Oct. 2020 - Alaska Leaf

THE ENLIGHTENED VOICE

THE HEMP ISSUE!

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#54 | OCT. 2020

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CBD PRODUCT SPOOKY & STONED GUIDE

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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 .

OCT. 2020

ISSUE 54 11 EDITOR NOTE 12 NATIONAL NEWS 16 CANNTHROPOLOGY 18 BUDTENDER Q&A 20 CANNA BE HAPPY 24 STRAIN OF THE MONTH 26 CBD PRODUCT GUIDE 30 ALASKA PRODUCT GUIDE 32 CBD FOR DOGS 34 CBD VS. DEA 36 RECIPES 38 EDIBLES 40 CONCENTRATES 42 TANNINS & TERPENES 44 STONEY BALONEY

WORLD OF CANNABIS MUSEUM

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16 CANNTHROPOLOGY

20

LOUISE MITCHELL

EXPOSING POT PROPAGANDA OF YORE

32 CBD FOR DOGS DOES YOUR BEST FRIEND NEED HELP?

BRUCE WOLF

in these stressful times, it was nice to relax with the refreshingly chill vibes of canna be happy in wasilla.

36 CANNABIS RECIPES PHOTO by O'HARA SHIPE @SHIPESHOTS/ALASKA LEAF

LEARN HOW TO GET SPOOKY STONED

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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 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

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 /

WES A B O U T T H E C OV E R “Portland, Oregon based Cannabis photographer Curtis Taylor has shot some of the most incredible captures of elite quality hemp in existence. This close-up of Admiral Kush dazzles the eye with colorful fall hues. Cultivated by Liontree Farms in the state’s famed Applegate Valley in Southern Oregon, this strain was grown to perfection by world class Cannabis farmers using beyond organic practices. While many are growing hemp by the tens or hundreds of acres, Liontree’s smallbatch approach translates to more hands-on time with each plant – resulting in a level of quality rarely encountered.” -Nate Williams @natew415

PHOTO by CURTIS TAYLOR @CURT_ICE LIONTREE FARMS @LIONTREEFARMS

PUBLISHER

CONTRIBUTORS

WES ABNEY | FOUNDER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

MIKE AHMANN, RETOUCHING

WES@NWLEAF.COM 206-235-6721

BOBBY BLACK, FEATURES

CREATIVE DIRECTOR DANIEL BERMAN | VISUALS & DESIGN

DANIEL@BERMANPHOTOS.COM

TOM BOWERS, FEATURES SKYE CABRERA, FEATURES STEVE ELLIOTT, NATIONAL NEWS MIKE RICKER, FEATURES

STATE DIRECTOR

MEGHAN RIDLEY, EDITING

JOSHUA STAHLE | AD SALES

ZACK RUSKIN, FEATURES

JOSH@AKLEAF.COM 907-317-2536

O'HARA SHIPE, PHOTOGRAPHY

CONTENT DIRECTOR

CURTIS TAYLOR, PHOTOGRAPHY

O'HARA SHIPE | EDITORIAL

OHARA@SHIPESHOTS.COM

PACER STACKTRAIN, FEATURES NATE WILLIAMS, FEATURES LAURIE & BRUCE WOLF, RECIPES

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, akleaf.com. Email josh@akleaf.com for more info on supporting and advertising with Alaska Leaf!

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ABNEY

Editor’s Note Jack Herer once said, “I don’t know if hemp is going to save the world, but it’s the only thing that can.” Before his death, the activist, author and foreteller of things to come became convinced that hemp was the most important plant in our battle against climate change. Sitting here in Seattle after a week-and-a-half of wildfire smoke, in the middle of a pandemic, I have to say that my hope in hemp has been fully renewed.

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Hemp is a bioremediator plant, meaning it takes bad chemicals, unwanted nutrients and heavy metals out of the soil, while returning healthy nutrients and phytochemicals that are needed for the soil to live. Yes, soil is alive – and hemp is also the only crop that can be grown year round, as it gives back to the soil and doesn’t need to be rotated. Why does this matter? It’s the reason that hemp is planted at both Chernobyl and Fukushima, where nuclear radiation has poisoned the soil, water table and overall environment. Hemp is able to clean the soil, while also processing CO2 from the air, making THANKS FOR PICKING UP it essential to the cleanup effort at these most disastrous of places.

THE HEMP ISSUE Hemp can also make wonderful fibers for clothing and paper, is able OF THE LEAF! to be turned into compostable plastics, makes amazing building materials, and can be integrated into almost every single aspect of industrial work. Not to mention the abundance of CBD that we as humans need, which can be introduced into animal feeds via hemp-based nutrition.

The only real question I have is this: Why aren’t we turning to hemp to save the planet? One hundred years ago when Hearst and DuPont hatched a plan to demonize the plant, they set in motion a century of plastics, paper burning and environmental destruction. Today it is our duty to undo the damage and correct what we can, while we can. If we want our grandchildren and future generations to have the ability to live in harmony with the Earth, we must take action.

Climate change is real and the effects are being felt around the planet.

So, how can we help? Ask for hemp milk when you get a latte, or for hemp options at your local clothing outlet. Look for hemp products when you search online – algorithms dominate our technical world and demand leads to integration. If you have a yard, plant hemp! And look to hemp seeds for nutrition – they’re really good for you, and the planet.

A decade ago, I began the Leaf to tell the truth about Cannabis, which I believe will help save our species from the over-prescription of pharmaceuticals and a general disconnect with medicine, healing and the right to feel good. Today, I feel that the battle for our planet – and hemp – is the most important one we have. If we want to have a future free from smoke, chemicals and plastics, hemp is our only option. And what a wonderful one it is!

So please enjoy this issue, share it with friends, and look for ways to use hemp in your life as a consumer and activist. Together, we can change the world – and feel good while we do it.

DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS | Our Sept. 2020 edition story on Top Shelf Herbs of Alaska contained the wrong name in the headline and story. AK Leaf regrets the error and welcomes reader feedback.

Wes Abney OCT. 2020

AKLEAF.COM

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N O RT H E AS T L E A F

national news

politics

northwest

BIDEN-HARRIS PLEDGE FEDERAL CANNABIS DECRIMINALIZATION

WASHINGTON STATE’S MARIJUANA ODOR TASK FORCE MAY BE FIRST

C

alifornia Senator and Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris has put Cannabis policy on the ticket’s agenda as an issue for the November presidential election.

Harris promised that she and former Vice President Joe Biden would “THIS IS NO TIME FOR HALFdecriminalize Cannabis.

STEPPIN’. THIS IS NO TIME FOR Harris announced the position at a virtual town hall in September.

INCREMENTALISM,” HARRIS SAID. “Under a Biden-Harris administration, we will decriminalize the use of marijuana and automatically expunge all marijuana-use convictions and end incarceration for drug use alone,” Harris said. “This is no time for half-steppin’. This is no time for incrementalism,” she added.

“We need to deal with the system and there needs to be significant change in the design of the system.”

The Biden-Harris position on Cannabis is “encouraging” and shows momentum for marijuana reform at the federal level, according to Steven Hawkins, Executive Director of the Marijuana Policy Project.

east coast

PENNSYLVANIA’S FARMERS WILL GROW BETTER POT THAN NEW JERSEY’S, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SAYS

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ennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf called on state lawmakers to bring him a bill legalizing Cannabis and directing the revenue to disadvantaged businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. He also urged restorative justice as a priority for communities harmed by marijuana criminalization, reports the Philly Voice.

PA Lt. Gov. In September, Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman took it to the next Fetterman level, stressing that delaying marijuana legalization could put the state at “THE GOVERNOR AND I THINK OUR LEGAL MARIJUANA IS a disadvantage if New Jersey gets a headstart by going first.

BETTER. WE THINK OUR FARMERS “New Jersey is going to vote to legalize marijuana, and 40 percent WOULD GROW BETTER LEGAL MARIJUANA THAN NEW JERSEY. of the population will live within a 30-minute drive or less of legal WE THINK WE SHOULD REAP THE marijuana,” Lt. Gov. Fetterman said at the Capitol. “The governor and BENEFITS, NOT NEW JERSEY.” I think our legal marijuana is better. We think our farmers would grow better legal marijuana than New Jersey. We think we should reap the benefits, not New Jersey.”

New Jersey residents will vote on a legalization referendum on November 3. Recent polls suggest the measure will pass. A push to legalize Cannabis in the New Jersey Legislature narrowly failed last year.

RACIAL DISPARITIES PERSIST IN ARRESTS DESPITE WASHINGTON, D.C. LEGALIZATION

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early 90 percent of people arrested for Cannabis-related crimes in Washington, D.C. were Black between 2015 and 2019, although African Americans only make up 45 percent of the city’s population. Weed has been legal in D.C. for five years now. But racial bias is still quite prevalent in marijuana related arrests in the nation’s capital, according to an analysis of police records by The Washington Post.

MULTIPLE STUDIES HAVE Multiple studies have shown comparable rates of Cannabis use among SHOWN COMPARABLE RATES OF white people and Black people.

CANNABIS USE AMONG WHITE PEOPLE AND BLACK PEOPLE. D.C. voters in 2014 approved Initiative 71, a ballot measure permitting possession of up to two ounces of marijuana by adults 21 and older. The initiative also allowed adults to gift up to an ounce of weed to other adults, and for the home cultivation of up to six plants.

0

is the amount of THC in the strain Cannabis America, according to Orlando, Florida-based Bazelet Oglesby.

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15

grams is the amount allowed in a legalization bill currently being considered in Israel.

89

percent of Cannabis consumers said they’ve received marijuana through delivery services during the pandemic.

550

percent is the incredible growth rate of Cannabis ‘subscription boxes’ on the service Cratejoy.

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ashington State’s Marijuana Odor Task Force is believed to be among the first in the U.S. to examine an issue that has already caused lawsuits targeting the Cannabis industry. The state is seeking an outside expert, reports Marijuana Business Daily, to advise regulators on the possible impact of Cannabis odors on human health.

Other agricultural businesses, of course - prominently among them livestock and poultry farms - are well acquainted with odor issues and public complaints.

Many Washington state Cannabis OTHER AGRICULTURAL BUSINESSES ARE WELL businesses are reluctant to accept yet more ACQUAINTED WITH regulations. But with some opponents of ODOR ISSUES AND the marijuana industry weaponizing legal PUBLIC COMPLAINTS. maneuvers, companies can be tied up in costly lawsuits before they know what hit them.

The request for proposals for the project, titled “Marijuana Odors and Emissions Detection and Research,” went out August 10, according to the Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board. The state is seeking a vendor that can detect and report on odors from licensed marijuana companies, and then determine whether the smells are potentially harmful to those who live or work near producers or processors.

WASHINGTON STATE WARNS CANNABIS BUSINESSES ABOUT TEXT MESSAGING SCAM

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he Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) has alerted Cannabis businesses about a text-based scam that has, over the past year, taken in a number of shop employees.

The scam, called a ‘Fire Extinguisher Scam,’ entails contacting employees through text message using spoofed phone numbers, reports Big Country News. The text appears to be SCAMMERS TYPICALLY TELL STORE EMPLOYEES coming from the store owner’s attorney or THAT A ‘GOVERNMENT even the owners themselves, according to INSPECTOR’ IS ABOUT TO COME TO THE STORE the LCB. TO VERIFY THE FIRE Scammers typically tell store employees EXTINGUISHERS ARE IN that a ‘government inspector’ is about COMPLIANCE. to come to the store to verify the fire extinguishers are in compliance. The scammer will then have the employee send photos of the extinguishers, exit signs, business licenses and other regulatory items. Through a series of text messages, the victim is asked to bring a large amount of money to a location, where it’s handed off to someone the employee does not know.

$1.2m

was the cost of an eight month licensing delay, according to Massachusetts dispensary Northeast Alternatives.

$57m

in venture capital funding was received by Cannabis companies between July 1 and mid-September.

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

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cannthropology

WORLD OF CANNABIS PRESENTS

ASSASSINS OF TRUTH 16

Profiling a publication with a prominent piece of prohibitionist propaganda

aklEAF.COM

MUCKRAKER MAGAZINES

In 1906, a publication that had undergone numerous name changes over the previous three decades rebranded itself one final time as The American Magazine. Originally distributed

by Phillips Publishing, it had up until then been known for its “muckraking” writers—a term used to describe investigative journalists who exposed corruption. After being acquired by Crowell Publishing in 1911, however, the magazine began featuring less provocative content in an effort to court a wider readership—or so they said.

Some, however, saw this not as a harmless shift in editorial focus, but as a deliberate attempt by corporate interests to silence journalists who were speaking truth to power.

“The right of free speech in America is in jeopardy,” warned noted muckraker Cleveland Moffett in a New York Times article. “They are trying to muzzle the magazines. Several magazines…have come under the control of interests, and in each of them the muckraking features will cease.”

YELLOW JOURNALISM

As it turned out, Mr. Moffatt’s fears were well-founded; over the next two decades, many

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publications that were gobbled up by media conglomerates would adopt a new reporting style anathema to the muckrakers. Dubbed “yellow journalism” (what we would today call “tabloid journalism” or “fake news”), it relied on sensationalism, fear-mongering and sentimentality, rather than investigative acumen, rationality and hard facts. Undoubtedly, the most egregious perpetrator of this unsavory editorial practice was media magnate William Randolph Hearst.

Hearst hired a writer named Winifred Bonfils, who under the pen name Annie Laurie, wrote a series of columns for his news syndicate railing against the evils of narcotics—eventually turning her typewriter against weed as well. Eschewing the familiar terms “hemp” and “cannabis,” which had been used by Western culture for centuries, these articles rebranded the widely used plant as some dangerous new drug called “marihuana”—the foreign-sounding name used by the Indigenous peoples of Mexico, who at the time were pouring across the border at an alarming rate.

Through the 1920s, Hearst published a flood of Laurie’s yellow journalism articles about these murderous, marijuana smoking Mexicans throughout the thirty-odd newspapers and mag-

azines in his print empire, which were read by nearly a quarter of all Americans.

Many amatuer historians, including legendary activist Jack Herer, have speculated that Hearst’s motives for condemning cannabis went beyond mere racism—that he and Treasury Secretary Andrew W. Mellon, among others, saw the hemp industry as a threat to their financial holdings in the timber, oil and chemical industries. But upon serious research, this argument doesn’t seem to hold water factually.

Regardless of the reasoning behind it, however, it was this procession of propaganda—later appropriated and amplified by one notorious anti-drug zealot—that would eventually lead to America’s criminalization of cannabis.

That zealot was Harry Jacob Anslinger.

ANSLINGER ATTACKS

A former inspector and corporate spin doctor for the Pennsylvania Railroad, Harry J. Anslinger landed a job as an assistant commissioner in the Treasury Department’s Bureau of Prohibition— thanks in part to the convenient fact that Secretary Mellon happened to be his wife’s uncle.

When the Bureau was transferred to the Justice Department in 1930, Uncle Andrew appointed

Anslinger as Commissioner of the newly formed Federal Bureau of Narcotics (the precursor to today’s DEA)— making him America’s first defacto drug czar. Initially, Anslinger seemed indifferent to cannabis, reportedly saying in regard to the notion that cannabis made people violent, “There is probably no more absurd fallacy.” So what changed his mind? The end of Prohibition and the dawn of the Depression.

The Depression forced significant budget cuts to a number of law enforcement agencies, and with the Volstead Act repealed, they’d need a new substance to demonize if they wanted to maintain their power. With his agency’s funding in jeopardy and sensastionalized reports of cannabis use among Mexicans and “negro” jazz musicians on the rise, the racist and opportunistic Anslinger decided to shift gears and launch an all-out assault on the herb.

With no scientific evidence to support his new crusade against cannabis, the only way to further his agenda was by perpetuating past propaganda to stoke white America’s xenophobia and economic anxiety. Anslinger culled around 200 articles, accusations, and anecdotes about the exaggerated dangers of cannabis use from Hearst’s papers and crime reports to compile what he called his “Gore Files,” then used them to crank out his own steady flow of press releases and articles designed to stir up hysteria among the populace and bolster his efforts to get Congress to outlaw the herb.

ASSASSIN OF YOUTH

Perhaps the most infamous and influential of these was a piece Anslinger co-wrote with crime author Courtney Ryley Cooper entitled “Marijuana—Assassin of Youth.”

The article lays out his version of the drug’s history and its evil effects on the nation’s youth, illustrated by a series of sordid stories about various “marijuana addicts”— some of whom allegedly suffered from hallucinations, mania and selective amnesia—who’d engaged in acts of violence, theft, sexual depravity, and even murder while “on the weed.” These include a 17-year-old boy killing a police officer, a girl who jumped out of a window after smoking reefers at a party, and a Florida teen named Victor Licata who hacked up his entire family with an ax, all supposedly while high on the “muggles.” In what periodical was this flagitious feature published? In the July 1937 issue of…you guessed it...The American Magazine. (An abridged version was reprinted around seven months later in Reader’s Digest, and a Reefer Madness-style exploitation film bearing the same name soon followed.)

Researchers later concluded that nearly all of Anslinger’s “Gore Files” crime attributions to marijuana usage were either false or misleading, including that of Licata who had been diagnosed as mentally ill from an early age. Nevertheless, Anslinger’s scare tactics worked like a charm: The legislation he’d drafted was submitted to Congress in April, signed into law on August 2, and went into effect as the Marijuana Tax Act on October 1, 1937. Though it didn’t technically outlaw cannabis, it allowed those possessing or selling it without the proper paperwork to be arrested and jailed. That law remained in effect for three decades—until it was challenged by counterculture icon Timothy Leary and overturned as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1969. Unfortunately, it was replaced within a year by Nixon’s far stricter Controlled Dangerous Substances Act—further codifying Anslinger’s irrational cannabis crusade into law and kicking off the modern-day War on Drugs.

Modern-day muckrakers still struggle against the scourge of fake news serving the agendas of politicians and media moguls.

“Marijuana is the most violencecausing drug in the history of mankind.”

Harry J. Anslinger

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EPILOGUE

Anslinger died in 1975 and was buried at Presbyterian Cemetery in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania—not far from his hometown of Altoona (just in case you’d like to pee your respects). The American Magazine published its final issue in August 1956, but sadly the practice of yellow journalism remains alive and well. Today, over 80 years after the publishing of “Marijuana—Assassins of Youth,” we modern-day muckrakers still struggle against the scourge of fake news that serves the agendas of politicians and media moguls, and continue to strive to counteract the malevolent misinformation about marijuana that Hearst and Anslinger first unleashed into our nation’s zeitgeist.

» For a deeper dive on this topic, listen to Episode #2 of the

Cannthropology potcast at worldofcannabis.museum/podcast, or find it available on all podcast platforms.

This content was originally published on worldofcannabis.museum and is reprinted with permission.

STORY by BOBBY BLACK @WORLDOFCANNABISMUSEUM for LEAF NATION

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

CAITLYN AZIMI-TABRIZI ALASKA LEAF BUDTENDER OF THE MONTH Caitlyn has called Alaska home for her entire life, where she loves cooking, drawing, and spending time with family and friends. She also takes great pride in her passion for Cannabis and its power to heal.

"PEOPLE ARE GETTING BACK TO THEIR NORMAL, HAPPY SELVES."

SO, HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE CANNABIS BUSINESS? Well, I’d been wanting to work in it for awhile, and I shopped at GoodSinse a lot. Then one day I noticed they had posted a ‘Now Hiring’ sign, so I dropped off a resume and the rest is history.

AWESOME! DO YOU FEEL YOU’VE GROWN AS A PERSON SINCE WORKING AS A BUDTENDER? Yeah, I believe I have. It’s nice to have a job where I can help people out every day and that it’s in a social environment. I’ve made a lot of friends, too – so it has really been good for me.

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ARE THERE ANY NEGATIVE ASPECTS TO BUDTENDING? Well, with the pandemic people have become more stressed out and it has kind of carried over to us.

DO YOU SEE ALASKA BEGINNING TO THAW IN THAT RESPECT? Yes, it’s been noticeable over the last couple months. People are getting back to their normal, happy selves.

aklEAF.COM

WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A CAREER OUT OF BEING IN THE CANNABIZ? AND IF SO, WHAT BRANCH OF THE INDUSTRY CAN YOU SEE YOURSELF IN? I would love to make it a career! I enjoy working with Cannabis every day. I really like the edible aspect because I love cooking and baking.

WHAT WOULD YOU CALL YOUR COMPANY IF YOU HAD AN EDIBLE COMPANY? That’s a hard one. It would have to be something simple like Caitlyn’s Creations.

GOODSINSE

2604 DAVIS RD, FAIRBANKS, AK (907) 347-7689 GOODSINSE.COM OPEN 8AM-10PM DAILY

OCt, 2020

WHAT WOULD YOUR MASCOT BE? It would have to be a killer whale. I just think they’re really beautiful and powerful. I can see myself relating to them.

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

SHOP REVIEEW

Canna Get Happy REVIEW by JOSHUA STAHLE / ALASKA LEAF

Canna Get Happy is the latest shop to open up its doors in the Mat-Su Valley over the summer, bringing its very own unique vibe to the market. Pulling up to the store, you will immediately notice a ‘60s and ‘70s vibe that will continue as you venture inside. Located on the Palmer-Wasilla highway not too far past Fred Meyer, the location is another easy to access retail store just outside the city limits.

ENVIRONMENT AND VIBE

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Its groovy, baby. I am personally a big fan of the aesthetic going on in the store, with a rather interesting mix of the ‘60s and ‘70s, plus a light dose of modernity. While in the store, one of the budtenders referred to it as “groovy-modern,” which is a term I am 100% going to get behind. Overall, the store has a very open feel for its relative size and there is enough space to not feel crowded if the store is busy.

PRODUCTS Canna Get Happy is a place where you can always expect to find some good flower available. Carrying almost every strain grown by Green Go, you can be guaranteed to pick up some high quality buds. I must say, I was quite impressed by the eighth of Mango Mojito that I picked up!

On the concentrate side, you can expect to find products from Frog Mountain, Refine, Cold Creek Extracts and AKO Farms. For edibles, you will find products from Dosed, Einstein, Leaf Chews, Stoney Moose, Momo’s Bakery and Kreative Confections.

HISTORY Canna Get Happy is the retail side of Green Go, hence, they carry the entirety of their product line. Fuzzy has had a massive influence on the market in Alaska since we went legal and now his flower has a true home. I really look forward to seeing what products are brought in as the store grows and evolves, as every product should be held up to that standard.

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BUDTENDERS Each and every person that I have talked to working at this store knows their Cannabis – and they know it well.

I was very impressed by the knowledge carried by each budtender, and even better, they are not overly pushy with that knowledge. They’re more than willing to let each customer express their happiness with different products in the store, while also willing to share said knowledge when asked by a customer. Aside from that, the staff is very open and friendly as well – making it all too easy to get lost in good conversation and lose track of time while shopping.

OCT. 2020

2321 E PALMER WASILLA HIGHWAY| WASILLA (907) 376-2900 | @CANNAGETHAPPY 9:00A–10:00P DAILY

FUZZY HAS HAD A MASSIVE INFLUENCE ON THE MARKET IN ALASKA SINCE WE WENT LEGAL AND NOW HIS FLOWER HAS A TRUE HOME.

AKLEAF.COM PHOTO by O' HARA SHIPE @SHIPESHOTS/ALASKA LEAF

doobies for boobies A percentage of all pre roll sales during the month of October will be going to support the fight against Breast Cancer at participating retailers.

Warning: The product has intoxicating effects, and may be habit forming. Smoking can be hazardous to your health.

There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. Should not be used by women that are pregnant or breast feeding. For use only by adults twenty-one or older. Keep out of reach of children. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination and judgement. This product is infused with marijuana or active compounds of marijuana.

NOW OPEN 2906 SPENARD ROAD ANCHORAGE, ALASKA MONDAY-SATURDAY 9AM-10PM SUNDAY 11AM-6PM alaskacannabisexchange.com Support the fight against breast cancer! Pink joints with kief are available, and 50 cents will be donated for every joint sold to the fight against breast cancer!

MONTHLY SPECIALS Monday Munchie Monday 15% off edibles, except hashade Tuesday CBD Tuesday, 20% off CBD flower & products Wednesday Wax wednesday, 20% off Dabs except baller jars are 10% off Thursday BOGO Joint, not blunts or fatboys Friday Flash Friday in store deal Saturday Buy one get one 30% off vape carts Sunday 20% off in house flower except on weekly special EARLY BIRD SPECIALS DAILY MONDAY-SATURDAY 9AM-11AM HALLOWEEN SPECIAL! WEAR YOUR COSTUME IN AND RECEIVE 20% OFF! Warning: The product has intoxicating effects, and may be habit forming. Smoking can be hazardous to your health.

There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. Should not be used by women that are pregnant or breast feeding. For use only by adults twenty-one or older. Keep out of reach of children. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination and judgement. This product is infused with marijuana or active compounds of marijuana.

STRAIN OF THE MONTH aklEAF.COM

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INDIANA MOONSHINE BUBBLEGUM oct. 2020

FALL IS OFFICIALLY HERE AND WE’VE FOUND A TASTY CLASSIC FULL OF CBD TO HELP USHER IN THE WEATHER CHANGE WITH HAPPY AND RELAXING VIBES.

E

mbracing the colder weather is always easier with a good buzz and we’ve found that CBDrich strains help to relieve anxiety and stress, while delivering the stoniness that darkness at 3:00 p.m. requires. This classic hybrid strain from Alaska Cannabis Exchange is rich in flavor and cannabinoids – perfect for taking the edge off of whatever is on the mind.

Indiana Moonshine Bubblegum boasts buds that are thick and chunky with light moisture and stickiness, which upon busting open, leave fingers feeling tacky.

Breaking the nug apart further reveals deep earthy bubblegum notes, with hints of grape and fizzy citrus that emerge from the background, reminiscent of a sugary dessert wine. Sweet and sultry, this strain smells and tastes like a treat for the palate, mind and body.

Sparking a bowl releases a mellow, Deep earthy earthy-sweet smoke bubblegum notes, that is gentle on the with hints of grape lungs with very little and fizzy citrus that expansion. The flower burns slowly and evenly, emerge from the delivering a calming background. smoking process, taking a few minutes to get through a bowl. Effects come on quickly with a tingle of CBD that clears the mind of stress and fog, while relaxing the body in a warming Cannabis hug. Thoughts slow down as a gentle euphoria takes over, elevating the mind and spirit with good vibes that are quite welcome during these strange times. The buzz lasts for a solid several hours and it’s perfect to help get through a stressful day, or to end an evening with.

With beautiful looks and a sweet flavor, this CBD-rich Indiana Moonshine Bubblegum is a lovely way to enjoy a mellow, happy and positive transition into fall with. Look for this and other great offerings from Alaska Cannabis Exchange at your favorite retailer today – and ask for CBD-rich strains to try!

GROWN BY ALASKA CANNABIS EXCHANGE

13.25% THC, 9.25% CBD

REVIEW by ALASKA LEAF STAFF @AKLEAFMAG | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS & MIKE RICKER @RICKERDJ

THE HEMP ISSUE

** Hemp Hemp? That’s like, the cousin to Cannabis, right? Why do people buy that stuff?

It doesn’t even get you high!

As hemp increases in both popularity and legality year by year, we are hearing these types of comments more frequently.

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The infamous Jack Herer was quoted as saying, “I don’t know if hemp will save the world, but it’s the only thing that can.” This incredible plant can be used to produce food, medicine, textiles, building materials, clothing, paper, biofuel, environmental remediation and literally thousands of other things.

There are more than 25,000 documented uses for hemp.

Likely the most diversely utilized plant on the planet, hemp has been a part of human history for millennia. Hemp cloth dating back to 8,000 B.C. has even been uncovered in ancient Mesopotamia, which is modern-day Iraq and Iran.

Hemp matures in 90 days, removes toxins and heavy metals from its environment – both from the soil it’s planted in and the air around it – converts more carbon dioxide to oxygen per square acre than trees do, is naturally pest and mold resistant, and requires less water per acre than both cotton and trees to produce.

REVIEWS BY W YAT T E A R LY @ E R R LY W YAT T

CBD FOR LIFE TOPICAL SPRAY For quick and easy on-the-go pain relief, I always go to my CBD for Life topical spray. Sometimes when I’m on the road for long hours, my legs and back begin to tighten up. I chose this spray because it’s so easy to use and there’s zero messiness during application. I simply spray the area of my body that is experiencing pain, wait a few short seconds for it to dry, and I can move on with my day. I found that one to two sprays provided me with lasting pain relief. Another thing I really enjoyed about this product was the minty and sweet smell - which is important if you’re going to be spraying it on your body.

100MG | CBDFORLIFE.US

BIOSPECTRUM CBD PAIN RELIEF ROLL-ON

In this special Hemp Issue, we’re taking a look at where the hemp plant came from and where it is today, highlighting hemp products developed for a wide variety of uses, touring a craft-focused hemp farm, and sharing stories about how people have improved their lives with this literally Earth-changing herb.

Roll-on products can be a highly useful tool in managing your level of comfort. After a week of catching crabs on the shore my back was killing me, providing me with the perfect opportunity to test this product out. Within two minutes, the FDA approved lidocaine, menthol and camphor created a cooling sensation that soothed my pain. That’s when the broad spectrum CBD distillate had a chance to work its way into my body, providing me with lasting pain relief. Even on unusually painful days and nights, one morning application and one evening application definitely quelled any discomfort.

- N AT E W I L L I A M S @ N AT E W 4 1 5

1000MG | BIOSPECTRUMCBD.COM @BIOSPECTRUM.CBD

Today, hemp is federally legal via the Farm Bill of 2018. However, like Cannabis, each state, city and county have varying laws regulating the production, processing, and manufacture of hemp and hemp products.

aklEAF.COM

Pain Relief

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CBD product guide Finding Focus REVIEW BY BARRON WOLFE @BARRON.WOLFE

MAUI CBD COLLECTIVE AWAKENED MIND TINCTURE

R E V I E W S B Y W YAT T E A R LY @ E R R LY W YAT T

Helping Anxiety EXTREME TERPZ CBD SOFTGELS

MAX AND STEVEN’S FULL SPECTRUM CBD DROPS

The Hawaiian Indiginous Permaculture program is bringing ancient farming practices back to life in modern-day Maui.

Say aloha to Maui CBD Collective, one of the local Cannabis and superfood cultivators who align with these centuries old no-till grow methods and keep the traditions alive. To help find our focus, we tried Maui’s Awakened Mind 1000mg herbal supplement. The rad part about this pure tasting full spectrum MCTbased Cannabis tincture isn’t even the sungrown Maui Cannabis - it’s the Gotu Kola - an indengenious super-herb with more healing and cognitive enhancement properties than are currently known, harvested at a local monastery nearby and likely blessed by monks. Also worth mentioning, Maui CBD separately blesses all of their products before they ship them out. Google Gotu Kola and this brand - you will definitely want to try it.

1000MG CBD | MAUICBD.COM @MAUICBD

R E V I E W B Y M A X E A R LY @LIFTED_STARDUST

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>>

Over the past couple of years, I have become very familiar with the full product line from Extreme Terpz. These softgels have made their way to the top of my list, providing me with an immense amount of anxiety relief. I truly enjoy these versus many companies’ CBD capsules, primarily due to the fact that they are small and very easy to swallow. Creating a routine where I took two softgels every morning put me in a healthy and relaxed state of mind to begin my day.

This consistency also helped to build up the level of CBD in my system, arguably making the softgels and any other CBD product I ingest more effective.

One of the first things that comes to mind when I think about CBD are tinctures. With the wide array of tinctures available, it’s important to know exactly what is in yours.

Max and Steven’s is a trusted Baltimore brand that can put your mind at ease. They have certificates of analysis on every batch produced, which are publicly accessible on their website. To start I took half a dropper of the tincture and placed it under my tongue, allowing it to absorb fully. After 30-45 minutes, I began to experience noticeable anxiety relief. Coupled with a joint of medical Cannabis, this is definitely getting added to my morning routine.

With the help of East Fork Cultivars’ uplifting Sour Space Candy, Peak Extracts has used its proprietary Terp-Lock process to bring the industry a full spectrum CBD tincture that provides a substantial boost of energy. With a powerful blend of minor cannabinoids, flavonoids and rich in terpenes, consumers are rest assured that they are getting a well-rounded dosage of cannabinoids, including CBC. Are you tired of waking up feeling groggy?

Add a dropper or two of this tincture into your morning tea or lemon water to start your day on a high note - without the high! 2 OZ., 638MG, $60.00

10MG CBD | EXTREMETERPZCBD.COM

500MG | MAXANDSTEVENS.COM

PEAKEXTRACTS.COM @PEAKEXTRACTS_CBD

PEAK EXTRACTS SOUR SPACE CANDY TINCTURE

REVIEWS by LEAF NATION CONTRIBUTORS | PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

THE HEMP ISSUE

CBD product guide

Furry Friends REVIEW BY NATE WILLIAMS @NATEW415

VET CBD FULL SPECTRUM HEMP TINCTURE

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Vet CBD is California’s premier infused pet products brand.

The company was founded by Dr. Tim Shu, a certified Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, who developed the brand and products behind it with the belief that all pet owners should have access to the therapeutic use of CBD. Drawing from his knowledge of veterinary medicine, he formulated the products to be safe and effective for use in animals.

The tincture features an olive oil base infused with American grown hemp oil and is packaged with a plastic syringe for precise dosing. The packaging itself has the directions and approximate doses appropriate for your pet’s weight clearly displayed on the rear of the box. Each batch is thoroughly tested for cleanliness and a QR code linking you to the product’s test results is available.

My 11 ½ -year-old Australian Cattle Dog x French Bulldog mix loves the taste and after a week of adding the oil to her dinner nightly, I decided to test her fondness for the product as best I could, given the fact she’s unable to orate her enjoyment of the tincture. So I pulled the appropriate dose given her weight into the syringe and called her over, and as soon as she smelled it, she began licking at the bottom of the syringe to get to the oil – lapping every drop up as I delivered her ‘treat’ – which is surely as positive of a review as a dog can give.

VETCBD.COM | @BYVETCBD

aklEAF.COM

R E V I E W B Y M A X E A R LY @LIFTED_STARDUST

SACRED HERB MEDICINALS BLUE LINE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY LOTION Well known for their OLCC licensed Cannabis products, Sacred Herb Medicinals uses a unique blend of 15 different herbs, essential oils, waxes and decarboxylated Cannabis to offer a wide variety of products with multiple application options. I highly enjoyed the effects of their Blue Line (CBD only) Anti-Inflammatory Lotion, which is ideal for applying to large areas after a long workout. After applying approximately two pumps of lotion to areas of concern, the pain and pressure rapidly subsided, leaving my muscles and joints fully relaxed. I no longer felt as sore and avoided having to take Ibuprofen or anything comparable. Sacred Herb Medicinals definitely works fast and absorbs completely into the skin, leaving your body very moisturized with no greasy residue left behind.

4 OZ., $34.00 | @SACREDHERBMEDICINALS.COM @SACREDHERBMEDICINALS

ECO SCIENCES ECODROPS RELIEF TINCTURE Combining a unique blend of terpenes and cannabinoids, including humulene, limonene, linalool, myrcene, terpineol, CBD, CBDV and CBC, Eco Sciences’ naturally flavored Relief tincture is a perfect addition to your protein shake after the gym. This 3,000mg tincture contains vitamin E, fatty acids, omega-3 and omega-6, making this an ideal option for those looking for a CBD product that offers a wide variety of health benefits.

ECODROPS utilizes a full spectrum CBD, which is very beneficial for inflammation and muscle recovery. After a week of use, I felt a drastic improvement in my overall workout routine – having more energy and feeling less sore than ever before! ECOSCIENCES.COM | @ECOSCIENCESCO

Rest & Recovery REVIEW BY WES ABNEY @BEARDEDLORAX

ENTANGLED BIOME PET WELLNESS TINCTURE

LEBLANC CNE HEMP TOPICAL & HEMP-INFUSED TINCTURE

Have you recently noticed your pet experiencing a loss of energy or a decrease in movement abilities?

Look no further, as Entangle Biome’s CBD Pet Wellness Tincture is sure to help give your furry friend an overall boost in their quality of life. After giving my dog, Astro, this tincture for the past year, I can confidently say I have seen a drastic improvement in his overall mood, health and happiness. Every morning when he gets fed, I give him a dropper full of tincture on top of his food and he scarfs it right down. With only two ingredients – organic sunflower oil and full spectrum hemp oil – it is no surprise that he loves taking his tincture just as much as I love taking mine in the morning!

Hemp for medicine should be grown with care and love, much like this thoughtfully produced hemp tincture. Organic and Oregon-grown, this product provides full spectrum cannabinoids, terpenes and the essence of full plant medicine in a sweet, slightly earthy tincture perfect for general or specific CBD goals. Unlike many tinctures made with hemp isolates from unknown sources, this farm-to-bottle relationship honors the plant, is pesticide-free and safe to consume for all ages with confidence. Hemp-based cannabinoids can also do wonders for the skin and muscles beneath, making roll-on topical oils beneficial for a variety of uses – from eczema to sore muscles and everything in between. Made with “ingredients we’d only serve our own mother,” this roll-on combines classic topical ointment ingredients using grapeseed oil, hemp and the hemp roots, lavender, linalool and myrcene. With an easy to use format and a light, non-greasy application, this topical is perfect for however you choose to use CBD on your body’s largest organ – the skin! LEBLANCCNE.COM

ENTANGLEDBIOME.COM | @ENTANGLEBIOME

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R E V I E W S B Y M A X E A R LY @ L I F T E D _ S TA R D U S T

REVIEWS BY DAN VINKOVETSKY @DANNYDANKOHT

Getting Intimate FORIA WELLNESS INTIMACY NATURAL LUBRICANT WITH CBD

SARA JAY’S SELF CARE COLLECTION LONG NIGHT PERSONAL LUBE

Since 2013, Foria has been at the forefront of the hemp for health and sexual enhancement movement, with their plant-based products leading the way to relief and pleasure. Their MCT coconut oil-based lubricant is infused with lab tested, broad spectrum CBD from sungrown and regeneratively grown hemp plants - with no added chemicals or fragrances. The natural, vegan and gluten free lube is safe to ingest (oral-friendly), long lasting and in sustainable packaging. Use their Awaken Arousal Oil with CBD prior to applying the lube for the full effect and sensation.

Who better to put out a line of sexy CBD-infused products than veteran adult film legend Sara Jay? The AVN Hall of Famer has been a Cannabis user for decades to treat migraines, muscle pain and insomnia, and once she discovered the benefits of cannabidiol without THC, she was all in.

“If you know me, then you know I like to make people feel good,” says Sara Jay and users of her lube will certainly enjoy relaxation and supreme satisfaction. It’s infused with 200mg of active CBD from full spectrum hemp extract products, extracted by supercritical CO2. Pair the lube with Sara’s massage oil for a long night of happy endings. SARA JAYCBD.COM

FORIAWELLNESS.COM

R E V I E W S B Y M A X E A R LY @ L I F T E D _ S TA R D U S T

THE BROTHER’S APOTHECARY GOLDEN DREAM TEA Drift away into a place of peace and serenity with this warming, comforting and grounding Golden Dream Tea. This floral and refreshing blend of organic chamomile, spearmint, orange peel, lemongrass and pure hemp is sure to help take a load off after a long day. With each sip, you can positively feel the love and passion put into their small-batch teas. Utilizing sustainable business practices and a renewable energy powered facility, customers can feel proud of supporting this owner-operated business - all the while greatly benefiting their mind, body and soul. Pro tip: refill your cup with hot water when you finish your first cup to reap the benefits of all the full spectrum CBD.

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Sleepy Time

20 PACK, 50-60MG PER TEA BAG, $90.00 THEBROTHERSAPOTHECARY.COM | @THEBROTHERSAPOTHECARY

FOCUS HEMP CO. FULL SPECTRUM CBD TINCTURE Having issues getting into a deep REM sleep? Look no further, as Focus Hemp Co.’s Full Spectrum CBD tincture is sure to do the trick! Loaded with lavender essential oil as well as herbal infusions, a 40mg serving of this liquid relaxation in a bottle will help you float away on a calm cloud to an uninterrupted night’s rest. After a solid week of using this product, I can genuinely say I look forward to taking it nightly, knowing my quality of sleep has drastically improved. Utilizing handpicked hemp grown in Southern Oregon, Focus Hemp Co. ensures their products are as clean as possible, as the flower used for their tinctures, topicals and gels are free of any heavy metals or pesticides, and organically sourced. Do your ECS (endocannabinoid system) a solid and pick up a bottle for yourself today!

1 OZ, 1,200MG, $49.99 FOCUSHEMPCO.COM @FOCUSHEMPCO

REVIEWS by LEAF NATION CONTRIBUTORS | PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

THE HEMP ISSUE

CBD product guide

FRONTIER CBD SALTED & REGULAR CARAMELS Popping a buttery caramel for a sweet treat feels relaxing in and of itself, but adding the CBD takes it to the next level!

Seriously, if these weren't infused we would still be eating them, but with 25mg of CBD per piece, we are nonetheless in love. A perfect dose that’s so tasty you might end up having two!

25MG CBD/PIECE | FRONTIERCBDS.COM

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ACE CBD TINCTURE PETS EDITION CBD can help our furry friends as much as us, and this Alaska-made version is perfect for pets who are suffering from pain, old age or general discomfort. Remember: Pets are not humans, so consult with a vet before giving your animal any products.

300MG CBD/BOTTLE CANNABISACE.COM

aklEAF.COM

NUOPTYM PERFORMANCE RELEVIUM This unique tincture combines the natural healing medicine of mushrooms with CBD for a beneficial blend that represents the future of natural healing. Mushrooms, along with other natural plants like lavender, have been known for centuries to contain medicinal benefits. This blend provides an immune system boost while also treating pain and inflammation, making it perfect for the early winter aches and pains.

With a slightly floral and sweet taste, it’s a perfect addition to the holistic medicine cabinet.

500MG CBD/BOTTLE NULYFELABS.COM

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RENEW EXTRA STRENGTH PAIN CREAM Made with high quality ingredients that all add value to the CBD, the Extra Strength Pain Cream by Renew CBD is perfect for a variety of topical uses, including pain, psoriasis, eczema and dried-out hands in the winter. Combining value with quality, this cream is a great option for general topical use.

600MG CBD | RENEWCBDSTORE.COM

Alaskan Highlights While our special is full of hemp-based CBD products that can be purchased online from anywhere in the country, we know that our Alaska community loves supporting local companies. We’ve rounded up some of the best that Alaska has to offer for CBD products – all produced and available at stores in the state!

RENEW HEMP CBD RECOVER BATH BOMB Bath bombs are all about treating yourself, so infusing them with CBD is a natural pairing that delivers heavenly results. These brightly colored and sweet smelling bombs are infused with CBD, lavender and vanilla – which means both you and the tub will be smelling good after a relaxing bath. Perfect for recovering from pain, your first gym workout after quarantine or simply a long day.

30MG CBD | RENEWCBDSTORE.COM

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ACE CBD TINCTURE Whole plant extract is the name of the game when it comes to CBD tinctures, and this MCT oil based tincture is infused with full spectrum hemp derived CBD – perfect for general tincture use.

With a lightly sweet and earthy taste – plus a lot of milligrams per bottle – this tincture is a great locally-made option for CBD therapy.

600MG CBD/BOTTLE CANNABISACE.COM

FRONTIER CBD PAIN FREEZE ROLL-ON Have you ever wanted to freeze pain away without stepping outside? This rollon solves that by combining the power of CBD with an analgesic biofreeze-type applicator that cools on contact – relaxing sore muscles, aches and pains away.

500MG CBD/BOTTLE | FRONTIERCBDS.COM

FRONTIER CBD COMPLETE RELIEF TINCTURE CBD is useful for so many ailments and this peppermint flavored tincture is a refreshing way to get a lot of CBD into the body quickly. With 2,000mg in the bottle, it’s easy to get the benefit of high-dose CBD, or to make a single bottle last for a long time. At 66.7mg per dropper, it’s up to you!

2,000MG CBD/BOTTLE FRONTIERCBDS.COM

REVIEWS by LEAF NATION CONTRIBUTORS | PHOTOS by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS

THE HEMP ISSUE

CBD FOR DOGS

“As a pet sitter, I often recommend owners give CBD a try.”

32 >> Lisa with her beloved Kodi Bear

DOES YOUR BEST FRIEND NEED CBD? I met Lisa Moncrief at a Sacramento house party in 2015.

We’d only been chatting for a bit before she excitedly pulled out her phone to show me her dog Kodi Bear – and I instantly understood Lisa’s huge heart for our furry friends.

Lisa grew up in Louisiana and Oklahoma with her family dog Peaches, and by the time she hit California as a young adult in 1989, she had developed a love for dogs that would grow into a lifelong passion for their care – even when she’s not their ‘person.’

aklEAF.COM

Lisa first became a dog mom in her mid-20s, adopting a tiny puppy that would be called Roadie, because her then-boyfriend’s bandmates found it tucked inside in a cardboard box at a rest stop after a gig. They shared nearly 13 years together before Roadie passed, and three-and-a-half years later in 2007, Lisa met and “instantly fell in love with” a fuzzy-faced one-year-old rescue from the Sacramento SPCA. She’s never had his DNA analyzed, but Lisa’s best guess is that he’s a “Chow Australian Shepherd mix who looks like a little Red Panda Bear.” Lisa named him Kodi Bear. While five years ago Kodi Bear was still active in mid-life – an avid hiker and swimmer who went everywhere with Lisa – now 14 in people years, Kodi Bear’s physical decline is obvious.

FOLLOW LISA & KODI BEAR’S ADVENTURES ON INSTAGRAM @SEEKING.THEBEAUTY.INTHE.WORLD | @KODIBEAR_BRINGSSMILES

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How have you observed Kodi Bear changing through the years?

He was about a year old when I got him, super active, loved hiking – any adventure he was always down for.

Then slowly he started aging. Last year, we went on a big road trip and he was able to get in and out of the car with me helping only a little bit, but this year it hit really hard. In March he was able to still do some running, and then in April he didn’t even want to go down to his favorite spot on the river. He’s just really slowed down to a snail’s pace – it’s super hard for him.

Was it these recent observations that led you to start Kodi Bear on CBD? Yes. I just started it, since his mobility seemed to change for the worse all at once.

Did you yourself ever try CBD before giving it to Kodi Bear? Yes, an 18:1 CBD tincture I took for anxiety.

I tried a full dropper and it mellowed me out quickly, but it also made me feel like I needed to take a nap. Now I take a quarter of the dropper and I feel pretty even-keeled. And I’ve started giving it to Kodi Bear for his inflammation and pain – for his mobility issues.

How did you discover the proper CBD :THC ratio and dose for Kodi Bear? He stayed with my friend while I was away pet-sitting this past Fourth of July, and my friend gave him the 18:1 ratio. She said it really helped Kodi Bear with anxiety during the fireworks, so I bought the 18:1. But after giving myself a full dropper of 18:1 and knowing how affected I was, I thought about 10 drops for Kodi Bear (who weighs roughly 60 pounds) would be sufficient for him. But I’ve played around with it and I’ve upped him to 15 drops per day.

What specifically shows you that CBD is helping with Kodi Bear’s mobility?

The main things I keep an eye on are how well he is able to get up and down stairs, and his pace.

Are there any particular brands of CBD tincture that you recommend? I’ve used Care By Design 18:1 and VetCBD 18:1, and I like both.

What advice do you have for dog owners who are curious about trying out CBD for their dogs? It’s definitely worth a try! As a pet sitter, I often recommend owners give CBD a try.

People seem to feel apprehensive about it, but for me it’s a natural medicine, so I don’t think people should be averse to giving it to their dogs.

STORY by LINDA ANH for LEAF NATION | PHOTOS by LOUISE MITCHELL

THE HEMP ISSUE aklEAF.COM

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RED TAPE JUNGLE Uncertainty and confusion reign for CBD industry amid DEA’s new interim rules STORY by TOM BOWERS @PROPAGATECONSULTANTS for LEAF NATION

OCt, 2020

The pathway to cannabinoid legalization weaves through a thick jungle of red tape.

Advocates hack their way through the tangles using scientific rigor and popular support, but with every swing of the machete, more vines cascade from the stifling canopy of bureaucracy.

The legal cannabinoid industry took a huge leap forward with the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized the sale of hemp-derived cannabinoid products as long as they were manufactured from plant material that contained less than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight.

As the summer of 2020 came to a close, the DEA released an Interim Final Rule (IFR) regarding cannabinoids that have people questioning whether the drug enforcement arm of the government is opening a backdoor that will allow for the prosecution of the CBD and nascent delta-8 THC industries.

“If they go ahead with this, we’ll be back to the, ‘It’s technically illegal, but we just hope you won’t enforce it.’ ” T E D B E R N H A R D , C U LT I VA L AW O R E G O N O F F I C E M A NAG I N G D I R E C T O R

M I T I G AT I N G T H C O R M I T I G AT I N G R I S K

When it comes to legal products, the Farm Bill clearly outlined what constitutes federally legal plant material. According to the text, hemp flower with less than 0.3% delta-9 THC is considered legal.

The problem with the bill, and the DEA’s new IFR, is that it muddies the water regarding extraction. Just ask Ted Bernhard, Managing Director of the Oregon office of Cultiva Law, which operates Cannabis industry-specific law practices in Washington, Oregon and California.

“During extraction and processing, they may end up over the 0.3%, even if their end product is compliant and less than the 0.3%,” Bernhard said during a phone call in September.

Think about that for a moment. The way the IFR and Farm Bill are written - even if the flower and the end product are both compliant - during the extraction process, the material could enter the realm of noncompliance. That’s because the extraction process concentrates the compounds, which then undergo dilution later in the manufacturing process.

“They technically would be in possession of illegal marijuana at that point,” Bernhard said, referring to the extraction stage.

As an exercise, consider if it were alcohol.

Many states have rules regarding alcohol content for end consumers. During distillation, alcohol content can reach concentrations of 90% before being diluted down. In its 90% stage, it would be illegal to sell in many states - hence the dilution. Imagine a governmental enforcement agency putting rules in place that would allow them to bust down the doors in the middle of the distillation process, before the alcohol is diluted into vodka.

According to Bernhard and many others familiar with the situation, the DEA’s proposed

rule has the same effect for the hemp industry.

The IFR effectively makes it possible for the DEA to bust into an extraction facility during this midpoint, and charge operators with possession of marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act. Though the IFR isn’t entirely off-brand for the DEA, lawyers, policy geeks and industry business owners are gobsmacked by the vagueness and potential for harm it introduces to the hemp industry.

“What actual harm is it if during the processing process, it rises above that percentage? It’s not an environmental hazard,” Bernhard said. As long as the end product is compliant, he argues, it should not matter.

D E LTA F O R C E

In its current state, the IFR could cause damage to the huge CBD industry, as well as the emerging delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-8 THC) market - which in the years since the Farm Bill - has been gaining popularity with entrepreneurs and patients in the therapeutics community.

According to the National Institute of Health’s National Library of Medicine, delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is an analogue of THC with “antiemetic, anxiolytic, appetite-stimulating, analgesic, and neuroprotective properties,” and offers those potential benefits with a significantly lower psychotropic potency than delta-9 THC, which is the compound responsible for the classic high most people associate with traditional Cannabis consumption.

Studies have shown a significantly positive impact on the side effects of chemotherapy when delta-8 THC is administered, with the potential beneficial uses of the cannabinoid generating a significant and growing demand in the market.

The Farm Bill and the IFR create two problems for the delta-8 industry. First, as currently written,

the rules prohibit the manufacture and sale of “synthetically derived” THC. Bernhard says the definition of “synthetically derived” is too vague, leaving it open to interpretation, and thus exposing manufacturers to risk of prosecution.

Since DEA rules prohibit the creation and distribution of synthetic cannabinoids, as well as the extraction of cannabinoids from any plants with more than .3% delta-9 THC by dry weight, the only avenue for those who wish to produce and market delta-8 is from hemp. But then manufacturers run the risk of temporarily being in the possession of material with greater than 0.3% delta-9 THC during the extraction process, running into the aforementioned issues.

Unless the language is clarified in order to allow for the extraction process, involvement in both the CBD and the delta-8 markets will be rife with risk.

“It could cause people not to stay in the business, or decrease the supply,” Bernhard said.

“I’m not seeing anyone who’s getting out of the business because of this, but I think the hope is to get some greater clarification.”

The way Bernhard sees it, unless the rules are changed, the entire hemp and Cannabis industries will take a huge step backward.

“If they go ahead with this, we’ll be back to the, ‘It’s technically illegal, but we just hope you won’t enforce it,’” he said. “That’s not good for raising capital, that’s not good for planning.”

For those who want to help influence the future, it’s not too late. The DEA is currently accepting public comments on the IFR until October 20.

For the time being, Bernhard remains optimistic for the industry and hasn’t seen much panic at this point.

“As of now, people are staying level-headed,” he said. “Pushing for change and submitting their comments.”

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SPOOKY STONED

cooking with Cannabis

R E C I P E S b y L A U R I E W O L F | P H O T O b y B R U C E WO L F

October 30 is National Candy Corn Day and I can hardly wait. Invented in 1880, 10 billion pieces of candy corn have been eaten to date. That’s a lot! If you are not a fan, I am sorry. If it is any consolation, the pudding doesn’t taste like candy corn, but rather has only a physical resemblance to the iconic Halloween candy.

This month, my home use strain is Life Coach from Noble Farms. Great name, perfect for these crazy times, and bringing a delightfully mellow and tasty profile. #HappyHalloween #Dontfeartheedible #Blacklivesmatter#Wearamask

CANDY CORN PUDDING 1. Have your set up ready - you need to work fast if you are using instant pudding. Not crazy fast, but don’t dawdle.

2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the milk and the infused butter or oil with the pudding. Divide the pudding among three bowls. You can distribute evenly or not, your choice.

3. In the first bowl, add the yellow coloring and the almond extract.

Stir well. Add the orange coloring and orange extract to the next bowl. Add the vanilla extract to the plain bowl.

1 5 oz. box instant vanilla pudding

3 teaspoons canna-butter or

3 cups cold milk or non-dairy

canna-oil

milk substitute

Orange food coloring

Yellow food coloring

1/8 teaspoon orange extract

1/8 teaspoon almond extract

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

SERVES 2-4

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HALLOWEEN HANDS 1. Trace your hand two times on parchment and flip parchment.

2. Melt the dark chocolate with the two teaspoons of infused oil or butter according to directions on the package. Keep a couple of tablespoons for decorating. When smooth, fill the traced hand in trying to follow the shape. No worries about staying in the lines, that is not how we roll.

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3. Before the chocolate sets, decorate with candy corn.

4. Melt the white chocolate with two teaspoons of infused oil or butter, stir until smooth. Hold back two tablespoons of the melted chocolate for decorating. Again, fill in the second traced hand. Decorate with the candy corn.

5. Drizzle the hands with the remaining melted chocolate.

Allow to set for at least 30 minutes.

1 cup chocolate melts 2 teaspoons canna-oil or canna-butter 1 cup white chocolate melts 2 teaspoons canna-oil or canna-butter Halloween candy MAKES 2 HANDS, 4 SERVINGS

MAKES 2 TO 4 SERVINGS OF EDIBLE COOKIE DOUGH

CANDY CORN ON THE COB 1. In a mixing bowl, beat the sugar and butters till fluffy.

Add the salt and vanilla.

2. Stir in the flour and chips and form into a ball. Chill for 30 minutes. When firm, divide in half and roll into logs.

3. Make rows of candy corn, pressing it into the dough.

If the dough gets too soft, place in the fridge for a short time, 10-15 minutes. Fill in all the rows and chill till serving time.

PRO TIP If making cookie dough is more than you feel like doing, try using marzipan instead. Mix 1 cup of marzipan with 2-4 teaspoons canna-butter, softened.

1/2 cup light brown sugar / 2 tablespoons butter, softened 2-4 teaspoons infused butter, softened / 1/4 teaspoon salt

Oct. 2020

1/4 teaspoon vanilla / 2/3 cup flour, baked at 350 for five min. on a half sheet pan and cooled / 4 tablespoons chocolate chips Lots of candy corn, tips removed

NOW OPEN AT TWO ANCHORAGE LOCATIONS! Southside

9900 Old Seward Hwy

&

Eastside

317 Muldoon Rd

EDIBLE OF THE MONTH aklEAF.COM

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As the Cannabis community ups its science game to match other industries, the diversification of products on shelves continues to accelerate.

Known affectionately as a hippie speedball, the effects of Cannabis and caffeine are really quite lovely. The coffee picks you up, the weed slows you down, and the mind and body meet in the middle for a balanced state of bliss. While the traditional method of consumption involves smoking weed and drinking coffee, the good folks at SoL have infused the weed right into the java for a delicious way to catch a buzz.

Cold brew coffee is popular for many reasons, including lower acidity and higher caffeine content than traditional brews. Plus, it’s served cold – making it easy to enjoy during the daytime without going through the trouble of making a fresh pot of liquid happiness. There’s 50mg of THC in this eight ounce bottle, so sensitive users should be aware that drinking the whole thing will deliver a super-duper high (which we can confirm).

First sips are lightly bitter, with a sweet vanilla finish and a slightly weedy aftertaste.

The Cannabis complements the brew, which immediately begins delivering an uplifting coffee buzz while the THC slowly metabolizes in the body. By the time we finished the whole bottle, our body was vibrating with anticipation of the high to come. Within the first hour the Cannabis was kicking in and while our energy level stayed high from the coffee, we were also quite stoned.

The 50mg of THC lasted us an entire day, long after the caffeine had worn off – but that was perfect – as it kept us high and pain-free into the evening.

A perfect treat for a single use or great to take in smaller doses for a little pick-me-up, this infused cold brew is a perfect fall treat to help speedball the day away.

COLD BREW COFFEE

50MG THC PER BOTTLE / 13.25% THC, 9.25% CBD

First sips are lightly b i t t e r, w i t h a s w e e t vanilla finish and a slightly weedy aftertaste.

OCt, 2020

SoL INFUSED

REVIEW by ALASKA LEAF STAFF | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS & MIKE RICKER @RICKERDJ

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 .

concentrate of the month

GALACTIC NERDS

We all love Cannabis for its magical, almost alien-like ability to transport our mind and experiences from the daily grind into the endless possibilities of a galaxy full of opportunity.

Of course, that might just be the weed talking – but we feel pretty intergalactic when hitting a vape pen full of tasty oil from Denali Fire Extracts. The Galactic Nerds strain is full of cannabinoids, with a healthy dose of CBD and a surprising amount of CBG, which is a known mood elevator with a lot of medicinal benefits.

Taking a big hit of this sugary sweet vapor delivers a relaxing body high and an uplifting, carefree cerebral buzz that is definitely spacey. Laying back in bed with this pen and Netflix cued up delivered several hours of giggly, happy entertainment that truly helped us leave the world behind.

The best part? When you come crashing back to Earth, it only takes another toke to get you right back in the sky! Give this tasty Galactic Nerds cartridge a try and plan your own flight out of reality today.

>> 7 2 % T H C / 8 . 0 7 % C B D / 3 . 0 9 % C B G

PROCESSED BY DENALI FIRE EXTRACTS

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Sugary sweet vapor delivers a relaxing body high and an uplifting, carefree cerebral buzz that is definitely spacey.

oct, 2020

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

Full-extract ethanol hash oil expertly crafted into a cannabis tincture, ready for edible consumption.

Glass dropper for precise THC micro-dosing. Enjoy under the tongue or swallowed.

tannins &terpenes

T H E A RT OF PA I R I NG C A N N A BI S

MIDNIGHT SUN BREWING CO PLEASURE TOWN IPA HERBAL DREAMS KING KOOPA

TANNINS | MIDNIGHT SUN BREWING CO

PLEASURE TOWN IPA

Everyone wants to take a trip to pleasure town, and it’s always five o’clock somewhere when you arrive in time for a tasty IPA treat. Midnight Sun Brewing Co is located in Anchorage and features a rotating craft beer menu and tasty food, which is perfect for grabbing a bite and pint before taking home delicious beers for your own T&T pairing! This lighter IPA is super refreshing with mild tropical and amber notes and a dry, lightly bitter finish that leaves the palate wanting more pleasure – aka beer.

TERPENES | HERBAL DREAMS

KING KOOPA | HYBRID

Royal Cannabis should always be fire and this King Koopa is worthy of the character known as Bowser. Popping open a jar full of these big, fluffy and dense buds unleashes a loud citrus rush with hints of woodsy-skunkygas. Heavily intoxicating with a hybrid high that is both stoney and euphoric, this tasty strain will have you feeling like 100mph – whether glued to the couch or screaming around a digital racetrack.

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THE PAIRING

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Bowser is the sorcerer king and antagonist to Mario in the Nintendo world – and he is all about pleasure for himself.

If you’ve ever driven him in Mario Kart, you know that he is big, boisterous and quite aggressive. This makes the pairing between his namesake strain and the Pleasure Town IPA worthy of a king, which is how we felt after a few tokes and a delicious pint of this golden beer.

The flower is stoney but uplifting, with a sweet citrus flavor that exhales like a kiss from a red shell on rainbow road, leaving the mouth and mind with a noticeable cottonmouth that begs for a sip of liquid pleasure. Powerful, refreshing and stoney, this pairing will have you ready to smash the competition in a virtual go kart. Just don’t try it in real life!

The flower is stoney but uplifting, with a sweet citrus flavor that exhales like a kiss from a red shell on rainbow road

*Alaska Leaf Warning* Anytime you combine two substances of any kind, you have to be extra vigilant of the effects. We strongly recommend conducting pairings in a safe and private space, in small quantities with friends. Always use a designated driver or have a plan to get home safely.

OCt, 2020

TANNINS

TERPENES

midnightsunbrewing.com

matanuskacannabis.com

REVIEW by ALASKA LEAF STAFF | PHOTO by DANIEL BERMAN @BERMANPHOTOS & MIKE RICKER @RICKERDJ

We have CBDs!

Frontier CBD * Hemp Bomb * Honey Root * Alaskan Healing Center

224 N Yenlo St, Wasilla, AK | 907-373-2839 | M-F 8a-10p, Sat 10a-10p, Sun 11a-7p

“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.

CIGARETTES ARE HEALTHY! he cigarette industry has really taken it in the butt this century, so can we please focus on some positives? After all, as we evolve toward a more tolerant society insistent upon creating a level playing field of fairness for everyone, we really should stop the addiction shaming. Sure, those fine orally fixated folks are willingly welcoming a small forest fire into their respiratory system with each flick of the Bic, but who are we to judge? After all, it is their human right to laminate their lungs with a fresh chimney soot smoothie powered by a benzene boost.

You know, there’s a reason they call them cancer sticks: It’s because the cancer sticks to your lungs.

Anyway, smoking is literally exhausting. Which explains why if I were to be blindfolded and asked to identify the mystery scent effervescing from your mouth into my fresh nostrils, my first guess would be exhaust.

Because when you waft that wheeze, I recall a frantic chase toward a departing metro bus as the tailpipe burps out a cocktail of scorched, highly refined fossil fuels directly into my clenched face.

But hey, not everyone is addicted, right? I mean, some users will claim they strictly smoke for enjoyment. Unfortunately, this enjoyment leads them out the door to an area 25 feet away from the building entrance an average of 10 times a day, just to light up. But am I the only one who sees this ritual for enjoyment as a monumental inconvenience?

And cigarette abusers will vehemently defend their crutch with any explanation in the attempt to convince you that there is at least one positive result from the act of smoking cigarettes. “It calms my nerves,” they will confidently assert.

No, it doesn’t. You know what calms your nerves? Counseling.

Cigarettes are awesome! And healthy! Marijuana cigarettes, that is.

T

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by Mike Ricker

oct. 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

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 .

High Alaskans: Your guide to cannabis retailers brands products savings strains news education doctors

Visit weedmaps.com or download the app