been a year since I had spoken to my 31-year-old, Connecticut-based cousin Edward Greene but Cannabis has a way of bringing estranged ties back together.

From the Nisenan lands in the West to the Mohegan winds of the East, weed transcends all sorts of barriers. I tell him I’ve been asked to write an opinion piece on equality and Cannabis, and that he is the first person who came to mind. Not just because we both enjoy a nice indica hybrid - and conspiracy theory dialogues on how the government is trying to ban all things that bring optimal health, to keep people sick and Big Pharma rich - but because Edward has had a stint with incarceration since his late teens.

As a free man who has witnessed disproportionate affairs, he confirms that he still smokes Cannabis and for good reason.

“I think marijuana has kept me out of prison a lot. I feel like weed is my calm down thing. If I’m angry, it helps me relax, calm down, think it through - breathe. It helps me with anxiety and doing things I don’t wanna really do. I smoke a blunt, I relax and realize everything is gonna be OK.” I never missed one of his collect calls from jail and often we shared the same sentiment that in the ‘real world,’ a lot of the jobs being offered to young POC didn’t pay nearly as much as what the streets were offering - sadly, illegally.

We recalled stories of our selfmade neighborhood friends - highly intelligent street

AUG, 2020

entrepreneurs at the forefront of a now billion dollar industry. With inflation and gentrification rising in our cities and minimum wage staying stagnant, it seemed like a surefire way to keep people behind bars, and most of my friends pushing joy-filled baggies out of Nike duffel backpacks for survival.

We knew that it was a system designed to simply control a certain demographic.

“I view this as a race thing,” says Edward.

“Why give us what helps us? They pick and choose what’s best for us. Xanax or all these pills. But why not make marijuana legal? Because it helps us. They don’t want to see us be productive in society or do anything that helps our brothers and sisters.”

Richard Nixon’s decisions are still attempting to govern our primal need to connect with nature and tap into our own consciousness.

We speak on how the judicial system has been trying to trap minorities or POC for decades, with weed as its scapegoat. It’s that prominent sentence in Tupac’s legendary track, “Changes”: “Instead of war on poverty, they got a war on drugs, so the police can bother me.”

We speak about Hip Hop culture, adopted trends and the romanticism of blunt smoking in Notorious B.I.G. videos in the late ‘90s.

How every white kid we knew wanted to be included in every puff session and rap cypher in the hallways of the Chelsea Housing Projects of Lower Manhattan in ‘98, but not take the charge if caught.

How someone knew an elite lawyer or doctor who would get someone to bring them an

eighth to their apartment, discreetly.

How if a white guy smoked he was a hippie, but if a Black guy did, he was a problem.

How anything that brought POC joy or even remotely made them feel good was debunked, destroyed, taken or given surplus amounts of jail time.

How Maya Angelou has even written poetry about how happy weed made her feel. How Indigenous tribes and B.C. Egypt had a handle on Cannabis and were healing generations before it ever got into the hands of controlling officials.

How happiness and self esteem might be dangerous to the 1%. How 80% of those in jail for marijuana possession by 2017 were Black and Latinx. How some of them still haven’t been released for petty dealings in 2020.

We speak about mental health. How Justin or ‘J the Don’ was my first psychiatrist at 23.

When my therapist suggested Prozac, it was his hand out with a, “Yo, you wanna smoke?” that saved me and made me trust myself.

We speak on just how warped it is that alcohol and cigarettes are so freely available to consumers, but cause the most damage.

And not only psychologically - we watched cigarettes kill our grandmother and alcoholism destroy our organs.

We pray for the ones who got out of jail and are so traumatized by their incarceration experience that after 10 years, the talk of marijuana at a gathering sparks PTSD. How somehow a plant they once adored has become the one they have come to fear, like

] “No other drug can compete with Cannabis for its ability to satisfy the innate yearnings for archaic boundary dissolution, and yet leave intact the structures of ordinary society.”

]

-Terence McKenna

the stigma imposed by Baby Boomers or conservatives. How they recall handcuffs instead of happy times and Purple Haze.

We speak on how the system of religion once demonized this medicine and its enthusiasts, only to now be glorified in handheld podcasts as rituals for new moons. How it’s been appropriated from the Himalayas to Ethiopia, and used against their same great great grandsons in courtrooms.

We speak on how many friends have a misdemeanor on their record still, and can only get jobs at the local Nissan car dealership.

How weed has become as trendy as yoga and matcha tea lattes, but has had a trail of pain and broken families behind it - with most new users never having to endure or recall the trauma that came to families affected by its criminalization before legalization.

How every city should follow Oakland’s blueprint of bringing equity and opportunity within the Cannabis industry to those previously incarcerated.

How we can’t relive another John Sutter-esque Gold Rush, where so many people are uprooted from their place of prosperity - we all deserve a piece of the pie.

How the government needs to stop being such a damn killjoy.

Because at the end of the day When we ALL sit down to split the nugget, dissect the seeds and smoke the tree We all have the same innate need No matter the race, the color, the creed To just, simply Feel good, feel equal, feel free

THE EQUALITY ISSUE

Transcend TELL ME ABOUT YOUR TRANSITION. Well, I’ve been on hormone replacement therapy for fourand-a-half years. I feel like it was missing from my body. My brain needed it, my body needed it. I was constantly hearing things like ‘you’re weird’ and ‘guys don’t do that.’ That’s what I’ve heard a lot, but I wasn’t a guy, although they thought I was. I tried to believe I was a guy because I was told I was, and I lived as one but I believed there was a Santa Claus, too, until I learned that he doesn’t exist.

WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON EQUALITY IN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY? I don’t know a single

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owner that is LGBTQIA. I have heard a statistic that 30% of Cannabis users are LGBT, but I don’t know of any owners. People love to stereotype, stoners included, but I try to prove that wrong. Yes, I can!

EFFIE LOU WARREN

IS THIS THE RIGHT COMMUNITY FOR YOU RIGHT NOW? Well, it’s the only place I want

STICKY BUDZ REGIONAL SALES MANAGER

to be. And to be honest, I don’t think there is another industry that would accept me this well for who I am. I’m proud of MLM, the parent company for Sticky Budz. When I took many interviews before them, I always thought I was going to get a call back, but it never came.

It was Tiffany Louie who gave me my shot. If it were not for her, I would not be in this business and now I’ve been a part of the organization for over two years - enjoying a lot of success.

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DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’VE BEEN JUDGED AT ALL BY THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY? I know there

are a certain amount of shops I shouldn’t go to. They won’t welcome me to have lunch with them, they won’t allow me to do a vendor day with them. And I have to keep my mouth shut so I don’t lose those accounts. Yet, I still have to win these shops over. I’m gonna get in your shop, Dude! You know why? Because I’m gonna have product you need. And you know what I’m gonna do when that happens?

I’m gonna walk my flamingo ass in there so perched up and you’re not going to be able to say anything, because I’m making you money.

I’m fucking gangster! Otherwise, I know who my people are and I’m really proud of the shops who aren’t run by bigots.

@EFFIE_MLM

“I KNOW WHO MY PEOPLE ARE AND I’M REALLY PROUD OF THE SHOPS WHO AREN’T RUN BY BIGOTS.”

RIGHT ON. THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING FOR YOU, EFFIE. Actually, I’m not just gangster,

but I’m gay and I’m proud - I’m a trans woman who deserves to exist just like any woman or man.

AUG, 2020

INTERVIEW by MIKE RICKER | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

ndence

D

IFFERENTIATION IS EVERYWHERE. No two organisms, due to the laws of physics, are truly identical. And obviously, when it comes to people, we are not above those laws.

One can liken the varying differences of personality and appearance to a sky filled with clouds - from the naked eye they all appear white and similar, but to watch their existence unfold over time, one will see that they change form and directive in accordance with the elements from which they were borne.

But as society cannot directly control or change the course of a cloud, there is an overwhelming agenda to control people by manipulating parameters that go against our innate instinct to flow and evolve in congruence with nature.

From the time we are birthed, the lessons begin to shape us into what optimally benefits the greater collective by providing a system that keeps it simple: boys wear blue and girls wear pink, ad infinitum.

And as this pounding of information into impressionable minds is effective for most, for many who don’t fit into that narrow ideological picture-perfect frame, living their truth becomes paramount to their mental wellness, and ultimately their survival.

Here, we have two members of the Cannabis community who celebrate their individuality through the daily display of who they are at the very core - for us to recognize and embrace as we struggle to find the answers to our own existence.

Their mettle is an example of how we can all improve this rare miracle called the human experience, as we grasp for clarity with the intention of living the best, most authentic life possible.

I found that it helps with PTSD and the pain of growing older. I got on board with that and started looking at the history of prohibition and became intrigued as a reporter to fight back against the false propaganda surrounding the plant. And I used to be a gourmet beer snob, so I quit drinking beer and translated that energy towards becoming a gourmet Cannabis smoker.

WAS IT HARD FOR YOU TO COME OUT AS TRANS? I came out to my dad after the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando in 2016, because I was really torn up about that - my dad is gay. And then I came out as trans to the public in 2018. I think I have an advantage over some gay men because I grew up straight without the torment of being a gay person, because I was a girl who liked boys. So, the torment was from being a guy in a girl’s body. Being gay is new because I’ve always been trans. But the world is now defining me as gay by sexual preferences. I’m not too into labels anyway.

ZANE VORENBERG HIGH 5 CANNABIS BUDTENDER & CANNABIS JOURNALIST

SPEAKING OF LABELS, DO YOU SEE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HOW THEY ARE ATTACHED BETWEEN STANDARD SOCIETY AND THE CANNABIS SOCIETY? Yes, to a certain degree. I think the Cannabis

@EXPLODINGEGG AS A CANNABIS JOURNALIST, WHAT HAVE YOU COVERED?

Over the years I’ve written about Cannabis legalization in various states.

I covered medical legalization in New Mexico, covered legalization for the Columbian here in Vancouver, and then jetted out on my own as a freelancer.

SO, I ASSUME YOU KNEW YOU WERE GAY AT A YOUNG AGE, BUT AT WHAT AGE DID CANNABIS COME INTO YOUR LIFE AND CHANGE EVERYTHING ELSE?

Well, the term ‘gay’ is sort of strange for me as a trans guy because I was straight (laughs). I mean, I knew I was trans when I was four or five, but there were no words for it really. So I was kind of making it up as I went along - the ‘being me’ experience, I guess. I smoked in high school, blowing off steam, but then I gave it up for 30 years. Then, when legalization started, a friend of mine took an eighth of Master Kush and dumped it on my kitchen counter and said, “If you’re going to be writing about this, you’re going to have to know what you’re talking about.” So, I got a pipe, smoked some and thought to myself, ‘Wow, this is pretty nice.’

“I THINK THE CANNABIS WORLD AND THE JOURNALISM WORLD ARE MORE OPENMINDED TO PEOPLE WHO ARE DIFFERENT OR QUIRKY.”

world and the journalism world are more open-minded to people who are different or quirky. This world has been really welcoming for me as I transition. High 5 is a very diverse workplace. There’s another gay guy on the staff, there are Black and brown staffers, bisexual folks, and many of the crew speak multiple languages - including sign language, which helps a lot with our equally diverse customer base. It’s a very nice fit for me, with a lot of open-minded people.

COULD YOU SEE YOURSELF IN ANY OTHER INDUSTRY THAT WOULD BE AS ACCEPTING FOR WHO YOU ARE? Not really. It’s nice to be treated

with respect because nobody in this industry really cares about your differences. And I’m open about being trans. I like being open about being trans, because people will make up their own preconceived notions about things they have no experience with, so it gives me the opportunity to be a positive example for people who don’t know anyone who is trans. I’d like to change people’s misconception that a trans person is supposed to be weird or different. We are a normal part of human society that has always existed.

INTERVIEW by MIKE RICKER | PHOTO by FLETCHER WOLD @FWOLD_PHOTOGRAPHY

THE EQUALITY ISSUE

Q&A | CEO CHRIS BALL From hustling ounces, sitting in prison facing 10 years of federal time, to legal Cannabis business ownership in the most competitive market in the country - Chris Ball’s love affair with the plant spans decades.

ball family farms

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THE EARLY YEARS

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Chris Ball grew up with a pretty normal childhood in South Central Los Angeles, in the quiet suburb of Rowland Heights. At the young age of only eight-years-old, Ball had his first exposure to Cannabis - even though he wasn’t aware of what it was at the time. He began to notice that his father would retire to the couch after dinner, grab a rolling tray and twist up and enjoy a funny smelling cigarette, while his mother would relax with a glass of wine.

He would smell the same funny smelling cigarettes and watch his uncles, cousins and even grandmother enjoy them at family functions.

As he got older, he came to understand what the substance was, but was left perplexed by the seemingly opposite paradigms that were being presented to him.

On one hand, the Reagan administration was pushing the “Just Say No” campaign, spreading the message that drugs, including Cannabis, were bad for you and to reject experimenting with any and all substances.

On the other hand, his real world experience showed him that was not the case at all.

The Ball Family would always score their herb from Chris’ cousin Earl and eventually, Ball connected the dots and the foundations of his enthusiasm for Cannabis business began to take shape. His cousin Earl always had the newest sneakers, the freshest fits and a nice car - and Ball realized this was a result of him selling weed. He got his first ounce from his cousin at 16 and got to work learning how to sell Cannabis.

AUG, 2020 AUG.

STORY by NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415 | PHOTOS by BALL FAMILY FARMS

MICHAEL, CHRIS AND CHARLES BALL

Dabbling in the weed game was fun and mildly lucrative for him, but Ball had big dreams and his innate athleticism drove him to pursue a professional football career. He used the profits from selling weed to fund his basic needs and schooling at Mt. San Antonio Community College, where he was able to earn a full ride scholarship to UC Berkeley to play football.

A GROWING PASSION FOR THE PLANT

Once at UC Berkeley, he stopped hustling weed on the side as it was no longer a necessity.

The scholarship provided the support he needed to focus on going pro and Ball’s sights were set on the NFL. After he graduated, he was recruited to join training camp with the 49ers but was cut before making the final roster.

Instead, he caught the attention of some CFL scouts and wound up landing a contract to play professionally in Canada. It was there that Ball would be bitten by the cultivation bug.

“Before then, I was just a middle man, you know? I just got weed and then I sold it and made a couple extra bucks,” he recalls.

Chris’ best friend on the team’s girlfriend had a brother who was a grower in Vancouver, and the three made several visits to go and gawk at his garden. Once Ball discovered the per pound cultivation cost, he knew instantly there were amazing margins to work with if he could buy in Canada

and sell in Los Angeles.

It turns out being from Los Angeles and working for the Canadian Football League would provide the perfect cover for Ball to transport product from Vancouver to Southern California without raising any red flags. Establishing this route in 2003 or 2004, he gained popularity in the LA scene quickly because he could undercut the rest of the market’s prices - thanks to the enhanced margins he was working with.

For over five years, Ball ran Canadian packs down the West Coast to LA. Here he was building a name for himself in the scene, as well as a substantial network, all while gaining boots-on-the-ground experience and learning invaluable lessons. What began as a means to simply provide for himself and support his passion for football had ultimately altered his life path in a major way, becoming his new passion.

HITTING THE FAN

Then, suddenly everything came to a screeching halt in 2010 when Ball was arrested and indicted on federal racketeering charges. The move came shortly after Ball began working with a new business partner who, as it turns out, was being watched by the feds. In the long run, Ball would find out that this business partner was working for El Chapo. Yes, that El Chapo. About six months after meeting this new business partner, the author-

ities swooped in and arrested Ball, charging him and 13 others with violating the RICO act. Chris was looking at up to 10 years of prison time.

Fortunately, Ball was able to afford a good attorney who was able to get him an accurate idea of what they had against him.

With it being his first offense and the minimal amount of evidence they had against him personally in the case, Ball and his lawyer worked a plea bargain for 30 months for admitting to his part in the illegal trafficking activity.

His lawyer also worked to get him bail and won an appeal to keep Ball from having to serve his 30 month sentence until the trial was over.

The other defendants would fight their cases and trials, lasting about four years before coming to a close. During this time, Ball lived life on the upand-up and kept his nose clean, working corporate retail jobs and paying his taxes.

As the case wrapped up and it was time for Ball to face sentencing for his 30 month bid, his lawyer came to bat for him yet again and argued that the main target of the investigation and indictment was handed a five year sentence. Whereas Ball, a first time offender, was handed nearly three years and for the last four years had been a gainfully employed, tax paying and law abiding citizen.

The judge gave Ball ‘time served’ and in 2014 he walked out of the courtroom a free man. >> Continues pg. 36

THE EQUALITY ISSUE

ball family farms >> Continued from pg. 35

BACK ON THE HORSE

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There is no doubt that Ball has a deep passion production. By 2017, Ball had gotten wind of for the plant. Within a matter of weeks of narrowLos Angeles’ equity program and realized he ly avoiding a multi-year prison sentence stemqualified. ming from his involvement “pushing the pack,” In January of 2018, California legalized he was filling a 14 light grow room with plants Cannabis and by December of that same and flipping on the lights to take his first shot at year, Ball received an Adult-Use production growing Cannabis himself. license from the state.

Shortly after the trial was finished, Ball went to collect on an owed debt from a former business GROWING PAINS OF A NASCENT INDUSTRY associate. He ended up accepting the grow in Despite Ball’s good fortune to learn of Los place of the money that was owed to him and it Angeles’ equity program early on and obtain was off to the races. Granted, it wasn’t without licensure in the first year of California’s recredealing with growing’s steep learning curve that ational legality, he had no qualms vocalizing he was able to produce anything of value with his disappointment with the way the system the grow. “I burnt up currently functions. “I plants for a good two won’t lie to you,” he says WITHIN A MATTER OF WEEKS years not knowing what when asked about how OF NARROWLY AVOIDING I was doing,” he exthe program helped him plained. “But the more with the process. “They A MULTI-YEAR PRISON you grow, the more you granted me the license SENTENCE STEMMING FROM learn, the more people and then that was it. It you ask for help. And would be the equivalent HIS INVOLVEMENT “PUSHING you meet people - I met of you getting a football THE PACK,” CHRIS BALL WAS a couple cool cats that scholarship and then FILLING A 14 LIGHT GROW were willing to come in they don’t pay for your and split some equity housing, they give you ROOM WITH PLANTS AND with me and teach me no money for books, FLIPPING ON THE LIGHTS the ropes.” they give you no money TO TAKE HIS FIRST SHOT AT In the same year his for food, they give you trial was finished - and no tutors - they just say GROWING CANNABIS HIMSELF. despite crystal clear you can come to the warnings by the judge school.” that any Cannabis related conviction would have From Ball’s perspective, the system may Ball going straight to jail - he had new partners lower the barrier of entry for applicants to and was taking steps towards vertically integratenter the industry, but it does nothing to ing his business with his new cultivation facility. support newly licensed operators who are From 2015 to 2016, he refined his cultivation forced to overcome a nightmarishly steep skills and really learned the ins and outs of learning curve to stay in business. Had Ball not had years of experience in growing and a substantial network from his prior distribution efforts - learning the tough lessons that come along with being successful in the illicit Cannabis market during that time - he would BALLFAMILYFARMS.COM | @BALLFAMILYFARMS have never made it into the legal market with

AUG, 2020

a legitimate, licensed and state recognized business.

“There needs to be some money, and some help and some consulting behind the scholarship of the license,” says Ball.

Despite an incredibly thorough 75+ page report analyzing potential barriers that may prevent social equity applicants from equitable access to the legal Cannabis industry - along with opportunities to overcome these barriers commissioned by Los Angeles before California legalized in 2018 and having received over $7.8 million in funding since October of 2019 - complicated issues remain. Here, Ball’s real world experience and the overall lack of diversity in the space indicate the need for further investment into the development of the structure of the industry’s equity programs not just in Los Angeles, but across California.

STORY by NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415 | PHOTOS by BALL FAMILY FARMS

“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

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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.

THE EQUALITY ISSUE

THEON WITH HIS PARENTS, JESSI AND JAMES.

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fragile warrior Meet Theon Preston, a pediatric patient from Oregon battling Osteogenesis Imperfecta Type 1, better known as Brittle Bone Disease. Coupled with ADHD and Sensory Processing Disorder, Theon is a fragile yet ferocious warrior. Watch out world - with the help of the Cannabis plant alongside a loving and supportive family - Theon lives his best life playing with his cat and dog, admiring crystals, and enjoying movies like Star Wars and Transformers.

HOW DOES YOUR MEDICINE MAKE YOU FEEL?

Theon: It makes me feel better, better all over.

It makes my pain go away and my brain focus, so my body does what I want it to do. I don’t like when my body does not listen.

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE TRANSFORMER AND WHY?

Theon: Bumblebee is my favorite Transformer, but I would like an Optimus Prime toy. I like Bumblebee the best because he talks using the radio and music, and I love music.

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WHEN DID YOU FIRST START INTRODUCING CANNABIS INTO THEON’S LIFE? WHAT ARE SOME OF THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT YOU’VE ENCOUNTERED SINCE?

Theon’s Mother Jessi: I first started introducing Cannabis into Theon’s life two years ago, after he broke both his arms and had to have a rod placed in each arm while they were healing. The doctors gave him painkillers that made him feel very aggravated and incoherent. If he was to take the painkillers at the rate he was, for every break he sustained, his liver would be damaged before puberty. I did not want to risk him having long term health problems for temporary pain relief. Cannabis helped his pain while making his mind clearer, not incoherent.

Cannabis does not damage his liver and actually has side effects that are beneficial for him, such as inducing his appetite.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER PARENTS WHO ARE CONSIDERING GIVING THEIR CHILDREN CANNABIS FOR MEDICAL REASONS?

Jessi: I would suggest parents do research into what has worked for other children with the same diagnosis as their child. When you hear success stories it takes the fear away. I would also suggest starting off with a small dose and try different strains until you find one, or a combination of strains and doses, that work for your child specifically. Everyone has a unique endocannabinoid system, and thus needs a different dose and strain to help them. Theon takes different strains at different times of the day, and different doses depending on the level of pain he is in. For example, he needs a larger dose after a break than he does on a daily basis to deal with his daily pain. In the daytime he uses a strain high in the terpene limonene to help his appetite and motor coordination.

At night he uses a strain high in the terpene myrcene to help ease his muscle spasms and inflammation, while also helping him to relax into sleep.

“IT MAKES MY PAIN GO AWAY AND MY BRAIN FOCUS, SO MY BODY DOES WHAT I WANT IT TO DO.”

AUG, 2020

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE THE WORLD TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THEON AND OSTEOGENESIS IMPERFECTA TYPE 1 + SENSORY PROCESSING DISORDER?

Jessi: Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI aka Brittle Bone Disease) is a genetic disorder that is caused by a mutation in the gene that affects bone formation and strength. Though it is most commonly associated with the skeletal system, it does affect other body tissue as well. OI is a lifelong condition, meaning there is no cure for it and very limited treatment is available.

Some notable traits in children with OI are short stature, bone deformity and pain, low bone density, loose joints and ligament laxity. Theon deals with all those traits. He has a rare combination of OI, ADHD and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), which puts him at higher risk for injury. His brain is telling him to seek sensory stimulus, while his body is too fragile to handle the stimulus.

My job as his mom is to keep him safe, at the same time keeping his mind occupied with body safe activities. As he says, his medicine helps him feel better all over and really changed his quality of life. Since he has been on Cannabis, he has not had any breaks because it helps him focus and make safer decisions. Because of Cannabis he is a happy boy with what I hope will be a bright future.

FACEBOOK.COM/THEONSMEDICALNEEDS

STORY by MAX EARLY @LIFTED_STARDUST for LEAF NATION| PHOTO by AMANDA DAY @TERPODACTYL_MEDIA

Grown in a proprie ary coco blend Fed wi h an in-house nu rien mix Whole plan hang dried Hand- rimmed Cured for 4 weeks t

SMALL BATCH CRAFT CANNABIS

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Marijuana has intoxicating effects and may be habit forming and addictive. Marijuana impairs concentration, coordination, and judgement. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under its influence. There are health risks

AVAILABLE IN SELECT STORES IN FAIRBANKS AND ANCHORAGE

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 breastfeeding. icense

In a medium bowl, combine the sliced banana with the lemon juice and canna-oil. Freeze in a plastic bag. In a small pan, warm the oil. Stir in the cocoa

cooking with cannabis

and agave or honey and mix till smooth. Add the vanilla and set aside. Place the frozen bananas in the bowl of a food processor. Puree until smooth.

Immediately scoop into serving bowls or place in the freezer in a freezer safe bowl. To serve, place a scoop of ice cream in serving bowls, drizzle with the chocolate sauce and sprinkle with the chopped coconuts. Serves 4.

MANGO SORBET In the bowl of a food processor, combine all the ingredients. Process until smooth. Pour the mixture into a bowl. Cover and chill for 2 hours. Pour the mixture into the freezer can of an ice-cream freezer and freeze according to manufacturer’s instructions. Spoon sorbet into glasses immediately and serve or keep in the freezer in a freezer safe bowl or container. Serves 4.

2 medium ripe mangoes, about 2 cups, cubed 1 cup fresh pineapple, in chunks 3 tablespoons pineapple juice 4 teaspoons canna-oil 1 tablespoon lime juice 2 tablespoons agave

MAGICAL BANANA SUNDAE

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3 medium bananas, peeled and sliced 1 tablespoon lemon juice 4 teaspoons canna-oil 2 tablespoons canola oil 2 tablespoons cocoa powder 1 teaspoon agave nectar or honey ½ teaspoon vanilla 4 tablespoons walnuts, chopped

In a blender combine the yogurt, oil and blueberries. Place 1/3 of the blueberry/yogurt mixture in a bowl and keep in the fridge. Divide the angel food cake among the 4 bowls. Pour 2/3 of the blueberry mixture over the cake. Freeze. Remove from the freezer and top with the sliced strawberries. Top with the remaining blueberry/yogurt mixture.

Freeze again until firm. At serving time allow the dessert to sit at room temperature for about 5-10 minutes. Serves 4.

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ANGELBERRY FROZEN TRIFLE

REFRESH & RELAX AUG, 2020

12 ounces nonfat vanilla yogurt 4 teaspoons canna-butter or oil 1 ½ cups blueberries 1 cup angel food cake, torn in small pieces 1 cup strawberries, thinly sliced

Isn’t this just nuts? Honestly, I am in a constant state of shock, and more than ever, Cannabis is my friend. And for a little extra support, I am adding some CBD oil to my morning coffee and nighttime warm milk. It’s delicious - just warm the milk, add CBD oil, a teaspoon of honey, some vanilla and cinnamon. If you want to make some CBD oil, follow the recipe for THC infusions - you won’t get high, but you will feel better. And who doesn’t want to feel better? These icy treats will refresh! And if you make a bunch, they will be ready in your freezer at a moments notice. Think of all the possibilities in the fruit department. The superb CBD is from East Fork Cultivars and the strain Life Coach is from Noble Farms, where they grow some serious herb.

Last week I made a blueberry almond pie with their Blueberry Kush. It made me a tiny bit happy that we didn’t really have to share the pie. #sixfeetapart #Dontfeartheedible RECIPES by LAURIE WOLF | PHOTOS by BRUCE WOLF

Search the good stuff Visit weedmaps.com or download the app

edible of the month

Nothing quite says Summer like a fresh and fruity dose of Cannabis - and when you find the perfect combination of aforementioned flavors in edible form like these Dosed Gummies you know you’ve found a delicious summertime bite.

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While gummies might seem like the new version of the generic ‘pot brownie,’ there are definite levels of quality when it comes to comparing options - with these Dosed Gummies at the top of the list. From the beautiful and clean packaging to their visually appealing bite-size pieces, these gummies are easily enjoyed.

We tried the original multipack first, with flavors including strawberry, orange, black cherry, blue raspberry and lime. The bites are a perfect single chew size, but combining two flavors together for a unique burst of delicious highness is highly recommended. We also got to try the new to market tropical flavors, which amped up the sweetness with fresh and fruity vibes.

Effects settle in quickly with a well rounded high, especially when eating several pieces at once! With the right combination of quality and professional packaging, these Dosed Gummies are an Alaskan made product that would do well anywhere in the country.

Ask for them at your local retailer and finish off Summer by getting dosed!

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DOSEDEDIBLES.COM

DOSED EDIBLES

5MG THC/GUMMIE | 50MG THC/BAG

TROPICAL GUMMIES AUG, 2020

The bites are a perfect single chew size, but combining two flavors together for a unique burst of delicious highness is highly recommended.

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

concentrate of the month

HATCHERS SAP As moments become minutes, a feel good euphoria settles in with a clear mind and a happy, take on the day vibe.

The Hatchers Sap is an undoubtedly sappy, gooey oil that is rich in flavor and terpenes. The first rush of flavor is grapefruit-grape and citrus-gas, with a sweet earthy hint of Kush hiding in the background. Heated in a low temp dab, the oil produces light vaporous clouds that kiss the lungs with a sweet and fuel-filled finish.

This fuelly tang lingers on the palate as effects take over, bringing an uplifting but stoney vibe that settles first behind the eyes with a big cerebral rush. As moments become minutes, a feel good euphoria settles in with a clear mind and a happy, take on the day vibe. This sap is perfect for daytime activities or to kick off an energetic evening of good food and laughs. Check out the Hatchers Sap and other tasty flavors from Scorpion Grass today!

62.06% THC

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AVAILABLE FROM SCORPION GRASS

PROCESSED BY SCORPION GRASS CULTIVATED BY MIKEY’S PLACE

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

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Unsealing a jar is like opening a giant bag of flowers, releasing the sweet lemony gas from this beautiful CO2 oil in a rush that captivates the mind with a euphoric high.

emember that television show from the old days called The Dating Game? Before a live studio audience, they would hide an eligible bachelor or bachelorette behind a screen to ask questions to three contestants of potential relationship material. The purpose was to explore compatibility, with the ultimate reward of romance. The questions were saucy, the young and delightful participants were terribly good looking and everyone had a little fun.

Tila Tequila wasn’t even born yet. You do remember her, right? OK, good, we’re communicating.

By today’s standards, this concept seems unoriginal, while 50 years ago the innovative format was blushingly audacious. Free love was still lingering from the revolutionary ‘60s, so it worked.

And the truth is that public dating forums had been kept very discreet by their users up until about 10 years ago when, if someone was brazen enough to create an account on Match.com, chances are they were not public about it for fear of being labeled as desperate.

And we all know that desperation is an extremely effective sex repellant.

So, there was a careful tightrope that the steely dreamer had to balance to maintain a positive reputation, yet still appear appealing. And to announce to the world that you met your partner on the internet would be like saying you met in Vegas.

“It’ll never last,” said their mothers.

Now however, swiping is the preferred form of exploring compatibility, which is great.

On some levels.

Anyway, back to The Dating Game. Not much has changed, really.

The person you are corresponding with is behind a screen and what you get is a television version of them.

Sigh. I think I’m gonna do a dab now.

R

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by Mike Ricker

AUG, 2020

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 S TO N EY- B A L O N EY. C O M

Creamy

Please Chews Responsibly 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 judgement. 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 twenty-one and older.

Keep out of reach of children.