Jun. 2024 - California Leaf

CALIFORNIA

WES ABNEY CEO & FOUNDER

wes@leafmagazines.com

MIKE RICKER OPERATING PARTNER ricker@leafmagazines.com | advertising opportunities

TOM BOWERS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER tom@leafmagazines.com

DANIEL BERMAN CREATIVE DIRECTOR daniel@leafmagazines.com

BOBBY BLACK STATE CONTENT DIRECTOR bobbyblack@leafmagazines.com

KAYL WOHL COPY EDITOR kayl@leafmagazines.com

ASHLEY HIRCHERT SOCIAL MEDIA LEAD ashley@leafmagazines.com

ABOUT THE COVER

For this year’s Impact Issue, we turned to frequent Leaf collaborator Joshua Boulet, who illustrated a whimsical, utopic scene unfolding on the lawn at the Capitol. In his visual commentary on the federal attention being paid the plant during this election cycle, you’ll find the government growing its own stash as people of all backgrounds share in the joy of Cannabis while they rally around the election box.

ILLUSTRATION BY JOSHUA BOULET

@JOSHUABOULET FOR LEAF NATION

CONTRIBUTORS

WES ABNEY, FEATURES ADHDDEAD, FEATURES BOBBY BLACK, FEATURES + DESIGN

JOSHUA BOULET, ILLUSTRATION

TOM BOWERS, FEATURES + PHOTOS

ALEX CHRYSOHOIDIS, PHOTOS RHIANNA COOPER, PHOTOS AMANDA DAY, FEATURES MATT JACKSON, FEATURES + PHOTOS EMILY ROSE KROUSE, PHOTOS

JESSE RAMIREZ, DESIGN

MIKE RICKER, FEATURES + PHOTOS

CHRIS ROMAINE, PHOTOS

MIKE ROSATI, PHOTOS FLETCHER WOLD, PHOTOS BRUCE & LAURIE WOLF, RECIPES

KATHERINE WOLF, FEATURES SETH ZIBMAN/NUGGET NERDS, PHOTOS

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

VOICE

WES ABNEY

Editor’s Note

Thanks for picking up The Impact Issue of California Leaf!

It brings me great joy to highlight the people, brands and plants that are having an impact on the industry and our community. While this special issue focuses on positive impacts, I also believe that our plant is at a crossroads that will decide the future of our industry and community.

With potential law changes via Rescheduling Cannabis (see my coverage on this inside) coming that could hand our freedoms, industry and medicine over to government regulators and pharmaceutical companies, we must be prepared to resist and fight for our plant with full force. Changing Cannabis’ legal drug status from Schedule 1 (no accepted medical value) to Schedule 3 (some accepted medical value, to be viewed similarly to ketamine, testosterone and Tylenol with codeine) will put it in a category that requires a prescription at the federal level. While I discuss this further in my analysis, let’s dive into the way that Big Pharma controls America, from our media to our politicians. It hinges on the ability to advertise on TV, with only two countries in the world allowing pharmaceutical advertising on TV – the U.S. and New Zealand.

"WE MUST BE PREPARED TO RESIST AND FIGHT FOR OUR PLANT WITH FULL FORCE."

Through immense ad campaigns that literally fund networks, pharmaceutical companies are able to control the narrative, whether it’s on cable news or behind the scenes in the newsroom, where the largest advertisers always have the ability to influence the messaging of for-profit, captured media. This same flow of funding washes over our politicians, who are at the beck and call of their donor overlords, and not focusing on the will or best interests of their constituents, because money wins elections in today’s America. This is the drug of power, and it is readily taken in our country’s halls of power, where two-thirds of Congress cashed a Big Pharma donation check in 2021, according to STAT news analysis.

Even as Cannabis continues to heal without a single recorded death, Big Pharma’s products kill Americans at an astounding rate, from Tylenol to drugs like Zantac, that cause cancer instead of helping with indigestion. According to the science and health journal Mad In America, “Prescription drugs are the leading cause of death [in America], and psychiatric drugs are the third leading cause of death” with “315,000 hospital deaths, 390,000 psychiatric drug deaths, 70,000 synthetic opioid deaths, and 107,000 NSAID deaths. We get 882,000 drug deaths in the United States annually.” Why would we give the plant that heals and doesn’t kill to companies that deliver products with more lethality than alcohol and tobacco combined?

There’s a dark and untold history of medical experimentation in the last hundred years that can be marked by the graves of those who died during drug trials, from experimental medicines or vaccines, and from drugs their doctor assured were safe. The Cannabis activism community knew this long ago, as chemo and AIDS treatments like AZT killed faster than the disease itself, so we turned to the plant that is now at risk of being given to these same for-profit, bloody-handed corporations. Without diving deeper into the conspiracy of why Big Pharma wants us unhappy and unhealthy and hooked on their profit pills, I ask a simple question. Can we trust multi-billion dollar for-profit pharmaceutical companies to have our best interests at heart? And perhaps more importantly, can we trust them with our plant that has provided medicine that’s been unchanged and protected for thousands of years? My answer is a resounding No!

-Wes

CANADIAN SENIORS HAVING BAD TRIPS

Since legalizing Cannabis, hospital visits have increased in Canada, where seniors are more likely than ever to head to the ER after a few too many gummies.

CANNABIS PLANTS FOUND AT WISCONSIN CAPITOL GARDEN

Amodern-day

Johnny Appleseed planted plants appearing to be Cannabis at the capitol garden in Madison, Wisconsin in an act of civil disobedience that caught the eye of the gardening team.

NO DRUG TESTING FOR NEW MILITARY RECRUITS

“...it is suggested that special warnings be made for Seniors trying Cannabis for the first time.”

While Cannabis use has yet to cause a single recorded death anywhere in the world, it sure does freak people out when they get too high, especially when it comes to edibles. A study released last month by JAMA Internal Medicine found that ER visits increased “sharply” in the country following legalization. The study followed ER data from 2015, which had 55 visits, to 2021 where they peaked at 462 visits for what can be characterized as a bad trip. These findings were reported in the New York Times, who callously refer to these incidents as “Cannabis poisonings” in their coverage. While it’s clear that NYT is biased towards Big Pharma and the official narrative that Cannabis is unproven and still potentially unsafe, it’s vital to note that Cannabis overuse is treated with fluids and rest, which do not call for a trip to the hospital.

With only 404 visits to the ER in 2022, it’s safe to say that the reefer madness driving fear of a plant legal to millions of Canadians is probably more dangerous than weed itself. As the writer poses the question “What can be done?” to prevent more situations, it is suggested that special warnings be made for seniors trying Cannabis for the first time. From a Cannabis harm reduction standpoint, it makes sense to offer warnings to all users. But from a common-sense perspective, it seems safer to warn users that too much Cannabis won’t kill you, but it might make you a little uncomfortable, and to avoid using emergency services that are needed for lifethreatening situations. Of course, writing that Cannabis is safer than pharmaceuticals doesn’t get the NYT as many clicks as warning of “Cannabis poisoning,” proving that reefer madness is still alive and well in the official narrative.

by the numbers

$270m

Amount of tax revenue collected by the state of Michigan in 2023 from recreational marijuana sales.

Planted amongst a colorful patch of tulips were Cannabis plants, which will undergo THC testing to see if they are a drug or a hemp plant. Assistant Professor Shelby Ellison told WMTV 15 News that the plantings looked “purposeful,” as the plants were “interspersed in the area,” and unlikely the work of an accidental seed dropping.

According to state law, a permit from the USDA is required to grow hemp in the area, which further highlights the disparity between the benefits of Cannabis and hemp plants and the laws that keep the plants hidden away from sun and public view. Planting Cannabis and hemp seeds as an act of civil disobedience is still a potent form of activism, as it highlights the absurdity of criminalizing a plant that once grew wild and free around the world.

FLORIDA LEGALIZATION BATTLE HEATS UP ON TV, RADIO

Floridians are set to see a barrage of ads both pro- and anti-Cannabis legalization as a high-stakes election year sets the stage for the future of the plant in the Sunshine State.

The first commercials funded by a $5M campaign by Smart & Safe Florida feature everyday Floridians including retired military and law enforcement members endorsing the legalization of the plant. Funded largely by Cannabis companies, including Trulieve, there has been minimal pushback against a campaign that The Guardian notes has attracted tens of millions of dollars invested by the industry in legalization.

“Medical Cannabis was passed in Florida with 71.3% of voters in support, signaling strong support for the potential legalization of the plant.”

Medical Cannabis was passed in Florida with 71.3% of voters in support, signaling strong support for the potential legalization of the plant. While there are no organized forces against the legalization effort, the last century of misinformation and fear against the plant is a burden that must be overcome to free the plant.

For Jeff Brandes, a former Republican State Senator, the issue is more personal than partisan this time around. “Most Republicans, quietly and once they’re able to vote their own mind in the privacy of the voting booth, will vote to support it,” he said to The Guardian. He went on to say that the future of legalization in Florida is not about if, but when. With an economic analysis in hand noting that 1.8 million Floridians currently buy their weed illegally, the economic and personal freedom interests are aligning in a chance for a firmly red state to embrace the spirit of legalization.

Anew defense bill considered must-pass by Congress contains a provision that would end the military's long-running policy of drug testing applicants for Cannabis use.

The military has long drugtested applicants, screening for hard drug use, but also ensnaring and preventing Cannabis users who want to serve in our country’s armed forces. At a time when recruitment numbers continue to drop, this could provide a new boost to those looking to join in an era where Cannabis is legal in over half the country.

The provision in the National Defense Authorization Act is timed with the news of potential federal rescheduling of Cannabis, which is legal in 24 states and accessible in 38 states via MMJ programs.

Despite the majority of Americans supporting legalization, it’s still illegal federally, and the past use of Cannabis can disqualify a volunteer from joining the military. While the language inclusion has yet to be voted on, momentum is shifting in the armed forces towards tolerance of Cannabis use.

This announcement follows recent news that the Air Force will allow applicants who test positive for Cannabis to take a second drug test, and the Navy and Army are both expanding a waiver program for those who have used Cannabis.

The irony of these changes is the overwhelming body of evidence that suggests Cannabis is beneficial for PTSD, brain injuries, physical pain, and recovery, which are areas of significant interest for the modern military. Considering that military bases allow the sale of taxfree alcohol at gas stations, the choice to offer soldiers Cannabis instead of pharmaceuticals and booze is coming closer.

SUNGROWN SUCCESS

6th annual farmers cup may

18, 2024 | san diego

"much of the sun-grown community regaled in celebration of the friendliest of competitions”

Under the bluest skies of San Diego on May 18, much of the sun-grown community regaled in celebration of the friendliest of competitions at the 6th annual Farmers Cup held at Wicked West in the downtown area.

With around 2,000 attendees, growers from all over the state converged for this harmonious homage to the sun and the bounty it provides with energetic vendors glowing and vibrant music flowing.

“With my partner John Caruso, we’re thrilled to connect licensed California Cannabis brands with the San Diego Cannabis market and culture through our fun competitions and also by supporting other events,” says organizer Barry Herzberg.

Every year, the judging for the competition is done entirely by using people’s choice digital ballots where the winners are based purely upon the number of votes received from the 60-100 judges per category, so that anyone can get involved.

Also, check out their 7/10 Cup for Concentrates and then the Harvest Cup in mid-November where indoor, light deprivation and infused products are added to the competition. For more deets, visit their website at farmerscupofficial.com.

STEVIE THEE G.O.A.T.

"I DON’T JUST SMOKE TO GET HIGH. I SMOKE TO HAVE AN EXPERIENCE."

STEVIE is a confident, loving person who likes to make the most out of life by spending time with friends and family vacationing and partying together. Her perfect day is watching the sun dip into the ocean while roller skating with a blunt in hand. Follow her on Instagram @_marked444greatness_.

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO LIVE AND WORK IN WEST HOLLYWOOD? IT’S A DREAM COME TRUE, RIGHT? I came here about a year ago, and it’s been really eventful, always something going on. I love the people here; they’re really accepting and positive. They’ve been celebrating me since I got here. I’m originally from the Rancho San Bernardino area.

ARE YOU OFF THE CHARTS? Definitely am.

HOW DOES CANNABIS PLAY A ROLE IN YOUR FABULOUSNESS? I’m able to connect more spiritually when using Cannabis. I feel more connected when using weed. I don’t just smoke to get high. I smoke to have an experience, to get in touch with others – that collective energy. It’s opened me up more while making me more relaxed and calmer about my journey.

YOU’RE VERY APPROACHABLE BEHIND THE COUNTER. HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN THAT WAY, OR DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’RE JUST TAPPING INTO YOUR FULL POTENTIAL NOW? Everything is evolving. I always want people to have a good experience with me and to always have something positive be said about me. So, I just try to glow through all the madness.

WHAT DO YOU DREAM ABOUT? DO YOU HAVE HIGH ASPIRATIONS, OR ARE YOU CONTENT WITH JUST FOCUSING ON THE PRESENT MOMENT KNOWING THAT THINGS WILL ALWAYS WORK OUT? I like living in the now because the present is the best place to be. If you were to tell me two years ago that I was going to be a budtender at a Cannabis dispensary, I wouldn’t have believed you, and look what happened. So, to answer the question, I like to go with the flow and see where life takes me.

IF YOU COULD DANCE WITH ANYONE IN THE WORLD, WHO WOULD IT BE? I’m a big raver, so that would be the DJ, Deorro. OFF THE CHARTS

LIGHT MY FIRE

POT PIONEER

In 2017, ERBA Markets in Venice was the first retailer in the legal market to incorporate an “instore” brand experience in their showroom, offering companies a direct way to engage with fans.

Devon “Samba” Wheeler is the man behind the vision. Raised in the legacy movement by his father, Howard Wheeler, Samba was deeply influenced by his father’s beatnik roots. Howard was a friend of Allen Ginsberg, a key figure in the 1960s counterculture movement and the founder of LeMar (Legalize Marijuana), the earliest marijuana legalization advocacy organization that Howard joined early on. Samba’s father also became the first Westerner to help introduce the Hare Krishna movement to America. Now, Samba carries the torch with the same directive for Cannabis culture by fostering quality and integrity, one brick at a time.

VENICE ROOTS

Venice Beach is where Jack Herer did most of his legacy work in the early 90s, so it was meaningful to plant seeds in the same soil, continuing to develop those beliefs. Fun fact: this city is the number one tourist attraction in the state of California over Disneyland with over 10 million visitors annually. And check this out, if you pop across the street to the Harley Davidson dealership, you’ll find an ERBA tablet (remote ordering kiosk), so when you’re picking up a Harley, you can also have your meds delivered and sitting on your pillion seat by the time the paperwork is signed. The staff at ERBA like to think that Jim Morrison would approve of this progressive boutique experience, and that, of course, he blesses every happy customer who lights up at the famed Sunday drum circle on the beach.

BREAK ON THROUGH

“JIM MORRISON WOULD APPROVE OF THIS PROGRESSIVE BOUTIQUE EXPERIENCE.”

As stewards of this prolific plant, they see the benefit of building a healthy relationship with the neighbors to create a cohesive, unified tribe. That means understanding that there’s a lot to be gained by being friends with surrounding commerce along with supporting local fire and law enforcement through community engagement. Annually, during the holidays ERBA serves over 3,000 meals for families in need of support and assistance provided by the local neighborhood council. The ERBA crew even recently hosted a dog adoption at their sister shop The Woods in WeHo and found forever homes for four canines who just needed a family to love. Keep up the good work, friends!

ERBA VENICE

4200 Lincoln, Blvd, Marina Del Rey erbala.com/venice | @erbavenice

Open 8AM - 9:50PM daily (310) 578-8300

PARTNER LOCATIONS

ERBA CULVER CITY | Exposition Blvd, LA

ERBA SAWTELL | Sawtelle Blvd, LA

ERBA WEST LOS ANGELES | Pico Blvd.

THE WOODS | Santa Monica Blvd.

STAFF PICKS

FLOWER

Claybourne Blue Dream -Sofia No Till Kings -Dhara

Blem Unruly Original Glue -Alex

Black Caviar Black Squid Ink -Jon

JOINTS

The Woods Runtz -Sofia Claybourne Flyers -Camila

Heavy Hitters Diamon Cereal Milk -Jon

CA R TS

Cold Fire G.O.A.T Cheese -Sofia

Flavorade Cosmopolitan -Dhara

Nasha Papaya Bomb -Alex Vuze Alien OG -Camila

D A BS

Mountain Man Melts Tropicanna Cookies -Sofia

Tall Tree Society Hash Burger -Alex

710 Labs Starburst 36 #1 -Camila

Papa Selects Strawberry Gem Jam -Jon

EDIBLES

Plus Island Maui Haze -Dhara

Auntie Aloha Lillikoi Citrus Buzz -Camila

Pax Gummies Summer Mango -Jon

LEMON LIMEZ LIVE ROSIN FRESH PRESS

EXTRACTED BY WEST COAST CURE

CULTIVATED BY LUMA FARMS

Any conversation around OG operators who survived California’s transition to the recreational legal market – and there are fewer by the day – will eventually lead to West Coast Cure if the conversation didn’t start with them to begin with. The WCC crew is known as a cultural powerhouse in the space, fueled by marketing savvy, expert hash-making, fire weed and excellent taste in collaborators.

“...Bright, zesty citrus top notes, spritzing from a base of fuel and slight umami funk undertones.”

@WESTCOASTCURE_

@LUMACALIFORNIA

FOR THIS MONTH’S Concentrate of the Month, we decided to spotlight Lemon Limez, a cross of Key Lime Pie x (Sour Diesel x Biker OG), as washed and pressed by the WCC crew. The flower comes out of Sonoma County, from Luma Farms, which grows specifically for fresh frozen hash production.

The resulting rosin is a firm, paste-like texture that crumbles when cold but whips up into a supple dollop on the end of the dab spoon. It features bright, zesty citrus top notes, spritzing from a base of fuel and slight umami funk undertones. The effect lifts right behind the eyes, with a slightly heady, lasting stone that isn’t incapacitating but doesn’t let you forget it’s there.

With how firm and moldable it is, this rosin would make for a great worm to roll up in a hash hole, and the refreshing, lemon-limey profile will pair beautifully with other strains. Whether you roll it up or drop a dab in your banger, the Cure’s Lemon Limez should make for a crisp, zippy summer sip from the dab rig under the golden California sun.

BURTONI

Ben Burton aka Burtoni got his start on the torch in 1999. He’s won the world over for his creative reimagining of exotic sometimes tropical flora and fauna. Some of his most recognizable pieces might be his flamingos, pelicans and other amazingly accurate renditions of avian species and sea life.

“From crazy milli implosions, fumed work, galaxies and opal encasements to the current line of Paradise Marbles, Ben's work always stands out.”

HIS UNIQUE COLOR PALETTE is often created by mixing existing colors to get the hues he seeks. Furthermore, his use of complementary aesthetics like UV or CFL reactive glass, crushed opals and dichroic glass always feels natural while very eye-catching. This really adds depth to his pieces. The coral reef scenes, clown fish, octopi and so much more of his realistic work will keep your eyes entertained for as long as you have time to gaze upon them.

A notable fact when looking at the timeline of Ben’s library of work is the amount of collaborative efforts he’s been a part of. His well-known epic sculptural abilities naturally inspire others to want to make art with him, his personality and humor make you want to hang out with him!

As he’s stated many times, he feels extremely fortunate to continue creating with so many talented artists and friends.

Another one of Ben’s favorites to make is marbles. These spheres are a captivating way for the artist to work with many different application methods to create unbelievable images and scenes. From crazy milli implosions, fumed work, galaxies and opal encasements to the current line of Paradise Marbles, Ben’s work always stands out in a crowd.

He was raised in SoCal but began his glass-blowing career in Hawaii.

Since then Ben has been a long-time staple of the glass scene in Denver, Colorado. Ben has always been a consummate traveler, constantly sending pics of his extensive travels –at the time of writing, I believe he was contacting me from Tokyo!

You can find Ben’s work on Instagram @burtoniglass, and he also frequents Champs Glass Games and Glass Vegas.

arnold palmer

Cruising into the warm, basking months of summer, we tend to gravitate toward flower that recalibrates our vibe with a boost of energy. Whether it’s a tip of the visor to the legendary golfer or a raise of the glass to the alcohol-free mixed mocktail of the same name, the Arnold Palmer effortlessly reaches the pin in a single shot.

Bred and cultivated by Cream of the Crop Gardens in the company’s Santa Rosa-based indoor facility, Arnold Palmer is a cross of Cheetah Piss Bx1 x Lemonade that fills the air with bright citrus, floral hints of rose petal, and a slightly savory herbaceous low end. The aromas layer themselves not unlike the lemonade and the iced tea in the Arnold Palmer drink before you mix it with a stir of the straw.

As an overall experience, the Arnold Palmer connects with a satisfying ping. The jar appeal and aroma are spot on, it breaks up easily, and it smokes smoothly without losing its terpene profile in the process, ending with an uplifting effect.

Coming from a company that spans California – COTC was founded in San Diego in the pre-recreational days by friends Dustin Milner and Scott Raquiza, and is now headquartered in Riverside with cultivation and production in NorCal – the Arnold Palmer comes by its sunny disposition honestly.

Reach for a jar full of the tightly stacked, frosted nugs next time you’re on the way to the golf course. Or simply on your back patio, with a glassful of lemonade and iced tea.

CORY BOOKER

BY TOM BOWERS @MEGABOMBTOM

ANNA WILLEY

BY KATHERINE WOLF @KATADELLIC

As a former contender for the Democratic nomination for president, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker hauls political heft in Washington, D.C., and while the senator from New Jersey hasn’t always been entirely on the right side of the Cannabis debate, he has long been a supporter of decriminalization.

In May, he reintroduced a Cannabis decriminalization bill that he previously put before Congress a decade ago and has been making the rounds in support of the initiative. Leaf Magazines caught Booker in May on his visit to Natura, a cutting-edge Cannabis cultivation and manufacturing facility in Sacramento, California.

Booker was there to speak on decriminalization and to take a tour of the large-scale facility.

“[Cannabis is] an important plant that has been a godsend to people who are suffering from everything from PTSD to insomnia to more serious challenges, like Dravet Syndrome, and other things

that make people fall into seizures,” he said.

“We are in a weird place in our country where we’ve had this Prohibition that has lasted for generations, that has really punished folks, and especially punished folks like in the community I’m from in Newark, where marijuana enforcement has been disproportionately focused on low-income people, people of color, people who are suffering, people who are struggling,” he said. “We have this perverse reality in America where we have people with criminal convictions for doing things that presidents, and congresspeople, and senators have admitted to doing. The hypocrisy of that is maddening, and it’s hurt our economy.

There are billions of dollars that we could be having in a regulated business that could be helping a lot more communities.”

Unlike some of the less fortunate in his home community, Booker attended top-tier universities. After that experience, moving back to New Jersey cast the disparity in

MIKE TYSON

BY WES ABNEY

attitudes surrounding Cannabis into stark relief.

“When I was going to places like Stanford and Yale, I saw lots of people using marijuana and selling marijuana with no consequence. But then, back 25 years ago, I moved into a low-income neighborhood below the poverty line, [where I see] people who’ve been punished by this Prohibition and had their lives destroyed. We are in a country that prides itself on freedom. And this is one of those things where the people are ahead of the politics. So I’m going to continue to fight in this space,” Booker said.

Whether his efforts will move the needle remains to be seen, and it will take hard work beyond the boundaries of a fiercely contested election cycle for his words to transmute into real political progress. But hearing someone of his stature make these points while visiting a 12-acre California Cannabis campus certainly feels like an impactful step in the right direction. @CORYBOOKER

Anna Willey was the first woman to open a dispensary in Colorado when she founded the original CAM (Colorado Alternative Medicine) in 2009. In 2018 when California legalized adult use, Willey brought her expertise west and relaunched it as California Artisanal Medicine. Since then, she’s spearheaded CAM’s meteoric rise through the ranks, becoming one of the most beloved flower brands in the country's most competitive market. Anna is widely regarded for her ability to cultivate highly sought-after old-school Cannabis genetics but with modern potency levels and flavor profiles. CAM is known for classic hits like Lemon Cherry Gelato and Permanent Marker, as well as newer, on-trend iterations like Lemon Cherry Z. In the last year, Anna continued making epic moves that will expand the brand, most notably, building out a new 2,500-light facility in Sacramento. Once they flip the switch, it will make Anna one of the highest-producing female cultivators in California’s recreational scene. And as if that wasn’t badass enough, she’s also the general contractor on all of her own projects. Anna has truly paved the way for women working in any area of the Cannabis industry, from retail and cultivation to construction and leadership. @CAM_INCALI

Landing knockout punches made him famous, biting the ear of Evander Holyfield made him a cultural legend, and making an edible gummy in the shape of an ear with a missing bite gives Tyson the ultimate troll crown, but in a fun way! Beyond his fighting for titles, the Champ continues to speak out in support of psychedelics, sharing with the world how psilocybin and DMT saved his life. Using his fame to share the truth about Cannabis and entheogenic medicines makes Tyson worthy of an impact, but hold the punches, please! @ITSTYSON20

Sen. Cory Booker, middle, listens as Natura co-founder and CEO Ori Bytton explains the company’s trademark infused pre-roll brand, Sluggers. From left to right: Natura COO Craig Powell, Natura VP of business development Josh Schmidt, Sen. Cory Booker, Sacramento City Council members Shoun Thao and Lisa Kaplan, and Natura co-founder and CEO Ori Bytton.

EMILY EIZEN DR. MIYABE SHIELDS

BY KATHERINE WOLF @KATADELLIC

Emily Eizen is a multimedia artist and creative director working across painting, sculpture, photography, home decor and more. Her signature psychedelic-inspired style is reminiscent of the ’60s, featuring crazy colors, trippy textures and groovy graphics. With common themes of tolerance and self-love appearing in her art, Emily can adapt to different styles and aesthetics across the wide spectrum of gender and sexuality. Her works are said to showcase the “beauty, freedom and diversity Eizen considers essential to establishing equity in the Cannabis space and beyond.”

Beyond making an impact on inclusivity in Cannabis media, in the last year, Emily spoke on a “Greening the Cannabis Industry” 420 Panel at Coachella (goals, right?), took behind-the-scenes photos of tokers at Hall of Flowers, and shot campaigns for powerhouse brands like Puffco. She’s also contributed to publications including Insider, Los Angeles Times, Rolling Stone and Forbes and graced the cover of Cannabis Now’s Women of Influence Issue. Oh, and we can’t forget about our February 2023 Culture Issue, where Emily shot legends Cheech & Chong for one of the most iconic covers in Leaf Nation history. @EMILYEIZEN

Dr. Miyabe Shields is a trailblazer in the world of cannabis education and research, known for a dynamic approach that merges modern consumption with scientific rigor. Holding a Ph.D. in endocannabinoid pharmascience, Dr. Shields’ current work can be boiled down to something like “Cannabis & psychedelics risk reduction educator and consultant,” or even selfsummarized by their latest science fiction book title, “High Hopes: Quest of a Queer, Neurodivergent, Stoner, Scientist.” But neither description does this dynamic educator justice.

As an influential associate professor at Northeastern University’s Center for Drug Discovery, and with an equally influential presence on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, Dr. Shields' reach is growing far beyond the research community. This presence can be felt especially among a particular subset of Cannabis consumers where Dr. Shields welcomes discussions and facilitates studies from a “neurodiversityaffirming perspective.”

In their latest groundbreaking endeavor, Dr. Shields co-founded the Network of Applied Pharmacognosy, where they serve as chief scientific officer.

The organization is focusing its current projects on “collecting and amplifying the lived experience of the Cannabis community, the effects of chemodiversity on the endocannabinoid system, the science of smokability, and seeding science advocacy.”

CARMELO ANTHONY

On its face, equity in the Cannabis industry may look better than it does in many industries. The messaging of equitable business operation certainly is loud, but there is still a tremendous amount of work to be done. The cause needs a champion. Enter NBA superstar Carmelo “Melo” Anthony.

Partnering with Jesce Horton – owner of powerhouse Oregon brand LOWD and founder of the Minority Cannabis Business Association – and marketing guru Brandon Drew Jordan Pierce, Melo is using the star power he built during his 19 years in the NBA to fuel Grand National, an agency to give equity business operators, well, agency.

The first project out of the gate for the Grand National group is Melo’s own brand, STAYME7O, which is launching in Oregon this year in Black- and Native-owned dispensaries Natural Wonders and Green Muse.

The launch takes place in partnership with NuProject, the nonprofit led by Jeannette Ward, who seeks to help marginalized communities build generational wealth in the Cannabis industry. A portion of the proceeds of all STAYME7O sales will go to fund NuProject’s efforts. For more information, visit grandnationalagency.com and stayme7ocannabis.com @CARMELOANTHONY

RHIANNA COOPER

BY TOM BOWERS @MEGABOMBTOM

DAVID DOWNS

BY MATT JACKSON @ACTIONMATTJACKSON

A FORMER WRITER FOR WIRED, ROLLING STONE AND THE NEW YORK TIMES, DAVID DOWNS HAS BEEN DELIVERING THE LOWDOWN FOR CANNABIS NEWS WEBSITE LEAFLY AS THEIR SENIOR EDITOR SINCE LEAVING THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

BACK IN 2018. Downs has traveled the world reporting on exciting new genetics/products and interviewing industry leaders. This year, Downs created SF Weed Week, a seven-day-long celebration kicked off by city mayor London Breed. He’s currently working on the follow-up, SF Hash Week. Recently, Grove Bags released “The Reporter’s Notebook”, a mylar bag designed by Downs and released during his curated art show on Cannabis packaging. @DAVIDDOWNS

DR. MACHEL EMANUEL

Dr. Machel Emanuel is a man of many accomplishments (of note: a bachelor’s degree in zoology and botany, a master’s in plant production and protection, and a Ph.D. in botany).

But it’s his passion for reviving and preserving unique Caribbean landrace cultivars and Cannabis culture that originally caught our attention.

As a lecturer and researcher at the University of the West Indies (Mona, Jamaica), he’s been studying and collecting cultivars like the legendary "Lambsbread,” which are deeply rooted in Jamaican culture and Rastafarian tradition. His work not only sheds light on the cultural significance of these plants but also explores their health benefits and the best practices to maximize therapeutic potential.

Beyond the lab, Dr. Emanuel is a strong advocate for sustainable farming and ethical practices in the Cannabis industry, even striking a recent landmark partnership between the University of West Indies and Biobizz Worldwide Organics. His efforts are helping to ensure that, as the Cannabis market grows, it does so in a way that respects both the environment and the rich heritage of these unique strains. @MACHELEMANUEL

JAIR VELLEMAN

BY TOM BOWERS @MEGABOMBTOM

Whether he’s storytelling around a Michelin-rated table or showing off his hash collection, Jair Velleman lives and breathes Cannabis. The boisterous behemoth of bud built a reputation as the founder of Gavita, a leading lighting company for Cannabis cultivators, before selling that company and taking a break from the business. Before jumping back into lighting with his new company Dutch Lighting Innovations (DLI), he started a passion project devoted to the plant. Dubbed the World of Cannabis Museum, the endeavor seeks to collect and collate the history of Cannabis through artifacts and storytelling. He brought on Bobby Black – former High Times and current Leaf Magazines legend – and the rest, you can say, is history. You can find the fruit of that cooperative cultivation in the Cannthropology column in the pages of the Leaf and also within the minutes of the podcast of the same name. While Velleman continues to add to his collection with the dream of one day opening the doors of a grand museum to the public, he simultaneously strives to build DLI into a beacon of boutique, quality lighting for growers like himself. WORLDOFCANNABISMUSEUM.COM | DLI.NL

BY KATHERINE WOLF

a recognized entrepreneur, public speaker and thought leader focused on the California Cannabis market. Active in policy and regulation reform, she’s collaborated with numerous state associations and received recognition as one of the “100 Most Influential People” by Global Cannabis Times. At the heart of Jocelyn’s work is a focus on fostering community development — by hosting interactive events and building a following of nearly 30k across social media, she’s become beloved for her unique ability to bring Cannabis brands and consumers together. As a co-founder of Budist, she recently launched the world’s first social review platform for the Cannabis industry in early 2024. Currently live on the App Store and Google Play, the platform is groundbreaking as it centralizes and shares product reviews from Cannabis experts — a team of certified Ganjiers (like a sommelier of Cannabis), competition cup judges, journalists and connoisseurs referred to as the “Budists” — and mainstream consumers with a 100-point rating scale. Some are even dubbing it the “Rotten Tomatoes for the Cannabis space.” This approach is so impactful because it empowers consumers to make informed decisions while creating a space for open conversation and community building. @JOCYBOSSY | @BUDIST_OFFICIAL

Jocelyn Sheltraw is

MIKE ROSATI

For those who choose to stand out, be di erent, and create their own path

SHAWN KEMP

THE REIGN MAN WAS KNOWN FOR SLAMMING DUNKS AS A MEMBER OF THE LEGENDARY SEATTLE SUPERSONICS, BUT HE'S ALSO RETURNED TO THE RAINY CITY TO BUILD A DISPENSARY AND CANNABIS BRAND. An exceptionally kind and gentle soul, Kemp is larger than life and is setting an example by sharing how Cannabis helped him in the NBA and continues to help as he hits new high scores in life. And don't miss the wonderful interview about his career and the evolution of sports on the Leaf Life Podcast — Show #182 – NBA and Cannabis. @THEREALSHAWNKEMP40

ABSTRAX TECH

ABSTRAX TECH IS A COMPANY SPECIALIZING IN THE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION OF STRAIN-SPECIFIC CANNABIS AND BOTANICAL TERPENES. Its production model provides a multifaceted perspective and platform for the research side of the company, which in turn allows it to analyze well over 400 compounds found in Cannabis. This invaluable collection of data has been put to use for the greater good, as Abstrax publishes publicly available studies that send our understanding of the plant in fresh directions. In January, we wrote about one piece of groundbreaking research released by this team (see our online archives for “The Stinky, the Sweet and the Science of Cannabis Compounds”). It details an entirely new class of compounds responsible for some of the most popular aromas and flavors found in our favorite flowers. This discovery of volatile sulfur compounds (among other things), altered the entire community’s understanding of the plant’s previously presumed terpene-predominant profiles and cemented Abstrax firmly in our timeline of impactful Mary Jane moments. @ABSTRAXTECH

LUNA STOWER

A LIFELONG ADVOCATE FOR THE PLANT AND PEOPLE, LUNA STOWER BRINGS 20PLUS YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN BUILDING CANNABIS COMPANIES TO THE TABLE WITH DEEP ROOTS IN COMMUNITY ACTIVISM.

DR. RILEY KIRK

DR. RILEY KIRK IS A NATURAL PRODUCT CHEMIST WITH A PH.D. IN PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES. She brings a robust background to her research that has often focused on antibiotic resistance and alternative pain options like Cannabis. On her personal education and advocacy Instagram platform @Cannabichem and her Bioactive Podcast, Dr. Kirk gracefully guides viewers and listeners alike through the science behind “Cannabis, psychedelics, and other bioactive substances.”

Among many distinguished roles, Dr. Kirk is a Cannabis educator and research scientist working alongside Dr. Shields as co-founder at the Network of Applied Pharmacognosy. Together, their research rallies around “unique formulations in Cannabis smoke, writing theory and dosing protocols.” Much like Dr. Shields, Dr. Kirk’s work has wide reach and she’s continuing her commitment to harm reduction through education as an assistant adjunct professor at the University of Rhode Island’s College of Pharmacy. As we mark more years of modern consumption trends and a move toward global medicinal acknowledgment, Dr. Kirk is looking closely at aspects of Cannabis that provide important insight. Her focus on the plant’s secondary metabolites and how they’re affected by the process of smoking has great potential to impact our ability to predict pharmacological outcomes. @CANNABICHEM

She’s played a vital role in growing some of California's most successful legacy brands and now serves as the Chief Impact Officer at Ispire Vape Technology, the first vaporizer hardware company to initiate an IPO on NASDAQ.

With a master's in teaching and a bachelor’s in social justice, Luna also travels the world sharing her knowledge and works tirelessly to normalize and decriminalize all forms of plant medicine.

Luna has been a panelist, speaker and moderator at B2B events and consumer expos worldwide, appeared on podcasts and shows, and judged events from the Emerald Cup to the Women's Canna Awards.

Among many other accolades, she’s been named the 2021 "Cannabis Culture Advocate of the Year" by the Cannabis Chamber of Commerce, made Green Entrepreneur’s list of "100 Most Important Women in Weed" in 2020, and won “Best Activist” at the California Cannabis Awards in 2023. Most recently, Luna traveled to Columbia and South Africa to discuss innovation in vape technology, drug policy and social equity in our industry. @LUNA_STOWER | @GETISPIRE

CANNABIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN POPULAR IN THE HIP HOP WORLD, AND REGINALD NOBLE, BETTER KNOWN AS REDMAN, IS NO STRANGER TO THE CULTURE. Better yet, he has been making strides

with his organization the National Cannabis Party to shift the narrative in the nation's Capitol surrounding Cannabis and the rights of the people. In an interview with HipHopDX, Reginald said, “The reason why you never see a Redman product, a Redman vape pen, a Redman strain, anything, [is] because I’ve been holding my brand for the bigger purpose, which is NCP, the National Cannabis Party. We are about giving the plant back to the people. We are about the structure of this Cannabis industry. We are about education for our people. Don’t matter who it is, black, white, or green. If you an alien and you need education, we are about having the right platform to deliver that to you.” So far, the NCP has been meeting with politicians and even created a bill surrounding Cannabis regulations in New York that has been accepted by the state. It's exciting to see someone trying to put the power back in the hands of the people especially when it comes to the Cannabis industry. @REDMANGILLA

BY KATHERINE WOLF @KATADELLIC

THE LONG BEACH BULLHORN

THE LONG BEACH BULLHORN THE LONG BEACH BULLHORN

Catalyst CEO Elliot Lewis is giving it everything he’s got. STORY & PHOTOS by

Every good script needs a villain. But that’s Hollywood, and this is Long Beach.

Elliot Lewis grew up in this city where there exists a certain disdain for the association often made with its glitzy neighbor, Los Angeles. That megalopolis is about an hour north, where fictitious narratives are not only tolerated but often celebrated. Down here, in this culture built around one of the world’s largest maritime ports, the OGs are wise to the actors, and credibility is earned.

California is a vast state with varying cultures from one county to the next divided into three regions (northern, central, and southern), which creates a logistical and cultural division that presents numerous challenges for creating a cohesive industry. The size and scope of the state are only part of what causes the mess; a steely government, which Elliot publicly berates for the smoke and mirrors trickery, makes public revenues, like the $20 billion allocated toward the homelessness crisis, magically disappear.

This is the guy we want in our boxing ring corner – the Cannabis worker’s ally – because he understands implicitly that to win at this game, you’ve got to hustle. And that means working hard and earning the respect of your citizens by following through. He is a man of many words, dangerous ones, but when you back them up by walking the walk with integrity, no adversary can find a chink in the armor, making him a realistic threat to the establishment.

It’s the rare watchdog approach whose megaphone exemplifies what it means to be American. With unapologetic gravel in his voice, through the medium of social media, he exercises his polarizing right to freedom of opinion that is reinforced by a chip on his shoulder and gassed up with intellect bred by a University of California, Berkeley education and a highly successful attorney dad. All this bombast could be misconstrued by the casual troll as being attentiongrabbing rants meant to hoist his company’s exposure, but there’s a tactful humility in his messaging that he knows is necessary to galvanize the frustrated, yet too-trusting stoner that needs a poke in the ass.

As the CEO of Catalyst, one of the largest Cannabis retail chains in the world’s biggest Cannabis market, he’s just the “loudmouth” we need to lead this community of outcasts into the global discussion.

To some, he’s a villain, to others he’s a warrior for the people and the culture of Cannabis –primed for the battle of his life.

With a long list of lawsuits and disputes, catching up to his string of rants and confessions is easy to do on Instagram. Here is where we get into the head of the man behind the controlled chaos. It’s not a coincidence, after all, that the bellwether company he leads is driven by a word that means impetus for change.

What do you like getting into when the hat is hung at the end of the day? Just family or work. I don’t have time for hobbies, so any time I get free, I’m hangin’ with the wife and kids, attending to my most important role of being a father and a husband.

They say that highly motivated people are satisfied 2% of the time. When is that 2% for you? Two percent seems high, man. When everything’s going good, and I’m in the backyard playing catch with the boys, I’m satisfied. As a matter of business, you take your victories, but they’re short-lived, and the losses always feel worse than the achievements. I’ve gotten pretty good at coming back from the defeats, but I think that if you just read the press clippings or look at your scorecard and you’re not looking ahead, you’re going about it all wrong. 4/20 was a great day for me because we made it to 19 stores where I got to see the people who work for us, the total number of products sold and the number of people who came in – it felt really cool. But if you get complacent, it’s the kiss of death. Like a shark, if I stop moving, my mind will start going to bad places.

Do you have an ultimate goal with Catalyst, or are you already achieving it?

It would be nice if it lasted past me. It would be nice if we could hold onto it and not sell it one day. With Schedule 3 coming on board, it’s gonna be interesting to see how that shakes out. It’s a good question, we’ll probably expand to other states. Not to get too spiritual about it, but I feel like God will show me the next path, and we’ll step into whatever that next role is. What I’ve learned over the years is you can’t predict it. We just wanted one store in the beginning. Hopefully, now we can survive and keep the workforce fed as we grow.

“If you get complacent, it’s the kiss of death.”

Did you accidentally find your calling in life with Cannabis, or are there politics in your future? I don’t know. I don’t really aspire to politics. This whole public figure thing happened as an accident. We didn’t really have a marketing department when this started; our current marketing guy just told me to flip the phone on, and now I kind of like it. Instagram is a small platform, but the real interesting stuff happens off-camera – how deals get put together and how crises get solved. In 10 years, who knows what it’s

gonna look like. ‘Calling’ is a strong word, and I’m trying to find my calling every day. Nobody’s trying to be a saint around here, but if I’m always intending to do the right thing and being a good husband and father, it feels like there’s a power greater than myself moving the pieces in the direction it’s supposed to go.

What is your preferred way to use Cannabis? Mostly bong rips. I’m ancient as far as some of these new products go. I mostly smoke OG at night – not really a day smoker. I’ve had some stomach flare-ups recently, so I’ve been getting into RSO, which reduces inflammation, and it helps me sleep at night.

What historical person would you most like to share a bong hit with? Sun Tzu, Niccolò Machiavellior Marcus Aurelius. I’m into the Art of War. You take parts of each; I’d want to pick the brains of the old philosophers. Those men were of a different time. I’ve been known to quote Sun Tzu. The ability to articulate ideas thousands of years ago that are still relevant is beyond impressive. His thing was to stay out of prolonged warfare, being strategic instead of using brute force, and knowledge as a weapon. I’ll bet they smoked some weed. If he were around, I’d like to pick his brain and get the essence of some of his more famous quotes and strategies. Philosophy was my major in school.

catalyst-cannabis.com @catalyst_ceo

TURNING POINT

As the Biden Administration and the DEA undertake a historic restructuring of laws classifying Cannabis, the industry and world watch breathlessly, waiting to see if there will be impactful change to the largest market in the $50 billion global trade value or simply more hot smoke from a disjointed federal enforcement approach.

"Cannabis is suddenly at risk of capture by the Big Pharma web of profit, lies and control."

CANNABIS HAS BEEN FEDERALLY ILLEGAL FOR OVER A CENTURY SINCE IT WAS DEMONIZED AS A DRUG AND REMOVED FROM PHARMACOPEIA AS A MEDICINE. Pre-1920, Cannabis was present in over a third of pharmaceutical formulations and celebrated for its pain-relieving properties and pleasant medicinal effects. Illegal but largely ignored until the ’60s, Cannabis became connected with the hippie movement and was viewed as mostly harmless by law enforcement of the era. This changed with the inception of the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 (CSA) when Cannabis was placed in Schedule 1, the harshest of drug categories with “no accepted medical value,” and subject to the harshest of the new drug laws.

The CSA was pushed by the Nixon Administration to fundamentally curb the anti-war movement and give law enforcement a tool to arrest peaceful protestors, activists and agitators, which the government felt was associated directly with drug use. The CSA directed massive federal resources towards a new war on drugs, one that would last 50+ years and ruin lives as viciously as any hot war in a foreign country. This Drug War was revitalized by the efforts of then-Senator Joe Biden in the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, which included the disastrous Three Strikes rule.

From the Center for Law and Social Policy, “In 1986, then-Senator Joe Biden authored the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986 – a critical component of the broader War on Drugs that devastated low-income communities of color through mass criminalization and systemic police violence.

The law strengthened carceral disparities between Black and white drug users by mandating a five-year minimum sentence for trafficking five grams of crack cocaine while requiring 500 grams of the chemically-equivalent powder cocaine to incur the same conviction. Later in 1994, Sen. Biden spearheaded a deeply controversial crime bill that funded 100,000 new cops and accelerated mass incarceration by increasing federal funding to states that impose harsher sentences.”

While much has been recently written praising the Administration for taking the historic step of rescheduling Cannabis, this rescheduling is fraught with peril from the perspective of both activists and members of the Cannabis industry who have fought against the Drug War for decades.

Just as Biden’s first Presidential run in 1987 was ended after journalists uncovered plagiarism, mistruths and exaggerations, when Time magazine called him “a shallow vessel for other people’s ideas,” we now face a Biden Administration that is high on their own supply.

When Biden announced his intent to “pardon thousands of federal Cannabis convictions,” the country and mainstream media celebrated the plan, and everyday folks envisioned real change. To date, according to justice.gov, the Department of Justice has issued pardons to only 206 people.

While Biden stated that rescheduling is “consistent with his belief that nobody should be jailed over Cannabis possession,” the move to Schedule 3 does not end the criminalization of Cannabis at the federal level. Much like the hollow promise of thousands of pardons, the shift to Schedule 3 is fraught with negatives and potential sinkholes that could hurt or end the current industry, paving the way for corporations and Big Pharma to swoop in like vultures on the remnants of decades of activism and an industry that rose from the ashes of the War on Drugs.

Given the track record of Biden, the DEA and the War on Drugs, should trust be placed to handle this transition with respect to patients, industry and the plant itself?

LOWERING THE BAR FROM SCHEDULE 1 TO 3

The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 established a classification system for drugs, putting them in categories based on their propensity for abuse, and with more than a small hit of bias from the establishment.

How else can it be explained that Cannabis, MDMA and LSD are considered more dangerous than cocaine and meth? LSD and MDMA have well-documented medical applications, from end-of-life therapy to treatments for PTSD, depression and more.

By dropping Cannabis into Schedule 3, a category of drugs that requires a pharmacy to dispense and a prescription to use, Cannabis is suddenly at risk of capture by the Big Pharma web of profit, lies and control. This has been a fear within activist circles for the last 20 years, knowing that drug companies would love an advantage to exploit within Cannabis.

Simply put, rescheduling could allow the federal government to assign control of the Cannabis industry to Big Pharma, shuttering dispensaries and small growers in favor of a pharmacy-based system of dispensing Cannabis.

STATES’ RIGHTS, RIGHT?

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE ACT SCHEDULE OF DRUGS

1 Heroin, LSD, MDMA, Cannabis (currently)

This unique approach is what makes America the greatest country in the world, as we have a diversity of states with unique approaches to living the American dream. Today that includes 24 states that have legalized Cannabis and 38 total with medical programs. While there are still states where Cannabis is illegal, most places have lowered criminal penalties around simple possession.

No accepted medical value, high potential for abuse.

2 Opiates, Cocaine, Meth, Adderall

Drugs with a high potential for abuse with some medicinal value.

3 Ketamine, Steroids, Tylenol with codeine, Testosterone

Drugs with moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.

4 Xanax, Valium, Ambien

Drugs with a low potential of abuse and low risk of dependence.

5 Low-dose cough medicines with codeine

Our Founding Fathers understood that absolute power absolutely corrupts, so they envisioned a democratic republic where the federal government had limited power, and states had their own rights to set laws, regulations, taxes and more based on the will of voters and their elected officials.

Lower potential of abuse than Schedule 4 and contains limited quantities of certain narcotics.

Each state that has legalized has built its own regulatory system from scratch. Licenses, rules and taxes all differ from state to state. Additionally, states like Washington that tax Cannabis at 46% and higher at the register receive hundreds of millions in tax revenue annually. These state-run systems are poised for a potential conflict with the federal reclassification. Will the federal government allow states to continue running their Cannabis programs independently?

This question needs to be considered as we head into rescheduling and look toward a future of decriminalization or

full federal legalization. The last thing our industry deserves is to be swept aside for big corporations to inherit the marketplace that has taken decades of sacrifice and risk to emerge.

WASN’T THERE GOOD NEWS?

As with all legislation, the pathway to passing is paved by money, and there is a major tax change that is dangled in the shift to Schedule 3.

The Cannabis industry has long been smothered in taxation, surviving under a tax code known as 280E, or the Al Capone tax law. 280E prohibits any “illegal or unlawful business” from writing off ordinary business expenses and losses, things like rent or employee costs or the electric bill. This forces the Cannabis industry to have a 20-40% increased tax burden depending on the type of business. Removing 280E is the single shining light in the rescheduling proposal, as it would ease taxation on businesses, and take struggling companies from breaking even to profitability.

All the investor and industry optimism assumes that there won’t be passage of a new federal tax on Cannabis, which given the history of taxation without representation for the Cannabis industry, is highly likely.

FINAL THOUGHTS

We must remain engaged and hyper-vigilant as this process unfolds, or unravels. As an industry and community of people who all benefit from the plant, whether as patients or for our livelihoods, our futures depend on the ability of our plant to remain free and out of the hands of pharmaceutical corporations. As with all political processes, the health of the process comes from engagement, and for the betterment of Cannabis and our country, we must embrace the spirit of activism that legalized Cannabis and once again raise our voices for the plant.

"Our craft level of recyclability is something to be proud of."

Faith Frost, right, and Ian Arkwright, above right, sort through recycled Cannabis containers at their facility in Milwaukie, OR.

CLOSING LOOP

W

WE WERE SO excited to see Cannabis rolling out legally that we accepted a lot of the bullshit that came with it. Limited licenses, taxes, and possibly worst of all, a mountain of plastic waste. When Oregon-based P3 Distributing recognized that we were stuck with all these plastic containers, exit bags, and METRC tags, they pioneered a solution to the Cannabis industry's reliance on single-use packaging.

The Leaf sat down with P3 owner Patrick Caldwell and business development manager Grey Simkins to discuss their efforts to change the packaging discussion around Cannabis, offering solutions for a rapidly evolving market, and how P3 is recycling a tidal wave of pop tops in their wake.

For eight years, P3 has been a driving force behind eco-conscious Cannabis packaging. A key effort in P3’s mission is partnering with dispensaries statewide to establish free recycling programs, now in over 400 Oregon retailers. Their scope extends beyond plastics, encompassing glass jars, paper, metal, and more from the Cannabis supply chain.

"Our craft level of recyclability is something to be proud of," said Patrick, highlighting their impressive 80% in-house recycling rate, a giant leap over the typical 5-50%.

How P3's Recycling Program is Changing the Cannabis Industry

They are staying on trend too. With the proliferation of Mylar, P3 champions another solution with the same benefits, all the way down to the custom art.

Grey emphasizes, "With our polyethylene bags, we’re actively countering the Mylar epidemic and offering more sustainable alternatives."

P3’s commitment is apparent: this isn’t just about selling more packaging. Their yearly Recyclethon had 130 dispensary participants and set records on the material collected. The containers in each shop read “When full, call Patrick”. They even invite consumers to their facility for free type-five plastic recycling.

Beyond plastic, P3 recognizes that reusing containers is the most efficient option, so they’ve developed a program, now approved by the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission, to close the loop on concentrate jars as well. Grey explains, "Our nine-millimeter glass jars exem-

plify our commitment to circularity. We can collect, sanitize, and resell a fully sustainable product that can go full circle over and over again."

As they expand, P3 remains rooted in Oregon, yet with a national vision. Their eco-conscious products are available online to everyone now, with a goal set to foster a network of recycling partners nationwide, amplifying their sustainability efforts far beyond state lines.

Patrick and the crew saw the piles of pop tops stacking up and the difficulties recycling them and, instead of ignoring the problem, they aimed for a solution. Now P3 partners with hundreds of dispensaries to help close the loop, focusing on collecting as much plastic as possible to upcycle. The best part? Most of this material is used in garden-supply items, such as nursery grow pots, which often touch the Cannabis plant again.

So, the next time you tap the last beautiful bud out of its dispensary packaging, consider where it could end up. Thanks to P3, it might just come full circle.

p3distributing.com | @p3distro

The Life & Legend of John Sinclair

This April, the Cannabis movement lost one of its founding fathers with the passing of the “Hippie King of Michigan,” John Sinclair.

ORIGIN OF AN ACTIVIST

When it comes to marijuana activists and advocates, beatnik badass John Sinclair was as OG as they come.

Growing up in a middle-class Republican household in the small town of Davison, Michigan, Sinclair was first turned on to jazz, poetry, and marijuana in 1959 while attending Albion College. He then moved on to graduate school at Wayne State University in Detroit, where he quickly ingratiated himself into Motor City’s bohemian leftist community.

In October 1964, Sinclair was arrested for selling $10 of weed to an undercover cop and sentenced to two years’ probation. Weeks later, he dropped out of college and co-founded both the Detroit Artists Workshop and the Artists’ Workshop Press. Then, in January 1965, he founded Detroit LEMAR (LEgalize MARijuana), a chapter of the nation’s first Cannabis advocacy group originally formed by the Yippies in New York. As the head of Detroit LEMAR, Sinclair organized meetings and printed pamphlets in support of marijuana, establishing himself as one of the true founding fathers of the legalization movement.

In August 1965, Sinclair was busted again for weed and sentenced to another two years’ probation and six months in the Detroit House of Correction. Rather than be deterred by his incarceration, however, Sinclair only became more determined in his activist efforts.

TRANS-LOVE ENERGIES

After his release from DeHoCo in August 1966, Sinclair — along with his then-wife Leni, a friend named Lawrence Robert “Pun” Plamondon, and others — expanded the DAW into the counterculture commune, Trans-Love Energies (TLE). In addition to their artistic and educational endeavors, the group now offered fellow hippies housing, transportation, and even a legal defense fund. To bankroll these efforts, TLE planned several events, starting with “Guerrilla Love Fare” — a concert at Detroit’s Grande Ballroom scheduled for Jan. 29, 1967. Unfortunately, days before the event, police intervened to stop it.

Just before dawn on January 24, police raided their commune as part of a four-month-long sting operation, during which an undercover officer persuaded Sinclair to give her two joints back on December 22. Of the 56 people arrested, only 14 were charged, including John and his pregnant wife. Leni’s case was later dismissed on a technicality, and the rest pleaded out to avoid jail time. John, however, chose to fight (more on that soon).

THE WHITE PANTHERS

In the following months, TLE faced negative press, vandalism, and continued police persecution, which only grew worse following the Detroit Riots that July when dozens of African Americans were killed by police and 400 buildings were burned down. In solidarity with their Black brothers and sisters, TLE hung a banner outside the commune reading “Burn, Baby, Burn!”, provoking riot police to once again raid the building. To escape this harassment, TLE left Motor City in May 1968 and relocated to the liberal college town of Ann Arbor.

That fall, inspired by an interview with Black Panther Party co-founder Huey Newton, John, Leni, and Pun formed a new, radical-left political organization called the White Panther Party (WPP) — a sort of hybrid between the Black Panthers and the Yippies. The group’s ten-point platform included free access to all basic human needs; demands for an end to war, money, and racial injustice; and the “total assault on the culture by any means necessary, including rock and roll, dope and fucking in the streets.” This agenda was seen as so radical that the FBI considered the group “potentially the largest and most dangerous of revolutionary organizations in the United States.”

KICKING OUT THE JAMS

To deliver their mission to the masses, the White Panthers began hosting free concerts in Ann Arbor, featuring performances by a local rock band called the Motor City 5.

Sinclair had first met MC5 in August 1966 at an event held by the DAW, called the “Festival of People,” honoring his release from prison. Forming an immediate connection, the band quickly hired Sinclair as its manager and even incorporated the WPP’s logo into its artwork. Sinclair eventually booked them gigs as the house band at the Grande, and at the Yippies’ “Festival of Life” rally outside Chicago’s Democratic National Convention in the summer of 1968, where they were forced to flee after playing just a few songs due to a police-instigated riot.

By that fall, the MC5 had moved into Sinclair’s commune and recorded their first album, “Kick Out the Jams,” for Electra Records. However, the label recalled the original pressing after the album’s profanity and Sinclair’s liner notes caused a backlash among retailers. The controversy caused the band to part ways with Electra … and in the summer of 1969, after signing with Atlantic, they unfortunately parted ways with Sinclair as well.

TEN FOR TWO

In the years following his third arrest, Sinclair’s lawyers engaged in a protracted legal battle with the Michigan courts to challenge the constitutionality of the state’s draconian drug laws, arguing that marijuana was not a narcotic and that the mandated sentence of 20 years to life represented “cruel and unusual punishment.” After numerous defeated motions, the case finally went to trial on July 22, 1969. Three days later, the jury found him guilty of possession, and on Monday, July 28, he was sentenced to a staggering nine and a half to 10 years in state prison.

Sinclair’s outrageous sentence made national headlines and galvanized the entire counterculture community under the rallying cry “Ten for Two” (ten years for two joints). Leni and John’s brother David orchestrated a massive campaign to free him by organizing benefits, selling “Free John Now!” merch, sending letters to Congress with joints in them, and recruiting celebrated activists on John’s behalf. Famously, Yippie leader Abbie Hoffman even stormed on stage at Woodstock during The Who’s set and gave an impromptu speech about Sinclair’s plight (while allegedly tripping on White Lightning) before Pete Townsend reportedly hit him with his guitar and sent him packing.

JOHN SINCLAIR FREEDOM RALLY

In the summer of 1971, The Committee to Free John Sinclair organized their largest benefit yet — securing the University of Michigan’s new Crisler Arena for December 10, and booking a lineup of prominent activist speakers and performers, including Bob Seger, Stevie Wonder, and even former Beatle John Lennon, who— after talking with Yippie pals Ed Sanders and Jerry Rubin — agreed to headline the event for free. John and Yoko’s participation was announced

The White Panther Party’s ten-point platform included the call for a “total assault on the culture by any means necessary, including rock and roll, dope, and fucking in the streets.”

at a press conference two days before the event, and tickets sold out within three hours.

“It was like God was coming to Ann Arbor,” WPP member David Fenton remembered.

The eight hours of activism, entertainment, and marijuana smoke climaxed with Lennon’s performance (his first since the Beatles’ breakup) at three a.m. He and Yoko played a four-song acoustic set, closing out with an eponymous new anthem he’d written for Sinclair:

“It ain’t fair, John Sinclair / In the stir for breathin’ air… They gave him ten for two / And what else can the judges do? / They gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta … set him free.”

Three days later, on December 13, that’s exactly what they did.

HASH BASH & DECRIM

As it happened, the day before the rally, the Michigan Legislature had passed a bill removing marijuana from the state’s narcotics code and drastically reducing the penalties associated with it. Given this development, the State Supreme Court ordered Sinclair to be freed pending the outcome of his appeal. Three months later, the court granted his appeal, overturned his conviction, and declared the state’s marijuana laws unconstitutional.

Since the original Cannabis law was struck down in early March 1972, and the new law didn’t take effect until April 1, marijuana was effectively legal in Michigan for about three weeks. To both celebrate this victory and protest the new penalties being adopted, Sinclair helped organize a smoke-in at “The Diag” on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor on the day the new law was going into effect. That rally — later renamed “Hash Bash” — has been held the first Saturday of April every year since (see Cannthropology - January 2021).

During his incarceration, Sinclair’s communal collective evolved once again: turns out, the name “White Panther Party” sounded to some like a white supremacist group — the very opposite of their purpose. So in 1971, the WPP essentially disbanded and reconstituted as the community-oriented Rainbow Peoples Party and the politically-oriented Human Rights Party. The following year, HRP got two candidates elected to the City Council, enabling them to pass an ordinance making marijuana possession a civil offense carrying a fine of just $5 and making Ann Arbor the first city in America to decriminalize Cannabis.

LATER LIFE & LEGACY

After successfully reforming Michigan’s marijuana laws, Sinclair retired from activism and shifted focus back to creative pursuits. First, he moved back to Detroit, where he became an arts editor for the Detroit Sun and hosted a radio show at WDET. Later, in 1991, he moved to New Orleans, where he spent 12 years DJing at WWOZ, writing about music, and forming his own spoken word/jazz band, John Sinclair and His Blues Scholars. Then, from 2003 to 2008, he lived in Amsterdam, where he launched Radio Free Amsterdam (broadcasting live from the 420 Café each week), and created The John Sinclair Foundation — a non-profit dedicated to preserving his artistic legacy.

And what a legacy it was: over his lifetime, Sinclair released over 20 albums and wrote countless books, essays, and articles — including the long-running column “Free the Weed” and the seminal pro-pot manifesto “Marijuana Revolution” (in 1971).

After moving back to Detroit in 2008, he opened the John Sinclair Foundation Café in 2018 and became one of the first people in Michigan to purchase weed legally in December 2019 after the passage of Measure 1. Despite his declining health, he remained a revered figurehead, appearing and speaking at Hash Bash each year.

John Sinclair died of congestive heart failure at the Detroit Receiving Hospital on the morning of Tuesday, April 2, 2024. He was 82.

Visit worldofcannabis.museum/cannthropology.

Original Freedom Rally poster designed by MC5/White Panther artist Gary Grimshaw. RICK THOMPSON

Speaking at the 2018 Hash Bash.

Yoko Ono and John Lennon perform at the John Sinclair Freedom Rally.

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS | U. OF MICH. YEARBOOK

I’LL TELL YOU SOMETHING: you bullies better watch your asses. You do not want to mess with a dude who was well-trained in martial arts as a kid, which is awfully popular with the youngins who aren’t too down with team sports. Some of them are nomads, riding solo, hanging in the shadows, and maybe a little anti-social.

And standing outside the bar, they can appear to be easy prey.

The prima donna skilled in the practice of intimidation may want to swallow a pill of caution when the “Saturday Night Fever” is brewing. He’s been at it since happy hour and now midnight is approaching. His blood is carbonated from the fiery liquid that’s loading the bulging trapezoids, and it’s fueling his arrogance.

He’s got his swagger in power mode, feeling alive, looking to step up the excitement, ready to entertain, an easy ass-whipping guaranteed for the primed crowd. But there are no guarantees in life, we all inevitably learn.

And for some, the lesson comes hard.

Everyone loves an underdog. Some of the most memorable events in history have featured a reluctant participant pushed to the corner with no alternative but to defend what is right. He is surprisingly prepared. And if you’ve never seen a skinny, undersized dude who’s a skilled fighter handle a bodacious, drunk asshole until he’s beet red-faced and gassed, it is truly a delight to witness. I mean, I’m all for peace and love, but sometimes you get a meathead who feels compelled to put all his gym hours to use. And he fucks with the wrong guy. What he leaves with is called an epiphany. It’s when the lion learns that he no longer rules the pride. He just had to have that last shot.

Dipshit should’ve smoked a bowl instead.